Weekend The Outlook
SPORTS, 11 BRHS’ top 5 storylines from 2017-18 year
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
June 30 - July 1, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 130 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
SPECIAL Latest LAKE magazine inside for subscribers
McDaniel gets 40-year sentence By MITCH SNEED Editor
Clate McDaniel didn’t ask for mercy and opted not to say a word in court Friday morning. But after hearing from defense attorney David Whittelsey, District Attorney Jeremy Duerr and members of the victim’s family, Judge Tom
HOLIDAY EVENTS
SATURDAY • Great Outdoors Day at Wind Creek 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. • Fireworks Bash in Hackneyville - 4 p.m.
SUNDAY • Food, fellowship & fireworks at Hillabee Baptist - 7 p.m.
TUESDAY • Alex City Celebrate Freedom - 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY • Russell Marine boat parade - 10 a.m. • Blue Creek parade - 11 a.m. • Russell Lands fireworks show & concert - 5 p.m. MORE DETAILS | 5
SPORTS | PAGE 12
NEW COACH Thomas named Coosa football, softball coach OBITUARIES | 2
Young sentenced McDaniel to 40 years for the Jan. 17, 2016 killing of Norman Crayton. Under current truth in sentencing guidelines, McDaniel would not be eligible to even apply for parole for 20 years. A jury had returned a guilty verdict on June 14, after four days of testimony and evidence were presented in a trial. While McDaniel
never denied he fired the fatal shots that killed Crayton in a green field off Barron’s Bridge Road that cold morning, he claimed it was self-defense. “After four days a jury had a chance to see the evidence, hear witnesses, including everything you had to say,” Young told See MCDANIEL • Page 10
ACRIP paving projects nearing completion
THE LAKE’S BACKYARD
By MITCH SNEED Editor
With a little luck and cooperation from Mother Nature, this year’s Alexander City Road Improvement Project paving projects should be complete soon. Alexander City City Engineer and Public Works Director Gerard Brewer said See PAVING • Page 10
Area offers plenty to do for those seeking recreation and chances to create memories By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
E
veryone is bombarded with images of far off places for creating memories for families or for vacations. Many people dream and save for those trips, but there are opportunities nearby that serve the same purpose, creating bonds and memories for families. And the best thing about them is most are free, the rest are low cost and all can be reached with the gas in your tank currently. The Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association (CRATA) was created in 2004 and with the vision of Jimmy Lanier, has created a series of trails in the Smith Mountain area, in the Cherokee Bluffs area along the Kowaliga Basin and its newest trails below Martin Dam along the Tallapoosa River, all of which can create life-long memories for families. “We have some great hiking trails,” Lanier said. “There are places to hike and swim along the way on some of them.” The trails vary in difficulty with Little Smith Mountain and the Deadening being the hardest. Lanier recommends not taking younger children on those, but many of the See RECREATION • Page 3
Missing teen’s body recovered from Coosa By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Area residents don’t have to travel farther than the backyard of the Lake Martin area as it offers a vast variety of recreational activities, including trails at Smith Mountain.
ARRESTS | 2 OPINION | 4 RELIGION | 6
Today’s
Weather
77 47 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
490.46 Reported on 06/29/18 @ 2 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
6
54708
90050
USPS Permit # 013-080
8
LMAS director offers tips to owners for holiday week
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
We Care About You
The body of the 15-year-old boy missing in the Coosa River since Wednesday was located this morning early by an offduty Montgomery firefighter. The search for Antavious Love, who disappeared in the river while swimming with friends, was supposed to resume at 8 a.m. this morning. But the firefighter arrived early, took his boat out and spotted Love’s body caught in a tree about 200 yards south of the Gold Star Park boat launch. “I guess the water was lower than it was yesterday,” said Wetumpka Police Chief Greg Benton. “I guess it had dropped just low enough to allow him to See BODY • Page 10
Officials advise exercising caution with fireworks
Fireworks could pose issues for pets with storm anxiety
Do your animals run and hide when it thunders? If so, you may want to take precautions as Chandler fireworks over the next week might cause the same reaction. Lake Martin Animal Shelter Director Mia See PETS • Page 9
McDaniel
File / The Outlook
While Alexander City has no rules against the use of fireworks in city limits, officials advise area residents to exercise caution and be considerate while using them to avoid harming themselves or others. Officials also remind residents there is a noise ordinance. For a full list of firework safety tips, see Page 9.
Lighting a fuse for a bottle rocket, firecracker or holding a sparkler is a rite of passage for many in the South. Fireworks are for sale everywhere it seems – in convenience stores and roadside stands. While some communities in Alabama have bans on them, Alexander City does not, but that does not mean open war with bottle rockets in the backyard. “There is no restriction on use of fireworks in the See CAUTION • Page 9
FREE CONSULTATIONS
and Your Loved Ones!
•Home-like Environment • Specialized Dementia Care Unit •Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Services “It’s not the end ... It’s a new beginning”
256-329-1313
A DAMS HEALTH & REHAB 1555 HILLABEE STREET • (256) 329-0847
217 Madison Street, Alexander City, AL “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
Sisters working the streets reach out to find an escape
Sunday
88 71
DEAR ABBY: I’m 19 and my sister is 16. We have been working as prostitutes here in our state and in several nearby ones. We know we need help, but we are afraid to ask for it. Hotlines and trafficking programs have called the police on friends of ours who reached out for help. How can we get help without being forced to testify against my boyfriend and our other friends? -- TERI DEAR TERI: I’m glad you wrote because there is help for you. Contact an organization called Children of the Night. It has helped thousands of young people like you and your sister. Its toll-free phone number is (800) 551-1300, ext. 0, and it is staffed 24/7. Children of the Night is privately funded and does not call the police on sex-trafficking victims. Once away from “the life,” you and your sister will be able to study for your high school diploma online by emailing wow@childrenofthenight.
Low
High
Thunderstorms likely
Monday
88 71 Low
High
Thunderstorms likely
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
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 tkatie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Digital Marketing Coordinator, Ext. 231 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Jessica Ware Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 jessica.ware@alexcityoutlook.com
DEAR ABBY Advice
org. If you would like more information, please visit www. childrenofthenight.org and see for yourself. I wish you luck and an easy escape from “the life.” You and your sister are in my thoughts and prayers. DEAR ABBY: I have a dilemma, and I need to know who’s right. My boyfriend of 2 1/2 years wants me to move into his apartment, but he says I can’t live there for free. He wants me to pay half the rent, cable, water and electric bills. I’m OK with the cable, water and electric. But I say the rent is the same whether I’m there or not, and I don’t think I should have to pay rent on HIS place. It would be different if
Ms. Lauren Ashley Bunn
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publish- printing press. ers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. © 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.
Jeffcoat Funeral Home Directing Tallassee, Alabama
Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 219 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 219 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com Erin Burton Office Assistant, Ext. 204 erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com
Postal
Information
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.
How to submit obituaries
Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by email at obits@alexcityoutlook.com or by fax at (256) 234-6550. For more information, call (256) 234-4281.
we were married. What do you think? Who’s right? -- MAYBE MOVING IN DEAR MAYBE: You are an independent young woman living in the 21st century, and as such, you should carry your share. That the two of you are not married is even more reason why you should share the cost of the rent. What your question shows me is, if the relationship evolves further and you consider making it permanent, that premarital counseling could help you and your boyfriend avoid some pitfalls later. Disagreements about money often cause marriages to fail. DEAR ABBY: My sister says it’s rude to arrive at a party at the time specified on the invitation. She insists that if the time stated is 8 p.m., you shouldn’t arrive before 8:30. I disagree, and I told her I believe that guests should arrive on time and to be late is disrespectful.
