Sept. 8, 2017 Alex City Outlook

OPINION: WE SHOULD ALL BE PREPPED FOR WHAT IRMA MAY BRING

FRIDAY

THE

CALENDAR, PAGE 8: Check out upcoming events in the Lake Martin area

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

SPORTS, PAGE 9:

BRHS looks for continued September 8, 2017 Vol. 125, No.179 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢ improvement against Pelham

City finances appear to be back on track

By MITCH SNEED Editor

If all goes as planned, Alexander City could have a new fiscal year budget that is virtually on time and certainly much earlier than the last several years.

Alexander City Finance Director Sandy Stanbrough said at Tuesday’s council meeting that if all goes well a new budget could be ready for a vote by the Oct. 2 meeting of the council.

“The FY 18 budget is still progressing and before this week is out I intend to have staffing and capital back to department heads to look at See FINANCES • Page 7

Ivey to seek full term as governor

By MITCH SNEED Editor

In a move that was expected by most political observers, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced Thursday that she would seek to retain the seat in 2018, after being elevated to post on April 10, 2017 after Robert Bentley resigned amid a growing scandal.

In a letter to supporters, Ivey cited the progress See IVEY • Page 7 Donald Neese poses next to his creation from a red oak he had cut down in his yard on Nathan Street.

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

CARVING CRITTERS Despite heart attack, Alexander City resident braves heat, carves bear

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

A bear has been sighted on Nathan Street in Alexander City.

Don’t confuse this one with the bear that has been sighted in recent months in Talladega, Coosa and Tallapoosa counties as this one

Today’s

Weather

6

Low

54708 90050

Neese said. “The grass wouldn’t grow.”

Neese had an idea while planning for the tree’s removal.

“I have always wanted to carve a bear,” Neese said. “I had them cut the stump off at about 6 feet.”

See BEAR • Page 3

Submitted / The Outlook

Gov. Kay Ivey took office in April, filling the seat vacated

by Robert Bentley. Ivey said she has steadied the ‘ship of the state.’

New bird trail signage installed at Sportplex

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

80 59 High

is of no harm to anyone. It is the by-product of an unwanted tree and a heart attack suffered by Alexander City resident Donald Neese.

The bear is carved into a stump from a red oak tree Neese had cut down in his front yard.

“It was making a mess out here,”

8

USPS Permit # 013-080

Lake Martin

Lake Levels

490.73 Reported on 2/23/17 @ 3 p.m.

LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443

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

Starting Friday: IT – R All Saints – PG Leap– PG

A new addition to the Alexander City Sportplex was installed Thursday morning, as a new sign from the Alabama Birding Trails system was placed next to the parking lot between the gymnasium and Imagination Station playground.

Alexander City Mayor Jim Nabors and Joanne Ninesling, the project manager for the Alabama Birding Trails’ Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail division talked for a moment about the sign and the information on it, including the number of other sites across the region and the birds that might be seen while walking along the Sportplex trail.

“There’s a lot of foot traffic out here,” Nabors said. “Hopefully, this will get more people out and walking around the trail here.”

Ninesling said she and others with the Alabama Birding Trails had been hard at work, putting up signs across the region See SIGNAGE • Page 3

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Joanne Ninesling, left, with the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail speaks with Alexander City Mayor Jim Nabors Thursday to celebrate the installation of the birding trail signage at the Sportplex.

We Care About You and Your Loved Ones!

•Home-like Environment • Specialized Dementia Care Unit •Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Services

A DAMS HEALTH & REHAB 1555 HILLABEE STREET • (256) 329-0847

Page 2

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Husband’s distress over ex’s bad news perplexes new wife

Saturday

80 60 Low

High Sunny and clear

Sunday

77 60 Low

High Sunny, partly cloudy

Staff

Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com

Friday, September 8, 2017

The Outlook

Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Tabby Edwards Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Advertising Sales, Ext. 231 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Rebecca Carlisle Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com

DEAR ABBY: I have been married to my husband for five years. He’s the man of my dreams, and we have a wonderful marriage. Recently we learned that his ex-wife -- to whom he was married for 20 years -- has been diagnosed with a life-threatening cancer.

They have two adult children together.

I have never questioned my husband’s love or devotion to me. What’s bothering me is his reaction to the news. They had a horrible relationship and never got along, but he is very upset over this. I’m not sure how to handle this. I don’t want to seem insensitive, but the emotion he is showing for her has really hurt me. I realize she’s the mother of his children, but they have been divorced for years. Please help me understand what’s going on with him. -- STRONG EMOTIONS DEAR STRONG EMOTIONS: Not knowing your husband, I can only hazard a few guesses. Although he and his ex-wife have been divorced for years, the idea of a possibly

DEAR ABBY Advice

fatal illness striking someone who was once so close may be what’s upsetting him. Or he may feel some guilt because of the circumstances of their divorce.

Or her diagnosis may have been a chilly reminder of his own mortality. I hope this will give you some insight, because you are going to have to be patient with him until this is resolved.

DEAR ABBY: I need advice on how to enjoy my life and not allow the toxic environment of my job to overwhelm me. My job was nice when I started 12 years ago, and I enjoy helping people.

I process payments for disabled people in a cubicle setting.

However, my place of employment has become a backstabbing, uncaring, favoritism-oriented environment.

I am well-paid and have good health insurance, so I need to stay. But I am very sad each day going into work.

It is affecting the way I interact with my children and my husband. Any ideas on how to get past the horrible day in the office so I can be at peace at home? -- DREADING IT DEAR DREADING: I do have a few suggestions.

When it’s time to take your break, use it as an opportunity to escape the toxic environment. Put on headphones and listen to upbeat music, read a book or leave the office to eat lunch or have a snack. If possible, take a short walk or meditate and do breathing exercises to relax. Then, after work, before interacting with your children and your spouse, give yourself the “gift” of a 15- to 30-minute walk or jog, which may help you to draw a firm line of demarcation between your work life and your home life. And take your vacation time to get away and replenish your spirit.

DEAR ABBY: We have an adult relative who seems to feel it is appropriate to color a picture out of a coloring book in lieu of a gift or money for graduations, weddings, etc. She also seeks approval from everyone at these events to comment on how beautiful it is, to praise her for her coloring ability and how much time it took. We are tired of getting coloring book pictures as gifts. How can we get her to stop? -- MIFFED IN MINNESOTA DEAR MIFFED: You may be tired of receiving those artistic efforts, but to say that to the relative who gave them to you would be beyond rude. Accept them graciously, and thank the person for the “time and effort” it took to complete them. What you do with them afterward is your own business.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, printing press.

Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011.

Postal

Information

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.

How to Submit Obituaries

© 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.

Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by e-mail at obits@alexcityoutlook.com or by fax at (256) 234-6550. For more information, call (256) 234-4281.

FREE CONSULTATIONS

Submitted / The Outlook

Sabal Trail Pipeline topic of Alex City Kiwanis Club meeting Randy Lewis, a public affairs consultant with Sabal Trail Pipeline, spoke to the Alexander City Kiwanis Club Thursday.

“It’s not the end ... It’s a new beginning”

256-329-1313 217 Madison Street, Alexander City, AL “We are a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 under the Bankruptcy Code. Alabama State Bar requires the following in every attorney advertisement, “ No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”

SPLC agreement with Louisiana city similar to those in Alexander City, Montgomery the court through fees levied against individuals found guilty.

It described how the Under a settlement fees created an incentive with the SPLC, the for the judge to find city court in Bogalusa, people guilty and coerce Louisiana, will stop payment through the jailing indigent defendants for failing to threat of jail.

“We commend pay court debt – one of the Bogalusa City several reforms designed Court for voluntarily to ensure fairness for all implementing these new people appearing before procedures to ensure the court, the Southern that no one is jailed Poverty Law Center simply because they are announced. poor,” said Sam Brooke, The agreement SPLC deputy legal was approved Sept. 6 director. by the U.S. District The settlement’s Court for the Eastern reforms are consistent District of Louisiana. with broader It resolves a lawsuit reforms across the the SPLC filed against country, including the Bogalusa city court in Montgomery and in 2016 for operating Alexander City, which what amounted to a the SPLC also sued over modern-day debtors’ such coercive practices. prison and for funding Debtors’ prisons have been outlawed for nearly 200 years. In the United States, failure to pay a fine can, in some cases, lead to jail time, but the law requires a judge to first determine whether the person has the means to pay but “willfully” refuses.

Before the lawsuit, low-income people

STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Where Good Friends Meet!

Southern-Style Cuisine Catering Available from 5-500

Stop by Today!

SUN - THU 10:30am - 8:00pm FRI - SAT 10:30am - 9:00pm

at Blue Creek 6684 Hwy 49 South • 256-825-4827 www.oskarscafe.com

WHAT! You’re not a

subscriber?

Why not subscribe today?

SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law 135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL 548 Cherokee Road Alexander City, AL 35010 256.234.4281

825-9559 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

in Bogalusa – a town where 35 percent of residents live below the poverty line – were routinely jailed when they couldn’t afford to pay fees and fines for traffic tickets and misdemeanor offenses.

Judge Robert J. Black even created a $50 “extension fee” that defendants could pay to stay out of jail as they tried to raise money to pay off the debt. The illegal fee provided funding for the court.

Among other reforms, the city court will make a finding on the record to establish whether an individual is indigent at sentencing. It will also make an explicit finding that failing to pay was willful before jailing anyone for not paying.

Individuals who previously missed a court date will have an opportunity to clear any warrants and appear before the court. People unable to pay fines and costs owed to the court will be able to obtain payment plans or community service.

The city court will also transfer the money it previously retained to pay its expenses to the city of Bogalusa. The court will be funded through a budgeting process overseen by the city council – a change

that eliminates any potential conflict over the court’s funding and helps ensure that every person is treated fairly by the court.

One victim of the court’s previous practices was Bogalusa resident Rozzie Scott, who was jailed after he was unable to pay $450 in court debt for stealing $5 worth of food to feed his family.

Black never asked the 21-year-old Scott why he couldn’t pay before sending him to jail, where Scott remained until a family member paid the $50 extension fee.

“It is wrong to put me behind bars because I can’t afford it,” Scott said.

A previously announced settlement with the court allows people who paid the illegal extension fee after June 21, 2015, to obtain a refund by filing a claim with the city court.

In March, the SPLC joined nearly three dozen prominent civil rights and criminal justice groups to support federal legislation that would end unconstitutional debtors’ prison practices and cut federal funding from municipalities engaging in these practices.

Friday, September 8, 2017

The Outlook

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Signage

continued from page 1

at places like Wind Creek State Park and Eufaula among others.

“These give visitors a lot more information about the birds they might see while they’re walking,” she said.

“Having this sign includes Alexander City and the Sportplex in the birding trail system.”

Twenty different kinds of birds were listed on the new sign, showcasing the wide range of avian inhabitants of the Sportplex one might encounter while watching a game or hiking along the trail throughout the complex, including the Killdeer, the Northern Cardinal and the Barred Owl. While some of these species are year-round, others are more seasonal residents of the area, but all of them find plenty of space at the Sportplex to make their abode.

The organization has also selected the wooded area behind the Betty Carol Graham Center at CACC as the location for another sign and potential trail in the system, but the site was still in the process of being completed, Ninesling said.

Ninesling also said nominations for other sites in the region had been opened, including Smith Mountain being among the five or six currently under consideration to be added to the state birding trails network.

There are currently 34 locations in the Piedmont Plateau region divided into three distinct trail loops for bird and wildlife watching enthusiasts to explore. The Crater Loop links sites in Autauga, Elmore and Lee counties, the Lake Martin Loop covers points in Chambers, Chilton, Coosa and Tallapoosa counties, and the Mountain Loop unites locations in Clay and Randolph counties.

The sign was funded by the Tallapoosa County Commissioners, and brings further attention to the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and what they offer, according to Nabors.

“We as a city should be very thankful for this,” he said.

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Left: Joanne Ninesling, left, with the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail speaks with Alexander City Mayor Jim Nabors Thursday to celebrate the installation of the birding trail signage at the Sportplex.

Below left is one of the trails at the Sportplex that is part of the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail and right, locals enjoy a walk through the trails with their pets.

Bear As Neese was helping clear debris while the tree was being removed, things got interesting.

“I started helping drag limbs up and had a heart attack,” Neese said. “I spent a night at Russell Hospital.

I then went to Birmingham and had a quadruple bypass and was in ICU for two weeks at St. Vincent’s. I came back home and that stump was there.”

With a little time on his hands Neese did some research.

“I just decided I wanted to do it,” Neese explained.

“I looked at Youtube at some guys that carved but it was like four or five minutes. I learned a little but they were just trying to sell a video. So I didn’t get much out of it.”

