May 19, 2018 Alex City Outlook

INSIDE TODAY:

Weekend The Outlook

• Obits, 2 • Arrests, 2 • Opinion, 4 • Events, 5 • Faith, 6 • Classifieds, 7 • Local, 11 • Sports, 12

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

May 19-20, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 100 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢

SPORTS, PAGE 12 Reeltown gives itself a chance by going 1-1 to begin

County’s jobless rate drops in April

By ALIAH JONES Staff Writer

Tallapoosa County’s unemployment rate declined from March to April and is lower than the jobless rate in April 2016.

Numbers released Friday by the office of Gov. Kay Ivey showed that Tallapoosa County had a jobless rate of 3.7 percent in April, down from the 4 percent jobless rate in March. The rate last April was 3.8 percent.

Local business leaders say the numbers are mixed news for the community.

“Those numbers are good news because the goal is to have more of the residents working,” Jacob Meacham with the Alexander See JOBLESS • Page 3

Crime Crime up up slightly slightly in in Alex Alex City City

File / The Outlook

Area task force and law enforcement officers seize drugs at a meth lab bust in December 2017.

There were a total of 524 drug cases in 2017, which is an increase from 266 cases in 2016.

Despite more cases, ACPD solves crimes at very high level

By MITCH SNEED Editor

File / The Outlook

Edward Thomas, accused killer in a 2017 murder case, is escorted by officials last year.

OPINION | PAGE 4 SHOULD YOU TRUST AN ALARM COMPANY TO TELL YOU IF YOU’RE SAFE OR NOT? Mitch Sneed elaborates inside

Today’s

Weather

87 68 High

Low

ALEX CITY CRIME STATS

In recent weeks, several online reports using crime data to rank the safety or danger of a city have been released. Some have the city ranked high nationally on the list of the most dangerous cities, while others don’t even have Alexander City in the Top 50 most dangerous in Alabama.

Alexander City Police Department Chief Jay Turner said you have to look beyond the raw numbers and consider the source.

“You can make numbers say anything you want them to say,” Turner said. “An alarm company is trying to sell alarms so they need people to be worried. The bottom line is that most of the crime we see is related to money, drugs or domestic in nature. I haven’t calculated exact numbers, but we estimate that 70 percent of the crimes we deal with See CRIME • Page 11

Crime

2016

2017

Homicides Kidnapping Rape Other sex offenses Robbery Assaults Larceny/theft Auto theft Burglaries Drug cases Total

2 4 3 3 19 1,066 520 15 133 266 2,235

3 6 6 2 17 1,098 430 20 120 524 2,359

*Only selected categories listed above. Total cases does not include unfounded cases.

Do you feel safe in Alex City?

52% 48%

In an unscientific poll, 52 percent of the people who took time to vote said they feel safe in Alex City.

BRHS celebrates achievements at Senior Awards Day

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

As the Class of 2018 from Benjamin Russell High School prepares to move on to the next phase of life, the students received some special recognition for what they have been able to accomplish while in high school Friday morning at the annual Senior Awards Day ceremony.

“Today is a celebration of our seniors, who have worked hard in school from early on,” BRHS Principal Dr. Anthony Wilkinson said.

Looking to continue the trend of increasing the total amount of financial aid awards given to the seniors at Benjamin Russell, the students were recognized for having been awarded scholarships to approximately 40 colleges and universities, though an exact amount was not available Friday morning. Academic scholarships were handed out from Central Alabama Community College, Jacksonville State, Troy, Alabama, See BRHS • Page 3

New camp to offer more information on Horseshoe Bend

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

Lake Martin

Lake Levels

490.55 Reported on 05/18/18 @ 4 p.m.

LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443

laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL

6

54708

90050

USPS Permit # 013-080

8

With almost an entirely new park staff at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, the park is offering a new program to expand the lessons beyond the “black powder” programs the park is known for.

“We are known for reenactments with the cannon and muskets,” Park Ranger Stacy Speas said. “We are very well known for our black powder programs. With basically a new staff, we wanted to start something new. Coming from other National Parks we are trying to recruit others here for more than See HORSESHOE • Page 3

+

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Residents get special visit and show from Elvis Chapman’s Nursing Home rolled back the decades with Elvis impersonator Forrest Forbus Friday morning to brighten the residents’ day. There was an ice cream sundae bar and a game of Twister making this week fun for residents and employees who were celebrating National Nursing Home Week. Human Resource Director Leah Warren orchestrated the week. “All the employees of Chapman Health Care really put on a big show for the residents this week. They loved every minute of it,” Keri Phillips said. “We always look forward to Nursing Home Week every year.” To see more photos, see Page 11 inside.

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256-329-1313 • 217 Madison Street, Alexander City, AL “We are a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 under the Bankruptcy Code. Alabama State Bar requires the following in every attorney advertisement, “ No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”

Page 2

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Dating starts to cause cracks in circle of three best friends

Sunday

87 68 Low

High

Partly sunny with chance of t-storms

Monday

86 65 Low

High

Partly sunny with chance of t-storms

Staff

Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com

Weekend Edition, May 19-20, 2018

The Outlook

Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Katie Wesson Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tkatie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Digital Marketing Coordinator, Ext. 231 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Jessica Ware Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 jessica.ware@alexcityoutlook.com

DEAR ABBY: I can’t drive.

It’s not because I don’t want to, but whenever I sit behind the wheel, I have panic attacks. I’m currently attending therapy for it, and progress is being made, albeit slowly.

The problem is, when I try to explain that I suffer from GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), which affects my ability to learn to drive and sometimes just function day to day, I get a raised eyebrow and a “Well you look fine to me.” I feel like I’m in a lose-lose situation when the subject of my disability comes up. I’m not ashamed of it, but it’s frustrating to be regarded as either lazy or a liar because I don’t “look” disabled and I’m not “disabled enough” to apply for disability. How do I handle this?

-- ELAINE IN COLORADO DEAR ELAINE: You look fine because you have what is called a hidden disability. You do not have to discuss it in casual conversation. If someone asks

DEAR ABBY Advice

you to drive, explain that you can’t because panic attacks prevent it, but you are “working on getting it resolved.” If someone implies that you are lazy or a liar, reveal that you are in therapy to address it IF YOU CHOOSE. If that doesn’t shut the ignorant person up, keep your distance.

DEAR ABBY: I am a 16-yearold girl who has been having a hard time moving on since I was sexually assaulted. Although it was four years ago, it has conflicted with my current and past relationships because I tell guys I’m not ready for anything like that yet. They know what happened and keep trying to push me to move on from my

fear. Please tell me what to do.

-- NOT READY IN IDAHO DEAR NOT READY: You are smart not to have allowed yourself to be “persuaded” into doing anything you don’t feel ready for. I’m sorry you didn’t mention whether you received counseling after the assault. If you didn’t, you would benefit from discussing what happened to you with someone trained to help victims of the kind of trauma you have experienced. R.A.I.N.N. (the Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) can help you to locate a rape treatment center in your area. Either call (800) 656-4673 or go to rainn.org and they will give you the information you need. Please don’t put it off.

DEAR ABBY: You often publish letters from women who are upset that their boyfriends haven’t proposed, sometimes after years of being together. These letters perplex me. We live in a time when women are told they

can do anything, be anything. So why are they waiting for some guy to finally pop the question?

My suggestion to them: Ask HIM! And if he waffles or says he isn’t ready to commit, you’ll know there’s probably no use waiting.

Then find someone who recognizes you for the awesome person you are and can’t wait to be with you. -- WISE WESTERNER DEAR WESTERNER: I suspect that more women don’t take the initiative because they are afraid of the response they’ll receive. But you have offered wise advice. Time is precious. It shouldn’t be wasted waiting for a commitment that may never come.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 219 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 219 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com Erin Burton Office Assistant, Ext. 204 erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publish- printing press. ers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011.

Postal

Information

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.

Tree falls from rain, blocks road until cleared

© 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.

Obituaries

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Early Friday morning rains softened the ground just enough to allow a tree to fall over on Jefferson Street near the City Cemetery. The tree blocked most of both lanes of traffic before workers from the Alexander City Public Works Department responded and cut the tree into pieces and drug it away. The mess was cleared up before 7 a.m.

Martha ‘Jo’ Blake Moseley 1929 - 2018 Funeral Service for Mrs. Martha “Jo” Blake Moseley, 89, of Alexander City, will be Sunday, May 20, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Rev. Dr. Gerald Hallmark will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hillview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 20, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home.

Mrs. Moseley passed away on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at Chapman Healthcare Center. She was born on February 13, 1929 in Equality, Alabama to Albert Jefferson Blake and Frankie Monk Blake. She was a member of First Baptist Church. Mrs. Moseley loved her family greatly! She was an avid Auburn fan and enjoyed living at Lake Martin where she loved to cook and entertain and was darn good at it.

