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September 27, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 192 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Arrest made in Wednesday robbery “About 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, a black male entered the store pointing a gun at the clerk demanding money,” Alexander City Police Chief Jay Turner said. “The It took Alexander City Police clerk complied and he left the store.” Department investigators six hours to After officers responded to the scene, make an arrest in the armed robbery of a they discovered clothing matching business. the description of what Johnson was Cleophus Lajerle Johnson III, 23, wearing in the store scattered along of Alexander City was arrested for North Central Avenue. the early morning robbery of Happy Turner explained investigators Food Mart. Johnson is also known as collected the evidence and were able to “Headshot.” By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
develop Johnson as a suspect. Johnson was located at an area hotel just hours after the crime. “We have recovered some of the cash taken from the business,” Turner said. Turner said Johnson may be connected to other crimes in the area and could face more charges. Johnson was being held in the Tallapoosa County Jail at press time waiting for bond to be set. Turner wishes the need for a quick
Radney preparing for 5th annual Wildcat Dash
Council likely to approve budget Monday
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Alex City budget includes $8 million in capital projects, staff increases
Raising money for the school, the faculty and staff at Radney Elementary School are gearing up for the fifth annual Radney Wildcat Dash 5K and fun run to be held Oct. 27. The 5K will begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the 1-mile fun run at 8:30 a.m., according to Radney teacher Lisa Dark. “It will follow the same route as last year,” Dark said. “The 5K goes down to the airport, while the 1-mile goes around the hospital.” A number of those who have taken part in the 5K in the past say it is a challenging course with the way the road rises and falls between Radney and the airport, according to Dark. Faculty and staff members hear a multitude of good things about the event from See DASH • Page 3
arrest was not needed. “We cannot stop all crime, some are just crimes of opportunity,” Turner said. “To have a robbery and have someone in custody about six hours later, shows we have some really good police officers and investigators here. Our closure rate is really good. You wish you could stop all these nonsense robberies and breaking and enterings, but being able to catch people in a short period of time ought to deter crime.”
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
In an effort to improve infrastructure in Alexander City, the city council will dip into reserves to make capital improvements across the city in the 2019 budget. “We are making an investment in the future of Alexander City,” council president Tommy Spraggins said. “The capital was cut in half from what we started with. There was a lot of hard work that went into it.” The budget as discussed will have $8 million in capital projects although the council did discuss cutting $1 million there but it would have been projects that either would have come before the council to amend the budget or be in the next budget cycle. It also includes staffing increases See BUDGET • Page 9 Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Alexander City City Council member Scott Hardy looks over the proposed budget for fiscal year 2019 at Wednesday’s work session.
Camp Hill celebrates two retiring firefighters
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By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Binford Morgan turns in his radio and pager to fire chief David Berry Monday evening.
Binford Morgan and Will York say they have retired from the Camp Hill Fire Department but they have one last duty before it’s official. “We’ve got them calling themselves retired,” Camp Hill Fire Department chief David Berry said. “They only problem is they forgot they had one thing left to do. If they are going to retire, they have to recruit their replacement.” Morgan has been with the department for decades but cannot recall how long outside of it just being the first couple of years he came to town. “It has been a long time – I have no idea,” Morgan said. “We have been living here in Camp Hill for 53 years. Hollis Moore is the one who got me to sign up.” The newcomer to town, York joked with Morgan about what they could do now they have turned in their fire pagers and radios. See FIREFIGHTERS • Page 10
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