Her response was that I am behind the times. Please let me know who is correct. -- ON TIME IN FLORIDA DEAR ON TIME: Depending upon the type of party it is, there is leeway. If it’s a cocktail party, guests who prefer not to stand around drinking for hours may choose to arrive late. However, if it’s a dinner party, the guests should show up promptly so the meal can be served when it’s ready. Sometimes a guest may be 15 or 20 minutes late because of unforeseen circumstances, but if someone is delayed for more than that, the host should be called and warned so the dinner can proceed without being ruined. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Obituaries Ms. Lauren Ashley Bunn, a resident of Notasulga, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at the age of 26. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 30, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. from Salem Macon Baptist Church, with Rev. Greg Pate officiating. Burial will follow in Salem Macon Baptist Church Cemetery, Jeffcoat Funeral Home directing. Ms. Bunn is survived by her Parents, Tim and Pat Bunn; brother, Matthew Bunn (Summer); nephew, Cayson Bunn and many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins who will miss her dearly. Ms. Bunn is preceded in death by her grandparents, Charles and Mona Denney and Ovie and Lucille Watford. The family will receive friends Friday, June 29, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Jeffcoat Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Fund@cff.org. On line condolences are available at: www.jeffcoatfuneralhome.com
Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Weekend Edition, June 30 - July 1, 2018
The Outlook
Wilma Jones Routh 1930 - 2018 Funeral Service for Wilma Jones Routh, 87, of Alexander City, Alabama, will be Sunday, July 1, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at the Sixth Street Baptist Church. Rev. Bennie Lee Yates, Dr. Matt Haines, and Rev. Clyde Coker will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hillview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 30, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Mrs. Routh passed away on Monday, June 25, 2018 at Ashton Hall Assisted Living. She was born on November 21, 1930 in Daviston, Alabama to William R. Jones and Zama Lambert Jones. She was a military wife that moved around over the years and eventually settling in Alexander City. She retired from Radney Elementary and was a member of Sixth Street Baptist Church. She also enjoyed cooking, baking, and gardening. Her fondest past-time was spending time with her grandchildren. She is survived by her
son, Charles Routh (Sissy) of Lawrenceville, GA; daughter, Nancy Routh of Lawrenceville, GA; grandchildren, Christopher Routh (Emily) of Jackson, MS, Emily Diaz (Ryann) of Lawrenceville, GA, and Michaela Routh of Lawrenceville, GA; great grandson, Johnathan Diaz of Lawrenceville, GA; sisters, Bettie Vickers of Daviston, AL, Peggy Moncus of Kellyton, AL, and Joann Ballard of Daviston, AL, and many nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nathan L. Routh, son, Michael Ray Routh, father, William R. Jones, mother, Zama Lambert Jones, step mother, Martha Jones, brother, Ray Jones, sisters, Marie Jones, Hilda Blanks, Dorothy Harry, and Helen Harper. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to, Radney Elementary, c/o of Karen Jennings, 375 Lee St., 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.
Mother and son survive weather incident By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law 135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL
825-9559 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
YOU’RE NOT A SUBSCRIBER? Call 256-234-4281 and subscribe to The Outlook www.alexcityoutlook.com
Wanda Moore and her son Aiden were running errands Thursday afternoon as storms passed through the area when a tree falling in the roadway surprised them. They were leaving Goodwater headed towards Hackneyville and theirhome in Clay County but things got rough. Moore said they cut the trip short to get home and Aiden started to video the weather. “We were trying to beat the weather,” Moore said. “I started to think, ‘Oh boy, it’s getting bad quick.’ The weather was extremely violent but it was not yet raining.” Moore went on to explain she could see the trees being moved around by the wind. “You could see a tree starting to fall in front of us,” she said. “I started to apply the brake. We ran into it as it fell and up on it some.” Moore did not get out to inspect her GMC Acadia
Join the Fun... Become a Member Today!
just yet. “I wanted to get to safety,” she said. “I didn’t know how much damage we had. I backed up and did a three-point turn. I wanted to get away from the trees and into a clearing.” When Moore stopped, there was a limb from a pine tree, broken off and stuck through the radiator. “I am not sure how bad it is yet,” Moore said. “The insurance company towed it away. We are waiting to hear.” Moore’s son is a weather buff and videoed the ride home along the Hackneyville Highway as winds whipped trees all around. “He loves to video weather,” Moore said. “He is only 15 and will video at home or wherever we are.” Aiden’s video captures the collision in the roadway with the falling tree. Moore said the experience was enlightening and understands she and her son are lucky. “It is the coolest thing I have been through without getting harmed,” Moore said. “It was scary. I know what could have happened. A man just up the road lost his life Thursday in a similar incident.” In Lineville Thursday afternoon, a 30-year old man died after a tree struck his car while traveling on Martha Street. The vehicle traveled several hundred yards before crashing into a ditch.
Charles E. Bailey Sportplex
256.329.2910 • w w w. a c pr. m e
Submitted / The Outlook
The GMC Acadia driven by Wanda Moore was victim to a tree that fell in front of her and her son Thursday afternoon as a storm passed through the area.
Weekend Edition, June 30 - July 1, 2018
Page 3
www.alexcityoutlook.com
The Outlook
HIRING
CDL-A DRIVERS Cliff Williams / The Outlook
There are plenty of recreational activities for area residents around Lake Martin, including trails at Smith Mountain. Smith Mountain has seen some improvements recently like signage, new benches and picnic tables. Aside from the Little Smith Mountain and Deadening trails, most are suitable for children to hike, as well.
Recreation others are great for young families. “The newest trail below the dam, the John Scott Trail, is great for everyone,” Lanier said. “There are a lot of beautiful streams. Kids love getting into them, especially Yellowstone Creek. There is a large stone there covered in algae that they love to use as a slide. “The new trail is relatively easy with two steep climbs but there are ways to get around them along the old railroad bed that are well marked.” The other CRATA trails offer great amenities as well. “For swimming and hiking there are places along the Kowaliga Basin Trail from the Overlook parking lot with some beaches,” he said. “At Smith Mountain, the Island Hop Trail offers wading to sandy beaches on the islands. All of the trails offer beautiful views of the lake.” Lanier explained most of the trails have seen some improvement recently. New signage at Smith Mountain gives visitors a historical, biological and geographical information of the area. Improvements at Overlook Park include renovated handicap parking and new picnic tables and benches. The CRATA trails are not the only places to visit in the area.
continued from page 1
For the slightly more adventurous there is the Harold Banks Canoe Trail. It runs along 25 miles of the Tallapoosa River passing Horseshoe Bend National Military Park. It offers several shoals for those venturing out in canoes and kayaks. It also offers fishing and swimming opportunities. Horseshoe Bend National Military Park has an interpretative center and park rangers telling the history of the area going back to when Creek Indians inhabited the area. The 2,040-acre park has a trail and tour road. The Russell Forest Trails include more than 100 miles of trails for hikers, bikers and those with horses, but they do require a permit. Applications for permits can be found by visiting the Stables and Adventure Center at Russell Crossroads on Highway 63 or at the Russell Lands corporate office at Willow Point. Generations have created memories at Wind Creek State Park on the shores of Lake Martin. The 1,445-acre park has nearly 600 campsites with many along the lakeshore. For those that are not camping there is a day use fee and visitors have access to a beach for swimming picnic tables and bathhouses. The marina features many of things you can use at the
lake and it has boat rentals available. And there is still more ways to get outdoors. There is DARE Park at the end of Young’s Ferry Road where you can swim and picnic. Alexander City has the Sportplex with trails and playgrounds and Dadeville has Creation Plantation in Keebler Park. While many think recreation, hiking and vacations have to be far off, there is plenty to do in the backyard.
HOME MOST NIGHTS FULL TIME & PART TIME PAID WEEKLY DRIVERS NEEDED
$4,000 SIGN-ON BONUS WE NOW HAVE PRELOADED TRAILERS AT IMERYS
J&M
Tank Lines INC. Has What It Takes To Move Your Freight
J&M TANK LINES IS THE RIGHT CHOICE Visit us on the web or give us a call today.
JMTankDriving.com • 888.529.2660
CELEBRATING GOD & FREEDOM
Social Secu ity Finding Favour
Ŷ %" $( # $( Ŷ "# %"( $# Ŷ " $ & Ŷ $ #$ & "
F AYE EDMONDSON
49 North
Vy Moon
July 3, 2018 - 6:00 pm Benjamin Russell High School
Fireworks @ 9:30pm with music on
- Free Event No Coolers Concessions Available
## $" $ ) &
256.825.9559
" " # $ $ # $ $ $ !% $( # "& # $ " " # " $ " $ $ !% $( # "& # " " ( $ " '( "#
For More Information Call Marshall Street Church 256-234-3180
Opinion
MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213 editor@alexcityoutlook.com
EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed
Page 4
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Outlook The
Weekend Edition, June 30 - July 1, 2018
Doing your job shouldn’t result in fear
Our
View
Let’s put our best foot forward this holiday season
W
e know it’s hot. We know we’ve had our share of rainy days. At the same time, we know that the number of visitors to our fair city is about to increase. Lake Martin is a magnet that draws people to our area from across the state and the entire country. There is no time when that is more evident than on long holiday weekends like the Independence Day holiday period which is upon us. With folks coming to visit, we should take pride in our city, spruce up a bit and look our Sunday best – every day. Unfortunately, there are those of us who don’t. A few years back, Alexander City revised its weed ordinance to make it easier for the city to force property owners to cut high grass or make them pay for the city to deal with the issue. While the ordinance has helped, we ask why should it take a threat or a citation to take care of what you have? Sure, we’ve had some showers that have caused the grass to jump and made it impossible on some days to get out there with the mower. But those are just excuses. If you own property in Alexander City, cut your grass. If you don’t have the time or aren’t able, there are lawn services in town who will be more than glad to help you. If you see trash, pick it up. It only takes a second, really. Bag your trash before you put it in the can and if you have a business, make it a point to clean up the lawn and parking lot every day. People notice and unkempt grounds can actually harm your business and impact property values of residents around you. There are folks here in Alexander City who are working hard to bring visitors and businesses to our downtown area. They are doing all they can do, like holding such events as Jazz Fest, Strand Sessions, Sun Festival and the MainStreet Farmers’ Market. But even these kinds of big efforts sometimes fall victim to not taking care of the small stuff. Make sure your grass is cut and your lawn is looking its Sunday best during these summer months when the lake is full, fun and frivolity are in the air and the visitors are aplenty. It’s the least you can do for your city.
