Valley Times News September 30, 2014

The Valley Times-News WEST POINT TIMES-NEWS TUESDAY

September 30, 2014 www.valleytimes-news.com

VOL. LXIV NO. 151 — Vol. 5 No. 250

Lanett, AL 36863 — West Point, GA 31833

Fall Dining/Entertainment Guide Inside

50¢ Telephone 334-644-1101

10 Pages

Carter cleared in ethics case The Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — The state ethics commission has dismissed a complaint accusing Democratic candidate for governor Jason Carter of violating state law by sending fundraiser invitations during the legislative session.

The commission responded to former state Sen. John Douglas in a Sept. 25 letter, saying

that the complaint was rejected because Carter didn't solicit donations for his own campaign against Gov. Nathan Deal.

State Sen. Carter sent invitations for a New York fundraiser and cocktail reception to benefit the Democratic Party of Georgia's Victory 2014 fund, an activity that is permissible under the state’s campaign finance regulations.

Voter registration deadline is Oct. 6

ON LOCATION IN LaFAYETTE — "Mississippi Burning" is no longer the only movie to be filmed on location in downtown LaFayette. In recent days, the portion of U.S. 431 that runs past the west side of the Chambers County Courthouse has been blocked off while scenes are being shot for "White Water," the story of a nine-year-old African American boy in 1963 Opelika, Ala., who was obsessed with tasting the water from a "whites only" drinking fountain. Written by

By THE TIMES-NEWS Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein, "White Water" is being directed by Rusty Cundieff. It has a release date of February 2015. The film ATLANTA — Secrecrew's art department has done an amazing job of making the downtary of State Brian town street look vintage 1963 with an Opelika Bus Depot that has Kemp is reminding "colored" and "whites only" entrances, storefronts from the period, Georgians they must be cars from that era parked along the street and a bright yellow "Cleveregistered to vote by land Avenue" bus on the street corner outside the courthouse. While Oct. 6 in order to particscenes are being shot, local police are directing traffic around the ipate in the Nov. 4 gensite. For some local residents, it's been interesting to hang around eral election. and watch. For some local merchants, though, the disruption of trafThis leaves less than fic has not been good for their business. (Photo by Wayne Clark) one full week before the

deadline.

“Every Georgian should have the opportunity to vote in the Nov. 4 general election,” said Kemp. “The good news is that it is easier than ever to get registered to vote or to change your registration information.”

•See VOTING, page 10

Open House at airport set Participation is growing

By THE TIMES-NEWS HAMILTON — The Harris County Chamber of Commerce invites the public to attend the Business After Hours Airport Open House on Thursday, Oct. 9 from 5:30–7:30 p.m.

This has become an annual event for the whole family, and is presented by the Harris County Chamber of Commerce and the Harris County Commissioners.

The event is sponsored by W. K. Dickson & Associates, the county’s airport consulting firm. W. K. Dickson has assisted the county with many airport improvements.

"We hope folks will join us for an evening of networking, food and fun

at what has become our most popular Business After Hours event," said Jayson Johnston, Chamber president. “As in year’s past, we have several local pilots who will be bringing out their planes and offering free short plane rides to take in the Harris County sights by air.”

The Pine Mountain Volunteer Fire Department will be cooking on site this year and providing food. They will be accepting donations to support the department. They will also be on hand with their ladder truck for kids of all ages to explore.

The airport is located at 789 Sky Meadow Drive in Pine Mountain.

For further information please contact the Harris County Chamber of Commerce at 706-628-0010.

for Boys and Girls Clubs

By WAYNE CLARK Times-News News Editor

VALLEY — After going through a down period in terms of participation, things appear to be picking up for the Chambers County Boys & Girls Club.

"We picked up a lot in participation over the last year," said Board Member Jerome Bailey at a recent meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Valley. "Our (Langdale site) director, Kim Dozier, has been doing an excellent job.

"We had between 105 and 110 kids each afternoon all summer long, and

we're now having at least 55 kids every session on week day afternoons."

A retired law enforcement officer with more than 30 years experience in Chambers County, Bailey today works for the local drug court while running a barbecue catering business. This is his first year as a B&G Club board member.

Bailey said the search is under way for a few more active board members, and plans are to have the Lanett and LaFayette units up and running again within the next year.

"We make sure our kids are safe," •See B&G CLUBS, page 10

For some third graders, reading is key to future The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The games, ice cream and play rehearsals that 9-year-old Joshua Rowell experienced during summer school this year weren't just for fun.

Joshua, like thousands of Ohio third-graders, had missed a state literacy target on a standardized test.

He faced being held back in third grade unless his reading skills improved.

As fellow summer school students at Clinton Elementary School rehearsed their "Three Little Pigs" play, Joshua said activities like playing word games, making recipes and practicing play scripts helped, but he also had to work on reading at home.

QUICK CHECK

"Because of my homework, I would have to read 80 or 60 minutes," he said.

Across the nation, the 8- and 9year-olds in third grade are increasingly feeling the pressure.

Since the idea was pioneered in Florida in 2002, automatic retention for unsatisfactory third-grade reading scores has spread to at least nine states, according to the Tallahassee, Florida-based Foundation for Excellence in Education, which tracks the movement.

In 10 other states, third-grade retention laws have certain caveats, such as giving parents a final say or requiring reading intervention before students can be held back.

