SPECIAL ‘TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH’ SECTION INSIDE TODAY
THE
THURSDAY
SPORTS, PAGE 10 Dadeville boys slumping January 25, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 18 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢ after strong start Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
Alex City: state’s 47th safest city?
Citizens voice concerns to Dadeville City Council By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Study uses crime stats, alarm company data to rank cities By MITCH SNEED Editor
Do you think Montgomery is a safer place than Alexander City? Would you be safer in Phenix City or Talledega than you are here? If you believe the accuracy of a report released Wednesday, that’s the case. The National Council for Home Safety and Security announced its ranking of the Safest Cities in Alabama for 2018, listing Alexander City as the 47th safest city in the state. Helena earned the No. 1 spot according to the report, followed by, No. 2 Vestavia Hills, No. 3 Mountain Brook, No. 4 Alabaster, No. 5 Daphne, No. 6 Moody, No. 7 Auburn, No. 8 Pleasant Grove, No. 9 Pelham and No. 10 Hartselle. Montgomery was No. 32, Phenix City was No. 40 and Talladega was No. 43, all ahead of Alexander City, based on the way the See SAFETY • Page 3
26. Gardendale 27. Eufaula 28. Tuscaloosa 29. Muscle Shoals 30. Oxford 31. Decatur 32. Montgomery 33. Atmore 34. Jacksonville 35. Leeds 36. Fairfield 37. Mobile 38. Scottsboro 39. Opelika 40. Phenix City 41. Gulf Shores 42. Huntsville 43. Talladega 44. Sylacauga 45. Troy 46. Ozark 47. Alexander City 48. Prichard 49. Jasper 50. Gadsden
1. Helena 2. Vestavia Hills 3. Mountain Brook 4. Alabaster 5. Daphne 6. Moody 7. Auburn 8. Pleasant Grove 9. Pelham 10. Hartselle 11. Athens 12. Madison 13. Enterprise 14. Albertville 15. Irondale 16. Fairhope 17. Saraland 18. Fort Payne 19. Pell City 20. Cullman 21. Northport 22. Hueytown 23. Prattville 24. Florence 25. Homewood
File / The Outlook
Area law enforcement investigate the scenes of crimes that have occurred in Alexander City. Police Chief Jay Turner said he did see the ranking and “had to shake (his) head a bit” when he saw Alexander City was below some other cities in the state.
Radney students gain greater exposure to arts
Dadeville Police Department receives nearly $24K grant
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
The Dadeville Police Department has been awarded nearly $24,000 in a grant for police equipment. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant is managed by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. State Representative Mark Tuggle gave notice to Dadeville Mayor Wayne Smith of the award Monday afternoon. The grant application states the $23,951 will be used to purchase or See POLICE • Page 3
Today’s
File / The Outlook
The Dadeville Police Department has been awarded $23,951 in grant funds to use in purchasing and upgrading their police equipment, like handguns, spike strips, body cameras and an all-terrain side-by-side vehicle.
Lake Martin
Weather
Lake Levels
60 33
483.94
High
Low
Reported on 01/24/18 @ 5 p.m.
We Care About You
Fifty-one students from Radney Elementary School loaded onto buses this morning, heading for Montgomery and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s performance of the play “Snow Queen,” a work by Hans Christian Andersen the ASF website describes as having inspired the White Witch in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
the Disney movie “Frozen.” “I’m excited for this trip, and the students have been getting really excited about this too,” Radney art teacher Hannah Hawk said. “This is a really good opportunity for them to experience more of the arts.” Today’s field trip is the first of three students from Radney will be taking to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival for a show as part of the festival’s See RADNEY • Page 3
and Your Loved Ones!
•Home-like Environment • Specialized Dementia Care Unit •Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Services
6
Several local residents made their voices heard Tuesday night at the Dadeville City Council meeting. Bill Farrington and Marrell Ward spoke out about animals running free and roadside litter, adding their thoughts regarding two serious problems currently facing the city. Farrington presented research he had done, looking at state law regarding stray animals and animal control ordinances from a number of cities across the state. After mentioning what he had found, he began to lay out a potential course of action the city could take regarding this issue. “The plan starts with adopting an ordinance,” Farrington said. “Some of the proposed actions for this include specifying the city’s authority and notifying residents of the requirements laid out in the ordinance.” Along with this, Farrington suggested three times a year, having a five-day sweep of Dadeville for noncompliant animals that would then be taken to the city facility and held for a period of seven days. According to Farrington’s calculations, each sweep would only cost the city between $3,000 and $4,000, including salaries for those involved and the food necessary to feed the animals found on a sweep. Farrington said he knew that the city didn’t have See COUNCIL • Page 3
A DAMS HEALTH & REHAB 1555 HILLABEE STREET • (256) 329-0847
! ! " !# “We are a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 under the Bankruptcy Code. Alabama State Bar requires the following in every attorney advertisement, “ No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”
Page 2
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Celibacy before marriage puts extra urgency on setting a date
Friday
61 46 High
Low
Mostly sunny
Saturday
62 51 Low
High
Cloudy, 40 percent chance of rain
Staff
Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Postal
Information (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) The Outlook is published five times a week, Tuesday through Saturday mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.
How to Submit Obituaries
Thursday, January 25, 2018
The Outlook
Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Katie Wesson Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 katie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Digital Marketing Coordinator, Ext. 208 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Erin Burton Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com Rebecca Carlisle Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com
DEAR ABBY: I’m a 50-yearold male engaged to be married to my elementary school sweetheart, “Marie.” This will be the second marriage for both of us. We’ve been dating for six years, three of which were a long-distance relationship. During a time when her mother became ill and sadly passed, Marie told me God had spoken to her and told her not to be sexually active anymore until we’re married. I respect and want to honor her and God, but my concern is that we haven’t even discussed a wedding date. The earliest could still be six or eight months away. Am I wrong for feeling resentment toward Marie, and will this resentment create problems after marriage with our bedroom life? -- ON HOLD IN SOUTH CAROLINA DEAR ON HOLD: You and Marie have known each other for many years, and know each other very well in every sense. Because Marie doesn’t want to have intimate relations again until after you are married, you
DEAR ABBY Advice
should not only discuss a wedding date, but also an elopement. DEAR ABBY: My sister takes my nephews for modeling and acting assignments. They have been in print ads, websites for clothing, and even a movie. I was shocked when she told me her 6-year-old is interviewed without a parent present in the room. The boy is bright, self-possessed and spirited, but still -- he’s only 6. Given the recent revelations about industry-wide problems with child sexual abuse (“An Open Secret” documentary), was I out of line to suggest she have a device to listen in and record? -- CONCERNED AUNTIE
DEAR CONCERNED AUNTIE: Better than that, minor children should have a trusted and responsible adult present -- whether it’s a parent, another relative or the child’s agent. That way, EVERYONE would be protected. DEAR ABBY: My 24-yearold son, “Jeremy,” no longer speaks to me because I asked him to move out. I’m not a fan of his girlfriend, and I’m worried about drugs. Jeremy and I have always been super close. I am so sad and I want to do what’s right for both of us. What should I do? -- TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING DEAR TRYING: I don’t know how emotionally mature Jeremy is, but chronologically he’s an adult. If you suspected that he was using drugs while living with you, you had the right to insist he be tested for them -the tests are easily obtainable -- as a condition of his continuing to live with you. However, for you to have based living under your roof on the condi-
tion that you “liked” his girlfriend was heavy-handed. It was wrong, and for that you should apologize. If you do, perhaps it will give you a chance to mend fences. DEAR ABBY: We have a relative who is a terrible cook. How can we refuse her invitations when she’s only trying to reciprocate? We enjoy her company, but not her food. We have gone out to eat, but she wants to cook for us! What to do? -- SORRY, NOT HUNGRY DEAR SORRY: You have two choices. Either be honest with her or graciously eat her food as infrequently as possible (and when you do, bring along a dish of your own to add to her dinner). 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.
‘It’s a sony day!’
Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, Kenneth Boone Photography and a commercial web printing press. © 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.
Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by e-mail at obits@alexcityoutlook.com or by fax at (256) 234-6550. For more information, call (256) 234-4281. IvyAna Crayton, a second grader at Dadeville Elementary School created this image of a sunny day. The National Weather Service predicts today’s weather sunny with a high of 50 degrees.
Obituaries Mrs. Celia Lightfoot Coley 1923 - 2018 Celia Lightfoot Coley died Tuesday, January 23, 2018. Celia, a life-long resident of Alexander City, was born July 26, 1923, to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hoffman Lightfoot. After graduating from Alexander City High School, Celia attended the University of Montevallo, where she received her BA degree. Returning to Alex. City, she taught for two years at the Alexander City High School. Celia married James Lemuel Coley, now deceased, who was Vice President for Personnel and Public Relations of the Russell Corporation.
Mr. Ronnie Martin
!!2nd Chance!! Home Loans 2, 3, 4 & 5 Bedroom Mobile Homes Lenders Available 334-749-7048
Mr. Ronnie Martin 62 of Camp Hill, AL died on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Lake Martin Community Hospital, Dadeville, AL. Funeral services: Friday, January 26, 2018; 11:00 a.m.; Armour’s Memorial Chapel, Alexander City, AL. Final Arrangements Entrusted to Armour’s Memorial Funeral Home.
Celia was a member of the First United Methodist Church and was active in many community and social activities. Celia is survived by her son Robert Lightfoot Coley (Bettie Thomas), of Lake Toxaway, NC and Atlanta, GA. Her two grandchildren, James Lightfoot Coley (Kimberly) and Kathleen Coley Dinerman (Justin), and four great grandchildren, Evan Lightfoot Coley and Harper Jane Coley, and Elizabeth Coley Dinerman and Mary Celia Dinerman, all of Atlanta, GA, and by her niece, Celia Abernethy Griffin, of Birmingham, AL. Graveside Service will be Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the
Alexander City Cemetery. Rev. Mike Densmore will officiate. The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Radney Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to First United Methodist Church, 310 Green Street, Alexander City, AL 35010, or Children’s Harbor, 1 Our Children’s Highway, Alexander City, AL, 35010. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome. com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Public Meetings • Alexander City Board of Education meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the board office at 375 Lee St. or local school at 5 p.m. • Alexander City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in the courtroom at the old city hall at 5:30 p.m. • Camp Hill Town Council meets the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6 p.m. • Community Action Agency of Chambers, Tallapoosa, Coosa will holds its regular board of directors meetings every other month at the Central Office in Dadeville. • Coosa County Commission meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the Coosa County Courthouse in Rockford at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday and at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday. • Coosa County Industrial Development Board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room in the courthouse in Rockford.
