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COMMUNITY COLUMNISTS INSIDE! THE WEDNESDAY

OPINION, PAGE A4 I’m right where I’m supposed to be

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

SPORTS, PAGE B2

December 27, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 256 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢

Parker Branch named to First Team All-State

CAMP HILL MURDER: While an arrest has not been made, Camp Hill police said they are making progress in finding those responsible for the Christmas morning shooting that took the life of one in Camp Hill.

By MITCH SNEED Editor

A day after an early morning shooting took the life of a local woman, Camp Hill Police Chief Johnny Potts said while an arrest has not been made, they are making progress in finding those responsible. Bessie Heard, 59, of Camp Hill died in an early Christmas morning shooting at a residence on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, not far from the Edward Bell Career Tech Center. The incident occurred at about 2 a.m. Christmas morning and Potts confirmed Tuesday that in addition to Heard losing her life, four other people

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

were injured, two men and two women. “We did have four people injured,” Potts said. “We had one of those that suffered life-threatening injuries, but we have learned today that she has stabilized and they believe she will pull through. Right now we are focusing on following every lead and finding the people responsible.” The ramshackle home where the incident occurred has been refereed to as a “shot house” by law enforcement. Arrests for illegal liquor sales and drug activity were made just last summer. At that time law enforcement said the home had become an “illegal makeshift club,” where all-night parties happened See MURDER • Page A3

Coosa crash CHRISTMAS claims life MEMORIES of Georgia woman

Retailers report solid holiday sales By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

Downtown Alexander City was quiet early Tuesday afternoon, as city offices and a multitude of stores were closed for the day after Christmas. However, a small handful of businesses were open, catering to the public while also taking down the festive decorations that have graced shelves and windows for much of the past month. Key among these were Carlisle’s and Cloud Nine, happy to help customers browse through the various items on sale or assist with returns. “Things have been going well for us saleswise,” Carlisle’s owner See RETAILERS • Page A3

Investigators work to identify suspects in deadly shooting

STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Submitted / The Outlook

Ever get that perfect Christmas gift that just makes you jump for joy? That was the case for Alexander City’s Lexi Bishop who was so excited about her gifts she got airborne Monday. Readers submitted photos of their special Christmas moments and today on Pages A6 and A7, we share them with you.

A single-vehicle crash at 8:55 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22, has claimed the life of an Acworth, Georgia, woman. Barbara Vassallo, 87, was killed when the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox in which she was a passenger left the roadway and struck several trees before overturning. Vassallo passed away from her injuries a short while later at a local hospital. The driver, Eugene Vassallo, 83, of Acworth was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries. The crash occurred on Alabama 22 near the 95-mile marker, approximately three miles west of Rockford. Nothing further is available as Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate.

Local groups teaming up for January trash walk By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

In order to help beautify Alexander City and the Lake Martin area, the Lake Martin Resource Association and the Young Professionals organization will be working together over the next few weeks in order to bring together volunteers for a trash

walk on Saturday, Jan. 27. Beginning at 8:30 a.m., any interested volunteers are invited to meet up at the plaza in front of Jake’s in order to receive all necessary supplies for the pick-up. “This is our fourth year of doing trash walks like this,” John Thompson with the LMRA said. “We scout out problem areas, then pull volunteers

together and hand out bags, pickers and vests. “Trash on the side of our roadways builds a poor image of our community. We are just a group of folks trying to reduce the amount of litter.” Once volunteers have been sent out to a problem area, Thompson said the volunteers will See TRASH • Page A3

File / The Outlook

A volunteer picks up trash along Highway 63 in a Trash Walk last January. Volunteers are needed for a walk scheduled for Jan. 27.

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Husband loses desire for wife after witnessing her overdose

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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

Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com

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Wednesday, December 27, 2017

The Outlook

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

DEAR ABBY: I have been married for three years to a woman who is very beautiful inside and out. (We have been together for six years.) Recently, I found out she is addicted to pain meds -- and two months ago she confided that she had gotten hooked on heroin. I set up an intervention to get her into rehab. But when the time came to go, she kept putting it off. She said she wanted to get high “one more time,” so I told her OK, as long as she did it at home, so I’d know she was safe. After she injected herself, she went limp, so I called 911 and got her into the hospital. It is now two months later, and she is back. I love her dearly, but I no longer desire to be intimate with her. How do I tell her I will always stand by her, but no longer want to be intimate? She’s younger and still has a strong sex drive. -- LOST THAT PART IN THE EAST DEAR LOST: The news

DEAR ABBY Advice

should be conveyed in the office of a licensed marriage and family therapist. While your sexual problem may result from the shock of seeing your wife nearly die in front of you, there may be more to it. You say she is “younger and STILL has a strong sex drive.” This suggests that you are older and your lack of desire might to some extent be ageor hormone-related. The two of you have a lot of talking to do about your feelings and your future. It would be better if it’s done with the help of a trained moderator. Also, if your wife was sharing needles, you both need to be tested for any diseases she may have contracted. DEAR ABBY: My parents

and my wife’s parents both live 20 minutes from us. Both sets of parents purposely moved to be close to us. The problem is both sets of parents tell people the few times we are together how often they see their grandkids -- which is simply not true. Mom talks as if she sees them multiple times a week, although she generally sees them less than once a month. She does watch my niece three days a week, but to hear her tell it, all her grandkids fall into that category. My wife’s parents see me, my wife and our two kids about twice a month, but also tell others it’s “all the time.” Then, when we do meet, they ignore the kids! I am bothered about it for two reasons: They are taking undue credit for “helping us out,” and second, I’m sick of having heard for the last 12 years how “lucky” my kids are to have such wonderful grandparents. It caused us to miss out on help from extended family because they thought

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

Submitted / The Outlook

Men’s Ministry of Jehovah-Jireh Ministries gives back The Men’s Ministry of Jehovah-Jireh Ministries on Hillabee Street have been working for weeks to collect money an d toys to help adopt a number of families in the area this holiday season. This year the group was able to sponsor 15 families or about 50 people. “It’s one of those things that always makes you feel good to see the look on the faces of those children when you give them a toy,” said Men’s Ministry Member Nigel Goggans. “We appreciate everyone who helped and were glad that we were able to reach out to more this year than ever before.”

The Outlook is published five times a week, Tuesday through Saturday mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, © 2011 Tallapoosa Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box Publishers, Inc. 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. Reproduction of any POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.

part of any issue requires written publisher permission.

How to Submit Obituaries

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

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my wife and I were already receiving so much. Is there a nice way to say to my parents/in-laws that the story they are selling is fiction? We do love them. All we would like is for them to help out the way they claim to. -- SICK OF THE FICTION DEAR SICK OF THE FICTION: I find it strange that both sets of in-laws would relocate to be close, and then not follow through on trying to BE close. I also don’t know why your parents would loudly take credit for the things they haven’t been doing. If you want to end the fiction, tell the extended family the truth and explain that you really do need their help and why. You should have done it years ago.

www.wrightsfuneralservice.com

Obituaries Michael Moore Funeral service for Mr. Michael Moore of Rockford, Alabama will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Wright’s Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in New Home Baptist Church Cemetery in Rockford, Alabama. Professional service provided by Wright’s Funeral Home.

Mrs. Shelvie Jean Beaton 1937 - 2017 Funeral Service for Mrs. Shelvie Jean Beaton, 80, of Bessemer, Alabama, will be Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 1:00 pm at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Pastor Scott Jordan will officiate. Burial will follow in the Providence Baptist Cemetery, Rockford, and Al. The family will receive friends on

Thursday, December 28, 2017 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at Radney Funeral Home. Mrs. Beaton passed away on Monday, December 25, 2017 at Oaks on Parkwood in Bessemer, Al. She was born on July 16, 1937 in Coosa County, Alabama to James Lester Gandy and Evie K. Gandy. She was a member of Hunter Street Baptist Church. Mrs. Beaton was a very loving wife, mother and grandmother and thought the world of all her family. She enjoyed spending time in Coosa County on the family land growing flowers and hunting arrowheads. During the time she was at the Oaks she participated in a beauty pageant and placed as third runner up. She is survived by her daughter, Angela

L. Lokey (Robert) of Bessemer; granddaughter, Jessica L. Mitchell (Mitch) of Alabaster; grandson, Gregory J. Tirado of Abernant; great-grandchild, Makayla S. Mitchell; sister, Janie A. Carder; sister-in-law, Irene Gandy and many precious nieces and nephews She was preceded in death by her husband and parents. The family will accept flowers or memorial contributions may be made to the Providence Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 2950 Coosa County Road 459, Rockford, Al, 35136. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.

Mr. James Vernon Campbell 1935 - 2017

Funeral Home. Rev. Tim Harris will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hillview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.