•see THIRD GRADE, page 10

BACKING THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB — The Kiwanis Club of Valley recently made a donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chambers County. Accepting on behalf of the club was Jerome Bailey (at center), board member. At left is Bobby Ann McCollough, program chair, and at right, Jake Thompson, club president.

(Photo by Wayne Clark)

National Weather Service Local Forecast Today, partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 80s. Tonight, mostly clear. Lows in the lower 60s. Wednesday, partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 80s. Wednesday night, partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s. Thursday, partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. Thursday night, cloudy. Slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 40 percent. Friday, thunderstorms likely in the morning, then chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

YESTERDAY’S TEMPERATURES ............ High 77°.............Low.....70°..............Today at 8 a.m. 68° RAINFALL (measured at West Point Dam) Yesterday..0.04”.... September....4.02”....Year......31.64” WEST POINT LAKE LEVEL.......Today....631.37......Yesterday.......631.37....Generation......1-7 p.m.

Todayʼs Bible Thought When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. Then he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

Acts 18:27-19:2

Page 2 — The Valley/West Point Times-News — Tuesday, September 30, 2014

REWARDS ON HALF-DAY — On Friday, Sept. 27 over 170 junior high school students at Beulah High School were rewarded with a "Bobcat Theater" feature film, complete with popcorn, candy and soda. These students were rewarded for their grades, attendance, and behavior while the senior Beta Club members and teachers served as hosts and hostesses in honor of these students' hard work

since the beginning of the school year. The Lee County Board of Education has four half-days scheduled this year, and the junior high teachers at Beulah High have a variety of special events, like the "Bobcat Theater," to honor students for their dedication and hard work.

Final deal said near VALLEY on dredging for port BOWL The Associated Press

LANETT HIGH HOMECOMING COURT — Lanett High School will observe homecoming Friday, Oct. 3 at Morgan-Washburn Stadium. Members of the homecoming court include, front row, seniors Zhayera Coty, Laura Floyd, Kenyetta Brooks and Chazay Wright; second row juniors LaChina Potts and Zapporiah Hutchinson (not shown Asia James); third row sophomores Mekaela Williams, Jasmien Martin and Janiyah Cotton; and back row freshmen Essence Todd, Camryn Goss and Nyterria Griffin.

BIBLE PRESENTED — At the dedication of each Fuller Center home, a Bible is presented to the family that will be living there. At the 3 p.m. Friday ceremony dedicating CFCP Home No. 32 in Lanett, new homeowner Jocelyn Spence (on the left) received a new Bible from CFCP Executive Director Kim Roberts (on the right). With Spence were three of her four daughters. Kwyneshia, Mylika and Aurryiona. Not present was daughter Adrianna. Also in the photo are CFCP General Manager Jeff Davis; Rev. Matthew Thrower, who said the dedicatory prayer; Suzette Moore of the West Point Housing Authority's Residency Opportunity Self Sufficiency (ROSS) program and house captains Todd Oliver and Jason Moon. (Photo by Wayne Clark)

Jurors see video of shootings The Associated Press

OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) — Video and photos are giving jurors a grisly view of the shooting that killed two former Auburn University football players more than two years ago.

Lee County prosecutors played surveillance video and showed closeup photos of wounds and

bodies on Monday during a second day of testimony in the trial of 24-year-old Desmonte Leonard.

The trial continues Tuesday in Opelika with more prosecution evidence.

Leonard is charged with capital murder and other crimes in a shooting that killed the two players and a third man in

June 2012. Three more people were wounded.

Defense attorneys say Leonard was being attacked at a party when he fired in self-defense to save himself. They're asking jurors to find Leonard innocent.

Leonard could receive the death penalty if convicted on the capital charge.

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Within two weeks, officials expect to sign a costsharing deal with the federal government that's needed to start deepening the busy shipping channel to the Port of Savannah, the Georgia Ports Authority's top executive said Monday, meaning construction could begin within a few months on the $706 million project state officials have pursued for 15 years.

"Everybody is elated that it now looks like the final authorization is going to happen," Curtis Foltz, the port authority's executive director, said Monday after telling the agency's board of directors he expects the agreement to be finished in "10 to 14 days."

The $706 million project will dredge five feet of sand and mud from roughly 30 miles of the Savannah River connecting the port to the Atlantic Ocean. Like other East Coast ports, Savannah is scrambling for deeper water to make room for supersized cargo ships expected to begin arriving via an expanded Panama Canal in little more than a year.

Nearly two years have passed since the federal government gave final approval to the Savannah project, first proposed in 1999. But funding from Washington has been tough to get, so Gov. Nathan Deal has pushed to get dredging started using Georgia's $266 million share of the cost upfront. That required a cost-sharing agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers, the agency overseeing the project.

Foltz said Monday he still hopes there's time "to have a dredge in the water on the outer bar by the end of the year," though he deferred to the Army Corps on the timetable.

Billy Birdwell, an Army Corps spokesman in Savannah, said the agency has contracts already prepared to submit for bidding as soon as the final agreement is signed.

It's expected to take two to three months to select a contractor to dredge the

Savannah harbor, Birdwell said, leaving little time to get construction started before New Year's.

"That would be ambitious, but not impossible," Birdwell said.