• Dadeville City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. with a premeeting at 5:30 p.m. in city hall. • Daviston City Council meets the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Daviston Fire Department. • Goldville Town Council meets the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the town hall. • Goodwater City Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held at the Caldwell Center at 6:30 p.m. • Jackson’s Gap Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6:30 p.m., all Jackson’s Gap citizens are encouraged to attend. • Kellyton Town Council meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the community center in Kellyton. • New Site City Council meets the first and third Monday of the month at 5 p.m. in the Conference Room in the Town Hall.
• Ray Water Authority meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Ray Water Authority Office. All customers are invited to attend. • Rockford Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 7 p.m. • Tallapoosa County Board of Education meets on the second Monday of each month. Meetings are held in the new central office at 679 East Columbus Street, Dadeville, AL 36853. • Tallapoosa County Commission meets the second Monday of the month at 9 a.m. in the courthouse in Dadeville, with a pre-meeting also open to the public 30 minutes before each regular session. • Tallapoosa County 911 Board will meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the 911 Administrative office at 240 West Columbus Street, Dadeville. Call 825-8490 for more information. • Walnut Hill Water Authority meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited. Call 825-9841 to inquire about the agenda.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Council
continued from page 1
a lot of money to work with, which is why he wanted to find an economical solution, yet still add more fuel to the fire. “I thank you for your due diligence on getting all of this,” Dadeville Mayor Wayne Smith said. “We will continue to look at this, but we do want to move forward.” Ward said that litter on the side of city roads was getting out of hand, with people tossing household waste out wherever they see fit and making parts of the city a serious eyesore. “I am more than willing to volunteer to get out and clean it up,” Ward said. “But if you don’t educate the people and make examples of the ones who do litter, you will never get people to stop.” “Once the weather breaks, we will schedule another cleanup,” Smith said. “What we need to go is go into the schools and educate our students about littering,” Councilwoman Brownie Caldwell said. Police Chief David Barbour added that, if anybody saw someone littering and was able to get information like a tag number, call the Dadeville Police Department and they would look into it. The following items were also on the Dadeville City Council agenda: • Minutes from the Jan. 9 meeting were approved. • Smith commended the police department, fire department and other first responders for all their hard work during the recent snowstorm. Councilwoman Betty Adams added she wanted to thank Eugene
McCollum and the street department for helping her out during the storm as well. • The council looked at a sample of what the new signs in Keebler Park will look like. The signs will be made of acrylic, with information about the tree in question on the sign. “I can’t say enough about Ms. (Dianna) Porter for all her hard work, and for McDonald’s for contributing to this,” Smith said. • Caldwell brought forward a recommendation from the gas board to reappoint A.J. Thompson to the board. A motion to reappoint Thompson passed. • Smith said he had met with the demolition people Tuesday morning, and believed more action on the demolition grant would begin soon. • The engineers on the Lafayette Street project were taking photographs and notes about the last point of concern. • Councilman Dick Harrelson said he had been seeing issues with dirty water lately, but this could be explained due to repair work being done on pipes that had burst during some of the recent cold weather. • Smith asked Barbour to give information about the grant that had recently been awarded to the Dadeville Police Department. Barbour said the department was considering using the funds for new and upgraded body cams, spike strips, and a side-by-side ATV, similar to what police departments in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach use for beach patrols. • Councilwoman Teneesha Goodman-Johnson said she has
been making progress on the Boys & Girls Club, talking with parents and the president of the local ParentTeacher Organization. She also said she had created a list for the beautification committee and asked resident Rayford Farrington if he would be willing to be the committee chair. Farrington agreed to take the position. • A few more complaints had been received about potential violations of the weed and nuisance abatement ordinance, while the city was continuing to ensure everything was properly covered at its end. • The council was reminded that the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner was scheduled for Thursday night at White Acres. • During discussion on the usage of lots near Highway 280, it was announced the city would be unable to rent these lots out for business development. If they had, the land would have reverted over to the Alabama Department of Transportation. • During the pre-council meeting, Smith informed the council and public that former Dadeville teacher Buddy Davis recently died. A longtime part of Dadeville’s schools, Smith described him as his mentor and that he would be very much missed. • Three recreation center requests were approved. The next meeting of the Dadeville City Council will be Tuesday, Feb. 13 beginning with a pre-council meeting at 5:30 p.m., and the regularly scheduled council meeting to follow at 6.
Police
continued from page 1
upgrade existing equipment like handguns, spike strips, body cameras and an all-terrain side-by-side vehicle. “This updated equipment, we need it,” Smith said. “This stuff is expensive. The body cameras will be for the safety not only of the officer, but for the public as well. The side-byside, it is a vehicle, not a toy.” Dadeville Police Chief David Barbour said during Tuesday’s council meeting that the department was considering purchasing new and upgraded body cameras, spike strips and a side-by-side 4-wheel drive
ATV similar to what police departments in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach use for beach patrols. Tuggle said he is always happy to help local agencies with grant applications where he can. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The program provides states and units of local government with critical funding necessary to support a wide range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution and court programs, pre-
Page 3
www.alexcityoutlook.com
The Outlook
vention and education programs, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, crime victim and witness initiatives, and planning, evaluation and technology improvement programs. ADECA administers the grants and is responsible for the coordination between these funds and other state and local initiatives and preparation and submission of the state’s grant application. All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law.
Debra Jones to seek Supreme Court seat distinguished 28-year legal career. Before her election to the Circuit Judge Debra bench, Jones served the Jones has qualified citizens by advocating as a candidate for the for the rights of abused Alabama Supreme women and children. Court, Place 1. She has She began her legal been a Circuit Judge in career as a prosecutor Calhoun and Cleburne in the District counties Attorney’s since 2010. office where Judge Jones, she founded a Republican, the Calhoun is running for Cleburne the open seat Children’s created by the Advocacy resignation of Center. The Justice Glenn children’s center Murdock. The is a professional Jones Republican residential place primary is for children to be June 5, 2018. interviewed by trained “My judicial counselors when they philosophy is that have been victims judges should follow of abuse or neglect. their oath of office Jones wrote the Sexual by respecting the Torture Act, which rule of law, by criminalized the sexual strictly interpreting abuse of any person the law according with an inanimate to the constitutions object as a class A as they are written, felony and she wrote and by applying the the Felony DUI Act. law without fear and After forming her own without favor. As practice, Judge Jones Circuit Judge with co-founded Daybreak years of criminal Rape Crisis Center, a and civil jury trial free counseling center experience, I have for rape victims. She served with integrity, also founded and discernment, and operated Mercy House, honesty. I have a faith-based domestic consistently and fairly violence shelter for applied the law equally women and children. to everyone according Judge Jones is to the constitutions a graduate of the of Alabama and of University of Alabama the United States. As and of Cumberland an attorney, I have Law School. Jones practiced in many areas and her husband, of the law, particularly William, have been in criminal, civil, married 26 years and probate, juvenile, have five children. and family law. This Three children attended invaluable experience Alabama colleges with will be an asset to the two having recently Alabama Supreme graduated and one Court and the people of completing a degree. Alabama.” Two children are in Judge Jones has a public high school.
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Safety ranks were tabulated. To see the full study visit: https:// www.alarms.org/safestcities-in-alabama-2018/ Alexander City Police Chief Jay Turner said he did see the ranking and believes that numbers and stats can be used in ways that skew reality. “I saw the study and I had to shake my head a little bit when I saw that we were behind some of those areas,” Turner said. “You have to understand that not all cities report crimes the same way and this study considers data that they compiled through their real purpose of selling alarms.” To compile data for the rankings, the group used the 2016 FBI Uniform Crime Report statistics along with The National Council for Home Safety and Security’s own population data and internal research. Any cities that failed to submit a complete crime report to the FBI were not included and cities with populations under 10,000 were not part of the
continued from page 1
final study. The cities were ranked based on the number of reported violent crimes (aggravated assault, murder, rape, and robbery) and property crimes (burglary, arson, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft) per 1,000 people. These variables were then weighted, with violent crimes assigned a value 1.5 times (due to their severity) that of property crimes. While no one is excited about being listed No. 47 in terms of safety, in the group’s 2017 study Alexander City didn’t even make the Top 50. The study showed Alexander City with a population of 14,695 and 277 violent crimes for the period considered. By FBI definition, violent crimes murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault. The data also showed 657 property crimes. Turner said that many times a domestic crime can
escalate into one of the four crimes that are considered violent crimes. While some departments only report the incident as a domestic, in Alexander City it is reported as both domestic and the other crime that is a part of the same incident. “That’s the way the FBI says they are supposed to be reported, so that’s what we do,” Turner said. “But I know for a fact that many departments don’t handle them that way.” Turner said that even the population numbers used are a bit misleading. “It is weighted by population and we are a relatively small area that grows considerably in the summer with lake visitors, but they aren’t counted as our population,” Turner said. “The stats considered were from the year we had almost 50 lake area burglaries and several mini-warehouse thefts. Both counted as multiple crimes, but we made arrests to solve those. But the total-
ity of the numbers makes it look bad. “Do we need to increase our efforts? Sure. We work every day to get better at what we do. But I don’t think there is a person in this city who honestly believes they are safer in Montgomery, or Talledega than they are here.” While Alexander City is like many departments and does extensive crime prevention programs, violent crimes and crimes of passion are often not preventable, Turner said. He said that’s why the clearance rate of crimes should be considered. For the year covered in this study, Alexander City had three murders and arrests were made in all three cases, for a 100 percent closure rate. Of the seven rapes investigated in 2016 compared, arrests were made in all seven. That means that there was also a 100 percent clearance rate for rapes in Alexander City
Of the 39 assaults in 2016, 85 percent were solved. “You can do a lot of things, but there are some things that you can’t prevent,” Turner said. “But once they happen if you can solve them and bring the victim some justice that is a positive step. We have done well in closing cases. Another key factor is the working relationship we have with other agencies. Whether it’s agencies in other counties, the Housing Authority Police or the Sheriff’s Department, we are blessed to be able to get
Donate A Boat or Car Today!
“2-Night Free Vacation!”