Funeral Service for Mr. James Vernon Campbell, 82, of Alexander City, will be Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Radney

Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Page A3

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

Murder and alcohol and drugs were sold, even though there was no business license associated with the property. A gathering Sunday night got out of hand and those inside had gotten into an altercation that spilled outside. Shots were fired and Heard was inside the building when she received a fatal injury. It was unclear where the others who were injured were during what some described as a “gunfight with at least 15 shots fired.” “We do not have a suspect in custody at this time, but we have

continued from page A1

some information and we have identified some people of interest that we are hoping to talk to in connection with the shooting,” Potts said. “We hope to have more to release on this soon.” Potts said that the Camp Hill Police Department has gotten assistance from the Dadeville Police Department, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation and the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department in the probe. Potts said the incident is a sign of the

mentality many young people share today. “It’s just a shame that you have something like this happen on Christmas – a woman shot and killed when she was inside – not involved in whatever started all this,” Potts said. “It just makes no sense. These young guys carry guns and think that makes them the baddest man on the planet or something. All it does is buy them a world of trouble. One person lost their life and before this is over more will see their lives Cliff Williams / The Outlook ruined. There is no call Police are still investigating a shooting that left one in Camp Hill dead on Christmas morning. for it at all.”

Retailers

continued from page A1

Donald Campbell / The Outlook

Employees at Carlisle’s work to rearrange some of the Christmas decorations and items on sale Tuesday afternoon.

Lisa Champion said. “So far, there have been no returns brought back to us today.” Since putting a number of Christmas decorations and other holiday-themed merchandise on sale a week ago, Champion said sales have remained fairly steady. She added that some customers have been asking if the price on the discounted Christmas decorations would drop

even further after the holidays. While this is not the case, customers would still be able to get good deals on many of the holiday items still in stock at the store. “We are planning on starting to put out some more of your everyday items within the next week or so,” Champion said. “We’ll also be bringing out some of our bridal items soon.”

Next door at Cloud Nine, only a few customers were in the store Tuesday afternoon, though co-owner Amy Hill said there had been a decent number of customers who came in shortly after opening Tuesday morning. “We have had a few returns that have come in so far today,” she said. “Tomorrow may be a bigger day though.” Hill also talked about

Trash spend time picking up all the trash they can find and bagging it. Once everything has been collected, some of the bags are hauled off to the nearest dumpster, while others will be left at the site to be picked up later. “We work with the city engineering department on our walks,” Thompson said. “The city will come by and get the bags left by the road on Monday.” While Thompson and others from both the LMRA and YP will be helping to guide some of the volunteers in the right direction during the trash walk, Thompson also said volunteers who know of a problem area were welcome to come by, check in and collect all necessary supplies, then report where they will be going to pick up trash at. Not only will this help those in charge keep track of where all volunteers will be during the trash walk, but will also help the city out, so that city workers will know exactly where to go in order to collect any bagged waste. Since starting the trash walks several years ago, Thompson said volunteers have shown up in varying numbers to help clean up the community. Based on such factors as the weather and where the locations in question are, he has seen as few as eight and as many as 60 volunteers take part in trash walks throughout the Lake Martin area. “We have a lot of bags and a lot of trash,” he said. “We always pick up a lot of trash, regardless of the number of volunteers we have show up.” Over the course of these trash walks, Thompson said he has heard a lot of different comments from the volunteers taking part, including those who

sales totals the store had seen during the holiday season. While she believed totals were down compared to the last few years, in part due to online sales, Cloud Nine still had a decent number of sales before Christmas, buoyed partially by the store’s own group of Internet purchases. Similar to Carlisle’s, Cloud Nine had much of the Christmas inventory marked down, while sales were also running on shoes and clothing throughout the store. “Our customers have been very pleased to see these sales,” Hill said. “We’re trying to make room for our spring stuff coming in January.” As the calendar prepares to flip over from 2017 to 2018, another Christmas season has entered the books, and sales continue to hold steady for local stores. Online retailers may have made things a bit more difficult, but local

continued from page A1

wonder why more don’t take part in trash walks, those who feel the public needs educated on how to properly dispose of their waste, as well as many who are happy to help clean up, taking pride in their neighborhood and community. “People are glad to volunteer and help out,” Thompson said. “They want to try and be more proactive.” In the weeks leading

up to the trash walk on Jan. 27, Thompson said he would be putting posters up on social media and working to try and bring in volunteers to help remove unsightly waste from roads throughout the city and area. “We’re reaching out to as many volunteers as we can,” he said. “There are always places to go. We need to try and stop getting so much trash on our roadways.”

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MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213

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EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed

Opinion

Our View

We want to I hear what you think

re you looking for a way to voice your opinion on the current events? Are you tired of only being able to air you opinion with friends? Why not try the public? The Outlook is looking for well thought out letters of opinion. It does not matter if anyone agrees with you. Get involved and make your opinion on issues known. We will even let you do that through the newspaper. What do you think about the way our city government is being run? How about the turnout of the most recent special election? How do you feel about Alabama electing Democrat Doug Jones? Do you have any praise or concerns regarding our country’s leadership or current administration? Do you have thoughts on how Tallapoosa County can attract more new businesses and industry that will provide jobs for our residents? What do you think about the new decals on Alexander City Police vehicles? What do you think about the most recent rulings by our city council? Have you been on the receiving end of a good deed and would like to give credit where credit is due? Do you have a bone to pick with any of the stories in this newspaper? If you have something to say about any of these questions, then the answer is a letter to the editor or a guest column. This newspaper’s editorial page is an open forum for our community and we encourage you to write us and make your opinion known. It’s free. If you need help writing, our editors will be happy to help you craft a letter. Our rules are simple: no cussin’, no libel, no slander. Basically, if you’d say it around the dinner table with your grandmother, it’s probably acceptable as a letter to the editor. So let’s get the conversation started. What’s on your mind? Write us at editor@ alexcityoutlook.com or Editor, The Alexander City Outlook, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 25011.

Know Your

Officials

T.C. Coley represents District 1, including half of Coley Creek, the Andrew Jackson subdivision, the southern part of Indian Hill, North Central Avenue, part of Pearson’s Chapel Road, the Northside community and portion of Spring Hill T.C. Coley community. His phone number is 256-212-9316. His address is 2316 North Central Avenue, Kellyton. Steve Robinson represents District 2, which includes the southern part of Alexander City, the Cedar Creek area, Ourtown and Willow Point. His phone number Steve Robinson is 256-654-0047. His address is 300 Heritage Drive Alexander City. John McKelvey represents District 3, which includes Jackson’s Gap, Hackneyville, New Site and Daviston. McKelvey currently serves as chairman. His phone number is 256-794-4405. His address is 1285 Freeman John McKelvey Road, Dadeville. Emma Jean Thweatt represents District 4, which includes Dadeville, Pace’s Point, northern Camp Hill, Buttston, Dudleyville and part of Eagle Creek. She can be reached at 8254207. Her address is 585 Brookwood Circle, Dadeville.

Emma Jean Thweatt

George Carleton Jr. represents District 5, which includes southern Camp Hill, Red Ridge, Walnut Hill, Union and Pleasant Ridge. His address is 630 Turner Road Road, Dadeville.

George Carleton Jr.

Wednesday,December 27, 2017

Right where I need to be

passed on the opportunity to be in Europe right now entertaining troops with my brothers, The GIs of Comedy. I had to decline two other trips earlier in the year to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait because of Lucy’s pregnancy. Although I enjoy being with troops, I have no regrets. I like to think I had and continue to have my priorities in order. I’m right where I need to be. For a nanosecond, I thought about going on this holiday tour. There’s nothing like being around troops for the holidays. Besides, Abigail is only a couple of months old, so I figured she wouldn’t remember anything anyway. I could use the money, too. Babies are expensive. Maybe on my next overseas tour, I can sell a kidney or something. I kid—kind of. Ironically, I haven’t seen but glimpses of her for the past week. I woke up last weekend a little under the weather. I wasn’t deathly ill or anything. I wasn’t even going to say anything about it, but then Lucy heard me cough a couple of times. That changed everything and rightfully so. As my frequent readers know, Abigail is a preemie. We had her two-month check-up last week. She’s putting on lots of weight and is becoming quite the chunky monkey, a precious one at that. She’s doing really well, and we want to keep it that way. Our pediatrician has been adamant about keeping her at home and away from any unnecessary risks that could cause her to contract Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) or the flu, which is an exceptionally strong strain this year. So, I’ve been staying out at the home place with the rest of our pack. I go there every day any way. Now, I’m just spend-

