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Murder hearing Tuesday Anthony Parker is facing murder charge in death of Quen Reese
By MITCH SNEED Editor
THE WAIT IS OVER...
as Jazz Fest will crank up tonight at 6 p.m. at Strand Park in downtown Alexander City. Music is set for Friday night and then Saturday night at Russell Lands Amphitheater on Lake Martin. Scheduled to appear are:
FRIDAY
A total of 10 witnesses have been subpoenaed to testify at a preliminary hearing for the suspect in the shooting that claimed the life of a local high school basketball star.
On Tuesday, Judge Kim Taylor will preside over a preliminary hearing for 18-year-old Anthony Davon Parker. The hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. in the main courtroom at the Tallapoosa County Courthouse Annex in Alexander City. Parker, a Benjamin
Russell High School graduate who was on scholarship to play football at the University of West Alabama, is charged with a March 28 incident that led to the death of 18-year-old Quentavious Arrion Reese. Law enforcement officials allege that Parker
See HEARING • Page 3
in New Site
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Earlier this year, a group from Leadership Lake Martin ordered, built and installed five Little Free Library boxes, which were then placed in locations around Alexander City and Dadeville. On Thursday afternoon, Little Free Library expanded its Tallapoosa County footprint, as a box was installed in front of New Site Town Hall. “It was put up yesterday, and it just got stocked today,” said New Site Town Clerk Shelia Fuller. “I love the town of New Site, and I know how education is important in the community,” New Site resident Jamie Foshee, who was a driving force in bringing the Little Free Library to New Site, said. “I’m very excited and happy we’re able to offer this.” See LIBRARY • Page 3
SATURDAY
6:30 p.m. Shadowood 8 p.m. The Stooges Brass Band 9:30 p.m. The Paul Thorn Band Both nights of the event are free to the public.
LOCAL Rabies clinic to be hosted Saturday Dr. John Caldwell of the Animal Care Center in Dadeville is hosting rabies clinics this Saturday at three sites for $10. He will be at the Daviston Fire Department from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Caldwell will be at Halls Propane in New Site from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. He will be in Perryville across from East Building Supply from 9:30 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. Pet owners are asked to have their animals restrained in their vehicles, in a cage or pet carrier to prevent runaways. Alabama state law requires all cats and dogs to be vaccinated for rabies at three months old. Pets should be vaccinated every one to three years, depending on the length of vaccination chosen. The County Rabies officer will cite violators.
Today’s
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Clark Dennis reacts as she pours water over crystals making a snow like substance while learning about polymers. For more photos from the science camp, see page 3.
Stephens Elementary hosts summer science camp said. “We went to a science workshop in Auburn. Barbara Hamrick and I said lets do it here.” Polymers, refraction, surface tension, At the time Goree was working fulltime solar energy and Newton’s Laws are at Stephens Elementary School. enough to tax the mind of any scientist on “I was doing the Quest program,” a good day of work, but area children were Goree said. “Quest is the hands on science having fun with them this week while off program. The kids love the program we from school for the summer. decided to try the camp here.” For the last seven years, Stephens Instead of purchasing or licensing a Elementary School teacher Ann Goree program, Goree looks around for activities has been organizing a weeklong summer that will be fun for the children and still science camp. By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
“It started in about 2010,” Goree
See SCIENCE • Page 3
Donald Campbell / The Outlook
A recent addition to New Site, the Little Free Library sits in front of Town Hall and is available to the public at any time.
Dadeville Kiwanis Club gets update on ACT II progress
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By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
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Parker
Free Library FUN WITH SCIENCE: Little officially installed
6 p.m. The Sofia Goodman Group 7:30 p.m. singer-songwriter Randall Bramblett 9 p.m. Delta Rae
High
was at a home off Robinson Road near Alexander City and was looking to purchase a .45 caliber handgun. Parker had been target shooting and Reese had been at the home, before leaving in a vehicle with a
8
USPS Permit # 013-080
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
490.52 Reported on 06/08/17 @ 3:00 p.m. Donald Campbell / The Outlook
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
Starting Friday: The Mummy– PG-13 Wonder Woman – PG-13 Captain Underpants– PG
ACT II Treasurer Larry Jennings shares with the Dadeville Kiwanis Club the same presentation points made when speaking to the Alexander City Council.
The Dadeville Kiwanis Club welcomed Alexander City Theater II Fine Arts Center Treasurer Larry Jennings to their weekly meeting Thursday afternoon. While he holds an accounting degree from Jacksonville State University, Jennings said that he has always had a passion for the arts. He began his presentation with a short history of the events that led to the formation of ACT II. The Lakeside Players organization first took the stage in 1988, putting on four stage performances a year. The group dissolved 10 years later when Russell began to move their operations
from Alexander City, leaving the area without any sort of community theater organization for the next 16 years. “In 2015, a group of us came together and formed the Alexander City Theater II,” Jennings said. Shortly after coming together, the group was able to incorporate as an organization and also obtained a taxexempt status in early 2016. They also began looking for a location they could call home, a place they could hold events for the community. “We approached the city about the old Bama Theater, whether we could inspect it and see if it would fit our needs. Once we got inside and looked around, we determined it was perfect See KIWANIS • Page 3
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Daughters blame mom’s fiance for breaking up her marriage
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Directory 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
Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com
Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Tabby Edwards Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Advertising Sales, Ext. 208 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Rebecca Carlisle Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com
Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, printing press. Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011.
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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.