Neese did not let the lack of knowledge stop him.

“I went downstairs and got my chainsaw,” Neese said of the July decision to finally start. “It was hot. I would come out in the morning and would be ringing wet when I went in.

I would go take a shower.

“Of course that sawdust sticks to you and you would be covered in it. Then in the evening I would work another hour, so on the days I could work, I would get about two hours in.”

Those two hours a day were spent studying and carving.

“I put a lot into it,” Neese said. “I would come out here and look at it, walk around it and look at it some more and shave a little off.

I would say his back is too big or his head is too big and shave a little off.”

The work was not only tiresome for Neese but for his chainsaw.

“I don’t know how many gallons of gas I burnt up

Page 3

continued from page 1

with it – several,” Neese said with a laugh. “I think I nearly wore the chainsaw out. I spent about $90 getting it repaired from the bar and chain and I had to have the carburetor rebuilt.

That thing was rough on a chain.”

The Alexander City native has a military background.

“I did a tour in Vietnam,” Neese said. “I spent a year in downtown Baghdad in 2004. I was 55 then. I was in the National Guard. I was over there in ‘91 with the National Guard.”

Neese admits to getting some much needed advice on the front yard project.

“We went to Townsend for vacation,” Neese said.

“There was a bunch of people there who carved bears and stuff.

“I wasn’t sure about the head. I talked to this guy and he said just make it like a football. Of course I had already made it round like a person. I took a side angle grinder and started grinding it off. I hadn’t done anything like it before.”

Neese changed the head and back.

From there Neese put on the final touches and remembered something left over from a deck project.

“I had some Deckover paint from several months ago when we painted the deck,” Neese said. “So that is what I painted him.”

Neese did leave part of the bear unpainted, “the face. They left that unpainted.”

Neese wants to carve again but has no plans on what just yet.

“I would do it again in a heartbeat,” he said.

“You just set your mind to something and just work at it ‘til you get it done.”

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

The finished product of a carved red oak at the home of Donald Neese on Nathan Street.

MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213

editor@alexcityoutlook.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 4

Opinion

Our View

We all should be prepped for what Irma may bring

W

e saw the devastation caused

by Hurricane Harvey and the flooding from heavy rains that followed. The nation, including local folks, have pitched in and dug deep to help the folks in Texas as they struggle to rebound.

But there appears to be more devastation on the way.

After blasting the northern Caribbean, dangerous Hurricane Irma is bearing down on the United States, bringing potential life-threatening consequences to an area from Florida to the Carolinas beginning this weekend.

“This hurricane has the potential to be a major event for the East Coast,” Evan Myers, AccuWeather expert senior meteorologist and chief operating officer, said in a released statement. “It also has the potential to significantly strain FEMA and other governmental resources occurring so quickly on the heels of Harvey.”

“Because Irma is likely to move up along the east coast of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, people from the Florida Keys all the way to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, should prepare to be ready to evacuate coastal areas, starting with South Florida now,” Myers added.

Even though you don’t see Alabama mentioned in the warning, the storm should be taken very seriously and preparations should be hurried to completion as the exact track is only a prediction at this point.

We are finding that Alabama is playing a role in the preparation. Hotels in Dothan and other parts of the state are booked as those fearing Irma’s wrath are seeking a safe haven. About 10 groups have already booked campsites at Wind Creek with officials saying that countless more have call to check availability, just in case.

Local residents are reporting that they have relatives from Florida planning to come wait out the storm here to be safe from the threat.

While Irma’s track beyond the Caribbean is not set in stone, we do know that a storm of this magnitude will not leave without leaving a trail of trouble.

So for now, be prepared and be ready in case our help is needed. But most importantly pray for those in harm’s way.

Outlook The

Friday, September 8, 2017

Discipline has become a lost quality of life

C

an you remember being a kid growing up in church and having to sit through the preaching service? That had to be one of the longest hours in the creation of time. No matter what you did time just crept along. To make matters worse your mother wanted you to actually sit up straight and behave. I watch the children today and think of how different it was as I was growing up.

After I was old enough to sit away from my parents I still knew my mamma’s eagle eye was on me. There was that sixth sense that your every move was being monitored and recorded. That survival instinct was never wrong because there were signals that let me know she was there.

Every kid knows those warning signals of a cleared throat, a shifting of positions, a stare to freeze a charging bear and the all telling rustling of papers and Bible.

Then the hour of reckoning came when you got home.

My mother had never heard of Attention Deficit Disorders associated with hyperactivity.

There were no time outs in your room, or grounding for a few days, or heart-to-heart talks used as an attention getter. Mamma’s philosophy on life was, “you may not be the smartest kid in the world, but you can at least behave.”

DR. GERALD HALLMARK Columnist

What I got from this exchange was the now lost art of having to go outside and selecting my own switch.

A fellow knew in his heart that the unwritten rules said it couldn’t be too small or limber, otherwise, mamma would go get one and things would deteriorate in a rapid manner. All negotiations would quickly cease and hostilities would immediately begin. I never had hope in DHR helping in those days because I was more worried about T.A.R., because mother was threatening to beat the living tar out of me. Even today when I hear a mother clear her throat in church I sit up straighter on the podium. Sometimes as I’m preaching I can hear papers being shuffled and I have an almost uncontrollable urge to stop and go outside and cut a hickory switch.

Of course these same methods could be applied to some grown up children that think the church is an adult nursery. Today the men are asleep and the ladies are on their cells phones. I don’t even want to think about

how my mamma would react to these folks. She actually believed that being in God’s house meant being in God’s presence. I guess she wasn’t as sophisticated as today’s church members.

Discipline is something none of us enjoy. Even as adults we don’t want to be told what to do. We want our “space” in life and to have instant gratification of all our needs. It’s built into our nature to take the road of least resistance and look after number one. It’s a difficult thing for an adult to surrender their perceived freedoms to anyone or anything. Yet, Christ came and reminded us that true freedom is in service to others. He taught us that self-control and discipline in our lives is a characteristic of maturity. Remember the verse where He taught that a person only gains his or her life by losing it. It seems that discipline is a lost quality in modern life, and that is a shame.

You get the idea, so I’ll move on and start studying for Sunday. Mamma is now in heaven, but I still don’t want her to think I wasn’t disciplined enough to study.

After all, I’m getting too old to select hickory switches!

Dr. Gerald Hallmark is a long-time area minister and a regular columnist for Tallapoosa Publishers.