The Corps plans to start dredging offshore in the outer harbor off Tybee Island, then work upriver past downtown Savannah to the port's docks. Completion is expected sometime in 2018.

334-768-2729 FAMILY FUN CENTER Since 1962

• Juke Box • Pac Man • Air Hockey

The family of

Sue Meadows thanks you for your thoughtfulness and prayers during the loss of our loved one. Special thanks to Morgan & Sons Funeral Home, Kenney Memorial Methodist Church, Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, St. Francis Hospital, E. AL Medical Center, No. Lanier Ave. Church of Christ, family and friends.

“Our sweet angel has gone away, we dearly miss you day by day, Lord help us to humble & pray, knowing we will greet you again some day.

Bless You; Mae Ella Moss & Family, The Johnson Family & The Wright Family

Honor that Special Birthday with a 2x2 Color Ad with Photo for only $

20.00

Birthday List

Tuesday, September 30, 2014 Phillip Jones Connie Nixon Catie Carey Tunisia Wilson Reomaya Chambers Beth Pippin Michael Autry, Sr. Ellen Bennett KeKe Bridges

Sponsored By: LOCAL GRAMMY'S QUILLOWS HOSTS RIBBON CUTTING — Downtown LaGrange shop Grammy’s Quillows recently opened its doors to the world, and the LaGrangeTroup County Chamber of Commerce was on hand with plenty of ribbon to celebrate. A ribbon cutting recently was held for Brenda Christenson and her family during the opening of Grammy's Quillows at 129 Bull St. The shop sells a variety of homemade items, from holiday and home decorations to hand-carved wooden vehicles.Her handmade quillows – a quilt and pillow combination – are festively adorned in a myriad of different ways. Located at 129 Bull St. in downtown LaGrange, Grammy’s Quillows can be reached at (706) 415-5221.

Honest, Dependable & Fair Painting • Carpentry • Tile • Decks • Concrete Patios/Driveways Vinyl Siding, Granite Countertops Senior Discounts ~ References Available

706-773-7174 Names should be submitted to the Valley Times-News by 3:00 P.M. the previous day either by calling 334-644-8100 or e-mail news@valleytimes-news.com

The Valley/West Point Times-News — Tuesday, September 30, 2014 — Page 3

Today in History Oklahoma beheader’s family is shocked Today is Tuesday, September 30, the 273rd day of 2014. There are 92 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History: On September 30, 1954, the first nuclearpowered submarine, the USS Nautilus, was commissioned by the U.S. Navy.

On this date: In 1399, England's King Richard II was deposed by Parliament; he was succeeded by his cousin, Henry of Bolingbroke, who was crowned as King Henry IV. In 1777, the Continental Congress — forced to flee in the face of advancing British forces — moved to York, Pennsylvania.

In 1791, Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute" premiered in Vienna, Austria.

In 1846, Boston dentist William Morton used ether as an anesthetic for the first time as he extracted an ulcerated tooth from merchant Eben Frost.

In 1938, after co-signing the Munich Agreement allowing Nazi annexation of Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain said, "I believe it is peace for our time."

In 1939, the first college football game to be televised was shown on experimental station W2XBS in New York as Fordham University defeated Waynesburg College, 34-7.

In 1949, the Berlin Airlift came to an end.

In 1955, actor James Dean, 24, was killed in a two-car collision near Cholame, California.

In 1962, James Meredith, a black student, was escorted by federal marshals to the campus of the University of Mississippi, where he enrolled for classes the next day; Meredith's presence sparked rioting that claimed two lives.

The National Farm Workers Association, founded by Cesar Chavez and a forerunner of the United Farm Workers, held its first meeting in Fresno, California.

In 1984, the mystery series "Murder, She Wrote," starring Angela Lansbury, premiered on CBS. In 1986, the U.S. released accused Soviet spy Gennadiy Zakharov, one day after the Soviets released American journalist Nicholas Daniloff.

In 1997, France's Roman Catholic Church apologized for its silence during the systematic persecution and deportation of Jews by the proNazi Vichy regime.

Ten years ago: President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry met at the University of Miami for their first presidential debate, with Kerry accusing Bush of a

an Oklahoma food distri- don't believe he was con- Traci Johnson before he "colossal error in judg- The Associated Press shot by Mark bution center, suggest that verted (to Islam) in prison." was ment" in ordering the inOKLAHOMA CITY Vaughan, a reserve sherCleveland County Disshortly after his release in vasion of Iraq and the president noting that (AP) — Alton Nolen told March 2013, he became trict Attorney Greg Mash- iff's deputy and the comrelatives after his release more interested in spread- burn said he expects to pany's chief operating Kerry had voted to aufrom prison on drug and thorize the military ac- assault charges last year ing the message of his new- charge Nolen on Tuesday officer, police said.

Nolen's mother and siswith first-degree murder in tion. Bombs killed some that he wanted to focus on found Islamic faith.

