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December 26, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 21 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
2017 All-Area Football Team
Christmas morning shooting leaves 1 dead By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Gunfire following an argument left a female dead and at least two others injured on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, about 100 yards from the Edward Career Tech Center. Law enforcement at the scene was tight-lipped about what happened early Christmas morning. “We have a few victims at this time,” Camp Hill Police Chief Johnny Potts said. “You know
how it is, when the daytime comes it could bring out a few more victims.” Family on the scene said that Bessie Heard, 59, of Camp Hill died in the early Christmas morning shooting. Bystanders at the scene described more than 15 shots being fired about 2 a.m. and said an argument lead to the shooting. Outside the tin-covered home, evidence markers littered the dirt parking lot amongst automobiles and along the street as law See SHOOTING • Page 3
Investigators marked shell casings and other evidence following a Christmas shooting on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Camp Hill that left Bessie Heard, 59, of Camp Hill dead and at least two others injured. Cliff Williams/ The Outlook
Area, state unemployment remains low State sets new record with just 3.5 percent jobless rate STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Tallapoosa County’s unemployment rate in November remained low at 3.5 percent, the same as the statewide average, which set a new record. The county’s 3.5 percent jobless rate is up slightly from October’s 3.4 percent, but well below last year’s November rate of 5.3 percent. The numbers released Friday show that just 636 percent of the people of Tallapoosa County are counted as unemployed. Coosa’s unemployment rate for November was just 3.6 percent, with only 160 residents considered unemployed. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey applauded the statewide numbers which were released Friday. Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted November unemployment rate set a new record low of 3.5 percent, down from October’s previous record setting rate of 3.6 percent, and well below November 2016’s rate of 6.2 percent. November’s rate represents 75,807 unemployed persons, also a new record low, compared to 77,231 in October and 136,135 in November 2016. More people See UNEMPLOYMENT • Page 3
Kenneth Boone / The Outlook
Lake Martin Machine Gun provides the lake region with a controlled outdoor shooting range to experience the thrill of firing historic and unique firearms.
RAPID FIRE RUSH
Lake Martin Machine Gun gives thrilling experience to locals By AMY PASSARETTI Staff Writer
T
he newest attraction to grace the community comes in the form of adrenaline, innovativeness and a rare opportunity that the average person would otherwise be unable to experience.
Lake Martin Machine Gun provides the Lake Martin area with a controlled outdoor shooting range to experience the thrill of firing historic and unique firearms. “The mission here of this range is to provide a safe environment, while having a great experience. People have to use our guns and See GUN • Page 9
Hunters harvesting fewer deer this season
Oh come all ye faithful
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Those night roadside attractions, deer, have been less noticeable this year not only to motorists but to hunters as well. Area retailers and deer processors say numbers are down on gun sales and deer brought in to process. “The numbers are down at this point this year,” deer processor John McKelvey said. “But the deer that are being brought in are bigger.” Retailers are not seeing the number of gun sales as in previous years. “We are selling fewer rifles this year,” The Sure Shot’s Woody Baird said. Both say deer are not making themselves visible. See DEER • Page 3
Led by Donnie and Louise Pritchard, volunteers gather for a prayer before the annual Christmas dinner at Comer United Methodist Church Monday. The church has been hosting the dinner for 14 years and many have been coming both as volunteers and guests for years. Cliff Williams / The Outlook
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Couple’s oft-chilly marriage is subzero following election
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Staff
Directory Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com
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
Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Tabby Edwards Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Digital Marketing Coordinator, Ext. 208 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Rebecca Carlisle Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com Grant Peterson Advertising Sales, Ext. 209 grant.peterson@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@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
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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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
The Outlook
© 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.
Planning a Yard Sale? Boost your pro½ts with an ad in the Classi½eds. It’s an easy and affordable way to bring more business to your door! To place your ad call
DEAR ABBY: I’m at a loss as to how to stay in my 21-year marriage. In August, when our twin daughters leave for college, my wife and I will become empty nesters. We haven’t had sex in more than 2 1/2 years, and before that it didn’t happen more than a couple of times a year. My wife says she “doesn’t feel a connection with me anymore” (or perhaps never really did). We have seen a counselor a couple of times over the last 12 years, but the most he has to offer now is that I will have to decide whether or not to accept this as my new normal. We don’t fight, but we live like roommates, although we continue to share a bed. We are on opposite sides of the political spectrum, and I suspect that may have something to do with her sense of disconnect. The little affection progress we were making died the night of the presidential election. She seems content to continue like this. I hate the
DEAR ABBY Advice
notion of divorce, both for what it would mean spiritually and for what it would do to our families and friends. Can you help? -IS THIS MY NEW NORMAL? DEAR “IS”: Couples on opposite sides of the political spectrum can still have successful marriages IF they respect their mates and can discuss their differences intelligently and calmly. However, you state that your sex life has been the way it is for 21 years -- which makes me wonder whether the chemistry was strong to begin with. I do think you and your wife are overdue for a series of honest conversations, and the first should start with whether the difference in your political beliefs has affected the way
How do I express this to her? -- NO WHITE KNIGHT IN KNOXVILLE DEAR NO WHITE KNIGHT: “Daddyhood” isn’t a skill that every man is born with. Some men are naturals at it; others learn gradually through experience. Tell Eve that you care about her, but that at 23 you are not in a position to be a dad to her baby. In time, things may change -- GRADUALLY -but not right now. It may or may not cause the end of the relationship. Her first responsibility must be to her child, and a romance right out of the delivery room is too soon, “white knight” or no white knight.
she feels about you. The next should start with asking her whether she was ever satisfied in the bedroom with you. If you can get her to talk about it, you may be able to find out where the two of you went off track and fix it. However, if you can’t, then your counselor was correct. DEAR ABBY: I’ve been single for more than a year and playing the field, having casual relationships, but never anything I was too invested in. That changed recently when I met someone I’ll call “Eve.” We have hit it off spectacularly and are very much into each other. The only issue is she has a kid. I’m only 23, and I’m not in a position to be any kind of father figure. That being said, I would still love to be with Eve and occasionally help out with her little one, but I don’t know how to open up and tell her directly that I’m not prepared for the pressures of being a “dad” to a newborn.
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.
