SPORTS Taylor Harris fits right in with Wildcats
THURSDAY
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Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
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March 15, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 53 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Prescribed burn fogs Alex City Controlled burn for tree restoration causing hazy skies By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Smoke quickly filled the air near Smith Mountain following the path of a drip torch drenching a 23-acre stand of long-leaf pine in a white haze over blackened ground. Alabama Power Forester Chris Wyatt couldn’t be happier as he was setting a prescribed burn Wednesday morning. “If you have black ground and white smoke you are alright,” Wyatt said. “That is what we got here today.” Wyatt and Alabama Power are setting the
fires to expose decades-old seeds and remove underbrush to help restore the forest floor allowing the trees to grow. “We are getting rid of what is not supposed to be there and exposing the seed bank,” Wyatt said. “This area had not had fire put through it years. The seed bank is there. It just needs sunlight hitting the ground.” The seeds Wyatt references will turn into grasses and legumes when sunlight is allowed to reach the floor of the forest and can be buried under pine straw and duff – mixture of brush and other stuff that has collected on the forest floor. See FIRE • Page 5
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
The prescribed burn removes pine straw and other debris like underbrush and exposes seeds to sprout creating a grasslike undergrowth at some point.
Consistency, following policy key to public record access
BATTLE TOUTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOP gubernatorial hopeful says state is hungry for new ideas
Editor’s Note: March 11-17 is Sunshine Week across the county and is a time when newspapers examine transparency in government. This week the Outlook features stories, columns and editorials on open local government.
By MITCH SNEED Editor
untsville Mayor Tommy Battle hopes to be Alabama’s next governor and Tuesday he spent time in Alexander City meeting with leaders at Russell Medical and sharing his views with the Tallapoosa Publishers’ editorial board. In every stop, Battle touted the need to go all-in on economic development, support education so that the state can provide a workforce for the industries it attracts and thinking outside the box to help solve even Alabama’s most complex issues. Battle, 62, has served as mayor of Huntsville for 10 years and won with 80 percent of the vote in his last election. Why the popularity in his hometown? It comes down to an economic rebirth that has the Rocket City thriving. Battle said the one thing that has stood out as he has traveled all across the state has been the desire of the people to want better things for themselves, their
H
By MITCH SNEED Editor
See BATTLE • Page 9
“We can change the conversation on the state of Alabama.” — Tommy Battle
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Huntsville mayor
Battle speaks to Russell Medical officials, above, as well as Tallapoosa Publishers’ editorial board Tuesday.
Alabama law on open records law has gone through many stages, but for the most part, the law is pretty clear on what documents and information produced and held by the government should be open to the public Public records are defined by the Code of Alabama as “all written, typed or printed books, papers, letters, documents and maps made or received in pursuance of law by the public officers of the state, counties, municipalities and other subdivisions of government in the transactions of public business and shall also include any record authorized to be made by any law of this state belonging or pertaining to any court of record or any other public record authorized by law or any paper, pleading, exhibit or other writing filed with, in or by any such court, office See RECORDS • Page 3
United Way serving up annual quail fry STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
The Lake Martin Area United Way will be holding its annual quail fry fundraiser Saturday, April 7 at The Stables at Russell Crossroads beginning at 5 p.m. The 2017 fundraiser raked in more than $15,000 for the United Way as over 300 people attended the event, and local United Way officials are hoping for another great turnout this year. “We planned for about 150 people,
Today’s
Weather
67 42 High
but over 300 came,” United Way Executive Director Sharon Fuller said. “People kept coming up over the hill toward the stables in waves. Thankfully we had plenty of food— more than 600 quail along with a shrimp boil and gumbo, rice, green beans, and coleslaw.” Along with the fried quail and other food available, the event will feature a baked goods auction, where guests will have the chance to bid on cakes, bread, cookies, cheese straws and See QUAIL • Page 3
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
487.77
Reported on 03/14/18 @ 4 p.m.
Low
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443 6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
United Way hosted its annual quail fry last year and had more than 300 guests. This year’s event will be on April 7.
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
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Son throws a tantrum after wedding gift is cut in half
Friday
72 54 Low
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Mostly sunny, chance of evening showers
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Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Postal
Information (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) The Outlook is published five times a week, Tuesday through Saturday mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.
Thursday, March 15, 2018
The Outlook
Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Katie Wesson Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tkatie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Digital Marketing Coordinator, Ext. 231 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Rebecca Carlisle Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com Erin Burton Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, Kenneth Boone Photography and a commercial web printing press. © 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.
SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law 135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL
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DEAR ABBY: I was working out of town in a position that paid a good salary. When my adult son proposed to his girlfriend, I told him I would try and give him $10,000 for the wedding. Well, things changed. I had to return home for good, and my salary was cut. When I told my son I wouldn’t be able to give him $10,000, but could give him only $5,000 instead, he became very upset and said, “You promised that amount and we were counting on that money!” I feel a gift is a gift, and they should be happy with whatever I can manage. After talking it over with several friends, they all agreed that he is behaving inappropriately. I am single and trying to retire in 10 years. Please help. -- SALARY CUT IN PENNSYLVANIA DEAR SALARY CUT: Your son’s reaction was immature. He should understand that sometimes circumstances can
DEAR ABBY Advice
change. If you haven’t already explained why you need to cut back on the sum you planned to give him, do it now. How he reacts to your explanation will tell you whether you want to give him even $5,000. DEAR ABBY: I recently took a job working for someone I knew. He was a neighbor and attended my church for several years, but we were never more than acquaintances. After I began working there, I saw things going on with other girls in the office that were very inappropriate. Then I stumbled across a sexual online chat he was having with one of them.
Mr. Barry Gene “BJ” Duck Jr. 1981 - 2018 Funeral Service for Mr. Barry Gene Duck Jr., 36, of Columbus, Georgia, will be Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 3:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Minister Chris Tidwell will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hillview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 17, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home.