How to Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by Submit e-mail at obits@alexcityoutlook.com by fax at (256) 234-6550. For more Obituaries or information, call (256) 234-4281. SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law 135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL
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DEAR ABBY: My fiancee and I plan to be married next year. I met her after she left her husband because he had cheated on her twice. She refuses to tell her daughters that she left their dad because he cheated, so I am doomed to be the “bad guy” for eternity. They think I’m “the man who stole Mama from Daddy.” Her youngest (age 25) thinks I’m the devil incarnate and is unbelievably rude to me, no matter who is around. I’m thinking marriage will be hell because she and her mother interact every day. What am I to do? -- BLAMELESS IN THE SOUTH DEAR BLAMELESS: This is not a question of what “you” should do. It’s a question of what you and your fiancee should do together. While it may not be necessary for her to tell her adult daughters that their father was a cheater, and that’s the reason she left him, she should definitely call a family meeting and clear the air by telling them that you were not
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the reason the marriage ended. She should also insist that you be treated with respect -- if not affection. However, if she’s unwilling to do that, then you should seriously consider calling off the wedding because a marriage under those conditions would be miserable for you. Her daughters would guarantee it. DEAR ABBY: This is in response to “Another Husband in Oregon” (Sept. 3) who wondered about the “man cave” behavior he had observed in his neighbors. I can tell you from personal experience that the appeal of spending long hours working on mechanical things in a garage or workshop in
While the theory of spending too much time in the garage as a result of being “frozen out of the bedroom” was raised, most readers affirmed the value of having separate time from a spouse -- as long as it is only “spare” time. Wives wrote that it enables them to catch up on reading, shopping, a project with the kids or grandkids, or watch a favorite TV show or movie. Both spouses extolled the results produced in the “cave” -- restored vintage cars, woodworking items and various repairs. Visiting is permitted, and there’s learning to be had for the kids. And, as a number of readers reminded us, “At least you know where he is.”
inside the city limits was reported on I Street. • Theft was reported on Oak Street West. • Possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute crack and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute marijuana was reported in Alexander City. • Theft was reported in the 700 block of Hillabee Street. • Harassment was reported in the 1500 block of J Street. • Harassment was reported on Broad Street. • Possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia was reported on Court Square. • Rape was reported on S Street. • Theft was reported in Alexander City. • Domestic violence was reported on Thomas Street. • Harassment was on Dadeville Road. • Criminal mischief and criminal trespass was reported on Jefferson Street.
warrant. • A resident of Churchill Road filed a report of theft. • Monica McVey of Tallassee was arrested for a probation violation warrant. • Devunte Moon of Alexander City was served a probation violation warrant while incarcerated in the jail.
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.
Police Reports Alexander City Police Department June 6
• Shena Louise Smith, 25, of Alexander City was arrested for failure to appear. • Criminal trespass was reported on South Road. • Domestic violence was reported on Elkahatchee Road. • Theft by deception was reported on North Central Avenue. • Disorderly conduct was reported on Highway 280. • Burglary was reported on Willow Drive. • Domestic violence was reported on Phillips Road.
June 5
• Nija Ashun Cunningham, 20, of Alexander City was arrested for harassment. • Roy Shaquan Hall, 19, of Alexander City was arrested for domestic violence. • Bianca Mi’ele Moon, 24, of Alexander City was arrested for domestic violence. • James Lamar Jackson, 25, of Sylacauga was arrested for domestic violence. • Lakisha Nichole Moon, 37, of Alexander City was arrested for domestic violence. • Theft was reported on Johnson Street. • Vicious dog and dog bite was reported in the 500 block of Iris Avenue. • Domestic violence was reported on Coley Creek Road. • Theft was reported in Alexander City. • Domestic violence was reported in the 500 block of S Street. • Domestic violence was reported on Houston Street. • Harassing communications was reported on Carlton Road. • Harassment was reported on Highway 280.
June 4
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DEAR ABBY
total solitude is strong for many men. Regarding the guy who rebuilt an antique truck from the ground up, if you go to any car show featuring restored cars, you can’t help but admire the time, energy, skill and commitment some men put into a restoration. These can be works of art. Balance is very important to a successful marriage. Before a wife complains about too much time spent in the “cave” (and not all do complain), she should consider the upside. He is safe, he’s not blowing family money in a bar or at a blackjack table, and he’s not chasing other women. And he just may be creating something unique that will give him great pride and satisfaction. -- PAUL IN WISCONSIN DEAR PAUL: When I put the question about “garaged husbands” out to my readers, they were forthcoming with their views. The responses -- predominantly from men, but also some of their wives -- were overwhelmingly positive.
• Johnny Howard Spivey Jr., 37, of Alexander City was arrested for failure to appear. • Antoinette Nicole Grant, 40, of Alexander City was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. • Anthony Sanchez White, 45, of Alexander City was arrested for possession of synthetic narcotics and disorderly conduct. • Deonta Glenn Harris, 31, of Alexander City was arrested for attempt to commit murder and burglary. • Frank Leonard Ray III, 30, of Alexander City was arrested for bail jumping. • Danny Cohan Turner, 18, of New Site was arrested for open possession of alcohol in a motor vehicle. • Thomas Dalton Wall, 25, of Alexander City was arrested open possession of alcohol in a motor vehicle. • Adjonski Martez Vines, 23, of Alexander City was arrested for carrying a pistol without a permit.
• Possession of controlled substance and drug paraphernalia was reported on Verbena Avenue. • Possession of controlled substance and possession of marijuana was reported on Willow Drive. • Harassing communications was reported in Alexander City. • Criminal trespass was reported in Alexander City. • Possession of controlled substance and disorderly conduct was reported in Alexander City.
June 3
• Antonio Daniellie Minnifield, 22, of Alexander City was arrested for receiving stolen property, possession of marijuana and possession of a concealed weapon without a permit. • Kearra Lashae Bozeman, 27, of Alexander City was arrested for driving under the influence alcohol and possession of marijuana. • Laderrion Mariquis Hicks, 27, of Alexander City was arrested possession of marijuana. • Bartone Letrel Jones, 41, of Childersburg was arrested for domestic violence. Unauthorized use of a vehicle was reported in the 1300 block of 13th Avenue. • Possession of marijuana and driving under the influence of alcohol was reported on D Street. • Domestic violence was reported at the Alex City Villas. • Receiving stolen property and possession of marijuana was reported on Springhill Road. • Domestic violence was reported on Greenwood Road. • Domestic violence was reported on South Road. • Attempt to commit murder and burglary was reported on K Street. • Theft was reported on Oakwoods Lane.