She is survived by her sons, Scott Moseley of Chelsea and Steve Moseley (Kelly) of Auburn; grandchildren, Conrad Moseley and Tyler Carr; great-grandchild, Blake Carr; special friend, Catherine Greenleaf of Alexander City; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 55 years, Leo Justice Moseley.

The family would like to give a special “Thank You” to the staff of Chapman Healthcare and Assisted Living for the wonderful love, care and support that was extended to Mrs. Moseley.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www. radneyfuneralhome.com.

Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS 2ND AND 3RD SHIFT FOR DIRECT CARE Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street, Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Shatia Carr (334)252-0025 Ext. 101 Email: Scarr@learning-tree.org

SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law 135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL

825-9559 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

Police Reports Alexander City Police Department May 17

• Jessica Kenyatta Minnifield, 23, of Alexander City was arrested for three counts of bail jumping.

• Raphael Xavier Towers, 27, of Alexander City was arrested for failure to appear.

• Carla Faye Hill, 44, of Alexander City was arrested for domestic violence.

• Ladarrian Charles Hardnett, 20, of Alexander City was arrested for failure to appear.

• Myles Carter, 31, of Alexander City was arrested for criminal mischief.

• Annie Grace Little, 31, of Alexander City was arrested for two counts of possession of a controlled and possession of marijuana.

• Theft was reported in Kellyton.

• Domestic violence was reported in Alexander City.

• Harassment was reported in Alexander City.

• Two counts of possession of a controlled substance were reported in Alexander City.

• Domestic violence and theft of property was reported in Alexander City.

May 16

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•Jackien Ann Massey, 35, of Alexander City was arrested for public intoxication.

• Anthoney Scott Hawkins, 22, of Alexander City was arrested for domestic violence.

• Arthur Ray Wilson,

56, of Alexander City was arrested for two counts of domestic violence.

• Criminal trespass was reported on County Road.

• Two counts of domestic violence was reported in Alexander City.

• Public intoxication was reported in Alexander City.

• Domestic violence was reported on Adams Street.

• Theft and criminal trespass was reported on Pearson Chapel Road.

• Criminal trespass was reported on River Ridge Road.

• Burglary and theft of property was reported on Forrest Street.

• A structure fire was reported on South Road.

• Discharging a firearm in the city was reported in Alexander City.

• Unlawful breaking and entering and theft of property was reported in Alexander City.

May 15

• Eric Tyler Johnston, 26, of Montgomery was arrested for theft of property.

• Phillip Brett Smith, 29, of Alexander City was arrested for burglary and theft.

• Possession of a concealed weapon without a permit was reported in Alexander City.

• Theft was reported in Alexander City.

• Theft was reported in Alexander City.

• Theft was reported in Alexander City.

May 14

• Harassing communi-

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cations was reported in Alexander City.

• Theft by fraudulent leasing was reported in Alexander City.

Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department May 17

• Demetris Griffin of County Road 25 in Opelika was arrested on a failure to appear possession of a controlled substance warrant at Chambers County Jail and transported to Tallapoosa County Jail without incident.

• Raphael Towers of Meadows Drive in Alexander City was arrested on a failure to appear child support warrant and transported to the Tallapoosa County Jail.

• A resident on East Patton Road in Tallassee filed a report in reference to assault.

May 16

• A resident on Cook Road in Dadeville filed a report for theft.

May 15

• A resident of Boone Valley Road in Jacksons Gap filed a report for harassment.

• A resident of Concord Road in Dadeville filed a report for fraudulent use of a credit card.

May 14

• Alisha Stough of Quail Run Drive in Tallassee was arrested on an outstanding warrant for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and failure to appear probation revocation.

• A resident of Blueberry Road in Dadeville filed a report for harassment.

• A resident of East Hewston Street in Dadeville filed a report for criminal mischief.

• Anthony Jones of Strong Street in Goodwater was arrested for five grand jury indictments for two assaults first degree and three assaults second degree.

Dadeville Police Department May 15

• A Camp Hill woman, age 25, was arrested on a warrant for harassment.

May 14

• A two-vehicle motor vehicle collision occurred on Highway 280 resulting in minor property damage and no injuries. One driver was cited for no driver’s license.

• An Alexander City man, age 30, was arrested on a warrant for domestic violence third.

• A Dadeville woman, age 37, was arrested for two charges of domestic violence third on Freeman Drive.

May 13

• A Dadeville man, age 56, was arrested for disorderly conduct on Laredo Circle.

May 11

• A Dadeville man, age 30, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear.

• A Dadeville woman, age 44, was arrested on a warrant for theft of property Third on West Cusseta Street.

May 10

• A Dadeville man, age 28, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and a warrant for failure to appear on Highway 280.

• A two-vehicle motor vehicle collision occurred on East Lafayette Street resulting in minor property damage and no injuries.

May 9

• A Dadeville man, age 58, was arrested on a warrant for receiving stolen property fourth on Aster Street.

• A two-vehicle motor vehicle collision occurred on North West Street resulting in minor property damage and no injuries.

A two vehicle motor vehicle collision occurred on Highway 280 resulting in minor property damage and no injuries.

Weekend Edition, May 19-20, 2018

Jobless

A host of Benjamin Russell students were recognized during Senior Awards Day Friday morning, being honored for earning a multitude of academic and athletic scholarships from approximately 40 different colleges and universities.

Donald Campbell / The Outlook

BRHS

continued from page 1

Auburn, UAB, UAH, Spring Hill College, Baylor University and the Savannah College of Art and Design, among others. Along with these, there were students who had also earned athletic scholarships to places such as CACC, Hocking College in Ohio, Southern Union State Community College, Tuskegee, Stillman College and Martin Methodist.

In addition to the scholarships given out by academic institutions, scholarships were awarded from local groups and organizations including the Alexander City Kiwanis Club, the Boys & Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area, Russell Medical Center, Students With a Goal and Gateway to Education, whose financial aid offer pays for up to 64 credit hours for each recipient to attend CACC. While much of the ceremony was devoted to honoring those students who had earned scholarships to colleges and universities throughout Alabama and across the country, as well as scholarships from local groups and organizations, there was also time devoted to giving out other special awards. These included the Wendy’s High School Heisman, the United States Marine Corps Athletic Award, and Daughters of the American Revolution Top American History Student.

Along with these awards, a handful of graduating seniors were recognized for enlisting into the Marines, Air Force, Army or National Guard.

As the ceremony began to wrap up, the two co-valedictorians and four

co-salutatorians went up on stage in order to present their Golden Apple Awards, recognizing those teachers who have played a major role in their educational careers. “We normally only do the top five handing out these awards, but we had a tie this year, so we’ll be awarding six,�

Wilkinson said.

Ivey Riddle presented hers to BRHS Band Director Dale Bloodworth, Ashaunti Price gave an award to Kimberly Davis, Aubrey Culver awarded a golden apple to Shannon Culver, Taylor Latham presented hers to Julie Haynes, Kristina Skinner gave hers to Amanda Smith and Shelby Bloodworth handed out her golden apple to Jeanne Riddle.

Lastly, Wilkinson named the Benjamin Russell Teacher of the Year, who was presented with the Red Apple Award. For his hard work with the Benjamin Russell fishing team, as well as reviving the Benjamin Russell FFA chapter and turning it into a group that has won local and district competitions, this year’s award went to Josh Williams. “I know it’s been a long morning, but it’s been worth it,� Wilkinson said.

After the awards ceremony was over, the seniors, their parents and special guests were invited to the cafeteria and amphitheater in front of the school for a special reception in their honor. “Today was a good, good day,� senior counselor Richard Burton said. “It was very exciting. It was an enjoyable moment to get to see the seniors celebrate like that.�

Horseshoe just the battle.�

Speas said staff hope to expand the scope of what the park is used for. “We are trying to recruit younger people, people of other ethnic groups and people wanting to enjoy the outdoors,� Speas said. “We have hiking trails and have started a bird walk.�

In an effort to also go beyond the “Battle of Horseshoe Bend,� Speas said staff worked with Muskogee Indians about creating a program for children. “When I went through Alabama history, I thought the Battle was the end of the Indians,�

Speas said. “They are all around us. We worked with the Muskogee to come up with things they would like to get through to visitors.�

What park staff created with the help of a grant from the Eastern National Parks and Monument Association was a series of day camps to introduce children 8-12 to Creek Culture through three programs or camps.

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The Outlook

continued from page 1

City Chamber of Commerce said. “But having most of your population working does present some challenges for the business community.

We hear that from businesses often that they have a tough time finding qualified workers as that pool looking for work gets smaller and smaller.�

A news release from the state says the rate seasonally adjusted for April is 3.8 percent, which makes no change from March but falls below the April 2017 rate of 4.8 percent. In April, 2,086,659 people were counted employed, an increase of 19,877 from 2017, while 83,208 people were counted as unemployed.