Obituaries Mr. Robert Ashley Mooney 1979 - 2017 Graveside Service for Mr. Robert Ashley Mooney, 38, of Alexander City, will be Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hillview Memorial Park. Randy Anderson will officiate. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Memorial messages may be sent
to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome.com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Billy Wayne Jackson
Funeral service for Mr. Billy Wayne Jackson, 73 of Alexander City, AL; Thursday, December 28, 2017; 2 p.m.; Armour’s Memorial Chapel, Alexander City, AL. Burial, Armour’s Memorial Garden, Alexander City, AL.
Final Arrangements Entrusted to Armour’s Memorial Funeral Home
Mrs. Lee Annie Edwards
Funeral service for Mrs. Lee Annie Edwards 90 of Alexander City, (Coosa County); Wednesday, December 27, 2017; 1 p.m.; Peace & Goodwill Baptist Church, Kellyton, AL. Burial in church cemetery. Final Arrangements Entrusted to Armour’s Memorial Funeral Home
Ongoing Events ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Red Ridge United Methodist Church in Dadeville hosts an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting every Sunday at 6 p.m. DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS: The Bill Nichols Chapter 13 meets every third Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Charles T. “Bud” Porch Center in Alexander City. Chapter Service Officers are available every second and fourth Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m. for claims assistance. 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
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off is available between 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call 256-409-2020 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 weight-loss 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 at 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. VOLUNTEER: Southern Care Hospice is seeking volunteers. Please call Lizz Gillenwaters at 256-2341134 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: CACC can prepare you to be
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 Christcentered 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 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 256-496-4664. 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.
Career Ready with a FREE 6 to 8 week Workforce Development Course called Ready to Work. It includes computer self-paced instruction financial planning, reading and math skills, and computer basic skills as well as instructor-led module presentations on communication, problem-solving, job acquisition, operation skills, and workplace behavior. Earn a Career Readiness Certificate and an AIDT Alabama Certified Worker Certificate. The class meets MondayThursday 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Career Center located at 1375 Junior College Drive. For more information, call Melanie Veazey at 256-2154499 or email at mveazey@ cacc.edu. OFFICE CAREERS: The Office Careers Technology program is funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and was created to 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
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Page 3
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The Outlook
Shooting
continued from page 1
enforcement sorted out where the shots came from. The incident occurred at the same location as a July Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force raid on an old-fashioned shot house where an illegal bar had been setup. At that time multiple bottles and liquor, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a .38 caliber handgun were found inside. As the sun rose Christmas morning, the sun’s rays lit up the porch and asphalt shingle siding of the house where Heard was still inside as law enforcement waited for more investigators to arrive to help with the 3-D mapping of the scene. Potts said the investigation was ongoing and had been handed over to ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation and was still under investigation. “We got help from the Dadeville Police Department, the (Tallapoosa County) sheriff’s department and SBI,” Potts said. “It is still under investigation.”
Ivestigators from the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department and State Bureau of Investigation are investigating the Christmas moring death of Bessie Heard. At least two others were injured in the incident. Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Unemployment were counted as employed in November, with 2,087,667 people working, up from 2,079,720 in October, and 40,152 more than in November 2016, when 2,047,515 were counted as employed. “It was just last month when we reached the extraordinary milestone of breaking all previous unemployment rate records, but now just a month later the trend continues and we have once again broken those records.” Ivey said. “This continued historic decline in our unemployment rate, coupled with the fact that Alabama’s businesses are employing more Alabamians than ever before, shows that we are truly moving forward
continued from page 1
and proving to everyone that Alabama is a great place to live and do business.” “We have 30,500 more jobs now than we did last year, over 40,000 more people are working, and the number of unemployed has dropped by over 60,000 from last year the fewest number of people counted as unemployed in Alabama history! We will continue our work to ensure that any Alabamian who wants a job, can find one,” Ivey said “Our construction employment, currently measuring 91,500, is at one of its highest levels in more than eight years,” said Fitzgerald Washington, Secretary of the Alabama Department
of Labor. “Construction employment is an indicator of economic stability, and we have seen a steady increase in construction employment for most of this year. Additionally, our manufacturing employment is at its highest level in nearly nine years, nearing 2008 levels, which are pre-recessionary in Alabama.” Over the year, wage and salary employment increased by 30,500, increasing to 2,029,800, the highest number ever recorded, with gains in the construction sector (+6,600), the manufacturing sector (+5,600), and the leisure and hospitality sector (+5,200), among others. Wage and salary employ-
ment increased in November by 6,700. Monthly gains were seen in the trade, transportation, and utilities sector (+6,200), the government sector (+1,800), and the manufacturing sector (+400), among others. “All 67 counties experienced significant drops in their unemployment rates over the year,” continued Washington. “Wilcox County, which traditionally has the highest unemployment rate in the state, has seen its rate drop by 5.7 percentage points since last year. 2017 marks the first time in a decade that all counties’ unemployment rates have been in the single digits.” Counties with the low-
est unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 2.6 percent, Marshall and Cullman Counties at 3.0 percent, and Madison, Lee, and Elmore Counties at 3.1 percent. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 9.3 percent, Clarke County at 6.7 percent, and Lowndes County at 6.4 percent. Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Vestavia Hills at 2.4 percent, Homewood at 2.5 percent, and Alabaster and Hoover at 2.6 percent. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 6.6 percent, Prichard at 6.5 percent, and Anniston and Bessemer at 4.9 percent.
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Deer
continued from page 1 Deer season ends Feb. 10 and local hunters are hoping that there will be more deer out by then. The colder weather may have something to do with the low numbers.
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“They are more nocturnal right now,” McKelvey said. “They have not entered rut yet.” Both Baird and McKelvey say green fields have not attracted the deer yet. “We have had a bumper crop of acorns,” McKelvey said. “They are not having to go far to eat. They have little reason to travel to hunter’s green fields.” “I think they are staying near where they are bedding down,”
Baird said. “They are eating nearby and bedding back down.” The numbers even have the hunters taking note. “I do business with a hunting club and one weekend between 12 hunters they saw one deer,” McKelvey said. “The next time only one hunter came out and he saw nothing.” The weather may have a little something to do with it as some hunters think they can only hunt
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when it is cold. “Maybe it will get colder,” Baird said. “There is not too much time to pack it all in.” Deer season ends Feb. 10. McKelvey says the deer he has seen while processing have been nice. “I am seeing two and three inches of fat on them,” McKelvey said. “They obviously have plenty to eat. There have been some nice ones.”
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Page 4
Our
Opinion
I
The
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Did the Pentagon act alone in employing UFO hunters?
