OUR OPINION: COURT RULING ON GAMBLING LAWS A GOOD MOVE.
SPORTS EXTRA!
FRIDAY
THE
High school football playoff results inside today.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 November 6, 2015 Vol. 123, No. 222 www.alexcityoutlook.com
Gambling placed in local law enforcement’s hands By Kevin Taylor Copy Editor
Those wanting to see the doors reopen at VictoryLand may see that day sooner than later. Gov. Robert Bentley allowed that by issuing an executive order Thursday morning to repeal the order he issued in 2011 giving state Attorney General Luther Strange primary responsibility to enforce the state’s anti-gambling laws. Those powers have been stripped from Strange and put in the hands of local district attorneys and sheriffs by Bentley’s order. “Enforcement of Alabama’s criminal laws most properly lies with the elected
sheriffs and district attorneys of each county and is to be guided by their respective interpretation of the laws of the state,” the order read. While it looks like a win for Milton McGregor, owner of VictoryLand, he said he sees it as a win for those who were put out of jobs when the Shorter business was closed down January 2010. “Bentley’s actions today will help put thousands of Alabamians back to work,” McGregor said in a statement released Thursday. “Our citizens want to work and provide for their families. Our facility will provide jobs for not only Macon County, but hundreds of people in each surrounding county. We look forward to
getting our doors open, providing quality entertainment, hiring people and finally being able to compete on a level playing field.” VictoryLand employed 2,300 people when it was in full operation. Macon County Probate Judge Al Menefee said he was “excited” about the governor’s action. “We’ve got an opportunity to put people back to work,” he said. Since Bentley signed the executive order to disband former Gov. Bob Riley’s anti-gambling task force and give full policing power to Strange, Bentley said more than $9 million of the state’s money had been spent to enforce the anti-gam-
bling laws. While the residents of Macon County, who voted in favor of a state constitutional amendment to allow for electronic bingo, may be happy to see VictoryLand’s doors come closer to reopening, the order may also vindicate Circuit Judge Tom Young’s order to keep the doors open when former Gov. Riley ordered them closed. “There are still some issues out there, but now the local district attorneys, sheriffs and other law enforcement are making the local decisions, not the state,” Young said. Bentley’s order comes on the heels of
IRS phone scam features recorded robocalls
BRHS officials, businessmen discuss future Group exchanges ideas about preparing students for workforce
By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
About 30-35 local business and industry representatives sat in on classes and met with principal Anthony Wilkinson Wednesday morning in an effort to strengthen partnerships between Benjamin Russell High School, its students and the local business community. “We wanted to hear from our business community about what we could do to better prepare our students for the workplace,” said Wilkinson. “At the same time, we wanted to let them know about some things we’re already doing and create with them some partnerships that would help both them and our students.” Wilkinson said he wanted the businesses to see what Benjamin Russell is doing in the classroom instructionally, but also see that they were cultivating students’ soft skills and teaching them in project-based scenarios. He said the business representatives seemed impressed with what’s happening at BRHS. “I think they could see that we’re wanting to plan for their needs three, five, 10 years down the line,” Wilkinson said. “They were able to see that we’re providing our kids with the skills that entry-level people need, the essential soft skills like attendance, work ethic, social media and cell phone usage, dress and communication. But we also wanted to know from them what we were lacking.” See MEETING, Page 3
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Lake Martin Young Professionals met up for a mixer to connect the members with the new direction of the group’s community efforts.
Lake Martin Young Professionals revamp to strengthen community influence By Cliff Williams
Tuggle also challenged the group. “I am not running again for house district 81,” Tuggle said. “I think there are Alexander City could be well on its way several in this group that could do it.” to reinventing itself with the help of the Lake Martin Young Professionals started Lake Martin Young Professionals who got about two and half years ago. together this week to re-launch its efforts. Jacob Meacham with the Alexander “The future of Alexander City is right City Chamber of Commerce is helping rehere with this group,” House District 81 launch the group’s efforts. representative Mark Tuggle said. “This “Beginning in Sept., we had a meeting is a very impressive group. You are a big of those who had previously been involved part of the direction this town takes for the with the Young Professionals to try and next, 20, 30, even 40 years. Alexander City reorganize it – think of some new creative is in desperate need of this group.” ways to give the group some direction and Tuggle spoke to the group to encourage leadership,” Meacham said. “It is now a the over 40 young professionals gathered at program under the chamber to give it some USAmeriBank Wednesday evening. leadership and direction. We put a small “I want to encourage you to get board in place and we are trying to plan a involved,” Tuggle said. “I think you need to give back to your community.” See REVAMP, Page 3 Outlook Staff Writer
Home fire sparks at original Russell Cabins By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Firefighters from Alexander City Fire and Rescue, Windermere Volunteer Fire Department, Willow Point and Kowaliga Volunteer Fire Department responded to a home fire on Tucker Road. Officials say a neighbor and resident likely saved the structure from total loss.
Now Playing:
Spectre – PG-13 The Peanuts Movie 3D – G Woodlawn – PG
See GAMBLING, Page 3
A home that was one of the original Russell Cabins was heavily damaged by a Thursday morning fire, but officials say it’s a wonder that the structure wasn’t totally destroyed. Firefighters from Alexander City Fire and Rescue, Windermere, Willow Point and Kowaliga volunteer fire departments and Russell Lands Security all responded to the residential fire on Tucker Road Thursday morning. The home was roughly 15 miles from See FIRE, Page 3
Several people in the Tallapoosa County area have recently received calls claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service in what appears to be some type of scam. Dennis Catrett of Alexander City said that he received a call from a number with a Washington, D.C., area code with a recording saying, “This call is officially a final notice from IRS, Internal Revenue Services (sic). The reason for this call is to inform you that IRS is filing lawsuit against you. To get more information about this case file, please call immediately on our department number (usually the number from which the call is made). I repeat (repeats number).” Catrett called back and there was no answer at the number. “I called my attorney at Dunlop & Hare and he said that they had heard from several people about the same kind of call,” Catrett said. “He said that the IRS normally contacts you by mail first and that he wouldn’t worry about it and would not call the number See SCAM, Page 3
Today’s
Weather
80 67 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
484.98 Reported on 11/05/15 @ 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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