"I spoke to him once he Thursday's killing of 54- ter posted a video message three dozen children in getting his life in order. was released, and when we year-old Colleen Hufford at on Facebook over the Baghdad as U.S. troops But postings on the spoke, there was nothing of the Vaughan Foods plant weekend saying they were handed out candy at a Facebook page of the 30- the sort," said Nolen's in Moore, an Oklahoma shocked and saddened by government-sponsored year-old Nolen, suspected cousin, James Fulsom, 29, City suburb. the allegations against celebration. The House of beheading a woman at of Fort Worth, Texas. "I Moore Police Sgt. Je- him. followed the Senate in "My son was raised up remy Lewis said Nolen, decisively rejecting a who had just been fired in a loving home. My son constitutional amendfrom the company, walked was raised up believing in ment banning same-sex into the facility's adminis- God," his mother, Joyce marriage. Vioxx, the Special to Times-News for these entrepreneurs trative office and attacked Nolen, said in the video. heavily promoted arthriand employers.”

Hufford with a large knife, "Our hearts bleed right tis drug, was pulled from NFIB is focused on eventually severing her now because of what M O N T G O M E R Y, the market by its maker Ala. – State Senator Ger- simplifying the tax code head. Nolen then repeat- they're saying Alton has after a study found it ald Dial (R-Lineville) re- and reducing taxes; mak- edly stabbed 43-year-old done." doubled the risk of heart cently received the ing health care more afattacks and strokes. endorsement of the fordable; curbing frivolous Five years ago: A pow- NFIB/Alabama SAFE lawsuits; and easing the erful earthquake rocked (Save America’s Free En- burden of excessive reguwestern Indonesia, terprise) Trust, the politi- lation. The NFIB/Alkilling 1,115 people. A cal action committee for abama SAFE ranks Soyuz spacecraft carry- the National Federation political candidates — irHwy 50 2018 Veterans Memorial Pkwy., Lanett, 334-576-2144 ing Canadian circus ty- of Independent Business respective of party affiliation — based on their coon Guy Laliberte and in Alabama.

Representing over voting record and committwo crew mates lifted off from Kazakhstan, 350,000 small and inde- ment to Alabama’s indeand headed for the Interna- pendent business owners, pendent the NFIB is the leading family-owned businesses. tional Space Station.

“If we want more jobs, Today's Birthdays: advocacy group for small Nobel Peace Laureate businesses. The endorse- we have to support the Elie Wiesel is 86. Actress ment cited Sen. Dial’s folks who provide them. I 2003 Holiday Rambler Vacationer Angie Dickinson is 83. 100-percent voting record can’t think of a better group to be endorsed by Loaded with all the extras. Two slideouts. 57,000 Singer Cissy Houston is on small business issues.

“It’s a great honor to be than one whose stated 81.

Singer Johnny miles. Gas powered motor home ready to roll.

Mathis is 79. Actor Len recognized by small busi- mission is to ‘promote and Our Service Dept.

Cariou is 75. Singer Mar- ness owners across the protect your right to own, ilyn McCoo is 71. Former state and NFIB,” said operate, and grow your Features Quality Israeli Prime Minister Sen. Dial. “Small business business.’ In fact, if it wasEhud Olmert is 69. Pop is what drives this econ- n’t already taken, I’d be singer Sylvia Peterson omy, especially in East Al- tempted to use it as my (The Chiffons) is 68. abama, and I fight every campaign slogan,” Dial Actor Vondie Curtis-Hall day in the State Senate concluded. is 64. Actress Victoria Tennant is 64. Actor The family of John Finn is 62. Rock musician John Lombardo is 62. Singer Debothanks you for your thoughtfulness rah Allen is 61. Actor Calvin Levels is 60. Actor * and prayers during the loss of our Barry Williams is 60.

Singer Patrice Rushen is loved one. Special thanks to Morgan 48 - month CD 60.

Actress Fran * & Sons Funeral Home, Kenney Drescher is 57. Country 60 - month CD singer Marty Stuart is Memorial Methodist Church, 56. Actress Debrah FarIt’s a beautiful thing. entino is 55. Rock musiKingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, Let me help you choose an cian Bill Rieflin (R.E.M.) FDIC-Insured Certificate of St. Francis Hospital, E. AL Medical is 54. Former Sen. Deposit from State Farm Bank® Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., and watch your money grow.

Center, No. Lanier Ave. Church of is 54. Actress Crystal Bank with a good neighbor®.

Bernard is 53. Actor Eric Christ, family and friends.

CALL ME TODAY FOR Stoltz is 53. Rapper-proDonny Holley, Agent MORE INFORMATION. ducer Marley Marl is 52.

2105 Broad Ave., Suite A “Our sweet angel has gone away, we Country singer Eddie Lanett, AL 36863 Montgomery (Montdearly miss you day by day, Lord Bus: 334-644-2111 gomery-Gentry) is 51. help us to humble & pray, knowing donny.holley.bw6v@statefarm.com Rock singer Trey AnastaTM sio is 50. Actress Monica we will greet you again some day.

Bellucci is 50. Rock musician Robby Takac (Goo * Up to FDIC insured limits. Annual Percentage Yields as of 09/03/14. Advertised Bless You; Goo Dolls) is 50. Actress rates are subject to change at the Bank’s discretion. The minimum balance required Lisa Thornhill is 48. Acto earn the stated APY is $500 (rates apply to deposits less than $1,000,000). A Mae Ella Moss & Family, The Johnson penalty may be imposed for withdrawals prior to maturity. tress Andrea Roth is 47.

Actor Silas Weir Mitchell MEMBER Family & The Wright Family 1001287.3 State Farm Bank, F.S.B. Bloomington, IL FDIC is 45. Actor Tony Hale is 44. Actress Jenna Elfman is 43. Actor Ashley Hamilton is 40. Actress Marion Cotillardis 39.

