GRANGER: SONGWRITER MISSED ALREADY, PAGE 4. RISING TIDE THURSDAY THE
Former Tiger Jennings shines in Alabama spring game,excited about the future.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 May 26, 2016
Vol. 124, No. 105
Sports, Page 8
www.alexcityoutlook.com
DRILL FOR DISASTER
Schools look to virtual academies Alexander City Schools assess first year as county announces its online program By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Agencies train for active shooter scenario By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Two suspects crashed into the front of the XYZ Industries building and a traffic accident-turned-hostage situation resulted in an unknown number of deaths and injuries, including one Alexander City Police Department officer, on Wednesday morning in a mock disaster drill coordinated by the Tallapoosa County Emergency Management Agency. “Casualties on the ground,” barked the voice on the Alexander City police scanner. “Be advised we do have shots fired. She (a witness who contacted police) is in the building. She doesn’t know from what direction, but she knows there have been shots fired.” Just over an hour later, Jason Moran, director of the Tallapoosa County EMA, met with media. Moran said the “tragic incident” began around 9 a.m. The county EMA director, who spoke first at the mock press conference at the Emergency Operations See DISASTER • Page 3
Beginning next fall, every high school student in Alabama will have an option to attend public high school without ever leaving home. Effective next academic year, all public schools in the state must have in place a virtual school through which a student can use his or her computer to take at least high school-level coursework. Alexander City Schools offered the virtual school option this year for all Benjamin Russell High School students. Tallapoosa County schools will offer it for students in the ninth through 12th grades in the 2016-17 school year. “We’ll start it at the middle school as well next year,” said Darrell Cooper, superintendent of Alexander City Schools. “We’ve certainly had some parents contact us about it. For different kinds of students, it can be appealing, but it’s not for the average student. For the student to be successful, they have to be motivated, they have to be self-motivated.” Benjamin Russell principal Anthony See VIRTUAL • Page 7
County school board deals with personnel First responders practiced their response to an active shooter at the old new #1 Wednesday. The scenario started with a wreck in the front door of the facility and the driver going on a shooting spree.
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
The Tallapoosa County Board of Education on Wednesday voted to approve more than 50 personnel moves, more than half of which were transfers of employment from Councill Middle School, which meets for its last half-day of classes today, to other county schools. Twenty-seven of 31 transfers the board unanimously approved at the specially called meeting were transfers from Councill. “And that’s all of them, right?” asked board See PERSONNEL • Page 7
Local residents complete training Lake Levels in Citizens Public Safety Academy 490.61 Lake Martin
Reported on 5/18/16 @ 3 p.m.
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Sun Festival shirts revealed
Kim Dunn of the the Alexander City Chamber shows off this year’s Sun Festival T-shirts featuring a design by John Denney. The shirts sell for $20 and are available at the Chamber office.
The Alexander City Public Safety Academy wrapped up Tuesday with a graduation ceremony, bringing the 13-week informative course to a close. The public safety academy gives citizens a behind-the-scenes look at the daily jobs of city employees including police, firefighters, employees of the gas department and the municipal court See ACADEMY • Page 7
Bill’s Electric ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
P.O. Box 673 1814 Airpor t Blvd • Alexander Cit y, AL
(256) 234-4555 “PROVIIDING QUAALITYY ELEECTRRICALL CONSSTRUUCTIIONN SINCE 196 61”
Today’s
Weather
90 65 High
Low
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Members of the graduating class of the Alexander City Public Safety Academy pose with administrators and instructors from the Alexander City Fire and Police Departments following the graduation ceremony Tuesday night at the city’s public safety building.
6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
Page 2
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Mom objects when kids made to pay for roughhousing
Friday
87 64 Low
High Mostly sunny
Saturday
85 66 Low
High
Mostly sunny, 20 percent chance of thunderstorms
Staff
Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com
David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210 david.granger@alexcityoutlook.com Mia Osborn Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 mia.osborn@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com
Accounting Angela Mullins Bookkeeping, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Mary Lyman Boone Bookkeeping marylyman.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Robert Hudson Sports Editor, Ext. 228 robert.hudson@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com
Composing Audra Spears Graphic Artist, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Graphic Artist, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Graphic Artist, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Alethia Russell Graphic Artist, Ext. 231 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Asst. Circulation Manager, 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.
Postal
Information
© 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
The Outlook
SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law 135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL
825-9559 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
DEAR ABBY: We visit my in-laws two or three times a year. During our most recent visit, my kids (ages 12 and 14) were roughhousing with their cousins and accidentally slammed a door, which resulted in a broken frame. Their grandpa had asked them to stop, which they apparently didn’t do. Now, three months later, my in-laws are visiting us, and my mother-in-law is having the kids pay for the frame. When I spoke up and let her know I thought this was inappropriate, she became very upset and said, “Kids these days don’t have any consequences,” and this is what she and the kids had agreed should happen. I emphasized in front of the kids how important it is to listen, to be accountable for your actions and to see what they could’ve done to make it up to her. I’m just not comfortable with her still holding onto this and expecting them to pay for the frame. It seems to me that a conversation about respect and
DEAR ABBY Advice
listening is plenty appropriate but, after that, shouldn’t my mother-in-law have gracefully let it go? These kids, by the way, get excellent school reports, play instruments and sports, and are considered by most people to be great kids. Was I wrong to express my opinion that having the kids pay her is inappropriate? If it wasn’t, then maybe we shouldn’t visit at her home, since it’s filled with breakable valuables. I am very frustrated by my controlling mother-in-law. -- UPSET IN MORRO BAY DEAR UPSET: Your “great kids” ignored their grandfather when he asked them to quit roughhousing, and the result was significant property dam-
age. If they had agreed with their grandmother that there would be restitution -- I assume the same was true of their cousins -- you were wrong to interfere. That you would do this in the presence of your kids was a mistake. I agree with your mother-inlaw that one of the problems in our society today is the lack of accountability or consequences when people do something wrong. I applaud her for sticking to her guns, and you owe her an apology. DEAR ABBY: I am going to my girlfriend’s mother’s 60th birthday party. I just found out that her younger sister is pregnant -- unbeknownst to her parents -- and she plans to surprise them the next day on their mom’s actual birthdate. The little sister has asked that we not drink at the dinner because she doesn’t want to feel left out. This caused an argument between me and my girlfriend because I think her request is silly and kind of selfish.
