Issuu

SPORTS, PAGE 10

OPINION: LET‘S ALL HELP UNITED WAY MAKE ITS GOAL, PAGE 4.

FRIDAY

THE

BRHS grad Kendall Graveman picks up a big honor.

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

November 18, 2016 Vol. 124, No. 232 www.alexcityoutlook.com “No matter how long you are around it, a fire like this is hard to handle. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victim’s family and loved ones.” — Kem Jones Alexander City Fire Department Chief

FIRE TURNS FATAL

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

A gaping hole was found in the door of The Station’s Best restaurant where burglars gained access to the business.

POLICE PROBE SMASH AND GRAB

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Alexander City Fire Marshal Craig Clark looks through the remains of a mobile home on Knight Circle where 79-year-old Charles Yarbrough lost his life in a Thursday morning fire. Below, he documents wires that appear to be shorted that could be the cause of the blaze.

Elderly man killed when mobile home goes up in flames Wednesday morning A man who realized Wednesday afternoon that he was out of propane at his mobile home of Knight Circle perished in a fire at his home early Thursday morning. Investigators say that Charles Yarbrough, 79, of 69 Knight Circle in Alexander City was found dead in the burned out remains of the trailer, just a few feet from the door that would See FIRE • Page 6

79 53

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

Low

Lake Martin

Lake Levels

483.64 Reported on 11/17/16 @ 6 p.m.

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See BURGLARY • Page 3

River Kids get grant to help expand 4-H program

Today’s

Weather

Thanks to a grant from the Coosa Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council to River Kids in Tallapoosa County, area youth will have even more access to area rivers and creeks. Emily Nichols, a specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, thinks the grant and River Kids are a great for 4-H, especially as 4-H looks to add to its programs beyond its traditional agriculture background. “I knew it would be a great fit for 4-H,” Nichols said. “It is connecting our youth to our waterways. We

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Another Alexander City business has been victimized by a smash and grab burglary. Just after daylight Thursday morning, a passing motorist alerted Alexander City Police that a large glass entry door at the The Station’s Best restaurant at 977 Jefferson Street in Alexander City had been broken. “It appears much like the others, the front door was smashed and that’s how they gained entry to the interior of the business,” said Alexander City Police Department Det. Riley Foshee. “Without giving a whole lot of specifics, they were able to take some cash and other merchandise from the business.” Foshee said they through information gathered throughout the day Thursday, investigators have developed a person of interest in the case. “It’s still an active investigation,” Foshee said. “We do have a person of interest, but it is still in the interview stage at this point. We hope to have

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are teaching safety and there is an educational component as well. We have been combining it with sport fishing. They have been looking at water quality. There has been a huge effort on aquatic education.” Alabama Scenic River Trail’s Joanne Ninesling agrees that River Kids is more than just getting children on the water. “River Kids is not just any project to bring attention to the rivers,” Ninesling said. “It is a project to teach water safety to the children. So many children are afraid to get on the water. They do not know the processes for getCliff Williams / The Outlook ting on the water and that is one of the primary goals of Tallapoosa County Commissioner John McKelvey, left, Alabama Scenic River Trail’s Frank See RIVER • Page ?? Couch, Terry Martin and Mark Tuggle pose for a photograph at Thursday’s grant presentation.

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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 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 Lonna Upton Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 lonna.upton@alexcityoutlook.com Cathy Higgins Sports Editor, Ext. 228 cathy.higgins@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com

David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210 david.granger@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 Donna Jones Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 donna.jones@alexcityoutlook.com Jaylan Reynolds Advertising Sales, Ext. 232 jaylan.reynolds@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Advertising Sales, Ext. 208 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Audra Spears Composing Department, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, 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

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.

Many a

small thing

has been made

large...

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.

DEAR ABBY: I am a retired airline employee, and I get passes for my friends and family. I recently provided firstclass-eligible round-trip passes from San Diego to Paris to my best friend and her friend. (The fare would have cost them thousands of dollars retail.) The only thing I asked in return was to pick me up a menu, a print or something small that could be packed easily. They were in Paris for a month, Abby, and they totally forgot me. I am so hurt. Sometimes I want to call them and tell them how I feel. Then I think it wouldn’t be a good idea. Frankly, I am angry. What is the best way to handle this? -- UP IN THE AIR DEAR UP IN THE AIR: I don’t blame you for being angry about the thoughtlessness and ingratitude they displayed. Your feelings are justified, and you should clear the air by explaining that you were hurt. You have every right to tell your friend how you feel. And the next time

•Wetumpka Herald •Eclectic Observer •Tallassee Tribune

256.234.4281

DEAR ABBY: I’m hoping you can guide me on how to handle a sticky situation with my neighbors. My 9-year-old son has befriended a kid his age. The boy is nice and I don’t mind him coming over. However, he has a younger brother the parents always send with him, and the boy is very hyper and aggressive. I work full time as a behavior specialist and deal with hyperactive children all day. The last thing I want when I come home is a hyper child I cannot parent. My son recently invited his

DEAR ABBY: I am struggling with trust in my relationships. I haven’t found a faithful man in any of the relationships I’ve had in the last five years, and it has made me gun shy. Now, each time I try to date, I look for any small indication that he could be cheating, which leads to jealousy and drives men away. How do I learn to trust again? Should I delete all social

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.

Memorial Service for Mr. Leo Batten, Jr., 71, of Jacksons Gap, will be Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Rev. Jerry Wheeles will officiate. The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 19, 2016, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Mr. Batten passed away on Saturday, November 12, 2016. He was born on January 8, 1945 in Valdosta, Georgia to Leo Raymond Batten, Sr. and Xuripha Batten. Mr. Batten was an active member of West End Baptist Church. He served with the Alex City Rescue Squad. He was the tickle monster to his children and grandchildren and enjoyed fishing and boating. November was a month of mourning because all of his teams could not win; Florida State, University of Florida, Auburn University and the University of Alabama. He is survived by his wife, Reba

Mr. Bufford Lester Ballard 1950 - 2016 Funeral Service for Mr. Bufford Lester Ballard, 66, of Alexander City, Alabama, will be Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Randy Anderson will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hillview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 19, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Mr. Ballard passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at

Batten of Jacksons Gap; daughters, Stephanie (Sean) Schreiber of Tarpon Springs, FL, Brittany (Luther) Batten of Prattville, and Kayla (Justin) Batten of Alexander City; sons, Jeffrey (Stacy) Batten of Tarpon Springs, FL, and James (Amber) Batten of Dadeville; grandchildren, Sarah Williams, Hannah Williams, Rachel Schreiber, Grace Sweat, Allene Sweat, Carter Batten, Brock Batten, and Waylon Weldon; brothers, Larry (Faye) Batten, and Kenny (Diane) Batten; sister, Sandy West; uncles, Louis (Betty) Batten and Allen “AT” (Debby) Powell; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers the family request contributions to be made to the Alex City Rescue Squad, local Police Departments or Humane Shelters. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.

