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September 15, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 184 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
ACPD arrests Auburn robbery suspect By MITCH SNEED Editor
an Aug. 17 incident where he was allegedly armed with a handgun, pointed it at a woman outside a business on Opelika Alexander City Police Department Road and robbed her. Thomas is believed officers on patrol made a traffic stop that to have made off with an undisclosed led to the arrest of a man who allegedly amount of cash, credit cards and other robbed an Auburn woman at gunpoint. Jakobe Keshun Thomas, 19, was arrest- belongings, according to law enforcement reports. ed Wednesday during a traffic stop in Officials say that Thomas was not alone Alexander City. A check of his identificaat the time of the robbery and the search tion, showed Thomas had active warrants for a second suspect remains active. for armed robbery in Auburn. Thomas was transported to Lee County, Auburn Police Department investigawhere he was booked into the Lee County tors identified Thomas as a suspect in
Detention Center and is being held on a $100,000 bond, records show. This is not the first run-in with the law for Thomas. He was arrested back in December by Alexander City Police for his role in a burglary. He was charged with first-degree receiving stolen property. A grand jury indictment alleges Thomas was found with a stolen 2000 Honda fourwheeler in his possession. Records show Thomas was free on a $10,000 bond at the time of the Auburn robbery. Records show he was arraigned
on those charges on Monday. Thomas is also on the plea docket for Sept. 20 on his charges here in Tallapoosa County. In March, Thomas was arrested on three counts of failure to appear and Thomas was picked up again on Aug. 30 by Alexander City Police Department officers on yet another failure to appear charge.
Dadeville chamber prepares for first annual Fall Festival By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Andrya Chapman with Home Depot of Columbus tightens a nut as she works on the new deck of Dadeville resident Tracy Grantham. Grantham is a Veteran and the work is being done through the Home Depot Foundation.
Dadeville veteran gets new porch from Home Depot, United Way these large projects each year,” Team Depot Captain Pat Bull said. “We also do several smaller projects a year, such as building a ramp or things like that.” he Dadeville home of Tracy In order to do projects like this, vetGrantham, a retired member of the Army National Guard, was a erans come into Home Depot and apply for assistance. Someone from Team busy hive of activity Thursday, as associates from Home Depot Depot will go out and examine the project site to see if it is something they stores across the area, along with the manager from both the Alexander City can do. Should the project be deemed feasible, the store will apply for a grant and Auburn Home Depot built a new through the Home Depot Foundation, porch onto Grantham’s house on Old according to Bull. Miller’s Ferry Road. See VETERAN • Page 3 “We normally do about five or six of
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
T
Lake Watch’s Bronson moving on to next chapter in life
Today’s
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Donald Campbell / The Outlook
Veteran Tracy Grantham leans on his truck and watches as his new porch is being built.
Centered around the Courthouse Square, the Dadeville Chamber of Commerce will be holding its first Fall Festival Saturday, Sept. 23 and the event will have something in store for everyone. “We used to do Lakefest at Lake Martin in the summer, but we decided to change it to Fall Festival in the downtown area,” Dadeville Chamber of Commerce Executive Administrator Linda Andrews said. “We wanted to bring something to downtown Dadeville.” The event will feature inflatables and train rides for children, along with 35 food and arts and crafts vendors. The River Dan Band will be in attendance as well, providing live music to the event. A soap box derby, similar to the recently held Ducky Ward Derby has also been suggested as part of the festivities, though Andrews was not completely sure this was the case. Mix It Up Lake Martin has partnered with the Chamber of Commerce to make the Dadeville Fall Festival possible. The Ethan Club of Dadeville is also a partner in the event, holding a color run in the morning prior to the opening of the Fall Festival. With so much scheduled for the event, a few blocks in the area around the Courthouse Square will be blocked off, ensuring vendors and visitors have plenty of space to enjoy the first-ever Dadeville Fall Festival and all it has to offer. Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the immediate vicinity of the Tallapoosa County Courthouse on Sept. 23, the Fall Festival is free to attend. “So far, we’ve gotten a good response, people are looking forward to it,” Andrews said. “This is going to become an annual thing, and we would love to see it grow.”
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At some point in the coming months, Dick Bronson and his wife Mary Ann are leaving the community but not without having left their mark on the area. Most are familiar with Bronson’s efforts through Lake Watch of Lake Martin but the husband and wife have made other contributions to the area. For a decade, the Bronsons have been helping the gifted program at Radney Elementary School. As a result of the Bronsons efforts, there is now a pond and nature trail for students to learn many lessons on. Thursday was no different as Bronson was out with gifted teacher Laurie Barrett and her students on the Trillium Trail. “We are lucky to have this here,” Barrett said. “None of this would be here if it were
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Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Dick Bronson shows gifted students at Radney Elementary School his walking stick complete with See BRONSON • Page 7 beaver teeth marks Thursday on the trail.
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Hands-on approach to other women disturbs man’s wife
Saturday
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Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
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Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Tabby Edwards Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Gregg Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Advertising Sales, Ext. 231 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Rebecca Carlisle Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com
DEAR ABBY: My husband cannot be around a female without putting his hands on her shoulder or back. He “has” to touch. I’m not jealous, but embarrassed when I see women cringe and the expression on their faces sometimes. I keep hoping one of them will confront him about it. It’s getting worse the older he gets, especially with younger women. Do not suggest talking to him. He is never wrong and becomes livid when confronted. He reads your column, so please, Abby, give me some advice. -- TIRED OF BEING EMBARRASSED DEAR TIRED: I assume your husband does this only with unaccompanied young females, because if he did it with women who had an escort, their date or their husband would straighten him out. Because you can see the women are uncomfortable, talk
DEAR ABBY Advice
privately with them and suggest they speak up and tell him not to do it again. DEAR ABBY: My divorced son remarried a short time ago. His new wife seems to have no boundaries and no filters. If anything comes up that displeases her, she becomes verbally aggressive and in your face. (She has been fired numerous times because of it.) I have been on the receiving end several times, publicly. My son looks the other way, and if pressed, he supports her. How can I maintain a relationship with my son, whom I
love, and not expose myself to this woman’s abuse? (He no longer receives invitations to the family dinners his sister hosts, and my son’s adult children actively avoid her.) -BATTERED MOTHER-IN-LAW DEAR BATTERED: You do not have to tolerate being verbally abused. Because your son’s wife “has no filters,” try to see him separately -- perhaps for lunch dates -- if possible. If he is so much under her control that he refuses, you may have to accept that she has managed to isolate him from family. Tell him you love him, and your heart and your home are always open to him. Then point out that you are not the only family member who feels this way, but for the sake of your mental health, you can no longer tolerate her abuse. DEAR ABBY: During a recent cross-country tour of
Italy, I was asked my age by five different people in the group. My being polite -- and evasive -- didn’t deter them. Please inform your readers that some people find it offensive to be asked that question. -AGELESS IN ARKANSAS DEAR AGELESS: I agree that not everyone wants to discuss their age. Perhaps the questioners didn’t realize they were being rude. However, if you indicated that you didn’t want to answer and your fellow travelers persisted, you would have had every right to end the conversation by saying, “I don’t discuss my age. Period!” 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.
Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, printing press. Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011.
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How to Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by Submit e-mail at obits@alexcityoutlook.com by fax at (256) 234-6550. For more Obituaries orinformation, call (256) 234-4281.
File / The Outlook
After two recent drownings near the Tallassee boat ramp, officials have placed new signs to clearly convey the message to wear flotation devices while in the water.
Signs go up at Tallassee boat ramp
Obituaries Ronnie Tyrone Stowes Memorial service for Ronnie Tyrone Stowes 40 of Alexander City, AL; 10 a.m.; Saturday, September 16, 2017; Jehovah Jireh Ministry, Alexander City, AL. There will be no public viewing. Final Arrangements Entrusted to Armour’s Memorial Funeral Home.
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of the council. Following the passage of the ordinance, most Tallassee residents After two recent were happy to see the drownings near the city’s new rules and regulaboat ramp on Highway tion going into place. 229, officials have placed While others expressed new signs that clearly grievance with the order. convey the message to Either way, all must comutilize a personal flotaply or face conditions. tion device to anyone “I know some people who may visit the area. are for this and some The Tallassee City are against it,” said Council recently passed Tallassee Mayor Johnny an ordinance that would Hammock. “Just know fine anyone found to be that the City Council in the Tallapoosa River tries to make the best without a personal floadecisions it can and we tation device $250 and know it will not always could carry possible jail make everyone happy.” time. Following the pasThis ordinance comes sage of the ordinance, just over a week after an city attorney John Smith 18-month-old, Preston explained the need for Williams, lost his life new signage explainwhen rapidly rising ing the circumstances of waters swept the child disregarding the newly from the arms of an adult passed law to members who was making their
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
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way across the river. Prior to last month’s tragedy on the Tallapoosa, 31-year-old Charles Stewart lost his life when rapidly rising waters capsized the kayak he was in. While the Tallapoosa River can be deadly on any given day, water levels below Thurlow Dam can quickly fluctuate when the dam’s turbines release thousands of gallons of water downstream as the hydroelectric plant generates power. Alabama Power does sound an alarm before releasing water downstream. However, the sound from that alarm can only be heard near the dam, causing the rapid rise in water farther downstream to be deadly. The City of Tallassee
along with Tallassee police hope this new ordinance will curb the danger that comes from the turbulent waters of the Tallapoosa River and save lives in the process. After the council voted to pass the ordinance, councilman Darrell Wilson said if this measure does not encourage river-goers to utilize floatation devices and cut down on the number of accidents and loss of life in this area of the river, then the city should look at closing the ramps to the public. “We would like to work with the public to keep it open and available, but the public has to help us. If they are not responsible enough, then other action will have to be taken.” Wilson said.
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Veteran
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In order to receive grants to complete projects like Grantham’s new porch, the store must have a non-profit partner. For the Alexander City Home Depot, they have been in a partnership with the Lake Martin Area United Way for the past several years. “We help write the grants to apply for these funds,” United Way Executive Director Sharon Fuller said. “Once the project is approved, we offer all the support we can.” Sometimes, this means the United Way members will be rolling up their sleeves and working right alongside the Home Depot associates, but Fuller and her team could be found early Thursday afternoon serving the Team Depot crew lunch, giving the nine orange-shirted workers a well-deserved break of Little Caesars pizza. Fuller added she had met Grantham through the Loaves and Fishes ministry, seeing how much the veteran believed in giving back to his community. “Without the United Way being our non-profit partner, we would not be able to do these projects,” Bull said. “It means the world, doing things like this. It really gets to you when you can do something to help like this.” Grantham watched the team as they cut wooden boards before fitting and nailing them into place, slowly turning the frame into a brand new, sturdy wooden porch for he and his family. “It feels wonderful,” Grantham said. “It shows people really care about the community and the people in it.” Grantham said he had initially gone to Home Depot to apply for getting part of his roof repaired, but that an examination of his house by Bull led to Team Depot looking at building him a new porch, as the old one had begun to weaken and fall. “I feel overjoyed. There was a really big turnout for this. Some of them have been here since I think around 8 this morning,” Grantham said. Fuller wanted to express thanks to Little Caesars for supplying the Team Depot crew with lunch Thursday, as well as the Dadeville Jack’s for agreeing to furnish lunch for the workers on Friday. When the Home Depot associates finish their work Friday afternoon, Grantham and his family will have a brand new front door and well-built porch gracing their Dadeville home, making the many hours the members of Team Depot and the Lake Martin Area United Way spent volunteering on this project well worth it. “For them to give their own time for this, it really makes it wonderful,” Grantham said.
Donald Campbell / The Outlook
Members of Team Depot and the Lake Martin Area United Way pose with Tracy Grantham in front of the new porch being constructed at Grantham’s home.
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Middle: Volunteers with the Home Depot Foundation install a new deck at the Dadeville Home Tracy Grantham Thursday. Above left, Justin Kennamore works on the new deck for Grantham. Above right, Samantha Lewis with Home Depot of Alexander City taps a bolt through wood as the team works on the new deck.