Actor Stark Sands is 36.

15163 U.S. Highway 431 South • LaFayette, AL 36862 Actor Mike Damus is 35.

Tennis player Martina 800-332-8732 Hingis is 34. Olympic gold medal gymnast Dominique Moceanu is 33.

Actress Lacey Chabert is 32. Actor Kieran Culkin is 32. Singer-rapper TPain is 30.

Thought for Today: "If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning."

— Attributed to Catherine the Great, Russian empress (1729-1796).

NFIB endorses Dial

Motor Company

SPECIAL OF THE WEEK

Sue Meadows

1.75% APY 2.15% APY

Tallapoosa River Electric Cooperative, Inc.

The family of William Edward “Buddy” Gainey wish to thank everyone for their support in the loss of a much loved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Thank you for the many cards, flowers, food and visits. A special thank you to our neighbors, closest friends who where there for us, EAMC/Lanier ER staff and Dr. Barrett, EAMC ICU staff and Dr. Rhodes, Johnson Brown Funeral Services. Your kindness will always be remembered.

Please accept this as a personal acknowledgement from all the family during this difficult time.

Huguley Methodist Church 3921 32nd St. SW. Lanett

First Friday Luncheon Friday, October 3rd 12:00 Noon - 1:30 pm $5.00 Donation

Great rates no worries*

www.trec.coop

The Valley Times-News

Brian Maddy

ffaassx Troup-Meriwether CooperativeExtension

Getting Ready for Winter your air filter or clean it if it’s a foam type. Change the oil according to the owner’s manual. There are now oil extraction pumps that siphon the oil from the dipstick to prevent all the mess. Sharpen the mower blades and remove all the debris wrapped around the roto-tiller tines.

Disconnect the sparkplug wire to prevent inadvertent starting. This is a good time to grease all the fittings.

If you need a manual, use the model number and serial number on the nameplate and “Google” the manufacture and the numbers. Most manufacturers will allow you to download the manuals.

If you want everything to start next spring do some preventive maintenance.

Leaving untreated gas in the carburetor will cause it to volatilize and leave gum deposits behind which will cause difficult starting next spring.

There are two things you can do.

Drain as much gas out of the tank as you can and run the tool until it stops.

The carburetor will be empty at this point.

The second alternative is to purchase a gas treatment, which will prevent the gasoline from deteriorating and causing the gum buildup. It will work in both two-cycle and fourcycle engines.

Next spring you should be off to pretty good start if you implement some of these suggestions.

A brief reminder is that if you haven’t made it to the Market on Main on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., you're missing a treat. There’s a lot of fresh locally grown produce. Get there early.

Our 58th annual October Harvest Fest will be held on October 11th at the LaGrange Mall in the J.C. Penney parking lot from 8 a.m. to noon.

We will have locally grown produce plus jellies and jams and all kinds of crafts. If you wish to have a booth, call the extension office for further information.

Brian Maddy is the ANR Agent for Troup County Extension. The Troup County Extension office is located at 114 Church Street, LaGrange, GA. 30240 (706) 883-1675. Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. – noon and from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Callaway to hold its fall plant sale Special to Times-News

PINE MOUNTAIN — Fall is a wonderful time to get plants in the ground in time to establish a beautiful garden for spring and summer.

Beginning Oct. 3, guests visiting Callaway Gardens this fall will have an opportunity to purchase plants such as assorted trees, shrubs, and perennials.

There also will be a limited assortment of garden mums while they last.

The fall plant sale will be within the gift shop of the John A. Sibley Horticultural Center and is scheduled to be open through Nov. 9 or while supplies last.

Proceeds from the center’s sales support the non-profit Ida Cason Callaway Foun-

WEST P INT TIMES-NEWS NELL DUNN WALLS President-CEO CY WOOD

WEST P INT TIMES-NEWS

LIFESTYLES

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

This might be better titled “Getting Ready for Spring.” Many of the things that we do now will make our spring gardening much more enjoyable.

An old remedy for dull shovels was to recycle old motor oil in a bucket fill with sand. As you push and pull the shovel in and out of the sand it cleans the rust off and brightens it like new.

It also coats the shovel with a light coating of oil, which will prevent rust.

For those who love power tools, an angle grinder equipped with a wire brush can do the same thing. You can also put a sharp edge with a grinding wheel or file. This also works for many types of hoes.

Make sure you wear safety glasses and a face shield when you operate angle grinders. Spray with WD-40 or a similar product to keep away rust as well.

These products don’t attract dirt like oil does.

Many of our hand pruners and lopping shears can also use some tender loving care by cleaning out the old debris and spraying with a lubricant to keep away rust.

Lightly sanding down the hickory handles of most tools will prevent splinters later on. Using a wipe on polyurethane or spray will also make them like new.

The most important aspect of tool maintenance is to keep them stored indoors. This prevents a multitude of problems.

Keeping your sprayers in good condition is also important. Triple rinsing the sprayer tank will clean out any residue.

Fill the tank to about a quarter and spray clean water to clear out the lines. An old toothbrush works well to clean the sprayer nozzles.

Check the condition of the “o” rings and replace if necessary. This will help keep dripping to a minimum.