Ms. Emilie Lesscille Shurum 1943 - 2018 Funeral Service for Ms. Emilie Lesscille Shurum, 74, of Kellyton, Alabama, will be Friday, March 16, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Rev. Kenneth Neeley will officiate. Burial will follow in the Alexander City Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 15, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Ms. Shurum passed away on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at her residence. She was born on May 29, 1943 in Tallapoosa County, Alabama to William Ledin Adams and Betty Lou Adams. Ms. Shurum was an avid Elvis fan and spent many hours listening to his music and watching his movies. Her passion was always her family and enjoying family gatherings, but also enjoyed making latch rugs. She spent many years working in childcare and caring for the children
Mr. Duck Jr. passed away on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at his residence. He was born on September 11, 1981 in Alexander City, Alabama to Barry Gene Duck Sr. and Jeanne Duck. BJ enjoyed traveling and just recently returned from a trip to Europe. He was fluent in German, was a lover of the things in the cosmos and was very intellectual. He is survived by his father, Barry Gene Duck Sr.; mother, Jeanne Duck; sister, Regina L. Duck; brother from another mother, Michael L. Foreman; that she dearly loved. She is survived by her children, Bettie Stokes, Mary Katherine Simpson (James), Tammy Cherue Hardy (Bill Jr.), Walter Harold Gillespie Jr., Helen Thomas (Wayne), Shelia Mims, and Dianna Hodnett; grandchildren, Danyelle Stokes, Kayla Loomis (Jimmy), Heather Thomas-Guinn (Chris), and Devon Thomas; grandson-in-law, Donald (Dino) Hardman; great-grandchildren, Wesley Hardman, Austin Hardman, Tristan Hardman, Brandon Stokes, Christian Kelly, Highland Guinn, Rush Thomas-Guinn, and Carson Guinn; great-great-grandchild, Bentley Stokes and brother, Henry Adams. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandchild, Brandy Hardman. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome.com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
last set of break ins. We are trying to figure it out.” Last Wednesday Once again thieves residents on South have struck unlocked Barrett Street, East vehicles in Dadeville South Street and East with at least five being reported in the last week Columbus Street reported their vehicles and it is not the first had been broken into time in recent memory and they all had one as 10 were reported in thing in common. January. “They are all “They are popping unlocked vehicles,” up all over,” Dadeville Barbour said. “They Police Department are taking advantage of Police Chief David people leaving doors Barbour said. “We are still working it from the open. It is still breaking By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
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nieces, Riley Duck, Allie Thompson and many aunts, uncles, cousins and caring friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Jeanette Clark and grandparents, Coolidge and Dean Crawford Duck. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome. com. Radney Funeral Home in Alexander City, Al is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Clinton Nelson, Jr. Mr. Clinton Nelson, Jr. of Dadeville passed away March 14, 2018 at his residence. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Wright’s Funeral Home.
HOW TO SUBMIT OBITUARIES Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by e-mail at obits@alexcityoutlook.com or by fax at (256) 234-6550. For more information, call (256) 234-4281.
and entering when they cross the threshold even though they technically didn’t break in.” The thieves are taking things many leave behind in their cars. Barbour said the thieves have taken things like GPSs, electronics and change and other monies. “The kind of stuff people often keep in their cars,” Barbour said. “These are crimes of opportunity. Whoever they are, they are checking to see if car doors are locked. If they are unlocked, they are going into the vehicles.”
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Law enforcement has some common sense tips to help including locking doors, hiding valuables and writing down serial numbers so that if property is recovered it is easier to return. Barbour is encouraging everyone to lock up their vehicles and hide their valuables. “We are living in a different world today,” Barbour said. “The good ol’ days of leaving your doors unlocked, doors a swinging and valuables out is gone. Everyone needs to lock their stuff up.”
Dadeville Police Department closes case of stolen ATV quickly, arrests Williams theft of 2008 Yamaha Rhino side by side Just days after a valued at $4,000 Yamaha Rhino side that was stolen by side was stolen, from a farm the Dadeville on Old Millers Police Department Ferry Road in made an arrest to Dadeville. Williams close the case. Williams Dadeville Police was arrested arrested Randall Edward on Williams Drive Williams, 28, of Dadeville Tuesday and charged with Wednesday while he possession of marijuana was incarcerated at the first degree and possession Tallapoosa County Jail of drug paraphernalia. on warrants for burglary At press time third degree and theft Wednesday, Williams was of property first degree. still in the Tallapoosa The charges stem from a County Jail on a total March 10 burglary and bond of $21,000. STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
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Dadeville residents see another rash of break-ins
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DEAR ABBY: Please help! How do I politely tell my partner -- without hurting his feelings --
that I don’t like his cooking and I should be the one doing the cooking because I’m more “seasoned” in the kitchen than he is? I am usually the “chef” and he is the “second-in-command,” which in the past has worked. -SEASONED IN CALIFORNIA DEAR SEASONED: Here’s how: Skip the part about not liking his cooking, which could be hurtful. Ease into it by telling him you consider cooking together to be a bonding experience. Then say how much you enjoy taking the lead when the two of you do it, how meaningful it is when he helps you, and how much you’d appreciate it if he would continue to let you be the chef.
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As I scrolled through the feed, it became apparent they’re having an affair. It made me so uncomfortable I quit working there. We still live in the same community. He has a beautiful, kind and very pregnant wife. Should I tell her? Should I tell anyone, or stay quiet and let him get away with it? It makes me sick, and I don’t know what to do at this point. -- UNCOMFORTABLE IN THE WEST DEAR UNCOMFORTABLE: Allow me to suggest that what you do is remain silent, at least for now. The kind and very pregnant wife does not need to be told that her husband is cheating with an employee at this juncture. After the baby is born, perhaps she should be told -- if she doesn’t know already -- but NOT NOW.
Thursday, March 15, 2018
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The Outlook
County Democrats welcoming candidates to monthly meeting Interim Chair of the Tallapoosa County Democratic Party Carol Gowan speaks at last month’s meeting. Tonight’s meeting is at 6 p.m. at the Charles “Bud” Porch Center in downtown Alexander City.