Is there a rule of etiquette about this? Isn’t it weird that someone would ask that you not drink a couple of beers or a glass of wine at a birthday dinner? If I’m on a diet, I don’t ask people to eat only salad or to order less around me. I think she should make a “headache/not feeling well” excuse rather than try to limit/control the fun of others. -- SOCIAL DRINKER DEAR SOCIAL DRINKER: No rule of etiquette covers this. I agree that you shouldn’t have to abstain at the celebration if you prefer to indulge. However, the decision should be voluntary and not imposed upon you. Your girlfriend may prefer not to have alcohol that night to support her sister, but that doesn’t mean you must. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Obituaries Mr. Henry Morgan Jr.
Mr. Harvey Tapley
Funeral service for Mr. Henry Morgan Jr. of Goodwater, Alabama will be Friday, May 27, 2016 at New Home Baptist Church at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at New Home Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Harvey Tapley, a resident of the Beulah Community, passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at the age of 88. Graveside services will be held Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. from Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Tim Davis and Father Albert Kelly officiating, Jeffcoat Funeral Home directing. Mr. Tapley is survived by his son, Mike L. Tapley (Vickie), Mary Katherine Tapley; grandchildren, Michael L. Tapley (Emily, Margaret Tapley Raymon and Thomas Walker Tapley (Tracy); eight grandchildren; sister, Mary Nell Turner (Bob), brother, Clifford Wayne Tapley and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Union Volunteer Fire and Rescue, 5171 Hwy 50, Dadeville Al 36853 or Beulah Baptist Church, 5891 Lovelady Road, Dadeville Al 36853. Online condolences are available at: www.jeffcoatfuneralhome.com.
Wright’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
WHATLEY MONUMENT Company Better Service A Family Tradition 1049 Hillabee Street Alexander City, AL C.M. “Mike” Whatley, Owner
329-1217
Jeffcoat Funeral Home Directing Tallassee, Alabama
Mrs. Mary Ethel Majors Moncrief 1930 - 2016 Funeral Service for Mrs. Mary Ethel Majors Moncrief, 85, of Alexander City, will be Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Radney Funeral Home. Randy Anderson will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hillview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 27, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Mrs. Moncrief passed away on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at Russell Medical Center (Alexander City). She was born on December 30, 1930 in Alexander City, Alabama to Walter Jackson Majors and Minnie Florence Majors. Mrs. Moncrief loved her family, flowers and animals. She enjoyed spending time outdoors and camping. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Fletcher (Tony) of Gastonia, NC; sons, Raymond Moncrief (Lynn) of Alexander City and Mark Moncrief (Kim) of Equality; grandchildren, David Fletcher,
Shannan Fletcher (Misty), Gina Fletcher, Melinda Fletcher, Joseph Moncrief (Kimberly), Jane Hayes (Charlie), Brandon Moncrief (Melissa), Bradley Moncrief (Kristi); stepgrandchildren, Charity Spann (David), Kerri Kelly, Jesse Weeks, and Justin Weeks, great-grandchildren, Grace Fletcher, Lydia Lowe, Rachel Hayes, Alison Hayes, Molly Moncrief, Ada Moncrief, Doss Moncrief, and Van Moncrief; step great-grandchildren, Nethan Ellison, Gracie Spann, Lexie Spann, and Torie Spann. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Eunice East, Louie Dean, Martha Jean Stark, and Ruth Lashley; and brothers, Joseph Majors and Clayton Majors. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome.com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Your Lake Lender. Melanie Foshee is now at River Bank.
A proud Alexander City native and a lover of lake life, Melanie has 18 years of local banking experience. Now she is at River Bank, focused on helping families with their dream of primary and second homeownership in Tallapoosa County and the Lake Martin area. So when you find that special place for your family to play, grow and dream, call Melanie for service and products only a true community bank can deliver. RIVERBANKANDTRUST.COM Member FDIC NMLS 405629 Equal Housing Lender
Mortgage Loan Officer Melanie Foshee NMLS 419398
3617 U.S. HIGHWAY 280 ALEXANDER CITY, AL 35010 256.329.0500
Page 2
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Mom objects when kids made to pay for roughhousing
Friday
87 64 Low
High Mostly sunny
Saturday
85 66 Low
High
Mostly sunny, 20 percent chance of thunderstorms
Staff
Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com
David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210 david.granger@alexcityoutlook.com Mia Osborn Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 mia.osborn@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com
Accounting Angela Mullins Bookkeeping, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Mary Lyman Boone Bookkeeping marylyman.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Robert Hudson Sports Editor, Ext. 228 robert.hudson@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com
Composing Audra Spears Graphic Artist, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Graphic Artist, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Graphic Artist, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Alethia Russell Graphic Artist, Ext. 231 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Asst. Circulation Manager, 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.