Today’s

Scripture

“For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”

—Psalm 107:9

alexcityoutlook.com

Daily Poll Thursday Question: Are you making any special precautions as Irma prepares to make landfall?

No — 77%, 17 votes Yes — 23%, 5 votes

Friday’s Question: Do you think it is too early to start thinking about who to vote in as governor?

To participate in this daily poll, log on each day to www. alexcityoutlook.com and vote.

Find out the vote totals in the next edition of The Outlook and see if your vote swayed the results.

The Outlook strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

How to

Subscribe

Communication with elected officials is the key to good government. To let your most local representatives know how you feel about state or local matters, contact any of the following.

Governor Kay Ivey represents the state of Alabama and its 67 counties.

She was sworn into office on April 10, 2017, and can be reached at 334-2427100. Her office is located at the State Kay Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.

A snapshot of the August district work period in East Alabama Ivey

Steve Marshall

Mark Tuggle

Tom Whatley represents the 27th District covering Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa County.

He was elected to the Alabama Senate on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334-242-t7865.

Tom Whatley His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.

Clyde Chambliss Jr. represents Senate District 30, which includes portions of Elmore, Autauga, Chilton, Coosa and Tallapoosa counties.

He can be reached at 334-343-7883 or at clyde.chambliss@ alsenate.gov

“Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives.”

—A. Sachs

Mission

Officials

Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties.

He can be reached by phone at 256392-2006 or by email at tughd81@ gmail.com. His office is located at 110 Calhoun Street, Suite 108, Alexander City.

Quote

Our

Know Your

Steve Marshall was appointed Alabama’s 50th Attorney General.

He was appointed in 2017 and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement officer.

He can be reached at 334-242-7300, and his office is located at 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery.

Today’s

Clyde Chambliss

A

s Congress gears back up after a very busy August District Work Period, I wanted to share some of my experiences while I was back home in Alabama.

I made my way across almost all of the Third Congressional District and am coming back to Washington excited about the future of our great state.

As most of you know, the Agriculture industry drives the economy in Alabama. I was able to attend ALFA meetings in several counties and even had the chance to visit with the 2017 ALFA Young Farm Family of the Year in Cleburne County.

As a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, I have always made it a priority to encourage our young folks to get involved in farming and the ag industry.

In Talladega County, I was impressed with my tour of Alabama Childhood Solutions. They are working to break the cycle of government dependency while providing nutritious food to kids in the area.

USDA programs that support their mission are authorized by the Farm Bill.

In Calhoun County, I toured the Anniston Fire

MIKE ROGERS Columinst

Department Regional Training Center, the Public Safety Complex in Jacksonville and visited with the Acting Superintendent of the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP). As a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee, these facilities are so important in keeping our communities safe, and the CDP’s mission is critical in training first responders to protect us from those who wish us harm.

I was also able to visit with soldiers at the Army National Guard Training Center and thank them for their service to our country.

I visited Trinity Christian Academy students on their first day of school and joined Brother Grinstead on his Christian radio station.

In Tallapoosa County, I was proud to attend the grand opening of Our Town/ Willow Point Volunteer Fire Department and present them a U.S. flag to fly at their new

building.

In Chambers County, I met with the Industrial Development Authority board to get an update on what’s going on and also toured the 911 Center in Lanett.

I visited Auburn University to see the exciting things going on there including their new Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) facility.

I stopped by and had lunch with old and new friends in Cherokee County and made my way to Clay County to visit Wellborn Cabinet.

It was a busy few weeks, but my biggest takeaway from my time home was seeing the outpouring of prayers, support and donations for our brothers and sisters affected by Hurricane Harvey. We should continue to keep all those families who lost everything in our prayers as they start to rebuild their lives.

I want to hear from you.

Congressman Mike D. Rogers is the U.S. Representative for Alabama’s 3rd congressional district, serving since 2003. In this role he represents the residents of Tallapoosa and Coosa counties

The subscription rate is $136.00 per year in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties and $177.99 outside the area. Periodicals paid at Alexander City, AL. Newspapers are available at 100 news racks in our area at 75 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. We would love to deliver a paper to your door. Call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281, Ext. 204 or e-mail david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook. com.

What’s your

Opinion?

We’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with the greater Lake Martin community. It’s free and it only takes a few moments of your time. We have two ways to get your opinion in print: letters to the editor and guest columns. The main difference is length. Letters to the editor are up to 250 words, while guest columns can be up to 500 words. Letters and columns may be sent to P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011, faxed to (256) 234-6550 or e-mailed to editor@ alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send us your thoughts today!

Follow us

On the Web

Follow The Outlook on the Internet on our website or on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Log on to http://www. alexcityoutloook. com. There you will be able to view stories and multimedia posted by The Outlook. You can also click on the Facebook link to join The Outlook’s fan club or click on the Twitter link to start receiving tweets on your phone as we post updates.

You can also subscribe to our RSS (Rich Site Summary) feed on the Outlook’s home page. Check it out today.

Friday, September 8, 2017

The Outlook

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 5

Page 6

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

Friday, September 8, 2017

Friday, September 8, 2017

The Outlook

Finances

continued from page 1

and then we can start pulling the final elements together,” Stanbrough told the council. “There’s an Oct. 2 meeting and at that meeting I intend to be in a position, if we have a work session before then, for it to be voted on by the council.”

If Stanbrough’s tentative schedule holds true, that would be rare for recent years.

State guidelines ask that cities have a balanced budget in place by Oct. 1 each year or vote to continue under

the existing budget until a new fiscal year budget is adopted.

For the 2016-17 fiscal year, the outgoing council did not pass a budget and the current council had to wait until a financial mess was cleared up before it was able to pass a budget on Aug. 7 on this year, just two months before it expired.

In 2015, the council didn’t pass a budget until Dec. 7. In 2014, the passage was even later, on Dec. 28.

In 2013, the council was only slightly

Ivey made over the last four months.

“Four months ago after much turmoil in our state, I was sworn in as the 54th Governor of the State of Alabama,” the letter seeking support read. “There hasn’t been a more humbling moment in my life. That so many of you have supported and prayed for our team and me means the world — and it’s our highest honor to serve you. I’m writing today to let you know that I’m running for governor in 2018, and I need your help.

“Continuing to change Montgomery is going to be a fight, and we need as many people by our side as we can get.”