W
hen I was younger and new to covering news after years in sports, the old black Western Electric phone that sat on the corner of my desk phone with those bells that looking back sounded like Commissioner Gordon was calling Batman. I picked up the receiver and used my desk friendly newsroom voice, “News Daily newsroom, this is Mitch may I help you?” That was the last words I would get a chance to say for the next two minutes or so. “Exactly who I wanted to talk to,” the voice screeched. “You’re the blankety-blank-blank (not what he really said) SOB (abbreviated for the real words) that wrote that story about my boy being a dope dealer. Now let me tell you what I’m going to do to you. …” The next minute or so were filled by this man telling me the slow and painful way that he was going to end my life, how he would stalk my family, track them down and make them suffer before they died. People who know me will tell you, not much scares me, but when you start threatening my family, that crossed the line. I tried to ask if anything I had written in the report from court the previous day was inaccurate, but all he could say was that what his son did had no business being in the paper. He slammed down the phone before the redneck in me could come out and it was probably for the best. When our publisher
MITCH SNEED Editor came in, word filtered up to the front office about the call. “We need to file a police report, just in case he decides to act on it and you end up dead,” he said. “But it’s been my experience that people who tell you they are going to kill you rarely do. It’s the ones that don’t say a word that you have to worry about. “I know you are new to the news side. In sports, there’s a winner and a loser, it says that right there on the scoreboard. In news, sometimes it’s not that easy. Obviously, you did a good job on this story. He wouldn’t have been mad if you didn’t. “I will tell you this, if you aren’t making half the people mad every day, you aren’t doing your job. Remember that on days like this.” I took those words spoken minutes after the first of the 14 death threats that I’ve received while on the job to heart. I do my job the best I know how and do my best to be fair, with my only agenda being to inform the people who read what I write about what is happening in our community. Some stories are happy, some are sad, some are odd and others are shocking. But they are all news. Why am I taking you all on this walk down memory lane today? Thursday five people
who were members of this overworked, underpaid fraternity we call journalism lost their lives at the Capital Gazette in Maryland. Gerald Fischman, 61, editorial page editor; Rob Hiaasen, 59, an assistant editor; John McNamara, 56, a staff writer; Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant; and Wendi Winters, 65, who worked in special publications. They were shot and killed by a man using a shotgun and 00 buckshot. The point-blank blasts were so horrific in some cases, officials had to use surveillance video to make sure of their identities. Why? Because he didn’t like the way they covered a news story that he was involved in. Even after a jury of his peers had ruled that the newspaper had done nothing wrong, he killed people who were the messenger of his misdeeds and some who had nothing to do with it at all. Dead for doing their jobs. These days, the media and President Donald Trump don’t always see eye to eye. But Thursday he spoke on this mass killing. “No one should fear from being violently attacked while doing their jobs,” Trump said. “We pledge our eternal support. My government will not rest until we have done everything in our power to reduce violent crime and protect innocent life.” On some things, everyone can agree – even the media and the president. Mitch Sneed is the editor of The Outlook.
Scripture
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands.” —Psalm 138:8
alexcityoutlook.com
Daily Poll Friday’s question: Have you ever been injured while using fireworks?
No — 100%, 9 votes Yes — 0%, 0 votes
Weekend question: Do you have a pet that is scared of storms or fireworks? 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.
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 email david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com.
What’s your
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 emailed to editor@alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send us your thoughts today!
T.C. Coley represents District 1, including half of Coley Creek, the Andrew Jackson subdivision, the southern part of Indian Hill, North Central Avenue, part of Pearson’s Chapel Road, the Northside community and portion of Spring Hill community. His phone T.C. Coley number is 256-212-9316. His address is 2316 North Central Avenue, Kellyton.
Emma Jean Thweatt represents District 4, which includes Dadeville, Pace’s Point, northern Camp Hill, Buttston, Dudleyville and part of Eagle Creek. She can be reached at 825-4207. Her address is 585 Brookwood Circle, Dadeville.
Today’s
Subscribe
Officials
John McKelvey represents District 3, which includes Jackson’s Gap, Hackneyville, New Site and Daviston. McKelvey currently serves as chairman. His phone number is 256-7944405. His address is 1285 Freeman Road, Dadeville.
Quote
“Four things for success: work and pray, think and believe.” —Norman Vincent Peale
How to
Know Your
Steve Robinson represents District 2, which includes the southern part of Alexander City, the Cedar Creek area, Ourtown and Willow Point. His phone number is 256-654-0047. His address is 300 Heritage Drive Alexander City.
Today’s
Steve Robinson
Letter to the Editor John McKelvey
Emma Jean Thweatt
George Carleton Jr. represents District 5, which includes southern Camp Hill, Red Ridge, Walnut Hill, Union and Pleasant Ridge. His address is 630 Turner Road, Dadeville.
George Carleton Jr.
Reader would love to see trees in 280 median again Dear Editor, Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the median along Highway 280 was beautiful. The city had planted many, many, many beautiful Crepe Myrtle trees. The show they put on in the spring as they bloomed was spectacular and the trees broke up the monotonous drive between Birmingham and Opelika, much like Dadeville does today. Back in 2004, the State of Alabama Highway Department had the trees
removed because there had been several wrecks involving cars hitting the trees and potentially causing more damage during a wreck situation. I believe the law was/is nothing over a 4-inch diameter was to be planted in the median area for safety purposes. When the trees were removed, a staff writer for The Outlook urged the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, Operation Downtown and other Alexander City officials to work together to find a
solution. I propose these groups look into some type of planting to set our town apart from others along the Highway 280 corridor. A few suggestions would be a wildflower mix, Meilland disease & pest resistant rose shrubs or lantana. I miss the trees and would love to see some type of vegetation be used to increase not only the view, but the habitat for birds and butterflies. Pam Sherum 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.
Weekend Edition, June 30 - July 1, 2018
The Outlook
Page 5
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Submit calendar items:
CommunityCalendar
Participate in your Outlook by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or logging on to http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/.
Green Egg raffle returns again This weekend is Big and don’t forget T-shirts are available Need to purchase. BASKETBALL: There Insurance? June 30 - July 1, 2018 willCHARITY be a charity basketball game fea-
Duncan United Methodist Church is hosting First Sunday Fellowship starting July 1. There will be a meal filled with friendship, fellowship and lots of fun starting at 5 p.m. at the clubhouse adjoining the church. Rev. Wayne Hicks is the pastor. CELEBRATION: Hillabee Baptist Church is hosting a celebration beginning at July 1 at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary with special music. Then things move outside for food, fun and fellowship. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the fireworks show at dark. Everything is free.
Call me.
256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com
Today’s Events
GREAT OUTDOORS DAY: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a Great Outdoors Day. There will be Dutch oven demonstrations, boat rides, birds of prey programs along with archery and kayak training. There will also be a bounce house for children. A hiking tour and tips on camping will be demonstrated with a tour of an RV and boat. Park entry fees are charged at $5 for adults and $2 for children and seniors. FIREWORKS BASH: The 6th Annual Hackneyville Volunteer Fire Department Fireworks Bash is Saturday June 30. This year’s entertainment is Ella Langley Music a singer and songwriter from Hope Hull, an appearance from the 2018 “Kowaliga Idol 10” winner Ashley Jackson and CMT Break Out artist The Wilson Brothers Band. Firetruck BBQ LLC will be on-site and there will be inflatables for the kids, Kona Ice of Lake Martin and much more. Gates open at 4 p.m. and admission is $10 admission with kids under 5 free. The
turing alumni of Benjamin Russell and Central-Coosa at the Joe N. Belyeu Gymnasium in Rockford Saturday, June 30.
Today’s Birthdays
Beverly Sasser, Cook Wesley, Allen Stokes, Rhonda Phillips, Childs, Amanda Cain, Ty Tharpe and Derow White are celebrating birthdays today.
Today’s Anniversaries
Scottie and Mary Jewell Knox, Faye and Johnny Baker and Chris and Pat Baker celebrate their anniversaries today.
Sunday’s Events
CHURCH MEMORIAL: The Almighty God Baptist Church is hosting a church memorial service at 2:30 p.m. The guest minister will be Rev. Roosevelt Gregory of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Lorenzo Caldwell is the pastor of Almighty God Baptist Church. FIRST SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP:
Sunday’s Anniversaries
Eric and Emily Gregg, Kathryn and Joe Max Worthy, Mr. and Mrs. Billy Tidwell and Charles and Bernice Whetstone celebrate their anniversaries Sunday.