June 2
• Robin James Russell, 66, of Alexander City was arrested on possession with intent to distribute crack, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, illegal possession of prescription drugs and drug paraphernalia. • Christopher Michael Davis, 38, of Jacksons Gap was arrested for possession of controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. • Willie Joe Kennedy, 25, of Alexander City was arrested for criminal trespass. • Joseph Lee Foshee, 51, of Alexander City was arrested for harassment. • Katlyn Marie Vines, 19, of Alexander City was arrested for harassment. • Caitlin Marie Yates, 21, of Alexander City was arrested for domestic violence. • Domestic violence was reported in the 3000 block of Scott Road. • Discharging a firearm
June 1
• DeVunte Leshun Moon, 21, of Goodwater was arrested for assault. • Quintiesha Inez Tuck, 24, of Alexander City was arrested for assault. • Deonta Glenn Harris, 31, of Alexander City was arrested for domestic violence. • Clinton Junior Smith, 63, of Alexander City was arrested for public intoxication. • Theft was reported on Highway 280. • Unlawful breaking and entering and fraudulent use of a credit/debit card was reported on Highway 280. • Domestic violence was reported K Street. • Public intoxication was reported on Cherokee Road.
Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department June 6
• Daniel Meadows of Lovelady Road in Tallassee was arrested for burglary third and theft of property second. • Demetrus Drake of County Road 44 in Camp Hill was arrested on an outstanding warrant for probation violation. • A resident of Horseshoe Bend Road in Dadeville filed a report for domestic violence.
June 5
• A resident of Highway 50 filed a report for property damage.
June 3
• A resident of Denver Road in Dadeville filed a report for cruelty to animals. • A resident of Highway 49 South in Dadeville filed a report for harassment. • A resident of Booger Hollow Road filed a report for theft. • Jeffery Smith of Alexander City was arrested for a probation violation
June 1
• A resident of Highway 63 North in Alexander City filed a report for harassment. • A resident of Brazzell Road in Camp Hill filed a report for theft.
May 31
• Kayla Tharpe of Semmes Street in Alexander City was arrested on an outstanding warrant probation violation. • Jimmy Leavins of Paxton Drive in Tallassee was arrested on an outstanding warrant probation violation.
Dadeville Police Department June 5
• A report was filed for Domestic Violence that occurred on Highway 280. • A report was filed for Assault that occurred on Main Street. • A Dadeville man, age 27, was arrested on Royston St for Domestic Violence, Inference with a Domestic Violence Call and Failure to Appear.
June 3
• A report was filed for Theft of Property that occurred on E South Street. • A report was filed for a dog bite that occurred on E Lafayette Street. • A Lafayette man, age 56, was arrested at the Tallapoosa County Jail on a warrant for Failure to Appear. • A Jackson’s Gap man, age 18, was arrested on Youngs Ferry Road for Minor in Possession of Alcohol. • A Kellyton man, age 18, was arrested on Youngs Ferry Road for Minor in Possession of Alcohol. • A Sylacauga man, age 18, was arrested on 280 East on charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Marijuana, Carrying Brass Knuckles, and Minor in Possession of Tobacco. • A Dadeville woman, age 51, was arrested on Bobo St on charges of Domestic Violence and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
June 1
• A Dadeville woman, age 30, was arrested on North Broadnax on a warrant for Attempt to Commit a Controlled Substance Crime and nine warrants for Possession/Sell of a Precursor Drug. • An Alexander City woman, age 31, was arrested at the Tallapoosa County Jail for Promoting Prison Contraband.
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Hearing
continued from page 1
group of friends. A short time later the vehicle carrying Reese returned down the road towards the home and a number of shots, allegedly fired by Parker, were directed towards the vehicle. One shot struck Reese in the head as he rode in the back seat of the vehicle. Reese, a senior at Benjamin Russell High School who had been offered a basketball scholarship, was taken to Russell Medical, then flown to the
University of Alabama Birmingham Medical Center where he died on Wednesday, March 29. Parker was charged with murder due to the fact that allegedly he “recklessly engaged in illegal conduct which created a grave risk of death and caused the death of another person,” police officials said. Court records show that Parker was arrested and released on March 31 after posting a $250,000 bond that was secured by property.
A preliminary hearing which is often referred to as an evidentiary hearing or probable cause hearing, is a proceeding, where prosecutors present evidence so that a judge can determine if a crime has actually been committed and if the case should be presented to a grand jury for possible indictment. Court records show that Parker is represented by Birmingham attorney Emory Anthony Jr. District Attorney Jeremy Duerr is listed as the prosecutor in the case.
Library The initial selections available included a number of children’s books, as well as titles for older readers, including Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, All Over but the Shoutin’ by Rick Bragg and Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. “Since this will be serving the entire community, I wanted to pick books that would appeal to everyone,” Foshee said. “What’s great about this is that it’s open 24/7. You’ll have access to books at night, on weekends and holidays. It’s a way to share thoughts, ideas and books throughout the community.” With this box now installed and open to the public, Foshee expressed her hope and belief that having this available at town hall might inspire other members in the community to start similar libraries in their own neighborhoods. In addition, there were a number of people she wanted to thank for their assistance in
Page 3
continued from page 1
making the New Site Little Free Library possible. “I’m excited the city council jumped on board with it. The council and Shelia Fuller were so helpful with this. It shows a sense of community.” She also wanted to thank the men of the Water Department for taking time out of their schedule to install the library and refocus one of Town Hall’s outside lights on the box. Lastly, she wanted the public to be well aware of how easy it is to use the Little Free Library. Any member of the public can stop by the box and take a book that interests them home and read it. When they’re finished with it, they can bring it back. There are no due dates for items “checked out” from the Little Free Library, and if someone wants to, they can leave a book when they take one. However, “You don’t have to immediately put a new book back in when you take something,” Foshee said.
Science provide some education of science principals. “I just come up with the lessons and activities for everyone,” said Goree, who is retired but still teaches on a contract basis. She even figures out how to make many of the projects, like solar balloons, jelly marbles, solar ovens for S’mores and more with the help of her husband instead of paying retail prices. Proof that the camp is successful is easily witnessed by walking down the hall Stephens Elementary this week. Students were learning how
Donald Campbell / The Outlook
New Site resident and former Mamie’s Place librarian Jamie Foshee poses next to the recently installed Little Free Library at New Site Town Hall.
continued from page 1
light refracts as it passes through the atmosphere, think rainbows. Students even learned about inertia by getting golf tees and other objects into bottles and centrifugal force with water in buckets going over their heads. Students even created their own fake snow with a polymer and water. It cools as the water evaporates from the mixture. And yes, the students can add water again to the mix and start over. “I like to play with this kind of snow,” student Clark Dennis said. “It is more fun than real snow.”