If you are in the market for a new sprayer, purchase one that has either two nozzles in a “Y” configuration or one with four orifices. Many insecticides such as Neem oil need to be sprayed on the underside of the leaf as well on the top. Multiple spray nozzles make this easier to do.

On engine powered tools, replace

and

Editor-Publisher

West Point Times-News started publication as a daily newspaper October 6, 2008. Published Monday through Friday by West Point Times-News LLC, P.O. Box 658, West Point, Ga. 31833. SUBSCRIPTION PRICES: Home delivery by carrier and motor route: $8.00 per month. Office Prepaid 3 months $24.00, 6 months $45.00, 12 months $88.00. All prepaid subscription checks must be made to West Point Times-News.

The Valley Times-News NELL DUNN WALLS

dation, owner and operator of Callaway Gardens.

General admission to Callaway Gardens is $18 per adult (ages 1364); $15 per senior (65+); $9 per child (ages six-12); and free for children five and younger.

Admission prices include tax.

Annual passholders, with their passes and valid ID can enter the gardens with up to five guests in the same vehicle for free per day.

Members of the military and their spouses receive free admission and half-price for up to four guests.

Callaway Gardens is located in Pine Mountain.

For additional information, call 800-4636990 or visit www.callawaygardens.c om.

Page 4

Canned food drive held Monday THE INTERFAITH Food Closet canned food drive was planned for today.

If you missed one of the collection points, you may drop food off at the food closet, located behind Langdale United Methodist Church in Valley.

The goal was to collect 3,000 cans to celebrate 30 years of ministry to the Valley and surrounding areas.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

You may also mail monetary donations to P.O. Box 541, Lanett, Ala. 36863-0541.

The board of directors would like to extend a special thanks to all the area supporters for supporting the food closet to be recipient of one of the $5,000 from the Charter Foundation.

We appreciate all the voters and supporters for helping with this project.

THE LEADING Lady Legacy, presented

by The Leading Through Living Community Conference on Saturday, was successful and well attended.

Thank you to all who attended the launch of the Leading Lady Legacy book and women's conference tour this past Saturday!

It was a fabulous event that inspired and empowered all who came — men and women alike.

Evangelist Stephanie Davenport started us out with a bang, sharing that "Power comes from God. “To use it effectively and with purpose, we must be connected to the right people. We have all the tools we need to be blessed. It's up to us to use them."

Master hair and wardrobe stylist, Traci Jefferson, provided excellent tips on empowered style sharing, "Fashion is an expression of ourselves,” she said. It's important that we focus on our good points, because it's not until we focus on our flaws that people notice them.

"None of us are perfect, but we are all beautiful. Value, compliment, and support one another."

The women, who attended the conference, enjoyed a delicious luncheon provided by Kel and Kenzie's Catering and enjoyed music

by DJ Virgil aka Mr Multimedia.

Small business expert, Sonji Willingham, then resumed the program sharing, that one’s legacy should be built on a plan.

“Even if it's a simple 7th grade outline - that's

Lanett Marvin Moss 334-644-2570 still a plan. Educate yourself to the best of your ability. There are opportunities that will arise that will only be doable if you have the right knowledge and skill set. And when things get tough, stand still and wait for God to show the way. This is is how you control your legacy."

Hostess and St Paul A.M.E. Church Lynita Mitchell Blackwell then closed it out with the 10 steps to becoming the leading people of our lives.

She said, "You are important and have purpose. When you feel inadequate or anxious, it is because you are trying to be someone else — a mini me — and are not living your purpose. Taking time to get to know who you are, what you want, and how to communicate that to others is key to establishing your legacy.

Real love and success begins with you, and you are the person you've been waiting for all of your life!"

Attendees enjoyed beautiful door prizes, shopped with local ven-

dors, and took glamorous pictures courtesy of McLemore's Photography.

The group looks forward to seeing everyone again very soon!

This was the first of seven tour stops, and this tour has particular significance because it was the official release of the book, "The Leading Lady Legacy: 10 Steps to Becoming the Leading Lady of Your Life," written by Lanett St. Paul A.M.E. Church’s first lady, Lynita Mitchell Blackwell, attorney, CPA and magazine publisher.

YOU WILL need to get information to me by noon on Sundays to appear in my column on Tuesdays.

YOU MAY email your information to me at mmoss806@charter.net.

Family events, birthdays, anniversaries, church events after the event, civic events or other community events can be published in this column.

Please let me hear from you.

B I R T H D A Y GREETINGS go out to: David Hollis, Patsy Smith and Rebecca Butler on September 28; Lisa Smith and Pam Keziah on September 29; Katie Carey, Tunisia Wilson and Keicie Herrington on September 30.

LEADING LADY LEGACY — The Living Lady Legacy was presented by The Leading Through Living Community Conference on Saturday, Sept. 27. Shown above right is Evangelist Stephanie Davenport, an ordained West Point minister and founder of A Healing for the Soul Ministry; Master Stylist “Traci J” Jefferson, CEO of Trendsetters Beauty Salon and Trends by Traci Boutique; president of TDZ Elite Women’s Organization, Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell, hostess and St. Paul A.M.E. Church first lady, and Sonji Willingham, small business expert, Paul A.M.E. Church first lady, and Sonji Willingham, small business expert. (Photo special to the Times-News)

Help Want an a ed!