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Opinion
Our View
I
Know Your
Officials Communication with elected officials is the key to good government. To let your most local representatives know how you feel about state or local matters, contact any of the following. Governor Kay Ivey represents the state of Alabama and its 67 counties. She was sworn into office on April 10, 2017, and can be reached at 334-2427100. Her office is located at the State Kay Ivey Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama. Steve Marshall was appointed Alabama’s 50th Attorney General. He was appointed in 2017 and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement officer. He can be reached at 334-242-7300, and his office is located Steve Marshall at 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery. Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256392-2006 or by email at tughd81@ gmail.com. His office is located at 110 Calhoun Street, Suite 108, Alexander City.
Mark Tuggle
Tom Whatley represents the 27th District covering Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa County. He was elected to the Alabama Senate on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334-242-t7865. Tom Whatley His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.
The
Friday, September 15, 2017
Salvation never needs exchanging
For a change, budgets H produce good news t’s budget time for government entities in Alabama and we are seeing local councils, boards and agencies having hearings and taking votes to have balanced budgets in place before Oct. 1. We received word that the Tallapoosa County Commissioners will consider a budget at their rescheduled meeting on Sept. 28. New Site is poised to approve a budget and Alexander City could vote Monday to continue on its existing budget until its new one could be ready and approved in early October. The Tallapoosa County Board of Education approved a budget Wednesday evening and for the first time in recent memory, folks weren’t sitting with fingers crossed and breath held for potential cuts due to shortfalls. Tommy Thweatt, the Chief Schools Financial Officer for Tallapoosa County Schools, presented the budget in the second budget hearing. In his presentation, the projected revenue for the school system was $29,183,689.65, with more than half of these projected dollars coming from the state, and a large portion of the remaining revenue stream coming from its portion of the county’s property tax and the one-cent sales tax. Under the approved budget, the projected expenditures would total $27,273,775.64, leaving the system approximately $2 million in surplus. “I absolutely feel good about the budget. With this budget, we can do the operational things we want to do,” Superintendent Joe Windle said after the meeting. “As a system, we’re in the best shape we’ve been in financially since 2004.” Now some of the good news comes because of a relatively new sales tax that has helped the system rebuild its reserves and get some long-awaited needs taken care of in the way of big projects. We are not a big fan of taxes, but it would be hard to argue with upgrading facilities and technology to help with the education of our children. No longer are buckets assigned to teachers in Dadeville on rainy days so they can catch dripping rainwater. We hope that the good budgetary news continues as more and more units pass their budgets. It’s good to see red ink replaced with breathing room when the final figures are passed.
Outlook
ave I ever mentioned to you that I hate to take things back to a store, or worse, exchange them? Well, wouldn’t you know it, a few days ago I was going to Birmingham and my wife informed me I needed to exchange a dress she had recently purchased. Just short of a root canal without having it deadened, this kind of project ranks near the top of my don’t-want-to-do list. I know in my heart that everyone does this, but I just hate to fool with this sort of thing. However, because I am such a sweet, dutiful husband I immediately agreed to it. The fact that she body slammed me, twisted my arm and led me around by my ear had nothing to do with my decision. Actually, I was glad she trusted me with such an important task and I couldn’t wait to get started. So I got the dress, the appropriate sales slips, two pieces of identification, a drop of blood and my passport to complete this transaction. When I got to the store I approached it with fear and trembling. This was an exclusive lady’s shop and I was about to enter a no man’s land. Sure enough my entrance into the store was as bad as I had imagined. A sales lady
lined up at the door staring at me with blank eyes. It looked like a tableau out of a Stephen King novel. Oh, how I hate to exchange things. DR. GERALD There is one exception to HALLMARK exchanging things I enjoyed. Columnist That was when I exchanged my sinful heart for a new one in Christ. He gave me a fresh quickly challenged me at the beginning with no questions door about my business. She reminded me of Hildegard the asked. There was no judgment in this exchange because He Hun from old World War II movies. I opened my mouth to had accepted me in all my sin just as I was. This exchange answer, but nothing came out but a squeak. So I just handed took place many years ago and is still as valid and real her the dress and choked out the word “wife”. She took the today as it was then. There is a wonderful thing about this free garment looked it over, nodded a few times and indicated I gift of eternal life from Christ, should follow her. I did, but at you never have to exchange it again. It is a once-and-fora discreet distance. all gift that will never lose its When we arrived at the value, function or meaning. counter she huddled with a couple of other women. Every Salvation is a precious gift freely given in divine love. so often they would throw a When I got home after glance my way as they whisexchanging my wife’s dress pered among themselves. I just she asked if I had any probstood there and tried to look brave. Finally, she went in the lems. I assured her that I walked right into the place, back and returned with a new dress. However, she held it just told them in no uncertain terms what I needed and took out of reach as she completed no gruff from anyone. Isn’t it her paperwork. I think she amazing how we can rememknew I would grab it and run ber what we want to rememif I got my hands on it. When ber? I finished this exchange and went out the door I had a feelDr. Gerald Hallmark is a ing I was being watched. As retired minister who lives in I turned to get into my truck Alexander City. I noticed all the sales ladies
Today’s
Quote
“If you cannot convince them, confuse them.” —Harry S. Truman
Today’s
Scripture “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” —Romans 6:14
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Daily Poll Thursday Question: Are you glad Sentance the state superintendent resigned?
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Sentance out because he wasn’t a ‘good ol’ boy’ Dear Editor, I would like to call attention to the resignation of Dr. Michael Sentance as Superintendent of Education in Alabama. Dr. Sentance is a legendary educator who turned the educational system in Massachusetts around and helped that state become first in the nation in educational competence. He was hired about one year ago to turn our educational system around. He stepped on a lot of toes and stirred the pot of the archaic educational hierarchy in our state. Worse, he fought the teachers’ union which has held sway over
both the educational system in our state and has been the most powerful political force for years in Alabama. While he was making progress with the educational system, he also made a lot of enemies in the state educational hierarchy. Yesterday, he submitted his resignation before the State Board of Education could fire him. I heard him speak last spring in a small group and was very impressed with his approach to improving education in our state. I am distressed that he was not allowed to implement his approach to educating our children. Education is
vital to our state’s economic advancement. My concern is that the power structure in the Education Department does not want reform or improvement in our childrens’ education. The “good old boy and girl” system has won this battle. The children of Alabama will be the losers in this battle. I urge each one of you with children or grandchildren to contact Governor Kay Ivey and your state representative to express your concerns about this development. You may not be directly affected, but your children or grandchildren will be. BB Sellers 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 75 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. We would love to deliver a paper to your door. Call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281, Ext. 204 or e-mail david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook. com.