Postal
Information
© 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
The Outlook
SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law
135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL
825-9559
No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
DEAR ABBY: We visit my in-laws two or three times a year. During our most recent visit, my kids (ages 12 and 14) were roughhousing with their cousins and accidentally slammed a door, which resulted in a broken frame. Their grandpa had asked them to stop, which they apparently didn’t do. Now, three months later, my in-laws are visiting us, and my mother-in-law is having the kids pay for the frame. When I spoke up and let her know I thought this was inappropriate, she became very upset and said, “Kids these days don’t have any consequences,” and this is what she and the kids had agreed should happen. I emphasized in front of the kids how important it is to listen, to be accountable for your actions and to see what they could’ve done to make it up to her. I’m just not comfortable with her still holding onto this and expecting them to pay for the frame. It seems to me that a conversation about respect and
DEAR ABBY Advice
listening is plenty appropriate but, after that, shouldn’t my mother-in-law have gracefully let it go? These kids, by the way, get excellent school reports, play instruments and sports, and are considered by most people to be great kids. Was I wrong to express my opinion that having the kids pay her is inappropriate? If it wasn’t, then maybe we shouldn’t visit at her home, since it’s filled with breakable valuables. I am very frustrated by my controlling mother-in-law. -- UPSET IN MORRO BAY DEAR UPSET: Your “great kids” ignored their grandfather when he asked them to quit roughhousing, and the result was significant property dam-
age. If they had agreed with their grandmother that there would be restitution -- I assume the same was true of their cousins -- you were wrong to interfere. That you would do this in the presence of your kids was a mistake. I agree with your mother-inlaw that one of the problems in our society today is the lack of accountability or consequences when people do something wrong. I applaud her for sticking to her guns, and you owe her an apology. DEAR ABBY: I am going to my girlfriend’s mother’s 60th birthday party. I just found out that her younger sister is pregnant -- unbeknownst to her parents -- and she plans to surprise them the next day on their mom’s actual birthdate. The little sister has asked that we not drink at the dinner because she doesn’t want to feel left out. This caused an argument between me and my girlfriend because I think her request is silly and kind of selfish.
Is there a rule of etiquette about this? Isn’t it weird that someone would ask that you not drink a couple of beers or a glass of wine at a birthday dinner? If I’m on a diet, I don’t ask people to eat only salad or to order less around me. I think she should make a “headache/not feeling well” excuse rather than try to limit/control the fun of others. -- SOCIAL DRINKER DEAR SOCIAL DRINKER: No rule of etiquette covers this. I agree that you shouldn’t have to abstain at the celebration if you prefer to indulge. However, the decision should be voluntary and not imposed upon you. Your girlfriend may prefer not to have alcohol that night to support her sister, but that doesn’t mean you must. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Obituaries Mr. Henry Morgan Jr.
Mr. Harvey Tapley
Funeral service for Mr. Henry Morgan Jr. of Goodwater, Alabama will be Friday, May 27, 2016 at New Home Baptist Church at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at New Home Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Harvey Tapley, a resident of the Beulah Community, passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at the age of 88. Graveside services will be held Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. from Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Tim Davis and Father Albert Kelly officiating, Jeffcoat Funeral Home directing. Mr. Tapley is survived by his son, Mike L. Tapley (Vickie), Mary Katherine Tapley; grandchildren, Michael L. Tapley (Emily, Margaret Tapley Raymon and Thomas Walker Tapley (Tracy); eight grandchildren; sister, Mary Nell Turner (Bob), brother, Clifford Wayne Tapley and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Union Volunteer Fire and Rescue, 5171 Hwy 50, Dadeville Al 36853 or Beulah Baptist Church, 5891 Lovelady Road, Dadeville Al 36853. Online condolences are available at: www.jeffcoatfuneralhome.com.
Wright’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
WHATLEY MONUMENT Company Better Service A Family Tradition 1049 Hillabee Street Alexander City, AL C.M. “Mike” Whatley, Owner
329-1217
Jeffcoat Funeral Home Directing Tallassee, Alabama
Mrs. Mary Ethel Majors Moncrief 1930 - 2016 Funeral Service for Mrs. Mary Ethel Majors Moncrief, 85, of Alexander City, will be Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Radney Funeral Home. Randy Anderson will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hillview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 27, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Mrs. Moncrief passed away on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at Russell Medical Center (Alexander City). She was born on December 30, 1930 in Alexander City, Alabama to Walter Jackson Majors and Minnie Florence Majors. Mrs. Moncrief loved her family, flowers and animals. She enjoyed spending time outdoors and camping. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Fletcher (Tony) of Gastonia, NC; sons, Raymond Moncrief (Lynn) of Alexander City and Mark Moncrief (Kim) of Equality; grandchildren, David Fletcher,
Shannan Fletcher (Misty), Gina Fletcher, Melinda Fletcher, Joseph Moncrief (Kimberly), Jane Hayes (Charlie), Brandon Moncrief (Melissa), Bradley Moncrief (Kristi); stepgrandchildren, Charity Spann (David), Kerri Kelly, Jesse Weeks, and Justin Weeks, great-grandchildren, Grace Fletcher, Lydia Lowe, Rachel Hayes, Alison Hayes, Molly Moncrief, Ada Moncrief, Doss Moncrief, and Van Moncrief; step greatgrandchildren, Nethan Crew, Gracie Spann, Lexie Spann, and Torie Spann. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Eunice East, Louie Dean, Martha Jean Stark, and Ruth Lashley; and brothers, Joseph Majors and Clayton Majors. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome.com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Your Lake Lender. Melanie Foshee is now at River Bank.