Even though her candidacy just became official, reports indicate that Ivey has already raised more than $1

Page 7

www.alexcityoutlook.com

continued from page 1

million in campaign funds in preparation for first a run for the GOP nomination and then a general election bid should she win the nomination.

She stressed her ability to return integrity to the office.

“I took over at one of that darkest times in our state’s memory,” Ivey said. “We have steadied the ship of state, now it’s time to steer it on to continued conservative progress and prosperity.

“It’s not enough to believe in good intentions — I believe in rock-solid results. I don’t think it’s enough for people to say they’re going to do the right thing. I think you’ve got to live by your words.

What’s right is right, and wrong is wrong. It’s that simple. I will never embarrass you.”

Ivey joins what appears to be a very crowded field of GOP candidates.

Mobile State Sen. Bill Hightower, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Minister Scott Dawson, Birmingham businessman Josh Jones, Morgan County Commissioner Stacy Lee George, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan and David Carrington had all previously announced intentions to seek the state’s highest elected office.

On the Democratic side, former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court Sue Bell Cobb leads a field of announced candidates that includes truck driver Jason Childs, minister Anthony White and Christopher Countryman.

past the deadline, approving a budget on Oct. 7.

“I just assumed that we would have to continue on the existing budget for a while, but that is good news,” said Councilman Tommy Spraggins.

Stanbrough also updated the council on the status of audits being handled by Carr Riggs and Ingram, saying the “FY 15 audit is the very final stages.”

As if budget and audit progress wasn’t enough good news, Mayor Jim

Nabors reported another strong month of sales tax collections which points to a record year as the end of the fiscal year approaches.

“Sales tax collections were at $877,000 last month, and for the year we are 8.7 percent above the previous year,” Nabors said. “We’ve been above the previous year every month with the exception on one month.

We are on track for $10.3 million to be collected by the end of the fiscal year.”

TPI Part-Time Mail Inserter

Evening & Night Schedules

Must be able to: - Stand for extended periods of time - Lift up to 45 lbs.

- Work Quickly with attention to detail - Count Accurately & Bundle If you are dependable, work well with others & would like to make extra cash, stop by our of¿ce for an application.

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. 548 Cherokee Road, Alex City No phone calls please TPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer Drug Free Workplace

DID YOU KNOW?

According to a 2013 Pulse Survey, Tallapoosa Publishers reaches at least 86% of all Tallapoosa County.

Let Us Help Market Your Message! 256.234.4281

Page 8

www.alexcityoutlook.com

CommunityCalendar Need Insurance?

Call me.

Submit calendar items:

Participate in your Outlook by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or logging on to http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/.

fundraiser through Sept. 30. Orders can be placed through the church office. Four varieties are being offered from $10 to $12 each. Pick up will be Nov. 7 from 11 .m. to 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Fellowship Hall.

Today is September 8, 2017 Today’s Events

Friday, September 8, 2017

The Outlook

Today’s Birthdays

CHEESE BALLS: The UMW of First United Methodist Church are taking orders for their annual cheese ball

Dannie Dean Jones, Darrell Pike, Rev. Mark Rogers, Sean Luc Rape, Bobby Parrott and Trevor Grubbs are celebrating their birthdays today.

–Since 1978–

BIG “B” BAR-B-QUE “We Cook The Best BETTER!”

Hickory Grilled Meat BBQ • STEAK CHICKEN • CATFISH

256.329.9996 Hwy. 22 West, Alexander City, AL

256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com

Sandra Stark / For The Outlook

Friday will be a big day at Faith Christian Academy as they will welcome grandparents to campus. In preparation, the students practiced posing with signs that they will hold up after the day’s events to thank the grandparents for coming.

Saturday, September 9

AL 96175

CARLISLE HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING 367 US H W Y . 280 A L E X A N D E R C I T Y , AL

256-234-0019 CA RLISLE AC.COM

Brown Nursing and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services •Physical Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Speech Therapy 2334 Washington Street Alexander City • 256-329-9061 www.crownemanagement.com

Come Visit Us! Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing

Need your business to

STAND OUT from the crowd?

Call us, we can help!

256.234.4281

• • • • •

Alexander City Outlook Dadeville Record Wetumpka Herald Eclectic Observer Tallassee Tribune

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Comer Methodist Men’s Club is hosting a pancake breakfast Sept. 9 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Eat in or carry out for $6 a plate.

FLEA MARKET: The Town of Camp Hill is offering a free flea market day to all vendors that would like to come and sell at the new flea market in Camp Hill at the old airport. There will be no charge to vendors for a spot for the month of September. Vendors please call James Woody at 256-749-8270 to register for a spot and information.

Free parking to all consumers and vendors. The market will be open on the second Saturday of each month from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

YOUTH EXPLOSION: Hatchett Springs Baptist Church in Goodwater is hosting a Youth Explosion Saturday, Sept. 9 at 3 p.m. with D Hal, Greater New Hope Youth Choir, Daughters of Destiny and more.

COMMUNITY FLEA MARKET: The will be a community flea market at Cooper Community Center in Alexander City from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9 hosted by the center and Sistas for a Cause.

Vendors are needed and tables are available indoors and outside for $20. To book a table or for more information contact Valarie Oliver at 256-496-4684, Herbert Harrell or Erica Brooks at 256-329-6799.

Sunday, September 10

CHURCH HOMECOMING: New Style Baptist Church is celebrating its 121st Homecoming Service Sunday, Sept. 10 at 2:30 p.m. The church is located at 294 Coosa County Road 20 in Equality. There will be fellowship and dinner after the service. Guest minister will be Pastor Cameron Thomas of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Cropwell. Pastor Richard Ellis Taylor is minister.

CHURCH HOMECOMING: Bethel Baptist Church in Jacksons Gap is hosting homecoming services Sunday, Sept. 10 at 10 a.m.

The Dyes will be singing at 11 a.m. and the message will be delivered

by Rev. John Dye Jr. There will be a covered dish lunch and more singing afterwards. The church is on Young’s Ferry Road in Jacksons Gap. FAMILY REUNION: The Gilbert family reunion will be Sunday, Sept. 10 at 11 a.m. at the Bethany Community Center on Bethany Road in Clay County. All descendants of John and Selina Gilbert are invited.

Monday, September 11

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Dolores Hydock will present “The RedHeaded Woman meets Mr. Death and Southern Comfort in a Castiron skillet” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Sept. 11 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education Building at 375 Lee Street Alexander City.

Membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple per semester.

Registration for the fall quarter begins at 1 p.m. Sept. 11.