Outlook The

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page A4

JODY FULLER Columnist

ing the night. I’m right where I need to be. I’ve still been coming home every day to help the family or tend to any business. The grandparents used to call that “going to town.” I went to town on Tuesday to speak at the December Holiday Membership and Appreciation Meeting for EASHRM. That is the East Alabama Society for Human Resource Management for those of you not in the know. Everything went well, but as soon as it was over, I had to head on down to the VA in Tuskegee. Sometimes, I feel like that place is my home away from home. Now, since I’ve been staying at the home place, I reckon that it’s my home away from the home that is usually my home away from home. That not even factoring in my house. You got that? There will be a test later in the day. I didn’t have an appointment, so I just walked in. They were very busy, so I had to sit for a spell, but they were able to fit me in. I told them exactly why I was there, and they understood. They hooked me up with some antibiotics, cough medicine, and an inhaler, but I had to wait a bit longer for those prescriptions to be filled. Some of my favorite Christmases were being across the pond with my fellow troops. Christmas of 2003 will always be near the top of the list. I was in Iraq on my first tour. At that time, the mail took forever to get there, and there was no Amazon or anything like that. At least, I don’t

think there was. If there was, it wasn’t coming to Iraq. The camel express had yet to be implemented. Saddam Hussein had just been captured. We didn’t know what our future held. It was early in the war. We had no material gifts. We were brothers and sisters from all walks of life. All we had was each other, and that was enough. We had one heck of a meal that day, too. I’ll never forget it. As I waited on my meds to be filled, I looked around at the room filled with veterans from all walks of life. I even saw a young soldier that I served with in Iraq in 2010. It was so good to see him. As I was looking around, an older white man fell to the ground. Instantly, I jumped up to help, but I was on the far side of the room by myself. I likely wasn’t contagious but didn’t want to risk getting anyone else sick. Before I could take a step, five individuals from all walks of life had already sprung to their feet to offer their brother assistance. It was a beautiful thing. I have to go back again next week, so I guess, in a way, I am spending some of the holiday season with troops. They may not be down range right now, but most of them have been there and done that, and my hat is off to each of them. I get the best of both worlds. I’ll be with my baby girl and the rest of my family. I’m right where I need to be. Abigail may not remember anything, but I’ll cherish every memory. Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He can be reached at jody@ jodyfuller.com. For more information, please visit www.jodyfuller.com

Actually, diversity is a strength

owa Congressman Steve King, who revels in controversy, made some more when he tweeted “Diversity is not our strength.” Is this the case? To answer this, I research some of the best studies in political science, ironically cited by supporters and opponents of diversity. One of the best analysts on civic engagement, Robert Putnam (whose book I assign in my classes) made a finding that seems to challenge the notion that diversity is a positive force in America. “Harvard political scientist Robert Putnam -- famous for ‘Bowling Alone,’ his 2000 book on declining civic engagement -- has found that the greater the diversity in a community, the fewer people vote and the less they volunteer, the less they give to charity and work on community projects. In the most diverse communities, neighbors trust one another about half as much as they do in the most homogenous settings.” In fact, conservatives have been citing Putnam’s findings for quite some time. John Hawkins with Townhall. com does as much, adding the movie “World War Z” and Israel building a wall as a good idea, to keep the zombies out. “So instead of laughing off the idea that Israel might face a zombie invasion, Israelis realized there was merit to it and were prepared in time to protect the country,” Hawkins writes Anyone watching the film knows that Israel’s wall completely fails to save the country. A diverse team of scientists, by the way, have better results in stopping the zombies. For those that think that Putnam’s findings are about racial fighting, you would be wrong. “Putnam’s findings reject both theories. In more diverse communities, he says, there were neither great bonds formed across group lines nor heightened ethnic tensions,

JOHN TURES Columnist

but a general civic malaise. And in perhaps the most surprising result of all, levels of trust were not only lower between groups in more diverse settings, but even among members of the same group. ‘Diversity, at least in the short-term,’ he writes, ‘seems to bring out the turtle in all of us.” Critics of diversity only tend to see one type of variety: race and ethnicity. What they ignore is that there is a multiplicity of sources of diversity. Economists Matthew Kahn (UCLA) and Dora Costa (MIT) “documented higher desertion rates in the Civil War among Union Army soldiers serving in companies whose soldiers varied more by age, occupation, and birthplace,” writes Michael Jonas Acting Editor of CommonWealth Magazine. Ironically, conservatives like Hawkins also cite University of Michigan political scientist Scott Page. Again, reading his work provides a different perspective. Jonas writes “If ethnic diversity, at least in the short run, is a liability for social connectedness, a parallel line of emerging research suggests it can be a big asset when it comes to driving productivity and innovation. In high-skill workplace settings, says Scott Page, the University of Michigan political scientist, the different ways of thinking among people from different cultures can be a boon. Because they see the world and think about the world differently than you, that’s challenging, says Page, author of ‘The Difference: How the Power of Diversity Creates Better Groups, Firms, Schools, and Societies,’ Jonas writes. ‘But by hanging out with people different than

you, you’re likely to get more insights. Diverse teams tend to be more productive.’” That’s why America’s financial economy is headquartered in New York, not North Dakota, and Los Angeles is a finalist for the Olympics instead of South Dakota, and why the population of these homogenous communities like Montana is either shrinking or increasing at a decreasing rate. BBC Home Editor Mark Eaton cites the latest research on the subject, with detailed population maps. “It turns out that the positive effect of diversity is strongest among younger people and weakest among the oldest people actually becoming negative for people over 85. Segregation works the other way around the impact of a more segregated community is most negative for young people while, for those over 65, segregation is a positive….What this paper suggests is that where you have non-segregated and relatively prosperous communities, diversity is likely to improve community life, not damage it,” Eaton writes. It is worth noting that Representative King had in mind citing a different source. He referenced Hungarian Dictator Viktor Orban, who has not only spoken out against “mixing cultures” but has also criticized and dismantled democracy in his country (and received support from David Duke on that stand). It’s worth noting that those seeking an alternative to diversity, like Professor James Q. Wilson, support “authoritative leaders and discipline” instead of attempting to generate some degree of tolerance. That’s because the antithesis of diversity is conformity. John A. Tures is a professor of political science at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Ga. He can be reached at jtures@ lagrange.edu. His Twitter account is JohnTures2.

Today’s

Quote

“There is no safety. Only varying degrees of risk.” —Lois McMaster Bujold

Today’s

Scripture

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” —Luke 2:14

alexcityoutlook.com

Daily Poll Tuesday Question: Have you decided on a New Year’s Resolution for 2018?

No — 85%, 33 votes Yes — 15%, 6 votes

Wednesday’s question: Do you have plans for New Years Eve and/or Day?

To participate in this daily poll, log on each day to www.alexcityoutlook.com and vote. Find out the vote totals in the next edition of The Outlook and see if your vote swayed the results.

Our

Mission

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

How to

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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CommunityCalendar

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/.

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The Dadeville Public Library recently wrapped up its food drive to collect items for the Tallapoosa Christian Crisis Center. The library took donations through last Wednesday before transporting the collected goods to the center Thursday, just in time for the Christmas holiday.

Saturday, December 30

FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have Family Game Night Bingo from 5:00 until 8:00 Saturday, Dec. 30. There will be hot dogs, pizza, chips, and soft drinks.

Wednesday, January 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

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

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

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

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 be on Tuesdays through Feb. 20 from 6:30 Darrell Brooks, Owner p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Dadeville Recreation Center. Cost is $45 for Cutting •Edging adults and $35 for students Call the Weed Eating •Mulch Extension Office at 256-825-1050 and the deadline for registration is Jan. 11. Weed Control 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 the basics. The advanced class is aimed at anyone wanting to improve their skill set and/or enhance their employment 256.267.0518 opportunities. The basic classes will

Lawn Care

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.

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 Helping Children Learn and Grow

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

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

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-vietnam-veterans-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 334-887-2120.

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 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.

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 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.

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Wednesday, December 27, 2017

The Outlook

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES Outlook readers share some of their precious memories from Christmas 2017

Submitted / The Outlook

Above, Santa brought Cheyenne Jordan, 10, and Chloe Pritchard, 3, a go cart for Christmas! Below, Shamese Buckner, left, submitted this picture of Ensley, Emmie and Eric with Santa and Mrs. Claus and their helper.

Our readers generously shared some of their Christmas photos with us. Check these out: Clockwise from top left, Chelsea Prince, 3, with her new doll, Brayden Jordan, 4, who got a trip to Disney World, Clyde and Mackenzie Gulledge, Brodie Turner, 7, with his Crimson Tide football, Sawyer Turner with his Alabama jersey, Aubrey Horton, 15 months in her new ride, Jet Turner starts Christmas with a cup of hot chocolate, Savannah Cooksey, 3, with her new doll, John Luke Hunt on Christmas Eve, Benjamin Albert Metcalf as a Christmas Elf, Raelynn Bowen, 2, takes a ride on her new scooter, Kelli Mann, Chris Mann, Tommy Jo (Santa), Thomas Rowan, Jackson Beckman and Jarrett Beckman, Christina Strickland sumbitted this picture of Brayden all excited about his gift while Connor opens his gift, Adaline Tucker poses for a picture on her first Christmas and Waylon Milam, age 4, playing with his toys from Santa.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

The Outlook

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PICTURE-PERFECT MOMENTS Residents share their Christmas snapshots with the Outlook via social media

Submitted / The Outlook

Surprise! Talk about a great expression. Check out Anna Claire Askew, 6, above who was excited about her gifts. Below, Sisters Emme and Lily Jackson show cousin Hudson Jackson what mistletoe is for.