A proud Alexander City native and a lover of lake life, Melanie has 18 years of local banking experience. Now she is at River Bank, focused on helping families with their dream of primary and second homeownership in Tallapoosa County and the Lake Martin area. So when you find that special place for your family to play, grow and dream, call Melanie for service and products only a true community bank can deliver. RIVERBANKANDTRUST.COM Member FDIC NMLS 405629 Equal Housing Lender
Mortgage Loan Officer Melanie Foshee NMLS 419398
3617 U.S. HIGHWAY 280 ALEXANDER CITY, AL 35010 256.329.0500
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Diaster
+
continued from page 1
with an unknown number of hostages. The second suspect, according to Robinson, “is currently in the hospital” and, according to the police scanner, a woman injured in the accident – or the attempt to enter the building with the use of the vehicle – was transported with injuries to UAB Hospital in Birmingham. According to the scanner, the suspect was taken into custody shortly before 11 a.m. After the “suspect’s” capture, the scanner quieted to normal everyday – although genuine – police traffic. Moran said Alexander City Police and Fire departments, county and state emergency management officials, the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department, Alexander City Rescue Squad, United Way/211, Salvation Army, Tallapoosa County Department of Human Resources, the Alexander City Board of Education, Amateur Radio Emergency Services, Central Alabama Community College nursing program and Russell
Center in the Central Alabama Community College’s Betty Carol Graham Technology Center, would not give details, which he said were “sketchy. Moran deferred to Alexander City Police Chief Willie Robinson and Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett, who appeared at the briefing a short time later, but did not answer questions. Robinson said that a traffic accident occurred at XYZ Industries and a man involved in the accident ran from the scene into into the building and began shooting. Several people were injured, Robinson said, “and we may have some deaths.” He said the injured included one Alexander City Police officer he would not name. According to the police scanner, Alexander City Police SWAT officers entered the building to try and neutralize the gunman, but were met with return gunfire. At the time of the media briefing, Robinson said the suspect remained barricaded inside the building
Page 3
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The Outlook
+ Buy Here + Pay Here + +
CLEAN USED CARS Cars• Vans• Trucks • SUV’s
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256.825.9830
We Care About You and Your Loved Ones!
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
An Alexander City Police officer covers the back of another officer while clearing the building Wednesdsay.
Medical Center all played a role in the exercise. Local emergency management and public safety officials participate in disaster drills such as the one on Wednesday annually to ensure that reactions and coordination go smoothly if and when such a disaster does occur in the community. “It’s good for all the first responders to get together and work together in an exercise. We want to make sure that we’re prepared should something like this happen and it’s better to do it in an exercise, much bet-
ter than in a live scenario,” Moran said. “It’s good for them to work together and practice their tactics and skills. “I think this one went well. There were some lessons learned, but, all in all, it went well. We’ll all get together and we’ll have a review and we’ll discuss everything, both the things that were done well and the things we could do better.” Moran said the scenario was based on recent news headlines and scripted by local officials.
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Obituaries He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Ellen Caldwell Martin; daughters Sandra Martin Lee, Sharon Martin Bryan, Susan Martin Wallace (Gary); grandchildren Jeffrey Parsons, Timothy Parsons, Joshua Bryan and Hope Wallace. After he graduated from Hackneyville High School he attended Athens College where he was a member of Pi Beta Kappa honor fraternity. From 1943 until 1946 he served in the Army Air Corps as a machine gun instructor and airplane armorer. He graduated from the University of Alabama in 1948 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration and was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma
Sam Maxwell Martin MARTIN, Sam Maxwell, rode away into the sunset on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. He was born in Tallapoosa County on November 27, 1923. He was preceded in death by his parents Dewitt Martin Martin and Emma Smith Martin; siblings Ludger D. Martin, Joan Whitmire, Verna Reaves, Jeanette Ward; and sonin-law Ken Bryan; granddaughter Anna Grace Bryan.
honor fraternity. After moving to Montgomery he worked for the Social Security Administration until he retired in 1982. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12:00 Noon on Friday, May 27, 2016 at Liberty UMC with Minister Scott Railey officiating. Burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery with military honors rendered. Pallbearers will be John David Reaves, Robert Whitmire, Brian Ward, Jeffrey Parsons, Timothy Parsons and Joshua Bryan. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. To offer online condolences please visit www.alabamaheritagefh.com
256-329-1313 Free Consultations 217 Madison Street, Alexander City, AL “We are a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 under the Bankruptcy Code. Alabama State Bar requires the following in every attorney advertisement, “ No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”
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Screaming low Prices! 5-DayS only!
Prices Good May 26 - May 30 COKE 2 Liter Products Asst.
COKE 12 Pk. Products Asst.
$1
$4
Was
Was
60
Was
$350
25
98
¢
9
$
3
for
00
1
$ 98
All Pools, Patio Furniture & Grills
fred’s Pure Cane Sugar 4lb. 25
30
%
Was $2
1
$ 48
off
Sale $4.20-$195.97 7 Selection Varies By Store
Was $129
95
88
$
LAY’S Chips 9.75-10.25oz. Asst.
88 5,000 BTU Air Conditioner
fred’s Charcoal
AEROSPEED 20 In. Box Fan 3 Speeds Asst. Colors
7.7lb.
Was $4
00
95 Was $17
14
$
2
$ 88
88
fred’s Lighter Fluid 32oz.
Was $3
00
1
$ 88
While Supplies Last. No Rainchecks On Screaming Low Prices Items. Advertised products shown may not be available in all stores. Brands, styles and colors may vary by store. Sorry, we can’t offer rain checks on seasonal, special buy or while supplies last items. We reserve the right to limit quantities. We apologize for, but are not responsible for typographical errors. ©2016 - Fred’s Stores of Tennessee Inc. All rights reserved. Not all fred’s locations will have a Pharmacy. Visit fredsinc.com to find the nearest Pharmacy location.