Jerry “Curb“ Minor Jerry “Curb“ Minor, 84, of Jackson’s Gap, Alabama passed away on November 17, 2016 at Lake Martin Community Hospital in Dadeville. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 19, 2016 at the chapel of Alabama Funeral Homes in Dadeville. Mr. Minor was preceded in death by his parents: Jessie Minor and Audrey Minor; Wife Geraldine Minor; one daughter: Beverly Minor. Mr. Minor is survived by two children: Cindy (Tim) Ray of Jackson’s Gap, Al., Tommy (Debbie) Minor of Dadeville, Al; seven grandchildren: Jennie, Hilary, Bradley, Amanda, Jennifer, Stephanie, and Melissa; two brothers, two sisters and a host of great-grandchildren. Alabama Funeral Homes in Dadeville are handling the arrangements. alabamafuneralhomes.com

Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Brookwood Medical Center. He was born on July 10, 1950 in Tallapoosa County, Alabama to Lester Buford Ballard and Mavis Ballard. Mr. Ballard was a handyman, who could fix any and everything. He enjoyed hunting, golfing, motorcycles and was an Alabama fan. Mr. Ballard owned and operated skating rinks in Alexander City and Sylacauga for 28 years. He dearly loved all of the children who visited his skating rinks and kept up with them through the years. He is survived by his wife, Vicky B. Ballard of Alexander City; son, Ben

L. Ballard (Amber) of Gardendale; grandchildren, Bailee Ballard, Ben Ballard; brothers, Randy Ballard (Barbara), Lester Ballard (JoAnn); sisters, Wynona Taylor (Saron), Wynema Barber and several nieces and nephews of which he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome. com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

AREA SCHOOLS WHITEBOARD ALEXANDER CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL

• There is a book fair today through Tuesday Nov. 22 at Alexander City Middle School. Book Fair Family Day is set for today at 7:40 a.m.

WHATLEY MONUMENT

• Jim Pearson will honor its Star Students with a breakfast today. The event is for students and staff only. Congratulations to these hard-working students.

Better Service A Family Tradition

• The Benjamin Russell High School Christmas Band Concert will be Thursday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m.

JIM PEARSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Company

•Dadeville Record

you are asked to give them a free ride, you have every right to just say “non.”

media? Should I just stop trying to date altogether? I am so frustrated and tired of getting hurt. -- WOUNDED IN MINNESOTA DEAR WOUNDED: Putting ourselves out there is risky. There can be many disappointments before a person finds the right match. (Men also become frustrated and gun shy.) Your luck might improve if you become serious less quickly and let relationships evolve without looking for commitment or signs of betrayal. If a man acts responsibly, does what he says he will and treats you with respect, give him the benefit of the doubt and the chances are your luck may change. If you’re unable to do this, some sessions with a licensed professional counselor may help.

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•Alexander City Outlook

Advice

Leo Batten, Jr. 1945 - 2016

Attorney at Law

135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL

DEAR ABBY

friend to sleep over, and the parents sent both boys. How do I let them know that sometimes just the older brother is welcome without hurting their feelings? -- NOT WANTING TO OFFEND DEAR NOT WANTING: Hurting their feelings? The parents are using your invitations to the older boy as a baby-sitting opportunity for the younger one. I don’t think it would be rude to tell them you can handle only one child at a time, and to please refrain from sending the little brother to your home unless he is specifically invited.

Obituaries

SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON

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Friday, November 18, 2016

The Outlook

1049 Hillabee Street Alexander City, AL C.M. “Mike” Whatley, Owner

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ALEXANDER CITY SCHOOLS

• Schools will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend beginning on Wednesday Nov. 23 and will reopen on Monday Nov. 28. • Progress reports for students in Alexander City Schools went out yesterday.

BRHS BAND

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY SCHOOLS

• The annual meeting of the Tallapoosa County Board of Education is scheduled for Tuesday Nov. 22 at 5 p.m. at the school board offices in Dadeville. The public is invited to attend. • Schools will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend beginning on Wednesday Nov. 23 and will reopen on Monday Nov. 28.

**The area schools whiteboard is a new feature in the Alexander CIty Outlook. School personnel: Please email your school calendar events to editor@alexcityoutlook.com to have them featured here each day.

Public Meetings n Alexander City Board of Education meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the board office at 375 Lee St. or local school at 5 p.m. n Alexander City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in the courtroom at the old city hall at 5:30 p.m. n Camp Hill Town Council meets the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6 p.m. n Coosa County Board of Education holds called meetings at least once a month. n Coosa County Commission meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the Coosa County Courthouse in Rockford at 9:30 a.m. on the

second Tuesday and at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday. n Coosa County Industrial Development Board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room in the courthouse in Rockford. n Dadeville City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. in city hall. n Daviston City Council meets the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Daviston Fire Department. n Goldville Town Council meets the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the town hall. n Goodwater City Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held upstairs in the courthouse at 6:30 p.m.

n Jackson’s Gap Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6:30 p.m.

ond Monday of each month. Meetings are held in the new central office at 679 East Columbus Street, Dadeville, AL 36853.

n Kellyton Town Council meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the community center in Kellyton.

n Tallapoosa County Commission meets the second Monday of the month at 9 a.m. in the courthouse in Dadeville, with a pre-meeting also open to the public 30 minutes before each regular session.

n New Site City Council meets the first and third Monday of the month at 5 p.m. in the Conference Room in the Town Hall. n Ray Water Authority meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Ray Water Authority Office. All customers are invited to attend. n Rockford Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 7 p.m. n Tallapoosa County Board of Education meets on the sec-

n Tallapoosa County 911 Board will meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the 911 Administrative office at 240 West Columbus Street, Dadeville. Call 825-8490 for more information. n Walnut Hill Water Authority meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited. Call 825-9841 to inquire about the agenda.

