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FRIDAY

THE

BRHS wins playoff series over Blount

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

April 21, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 79 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢

Coyote sightings increasing in the area By MITCH SNEED Editor

The warmer temperatures not only have local residents out and about, but it has also increased movement of wildlife – including coyotes. Residents have reported multiple sightings of coyotes in heavily populated areas including in neighborhoods, the old Russell campus and on the fringes of the downtown Alexander City area.

Linda Forbus / For The Outlook

With warmer weather, demolition sites and possible habitat destruction around the area coyote sightings have become more frequent. Linda Forbus caught this image Sunday in the Avondale area.

Forrest and Linda Forbus live in the Avondale area. Sunday while doing yard work a large male coyote came to the edge of their yard and just casually watched what was happening. “We have some woods and a field close by so we have seen smaller ones before,” Linda Forbus said. “But this one was huge. He wasn’t afraid of people at all. Forrest was on a lawnmower and that didn’t seem to bother him one bit. “He wasn’t aggressive or anything, just See COYOTE • Page 3

CACC instructor seeks interest for community concert band

Primary party voting bill passed by Senate

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

A bill that would prevent voters from voting in a party different runoff than they voted for during the primary cleared a hurdle earlier this week in the Alabama State Legislature. Sen. Tom Whatley’s Senate Bill 108 passed the Alabama Senate on Tuesday by a vote of 25-7. The proposal is designed to prohibit voters from switching parties between primary elections and primary runoff elections. The law currently allows a voter to participate in one party’s primary election then switch to another party during a primary runoff election. Whatley said the plan will reduce the negative effects of cross-over voting, which occur when members of a political party vote for a weak opposition candidate in order to gain a more favorable challenger in the general election. “I believe this bill will strengthen democracy in Alabama by making sure each party has a strong primary that results in the voters of that party getting to decide the winner, not outsiders See BILL • Page 3

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The Benjamin Russell High School Drama Club presented their rendition of the Disney classic ‘The Little Mermaid’ for students on Thursday. The play, adapted from the story by Hans Christian Andersen, brings to life the tale of a mermaid who dreams of the world above the sea and gives up her voice to find love. The show features great song and dance numbers and special effects that include bubbles rising from ‘under the sea.’ Two shows will be open to the public tonight and Saturday at 6 p.m. Admission is just $5. For more photos, see page 9.

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

Low

54708 90050

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

CACC Spring Fling a big hit with area students

Today’s

Weather High

UNDER THE SEA

Concert bands have long been a popular form of musical entertainment. From large ensembles, like the New York Philharmonic Orchestra or the Boston Pops, to WANT MORE smaller INFO? groups Visit the Website: such as http://www. high school cacc.edu/finemusicians arts/ and look playing for Letter of during the Invitation under winter and Community spring seaConcert Band or sons, conE-mail ibrock@ cert bands cacc.edu. are known for their impressive performances of many different types of music. For those who have experience in playing musical instruments, Ivory Brock, an instructor of music at Central Alabama Community College is looking to stir up interest in a new See CONCERT • Page 3

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High school juniors from around the area joined in the fun at Thursday’s annual Spring Fling event at Central Alabama Community College. Students from Horseshoe Bend, B.B. Comer and Clay Central mingled with CACC students throughout the morning and into the afternoon. “This is the third year that we’ve scheduled it with local juniors to come and be a part of this event,” CACC’s Coordinator of Public and High School Relations Brett Pritchard said. “It gives them an opportunity to see the college, meet our instructors and get them ready for being a senior, but at the same time let them have fun for a few hours.” The students were able to take part in a wide range of activities after taking a See FLING • Page 7

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Donald Campbell / The Outlook

Clay Central High School students celebrate with the championship trophy after winning the CACC Spring Fling tug-of-war tournament.

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New study aims at stopping alzheimer’s before it starts

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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 Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com

Friday, April 21, 2017

The Outlook

Alethia Russell Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Donna Jones Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 donna.jones@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Advertising Sales, Ext. 208 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Tabby Edwards Advertising Sales, Ext. 232 tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com

DEAR ABBY: More than 10,000 baby boomers in the U.S. turn 65 every day, and enter the “age of risk” for Alzheimer’s disease. I have witnessed the devastating effects of this disease in my work as a neurologist, as a clinical researcher, and sadly, in my own family. The good news is that we are now starting prevention trials to try to stop memory loss before it begins! The A4 (Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer’s) Study is the first clinical trial designed for people who have the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease beginning in the brain, but don’t yet have any symptoms of the disease. The A4 Study is enrolling healthy 65- to 85-year-olds across the country who may be at risk for memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease. I feel a new sense of hope, but we really need volunteers

DEAR ABBY Advice

to join us. Our motto for the A4 Study is “Now is the time,” and now really IS the time to make a difference in defeating Alzheimer’s disease. I hope your readers who are interested will call (toll-free) (844) 2478839 or visit A4study.org to receive more information or to join us. -- REISA SPERLING, M.D., PROJECT DIRECTOR, HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL DEAR DR. SPERLING: I’m pleased to alert my readers to your clinical trial. Living to a “ripe old age” can be a mixed blessing because the older we get, the greater the likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease entering the picture.

Readers, Dr. Sperling is looking for subjects with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or who, through prescreening, have been discovered to have amyloid plaques forming in the brain. There are more than 65 study sites throughout the U.S. and several in Canada, so you may be able to find a location near you. DEAR ABBY: I have been somewhat taken aback by two retirement party invitations I received lately. Both require an “entrance fee” of $15 to $20. I have never heard of or experienced something like this before. When I retired from teaching 10 years ago, I held my own retirement party at my home. I supplied the food and beverages and requested “no gifts, please.” Is there a new custom that requires people to pay an admission price to a party?

If someone pays to go to the party, is he/she also expected to bring a gift? Honestly, I’m a little put off being asked to pay to celebrate my friends’ retirements. Should I be, or is this an appropriate request? -WONDERING IN OHIO DEAR WONDERING: I don’t blame you for feeling put off. I don’t know who is supposedly giving the parties for your friends, but if you’re being asked to pay for your food and beverages, it appears that no host is. If you pay to attend these parties, your PRESENCE should be your gift. And if you choose not to go, I wouldn’t blame you. 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.