The state’s civilian labor force reached 6,970 over April, the highest increase so far this year. “Alabama businesses are supporting more jobs than they have in more than a decade,� Ivey said in a released statement. “In fact, we’ve got the third highest wage and salary employment in history.

This tells us that businesses in Alabama are hiring, and they’re confident in our economy.�

Numbers for the lowest unemployment rates are listed in the state’s news release.

Wilcox County saw its rate drop by 2.2 percentage points over the year.

During this year, there was a $41.92 average increase of weekly earnings for the state.

Wage and salary employment increased

continued from page 1

American Indian Crafts will give children an idea about what the Creek ate, the tools they used and what kind of houses they lived in while making take-home crafts.

Creek Indian Games will give an idea of the games and other things Muskogee children did for fun including stickball.

Creek Family Ties will highlight facts about Creek Indian families, their society and how their legacy still shines from Alabama to

Oklahoma.

All programs are led by park rangers.

American Indian Crafts is offered June 12, June 14, July 10 and July 12.

Creek Indian Games is offered June 19, June 21, July 17 and July 19.

Creek Family is offered June 26, June 28, July 24 and July 26.

The camps are from 9 a.m. to noon, require a reservation and do not include lunch.

Attendees can choose either the Tuesday or Thursday camp and the

Alexander City (Lake Martin) Director of The Cancer Center RN Med/Surg (PRN) Lead Radiation Therapist (R.T. (T)) Nurse Tech (2nd shift) Respiratory Therapist (FT 7/7) Medical Technologist, MT(PRN) CRNP/or Physician Asst (FT/PRN) RN (FT) Student Loan Reimbursement Program RN Cath Lab (FT) Fax: 256/329-7335 or Phone: 256/329-7345 SEND RESUME TO:

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three June camps repeat in July.

Call the staff of Horseshoe Bend National Military Park at 256-2347111 to reserve a spot for your child.

in April by 13,900 and monthly gains were seen in the professional and business services sector (+6,000), the leisure and hospitality sectors (+4,900), and the construction sector (+2,300), among others. “All 67 Alabama counties experienced rate drops both over the month and over the year,�

Secretary of the Alabama Department of Labor Fitzgerald Washington said. “Wilcox County, which traditionally has the highest unemployment rate in Alabama, saw its rate drop by 2.2 percentage points over the year.�

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County

at 2.6 percent, Cullman County at 2.8 percent, and Marshall, Madison, and Elmore counties at 3.0 percent. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 8.6 percent, Clarke and Lowndes counties at 6.6 percent, and Greene County at 6.0 percent.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Homewood and Vestavia Hills at 2.2 percent, Alabaster at 2.5 percent, and Hoover, Madison, and Northport at 2.6 percent. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Prichard at 6.1 percent, Selma at 6.0 percent, and Anniston at 5.2 percent.

HOW TO SUBMIT AN EVENT If you would like something to run in The Outlook’s community calendar or with its ongoing events, email calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or call 256-234-4281

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Leadership for the People • Uphold Christian conservative values • Ensure financial accountability for state government • Dedicated to protecting your second amendment rights • Promote industrial growth for our district • Help create more jobs with higher wages in our district • Protect parent’s rights to raise their children as they see fit • Support state and local law enforcement • Implement internet access in rural areas • Fight tax increases

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Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. 548 Cherokee Road, Alex City No phone calls please TPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer Drug Free Workplace

DerrickBlytheDistrict81 CONTACT: DERRICK BLYTHE 256.234.4101 derrickblythe1@gmail.com Pd. Pol. Adv. by Derrick Blythe • 151 Alabama Street • Alexander City, AL 35010

MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213 editor@alexcityoutlook.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed

Page 4

Opinion

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Outlook The

Weekend Edition, May 19-20, 2018

Alex City’s numbers don’t add up to dangerous

Our

View

Remember our A fallen heroes every day

T

here are some things we should never forget.

Things like birthdays of a spouse or child, your address and phone number and your anniversary come immediately to mind.

But there are more solemn things that we should also make sure are ingrained in out minds.

Events like the bombing of Pearl Harbor or 9-11 fall into that category.

But locally, we should always remember that there are a lot of brave men and women who put their lives on the line to help keep us all safe.

The men and women of law enforcement answer the call in our time of need. They rarely ask why; instead, they just charge forward because someone needs their help.

They don’t have the luxury of fear or second thoughts. They do their job with honor even though there is always a risk that the next call could be the one that means they will not be coming home.

The 22st Annual Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial was held Wednesday and the names of the local law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty were read in a moving ceremony.

The local fallen heroes are: • Deputy J. Kyle Young of Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department lost his life April 13, 1952.

• Officer Larry Neal Stone of Camp Hill Police Department lost his life Dec. 20, 1968.

• Officer Roland Hicks Jr., of Camp Hill Police Department lost his life August 10, 1969.

• Officer Clarence Oden Martin of Alexander City Police Department lost his life Jan. 6, 1976.

• Officer Reuben Milam of Alexander City Police Department lost his life July 4, 1976.

• Deputy Leonard W. Brand of Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department lost his life May 25, 1986.

• Officer Angeline Scruggs of Tallassee Police Department lost her life Nov. 11, 1992.

They all sacrificed their lives so that we could be safe.

So we ask that you commit these names to memory, so we can think of them every day, not just each year in May.

website that promotes the use of home security systems has issued a report that lists Alexander City as the 15th most dangerous city in the nation and the third most dangerous in Alabama.

Safewise, a professional review and comparison website that features in-depth research and provides feedback about security products and services, used FBI Uniform Crime data from 2016 as a basis for the report which was released late last week.

Another security website alarms.org released a similar report using multiple facts ranking over three years and didn’t have Alexander City ranked among 50 most dangerous cities in Alabama.

So what are you to do? Do you start buying iron bars, alarms, cameras and adopt a Rottweiler, a Pitbull and a Doberman? Or do you sing “Zipa-Dee-Doo-Dah” and take the locks off your doors?

The rankings put out by Safewise had Anniston ranked as the nation’s most dangerous city.

Bessemer was No. 5 nationally according to the report.

In Alexander City, the report shows that 657 property crimes were reported which computes to 44.7 per thousand people.

The FBI shows Alexander City having 277 violent crimes in 2016 which is 18.85 violent crimes per 1,000 people.

In Anniston, the data shows there were 33 violent crimes and 77 property crimes per 1,000 people, and the report says that makes it the town that experiences more crime per capita than anywhere else in the country.

“So if this study is suggesting that Alexander City is a place where you are more likely to be the victim of a random crime than in say Birmingham, Montgomery, Selma or Mobile – they can’t be serious,” Alexander City Police Chief Jay Turner said. “They are trying to sell alarms. They need people to be scared. You can make numbers say whatever you want to.”

Turner pointed out that the data and story don’t take many things into account that may be unique about the location.

“They have our population at 14,695 which is what the Census has, but that doesn’t look at the areas outside our jurisdiction that we patrol,” Turner said.

“In addition to those people, it makes no allowance for the population increase that we see for five to six months out of the year when the population increases by as many as 10,000 on a given day.

MITCH SNEED Editor “If you were to factor in that added population, the ranking would be drastically different.”

The FBI’s disclaimer on its data seems to agree with what Turner is saying.

“Each year when ‘Crime in the United States’ is published, some entities use the figures to compile rankings of cities and counties,” a footnote on the FBI dataset reads.

“These rough rankings provide no insight into the numerous variables that mold crime in a particular town, city, county, state, tribal area, or region. Consequently, they lead to simplistic and/or incomplete analyses that often create misleading perceptions adversely affecting communities and their residents.

“Valid assessments are possible only with careful study and analysis of the range of unique conditions affecting each local law enforcement jurisdiction,” the disclaimer continues. “The data user is, therefore, cautioned against comparing crime data of individual reporting units from cities, metropolitan areas, states, or colleges or universities solely on the basis of their population coverage or student enrollment.”

The way crimes are reported often varies from agency to agency, Turner said. If a call comes in and an officer responds, that could give a false reading as to what crime, if any, has taken place.

Turner couldn’t speak to what other departments do, but in Alexander City the numbers supplied to the FBI are classified by the way the call comes in, regardless of what the officer finds or if the charges that result are something different or downgraded as a result of the investigator’s findings.

“We could get a call that comes in as an armed robbery, but when the officer gets there it turned out that it was a shoplifter that pushed someone in the process of taking merchandise or getting away,” Turner said.

“While it’s not really a robbery, that’s the way the call or complaint came in so that’s the way it counts in the numbers used by this website for this ranking. If they went by what the charges were or what was indicted, it would be more accurate. But that’s not the way we do it.