Democratic Party said. “We’re glad that Tallapoosa County is finally getting some attention.” Representatives of three campaigns The meeting will be held at the for state and national offices will be Charles “Bud” Porch Center in in Alexander City tonight during the downtown Alexander City beginning monthly meeting of the Tallapoosa County at 6 p.m. tonight. The meeting will last Democratic Party. Dr. Asia McClellan approximately one hour and is open to Winfrey, a candidate for the Third anyone interested in learning more about Congressional District in the U.S. House of these three candidates on the June 5 Representatives will be present, as will the primary ballot. campaign manager for Third Congressional “We feel the Democratic Party here in District candidate Mallory Hagan and the Tallapoosa County is on the right track. state campaign chair for Tuscaloosa Mayor We’re gaining momentum every day,” and gubernatorial candidate Walt Maddox. Gowan said. “I encourage everyone who “We are very excited to have them is interested in learning more about these coming here,” Carol Gowan, the candidates to come out and listen to what interim chair for the Tallapoosa County they have to say.” STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
File / The Outlook
Dadeville City Council executes demolition contract, makes decision on Hatcher Street property was best to table it again until the next meeting, which the council agreed with. However, After a few months of dealing Smith told City Building with moving from one firm to Inspector Michael Richardson to another and getting the project make contact with the property re-started, the Dadeville City owner and ask them to come to Council officially executed the the next city council meeting so new demolition contract with the a decision on where to go next East Alabama Regional Planning could be more effectively made. Commission. “It’s time to move forward,” Commission representative Smith said. Jeff Kappelman presented the The council passed several group’s plan to the council motions during the meeting, during the meeting, discussing showing support for a number of the timetable and process that projects and plans some of the would be taken in removing citizens of Dadeville presented these buildings. The demolitions during the meeting and allowing began Wednesday, and, the ideas to continue moving according to the timetable, all of forward with the city’s blessing. the houses on the list would be Dianna Porter talked about gone in approximately 11 days. her idea for having a citywide “Once this is done, we event in Keebler Park on will turn right around and do Saturday, April 14. Some of her some more immediately after,” thoughts included potentially Dadeville Mayor Wayne Smith having a fun run through the said. park in the morning, and then With regards to the Hatcher a city picnic in the afternoon. Street property that was the Ann Atkins discussed having subject of a public hearing an Annie walk in Keebler Park during the council meeting two on March 24 to raise money weeks ago, Smith said he felt it for the Annie Armstrong By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Easter offering. With both Atkins’ and Porter’s events, one of the big concerns is the restroom situation at the park. Smith asked the parks and rec department to look into the issue, while also saying the town could get several porta-potties for them if need be. Elaine Toney brought up the Ferst Readers program, where members of the public can sponsor a child for $36 a year. With this money, Ferst Readers will send a book to a child once a month for a full year. “This is all about trying to get more children reading,” Toney said. While Marrell Ward was not present at the council meeting, Smith said Ward was looking to hold the second annual Ducky Ward Soapbox Derby in town again. The Dadeville City Council also handled the following items: • Minutes from the Feb. 27 meeting were approved. • It was announced that the city was just about ready to
let out bids on the courthouse square project. • Fire Chief Anthony Wilkerson said he was working on a smoke detector project and would hopefully have more information available soon. • Abbi Mangarelli with the Dadeville Public Library said February had been a good month for the library, while also letting the city council know she had been able to purchase more than 1,100 juvenile and young adult books with a recent grant and that a CPR class would be offered at the library March 29 at 2 p.m. Lastly, she asked the council to make the intersection of Cusseta and West streets a four-way stop. Smith asked the fire and police departments to look at the spot to help determine the feasibility of doing so. • A motion to adopt resolution 18-011, having the city officially join the class-action opioid lawsuit, was passed. • An off-premise beer and wine license was approved for the Rite Aid pharmacy, now part
of the Walgreens organization. Councilman Roy Mathis provided the lone dissenting vote. • Three bids had been received for having general repair work done at the Dadeville Police Department. Smith suggested that Richardson and Police Chief David Barbour check into the three companies a little more before the city officially awards the contract. • The council approved making Good Friday a city holiday. • A motion to pay the city’s bills was passed. • Four requests to rent the recreation center were approved. • The council approved a donation of $500 to the Dadeville Kiwanis Club as part of a larger effort to help refurbish the tennis courts at Dadeville High School. The next meeting of the Dadeville City Council will be Tuesday, March 27, beginning with a pre-council meeting at 5:30 p.m. before the regular council meeting starts at 6 p.m.
Quail
continued from page 1
other assorted items. “We have some truly talented bakers in our community,” Marketing and Initiatives Director Courtney Layfield said. “There are literally over a hundred cakes, breads, cookies, cheese straws— you name it— to choose from. All are homemade and wonderful. We’ve had pound cakes go for over $800 at the auction.” As the United Way prepares for the
annual quail fry, the group is asking for anyone interested in baking items for the auction to prepare their goods and donate them to the cause. To donate items, call the United Way office at 256-329-3600. Items must be wrapped or boxed and labeled with a description of what the item is and the name of the person who prepared it, so that it can be clearly seen. Items need to be dropped off at the United Way office conference room between 8
advance or $35 at the door. They can be purchased at the United Way office in downtown Alexander City, at Valley National Bank in Dadeville, or from any member of the Lake Martin Area United Way staff. In addition to thanking the public for their support, the United Way wanted to thank Russell Lands for being gracious enough to once again show support for the organization by hosting the quail fry.
a.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, April 6. With the 2018 “Team United” campaign having recently concluded, Fuller said the quail fry on April 7 will serve as the first fundraiser for the 2019 campaign, “Lake Martin Life Savers.” “We just wrapped up 2018, having met our goal, and we turn right back around and get started again with the next campaign with the quail fry,” Fuller said. Tickets for the quail fry are $30 in
Records or officer.” The Alabama Public Records Law states that, “Every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute.” Alabama grants every citizen the right to access open records. Alexander City Clerk Amanda Thomas is completing her first full year in the position and part of the job is being the custodian of city records. “Because we are a government, we do things as quickly as they are often done in the private sector,” Thomas said. “Whether it’s for records or anything, we are using public money to operate, so it all has to be done in accordance with the laws and procedures that are in place.”
continued from page 1
With that said, Thomas has made the accessibility to city information one of the top things on a lengthy to-do list. While the city moves from paper and pencil records to the digital world, she turns to the city’s policy to handle what requests that come in. “Eventually we want to get a lot of this online,” Thomas said. “Meeting agendas, municipal code, minutes from meetings, building codes, permit applications – those are among the most requested items. But they should be easy to post digitally. We are working towards that point. “As bad as I want to get that done, we are making baby steps. But we will get there.” There is a policy in place that is pretty simple.
Those seeking records can fill out an application that is available online or in person, and staff will work to fill the request or give reasons why it can’t be filled. “Really the law is pretty straight forward and when there is a question, I turn to the Alabama League of Municipalities or the city attorney just to make sure we are giving the proper response,” Thomas said. “Regardless of what I think I know, I like to make sure that I am able to give residents the correct answer.” While inspecting records is free if they are easy to find, copies are a different story. The city charges a flat fee of $.25 per standard page in advance for any copies requested. In
accordance with state law, if an employee is required to spend more than an hour to locate the document, a charge for the time spent based on the employee’s hourly wage may be applied. New Site has a similar policy. While having a smaller population means fewer requests, they report very few issues. Alabama Press Association Attorney Dennis Bailey said anyone seeking records can help themselves by knowing exactly what they need before consulting city officials about what document would contain that information before making a request. “You can waste a lot of time and money on fishing expeditions, but a few simple questions can avoid
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that,” Bailey said. “Be specific and ask for exactly what you need. And when cities charge for copies, you can review records and if it’s something you need, many people are using cell phone programs and taking pictures of the documents.” Alexander City Mayor Jim Nabors said that any issues they’ve had on the records side haven’t been from trying to hide anything, it’s been a
learning curve and locating the records. “I tell people to remember that we’ve only been here for a little over a year,” Nabors said. “We have made a lot of progress on things in all of our record keeping – from financial to meeting minutes. “It was amazing what we were asking one person to do. But we are getting better.”