Clockwise from top left, Bryli smith age 5 with one of her Christmas presents, Lori Forbus, Brittney and Tyler Gardner, Elijah Smith got a big surprise when he opened one of his Christmas gifts., Hudson Jackson, son of Daniel and Amanda Jackson, on his first Christmas morning. Clara Oliver, age 3, and her new gum ball machine, Olivia Smith, age 2, with her new Minnie Mouse bike, Jensen Hagan, 13 months, gets some quality time with Santa, 18-month old Marley Mask poses for a picture, Johnny Forbus received a tag for this 1950’s Farmall tractor, Emma Cole McCants enjoying the box more than what was in the box, Hudson Smith all suited up and ready to go thanks to Santa, Konner, 7, and Caleb, 4, Hartzog, Kaleigh Phillips, age 4 and you have to love the contrasting expressions on the faces of Harleigh, age 3, Ansleigh, age 7, and Khloe the dog Waldrop in the cute snapshot in front of the tree..

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Wednesday, December 27, 2017

The Outlook

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

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Wednesday, December 27, 2017

www.alexcityoutlook.com

LUKE ROBINSON Columnist

Answers to some burning college football questions

his Christmas, I am giving you something you are gonna (exaggerated wink) really like. I am going to bequeath to you the gift… of knowledge. Yep, I am going to answer questions you didn’t even know to ask! (It should be noted here this gift was bought on clearance and is nonrefundable or exchangeable.) Question: Luke, how are the College Football Playoffs going to shake out? Luke’s answer: A stumper right out of the gate. I like it. I think the college football world deserves to see any of three matchups that would provide fantastic storylines: Alabama against Georgia because of the SEC versus SEC angle; Clemson against Georgia due to proximity and the fact that these are very old rivals have no love lost; Alabama against Oklahoma because that game would be billed as the player everyone loves to hate (Baker Mayfield) versus the coach everyone loves to hate (Nick Saban). All that said, I am leaning to predicting Clemson taking on Oklahoma. Not a bad game in its own right, but the least attractive option of them all in my opinion. Question: Will Kerryon Johnson turn pro after the bowl game? Luke’s answer: Everything about Kerryon’s situation points to “yes.” He’s a running back and running backs generally have definitive shelf lives. His injury history suggests he’s more apt to get hurt next year rather than survive unscathed and I am not sure his stock would be too much higher even if returned and lead AU to glory. However, Johnson’s looming decision has a “Peyton Manning” feeling to it. Meaning, it looks like he will go pro only to decide at the last minute to return because of his love for the school. Auburn will lose its share of underclassmen, but my guess is Kerryon is not one of them. Question: Overall, how will the SEC do in bowl games? Luke’s answer: A-hem, let me clear my throat to use my best “Larry the Cable Guy” voice … “Not too goooood.” I just don’t like a lot of these matchups for our favorite conference. Many of the SEC schools are breaking in new quarterbacks, new coaches or are playing teams with more to gain. How does 3-6 sound? Unfortunately, I think it sounds “correct.” Question: Is Santa Claus real? Luke’s answer: Santa Claus is always real as long as you believe in your heart. Also, according to my American Express statement, yes. Yes, he is very real. I hope he also takes a two-party, out-of-state, bad check when the payment is due. Question: What did kids eat before someone invented chicken fingers? Luke’s answer: I know, right?! Seriously. Are chicken fingers a literal food group now? Were they even popular when we were growing up? I honestly don’t remember. I know this much though: my children from Ohio will be here in town all week. They will beg, plead and whine to go to the Mexican restaurant. When we get there, they will order chicken fingers. My children eat chicken fingers at a rate that has Colonel Sanders blushing. You want a Christmas Miracle? Let me go to just one dining establishment this week that doesn’t have my kids asking for “ranch.” Merry belated Christmas everyone! Happy early new year too! Luke Robinson is a regular columnist and contributor to Lake Martin Living and BMetro.

SLAM FEST BEGINS

BRHS, Coosa start holiday tournaments today By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

After a few days off for the Christmas holidays, Benjamin Russell and Central Coosa’s boys basketball teams are hitting the courts again today for a pair of area holiday tournaments. The Wildcats are hosting their annual BRHS Slam Fest featuring seven teams, while the Cougars will play in the Coosa River Classic, a round-robin tourney hosted by Childersburg. “This tournament is an opportunity to play some games, have fun and work on those things that we’ve not been doing that well this season,” Benjamin Russell coach Lewis Daniel said. “Hopefully when we come out of the tournament, we can go into the second half of the season and get ready for area play. That’s when we really need to play big.” Dadeville will not play at BRHS this week, as it had to pull out at the last minute, so the six other teams featured will be Stanhope Elmore, Beauregard, Marbury Alma Bryant, Loachapoka and Russell County. The Wildcats will start with Russell County today at 6 p.m. “They are a pretty aggressive basketball team; they play extremely fast and have some talented athletes,” Lewis said. “They’ll present some challenges on the boards because they do a really good job rebounding. We’re trying to get to that point, so to get better you have to play better teams.” The winner will face either Alma Bryant or Loachapoka at

SPORTS CALENDAR Wednesday, Dec. 27 High school boys basketball BRHS Slam Fest Game 1: Stanhope Elmore vs. Beauregard, 2 p.m. Game 3: Alma Bryant vs. Loachapoka, 4 p.m. Game 4: Russell County vs. Benjamin Russell, 6 p.m. Other games Central Coosa vs. Talladega County Central in Coosa River Classic at Childersburg, 5:30 p.m.

Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook

Benjamin Russell’s Alex Doss (5) competes with Central Coosa’s Noel Jones for a rebound earlier this season. Both the Wildcats and the Cougars will begin their holiday tournaments today.

6 p.m. Thursday, while the loser drops to the consolation bracket and will play at 2 p.m. Four of the teams are new to the Slam Fest, so Lewis is hoping it’ll be a good opportunity to face different competition. “They’re all playing good basketball,” he said. “Marbury plays well, Beauregard has good athletes in their program, so just in general, when I look at this tournament and the teams that are involved, I think you’ll see a lot of talent in this area basketball-wise.” Much like the Wildcats, Central Coosa will also be looking to make some

improvements and will face a wide variety of teams. The Cougars play Talladega County Central today at 5:30 p.m., then Hampton (Georgia) Thursday and host Tigers on Friday. “I think it’s good for guys to play all different types of teams because you never know what types of teams you’ll be matched up with when it comes down to regional and state competition,” Cougar coach Jeremy Freeman said. “You always want to have a reference point. If you see a team that’s very similar, that’s easier to describe for players in preparation later.” Central Coosa is bringing a

Thursday, Dec. 28 High school boys basketball BRHS Slam Fest Game 6: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 2 p.m. Game 7: Game 1 winner vs. Marbury, 4 p.m. Game 8: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6 p.m. Other games Central Coosa vs. Hampton (Georgia) in Coosa River Classic at Childersburg, 5:30 High school wrestling Benjamin Russell at Regional Duals in Oxford, 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29 High school boys basketball BRHS Slam Fest Game 10: Game 7 loser vs. Game 8 loser, noon Game 11: Consolation final: Game 1 loser vs. Game 6 loser, 2 p.m. Game 12: Championship, 4 p.m. Other games Central Coosa vs. Childersburg in Coosa River Classic at Childersburg, 4 p.m. High school wrestling Benjamin Russell at Wetumpka tournament, TBA

five-game win streak into the tournament, but knows there’s still work to be done.

Carp species a potential threat to Alabama waterways By DAVID RAINER Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources

Unwanted guests can sometimes show up during the holiday season, but they almost always go home at some point. Unfortunately, the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division got word recently an unwanted fish species has invaded Alabama waters, and Fisheries Section Chief Nick Nichols is afraid the silver carp wants to make the Tennessee River home. If you’ve spent any time on the internet checking out Facebook or YouTube videos, it’s likely you’ve encountered the shocking videos of the silver carp jumping like crazy, slamming into boats and passengers. Some people in those videos try to make dealing with this invasive species a game, but Nichols said nothing about silver carp is a game. “They’re like the feral hogs of the water,” Nichols said. “At least, silver carp are as big a threat.” In the same way feral hogs outcompete native wildlife for food and habitat resources, when silver carp become established in an area, they interrupt the natural food chain and native species end up devastated. Nichols said four species of carp, known as Asian carp, have been released in the U.S. Those species include silver carp, bighead carp, grass carp (white amur) and black carp. Of those, the silver carp and black carp are believed to be the greatest immediate threats to Alabama’s aquatic resources. Anglers and bowfishermen can report sightings, but gillnetting is the only way to catch any significant number of carp. Many people with ponds or lakes are familiar with grass carp, which were introduced into the U.S. in the 1960s to control aquatic vegetation. Nichols said there is no

Submitted / USFWS

Silver carp, which are known for their tendency to jump when disturbed, have been found in increasing numbers in Pickwick Lake in northwest Alabama.