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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) 234-6550 or e-mailed to editor@ alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send us your thoughts today!
Whirlwinds, storms, fires and earthquakes Follow us
Dear Editor,
Yes, God works in each one of these tragedies, yet He does not allow these tragic happenings to punish anyone. I believe He allows them in order to bring people back together with each other and back to Him. It sure seems folks have gotten away from God. If this is not a time for people to come together and pray, then there may not be another time. Please just look around in all the world and see this devastation that is happening something to think about and certainly pray about. Is this the beginning of the end? Could be for we are not promised tomorrow. So much
sadness everywhere. Homes, cars, belongings, probably important papers, pictures, a lifetime of memories and things that can not be replaced. I truly worry about animals as they can’t help themselves and depend on humans. How many have been lost? Believe the news said this was one of the worst ones ever. Truly scary, for one feels so helpless, other than to pray. Yes, God work in “the whirlwind and the storm,” Nahum 1:3 There are those terrible fires with thousands of acres, homes, animals, cars, etc. never to be replaced. If someone set those fires, I truly don’t know what punishment would suit the
situation. Psalms Chapter 11. I just can’t imagine. I believe it was said it could be felt in 11 states, that is powerful. The Bible tells us of these happenings in Matthew Chapter 24. Truly don’t feel it will get much better. I think God is trying to get out attention and the rest is up to us. If we’re not prepared to meet our Maker, how sad it will be. Jesus is coming soon, maybe morning, night or noon. Please be ready for only God knows. God bless everyone everywhere. Margaret Aldridge Dadeville
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Friday, September 15, 2017
Friday, September 15, 2017
Bronson not for Mr. Bronson.” Many of the projects on the trails like bridges and benches were constructed with the help of a number of Eagle Scout projects. But Bronson did not stop there. “We have been coming out here for 10-years,” Bronson said. “A lot of work has been done out here, a lot of it by kids. We have had five Eagle Scouts make Eagle rank because of this trail project.” Barrett explained Bronson was the mastermind behind it all. “He did all the legwork coordinating with the Eagle Scouts,” Barrett said. “He takes his own time to come out here and take care of things. He has taken his own money and created rope obstacles for the kids to learn things like teamwork.” The work over the years has been passed on from student to student. “The kids have adopted this,” Barrett said. “We are trying to keep it going. I want the kids to realize how lucky they are to have them (Bronsons) out here.” Like his 30-year military career leading soldiers in the Army, Bronson was teaching lessons to the students by making them take notice of markings on his walking stick. Bronson explained he found the straight branch in a creek and noticed beavers had snacked on it. “They love the bark,” Bronson told the students. “They chewed off the bark and left those bite marks. I found this in a stream and I trimmed the limbs off.” Bronson also led the effort to make sure the trail was ready for use by students at Radney. In the effort he got help from the gifted students. “We are getting it back in shape for the school year,” Bronson told the students. “I saw several trees that fell that need to be moved.” The students took orders like soldiers and worked in teams to clean up trash on the trail and move downed limbs. “We cleaned up the trail so we can walk through it,” Radney student Brantley Calhoun said. As the students made their way back to the school, Bronson’s military leadership kicked in getting the students to march. “Everybody line up,” Bronson laughingly barked. “Left. Left. Left right left.” Bronson joked about a previous group of students as he got them to chant. He got them to chant “You are in the Army now. You are not behind the plow.” “The kids got really into to all the way back to the school,” Bronson said. “The principal said the next day students were marching from room to room in the hallway singing ‘You are in the Army now.’” Bronson says he and his wife are moving on to the next chapter in life as they age. “We are going to Montgomery,” Bronson said. “We have a lot of family there. It is a military retiree community. They have medical facilities for our future needs. We are good now but will not always be. It is the next chapter and we are good with it.”
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Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Top: Gifted students at Radney elementary remove a downed limb from one of the trails at the school. Above left: Andi Fox and Brantley Calhoun help remove a tree from a trail at Radney Elementary School Thursday. Above right: Radney Elementary School student Jazriend Revalde walks one of the rope obstacles Dick Bronson built on a trail at the school.
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Friday, September 15, 2017
The Outlook
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Today is –Since 1978–
September 15, 2017 Today’s Events
DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP: The Trinity Campus of the United Methodist Church is hosting a divorce support group Sept. 15 from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. to help those struggling with separation or divorce. CHURCH REVIVAL: House of Prayer A.C.O.P. is hosting revival services Sept. 11 through Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. nightly with Overseer Emma Hoyle. The church is located at 634 North Central Avenue.
Today’s Birthdays
Marlene Jones, Tammy Cassiano, Lavert Vickers, Bradley Musick, Kris Royal, Dr. Robert Bartell, Jack Granger, James Langley, Cynthia Huntley and Brenda Berry are celebrating their birthdays today.
Today’s Anniversaries
Buddy and Misty Westbrook celebrate their anniversary today.
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Bibb Graves School in Millerville will have a pancake breakfast Saturday, Sept. 16, serving from 7 to 10:30 a.m. Eat-in or carry out. Plates include all you can eat pancakes, sausage, orange juice and coffee. Cost is $6. All profit is used for renovation of the old high school section of the Community Center. Trade Day will be from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hot dogs, chips, candy bars and soft drinks will be available at lunch time.
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Now - September 30
CHEESE BALLS: The UMW of First United Methodist Church are taking orders for their annual cheese ball fundraiser through Sept. 30. Orders can be placed through the church office. Four varieties are being offered from $10 to $12 each. Pick up will be Nov. 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Fellowship Hall.
September 14-28
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Haven Memorial United Methodist Church at 354 Christian Street in Alexander City is hosting a women’s Bible study “Battlefield of the Mind” by Joyce Meyer Thursdays Sept. 14, 21, 28 from noon to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch. For more information contact Joanne Finley at 334-332-5970 or Pastor Nolan at 256-682-3810.