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Opinion
MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213
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EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed
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View
Patience is key to roadwork survival
I
n recent weeks the Outlook has featured news of the streets that will likely be paved this year in Alexander City. We’ve also touched on some of the projects that are on the agenda for the county as well. Monday night there will be another project on the agenda for the city council to consider. The reason we give you this recap is to tell you to be aware that we will see projects beginning in the very near future. Construction means you need to drive with a little bit of extra caution and with a sharp eye out for construction zones. In some cases, you might need to plan for a little extra time to get to where you’re going as flaggers hold you at bay. We know you’re in a hurry. We know nobody likes to sit inside a car longer than they have to, waiting for road crews to clear out of the way or for a single lane of traffic to open up. Honking or yelling at flaggers or the car ahead of you isn’t productive. It doesn’t even help to make snooty comments to road workers as you slowly drive by: “Nice work if you can get it.” One-fingered salutes won’t help a thing. No matter who you talk to, most will rank roads as one of the biggest needs in our area. Now that they are being addressed, why not take a deep breath and rest assured in knowing that smoother driving is ahead. You can do your part to ease the tension. You can plan to avoid areas you know are in the construction zone. Take alternate routes and there are plenty of them in Alexander City. That will help in two ways. You will reduce the traffic and you won’t experience the frustration of delays. If you can’t avoid work zones, remember to plan some extra time for travel. If you fall into the category of having to drive through a paving zone, you need to slow down – as the law requires – and show a little kindness to the souls who actually are working in those zones. They are out there on the hot Alabama asphalt working to make your daily ride much smoother.
Outlook The
Be the true you God designed you to be
I
grew up hearing preachers articulate an idea attributed to the philosopher Blaise Paschal. The idea is each of us has a God-shaped hole in our heart. We go through life with this void in the very essence of our being. We may try and fill it with success, religion, sex, drugs or adventure, and the idea is — nothing will satisfy that inner longing except for God. It’s certainly a valid philosophical idea that rings true within those of us who feel God’s love and power actively working in and through us. But this week I flipped that thought around a little. Maybe we have Godshaped holes in our heart, but what if it’s the other way around? What if God has a “you” shaped hole in His heart? What if God looked at all of creation and said, “You know this is good, but something is missing. And that something is a someone, and it’s you.” I thought about my wife. What if beyond this earth where God makes decisions, God thought, “This universe has a Jane-shaped hole in it, so I’m going to make a Jane, and I’m going to make Jane fill a spot in the universe that no one else can fill. I’m going to give her a personality and skills that enable her to meet needs in a way no one else can.” So God made Jane and said, “Jane is good.”
of self that says, “I’m just as good as anyone else in this RAY room,” begins to fade away. There is a verse in WATERS the Bible that says we’re Columnist “fearfully and wonderfully made.” A better translation of that verse though is Parenthetically, I met Jane “wonderfully complex.” 12 years ago and married her Some of us need to write this ten years ago, and I can vouch on a sticky pad and put it on that Jane is very, very good. the bathroom mirror. Psalm But I digress. 139:14, “Thank you God for I imagine God looking making me so wonderfully at the universe and all of complex.” creation and thinking it was It is amazing to think good, but then deciding, “You about. know what’s missing? There We arrive complete, but is a hole that needs filling.” then life begins to bump And then God said, “I need us, bruise us, shape us and a (please insert your name confine us. Life becomes this here) to make this world a forward-moving force, and better place.” sometimes all we can do is And God made you— hang on and hope we make it. uniquely you. You are an I get it. I have been beaten original. up by life, too. I have tried The problem is most of us to be someone I’m not to don’t take up nearly the space fit in, which has always left the God created for us to take me feeling pretty sick and up. Deep down each of us unfulfilled. But this week knows we are designed to be I have thought maybe God more than we’re being and do did create me to fill a unique more than we’re doing. place in the world that only I When you were born and can fill. given a name, you were And I don’t have to be born naked and unashamed. anybody else but me. I just Fear and shame had not have to be the best me I can taken root in your soul. As be. a child, most of us felt like There is a hole you were we could do anything. If created to fill. Fill it by being you ask a classroom filled the exact you that you were with three-year-old boys, designed to be. “Who is the strongest boy in this room?” Every boy will Ray Waters is a minister, raise his hand and shout out, motivational speaker and “MEEEEEEE!” But, by the regular columnist for The age of six, that unique sense Outlook.
Jim Nabors
Bobby Tapley
Buffy Colvin
Scott Hardy represents
Scott Hardy
Eric Brown represents District 4. His phone number is 256-3972011. His address is 1421 Parrish Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Works committee.
Eric Brown
Tommy Spraggins represents District 5. His phone number is 256-234-3609. His address is 1539 College Street, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Finance committee.
Tommy Spraggins
Tim Funderburk represents District 6. His phone number is 256-825-2993. His address is 1431 River Oaks, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Utilities committee.
Scripture
“Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” —2 Peter 1:5-8
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My crystal ball sees a title for the Zags
S
Buffy Colvin represents
District 3. His phone number is 256-4962450. His address is 549 Sleepy Hollow Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee.
Today’s
How to
Bobby Tapley represents
District 2. Her phone number is 256-750-0663. Her address is 786 I Street, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Buildings and Property committee.
Quote
“A fool flatters himself, a wise man flatters the fool.” —Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton
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.
Officials
District 1. His phone number is 256-3920344. His address is 1821 LaVista Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Safety committee.
Today’s
Our
Know Your Jim Nabors is mayor of Alexander City. His phone number at city hall is 256-329-6730 and his home number is 256329-1320 His address at city hall is 4 Court Square; Alexander City, AL, 35010. His home address is 1695 Magnolia Street Alexander City, AL, 35010.