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Information

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

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

Obituaries Mrs. LaRue “LuLu” Burnett 1931 - 2017 Funeral Service for Mrs. LaRue “LuLu” Burnett, 85, of Alexander City, Alabama, will be Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 3:00 pm at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Rev. Tom Drake will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hillview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm at Radney Funeral Home. Mrs. Burnett passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at Russell Medical. She was born on August 22, 1931 in Tallapoosa County, Alabama to Horace Oliver and Zelda Mae Oliver. She attended New Salem Baptist Church. LuLu always loved having a good time and always had her bags packed ready to travel with her family and friends. She had many adventures with the “Stooges” which was a group of her family ranging in ages from 81 to 91. She was known by many to have a heart of gold and always ready to

help anyone in need. Don’t let her wild side fool you because she was a very loving and caring mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She is survived by her daughters, Sharon McLain (Milton) of Alexander City, Patti Mitchell (Reid) of Eclectic, and Jan Kennedy (Gary) of New Site; son, Tim Burnett of Alexander City; grandchildren, Christy Bell (Brian), Amy Baker (Will), Dr. Jason McLain (Hannah), Bartley Kennedy, Leigh Brunet (John), and Amy Orrico (Dave); great-grandchildren Sarah Baker, Madison Baker, Hadlee Bell, Haiden Bell, Luke McLain, and George McLain; sister, Helen Crowe and a host of other loved ones. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ruben “Earl” Burnett; parents; brothers, Wardell and Sim Oliver and sister, Margie Smith. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome. com Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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The cast of Wetumpka Depot Players ‘Last of the Red Hot Lovers’ consists of Leslie Blackwell, Chantel Oakley and Leanna Wallace and Will Webster shown in the back.

Wetumpka Depot Players present ‘Last of the Red Hot Lovers’ whiskey, to Bobbi Michele, an over the top young actress, and finally Jeannette an uptight and staunch moralist, poor Barney fails miserThe Wetumpka Depot Players ably as a Don Juan. Audiences will are ushering in warmer days with love this comedy with a surprising Neil Simon’s classic comedy, Last resolution. of the Red Hot Lovers. Opening “This is a laugh a minute Neil April 27, the play invites audiences Simon classic that our audiences to the “groovy” and “out of sight” will love, “ said director Tom days of the swinging 60s! Salter. “ Everyone will be able to The play centers around middlerelate to the richly drawn characters aged Barney Cashman, a seafood including poor Barney, who just restaurant entrepreneur who is wants to be loved and accepted. looking for love in all the wrong places. From Elaine, a chain smok- He has three chances to be the Casanova he longs to be but each ing woman who likes men and STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

tryst becomes more complicated and hilarious than the one before. I am surrounded by an amazing cast and crew who are making the retro world of 1969 come to life on the Depot stage. The cast features Will Webster, Leslie Blackwell, Leanna Wallace and Chantel Oakley.” Show dates are April 27-29, May 4-7, and 11-13. Tickets ($12/$15) are available by calling 334-8681440 or wetumpkadepot.com. The box office is located at 300 South Main Street in the heart of historic downtown Wetumpka.

Public Meetings n Alexander City Board of Education meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the board office at 375 Lee St. or local school at 5 p.m.

Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6 p.m.

in city hall. n Daviston City Council meets the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Daviston Fire Department.

n Community Action Agency of Chambers, Tallapoosa, Coosa will holds its regular board of n Goldville Town Council n Alexander City Council directors meetings every other month at the Central meets the second meets on the first and Monday of each month at Office in Dadeville. third Mondays of each 5:30 p.m. at the town hall. month. Meetings are held n Coosa County Board in the courtroom at the old of Education holds called n Goodwater City Council city hall at 5:30 p.m. meets on the second meetings at least once a Tuesday of each month. n Camp Hill Town Council month. Meetings are held at the meets the first and third n Coosa County Caldwell Center at 6:30 Commission meets on p.m. SOCIAL SECURITY the second and fourth FAYE EDMONDSON n Jackson’s Gap Town Tuesday of each month. Attorney at Law Council meets the second Meetings are held in 135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL Tuesday of each month. 825-9559 the Coosa County No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be Meetings are held in performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by Courthouse in Rockford at other lawyers. town hall at 6:30 p.m., all 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday and at 6:30 p.m. Jackson’s Gap citizens are encouraged to attend. on the fourth Tuesday. n Coosa County Industrial Development Board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room in the courthouse in Rockford. All meetings are open to the public.

n Kellyton Town Council meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the community center in Kellyton.

n Dadeville City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. with a pre-meeting at 5:30 p.m.

n Ray Water Authority meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Ray Water Authority Office. All

n New Site City Council meets the first and third Monday of the month at 5 p.m. in the Conference Room in the Town Hall.

customers are invited to attend. n Rockford Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 7 p.m. n Tallapoosa County Board of Education meets on the second Monday of each month. Meetings are held in the new central office at 679 East Columbus Street, Dadeville, AL 36853. n Tallapoosa County Commission meets the second Monday of the month at 9 a.m. in the courthouse in Dadeville, with a pre-meeting also open to the public 30 minutes before each regular session. n Tallapoosa County 911 Board will meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the 911 Administrative office at 240 West Columbus Street, Dadeville. Call 825-8490 for more information. n Walnut Hill Water Authority meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited. Call 825-9841 to inquire about the agenda.