Saturday, September 16
BLOOD DRIVE: Kingz United is hosting a blood drive Saturday, Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 332 East South Street in Dadeville. PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Bibb Graves School in Millerville will have a pancake breakfast Saturday, Sept. 16, serving from 7 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Eat-in or carry out. Plate includes all you can eat pancakes, sausage, orange juice and coffee. Cost is $6. All profit is used for renovation of the old High School section of the Community Center. Trade Day will be from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hot dogs, chips, candy bars and soft drinks will be available at lunch time. LADIES CONFERENCE: Lebanon Baptist Church is hosting a ladies conference Saturday, Sept. 16 at 9 a.m. The speaker will be Shelia Wright with special music by the Lebanon Baptist Praise team. There will be door prizes and lunch will be provided. Contact JoAnn Washbrun at 334399-0568 with questions. The church is located seven miles down Dudleyville Road in Dadeville.
September 17-20
CHURCH REVIVAL: Old Providence Baptist Church in Hackneyville is hosting revival services Sept. 17-20. The Sunday service will be at 6 p.m. with Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Rev. Tim Harris from Comer Memorial Baptist Church. Rev. Don Polston is the pastor.
Sunday, September 17
SACRED HARP SINGING: Smyrna Primitive Baptist Church is hosting its annual Sacred Harp Singing Sunday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. The church is located at 2582 Coosa County Road 83 just east of Goodwater. Bring a covered dish for lunch and there will be more singing in the afternoon. For more information call Jack Nelson Darrell Brooks, Owner at 256-839-5344 or William Futral at 256839-6670. Cutting •Edging PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY: New Weed Eating •Mulch Elam #1 Baptist Church on County Road Weed Control in Alexander City is honoring the 12th Anniversary of Rev. and Sister Michael McCain Sr. Sunday, Sept. 17 at 2:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Rev. Brian Thomas. GOSPEL SINGING: Horseshoe Bend Baptist Church located on HWY 280 in Dadeville is hosting the Dixie Echoes of Pensacola, Florida and the Magic of 256.267.0518 the Capt. with his music and magic with a message program at 6 p.m. Sunday,
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for the service and a covered dish lunch afterward.
Monday, September 18
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Dr. Paul Harris will present “The Berlin Airlift and Operation Kinderlift” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Sept. 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education Building at 375 Lee Street Alexander City.
September 20-22
CHURCH REVIVAL: GAP Fellowship Church is hosting revival services Sept. 20 - Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. nightly with Rev. Alvin Williams of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Rev. Adonis Thomas of Flint Hill Baptist Church and Rev. Emerson Ware of Great Bethel.
Thursday, September 21
DEMOCRATIC PARTY MEETING: The Tallapoosa County Democratic Party will host a meeting Sept. 21 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. to learn more about the Dec. 12 special election to fill the Senate seat formerly held by Jeff Sessions. The meeting will be held at the Charles Porch Center. For more information call Carol Gowan at 256-794-7432. ARTISTS ASSOCIATION MEETING: The Artists Association of Central Alabama will meet Sept. 21 at 11:30 a.m. at the senior center at the Alexander City Sportplex. President June E. Dean will give a brief history and special recoginition to Martha McKnight and Dorothy Holdren. Current board members and chairmen will be introduced along with upcoming projects, workshops and calendar events. Membership dues at $35 per year.
Friday, September 22
CLASS REUNION: There will be a class reunion for the Dadeville High School Classes of 1958, 1978 and 1998 Sept. 22 with a pre-game homecoming reception at the Dadeville High School Media Center. Former students and spouses will receive tickets to the football game and will be recognized at the pre-game activities. Class pictures will be made for $10.
September 22-23
MUSIC WORKSHOP: The Power of Praise and Worship musical workshop with Eugene C. Brown of Baltimore Maryland will be Sept. 22 starting at 6 p.m. and Sept. 23 starting at 9:30 a.m. at Hatchett Springs Baptist Church in Goodwater. Registration is Sept. 22 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and is $20 a person.
Saturday, September 23
STARGAZING: The Auburn Astronomical Society will set up telescopes to look at the night sky Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. on Hospice Point near the silo at Wind Creek State Park. WOMEN’S CONFERENCE: Sistas for a Cause are hosting their third annual women’s conference, “Broken but Still Blessed,” Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. at Miracle Missionary Baptist Church on I Street in Alexander City.
Sunday, September 24
CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: Wayside Baptist will celebrate 70 years of ministry on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 10:30 a.m. Special music will be provided by Eric and Whitney Miller and also the gospel trio Justified. The speaker will be Gerry Tapley. Everyone is invited to join with us
Monday, September 25
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Terry Robbins will present Merle Haggard, The People’s Poet” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Sept. 25 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education Building at 375 Lee Street Alexander City.
Friday, September 29
GARDENING EXTRAVAGANZA: The Tallapoosa County Extension Service is hosting its Fall Gardening Extravaganza Friday, Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Betty Carol Graham Technology Center at Central Alabama Community College. Speaking will be Chris VanCleave, Sara L. Van Beck, Felder Rushing and Carol Reese. Cost is $25 and you can register by call the extension office at 256-825-1050.
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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Sunday, October 1
CHURCH HOMECOMING: New Elkahatchee Baptist Church is hosting homecoming services Oct. 1 at 10:30 a.m. with Diane Sherrell. SUNDAY DINNER: Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church is hosting Sunday dinner Sunday, Oct. 1 at 5 p.m. The free dinner will be served in the clubhouse building next to the church at 3997 Hillabee Road in Alexander City. The pastor of Duncan Memorial is Rev. Wayne Hicks. All are invited to this free, causal dinner.
Monday, October 2
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Sarah Bliss Wright will present “Ida Quilt Project” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Oct. 2 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education Building at 375 Lee Street Alexander City.
Tuesday, October 3
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT: The 34th Annual National Night Out “Light Up the Night against Crime” will be Oct. 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Alexander City Sportplex. This will showcase various public safety and emergency response agencies that operate in the Alexander City and surrounding areas including state, county, EMA, businesses church groups. All events are free and there will be hotdogs and drinks while supplies last.