EV. 4488 (5/26-5/30/16) NP
MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213
editor@alexcityoutlook.com
EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed
Outlook The
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Area first responders show they are prepared
A
shooter crashed into a factory and took hostages, injuring several people in the process Wednesday in Alexander City. Fortunately for everyone involved it was only a drill. For almost a month, leaders, first responders and governmental officials met to plan a drill that would test all agencies, as well as Russell Medical Center. When the drill began, it was very realistic, all the way down to the scanner traffic directing the proper response to the areas where help was needed most. “You don’t ever know when the real thing might come up,” Alexander City Fire Department Capt. Jeff Brewer said. “We pray that it never does, but’s a good thing they can do stuff like this. That’s the only way you can be prepared. If you wait until it really happens, it’s too late.” We agree with Capt. Brewer. Tallapoosa County EMA Director Jason Moran said Alexander City Police and Fire departments, county and state emergency management officials, the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department, Alexander City Rescue Squad, United Way/211, Salvation Army, Tallapoosa County Department of Human Resources, the Alexander City Board of Education, Amateur Radio Emergency Services, Central Alabama Community College nursing program and Russell Medical Center all played a role in the exercise. It is very good that all area agencies took the time to make sure the people who protect us on a daily basis have the tools needed to do their jobs to the best of their abilities. We also appreciate the first responders who took the time to take this important training. Wednesday’s drill shows that local officials are doing their part to be ready so that damage can be minimized and our community can be as safe as possible should someone do the unthinkable. We feel confident that if a eal scenarios should unfold like the one that played out in the drill do ever strike, the men and women tasked to help us in the situations are well prepared.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Songwriter Guy Clark missed already
Y
ou don’t just listen to a Guy Clark album. You relish in it, considering every word and phrase, feeling the words as they course through you. But then Guy Clark, who died last Tuesday at the age of 74, didn’t just write songs. The tall Texan wrote poetry. Unfortunately, Clark was so dogged about the construction of his poems – and, yes, he considered his work poetry set to music – and so true to being a storyteller rather than just a lyricist, that many were not familiar with his work. But the man we lost to cancer on May 17 was a genius songwriter. Though tempted, I won’t call him a craftsman. “I should have put a stop to that craftsman (stuff) a long time ago,” Clark told Tamara Saviano, a Grammy and Americana Award-winning producer currently working on a biography and documentary film on Clark. “It makes my skin crawl. It’s nobody’s fault but mine because I didn’t step up and say, ‘No, that’s not right.’ I consider what I do poetry. I don’t need to prove I’m a poet in every line and I’m not afraid to speak plainly in my songs. Not everything needs to be a metaphor and I don’t need lofty words. But it is my obligation as a poet to be faithful to the verse. I write what I know. I write what I see.” And Guy saw and wrote plenty. Perhaps his bestknown song – “Desperadoes Waiting for a Train” – is his most-often covered. It’s the story of Jack Prigg, “a drifter, a driller of oil wells,” and the
DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
time he spent with the muchyounger Clark in taverns, pool halls and in an old kitchen. I’d play the Red River Valley And he’d sit in the kitchen and cry And run his fingers through seventy years of livin’ And wonder Lord has every well I drilled gone dry We was friends me and this old man We’re like desperados waiting for the train Like desperados waiting for the train The Highwaymen (Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson), Jerry Jeff Walker, David Allan Coe, Bobby Bare, and Mark Chesnutt all covered the biographic “Desperadoes.” But it’s the plaintive, knowing voice of Clark that does it better than any of those artists. But Clark’s favorite version? True to his thought of his work as poetry, he enjoyed a spoken-word version by Slim Pickens. In fact, it was his favorite version by anyone of any of his songs. But Clark’s tastes ran strange. His best songwriting buddy – not that they cowrote, but they wrote together – was the enigmatic Townes Van Zant, another Texan most
famous for penning “Pancho and Lefty,” made famous by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. And the love of Clark’s life was definitely the beautiful Susanna, his wife, who died in 2012 and to whom Clark dedicated his 2013 “My Favorite Picture of You” album, which won a Grammy for best folk album and featured Clark on the cover holding a candid shot of his late wife flipping him off. My favorite Clark song was an inspirational piece that I’ve tried to live by called “The Cape,” co-written with his wife Susanna. I’ve tried to trust my cape ever since having first heard the tune. Eight years old with a flour sack cape Tied all around his neck He climbed up on the garage, He’s figurin’ what the heck Screwed his courage up so tight, That the whole thing come unwound He got a runnin start and bless his heart, He headed for the ground Well, he’s one of those who knows That life is just a leap of faith. Spread your arms and hold your breath And always trust your cape. We miss you already, Mr. Clark. David Granger is a staff writer for The Record.
Officials
represents District 1. His phone number is 256329-9671. His address is 1821 LaVista Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Safety committee.
Sherry Ellison-Simpson represents District 2. Her phone number is 256329-0516. Her address is 2879 Old Dark Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee.
Sherry Ellison Simpson
Bob Howard represents District 3. His phone number is 256-2342225. His address is 241 8th Street West, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Buildings and Property committee.
Bob Howard
Billy Ray Wall represents District 4. His phone number is 256329-8060. His address is 101 Scott Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Works committee.
James Spann represents District 5. His phone number is 256-3299758. His address is 314 Auburn Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Finance committee. Tony Goss represents District 6. His phone number is 256-7493355. His address is 647 Shady Point, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Utilities committee.
Billy Ray Wall
James Spann
Tony Goss
Today’s
Scripture “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” – Matthew 7:3
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Know Your Charles Shaw is mayor of Alexander City. His phone number at city hall is 256-329-6730 and his home number is 256234-7395 His address at city hall is 4 Court Square; Alexander City, AL, 35010. His home address is 98 Heritage Drive Alexander City, AL, 35010.