Lets continue W to care for our neighbors
t has been said many times, but the people of Alexander City and the Lake Martin area truly are a caring bunch. No matter how big or small the effort is, helping out however possible can make all the difference in someone else’s life. In the buildup to the holiday season, The Outlook carried a number of stories about those who took the time to care about others, demonstrating a most selfless attitude. Consider the following examples: • Through the effort of multiple donors, including the Adelia M. Russell Foundation, the city of Alexander City and a host of local businesses, the Lake Martin Area United Way continued to push towards its ultimate campaign goal of $550,000 throughout the month of November. • Along with the donation to the local United Way, the Adelia M. Russell Foundation has recently given several more donations to organizations throughout the community. • A number of individuals donated bicycles and money to purchase more bikes to the Gibraltar Masonic Lodge No. 173, while the lodge itself gathered up the bikes and gave each and every single one away to area children at the Cooper Recreation Center last Tuesday night. If there were any children who did not receive a bicycle during the Bike-a-Thon giveaway, lodge members said they would find a way to make sure everyone in attendance was given a bike. • Caring locals have lined up with the area Salvation Army, taking time out of their day to stand outside of places like Walmart and Walgreens, ringing bells and collecting donations for the Salvation Army to help fund programs offered by the organization. • A blood drive held by the American Red Cross at Russell Medical Center Friday served an additional purpose. With each donation of blood from local residents, the Red Cross would make a toy donation to the Alexander City Police Department in order to brighten up a child’s day. • State Representative Mark Tuggle and State Senator Tom Whatley were recently in Dadeville to present the Dadeville Public Library with a $4,000 donation. Though Christmas has passed, there are still many ways to have a charitable heart in the community. The United Way is still running its 2018 “Team United” fundraising campaign. Volunteer with a local outreach effort like Habitat for Humanity. Groups like the Lake Martin Animal Shelter are always in need of monetary or supply donations. As the Salvation Army says, “Need knows no season.”
Outlook
hen I was in sixth grade, my impassioned 4-H speech about the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors didn’t even merit an Honorable Mention (my fifth-grade speech about our thumbsucking CAT had taken me all the way to the county level!); so I can empathize with those military intelligence officials who are being ridiculed for the existence of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification program. Surely, you’ve heard about the New York Times investigation of the Pentagon’s secret UFO research program, a classified operation which SUPPOSEDLY ended in 2012. I can’t really blame the Department of Defense for having wanted to explore unexplained aerial phenomena, whether the mysterious aircraft ultimately turned out to be little green men, Russian test pilots or quirky atmospheric conditions. The Pentagon was trying to be proactive and avoid wails of “Why didn’t you warn us?” if disaster struck. But they were realistic enough to cut their losses BEFORE they were faced with having to justify $800 military toilet seats in a universe in which SOME races teleport their waste products straight from their digestive organs into the heart of the sun. (“Zorg, you have a booger hanging from your ̽ Ha ha! Guess it’s halfway to a black hole by now.”)
DANNY TYREE Columnist
Considering the potential for enhanced national security and quantum leaps in technology, I wonder if other cabinet-level departments and government agencies have their own clandestine UFO operations? Don’t assume that the press or congressional watchdogs would have already told us about these operations if they actually existed. Deep within the bowels of our bloated federal bureaucracy, you would probably find undying organizations such as The Committee For Harassing Those Redcoat Rapscallions, or The Board of Regulating Wagers On Where President Lincoln Will Spend His Retirement. I have it on good advice that the Department of Transportation would love to find out the effect of nearlight speed on fuzzy dice and pine tree air fresheners, as well as the psychological effects of hearing “Are we there yet?” all the way from Alpha Centauri. If pressured enough, the Department of Veteran Affairs might admit, “Yes, we scooped up the Roswell crash victims in 1947 and hope to perform their alien autopsies any day now!” The National Park Service probably has a shadowy deal with the Ad Council
to disseminate the message “Remember: only you can prevent death rays.” Right this minute, the Federal Emergency Management Agency might be asking the Martians, “How can you possibly call yourselves civilized without FLOOD PLAINS to keep re-building on?” The Library of Congress wouldn’t care about the military applications of silently hovering flying saucers; they would see a high-tech way to shush those mouthy hooligans in the archives! The Department of Labor would get its giggles just hearing aliens demand, “Take me to your union leader.” Don’t think it’s all at the national level. Your local Department of Motor Vehicles has probably been dealing with outer space aliens for years. Admit it: most of those driver’s license photos could be used to get a bug-eyed monster a job, an assault rifle or a six-pack. I hope this column hasn’t upset any aliens who may be counting on continued hush-hush dealings with our government. I would hate to get a visit in the middle of the night from – Awwwww… they’re a race of big thumbsucking cats! Hey, let’s go buzz the 4-H headquarters! Danny Tyree welcomes email responses at tyreetyrades@aol.com. Danny’s weekly column is distributed exclusively by Cagle Cartoons Inc. newspaper syndicate.
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 334242-7100. Her office is located at the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.
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. Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256-392-2006 or by email 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 can be reached at 334242-t7865. His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.
Kay Ivey
Steve Marshall
Mark Tuggle
Tom Whatley
Quote
“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” – Mother Teresa
Today’s
Scripture
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.” – Luke 2:4-5
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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.
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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.
Know Your
Officials
Today’s
Letter to the Editor
What’s your
Scary hidden plague endangering freedom of press Dear Editor, Amendment One U.S. Constitution: “....Congress shall make no laws prohibiting the free exercise of speech, religion and the press.........” We all place a sacred trust in this short paragraph. Yet, a careful examination reveals freedom of the press-the most treasured of all, is endangered as never before! No one is more prone to citing this freedom than the major news media across the country. Nevertheless, these media giants have quietly been consolidating their control of everything we see and hear for the last decade. Six (6) corporate giants, CNN, Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC and BBC currently own and control this segment of our lives: 1,500 newspapers, 1,100 magazines, 9,000 radio stations, 1,500 TV stations, and 2,400 publishers. While we do not object to anti-trust laws to limit business control of markets, we have turned a blind eye to media control of what we see and hear daily.