800 - 700 - BOAT (2628)
w w w.boatangel.com sponsored by boat angel outreach centers
Radney Schoolfest series of shows. Tuesday, an additional 61 students will travel to see “Snow Queen,” while around 150 will make the trip on Feb. 8 for the play “Fly,” about the Tuskegee Airmen. During all three trips, the students will leave the play and go to the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, spending the afternoon going through the museum and seeing all the wonderful artwork on display. During the museum tour, Hawk said the students will be broken into groups of about 10-12 students with a chaperone. This will allow the students to focus more on what they are most interested in seeing instead of traveling as one large group throughout the museum. “My hope is that all of the students can see something different than what they see on a normal day-to-day basis, broadening their minds,” Hawk said.
continued from page 1
“It’s really great getting to work with all the kids and get them interested in the arts. I wanted to make sure they had opportunities like this as well.” Since coming on board as the art teacher at Radney two years ago, Hawk has worked tirelessly to find more ways to expose her students to the fine arts, holding art shows at the school for parents to see their students’ work on display and writing grants to obtain additional funding for many of the projects she has envisioned for her classes. It was one of these grants that helped provide some of the money to allow the students involved to take these trips. In the future, Hawk hopes to continue taking students to Montgomery for shows at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and tours of the Montgomery Museum of
Fine Arts. “I would love for this to become a regular trip,” she said. Some of the members of the Radney Drama Club also chimed in, all expressing how excited they were to get to go on this trip and have this experience. Interestingly, many of the students said they were actually more interested in going to see the art museum more than they were for getting to see the play. Whether the students making the trip are more interested in the show or the museum, having a day dedicated solely to the fine arts will almost certainly be an unforgettable experience. “I take pride in knowing I’m bringing this to the students,” Hawk said. “I’m overjoyed we are getting to provide this.”
help and manpower when the situation dictates.” Turner said while the clearance rate is good, old fashion techniques and increased visibility are being stressed to help deter crime. “It boils down to being as visible as possible, being active in the community and education,” Turner said. “Being the victim of a crime is a very unsettling thing. But if we can help people be smart and make themselves tougher targets, educate young people to help break the cycle of violence and be attentive and present on the streets, those things will add up.”
STOP CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN
Your Future DĂƩĞƌƐ ƚŽ hƐ͘ WŽĂƌĐŚ ŝƐ ƉƌŽƵĚ ƚŽ ďĞ Ă ƉĂƌƚŶĞƌ ŝŶ ůĂďĂŵĂ͛Ɛ ƉƌŽŐƌĞƐƐ͘ tĞ ŚĂǀĞ Ă ƚƌĂĚŝƟŽŶ ŽĨ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ŽƚŚĞƌƐ͘ WŽĂƌĐŚ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ ŵŽƌĞ ƚŚĂŶ ϭϯ͕ϬϬϬ ũŽďƐ ƚŽ ůĂďĂŵŝĂŶƐ͕ ƉĂLJƐ ŵŝůůŝŽŶƐ ŝŶ ƐƚĂƚĞ ƚĂdžĞƐ ĞĂĐŚ LJĞĂƌ͕ ĂŶĚ ůĂďĂŵŝĂŶƐ͕ ƉĂLJƐ ŵŝůůŝŽŶƐ ŝŶ ƐƚĂƚĞ ƚĂdžĞƐ ĞĂĐŚ LJĞĂƌ͕ ĂŶĚ ŵĂŬĞƐ ĐŚĂƌŝƚĂďůĞ ĐŽŶƚƌŝďƵƟŽŶƐ ƌĞĂĐŚŝŶŐ ŶĞĂƌůLJ Ψϴ ŵŝůůŝŽŶ ĂŶŶƵĂůůLJ͘ Ψϴ ŵŝůůŝŽŶ ĂŶŶƵĂůůLJ͘ ^ƚƌŽŶŐ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƟĞƐ ĐĂŶ ŚĞůƉ ďƵŝůĚ Ă ďĞƩĞƌ ůŝĨĞ ĨŽƌ Ăůů͘ > D E d/s ^͘ > D E /', KZ^͘ WŽĂƌĐŚEĞŝŐŚďŽƌƐ͘ĐŽŵ ƉĐŝͲŶƐŶ͘ŐŽǀ Ϯϱϭ͘ϯϲϴ͘ϵϭϯϲ
MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213
editor@alexcityoutlook.com
EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Page 4
Our
Thursday, January 25, 2018
A deadly flu and an anti-science movement
View
We want to hear T what you think
A
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. Do you have thoughts on the recent government shutdown? What do you think about the way our city government is being run? How about the news on today’s front page of Alexander City being ranked as Alabama’s 47th safest city? What do you think of the way our tax money is spent? 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? 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.
he woman who would have been my grandmother died in the devastating Spanish Influenza. But it wasn’t just the disease that killed her. A rigid field that changed little since the time of the Greeks, combined with a populist rejection of the use of science in medicine, helped create the perfect pandemic, which took more lives than any disease in human history. This isn’t some antireligion screed. If you spoke with a pastor from that era, you might find they faced some of the same criticism as doctors of the day, or scientists, or even lawyers. That’s because we can think of that 19th Century in America as an interesting mix of traditionalism and populism. It was a time when a new way of thinking was hotly resisted because it clashed with the way things were always done. And populism was always there to provide a more simplistic source of blame and a solution that may well be worse than the problem itself. Believe it or not, the field of medicine changed little since the time of Hippocrates. While other fields began to adopt a more scientific approach to study problems, medical colleges stubbornly resisted such an approach. You didn’t need to take biology, chemistry, physics, or any other science before going to most medical schools. You didn’t even have to pass all of your exams, or interact with patients, or even visit a hospital. As long as you passed a slim majority of exams and could afford
favor of homespun advice and remedies. Often, the response to disease was “do nothing” and let nature take its course. JOHN As you can see, this TURES had tragic results when Columnist the Spanish Influenza medical school, you could struck America and the become a doctor. world with a vengeful While the Europeans furry, killing more in 24 slowly began to develop weeks than AIDS killed laboratories, medical in 24 years. universities, and Unlike most diseases, conduct research in the this one took most 1800s, the American victims in their 20s medical establishment and 30s (the youngest stubbornly resisted such daughter from the hit advances. One researcher PBS series “Downton documents how one Abbey” also tragically prominent faculty perishes). A handful of member at a prestigious doctors, a few women college objected to the and men, some from new university president academia and others pushing for written from the military, were exams, as many of the only able to stem the would-be doctors were tide with the application illiterate. of the best scientific Scientists of the 1800s principles that could be were able to find fault mustered. Thanks to what with traditional medical we learned, America practices. But before amazingly surpassed they had a chance to even the Europeans in demonstrate how science medical discoveries and could produce cures knowledge, when the and vaccines, they were scientific approach was shoved aside by populists, finally embraced. who might blame just What might happen about anyone for the today? Certainly, we’ve spread of a disease. This come a long way, but is the era of the Klan with the presence of antiand Know-Nothings, and vaxxers, public mistrust others who needed little of scientists driven by provocation to grab a politics, and some degree pitchfork, and light the of traditionalism that torch. Immoral hucksters pervades some medical might prescribe morphine practices, who knows. and quinine for anything, But today’s shocking or any elixir they could influenza outbreak and concoct that appeared to a potential Asian flu provide some relief. pandemic, will test us As a result of this, as the Spanish flu of the Americans began to 1918-1920 did. (often understandably) reject anything related John A. Tures is a to medicine. It was professor of political an era where people science at LaGrange saw themselves as the College in LaGrange, center of the universe, Georgia. He can be where real education, reached at jtures@ experience and rigorous lagrange.edu. His Twitter study were scorned in account is JohnTures2.
Know Your
Daily Poll Wednesday Question: Do you know someone who has been diagnosed with the flu?
Yes — 76%, 32 votes No – 24%, 10 votes
Thursday Question: Which city do you think is safer, Alexander City or Montgomery?
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.
Opinion?
We’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with the greater Lake Martin community. It’s free and it only takes a few moments of your time. We have two ways to get your opinion in print: letters to the editor and guest columns. The main difference is length. Letters to the editor are up to 250 words, while guest columns can be up to 500 words. Letters and columns may be sent to P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011, faxed to (256) 2346550 or e-mailed to editor@alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send us your thoughts today!
Buffy Colvin
Scott Hardy
Letter to the Editor
Reader: What’s wrong with Alex City?
Eric Brown
Tommy Spraggins
Tim Funderburk represents District 6. His phone number is 256-825-2993. His address is 1431 River Oaks, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Utilities committee.
alexcityoutlook.com
What’s your
Tommy Spraggins represents District 5. His phone number is 256-234-3609. His address is 1539 College Street, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Finance committee.
“If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” —Galatians 6:1
Bobby Tapley
Eric Brown represents District 4. His phone number is 256-3972011. His address is 1421 Parrish Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Works committee.
Scripture
Jim Nabors
Scott Hardy represents District 3. His phone number is 256-4962450. His address is 549 Sleepy Hollow Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee.
Today’s
Subscribe
Buffy Colvin represents District 2. Her phone number is 256-750-0663. Her address is 786 I Street, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Buildings and Property committee.
“Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” —Albert Einstein
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.
Bobby Tapley represents District 1. His phone number is 256392-0344. His address is 1821 LaVista Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Safety committee.
Quote
How to
Officials
Jim Nabors is mayor of Alexander City. His phone number at city hall is 256-329-6730 and his home number is 256329-1320 His address at city hall is 4 Court Square; Alexander City, AL, 35010. His home address is 1695 Magnolia Street Alexander City, AL, 35010.
Today’s
Tim Funderburk
Dear Editor, Considering Troy, Alabama was picked for a new multimillion dollar assembly plant by Kimber of Oregon I have to ask myself “What is wrong with Alex City?” An estimated 350 highpaying skilled labor jobs assembling firearms. Was Alex City in the running? If not why were we not considered? Do we the citizens of Alex City have anyone trying to bring these kinds of jobs to Alex City? Is there any one fighting for our
communities? I don’t think so. When will the leaders, the people who are responsible for the economic wellbeing of our community conduct their activities with the passion and drive the citizens deserve? A lot of questions which we have been waiting for answers to for the last 15 years. There is an election coming in November of this year. Every eligible voter in Alex City needs to seriously examine each candidate’s qualification. Ask them questions ask the city leaders questions, like what is happening with the golf
course investigation. And who was the Einstein who decided to raise the price on aviation gas at the airport? Incompetence and ignorance are commonplace. Don’t vote for a personality. Alex City continues to deteriorate. This city has too many assets to allow the community to waste away. Get involved. Write an editorial. Visit our city leaders and ask them questions. Together we can find a solution. Woody Baird De Opresso Liber Alexander City
Follow us
On the Web
Follow The Outlook on the Internet on our website or on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Log on to http://www.alexcityoutloook.com. There you will be able to view stories and multimedia posted by The Outlook. You can also click on the Facebook link to join The Outlook’s fan club or click on the Twitter link to start receiving tweets on your phone as we post updates. You can also subscribe to our RSS (Rich Site Summary) feed on the Outlook’s home page. Check it out today.
Local news
Thursday, January 25, 2018 Your community, your news ...
