COMMUNITY COLUMNISTS INSIDE TODAY.
WEDNESDAY
THE
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Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 November 4, 2015 Vol. 123, No. 220 www.alexcityoutlook.com
BENJAMIN RUSSELL GAME MOVED TO THURSDAY
CYBER PREDATORS
Child porn arrest points to larger issue By Mitch Sneed
the minor child. “While we were working another case, we gained information that these images may exist,” said Alexander City Police Det. Riley Foshee. “A search found the obscene images that were suspected to be of a minor female under the age of 18.” Alexander City Police Department Deputy Chief Jay Turner said that while the man having the images is criminal offense, he said the fact that a minor took the image and sent it to someone is something they encounter more fre-
Outlook Editor
A 33-year-old Alexander City man was arrested last week on two counts of possession of child pornography, but investigators say the case is a prime example of a growing problem. Officials say that while working another case, the electronic images were found on a device owned by the man. Investigators asked that the name of the suspect not be used so as not to identify
quently by the day. “I really don’t thing young people of that age even understand what they are doing,” Turner said. “Once you hit that send button you are sending something into the world that you can never get back. It’s like pulling the trigger on a gun – you can’t bring that bullet back.” Turner said in the cyber world, you never know who the person on the other end of communication really is, what their intentions are and what they could do with the image. He said that it’s something that par-
ents need to know is possible and take steps to make sure their children are not putting themselves at risk. “I know everyone wants to be their child’s friend and doesn’t want to be confrontational, but you have to be aware of what your kids are doing,” Turner said. “If a child has a computer or a phone and they are behind closed, locked doors, they have the potential to have anyone in the world right there at their fingertips. They need to know what See PREDATORS, Page A5
ALEX CITY
St. James Holiday Bazaar set for Saturday
City battles major gas line leak
Annual event funds church’s outreach to the community
By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
Along with all of the other autumnal goings-on like the beginning of school and the high school and college football seasons, St. James Episcopal Church parishioners are immersed each year in the busy pursuits of readying for the church’s annual Holiday Bazaar. With the preparation of the food and crafts nearing completion, soon all that’s left will be the time for fellowship and fun Saturday at St. James from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. See BAZAAR, Page A7
Today’s
Weather
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Low
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
St. James Episcopal Church Rector Rev. Rob Iler blesses the crosses made by the church’s pottery guild last Sunday to prepare them for Saturday’s Bazaar.
City workers working on sewer lines along Washington Street caused damage to a 6-inch gas line forcing evacuation of some buildings and residences in the area. As sewer crews were cutting the road to make a repair, the machinery snagged the adjacent gas line causing a large breach in the line. Gas leaked into the air, with the smell apparent from as far as a half mile away. Alexander See LEAK, Page A2
Reward offered in Eclectic home invasion case
Volunteer Connections depends on United Way By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
By Kevin Taylor The Wetumpka Herald
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
485.24 Reported on 11/3/15 @ 1 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
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54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
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As is the case in most communities, it is the old, young, disabled and poor among us who are often most in need of assistance in areas ranging from things as complicated as tax preparation to other, more fundamental difficulties like disasters, emergencies and crime. The Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama inc. (VCCA) is a small nonprofit organization headquartered in Alexander City which is dedicated to meeting a variety of the needs for those See VOLUNTEER, Page A5
Kevin Taylor / The Wetumpka Herald
Agents lead small search dogs earlier during today’s search for two men suspected of being involved in a home-invasion robbery.
Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin has issued a $500 reward leading to the capture and arrest of two men believed to be involved in a home-invasion robbery on Pleasant Hill Road in Eclectic Tuesday morning. The Alabama State Tracking K9 team along with members of the Elmore County Sheriff’s Department and the State Troopers Air Team are presently searching for two black males, who were discovered inside the See REWARD, Page A5
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