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FIREWORKS LOCAL NATIONAL GUARD UNIT’S DEPARTURE CEREMONY TODAY
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
October 10-11, 2015 • Vol. 123 • No. 203 • www.alexcityoutlook.com
By Corey Arwood Outlook Staff Writer
This year’s fall-semester enrollment numbers for Central Alabama Community College have so far defied the general downward trend for community colleges across the state and nation. The community college system as a whole has seen a decrease in attendance over recent years, and CACC has
After 4 years of decline, numbers climb this year reflected those rates, but current statistics point to a slight enrollment increase for the second half of this school year. Enrollment numbers taken over the past five years show that what was once a steep decrease in attendance from one fall semester to the next has gradually lessened each year. According to information
Students at Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City move about the campus between classes.
provided by CACC and the Alabama Community College System, the ongoing fall semester has been the tipping point to small gains. In the 2011 fall semester there were about 2,500 CACC students. The count from this year indicates about 1774. However,
See CACC, Page XX
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Shock sets in after Goldville murders By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
DON’T MISS OKTOBERFEST AT THE SPORTPLEX
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
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Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Tim Watkins of Whippoorwill Vineyards walks between rows of vines, surveying this year’s crop. The farm between Dadeville and Notasulga is producing wines that have taken high honors in state and national competitions.
Crushing the Competition
Father and son’s desire to be the best fuels Whippoorwill Vineyards By Cliff Williams
M
Outlook Staff Writer
aking wine and competitions have been a mainstay for the Watkins family near Reeltown for decades. It started out as a father – son competition between Bobby and his son Tim Watkins to see who could make the best wine from the muscadines in the father’s backyard. “It was a competition between me and him (Bobby), “Whippoorwill Vineyards co-owner Tim Watkins said of he and his father. “That started about 30 years ago.” The younger Watkins explained how his See VINEYARD, Page 10
Hydock the featured speaker for RMC’s Awareness Luncheon By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
Dolores Hydock came to Alabama’s Chandler Mountain in 1974 as part of her work on her Yale degree in American studies. She never left. “I was working toward an American folklore concentration in American studies and I came down here to do my work on the American South,” Hydock said. “I thought, ‘I’ll just be here a year or two.’ Then life happened.” The Reading, Pennsylvania, native now lives permanently in Birmingham from where Hydock she travels the nation telling her stories. See SPEAKER, Page XX
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Get scores and highlights from Friday’s games inside.
CACC enrollment begins to stabilize
Alabama Army National Guard’s 214th Military Police Company has been called to active duty and they will be given a proper sendoff today. The company will have a departure ceremony Saturday, Oct. 10, at Benjamin Russell High School auditorium at 9:30 a.m. The company will deploy approximately 140 Alabama National Guard soldiers to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Local officials, as well as senior Alabama National Guardsmen, will attend the ceremony to send off the soldiers of the 214th. The general public is encouraged to attend to show their support for the soldiers and their families.
The 35th edition of the Alexander City Oktoberfest is set for today at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex featuring several crowd favorites along with new musical acts and vendors. “We offer a little bit of something for everybody,” said Jennifer Baker, program supervisor of Alex City Parks and Recreation. Musical acts Ryan Roberson and the Lard Buckets, Painted Ivy and the Highway 280 Bluegrass Band. Are scheduled to perform. There will also be a morning 5K Fun Run with registration at 6:30 a.m. and a mobile blood donation unit will be present at the festival. Admission to the rest of the Oktoberfest fun is free and the event runs from 8 a.m. until the vendors close. According to Baker, there will be shuttle transport from the parking lot to the fair grounds and the event is wheelchair accessible.
SPORTS EXTRA INSIDE
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Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Mayor visits ‘Yes I Can’ Teresa Harrell Moten, right, again mentored several young students during fall break and Friday the group got a lesson in city government from Alexander City Mayor Charles Shaw .
Shock. That seems to be the word most used by friends and family members who say they still find it hard to believe that Dianna Mitchell Sharpe, 48, and Robert Wayne Mitchell are dead. The brother and sister were shot to death in the mobile home they shared on Pate Road in the Goldville Community Thursday. Authorities say that Sharpe’s boyfriend, Dean Carl Stevens, 50, admitted to shooting the two after surrendering to New Site Police. The shock comes because the two were remembered as loving people who were always upbeat and looking after others. While Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said no new details were ready to be released, he said that the investigation is continuing. He did confirm that Sharpe and Stevens had been seeing each other for several months and had moved into the residence recently. “It’s just a tragic situation,” Abbett said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with that entire family. They are certainly dealing with a lot right now.” Sharpe was a single parent who was working her way through nursing school at Southern Union. She had been featured in the Outlook for organizing motorcycle rides to help veterans in need. “I still can’t believe it,” Kim Williams posted on Facebook. “She was in my nursing class. I enjoyed our talks. She was very sweet and determined to get through school. She will be missed. I know many of her nursing friends have heavy broken hearts.” Mitchell had worked as a logger most of his life, but had been dealing with medical issues of late. Still, family members say that Wayne was always joking around and would do anything for anyone who needed help. “He was always looking out for other people,” said Mitchell’s brother, who asked that his name not be used. “He had opened his home up to others and ironically, that is what led to this. It’s just been a shock. You never dream that you would receive a call like that.” No arrangement have been announced for the victims at this time. Stevens remains without bond in the Tallapoosa County Jail.
If it heats, cools, moves air or water WE’LL WORK ON IT.
Williams Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning Inc Mike Coker 3875 Dadeville Road, Alexander City, AL 35010 256-329-8488 • 256-267-5021 mobile