Outlook The
Page 5 www.alexcityoutlook.com
LMRA, Lake Martin Young Professionals to hold trash walk Saturday By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
The Lake Martin Young Professionals and the Lake Martin Resource Association are once again teaming up for the community and hosting a trash walk Saturday. LMRA’s John Thompson is proud of the Young Professionals and what they are doing for the community. “It is a continuation of what we have been doing,” Thompson said. “It is just another indication of how active the group is and how it wants to be involved in the community.” Young Professionals Jacob Meacham says the group is always looking to assist those groups already doing great things in the community. “We try to work as much as possible with people and groups that are doing good things already,” Meacham said. “We have taken part in the trash walks in the past as part of Throw Away Days.” For those looking to volunteer, supplies like bags and trash pickers along with instructions will be issued Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. in the Broad Street Plaza near Jake’s. Meacham and Thompson are working with the City of Alexander City to determine the best routes for volunteers to take part Saturday. For those wanting to take part, Meacham said plans would be finalized by Saturday. “We are working with the city on recommended routes,” Meacham said. “We will
send people to those locations with supplies.” Thompson added the help in picking the routes would come from the city’s trash pick up crew who already pick up on a regular basis in the city. Thompson added the City of Alexander City has made this trash walk a little easier for all those involved and says it goes to show how many people can be involved. “The city has agreed to pick up trash after it has been bagged by volunteers early next week,” Thompson said. “It makes it much easier for everybody involved. I think it is a great cooperative effort.”
File / The Outlook
Trash bags and trash pickers will be available to volunteers who take part in Saturday’s LMRA Young Professional Trash Walk. Anyone can volunteer by showing up to the Broad Street Plaza near Jake’s at 8:30 a.m.
Shop with a Cop was huge success for Alex City Police Department By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
The Alexander City Police Department was able to help more children than ever through its Shop With a Cop Program at Christmas. “It was a great success,” ACPD Cpl. Sheronda Cross said. “We were able to raise more funds than ever before.” More funds meant police officers were able to help more children. “In all, we helped 13 families and 31 children,” Cross said. “All of them were from the Alexander City community.” While shopping with cops at Walmart, Rose’s and Dollar General, Cross said the department was successful in doing more than just helping families provide a Christmas. “We succeeded in our goal to establish a positive relationship between children and police,” Cross said. “The children seemed to really enjoy spending time with the officers. They were excited about it.” The program helps provide a Christmas for those families that cannot provide one for their family. The Alexander City Police Department took applications from the community and selected those they could help. Cross said this year’s success was due to community involvement and donations from businesses and individuals like USAmeriBank, River Bank
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Alexander City Police Officer Robert Oliver and Corporal Michael Howell help Jayveonna Calhoun, left, Shacarra Benson, Cur’maria Moon and Justin Calhoun pick out toys as the Alexander City Police Department hosted Shop with a Cop at the Alexander City Walmart.
and Trust, District Attorney Jeremy Duerr, Judge Kim Taylor, Judge Randy
Haynes and many others in the community. “We greatly appreciate
everyone stepping up and making it a great event,” Cross said. “Hopefully we
can make next year’s even bigger and better with the help of the community.”
Page 6
www.alexcityoutlook.com
CommunityCalendar Need Insurance? Call me.
Today is
January 25, 2018 Today’s Events
SENIORX: Are you eligible for assistance with diabetic supplies, liquid supplements and medications? SenioRx Coordinator
Thursday, January 25, 2018
The Outlook
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/.
Deborah Jones will be available Jan. 25 by appointment between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. For an appointment please call 1-800-3611636 or 256-761-3575.
Brandon, TaDallious (Man-Man) Brown, Justin Towry, Carol Lawhorn and Curry Adams are celebrating their birthdays today.
Today’s Birthdays
Raymon and Sarah Shaw, Rev. and Mrs. Larry Ingram and Arthur and Loette Stallings celebrate their anniversaries today.
Michelle Livingston, Connor Gregory Fuller, Grace Brasell, “Bill” Saltsman, James Barton, Judy
Today’s Anniversaries
–Since 1978–
BIG “B” BAR-B-QUE “We Cook The Best BETTER!”
Hickory Grilled Meat BBQ • STEAK CHICKEN • CATFISH
256.329.9996 Hwy. 22 West, Alexander City, AL
256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com
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 Thur & Fri 9-4 | Sat 9-1 256-675-0176 1222 Hwy 280, Kellyton, AL
Submitted / The Outlook
AL 96175
Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have Family Game Night Bingo Saturday, Jan. 27 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. It will begin with hot dogs, pizza, chips and soft drinks.
CARLISLE HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING New Year’ Year’s Special: Special:
TUNE UP’S STARTING AT $75 367 US H W Y . 280 A L E X A N D E R C I T Y , AL
256-234-0019 CA RLISLE AC.COM
Saturday, January 27
FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have Family Game Night Bingo Saturday, Jan. 27 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. It will begin with hot dogs, pizza, chips and soft drinks. BENEFIT SINGING: A benefit for Matt and Julie Vernon will be held at Kellyton Revival Center Jan. 27 at 5 p.m. All for Him, Danny Hutcherson, Jimmy Edwards and the Russell Family will be leading the worship in song. The Vernons lost everything in a house fire. A chili supper will follow.
Monday, January 29
Brown Nursing and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services •Physical Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Speech Therapy 2334 Washington Street Alexander City • 256-329-9061 www.crownemanagement.com
Come Visit Us! Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing
Need your business to
STAND OUT from the crowd?
Call us, we can help!
256.234.4281
• Alexander City Outlook • Dadeville Record • Wetumpka Herald • Eclectic Observer • Tallassee Tribune
dB
Lawn Care Darrell Brooks, Owner Cutting •Edging Weed Eating •Mulch Weed Control
256.267.0518
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. Jan. 8 at 1 p.m.
Wednesday, January 31
GRIEF SHARE: A session of GriefShare will be starting soon at the Trinity Campus of First United Methodist next to Russell Medical. GriefShare helps those who have experienced the death of a loved one to realize that there is hope amidst the pain and uncertainty of grief. The journey can be made lighter when shared with others who are trained to listen with compassion and are able to provide guidelines on how to move forward. There will be two separate groups meeting at the same location on the same days, one at 10 a.m. and the other at 6 p.m. Both are identical material. Meetings will start Jan. 31 and continue each Wednesday through April 25. The facilitators are Dr. Tomeka McGhee and Patsy Coe Densmore. For more information call 256-2342455 or 256749-9354.
try of St. James and First United Methodist Church, providing a free meal twice a week to hungry people in the area.
Saturday, February 3
BOSTON BUTT FUNDRAISER: Meals on Wheels is having a Boston Butt fundraiser. They are selling tickets for a Feb. 3 delivery of a Firetruck Boston Butt at the Meals on Wheels office at Russell Medical or by calling 256-3297382. Tickets are $35. BOOK SALE: The Friends of the Dadeville Public Library will host a book sale on the lower level of the Dadeville Library Saturday, Feb. 3 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fill a grocery bag for $5 or three bags for just $15.
Six past state pageant winners and the reigning Ms. Alabama Sr. America will perform popular love songs, a romantic aria and tap dance. The EPAC is located on Alabama Highway 9 in Equality.
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 Jan. 8 at 1 p.m.
Friday, February 16
PAGEANT: God’s Beautiful Creations Pageant will be Friday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. at Sardis Sunday, February 4 Missionary Baptist Church in PASTOR’S ANNIVERSARY: Dadeville in the Fellowship Hall. New Harmony Missionary Baptist The event is sponsored by the Church in Camp Hill is hosting the music ministry. There will be five 9th Pastor’s Anniversary honoring categories and all ages are welRev. and Sis. Melvin C. Kelley, Jr. Sunday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. The guest come to participate. There will also minister will be Rev. Ira Moss, pas- be an Outstanding Couple cattor of New Mt. Zion Baptist Church egory. To participate please contact any of the Sardis Missionary in Tuskegee. Baptist Church choir members.
Monday, February 5
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Glenn Wills 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 Jan. 8 at 1 p.m.
Tuesday, February 6
CHARITY BINGO: Niffer’s will be hosting charity bingo on Tuesdays in February to benefit the Lake Martin Area United Way. Cards are $1 each. The first seven rounds are for Niffer’s dollars and the final round is for the jackpot. Niffer’s is located at 7500 Highway 49 South in Dadeville.
Wednesday, February 7
SITE REVIEW: Central Alabama January 31 - February 2 Community College will host a site CHURCH REVIVAL: God’s review for continuing accreditaHouse of Prayer Holiness Church tion of its Associate Degree in is hosting the Debt Cancellation Nursing program by the ACEN on Revival Jan. 31 to Feb. 2. Financial Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. in Building J of classes are nightly at 6 p.m. at the Childersburg Campus. For furthe church at 573 Harper Avenue. ther information, go to the CACC Musical guests include Lemmie homepage at www.cacc.edu. Battles, Paul Porter and Bishop ENGLISH LEARNER’S CLUB: Jason Nelson. For more informaThe Adelia M. Russell Library is tion contact Bishop Frank McCleod hosting the English Learner’s Club at 334-740-0294. starting Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Registration starts Jan. 3. Friday, February 2 The club will help speakers of FEAST OF SHARING: St. other languages learn, develop James Episcopal Church will and improve English skills, learn hold its Mardi Gras Auction at American slang, idioms and other the church located at 347 South useful phrases and work on fluency Central Ave, Alex City. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and will feature live activities and interview questions. For questions and informaand silent auctions, raffles, wine/ beer/non-alcoholic beverages, hors tion, call 256-329-6796 or visit the d’oeuvres, desserts, and entertain- Adelia M. Russell Library. ment. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. For information Friday, February 9 please contact Denise Graves 205VALENTINES CELEBRATION: 826-4066. For tickets please The Equality Performing Arts contact St. James Episcopal Center is hosting a Royal Church 256-234-4752. All monies Valentine’s Celebration Friday, benefit Feast of Sharing, a minisFeb. 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 17
PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Dadeville Kiwanis Club will be holding its annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 7 until 11 a.m. at the Dadeville Elementary School Cafeteria. Tickets are $6 per person and includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, ham, coffee, juice and milk. For tickets, see any member of the Dadeville Kiwanis Club, or contact Tony Johnson at 256-825-6364 or Peggy Bullard at 256-825-9415.
Saturday, February 24
PANCAKE BREAKFAST: There will be a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 24 at Faith Temple Church Gym at 425 Franklin Street from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tickets are $6 for all you can eat pancakes in house and sausage, juice and coffee. Carry out is available. This is a fundraiser for the Faith Christian Academy’s Robotics team which will compete in the National WWII Museum’s Robotics Challenge in New Orleans in May. Tickets are available from FCA students and at the door.
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 Jan. 8 at 1 p.m.
Saturday, March 10
PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Alexander City Kiwanis Club is hosting a pancake and Conecuh sausage breakfast March 10 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Benjamin Russell High School Cafeteria. It is $6 a ticket and all you can eat. Carry outs are available.