Friday, November 18, 2016

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

Page 3

Mulch drought-stricken plants to conserve moisture

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Coosa Valley Resource Conversation and Development Council’s Terry Martin, above, talks about the grants the organization has provided in the last year. Left, Emily Nichols talks about how River Kids is starting to take hold across the state. Below, officials with the Alabama Scenic River Trail, Mark Tuggle, the Alabama Extenstion Service and the Coosa Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council pose for a photograph with the kayaks, trailer and paddles that were purchased with the grant money.

With so many leaves and pine needles falling from trees this time of year, homeowners will soon be cleaning up the yard and discarding all the fallen debris. The most common practice throughout the years has been to rake up leaves into a pile and burn them. Some homeowners will just haul them off and dump them somewhere in the woods. Urbanized homeowners will take it a step further and SHANE bag them up and place HARRIS them by the curb to be Columnist picked up by garbage trucks. While these three practices may seem quite logical, they are in fact the absolute worse ways of discarding valuable organic matter. Instead, why not keep it and use it to one’s advantage. Let’s start with why trees shed their leaves and needles. Each fall, they shed their leaves and needles and cover the ground, naturally applying a layer of mulch around themselves. This leftover organic matter is slowly broken down into new and rich soil. Not only does this organic matter and new soil contain nutrients that the trees and other plants re-use, but it also protects and insulates plant roots, prevents soil erosion, buffers competition, and conserves moisture. So if all this natural organic matter is good for the soil and our plants, why do we want to get rid of it? Good question. In the fall, we rake up all this organic matter and burn it or throw it away. Yet come spring, we go buy bales and bags of mulch and compost to put back on and around our plants. Confused? So am I! Here is bright idea. Instead of buying pine straw bales for mulch, just rake up what is free and available in your yard and put it around your plants. Instead of raking up and discarding all the fallen leaves, just keep them under the trees or blow or rake them under other plants. It is best to mimic what nature is doing. More free mulch and its natural! Now that is logical and saves money too! With our area being in a severe drought this fall and likely continue into the winter, mulching plants becomes greatly important. Other than irrigating, I cannot think of another horticulture practice better to help combat drought. Many plants are already suffering so this will be critical to the survival of our plants. Mulching will help conserve moisture when we actually do get some rain and aid in root growth this winter. The bottom line is to leave all the fallen organic matter in the yard on the soil surface or put it to good and logical use in the form of mulch around plants. It only makes sense. Don’t burn it. Don’t cast it out with the garbage. Let it be or use it! Of course, your plants and your wallet will love it too.

Burglary

River

continued from page 1

River Kids is to teach safe access to the water. Ninesling is responsible for the grant application to RC&D. “I was lucky enough to run into the folks from the RC&D at the Harold Banks Canoe Trail opening,” Ninesling said. “I filled out a grant application for funding.” The grant from Coosa Valley RC&D for just over $5,000 has been used to purchase 15 kayaks, 15 paddles, floatation devices and a trailer. River Kids may be in its first year but it is not limited to just limited to Tallapoosa County. “We now have 24 pilot counties and 35 trained instructors,” Nichols said. “We have transformed it into something that is now reaching people. This is our first official season. We started in May and just wrapped up. We have reached over 800 youth so

far.” Nichols says the program is something locals can get involved in. “The program is being built at the local level,” Nichols explained. It is being built at the grassroots level with the help of government, corporations, private businesses and individuals in partnership. It has been a great success so far.” Coosa Valley RC&D’s Terry Martin credits others with programs ability to hand out grants. “We would not be able to do these grants were it not for our representatives like Mark Tuggle,” Martin said. “He really pushes for us to get these grants. What they do is protect and enhance our natural and human resources.” Alabama Scenic River Trail Founder and President Frank Couch is very appreciative of the RC&D grants.

“RC&D has been very supportive of us over our 10 years,” Couch said. “When we first started, we had a $12,000 bill for guide books. They came through for us and have helped us with other projects since. I can’t say enough thank yous.” In the last year, other grants from the Coosa Valley RC&D have been used in Tallapoosa County to print the Harold Banks Canoe Trail brochure, to help with a garden for the special education program at Benjamin Russell High School, the 4-H kayak +

program last summer, a radio project for county firefighters and honey bee education to name a few. The grant total for eight projects totaled over $42,000 from RC&D but was parlayed into a project total value of over $133,000. Martin hopes others will come to RC&D with their ideas. “We are always looking how to help others,” Martin said. “Almost anything conservation or humanities wise quickly rises to the top.”

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something additional very soon.” The restaurant opened as usual Thursday and by early afternoon, the damaged door had been repaired. Alexander City Police Chief Willie Robinson said that adder patrols have been added around area business and that they are working to compare the most recent incidents to see if any of them could be related. Thursday morning’s burglary was the 11th similar incident in Alexander City this year. On Oct. 26, Lynn’s Quick Stop on Jefferson was hit in a similar manner, just as it had been on May 10. Store owner Lynn Patterson offered a $2,000 reward after the May breakin for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for the theft and the damage they caused in the process. Two other businesses were also victimized by smash and grab burglars in

continued from page 1

October on Tuesday Oct. 18. Alex City In and Out on Dadeville Road and Five Point Annex on Jefferson Street were both hit by burglars some time after they closed for business on Oct. 17.