We are inundated daily with claims of “fake” news by these media giants while they constantly deny such manipulation. However, it is difficult to deny this practice when listening to various media outlets that all simultaneously espouse the same story line to the the point of using the same verbiage in presentation! In many incidents these alleged “stories” have proven to be, at least in part, false. The end result is depressing and troubling. The very rights and protections granted to us by Amendment One is being used to seize control that will, in the end, erase this freedom! As a free people we must rise up and demand that freedom of the press be protected and never be allowed to be concentrated into a handful of mega corporate firms. James W. Anderson Talladega
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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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Tuesday, December 26, 2017
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The Outlook
Happy New Year! Happy New Year 2018! We are ushering in yet another new year, a time for new beginnings, resolutions, and gatherings of families and friends. New Year’s Day is a holiday that celebrates the accomplishments of the past year and the hopeful successes of the new year to come. For many Circle the two keys below that match. thousands of years (as far back as the Ancient Babylonians DQG (J\SWLDQV GLႇHUHQW SHRSOH DQG FXOWXUHV DURXQG WKH JOREH KDYH FHOHEUDWHG WKH ¿UVW GD\ RI D QHZ \HDU 0DQ\ FXOWXUHV XVHG GLႇHUHQW FDOHQGDUV DQG KDG GLႇHUHQW GDWHV IRU WKH start of the year. Currently, we use the Gregorian calendar which was created by Pope Gregory VIII in 1582. January LV JHQHUDOO\ DFFHSWHG DV WKH ¿UVW GD\ RI WKH QHZ \HDU IRU most parts of the World today. The New Year’s Holiday is ULFK LQ WUDGLWLRQ )LUHZRUNV DUH RIWHQ VHW Rႇ RQ 1HZ <HDU¶V Auld Lang Syne, Beginning, Eve as people await the clock to strike midnight. The song, Calendar, Celebrate, Confetti, End, Auld Lang Syne, which means “Old Long Ago,” is also ofFamily, Fireworks, Friends, Midnight, ten played at midnight. People eat traditional foods, such as New Year’s Eve, Party Hats, Promise, black-eyed peas, for good luck in the coming year. ResoluRenew, Resolution, Streamers, tions, or promises, to stop bad habits or create positive new Traditions, Wishes ones are made.
Key To The New Year Game
New Year Word Search
Year Of The Dog In Chinese traditions, each year is assigned an animal that says something about that year and the people who are born in it. 2018 is the year of the Dog. “Dogs” are kind, loyal, and helpful people. With permission, XVH WKH FRPSXWHU WR ¿QG your animal.
New Year Crossword
Color It!
Across Clues: 4. ___ your trash to help the planet. 8. Be active and get more ______. Down Clues: 1. Save this by spending less. 2. Get more ____ at night. 3. To make things neat and orderly. 5. Be cleaner, neater and tidier 6. Be on ____ for school or work. 7. Be ____ to others and be nice.
Key Ans: 8,18
Crossword Ans: Across4)recycle 8) exercise Down- 1) money 2) sleep 3) organize 5) clean 6) time 7) kind
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“Taking care of your vehicle as if it were my own.” Owner/Operator: Cameron Tolbert
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2600 Hwy. 9 South • Goodwater, AL
Trey Griffin, Owner
256-839-6607
931 Market Place Alexander City, AL
256.329.2066 HOURS: Monday - Friday 9AM - 7PM; Saturday 9AM - 5PM
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CommunityCalendar Need Insurance?
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
The Outlook
Today is
Today’s Birthdays
December 26, 2017
Mattie Howard, Jessica Garcia, Yolanda Davis, Roshanda Davis, Phil
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/. Blasingame, Tina Vickers, Keiera Canady and Teresa Droddy are celebrating birthdays today.
–Since 1978–
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Coosa Kitchen & Bath Cabinetry Designing & Selling Quality Cabinetry since 1991 • Granite • Quartz • Cultured Marble • Laminate Counter Tops
25 Years and still going, Selling quality kitchen & bath cabinetry at reasonable prices. Ben & Peggy Smith, Owners
File / The Outlook
Thur & Fri 9-4 | Sat 9-1 256-675-0176 1222 Hwy 280, Kellyton, AL
Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have Family Game Night Bingo from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30. There will be hot dogs, pizza, chips, and soft drinks.
AL 96175
Saturday, December 30
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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
FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have Family Game Night Bingo from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30. There will be hot dogs, pizza, chips, and soft drinks.
Wednesday, Janurary 3
MONTHLY LUNCHEON: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have their Monthly Luncheon on Wednesday Jan 3 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Please bring a covered dish and a small donation.
Monday, Janurary 8
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Craigger Browne will present “Tribute to Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Jan. 8 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education. Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple. Registration for winter quarter begins 1 p.m. Jan. 8.
January 8-9
THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days January 8-9. Dumpsters will be located at at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town Hall at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.
Saturday, January 13
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BOOK SALE: The Friends of the Dadeville Public Library will host a book sale on the lower level of the Dadeville Library Saturday, Jan. 13 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fill a grocery bag for $5 or three bags for just $15. MLK PRAYER BREAKFAST: The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer breakfast will be Saturday, Jan. 13 at the Stephens Elementary Gym at 8 a.m. Tickets are $10.
Monday, Janurary 15
• Alexander City Outlook • Dadeville Record • Wetumpka Herald • Eclectic Observer • Tallassee Tribune
dB
MLK CELEBRATION: The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will be Monday, Jan. 15. It will start with a parade at 9 a.m. beginning at Stephens Elementary School and a program at the Stephens Elementary School gym at 11 a.m.
Tuesday, January 16
BEEKEEPING COURSE: The 2018 Beginner Beekeeping Course will start Jan. 16 and will Darrell Brooks, Owner be on Tuesdays through Feb. 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Cutting •Edging the Dadeville Recreation Center. Weed Eating •Mulch Cost is $45 for adults and $35 for students Call the Extension Office Weed Control at 256-825-1050 and the deadline for registration is Jan. 11. COMPUTER CLASSES: The Adelia M. Russell Library is offering computer classes in 2018. One program is for beginners, with a separate advanced program for individuals seeking to move beyond basics. 256.267.0518 theThe advanced class is aimed at anyone wanting to improve
Lawn Care
their skill set and/or enhance their employment opportunities. The basic classes will begin January 16, 2018, and the advanced classes will begin January 18, 2018; each session will last approximately one hour (3 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and will meet for four straight weeks. Classes will be small and the atmosphere will be relaxed. To sign up simply come by the Adelia M. Russell Library. For more information, call 256-329- 6796.
