OPINION: SEE WHAT READERS THINK, PAGE 4.
BOYS OF SUMMER
FRIDAY
THE
CACC Baseball takes field under new coach for first time, page 8.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 September 18, 2015 Vol. 123, No. 187 www.alexcityoutlook.com
T.O. an NFL Hall of Fame candidate Alex City’s Terrell Owens among 103 nominated in his first year of eligibility By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
Alexander City native and former Benjamin Russell Wildcat Terrell Owens, who played 15 years at wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, is among 103 former National Football League players nominated
Wednesday for the league’s Hall of Fame. Owens is one of only 11 former NFL players nominated this year in their first year of eligibility. Others include quarterback Brett Favre, running backs Clinton Portis and Brian Westbrook, offensive lineman Alan Faneca, linebackers Keith Bulluck and Mike Vrabel, defensive backs Lawyer Milloy and Darren Sharper, place-
kicker John Carney and long snapper Ethan Albright. Owens played in 209 NFL games, starting 193 of them. He caught 1,078 passes for almost 16,000 yards – an average of 14.8 yards per catch – and 153 touchdowns. Owens’ 15,934 receiving yards is second all-time behind only Jerry Rice. His 153 See OWENS, Page 7
New state budget cuts funds for parks
‘Debtor’s prison’ lawsuit against city on hold Officials agree to end practice of jailing of people who can’t pay fines and fees immediately
By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Alabama’s state parks took a direct hit Wednesday night as the state budget passed by the Legislature chopped $3 million from the FY2016 operating budget for Alabama State Parks. Alabama State Parks Director Greg Lein said that he is still trying to analyze the numbers, so he is not sure what impact the cuts will have to Wind Creek State Park or any others in the state. He said it will take some time before he can determine if the loss of funds will force the closure of any of the state’s parks. “The Legislature has concluded their budgeting effort for FY2016 and made their decision to transfer funds from our Department for a fifth year in a row,” Lein said. “They make the state’s laws and we must find ways to implement them. “Our immediate task is See PARKS, Page 7
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Outlook Editor
Cliff Williams / Outlook photo illustration
A sign like this one created in photoshop if placed at the city boat ramp could serve as a backdrop for family photos as vacationers enjoy the lake or for fishermen posing with their catch of the day.
Councilman proposes sign at city boat ramp Councilman Tony Goss has been floating the idea of erecting a sign at the Alexander Outlook Editor City Boat Ramp that would serve as a landThe one sure way for a fisherman to prove mark for photo ops just like those adjacent to to friends that his story isn’t a tall tale is con- deep-sea charters and such. Goss mentioned firmed visual evidence. the idea at a recent council meeting and said That’s why charter boat captains and harthat he thinks if it meets with the approval bors worldwide often take pictures of fisher- of all the city departments, codes and gets men holding up their catch in front of a sign the approval of the council, it can be funded proclaiming the spot or in front of the boat’s through sponsorships and wouldn’t cost the stern with the name of the charter emblacity at all. zoned in big bold letters for the world to see. “I have this vision of a family gathered at If one Alexander City Council member has the lake, the kids in their swimmies and mom his way, that same kind of experience could and dad with the beach towels and sunglassbe coming soon to the Alexander City Boat es,” Goss said. “They may even have the skis Ramp on Lake Martin. See SIGN, Page 7 By Mitch Sneed
488.04 Reported on 9/17/15 @ 4 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
54708 90050
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Attorneys for the Southern Poverty Law Center and Alexander City filed a joint motion Thursday to put a lawsuit against the city and Police Chief Willie Robinson on hold for 60 days while settlement options are explored. The suit filed on Sept. 8 in Middle District Federal Court North Division accused the city of running “a debtor’s prison,” by jailing convicted offenders who can’t pay all fines and fees immediately after their court appearance. According to language in the motion, the city “stipulates that it will not act to incarcerate any municipal court defendant on the sole basis of nonpayment of fines or costs imposed during Alexander City Municipal Court proceedings.” SPLC Deputy Legal Director Sam Brooke explained the motion does not end the suit or the pursuit of damages, but it does create time for settlement options and end the practice that prompted the suit. “The important thing is that the practice will end while we explore a permanent, fair settlement,” Brooke said. “The city does not admit any guilt or that the process was unconstitutional, See SUIT, Page 7
Russell Medical Center offering prostate screening By Corey Arwood Outlook Staff Writer
Lake Levels
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By Mitch Sneed
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Lake Martin
BRHS grad Terrell Owens is not only the most prolific receiver in NFL history, but he also took TD celebrations to a new level.
Russell Medical Center will again offer annual reduced-price prostate screenings. The screenings will be $10 on Monday, Sept. 21, and include both the blood test as well as the physician’s exam. The center has been conducting the screenings for about 20 years. Susan Foy, director of marketing at RMC, said that every year many men take advantage of the service. “They’re very important,” Foy said. According to Foy, men 50 or older need to be screened annually and African American men or someone with a history of the disease should be screened earlier, starting around 40. The results of the tests are sent through the mail and an appointment is made available with a doctor if the results are unusual. The location of the screening has moved to suite 109 on the first floor of the RMC
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Professional Building. September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The idea is to call attention to the most common cancer in men, after skin cancer. Humans are living longer than ever before, leading to inevitably higher rates of cancer worldwide. In the next 20 years, the World Health Organization expects to see a 57 percent increase in cancer diagnosis, pushing the need for spreading awareness into the forefront of medicine. Prostate cancer occurs in a male’s reproductive system. The prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland that produces seminal fluid, is responsible for nourishing and transporting sperm. One out of every seven men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015, adding to the nearly three million American men currently living with the disease. The cancer cells usually grow very slowly, and occur most often in men older than 65 years and older, according to the National Cancer Institute.
ADAMS NURSING HOME OFFERS HEALTH FAIR By Corey Arwood Outlook Staff Writer
An upcoming community health fair will provide free health screenings and offer information on healthand wellness-related issues. There will also be food, entertainment and a chance to win door prizes. The event is sponsored by Adams Health and Rehab and will be held at the Alexander City SportPlex on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon. The health fair is supposed to help residents get healthy and stay See FAIR, Page 7