evidence to date that grass carp have adversely impacted aquatic ecosystems in Alabama waters. The bighead carp came to the states in the 1970s. The bighead is a filter feeder that collects primarily zooplankton for sustenance. Nichols said bighead can weigh 80 pounds or more. The black carp could prove to be a potentially devastating invasive species because of its food preferences, Nichols said. “The black carp is a species that very much worries us,” he said. “This species looks very much like a grass carp. They were accidentally brought into the country with loads of grass carp because they look so much alike. The problem is that black carp feed almost exclusively on snails and mollusks. “If you look at Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky, we’re states with a huge biodiversity of aquatic mollusks, both snails and mussels. Some of these are species of conservation concern. The big concern for us, if the black carp become established in some of our systems, is that they could have a big impact on these mollusks that are already in trouble.” Now we get to the worst news regarding these non-native

carp species. “The species that has everybody jumping, no pun intended, is the silver carp,” Nichols said. “If you Google silver carp, you will see images and videos of these clouds of jumping fish. “The silver carp is also a filter feeder. It filters not only zooplankton but also phytoplankton, the microscopic plants. So they’re feeding right at the bottom of the food chain. By doing so, they’re competing with every other fish species in that body of water for the food supply.” Another problem with silver carp is they don’t disperse but stay in large schools, which can overwhelm some systems. “Once the silver carp establish a heavy population in an area, they literally eat themselves out of house and home,” Nichols said. “There won’t be anything left but silver carp.” Because of the threat, Alabama has joined forces with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to work collectively on mitigating the spread of silver carp. A multiple-state group called the Mississippi Interstate

Cooperative Resources Association (MICRA) has been formed by the 28 states in the Mississippi basin. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Service, Tennessee Valley Authority, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and two Native American tribes are also members of the coalition. With federal funding, Tennessee Tech was tasked with monitoring numerous lakes, including Pickwick, for silver carp. One of the goals is to catch silver carp and insert sonic tags to allow the tracking of the fish movements. In November, WFF Fisheries biologist Keith Floyd was with the researchers from Tennessee Tech in Bear Creek on Pickwick when they made a disturbing discovery. In the six net-sets, 75 silver carp were caught. “That’s a little scary,” Nichols said. “There’s not much to stop them from moving upstream. Typically, they will go through the locks.” Nichols said several different methods are being evaluated in deterring the migration of silver carp, including electronic barriers and large hydrophones to scare the fish away from the locks. Although these methods are experimental, Nichols hopes these sonic devices will be installed below Barkley Dam and Pickwick Dam in the next couple of years. Nichols said it may be up to Mother Nature to limit the spread of silver carp, which require tributary systems to successfully spawn. “The fish have to reach large enough numbers to have a successful spawn,” he said. “Also, the tributaries that flow into the systems are critical for a successful spawn. If they move up the Tennessee River with these steep tributaries, they might not get off a successful spawn in those areas. If we’re lucky, these silver carp in Pickwick will die of old age before they can get off a big spawn.”

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Wednesday, December 27, 2017

2017 ASWA ALL-STATE FOOTBALL TEAM CLASS 6A FIRST TEAM OFFENSE QB: Bo Nix, Pinson Valley, Jr., 6-1, 190 RB: Armoni Goodwin, Florence, Fr., 5-8, 171 RB: Tyetus Lindsey, Oxford, Jr., 5-5, 150 RB: Asa Martin, Austin, Sr., 6-1, 205 WR: LiAllen Dailey, Pinson Valley, Sr., 6-3, 185 WR: Cadarrius Thompson, Florence, Jr., 6-3, 176 WR: Seth Williams, Paul Bryant, Sr., 6-3, 212 OL: Jake Andrews, Stanhope Elmore, Sr., 6-3, 310 OL: Grant Betts, Spanish Fort, Sr., 6-4, 275 OL: Marcus Jenkins, Park Crossing, Sr., 6-3, 330 OL: Marquice Robinson, Austin, Sr., 6-4, 315 OL: Clay Webb, Oxford, Jr., 6-3, 310 K: Evan McPherson, Fort Payne, Sr., 6-0, 170 FIRST TEAM DEFENSE DB: C.D. Daniels, Homewood, Sr., 6-3, 180 DB: Justin Lewis, Opelika, Sr., 6-0, 170 DB: Reddy Steward, Austin, Jr. 5-11, 180 DB: Deshazio Williams, Pinson Valley, So., 5-10, 170 LB: Jacquez Jones, HillcrestTuscaloosa, Sr., 6-1, 230 LB: Josh Marsh, Decatur, Sr., 6-3, 215 LB: Brett Staples, Pell City, So., 6-1, 190 LB: Brody Syer, Oxford, Sr., 6-1, 195 DL: D.J. Dale, Clay-Chalkville, Jr., 6-2, 330 DL: Marese McBride, Daphne, Sr., 6-3, 250 DL: Desmond Scott, Pinson Valley, Sr., 6-0, 200 DL: Alfred Thomas, Sidney Lanier, Sr., 6-3, 275 P: Jay Bramblett, HillcrestTuscaloosa, Jr., 6-2, 165 Athlete: Kris Abrams-Draine, Spanish Fort, So., 6-1, 170; Dilan Henderson, Pinson Valley, Sr., 6-1, 175; JD Martin, Wetumpka, Jr., 6-1, 190; Cam Taylor, Park Crossing, Sr., 6-0, 205 SECOND TEAM OFFENSE QB: Desmond Trotter, Shades Valley, Sr., 6-4, 190 RB: Carlos Davis, Muscle Shoals, Sr., 5-10, 205 RB: Kavosiey Smoke, Wetumpka, Sr., 6-0, 217 RB: Roydell Williams, Hueytown, So., 5-10, 195 WR: Roderick McCloud, ClayChalkville, Sr., 6-0, 180 WR: Cameron McKinney, Carver-Birmingham, Sr., 6-2, 180 WR: KeiAndre Sanders, Shades Valley, Jr., 5-10, 175 OL: Edward Collins, Ramsay, Sr., 6-6, 3055 OL: James Dawson, Opelika, So., 6-0, 270 OL: Lonnie Hollman, Pinson Valley, Sr., 6-2, 270 OL: Tyler Nunnelley, Cullman, Sr., 6-3, 290 OL: Tavien White, Wetumpka, Sr., 5-9, 270 K: Matthew Quinn, Spanish Fort, Jr., 5-11, 150 SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DB: Randale Hinton, Saraland, Sr., 6-0, 180 DB: Eric James, Dothan, Jr., 6-0, 161 DB: De’marquis Russell, Carver-Montgomery, Sr., 5-10, 170 DB: Jordan Swain, Oxford, Sr., 5-10, 192 LB: Colton Adams, Wetumpka, Jr., 5-10, 220 LB: Jackson Bratton, Muscle Shoals, So., 6-1, 215 LB: Perry Kirby, Athens, Sr., 5-11, 160 LB: Terry Perry, Shades Valley, Sr., 6-1, 230 DL: Rico Bozeman, Wetumpka, Sr., 6-2, 215 DL: Albany Casey, Baldwin Co., So., 6-3, 220 DL: Cortlin Martin, Blount, Jr., 6-2, 245 DL: K.J. Stokes, Stanhope Elmore, Sr., 6-4, 230 P: Sergio Alverez, Pell City, Sr., 5-11, 215 Athlete: Cagan Campbell, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Sr., 5-10, 165; Conner Howell, Gardendale, Sr., 6-0, 180; Antonio Robinson, Austin, Sr., 6-0, 210; AJ Toney, JacksonOlin, Jr., 5-7, 17 HONORABLE MENTION QB: James Foster, Sidney Lanier, Sr.; Jack Samsel, Spanish Fort, Sr. RB: Dwan James, LeFlore, Sr.; Uziah McDaniels, Park Crossing, Sr. WR: Cameron Morson, Decatur, Jr.; Justin Stuckey, Helena, Sr. OL: Kannon Biggs, Athens, Jr.; Nate Cooper, Dothan, So. K: Greg Blue, Pelham, Jr.; Diego Guajardo, Daphne, Jr. DB: Braxton Knight, Florence, Sr.; Jaylin Mack, ClayChalkville, Jr. LB: D’Markus Davis, ClayChalkville, Sr.; La’Dedric Jackson, Sidney Lanier, Sr. DL: Jack Cushman, Daphne, Sr.; Landon Perry, Paul Bryant, Sr. P: Nathan Cobb, Florence, Sr.; Joseph Molstead, Homewood, Sr. ATH: Kyle Cass, Blount, Sr.; George Obiyor, Hazel Green, Sr. COACH OF THE YEAR: Tim Perry, Wetumpka CLASS 4A FIRST TEAM OFFENSE QB: Tucker Brown, Wilson, Sr., 6-0, 170 RB: Caleb Danner, Dora, Sr., 6-1, 190 RB: Darrian Meads, Hokes Bluff, So., 5-10, 205 RB: Symon Smith, UMSWright, So., 5-5, 143 WR: Bridges Anderson Jr., Andalusia, Sr., 6-3, 180 WR: TK Kenebrew, Childersburg, Sr., 6-2, 185 WR: Darius Nalls, Fayette Co., Sr., 6-2, 185 OL: Jordan Brooks, Saks, Sr., 6-2, 290 OL: Nick Canfield, Rogers, Jr., 6-2, 252 OL: Luke Kynard, Thomasville, Sr., 6-1, 275 OL: Hunter Middleton, UMSWright, Jr., 6-2, 237 OL: Tristan Nichols, Fayette Co., Sr., 5-10, 210 K: Preston Harvey,

IV Drug Use & HIV IV Drug use puts you at high risk for getting HIV. Never share needles or works. Clean needles or works in Clorox bleach. Or go to a needle exchange program 256-234-4894. Get tested for HIV at least once per year. Call 256-234-4894 for help locating treatment.