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Tim Funderburk
o, maybe I jumped the gun on spring a bit. So sue me. It will get here eventually, I promise. Probably sooner than we realize. There, I’ve apologized (sort of). Now, it’s time to move on to something more important – the NCAA college basketball tournament or, if you prefer, March Madness. The American Gaming Association projects that 70 million NCAA tournament brackets will be filled out this year, risking on average $29 per bracket and contributing to the $10.4 billion that will be bet overall on March Madness. Chances are that many of my readers – with Auburn and Alabama both in the tournament – will have one or more brackets among those 70 million. If you’re a sports fan, filling out a March Madness bracket has become almost required in early March. Whether you wager money on your bracket or not – and most do, although some in what would be considered small amounts – it’s fun to do and increases your enjoyment of the wall-towall basketball we’ll enjoy starting tomorrow. I’m going to join the 70 million. Hey, I’m a sports fan; a former sportswriter and
DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor sports editor, in fact (although that was 30 years ago). So why not? And I’m going to give you, dear readers, my Final Four, my semifinalists and my champion. Here. In this column. Today. We’ll start in the East, where Coach Jay Wright’s Villanova Wildcats are the top seed, entering the tournament with a record of 30-4. To my mind, however, the Big East has fallen in recent years. And there are other contenders here, like Purdue, Texas Tech and Florida. Call me an SEC homer, if you will, but give me the Gators to advance to the Final Four. In the Midwest, I’d love to pick Auburn, but the Tigers haven’t played as well since Anthony McLemore went down to an injury. This regional will likely follow its seeds, with Duke and Kansas squaring off for the trip to San Antonio and the final four – and Coach K making yet another trip. In the South, the top seed is Virginia, but the Cavs must
deal with two and three seeds Cincinnati and Tennessee, respectively. It wouldn’t surprise me if Rick Barnes’ Volunteers didn’t pull this one off. In fact, I’ll say they will and the Vols spend some time of San Antonio’s famed River Walk. Out West, Xavier is the top seed, but I see defeat prior to a trip to the Alamo in their future. I’ll take Coach Mark Few’s Gonzaga Zags upsetting Roy Williams’ North Carolina Tarheels to earn the Final Four trip here. So that gives me a Final Four of Florida, Duke, Tennessee and Gonzaga and Florida-Duke and GonzagaTennessee matchups in the semifinals. And while the SEC will be primed and proud – and should be – to have two teams in San Antonio, don’t look for one to play in the finals on Monday, April 2. I’d like the Zags and the Blue Devils to play for the national title and, in an upset, Gonzaga’s underdog Zags (or Bulldogs, if you want to get all official and stuff) take the title. You heard it here first. David Granger is the managing editor of TPI’s Elmore County newspapers. He can be reached at david.granger@ thewetumpkaherald.com
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.
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Thursday, March 15, 2018
The Outlook
Fire “We are trying to get rid of the duff and pine straw that is 18 inches deep in some places,” Wyatt said. The efforts are to help restore a 380-acre stand of long-leaf pine along Youngs Ferry Road in Jacksons Gap that were part of a forest that stretched throughout the Southeast. “At one point in time there was 9 million acres of it from North Carolina to Texas,” Wyatt explained. “We (Alabama Power) cut where we are at. Everything has been completely cut. These are old logging roads.” The stand being burned this week and the coming weeks is between 40 and 60 years old with some trees reaching 80 years in age – not surprising considering the soil and has only been burned once in recent years. The clay-based soil in the area is not great but the longleaf pine does fine in it. “It does well in poor soil,” Wyatt said. “A long leaf grows great in any soil. The good Lord knew what he was doing when he put it here. It will grow slower in poor soil.” Some trees in the stand could be seen growing through rocks, something a loblolly pine could not do. Wednesday’s fire was intentional but it was other fires that made the long-leaf pine stand still viable today. “We have just been blessed that a wildfire came through here a time or two,” Wyatt said. “They have let the fires just burn because it is surrounded by water. That is the reason you still have long leaf here.” The effort is part of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing at Lake Martin – for 1,000 acres to be prescribed burned on a three year rotation. “The main thing we are doing and what FERC wants us to do right now is maintain and restore this to where we can burn it. Eventually we will have to remove some of the trees to get sunlight on the ground.” Progress on the burnings on Youngs Ferry Road and other
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Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Alabama Power Company Forester Chris Wyatt set fire to 23 acres of long-leaf pine Wednesday morning in an effort to help restore part of a 380-acre stand of trees near Youngs Ferry Road and Smith Mountain.
stands is determined by the weather and multiple burns are needed to protect the long-leaf pine. “After a two or three- inch rain fall and we catch a good north wind, we will burn,” Wyatt said. “We are only trying to knock off an inch and half or two off the top. Because you get over here some of the trees the duff is real deep. If you ran a fire around it in the summer when it is drier it would burn too much of it and boil the tree killing it. “Some will be burned every two years just depending on what the litter is like. The key is we got to come in here and restore this. We can’t burn it every year, it will kill it.”
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CommunityCalendar Need Insurance? Call me.
Today is March 15, 2018 Today’s Events
DEMOCRATIC PARTY MEETING: The Tallapoosa County Democratic Party will be hosting 3rd Congressional District Candidates Mallory Hagan and Dr. Asia
Thursday, March 15, 2018
The Outlook
McClellan Winfrey Thursday, March 15 at 6 p.m. at the Bud Porch Center in Alexander City. The Tallapoosa County Democratic Party meets every third Thursday. For more information please call Interim County Party Chair Carol Gowan at 256-794-7432.
Today’s Anniversaries
Randy and Nancy Stephens are celebrating their anniversary today.
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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/.
Today’s Birthdays
J.T. Thurman, Olin Pouge, Cooper Spears, Marilyn Hand, Everette Boleware Sr., Edith Adamson, Pastor Sandy Whitehill, Linda B. Harruff, Cooper Spears, Brian Miller, Lucille Logan, Nancy Stephens, Tammy Thompson and Madeline Wells are celebrating their birthdays today.
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The Alexander City Arts Association hosted the Wetumpka Depot’s production of “Greater Tuna” Tuesday night at the Benjamin Russell High School auditorium. Greater Tuna is a comedy about Texas’ third smallest town where the Lions Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies.
March 14-16
CHURCH REVIVAL: GAP Fellowship Church at 721 Robinson Road is hosting spring revival services March 14-16 at 7 p.m. nightly. Pastor Betty Hoyett will speak Wednesday, Evangelist Shamika Thomas Thursday evening and Evangelist Joanne Shealey on Friday. Lou and Marilyn Benson are pastor of GAP Fellowship Church.