Saturday, October 7
HEALTH FAIR: Hatchett Spring’s Baptist Church YAM will be conducting their 3rd Annual Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Goodwater Community Center from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is free to the Goodwater Community and surrounding areas. We will kick off the day with our Heart walk/run at 8 a.m., followed by a CPR class at 9 a.m., registration required, and Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will have free health care supplies, health and vision screenings, college prep info., diabetes education, breast cancer awareness, skin wellness, dental hygiene, life insurance, Sam’s Club, Zumba, kid’s fun, blood drive, motivational speakers, snacks, door prizes and so much more! For more information or to find out how you can become a part of this event, please contact 205-240-6229 or 256-749-3223.
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LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Friday, September 15, 2017
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Game of the Week
Reeltown looks to keep streak alive By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
Horseshoe Bend and Reeltown have met on the gridiron 15 times, and not once have the Generals walked away with the victory. On Friday, the Rebels look to keep that streak alive. But it’s not going to be easy, if the Generals have anything to say about it. “It’s definitely a big game for the players and the community,” Horseshoe Bend coach Josh Averett said. “Everyone’s been telling me about Reeltown and the rivalry, and how much they’d like to beat them. It’s not lost on me. It’s definitely possible, too. We have the talent; it’s just about who has a better Friday night.” Reeltown (1-2, 1-0) is coming off its first win of the season, and it did so in convincing fashion with a 52-6 victory over Woodland. Offensively, the Rebels got big games from the likes of running back Cameron Faison and wide receiver Eric Shaw, and they have plenty of skill players to add to that duo. The victory also allowed the Rebels’ depth to get some much-needed experience, as they played every player on the roster. “We’ve had a lot of skill guys that have done a great job the past few weeks,” Reeltown
coach Matt Johnson said. “The key was getting everybody healthy, and we’re starting to get back to being almost 100 percent. We have some backs we can run in and out, we’re comfortable with what we’re doing with our receivers, and up front, we’re starting to gee that narrowed down from moving guys around with injuries. I was really pleased with our guys last week.” But Horseshoe Bend has a few stud skill players of its own, and the Generals (1-1, 0-1) are looking to avenge their first loss of the season. They were put to the test against Lanett, and Horseshoe Bend came up quite short, to the tune of 50-6. “There are a lot of things we gotta do better, and we need a lot of work on some things,” Averett said. “It goes back to fundamentals, and we gotta do a better job on blocking and tackling.” Reeltown will look to key in on Trace Meadows, who has been the team’s leading rusher all season. He had 95 yards and the Generals’ only touchdown against Lanett. “We’ve got to limit big plays out of them and specifically (Meadows),” Johnson said. “From a defensive standpoint, that’s our big thing. He’s gonna tote the play over 20 or 25 carries a game, so we just have
File / The Outlook
Reeltown’s Tre Hughley (24) is taken down by a Horseshoe Bend defender during last year’s matchup.
to limit his production.” Much like the Lanett Panthers, Reeltown threatens with explosive firepower. The Rebels scored three times on special teams last week and had a fumble returned for a score. They also saw good direction from quarterback Logan Hunt, who threw two touchdown passes. “Defensively, they move around a lot, and that makes it difficult at times because they show you multiple coverages, they blitz a lot, so it makes it tough,” Johnson said. “Offensively, we have to pick up their movement. If we can have them guessing and shoot from the hip a little bit, then I think we’ll be successful.” In addition to this being a rivalry game, it’s also a region game which had big
REELTOWN VS. HORSESHOE BEND Game date: Reeltown Rebels at Horseshoe Bend Generals ... Friday, 7 p.m. ... Class 2A Region 5 game Media coverage: Follow @liziarbogast on Twitter for live updates. Teams: Reeltown (1-2, 1-0) is coming off its first win of the season in a 52-6 victory over Woodland ... The Generals (1-1, 0-1) lost last week at the hands of Lanett. Series: The Rebels lead the series 15-0. Horseshoe Bend has never beaten the Rebels. Outlook prediction: Generals by 7. implications last season. “We’ve got to try to eliminate those big plays we gave up on Friday night,” Averett said. “Horseshoe Bend
and Reeltown were third and fourth in the region last year, so this game decided that third place, and I’m looking at it the same way this year.”
Wildcats face another test vs. Chelsea By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
Lizi Arbogast / The Outlook
Dadeville’s Qua Tucker needs to get back to his offensive prowess on Friday night against Leeds.
Dadeville hopes to bounce back
By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
After such a promising start to the season, Dadeville’s football team was knocked down a level when it began Class 4A Region 3 play last week against Munford. The Tigers were defeated, 50-15, and seemed unable to handle the Lions’ offensive explosiveness. And with the schedule it has in front of it, things are not going to get any easier for Dadeville. The Tigers hit the road again this week, this time heading to Leeds, which is currently ranked No. 2 in Class 4A. Leeds began its region play with a convincing, 41-14 win over Elmore County. Like Munford, the Green Wave has a lethal and well-balanced offensive core. Quarterback Zachary Roberts threw for 195 yards last week, and he was aided by running back Jakobi Hunter, who picked up 168 yards on the ground. Dadeville will need to buckle down defensively and key in on some of Leeds’ top players if it hopes to stop the rushing attack. Last week, the Tigers gave up 116 yards and two touchdowns to Munford’s Zay Britt. Offensively, the Tigers will also hope to get their skill players moving again. Qua Tucker and Kadore Glenn both started the season on high notes, but struggled to be effective last week. It was Tykeem Holley and Jalen Sullivan who had the scores against Munford. With a 2-1 (0-1) record, Dadeville is looking to avoid a 0-2 hole to start region play.