Kiwanis for what we wanted,” he said. Jennings brought a series of displays with him, giving those in attendance the same presentation he gave to the Alexander City Council when ACT II was seeking to gain approval to lease the facility from the city. The city council unanimously approved both ACT II’s request to lease the building and request to change the name from Bama Theater to ACT II Fine Arts Center. The highlight of his presentation was showing how the exterior would be redone in order to look more like a fine arts center, as well as how the interior’s design could host not only theater performances, but art events of all kinds. Now that the organization has secured their permanent home, plans have begun to be drawn up to turn the old theater into the masterpiece Jennings and his colleagues have envisioned. These include taking out some of the wooden flooring put in when it was converted into a skating
continued from page 1
rink, though some of the flooring would be left to make up the stage, and redoing the façade of the building to add a large window on the mezzanine level. “We’re about to begin developing our capital campaign,” he said. “Right now, our estimate is that it will take about $1 million to do everything we want to do.” During the question and answer session after his presentation, a couple of the members inquired about such issues as parking at the site once the center was completed. “We’re working on that, but I can’t give any details right now,” Jennings said. As he wrapped up, Jennings reiterated that the refurbished Fine Arts Center would be a place for the entire Lake Martin area, not just Alexander City. “We’re very excited,” he said. “I consider what we’re doing as being beneficial to both Alexander City and the surrounding communities.”
River Bank and Trust grand opening
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Randy Dawkins, left, greets Dede Tuggle while Jimmy Stubbs greets Larry Tuggle at Thursday’s grand opening of the Alexander City location of River Bank and Trust.
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Middle: Brinley Pritchard carefully counts at drops of color as she makes jelly marbles while learning about polymers. Bottom: Jackson Padgett tries to make smoke rings and blow a cup off a friend Thursday.
MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213
editor@alexcityoutlook.com
EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed
Outlook The
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Page 4
Opinion
Our View
Our Bibles ought to be familiar friends
How much deeper I can Trump’s mess get?
W
hen Donald J. Trump was elected president, the editorial board urged everyone, including the protesting liberals who resorted to vandalism to voice their displeasure, to give the man a chance. We hoped that once Trump settled into office and was surrounded by a cast of advisors who could help him temper his tweets and help him make well-informed decisions rather than shooting from the hip. We reserved comment when advisors and cabinet members fell by the wayside. We bit our tongues when more and more revelations and ties to Russia were unearthed. Our thought was let the legal and investigative process work and when it is all said and done, the truth will be known. This stance was maintained despite repeated ill-advised statements, stumbling through issues like healthcare reform, tax plans and foreign policy matters. We figured: “He’s new at this, he will hit his stride.” But after Thursday’s testimony by former Federal Bureau of Investigation Chief James Comey, it appears that the former television reality show star and business mogul comes across more like a mob boss than the statesman and leader that our nation needs as a president. To hear Comey recount Trump’s repeated demands for loyalty, you could almost envision Trump at the dinner table, using the voice made famous by Marlon Brando playing Vito Corleone in “The Godfather.” “I need loyalty, I expect loyalty,” Comey quoted Trump as telling him. Comey claims that Trump pressed him on the investigation into Gen. Michael Flynn and his ties to Russians. “I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy,” Comey quoted the president as saying. Being president of one of the world’s most powerful nations is an incredible responsibility. Character, honesty and integrity are paramount in this position. Does asking the director of the FBI to look the other way in a criminal investigation make you believe that Trump has any of those three qualities? As much as we’d like to see the “swamp drained” and “America great again” it looks like we may have the wrong man driving the bus.
decided that I need to be more up to date in some of the things I’m doing. Just because I’ve been in the ministry for 55 years doesn’t mean I’m over the hill, yet, maybe, almost. OK, so I can see the other side of the mountain, but with my trifocals I can at least still see it – a little, somewhat, with the right light quite a bit. But, back to my getting with it. For the first time in my illustrious career I’ve changed versions of the Bible. I’ve always used the King James Version because it was what I was raised on (and it had large print). You have to understand as an old time Bible preacher I believe the Bible is without error and inspired of God throughout. I believe in it from the index to the colored maps in the back. I even believe in the concordance. However, I’ve gone modern and took up with the New International Version. This isn’t easy because this thing reads funny. It doesn’t have any “thees” or “thous,” and it doesn’t end most of the verbs with “th.” Also, some of my favorite verses aren’t located in the right place on the page like my old Bible. I’m having trouble finding John 3:16, and I do believe they left Philemon completely out. When I mentioned this new
Communication with elected officials is the key to good government. To let your most local representatives know how you feel about state or local matters, contact any of the following. Governor Kay Ivey represents the state of Alabama and its 67 counties. She was sworn into office on April 10, 2017, and can be reached at 334-242-7100. Her office is located at the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.
Kay Ivey
Luther Strange was elected Alabama’s 49th Attorney General first elected in 2010, and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement officer. He can be reached at 334-242-7300, and Luther Strange his office is located at 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery. Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256-3922006 or by email at tughd81@gmail.com. Mark Tuggle His office is located at 110 Calhoun Street, Suite 108, Alexander City. Tom Whatley represents the 27th District covering Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa County. He was elected to the Alabama Senate on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334Tom Whatley 242-t7865. His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.