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editor@alexcityoutlook.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 4

Outlook The

Friday, November 18, 2016

Schedule God into your holidays Help the United T Way reach its goal Opinion

Our View

or some people, setting goals is a way of putting a dream on paper. For the Lake Martin Area United Way, the fundraising goal of $535,000 is much more than that. It is in reality, a budget. The Outlook reported last week that the local United Way is at 55 percent of its 2016-17 annual campaign goal. That means that about $300,000 has been raised to date and the group is very close to reaching an amount that will allow it to fund the 27 local agencies that would be unable to operate without the group’s help. So many people in Alexander City have made giving to United Way a part of their annual routine. Through a series of presentations made by the United Way to employees, many businesses have stepped up to offer a variety of ways for employees to give. In many cases, it is as simple as a payroll deduction that you never really miss. For those who haven’t given this year, the United Way has a favor to ask. “We’re not quite to our goal, so we want to ask those who haven’t given or haven’t been asked to give to think about giving,” said Sharon Fuller, executive director of the Lake Martin Area United Way. “By giving to the United Way, they have a chance to touch some 25,000 lives in our community with a single donation. That’s how many people are helped by our United Way and its agencies each year. Every one of our agencies fulfills a need in the community. Fuller is right. Our community has a big, big heart. So help the United Way reach its goal by giving if you can. You never know how much your donation may mean to someone in need. If you’d like to make a donation, you may do so online at unitedwaylakemartin.org (click the “Give” button) or call Lake Martin Area United Way at 256-329-3600.

hanksgiving is here! My wife has turkeys, pumpkins and other assorted decorations sitting around everywhere. Plus she wants me to start getting the Christmas stuff out of the attic. I do believe while I’m saying the Pledge of Allegiance on the Fourth of July that woman is thinking about how I ought to start on the Christmas boxes. Of course, I love Thanksgiving and all the good food, fellowship and family it represents. Even as I was lying on the couch Sunday afternoon I heard her talking to our sweet little daughter-in-law about Thanksgiving. She said something about that big, old fat stuffed turkey that looks like it is just ready to pop it is so big. It was then I realized she was looking at me and referring to how much I ate for lunch. Being as sensitive as I am I told her right quick that her analogy didn’t work because some people had ham for Thanksgiving. I should have just kept my mouth shut, hunkered down deeper into the couch and gone on to sleep. She immediately replied that in my case either one was appropriate because she had watched me in the pulpit for 54 years, and ham was definitely applicable. I’m just glad the conversation didn’t get

DR. GERALD HALLMARK Guest Columnist

around to corn, or she would have started in on my jokes. Or, heaven forbid, what if I had mentioned potatoes? Then she would have gotten off on couch potatoes and my first place title in the heavy weight division! So, in the wisdom that husbands have learned through experience, I just shut my mouth and lay there and pouted. After the conversation on the phone my darling soul mate got a pen and paper and started making a list of all the things I needed to get done after Thanksgiving was over. I was glad I was lying down because it made me tired just listening to all the things she was planning. Short of rebuilding the motor in the car I don’t think she left a thing off the list. Right now I’m contemplating hiring a half dozen guys to work a few weeks, plus overtime, just to get the first part of the list done. After she wears them down I’ll look for some more men, that is, if word hasn’t gotten around and all the day labors are afraid to show up. The Hebrews could make bricks without straw for

John McKelvey represents District 3, which includes Jackson’s Gap, Hackneyville, New Site and Daviston. His phone number is 256-794-4405. His address is 1285 Freeman Road, Dadeville.

John McKelvey

Emma Jean Thweatt represents District 4, which includes Dadeville, Pace’s Point, northern Camp Hill, Buttston, Dudleyville and part of Eagle Creek. Her cell number is 256-3078162 and her evening phone number is 256825-4207. Her address Emma Jean Thweatt is 585 Brookwood Circle, Dadeville. George Carleton Jr. represents District 5, which includes southern Camp Hill, Red Ridge, Walnut Hill, Union and Pleasant Ridge. His address is 630 Turner Road Road, Dadeville.

George Carleton Jr.

“Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.” – William James

Thursday Question: Do you think Alexander City can be great again?

Dr. Gerald Hallmark is a retired minister that lives in Alexander City. His column appears here each Friday.

To participate in this daily poll, log on each day to www.alexcityoutlook.com and vote. Find out the vote totals in the next edition of The Outlook and see if your vote swayed the results.

Today’s

Scripture

“Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded!” – Zechariah 11:17

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Our

Mission

The Outlook strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

How to

Officials

Steve Robinson represents District 2, which includes the southern part of Alexander City, the Cedar Creek area, Ourtown and Willow Point. His phone number is 256-654-0047. His Steve Robinson address is 1225 Warren Circle, Alexander City.

Quote

the Egyptians easier than pleasing that woman. Doesn’t it feel like one holiday slides into another without any let up? As we come into the Christmas season let me encourage you to start thinking of “holy days” and not just holidays. If we approach these days with stress and worry we will get very little out of them. Now is the time to prioritize your schedule so that you will have time for family, friends, fellowship, and above all, faith. There is a lot to be done between now and Christmas so let’s do these things with a spirit of the season and enjoy each other. These “holy days” can be the best you have ever had if you let them. So, start this Sunday in church with a service of thanksgiving for all that God has given to you. Well, I’ve started digging through the mess in the attic and would you believe that my precious wife wants me to set the Valentine and Easter stuff over to one side so she can get to them. After all, the day after Christmas she will want to start setting some of her things out for the next holiday.

Know Your T.C. Coley represents District 1, including half of Coley Creek, the Andrew Jackson subdivision, the southern part of Indian Hill, North Central Avenue, part of Pearson’s Chapel Road, the Northside community and portion of Spring Hill T.C. Coley community. His phone number is 256-212-9316. His address is 2316 North Central Avenue, Kellyton.

Today’s

Letter to the Editor

Letter about Republicans was written in anger

Dear Editor, I would like to respond to the article written by Arlean Wyckoff in the Weekend Edition, November 12-13. What a sad and bitter letter. It was truly disturbing to me to read and a reflection of what is happening throughout our nation since the election. The people who did not see their candidate get elected are, seemingly, wanting our President-Elect to fail. Don’t you realize that if he fails our country fails? And if our country fails, then we are ALL on that same bus?! We should

all be praying diligently for this man as he leads that the Lord will give him wisdom and discernment in his decisions and that he will surround himself with a team of people that can help him make this country successful and ‘great again’. And the things Ms. Wyckoff said about Republicans are simply not true, but it is obvious that her letter was written in anger. The most disturbing thing to me is that she is claiming to know the mind of God. No one knows the mind of God and He works in mysterious

ways. He is the one who puts leaders in place and removes them (Daniel 2:21) and then he calls on us to be subject to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7). I hope she will please take time to read these passages and study this theme. We all need to seek peace and pursue it(Psalm 34:14). No good comes from wishing people evil. I truly pray that she will be able to overcome her anger and be at peace in her soul. Fran Tyler Alexander City

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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Opinion?