Friday, April 21, 2017

Coyote

continued from page 1

watching what was going on.” Alexander City Animal Control Officer Ken Vernon handles calls regularly for wildlife showing up in residential areas. For a previous story he explained why the sighting are getting more frequent. He said the increase has been correlative to demolition work at the old Russell plant. “Coyotes are a problem,” Vernon said. “They are in the city, especially since they started tearing down the buildings on the Russell property. “But there’s not a whole lot we can do. They’re more of a Department of Conservation issue since they’re considered wildlife. And they are especially hard to deal with. You can trap them, but you have to boil the traps and make sure there’s no scent in them. If you can hem them up, you may be able to get them with a catch pole, but it’s hard to hem them up.” Vernon said another reason for the growing number of coyotes in urban areas is development of property that might have previously been coyote habitat. “There are a lot of places where they’re building housing or other developments and they’re tearing down the coyotes’ habitat,” Vernon said. “That leaves them displaced and looking for a place to get. And they will take an easy meal.” Still, Vernon said city animal control gets a few calls about coyotes,

probably 1-2 per month. Alexander City Police Chief Jay Turner said the best thing to do is just avoid them when possible. “Typically they are afraid of people,” Turner said. “So if you see them typically they are running. But if you encounter one the best thing to do is get away. If you live in a area where there have been sighed, you may want to be careful with pets and small children, not leaving them outdoors unattended.” According to the website www.coyotesmarts.org, coyotes are naturally timid animals and will usually flee at the sight of a human. If they linger or approach, it’s time to begin “hazing.” This is a term applied to the following actions that can be taken to scare coyotes and chase them away: • Be as big and loud as possible. Do not run or turn your back. • Wave your arms, clap your hands, and shout in an authoritative voice. • Make noise by banging pots and pans or using an air horn or whistle. • Throw small stones, sticks, tennis balls or anything else you can lay your hands on. • Remember the intent is to scare and not to injure. • Spray with a hose, if available, or a squirt gun filled with water and vinegar. • Shake or throw a “coyote shaker”—a soda can filled with pennies or pebbles and sealed with duct tape.

Investment Act Ongoing Events Workforce (WIA) and was created to GRIEF SHARE: There will be a meeting of Grief Share every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Trinity Campus of First United Methodist Church next door to Russell Medical through June 7. RECYCLING: The Alexander City Recycling Facility is located at the Public Works Department at 824 Railey Road. All materials should be dropped off behind the green storage shed on the Public Works lot. The facility is always open for unassisted drop off. Assistance with drop off is available between 7:00 am until 3:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Please call 256-4092020 for more information. CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: Every second and fourth Sunday at 5 p.m. the Trinity campus of First United Methodist Church will be a caregiver support group. Call 256-786-1685 for more information. TOPS MEETING: Take Off Pounds Sensibly is the short name for TOPS Club, Inc., the original nonprofit, noncommercial network of weight-loss support groups throughout the U.S. and Canada. TOPS offers tools and programs for healthy living and weight management, with exceptional group fellowship and recognition. Established in 1948 to champion weightloss support and success, we’ve helped millions of people live healthier lives. Come out and visit us. Your first meeting is free. Meetings are held every Thursday @ 6 p.m. at Comer Baptist Church, 341 E. Church St., Alexander City, AL. Call (256) 496-4210 for more information. WOMEN’S MEETING: Victory Temple Holiness Church in Dadeville is hosting a women’s meeting the first Sunday of every month. Men are invited too. AWANA: Wayside Baptist Church hosts Awana Sundays from 4:40 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for ages three to high school. For more information contact George Gardin, student minister, at 864-580-0343. VOLUNTEER: Southern Care Hospice is seeking volunteers. Please call Lizz Gillenwaters at 256-234-1134 or 256-749-3717 for more information. WOMAN MEETING: Every first Sunday, Victory Temple Holiness Church hosts a women’s meeting, at 237 Aster St. in Dadeville. Everyone is invited. The meeting starts at 2 p.m. READY TO WORK: Ready to Work is a FREE jobs skills training program offered at Central Alabama Community College Career Center. Classes meet Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Completion of the program depends on the skill level of the individual. For more information contact Elaine Balint, instructor, at 256-2154496 (leave message) or ebalint@cacc.edu. OFFICE CAREERS: The Office Careers Technology program is funded by the

help dislocated workers learn new employable skills. To qualify for the programs be a dislocated worker (layoff) or a low-income family. Anyone interested in the classes should contact the Alexander City Career Center @ 256-215-4494 and ask about the WIA program. Most all dislocated workers automatically qualify for financial assistance. The program is 52 weeks and is open entry/open exit. Students learn at their own pace in a non-traditional classroom setting. Classes begin when students are approved and they may leave when they receive any or all of the certificates offered. Classes are Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.--3:00 p.m. (with a lunch break). All textbooks and class materials are supplied. Certificates available are receptionist,

inventory clerk, data entry clerk, administrative assistant, accounting office clerk, medical office clerk, legal office clerk. COMPUTER LAB: The new and improved computer lab at Cooper Community Center is now open to the community Monday thru Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. LaBrawnski Salter is the new lab facilitator. You can check email, browse the internet, build a resume, complete a project or homework, research, job search and some social media. CELEBRATE RECOVERY: Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered ministry designed to help hurting people. It is made up of regular folks who are on a journey toward wholeness; seeking recovery from life’s hurts, habits, and hang-ups. We meet every Monday at Vertical Point Church, 860 Airport Drive, Alex City. We

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The Outlook

Concert

continued from page 1

college-community concert band he would like to form this fall. “We had this at the last community college I worked at, and I wanted to start one here,” Brock said. Ideally, he would like to have a balanced ensemble of brass, woodwind and percussion instruments in his concert band, and would love to see at least 60 members as well. Brock mentioned how there were many positive aspects to having a concert band like this at CACC. “It would help with recruiting high school students who want to keep playing after they graduate, while it gives adults who used to play the chance to reconnect with their instruments.” In addition, “A lot of community colleges use this format which links students and the community together. It’s a big boost for the community.” So far, interest in the concert band has been relatively small, but Brock feels that it will grow as the word gets out. “Word is getting around the high schools,” he said. “It will definitely build.” What he hopes will help further build the group is the fact that, in order to participate, anyone interested will not have to audition in order to gain a seat. However, Brock explained that this ensemble would not be for beginners, as there would not be enough time to teach the basics to newcomers begin with dinner at 5:45, followed by large group at 6:15 & small groups at 7:15. Childcare is provided. Everyone is welcome. For more info, call Mike at 256496-4664. CCTS ALUMNI MEETING: The Coosa County Train School and J.D. Thompson alumni association hold monthly meetings the third Saturday of each month. BEYOND TRANSFORMATIONS: Meetings every second Saturday. Have you been wanting to give back, work with youth, or be a part of a group that makes a difference? Please email iamtransforms@gmail. com or Call at 334-4406539. Donations of clothes, food, books, computers, school supplies. A building and donations are needed.