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!
Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com
Tony Guy, Owner Over 40 Years Experience
H&A Installation, Charge Outs and Repair Sheet Metal Work
FREE Estimates on NEW installations Service a 30 mile radius of Alexander City Licensed and Bonded #:84887 guysheating@live.com 256–234–4198 196 Thompson Ridge Road Alexander City, AL
Thursday, January 25, 2018
The Outlook
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Page 7
Page 8
www.alexcityoutlook.com
The Outlook
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Page 9
www.alexcityoutlook.com
The Outlook
More court action announced in Montgomery ‘pill mill’ case Practice, a medical clinic located at 4143 Atlanta Highway in Montgomery. The indictment in this case On Monday, January 22, alleges that Fannin worked as an 2017, Steven Edwin Cox, 61, office administrator for Sanchez of Tallassee, Alabama, pleaded and, in that role, helped Sanchez guilty to drug distribution to launder the money generated conspiracy and health care by the illegal drug distribution. fraud charges arising out of It also states that Brownfield and the ongoing investigation and Kumar worked in the practice’s prosecution of a Montgomery billing office and used their “pill mill,” announced United positions to commit health States Attorney Louis V. care fraud by overbilling for Franklin, Sr. The “pill mill” at issue was the services provided by the nurse practitioners. Family Practice medical office If convicted, Fannin faces located at 4143 Atlanta Highway a maximum sentence of 20 in Montgomery, Alabama. According to court documents, years’ imprisonment on the money laundering charges. until 2017, Cox worked at the Family Practice with Dr. Gilberto Brownfield and Kumar face maximum sentences of 10 years’ Sanchez. In November of 2017, imprisonment if convicted of Sanchez pled guilty to drug health care fraud. All defendants distribution, health care fraud, could also be assessed substantial and money laundering charges fines and other monetary arising out of the same scheme. penalties Cox’s role in the scheme This case was investigated was to see patients originally prescribed unnecessary controlled by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical substances by Sanchez and to Diversion Squad, the Internal give those patients refills on Revenue Service’s Criminal their prescriptions. Cox did so Investigation Division, and knowing that the patients did the Department of Health not actually need the medicine and Human Services – Office he was prescribing to them. of Inspector General. The Cox also helped Sanchez to fraudulently bill health insurance Montgomery County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama companies for the time he spent Board of Medical Examiners, the seeing the patients. Montgomery, Alabama Police At sentencing, Cox faces a Department, and the Opelika, maximum sentence of 20 years’ Alabama Police Department all imprisonment on the drug assisted in the investigation. distribution conspiracy charge, Assistant United States Attorneys and 10 years’ imprisonment on the health care fraud charge. He Jonathan S. Ross and R. Rand Neeley are prosecuting the case. also faces substantial monetary penalties and restitution. In a related case, Misty Many a small thing Michelle Fannin, 41, of Tallassee, Jacqueline Suzanne Brownfield, 33, of Wetumpka and Akash Kumar, 27, of Montgomery, were arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation and prosecution of a “pill ...with the right kind mill,” announced United States of advertising. Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr. All of the defendants are alleged to have assisted Dr. Gilberto Sanchez in operating a “pill mill,” out of Family 256.234.4281 STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Submitted / The Outlook
Matilda Woodyard-Hamilton recieved the Seniors of Achievement Award for 2017. Here she poses with Lisa Moncrief Tallapoosa County RSVP Coordinator after receiving the award.
Montgomery Area Council on Aging honors Matilda Woodyard-Hamilton STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Montgomery Area Council on Aging (MACOA) recognized Camp Hill’s Matilda Woodyard-Hamilton by naming her to the Class of 2017 Seniors of Achievement. In its 30th year, the award has brought to the forefront seniors that have made significant contributions to their communities. From church volunteers to Air Force generals to schoolteachers to prison wardens, Seniors of Achievement has recognized over 300 special individuals from varied walks of life. For 18 years, Woodyard-Hamilton has served as the Tallapoosa County Coordinator of the 21st Century Youth Leadership movement, the youth arm of the Alabama New South Coalition. A member herself, she is also a former board member and correspondence secretary. Every year she registers eligible students in Tallapoosa County’s three high schools to vote. She also assists the sick and shut-ins to vote by absentee ballot. She supports the local Camp Hill Nutrition Center and is a registered Red Cross Disaster Volunteer. Woodyard-Hamilton is presently
fundraising to provide construction of a walking trail and playground equipment for a city park in Camp Hill. She provides transportation for people to get to medical appointments in Birmingham, Columbus, Opelika and Alexander City, or for grocery shopping and other needs. She serves on and is former chair of the Tallapoosa County School Board, is secretary of the Alabama Black Council of School Board Members, and assists Can Live, a regional organization made up of residents of public housing. She is a longtime member of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and serves on the Tallapoosa RSVP Advisory Council. She is also a member of Mt. Lovely Baptist Church. A graduate of Southern University Law School, she worked at various law and court offices in Washington, D.C. and in a legal services office in Georgia before moving to Tallapoosa County. Woodyard-Hamilton was one of 12 honored at a banquet at the Montgomery Country Club. Jeff Shearer, formerly of WSFA News and is now the senior writer and communications assistant with Auburn University served for his sixth year as Master of Ceremonies.
been
made
large...
has
LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228
lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Page 10
Thursday, January 25, 2018
www.alexcityoutlook.com
JOE MCADORY Columnist
It’s never too early to forecast college football
F
lipping through the channels on my living room television early Saturday afternoon, I felt empty, bored and alone. “Skyfall,” an excellent James Bond flick, was playing. So was “Armageddon,” that sci-fi thriller that mixes deep-sea oil drillers with a giant asteroid. But I’d seen both movies a hundred times. A litany of college basketball games was televised, but none quenched my thirst. After all, the Auburn-Georgia game didn’t come on until 5. What could fill this emptiness? College football, of course. We are two weeks removed from the postseason — and nearly two months removed from the regular season — and I’m having withdrawals. Since I can’t watch it, then I might as well think about it. So, about next season … Georgia and Alabama rematch? That’s what a number of those way-too-early-to-predict-the-season forecasts call for, this time for the SEC crown. ESPN said so, therefore it must be true (cough, cough). Georgia returns a young, star quarterback in Jake Fromm, and D’andre Swift is a running back some have already touted as a Heisman candidate. Plus, the Dogs play in the SEC East, which generates a cushy schedule until Florida and Tennessee finally get their acts together. Georgia did lose a ton of star seniors, for what it’s worth. Alabama also lost a ton of talent but will reload. That’s the norm in Tuscaloosa. The Tide defense has holes to fill, for sure. Regardless, Alabama remains the best choice to take the West, particularly as it gets Auburn at home. Another note: Georgia’s toughest non-conference game is Georgia Tech. Alabama’s is Louisville. Yawn. What about Auburn? The defending SEC West champions return a wealth of contributors but also have important holes to plug. Losing three-fourths of your starting offensive line is a problem. Then again, that line provided little pass protection in four losses. The Tigers open the season in Atlanta against a loaded Washington team. Win that game and it could be clear sailing into October … and Starkville. Darkhorse: Cowbells are annoying, particularly thousands of them in unison. Get used to it, because Mississippi State is returning practically everyone from last season’s team. The Bulldogs might have the most experienced team in the conference. Will that translate into victories? We’ll find out when Auburn rolls into town. Win that one and Mississippi State’s November date in Tuscaloosa could be for the West. Surprise team: Florida. There is too much talent on that roster for this bunch to keep losing. Throw energetic Dan Mullen into the mix, and I see fun coming back to Gainesville. Best opening week game: Washington vs. Auburn is the most intriguing. Neither side can afford to kick off the season in a one-loss hole, particularly Auburn which must travel to Georgia and Alabama. Miami vs. LSU out in Dallas ain’t bad either. Florida State kicks off its season vs. Virginia Tech on Labor Day night. This could signal the Seminoles either return as a contender or not. Playoff Four: We’re 11 months from playing this thing out, but why not join the club and speculate with the rest of America? In no particular order: Clemson, Alabama, Washington and Penn State. I really went out on a limb there, huh? Joe McAdory is a communications editor at Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business.
4-POINT PLAY Dadeville’s Jalen Sullivan waits to defend a pass against Elmore County earlier this season.
File / The Outlook
Dadeville boys slumping after strong start By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
What started as a seemingly unstoppable season has turned for the worse for Dadeville’s boys basketball team. The Tigers began the season on a 5-0 run, picking up wins against all four area foes prior to the winter break. But then the injury and flu bugs hit, and things started to go downhill. Dadeville was forced to drop out of the Benjamin Russell Slam Fest over the break due to a rash of the flu, and after the break, the Tigers haven’t been themselves. After defeating Reeltown, 55-46, to start the season, Dadeville had the tables turned in a 70-56 victory for the Rebels. It has now lost five straight, but the worst turnaround came Monday against Tallassee. Dadeville eked out a 51-50 comeback victory over Tallassee, but the story was much different Monday as Tallassee dominated to the tune of 72-46. Without the likes of Qua Tucker, who is expected to return before the area tournament, and Luke Walker, who will miss the remainder of the season with an ACL tear, Dadeville is now 5-5 (4-2 Class 4A Area 5) after such a promising start.
Endless contributors
In a 70-39 victory over Clay Central, Benjamin Russell’s girls team had a chance to get everyone involved, and each player had a hand in the victory. Not only did 11 different Wildcats score at least two points, everyone who got into the game grabbed at least one rebound. Off the bench, Niah Ford had four boards and Taniya Hutches and Kennedi Minnifield each had two. Mia Graham contributed four assists. “It’s always great to get people in the game that don’t normally play,” BRHS coach Latreisha Moon said following the game.
Snow changes up final weeks
Due to the recent snowfall, basketball teams in the area will have their schedules filled to the brim to close out the last week and a half of the season. The regular season concludes Feb. 2. Benjamin Russell will be one of the busiest squads in the area, playing four games in five days. The Wildcats host Opelika on Friday, Dadeville on Saturday afternoon and Wetumpka on Monday before heading to Wetumpka on Tuesday. “We’re going to have to get a lot of players involved to keep our kids fresh,” Moon said. The Tigers also have a jam-packed
Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook
Benjamin Russell’s Jaaliyah Caldwell lays in a shot against Clay Central on Monday.
schedule to close out the week. Dadeville heads to Elmore County tonight before hosting Alabama Christian Friday and facing BRHS on Saturday. After a shortlived break on Sunday, the Tigers turn right around and play their final area game at Alabama Christian on Monday. Horseshoe Bend also has back-to-back games to end both this week and next week, and Central Coosa elected not to make up its game with Dadeville in order to stay at a somewhat normal schedule in preparation for area play.