We’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with the greater Lake Martin community. It’s free and it only takes a few moments of your time. We have two ways to get your opinion in print: letters to the editor and guest columns. The main difference is length. Letters to the editor are up to 250 words, while guest columns can be up to 500 words. Letters and columns may be sent to P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011, faxed to (256) 2346550 or e-mailed to editor@alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send us your thoughts today!

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Friday, November 18, 2016

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Today is

November 18, 2016 Today’s Event

CHARITY BALL: The Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Denim and

Diamonds Charity Ball a the Lake Martin Event Center at The Rodeo Club Friday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. There will be a steak dinner and silent auction. Tickets are available by calling the Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce at 256-8254019, the Lake Martin Area United Way at 256-329-3600 or the Lake Martin Event Center at 256-825-

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The Outlook

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Today’s Birthdays

Dianna Hodnett Wood, Darcy D. Hicks, Debra Barker, Dolores Ogletree, Jared Ogletree, Melissa Hawes, Sharonta Johnson, Stephanie Russell and Michael Jones are celebrating birthdays today.

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

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The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow

The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for Weekend Shifts in Direct Care. Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Brinda Bell (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 Email: bbell@learning-tree.org

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Larry Jennings leads a choir at last Sunday’s Holiday Open House in downtown Alexander City.

Now - December 17

FOOD FOR FINES: The Adelia M. Russell Library and Mamie’s Place Children’s Library is accepting nonperishable food items in lieu of library fines.

Now - December 2

ACMS FUNDRAISER: The Alexander City Middle School is having a linen fundraiser through Dec. 2. For sale will be Egyptian cotton twin, full, queen and king sheet sets for $35. See any student, parent or teacher at ACMS. Proceeds benefit ACMS. PEANUT FUNDRAISER: The Alex City Kiwanis is holding a peanut fundraiser. 2.5 pound bags of raw shelled peanuts can be purchased for $5 from Kiwanis members or at River Bank and Trust, Jay Hare CPA, Anytime Fitness, Tapley Appliance, Sixth Street Baptist Church, Caldwell Electronics, Alex City Board of Education and Cloud Nine.

Now - Nov. 20

CHURCH REVIVAL: Family Worship Center will host a revival through Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. each night and at 10 a.m. Nov. 20. Speaking will be Pastor Mark Deason and Evangelist Philp Gipson. Pastor of Family Worship Center is Tony Harris.

November 18

CHARITY BALL: The Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Denim and Diamonds Charity Ball a the Lake Martin Event Center at The Rodeo Club Friday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. There will be a steak dinner and silent auction. Tickets are available by calling the Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce at 256-825-4019, the Lake Martin Area United Way at 256-3293600 or the Lake Martin Event Center at 256-825-7503.

November 19

COMMUNITY PRAYER: The Darian Missionary Baptist Church family and prayer teams are offering prayer to the community the third Saturday of each month through December from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot on the corner of Laurel and E Streets across from Stephens Elementary School. TRADE DAY: The Bibb Graves School Alumni and Friends are having a trade day Nov. 19 from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. TURKEY SHOOT: The Red Hill Community Club is hosting a turkey shoot Nov. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Red Hill Community Center. Cost is $5 per shot with all proceeds go to the Red Hill Community Roof Fund. PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The New Site Volunteer Fire and Ambulance will be having a pancake breakfast Saturday, Nov. 19 from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the New Site Town Hall. BIKE AND CAR SHOW: The Central Alabama Buffalo Soldiers are hosting a bike and car show Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Old Goodwater School Parking Lot. Registration is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and the fee is $20 and includes a meal. There will also be a charity bike ride with proceeds going to Bishop Eddie “Easy” Edwards. Riders are $15 and passengers are $5. Kickstands are up at 10 a.m. for the 30 mile ride. There will be a bounce house for kids, bike rodeo, door prizes, 50/50 raffle tickets, concessions. You can also pre-order Boston Butts for $25. For more information contact Annie Zeigler at 256-749-5891 or Alfred Ellington at 256-749-0071. YARD SALE: The Passion Church

on Highway 63 North is having a yard sale Nov. 19 starting at 6 a.m. and ending at noon. BASEBALL CAMP: The East Central Future Stars Baseball Camp will be held this weekend in Alexander City. The camp for boys ages 7-12 is slated for Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex. Registration, which costs $30 per participant, begins at 8 a.m., with the camp following from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Led by Matthew Keel, Raheem Ruffin and Cedric Buckner, the event will focus on throwing, hitting, infield and outfield drills, base running and bunting. Participants should provide their own baseball pants hat, glove and cleats. For more information or to register early, call Ruffin at 256-794-9193 or Buckner at 302-0263.

November 20

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: New Adka Missionary Baptist Church will observe its 144th anniversary Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. Guest minister will be Rev. Anthony Pogue of Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church of Opelika. Pastor of New Adka is Edward Milner. PASTOR APPRECIATION: GAP Fellowship Church will celebrate the 17th Appreciation of Pastor Lewis and Marilyn Benson Sunday, Nov. 20 2:30 p.m. At the 11 a.m. service Minister Jessie White, GAP Fellowship Associate Minister will speak. at the 2:30 p.m. Pastor Larry D. Shealey of Darian Baptist Church will speak.

November 27

HARVEST RALLY: The Word Bible Church is holding a Harvest Rally Nov. 27 at 3 p.m. Pastor is Apostle Wayne and First Lady Min Brenda Davis. Guest speaker will be Pastor Demetrius Griffin of Hatchett Spring Baptist Church. CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Church is hosting its Centennial Anniversary Nov. 27 at 2:30 p.m. to celebrate 100 years and family and friends day. Guest minister will be Rev. McClinton Hall of Loving Peace Missionary Baptist Church in Wetumpka. Pastor of Ridge Grove is Rev. Leroy Smith. BENEFIT: Mt. Lovely Baptist Church in Camp Hill is hosting a benefit for Marilyn Woodyard Finley Sunday, Nov. 27 at 3 p.m. Rev. Bernard Harris is pastor.

