Sept 8 2016 Alex City Outlook

Page 1

BRINGING IT HOME

OPINION: THANKS FOR MAKING THIS A SAFE WEEKEND, PAGE 4.

THURSDAY

THE

Wildcats seek win in first home game. Page 10.

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 September 8, 2016

Vol. 124, No. 181

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Small black bear sighted in the area

A resident on Hillabee Park Drive spotted a small black bear on her property Wednesday. The bear was not tagged and is not believed to be the bear spotted trekking through the county earlier this summer.

By MITCH SNEED Editor

Submitted / The Outlook

Just when we thought the summer bear watch was over for another year, a local woman spotted a small black bear in a field adjacent to her property on Hillabee Park Drive Wednesday. Hillabee Park Drive resident Kelly Harper spotted what she described as a black bear cub a little taller than knee high shortly

after 8 a.m. Wednesday morning. Harper said at first she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “I was sitting there on the back deck and when I first saw it I thought it was a dog,” Harper said. “But it stopped there and I realized that it was a small bear. I hurried and took a picture because I knew no one would believe me.” Harper said that just seconds after snapping the picture a black

lab appeared and the bear began running away from her property towards a wooded area adjacent to the field. “It had stopped and was just looking at me, until that dog came from over towards the (Hillabee Baptist) church,” Harper said. “It took off as the dog got closer.” Harper called the Alexander City Police Department for Animal See BEAR • Page 3

Council to decide Machen’s fate today

Strand Session Encore set for tonight By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

Alexander City gets an encore. The Lake Martin Young Professionals have organized a Strand Session Encore – this time featuring the music by soul singer Jojo Hammett and teen singing sensation Katlin Hill. The music is set to begin tonight at 6:30 and run until 8:30 p.m in Strand Park. The community has been accepting of regular music in the park. “Everything we’ve heard has been extremely positive,” John Howell told the Alexander City City Council recently. “Everyone has been very responsible. I think the people have been pleased with the time limit so there were no problems with noise after hours. Plus, they have all been pretty well attended.” In addition to the music, the Young Professionals See STRAND • Page 3

Council must decide whether finance director stays or goes

By MITCH SNEED Editor

Archery Shooters Association and Bow Hunters of Alabama. The championships were held in Oak Mountain State Park and Huntsville, respectively. Sasser said the decision to shoot in the senior division in the BHA competition wasn’t one based solely on age, but more so on its effects. “The only reason I moved up (to the

The fate of Alexander City’s embattled finance director could be decided today as the Alexander City City Council is expected to hold a hearing to review her dismissal in executive session during today’s meeting. Alexander City Mayor Charles Shaw dismissed Finance Director Sandra Machen for the third time on Aug. 16, claiming in the paperwork she was given at the time that “Mrs. Machen has violated 7.3.1 Group One Offenses.” Those offenses are defined in the personnel handbook as “instances of unacceptable conduct by an employee, which are very serious and normally constitute grounds for dismissal upon the first occurrence of such conduct unless mitigating and/or extenuating circumstances render lesser discipline more appropriate.” The documentation also states, “Sandra has been incompetent in her duties as the Finance Director for the City of Alexander. She has failed to produce accurate financial numbers. Money has not been deposited into the correct department accounts. The 2016-2017 Budget cannot be produced due to the discrepancies with the city’s

See ARCHERY • Page 3

See COUNCIL • Page 3

Kenneth Boone / The Outlook

Alexander City’s Kevin Sasser takes aim on the archery range. Sasser is the current state champion in the senior division for both the Archery Shooters Association and Bow Hunters of Alabama.

ON TARGET: By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

It takes strong arms and hands to be a champion archer. Most of all, it takes a keen eye. Alexander City’s Kevin Sasser has all those traits in spades. That’s why the 55-year-old Sasser is current state champion in the senior division for both the

Local man holds two state archery titles

Holiday weekend on Lake Martin a safe one By MITCH SNEED Editor

What is widely recognized as the last big weekend of the summer season on Lake Martin was a relatively calm one according the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Marine Patrol Division. According to Marine Patrol Division Lt. Mark Fuller said that traffic on the water over the long Labor Day weekend was lighter than expected, particularly on Friday and Saturday. “Traffic was relatively light on Friday and Saturday due to schools being back in session and football season being under way,” Fuller said. “Sunday was moderately busy as was Monday.” Lighter traffic and high visibility

also played a role in reducing the number of incidents encountered by law enforcement of the water. Fuller said there were only four arrests by the unit over the holiday weekend. “There were three BUI arrests made and one person arrested on an outstanding felony drug warrant,” Fuller said. Another positive stat indicated that it was a relatively safe weekend for boaters. “There were no reported accidents on Lake Martin for the entire holiday weekend,” Fuller said. Area marinas reported moderate traffic and boat storage facilities reported that it was a heavy weekend for boat owners to take their crafts out of the water for the winter.

Lake Martin

Lake Levels

488.53 Reported on 9/07/16 @ 7 p.m.

LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443

laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL

Today’s

Weather

94 67 High

Low

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

A boat makes its way back to the Wind Creek Marina Monday evening. Officers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Marine Patrol Division reported a relatively uneventful Labor Day weekend on the Lake Martin, with just four arrests recorded with no accidents.

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