LIGHTHOUSE OF TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

A REFUGE FOR THE HOMELESS

ADOPTION IS THE BEST OPTION.

Itty Bitty

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Horseshoe Bend’s Parker Branch was the only local selected to the ASWA All-State Team. He was named a Class 2A First Team linebacker.

Jacksonville, Sr., 6-3, 190 FIRST TEAM DEFENSE DB: Amarea Abney, Saks, Sr., 5-11, 165 DB: Tyren Dupree, Cherokee Co., Sr., 6-2, 205 DB: Kolbi Fuqua, Cordova, Sr., 6-3, 200 DB: T.R. Robertson, St. James, Sr., 6-3, 180 LB: Marshall Clark, Munford, Sr., 5-11, 185 LB: Russ Myers, UMS-Wright, Sr., 6-0, 200 LB: Riley Russell, Cherokee Co., Sr., 6-1, 195 LB: Caleb Storie, Rogers, Sr., 6-0, 215 DL: Jaylin Brackett, Madison Acad., Sr., 5-10, 240 DL: Jonah Danley, Rogers, Sr., 6-0, 195 DL: DeAndre Freeman, Escambia Co., Jr., 6-1, 187 DL: Marreo Thomas, Saks, Jr., 5-10, 270 P: Reece Solar, Alabama Chr., Jr., 6-2, 200 Athlete: Zay Britt, Munford, So., 5-9, 165; Trent CochranGill, Tallassee, Jr., 5-9, 175; Matthew Flint, Madison Co., Sr., 6-0, 215; Sam Kimel, Randolph, Sr., 5-11, 170 SECOND TEAM OFFENSE QB: Ethan Wilson, Andalusia, Sr., 6-2, 195 RB: Tony Amerson, St. James, Jr., 5-11, 215 RB: Macey Carr, Jacksonville, Sr., 6-1, 185 RB: John Robertson, Northside, Sr., 6-0, 205 WR: Tyler Greene, Madison Acad., Sr., 6-1, 160 WR: Michael Parker, Westminster Chr., Sr., 6-6, 236 WR: Braylon Washington, Thomasville, Jr., 6-1, 160 OL: Jake Busch, Hokes Bluff, Jr., 6-2, 255 OL: Dalton Elam, Wilson, Sr., 6-5, 270 OL: Houston Hamilton, St. James, Sr., 5-11, 260 OL: Donjea Hutchins, North Jackson, Sr., 6-0, 320 OL: Dawson Wells, Saks, Sr., 6-0, 205 K: Sean Dorney, Madison Acad., Sr., 5-10, 220 SECOND TEAM DEFENSE DB: Chase Bright, Sardis, Sr., 6-2, 180 DB: Cole Crawford, Northside, Sr., 6-0, 205 DB: Ashton Gulledge, Hokes Bluff, So., 5-10, 170 DB: Deion Pickens, Satsuma, Jr., 5-7, 165 LB: Jalon Atkins, Thomasville, Sr., 6-0, 185 LB: Kaynan Mays, Saks, Sr., 6-2, 195 LB: Braxton Ragland, Leeds, Jr., 5-11, 180 LB: Levi Taliaferro, Hokes Bluff, Sr., 5-9, 190 DL: Tristen Holcomb, Sardis, Jr., 6-3, 245 DL: CJ Person, Montgomery Catholic, Jr., 6-2, 290 DL: Chance Thompson, Dora, Sr., 5-10, 195 DL: Grant Wisdom, Deshler, So., 6-0, 245 P: Landon Johnson, Hokes Bluff, Sr., 6-2, 195 Athlete: Erin Heard, Bibb Co., Sr., 6-0, 185; Cam Horne, Dale Co., Sr., 5-9, 170; Avery Moates, Wilson, Sr., 6-2, 165; Torrance Pollard, Leeds, Sr., 5-9, 170 HONORABLE MENTION QB: LaDerrick Bell, Saks, Sr.; Chance Stevenson, Fayette Co., Sr. RB: Johnathon Cobb, Saks, Jr.; Roosevelt Weaver III, Andalusia, Jr. WR: Kalvin Levett, Tallassee, Jr.; Cal Taylor, Haleyville, Sr. OL: Luke Craig, Montgomery Catholic, Sr.; Braydon Lacey, Sardis, Sr. K: Greg Dawkins, Leeds, Sr.; Jackson Spradlin, Dora, Sr. DB: Cade Meyer, Rogers, Sr.; Levon Fletcher, Randolph, Sr. LB: Caden Best, Westminster Chr., Jr.; Josh Glass, Jacksonville, Sr. DL: Devonte Green, Leeds, Jr.; Patrick Lovelace, W.S. Neal, Sr. P: Dylan Campbell, Munford, Sr.; Addison Powell, Thomasville, Sr.

ATH: Steven Moon, Satsuma, Sr. COACH OF THE YEAR: Bart Lockhart, Dora CLASS 3A FIRST TEAM OFFENSE QB: Ryan Nettles, HillcrestEvergreen, Jr., 6-4, 185 RB: Isaac Huguley, West Morgan, Sr., 5-6, 160 RB: Austin Kinsey, Clarke Co., Sr., 6-2, 220 RB: Lee Stanley, Piedmont, Sr., 5-9, 185 WR: Joshua Jackson, HillcrestEvergreen, Sr., 6-1, 200 WR: Cole Littleton, J.B. Pennington, Jr., 6-1, 175 WR: Nick Moody, Oakman, Sr., 6-0, 195 OL: Riley Benavides, Weaver, Sr., 6-3, 295 OL: Jac Cox, Clarke Co., Sr., 6-2, 265 OL: Austin Guyse, West Morgan, Sr., 6-3, 290 OL: Mario Locke, Mobile Chr., Sr., 6-0, 250 OL: Nick Pounders, Gordo, Sr., 6-2, 215 K: Matthew Morgan, T.R. Miller, So., 5-2, 127 FIRST TEAM DEFENSE DB: Auston Brown, West Morgan, Sr., 6-0, 160 DB: Keith Gallmon, Mobile Chr., Sr., 6-0, 191 DB: Javon Ivory, Clarke Co., Jr., 6-2, 180 DB: Rayshawn Reynolds, Pike Co., So., 5-10, 175 LB: Alex Atkins, Carbon Hill, So., 5-10, 160 LB: Ethan Hearn, Mobile Chr., Jr., 6-0, 196 LB: Drew Rogers, Locust Fork, Sr., 6-1, 225 LB: Ja’len Sims, Fultondale, Jr., 6-2, 220 DL: Logan Beadles, Piedmont, Sr., 6-3, 300 DL: Dalton Beck, American Chr., Sr., 6-2, 230 DL: Andres Fox, Mobile Chr., Sr., 6-5, 243 DL: Hunter Mosley, Lexington, Sr., 6-3, 225 P: Henry Beckett, Houston Acad., Jr., 6-0, 155 Athlete: Noah Allison, J.B. Pennington, Jr., 6-1, 185; Kobe Bradley, Hillcrest-Evergreen, Sr., 5-8, 147; Jayson Jones, Fultondale, So., 5-10, 165; Cardavion Myers, Piedmont, Sr., 6-0, 170 SECOND TEAM OFFENSE QB: KaRon Coleman Jr., Greene Co., Jr., 6-1, 175 RB: Will Foreman, Clarke Co., Sr., 5-10, 190 RB: Aaron Knight, Randolph Co., Jr., 5-11, 180 RB: Keefe White, Montgomery Acad., Sr., 5-11, 200 WR: Jahkil Edwards, Greene Co., Sr., 5-8, 165 WR: Sam Ladner, Mobile Chr., Sr., 5-11, 176 WR: Dan Parker, American Chr., So., 6-0, 168 OL: Tristn Bailey, Wicksburg, Sr., 6-1, 270 OL: Mason Greene, American Chr., Sr., 6-3, 260 OL: Chris Harris, Midfield, Sr., 6-0, 260 OL: Malcom Morgan, Locust Fork, So., 6-4, 280 OL: Sean Watson, J.B. Pennington, Jr., 6-4, 295 K: Andray Pope, HillcrestEvergreen, So., 6-1, 200 SECOND TEAM DEFENSE DB: C.J. Hall, Oakman, Sr., 6-0, 150 DB: Keenan Isaac, Midfield, Sr., 6-3, 180 DB: Spurlin Kelley, Opp, Sr., 5-11, 170

