COMMUNITY COLUMNISTS INSIDE! PAGE 6 THE
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
SPORTS, PAGE 10
September 6, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 177 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Wildcats’ QB Cotney connects when it counts
CALENDAR, PAGE 5 Catch up on all the happenings in the area.
WEDNESDAY
Mental evaluation green lights murder trial
Council OKs streetscape grant deal
Goldville murder suspect found to be competent
Airport project moves approved, expense reimbursement policy adjusted
By MITCH SNEED Editor
The man accused of the 2015 murders of a brother and sister he shared a mobile home with in the Goldville community has been found competent to stand trial. Dean Carl Stevens, 52, had been indicted on two counts capital Stevens in the shooting deaths of Dianna Mitchell Sharpe, 48, and Robert Wayne Mitchell by a Tallapoosa County Grand Jury in Aug. 2016. The brother and sister were shot to death in the mobile home they shared on Pate Road in the See MURDER • Page 3
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Above and below, members of The Pride of Alexander City Marching Band rehearse their halftime show Tuesday on the practice field at Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City.
SPANISH FLAVOR History comes to life at halftime for ‘The Pride’ By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
The Pride of Alexander City Marching Band from Benjamin Russell High School is bringing a little Spanish flair to the field this year with their halftime show. “It has a Spanish theme this year,” Band Director Dale Bloodworth said. “But it is not your run of the mill Spanish show.” Bloodworth thinks the crowd will be just as pleased with it as the students have been learning it. “The kids really enjoy the show,” Bloodworth said. “If the music is fun to See BAND • Page 3
By MITCH SNEED Editor
A network of American Disability Act compliant sidewalks that connect the area around Hamp Lion Stadium, Strand Park and the row of businesses along Tallapoosa Street could soon become a reality. The Alexander City City Council voted to accept a grant that would provide the bulk of the funding to enable the city develop and construct pedestrian friendly transportation alternatives for its citizens including new sidewalks, new curbing, lighting and other streetscape enhancements. Harry Ward is a project manager with Engineering, Environmental & Forestry Services Company and has handled much of the design work on project in the city. He applauded the city and Community Development Director Al Jones for continuing to pursue the grants that provide major upgrades to the city’s infrastructure. “The big thing with this project that is it makes the entire area ADA compliant and that is something that the city has been working on for a long time,” Ward said. “We hope to get rolling on this quickly and the design phase could be complete in six to eight months. That would enable us to get See COUNCIL • Page 3
Legislators wrestle with issues surrounding autonomous vehicles By MITCH SNEED Editor
To many folks, self-driving vehicles are something out of a science-fiction movie, but manufacturers have production of the high-tech vehicles on fast forward and some states are already allowing their use. Alabama Sen. Tom Whatley, who represents much of Tallapoosa County in the state senate, chairs The Joint Legislative Committee
on Self-Driving Vehicles, which commissioned a study of the vehicles and the practicality of their use here. Alexander City’s Rep. Mark Tuggle is also on the committee. They say the dilemma is balancing the benefits of the technology with the economic reality that comes with widespread use of these vehicles. Also known as autonomous vehicles, the technology is already being used in the real world. Google already has a fleet
of self-driving vehicles on the roads in California. Uber is using autonomous taxis chauffeuring passengers in Pittsburgh and the technology is being used on expressways in Colorado with tractor-trailer trucks. “It’s coming, but we are charged with making the decisions to be sure that the state is ready for it,” Tuggle said. “I mean we are talking about taking a phone and dialing up a car that will come and get you. That’s very real George Jetson
stuff and they are saying it could be ready to use in 15 years. We have to make sure we are ready and we are smart about how we get there.” Whatley said the benefits are obvious., including dramatic drops in traffic accidents and traffic deaths and better fuel mileage, but he said there will be a cost. Whatley said self-driving cars also bring their fair share of problems that the government See VEHICLES • Page 9
Camp ASCCA makes a different in the lives of those with disabilities EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a series of profiles on the 28 agencies that receive funding through the Lake Martin Area United Way. Currently, the Lake Martin Area United Way is holding their 2018 fundraising campaign, “Team United.” To learn how to help, contact the United Way at (256)329-3600 or at www. unitedwaylakemartin.org By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Located at the far northern end of Lake Martin, near Jacksons Gap sits the Easter Seals Camp ASCCA. A yearround camp designed for people with disabilities and
Whatley
Tuggle
Today’s
Weather
76 55 High
health impairments, Camp ASCCA offers a multitude of exciting programs and activities for those who attend a session there. Under the guidance of Administrator John Stephenson and Camp Director Matt Rickman, “Camp ASCCA offers campers a wide variety of recreational and educational activities,” said Director of Marketing Communications Dana Rickman. “Activities See ASCCA • Page 9
ARMSTRONG-HOLLEY
PLUMBING
6
Low
54708 90050
8
USPS Permit # 013-080
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
490.76 Reported on 9/6/17 @ 2 p.m.
Submitted / The Outlook
Easter Seals Camp ASCCA is year-round camp designed for people with disabilities and health impairments, the facility offers a multitude of exciting programs and activities.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
We Care About You and Your Loved Ones!
•Home-like Environment • Specialized Dementia Care Unit •Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Services
WE SPECIALIZE IN COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL PLUMBING!
256-392-3809 OFFICE 256-794-0777 CELL
A DAMS HEALTH & REHAB 1555 HILLABEE STREET • (256) 329-0847