COMMUNITY COLUMNISTS INSIDE!
WEDNESDAY
THE
Support our unique hometown October 12, 2016 Vol. 124, No. 205 www.alexcityoutlook.com businesses
SPORTS Trojans going strong, Page B1.
Lighting the way for Alexander City
& Lake Martin since 1892
State issues restrictions on burning By MITCH SNEED Editor
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
A recent fire in the Wind Creek Farms area last week as a result of the drought.
In Tallapoosa County alone, six wildfires were reported in the last seven days, burning nearly 67 acres. In the last 30 days, 147 acres have burned in the county, according to Alabama Forestry Commission statistics. In light of those numbers, the Tallapoosa County Commissioners heard an update from Tallapoosa County Emergency Management
Agency Director Jason Moran on the extreme drought and the fire hazards that have resulted. “We heard from the Alabama Forestry Commission yesterday and while there isn’t a total ban, there are some very specific conditions that have to be met for people wanting to burn,” Moran said. “They ask that you call them and check on what is required and what the limitations are if you are burning in a forestry situation.” The Alabama Forestry
Commission upgraded the Fire Danger Warning Monday, issuing a Fire Alert for 46 counties in north Alabama effective immediately. The order covers Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Cullman, Dallas, DeKalb, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hale, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar,
Commissioners reconsider store beer license
Shoreline permits on agenda
After owner’s plea and liquor is omitted, license is granted
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Today’s
Weather
80 52 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
485.46 Reported on 10/11/16 @ 5 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
6
54708 90050
8
• In the last seven days local fire departments have reported six wildfires. • In the last 30 days 147 acres have been burned in forests in Tallapoosa County. • In the state 307 wildfires that burned 3,698 acres have been reported in the past seven days.
See FIRES • Page A6
Ala. Power to host open house Alabama Power Co.’s Shoreline Management office at Lake Martin is hosting a public education open house on Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. in the Creekside Lodge Event Center at 6993 Alabama 49, Dadeville. Alabama Power hosts the annual open houses to allow customers, realtors, dock builders and others an opportunity to discuss the company’s shoreline management program. Alabama Power personnel will be present to answer questions about licensing, environmental concerns, best management practices, forestation practices around the lake as well as commercial and non-residential permitting. The timing of the meeting is designed to correspond with the winter drawdown of the lake level, said Rhett Hanks, lake manager for Alabaama Power’s Lake Martin Shoreline Management office. “There are three questions we get most frequently,” said Hanks. “How do I go about getting a shoreline See PERMITS • Page A6
WILDFIRES STRIKE AREA AND THE STATE
By MITCH SNEED Editor
The new owner of a store in the Wall Street community will receive a beer and wine license after the Tallapoosa County Commission reconsidered its denial of an earlier request that included liquor. Bina Patel, the owner of PJ’s One Stop at 1990 S. Tallassee Drive, spoke to the commissioners during public comments. She said that she recently purchased the store, which had a license to sell beer and wine. “Just over the last week or so my customers, they signed a petition asking the commissioners to reconsider,” Patel said following the meeting. “I put a lot of money into the store since I purchased it and without that license, it is hurting us and the community. So many people here don’t have cars and they walk to our store. They depend on us.” Commissioner George Carleton Jr. who represents District 5 where the store is located said that several people in the community had been concerned because the store had also applied for a liquor license. He agreed to ask the commissioners to add the item to the agenda if the request was just for beer and wine. The item was added by a 4-0 vote and then was passed by the same count. Patel was thankful. “I am so happy that they reconsidered,” Patel said. “It means a lot to the See LICENSE• Page A6
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Workers from Norfolk Southern Railroad lay the groundwork for what will be lights and crossing arms at the rail crossing that connects Lee and Washington streets near downtown Alexander City.
CROSSING ARMS COMING
Two Alex City rail crossings to get new safety features By MITCH SNEED Editor
If you’ve driven along Lee or Washington streets lately near downtown you may have noticed a flurry of activity along the rail crossing that connects the two feeder streets just across the street from the Alexander City Board of Education building. Workers from Norfolk Southern Railroad have been in the area for about two weeks laying the groundwork to install lights and signal See CROSSINGS • Page A7
Living blues legend Spencer delights crowd
City Council finalizes runoff election results
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Blues royalty performed for Horizons Unlimited Monday. Adamsville native Elnora Spencer brought her blues and jazz vocals to Emporium Wine. Despite having performed for Horizons Unlimited in the past, Spencer brought a few new songs much to the delight of the nearly 50 feet tapping guests that had gathered. Spencer is no stranger to the stage as she has been performing since the age of four and has opened and played with the likes of B.B. King, Cliff Williams / The Outlook Bobby Blue Bland, Percy Sledge and Johnny Blues vocalist Elnora Spencer sings at EmporiTaylor to name a few. um Wine Monday as she performs for Horizons See BLUES • Page A6 Unlimited.
The vote totals for Alexander City’s municipal runoff election have been adjusted and the winners have been declared. The Alexander City City Council canvassed the votes and considered four provisional ballots that were certified by the Tallapoosa County Board of Registrars. Mayor Charles Shaw picked up four votes when the provisionals were See ELECTION • Page A6
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