and also work to get the rest of the band ready for their next performance. Despite this, “Anyone from any walk of life is welcome. Our arms are open,” Brock said. When the concert band first meets around the third week of September, Brock said that the group would come together every Wednesday evening from 6:45 to 8:15 to practice. Those with smaller instruments would be welcome to bring their own, while he was working on a deal with an instrument company to acquire some of the larger, more expensive instruments. “I encourage all who would like to get their music on to come out and play again,” he said. Those wanting to learn more about the concert band Brock is looking to put together, as well as anyone wanting to formally express their interest can visit the CACC website. Under the Programs heading, click on the Fine Arts/Band subheading, and under the listing for Community Concert Band, click on Letter of Invitation. This link provides a great deal of information regarding the group, while the Music Interest Card can be easily reached from the Fine Arts Department page as well. The information gathered via these interest cards will be sent straight to Brock, and will greatly help him as he begins to set up the concert band.

Bill

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looking to disrupt the process,” Whatley, who represents a large portion of Tallapoosa County, said. “My view is that Republicans should vote in Republican primaries and Democrats vote in Democratic primaries. This bill helps ensure the integrity of our electoral process.” Some studies have estimated that as many as 12 million Democratic voters cast a vote in a Republican

primary during the 2016 election cycle. This accounted for nearly 38 percent of the total votes. Under Whatley’s bill, voters would declare party affiliation ahead of primary voting and would be required to vote only for their declared party during the ongoing voting period. The proposal now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed

Outlook The

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Page 4

Opinion

Our View

Real caring requires a loving effort

Think before you A type, like or share

eople network with family, friends and colleagues in more ways than one and keep those connections through social media. The First Amendment grants us a right to freedom of expression, information etc. and the advent of social media went hand in hand with that. As a news outlet, we’ve seen social media as a wonderful tool to disseminate information. We love its ability to work for us in our endeavors to keep the public informed when news happens beyond office hours. But we also recognize the pitfalls that come with that freedom and anonymity. The instant transmission of information sometimes reveals a lot of bad. Don’t believe us? Just check the comment section on any newsworthy post these days. With cyber bullying at an all time high we can’t help but think about the true weight of these tools we’ve been given. In less advanced times we were more likely to think before we spoke because communication was in person or not as anonymous as we now have via Twitter, Facebook or Snapchat. Earlier this week, Facebook users had a front row seat in the palm of their hands as footage of Steve Stephens killing an innocent man posted to the site almost instantaneously. It was widely shared by thousands and is still circulating. When the nationwide search for Stephens began, the circulation of false information and click bait escalated in a pivotal time for investigators who needed all the facts they could get to catch this man. It seems nowadays we need a little help thinking before we type or before we share false information. Social media can be a great tool and we know this. But as with many of our rights we also have a responsibility to do our part to maintain some sort of order. We urge everyone to remember there is a person behind every post, news story, comment, share or like on social media. Let’s do our part to make sure we not only think before we type, but we read and research before we share.

Know Your

Officials 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. Kay Ivey is the Governor of the state of Alabama. Ivey was sworn in as Governor on April Kay Ivey 10, 2017 and can be reached at 334-242-7100. His office is located at the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama. Luther Strange was elected Alabama’s 49th Attorney General first elected in 2010, and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement Luther Strange officer. He can be reached at 334-242-7300, and his office is located at 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery. 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 Mark Tuggle at tughd81@gmail. com. His office is located at 110 Calhoun Street, Suite 108, Alexander City. Tom Whatley represents the 27th District covering Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa County. He was elected to the Alabama Senate on Nov. 2, 2010, and Tom Whatley can be reached at 334242-t7865. His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.

s a minister I visit a lot of hospitals and I find this a rewarding experience. However, I think you will agree with me that those big medical centers can be a little intimidating. When you have to visit someone in one of these facilities it is like going through a maze. It seems that no matter how closely you listen to the instructions they never quite fit the layout of the building. Recently, this became even clearer to me as I was trying to find a room at the University Hospital in Birmingham. This complex covers several square blocks, has all kinds of passageways, multi-banks of elevators and receptionists that give instructions like they think you grew up in the building. This facility is a city unto itself and a person could spend a couple of days just walking around looking for the front door. After receiving my directions I set out from the first floor with determination to find the fifth floor, west wing, intermediate care waiting room. I think I would have found it right off the bat, except for the construction rerouting the traffic flow. I had to get off on the sixth floor, walk over two buildings, catch an elevator to the fourth floor, and then walk up a flight of stairs, and back

ing, loving pastor. I just gave up and found the lobby, called them on the phone, and told them I was praying for them and would see them when they DR. GERALD got home. HALLMARK No one enjoys being in Guest the hospital, but everyone Columnist wants to know that they are being prayed for and rememover two buildings. I knew I was lost was when bered by their church family. There are so many times that I wandered into a broom closet on the second floor. This prayer lists are read aloud and wasn’t the most dignified thing afterwards no thought is given to the ones on the list. Jesus I had ever done, but I met a said when we did something nice fellow that wandered in unto the least of His people we behind me. It seems that he did it unto Him. The ministry too was lost, so I acted like I was suppose to be there, made of encouragement is one of the greatest things we can do as a few comments about keeping things cleaner, gave him a believers. Putting feet and hands to our look like only an idiot would prayers requires effort, but it get lost in a broom closet, and is in the effort that we find the then left. Late that afternoon I finally joy of a job well done. Let’s found the fifth floor and just an hear our Lord say to us, ‘well done thy good and faithful hour later I found the waiting room. Of course, by the time I servant.” The good thing about visitfound it no one was there. The surgery was over, the man was ing in Russell Medical Center is that these folks are friends assigned a room and everyand neighbors. When they find one had gone to this newly me lost in a broom closet they assigned room. What that just shake their head, figure it’s meant was I had to go to the that poor old Baptist preacher receptionist and ask for new directions on how to get to this and point me in the right direction. man’s room. You guessed it. He was Dr. Gerald Hallmark is a now on the eight floor, east wing, surgery recovery unit in retired minister who lives in another building. So, I did the Alexander City. His column only thing I could do as a car- appears here each Friday.

