Weekend The Outlook
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Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
October 17-18, 2015 • Vol. 123 • No. 208 • www.alexcityoutlook.com
No rush for same-sex marriage licenses in Tallapoosa By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
The rush of same-sex couples that some predicted would be seeking marriage licenses in Alabama may have been real in some areas of Alabama, but Tallapoosa County has not seen any such deluge. According to Tallapoosa County Probate Court Judge Leon Archer, only two marriage licenses for same-sex couples have been issued here since they first became legal last June. “We’ve had a few other calls, but we’ve just had the two licenses that we have actually issued,” Archer said. “We didn’t expect that there would be a lot. Our county isn’t one for destination weddings, but we’ve had no issues.” A United States Supreme Court ruling legalized same-sex marriage on June 26. That final word on the subject followed several months of legal wrangling as probate judges and state officials tried to sidestep an earlier federal
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Training Day Alexander City residents may have noticed a plume of smoke in the air near Highway 280 Friday. The Alexander City Fire Department burned a house on Lindsay Road to help clear a dilapidated structure while training new personnel. The firefighters worked inside in smoke-filled rooms, learning how to attack in various situations before the house was fully engulfed in flames. Once the structure was fully ablaze, they concentrated on attack patterns and techniques.
See MARRIAGE, Page 5
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
SPORTS EXTRA INSIDE Get scores and highlights from Friday’s games inside.
County’s jobless rate at an 8-year low Tallapoosa posts 6 percent unemployment rate in September By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Unemployment in Tallapoosa County fell to the lowest rate since May of 2008 in September, dropping to 6 percent unemployment rate according to data released Friday. The local rate fell from the 6.2 percent rate posted in August and significantly lower than the 6.7 percent unemployment rate posted by the county in September 2007. Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance Executive Director Don McClellan said the news was welcome, especially after the years of job losses in the wake of Russell Corp.’s downsizing. “That is definitely good news and it’s encouraging that we do have some good things happening here,” McClellan said. “Since 2002, we have 3,200 new jobs here with 16 new companies and 15 expansion projects.” See JOBS, Page 9
Runway to come alive Thursday for Downtown Showdown By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
Three Alabama designers – two of them local women – will be featured at the Third Annual Downtown Showdown, set for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, in the back parking lot of the Lake Martin Area United Way. The featured designers will be Alexander City’s Taylor Yates McDonald and Natalie Rye and Birmingham’s Game Day Girl Stuff owner and designer Shena Birdsong. McDonald received her bachelor’s degree in apparel merchandising and
Weather
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By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
487.03
Reported on 10/16/15 @ 12 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
Fashion Showcase, held each spring to showcase some of UA’s best designers. She serves on the board of Academic Honor Council, made the dean’s list, was featured in Miss Sorority Row and served as the open bid chairwoman for Alpha Phi in 2014. Rye enjoys an active lifestyle and is an avid runner. However, she is most happy when she is helping other women feel best about themselves by styling their wardrobe and encouraging them to step out and be unique. Shena Birdsong is the owner of and See SHOWDOWN, Page 9
Habitat for Humanity gets help from United Way
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production management from Auburn University in 2009. She interned in Oklahoma under designer and Project Runway finalist Jonathan Kayne, where she met and worked with several Miss Oklahoma contestants on their competition wardrobes. McDonald has her own clothing line, T. Nicole, which is carried by Auburn Boutique, and currently works for C.O.BrandedCustomwear designing for a men’s label, Mobile Bay Collection. Rye is a junior at the University of Alabama pursuing a degree in apparel and textile design. Two of her designs were recently included in the Tee Time
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Within the next month or so, Alexander City’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity will complete its 15th home since 1993, according to Jan Landers, chapter president. That’s shelter for 15 grateful families who might not have otherwise been able to afford it. “A Habitat home usually is for three people, some two, some more,” said Landers. “So, over the years, we’ve provided housing for 45-50 people here in our community. Currently, Habitat is putting the finishing touches on a home at 433 12th Ave. Landers said anyone inter-
Callie Walker, Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen 2012, models fashions by Taylor Yates McDonald, one of three designers featured in this year’s Downtown Showdown.
ested in volunteering could drop by on Tuesday or Thursday mornings when crews are doing the work. “We’re sort of down to the finishing touches, but there may be some things people can do,” Landers said. Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 by Auburn University alumnus Millard Fuller and his wife, Linda. Today, Habitat for Humanity is a true world leader in addressing the issues of poverty housing. The concept that grew into Habitat for Humanity International was born at Koinonia Farm, a small, interracial, Christian community outside of Americus, Georgia. Koinonia Farm See HABITAT, Page 2
USPS Permit # 013-080
Bill’s Electric ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
P.O. Box 673 1814 Airpor t Blvd • Alexander Cit y, AL
(256) 234-4555 “PROVIIDING QUAALITYY ELEECTRRICALL CONSSTRUUCTIION SINCE 196 61”
Bentley announces plan to reopen offices on limited basis Staff Report Outlook Staff
After three weeks of public outcry, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley announced a plan late Friday to reopen 31 shuttered drivers license offices on a limited basis. Bentley released this statement regarding the status of ALEA rural driver’s license offices at 5:01 p.m. Friday afternoon “After careful consideration of options regarding the closure of 31 Driver’s License offices in Alabama’s rural counties, I have asked that an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency examiner be provided one day a month to service those counties affected,” the release stated. “On Thursday, I met with Congresswoman Terri Sewell, who represents eight of the impacted counties, to inform her of my decision. “I recognize the closure of the 31 driver’s license See OFFICES, Page 9