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October 10, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 201 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Commission clears air on New Site gym By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Members of the Tallapoosa County Commission believe the New Site council has not been fully informed of the expectations of requirements for permits for the renovation project of the New Site gym. Based on conversations with New
Site council members, county officials believe the council now has the proper information more than a year after the town started to renovate the building. Permits for work require reports form engineers on structural, electrical and if needed mechanical reports, along with a plumbing diagram and life safety measures. “This all began a year and half ago,”
Tallapoosa County building inspector Todd Flurry said. “I notified the mayor and told him the requirements.” The New Site town council adopted the county and state building codes to be enforced by the county in 2007, but did not exclude municipal projects. Work started anyway and subcontractors were told by town officials they did not need permits.
Flurry and the state fire marshal toured the building and Flurry stopped the project last year. Some in the community have questioned why the project was stopped and not allowed to continue. Flurry explained since the building was classified as commercial with an A-3 classification, certain requirements have See COMMISSION • Page 8
Michael prepares to make landfall By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
‘RANGER 01’ First Lyman Ward student takes solo flight By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
L
yman Ward Military Academy junior Jack Graham just got his driver’s license last month, but Sunday he was flying airplanes solo. “He is a better pilot than he is a driver,” Jack’s father John Graham said Sunday as Jack exited a small plane at the T.C. Russell Airport in
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Alexander City. “That was awesome,” Jack said after his solo flight. “It was great.” Jack was up early Sunday morning wheeling the Piper Warrior out of the hangar while fog was still rising on the south end of the runaway. Before long, Jack was going through brake and engine checks with his instructor Eddiy Daly. Then it was off into the wild blue yonder for a little bit before See FLIGHT • Page 3
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Top: Jack Graham and instructor Eddiy Daly push the plane back into the hangar after Graham’s solo flight. Above: John Graham helps put a bomber jacket on his son. The jacket belonged to Jack’s grandfather who he never met.
Having crossed the Gulf of Mexico over the past few days, Hurricane Michael is preparing to make landfall along the Florida panhandle. Tropical storm warnings have been extended from New Orleans to Tampa, while residents of western Florida are under a mandatory evacuation order. Despite the potential impact the hurricane may have on the Gulf Coast, the latest forecasts show little, if any impact Michael will bring to Tallapoosa County. “Right now, it is forecast to be a Category 3 hurricane when it makes landfall in the Panama City Beach area (today),” Tallapoosa County EMA Director Jason Moran said. “The current projections show we could see some effects around 4 to 8 p.m. We could see wind gusts up to 20 (mph) and 1 to 1 and a half inches of rain.” Meteorologist Jason Holmes with the National Weather Service in Birmingham said Michael is expected to make landfall around noon or shortly thereafter. Holmes also said Tallapoosa County is currently forecast to be on the western side of the storm, meaning there is not as much of a worry about tornadoes occurring in See HURRICANE • Page 2
United Way gearing up for annual Downtown Fashion Show By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
As the Lake Martin Area United Way continues its 2019 “Be a Lifesaver of Hope” fundraising campaign, the organization is preparing for one of its biggest and most exciting fundraisers. “Our sixth annual Downtown Fashion Show and Silent Auction will be Thursday, Oct. 18 in the parking lot behind our office,” Lake Martin Area United Way Executive Director Sharon Fuller said. “We are featuring all local fashions from our local stores.” Just like last year’s fashion show, the 2018 show will have a Mardi Gras theme, with decorations and atmosphere making attendees feel as if they
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have gone to an event in New Orleans. Along with the fashion show and silent auction, the fundraiser also features a number of local merchants with vendor tables set up, giving attendees the chance to get a jumpstart on the holiday season, according to Fuller. During the silent auction, there will also be a “buy now door” for those wanting to purchase gift certificates local merchants have donated to the event. The fashion show and silent auction is by far one of the most anticipated fundraisers the local United Way holds, as Fuller said people were asking her in July about purchasing tickets for the event. Tickets for the event are $30, and include food and beverages before and during See FASHION • Page 3
File / The Outlook
Models show off apparel at last year’s United Way Downtown Fashion Show.
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