“I know for a fact that there

are a lot of agencies where if an officer gets out there and they don’t find a crime or someone opts not to press charges, those are never counted. We report and count every call.”

Property crimes are also the subject of misleading reports.

In the last three years, the Lake Martin area has had three separate waves of burglaries from storage warehouses.

Since they are all at the same street address, many agencies report a location where 15 units were burglarized as one incident at that street address. In Alexander City, they count each unit as a separate crime.

“We do that because we want the victims to be able to go after restitution,” Turner said. “That’s the right way to do it, but I’m sure some others don’t handle it the same way. There was even a year or two here where we went to the other method. We go by the book on how it is supposed to be done.”

The report also shows that cities with higher rates are often among areas that experience a high level of poverty. Anniston, according to Safewise, has a third of its residents living in poverty. Alexander City, which ranks among the state’s 10 poorest cities, has 33.3 percent of its residents living in poverty, according to Census data.

“Poverty and mental health are definitely factors,” Turner said.

“Also if you look at it, especially with so many of our crimes being domestic in nature, we estimate that 70 percent of the crimes we deal with involve a suspect who knows their victim.”

I’m a little better with letters than I am numbers and there are some days I struggle with that too. I don’t need numbers to tell me if I’m safe or not. Do I feel safe in Alexander City? Yes I do. But I still lock my doors, my shed and my vehicle and don’t leave valuables in plain sight. I own guns, and yes, that’s plural.

Despite numbers, do I feel that my family is safe to go to Walmart or Mapco at night? Yes. Can I take a walk around town after dark without looking over my shoulder? I wouldn’t think twice about it except I debate whether I may need oxygen on the trip.

Let’s face it, in Alexander City we may have some neighborhoods where you could get a knife pulled on you, but more likely than not you will find that the knife has butter on it.

Take numbers with a grain of salt and consider the source.

Sneed is the editor of The Outlook.

T.C. Coley represents District 1, including half of Coley Creek, the Andrew Jackson subdivision, the southern part of Indian Hill, North Central Avenue, part of Pearson’s Chapel Road, the Northside community and portion of Spring Hill community. His phone T.C. Coley number is 256-212-9316.

His address is 2316 North Central Avenue, Kellyton.

Letter to the Editor

Reader: Austin Holley was an inspiration

John McKelvey represents District 3, which includes Jackson’s Gap, Hackneyville, New Site and Daviston. McKelvey currently serves as chairman. His phone number is 256-7944405. His address is 1285 Freeman Road, Dadeville.

John McKelvey

Emma Jean Thweatt represents District 4, which includes Dadeville, Pace’s Point, northern Camp Hill, Buttston, Dudleyville and part of Eagle Creek.

She can be reached at 825-4207. Her address is 585 Brookwood Circle, Dadeville.

Emma Jean Thweatt

Dear Editor,

George Carleton Jr. represents District 5, which includes southern Camp Hill, Red Ridge, Walnut Hill, Union and Pleasant Ridge. His address is 630 Turner Road, Dadeville.

George Carleton Jr.

Today’s

Scripture

“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”

—Hebrews 6:10

alexcityoutlook.com

Daily Poll Friday’s question: Have you seen a snake on your property or anywhere around the lake community this year?

Yes – 60%, 21 votes No – 40%, 14 votes

Weekend question: Do you plan to do any hiking in the lake community this summer?

To participate in this daily poll, log on each day to www.alexcityoutlook.com and vote. Find out the vote totals in the next edition of The Outlook and see if your vote swayed the results.

Our

Mission

The Outlook strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

How to

Subscribe

The subscription rate is $136.00 per year in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties and $177.99 outside the area. Periodicals paid at Alexander City, AL. Newspapers are available at 100 news racks in our area at 75 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. We would love to deliver a paper to your door. Call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281, Ext. 204 or email david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com.

Opinion?

Officials

Steve Robinson

Quote

“The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions.”

—Oliver Wendell Holmes

What’s your

Know Your

Steve Robinson represents District 2, which includes the southern part of Alexander City, the Cedar Creek area, Ourtown and Willow Point. His phone number is 256-654-0047. His address is 300 Heritage Drive Alexander City.

Today’s

Last week, Alexander City lost an important business man. But to me, I lost a lot more than that.

I remember as a child going to Holley’s Home Furnishings every week with my dad. While he and Mr. Austin worked on his ad for the next week’s Talla-Coosa Advertiser, I carefully walked around the store and checked out the merchandise.

I would always notice what was gone, what was new and what I really wished we had at our home. Mr. Austin always told me to remember to come and see him when I was older and he said that my credit was always good with him. That was always one of my favorite stops

each week, as we visited many stores collecting ads for our tiny paper. Growing up my parents always told me that when I got older, I should try to find a career that would make me happy. Life was too short to dread going to work every day. My dad had a job making sales calls and visiting friends each week, while my mom taught children to dance. I saw where both of them enjoyed their profession, and that was important to me as well.

I remember always seeing Mr. Austin enjoying his job, enjoying going to work and wearing a smile every day. This was something I wanted to try, so in 1993 I opened a small store of my own. One of the first to walk in my door was none other than Mr. Austin. He welcomed me into the

business, wished me luck and said if there was ever anything he could do for me, all I had to do was ask. He then said something I will never forget. He said, “Remember this. Before you can sell a product, you first have to sell yourself.”

After the beautiful funeral service, I began thinking about Mr. Holley in heaven. I am sure he is kicked back on a big comfy sofa with The Bear waiting on the Crimson Tide to roll this fall.

And I am almost positive that big comfy sofa is a Broyhill.

Thank you for everything you have ever done for me Mr. Holley. Rest in peace. And just for you I say, “Roll Tide!”

David E. McGhee McGhee Mattress and More

We’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with the greater Lake Martin community.

It’s free and it only takes a few moments of your time. We have two ways to get your opinion in print: letters to the editor and guest columns. The main difference is length. Letters to the editor are up to 250 words, while guest columns can be up to 500 words.

Letters and columns may be sent to P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011, faxed to (256) 2346550 or emailed to editor@alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send us your thoughts today!

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Weekend Edition, May 19-20, 2018

The Outlook

CommunityCalendar Need Insurance?

Call me.

256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com

This weekend is May 19-20, 2018 Today’s Events

PERFORMANCE: The Mt. Vernon Theatre in Tallassee is hosting the Central Alabama Youth Wind Symphony at 7 p.m.

The Central Alabama Youth Wind Symphony is a youth organization for youths by youths. Directed by Tyler Rodgers, CAYWS has a lot to offer the community, especially in the form of music. The project was started in November as a means to bring the community and others together through music and allow area youth to express themselves freely and openly.

CAYWS believes in a warm, friendly environment for all teenagers looking to continue their exploration in the field of music.

Tickets to the show are $5 and are available at mtvernontheatre.net.

ARMED FORCES DAY PICNIC: The Bill Nichols Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans will be holding a Picnic in the Park from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Strand Park to celebrate Armed Forces Day. Veteran service organizations like the DAV and American Legion will be on hand to pass out information, and the Alabama National Guard will also have a display set up.

There will be a military vehicle show, kids activities and food vendors set up in the park as well. The event is open to the public and there is no cost to attend.

SINGING: The Kellyton Revival Center is hosting “Singing with The Exhorters” at 5 p.m. Refreshments will be provided afterwards and a love offering will be taken.

TRADE DAY: The Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends are hosting the monthly trade day in Millerville on Highway 9 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Refreshments will be available.

MUSIC FESTIVAL: The Weogufka Center for the Arts is hosting the Muddy Water Music Festival and Fish Fry Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. until.

Admission is $5 a person and free for children 12 and under.

Scheduled to perform are Ryan Shurette, Josh Baxley, Matt Hardy, Judy Stocks, Brian Voss, Back Street, Cara Adams, Matt Stevens, Elvis Jake Stevens, Anna Brooke Parrett, Drake Jennings, Jackie Rayfield, Chris Turney, Amber Fountain, Brackie Gaither, Austin Culberson, Emily Baxley, Dazed and Confused, Frank Daugherty, Sybil Kirkpartrick and The Renfroe Mountain Medicine Show.

Catfish plates are $12 for adults and $6 for children.

Today’s Birthdays

Kat Milner, Virginia Ashworth, Elizabeth Gilliland, Caroline Fuller, Teresa Burns, Tanya Nelson, Mike Davis and Darlene Johnson are celebrating birthdays today.

Today’s Anniversaries

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Holley celebrate their anniversary today.

Sunday’s Events

BACCALAUREATE SERVICE: The Benjamin Russell Baccalaureate Service is at 7 p.m. at the BRHS auditorium.