President-CEO CY WOOD KATHY REEVES CHARLOTTE BROOKS PHILLIP JONES WAYNE CLARK CHARLIE SHIRLEY

Editor-Publisher Graphics Supervisor Accounting Manager Advertising Manager News Editor Circulation Director

TOM WALLS Editor-Publisher 1973-1985

Finish Painter Minimum of 5 years of experience With Finish Painting of Industrial Equipment or Automotive

Email address: news@valleytimes-news.com Started publication as a daily newspaper March 2, 1950 as the result of combining three weekly newspapers, THE CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY TIMES, THE VALLEY TRIBUNE and THE WEST POINT NEWS. Published Monday through Friday by Valley Newspapers, Inc. 220 N. 12th Street, P.O. Box 850, Lanett, AL 36863. SUBSCRIPTION PRICES: Home delivery by carrier and motor route: $8.00 per month. Office Prepaid 3 months $24.00, 6 months $45.00, 12 months $88.00. Periodical Postage paid at the Post Office in Lanett. All prepaid subscription checks must be made to The Valley Times-News. POSTMASTER: Send address change to P.O. Box 850, Lanett, AL 36863.

Foundry Pattern Coordinator

Apply on line at: www.westpoint.com 2021 Stateline Road West Point, GA

The Valley/West Point Times-News — Tuesday, September 30, 2014 — Page 5

Area Deaths & Funerals

Secret Service has explaining to do

As Submitted By Area Funeral Homes

The Associated Press

MRS. AARON VALLEY — Mrs. Helen P. Aaron, 80, of Valley died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika.

Funeral services are planned for Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. at Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home Chapel in Valley with the Rev. Steve Langley officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, Oct. 1 from 10 until 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

Mrs. Aaron is survived by her husband, Marshall Aaron; nephews, Ellis (June) Jenkins of Opelika and Michael (Cathy) Parker and J.R. (Cathy) Parker, both of Georgia; nieces, Glenda (Tex) Eubanks of Dadeville, Ruby (Robert) Whitler of Georgia and Geraldine Cochran of Florida; and several cousins.

Born April 28, 1934, in Lee County, Mrs. Aaron was the daughter of the late William Whitfield Parker and Laura Mae Burdell Parker. She worked for more than 37 years in the Fairfax Towel Department. Mrs. Aaron was a member of Johnson Chapel Baptist Church.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com.

Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley is handling arrangements.

MR. ALLAH ATLANTA — Funeral arrangements are pending for Mr. Majid Allah of Atlanta, who died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, at his residence.

Silmon-Seroyer Funeral Home of LaFayette is handling arrangements.

MR. PETERS WEST POINT — Funeral arrangements are pending for Mr. Willie "Sonny" Peters of West Point, who died Monday, Sept. 29, 2014, at his residence.

M.W. Lee Mortuary of West Point is handling arrangements.

MRS. STAPLES

WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Washington scandals that end up on Capitol Hill tend to end the same way: with an apology.

Secret Service Director Julia Pierson will face lawmakers Tuesday for the first public accounting of the details surrounding an embarrassing and worrisome security breach at the White House earlier this month that, according to a congressman, was worse than the Secret Service has publicly acknowledged. The question is, will she follow the script?

At the very least, Pierson will have to explain how a man armed with a small knife managed to climb over a White House fence, sprint across the north lawn and dash deep into the executive mansion before finally being subdued. And she is certain to face tough questions about why members of Congress briefed by the agency apparently weren't told of the full extent of the breach when she appears before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, RUtah, said Monday night that whistleblowers told his committee that the intruder ran through the White House, into the East Room and near the doors to the Green Room before being apprehended. They also reported to lawmakers that accused intruder Omar J. Gonzalez made it past a female guard stationed inside the White House, Chaffetz said.

"I'm worried that over the last several years, security has gotten worse — not better," Chaffetz said.

In the hours after the Sept. 19 fence-jumper incident, Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan told The Associated Press that Gonzalez had been apprehended just inside the North Portico doors of the White House. The agency also said that night the Army veteran had been unarmed — an assertion that was revealed to be false the next day, when officials acknowledged Gonzalez had a knife with him when he was apprehended.

The Secret Service de-

LANETT — Mrs. Nancy Short Staples, 59, of Lanett died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014.

Funeral services are planned for Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. at Calvary Family Worship Center with Pastor Gary Cotney officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Lanett.

The family will greet friends Tuesday, Sept. 30 from 6 until 8 p.m. at McCarthy Funeral Home in West Point.

Mrs. Staples is survived by her husband, Danny O. Staples of Lanett; her daughter, Misty M. Staples; her son Eric B. Staples; her step-daughter, Tabitha Staples; her grandchildren, Yolanda Garcia, Patience Staples, Ty McCants and Dominique Johnson; great-grandchildren, Maya Richardson , Xzavious Crim and Lincoln Adams and greatgrandchild-to-be Parker Carrington Staples; her brothers and sisters, David Short, Joyce Esquivel, Faye Short, Darrell Short, Sandra Wheeler, Loretta Chatham, Audrey McCallum and Marsha Bultman; and many nieces and nephews.