Friday, April 21, 2017

Today’s

Quote

“To win without risk is to triumph without glory.” – Pierre Corneille

Today’s

Scripture “But the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.”” – Mark 16:6

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A subject the media should cover

ometime this month I hope our rabid antiTrump media find a little time to cover a subject that has been very important to me since I was eight – child sexual abuse. Child abuse of all kinds is an epidemic here and around the world. In 2015 about 700,000 American children were victims of neglect or physical or sexual abuse. How many more cases were never reported to authorities is unknown. Neglect accounted for 75 percent of victims, most of whom were under a year old. About 17 percent suffered physical abuse and 8.4 percent suffered sexual abuse. Some kids were abused in multiple ways. The long-term affects of abuse on children are well known. Abused children are more likely to end up arrested as juveniles and adults, more likely to commit violence crime and more likely to end up in prison and develop psychological disorders. Child sexual abuse isn’t something that affects just poor kids or is committed by a few “celebrity” predators like Jerry Sandusky, the convicted serial rapist, child molester and retired Penn State football coach. American boys and girls of all ages, races, ethnicities and economic backgrounds are vulnerable. According to the experts, one of every three girls and one in five boys will be sexually abused before they reach 18. These innocents won’t be victimized by random strangers. Sixty-eight percent will be molested by a family member and 90 percent of victims know their abuser in some way.

I never told my mother I had been molested or that the guy who did it took photos of me. I didn’t tell anyone until 1987 -- 34 years later, when I was in my forties. MICHAEL “Why didn’t you tell someREAGAN one when it happened?” I’ve Columnist been asked. But that’s the worst possible thing you can say to So it’s not just the parish a kid. priest, the gym teacher or the For an 8 year old, it’s not odd guy down at the end of the in their lexicon – “I went to street we need to watch. school, threw a football and More than likely, it’s Uncle Charlie. And whether it’s in the was molested today, Mom. What else do you want to family, in the church or in the know?” school, it most likely will be What happened to me 64 the abuser who is believed and years ago, still lingers today. protected, not the child. You never outgrow it. You A child has to tell someone don’t outlive it. they’ve been abused seven Sexual abuse is the worst times before the first person possible thing you can do to listens to him or her – and even then they still may not be mess up the young mind and heart of an innocent child. believed. Unfortunately, as I know, death One predator will sexually abuse 117 kids in their lifetime. can become a welcome option. April is National Child That means when you see Abuse Prevention Month. someone arrested and charged First established by presidenwith a couple of abuses, it’s tial proclamation by my father usually because they didn’t get in 1983, it’s a time for families caught earlier in their lives. and communities to make Predators are quick to attach themselves aware of child themselves to vulnerable or troubled children who are look- abuse and neglect and work together to prevent it. ing for someone in their lives. There’s are many fine govThe guy who molested me ernment and private social at an after-school day camp and took naked photos of me in agencies and family organiza1953, when I was eight, taught tions devoted to preventing me how to throw a football and child abuse or helping its victims, and there’s bound to be shoot a basketball. one of them not far from your He gave me the fatherly accolades and “atta-boys” I was neighborhood. Sadly, they have a lot of not getting because my father work to do. They could use and mother Jane Wyman had divorced and I was living with your help. my mother. Michael Reagan is the son Every child needs parental love, accolades and “atta-boys.” of President Ronald Reagan, a political consultant, and If you don’t give them to your child, they might be given by a an author. His column is dispredator. So be a good father, a tributed exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate. good parent.

How to

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.

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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!

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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.

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Friday, April 21, 2017

Fling

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tour of the campus. There was a virtual reality welding simulator, chemistry demonstrations, cornhole boards, a kickball game and a tug-of-war tournament among other things. “It’s good seeing all the activity out here on the quad. It was a fun day,” said Dakota Nichols, a recruiter with CACC. A handful of students assisted Dr. Jeremy Carr as he demonstrated how rockets work by partially filling a two liter bottle with water before pumping air into it, giving it the necessary pressure to take off. Others tried their hand at making a weld with the virtual reality welding simulator. “My dad is a metal contractor, and I used to watch him a lot,” said CACC freshman Maria Waigand, who is interested in pursuing a career in welding. “I would like to get into the work force right away.” Clay Central won the tug-of-war tournament, which led to a celebration with the trophy awarded to them. Students from both CACC and the high schools expressed how much they enjoyed the day’s events. Ambassador Madison Harrelson mentioned how she liked giving tours to the juniors, while Ambassador Kennon Reese thought it was great how everyone got to come together and have fun. “We have a good turnout, and everything has been really good today,” said CACC SGA officer Moriah Shadley. “Today was fun. They should do this every year for everyone,” said Clay Central junior Alicia McNeil. Nadia Kidd, a junior at Clay Central added, “I had a great time. CACC is the place to visit.” “I appreciate how they let the kids come out and have fun on their campus,” said a third Clay Central junior, Ben Street. “I had a lot of fun on the tour, and I’m enjoying the music they’re playing. I just enjoyed today overall,” said Horseshoe Bend junior Alison Small as she worked on a piece of chalk art on the sidewalk. The students were able to enjoy pizza for lunch, while a truck serving snow cones was parked nearby. The CACC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa had baked dessert goods available for purchase as a group fundraiser. As the day wound down and the juniors prepared to return to their respective schools, Pritchard expressed his belief that it had been a great experience for everyone involved. “The main goal is for the kids to have a good time, and we succeeded at this,” he said.

Donald Campbell / The Outlook

Top, B.B. Comer students compete in the tug-of-war tournament. CACC freshman Maria Waigand gets some help with the virtual reality welding simulator. Left, Dr. Jeremy Carr pumps up the water rocket. Below, high school and CACC students join together in dancing to the music at CACC’s Spring Fling.

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CommunityCalendar Need Insurance? Call me.

Today is

April 21, 2017 Today’s Events

OUR TOWN AUDITIONS: Auditions for the ACT II production of Thornton Wilder’s play, “Our Town,”

Friday, April 21, 2017

The Outlook

will be held at 6 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center, 264 Tallapoosa St., Alex City. See April 22 and 23 for additional audition times. GOSPEL SINGING: The Hyssongs will be at Bay Pine Baptist Church Friday, April 21 at 7 p.m. CHURCH SINGING: The Perry’s will be at the Family Worship Center at 1676 Sewell St. at 7 p.m.