CHURCH HOMECOMING: Holly Springs Baptist Church in Coosa County is hosting homecoming at 11 a.m.

Bro. Donnie Blackmon will be preaching. Everyone is welcome to eat after the service, just bring a chair and some food to share.

All former members and family of those buried in the church cemetery are welcome.

SINGING: A singing will be held at the Midway Historical School from noon to 2 p.m. at East Mill Drive in Hollins.

SOLIDARITY DAY: New Adka Missionary Baptist Church is hosting Solidarity Day at 11 a.m. The theme is “How to talk about Relationship Problems.”

Edward Milner is pastor.

COOKING CLASS: The Beacon of Joy Mission is presenting a healthy cooking class from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at 369 Scott Road.

Submit calendar items:

Participate in your Outlook by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or logging on to http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/.

There will be food tasting and recipes will be provided. You must have an invitation to attend to know how much food to prepare. Please contact Renee Jackson at 256-749-5943.

CHURCH HOMECOMING: Darien Church on Highway 22 between Daviston and Wadley at Cotney’s old store is hosting homecoming starting at 10:30 a.m. Elder Jonathan Blakeley of Wetumpka will be the guest minister.

A covered dish lunch will follow the morning service. All friends and descendants of former members are cordially invited to attend this service.

CHURCH HOMECOMING: Bethel Baptist Church South in Clay County is holding homecoming services with the program beginning at 10 a.m. and lunch at noon.

PASTOR APPRECIATION: Haven Memorial United Methodist Church is holding a pastor appreciation service Sunday, May 20 for Pastor Percy Nolan, Jr beginning at 2:30 p.m. at Haven Memorial United Methodist Church, 354 Christian Street, Alexander City, AL. The guest speaker for the event will be Rev. Eddie Hunter of Miracle Baptist Church. Everyone is invited to attend.

Monday’s Anniversaries

Jerry and Molly Boswell and Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Maurice Jones celebrate their anniversaries Monday.

The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow

The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for 2nd, 3rd, and Weekend Shifts for Direct Care.

Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Shatia Carr (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 Email: Scarr@learning-tree.org

May 21-22

Need your business to

STAND OUT from the crowd?

Call us, we can help!

256.234.4281

JEWELRY SALE: The Russell Medical Auxiliary will have its $5 Masquerade Jewelry Sale May 21 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and May 22 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proceeds go toward student scholarships.

May 21 - May 22

PIANO RECITAL: Sandra Stark’s Piano Studio is holding a piano recital May 21 and 22 at 7 p.m. at Faith Temple.

Tuesday, May 22

• • • • •

Alexander City Outlook Dadeville Record Wetumpka Herald Eclectic Observer Tallassee Tribune

OPEN HOUSE: The Achievement Center – Easter Seals is holding an “Open House” Tuesday, May 22 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. There will be tours of the newly renovated facility.

Refreshments will be served and the public is invited.

Friday, June 1

Wednesday, May 23

Saturday, May 26

CONCERT: The Mt. Vernon Theatre in Tallassee is hosting Bama Breeze in concert, Jimmy Buffet style with a food truck.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have Family Game Night Bingo from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday, May 26. Begin with hot dogs, pizza, chips, and soft drinks.

Sunday, May 27

CELEBRATION TRIBUTE: A celebration tribute in memory of Mr. Thomas “Toot Toot” Marbury will be held at 6 p.m. in Strand Park in downtown Alexander City.

MISSION DAY PROGRAM: Friendship Missionary Baptist Church will host its Mission Day Program at 2 p.m. The guest speaker will be Rev. Lorenzo Caldwell, pastor of Almighty God Baptist Church in Goodwater.

Rev. Roosevelt Gregory is pastor.

Everyone is invited to attend.

PASTOR APPRECIATION: Kellyton Chapel United Methodist Church in Kellyton is hosting the 9th Pastoral Appreciation service honoring Pastor and Sister Michael Strong Sunday, May 27 at 2:30 p.m.

The guest minister will be Rev. Clarence Woodard, pastor of Rushing Spring Baptist Church in Lincoln.

Tuesday, May 29

USHERS MEETING: The Early Rose District Usher’s meeting will be at 5 p.m. at the Early Rose District Center.

2712 Washington Street Alexander City

256-234-0800

SEE ME FOR INSURANCE

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

Monday’s Birthdays

Andrew Grant, Farrah Solley, Margaret Anne Fuller, Brett Sapp and Bessie Spivey celebrate their birthdays Monday.

The cooking team known as Chop Shop Chaos placed in all three divisions and was selected Best Overall with a duck dish called Mallard Point at the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Wild Game Cook-off at the Lake Martin Amphitheater on Saturday, May 12. Team members were John McKelvey, Regina McKelvey, Daniel Thompson and Shanna Thompson.

SENIORX: Deborah Jones will be at the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to help seniors determine if they are eligible for assistance with diabetic supplies, liquid supplements and medications.

For more information contact Jones at 1-800-361-1636.

ASSISTED LIVING

Sunday’s Anniversaries

Jerry and Molly Boswell and Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Maurice Jones celebrate their anniversaries Sunday.

Special / The Outlook

SPEECH AND HEARING SCREENING: Auburn University NSSLHA & SAA are proud to offer a free speech, language and hearing screening that will access the following for children and adults: articulation (pronouncing sounds), receptive language (understanding concepts and spoken language), expressive language (ability to verbally express self), cognition (attention, memory, problem solving), voice quality, fluency and hearing.

The screening will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at 1199 Haley Center in Auburn.

For further information, please call 334-844-9600.

COOKING CLASS: The Beacon of Joy Mission is presenting a vegetarian cooking class from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at 369 Scott Road.

There will be food tasting and recipes. You must have an invitation to attend so enough food can be prepared.

Please contact Renee Jackson at 256-749-5943.

MEETING: The Lake Martin Area Industrial Development Authority will hold a called meeting at 1 p.m. at the offices of Charter HR in Kellyton, AL.

THE MEADOWS

Sunday’s Birthdays

Wade Bradberry, Laura Cotney, Latanya Burton, Mary Jane Smith, Debra Oliver, Minnie Lou Tapley and Vickey Sims are celebrating birthdays Sunday.

Chop Shop Chaos a big winner at cook-off

Monday, May 21

Page 5

www.alexcityoutlook.com

RUMMAGE SALE: The First Presbyterian Church is hosting a rummage sale to clear out the youth house at 371 Jefferson Street from 2 to 6 p.m. There will be furniture, appliances, crafts, Bible study kits and more.

CAMP HIDDEN LAKE: Applications for the Salvation Army’s Camp Hidden Lake from June 18-23 are due by June 1. The camp is free to those who qualify. Register online at campscui.active.com/orgs/ CampHiddenLake.

CHURCH SINGING: Family Worship Center is hosting a Friday Night Singing with Eternal Vision June 1 at 7 p.m. The church is located at 1676 Sewell Street in Alexander City.

Everyone is welcome.

Brown Nursing and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services •Physical Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Speech Therapy 2334 Washington Street Alexander City • 256-329-9061 www.crownemanagement.com

Come Visit Us! Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing

–Since 1978–

BIG “B” BAR-B-QUE “We Cook The Best BETTER!”

Hickory Grilled Meat BBQ • STEAK CHICKEN • CATFISH

256.329.9996 Hwy. 22 West, Alexander City, AL

How to add a calendar item: Participate in your

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

Saturday, June 2

LEAVE NO TRACE: Wind Creek State Park is hosting National Trails Day Leave No Trace in the Park at 9 a.m. The hiking event will educate hikers on how to “leave no trace” when hiking.

This hike is part of the 100 Alabama Mile Challenge. Meet at the Campfire Trail Head in the North Picnic area.

PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY: New Adka Missionary Baptist Church in Dadeville is celebrating the pastoral anniversary of Rev. Edward Milner and and First Lady Emily Milner June 2 at 5 p.m. in the New Adka Education Building at 21 North Thornton Road in Dadeville.

BOOK SIGNING: Lakesha Denise will have a book signing for her new book “Powerful Women of Faith” Saturday, June 2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m at the Lake Martin Innovation Center.

By e-mailing your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or call 256-234-4281. _____ Send your news items to editor@alexcityoutlook.com

Small Space Advertising Works.

Sunday, June 3

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Friendship Missionary Baptist Church will hold its 133rd church anniversary at 3 p.m. The guest speaker will be Rev. Gordon McCord, pastor of Second Marrietta Missionary Baptist Church in Castleberry.

Rev. Roosevelt Gregory is pastor.

Everyone is invited to attend.

For Consistent Advertising

at Low Rates ...

call the Advertising Department

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Page 6

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Weekend Edition, May 19-20, 2018

The Outlook

In Community, We Share Tallapoosa County Devotional Page

SECURITY Grace’s Flowers and Gifts PEST CONTROL

“Since 1962”

652 Cherokee Road • Alexander City

Flowers with the Extra Touch!