Today’s
Quote
“Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.” —Doug Firebaugh
Today’s
Scripture “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” —Micah 6:8
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afresh. She just didn’t realize how many men I had to listen to get those messages, because when better sermons are written I’ll preach them. She said I should have DR. GERALD listened more closely. HALLMARK Basically, my old Bible Columnist is just paper and ink. It’s Bible usage to some of my not what I worship, nor is it preacher friends they decided where I place my trust. The that I was a heretic. After all, sentimental value I place to them the KJV is the only on it is through the shared way Greek can be translated. experiences of the years. I I told them the only Greek I know it is a simple emotional knew owned a hotdog stand response to replacing in Birmingham. They didn’t something comfortable and think that was funny and voted familiar, but it is still a hard to excommunicate me. Finally changeover. we reached a compromise The good thing is I know when I told them I’d keep the Word of God is made alive my fingers crossed as I read through the Holy Spirit as from my new Bible. They all Christ is revealed. He is not replied, “Blessed art thou.” limited to one book only, or There is one thing I’m one version. God’s Word is having trouble with about alive and relevant when we this changeover. My old read it and let it speak to us. Bible now sits on my desk It’s Word that I love and not looking sad and deserted. I the words that reveal Him. feel like I’ve abandoned an I think for awhile I’m going old friend that has been loyal to just leave my old Bible though thick and thin. It is sitting out on my desk where it just sitting there still full of normally sits. Being placed on 55 years of marginal notes, the shelf is where we are all poems, illustrations and headed and I’ll just give this assorted stuff. It feels like a old friend a few more days to silent condemnation from a get use to the idea. friend. When I told my wife that it contained some of Dr. Gerald Hallmark is an my best preaching notes she Alexander City resident, a immediately agreed that it retired minister and a regular was time to retire it and start columnist for The Outlook.
Friday, June 9, 2017
P
resident Donald Trump possesses a style described by friends as virile and intuitive, and by foes as oafish and oblivious. Some see him as a breath of fresh air, with a disarming directness, while others consider him a blustering bully with the grace of a pile of crumbling cement blocks cascading off a flatbed truck. Passionate versus fool-hardy. Eager slash hasty. Swift or rash. But these are principally domestic arguments. The international community is not so divided. They view our new chief executive as a brutish barbarian whose goal is to antagonize not just the other nations of the world, but Mother Earth herself. 45’s first overseas trip initially dropped him successfully in Saudi Arabia and Israel, where he mostly just antagonized his wife. Then the reality TV star traveled to a NATO meeting where he scolded its members, and demonstrated how to put America first by shoving the Prime Minister of Montenegro to the side in order to rush to the front of a photo shoot. “Out of the way, pal.” Arriving home, Trump leaped back onto the Twitter Train, shooting out a midnight tweet ending with the words “press covfefe.” He either spelled the word “coverage” wrong or was rhapsodizing
Trump is screwing with his constituents over a typo. He’s 12. Later, Trump told Planet Earth to take a hike, announcing America was pulling out of the WILL DURST Paris Climate Accord. His Columnist reasoning for joining Syria about the java coming out of and Nicaragua to stand against his french press. Or both. 194 signers of the pact is it What happened after that, would handicap our country nobody knows. Perhaps he economically. And with him in drifted off, confident that charge, the fewer handicaps, he had rallied the troops. the better. Or maybe he realized his Trump is intent on fulfilling mistake and tried to correct his campaign promise to Make the spelling but was betrayed America Jurassic Again, even by his undersized digits and though over forty major U.S. ended up hitting “send.” corporations including GM, We’ve all done it. Most GE, Chevron, Shell, Apple, of us would have stopped, Exxon- Mobil and BP favor deleted and started over. But the agreement, because they President Golden Canopy not have come to the opinion that only left aloft this incoherent the extinction of the human muddle, the next day he species might not be good for doubled down with another business. incomprehensibility, “Who can Liberals fear a hidden figure out the true meaning of agenda of the GOP’s Plan is “Covfefe” ??? Enjoy!” to step up global warming to Unable to resort to his usual raise ocean waters, thereby lame obfuscation: “the tweet flooding California coastline speaks for itself,” because it cities turning the state’s 55 didn’t, spokesperson Sean electoral votes reliably red. Spicer insisted the president Then again, maybe, when the and a small group of people President mentioned that he knew what the post meant but doesn’t want other countries couldn’t keep a straight face laughing at us anymore, what when saying it. he was really saying is he’s The president is incapable ready to step down. Fingers of admitting a mistake. crossed. Ever. Not even a misspelled word. Simply put, the Will Durst is an awardmalignant orange narcissist is winning, nationally acclaimed purposefully messing with us. columnist and comedian.
The subscription rate is $136.00 per year in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties and $177.99 outside the area. Periodicals paid at Alexander City, AL. Newspapers are available at 100 news racks in our area at 75 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. We would love to deliver a paper to your door. Call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281, Ext. 204 or e-mail david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook. com.
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CommunityCalendar SEE ME FOR INSURANCE
June 9, 2017
Harold Cochran 256.234.2700
NIGHT HIKE: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a night hike June 9 at 7:30 p.m. under the light of the full moon to learn about nocturnal animals and how they survive in the dark weather permitting. MOVIE NIGHT: River of Life Worship Center is hosting a movie night June 9. Mom’s Night Out will start at 7:30 p.m. Concessions will be sold.
Today is Today’s Events
Friday, June 9, 2017
The Outlook
CLASS REUNION: The Benjamin Russell High School Class of 1987 is having 30th Reunion Festivities June 9 and 10 in Alexander City. Contact Ben Farrow at farrocb@ auburn.edu for more information. CLASS REUNION: The BRHS Class of 1977 will be celebrating its 40th Reunion June 9 and 10. Friday, June 9 a tent will be set up at Jazz Fest in downtown Alexander City. Saturday, June 10 Jakes restaurant has been reserved. It is $25 for a single or $50 a couple with a cash bar. You can mail a check to Amy Oliver Duncan, 1415 Clubview Drive Alexander City 35010 or pay at the door.
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/. SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM: The Reeltown High School Cafeteria will be June 5-30 with breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon. Contact Nina Hollingsworth at 256-825-0746.
Today’s Birthdays
Kaye Beasley, Dakota Cheyenne Reaves, Myrt Sims, Glenn Fuller, Vince Powell and Thelma Marbury are celebrating birthdays today.
Today’s Anniversaries
Tim and Jane Blankenship, Vince and Tina Lee, Kara and Jamie Forbus and Kim and Jon Galloway celebrate their anniversaries today.
The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow
The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for Weekend Shifts in 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
haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com
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Submitted / The Outlook
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
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Paul Thorn, above, is set to close out the 27th Annual Jazz Fest Saturday at the Lake Martin Amphitheater.
