Weekend
OPINON: LET’S KEEP JAZZ FEST AN ALEXANDER CITY TRADITION, PAGE 4.
The Outl ok
WHAT’S UP? See the calendar, Page 5.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
October 22-23, 2016 • Vol. 124 • No. 213 • www.alexcityoutlook.com
Local jobless rate remains low at 5.1%
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Tallapoosa County’s jobless rate remained steady in September at 5.1 percent, unchanged from August and down from the 5.8 percent unemployment rate recorded in the
county in September 2015. Those numbers mean that for the last two months Tallapoosa County’s jobless rate is at a nineyear low. The last time the level was lower was in October 2007, when the rate was 5.0 percent. According to numbers released Friday, Tallapoosa’s results were
in line with the state, which saw seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate of 5.4 percent, unchanged from August’s rate and significantly lower than September 2015’s rate of 6.1 percent. See UNEMPLOYMENT • Page 3
Unemployment rates at a glance County/ Region
Sept. 2016
Unemployed persons
Aug. 2016
Sept. 2015
Tallapoosa Coosa Talladega Clay Randolph Chambers Lee Macon Elmore Alabama U.S.
5.1% 5.7% 6.6% 5.5% 5.4% 5.1% 4.8% 7.0% 4.8% 5.4%* 5.0%*
986 257 2312 318 511 791 3545 571 1750 117,125* 7,939,000*
5.1% 5.7% 6.4% 5.9% 5.7% 5.0% 4.9% 7.2% 4.7% 5.4%* 4.9%*
5.8% 6.1% 6.4% 5.7% 5.4% 5.7% 4.8% 7.7% 4.9% 6.1%* 4.9%*
*– The state and national unemployment rates are seasonally adjusted. All county rates are not seasonally adjusted. Information from the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations
Shoreline management event draws 45 residents
Lake Martin Young Professionals host Halloween party
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
The adult ghouls and goblins in the area looking to get in on the Halloween fun and help a good cause need to look no further than the Second Annual Lake Martin Young Professional Halloween Party. “We are having our second annual Halloween Party,” Jacob Meacham said. “We are doing it again to benefit the Russell Medical Foundation.” This year the event will be held at Mistletoe Bough from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 26. Cost for the event is $15 for Young Professional members and $25 for nonmembers. “For that you get drinks and appetizers,” Meacham said. “We will also have See HALLOWEEN • Page 3
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Betsy Iler / The Outlook
RALLY IN THE ALLEY Fall Festival begins at 9 a.m. in Strand Park this morning and runs through the Chairish raffle, set for 1 p.m.. Activities include games for kids, including pumpkin bowling (which, as always is strictly, BYOP – bring your own pumpkin), Bone in a Haystack and more. Horse-and-buggy rides through downtown will also be available at the festival. Capping off the games will be the annual Great Pumpkin Roll down Alabama Street, which is set for noon, immediately prior to the raffle. A maker’s-type market with all sorts of homemade jams, jellies, bread, soaps and that types of items will be available along with a huge sidewalk sale going on downtown. Food vendors – including Kona Ice and Sonny’s Hot Dogs, among others – will also be on hand. The celebration culminates at 1 p.m. this afternoon when the drawing is held for the approximately 60 hand-decorated items donated this year by local “artists” for the annual Chairish raffle. Raffle tickets are $5 each and go toward a chance to win the item the ticket-buyer specifies when the ticket is purchased.
Today’s
Weather
68 42 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
485.04
Reported on 10/21/16 @ 6:30 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
6
54708 90050
8
USPS Permit # 013-080
SPORTS EXTRA Your all inclusive guide to area games, INSIDE!
Approximately 45 Lake Martin property owners and others gathered at Creekside Lodge in Dadeville Friday morning to ask questions of Alabama Power Co. Shoreline Management staff, learn more about the new Treasured Mile program and enjoy a free meal. According to Rhett Hanks, Alabama Power Co.’s regional coordinator for Shoreline Management, the turnout was one of the best the power company has had for the annual event in recent years. “This is a good turnout for us, probably the best crowd we’ve had in a few years,” Hanks said. “We wanted it to be very informal so that everyone would feel comfortable interacting with our staff.” Indeed, the event was informal. Property owners milled about, occasionally stopping to chat with neighbors or friends or cornering an Alabama Power Co. employee with their questions. “We had a few issues come See SHORELINE • Page 7
Fourth annual Downtown Showdown set for Friday By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
For the fourth consecutive year, local residents are invited to watch a showdown in the parking lot behind the Lake Martin Area United Way office on Friday night, Oct. 28. But, once again, the participants in this showdown won’t be slinging bullets, but fashionable designs instead. “We always look forward to seeing what our designers bring to the table,” said Sharon Fuller, executive director of the Lake Martin Area United Way. “And every year we are pleasantly surprised. This is such a great event.” Tickets to the event are $30 and are available by visiting or calling the United Way office at 256-329-3600 or at Little Black Dress, Cloud Nine, Ooh-La-La, Jackson Drug or Carlisle’s. In addition, a limited number of VIP tables are available
Fall Back Too
by contacting the United Way office. Prior to the fashion showdown, there will be food provided by local restaurants as well as wine, beer and non-alcoholic refreshments available. There will also be opportunities for shopping and a silent auction featuring several attractive items. All proceeds from Downtown Showdown go to benefit the Lake Martin Area United Way and its 27 participating agencies. “The Downtown Showdown is truly representative of our community and its generosity,” said Fuller. “The event wouldn’t be possible without all of the local merchants and restaurants coming together. We have at least 75 of our merchants and individuals who have donated auction items and 17 restaurants who are providing food.”
David Granger / The Outlook
Shown with Downtown Showdown auction items are, left to right, Sharon Fuller, Courtney Layfield and Tina Parker of United Way and volunteer Jamie Dark. Items include a Chimney Rock pillow by Barbara Denney, a painting by Jane Howell, a Kendall Graveman-autographed baseball, a purse with free monogramSee SHOWDOWN • Page 3 ming from Ooh-La-La, an Alabama duck stamp print with stamp by Jim Denney and a bowl by Jodi Stoltzner.
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