256-329-1018 THOMAS AUTO PARTS

951 Hillabee • Alexander City • 256-234-4238

• Automotive Parts • Machine Shop Services • Paint & Body Supplies • Hydraulic Hose Assemblies

AUTO PARTS

150 Green Street • Alexander City • 256.234.5023 157 E. South Street • Dadeville • 256.825.4155

Since 1976

256-357-9233 www.Àooringwholesale.com

Open 7 Days A Week 1 1 AM - 10 PM

61 Jefferson Street • Alexander City Phone: 256-234-3454

Birds of a feather flock together

T

The Bible also warns us to break hroughout my life I have fellowship with other “Christians been reminded of this who are living in wicked phrase, “Remember that unrepentant sin.” ‘birdes of a feather will flocke It is very clear we are not to togither.’” This spelling of a have close types of relationships now common English phrase is with those who have no interest believed to have been coined in in God’s will. When we develop 1599 by English lexicographer close relationships with those John Minsheu, who printed JACKIE reject God, we run the risk the phrase in his publication WILBOURN who of being influenced in a negative “The Dictionarie in Spanish Faith columnist way. You will never win a soul to and English.” The phrase is Christ by becoming sinful. defined as “many ways that humans who show interests, Our Christian relationships demographics or other characteristics will should be with close friends who we choose naturally group themselves together in a to spend time with by choice. Jesus had a given situation.” That means whether it be disciple He loved a bit more and we know good or bad, Christian or non-Christian. this when the Bible says, “John, the disciple Jesus loved.” I have many acquaintances This got me thinking whether or not who merely come across in my daily life, I, as a Christian, should be friends with a shallow type of friendship, but one I am unbelievers, or non-Christians. Scripture able to extend love toward. All my close commands Christians to be the “light” friendships are individuals with a B.S. or a in a dark world. We are not supposed to engage in sin, but to love people. We are to B.A. They are individuals who know me on a deep level and I know them too. I confide be loving, kind, respectful and gentle with very personal things with these friends and everyone. Remember, Jesus was criticized we love each other and love God. By the for occasionally hanging out with sinners way, my B.S. friends are those who have and eating with them, but He only hung “Been Saved.” My B.A. friends are those out with them long enough to share the who are “Born Again.” gospel.

God has made it clear in His word that Let’s change the world for Christ! a Christian cannot develop a deep bond with someone who rejects our Lord. Amos Jackie Wilbourn is a member of Bethel 3:3 says, “Can two walk together, except Baptist Church, a chaplain with the they be agreed?” I Corinthians 15:33 says, Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Team and “Bad company corrupts good character.” a regular faith columnist for The Outlook.

This devotional and directory made possible by these businesses who encourage all of us to attend worship services!

136 Wheeler Street

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TEMPLE MEDICAL CLINIC, P.C. YOUR FAMILY CARE CENTER Medicine, Office Surgery, Pediatric and Industrial JAMES P. TEMPLE, M.D. 859 Airport Drive TIMOTHY J. CORBIN, M.D. Alexander City, AL VINCENT LAW, M.D.

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Compliments of Mayor Jim Nabors and City Employees

ALEXANDER CITY HOME OF LAKE MARTIN

R & R Refrigeration HEATING & AIR AL HVAC #92120

Rehab • Long-Term Care • Assisted Living 3701 Dadeville Road Alexander City

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Truck Accessories Sales & Installation

St. John A.M.E. Off Hwy. 280 on Hwy. 9 Socopatoy, (256) 215-3532 ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Cedar Street Church of God 703 E. Boulevard, Alex City Faith Assembly of God 590 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Dadeville 256-825-7741 River of Life Worship Center 407 Hillabee St., Alex City, 256-329-9593

Trailer Sales Trailer Parts Trailer Repairs 1201 U.S. Hwy. 280 • Kellyton, AL (256) 392-5353

1326 Dadeville Road Alexander City, AL

INDEPENDENT BAPTIST Liberty Baptist 1365 Hillabee St., Alex City 256-329-8830 New Life Baptist County Road 14, Alex City, 256-329-2635 Victory Baptist 280 By-Pass, Alex City West End Baptist Off 280 West, 256-234-2130

256-234-2511 1-800-285-3881

Member by Invitation Selected Independent Funeral Homes www.radneyfuneralhome.com

Paradise Bed & Breakfast on Lake Martin

• Updated Pro Shop • Junior Golf Program • Annual Tournaments • Weekly Matches 18 Holes of Golf - 7 Days a Week

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Whirlpool • Kitchen Aid Maytag • Amana Holland Grills Full Service Department

Tapley Appliance Center 574 S. Central Avenue Alexander City, AL 256.329.9762

SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law

135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL

256-825-9559 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

Season

Johnson

Mountain Springs Baptist Off Hwy. 22, Daviston

Pleasant Grove Church of Christ 1819 Bay Pine Rd, Jackson’s Gap

Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist 835 Valley Rd., Camp Hill 334-257-4442

Mt. Carmel Baptist 3610 Dudleyville Rd., Dadeville

Southview Church of Christ 2325 Dadeville Rd., Alex City 256-329-0212

Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Alexander City, 256-234-6972

Mt. Zion Baptist Hwy. 63 South, Alex City 256-234-7748

Rocky Mt. Baptist New Site community

New Beginning Baptist 1076 Coley Creek Rd.

Seleeta Baptist Booker St., Alex City 256-329-2685

New Concord Baptist Off hwy. 49, Dadeville, 256-825-5390

CHURCH OF GOD Alex City No. 2 A.C.O.P. Church of God Local Street, Alex City Bread of Life A.C.O.P. Church of God Hwy. 280, Kellyton Cedar Street Church of God 711 Martin Luther King Blvd.

Alex City

Shady Grove Baptist Jackson’s Gap Community

New Elkahatchee Baptist Elkahatchee Rd., Alex City 256-329-9942

The Great Bethel Missionary 520 Christian St., Alex City 256-234-5513

New Hope Baptist 1133 New Hope Church Rd. 256-329-5218

Dadeville Church of God 425 Horseshoe Bend Rd. (Hwy. 49 N.) Dadeville 256-825-8820

Unity Baptist Robinson Rd., Alex City

New Life Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-6190 / 256-329-2635

Marshall Street Church of God 428 Marshall Street, Alex City 256-234-3180

New Pine Grove Baptist Off Hwy. 22, Perryville

New Faith Tabernacle A.C.O.P. Church of God “J” Street

Zion Hill Missionary Baptist 583 S. Broadnax St., Dadeville BAPTIST – SOUTHERN Bay Pine Baptist 1480 Bay Pine Rd. Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-4433

New Providence Baptist Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City

New Harvest Ministries Church of God Hwy 280 & Coosa 28 256-329-2331

BAPTIST – MISSIONARY Bethlehem Baptist New Site

Bethany Baptist Church Bethany Road

New Rocky Mount Baptist 670 Peckerwood Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-794-3846

Cross Key Baptist Hackneyville, 256-329-9716

Bethel Baptist Smith Mt. Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-825-5070

New Salem Road New Site Rd., New Site, 256-234-2932

Darian Missionary Baptist Church Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City 256-329-3865

Beulah Baptist Smith Mt. Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-825-9882

Old Providence Baptist Off Hwy. 63 N., near Hackneyville

The Church of God 13th Ave. N., Alex City 256-329-1696

Elam Baptist Robertson Rd. Alex City

Calvary Baptist 819 Main St., Dadeville, 256-825-5989

Old Union Baptist 1106 Davis Circle 256-596-1873

Washington Street A.C.O.P. Church of God Washington Street

Orr Street Baptist 1000 “O” Street (Hwy. 63N) Alex City, 256-234-3171

CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY Church of God of Prophecy 303 Poplar Rd., Alex City, 256-234-6941

Early Rose Baptist 201 E Street, Alexander City

256.770.7777 256.770.7777

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256.329.1552 2533 Hwy. 280 Alexander City, AL 256.234.0988 ––––––––