Sunday, January 21
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING: The Tallapoosee Historical Society will meet at the Historical Museum on the square in Dadeville on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 2 p.m. Dr. Charles Mitchell will be the speaker. He will present “A Pictorial History of Alabama Agriculture.” While working at Auburn, Dr. Mitchell accumulated lots of old photographs related to Alabama agriculture. Several years ago, he began organizing them and realized that these old pictures could actually tell the chronological story of Alabama’s agriculture from the Creek Indians to modern production. He will share these photographs with the Tallapoosee Historical Society Please make plans to attend. The meeting is open to the public, there is no admission fee and free refreshments will be served.
Monday, Janurary 22
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: E. Paul Jones will present “Reverend Maxwell” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Jan. 22 starting at 1:30 p.m.at the Alexander City Board of Education. Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple. Registration for winter quarter begins 1 p.m. Jan. 8.
Monday, January 29
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Marilee Tankersley will present “Wetumpka Impact Crater” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Jan. 29 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education. Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple. Registration for winter quarter begins 1 p.m. Jan. 8.
Monday, February 5
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Glen Willis will present “Forgotten Alabama” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Feb. 5 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education. Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple. Registration for winter quarter begins 1 p.m. Jan. 8.
Wednesday, February 7
SITE REVIEW: Central Alabama Community College will host a site review for continuing accreditation of its Associate Degree in Nursing program by the ACEN on Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. in Building J of the Childersburg Campus. For further information go to the CACC homepage at www.cacc.edu
Monday, February 12
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Peggy Shores will present “Songs from
the Heart” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Feb. 12 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education. Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple. Registration for winter quarter begins 1 p.m. Jan. 8.
The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow
Monday, February 26
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Dr. James Hansen will present “Neil Armstrong” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Feb. 26 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education. Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple. Registration for winter quarter begins 1 p.m. Jan. 8.
The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for 2nd, 3rd, and Weekend Shifts for Direct Care. Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Brinda Bell (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 Email: bbell@learning-tree.org
Wednesday, March 29
VIETNAM VETERANS WELCOME HOME: The Auburn Veterans Project is celebrating and reflecting on the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans March 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Auburn High School Auditorium. Speakers will be Joe Galloway and Medal of Honor recipients Bennie Adkins and James Livingston. Family is welcome to accompany their veteran and there will be a light reception afterwards. Visit auburnveteransproect. weebly.com/east-alabama-vietnamveterans-welcome-home-cermony. html. Attendees are asked to RSVP in advance by either emailing Blake Busbin at wbbusbin@ auburnschools.org or by calling Auburn High School at 334-8872120.
April 9-10
THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days April 9-10. Dumpsters will be located at at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town Hall at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.
July 16-17
THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days July 16-17. Dumpsters will be located at at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.
October 15-16
THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days October 15-16. Dumpsters will be located at at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, the Camp Hill Town at 309 Holley Ave. and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com
Tony Guy, Owner Over 40 Years Experience
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Tuesday, December 26, 2017
The Outlook
www.alexcityoutlook.com
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The Outlook
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
The Outlook
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Gun our ammo. We’re not selling anything retail-wise, so the purpose is not to compete with gun shops or local ranges,” said David McGirt, co-owner of LMMG. The business venture conceptualized as a conversation several years back between McGirt and his business partner and long-time friend Tim Williams. With McGirt’s military background and training in machine gun use, and Williams’ knowledge of the potential these weapons have as monetary investments, the conversation became a reality. Nearly a year ago, the pair received its required ATF Federal Firearms License and began formulating a concrete plan. “The average machine gun can easily equal the price of a new car, from a basic model to the top luxury brand that the average person can’t afford. From the low end of the midteens to the high end of nearly $200,000, automatic weapons are highly regulated, and therefore hold up their value,” McGirt said. With 15 weapons available in total, there are three brackets of fully automatic guns for people to use: sub-machine guns, such as a Glock 18, IMI Uzi and H&K MP5; machine guns, such as a Colt M4 and an AK-47; and belt-fed’s, such as the M249, M60 and M2HB. For those unfamiliar with the nomenclature, an automatic firearm provides continual shooting when pressing the trigger as opposed to a semiautomatic, which releases only one bullet at a time. A trained instructor provides 100 percent support for the firearm user and stands with each shooter to assist in the weapons’ operations, many of which can be heavy, to ensure user safety for everyone in attendance. “It becomes much more interactive. People are not only allowed to shoot the guns provided at the range, but there is someone trained and knowledgeable taking care of you every step of the way,” Williams added. Adventure-seekers can
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book an hour time slot online at lakemartinmachinegun. com and choose the package they wish to purchase. The base package offered is $200 and provides the choice of four sub-machine guns, four machine guns with a full magazine for each. An individual can purchase additional ammunition, extra weapon usage or the choice of shooting any belt-fed, such as the heavy-duty, 100-pound, .50-caliber Browning M2HB, at an a la carte pricing. “The process to book is very simple and four people can easily complete a round during an hour time slot, so we encourage people to come with friends or bring a group,” McGirt said. Another contemporary idea is to use the experience as a corporate outing or a teambuilding activity among coworkers, as many people in the Southeast are sportsmen anyway, said Williams. As the workplace has morphed and modernized, this activity is one that can be inclusive to all experience levels of males and females, along with various age groups, McGirt said. The concept was initially born to cater to the lake audience and provide a supplemental activity for visitors and residents. “This is tied in with lake life and the associated traffic. Everyone is on the lake in the afternoon, but there are limited activities to do in the morning outside of golf and hiking, so we thought this could be something different for people to do,” added McGirt, who, along with his wife Jodie, and Williams, have been nearly life-long residents of Lake Martin. The range was built on 90 acres of land in the Red Hill area, which is centrally located to its many surrounding communities. A lot of excavating and reshaping the natural bowl created the earthen berm that is about 30 feet high and packed solid to capture the bullet fragments. There is a layer of straw mats over the dirt to prevent erosion, and the range will be excavated every two years to
Kennth Boone / The Outlook
15 machine guns are available at Lake Martin Machine all the way up to the heavy .50-caliger Browning M2HB. They even have guns such as the Thompson M1 that some know as the Tommy Gun.