September 11-13

EMPOWERMENT SERVICES: New Style Baptist Church will be hosting Christian education empowerment services Sept. 11-13 at 7 p.m. nightly. Guest speaker will be Pastor Carlos Wilson of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church Darrell Brooks, Owner in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Additional guests include Malcom Cooper and Cutting •Edging the Soulful Voices of Birmingham and Weed Eating •Mulch Nicholas Jemison.

Weed Control CHURCH REVIVAL: Bethel Baptist Church in Jacksons Gap is hosting revival services Sept. 11 through Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. with Rev. John Dye Jr. The church is located on Young’s Ferry Road.

dB

Lawn Care

September 11-15

256.267.0518

CHURCH REVIVAL: House of Prayer A.C.O.P. is hosting revival services Sept. 11 through Sept. 15 at

7 p.m. nightly with Overseer Emma Hoyle. The church is located at 634 North Central Avenue.

Tuesday, September 12

COMMUNITY BAND: The CACC Community Band Inaugural Rehearsal will be Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium.

For more information contact Conductor Ivory Brock at 256-2154326 or email at ibrock@cacc.edu.

You can also sign up at the CACC website under fine arts.

September 14-28

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Haven United Methodist Church at 354 Christian Street in Alexander City is hosting a women’s Bible study “Battlefield of the Mind” by Joyce Meyer Thursdays Sept. 14, 21, 28 from noon to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch.

For more information contact Joanne Finley at 334-332-5970 or Pastor Nolan at 256-682-3810.

Saturday, September 16

BLOOD DRIVE: Kingz United is hosting a blood drive Saturday, Sept.

16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 332 East South Street in Dadeville.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Bibb Graves School in Millerville will have a pancake breakfast Saturday, Sept.

16, serving from 7 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Eat-in or carry out. Plate includes all you can eat pancakes, sausage, orange juice, and coffee. Cost is $6.

All profit is used for renovation of the old High School section of the Community Center. Trade Day will be from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Hot dogs, chips, candy bars, and soft drinks will be available at lunch time.

LADIES CONFERENCE: Lebanon Baptist Church is hosting a ladies conference Saturday, Sept. 16 at 9 a.m. The speaker will be Shelia Wright with special music by the Lebanon Baptist Praise team. There will be door prizes and lunch will be provided.

Contact JoAnn Washbrun at 334-399-0568 with questions. The church is located seven miles down Dudleyville Road in Dadeville.

September 17-20

CHURCH REVIVAL: Old Providence Baptist Church in Hackneyville is hosting revival services Sept. 17-20. The Sunday service will be at 6 p.m. with Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Rev. Tim Harris from Comer Memorial Baptist Church.

Rev. Don Polston is the pastor.

Sunday, September 17

SACRED HARP SINGING: Smyrna Primitive Baptist Church is hosting its annual Sacred Harp Singing Sunday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. The church is located at 2582 Coosa County Road 83 just east of Goodwater.

Bring a covered dish for lunch and there will be more singing in the afternoon.

For more information call Jack Nelson at 256-839-5344 or William Futral at 256-839-6670.

PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY: New Elam #1 Baptist Church on County Road in Alexander City is honoring the 12th Anniversary of Rev. and Sister Michael McCain Sr. Sunday, Sept. 17 at 2:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Rev. Brian Thomas.

Monday, September 18

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Dr. Paul Harris will present “The Berlin Airlift and Operation Kinderlift” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Sept. 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education Building at 375 Lee Street Alexander City.

Thursday, September 21

DEMOCRATIC PARTY MEETING: The Tallapoosa County Democratic Party will host a meeting Sept. 21 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. to learn more

about the Dec. 12 special election to fill the Senate seat formerly held by Jeff Sessions. The meeting will be held at the Charles Porch Center.

For more information call Carol Gowan at 256-794-7432.

Friday, September 22

CLASS REUNION: There will be a class reunion for the Dadeville High School Classes of 1958, 1978 and 1998 Sept. 22 with a pregame homecoming reception at the Dadeville High School Media Center.

Former students and spouses will receive tickets to the football game and will be recognized at the pregame activities. Class pictures will be made for $10.

September 22-23

The Learning Tree

Helping Children Learn and Grow MUSIC WORKSHOP: The Power of Praise and Worship musical The Learning Tree, Inc. is workshop with Eugene C. Brown Accepting Applications for of Baltimore Maryland will be Sept.

22 starting at 6 p.m. and Sept. 23 Weekend Shifts in Direct Care. starting at 9:30 a.m. at Hatchett Applications can be Springs Baptist Church in Goodwater. picked up at: Registration is Sept. 22 from 5 p.m.

101 S. Dubois Street to 6 p.m. and is $20 a person.

Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Brinda Bell Saturday, September 23 (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 STARGAZING: The Auburn Email: bbell@learning-tree.org Astronomical Society will set up telescopes to look at the night sky Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. on Hospice Point near the silo at Wind Creek State Park.

WOMEN’S CONFERENCE: Sistas for a Cause are hosting their third annual women’s conference, “Broken but Still Blessed,” Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. at Miracle Missionary Baptist Church on I Street in Alexander City.

SEE ME FOR INSURANCE

Sunday, September 24

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Wayside Baptist will celebrate 70 years of ministry on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 10:30 a.m. Special music will be provided by Eric and Whitney Miller and also the gospel trio Justified.

The speaker will be Gerry Tapley.

Everyone is invited to join with us for the service and a covered dish lunch afterward.

Monday, September 25

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Terry Robbins will present Merle Haggard, The People’s Poet” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Sept. 25 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education Building at 375 Lee Street Alexander City.

Friday, September 29

GARDENING EXTRAVAGANZA: The Tallapoosa County Extension Service is hosting its Fall Gardening Extravaganza Friday, Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Betty Carol Graham Technology Center at Central Alabama Community College.

Speaking will be Chris VanCleave, Sara L. Van Beck, Felder Rushing and Carol Reese.

Cost is $25 and you can register by call the extension service at 256825-1050.

Sunday, October 1

CHURCH HOMECOMING: New Elkahatchee Baptist Church is hosting homecoming services Oct. 1 at 10:30 a.m. with Diane Sherrell.

SUNDAY DINNER: Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church is hosting Sunday dinner Sunday, Oct. 1 at 5 p.m. The free dinner will be served in the clubhouse building next to the church at 3997 Hillabee Road in Alexander City. The pastor of Duncan Memorial is Rev. Wayne Hicks.