Flint Hill Baptist Hwy. 280, Dadeville

Calvary Heights Baptist Elkahatchee, Rd., Alex City 256-234-7224

Friendship Baptist Our Town Community, 256-329-5243

Camp Hill Baptist Downtown Camp Hill, 256-896-2811

Hollins Springs Baptist Hwy. 280, Goodwater

Comer Memorial 941 E. Church St., Alex City 256-234-2236

Jackson’s Gap Baptist Church 21 East Church St. 256-825-6814

Daviston Baptist Daviston, 395-4327

Liberty Church 1034 Liberty Church Rd. Willow Point Alex City Macedonia Baptist Macedonia Circle, Goodwater 256-839-5793 Marietta Baptist Goodwater Miracle Missionary Baptist 1687 “I” Street 256-215-9788, 256-215-9787 Mt. Calvary Baptist 329 King St., Alex City, 256-234-5631 Mt. Olive Baptist Hwy. 280 & Jct. 49, Goodwater Mt. Sinai Baptist Fish Pond Rd., Coosa County 256-329-2337 Mt. Zion Baptist Hwy. 22, New Site Mt. Zion East StillWaters Dr., 256-825-4991 Mt. Zion West Our Town Community, 256-234-7748 New Elam Baptist Hwy. 9, Burtonville, 256-234-2037 New Bethel Baptist Rock St., Dadeville, 256-825-7726 Peace & Goodwill Baptist Cottage Grove Community Alexander City, 256-377-4634 Pine Grove Baptist Eagle Creek Rd., Dadeville

Eagle Creek Baptist Hwy. 49, Dadeville, 256-825-6048 Fellowship Baptist Buttston Community Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church on Claybrook Drive, Alex City 256-839-5339 First Baptist Court Square, Alex City 256-234-6351

Perryville Baptist Perryville, 256-234-3588 Pine Grove Baptist Camp Hill Ray Baptist Rockford Hwy., Alex City, 256-234-7609 River Road Baptist 148 Dean Rd., Alex City, 256-234-6971 Rocky Creek Baptist Samford Rd., Cowpens Community Rocky Mount Baptist Hwy. 22 E., Alex City, 256-329-2327 Rock Springs Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-839-6263 Russell Farm Baptist Hwy. 63 beyond Our Town

Pentecostal Church of God 163 Franklin Street, Alex City 256-215-4055

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1515 Worthy Road, Alex City (Corner of Worthy Place and Dadeville Road)

First United Methodist 310 Green St., Alex City 256-234-6322 First United Methodist Dadeville, 256-825-4404

Haven United Methodist 354 Christian St., Alex City 256-329-8394 Hillabee Campground UMC 120 CC Road, Alex City Sunday School 10am Sunday Service 11am

Pearson Chapel U.M. Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City Red Ridge United Methodist 8091 County Road 34, Dadeville 256-825-9820 Sunnylevel United Methodist 3202 Hwy. 63N, Alex City 256-234-6877 Trinity United Methodist 280 By-pass, Alex City, 256-234-2455

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EPISCOPAL Saint James Episcopal Church 121 South Central Ave., Alex City 256-234-4752

First Presbyterian Okefuske, Dadeville, 256-825-4081 Robinson Memorial Presbyterian Robinson Rd., Alex City UNITED PENTECOSTAL Alex City Apostolic 3708 Robinson Rd., Alexander City, 256-329-1573 INDEPENDENT Faith Temple Franklin Street, Alex City, 256-234-6421

Town Creek Baptist Camp Ground Rd., Alex City

Liberty Life Christian Center 321 “S” Street, Alex City

Horseshoe Bend Baptist Hwy. 280, Dadeville

Wayside Baptist 21 Wayside Circle, Alex City 256-234-5564

Passion Church 3340 Hwy. 63 N., Alex City 256-409-9590

Zion Hill Baptist Hwy. 79, near Horseshoe Bend

The Family Worship Center 365 Scott Road, Alex City

CATHOLIC St. John the Apostle 454 N. Central Ave., Alex City 256-234-3631

METHODIST – UNITED Alexander City Methodist 11th Ave. N., Alex City 256-329-1284

CHURCH OF CHRIST Alex City Church of Christ 945 Tallapoosa St., Alex City 256-234-6494

Bradford Methodist Hwy. 9, Goodwater

New Bethel Fellowship Church 5474 Rock Springs Road Jackson’s Gap 256-825-3367

Comer Memorial U.M. 427 East Church St., 256-329-3467

The Baha’I Faith 740 Newell Street, Camp Hill 256-896-4007

Duncan Memorial U.M. 3997 Hillabee Rd., Alex City 256-234-6708

The Word Bible Church 161 Main St., Alex City, 256-215-5646

Lebanon Baptist Mt. Carmel Rd., Dadeville, 256-234-7541

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Dadeville Church of Christ East LaFayette St., Dadeville Meadows St. Church of Christ 306 Meadows St., Alex City

Family Worship Center 1676 Sewell Street 256-839-6895 First Congregational Christian 11th Ave. South, Alex City

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PENTECOSTAL Pentecostals of Dadeville 115 West Columbus Street Dadeville, 256-596-3411

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Union United Methodist 4428 Hwy. 50, Dadeville 256-825-2241

Sixth Street Baptist Sixth St., Alex City, 256-234-2408

Jackson’s Gap Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-4951

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Good News Baptist Church 10493 Hwy. 280, Jackson’s Gap 256-825-2555 Hackneyville Baptist Hwy. 63 N., Hackneyville

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PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian 371 Jefferson St., Alex City 256-329-0524

House of Restoration Holiness 519 Slaughter Ave., Camp Hill, 256-749-2373, 256-896-2904

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CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Dadeville Church of the Nazarene Corner Hwy. 280 and 49, 256-825-8191

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Reaching more than 22,000 households in Tallapoosa and Elmore counties The Dadeville Record

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MDA partners with ACFD for 2018 Fill the Boot Campaign STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

The annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign is beginning in June and will be hosted by members of Alex City Fire Department to free individuals – and the families who love them – from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related life-threatening diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life. Fill the Boot was kicked off this past weekend at Tractor Supply and will pick back up in June.

Last year Alex City Fire Department raised more than $3,500. They continue this honored firefighter tradition after more than 60 years of providing constant ambition and loyalty to help give individuals the strength to live longer and grow stronger.

They will be seen beginning June at Walmart. Please stop by and support their efforts.

“The members of Alex City Fire Department display an unwavering support for families served by MDA as they raise critical funds to help our families get the medical care and resources they need,” Executive Director Angie Jordin said. “We are so proud to kick off the 2018 Fill

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Residents get special visit and show from Elvis

the Boot campaign with these first responders who mirror the strength and nobility of MDA families who strive to live unlimited every day.”

Funds raised through 2018 Alex City Fire Department Fill the Boot events help MDA’s efforts to fund groundbreaking research and lifeenhancing programs such as stateof-the-art support groups and Care Centers, including the MDA Care Center at UAB and Children’s Hospital in Alabama. They also help send more than 60 local kids to a life-changing experience in an environment without barriers at MDA Summer Camp at ASCCA– all at no cost to their families.

MDA is leading the fight to free individuals — and the families who love them — from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life.

We use our collective strength to help kids and adults live longer and grow stronger by finding research breakthroughs across diseases; caring for individuals from day one; and empowering families with services and support in hometowns across America.

Learn how you can fund cures, find care and champion the cause at mda.org.

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Chapman’s Nursing Home rolled back the decades with Elvis impersonator Forrest Forbus Friday morning to brighten the residents’ day. There was an ice cream sundae bar and a game of Twister making this week fun for residents and employees who were celebrating National Nursing Home Week. Human Resource Director Leah Warren orchestrated the week. “All the employees of Chapman Health Care really put on a big show for the residents this week. They loved every minute of it,” Keri Phillips said. “We always look forward to Nursing Home Week every year.”

The annual Fill the Boot campaign kicked off last week at Tractor Supply in Alexander City and will pick back up in June. The campaign is hosted by the Alexander City Fire Department in support of the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related life-threatening diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life.

Submitted / The Outlook

Crime involve a suspect who knows their victim. So, it’s not a situation where we are talking about random crime.”

Turner said the numbers are what they are, but he sees positives when he digs inside the stats.

Alexander City saw an increase in homicides, stolen property, weapon violations and drug cases and a decrease in robberies, arsons, burglaries, thefts and auto thefts. The overall numbers show that in total crimes Alexander City had 2,276 actual cases in 2016 and 2,359 in 2017 for an overall increase of 5.54 percent.

“Our numbers show crime is up in several categories and we need to work harder in outreach, visibility and other crime prevention initiatives,” Turner said. “The reality is that many crimes are crimes of passion or opportunity.

continued from page 1

In those instances, officers have little opportunity to prevent those. Murders, rapes, assaults, burglaries and thefts fall into that category.

“So while you can’t totally prevent it, the best thing that you can do is work hard to solve the crimes. We have some great investigators and they’ve worked tremendously hard to get closure for victims and bring the people responsible for crimes to justice.”

One of the things that Turner pointed to was the closure rate for crimes. ACPD ranks above the national average in closing cases in almost every category.

There were three murders in Alexander City in 2017 compared to two in 2016. Arrests were made in all three 2017 murder cases. In all of those cases the arrests were made within 72 hours.

Two of the three cases involved suspects

from outside Alexander City and one involved a victim that was not from the area. Nationally, 64 percent of rape cases are closed, and Alexander City has solved 100 percent of its rape cases over the last two years.