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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/.

Today’s Anniversaries

Ronnie and Amanda Fuller and Mary and Louis Buzbee are celebrating their anniversary.

Today’s Birthdays

Rachel Flournoy, A’ndre Leonard, Will Bowen and Jackson Clark are celebrating their birthday.

The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow

The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for Weekend Shifts in Direct Care. Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Brinda Bell (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101

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• Alexander City Outlook • Dadeville Record • Wetumpka Herald • Eclectic Observer • Tallassee Tribune

Mark Tuggle via Twitter

Rep. Mark Tuggle posted this image of Lyman Ward Military Academy cadets who helped lead the Pledge of Allegiance in the Alabama House of Representatives Thursday morning.

April 22

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

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OUR TOWN AUDITIONS: Auditions for the ACT II production of Thornton Wilder’s play, “Our Town,” will be held at 2 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center, 264 Tallapoosa St., Alex City. SPORTING CLAY SHOOT: The Oak’s in Lafayette is hosting a sporting clay shoot, turkey shoot, live auction, gun raffle, long shot booth, guess the load contest and concessions April 22 with registration at 7:30 a.m. The proceeds go to the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham under the Log a Load for Kids program. NJROTC FUNDRAISER: The Benjamin Russell Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) will be washing cars at Advanced Auto Part’s parking lot (west side of HWY 280) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2017. The BRHS NJROTC cadets will be accepting donations for their car-washing services in order to raise funding to send selected cadets to NJROTC Basic Leadership Training summer camp located at Camp Shelby, Mississippi in June. Please support your BRHS NJROTC Unit by swinging through and getting your car washed for this worthy cause. Look for the cadets waiving flags and guiding you into the parking lot! Visit the unit website photo gallery at brhsnavyjrotc. weebly.com to see photos of the cadets in action. AUTISM WALK: Join us in supporting Autism awareness and having fun doing it. The Alexander City Autism Walk will be April 22 at Alexander City Middle School (359 State St., Alexander City, Al 35010). Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. A $30 donation covers registration with a T-shirt included and proceeds going to raise money for Autism research. The walk begins at 9 a.m. and is free for all. There will be a bouncy house, games, snow cones, train rides and a few special guests. ANNIVERSARY: The Faithful Few will have an anniversary at New Cannan Baptist Church on Highway 50 in Camp Hill April 22 at 5:30 p.m. PRAISE SERVICE: Hatchett Springs Baptist Church in Goodwater is hosting an evening of praise honoring musicians and choirs of Hatchett Springs Saturday, April 22 at 4 p.m. The guest speaker is Minister Darnell Thomas of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Moody. FAMILY GAME NIGHT: The Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have a Family Game Night with bingo Saturday, April 22 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be hot dogs, pizza, chips and soft drinks. SCHOOL REUNION: The New Site School Reunion will be Saturday, April 22 at the Horseshoe Bend School. It starts at 10 a.m. with a covered dish lunch at noon. All former students and teachers are invited. It is hosted by the Class of 1967.

April 23

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

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OUR TOWN AUDITIONS: Auditions for the ACT II production of Thornton Wilder’s play, “Our Town,” will be held at 2 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center, 264 Tallapoosa St., Alex City. CHURCH SINGING: Cavalry Heights in Alexander City is hosting the Kempters April 23 at 6 p.m. A love offering will be taken. PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY: Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating the 4th Pastoral Anniversary of Rev. and Sister Melvin C.Kelley Jr. Aunday April 23 at 2 p.m. The guest minister is

Rev. Terry L. Magby of New Mount Sellers Missionary Baptist Church of Lafayette. CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: The Joymasters will perform at 10 a.m. to help celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Family Worship Center at 1676 Sewell Street. Dinner will follow and Tony Harris is the pastor. CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: The Word Bible Church at 161 Main Street is celebrating its 15th anniversary Sunday, April 23 at 2:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Pastor Eddie Marbury of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Dadeville. The pastor is Apostle Wayne and Min. Brenda Davis.

page Wegufka Center. DRUG TAKE BACK: There will be a drug take back event at Walgreens of Alexander City Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prescription and over the counter drugs are eligible. Law enforcement officials will be on hand to accept medications.

April 24

MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION: Alexander City Area Ministerial Association will hold its next meeting today at 6:30 p.m. at Westend Church.

April 26-30

FAIR: The Alexander City Kiwanis Club is hosting a fair at the Sportplex April 26-30.

April 27-29, May 4-7, May 11-13

LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS: The Wetumpka Depot Players are presenting ‘Last of the Red Hot Lovers” April 27-29,May 4-7 and May 11-13. All shows start at 7:30 p.m. The May 7 show will start at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance at wetumpkadepot.com or email at kmeanor@wtumpkadepot.com and $15 at the door.

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April 30

SINGSPIRATION: The Pentecostals of Dadeville are hosting Sinspiration Sunday, April 30 at 10 a.m. The church is located at 2392 Eagle Circle in Jacksons Gap. It is part of the church’s 5th Sunday Celebrations with gospel singing, teaching, preaching, fellowship and food.

April 22-30

COMMUNITY THEATRE: The Sylacauga Community Playhouse will present “The Miracle Worker” April 21 at 6:30 p.m., April 22 at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., April 23 at 2 p.m., April 28 at 6:30 p.m. April 29 at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and April 30 at 2. p.m. at the B.B. Comer High School Auditorium. Cost is $15 in advance and $18 at the door. For more information call 256-3693003.

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May 4

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER: The Hackneyville Community will sponsor its Second Annual National Day of Prayer Thursday, May 4 at 10 a.m. at the Hackneyville Community Center on Highway 63 North. All are welcome. For more information contact Leslie Payne at 256-839-1235.

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May 6

CAR WASH: The Pine Ridge Mission Team will have a car wash at Arby’s on Saturday, May 6 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The proceeds will help get our team to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and provide VBS and community outreach to the residents of Wounded Knee, South Dakota. BENEFIT: Mt. Lovely Baptist Church is hosting a benefit program for Edward Lee and Diane Carraker May 6 at 6 p.m. Rev. Bernard Harris is pastor.