Although Benjamin Russell (2-0, 1-0) has looked solid through its first two games, Chelsea isn’t going to be a walk in the park for the Wildcats. This time last year, Benjamin Russell handed the Hornets one of their only two regular-season losses. It was considered an upset at the time, but after the graduation of a slew of Chelsea (0-3, 0-1) seniors, BRHS might have the upper hand in its second Class 6A Region 3 game. “They graduated a lot, and I honestly thought they were going to be a little bit weaker,” Wildcat coach Danny Horn said. “But after looking at them, they’re honestly pretty good. The thing is, it’s hard to tell because of the competition they’ve played.” So far, Chelsea has losses to Oak Mountain, Briarwood Christian and Wetumpka, all of which are ranked in the top 10 in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association poll. The Hornets run a lot of play action and incorporate some zone blocking, plus Horn said they tend to run the ball fairly well. Collier Blair, Maurice Marsh and Kendrick Simpson should be the top names to watch for Chelsea on the ground. Defensively, Chelsea runs a 3-5, which could be something the Wildcats need to adjust to. “We don’t see much of that, and it’s a little bit different,” Horn
Kenneth Boone / The Outlook
Benjamin Russell’s Landon Cotney (6) avoids a tackle from Carson McKinney, of Pelham, during last week’s game.
said. “They’re probably the only team on our schedule that runs the 3-5, so it changes your blocking a little bit. But they’ve always run it since we’ve been playing them, and they do a good job with it.” On the flip side, Horn will be looking for his defense to make some strides this week. Although the Wildcats have come up with some key defensive stops through the first two weeks of the season, Horn didn’t like the fact they had 25 missed tackles last week against Pelham. “That’s unheard of,” he said. “We were in the area to make the play, but we were out of position. See WILDCATS • Page 10
BENJAMIN RUSSELL VS. CHELSEA Game date: Benjamin Russell Wildcats at Chelsea Hornets ... Friday, 7 p.m. ... Class 6A Region 3 game. Media coverage: Listen live on Kowalgia 97.5 FM. Teams: BRHS (2-0, 1-0) is coming off a 35-28 victory over Pelham, while the Hornets (0-3, 0-1) were defeated, 44-22, by Wetumpka last week. Series: Wildcats lead the series, 4-1. Outlook prediction: Wildcats by 17.
Central Coosa coming off much-needed rest By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
After a muchneeded week of rest and relaxtion, Central Coosa has a shot to earn its first mark in the win column this week as it hosts Prattville Christian to begin Class 3A Region 3 play. The Cougars, who
started off the season with back-to-back rough losses, had a bye last week and it couldn’t have come at a better time. While most teams in the area lost practice time due to the remnants of Hurricane Irma, Central Coosa had two weeks to prepare for its upcoming game against the Panthers. It
also gave the Cougars a chance to regroup after some preseason adversity and a pair of losses to start the year. Prattville Christian is 0-3 and should have similar roster numbers, which has been Coosa’s biggest problem so far. Central Coosa will obviously rely heavily upon Donta Daniel, who has 216 rushing
yards through two games. He’s also scored both of the Cougars’ touchdowns this season. Also showing promise during their game against Fayetteville was Jashaslin James, who had 28 yards on 15 carries out of the Wildcat formation. Coosa attempted just two passes against the Wolves in a 30-6 loss.
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Friday, September 15, 2017
The Outlook
LYMAN WARD EARNS VICTORY By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
After a winless season in 2016, Lyman Ward Military Academy finally got on the right side of the track. But looking at the statistics, you’d never know it. People’s Baptist outgained the Fighting Rangers by more than 125 yards and had nearly as many first downs as Lyman Ward had offensive plays. But some huge touchdown passes from Garrett Davison to Jerry Bosworth, a kickoff returned for a score and a handful of big defensive stops, Lyman Ward earned a 54-42 victory on Thursday night. “It’s awesome,” Lyman Ward firstyear coach John McNeal said. “I came into a program that I kept hearing was not the best, and I didn’t let it affect me. I took what I know, my experiences and the boys’ strengths — half the team has never played a game before. Being able to coach these boys with as little time as I had to really practice with them, they’re doing awesome. This is a big victory for us. They needed it, I think, more than I needed it.” The Knights (2-3) went shot-for-shot with Lyman Ward (1-1) throughout most of the game. It seemed like every time People’s Baptist scored, the Rangers had an immediate answer. But Lyman Ward finally pulled away nearing the end of the third quarter. Davison connected with Bosworth for a 37-yard touchdown just three plays
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Lyman Ward’s Jerry Bosworth out runs Peoples Baptist’s Andrew McKneely (9) and Ulises Sanchez (88) for a touchdown.
after the Knights had taken a two-point lead. It was the duo’s fourth score of the night. Then Lyman Ward’s defense answered the call, as the Knights were pushing the ball downfield on two straight possessions in the fourth quarter. Bosworth, who totaled four receiving
touchdowns and two rushing, set the final score when he bullied his way in for a 7-yard score with just over two minutes remaining. Editor’s note: For a full recap of Thursday’s game, check out Sports Extra in Saturday’s edition of The Outlook.
Wildcats
continued from page 9
You got to tackle on the inside hip, and they were cutting back on us because we were overplaying it. We had people there, we just weren’t making plays.” That being said, the Wildcats won the turnover battle, 4-2. They had interceptions by Kobi Crabb, Ben Hendrix and Zae Stowes and also had a fumble forced by Jaden Tuck. Offensively, Benjamin Russell is progressing nicely with Davede Herron and Hezekiah Hunter leading the way, and Horn knows there are more weapons in that arsenal if he needs them. Quarterback Landon Cotney also had a strong passing game last week, completing 8 of 11 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. “He’s getting better and better,” Horn said. “The good thing is he’s not turning the ball over. He’s protecting the ball, and he’s learned to throw it away or tuck it and run when receivers are covered. He’s getting better on option, but we still have a little work to do on that. That’s a key for us.” Horn also harped on the fact the Wildcats had 18 plays of 0 or negative yardage, including penalty plays. If they could clean up some of that, as well as some of the missed tackles, the Wildcats could be in for a lot more success and maybe a few less last-minute victories.