recycle the lead, along with collecting all the brass casings to be reprocessed. “It’s actually a pretty green business if you think about it. Also, we chose this area due to its geography, which was just enhanced by the machinery creating the range. Where we stand is about 5 feet below the initial ground surface,” McGirt said. Most of the weapons are equipped with suppressors to aid in the sound levels of the gunshots, McGirt said. An outdoor range was designed due to the size and power of many of the guns, as opposed to an indoor range that could create occupational health issues for the staff. “An outside environment is important to what we’re doing. The only other places you will see this kind of thing is out West and places like Vegas, but they’re indoors. We will have bleachers set up so people can come out with a group and take pictures, capture videos or enjoy the experience with others,” said Williams. When arriving to the 50-yard range, an employee with LMMG will provide eye and ear protection, a safety brief-
ing about the set up, use of the firearms and explanation of rules, along with a history of each of the guns, such as the iconic Thompson M1, aka Tommy Gun, designed in 1919 and used in the 1920s. “The historical interest is mostly going to be with the older generations who have used these weapons or want to take their children/grandchildren to see what dad, mom, grandpa or grandma got to shoot back in the day,” McGirt said. Aside from the natural high and bragging rights of the opportunity, McGirt and Williams primary intent is to educate the community on automatic weapon history and knowledge of which even the most avid gun lover may be unaware or uninformed. “In the real world, these weapons are mostly used as suppressive fire because it’s really difficult to aim when unloading that many bullets at once. In military, you’re basically just trying to keep the enemy’s head down unlike movies where no bullet can miss,” McGirt said. “We’re looking for this to be educational, as well. It’s interesting
to hear people’s perspective and reactions after leaving here versus what they initially thought about things previously.” The owners and employees of LMMG intend to provide a safe environment, regardless of past experience and exposure, to learn about the history and usage of firearms. “Like anything in the world, people have seen these things on TV and just want to the chance to try it. It’s a bucket list type thing,” McGirt added. At the moment, the range is only open Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Appointments may be requested outside of those hours. In order to fire a weapon, a person must be 18 years old and above, but McGirt and Williams are working on the conditions that would may allow someone younger to participate, if accompanied by appropriate adult supervision. Lake Martin Machine Gun is located at 2520 Red Hill Rd., Eclectic. For more information, call 888-660-6463 visit the website lakemartinmachinegun.com, or check out the Facebook page Lake Martin Machine Gun.
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The Outlook
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Be Seen by your customers 85.8%
Of households read one of our products each month*
67.8%
Of households report using The Outlook and The Record in the past 30 days to find local sales or service offers.*
65.3%
Of households read one of our products each day.*
www.alexandercityoutlook.com
We are THE print, digital & social media that people look forward to! *Pulse research 2013
LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Page 11
2017 All-Area Football Team Offensive Player of the Year
Coach of the Year
Meadows was key for Generals By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
If 1,117 rushing yards in just eight games wasn’t enough to prove Trace Meadows was essential to the success of Horseshoe Bend’s football team this season, just looking at how much the Generals struggled without Meadows should do it. After leading Holtville by 23 points early in the third quarter, Meadows was sidelined with an injury that had been nagging him all night, and
from there, the Generals squandered the lead and gave up the victory at the last second. Without
Meadows, the offense looked stuck in the mud. Because of sheer of See MEADOWS • Page 12
Defensive Player of the Year
Tuck a dominating force for BRHS By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
This season was full of defensive highlights for Benjamin Russell’s football team, and a good chunk of them came from senior Jaden Tuck. Tuck led the team in tackles, quarterback hurries and defensive points. He came up with several clutch turnovers and quite literally saved a game this season. Tuck is the Outlook Football Player of the Year. See TUCK • Page 12
Horn exceeds expectations By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
After a 3-8 season in 2016, Benjamin Russell’s football team was expecting to get better this year, but posting a 7-3 regular-season record was probably more than what most hoped for. Directed by one of the best coaches in the business, BRHS opened the season with four straight wins and went on to win seven of their first eight. Danny Horn is the Outlook Football Coach of the Year. “I think the seniors had a lot more to do with it than I did,” Horn said. “They just made up their minds they didn’t want to go through it again. We had a great offseason and a good spring and summer, and they were determined that they were not going to let that happen again.” Benjamin Russell opened the season with back-to-back narrow victories.
To begin, the Wildcats posted a 28-14 victory over Clay Central, then went on to open their region schedule with a 35-28 defeat of Pelham. In both games, the Wildcat defense didn’t look flawless — it bent but never broke. In Week 3 against Chelsea, BRHS blanked the Hornets for the first of two shutouts on the year. But in what was likely the most memorable game of the season, Benjamin Russell nearly shut out Opelika before giving up 14 lastminute points. Despite the Bulldog surge, the Wildcat faithful were delivered a huge 19-14 victory. “Obviously beating Opelika, that was a big game and a big win for us,” Horn said. “Another big one was the win up there at Helena because that allowed us to have a chance to play for the region championship, and even though we lost that game (against Wetumpka for the region title), I See HORN • Page 12
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE Quarterback: Cade Worthy, Horseshoe Bend Despite measuring in at just 5-foot-8, 140 pounds, Worthy proved that big things come in small packages. He was the best quarterback in the area, passing for 1,272 yards in a run-first offense. Worthy went 90-for-164 and threw nine touchdowns and four interceptions. “The thing about Cade is just his intelligence,” Generals coach Josh Averett said. “He’s always making good decisions and trying to keep his eyes out for trouble as much as possible. You knew exactly what you were going to get out of him every single day.”
Running back: Davede Herron, Benjamin Russell Herron was the catalyst of Benjamin Russell’s offense, accounting for nearly have of its rushing yards. He finished with 846 yards on the ground, despite missing a game, and scored nine touchdowns. He also caught 11 passes for 79 yards. “If you had an MVP of the team, he was probably it,” BRHS coach Danny Horn said. “He could do so many things. He could run, he could catch and he could block. He could play defense. We definitely relied on him a lot during the year and he did a great job for us.”
Offensive lineman: Jared Greene, Benjamin Russell
Offensive lineman: Ab Abernathy, Dadeville
On a young offensive line, Greene was one of the standouts for the Wildcats. “I think he was pretty consistent from game to game,” Benjamin Russell coach Danny Horn said. “He was probably undersized weighing about 220, but he overcame that with a lot of good technique and aggressiveness.”
Abernathy was a four-year starter for the Tigers and graded 90 percent or better every game. “Ab is the heart and soul of our offensive line,” Dadeville coach Richard White said. “He was like having a coach on the field.” Abernathy measured in at 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds.