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ARMSTRONG-HOLLEY

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DB: Cameron Pettus, Lauderdale Co., Sr., 6-0, 175 LB: Luke Cassity, J.B. Pennington, Jr., 5-10, 200 LB: Tyler Ellenburg, Wicksburg, Sr., 5-11, 190 LB: Collin Herring, Gordo, Sr., 5-10, 225 LB: Jacob Wooten, Plainview, Sr., 6-2, 215 DL: Richard Bledsoe, Randolph Co., Sr., 6-2, 310 DL: Jamari Reeves, Greene Co., Sr., 6-3, 270 DL: Matthew Thornton, Piedmont, Jr., 6-2, 255 DL: Isaiah Woods, Weaver, Jr., 6-0, 240 P: Jonathan Grisham, Montevallo, Sr., 5-10, 140 Athlete: Chance Bates, Colbert Co., Sr., 6-0, 235; Dequan Johnson, Flomaton, So., 6-1, 170; London Knight, Weaver, Sr., 6-1, 172; Reggie Thompson, Opp, Sr., 6-0, 190 HONORABLE MENTION QB: Jon Avery, Oakman, Sr.; Gabe Peluso, West Morgan, Sr. RB: Shawn Bowden, Wicksburg, Sr.; Jahzarian Lampley, Pike Co., Sr. WR: Maurice Gray, West Morgan, Sr.; Carson McGinnis, Carbon Hill, Jr. OL: Cain Phifer, Colbert Heights, Sr.; Daris Reed, Opp, Sr. DB: Kaedon Jenkins, Piedmont, Jr.; Brandon Rudolph, Hillcrest-Evergreen, Sr. LB: Tyler Olds, Montevallo, Jr.; Quentin Morris, Clarke Co., Sr. DL: Jeremy Dees, HillcrestEvergreen, Jr.; James Pratt, Colbert Heights, Sr. P: David Mejia, Plainview, Jr. ATH: Kyler Chaney, Holly Pond, So.; Parker Davis, American Chr., Sr. COACH OF THE YEAR: Taylor Leathers, Colbert Heights CLASS 2A FIRST TEAM OFFENSE QB: Kristian Story, Lanett, So., 6-2, 205 RB: Payton Anderson, Fyffe, Jr., 6-1, 200 RB: Kelston Fikes, Leroy, Fr., 5-9, 170 RB: Robert Houston, LaFayette, Sr., 5-7, 182 WR: David Baldwin, CentralHayneville, Sr., 5-9, 175 WR: Zavien Kelley, Vincent, Sr., 5-11, 176 WR: Matt Sherrill, Hatton, Sr., 6-0, 170 OL: Tyler Harris, Luverne, Sr., 6-2, 265 OL: John Karr, Leroy, Sr., 6-2, 220 OL: Cole Lyles, Fyffe, Sr., 6-4, 310 OL: Matthews Spencer, Ariton, Jr., 6-0, 290 OL: James Aaron Tranham, Sulligent, Sr., 5-11, 260 K: Dawson Hamlin, Goshen, Sr., 6-4, 175 FIRST TEAM DEFENSE DB: JaQuavion Boston-Gaines, LaFayette, Jr., 5-9, 150 DB: Trikweze Bridges, Lanett, Jr., 6-3, 175 DB: Ellian Harris, Luverne, Jr., 5-10, 175 DB: Jaquan Kincey, Abbeville, Jr., 5-10, 163 LB: Parker Branch, Horseshoe Bend, Sr., 5-9, 170 LB: Chase Cardwell, New Brockton, Sr., 6-1, 212 LB: Court Coley, Westbrook Chr., Sr., 6-2, 215 LB: Andrew Kelley, Winston Co., Sr., 5-11, 190 DL: Avery Bishop, Aliceville,

Sr., 6-5, 215 DL: Lajareon Bryant, LaFayette, Jr., 6-0, 235 DL: Baraskious Dowdell, Lanett, Sr., 6-2, 240 DL: D’terrion Glaze, Lanett, Jr., 6-0, 195 P: Cooper Dean, J.U. Blacksher, Sr., 5-11, 180 Athlete: Aaron Benefield, Ranburne, Sr., 5-10, 215; Jermaine Brown, St. Luke’s, Jr., 5-9, 150; Jaron Scott, Sulligent, Sr., 6-2, 180; Terrion Truitt, Lanett, Sr., 5-8, 160 SECOND TEAM OFFENSE QB: Brock Snyder, Goshen, Sr., 6-4, 180 RB: Chris Hardie, Vincent, Jr., 6-0, 255 RB: Tyreke Metcalf, Sulligent, Sr., 6-3, 180 RB: Caleb Vinson, Falkville, Sr., 6-0, 190 WR: Zack Alford, Goshen, Sr., 5-8, 145 WR: Christian Angulo, Falkville, Fr., 6-0, 170 WR: Anquaevious Pollard, Lanett, Sr., 6-6, 195 OL: Gable Allred, Lamar Co., Jr., 6-3, 265 OL: Dakari Siler, Goshen, Sr., 6-0, 200 OL: Lane Sims, J.U. Blacksher, Jr., 5-11, 220 OL: Jonathan Stone, Sand Rock, Sr., 6-0, 245 OL: Brooks Thompson, Mars Hill, Jr., 6-2, 255 K: Juan Castro, Cleveland, Sr., 5-11, 170 SECOND TEAM DEFENSE DB: Caeden Godfrey, Westbrook Chr., Sr., 6-1, 190 DB: Trey McFarland, Woodland, So., 6-2, 180 DB: Bryson Peavy, Ariton, Jr., 6-3, 190 DB: Kaleb Thomas, Lanett, Jr., 5-10, 170 LB: Omar Boston, LaFayette, Sr., 5-8, 170 LB: Jawon Howell, Lanett, Sr., 6-1, 195 LB: Lane Talbot, Gaston, Jr., 6-2, 230 LB: Dristin Weaver, Leroy, Sr., 6-1, 215 DL: Jacob Brewer, Leroy, Sr., 6-0, 180 DL: Jackson Luttrell, Westbrook Chr., Jr., 6-4, 240 DL: Hunter Motichek, Sulligent, Sr., 6-4, 265 DL: Hayden Simmons, Ranburne, Sr., 6-3, 205 P: Russell Weeks, New Brockton, So., 6-4, 201 Athlete: Malik Callens, Billingsley, So., 5-10, 160; Kaleb Jones, Collinsville, So., 6-0, 190; Kavon McGraw, Aliceville, Jr., 5-10, 155; Dwayne Miller, West End, Sr., 6-0, 265 HONORABLE MENTION QB: Keegan Blackman, Central-Hayneville, Sr.; Aaron Dove, Falkville, Jr. RB: Craig Kinsey, Abbeville, Sr.; Jeremiah White, Geneva Co., Sr. WR: Carson Carver, Sand Rock, Sr.; Satyler Wilson, Luverne, So. OL: J.T. Youngblood, Vincent, So. K: Humberto Hernandez, Ariton, Sr.; Austin Hollis, Sulligent, Sr. DB: Brant Rowell, Fyffe, Sr. LB: Arian Gregory, Luverne, So.; Colt Smith, Mars Hill, Jr. DL: Devin Bell, Goshen, Sr.; Josh Cardwell, New Brockton, So. ATH: Landon Woodard, Ranburne, Sr. COACH OF THE YEAR: Daniel Merchant, Sulligent

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

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Alabama lost several political icons during 2017 A

t the close of each year, my tradition is to acknowledge the passing away of significant political leaders from the political stage in our beloved state. We lost some icons this year. As I sit in my office writing this yearend column, pictures of two of my favorite friends and legends adorn my walls. The photos of Gov. Albert Brewer and Congressman Jim Martin look down at me. Both were Christian gentlemen. Gov. Brewer passed away last January in Birmingham. He was 88. We had visited over lunch only a few months earlier. Brewer grew up in Decatur, went to public schools and graduated from the University of Alabama and Alabama Law School. He came back home to Morgan County to practice law. He was quickly elected to the House of Representatives in 1954 at the age of 25. Eight years later in 1962, he was elected Speaker of the House. He was only 33 years old, the youngest Speaker in history. Four years later, he beat two state senators without a runoff to win the lieutenant governor’s office. He had held that office for less than two years when, in May 1968, Governor Lurleen Wallace succumbed to cancer and he became governor. Brewer had a low-key business-like style to the governor’s office that was dramatically different from George Wallace. He was governor for only 33 months, but he left an indelible mark in public policy, primarily in education and ethics. He and Wallace clashed in the 1970 governor’s race, which was one of the classic gubernatorial battles in state history. He led Wallace in the first primary, but Wallace overtly played the race card and pulled out a narrow victory in the runoff. Many scholars and historians sadly reflect that Brewer briefly was our “New South” governor. He spent the last three decades of his life teaching law at Samford’s Cumberland Law School. He molded generations of young lawyers in Alabama. My daughter, Ginny, was one of them. He was her mentor and friend up until he passed away. I first met Gov. Brewer when I was a teenager. I became a page for him when he was Speaker and continued as his aide when he became Lt. Governor. We remained friends throughout the years. He was a very special gentleman. Jim Martin passed away last month.