November 28

MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION: The next meeting of the Alexander City Ministerial Association will be Monday, Nov. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the new building of GAP Fellowship Church at 721 Robinson Court. The guest speaker Riley Foshee, an Alexander City Police officer, will give information about church security. Also, the election of officers for 2017 will be conducted. There will be time for sharing news and concerns and for intercessory prayer. All Christian ministers are invited. For more information, contact Bill Middlebrooks at 256-234-3371.

November 29

To help develop a plan comparison, Medicare recipients will need to bring their Medicare card,along with a complete list of medications they are taking and the dosages. Volunteers will guide them through the selection process and help them get information on the cost of each plan. People interested in getting a plan comparison will be assisted on a first come, first served basis. Each counseling sessions will last about 40 minutes. There may be a wait time. Contact East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission at (800) 243-5463 ext. 150 with questions.

November 30

BOOK SIGNING : The Adelia M. Russell Library is hosting Linda Carter for a book signing of her book “What I Need to Succeed,” Nov. 30 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

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December 1

THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY: Faith Christian Academy will present the musical “The Little Drummer Boy” Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. at Faith Temple. The musical features Reid Daughtry, Kylee Stark, John Patrick Stark the 82 voice choir, FCA cheerleaders, dance troupe and the second grade handbell choir. Silent Night will be sung in Russian, Spanish,Korean and English. There is no charge

December 3

TRASH WALK: The monthly PATH Trash walk will resume Saturday, Dec. 3 It will start at the Elkahatchee Bridge on Highway 63 at 8:30 a.m. where assignment and supplies will be issued. For more information contact John Thompson at 334-399-3289.

December 4

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Mt. Zion East Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating its 151st Church Anniversary Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. Guest minister will be Rev. M. A. Moss of Reeltown Baptist Church. Rev. Jimmy Thomas is pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

The FANS HEAR You!

December 6

DRUG PLAN ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE: Tallapoosa County and The East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission’s Area Agency on Aging will host a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan enrollment assistance event on Tuesday, Oct. 18, Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Nov. 8, Nov. 15, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sportplex Cabin. To help develop a plan comparison, Medicare recipients will need to bring their Medicare card,along with a complete list of medications they are taking and the dosages. Volunteers will guide them through the selection process and help them get information on the cost of each plan. People interested in getting a plan comparison will be assisted on a first come, first served basis. Each counseling sessions will last about 40 minutes. There may be a wait time. Contact East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission at (800) 243-5463 ext. 150 with questions.

December 17

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Friday, November 18, 2016

The Outlook

Stillwaters owner updates Kiwanians on progress By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

Dadeville Kiwanis members got an inside look at the latest developments made at Stillwaters Golf Course and a sneak peek at what was to come. But the highlight of Thursday’s gathering was Stillwater’s burgeoning restaurant – Copper’s Grill. The members listened attentively to Stillwaters owner Keith Hiett as he talked about the ins and outs of renovating and running a golf course. And they seemed fully engaged in their conversations with managing partner of Copper’s Grill Don Arthur. Arthur gave them, along with Dadeville High School Key Club members, an insider’s look at the rapidly revolving world of restaurant management. He talked about all of the changes made in the restaurant’s first year and announced some big changes to come. Kiwanian John Durr introduced Hiett and Arthur to the room. Durr talked about his time meeting with Hiett before he purchased Stillwaters and how he had strongly encouraged the move due to the near state of disrepair the course had fallen into. Hiett purchased the course last year after living in the Stillwaters community for about three years and owned a golf-course maintenance company. “These two guys in my opinion are responsible for a revival that is going on in Stillwaters,” said Durr, before asking Hiett to the podium. He talked about the changes underway at the course, and the number of changes that had been made so far. In just a little over a year he said could not believe the increase in interest in the course. “Everybody told me if this thing was open we’d play golf or come eat at the restaurant,

Corey Arwood / The Outlook

Stillwaters Golf Course owner Keith Hiett and managing partner of Copper’s Grill Don Arthur were guest speakers of the Kiwanis Club at Dadeville’s First Presbyterian Church Thursday.

it’s sure enough happened,” said Hiett. Hiett said there were two sides to Stillwaters – the golf and the restaurant – and he went over a brief history of the course’s own brief history. He talked about hiring the course’s PGA professional Rob Witherington, and how he was introduced to Arthur before fielding questions from the members. He answered questions about how drought conditions were affecting the greens, and what was going on in the golf industry. Hiett said golf had changed drastically since the 1980s and said a lot of courses ran into problems primarily because of the sheer cost of maintenance

and a trend in building courses only to sell the land around them at a premium. “I’ve done this my whole life, I can take something that’s run down and bring it back for less money than it cost other people to do it,” Hiett said. They were tricks of the trade he attributed to a family history in the business. “Golf is expensive, it’s very expensive” Hiett said. And he congratulated Witherington, who he said was responsible for raising their membership to nearly 300 from 0. Hiett then turned over the podium to Arthur, who he called the “Restaurant Guru.” Arthur introduced himself and his unusual entrance into

the foodservice industry and restaurants. He said his background was in aviation. At 19 he said he was an air traffic controller with the Navy set to enter a Federal Aviation Administration career had it not been for then president Bill Clinton reassigning the air controllers laid off under the Reagan administration. “I thrive on stress,” Arthur said comparing the restaurant business to the control tower. He launched into the changes and renovations made at Copper’s Grill and gave a tentative schedule of things to come, like more outdoor seating and a permanent space for a band. He said they had recently replaced the carpeting with

Fire

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Above, Alexander City Fire Department Chief Kem Jones talks with the driver for a propane company who was set to deliver gas to the residence at 69 Knight Road Thursday morning. The order had been placed the day before and the driver arrived to find the home destroyed by fire. Right, Jones, Assistant Chief Gary Poe and Fire Marshal Craig Clark look through the burned out shell of the residence for indicators of why the fire may have started. Preliminary indicators are that the origin of the deadly fire was electrical.