Monday’s Birthdays
Lisa Lewis, Tanya Williams, Corey Pouncey, Wanda Zachery and Santana Winters celebrate their birthdays Monday.
THE MEADOWS ASSISTED LIVING
2712 Washington Street Alexander City
256-234-0800
SEE ME FOR INSURANCE
Monday’s Anniversaries
Bill and Dannelle Mattox, Ellen and Terry Martin, Steve and Sherri Love and Mark and Coni Cecil celebrate their anniversaries Monday.
Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com
Brown Nursing and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services •Physical Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Speech Therapy If you ordered graduation photos from Kenneth Boone Photography, they are now ready for pickup at the Outlook office. We will be open Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Though we will be closed Wednesday, normal business hours will resume Thursday at 8 a.m.
Tuesday, July 3
WARREN’S APPLIANCE PARTS, LLC Johnnie Warren, Owner
MAJOR APPLIANCE PARTS! 1008 Hillabee Street Alex City, AL 35010
256.215.PART
(7278)
The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow
The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for Housekeeper. Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Shatia Carr (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 Email: Scarr@learning-tree.org
CELEBRATE FREEDOM: The 14th Annual Alexander City Celebrate Freedom is July 3 and his hosted by Marshall Street Church of God at the band practice field in front of Benjamin Russell High School. Finding Favour is headline music act with 49 North and Vy Moon opening. Music starts at 6 p.m. and fireworks will finish the night.
Wednesday, July 4
PARADE: The annual Blue Creek parade will start at 11 a.m. on Olana Drive at the north end of Ponder Creek Road in Dadeville and end at Niffer’s. To join in, arrive at Olana Drive by 10 a.m. For more information contact Mickey Forbus at 334329-0905. BOAT PARADE: The annual Russell Marine boat parade will start at Kowaliga and go to Children’s Harbor at 10 a.m. Call Kowaliga Marina at 334-857-2111 or any Russell Marina to register. FIREWORKS: Russell Lands will host its annual fireworks and concert at The Amp with The Grains of Sand Band starting at 8 p.m. Fireworks start at 9 p.m and the band returns to the stage at 9:30 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m. Bring chairs and coolers. Twist and Hula Hoop will be available for children.
Sunday, July 8
FAMILY REUNION: The Willoughby Reunion will be Sunday, July 8 at the Daviston Community Center. All family and friends are invited.
July 8-11
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Hillabee Baptist Church is hosting vacation Bible School July 8 to July 11 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be a meal provided each night.
July 9-13
EARLY ROSE DISTRICT CONGRESS: The 59th Annual Session of the Early Rose District Congress of Christian Education is July 9-13 at 9 a.m. daily at Miracle Missionary Baptist Church. 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
July 12-14
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Family Worship Center is hosting Game On, Vacation Bible School July 12-14 for ages 3 through teens. July 12 and 13 will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and July 14 will be from 9 a.m. to noon. Tony Harris is pastor of Family Worship Center.
Saturday, July 14
PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Comer Methodist Men’s Club pancake breakfast is July 14 from 6 a.m.
to 10 a.m. It is $6 a plate, eat-in or carry out. MARKET ON THE HILL: Artisans will display and sell their handmade items at Market on the Hill next to the Good News Baptist Church on Highway 280 in Jacksons Gap. There will also be face painting, prizes and awards. All pre-registered vendors are eligible to receive a $100 Hobby Lobby gift card. For more information call 256-8279857 or email at frslatter@gmail.com
Sunday, July 15
CHURCH HOMECOMING: Mt. Carmel Baptist Church is hosting homecoming services July 15 at 11 a.m. with a covered dish to follow. The church is located at 3610 Dudleyville Road in Dadeville. Rev. John Marks will deliver the message.
July 15-17
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Duncan United Methodist Church is hosting Vacation Bible School July 15-17 at 5 p.m. daily. The theme is “God First” and a closing ceremony will be Sunday, July 22 at 5 p.m. with a program presented by the children of activities, games and music they enjoyed. Rev. Wayne Hicks is pastor.
July 16-17
THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days July 16-17. Dumpsters will be located at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, Youngs Ferry Road at Mullican and Gibson roads and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.
solm@auburn.edu or call at 334-8445601.
July 23-26
ASTHMA CAMP: The Auburn University School of Nursing is holding the first Asthma Camp Eagle (ACE) in partnership with the Morris family and Children’s Harbor from July 23-26 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Martin. The camp is for children 7-12 years old. Most of the campers will be from Tallapoosa County. The camp is free and parents of possible campers are asked to contact Linda Gibson-Young at gib-
Come Visit Us! Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing
Sunday, July 29
OPEN HOUSE: Living Word Eclectic is hosting an open house July 29 at 3 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and learn about the church, facility and programs offered. The message will be delivered by Rev. Stan Davidson. The church is located at 1826 Kowaliga Road. Call 334-399-1486 for more information.
August 3-4
CONFERENCE: The Mt. Vernon Theatre in Tallassee is hosting the LIFT Ministries Women’s Conference “Restoration” August 3-4. Tajuan McCarty will be the special guest speaker and there will be worship, fellowship and communing together in the name of Jesus. Tickets are currently available at liftministriesal.com/shop for $50 each and include seats for the two-day event, a T-shirt, notebook, movie, night of worship, light breakfast, refreshments and a catered lunch. Friday, doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the event beginning at 6 p.m. and movie following at 8 p.m. Saturday, doors open at 9 a.m. with coffee and donuts provided, the event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a worship rally to follow. Vendors may also purchase a ticket online for $70, which includes a general admission ticket as well as the vendor fee. Vendors may have tables set up for both days until the end of the night of worship. For more information, contact LiftMinistriesal@gmail.com
Saturday, August 11
GOSPEL SINGING: The Mt. Vernon Theatre in Tallassee is hosting a Gospel Homecoming at 7 p.m.
Sunday, July 22
VBS CLOSING CEREMONY: Duncan United Methodist Church is hosting a VBS closing ceremony at 5 p.m. with a program presented by the children of activities, games and music they enjoyed during the recent VBS program. Rev. Wayne Hicks is pastor.
2334 Washington Street Alexander City • 256-329-9061 www.crownemanagement.com
Saturday, August 25
SPEAKER: The Mt. Vernon Theatre in Tallassee is hosting Sean Dietrich.
October 15 - 16
THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days October 15-16. Dumpster locations have not yet been determined and will be available at no charge to residents.
Sunday, October 29
FALL FEST: First Baptist Church of Alexander City is hosting a Fall Fest from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Family Life Center. The public is invited.
–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
How to add a calendar item: Participate in your
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
By e-mailing your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or call 256-234-4281. _____ Send your news items to editor@alexcityoutlook.com
Page 6
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Weekend Edition, June 30 - July 1, 2018
The Outlook
In Community, We Share Tallapoosa County Devotional Page
SECURITY Grace’s Flowers and Gifts PEST CONTROL
“Since 1962”
652 Cherokee Road • Alexander City
Flowers with the Extra Touch!
951 Hillabee • Alexander City • 256-234-4238 256-329-1018 THOMAS AUTO PARTS • Automotive Parts • Machine Shop Services • Paint & Body Supplies • Hydraulic Hose Assemblies
AUTO PARTS
150 Green Street • Alexander City • 256.234.5023 157 E. South Street • Dadeville • 256.825.4155
Since 1976
256-357-9233 www.Àooringwholesale.com
Abbett Tractor Service ice 61 Jefferson Street • Alexander City Phone: 256-234-3454
Where has it gone? W
fact of “loving our hat happened to neighbor as yourself.” tolerant debate Jesus was very clear on in America? the commandments He No matter the forum, told us to obey. we as Americans have Matthew 22:37-40 always given each other says, “Jesus said unto the right to state our him, Thou shalt love the opinion even when others Lord thy God with all totally disagreed with it. RICK thy heart, and with all We were once tolerant of LEVELL thy soul, and with all thy others’ right of opinion. Faith columnist mind. This is the first What happened to and great commandment. coming together for And the second is like the greater good and unto it, Thou shalt love thy “reasoning together” for the neighbor as thyself. On these two benefit of our nation? The truth in the matter is people commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” in America are more concerned Loving one another has a way about their own personal agendas of allowing us to look past our over the well-being of their differences and to help one another fellow neighbor. We were once in spite of them. connected in our communities by So before you get all worked knowing every neighbor in the up over a personal agenda, lose neighborhood. We helped when your cool and start spouting off someone was extremely sick or a statements you may have to retract, death happened in a family. But think about your neighbor more now it seems as if no one wants to than yourself! help or get to know someone else unless it promotes their agenda. Pastor Rick Levell is pastor at We blame our lack of connection Marshall Street Church of God in on electronics and other device methods, but the truth is our hearts Alexander City and a regular faith columnist for The Outlook. have grown cold to the important This devotional and directory made possible by these businesses who encourage all of us to attend worship services!