Saturday, June 10
GOSPEL SINGING: Chosen Annoited will be singing at the Kellyton Revival Center June 10 at 6 p.m. A love offering will be taken. Come out and enjoy some great gospel music. BIRDING PADDLE: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a birding paddle on Elkahatchee Creek June 10 at 7:30 a.m. The paddle will start from the Elkahatchee Bridge and go to Wind Creek State Park watching for birds along the way. This is sponsored by the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail and Wind Creek State Park. CLASS MEETING: The Laurel High School Class of 1969 will meet at the Cooper Recreation Center Saturday, June 10 at 10 a.m. RABIES CLINIC: Dr. John W. Caldwell with Animal Care Center is having a rabies clinic with shots available for $10 Saturday, June 10 from 7:30 a.m. to 8;15 a.m. at the Daviston Fire Department, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. in New Site at Halls Propane and in Perryville from 9:30 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. across from East Building Supply. ART FESTIVAL: The Lil’ Calypso Art Fest benefitting the Union Volunteer Fire Department is Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chuck’s Marina. There will be canvas art, folk art, handcrafted furniture, pottery, handcrafted jewelry, metal art and glass art.
June 11-14
Many a small thing
has been made
large...
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Calvary Heights Baptist Church across from the Russell Retail Store is hosting vacation Bible School June 11-14 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for ages kindergarten to sixth grade.
June 11-15
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•Alexander City Outlook •Dadeville Record •Wetumpka Herald •Eclectic Observer •Tallassee Tribune
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Kellyton Baptist Church is hosting vacation Bible school for children ages three through adults June 11 throught June 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Kids and teenagers will experience Galactic Starveyors with Bible study and special activities. Adults will have the opportunity to participate in Bible Study. Call VBS Glenda ‘Tater’ Eason at 256-839-6922 with questions. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Orr Street Baptist Church is hosting their 2017 Vacation Bible School “Galactic Starveyers” June 11-15 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a meal nightly at 5:30 p.m. VBS registration and celebration will be Wednesday, June 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Kellyton Baptist Chuch is hosting vacation Bible school, Galactic Starveyors for ages three to adults from June 11-15 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information contact Glenda “Tater” Eason at 256-8396922.
June 12-16
By e-mailing your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or call 256-234-4281. _____ Send your news items to editor@alexcityoutlook.com
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: First Baptist Church of Dadeville is hosting Vacation Bible School, Galactic Starveyors, June 12-16 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Children ages four through sixth grade are invited. Registration at www.fbcdadeville.com VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: New Beginning Baptist Church on
Coley Creek Road is hosting Galactic Starveyors Vacation Bible School June 12 to June 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. nightly. For more information or van pick up call Robin at 256-7500068.
Tuesday, June 13
USHERS MEETING: The Early Rose District Usher’s meeting will be June 13 at 5 p.m. at the Early Rose District Center.
Wednesday, June 14
FIELD AND FOREST HIKE: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a field and forest hike June 14 at 9 a.m. The walk is for all ages. Meet at the outdoor classroom across from the beach. MOVIE: There will be free viewings of an environmental and other movies for teenagers at the Cooper Recreation Center on Wednesday June 14, Tuesday, June 20, and Wednesday, June 28. Adults Please allow and advise your teenagers to come. “For ages 13 to 17 years old” Movie starts at 2 p.m., and questions and discussions afterward. Check it out! For information please call Ms. Dean @ 256-794-0172 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Thursday, June 15
STORYTELLING: Dolores Hydock will be at Red Ridge Methodist Church presenting “Close Encounters of the Storytelling Kind” June 15 at noon.
Friday, June 16
MOVIE NIGHT: River of Life Worship Center is hosting a movie night June 16. Miracles from Heaven will start at 7:30 p.m. Concessions will be sold.
June 16-17
RODEO: The 11th Annual Lake Martin Area Rodeo benefitting the Boys and Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area will be June 16 and June 17 at the Alexander City Horse Arena. Gates will open at 5 p.m. and the Brett Woody Bar W Rodeo will begin at 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 17
COMMUNITY PRAYER: The Darian Missionary Baptist Church family and prayer team are offering prayer to the community June 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot on the corner of Laurel and E streets across from Stephens School. STARGAZING: The Auburn Astronomical Society will set up telescopes to look at the night sky June 17 at 7 p.m. on Hospice Point near the silo at Wind Creek State Park. WATER WARS: Wind Creek State Park is hosting Water Wars June 17 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. with water slides, gold fish races, duck races, Team Sponge wars, Tear Water relay and more. Bring a towel, super soaker water gun, sunscreen clothes to get wet in and lots of energy. Team games will need a team of five. Teams can register at the marina store until 10 a.m. on June 17. TRADE DAY: Bibb Graves High School Alumni Monthly Trade Day in Millerville on Highway 9 between Ashland and Goodwater will be held
on June 17 from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Refreshments are also available. WOMANS DAY PROGRAM: The Word Bible Church Ministry is hosting a woman’s day program June 17 at 3 p.m. at the Early Rose District Center. Guest speaker will be First Lady Prophetess Tonda West of Fountain of Hope, Praise, and Worship Ministry in Montgomery. SUMMER CONCERT: The First Presbyterian Church Choir will present their annual Summer Concert, “Broadway at First Pres,” Saturday, June 17 at 5 p.m. The program will feature a mixture of Broadway hits and traditional music. Guest artists will be Brink and Brinkley Norton from Charleston, South Carolina. Admission is free.
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Sunday, June 18
FATHERS DAY BASKET GIVEAWAY: Passion Church is selling chances on a Father’s Day Basket to benefit the church’s mission ministry. Tickets are available by calling the church office at 256-409-9590, from Min. Betty Reese or by contacting Gloria Boleware via Facebook.
June 18-21
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Trinity United Methodist Church Weoka is hosting the Galactic Starveyors Vacation Bible School. Please join us as we study the stars to discover the God of the Universe! June 18 there will be a hot dog supper at 5 p.m. with VBS starting at 6 p.m. On June 19-21 refreshments will be served. June 19 – 21 we will start at 6 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. For more information call (334) 567-4264.