Lanett has clinched the No. 1 spot in both boys and girls, while Reeltown will be No. 3 and Horseshoe Bend No. 4. Central Coosa has all but clinched the top seed in Class 3A Area 6 for both boys and girls. The Cougars are 4-0 in both, but have to face B.B. Comer tonight and Beulah next week. The boys previously defeated Comer, 66-21, and Beulah, 60-40, while the girls earned wins over both, 54-23 and 48-24, respectively. As for Benjamin Russell and Dadeville, things are still up in the air. Because of rescheduling and being in such a small Area standings shaking out region, the Wildcats have actually played Horseshoe Bend and Reeltown’s boys basketball teams have arguably the toughest just one Class 6A Area 6 game so far and Class 2A area schedule one could imagine. are both 0-1. Dadeville’s girls can’t climb back to the In order to get out of Area 8, they’ll have to take down either the two-time defending No. 1 spot, but the boys still have the hope of hosting the Class 4A Area 5 tournament state champion Lanett or the 2015 state in reach. champion LaFayette.
Central Coosa remains undefeated in area play coach Jeremy Freeman said. “They’re more familiar with the court and more comfortable with the baskets. We were With a sweep of Randolph down the majority of the game, County on Tuesday night, but the guards really took Central Coosa’s basketball over with maybe three or four teams moved to 4-0 in Class minutes to go in the third.” 3A Area 6 with two games Jovon Richardson led the remaining. Cougars (12-3, 4-0) with 25 Despite being down by six points at halftime, the Cougars’ points, and Omar Guard added boys team climbed back to earn 19. “For them to have 44 a 68-58 victory. together is strong,” Freeman “Any time you play on said. “I know what Noel someone else’s home court, (Jones) is going to do, but we there’s going to be some needed to turn it up on offense. differences in the way they It was an intense game the play,” Central Coosa boys STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
whole time.” Jones still managed a double-digit performance, finishing with 14 points. Central Coosa’s girls team had a field day, earning a 66-21 victory to move to 9-3 (4-0) on the season.
third. “They got out in transition really well,” Generals boys coach Chad Kison said. “We beat them in the fourth quarter, but that third quarter really hurt us.” Nalijah Heard still managed a 20-point performance. Trace HBS defeated by LaFayette Meadows led the way on the boards with 10 rebounds and After being tied at 14 at Leevontae Robinson followed halftime, Horseshoe Bend’s boys basketball team struggled with eight. On the girls side, Horseshoe in the third quarter, and it ended in a 46-34 loss to LaFayette in Bend suffered its worst loss of the season, falling to LaFayette, Class 2A Area 8 action. The Bulldogs outscored Horseshoe 67-13. The Generals are now 5-8 (0-5). Bend (10-6, 1-4), 15-6, in the
To Your Good Health
Health For Any Age
Flu Prevention Diabetes Health January 2018 A Special Supplement to
The Outlook & The Record
2
TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH 2018
JAN. 25 2018
File / Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.
Alabama is experiencing widespread flu activity and hospitals are at or over normal patient capacity due in large part to the number of patients presenting seasonal flu-like symptoms. Emergency departments and outpatient clinics are also seeing very high volumes of patients. The Alabama Department of Public Health is urging the general public and area residents to do everything they can to avoid getting and spreading the flu.
State stresses flu prevention With rapid spread of flu, state health department urges public to follow ‘Fight the Flu’ actions STAFF REPORT Alabama Department of Public Health
Alabama is experiencing widespread influenza (flu) activity, and hospitals are at or over normal patient capacity due in large part to the number of patients presenting with seasonal influenza-like symptoms. Emergency departments and outpatient clinics are also seeing very high volumes of patients. At this time, this is not a pandemic flu situation, but a major seasonal flu situation. To avoid getting and spreading the flu, the Alabama Department of Public Health urges the general public to follow 10 Fight the Flu actions, for example: • Get flu vaccine; it is not too late • Stay at home if you have a fever • Wash your hands • Cover your cough and sneeze • Clean and disinfect • Learn home care
for antivirals without an appointment. Many insurance companies now have a “call a provider” service to help with mild to moderate illnesses; please take advantage of this service before going to a doctor or hospital. Mild to moderate cases of the flu usually do not require a hospital visit. Patients who do visit an emergency department or outpatient clinic should be aware of long wait times. Employers and schools that require doctor excuses for absences are asked to waive this requirement during this time to encourage those who are sick to stay home and not spread disease. Special / Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Acting State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris will conduct a State and area health officials are stressing the importance that it is not too late to get a flu news conference on Friday to proshot. There are free flu shot clinics at several locations around the state. vide additional information about Alabama’s flu situation. • Headaches Flu can cause mild to severe illVisit alabamapublichealth.gov/ • Fatigue (tiredness) ness, and at times can lead to death. immunization for more information Some people may have vomiting The flu is different from a cold. on ways to avoid getting and spreadand diarrhea, although this is more The flu usually comes on suddenly. ing the flu and do10 Fight the Flu common in children than adults. People who have the flu often feel actions, go to alabamapublichealth. For people with mild to modersome or all of these symptoms: gov/influenza/prevention.html and ate flu or flu-like symptoms, please • Fever or feeling feverish/chills flu disease and vaccine, go to alado not go to your doctor’s office • Cough bamapublichealth.gov/immunizawithout calling first and do not go • Sore throat tion/assets/Influenza_Disease_and_ to the emergency room. Please call • Runny or stuffy nose your doctor to see if you are eligible Vac_Flyer.pdf. • Muscle or body aches
4
JAN. 25, 2018
TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH 2018
Scale Back Alabama weigh-ins at Russell Medical underway STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
File / Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.
Another year of Scale Back Alabama began Monday, Jan. 22, and Russell Medical and Total Fitness will again be serving as the weigh-in site. Scale Back Alabama is the state’s largest weight loss and physical activity competition. There have been 317,372 statewide participants since 2007, according to statistics provided by the Scale Back Alabama organization.
Another year of Scale Back Alabama, the state’s largest weight loss and physical activity competition began Monday, Jan. 22 and Russell Medical and Total Fitness will again be serving as the weighin site. Teams can pre-register now for Scale Back Alabama. The competition is free, and participants must be at least 18 years of age and live or work in Alabama. Teams and individuals who weigh-out during the week of April 2-8 and succeed in losing at least 10 pounds qualify to win a share of $14,500 in cash prizes. Teams are made up of two people (no more, no less). The final weigh in session is set for Friday, Jan. 26 from noon to 4 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. at Total Fitness inside Russell Medical. Healthy weight loss is encouraged, said Pam Sparks of the Alabama Hospital Association. “We send out tips on healthy weight loss weekly to all the participants,” Sparks said. “And we encourage small lifestyle chances like parking further away from your building, taking the stairs and portion control.” Sparks said it’s always smart for participants to consult with a physician . “All the participants should talk to their doctor first if they’re going to start a dieting program. That’s just a smart thing to do if you’re going to really go after it.”
To register a two-person team:
• Visit scalebackalabama.com/ project/register or via the Scale
Back Alabama app (only one registration per team of two) • If possible, print your registration confirmation page • Visit an official public weighin location during the week of Jan. 22 – 28 (take registration confirmation with you) If you don’t see a weigh-in location convenient for you, search for additional public weigh-in sites at scalebackalabama.com/ sites. Weigh-in sites are still being added, so check back frequently. If both team members lose at least 10 pounds, they are eligible for team prizes. Three teams are drawn to win $1,000 per team member, three are drawn to win $500 per team member and three more are drawn to win $250 per team member. If a team member loses 10 pounds or more, but his or her team mate does no he or she may be one of 40 individuals to have their names drawn to win $100 each. Scale Back Alabama, beginning its 12th consecutive year, started in Jan. 2007. In those 12 years, 317,372 participants have lost a cumulative total of 1.35 million pounds. Although Alabama has made progress, it remains third in the nation in terms of adult obesity with a rate of 35.7 percent. A variety of health issues result from and are compounded by being overweight or obese. Scale Back Alabama is a public awareness campaign hosted by the Alabama Hospital Association and the Alabama Department of Public Health with support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.
Impact of Scale Back Alabama
317,372 statewide participants since 2007
1.35 million pounds lost since 2007
set Guinness World Record on January 8, 2016 for ‘Greatest Number of People Being Weighed on a Single Scale’ at
157
*statistics from Scale Back Alabama
people
JAN. 25, 2018
8,600 $5 people die annually from tobacco use
60% of Alabamians who smoke said they tried to quit at least once during the past year
5
TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH 2018
or more is spent on each pack of cigarettes
If you are ready to quit, call
1-800-784-8669
There’s no downside to quitting tobacco STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
There is no downside to quitting tobacco, and the benefits are priceless. Consider giving yourself the gift of becoming tobacco free in the new year. The Alabama Department of Public Health offers free assistance to stop tobacco use through the Tobacco Quitline. The Quitline helps callers develop an individualized quit plan, offers coaching and provides up to eight weeks of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) patches if the user is medically eligible and enrolled in the coaching program. All services at the Quitline – 1-800-QUIT-NOW – are free to Alabama residents. Within 20 minutes of quitting, heart rate and blood pressure drop. By the end of three months, circulation improves and lung function increases, according to the American Cancer Society. With a pack of cigarettes costing $5 or more, quitting means more money to spend for other things. Quitline services are available every day from 6 a.m. to midnight, with calls placed after hours or on holidays returned the next business day. The Quitline schedules phone coaching sessions at the caller’s convenience, according to Quitline Manager Julie Hare. Online services are available at QuitNowAlabama. com.
If the caller is eligible for NRT, it is mailed directly to the caller’s home. Medicaid callers will be referred to Medicaid for their cessation medications. “Because Medicaid pays for any of the seven FDA-approved cessation medications, we require Medicaid recipients to get their medications through Medicaid’s program,” Hare said. “We can, however, help their doctor with the authorization process.” All callers enrolled in the program will be asked to set a quit date within 30 days and work with a coach to make a plan. Studies show the combination of coaching and medication doubles the chances of being successful, Hare said. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. In Alabama, some 8,600 people die annually from tobacco use. Almost one-third of cancer deaths in Alabama are attributable to smoking, according to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. According to the 2016 Adult Tobacco Survey, more than 60 percent of Alabamians who smoke said they tried to quit at least once during the past year. It can take multiple attempts for a person to quit, Hare said. For more information on quitting, contact the Quitline at 1-800-7848669.
This New Year take CHARGE of Your Health.
Kick Start Your Resolution
with a One-Two Punch! Where Lifestyle Changes are Made! CALL OUR WEIGHT LOSS CLINIC TODAY! New Patient Appointments Guaranteed In 2 Business Days!