Tractor Work • Lawn Care Driveway Grading • Gravel Hauling
256.786.1759 8:00-4:00 Monday-Friday By Appointment (except emergencies) Phone: (256) 234-4295 After Hours: (256) 329-7100
TEMPLE MEDICAL CLINIC, P.C. YOUR FAMILY CARE CENTER Medicine, Office Surgery, Pediatric and Industrial JAMES P. TEMPLE, M.D. 859 Airport Drive TIMOTHY J. CORBIN, M.D. Alexander City, AL VINCENT LAW, M.D.
A C
Compliments of Mayor Jim Nabors and City Employees
ALEXANDER CITY HOME OF LAKE MARTIN
R & R Refrigeration HEATING & AIR AL HVAC #92120
Rehab • Long-Term Care • Assisted Living 3701 Dadeville Road Alexander City
256-234-6366
Truck Accessories Sales & Installation
St. John A.M.E. Off Hwy. 280 on Hwy. 9 Socopatoy, (256) 215-3532 ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Cedar Street Church of God 703 E. Boulevard, Alex City Faith Assembly of God 590 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Dadeville 256-825-7741 River of Life Worship Center 407 Hillabee St., Alex City, 256-329-9593
Trailer Sales Trailer Parts Trailer Repairs 1201 U.S. Hwy. 280 • Kellyton, AL (256) 392-5353
1326 Dadeville Road Alexander City, AL
INDEPENDENT BAPTIST Liberty Baptist 1365 Hillabee St., Alex City 256-329-8830 New Life Baptist County Road 14, Alex City, 256-329-2635 Victory Baptist 280 By-Pass, Alex City West End Baptist Off 280 West, 256-234-2130
256-234-2511 1-800-285-3881
Member by Invitation Selected Independent Funeral Homes www.radneyfuneralhome.com
Paradise Bed & Breakfast on Lake Martin
• Updated Pro Shop • Junior Golf Program • Annual Tournaments • Weekly Matches 18 Holes of Golf - 7 Days a Week
256-825-9860 95 County Rd. 40 (Off Hwy. 280)
Our Business Is God’s Business
Whirlpool • Kitchen Aid Maytag • Amana Holland Grills Full Service Department
Tapley Appliance Center 574 S. Central Avenue Alexander City, AL 256.329.9762
SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law
135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL
256-825-9559 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
Season
Johnson
Mountain Springs Baptist Off Hwy. 22, Daviston
Pleasant Grove Church of Christ 1819 Bay Pine Rd, Jackson’s Gap
Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist 835 Valley Rd., Camp Hill 334-257-4442
Mt. Carmel Baptist 3610 Dudleyville Rd., Dadeville
Southview Church of Christ 2325 Dadeville Rd., Alex City 256-329-0212
Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Alexander City, 256-234-6972
Mt. Zion Baptist Hwy. 63 South, Alex City 256-234-7748
Rocky Mt. Baptist New Site community
New Beginning Baptist 1076 Coley Creek Rd.
Seleeta Baptist Booker St., Alex City 256-329-2685
New Concord Baptist Off hwy. 49, Dadeville, 256-825-5390
Shady Grove Baptist Jackson’s Gap Community
New Elkahatchee Baptist Elkahatchee Rd., Alex City 256-329-9942
CHURCH OF GOD Alex City No. 2 A.C.O.P. Church of God Local Street, Alex City Bread of Life A.C.O.P. Church of God Hwy. 280, Kellyton Cedar Street Church of God 711 Martin Luther King Blvd. Alex City
The Great Bethel Missionary 520 Christian St., Alex City 256-234-5513
New Hope Baptist 1133 New Hope Church Rd. 256-329-5218
Dadeville Church of God 425 Horseshoe Bend Rd. (Hwy. 49 N.) Dadeville 256-825-8820
Unity Baptist Robinson Rd., Alex City
New Life Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-6190 / 256-329-2635
Marshall Street Church of God 428 Marshall Street, Alex City 256-234-3180
New Pine Grove Baptist Off Hwy. 22, Perryville
New Faith Tabernacle A.C.O.P. Church of God “J” Street
Zion Hill Missionary Baptist 583 S. Broadnax St., Dadeville BAPTIST – SOUTHERN Bay Pine Baptist 1480 Bay Pine Rd. Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-4433
New Providence Baptist Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City
New Harvest Ministries Church of God Hwy 280 & Coosa 28 256-329-2331
BAPTIST – MISSIONARY Bethlehem Baptist New Site
Bethany Baptist Church Bethany Road
New Rocky Mount Baptist 670 Peckerwood Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-794-3846
Cross Key Baptist Hackneyville, 256-329-9716
Bethel Baptist Smith Mt. Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-825-5070
New Salem Road New Site Rd., New Site, 256-234-2932
Darian Missionary Baptist Church Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City 256-329-3865
Beulah Baptist Smith Mt. Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-825-9882
Old Providence Baptist Off Hwy. 63 N., near Hackneyville
The Church of God 13th Ave. N., Alex City 256-329-1696
Elam Baptist Robertson Rd. Alex City
Calvary Baptist 819 Main St., Dadeville, 256-825-5989
Old Union Baptist 1106 Davis Circle 256-596-1873
Washington Street A.C.O.P. Church of God Washington Street
Orr Street Baptist 1000 “O” Street (Hwy. 63N) Alex City, 256-234-3171
CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY Church of God of Prophecy 303 Poplar Rd., Alex City, 256-234-6941
Early Rose Baptist 201 E Street, Alexander City
256.770.7777 256.770.7777
Pleasant Home Baptist Clay County
The Meadows, L.L.C. of Alexander City ASSISTED LIVING
More like home.
256-234-0800 2712 Washington Street • Alexander City, AL
G. Daniel Brown ATTORNEY AT LAW 926 Cherokee Road Alexander City, AL
256.329.1552 2533 Hwy. 280 Alexander City, AL 256.234.0988 ––––––––
Flint Hill Baptist Hwy. 280, Dadeville
Calvary Heights Baptist Elkahatchee, Rd., Alex City 256-234-7224
Friendship Baptist Our Town Community, 256-329-5243
Camp Hill Baptist Downtown Camp Hill, 256-896-2811
Hollins Springs Baptist Hwy. 280, Goodwater
Comer Memorial 941 E. Church St., Alex City 256-234-2236
Jackson’s Gap Baptist Church 21 East Church St. 256-825-6814
Daviston Baptist Daviston, 395-4327
Liberty Church 1034 Liberty Church Rd. Willow Point Alex City Macedonia Baptist Macedonia Circle, Goodwater 256-839-5793 Marietta Baptist Goodwater Miracle Missionary Baptist 1687 “I” Street 256-215-9788, 256-215-9787 Mt. Calvary Baptist 329 King St., Alex City, 256-234-5631 Mt. Olive Baptist Hwy. 280 & Jct. 49, Goodwater Mt. Sinai Baptist Fish Pond Rd., Coosa County 256-329-2337 Mt. Zion Baptist Hwy. 22, New Site Mt. Zion East StillWaters Dr., 256-825-4991 Mt. Zion West Our Town Community, 256-234-7748 New Elam Baptist Hwy. 9, Burtonville, 256-234-2037 New Bethel Baptist Rock St., Dadeville, 256-825-7726 Peace & Goodwill Baptist Cottage Grove Community Alexander City, 256-377-4634 Pine Grove Baptist Eagle Creek Rd., Dadeville
Eagle Creek Baptist Hwy. 49, Dadeville, 256-825-6048 Fellowship Baptist Buttston Community Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church on Claybrook Drive, Alex City 256-839-5339 First Baptist Court Square, Alex City 256-234-6351 First Baptist Tallassee St., Dadeville, 256-825-6232 Good News Baptist Church 10493 Hwy. 280, Jackson’s Gap 256-825-2555 Hackneyville Baptist Hwy. 63 N., Hackneyville Hillabee Baptist Hillabee Rd., Alex City 256-234-6798 Horseshoe Bend Baptist Hwy. 280, Dadeville Jackson’s Gap Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-4951 Kellyton Baptist Kellyton, 256-329-1512 Kendrick Baptist Church Nixburg Lake Martin Baptist Hwy 34, Dadeville 256-825-7434 Lake Pointe Baptist 8352 Hwy. 50W, Dadeville Lebanon Baptist Mt. Carmel Rd., Dadeville, 256-234-7541
“We offer a 5-year labor warranty for free!”