May 7

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USHER PROGRAM: The Early Rose District Usher’s Special Effort Program will be May 7 at 2:30 p.m. at the Early Rose District Center. Rev. Develkio A. Wilson is the guest speaker. All churches are invited.

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May 13

April 29

5K RUN: The 5K Spring Sprint benefitting the Central Alabama Community College Ambassador Scholarship Program and Community Service activities will be April 29 at 7:45 a.m at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park with registration at 7:15 a.m. The registration deadline is April 14 and registration fee is $25. For more information contact CACC at 256-215-4415 or email hhamby@ cacc.edu. PASTOR ANNIVERSARY: The 50th anniversary for Pastor Ida Ruth Meadows will be Saturday, April 29 at 2 p.m. at the Dadeville Recreation Center. The speaker will be Apostle Alton Burris from Fitzgerald, Georgia. MULE DAY: The Weogufka Center is hosting its annual Mule Day Saturday, April 29 starting at 6:30 a.m. A sausage biscuit breakfast is available from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Events and activities include plowing demonstrations, buggy rides, trail rides, antique car and truck show, The Train Man Mr. Robert Pearson, vendors, the history room, concessions, camper sites, and more. Vendor booths are available for $20 each. For more information call Melvin Palmer at 256-249-8886 or Bobby Ezekiel at 256-626-2556 or visit www. weogufkacenter.org or the Facebook

BASS BASH: The Tallapoosa Bass Bash will be May 13 starting at 6 a.m. on the Tallapoosa River. to benefit the Opelika/Auburn chapter of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. Prizes will be awarded for best three fish length in conventional and fly rod divisions. MUSIC FESTIVAL: The Ashland Fun Days Music Festival will be My 13 from noon to 8 p.m. The festival will feature local artists including Terry Robbins, Kevin Moon, Argie Darnell, Rocky the Sax Player with Barry Butler, Tony Jones, Big Sexy and the Twins, Bryan Carter and Friends, Tommy Sellers and more. Party with Rebel will be headlining the event. There will also be craft vendors and activities for all ages.

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May 14

SOLIDARITY DAY: New Adka Missionary Baptist Church is hosting a solidarity day May 14 at 11 a.m. Edward Milner is pastor and all churches are invited.

May 18

ARTS ASSOCIATION: The Artists Association of Central Alabama will travel to the Birmingham Museum May 18. There will be a car pool by meeting at the Sportplex Senior Center at 8 a.m.

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THE LITTLE MERMAID

Benjamin Russell High School theatre program presents their rendition of the Disney classic

Congratulate your GRAD! This month The Outlook will publish senior photos for the local graduating classes. We will include graduate photos and your special message on or near the graduation pages. Benjamin Russell - May 26th • Horseshoe Bend - May 24th Central High School Coosa County - May 30th

Congrats! We are so proud of you! Always believe in yourself and dream big. We Love You!! Mom, Dad & Sissy Crystal Williams

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DAVID RAINER Columnist

Gulf State Park pier fishing offers fun, education The frenetic activity on the tip of the Gulf State Park Pier last weekend is more proof the northern Gulf of Mexico’s premium fishing and education pier is reeling with action. Fishing on the Octagon at the end of the 1,542-foot pier that reaches into some prime Gulf fishing waters is not for the faint of heart. Anglers are lined up against the rail. Some are rigged for free-lining cigar minnows, while others have long plugs tethered to the ends of their lines. Still others play a waiting game with large cobia jigs ready to cast in front of the migratory fish that swim past the pier on their westward journey in the spring. When one of the anglers hooks up, Octagon rules kick in. Those along the rail quickly make room for the engaged angler as the fish runs in one direction and then back. Pete “Tater” Ludlow, a regular who lives almost across the street from the pier, said he’s the most local of all the locals, a group called the Pier Rats, a name embraced by some and eschewed by others. “I’ve been a Pier Rat since 1974,” Ludlow said. “I fished the old pier until the late ’80s. I got out of it and started boat fishing for a while. When they rebuilt the pier (which was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004) in 2009, I was right back out here. As a kid, all we wanted was a longer pier. That’s what everybody talked about even back in the ’70s. They finally extended it. “This pier is awesome. I love everything about it.” Ludlow said the difference in weather patterns from last year to this year has been a welcome change. Water clarity is much improved after fishing last year was plagued by nasty water. “Last year we had so much rain during the spring migration season that the water was completely muddy,” he said. “The clear water allows the fish to see better so they feed more. This year has been really good because we’ve had very little rain.” Ludlow said pier anglers have caught just about every species that swims past the pier in the last two months except for sailfish. The anglers on the end can, at one time or another, catch king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cobia, tarpon, bonita (little tunny), jack crevalle, bull redfish and bluefish. The regulars advise those who aren’t Octagon veterans to come and observe for a few days before getting into the thick of the action. “My suggestion is come watch first and then ask for help,” Ludlow said. “And use a little caution to make sure nobody gets hurt from hooks or gaffs.” David Thornton, who regularly travels to Gulf Shores from his home in Mobile said a key to being successful on the pier is cooperation among the anglers. “We who regularly fish the pier take it for granted,” Thornton said. “We try to educate the newcomers about things like the Gulf Shores Shuffle. That’s especially true for kingfishing on the end. On days when there’s a crosswind and you have a current, people are cognizant of crossing lines. That way you can prevent tangles before they ever start. “One of the common questions we get on the pier is if people need to buy a gaff or a net. The cooperation level is so good that all you have to do is ask. People are eager to help and will come running with a net or gaff. It’s a neat atmosphere of cooperation and camaraderie.” Lisa Laraway Atchley, Gulf State Park and District Superintendent, said several changes are in store for the pier this spring. The park has now taken over the bait and tackle shop and is busy stocking all the supplies anglers need. A new restaurant, Anglers on the Pier, is scheduled to open this spring. “Gulf State Park Pier is more than just a fishing pier,” Atchley said. “It is an educational pier, and we encourage everyone who wants to experience the Gulf maritime environment to visit, including those who have never fished or just want to sightsee.” Visit www.alapark.com/Gulf-StatePark-Fishing-and-Education-Pier for more information on the pier and pier fishing.