hardwood flooring. Arthur assured Kiwanians their beloved gumbo would remain on the menu, but said some soup changes were coming by way of clam chowder and chicken tortilla soup. Also he said they recently began a buffet night and wanted to expand it into pastas and seafood. Arthur also made a big announcement of their plans to build a wedding pavilion to hold up to 200 people for large events. He did not disclose its location, but said it was on Stillwaters property. Arthur said he had turned down about 15 wedding requests since January.

continued from page 1

have led him to safety. The Alexander City Fire Department was alerted to the blaze shortly after midnight Thursday by a neighbor who spotted the fire. When they arrived, the trailer with wooden porches on the front and back was fully engulfed in flames. Once firefighters were able to get enough water on the structure to get inside, they found Yarbrough dead on the floor, about five feet from the door. “It was fully involved when our folks got here,” said Alexander City Fire Chief Kem Jones. “In a small contained space like this trailer was, they hold heat and flames in and by the time people see the flames on the outside, they are already gone from the inside out. “No matter how long you are around it, a fire like this is hard to handle. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victim’s family and loved ones.” Alexander City Fire Marshal Capt. Craig Clark said it appears to have been an accidental fire as the result of faulty wiring in the aging mobile home. “As we looked through the evidence found in the home we found evidence of several wires that appeared to have shorted out all in that same area where the fire began,” Clark said. There were space heaters in the back portion of the trailer, but not near where the fire started. Clark didn’t want to speculate on what may have overload the electrical circuit. “It’s hard to say exactly what may have caused the short,” Clark said. “In an older trailer like that you never know.” To speak to the intensity of the heat from the fire, aluminum cans in an open shed 15 feet from the mobile home sat amid the rubble, the bag that was holding them was gone and the cans were melted together. A metal saucepan and a galvanized bucket that were on the porch on the front of the structure were warped and cracked from the flames. A recliner inside the home was reduced to springs and all that was left of the bedding were a few metal coils that were warped from the heat and rusted due the water used to extinguish the fire. While investigators were on the scene, a propane truck came to refill the tank that provided fuel for heating and cooking. The driver said that Yarbrough had placed an order Wednesday afternoon. It was the second house fire worked by the Alexander City Fire Department is as many days. Firefighters were called to a fire at 1063 North Central early Wednesday morning. Clark said there was no electricity turned on at the home, but it was occupied. “That fire is still under investigation at this time,” Clark said. No serious injuries were reported in that fire and Det. Riley Foshee of the Alexander City Police Department said they are interviewing the people who were at the home and others to try to get to the root of the fire. “It’s still in the interview stage at this point,” Foshee said.

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A LITTLE FALL FUN Jim Pearson Elementary School hosted a fall festival to benefit the school’s academic

The Outlook

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From cake walks to Plinko played by 4-year old Xavier Hopper, above left, or face painting by volunteer Caroline Brown, above right on first-grader Emma Grace Brown, fun was had by all who took part in Jim Pearson’s Fall Festival.

Children even got to take part in classic games like sack races to ring toss like second-grader EliJah Settles, above, to racing a favorite teacher like Samantha Castillo against pre-K teacher April Yarbrough, left. Everyone even had the opportunity to enjoy Kona Ice and Firetruck Bar B Que.

Photos by Cliff Williams

CATHY HIGGINS SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228

sports@alexcityoutlook.com

Page 10

Friday, November 18, 2016

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Sports Calendar Friday, Nov. 18 • Central Coosa varsity basketball home game against Sylacauga, boys 4:30 p.m. girls 6 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 19 • Alexander City Middle wrestling team in Junior High Swede Umbach at Auburn High, time TBA. • Alexander City Middle girls/ boys basketball at Opelika, 12 p.m. • East Central Future Stars Baseball Camp for boys ages 7-12 is slated for Saturday at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex. Registration, which costs $30 per participant, begins at 8 a.m., with the camp following from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Led by Matthew Keel, Raheem Ruffin and Cedric Buckner, the event will focus on throwing, hitting, infield and outfield drills, base running and bunting. Participants should provide their own baseball pants hat, glove and cleats. For more information or to register early, call Ruffin at 256-794-9193 or Buckner at 256- 302-0263.

Monday, Nov. 21 • Benjamin Russell boys bowling vs Valley, 4 p.m., Auburn Lanes, Auburn. • Benjamin Russell basketball home game against Smith Station, JV girls 5 p.m., ninth grade boys 6 p.m. • Central Coosa Middle basketball boys/girls home game against Ecletic, 4:30 p.m. • Central Coosa varsity boys basketball at North Shelby Classic Tip Off at Chelsea, time TBA

Tuesday, Nov. 22 • Benjamin Russell basketball at Auburn, JV girls 5 p.m., ninth grade boys 6:15 p.m. • Horseshoe Bend junior high basketball at Dadeville, girls 4:30 p.m., boys 5:30 p.m. • Central Coosa varsity boys basketball at North Shelby Classic Tip Off at Chelsea, time TBA

Wednesday, Nov. 23 • Central Coosa varsity boys basketball at North Shelby Classic Tip Off at Chelsea, time TBA

Monday, Nov. 28 • Benjamin Russell basketball home game against Smith Station, JV boys 4:30 p.m., Varsity girls 5:30 p.m., varsity boys 7 p.m. • Horseshoe Bend basketball game at Ranburne, Varsity girls 5:30 p.m., varsity boys 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 29 • Alexander City Middle boys/girls basketball at Opelika, time TBA. • Benjamin Russell basketball game at Sylacauga, ninth grade boys 4 p.m., JV boys 4:30 p.m., varsity girls 6 p.m., varsity boys 7:30 p.m. • Central Coosa Middle basketball boys/girls game at Fayetteville, 5 p.m. • Dadeville varsity wrestling at Beulah Tri-Match, 5 p.m. • Dadeville varsity basketball home game against Beauregard, girls 5:30 p.m., boys 7 p.m. • Dadeville basketball middle at Southside-Tallasee, girls 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. • Horseshoe Bend varsity basketball home game against Fayetteville, girls 5 p.m., boys 6 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 1 • Central Coosa Middle basketball boys/girls game at B.B. Comer, 4:30 p.m. • Dadeville Middle girls basketball game at Horseshoe Bend, 4:30 p.m. • Dadeville varsity basketball home game against Holtville, girls 5:30 p.m., boys 7 p.m. • Horseshoe Bend girls basketball home game against Dadeville, junior high 4:30 p.m., varsity 5 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 2 •Horseshoe Bend basketball at B. B. Comer, JV boys, varsity boys, varsity girls 5 p.m., .

