INSIDE: Obituaries, n page 2 Religion, n page 6 Classifieds, n page 8 Sports, n page 12
Weekend OPINION, PAGE 4: REMEMBER THE REASON FOR MEMORIAL DAY
The Outlook
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
May 27-28, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 105 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Bill Nichols State Veterans Home plans Memorial Day Tribute STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
File / The Outlook
The Alexander City Police Department Color Guard marches into place for a 21gun salute at last year’s Memorial Day program at Bill Nichols Veterans Home. This year’s program is set for Monday at 10 a.m.
Law enforcement officials stress holiday safety
The Bill Nichols State Veterans Home will hold its annual Memorial Day tribute on Monday, May 29. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Home at 1784 Elkahatchee Road in Alexander City is open to the public. The Memorial Day event will be a time to celebrate the
men and women who have served our nation faithfully, and to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while standing on the front lines of freedom. MSgt Timothy Fuller, the Security Forces manager at Maxwell AFB, will deliver the keynote address to commemorate the Day of Remembrance. The 2001 graduate of Benjamin Russell High School has completed
AL First Class Pre-K named best in country
Pomp and Circumstance
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Show of force planned on area roads and waterways By MITCH SNEED Editor
Whether your holiday fun involves traveling on the highways or in the water, local and state law enforcement officials remind everyone to keep safety in mind, regardless of what you have planned. Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said officers will be aware and looking to head off any potential problems on area roads. He said motorists can help themselves as well. “One thing that I stress to people is to plan your trips and let others know of your plans,” Abbett said. “Let folks know when you are leaving and when you should arrive. That way, if something were to happen, there is someone who knows to check on you. “Obviously some of the standards like wearing your seatbelt, and avoid drinking and driving are very important. But more and more we are seeing distracted driving being a factor in accidents. Don’t text and drive. If you have to use the phone, do it hands free. You’d be surprised at how many times we’ve seen that taking your eyes off the road even for a short time can cause serious problems.” This year’s official holiday travel period began Friday night at 6 p.m. and runs until See SAFETY • Page 3
16 years of active service including four deployments in support of Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The program will also include a rose ceremony for families of Bill Nichols veterans who passed away in 2016. Everyone is encouraged to attend this special day of remembrance.
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Christopher Logan Blair receives his diploma from Benjamin Russell High School Principal Dr. Anthony Wilkinson at Friday night’s graduation exercise. Over 200 joined Blair on the field at the Sportplex. Turn to page 8 for more photographs from the ceremony.
To help prepare children for kindergarten and the elementary grades beyond, schools around the country have chosen to offer pre-kindergarten programs. Sometimes used synonymously with the term preschool, these programs teach basic values, ideas and principles that many feel are necessary to work well with others and thrive in American society. For the 11th year in a row, the National Institute for Early Education Research rated Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program as the best in the country, according to a release from the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. In addition, of the 10 benchmarks NIEER uses to measure the quality of a state’s Pre-K program, Alabama is one of only six states to meet or exceed all 10, along with Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Rhode Island and West Virginia. “The earlier a child learns, the more likely he or she is to do well later in life,” Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said in a prepared statement released by ADECE. “Providing a high-quality education for all Alabamians, at every stage of life, is my goal. For the eleventh consecutive year, Alabama is a national leader in this arena. I am proud of the work of our Pre-K programs and I am thankful for the dedication of See PRE-K • Page 3
Today’s
City schools honor 15 at retirement breakfast
Weather
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By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Approximately 350 people filled the fellowship hall of the First United Methodist Church Arbor campus to celebrate the end of the school year and recognize the teachers and other employees who officially announced their retirement. Fourteen retiring teachers from throughout the system and one retiring bus driver were honored during the ceremony. They were Patricia Brooks, Brenda Coley, Joy Dunlap, Dana Johnson, Sharilynn Nolen and Debra Pierce from Jim Pearson Elementary, Vanessa Brooks from Stephens Elementary, Sharon Dean and Bobbi Harrison from Radney Elementary, Jennifer Martin from Alexander City Middle School, and Vicki Adair, Misty Bishop, Jeff Hines and Jeanne Riddle from Benjamin Russell, as well as Robert Slaughter from the transportation department. During his opening remarks, First United Methodist Church Pastor John Verciglio said that not only do teachers have an impact and make a difference in their students’ lives, but also, “You change the fabric of See BREAKFAST • Page 3
High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
490.58
Reported on 05/26/17 @ 2:36 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
Submitted / The Outlook
Robert Gunn with Russell Lands presented Superintendent Dr. Darrell Cooper with a $9,000 check raised through the annual Russell Forest Run.
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54708 90050
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