Running back: Kadore Glenn, Dadeville
Offensive lineman: Justin House, Reeltown
Glenn came alive this season for the Tigers, posting back-toback 300-yard rushing games. He finished the season with 1,246 yards on 201 rushes despite playing only nine games. Glenn also scored eight touchdowns. “Kadore runs the ball with determination and it’s hard for one person to bring him down,” Dadeville coach Richard White said.
“Justin was one of those diamonds in the rough,” Rebel coach Matt Johnson said. “He was our starting left guard coming into the season and we unexpected lost our center. When we moved him there, it ended up being the best move for him and for us, he was a lot more comfortable there. He was actually the leader on the line of scrimmage and told people what to do blocking wise.”
Running back: Tre Tre Hughley, Reeltown Part of a 1-2 punch with Cameron Faison, Hughley came on strong especially at the end of the year and ended up leading the Rebels with 1,043 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. Defensively, Hughley also contributed 38 solo tackles and 22 assists. “Tre Tre found his identity toward the end of the year, and he got comfortable with the offense,” Reeltown coach Matt Johnson said. “He had a great vision and ran very well inside the tackles. He also started blocking a lot better at his position and that made him more of a complete running back.”
Wide receiver: Qua Tucker, Dadeville Not only was Tucker a stellar running back for the Tigers, he also led the team with 27 catches for 230 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, he had 1,195 yards on 216 and a team-leading 10 touchdowns. He scored twice on kickoff returns and twice on punt returns. “Qua is a game changer,” Dadeville coach Richard White said. “He can change the outlook of a game in one play.”
Offensive lineman: Jackson Knight, Benjamin Russell As a center, Knight was one of the most consistent linemen for the Wildcats this season. He graded the highest on the line. “I think he showed a lot of leadership,” Benjamin Russell coach Danny Horn said. “From Day 1, he was one of the best leaders on the team, and he was pretty consistent all year long.”
Offensive lineman: Jacob Rodgers, Reeltown At right tackle, Rodgers played the position on both the first offense and the scout offense for the Rebels, being a master of his trade. “He took every single rep of our team periods throughout the year in practice at right tackle,” Reeltown coach Matt Johnson said. “He was a quiet leader and he was the most consistent player we had. He graded higher than anyone week to week on offensive line.”
Kicker: Dylan Moncus, Benjamin Russell Moncus was a secret weapon for the Wildcats, booting 43 punts for an average of 32.0 yards. He went 4-for-8 on field goals and 25-for-27 on extra points. Thirty-two percent of his kickoffs went for touchbacks. “You don’t realize with a kicker how much you’ll miss him till he’s gone, and we are going to miss him,” BRHS coach Danny Horn said. “He’s pretty athletic too. There were a couple times where we had a bad snap, and he was athletic enough to go get it and still get the ball off. I also felt like any time we got inside the opponent’s 25, we had a chance to get three points.”
Athlete: Trey O’Neal, Reeltown O’Neal did a little bit of everything for the Rebels. Offensively, he led the way with 18 catches for 258 yards and he also gained 175 yards on 58 carries. Defensively, O’Neal was second on the team with 88 tackles, including 60 solos. “He was just all over the field offensively,” O’Neal said. “He was such a utility player for us — he could run the ball for the jet sweep, he caught the ball real well and he was just all over the field. He’s got a very good football IQ, and we expect great things out of him next year.”
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www.alexcityoutlook.com
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
The Outlook
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE Defensive lineman: RaRa Wright, Reeltown
Linebacker: Ben Hendrix, Benjamin Russell
As the leader of the Rebel defense, Wright paced the team with 98 tackles, including 72 solo stops and nine for a loss. He had six sacks and forced a fumble. “One thing I stress all the time is being relentless, and we define relentless as being persistently and violently aggressive, and RaRa did just that,” Reeltown coach Matt Johnon said. Wright also came on strong offensively torward the end of the season at fullback.
Linebacker: Parker Branch, Horseshoe Bend Despite being an offensive lineman last year, Branch picked up the linebacking position quite well, having dominating performances week in and week out. He totaled 183 tackles for an average of more than 18 per game. Branch had 13 tackles for a loss and six sacks. “Really from our first game, it was every week that he was racking up a lot of tackles,” Generals coach Josh Averett said. “He was always in the high teens every week, and he was just always around the ball.”
Defensive lineman: Toney Davis, Coosa The leading tackler for the Cougars, Davis played a big role both on and off the field. “If Toney never would’ve made a play all season, his impact would’ve been exactly the same,” Central Coosa coach Shane Rary said. “His leadership is second to none. With the transition at the beginning of the season, that was the biggest thing that kept everyone together. He always pushed everyone to do better, and the whole school is a big Toney fan.”
Defensive lineman: Cam Buckner, Benjamin Russell “I thought we got a different Cam from last year to this year,” Wildcat coach Danny Horn said. “He played a lot better, and he was a force on the defensive front for us. He was a leader on the line, and we always tried to put him in a position where he could be on the other teams’ best offensive linemen. Cam always held his own.” Buckner finished with 25 solo tackles, 34 assists and eight tackles for a loss.
As only a sophomore, Russell was one of the strongest underclassmen for the senior-laden General squad. He finished the season with three interceptions. “He was a good athlete, and we were expecting to make some big plays on both sides of the ball,” Horseshoe Bend coach Josh Averett said. “We’ll rely on him to be successful on both sides of the ball next year, and we’ll look for him to return kicks too.”
Giving opposing quarterbacks fits with seven sacks on the season, Lewis was a force for the Rebels’ front four. He finished with 80 tackles, including 56 solo tackles, and had nine for a loss. “I would say Leo is a physical technician,” Reeltown coach Matt Johnson said. “He plays very physical, but his technique is what puts him over the top. He’s a great read player on the defensive line, and our linebacker success is a lot because of him.”
Defensive back: Cameron Faison, Reeltown Faison did a little bit of everything for the Rebels as a sophomore. Defensively, he was a force in the secondary, returning one interception for a touchdown. He also added 738 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground, and he returned four kickoffs for scores. “He’s really selfless and one of the hardest workers on the team,” Reeltown coach Matt Johnson said. “He’s undersized at most positions, but he had perseverance. He really did a great job playing multiple positions, and his work in the offseason paid off for him.”