All are invited to this free, causal dinner.

Monday, October 2

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Sarah Bliss Wright will present “Ida Quilt Project” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Oct. 2 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education Building at 375 Lee Street Alexander City.

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

Tony Guy, Owner Over 40 Years Experience

H&A Installation, Charge Outs and Repair Sheet Metal Work

FREE Estimates on NEW installations Service a 30 mile radius of Alexander City Licensed and Bonded #:84887 guysheating@live.com 256–234–4198 196 Thompson Ridge Road Alexander City, AL

Many a small thingg

largge... hhasass bbeen eeen mmade ade

...with the right kind of advertising.

LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com

Friday, September 8, 2017

Page 9

www.alexcityoutlook.com

REGION PLAY BEGINS

Game of the Week Kenneth Boone / The Outlook

Benjamin Russell’s Davede Herron finds a hole against Clay Central last week. The Wildcats begin region play against Pelham on Friday.

BRHS looks for continued improvement against Pelham

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

A year ago, Benjamin Russell entered Class 6A Region 3 on a high, doubling up on Pelham by a score of 42-21.

But don’t let that fool you; Wildcat coach Danny Horn is expecting a much tougher battle this year from the Panthers.

“They are much improved from last year; they’re not even the same team that they had last year,” Horn said.

“They’re well-coached and they’re very

LOCAL SPORTS CALENDAR Friday, Sept. 8 High school football Pelham at Benjamin Russell, 7 p.m.

Dadeville at Munford, 7 p.m.

Lanett at Horseshoe Bend, 7 p.m.

Woodland at Reeltown, 7 p.m.

Lighthouse at Lyman Ward, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 9 College football Auburn at Clemson, 6 p.m.

Fresno State at Alabama, 2:30 p.m.

High school volleyball

physical.”

Returning 14 of its 22 starters, Pelham (1-1) is led by quarterback Matthew Rye, who stands at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds and who runs a very effective option offense. The Panthers have been known to mix in some playaction passes, but they rely on their option.

“They execute their offense really well, and it’s a difficult offense because any time you run the option, it’s assignment football,” Horn said. “If one See BRHS • Page 10

PELHAM VS. BENJAMIN RUSSELL Game date: Pelham Panthers at Benjamin Russell Wildcats ... Class 6A Region 3 game ... Friday, 7 p.m.

Media coverage: Follow @liziarbogast on Twitter for live updates ... Listen live on FM 97.5 Teams: The Panthers are 2-0 and are coming off a 30-15 win against Mortimer Jordan, while Benjamin Russell won its season opener last week against Clay Central, 28-14.

Series: The series is tied 1-1.

Outlook prediction: Benjamin Russell by 14.

Dadeville looks to stay perfect against Munford

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

With region play officially beginning this week, Dadeville knows its perfect record is going to be hard to hold onto.

The Tigers take a 2-0 record heading into its Class 4A Region 3 schedule, and although it’s faced two strong teams, the road doesn’t get any easier from here.

Dadeville heads to Munford on Friday night.

“Munford’s got a good football team, as usual,” Dadeville coach Richard White said. “They play a lot of different formations, and the kids play hard and get after you. It’s a region game, and the guys know we’re going to have to play well.”

Utilizing a spread offense, the Lions throw the ball nearly as often as they run See TIGERS • Page 10

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

The Dadeville defense swarms Reeltown running back Cameron Faison during a late fourth-quarter drive last week.

Horseshoe Bend JV at Wadley Tournament, TBA

Reeltown, Woodland search for 1st win

High school cross country Horseshoe Bend, Dadeville at Opelika Invitational, 9 a.m.

Benjamin Russell, Dadeville at Opelika Invitational, TBA

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

Sunday, Sept. 10 College golf Central Alabama in Wallace State Fall Invitational at Cross Creek Golf Club, Cullman

College baseball Troy University Tournament Central Alabama vs.

Coastal AlabamaBrewton, 11:30 a.m.

Central Alabama vs.

Enterprise, 1 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 11 High school volleyball Horseshoe Bend at Wadley, 4:30 p.m.

Elmore County at Central Coosa, 4:30 p.m.

LaFayette at Reeltown, 5:30 p.m.

College golf Central Alabama in Wallace State Fall Invitational at Cross Creek Golf Club, Cullman

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Horseshoe Bend’s Parker Branch, right, takes down a Donoho player during last week’s game.

Horseshoe Bend ready for battle

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

After picking up a decisive victory to start the season, Horseshoe Bend makes its home debut this week and it’s going to be put to the test against the Lanett Panthers.

Lanett is already off to a 2-0 start, picking up big wins against Valley (287) and Notasulga (21-6), so it could be a battle of

the defensive wills. The Generals (1-0) posted a shutout in their jamboree game against B.B. Comer before allowing just three points versus Donoho to officially start the season.

Parker Branch and Drake Conway at inside linebacker have been the top defensive standouts for the Generals so far.

But Horseshoe Bend knows it’s not going to be easy this week.

“Oh yeah, Lanett is ranked (No. 2), so we got a big challenge this week,” Horseshoe Bend coach Josh Averett said after last week’s game. “Defensively, we need to make sure we have our assignments right.

Our outside linebackers are struggling a little bit there.

And offensively, we gotta do a better job of blocking up front and on the edge with some receivers.

See GENERALS • Page 10

After two heartbreaking losses to start the season, Reeltown is in desperate need of putting a mark in the win column as it heads into region play Friday.

Luckily for the Rebels, they’ll start their Class 2A Region 5 schedule against the Woodland Bobcats, who placed last in the region a season ago. Just like last year, Reeltown enters this game with an 0-2 record, and it’ll be hoping for a similar result from last season. It defeated the Bobcats, 42-6, and is 17-6 in the series against Woodland.

In last week’s game against Dadeville, the run was the name of the game for Reeltown, which lost 14-10 after being up by 10 at halftime. The Rebels had only 31 yards through the air, as Logan Hunt once again saw time under center, but they spread the ball around nicely on the ground.

For the second week in a row, Cameron Faison led the team with 53 yards on eight carries, while Tre Hughley added 41 rushing yards. Makevon Hughley also had 36 yards in eight attempts.

Reeltown coach Matt Johnson knows his team lives and dies by the run, and is hopeful that it’ll be able to use that to its advantage Friday night against a Woodland team that is coming off a 47-7 loss in its season-opener.