Today’s
“D
ear Captain Fuller, in science this week, we’re talking about the human body, and I hope your human body doesn’t get shot, but I have homework to do.” “Dear Caption (sic) Fuller, You are the most kind man in the world to risk your life. For many, it’s the ultimate sacrifice. You do the most for us, so we won’t ever get attacked in the middle of English.” I received these letters from these precious children while deployed to Iraq eight years ago during my second tour there in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I thank God every day that my human body did not get shot, and I also thank Him for those men and women who indeed paid the ultimate sacrifice. As a platoon leader, I lost my two soldiers when they were hit by an improvised explosive device on April 4, 2004, during my first deployment. Philip Rogers died instantly, and Tyanna Felder died from her injuries three days later. There’s not a day that goes by that we don’t think about our fallen warriors and friends. I try to focus on faith, family, and friends in some way, shape, form or fashion in this column, but today, with respect to Memorial Day, I’m adding freedom
JODY FULLER Guest Columnist
to the mix. Where would we be without the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice? What freedoms would we have? Where would you be? With respect to my fallen warriors, whether or not we should have been in Iraq or not is beside the point. We were there. Philip and Tyanna raised their right hand and volunteered to serve their nation so that you or your loved ones wouldn’t have to serve involuntarily, and for that we should be forever grateful. Salute. I have the incredible honor of being the guest speaker at the Memorial Day services in my hometown on Monday. I’ve spoken or performed comedy in a lot of places for a wide range of folks, but as honored and excited as I am to do this, I’m equally as terrified, but I look forward to the challenge. “If a man does his best, what else is there?” General George S. Patton Some people are unaware of the true meaning of
Memorial Day and lump many of the military related holidays together. While those grateful Americans mean well, it’s important not to confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died in the line of duty, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans “Another reason I would like to thank you is because you are serving the nation. Without people like you who join the military, our country would be bad.” I think this last letter really sums it up. So, to each of you who have ever worn the uniform, we thank you every day for what you have done for this great nation, and we’ll throw you a celebration come November 11, but Memorial Day is for our brothers and sisters from every walk of life who paid the ultimate sacrifice, so that we can sleep in peace at night when we lay down our head. That debt can never be repaid, we are forever grateful and will never forget. Jody Fuller is comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller.com.
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 50 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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magistrate. Judging from the responses by participants, it was a valuable experience. “I can’t tell you how much we appreciate the city putting forth the resources to make this program possible,” participant Herman Henry said. “We appreciate that you all took away from your family to be there with us. We all have a much better appreciation for the job you all do. We can’t thank you enough.” Participants were also allowed to drive police cars through a controlled course, fire a range of weapons and experience a controlled takeover of a building with the Alexander City Special Response Group. While the course is not intended to train participants how to perform any of the jobs they witness, they all said they left with some knowledge they could use and a whole new respect for the job done by first responders. “The jobs that you all do are very hard,” said participant Arlean Wyckoff. “We put on all that gear that you firefighters wear. That was so heavy. It gives me a whole new appreciation for what you do. For the police, while we are all sleeping in la la land, you are out there keeping us safe. We thank you all for that. This is something that I would do again if I could. It meant that much to me.” Mayor Charles Shaw thanked the participants for taking part in the classes. “I do appreciate you all caring enough to go through this,” Shaw said. “It’s important to get
Season Speaks
understanding of what’s going on in the community. Shaw showed he had a sense of humor when he talked about what all the participants got to do during the training. “How many of you got to fire a gun for the first time? How many got to ride in or drive a police car? Some of us have had rides in police cars for other reasons,” Shaw said with a smile. “No, I didn’t mean here lately, maybe when we were younger.” Alexander City Police Department’s Lt. James Orr and Capt. Jeff Brewer of the fire department organize the class, which is now held once each year. Orr said he hopes that the participants will help recruit other in the future. Chief Kem Jones of the Alexander City Fire Department said that the class is a great way for people to see how extensively city employees are trained. “It gives an opportunity to see how knowledgeable these employees have to be about their jobs,” Jones said. “They aren’t just trained for one individual task. It is multifaceted training.” Police Chief Willie Robinson said he hoped the training educated the participants on why things are done the way that they are. This year’s graduating class consisted of Arlean Wyckoff, Kenneth Davis, James Christopher Davis, D’Arcy Calhoun., Herman Henry Jr., Tiffany Murray, Shannon Gay, Alethea Askew, Nancy Stephens, Desiree Smith, Michele Ford Mims and Patrick Mims.