He was 99 years old. He was a lifetime resident of Gadsden. Jim was one of the fathers of the modern Republican STEVE Party in the South. FLOWERS He was one of five Columnist Republicans swept into Congress in the 1964 Goldwater landslide. In 1987, Martin became Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. As commissioner, Martin helped create the Forever Wild Land preservation program. Jim Martin was a special gentleman. Cullman County has been home to an inordinate number of legendary Alabama political leaders and icons. One of these was Tom Drake. Tom passed away in his beloved Cullman County in February at age 86. He represented the Cullman area for 36 years in the Alabama Legislature. He served as Speaker of the House of Representatives during Wallace’s last term, 1982-1986. That was my first term in the House. I voted for and supported Tom for Speaker. He was one of George Wallace’s closest and most loyal allies. Tom was also one of Bear Bryant’s favorites. He coached for Bryant, was an All American wrestler at Alabama, and later wrestled professionally. He was a lawyer by profession and he came from the old school. If he shook your hand and gave you his word, you could take it to the bank. He was a loyal and trusted friend. Another legendary Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, Joe McCorquodale, died in April at age 96. McCorquodale was one of the most powerful and respected men to ever serve in the legislature in Alabama history. He served 24 years in the House from 19581982. He was Speaker of the House his last eight years, 1974-1982. He was a successful businessman. He was in the timber and insurance business. He lived his entire life in his beloved Clarke County. The Clarke County Democrat publisher, Jim Cox, a lifetime friend of Mr. McCorquodale, said he went to his office every day up until his death. McCorquodale gave current Gov. Kay Ivey her first job in state government. As Speaker, he made Kay the Reading Clerk in the House. We lost some icons this year. Happy New Year! See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.

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www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Has letter writing become a thing of the past?

ere we are at the end of 2017, as I write, Christmas is still on the way. So many friends and family as well had decided not to send greeting cards. Too much to get done, as the days tick away; but don’t you love to see Christmas greeting cards in your mailbox? Sometimes it is the only time you hear from some friends you have made over the years. Writing a letter does not seem to be the thing for the younger generations, but I am quite sure, they also love to get them. Dec. 28th Rev. Mike and Connie Jackson have a wedding anniversary, then Terry and Debbie Powell celebrate theirs on Dec. 30th. Happy Birthday to Barbara Brown on the 31st, when everyone celebrates the New Year around the world. I send all my very best good wishes to everyone, now that the Christmas Season is considered ended by many, in hopes that 2018 will be a fabulous and joyful year, with lots of excellent health to share. Of course, I will be leaving my Christmas greeting cards hung and displayed until Twelfth Night (at least), considered lucky with the Victorians. We will also have blackeyed peas for the luck they bring to Southerners. A nice gentleman called here the other day about Ron’s lengthy headache, saying he’d had one himself and made his round of the doctors for a remedy, eventually

ROSIE MORGAN Nixburg/ Equality

finding relief at his dentist’s office. In that regard, I had an email from a dear friend up north about headaches in their home, especially for her husband. These were related to the “smart meter” outside that was sending our radiation. Certainly, some food for thought. Speaking of food, I did no Christmas cookie or cake baking this time. That was probably my first time ever to not cook extras since getting to Alabama in 1969. Maybe when things settle some, I will try to make something in the Christmas Spirit each month of 2018. January is National Hot Tea Month in the United States, and I will have the kettle on to boil. I had not been to Equality in a few weeks, I know that sounds strange; but most things we do seem to be in Alex City or Auburn. It was such a shock to see both sides of Highway 9 ‘clear-cut’ of thickly grown pine trees. The only thing sticking up was a porto-let sized shed and a small patch of bright green growth baited for deer. But, at least it was left cleanly and all cut down evenly, not like in Nixburg where it looks like a desolate

place where destruction happened. All around us you can spot snapped, broken and half dead pines trees from the heavy snow and icing that we had earlier this month. It was very pretty to see our own Winter Wonderland for the Christmas Spirit; travel was difficult, and work required. Our large limbs are out of the way, but not moved as they are just too heavy. Right before Christmas, I had the best experience at Jackson Drugs, super friendly folks, and the young ladies share that hometown feeling of caring. I was so inspired, and look forward to going again soon. I wondered how long our old mail box numbers would work for mail now that we all have 9-1-1 street addresses. I got a piece of mail from Prattville, addressed with your old box number, it was returned to sender, but eventually got to me. Then, by my error, I put the wrong box number on my water bill going to Rockford. I used box No. 126 instead of No. 128; the sticker said, “unable to forward,” so I wondered how many Water Companies are in Rockford and get mail at the Post Office there. Get ready for more cold, and rain, drink more hot tea for comfort. Remember, “Every Day holds the possibility of a miracle.” So until next year, keep smiling. Rosie Rosie Morgan writes on the news and events in Nixburg and Equality. Her column appears here each Wednesday.

Carmen Rodgers / The Outlook

The new and improved Golden Arches will host two drive through windows and the exterior will have a new modern exterior and state-of- the-art exterior digital menu boards.

Tallassee McDonald’s set to reopen on Friday By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

It’s been five longsweeks since Mickey D’s in Tallassee closed the doors in order to remodel the location. Since that time crews have worked tirelessly to complete the job and, according to Tony McFarland, vice president and director of operations for Murphy Family Restaurants/ McDonald’s, doors are slated to reopen, if all goes accordingly, on Friday, Dec. 29. The new and improved Golden Arch

will host two drive through windows to serve customers more efficiently. Prior to the renovations, drivethrough lines frequently stretched to and, at times, into Gilmer Avenue. The exterior will also have a new modern exterior and state-of-the-art exterior digital menu boards. According to McFarland, customers will find many upgraded features inside the building including a “new modern dining room” with a “hometown feel” and the interior floor plan

has been expanded to increase seating capacity by at least 60 percent. McFarland says customers can expect a new service experience that will include exceptional hospitality, table service, a stateof-the-art ordering kiosk, interior digital menu boards and new uniforms for the restaurant team. The outside playground was scrapped during the remodel to make room for the expanded floor plan. In place of the play area the

upgraded location will now offer a Kids Zone that will include electronic games and an interactive “sparkle table” that lights up when touched. The reopening of this location will also add to the local economy. “We have created 20 plus new jobs in Tallassee and are continuing to look for great people to add to the team,” McFarland said. There will be an official grand opening event on Saturday, Jan. 20, from 11a.m. until 3 p.m.

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During the holiday season, most of us, regardless of religion or beliefs, focus on the children we love. Caring for children is one of the best ways to safeguard the future. And we at Social Security know a thing or two about helping children.

Tips to make sure your family is well cared for During the holiday season, most of us, regardless of religion or beliefs, focus on the children we love. Caring for children is one of the best ways to safeguard the future. And we at Social Security know a thing or two about helping children. The application for a Social Security number and card is sometimes overlooked in the paperwork that parents fill out in preparation for a child’s birth. Typically, the hospital will ask new mothers if they want to apply for a Social Security number for their newborn as part of the birth registration process. This is the easiest and fastest way to apply. The Social Security card typically arrives about a week to ten days after that little bundle of joy! You can learn about Social Security numbers for children by reading our publication, Social Security Numbers for Children, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs. A child needs a Social Security number if he or she is going to have a bank account, if a relative is buying savings bonds for the child, if the child will have medical coverage, or if the child will receive government services. You’ll also need a Social Security number for a child to claim him or her on your tax returns. If you wait to apply, you will have to visit a Social Security office and you’ll need to: • Complete an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5); • Show us original documents proving your child’s U.S. citizenship, age, and identity; and • Show us documents proving your identity. A child age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number must appear in person for the interview, even though a parent or guardian will

KYLLE’ D. MCKINNEY Alabama Social Security

sign the application on the child’s behalf. Children with disabilities are among our most vulnerable citizens. Social Security is dedicated to helping those with qualifying disabilities and their families through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. To qualify for SSI: • The child must have a physical or mental condition, or a combination of conditions, resulting in “marked and severe functional limitations.” This means that the condition(s) must severely limit your child’s activities; • The child’s condition(s) must be severe, last for at least 12 months, or be expected to result in death; and • The child must not be working and earning more than the Substantial Gainful Activity limit ($1,180 a month in 2018). If your child’s condition(s) does not result in “marked and severe limitations,” or does not result in those limitations lasting for at least 12 months, your child will not qualify for SSI. Family resources are also considered. If the parents of the child or children have more resources than are allowed, then the child or children will not qualify for SSI. You can read more about children’s benefits at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs/ EN-05-10026.pdf. Visit www. socialsecurity.gov/people/ kids to learn more about all we do to care for children. Social Security is with you and your children through your life’s journey, securing today and tomorrow.