Defensive back: Eric Shaw, Reeltown Shaw was a force for the Rebels on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. He grabbed two interceptions in the secondary and also totaled 52 tackles, including 41 solos. Offensively, he had 18 catches for 205 and a team-leading five touchdown receptions. “Once he got healthy, he really started playing to his potential,” Rebel coach Matt Johnson said. “Defensively, it showed a lot; he called our secondary. He was our quarterback on the back end, getting us lined up. Obviously his future his bright.”
Defensive back: Donta Daniel, Central Coosa
Defensive back: Nywanski Russell, Horseshoe Bend
Defensive lineman: Leo Lewis, Reeltown
As the quarterback of Benjamin Russell’s defense, Hendrix moved from outside linebacker to inside linebacker this season and proved to be the brains behind the defense. “He was the leader of the defense,” BRHS coach Danny Horn said. “He made sure we were in the right defense for other teams’ formations. Obviously he has a lot of leadership, and Ben is pretty smart too. He understood the game and always got us in the right defense.” Hendrix finished with 45 solo tackles, 36 assisted and three for a loss. He also had one interception and five sacks.
While Daniel’s success was most obviously seen on the offensive side of the ball, he was also a key part of the Cougars’ young defense and played multiple positions there. “He played every position at linebacker, then we’d put him at corner or even one week, we had him at free safety,” Coosa coach Shane Rary said. “He’s a great student of football, so if we watch film one day, he’ll know all of it. He’s not as vocal of a leader, but he just gets it done.” Daniel also rushed for more than 1,100 yards.
Athlete: Jordan Whitlow, Reeltown Whitlow wasn’t even in the starting rotation at linebacker for the Rebels at the beginning of the season, but he started becoming comfortable with the defense. His best game of the season was a 17-tackle performance against Ranburne. He finished with 79 tackles, including 55 solo stops. “At inside linebacker, he really was a pleasant surprise,” Rebel coach Matt Johnson said. “He’s just a workhorse, and he’s that selfless guy that does the dirty work. He’s responsible for a lot of Tre Tre (Hughley)’s yards. He’s just selfless, and he was a diamond in the rough on defense.”
Meadows importance to the Generals’ success, Meadows is the Outlook Offensive Player of the Year. “There’s nothing you can do about injuries, but it definitely kept us from doing some of the things we wanted to do when he was out,” Horseshoe Bend coach Josh Averett said. “He averaged almost 150 yards per game, so anytime you take 150 yards away in a game, that’s going to make a big difference.” Meadows came onto the scene last year under the direction of then-senior running back Drew Hill, and despite being the second in command, Meadows had nearly 500 rushing yards as a junior. In 2017, as a senior, Meadows stepped into the No. 1 role and filled Hill’s shoes just fine. In addition to his 1,117 rushing yards, Meadows also
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had 15 catches for 231 yards and he totaled a team-leading 13 touchdowns, including 11 on the ground and two through the air. “Trace is one of those guys that works hard in the weight room in the offseason and during practice, and it showed on the field,” Averett said. “He’s very strong, and he’s hard to bring down. He ran hard and between him and Cade (Worthy), those were our two big guys on offense.” Because he was utilized so much offensively, Meadows was limited on the defensive side of the ball, but even there, he managed to do some damage. He had 20 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery which he returned for a score. Not only is Meadows a force on the field for Horseshoe Bend, he’s also a well-known student off the field.
“He’s going to work hard, and he does that on the field and in the classroom,” Averett said. “He was voted Mr. HBHS in the
fall, so everybody recognizes the character he has and what he puts into both his academics and his athletics.”
Tuck
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“He definitely came through in the clutch,” BRHS coach Danny Horn said. “It seems like every time we had a turnover, he either caused it or recovered it. When you’re around the ball, you have a tendency of causing turnovers, and that’s what he did. He was always around the ball and was always in the middle of things.” Tuck said, “It’s all coaching. Both (Danny) and (Chase) Horn put us in places to make plays. In practice, they made sure we knew how to get in the perfect spots to make plays, and we just put ourselves in the best possible spot. I just happened to be one of the guys making plays everywhere. If it hadn’t have been me, somebody else would’ve made the plays.” Growing up in a football family, Tuck is the nephew of Central Coosa great Justin Tuck, and although Jaden certainly looks up to his uncle, who was a defensive end, Jaden has made his own way as an inside linebacker.
This year, he racked up 91 total tackles, including 61 solos and eight for a loss. He also had an interception, two caused fumbles and three fumbles to go along with two sacks and a
team-leading nine quarterback hurries. Playing alongside Ben Hendrix since middle school, there was an obvious chemistry between the two, and they made up a big cog in BRHS’ defense. “Tenth-grade year for high school football is kind of the year where you decide if you want to buy into the program or quit ’cause you’re not playing,” Tuck said. “You have to wait your turn, and we were sitting on the sideline one day and we said, ‘We’re going to see what we can do here.’ We stuck with it, and in junior year, we started becoming a unit and the chemistry starting mending. Then senior year was a masterpiece. We had a 1-2 combination with us.” After such a stellar senior season, Tuck is hoping to take his talents to the next level and already has Division I offers from the likes of Murray State, Samford and the University of New Mexico.
Horn
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thought we fought hard and had opportunities. And that Wetumpka team went on to play in the state championship.” Despite not being the most athletic team or having the most explosive offense, Horn took the Wildcats to new heights and is hoping this team set the tone for future years. “I was really, really proud of this group,” Horn said. “This group will always go down as one of my favorites because they may not have been quite as talented as some, but they made up for it with work ethic and hustle and just the desire to win and do the right things.” And Horn has certainly left a mark on his players. “It’s been a great experience to play for him,” BRHS senior Jaden Tuck said. “He’s a legend in his own right, and I hope that one day he’ll be able to get a state championship in 6A. Playing for him as been a heckuva learning experience, and it’s great to know I’ve been coached by one of the greatest coaches in Alabama high school football.”
HONORABLE MENTION Benjamin Russell: Landon Cotney (sr., QB), Cam Norris (so., DL), Tyler Watts (sr., TE), Marquel Jackson (jr., DL) Dadeville: Max McClendon (so., DL), Alex Sims (sr., P) Horseshoe Bend: Dakota Blythe (sr., OL), Nalijah Heard (sr., OLB), Luke Yarbrough (sr., WR) Central Coosa: Jamichael Chambliss (jr., QB), Levi Crause (so., OL) Reeltown: Kyle Nelson (sr., DL/OL), Landon Hunt (sr., TE), Chandler Gray (jr., LB)