Saturday, Dec. 3 • Dadeville High Varsity Wrestling match at Tallasee, 9 a.m.

Monday, Dec. 5 • Dadeville High Varsity Wrestling match at Prattville Christian Academy, 5 p.m. • Horseshoe Bend varsity boys/ junior high girls/junior high boys/ varsity girls basketball at Woodland, 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 6 • Alexander City Middle girls basketball home game against Dadeville, 4:30 p.m. • Central Coosa Middle basketball boys/girls home game against Childersburg, 4:30 p.m. • Dadeville High Varsity Wrestling match at Beauregard in Beulah, 5 p.m.

Oakland A’s pitcher honored Benjamin Russell alumni named ‘Fansided’ Player of the Year By CATHY HIGGINS Sports Editor

Alexander City native Kendall Graveman has just been honored for his 2016 season of pitching with the Oakland Athletics. In its “Call of the Pen” column published Wednesday, online sports entertainment magazine “Fansided” named Graveman its Oakland Athletics 2016 Player of the Year. “It was an honor to be recognized and I plan to continue to work toward improving and helping my team have a better season,” Graveman, 25, said. “Fansided” selected Graveman after the right-handed starting pitcher went 10-11 over a rotation-high 31 starts, in his first full pitching season, allowed 196 hits over 186 innings with a 108/47 strikeouts to walks ratio and finished with a 4.11 ERA and 1.306 walks plus hits per innings pitched. “On Sept. 23, Graveman produced one of the few real highlights of the A’s season when he took a perfect game into the seventh inning at home against the Texas Rangers,” “Call of the Pen” author Matt Veasey reported. “That bid was broken up by a Carlos Gomez single. “Two huge factors in Graveman’s favor where that 16 of his 31 starts were quality starts, and that he led the team in wins above replacement with a 3.3 mark,” Veasey continued. “That was just ahead of Semien’s 3.0, and ahead of Davis’ 2.5 mark.” Despite Graveman’s standout season, the A’s didn’t fare as well. The American League West ball club finished 69-93, which was only one game better than in 2015. However, Graveman looks to help improve the team’s 2017 record, while striving to challenge his own potential. “I just want to continue to try to make every start,” he said. That means adding 14 more innings to the 186 Graveman pitched this year. Courtesy of Oakland Athletics “Two hundred innings, that’s the pinnacle,” the Benjamin Russell alumni said. Benjamin Russell alumni Kendall Graveman strides as he delivers to the plate during an Oakland It also means reducing the number of Athletics game this season. walks Graveman allows. Graveman’s professional career League debut with Toronto. “I didn’t have too many this season but began in the minors in 2013 when he In 2015 Graveman went 6-9 with a 4.05 I want to cut them down,” he said. was assigned to Single-A Lansing of ERA in 21 starts over two stints with the Now that Graveman is no longer a the Midwest League after signing with A’s before his season ended in late August rookie, he would also like to share the Toronto in July. There he went 1-3 with due to an oblique injury and was optioned benefits of his experience with newcom- a 4.31 ERA in 10 starts with the Lugnuts. to Nashville then returned to Oakland. ers to the team. In 2014 Graveman was named a Graveman’s additional honors include “There’s a time and place to be a leader Baseball America Minor League Baseball the 2014 Baseball America Minor League and I think it’s time now to be the mentor First Team All-Star after combining for All-Star Award, 2014 MiLB.com (Minor to that next generation coming into the a 14-6 record and a 1.83 ERA in 27 League Baseball) Organization All-Star team,” he said. starts with Single-A Lansing, Single-A Award, 2014 Baseball America High When he’s not playing in Oakland, Dunedin, Double-A New Hampshire and Class A All-Star Award, 4/21/14 Midwest Graveman and his wife Victoria make Triple-A Buffalo before making his Major Minor League Pitcher of the Week Award. their home in Birmingham.

BENJAMIN RUSSELL VARSITY BASKETBALL

Lady Wildcats start season with win over Jeff Davis

Ben Russell edged out by Volunteers

By CATHY HIGGINS Sports Editor

The Benjamin Russell Lady Wildcats roared into the season with a 48-39 win over 7A Jeff Davis in Thursday’s season opener at home. Leading the Lady Wildcats to their first victory was 5-foot, 8-inch tall sophomore LaHope Westbrooks, who earned 17 points for Benjamin Russell with a trio each of 2-point and 3-point scores, as well as two free throws. Head coach Latreisha Moon was proud of Westbrooks’ performance but pointed out that all but one 3-pointer were made in the second half. “She really stepped up in the second half and started playing like she should have been from the beginning,” she said. Helping to lead Benjamin Russell was fellow sophomore and 5-foot, 10-inch tall Jaaliyah Caldwell, who made five 2-pointers and one free throw. Moon was proud of what she saw on the court from all the Lady Wildcats Thursday night. “I think we got really good play Cliff Williams / The Outlook from our post,” she said. “They did everything they could do and they Benjamin Russell sophomore Jaaliyah Caldwell goes for a shot while trying to evade a block from Jeff Davis senior Khadijah Joseph Thursday. were fundamental with it.”

The Benjamin Russell Wildcats lost their season opener against 7A Jeff Davis at home Thursday by a score of 67-61. Despite the narrow loss, seniors Quentavious Reese and Shannon Woody led the Wildcats scoring. Reese earned 21 points for Benjamin Russell with four each of 3- and 2-pointers, along with one free throw. Woody followed close by racking up 18 points with four 3-pointers and a pair each of 2-pointers and free throws. But that was just six points shy of catching the Volunteers, who were led in scoring by senior Jalen Greene. He earned 16 points for Jeff Davis with two 3-pointers, three 2-pointers and four three throws. Still, Benjamin Russell head coach Jeff Hines is proud of what he saw from the Wildcats Thursday. “We played really hard, with intensity,” he said. “We didn’t make free throws and we turned the ball over quite a bit. We got killed on the board quite a bit but that’s what you learn in the first game, things you have to work on. These guys will go back to work and get these things ironed out. It’s a long season.”