Perryville Baptist Perryville, 256-234-3588 Pine Grove Baptist Camp Hill Ray Baptist Rockford Hwy., Alex City, 256-234-7609 River Road Baptist 148 Dean Rd., Alex City, 256-234-6971 Rocky Creek Baptist Samford Rd., Cowpens Community Rocky Mount Baptist Hwy. 22 E., Alex City, 256-329-2327 Rock Springs Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-839-6263 Russell Farm Baptist Hwy. 63 beyond Our Town
Pentecostal Church of God 163 Franklin Street, Alex City 256-215-4055
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1515 Worthy Road, Alex City (Corner of Worthy Place and Dadeville Road)
Haven United Methodist 354 Christian St., Alex City 256-329-8394
Kellyton U.M., Kellyton, 256-329-1681 Liberty United Methodist Liberty Rd., Hackneyville
Sixth Street Baptist Sixth St., Alex City, 256-234-2408
Fellowship Revival Center Mission 316 6th Ave., Alex City 256-329-1510 weekends
Sunny Level Baptist Church Sunny Acres Subdivision Sewell Street
Kellyton Revival Center Co. Road 87 South Kellyton
Town Creek Baptist Camp Ground Rd., Alex City
Liberty Life Christian Center 321 “S” Street, Alex City
Wayside Baptist 21 Wayside Circle, Alex City 256-234-5564
Passion Church 3340 Hwy. 63 N., Alex City 256-409-9590
Zion Hill Baptist Hwy. 79, near Horseshoe Bend
The Family Worship Center 365 Scott Road, Alex City
CATHOLIC St. John the Apostle 454 N. Central Ave., Alex City 256-234-3631
METHODIST – UNITED Alexander City Methodist 11th Ave. N., Alex City 256-329-1284
CHURCH OF CHRIST Alex City Church of Christ 945 Tallapoosa St., Alex City 256-234-6494
Bradford Methodist Hwy. 9, Goodwater
Free Quotes
334.663.3269
Pearson Chapel U.M. Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City Red Ridge United Methodist 8091 County Road 34, Dadeville 256-825-9820
Buena Vista Landscaping
Sunnylevel United Methodist 3202 Hwy. 63N, Alex City 256-234-6877 Trinity United Methodist 280 By-pass, Alex City, 256-234-2455 Union United Methodist 4428 Hwy. 50, Dadeville 256-825-2241 METHODIST – INDEPENDENT Daviston Independent Methodist Daviston, 395-4207 PENTECOSTAL Pentecostals of Dadeville 115 West Columbus Street Dadeville, 256-596-3411
Robinson Memorial Presbyterian Robinson Rd., Alex City UNITED PENTECOSTAL Alex City Apostolic 3708 Robinson Rd., Alexander City, 256-329-1573 INDEPENDENT Faith Temple Franklin Street, Alex City, 256-234-6421 Family Worship Center 1676 Sewell Street 256-839-6895 First Congregational Christian 11th Ave. South, Alex City GAP Fellowship Ministries P.O. Box 1571, Alex City God’s House 9334 Hwy 63N, Alex City Roger Green Sun. Service: 11:00 & 6:00 Wed. Bible Study: 6:30 Jehovah-Jireh Ministries 252 Tallapoosa St., Alex City 256-215-4211 Leap of Faith Outreach Ministry 886 Terrance Drive, 256-234-7119
Comer Memorial U.M. 427 East Church St., 256-329-3467
New Bethel Fellowship Church 5474 Rock Springs Road Jackson’s Gap 256-825-3367 The Baha’I Faith 740 Newell Street, Camp Hill 256-896-4007
Duncan Memorial U.M. 3997 Hillabee Rd., Alex City 256-234-6708
The Word Bible Church 161 Main St., Alex City, 256-215-5646
Sales •Service •Installation
(256) 329-8488
256.234.2007 256.749.8804
Weekly, Bi-Weekly or One Time Only
New Site U.M. New Site, 256-234-7834
P.O. Box 103 – Alexander City, AL
792 Commerce Drive, Suite 103 • Alexander City
Mowing • Edging • Trimming Leaf Blowing • Spring Clean-Up
Mt. Godfrey New Site
First Presbyterian Okefuske, Dadeville, 256-825-4081
House of Restoration Holiness 519 Slaughter Ave., Camp Hill, 256-749-2373, 256-896-2904
Big Dog Lawn Service
Hillabee Campground UMC 120 CC Road, Alex City Sunday School 10am Sunday Service 11am
EPISCOPAL Saint James Episcopal Church 121 South Central Ave., Alex City 256-234-4752 HOLINESS Alex City Emmanuel Holiness Hillabee St., Alex City
Now Serving Breakfast!
Flint Hill U.M., Alex City 256-234-5047
PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian 371 Jefferson St., Alex City 256-329-0524
FULL GOSPEL Dadeville Foursquare Gospel Church Old 280 By-pass
Meadows St. Church of Christ 306 Meadows St., Alex City
First United Methodist Dadeville, 256-825-4404
CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Dadeville Church of the Nazarene Corner Hwy. 280 and 49, 256-825-8191
Sandy Creek Baptist Alex City
Dadeville Church of Christ East LaFayette St., Dadeville
First United Methodist 310 Green St., Alex City 256-234-6322
Goodwater U.M. Main St., Goodwater, 256-839-6661
AL Refrig #51037
256.825.4161
Church Directory A.M.E. Saint James A.M.E. Goodwater, 256-839-1007
FREE ESTIMATES!
– FINANCING AVAILABLE –
Free Estimates
Landscape Installation, Irrigation System, Lawn Maintenance, Flagstone Patios, Rock Walls
256-794-3885
R H O D E S /K E Y CONSTRUCTION RESTORATIONS•ADDITIONS KITCHENS•BATHS•REMODELING
John Rhodes
Chris Key
256-675-0217
256-749-0179
JACKSON REFRIGERATION CO., INC.
HEATING & COOLING Our Name is Our Reputation and “Your Comfort is Our Priority!”
256/234-4457 or 256/496-3850 10390 AL Hwy. 259 Alexander City, AL (256) 215-5586 www.southernstarfarm.us STORE HOURS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Griffin’s Outdoor Power Equipment Trey Griffin, Owner
Sales & Service 2600 Hwy. 9 South Goodwater, AL
256-839-6607
Weekend Edition, June 30 - July 1, 2018
The Outlook
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Page 7
Page 8
www.alexcityoutlook.com
The Outlook
Weekend Edition, June 30 - July 1, 2018
Weekend Edition, June 30 - July 1, 2018
The Outlook
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Caution city limits,” Alexander City Police Captain James Orr said. “But we would suggest you need to be considerate with their use.” Orr said citizens need to consider others when lighting fuses. “You need to be considerate of neighbors and the surrounding property,” Orr said. “Fireworks can also create litter and that needs to be a consideration. Also you don’t want to disturb anyone late at night, we do have a noise ordinance.” For those using fireworks, a few rules of safety need to be considered: ͌ Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol. ͌ Never allow young children to handle fireworks. ͌ Older children should use fireworks only under close adult supervision. ͌ Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear. ͌ Never light them indoors. ͌ Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material.
Pets
Submitted / The Outlook
Chandler says the anxiety pets get with storms will likely show again for fireworks. “July 5 is always the busiest day of the year for shelters because of lost pet calls,” Chandler said. “When you are in a tourist town, we get more calls because pet owners are looking for their animals before they go back home.” Chandler explained animals will likely struggle more with fireworks than storms. “It is very loud and lengthy for those with anxiety,” Chandler said. “Not only from the planned fireworks shows in the area but from the unannounced shows from individuals. They are nightmares for those with sound anxiety.” Chandler has a list of prevention methods and things to do if your pet goes missing. It is basic but it works. • Take a picture of your animal today. “You would not believe the number of people who report they have a lost pet and no current photo,” she said. • Put identification on your animal. A rabies tag, a personalized tag with pet owner information, a temporary neck band with handwritten information (these are available at the Lake Martin Animal Shelter) and microchips work. • Change the schedule for your animal. “If you normally walk or feed your
Page 9
continued from page 1
͌ Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting. ͌ Never ignite devices in a container. ͌ Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks. ͌ Soak unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding. ͌ Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire. Better yet, keep a water hose close by. Alexander City Fire Inspector Lt. Jeremy Spears wants to warn everyone about a popular firework. “There are a lot of people that think sparklers are safe,” Spears said. “They burn at temperatures over 1,200 degrees. Water boils at 212 degrees and cakes bake at 350 degrees. They can cause third degree burns.” Orr wants to encourage everyone to leave to those trained to put on fireworks shows. “Come out July 3 to the high school for music and fireworks,” Orr said. “Let the professionals put on a show.”
continued from page 1
animals in the evening, you might want to do it earlier so that you can have them back inside before things start,” Chandler said. • Put them in a room without direct access to the outdoors like a bedroom. Dens and living rooms have doors leading directly outside that can let animals out. You can also play music or turn on the television to make sound so it might drown out the fireworks. • “If your pet does happen to go missing, exposure is the best thing,” Chandler said. “On July 4, shelters and vet clinics will be closed. Post on social media. Go ahead and call the shelters and clinics. Be diligent with following up. If they have an ID and someone runs across them, chances are they will be returned immediately.” Chandler said the fireworks can be confusing to animals and when they run, they don’t run off like normal. “It can be disorienting,” Chandler said. “They can go in any direction making searches difficult.” Chandler likes the shows but recommends following the list of recommendations in anticipation of issues that might arise with pets. “The fireworks shows are great,” she said. “They are beautiful but they do present a problem for some pets.”