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Virtual
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Wilkinson said that approximately 25 students enrolled in the BRHS virtual program in its first year, including 15 seniors. He said, of the seniors, most of them will graduate on time, but “four or five will roll into summer school. I think they all will graduate, but it will be in the summer. They won’t walk (participate in Friday night’s graduation ceremony) with the senior class.” “It’s like anything else,” said Wilkinson. “Those students who are go-getters, who are disciplined and who are self-starters do really well. Those that have to be pushed will –just like they likely would on campus – struggle.” Joe Windle, superintendent for Tallapoosa County Schools, said the addition of the virtual school to the county school system gives parents a menu of educational options. “The addition of the virtual school gives our parents an additional choice for educating their children,” Windle said. “I think that’s a good thing. We are now able to offer a choice of going to school in the traditional way, blending the traditional way with online and now we also have the option for parents to enroll their children in the Tallapoosa County Virtual Academy and their entire experience will be online with the exception of coming to campus to take exams.” A flyer for the county schools’ version of a virtual program, called the Tallapoosa County Virtual Academy, touts as benefits: • Low cost (only occasional fees); • Courses taught by qualified and certified teachers; • The student’s ability to work
at his or her own pace and on his or her own schedule; • The opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities such as band, sports and clubs (as long as mandatory meetings of these groups are attended); and • The opportunity to graduate early and a diploma from an AdvancED/SACS-accredited school. The county schools’ flyer also largely addresses homeschool parents and students. But Windle said he didn’t expect that many of the parents and students who choose the TCVA will be true homeschool students. “I think homeschool students will be a small number,” Windle said. “Parents of homeschooled children will consider it, but I don’t think that will be the largest make-up. I think the most interest will come from parents looking for other options.” Wilkinson said in the first year of the Benjamin Russell virtual school only one of BRHS’ initial crop of 25 virtual students could be classified as a true homeschool student. “We had one (homeschool student),” Wilkinson said. “And that student didn’t do as well as we would have liked.” Wilkinson said the virtual option was taken advantage of by two or three young women who were pregnant or had children and approximately 50 percent of the students were those who simply would rather work from home than show up at the brick-and-mortar school every day. Cooper also expressed that the option could be used by others, such as athletes or equestrians,
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member Michael Carter. “Nobody lost their job?” “No one lost their job (from Councill),” Superintendent Joe Windle replied. Windle said that preparations for moving the Councill students to Dadeville Elementary and Dadeville High are progressing. “We will be finished maybe even Friday with the work at Dadeville High School,” Windle said. “All the classrooms have been done – stripped and re-done. So we’re almost ready.” The board approved summer contracts for 16 teachers and three administrators for the school system’s summer arts program which will be held at Dadeville, Horseshoe Bend and Reeltown. The program is paid for with federal funds, according
to Windle. “The purpose is to give the students an opportunity to participate in drama, art and music,” said Corine Garrett, who oversees federal programs for the county system. “The program will run through June, except for Fridays – a total of 16 days. The students will work with the teachers to come up with a skit they will perform at the end of the program.” The board also approved six non-renewals, all of which Windle said came at the recommendation of the principals in the system, except one recommended by Windle. “I didn’t take any of the principals’ recommendations off the list this year,” Windle said. “They are all non-tenured personnel.” Two retirements – one bus
driver for Reeltown and one teacher at Dadeville Elementary School – were also approved. A single termination was held over until the board’s next meeting on June 13 to allow for a board hearing at the employee’s request. The board also unanimously approved the resignations of Patrick Browning, a special education teacher at Councill, who will accept the head coaching position at Pike Road School near Montgomery, and Madison Brooks, an engineering/industrial maintenance teacher at Edward Bell Career Technical Center, whose husband has been accepted to medical school in Georgia. The June 13 board meeting will be at 5 p.m. in the BOE board room.
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whose schedules weren’t conducive to day-to-day school attendance. Wilkinson’s assessment of the first year? Good for a first year (which he calls “sort of a pilot”), but needing some long-term improvements. “We’ve been pleased, with it being the first year and all,” Wilkinson said. “There are some really good things about it. But there were some things that we encountered that we didn’t like, too. For example, we want to use ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators & Students Statewide, the state’s program) a little more. What it does that the other program (Odysseyware) doesn’t is it gives you more time with a teacher on the other end. Our facilitator, Cassandra Freeman, she does a great job meeting with the parents and the students, letting them know what to expect and trying to ensure that they continue to progress as they should be progressing, but we’ve seen that we need the actual teacher on the other end more, which ACCESS lets us do.” While Alexander City has no plans to extend its virtual school offerings beyond the Alexander City system, some schools are actively seeking students from outside their districts, including the Alabama Virtual Academy at Eufaula City Schools and Athens (Alabama) Renaissance School. Those interested in the Alexander City Schools’ virtual school option for 2016-17 can call 256-234-5074 for more information. Those interested in the Tallapoosa County Virtual Academy may call 256-825-7848, extension 41 or 42.
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RISING TIDE After standout spring performance, Jennings excited about future
JOE MCADORY Sports Columnist
2016’s must-win games for every team in the SEC
F
Crimson Tide Photos/UA Athletics
University of Alabama sophomore Anfernee Jennings, seen here before last season’s home game against Tennessee, is looking to make an impact in his second season with the Crimson Tide. By ROBERT HUDSON Sports Editor
Spring in Tuscaloosa was a return to form for former Dadeville Tiger Anfernee Jennings. The University of Alabama sophomore linebacker made his presence known in the Crimson-White Game in front of 76,212 fans at Bryant-Denny Stadium on April 15. Jennings had six tackles and three sacks in April’s game. It was a year in the making as Jennings said he worked hard to return from a ruptured disk in his back that slowed his start with Alabama before last season. “It felt really good to be out there. It was a whole year to wait because of my injury, but it felt great to be back out there on the field playing with my teammates,” Jennings said. “Spring went well. I know I have a lot of improvement left, but I’m looking forward to getting back and see-
ing what I have to do to be a better player, a better teammate, a better student.” Jennings said it was an injury that had lingered since high school. He said he fought hard to get back on the field and contribute any way he could. “I had ruptured my disk. It happened in high school, but I just kind of played through it. I guess when I moved on and got to college it got worse, so they noticed that and fixed it,” Jennings said. “I had no other choice because I wanted it to be fixed and wanted to be pain free. My rehab went excellent. I worked as much as I could. They expected me to be out longer than I was. I actually came back faster than they thought I would. When I got back, they had me on scout team, so I competed and did whatever the coaches asked me.” It is his coaches that Jennings credits with preparing him to play to the best of his abilities. “All of the coaches, they prepare you
the best way possible. I consider my coaches the best of the best,” Jennings said. “They do what they do and they get you ready for the action on field.” After being a member of last year’s national championship team, Jennings said he is excited to have a chance this season to get on the field and make his mark. He said he hopes the spring game was the only the beginning. “We were just having fun in the spring game basically because I knew that was really my first bit of action like that in a college environment,” Jennings said. “So, I’ve just been adjusted to that and now I’m ready to play some winning football for coach and the University of Alabama. I’m very excited. I know I’ve got a lot to do and a lot in front of me, but I’m ready to compete and get into it. I look forward to everything that I’ve got ahead of me, the workouts, practices and everything. I’m ready to get back to it.”
