OPINION: TAKE TIME TO SIGN UP FOR TALLAPOOSA ALERT, PAGE 4.
WEDNESDAY
THE Steve Flowers
Nixburg News
COMMUNITY COLUMNISTS INSIDE
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
SPORTS, PAGE 7
May 3, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 87 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Brooks, Elliott sign to play college baseball.
Closing of rail crossing in works
April brings record sales tax to city By MITCH SNEED Editor
To say that business is good in Alexander City would be an understatement based on recently completed sales tax collection numbers. April in Alexander City set an all-time record for sales and use tax collections with a whopping $966,134.50, according to Ward Sellers who handles business licenses and tax collections for the city. “It’s not just a record for April – it’s an all-time monthly high for any monthly period in the city’s history,” Sellers said. “You look at those numbers and it’s really surprising just to see how much more than normal it really is.” An average month since the half-cent was added for roads saw about $790,000 in sales and use taxes collected. To see levels almost $200,000 above that was good news for everyone at city hall. Sellers said it’s not just sales tax that has seen a big jump. The city has already collected more in business licenses in just seven months than it has in 12 months over the last four years. Already the city has taken in $1.7 million in business license fees from October See TAX • Page 3
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Benjamin Russell science teacher Emily Sassano talks with students during a square dance she held as part of a lesson.
ON TO THE FINAL FOUR Sassano finalist for Alabama Teacher of the Year By MITCH SNEED Editor
Benjamin Russell’s Emily Sassano has advanced to the final four of the 2017-18 Alabama Teacher of the Year competition. Sassano, who teaches science at Benjamin Russell said she was excited and humbled to be moving to the next level in the Teacher of the Year process. “I am so excited to be considered and I’m already starting to get a little nervous about my personal interview on Friday,” Sassano said. “It has been so gratifying the way that Alexander City has gotten behind me. Alex City is just that way. When someone is up for something like this – everybody is behind you. “I have heard from parents, former students and people from all across
“It has been so gratifying the way that Alexander City has gotten behind me.”
Emily Sassano BRHS Science teacher
the area. They are all pulling for me and that spport means a lot.” Other finalists include Hoover High School biology teacher Paul McEwan, elementary school finalists Chasity Collier, a science teacher at Dawes Intermediate School in Mobile County and Charlotte Hartley, a teacher at Montana Street Magnet School. See TEACHER • Page 3
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
At times, patients feel they see nurses more than doctors when they have to visit their physican’ office or the hospital. It is probably the case, but for good reason. “Nurses are they eyes and ears of the physicians,” Russell Medical’s Vice President of Clinical Studies Sarah Beth Gettys said. “They are hearCliff Williams / The Outlook ing and seeing things that help physicians put the pieces of the Alexander City Mayor Jim Nabors signs a proclamation for Nurse’s Week on the second See NURSE • Page 6 floor of Russeell Medical with members of the nursing staff.
MITCHELL GREENHOUSE TO OPEN or NOT TO OPEN?
We are OPEN!
Ann says “NO” John says “YES” Greenhouse direct at blooming great prices. Last Season? Large selection: Tomatoes • Peppers • Vegetables Geraniums • Bedding Plants • Hanging Baskets Ann: YES Quality Bundle Tomatoes...and more John: YES 920 Hillabee Street (Behind Grace’s Flowers)
WE SPECIALIZE IN COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL PLUMBING!
256-392-3809 OFFICE 256-794-0777 CELL
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
An SUV navigates through the Bibb Street rail crossing in Alex City around noon on Tuesday.
National Day of Prayer events set in the area
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
PLUMBING
Norfolk Southern is considering the closure of a popular downtown rail crossing that is used by residents shopping in the area, dropping children off at school and traveling non-stop from Highway 22 to Highway 63. The Alexander City City Council approved two items at Monday’s meeting to lay the groundwork for what is known as the Bibb Street crossing. It’s the crossing that is just north of the row of storefronts ending with Alexander City Pawn and across from Piggly Wiggly. Alexander City Community Development Director Al Jones said Monday night that the only way that the city would go along with the closure would be with the guarantee from Norfolk See CROSSING • Page 3
Sassano
Local nurses celebrated in nurse’s week
ARMSTRONG-HOLLEY
By MITCH SNEED Editor
She’s Back! Shelby Patterson is back at work and ready to cut, style or color your hair.
GENESIS I HAIR SALON 256.329.8924 3333 Hillabee Road Alexander City, AL
First Baptist Church of Alexander City will be the location for the local 2017 National Day of Prayer. Set to begin Thursday at noon, the event is described by the National Day of Prayer Task Force as a way to help mobilize prayer in America and encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the national culture. “It’s wide open to the public. Anyone that wants to See PRAYER • Page 3
Today’s
Weather
83 61 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
490.50 Reported on 5/02/17 @ 8 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8