March 14-18
ANNUAL MINISTER’S COUNCIL: The New Covenant Ministries of the World is hosting its annual ministers council March 14-18 at the Liberty Life Christian Center at 243 S Street in Alexander City. There will be a daily prayer at 9 a.m., worship and praise at 11:45 a.m. daily and at 7 p.m. will be keynote speaker Pastor Dwight Hunt of Beth-El Church of God in Christ in Poughkeepsie, New York. The speaker on Sunday, March 18 is Chief Apostle W.T. Traylor, founder and CEO of New Covenant Ministries of the World.
March 15-16
CLOTHING EVENT: The Russell Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary is hosting a Women’s and Children’s Clothing Event Thursday, March 15 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, March 16 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Community Room at Russell Medical.
March 16-17
SPORTING CLAY SHOOT: The 12th annual Ronald Koon Sporting Clay Classic benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area will be held March 16 and 17. Friday night there will be a Calcutta and steak dinner at the Alexander City Elks Lodge and the shoot will be Saturday at the Lower Wetumpka Shotgun Sports Club. If you would like to participate or sponsor a sign please contact Stacey Jeffcoat by calling 256-234-4757 or emailing at staceyj1229@gmail.com.
Saturday, March 17
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PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Comer Methodist Men’s Club is hosting a pancake breakfast Saturday, March 17 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. It is eat in or carry-out and is $6 a plate. FISHING TOURNAMENT: The Benjamin Russell High School Cheerleaders fishing tournament will be March 17 at Wind Creek. EASTER EGG HUNT: Mt. Zion Church on Highway 63 South will be hosting an Easter egg hunt Saturday, March 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will begin with a lunch and an Easter presentation. There will be a prize egg for toddlers, grade school and middle school. TRADE DAY: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends Monthly Trade Day in Millerville on Highway 9 between Ashland and Goodwater will be held on March 17 from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Refreshments are also available. EGG HUNT: Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Highway 63 South is hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt for toddlers to teens Saturday, March 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be lunch and a hunt for prize eggs.
Thursday, March 22
KIWANIS STEAK DINNER: The Alexander City Kiwanis Club is hosting its annual Auction and Steak Dinner March 22 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Russell Medical Event Venue. Tickets are $50 and include drinks, dinner, live music, a silent and live auction. SENIORX: Deborah Jones SeniorRx Coordinator will be available March 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce to help seniors see if they are eligible for assistance with diabetic supplies, liquid supplements and medications. For more information Jones can be contacted at 1-800-361-1636 or 256761-3575. This is sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging.
29 is Rev. Scott Railey of Hillabee Campground United Methodist Church and March 30 is Rev. Wayne Cowhick of Alex City Methodist Church.
March 28-30
HOLY WEEK REVIVAL: Haven Memorial United Methodist Church is hosting a Holy Week Spring Revival March 28-30 at 6 p.m. nightly. Pastor of Haven Memorial is Percy L. Nolan Jr.
Wednesday, March 29
EASTER EGG HUNT: Wind Creek State Park is hosting an Easter egg hunt Saturday, March 24 at 10 a.m. Most eggs will have small prizes and prize eggs will be hidden for each age division. The age divisions are 0-2 years old, 2-4 years old, 5-8 years old and 9-12 years old. The event will take place in the north picnic area across from the beach. There is a park entry fee for non-campers. ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF HORSESHOE BEND: Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is hosting the 204th anniversary of the Battle of the Horseshoe Saturday, March 24. There will be demonstrations of Indian and frontier life in the year 1814. The program is free to the public. FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have Family Game Night Bingo from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday March 24. Begin with hot dogs, pizza, chips, and soft drinks.
VIETNAM VETERANS WELCOME HOME: The Auburn Veterans Project is celebrating and reflecting on the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans March 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Auburn High School auditorium. Speakers will be Joe Galloway and Medal of Honor recipients Bennie Adkins and James Livingston. Family is welcome to accompany their veteran and there will be a light reception afterwards. Visit auburnveteransproect. weebly.com/east-alabama-vietnamveterans-welcome-home-cermony. html. Attendees are asked to RSVP in advance by either emailing Blake Busbin at wbbusbin@auburnschools. org or by calling Auburn High School at 334-887-2120. LORDS SUPPER: Red Ridge United Methodist Church will present a re-creation of the Living Lord’s Supper inspired by Leonardo daVinci’s world famous painting of the Last Supper with 13 living characters. Rev. Ernest K. Emurian, a Methodist minister from Virginia, wrote the soliloquies for the Twelve Apostles as they might have expressed themselves immediately after hearing the Lord Jesus say “One of you will betray me” where each man cried out “Lord is it I?” This was the moment daVinci said he wished to capture in the painting. Mr. Harlan Burton of Union will be the guest pianist and soloist. Holy communion will be offered at the conclusion. Red Ridge is located at 8091 County Road 34 in Dadeville and can be contacted at 256-825-9820. Visit redridgeumc.org for more information.
Sunday, March 25
Saturday, March 31
Now-March 23
PRE-K REGISTRATION: Alabama’s Voluntary Pre-K Program is taking pre-registration. Forms can be found at https://alprek.asapconnected. com. Acceptance is through a random drawing to be held April 15 at 10 a.m. at the V. Robinson Head Start Center.
Saturday, March 24
FAMILY AND FRIENDS DAY: Centerview Missionary Baptist Church in Camp Hill is celebrating family and friends day Sunday, March 25 at 2 p.m. The guest minister is Rev. Christopher Todd of New Home Baptist Church in Rockford. Pastor of Centerview Missionary Baptist Church is Rev. Jimmial Harrison Sr.
March 26-30
HOLY WEEK SERVICES: First Baptist Church Dadeville is hosting Holy Week Services March 26-30 at 11 a.m. daily in the fellowship hall. LENTEN LUNCH: St. James Episcopal Church is hosting a Lenten Lunch series Monday, March 26 through Friday, March 30 at noon with food and fellowship afterwards. Speakers are: March 26 Rev. John Versiglio of First United Methodist Church, March 27 Rev. Robert Iler of St. James Episcopal Church, March 28 Rev. Dr. Emerson Ware of Great Bethel Baptist Church, March
FULL MOON HIKE: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a full moon hike Saturday, March 31 at 7 p.m. The hike will begin at dark in the north picnic pavilion. There is a fee for noncampers. NIGHT OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP: Centerview Baptist Church on County Road 89 in Camp Hill is hosting a Night of Praise and Worship featuring all male choirs and groups. For more information call 256-8962974.