Central Alabama tennis program signs Cheshier By ROBERT HUDSON Sports Editor
Coming out of its first year since returning to action on the court, the Central Alabama Community College tennis program continues to grow. Emily Cheshier signed a tennis scholarship to CACC, as she will join the Lady Trojans this coming season. CACC tennis Coach Wes Coleman said he invited Cheshier, who is from Bremen, Georgia, to visit CACC and he liked what she showed during practice. “We invited her up, her and her mom came up for a visit and toured the campus. She actually went through a practice with us,” Coleman said. “She got to meet the girls on the team, and it was actually the first time I got to see her on the court. She was a very consistent player. She’s actually in a technology college over there, so she’d taken about eight months off (from playing). She was a good player in high school that played No. 2 singles line at Bremen High School. “I could tell she was a little rusty, but I could definitely see a lot of potential and I’m looking forward to her coming in.” Cheshier said she is excited for the opportunity to continue her education and playing career. “I’m proud. It’s really exciting because I’ve worked very hard all of my life to get this far,” Cheshier said. “I’m just really proud of myself. I’m just so blessed to have this opportunity in my life and I’ve had so much help from my parents and my tennis coach, of course. I’m happy I can come back and continue my education from high school and keep going. “I love the game and that you can
Robert Hudson / The Outlook
Emily Cheshier of Bremen, Georgia signed a tennis scholarship with CACC on Wednesday. Pictured are, back row from left, CACC Athletics Director Kathleen Thompson, Emily’s personal tennis coach Martha McClendon, Emily’s sister Leah Cheshier, and CACC tennis Coach Wes Coleman. Front row, from left, are Emily’s mother Kathy Cheshier, Emily, and Emily’s father Mike Cheshier.
play this sport for the rest of your life.” Coleman said he saw an opportunity to add a talented player to the program. “Of course, I want to get as many local players as I can, but if I see a very talented player like Emily that may be sitting there in Georgia and maybe didn’t get an opportunity there – if I can offer that scholarship and she wants to come – I’m looking for that, too,” Coleman said. “I told her on her visit, I see her playing maybe in the middle of our lineup. We’ve got a pretty strong class coming in this year.”
Cheshier said she is thankful for the help she has received along the way from her family and personal tennis coach. “My tennis coach, Martha (McClendon), she’s been helping me since eighth grade. I had been playing before, but I got really intense in my eighth grade year,” Cheshier said. “My dad, who pushed me, and I thank my parents. I’m just so happy I got the call because I had a lot of calls. I waited a year for another opportunity, so I’m just so happy.”
rom Labor Day to Thanksgiving weekend and Saturdays inbetween, every college football game is a “must-win” for the diehard fan. And it should be. Throw out your rival, and you’ve still got a handful of big games on the schedule, some bigger than others. Today I examine what could be each SEC team’s “must win” game the upcoming season. Bear in mind that “must win” and “biggest” games are often separate. Alabama: It’s not the Iron Bowl, nor is it LSU. It’s OIe Miss. The Tide doesn’t need the stain of three consecutive losses to the Rebels, nor can it afford an SEC-opening loss with road trips to Tennessee and LSU down the stretch. Arkansas: The outcome of Arkansas’ Sept. 24 neutral site game with Texas A&M could give this team the momentum it needs heading into an October schedule that includes Alabama and Auburn. Auburn: Winning the Iron Bowl would obviously be the Tigers’ greatest win of the season considering the preseason odds. But a win over Texas A&M on Sept. 17 is crucial if this team is to have any early momentum, or prevent a disaster as Clemson and LSU also visit early. Florida: This might come out of left field, but I believe the Gators’ make or break game is Oct. 1 at Vanderbilt, which nearly knocked off the slumping Gators last season in Gainesville. Florida cannot afford to lose this game, or else. That is all. Georgia: Georgia was better than Tennessee last year, but lost in Knoxville. The Vols visit Athens on Oct. 1 and many believe the SEC East could be up for grabs that afternoon. Kentucky: The Wildcats play at Florida in September and at Alabama in early October, so if this team has any aspirations of an Independence Bowl or Birmingham Bowl berth, its home date with South Carolina on Sept. 24 is pretty darn big. LSU: If LSU doesn’t take care of business at Auburn on Sept. 24, the Bayou Bengals could be in store for a disappointing season and the date with the Tide later in the season might not matter as much. Mississippi State: The Bulldogs haven’t played an SEC game without Dak Prescott at quarterback in three seasons. The post-Dak SEC era in Starkville begins Sept. 10 when South Carolina visits. Missouri: I don’t expect much from the Tigers this season. I didn’t expect much from them in 2013 or 2014 when they won the SEC East. Anyway, the Nov. 12 home game with Vanderbilt could keep this program out of the cellar. Ole Miss: With all the promise, Ole Miss could be starting at a 1-3 with FSU, Alabama and Georgia on the September schedule. The Alabama date on Sept. 17 stands out as the Rebels have beaten the Tide the past two seasons. Let the hype train begin. I smell a Rebel derailment. South Carolina: The Will Muschamp era in Columbia kicks off with three consecutive road SEC games, including the season-opener at Vanderbilt. A loss in Nashville isn’t the kind of momentum the brass at USC hoped for in hiring a new head coach. They’d better win. Tennessee: The Vols had better beat Florida on Sept. 24 in Knoxville, because Georgia, Texas A&M and Alabama are up next. Texas A&M: A win over Arkansas on Sept. 24 could either give the Aggies a 2-0 SEC start, or prevent them from an early 0-2 hole. Vanderbilt: First game of the season. Thursday night on ESPN in the Music City. Vandy gets South Carolina and a win could propel the Commodores to … early bowl contention. Seriously. Joe McAdory is communications editor at the Auburn University Raymond J. Harbert College of Business and is former Sports Editor at the OpelikaAuburn News.