OPTIMUM CARE . . .
FOR THE WHOLE PERSON! Specialized in Prevention & Diagnosis of: • High Blood Pressure Dr. Dimo Popov • Kidney Disease M.D. Board Certified • Diabetes Internal Medicine & • Acute & Chronic Medical Conditions Nephrology
Alex City Internal Medicine And Weight Loss Center 3368 Hwy. 280, Suite 220 • Alexander City, AL 35010
256•409•1500
6
TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH 2018
JAN. 25, 2018
Good choices the key to heart health STAFF REPORT American Heart Association
A few good choices can help you feel better and stay healthier. Getting diagnosed with health problems such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol is a wake-up call that it’s time to make major lifestyle changes. The good news is, a few simple changes can help you avoid such a diagnosis in the first place. By focusing on seven key health factors and behaviors – what the American Heart Association calls Life’s Simple 7® – you can keep your heart healthy, lower your risks of heart disease and stroke, and improve your quality of life. This is the first in a series on Life’s Simple 7. The series will cover each one of Life’s Simple 7 keys to prevention with steps you can take to live a healthier lifestyle. “We’re all born with a large stock of good health; it’s up to us to protect it with good choices about our health,” said Donald M Lloyd-Jones, M.D., professor of Preventive Medicine and Medicine-Cardiology, chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. Life’s Simple 7 focuses on the seven factors and behaviors that have the biggest impact on your heart health, both on their own and taken together. They are: • Lose weight/maintain healthy weight • Eat better • Get active • Manage blood pressure • Reduce blood sugar • Stop smoking • Control cholesterol Making positive changes in any one of these areas can make a difference in your health, said Dr. Lloyd-Jones, a volunteer with the American Heart Mitch Sneed / Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Association. And emerging research Dr. Kevin Sublett of UAB Heart and Vascular Clinic of Central Alabama conducts a hearth cath procedure at Russell Medical. The clinic specializes shows the results are much more drain the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels. The facility currently offers state-of-the-art imaging that matic when the seven factors work includes 4-D Cardiac and Vascular Ultrasound as well as 2-D Carotid Ultrasound. together. “Small changes matter,” he said. device while you’re at your appointment. a full picture of your health by know“A stroke can be absolutely devastat“If you can lose weight, or maintain a ing your Life’s Simple 7 numbers. Some Take action and get ing and take a toll on a person’s quality healthy weight, you can reduce your risk measures, such as blood sugar and choyour heart score of life,” he said. “In addition to avoiding of diabetes, high cholesterol and high lesterol, will require a trip to the doctor Once you’ve got your numbers handy, those, we want to preserve a person’s blood pressure.” for a health screening. Others, such as use the My Life Check online assessment healthy longevity.” Making changes before you develop blood pressure and weight, you may be tool to measure your heart health. Your Educate yourself with a visit a chronic condition such as high blood able to measure at home or your local results will show where you stand regardto your healthcare provider pressure or high cholesterol is critical. pharmacy. You can use this simple Life’s ing Life’s Simple 7 and will include an Taking action to keep your heart While medication may reduce your risk action plan customized to your lifestyle healthy is important because heart disease Simple 7 tracker to write down all of for a heart attack or stroke, it can’t elimiyour data before taking the My Life and health outlook. is the No. 1 killer in the U.S. nate the risk. You’ll also have an opportunity to But many Americans aren’t aware that Check Assessment. Bring this download“There’s a price to pay for having able tracker with you to your appointment make a pledge to set a goal for extra supthey may be at risk. developed the condition,” Dr. Lloydport and motivation. An American Heart Association survey with your healthcare provider and write Jones said. “We can reduce your risk, but down the numbers you get from your “It’s never too late,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones of U.S. adults showed most people don’t we can never restore you to low-risk.” screenings, then you’re ready to enter all said. “Each one of Life’s Simple 7 is By focusing on Life’s Simple 7, people connect important risk factors, such as the information you need into the My modifiable and controllable. All you need may be able increase the number of years poor diet and physical inactivity, with Life Check Assessment online. You can heart disease and stroke. are the tools and the understanding that they feel healthy, rather than managing also take the assessment on your mobile The first step to doing that is getting you can change it.” chronic disease, Dr. Lloyd-Jones said.
JAN. 25, 2018
TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH 2018
Multiple factors contribute to maintaining good health STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Every year, losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle top millions of people’s New Year’s resolutions lists. Unfortunately, it’s a lot easier to set a goal than it is to actually achieve it, so it’s important to have a game plan if you want to see results. Here are some sustainable tips to help you lose weight and feel great in 2018! Set goals mindfully Setting a goal to “lose weight” sounds great, but it is pretty vague. It’s hard to achieve a goal without a specific plan or focus. Remember to think about your health beyond just the number on the scale. Whether it’s deciding to train for a 5K race or choosing to reduce your sugar intake by half, getting specific and setting realistic goals helps you get a clear sense as to whether you were successful. Get hydrated One simple way to cut back calories and sugar is to make water your drink of choice. Eliminate high-calorie beverages like juice and soda from your diet. Start the New Year off by setting a simple goal of drinking at least five 12-ounce glasses of water a day. Sustainable meal planning
A sustainable diet is not about deprivation, it’s about eating nutritious, enjoyable meals. For example, a Mediterranean diet, which focuses on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and healthy fats like olive oil; often offers better nutrition, better flavors and better results than a fad diet. In fact, people who followed a Mediterranean diet lost 52 percent more weight than those with a standard lowfat diet says a study published in a peer reviewed journal. Over a period of two years, the Mediterranean diet group lost 9.7 pounds while the low fat diet group only lost 6.3 pounds. Make exercise fun Exercise is critical for a healthy body and mind. Whether it’s taking the dog out for a daily walk, signing up for a dance class or committing to hitting the gym three to four times a week, find a workout routine you love and can commit to so you don’t think of movement and exercise as a chore. Even a well-balanced diet combined with exercise can use extra support. One great program that works in conjunction an solid weight management system combining credible products with real food and flexible lifestyle behaviors to help users detox.
Be aware of the signs of diabetes STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Diabetes increases your risk for many serious health problems. The good news? With the correct treatment and recommended lifestyle changes, many people with diabetes are able to prevent or delay the onset of complications. The following symptoms of diabetes are typical. However, some people with Type 2 diabetes have symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed. Common symptoms of diabetes: • Urinating often • Feeling very thirsty • Feeling very hungry - even though you are eating • Extreme fatigue • Blurry vision • Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal • Weight loss – even though you are eating more (Type 1) • Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (Type 2) Early detection and treatment of diabetes can decrease the risk of developing the complications of diabetes. So if you have experienced any of these symptoms, see your doctor for testing. It can be vital to your good health. There are several ways to diagnose diabetes. Each way usually needs to be repeated on a second day to diagnose diabetes.
Testing should be carried out in a health care setting (such as your doctor’s office or a lab). If your doctor determines that your blood glucose level is very high, or if you have classic symptoms of high blood glucose in addition to one positive test, your doctor may not require a second test to diagnose diabetes. Diabetes often goes hand in hand with other medical conditions. Nearly 1 in 3 American adults have high blood pressure and 2 in 3 people with diabetes report having high blood pressure or take prescription medications to lower their blood pressure. Your heart has to work harder when blood pressure is high, and your risk for heart disease, stroke and other problems goes up. High blood pressure won’t go away without treatment. That could include lifestyle changes and, if your doctor prescribes it, medicine. However, there are several ways to lessen the impact of diabetes. Healthy eating is a big part of that. Eating well-balanced meals is an essential part of taking better care of yourself and managing diabetes. So is regular physical activity, which is especially important for people with diabetes and those at risk for diabetes. Consult a healthcare professional to start a healthy eating plan and get recommendations on simple exercise plans to help you manage your issues.
Give Your Heart a Fresh Start The new year is here, so why not make e a resolution that gives you and yourr loved ones peace of mind? We all know that healthy hearts live longer, more active lives. That starts with a comprehensive cardiac checkup. February is American Heart Month, serving as an annual reminder of the ƓJKW DJDLQVW FDUGLRYDVFXODU GLVHDVH Kevin Sublett, MD, and his staff at the UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic of Central Alabama are proud supporters of this ƓJKW :H DUH FRPPLWWHG WR NHHSLQJ your heart healthy, so you can live a healthier life all year long. Our clinic is backed by the world-class expertise you expect from UAB Medicine, offering: • The full spectrum of cardiovascular care • &DUH IURP D SK\VLFLDQ ERDUG FHUWLƓHG LQ LQWHUYHQWLRQDO cardiology • The latest in cardiac and vascular ultrasound technology, as well as nuclear medicine imaging in accredited laboratories • Diagnosis and treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders • Convenient location within Russell Medical Call us today to schedule an appointment!
3368 Highway 280, Suite 130 Alexander City, AL 35010 (256) 234-2644 uabmedicine.org/heartcentralAL
7
8
TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH 2018
JAN. 25, 2018
Cancer center open to thoughts Practice medication safety, especially around children for working with community By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Two doctors from the UAB Medicine Russell Medical Cancer Center were on hand at Jake’s Monday evening, prepared to present a talk on prostate cancer, including some of the various treatment options available for those diagnosed with the disease. Despite not having a large turnout like they had hoped, the center is looking to continue having events like this for members of the community. “This was the first thing I know of that we’ve done exactly like this for a specific group,” Cancer Center Director Phillip Bremmerman said. “We would absolutely love to do this again.” With estimates showing that one out of every nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, Bremmerman felt having this talk would be a beneficial place to start in reaching out to members of the community and provide valuable education. “We want to give back to the community,” Bremmerman said. “We thought this would be a good experience for everybody.”
With this program still being a relatively new thing for the Cancer Center to be a part of, Bremmerman said he and the others at the center would be more than welcome to hearing suggestions from members of the community on what other ideas might work and be beneficial to the public. This can include changing up the format for presentations, discussing other forms of cancer and finding more ways to reach out and get the public involved in the talks. “We’re learning as well, figuring out what’s the best thing to do,” Bremmerman said. “The community is what’s at the heart of this. We are open to suggestions, and any feedback from the community is welcome.” Even though the center is still in the process of figuring out what is the best format for sessions like the recent prostate cancer talk at Jake’s, simply having such a program is beneficial to everyone in the community. With a disease as destructive as cancer that can strike virtually anyone, having information sessions on the many forms cancer can take gives the public that much more ammunition for dealing with the sickness should it strike someone near and dear to them.
