THE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE BRHS holds graduation exercises, Page 11
TUESDAY
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
May 29, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 106 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
REMEMBRANCE, PAGE 11 Community celebrates “Toot Toot”
Jones pushes bills for rural healthcare By MITCH SNEED Editor
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Tony East, above, with the Alex City Veterans Honor Guard plays “Taps” at Monday’s Memorial Day Service. Below, Mark Tuggle displays a replica sign that will be installed at the Hillabee Creek Bridge on Highway 22. Bottom, a father leaves Monday’s service with his children.
HONORING THE FALLEN Bill Nichols Memorial Day ceremony honors those who made ultimate sacrifice while serving their country
Doctors leaving small town hospitals, medical centers in rural areas closing and difficulty finding specialists close to home are all issues facing people in Tallapoosa County, many parts of Alabama and across the country. That’s why Alabama U.S. Senator Doug Jones said he chose this issue for Jones his first piece of original legislation. Last week, Jones introduced the bipartisan Rural Health Liaison Act (RHLA), with Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) as co-sponsors. This legislation is designed to improve coordination among the United States Department of Agriculture and other health care stakeholders through the creation of a rural health liaison. The RHLA has already garnered support from the National Rural Health Association and the National Farmers Union. See BILLS • Page 3
Motorcyclist killed after bike collides with deer Sunday
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
They may have perished, but they are not forgotten. Bill Nichols State Veterans Home hosted a Memorial Day service to honor the memory of soldiers lost on the battlefield and those who passed this year at the home while honoring the sacrifices the families of those soldiers made. Master Sgt. Jessica Player delivered the keynote address remembering those who have fallen over generations. “The last Monday of May for many is the kickoff to a summer and parades,” Player said. “For others it is a day of remembrance to honor those who have giving their life to serve our country. We are remembering them today because they inspired you to serve just as you as you have inspired us to serve. Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance for everyone who died while in service.” Player highlighted recent soldier deaths as sacrifices happen regularly. “Soldiers in last month’s helicopter crash during an exercise in Southern California did not expect it to be their last mission, yet it was,” Player said. “We had four young men who did for our country. They will See TRIBUTE• Page 3
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
A weekend traffic accident involving a motorcycle and a deer in Coosa County has proven deadly. A single-vehicle crash at 8 p.m. Sunday evening claimed the life of James Lee Bean, 38, of Maylene. According to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Cpl. Jesse Thornton, Bean was killed when the 2017 Harley Davidson he was operating struck a deer before leaving the roadway. Bean was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred on Alabama 22 near mile marker 102, just west of Alabama 9, outside of Rockford. Thornton said the investigation remains active and more details may be available once that process is complete.
Alexander City Schools celebrate retiring teachers and staff By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Faculty, staff and administrators from the Alexander City School system filled the Arbor campus of First United Methodist Church Friday morning, paying tribute to those who are retiring from the world of education during the system’s annual end of the year celebration and retirement breakfast. “I’ve seen a lot of smiles from you all this morning,” Superintendent Dr. Darrell Cooper said. “There are a tremendous amount of great things going on in our schools. I just want to thank all of you for everything you do.” While not all retirees were present, 15 teachers and staff from the five schools and
two system-wide support staff members were recognized for their many years of dedication and service to the Alexander City School system. These 17 individuals included two from Jim Pearson, three from Stephens, four from Radney, one from ACMS, five from Benjamin Russell, one maintenance worker and one bus driver. Jim Pearson Principal Jamie Forbus introduced kindergarten teacher Laurie Williams, while teacher Jerrie Mattox introduced the other Jim Pearson retiree, kindergarten teacher Bonnie Wilson. “To teach kindergarten, it takes a special person,” Forbus said. “Anyone who has taught kindergarten for 30 minutes knows that.
Today’s
Lake Martin
79 71
490.27
Weather Lake Levels High
Low
Reported on 5/28/18 @ 12 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443 6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
See SCHOOLS • Page 3
Donald Campbell / The Outlook
Superintendent Dr. Darrell Cooper congratulates the five Alexander City Schools Teachers of the Year, Rachael Latham (Jim Pearson), Abby Alexander (Stephens), Rhonda Strickland (Radney), Deshunda Williams (ACMS) and Josh Williams (Benjamin Russell).