Page 10
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Weekend Edition, June 30 - July 1, 2018
The Outlook
Paving
continued from page 1
the final bit of asphalt was being laid this week on R and U Streets, leaving just some striping and finishing touches to complete. Dadeville-based Gary Ingram Paving and Grading was awarded the bid to handle the work on this year’s ACRIP Paving. The contract is worth $1,136,904 – money that comes from a half-cent sales tax paid on purchases in Alexander City. “We delayed the last couple of areas to give Ingram time to work on the project they have on Highway 280,” Brewer said. “That one was much more time sensitive than the streets we had left. But we feel good about where we are and the job that has been done thus far.” In all, about seven miles of roads were paved as a part of the project. Roads that got a new surface included 9th Avenue and 14th Avenue, Alford Drive, Arrowhead Loop, C Place, Cemetery, Central Avenue, Central Avenue Circle, Charlotte Lane, Meadows Street, Montezuma Drive, Patterson Street, R Street, Seven Bark Trail, South Franklin Street, Turner Road, Turtleneck Road, U Street,
Willow Drive, Windsor Drive and Worthy Road. Brewer again explained that the roads that are selected for paving are done so using a program called MicroPaver. The program uses data on roads that includes age, type, condition, traffic numbers and estimated cost to resurface. That is computed and each year a priority list is finalized and those that fit within the budget are put out for bid. Brewer said that while no determination has been made, there is a possibility that some work could be done on Airport Road depending on the money remaining in this year’s ACRIP fund. “Right now we just have some finishing things left on what has been done and they will be knocking those out I suspect the week after the holiday,” Brewer said. “Things like striping mostly and some touch up things. After that is done we will make a determinate on on what else we can get done.” The half-cent sales tax for roads had a three-year window and is up for reconsideration by the city council before October. Feedback from residents and city officials
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Preparations have been made for an ACRIP paving project on U Street.
has been positive about the amount of work that the fund has enabled.
McDaniel
continued from page 1
McDaniel, just before announcing the 40-year-sentence. “They returned a guilty verdict which means they didn’t believe anything you or your witnesses said. They’ve done their job and now it’s time for me to do mine.”
Despite a request from Duerr, Young opted not to sentence outside the voluntary guidelines. He said while every murder is terrible, there was nothing that “distinguishes this one, making it more servere than others.”
AVONDALE LUNG CANCER
,I \RX ZRUNHG DW WKH Avondale SODQW DQG KDYH KDG LUNG CANCER RU MESOTHELIOMA - HYHQ LI \RX DUH D VPRNHU RU NQRZ VRPHRQH ZKR GLHG RI LUNG CANCER RU MESOTHELIOMA FDOO
1-800-291-0050 7KH /DZ 2IÀFHV RI * 3DWWHUVRQ .HDKH\ 2QH ,QGHSHQGHQFH 3OD]D %LUPLQJKDP $/ www.mesohelp.com
1R UHSUHVHQWDWLRQ LV PDGH WKDW WKH TXDOLW\ RI OHJDO VHUYLFHV WR EH SHUIRUPHG LV JUHDWHU WKDQ WKH TXDOLW\ RI OHJDO VHUYLFHV SHUIRUPHG E\ RWKHU ODZ\HUV
Norman Crayton’s wife, Lakeshia Crayton, called the sentencing bittersweet. “This is a bittersweet day,” Lakeshia Crayton said. “It’s sweet because the man who killed Norman was sentenced and is now being punished for what he has done. This is the first time that we have gotten any sense of relief at all. It’s bitter because we have lost a loved one and the verdict, the sentence, nothing is going to bring Norman back. Now we just have to move on from here.” In his statements, Whittelsey indicated that there is a plan to appeal, but acknowledged that nothing has been filed at this time. In making case a for consideration from the court, Whittelsey said the verdict was hard to accept. “I believe in the jury system and the job this jury faced,” Whittelsey said. “But the time I’ve spent with Clate and what I know about the facts of the case….We stand here with a jury verdict but I must say I don’t agree with it.” Duerr argued that McDaniel, who appeared in court in a faded gray and white
prison uniform, had shown no remorse and alleged that he had lied to the court. “Mr. McDaniel was asked on the stand if he was married because he was wearing a wedding ring and he said no, that he was engaged,” Duerr said. “But in forms that McDaniel himself filled out where it asks marital status he says he’s married. Not that it makes any difference, but either way it’s just a total lack of respect for the court.” Duerr also referred to a statement that was said to be made to a probation official as part of the sentencing process. “I will read to you from the form,” Duerr said. “ ‘The whole court system lied on me because they are afraid of that family. Now I’m going to prison and something needs to be done about it.’ That’s the kind of attitude we have encountered from the beginning.” Because a gun was involved in the crime, McDaniel could have been sentenced to between 20 and 99 years according to the listed voluntary sentencing guidelines.
Body get hung up on a tree.” Love’s body was located at about 6:30 Friday morning, Benton said, an hour and a half before the search was scheduled to continue.
continued from page 1
Divers and others had already searched the river for portions of two days, beginning shortly after Love was reported missing to Wetumpka police just
after 4:30 Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday’s search was suspended at approximately 7:40 p.m. because of darkness and Thursday’s search was suspended at 2:30 p.m. due to impending bad weather, which eventually arrived bringing heavy rain, lightning and power outages to the area. According to Benton, Love and three friends were swimming in the Coosa near where a road was recently cut to assist in the construction of a pedestrian bridge that is part of the Wetumpka Riverwalk project. Love’s friends told authorities they saw him enter the river and he appeared fine, but when they looked back again at about 4:30 p.m., he was gone. An abundance of emergency personnel representing city, county and state agencies were on hand Thursday to assist in the search, including Wetumpka fire and police departments, Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Emerald Mountain Fire Department, Haynes Ambulance, Holtville/ Slapout Search and Rescue, dive teams from the Millbrook, Montgomery and Prattville fire departments, Santuck Fire Department, Search and Rescue of Elmore County and others. Benton said the search was being conducted with five dive teams, three sonar-equipped watercraft and numerous searchers. Until the weather forced it down, a Haynes Ambulance helicopter could be seen Thursday combing the area from the air. Benton said the swift river currents made the Coosa especially dangerous on Wednesday when Love ventured into it. “When that river’s flowing like it was on Tuesday and Wednesday, there’s no need for you to get in it,” Benton said.
Sports BEST IN SHOW BRHS honorable mentions, Page 12
LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228
lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Outlook The
Weekend Edition, June 30 - July 1, 2018
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Page 11
Counting down the top 5 moments of Benjamin Russell 2017-18 sports By LIZI ARBOGAST / Sports Editor
Editor’s Note: Over the course of the last five weeks, The Outlook has been taking a look at the best storylines from each area school from the 2017-18 athletic year.
BRHS holds off Minor with last-second stop
5
4
There were a lot of high moments for Benjamin Russell’s football team in 2017. There was the four-game win streak to start the season and the 19-14 defensive showdown against Opelika. But none was more thrilling and more nerve-wracking than the Wildcats’ matchup with Minor, which BRHS won 15-14 by stopping Minor on a two-point conversion try with less than 30 seconds to go. The Tigers looked like they’d easily score the
go-ahead point when quarterback Brenton White found a wide-open JaVonte Vance on a screen pass just 8 yards outside of the end zone. Then Benjamin Russell linebacker Jaden Tuck came flying out of nowhere, smashing Vance out of bounds within inches of the goal line. “One of our linebackers had pushed him and he fell a little bit,” Tuck said at the time. “I saw a moment, and I just took off running. Luckily, he wasn’t close enough to the goal line yet, and I came from the back side. One of the safeties and corners came up, and we met him at the line and got him at the 1. It was a good hustle play.”
Softball team crowned 6A Area 6 champions
For the first time in coach Jessica Johnson’s tenure at Benjamin Russell, the Wildcats reigned supreme by winning the Class 6A Area 6 tournament with a nail-biting 2-1 victory over Wetumpka in a deciding game. “It feels really good,” Benjamin Russell pitcher Asia McWaters said after winning the title. “It hasn’t happened here in a long time and we haven’t gone to regionals in the past two years, so it’s really exciting.”