Much like the Rebels, Woodland is a young team, boasting just five seniors on its roster.

Reeltown has not lost to the Bobcats for the last nine outings dating back to 1976, and that includes two playoff meetings between the squads.

Page 10

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Friday, September 8, 2017

The Outlook

Dadeville battles to four-set win vs. Tallassee BRHS

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

It looked like Dadeville’s volleyball team was going to cruise to a three-set victory on Thursday night against area opponent Tallassee.

After winning the first two sets, 25-19 and 25-23, the Dadeville Tigers had a fivepoint lead late in the third set.

But Tallassee turned up the heat and forced a fourth set before Dadeville finally closed out the victory. Tallassee won the third set, 25-23, before Dadeville completed a 25-19 win to finish out the match.

“We really want to go to state, so we pulled together and we tried our best to get the win,” Dadeville’s India Miller said. “We were looking forward to this game all week.”

After an easy win over Reeltown to start the season earlier in the week, Dadeville was definitely put to the test against Tallassee. But its biggest strength Thursday night was its ability to mix in some tips and pushes alongside its power hitters.

“They killed us in the middle with tips, so that’s something we’ll work on in practice and pick it up,” Tallassee coach Katie Haley said. “All you can do is see what we’re struggling with, work on it at practice and hopefully get them next time.”

Quanesha Presley, Amaya Hatcher and Denaya Pogue were the top hitters for Dadeville throughout the match, but it seemed like each one got hot at a different time. Presley was the standout early on, then in the second

Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook

Dadeville’s Tiffany Rice puts up a serve against Tallassee.

set, Pogue was the go-to girl. Hatcher also had a few shining moments, including a kill to end the second set.

Dadeville was up as much as 22-16 in the second set before Tallassee climbed back into the game and tied it up 23-23. After an unforced Tallassee error, Hatcher laid down a hard hit to finish out the set.

“It’s hard (as a setter) because all of our hitters are great and they all have determination,” Miller said.

“It’s just finding whichever one I think is doing great that game.”

Miller and Maliya Williams, who also helped with the setting duties, had quite a few tips of their own, which seemed to throw Tallassee off its game.

“I think Tallassee was

Generals “We had several negative plays (against Donoho) and they brought a lot of pressure.

We missed some blocks or somebody would come off a block, so we gotta clean that up.”

Most of the offense goes

looking for them to go at it and really hit it,” Dadeville coach Felicia Edwards said.

“So they were deciding to go ahead and tip it because they were expecting more powerhitting.”

After a strong serving game against Reeltown, Dadeville will need to go back to the drawing board, as it had 11 service errors against Tallassee. And despite getting off to a 2-0 start to the season, Edwards said there is definitely room for improvement if Dadeville is going to meet its ultimate goals this season.

“We missed a lot of serves, so we’ll be working on that and staying in the net,” Edwards said. “We also had a lot of points lost for being on the net, so we’ll focus on those two things.”

continued from page 9

through stud running back Trace Meadows, who picked up 231 yards in his senior debut.

The Generals may be looking to pace the ball a bit more against Lanett, so quarterback Cade Worthy

could be relied upon a bit more.

Horseshoe Bend has won just once in 13 matchups with Lanett, but this game should give the Generals a good idea of where they’ll stand in Class 2A Region 5.

person breaks down his assignment, it’s a big play. That’s why I like the option myself. I think it’s the best play in football because basically you’ve got three plays in one. They do it really well, so we got our hands full there.”

Luckily, Benjamin Russell (1-0) got off to a fine start defensively, holding Central Clay County to just 14 points in its season opener.

Ben Hendrix led the Wildcats in tackles, and Horn said he thought Cam Bucker on the defensive line played one of the best games he’s ever seen from him. A.J. Thompson and Jaden Tuck both had fumble recoveries. But with Horn, there’s always room for improvement.

“Our defense has to play better technique,” Horn said. “Especially this week, you have to be very very disciplined when you’re playing an option team. You’ve got to be able to get off blocks. That’s something we didn’t do a very good job at times last week — you gotta get off blocks and make plays.”

Offensively, the Wildcats left a little something to be desired as well. Although they scored four touchdowns, one was directly because of a Clay Central fumble, and they had far too many negative plays. The Wildcats had only two turnovers, but recovered three of their own fumbles which

Tigers it, White said. They run the zone as well as the jet and some counters, so Dadeville’s defense is going to have to be ready.

Luckily, the Tigers have impressed on the defensive side of the ball thus far, holding its opponents to an average of 12 points per game so far. Last week against Reeltown, Qua Tucker, Jalen Sullivan, Cameron Tai and Tykeem Holley all had interceptions.

“I’m pleased with what we’ve done so far, but that may change Friday night,” White said. “Our kids are playing hard, and they’re starting to understand their assignments more. Hopefully we’ll put together a good game plan and come out with a win Friday night.”

continued from page 9

resulted in negative yardage. The Volunteers also finished with four tackles for a loss.

“A lot of it was the execution part,” Horn said. “We moved the ball at times, but we had too many negative plays. I think a lot of times as coaches, though, we don’t give the other team credit. A lot of it had to do with Clay Central’s defense.”

Davede Herron and Hezekiah Hunter were both workhorses for Benjamin Russell, and Horn said Herron could be emerging as that playmaker he’s been looking for. He scored three touchdowns.

Hunter finished with 88 yards on nine carries and a touchdown.

Although quarterback Landon Cotney completed just four of nine passes for 74 yards, he looked pretty good on his feet. He finished with 36 yards on three carries and had rushes of 22 and 11 yards.

“The more experience he gets, the more confidence he’s gonna get and I expect he’ll be able to use his legs a lot more,” Horn said. “He’s got to learn to extend plays a little bit more, especially when he runs the option. When he’s back to pass and nobody’s open, he’s got to learn to extend plays whether he’s moving in the pocket or running or moving then throwing. But he’s going to get better at it as he goes along.”

continued from page 9

Kadore Glenn had a bit of a breakout game for the Tigers last week, gaining 103 yards on 19 carries. Tucker also finished with 53 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 15 attempts in the Tigers’ come-from-behind victory.

“We were down 10-0, but our kids didn’t have any let down as far as believing they couldn’t come back and win,” White said.

“Defensively, we played well all night long; we just had to get our offense clicking to put some points on the board.”

Hopefully for the Tigers, they’ll be clicking on all cylinders early because White said the last thing he wanted was for the team to get itself in a hole early in a region as tough as this.