Sunday, April 1
PASTOR ANNIVERSARY: Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is honoring the 28th Pastor’s Anniversary for Rev. and Sister Roosevelt Gregory Sunday, April 1 at 2 p.m. The guest speaker at the morning service will be Rev. John Moore of Fletcher Chapel in Huntsville and at the evening service the guest speaker will be Rev. Bernard Harris of Mt. Lovely Baptist Church in Camp HIll.
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Thursday, March 15, 2018
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Battle community and the state as a whole. “It’s been great getting out and meeting with people all over the state,” Battle said. “We’ve been to all 67 counties and in doing that we’ve put about 45,000 miles on our vehicles. It’s a big state but it’s a great state and we see that everywhere we go. “What has stuck out to me is that people are looking for something different. You can see that from what happened in the last election. They want to be proud of their government and they want to believe in their government. We’ve had way too many reasons recently for that faith to be diminished and I hope if nothing else, that is something that we can give back to the people of Alabama.” Depending on the source, during Battle’s administration, somewhere between 10,000 and 24,000 jobs have been created in the greater Huntsville area. Battle was quick not to take all the credit for those numbers, but he did say that his mission was to create a culture that showed why Huntsville could be perfect for business and why its people could be a part of driving its rebirth. “We’ve been able to establish a record over the last 10 years, even though we came in midst of a recession,” Battle said. “We took care of the business the way that you have to in a recession and that’s making sure the revenue is greater than the expenses. Pretty simple. “But at the same time we said let’s put together a strategy that will take us to the next level when we come out of the recession. So we doubled down on economic development.” He said they started promoting Huntsville as “a smart place.” As scouts for industry location came in, they did the homework to make sure they left knowing what the area had to offer and how what was already in place would ideally suit the industries. “We got to the point to when we put someone on a plane that had visited here we would hear the same thing – ‘Wow,
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was transparent and efficient so that the people could trust that the money was going to the right purpose,” Battle said. “It should be used in ways that would be job multiplies, starting with education. Regardless of how I feel about it, I think the people of this state deserve to vote on the issue.” Battle is on the GOP ballot with Scott Dawson, Bill Hightower, Kay Ivey and Michael McAllister. Qualified Democrats include Sue Bell Cobb, Christopher A. Countryman, James C. Fields, Walt Maddox, Doug “New Blue” Smith and Anthony White.
Many a
small thing
has been made Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle speaks to the Outlook’s editorial board in an interview Tuesday.
I had no idea,’” Battle said. “That was in Hunstville, but I think we as a state have to do the same thing. We can change the conversation on the state of Alabama. Let’s talk about Alabama as a smart place. It’s great to be No. 1 in football but that’s not the only thing in the world. We are doing things here that we aren’t doing anywhere else in the world, that’s the story that needs to be told.” Battle cited shipyards in Mobile making the most technologically advanced destroyers in the world, a laminated beam made in Dothan that rivals the strength of steel, Cyber Defense systems being developed in Montgomery and Huntsville’s place in the world of space travel. “A workforce has to have a reason to come here,” Battle said. “But the best thing is when you can show that we have the workforce here that is perfect for them and will train workers with the exact skills they need.” He said that workforce development has to start with
education, beginning with the youngest child in the smallest local school system, then to the community colleges and to the institutes of higher education. “There’s no one size fits all,” Battle said. “You need to tailor your education plans to each community, but there are some common factors there. We had a program where coding was introduced to second grade. PreK, we started that eight years ago in our system and we are seeing the benefits. …We built $250 million worth of schools. That kind of commitment shows that schools and the education of our children is important. The same thing is true of our community college system. We have to maximize our efforts and provide avenues so that our young people can leave with a skill that will enable them to make a good living and fit workforce needs of new industry.” Battle said the state’s fiber optic infrastructure has to be beefed up so that high-tech industry and telecommuting can be expanded. Prisons are a hot button
issue in Alabama as federal courts have become involved. Battle said that unless every level of the justice system can get on the same page and the correction system evolves into more than just “a warehouse for criminals,” significant change will not come. “We have to make sure that the people who go to prison are not individuals who would be better served with mental health programs and that the others who are sentenced are able to leave there with something that will give them a reason not to come back,” Battle said. “If they aren’t getting a skill or a trade that will help them find a career on the outside, they will be right back to their old life and to the front of the line to go right back into the system.” When it comes to gambling, he said the issue needs to be put to rest one way or the other sooner rather than later. Battle had clear opinions on a possible lottery. “I’m not so sure that is the best way to fund a government, but the problem is that it would have to be run by a body that
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Sports YOUNG GUN Outlook The
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Smith to host meet and greet Eighth-grader Taylor Harris fits right in with Wildcats
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
New Benjamin Russell head football coach Kevin Smith will be hosting a meet and greet on Monday at the BRHS gym beginning at 6:30 Smith p.m. The event is free and open to the public and will be a chance for Smith to share his ideas about the Wildcat football program, and for the public to ask questions of the new coach.
Fourth annual BRHS cheer fishing tournament set
Benjamin Russell’s cheerleaders will host their fourth annual bass fishing tournament on Lake Martin this Saturday. Registration begins at 5 a.m. and boats will launch at 6 a.m. Weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. The cost is $100 for a two-person team and each team can enter an optional Big Fish pot for $10. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top seven teams, including a $1,200 grand prize for the firstplace boat. An Average Joe award of $200 will also be presented. Proceeds will benefit the 201819 varsity and JV cheerleaders at BRHS. For more information or to preregister, contact Leigh Yearkey at 256-397-2726 or via email at leighyearkey1@gmail.com.
Wildcats’ golf tourney will be Friday
Benjamin Russell will be hosting its annual golf tournament at Lakewinds on Friday. Registration will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. with a shotgun start beginning at 1:15 p.m. The entry fee is $400 per team and includes three mulligans, a throw and a power drive per player. Awards will be given to the top three teams for low gross score and low net score, as well as closest to the pin awards on par 3s and a longest drive contest. For more information, contact BRHS boys golf coach Wes Tate at 256-750-0953.
Lakewinds has upcoming golf opportunities
Lakewinds is offering an after school junior golf program beginning April 3. The program is open to anyone ages 8 to 12, and will be Tuesdays from 4 to 5 p.m. from April 3 to May 1. Participants will work on putting, chipping and swings. Cost is $60 and includes a membership to the golf course for April and June. For more information or to register, contact Jim Gunnells at 256-825-9860 or via email at jimgunnells@yahoo.com. Lakewinds will also be hosting a par-3 tournament on Saturday, March 24. All 18 holes will be played as par 3s. The cost for the tournament is $40 and includes a cart and greens fees, and lunch will be included. There will be a skins game and a closest-to-the-pin contest.