Baiting deer remains illegal in state of Alabama By DAVID RAINER Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Contrary to what your buddies at the hunting camp have said or what you’ve read on social media, it is still illegal to bait deer in Alabama. Similar to previous years, the so-called “corn” bill that was introduced in the Alabama Legislature this year did not become law. Yes, the bill passed the House of Representatives, but that’s as far as it went. “A lot of folks still think it’s going to be legal to hunt over corn this year,” said Chuck Sykes, Director of the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division. “There was a buzz around Facebook and on social media that the House passed the baiting bill. But it takes confirmation by the Alabama Senate and then the signature of the governor to become law. So it missed two of the three, and it takes all three. There are a lot of folks who are going to be disappointed on opening day.” However, that doesn’t mean Alabama landowners and hunters can’t proceed with their supplemental feeding plans for wildlife. “Feeding is fine as long as you stay within the area definition,” Sykes said. The area definition was refined several years ago to give hunters and landowners a better understanding of what is deemed supplemental feeding and what constitutes baiting. The regulation states: “As it applies to the hunting of deer and feral swine, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that any bait or feed . . . located beyond 100 yards from the hunter and not within the line of sight of the hunter is not a lure, attraction or enticement to, on or over the area which the hunter is attempting to kill or take the deer or feral swine. This regulation does not apply to public land. Out of line of sight means obscured from view by natural vegetation or naturally occurring terrain features.” Skyes said, “Out of sight doesn’t mean putting up a piece a piece of tin in the edge of the food plot where you can’t see the feeder, nor does it mean throwing corn in tall grass. That’s not the essence of the regulation. It has to be natural vegetation or natural terrain.”
Submitted / Dept. of Natural Resources
Above: It is still illegal to hunt deer over bait in Alabama, and the Game Check reporting system is mandatory for the second year. Right: The use of the Outdoor Alabama app on your smartphone is the easiest and fastest way to comply with Game Check.
Unfortunately, the regulation clarification has not affected the number of tickets that are written annually for baiting. “Some people are still putting out corn 50 yards from their stand in the wide open,” Sykes said. “They’re just basically ignoring the regulation.” Another “huge” misconception Sykes has encountered during interaction with the public at deer shows and other public events is WFF’s ability to change the baiting regulations. He said baiting made up 99 percent of the questions WFF fielded at the public events. “People are coming up to me and asking when we are going to change the baiting laws,” he said. “Well, we can’t. That’s a legislative matter. The members of the Legislature are the ones who have the power to change the law. We can’t do anything about it. “The Alabama law says you cannot hunt deer in the area of bait. The only thing we could do at the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources was define what that area was. That area is within 100 yards and/or line of sight. If you’re outside of 100 yards, and the feed is out of sight because of natural vegetation or terrain, you’re okay. That’s as far as the Department could take it with a regulation.” As he did last year, Sykes is touring the
state to give hunters and landowners updates on the mandatory Game Check system used to report the harvest of white-tailed deer and turkeys. Another misconception is this year’s seminars are repeats of last year’s. Sykes, who has held six seminars so far this year, said a great deal of new information is included in this year’s seminars. “Participation in the seminars is about half what it was last year,” he said. “People think it’s the same seminar they heard last year, and it’s not. We’re going over the Game Check results from last year, and some of the tweaks we’re making to the system and additional programs we’re offering this year, so it’s not the same seminar.” Those at this year’s seminars who used Game Check last year reported it was an easy process and didn’t have any complaints, Sykes said. According to the analysis of data, Sykes said about 35 percent of deer hunters reported their harvest through Game Check, while about 40 percent of turkey hunters used Game Check. According to Game Check data, 45,561 bucks and 36,867 does were taken, while 9,174 turkeys were harvested. With other information factored in, the total estimate of deer harvested was 130,000 bucks and 105,000 does. Turkey harvest was
estimated at 23,000. “Deer numbers were down a little, but we’re attributing that to the drought,” Sykes said. “It’s not that it negatively impacted the deer herd, but it negatively impacted people’s deer hunting.” One of the tweaks WFF made for this year’s Game Check adds another definition in the possibilities for deer harvest. Previously, the options were antlered or unantlered. “We have had quite a few questions on what to do with button bucks,” Sykes said. “Now, we’ve added another option. Under antlerless deer, you get another option as to whether it was male or female. That will give hunters the answer of how to report button bucks, and it’s also going to give us some good information. “If we find out that 60 percent of the antlerless harvest turns out to be button bucks, that’s something the public needs to know. That’s something we need to know. We may need to adjust some things, because we don’t need to be hitting that age class of bucks that hard.” Another Game Check tweak will add more options to the type of land hunted, whether private or public. If public land is clicked, a drop-down box will give options on which public land was hunted, based on the county. “This helps us drill
down to see where people are utilizing public land,” Sykes said. Additional information will be needed to report turkey harvests as well. Now Game Check will ask for beard length and spur length. “This will help us determine the age class of turkeys being harvested,” Sykes said. Deer season dates are basically unchanged from last year with the exception of calendar dates. Bag limits remain the same at three bucks per season. One of those three bucks must have at least four points (1 inch or longer) on one side. Barbour County has a special antler restriction in force in that each buck of the three-buck limit must have at least three points on one side. A special WMA (Wildlife Management Area) Bonus Buck Program will be in effect this season on specific public land – Lauderdale WMA, William R. Ireland-Cahaba WMA, Lowndes WMA, Barbour WMA, Geneva State Forest WMA and Perdido River WMA. On those specific WMAs, hunters will have the opportunity to harvest an additional buck on the specific Bonus Buck day. This additional buck will not count against the threebuck limit. To qualify, hunters must obtain a daily permit from the check station at the participating
WMA on the Bonus Buck day. Following the harvest, the hunter must bring the animal to the check station for WMA personnel to collect data from the buck and validate the animal. Only WMA personnel can validate the bonus bucks. The other big addition for the upcoming seasons is the advent of Special Opportunity Areas (SOAs) that offer a different experience for public-land hunters. The new SOAs available are the 6,500acre Cedar Creek SOA in Dallas County, the 4,500acre Uchee Creek SOA in Russell County and the 400-acre Crow Creek SOA in Jackson County. The Fred T. Stimpson SOA, a 5,400-acre tract in Clarke County that had been open for youth hunts and limited adult archery deer hunts has transitioned to this hunting mode to assist in reducing deer densities on the area. “The SOA hunts are going to be a big deal,” Sykes said. “Everybody I’ve talked to thinks it’s outstanding. Of course, we’re not going to make everybody happy, but this is a unique opportunity for folks.” David Rainer is employed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He writes a weekly column titled Outdoor Alabama Weekly.