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Any medical diagnosis often comes with a long list of medication to help treat a condition. Though such medications can be a key component of successful treatment, extra pills in the home can pose additional hazards to children and even elderly residents who may inadvertently get into unsecured pills. Patients may be prescribed a number of prescription medications during the course of their treatments. Antidepressants, opioids, steroids, anti-convulsants, and radiopharmaceuticals may be prescribed to treat pain and other side effects of cancer. When taken in the right doses, these medicines can help patients withstand and ultimately overcome their disease. In the wrong hands, the same drugs can prove poisonous, especially to young children. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, 500,000 parents and caregivers per year call a poison control center because a child accidentally ingested medicine or was given the wrong dose. In 2011, 67,000 children were treated in an emergency room for medicine poisoning. Based on emergency room visits, many children come in contact with these medications in places other than the medicine cabinet. Kids may find spare pills on the ground, in a purse or bag or on a counter or nightstand. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a 160 percent increase in poisonings in children from 1999 to 2009, 91 of which are the result of a drug over-
dose. The Cincinnati Children’s Hospital says that kids ages five and younger are the most likely victims of prescription drug poisoning. In homes where there is an abundance of medications being used to treat cancer or other illnesses, diligence is needed on the part of adults. Childproof bottles are seldom enough. Very often adults forget to close the lids properly. Tenacious children can sometimes figure out how to get lids off of bottles even if they are touted as childproof. Cancer patients taking medication might want to employ some additional safety measures in order to protect young children.
• Do not advertise medication use to your children. Take pills away from curious eyes so that youngsters are not tempted to try Mom or Dad’s medicine, which for all intents and purposes, looks like candy to a child. • Store medications high up, ideally in a locked cabinet. Remain careful when returning pill containers to these locked cabinets after use. • Use individual-dose cases, many of which can be locked with a key or a combination code. This can protect against spills should the case fall on the floor. • Ask for medications to be prescribed in blister packs that are more difficult to open. • Dispose of any expired medication or pills you no longer need so there are no extras lying around the house. • Dispose of pills in an outside garbage receptacle so that children or pets cannot find them and swallow them. • Never store pills in a container other than the prescription container or a medication dispenser.
When cancer treatment necessitates the taking of additional medications, it becomes even more important to protect children from accidental -- and sometimes intentional -- ingestion of medications.
Dz dz ǡ ǡ ǡ Ǥ
ǣ Ǧ
Ǧ
Ǧ
Ǧ Ƭ
Ǧ
Ǧ
Ǧ
Ǧ
Ǧ
Ǧ͖͘Ǧ
Ǧ
Ǧ Ƭ
Ǥ ǡ
Ƥ Ǥ ǡ ǡ Ȁ ǯ ǡ ǡ Ȁ ǡ ǡ ǡ Ǥ
ǣ
ȋ͚͝͞Ȍ ͙͘͜Ǧ͜͜͝͝ ͙͛͝ ǡ ͙͛͘͝͝
10
TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH 2018
JAN. 25, 2018
Special / State Point Media
The first six months of a baby’s life have a crucial impact on the future of their health. Breastfeeding, making the most of breast milk, good nutrition, regular check-ups and healthy interactions are all suggested tips on boosting a child’s health. Staying on top of a child’s health from Day 1 can make a large impact on the rest of his or her life.
Tips to boost your child’s health from Day 1 STATE POINT MEDIA Special to TPI
New moms want to give their babies everything they need to grow up healthy and strong – and the first six months are some of the most important, helping determine the course of their health trajectories. During this crucial time, there are many different ways that parents can help create a foundation for life-long health. • Breastfeed. Breastfeeding is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, as it’s the best source of nutrition for your baby and is beneficial to both mothers and children. The benefits are far-reaching and include protection against diseases and conditions such as respiratory tract infections, type 1 and type 2 diabetes and certain cancers in babies, and can reduce a mother’s risk of breast and ovarian
cancers. • Get more out of breast milk. For all of breast milk’s benefits, its third most abundant nutrient is indigestible by babies’ bodies. But recent research from Evivo, a maker of baby probiotics, has solved the paradox: this component of breast milk is actually the perfect nourishment for a key type of beneficial gut bacteria critical to the development of a baby’s metabolism and immune system during the first six months of life. It’s this initial setup of good gut bacteria that helps fight off potentially bad bacteria linked to colic, eczema, allergies, asthma, diabetes and obesity. “Unfortunately, the last 100 years of modern medicine have created a negative shift in the balance of good vs. potentially harmful gut bacteria in most U.S. babies, due to the unintentional consequences
of antibiotic use, C-section deliveries and formula feeding,” said Dr. Tanya Altmann, MD, and spokesperson for Evivo. “But parents can restore their baby’s gut microbiome with probiotics.” To get more out of breast milk, and promote your baby’s developing metabolism and immune system, Altmann recommends incorporating a probiotic such as Evivo into your routine. Evivo is the only probiotic clinically proven to restore a baby’s gut to the way nature intended. To learn more, visit evivo.com. • Good nutrition. If you are breastfeeding, consider keeping a food diary to note how your baby responds after you eat different foods. It’s also important to follow safety recommendations regarding alcohol consumption, prescription medications and caffeine. • Regular check-ups. Follow your pediatrician’s guidelines for
scheduling checkups carefully. These appointments are crucial to ensure your baby is growing at a healthy rate, having healthy reflexive responses and is infectionfree. This is also one of your best opportunities to have all of your questions answered. Lastly, these appointments will include all the vaccinations your baby needs. • Healthy interactions. Spending time with your newborn is critical for his or her physical and emotional health, as well as neurological development. Spend as much time as possible with your baby. If you go back to work, be sure that your baby’s caregivers spend plenty of time holding, playing and speaking to your baby. The right nutrition and habits can reduce a child’s risk for many common health conditions. Take every step you can to offer your child the healthiest future possible.
JAN. 25, 2018
11
TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH 2018
Dr. John Adams: ‘Weight loss is the best medicine’ STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
“Weight-loss is the best medicine,” Dr. John Adams, a general physician with Alexander City’s Total Health Care said as he presented information on osteoarthritis and obesity at a program last fall at Russell Medical Center. “It can fix just about everything.” Adams was speaking on one approach to conquering obesity, the Ketogenic diet, after a presentation by Dr. Paul Goldhagen on osteoarthritis, obesity and surgical treatments for arthritis, which often results from obsesity. “Arthritis is the loss of articular cartilage,” Goldhagen said. “That’s the shiny white stuff at the end of a chicken bone. Well, we have that same kind of cartilage cushioning our joints.” Goldhagen said when that articular cartilage is lost, it results on bone rubbing against bone and the resulting pain. He said there are certain non-modifiable causes of arthritis, which include age, gender and genetics, adding that the risk increases with age and 60 percent of women suffer from arthritis as opposed to 40 percent of men. Modifiable causes of arthritis include joint injury, infection, occupation (repetitive bending and squatting) and being overweight or obese, Goldhagen said. Symptoms of arthritis include pain, swelling, stiffness in the joint and the pain may be worse either with use or at rest,
Goldhagen said. He said treatments include use of anti-inflammatory or pain medications, resting or off-loading the joint, bracing the joint or injections of cortisone or hyaluronic acid (taken from the comb of a rooster and makes the joint fluid more viscous). Goldhagen also discussed two relatively new types of surgical treatment – ambulatory total knee replacement and ambulatory anterior total hip replacement. “For the knee, what ambulatory means is that you go home the same day,” said Goldhagen. “Three hours later, you’re going home and very minimal pain and we don’t use narcotics anymore.” Goldhagen said the ambulatory total knee replacement patient begins taking pain medications two days prior to surgery and the physician uses multimodal pain management, nerve blocks, less-invasive surgical techniques and a pain cocktail inside the joint, mostly where nerve endings are. With the total anterior hip replacement, Goldhagen said, the incision is done in the front as opposed to the back and is made between muscles, reducing pain. He said there is no instability or lifestyle restrictions and a more normal gait results as do equal leg lengths. Goldhagen showed videos of patients who had gone through both the knee and hip replacement surgeries he discussesd, with the videos showing knee replacement patients walking after three hours and hip replacement patients after two weeks. One
crowd about the Ketogenic diet, which he said he practices. Adams said the Ketogenic diet uses a high fat, low-carb regimen for weight loss as opposed to a high-protein, low-carb regimen, like the Atkins diet. “My whole life, the media, my mom, my dad, the government, everybody has been telling me fat is bad, low fat is the way to go,” Adams said. “I guess that’s the File / Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. part (of the ketogenic diet) that’s the hardDr. John Adams answers questions at a osteo- est to wrap your mind around.” Adams mentioned several diseases that arthritis and obesity session at Russell Medical are more likely among overweight patients, Center last year. particularly diabetes and cancers. He said of the knee replacement patients shown in obesity’s main culprit was insulin. the video, Kay Thomas, was in attendance. The Ketogenic diet, Adams said, requires “I started having knee trouble in 2010 or that a patient eat between 30-50 grams of net 2011 and it got to where I couldn’t walk,” carbs (total carbs minus fiber) a day. It has Thomas said. “(Goldhagen’s) exactly right. several effects, including decreasing sugar There is no pain. The good news is there cravings, keeping you more full, burning is no pain and the bad news is there is no more fat and losing weight. It is used for the pain. I over did it a little bit and tore a tentreatment of type II diabetes and epilepsy don, but I am on the mend.” and has shown promise in research of treatGoldhagen went from the treatments of ments for cancer, Alzheimer’s, mood disorarthritis to what he called “the most preders, chronic headaches and autism. ventable cure of arthritis”: obesity. He went Adams said that the Ketogenic diet keeps over facts about obesity (36 percent of all a person’s insulin level low which puts the adults are obese, 6.3 percent are extremely body into fat-release-fat-burn mode, but obese) and facts and myths related to the also significantly increases the fat content disease (Diet sodas are better for you than in the diet and teaches the body to use fat regular sodas is a myth). as energy. The body (the liver) will enter Goldhagen then introduced Adams, a state of Ketosis and will break down fat whose special interests are exercise science into fatty acids and ketone bodies which and the Ketogenic diet. Adams talked to the will be used as energy.
GET STARTED TODAY WITH THE PLATINUM REWARDS VISA CREDIT CARD FROM HERITAGE SOUTH CREDIT UNION.
APR* UNTIL MAY 2018
WWW.MYHSCU.COM / 256.245.4776 SYLACAUGA b- bCHILDERSBURG b- MOODY – ALEXANDER CITY
The promotional rate of 1.99% APR is valid on new HSCU VISA platinum rewards credit cards for all activity (purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances) completed during the promotional period and that rate will remain in effect on that promotional period activity through the final billing cycle of May 2018, at which point the balances on that promotional period activity will convert to the standard card rate – see credit union for details. Promotional offer good from 11/1/2017 – 5/1/2018. APR = Annual Percentage Rate