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June 19-22
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Flint Hill United Methodist Church is hosting Surf Shack Vacation Bible School June 19-222 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Register children online through Facebook at Flint Hill UMC.
tent For Consising Advertis
Tuesday, June 20
MOVIE: There will be free viewings of an environmental and other movies for teenagers at the Cooper Recreation Center on Tuesday, June 20 and Wednesday, June 28. Adults Please allow and advise your teenagers to come. “For ages 13 to 17 years old” Movie starts at 2 p.m., and questions and discussions afterward. Check it out! For information please call Ms. Dean @ 256-794-0172 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Friday, June 23
MOVIE NIGHT: River of Life Worship Center is hosting a movie night June 23. The Climb will start at 7:30 p.m. Concessions will be sold.
at call the Advertising Dept.
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Saturday, June 24
TURTLE AND TORTOISE DAY: Wind Creek State Park is hosting turtle and tortoise day June 24 at 9 a.m to take the place of turtle races of the past. It is sponsored by Wind Creek State Park, Alabama Department of Natural Resources and the Auburn Museum of Natural History. Learn about gophers and tortoise with live animals, children’s activities, turtle egg race, turtle dasy and more at the campground playground.
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LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Friday, June 9, 2017
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Page 9
Ambush a success for Lake Martin AU alumni DAVID RAINER Columnist
Conversation ID needed for alligator season registration
I
f you didn’t get your Conservation ID during the 2016-2017 hunting seasons, the number is required for those who wish to apply for an alligator tag in this summer’s Alligator Limited Quota Hunt. Registration is underway through 8 a.m. July 11 to be eligible for the computer-generated, random drawing. The application process started June 2, but technical difficulties had to be resolved before the process could resume. If you tried to register on June 2, log in to https://publichunts. dcnr.alabama.gov/public and verify your 2017 alligator season registration is listed. If your 2017 hunt registration is not on the list, you will need to re-register. If your registration is listed, but you did not receive a receipt or confirmation number, you need to send an email to support@ alabamainteractive.org. Put Alligator Hunt Registration Confirmation in the subject line of the email. In the email body, include your full name and the following statement: I completed my Alligator Hunt Registration online and did not receive a receipt or confirmation number and would like to request a copy of both. Back to the Conservation ID, which will be required of all hunting-license holders for the 2017-2018 season, the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division makes it as easy as possible to acquire the Conservation ID by providing a link on the alligator registration page at www.outdooralabama.com/ registration-instructions. Chris Nix, WFF’s Alligator Program Coordinator, said potential applicants won’t be able to proceed in the process until the Conservation ID is issued. “The reason for the Conservation ID is there have been some issues in the past trying to track people, primarily with their points, by just having their driver’s license number,” Nix said. “I remember one person in particular last year. He had a lifetime hunting license as a resident of Alabama. Then he moved to Mississippi. He got a different driver’s license when he moved to Mississippi. He was doing everything he was supposed to as far as registering every year, but when he changed driver’s license numbers, the system did not track him. With the Conservation ID, it will prevent anything like that from happening.” Alabama’s alligator hunt application process went to a preference-point system in 2015 to give those who apply consistently a better chance to get a tag. Each year you apply but don’t get a permit, you gain points. Every year you miss out, the total points are cubed. Your chances of success will increase exponentially as you continue to apply yearly. However, don’t skip a year. If you don’t apply one year, your points are erased and you start all over again. Nix said except for date changes, the 2017 alligator season is essentially the same as 2016. The season will be open in four areas: the Southwest Zone, Southeast Zone, West Central Zone and Lake Eufaula Zone. The Southwest Zone has 150 tags available, and the 2017 season dates are August 10-13 and August 17-20. The Southeast Zone has 40 permits with season dates of August 12 through September 4. The West Central Zone, where many of the largest gators have been tagged in recent years, has 50 permits and season dates of August 10-13 and August 17-20. The Lake Eufaula Zone has 20 permits and season dates of August 18 through October 2. Tags are not transferable. Holders of the permits and their
See GATOR • Page 10
By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
Nearly 300 people gathered at Willow Point Golf & Country Club on Thursday evening, and it wasn’t just for the good food and great company. It was really for the Auburn Ambush, which took over the Lake Martin golf course clubhouse all evening. After a brief media meeting for Tigers coach Gus Malzahn, fans of all ages got a chance to meet their hero and get an autograph. The Auburn Ambush is an annual event, which used to be called the Auburn Tracks, and is hosted by different alumni associations throughout the country. Dallas, Texas, Tampa Bay, Florida and the Muscle Shoals were the only other places to call the event home this year, and Lake Martin felt especially blessed to have Malzahn in the area. “What’s terrific about that is the Lake Martin Auburn (Club) is only two years old, so we feel very honored,” Club President Larkin Radney said. “We are very active, in my opinion. We’ve had really good events ourselves and (the Auburn Alumni Association) knows that. I’m pretty sure they thought we could get good promotion and get the people here.” In addition to a meet-and-greet with Malzahn and photo opportunities with Aubie the Tiger, attendants were provided a dinner and a chance to hear Malzahn speak alongside Rod Bramblett, the “Voice of the Auburn Tigers.” Although the event was mostly about alumni and gathering good mojo ahead of the season, Malzahn also did get to talk a little football. “We talk a lot about winning the summer,” he said. “You get two hours (to practice with players this year), and that’s been very important. (Strength and conditioning) coach (Ryan) Russell working out with them is very critical and our guys working out on their own is very critical. Those three things are very important when we talk about winning the summer. If we want to win the summer, we have to be very organized. But we have good leadership, so I feel good about that.”
Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook
Top: Paul Goldhagen meets with Gus Malzahn for his autograph. Bottom: Margaret Lee Liles poses with Aubie at the event.