BRHS was successful all season long and started off extremely hot, winning its first five games of the year. It was led by the pitching duo of McWaters and Taylor Harris, who were backed by a prolific offense and a steady defense. Offensively, the Wildcats finished with five players who had batting averages over .400, including Shay Johnson (.369), Baylee Adkins (.349), Harris (.330), Madi Johnson (.328) and Taylor McVey (.327).
3 Ben Hendrix wins 6A Bryant-Jordan award Ben Hendrix has been an exemplary student-athlete for Benjamin Russell for years, and all of his achievements culminated in winning the Class 6A achievement award at the Bryant-Jordan Scholarship dinner in April. In addition to being named the 6A state winner, he also was honored with the University of Alabama’s “A” Club Education and Charitable Foundation Scholarship. During the announcement, Rep. David L. Faulkner, of District 46, told the crowd of Hendrix’s struggle not only
1
with cancer but also several injuries that plagued his high school career. Regardless of those obstacles, Hendrix was a staple for the BRHS football team and a two-time state champion in power lifting. “It was nothing but pure joy (to win the ‘A’ Club Scholarship),” Hendrix said at the banquet. “I was so excited. It goes to show never give up, and if you put in the work, you’ll be rewarded. I’m just excited for our whole region.” Two others from Tallapoosa County were honored as state award winners.
2
Golf finishes 3rd, wrestling 2nd at state
Benjamin Russell had some of its most successful seasons in recent memory in both boys golf and wrestling this year. After finishing 22nd a year ago and putting only one grappler on the podium, Benjamin Russell’s wrestling team was second this year and totaled seven placewinners. “There’s a lot to be said about kids buying into the program,” BRHS wrestling coach Michael Ransaw said. “As long as they’re willing to work, I think we’ll continue to have several more.” Placewinners included Bobby Charsha (2nd place, 106 pounds); Saxon Coker (2nd, 145); Hezekiah Hunter (4th, 170); Ryan Spradley (5th, 138); Damien Lawry (5th, 220); Curtis Norris (6th, 285); and Isaiah Holloway (6th, 195). At the golf state championship, Benjamin Russell was sitting in fourth place after the first day but managed to battle back and capture the bronze medal. The Wildcats turned in a two-day score of 615, which was just nine shots shy of second place and only 15 from winner Muscle Shoals. “I think we just had a group of guys that do a lot of work
on their own,” BRHS golf coach Wes Tate said. “In years past, we’ve had good boys but
they were three-sport guys. I loved that, but for these guys, that’s all they do is play golf.”
Kevin Smith replaces Danny Horn as football coach
Horn
When the head coaching job at Clay Central became open, rumors began to fly Danny Horn would return home to Clay County. Although it was a difficult decision for Horn, who had been head football coach at Benjamin Russell for nine seasons, he ultimately resigned from the Wildcats’ helm and went back to Clay County. “No. 1, that would be the only place that I would ever go back to, and the reason for that is it’s home,” Horn said after his departure. “I spent probably 40 years of my life there. I prayed about it, and I just thought at this stage in my career, this would be a good move and I could finish out there where I started my
head coaching career.” After Horn’s resignation, the question immediately became, who would take over? In early May, longtime assistant Kevin Smith was named head coach. Smith worked his way up, starting as an intern with the Wildcats in 1995 before finally earning the head job in early May. “It’s time to go to work,” Smith said immediately after his hiring. “It hasn’t really hit me. All I can think about right now is we’re maxing out today and I gotta get back over to the weight room. I’m really ready to go. This feels great, though, because I’m still at Ben Russell.”
Smith
Page 12
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Weekend Edition, June 30 - July 1, 2018
The Outlook
Thomas named Coosa football, softball coach By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
Brett Thomas knows he’s up for a big challenge. “Here’s the thing, you can bring Nick Saban to Coosa, and under the current conditions, it’s going to be difficult to have a successful season,” said Thomas, who was recently hired as Central Coosa’s football coach. He’ll also be the Thomas Cougars’ head softball coach, taking over for Alexis Hines. Thomas is already known to Coosa, as he spent 2017-18 as the assistant basketball coach for both the boys and girls team. Although he’s never been a head football coach, Thomas has plenty of coaching experience. “I’ve been coaching high school athletics since 2002,” he said. “I’ve coached volleyball, I’ve coached basketball. You name it, I’ve coached it.” He was the basketball coach at Anniston for 11 years and also served as head softball coach there. But all of Thomas’ experiences haven’t prepared him for coaching at Coosa, where he’s not only up against improving on a winless season,
File / The Outlook
Brett Thomas, far right, who was the assistant for the boys and girls basketball teams, has been named head football and softball coach at Central Coosa.
he’s posed with the challenge of basically rebuilding a program. While most football teams are deep into their summer workouts starting to get an idea of how their rosters may shape
up, Thomas said he’s averaging eight players for the Cougars’ program. “You’re always at a disadvantage and that’s going to continue until we bring some
stability,” Thomas said. “It’s going to take the community, the school, alumni, everyone has to be involved to build a better athletic program, not just football.”
Building the softball program is going to be no different. There isn’t a real feeder program for either football or softball in elementary school, and while many girls for Coosa are starting to play softball during middle school, that doesn’t make up for years lost against some of their competitors. “I understand at some point Coosa has had a very, very good softball program, and coach Hines did a great job,” Thomas said. “But one of the disadvantages is a lot of the schools that we play, their players play travel ball and are introduced to the sport at an early age. Our middle school girls are still five or six years behind some of the other teams.” Thomas has two main goals in mind to help build up Coosa’s athletic program: Get kids involved at a younger age and make sports a year-round activity. And although he is in for a big challenge, what he’s seen from his football players so far excites Thomas. “I have some great young men that have been coming so far,” Thomas said. “I was surprised at how articulate and well-spoken they were, and I have a couple natural-born leaders. My main purpose is to make them better individuals.”
Honorable mentions for Benjamin Russell’s 2017-18 sports year By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
During every school year, there are tons of top moments and storylines to choose from. Although the following didn’t make the top five for the Benjamin Russell Wildcats, they’re still worth mentioning.
Lance Cunigan earns three medals at state
One of Benjamin Russell’s best runners in recent memory, Lance Cunigan is still hunting down a state championship, but he got ever closer this year at the AHSAA Class 6A Track and Field Championships. Cunigan’s best finish at state was in the boys 800, which he placed second. He was less than a second and a half behind winner Will Stone, of Homewood. Cunigan finished in 1:57.22. Cunigan also earned spots on the podium in the 1,600 and 3,200. In the 1,600, he was third in 4:25.03; and he captured fourth in the 3,200 with a time of 9:46.78.
Terrell Owens inducted into Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
Benjamin Russell graduate Terrell Owens has been waiting to have his name etched into a Hall of Fame for his prolific career in the NFL. That dream became in April when Owens was officially inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. “I had my three Ds, which are desire, dedication and discipline, but I think there’s two R words
Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook
Benjamin Russell graduate Terrell Owens was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame earlier this year.
that are resonating with me right now,” Owens said at the time. “That’s resilience and relentless. If you have a resilient attitude about things and you have that relentless pursuit of trying to be great, if you’re average and you’re trying to get good. You can’t just go from average to great right away. There’s a progress in there. I did it, and I know that (others) can do it. You have to believe in yourself and surround yourself with good people.” Owens will also be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.
Pam Robinson earns Making a Difference Award
Although it didn’t technically happen during the school year, it’s certainly worth noting Benjamin
Russell athletic director was named one of just seven recipients of the 2018 Making a Difference Awards just last week. The award is given to one individual among each of the seven classes who goes above and beyond their normal duties to make a positive impact in their schools and communities. It can be given to a coach, teacher or administrator. “This award is the most important honor a professional educator in our state can receive,” AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese said in a release. “Characteristics considered for this prestigious award include the recipient’s character, integrity and service, all of which have enabled these individuals to have a lifechanging impact on the community or school where they serve.”
Submitted / The Outlook
Show us your big fish Alexander City’s Brayden Pritchard, 14, recently caught this 5.5 pound largemouth bass on Lake Martin. For a chance to be featured on the Alexander City Outlook sports pages, send us a picture of your biggest catches of the summer, whether they be fish, turtles, rattlesnakes or gators. Send photos to sports editor Lizi Arbogast at lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com or share them with us on Facebook.
54
DAYS UNTIL FOOTBALL
Recycle Your Stuff for Cash in the Classifieds Call or go online to browse, buy or sell!
The Outlook & Record Classifieds WWW.ALEXCITYOUTLOOK.COM • 256.277.4219 +
+ Buy Here + Pay Here + +
CLEAN USED CARS No Credit Checks
Cars• Vans• Trucks • SUV’s
Midway Auto,Inc.
Off Hwy. 280 • Alexander City, AL (On Right Past the River Bridge)
256.825.9830