WILDCAT WHITEWASH

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Benjamin Russell Landon Cotney takes a flip for a force out and tries to complete a double play in the third inning of Thursday’s 22-0 win the first game of their playoff series with Blount.

Benjamin Russell blasts Blount 37-0 to take playoff series win By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

Benjamin Russell’s baseball team picked up right where it left off in the regular season, blasting Blount to the tune of 22-0 and 15-0 in a pair of five-inning games to start the AHSAA Class 6A playoffs. The Wildcats (23-14) totaled a staggering 27 hits while allowing just one. “We went into this to work on us, and I feel like we did a pretty good job of that,” BRHS coach Richy Brooks said. “Not trying to disrespect the other team, but they don’t do the things that we do. They don’t get the practice that we get, or play in the summer like we do. They haven’t got a youth league, and their coach even told me they were just fortunate to be in the playoffs.” The discrepancy was obvious from the get-go. After a walk to start the game, the Leopards didn’t even get on base for the next two innings. But when Nic McGhee led off the bottom of the first with his own walk, it was a completely different story for the Wildcats. Timmy Lawson and Brett Pitts followed with doubles before the first out of the frame, then Austin Elliott smacked a double of his own. “I just didn’t want to get down in the count,” Pitts said. “The first pitch I saw that was a fastball, I hit it. We came out and started hitting, and it just kept going.” Elliott led the way in the opener, going 3-for-3, while Pitts knocked a pair of singles and drove in four runs. McGhee also had two hits in the opener, and McGhee, Darius Jackson and Wilson Hays all

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Brock Elliott is congratulated by teammates after a spectacular running catch in Game 1 Thursday against Blount.

drove in two runs apiece. “Hitting is contagious,” Brooks said. “It’s like a sickness, and I tell them all the time, ‘Let’s go get sick.’ When you don’t hit, though, that’s contagious too. It builds confidence if they see the first couple guys get on.” It was more of the same in the nightcap, as Hays was responsible for three of Benjamin Russell’s 12 hits. Ryan Willis also had a pair of singles. And while the offense was stellar, the pitching was nearly flawless. The

Wildcats played eight different pitchers, and they combined for one hit, one walk, no runs, 16 strikeouts and one hit batter in 10 innings of work. The only pitchers to throw more than one inning were Connor Brooks and Darius Jackson. “Brock Elliott has thrown the most innings for us this year, and we did not throw him today,” coach Brooks said. “He needed a rest, so we got some other guys out there. It helps them gain a little bit of experience. It shouldn’t be new to them next week, whoever we play, if we have to use them. All 21 people got in the game at some point today.” Catcher Hays said, “I feel like Darius did pretty good the second game. I feel kinda bad for him ‘cause he got hurt during football season, but he’s making a good comeback. This was a good day. We had a lot of sophomores and freshmen in that second game, and they did good. That’s going to be our future team in the next couple years, so I’m really pulling for them.” It’s going to get tougher moving forward, as the Wildcats will face the winner of Chelsea-Northview in the second round. The best-of-three series is currently scheduled for next Friday. And although Benjamin Russell put on a show Thursday night, Brooks still said there are some things his team can improve upon. “I know a couple guys went out and didn’t throw their breaking balls for strikes, which I know we’re going to need,” he said. “But that’s something we gotta work on. We’ll get to practice now for another week, and we’ll see what we can do.”

BRHS goes 3-2 this week; Blasingame throws perfect game By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

It was a seesaw week for Benjamin Russell’s softball team, which went 3-2 in its past five games. On Friday, Taylor Harris was strong in the circle in a 9-0, five-inning win over Ariton. Harris allowed just one hit, while striking out four and walking two in the shutout victory. She helped her own cause with a pair of RBIs, while Madisyn Johnson led the Wildcats by driving in four runs. Benjamin Russell totaled nine hits, including two from Taylor Latham. The script was flipped in the second game of the day, though, as Rehoboth gave up just one hit in a 5-0 defeat of the Wildcats. Johnson had the only hit of the day for BRHS. Saturday’s game also had

the mirror effect, as Benjamin Russell started the day with a walk-off win over Ariton, before falling via walk-off to Northview. In the opening game, Shay Johnson played hero with a sacrifice fly to drive in the winning run of a 4-3 contest. Ariton led early before BRHS made a rally to knot the scoreboard at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth. But the Purple Cats made Benjamin Russell work for it again by pushing a run through in the top of the seventh, before Shay Johnson answered with the game-winner. Asia McWaters earned the complete-game win, allowing just five hits while striking out four. Only two of Ariton’s runs were earned. For BRHS, Harris and Baylee Adkins each had a pair of hits. The luck ran out for the Wildcats in the nightcap,

though, as Northview earned a 6-5 victory. Shay Johnson notched two hits for BRHS, while Madisyn Johnson and Taylor Lathan each had one. Benjamin Russell got back to its winning ways on Tuesday by smashing Opelika, 13-1. It looked like the Wildcats would be in for another nailbiter, leading just 2-1 after three innings. But they exploded for 11 runs in the next two frames to earn the five-inning victory. Harris came full circle by throwing another victory. She allowed just three hits and no earned runs, while striking out five. BRHS collected 13 total hits, including three from McWaters and Harris and two apiece from Taylor McVey and Taylor Phillips. Haylee Hunter and McVey each drove in two runs. With two games left on the docket, Benjamin Russell is 18-16. The Wildcats played

Valley on Thursday afternoon and wrap up the regular season Friday at Briarwood Christian.

Blasingame hurls perfect game as Horseshoe Bend rolls by Coosa Central

Kynsley Blasingame threw a perfect game on Thursday to lead the Horseshoe Bend Lady Generals past Central of Coosa County 10-0. Blasingame went the full five innings without allowing a single base runner for Coosa. She struck out 14 on the way to the win. A big fifth inning was key for Horseshoe Bend, as they racked up five runs. The Lady Generals took advantage of seven walks and a hit batsman in the inning, Ivy Vickers, Sydnie Catrett, Blasingame, and Danielle Mitchell each collected one hit to lead Horseshoe Bend.