Sports Hour promotes ‘healthy habits’ By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
The Boys & Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area isn’t just about fun; it’s a developmental organization promoting academics, the arts and character and leadership skills. More and more, it’s begun using athletics as a way to promote its mission statement. “One of our big things in the Boys & Girls Club is healthy habits,” executive director Melissa Reynolds. “We want to teach these kids the good things and bad things about nutrition, but also how sports can keep them from being obese.” One way to promote those healthy habits through athletics is a daily Sports Hour. Both the teen center on Cherokee Road and the youth-oriented Searcy Unit, located at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex gym, has at least an hour per day during its summer program dedicated to different sports. “It’s different each day,” said Crystal Freeman, director of the teen unit. “We do kickball, basketball tournaments, they love to play volleyball. We’ll also have one day per week where they can choose what sport they want to do.” The teen unit is equipped for both volleyball and basketball, but the Boys & Girls Club has a strong relationship with the Alexander City Recreation Department and uses the facilities at the Sportplex quite a bit. Freeman and Reynolds also try to be creative in the activities they have the kids do. One day next week, Freeman is setting up what she called a “slide kickball game,” where the baserunning paths will be Slip ’N Slides and the bases will be kiddie pools. “Doing those kinds of things, they enjoy and they don’t really know that we’re helping them fight obesity,” Reynolds said. “That’s the No. 1 killer of kids in the United States, and they don’t realize (these activities) in the summer that we’re doing it for their health. We’ll take them swimming, and even that, they don’t realize when they go swimming that they’re toning their muscles and everything.” In addition to the gym and fields at the Sportplex, Freeman also plans to take the teens out on the hiking trails. She said the kids already said they want to complete the trail three times and see if they can beat their previous times. “They love to challenge themselves, and it’s fun to see,” Freeman said. “Most kids these age, it’s all about video games, so this is trying to get them away from that some, get them back outside and interacting with nature, learning to be physical. Sitting around is where obesity comes from, so we like to keep them as active as possible and keep them moving.”
Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook
Top: Decan Russell looks for a hit in a volleyball game during Wednesday’s Sports Hour at Boys & Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area. Bottom: Johnathan Shepard, far left, serves the volleyball during Wednesday’s Sports Hour at the Boys & Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area.
Page 10
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The Outlook
Friday, June 9, 2017
CAMP SEALE HARRIS SENIOR WEEK
Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook
Top left: Dachon McSwain, 14, right, fires a shotgun during a skeet shooting lesson from Cody Graham, Outdoor Education Director of Camp ASCCA, during Camp Seale Harris’ Senior Week on Thursday. Top right: Desity Buckhannan, 11, climbs up the cat walk at Camp ASCCA as part of Camp Seale Harris’ Senior Week on Thursday. Bottom left: Faith Palmer takes part in the zipline at Camp ASCCA as part of Camp Seale Harris’ Senior Week on Thursday. Bottom right: Reese Whitley, 9, walks the Grape Vine at Camp ASCCA during Camp Seale Harris’ Senior Week on Thursday. Second column bottom: Cody Graham, left, the Outdoor Education Director for Camp ASCCA, instructs Isaiah Harris, 14, during a skeet shooting lesson on Thursday as part of Camp Seale Harris’ Senior Week. Camp Seale Harris is aimed at kids with diabetes.
Gator crews can hunt gators from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the Southwest, Southeast and West Central zones. Gators can be pursued during daylight and nighttime hours in the Lake Eufaula Zone. A minimum length of 8 feet, measured from tip of snout to end of tail, is in effect for the Lake Eufaula Zone. Check your status at the same place you applied at outdooralabama.com after noon on July 12 to see if you were selected. Those chosen must affirm their selection by 8 a.m. on July 19 or the permit will go to someone on the waiting list. If you don’t respond before the deadline or if you decline a permit in a certain zone, you lose your preference points. A mandatory training course will be scheduled for successful permit applicants. If you’ve completed the course previously, you may qualify for exemption. Nix said the 2016 alligator season was what he considered an average season with a total of 141 gators harvested, ranging from 4.5 to 13.5 feet. Weights ranged from 16 to 684 pounds. “The total numbers were pretty close to what we’ve had in the past few years,” he said. “The numbers in the Southwest Zone were down a little, but overall it was pretty close. We seem to fall in the 65- to 70-percent success rate just about every year.” Of course, Nix pointed out some hunters will pass up decent gators early in the season and regret it later. “It happens every year,” he said. “The last night, the hunters are trying to tag a gator. I think we had 30-something gators brought in the last night in the Southwest Zone. People were just filling their tags.” Nix hopes the alligator hunters will expand their hunting range, especially in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. “The Southwest Zone is where I spend most of my time during the alligator season, and I still see people go into the heart of the Delta and stay there,” he said. “I try to encourage people to get out of their comfort zone a little bit. We expanded the
continued from page 9
zone several years ago to include all of Mobile County and all of Baldwin County, primarily because that’s where the majority of our nuisance alligator complaints come from. “I would prefer people to harvest those gators during the alligator hunt than Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries having to take care of them. Very few people venture south of I-10. Of all the alligators that were harvested (88) in the Southwest Zone, only three came from south of I-10.” The state record alligator was taken by Mandy Stokes and her crew in 2014 just off the Alabama River near Selma. The Stokes gator measured 15 feet, 9 inches and weighed 1,011.5 pounds. The Stokes gator replaced another gator from the West Central Zone, Keith Fancher’s 14-foot, 2-inch, 838-pounder, in the record books. The largest gator from the 2015 season, taken at Lake Eufaula by Scott Evans and crew, was 13 feet, 6 inches and 920 pounds. Last year’s largest gator came from the Southwest Zone. Lee Wright tagged a 684-pounder that measured 12 feet, 10 inches. “A lot of big gators have come from the West Central Zone,” Nix said. “But there have been gators just as big come from Lake Eufaula. That gator that Scott Evans harvested weighed 920 pounds and was a couple of feet shorter than the Stokes gator. Hunters have the potential to take gators that weigh 800, 900 or 1,000 pounds in any of our zones. “The alligator population in Alabama has been gradually increasing throughout the range in the last several years.” Visit www.outdooralabama.com/ alligator-hunting-season-alabama for information on the application process, rules and regulations. David Rainer is employed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He writes a weekly column titled Outdoor Alabama Weekly.
Submitted / Department of Natural Resources
The American alligator population is slowly increasing in Alabama, and those who are selected for the coveted permits may encounter gators that exceed 1,000 pounds in any of the four hunting zones.