CACC to host spring baseball camp
Central Alabama Community College baseball coach Larry Thomas will be hosting a spring baseball camp for kids. The camp is open to anyone ages 4 to 13 and will be chance to learn baseball fundamentals from former MLB players and coaches. Campers will learn base running, fielding, hitting, pitching, game strategy and more. The camp will be held Saturday, March 31 at CACC’s baseball field. Registration cost $60 and will be held at the field. For more information, contact Thomas at 251-533-4059.
By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
Being in the Benjamin Russell softball dugout, it’s easy to see the Wildcats enjoy each other. They’re constantly cheering for one another and picking each other up when something goes wrong. Softball teams are known for their dugout chants, and BRHS is no different. But what is a little distinct about the Wildcats’ cheers is sometimes it’s an eighth-grader leading them. Taylor Harris moved up to the varsity squad midway through the season last year as only a seventh grader and now has seamlessly worked her way into the BRHS family. “She’s one of the girls,” Benjamin Russell coach Jessica Johnson said. “I feel like she might’ve been a little timid for maybe one day last year, but after that, she’s made herself at home and her teammates made her at home.” Not only is Harris one of the best cheerleaders for the team, she’s also one of the top players on the team. She makes up half of the pitching duo, which also includes Asia McWaters, and Harris is one of two Wildcats who falls into the category of top five batting averages and top five on-base percentages, along with Jayme Marbury. “It’s not intimidating at all,” Harris said. “My teammates and my coaches have made it so easy. I know I can trust them when I’m pitching. I don’t necessarily pitch for strikeouts. I pitch to contact, and they’re going to get the outs for me.” Harris’ best pitch is her changeup, and what’s interesting about her style is she seems to get stronger throughout the game rather than weakening. In 47 innings of work this season, Harris has allowed 48 hits and just 21 earned runs for a 3.128 ERA. She boasts a 6-2 record and has struck out 22. Another thing that makes Harris so strong in the circle is her short memory. In a game against Chelsea, Harris struggled with four walks but came back to close out the completegame victory. Tuesday versus Beauregard, she hit five batters. But she also struck out a seasonhigh seven and didn’t walk any. “Another thing we’ve really talked about with our pitchers is getting ahead early,” Johnson said. “We don’t like to work from behind. When you work from behind, you get in a hitter’s count, and we like for them to get ahead and stay ahead. That’s still a process, but she forgets easy and that’s a good thing.” Harris has been mentored by McWaters, a junior who has a bit more velocity and is also more accustomed to playing at the varsity level. “I get to see Asia every day
and see how hard she works,” Harris said. “How she pitches makes me want to do better just to be like her.” Johnson said, “Their relationship is awesome. They complement each other very well. They’re very different pitchers. They have different styles, different motions; their pitches just move different. They have a great relationship as far as working together, picking each other up.” Matching her strength in the circle is Harris’ strength at the plate. Aside from Madi Johnson, who was injured during the season-opening tournament and hasn’t played in nearly three weeks, Harris actually leads the team in both batting average (.409) and on-base percentage (.500). “My dad’s always told me that hitting is about confidence,” Harris said. “I’m just stepping into the box with more confidence than I’ve had in the past. I’m seeing the ball well. I try to hit early in the count so I can get my pitch and I don’t have to try to hit the pitcher’s pitch.” Harris has gone 18-for-44 so far this season, with six doubles, six RBIs and nine runs scored. She has also drawn seven walks and struck out just five times. “I think it goes back to her mindset,” Johnson said. “She doesn’t put too much pressure on herself in the box. She doesn’t
Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook
Taylor Harris is one of two starting pitchers for Benjamin Russell’s softball team despite being just an eighth-grader. She’s also one of the team’s top hitters.
have a have-to mentality; she has a gotta-get-it-done mentality. She approaches the at-bat with a clear mind.” Despite being only an eighthgrader on a team full of upper classmen, Harris has a fun personality that meshes well with her teammates. It helps that, as Harris put it, they’ve accepted her
Wildcats fall to Sylacauga STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
The same old mistakes cost Benjamin Russell’s baseball team in a 6-2 loss to Sylacauga on Tuesday night. The Wildcats (5-8) managed only three hits and committed three errors, helping the Aggies to a pair of unearned runs. Things started well enough as Sylacauga took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, but BRHS immediately responded with two runs of its own in the top of the third to tie the game. The Wildcats took advantage of some wild pitching to do most of their damage. Ty Brown led off the third by being hit by a pitch, and he was joined on the bases by a Bradley Stewart single. Brooks Vardaman then loaded the
bases with a walk, and Wilson Hays moved everyone around and plated the first run, as he was also hit by a pitch. With one out, another hit batsman — this time Tanner Beckett — scored BRHS’ other run. Sylacauga immediately took back the lead in the home half of the frame and never relinquished it, scoring insurance runs in the fifth and the sixth en route to the win. Stewart finished the game with a pair of singles, and Cade Brooks also notched a hit. Brock Elliott pitched the first five innings, scattering six hits and four earned runs. Although he walked four, he also struck out seven. Brett Pitts took over in relief, throwing the final inning. He gave up just one hit and one unearned run. He struck out two and walked two.
as one of their own. “We have been blessed with an extremely great group of girls,” Johnson said. “On the field, off the field, leadership and compassion, I just can’t say enough good things about them and their character. That plays big into somebody being able to step into that as an eighth-grader.”
LOCAL SPORTS CALENDAR Thursday, March 15 High school baseball Benjamin Russell at Valley, 4 p.m. Lanett at Horseshoe Bend, 6 p.m. High school softball Benjamin Russell at Opelika, 3 p.m. Central Coosa at B.B. Comer, 4:30 p.m. High school tennis Chilton County at Benjamin Russell, 4 p.m. High school track & field Benjamin Russell at Sylacauga College baseball Southern Union at Central Alabama (2), 2 p.m. College softball Snead State at Central Alabama, 2 p.m. College golf Central Alabama at Ron Marshall Spring Fling at Goosepond Golf Club (Scottsboro) Friday, March 16 High school baseball Horseshoe Bend at Central Coosa, 1 p.m. Tallassee at Dadeville, 4:30 p.m. Reeltown at Beulah, 6 p.m. College golf Central Alabama at Ron Marshall Spring Fling at Goosepond Golf Club (Scottsboro)