One area that also saw an increase was in assaults. The actual assault cases went from 1,066 in 2016 to 1098 in 2017. A lot of different acts fall under the realm of assault including aggravated assault simple assault, intimidation and shooting into an occupied building or auto. The department closed 982 of those 2017 cases including 340 arrests.

That’s a clearance rate of 89.4 percent.

Nationally, the FBI reports that assaults are cleared at a rate of 57.7 percent.

The department also saw a dramatic increase in numbers of incidents and number of arrests in 2017 was in drug

cases.

Statistics show that there were 524 drug cases initiated in 2017 by ACPD as opposed to 266 in 2016. There were 416 suspects arrested and 449 of those cases were listed as closed. That’s a closure rate of 85.1 percent.

The numbers on drug cases do not count arrests by the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force. The numbers shown in these stats come from cases initiated by patrol of detectives with the Alexander City Police Department.

“You can look at those numbers and see a 97 percent increase and think the drug problem is getting worse,” Turner said. “There may be an increase in drug activity, but what it really shows is that we are being more aggressive and doing a better job detecting in traffic cases and through other methods.”

LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com

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Sports Outlook The

FIGHTING CHANCE Reeltown gives itself a chance by going 1-1 to begin

Scott Fields / Opelika-Auburn News

Reeltown’s Ayriana Stoneback hits a RBI sac fly in the seventh inning in the Rebels’ game against J.U. Blacksher in Round 1 of the AHSAA Class 2A state championships Friday.

it going with a two-run double from McGuire, and the Jayes were at it again in the seventh with a single from Katlyn and an RBI double by Kelsey.

“We’re kind of impatient at the plate sometimes, and the pitches were really slow,” Katlyn Jaye said. “We were out on our front foot, so we tried to step back (the second time around) and tried to hit it where it needed to go.”

Against Mars Hill, Reeltown’s fate was entirely different. The Rebels’ offense went quiet against Panthers ace Riley Vaughn. Reeltown managed only three hits, two of which were from Katlyn Jaye. “(Vaughn) had pretty good spin, and we were just wanting to be really aggressive,” Hilyer said. “Pitch selection is all it comes down to.”

Throughout the day, Reeltown got itself out of a handful of jams. Against Blacksher, the Bulldogs got runners in

scoring position and didn’t capitalize on three different occasions. Their best chance came in the fourth when they had two runners in scoring position with only one out. But Makenzie Baker made a heads up play, getting the force out at home to ensure the shutout.

Reeltown’s defense didn’t make an error all day.

“Ayriana (Stoneback) keeps us calm,” Katlyn Jaye said. “We get in situations like that all the time, so we usually don’t get stressed out. If she’s on, everyone is calm and we just kinda follow her.”

Stoneback had a heck of an effort in both games. She totaled 19 strikeouts and gave up only eight hits and two earned runs.

“She’s just doing her thing,” Hilyer said. “She’s doing well keeping people off balance. We still feel good moving forward.”

Submitted / The Outlook

Above, Central Alabama Community College catcher Ashlyn Perrin (20) makes a play at the plate against Galveston on Thursday night. Below, CACC’S Kristen Tolbert, of Dadeville, attempts to make a catch against Seminole State.

Trojans split on second day of nationals STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Central Alabama Community College’s softball team put up a great effort in both of its games on Day 2 of the NJCAA National Championship tournament. But after beating Galveston College, 8-1, CACC’s eight hits weren’t enough to overcome Seminole in an 11-6 loss to end the season.

The Trojans got things going right away against Galveston, putting up two runs in the first innings and three in the second.

Ashton Fielding started things off with a two-run single in the top of the opening frame.

In the second, CACC broke things open as Amber Parker walked to lead off and was followed by a Madison Huston single. They were both moved to scoring position on a Loren Bishop sacrifice bunt, and Sierra Easterwood capitalized in a big way by smacking a home run over

LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

Pistons should hire Becky Hammon N

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

Nothing about “eight teams left in the state” screams easy.

Although Reeltown’s softball team is one of those eight, it learned Friday afternoon it’s going to take a lot to claim the AHSAA Class 2A title. After smashing J.U. Blacksher, 7-0, in the first game, Mars Hill Bible turned the tables on the Rebels with a 4-0 shutout of their own.

The loss didn’t eliminate Reeltown, but it did drop it down to the losers’ bracket, putting the Rebels in a fight for their lives for the remainder of the double elimination tournament.

“This group, they jump back,” Reeltown coach Kelli Hilyer said.

“They come back from a loss every time I’ve seen them play. I just told them you learn from your mistakes. You gotta correct them in the next game and play like you’ve always been playing.”

Reeltown faced its first elimination game Friday night after Outlook press time.

The day started off extremely well for the Rebels, as Ayriana Stoneback fired a two-hit shutout against Blacksher. Reeltown struggled offensively the first time around against Bulldog pitcher Jae Nipper, but broke things open in the third inning.

With one out, Ashlynn Thomas got things started batting from the ninehole. She singled and was joined on the bases by Morgan McGuire, who hit a bunt single. Kyndel Lee then moved both to scoring position with a sacrifice bunt.

Blacksher elected to intentionally walk Kayli Hornsby, and Katlyn Jaye made the Bulldogs pay with a basesclearing double.

“Well, I was a little mad,” Jaye said.

“I heard them say, ‘She struck out last time, so let’s put her on.’ I kinda took my anger out on the ball.”

Reeltown put another run across in the third as Kelsey Jaye traded places with her sister Katlyn with a double of her own.

In the fourth inning, Reeltown kept

Weekend Edition, May 19-20, 2018

the centerfield fence to drive in three runs.

CACC finished with seven hits, led by Fielding, who totaled three singles and three RBIs. Huston also notched a pair of singles and drove in two runs.

Parker threw a stellar game, firing a three-hitter in the completegame victory. She struck out five and walked three while giving up just one run.

Although CACC’s offense stayed strong in Game 2 against Seminole with eight hits, it wasn’t enough to keep up as Seminole had 12 hits of its own and the Trojans committed four errors.

After being tied 2-2 through three innings, Seminole took off in the fourth inning by scoring five runs. CACC did its best to battle back, putting up four runs in the last two innings, but the deficit was too much to overcome.

In Game 2, Shatima Smith was a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBIs, and Parker drove in three runs.

ever has anyone questioned a man coaching a team full of females, so why would the idea of a woman coaching a men’s team be any different?

The Detroit Pistons are currently searching for a new head coach, and Becky Hammon — the first full-time female assistant NBA coach — has put her name in the hat. She’s been called qualified, and she certainly is. She’s been called knowledgeable, and there’s no doubt about that.

I’m sure there are plenty of other accomplished and capable candidates applying for the job, as is the case with any wanted position, but it’s time for a female coach in the NBA. First of all, I can almost guarantee Hammon knows more about basketball than any of the men saying a woman doesn’t belong in the head job. She’s a retired professional from the WNBA and has been called a future Hall of Famer, and she’s put in four seasons as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs, a team which is a perennial powerhouse in the league.

Hammon was recently considered for the head coaching position at Colorado State, which would have made her the first female Division I men’s basketball coach. But of course, a man was hired instead.

I got the pleasure of interviewing Stanhope Elmore boys soccer coach Johanna Angelo earlier this season when the Mustangs visited Benjamin Russell, and she had no qualms about coaching a bunch of boys.

Back home in Pennsylvania, I had two female coaches of boys teams, and those ladies earned just as much respect as any male coach.

As a woman in a “man’s world,” I have a ton of admiration for women who are willing to push the envelope. As a society, we have become more and more accepting of females in the sports world, but we haven’t come far enough.

I recently went to a recruiting seminar at BRHS and recruiting coordinator April Yarbrough stressed a few times just how difficult it is for a female to get a full athletic scholarship at the Division I level — even if she is the best in her sport. That’s disappointing. I’ve known plenty of great male athletes who have gone on to the college of their choice without a second thought.

And that’s not to say boys playing sports shouldn’t have that chance, but girls should be afforded the same opportunity.

We’ve started to see more and more females in refereeing positions, and just a few years ago, had the first female officiate an NFL game. More females are seen as legitimate reporters, whether they be on television, radio announcers or writers like myself, and I think women are starting to have more confidence in their sports knowledge to be able to say, “Hey, I know just as much as you, if not more.”

I think the Pistons hiring Becky Hammon would be the next step — and a great one, at that — in accepting women into the “man’s world” of sports. Plus, several NBA players, LeBron James included, have said they’d be happy to see more women in coaching positions in the league, and I think other superstars in other pro leagues would feel the same.

Because despite what Cam Newton says, most of us actually do know what routes are.

Lizi Arbogast is the sports editor at The Outlook.