Born Sunday, May 22, 1955, in Troup County, Mrs. Staples was the daughter of the late William and Rosalee Scott Short. She was a homemaker and an active member of Calvary Family Worship Center. Mrs. Short grew a flower garden every year. She loved to cook and collect caps, hats and purses. Mrs. Staples was a loving person and everybody loved her back. Besides her parents, Mrs. Staples was preceded in death by her brother, Terry Short, and her paternal grandparents, Ed and Ida Short.

For online condolences please visit McCarthy Funeral Home's website at www.mccarthyfuner- The Associated Press alhomeinc.com.

ATLANTA (AP) — McCarthy Funeral Home of West Point is han- Federal prosecutors in dling arrangements.

Atlanta say two people have been sentenced in a sex trafficking case involving a 17-year-old west African girl.

Authorities said Monday that 44-year-old fitted some deer with Steven E. Thompson was The Associated Press brown radio neck collars sentenced to 25 years in on several MONTGOMERY, Ala. and some with orange. prison (AP) — The state Conser- They are in the Oakmul- charges including sex vation Department is ask- gee and Barbour Wildlife trafficking of a minor by ing hunters not to kill Management Areas, the threats of force, fraud white-tailed deer that Pioneer Deer Manage- and coercion. Thomphave been equipped with ment Cooperative in Pike son's 30-year-old accom-

clined to comment on the latest details to trickle out of the investigation of the embarrassing security breach.

It was not clear late Monday what Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson was told about the extent of the incident.

Senate Judiciary Committee staffers who were briefed about the investigation by the administration a week after the incident were never told how far Gonzalez made it into the building, according to a congressional official who wasn't authorized to discuss the investigation and requested anonymity. The official said the committee later was told that the suspect had, indeed, made it far beyond the front door.

Chaffetz said his committee's request for a briefing from the Secret Service on the incident was denied, a response he called "disappointing and frustrating."

Asked whether he would seek an apology from Pierson, Chaffetz said, "We're going to let things play out (Tuesday)."

Pierson's predecessor, Mark J. Sullivan, apologized to lawmakers in 2012 after details emerged of a night of debauchery involving 13 Secret Service agents and officers in advance of the president's arrival at a summit in Colombia. Sullivan retired about 10 months later.

Details of how far Gonzalez got into the White House were disclosed Monday.

Citing multiple unnamed sources, The Washington Post reported that Gonzalez ran past the guard at the front door, past a staircase leading up to the Obamas' living quarters and into the East Room, which is about halfway across the first floor of the building.

Gonzalez was eventually "tackled" by a counter-assault agent, the Post said.

Getting so far into the building would have required Gonzalez to dash through the main entrance hall, turn a corner, then run through the center hallway halfway across the first floor of the building, which spans 168 feet in total, according to the White House Histori-

Two are sentenced for sex traffic case

Don’t shoot the deer with orange collars

orange radio neck collars in four locations across the state.

The department and the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences are studying adult survival rates and movement patterns of white-tailed deer in Alabama. They have

County, and the Rembert Hill Road area southwest of Linden.

The department says deer with the brown collars may be shot, but deer with orange collars should not. They are encouraging hunters to return the collars if they harvest deer fitted with the devices.

Smoking prohibited at Georgia colleges The Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — A rule smoking ban at all University System of Georgia campuses is scheduled to go into effect this week.

The University System of Georgia smoking and tobacco ban goes into effect Wednesday and applies to all 31 member

institutions.

Officials have said the tobacco ban will apply to all employees, students, contractors and visitors on all property owned, leased rented or in the possession of the University System of Georgia.

The ban will also apply to events being hosted by institutions within the system.

plice Tierra Waters was convicted of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Authorities say the girl had lived in a temporary shelter and her grandmother who had custody of her left the country. Prosecutors say the girl was looking for a place to live and the two coerced her into prostitution.

Authorities say the two advertised the girl online as being 19 or 20 and from Sierra Leone.

ATLANTA (AP) — The president and CEO of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is stepping down, the latest development in an ongoing labor dispute with its musicians.

The symphony on Monday announced the resignation of president and CEO Stanley Romanstein.

Romanstein said in a statement that he believes his continued leadership would be an "impediment" to reaching a new labor deal.

The Atlanta Journal-

family. That inherent conflict of interest means Congress, not the executive branch, is the most effective oversight authority for the Secret Service, its agents and officers.

"The president and the first lady, like all parents, are concerned about the safety of their children, but the president and first lady also have confidence in the men and women of the Secret Service to do a very important job," Earnest said.

Police Reports

By THE TIMES-NEWS West Point Police WEST POINT — Crystal Marie Bartlette, 29, of Valley was arrested for driving with suspended license and driving without license on person.

Criminal trespass was reported on Avenue C. Shoplifting was reported at the West Point Kwick Shop and at Summit 2 on Highway 29.

Valley Police VALLEY — Zachary Smith, 25, of Valley was arrested for unlawful imprisonment and domestic violence third degree (physical harassment).

Theft of property third degree was reported in the 2900 block of 20th Avenue.

Identity theft was reported in the 2800 block of 20th Avenue.

Burglary third degree and theft of property third degree were reported in the 300 block of Fob James Drive.

Chambers Sheriff LaFAYETTE — Xequathesis Williams, 20, of Roanoke was arrested

for failure to appearspeeding.

Sheriff's officials reported 153 inmates in the Chambers County Detention Facility.

Lanett Police LANETT — James Curtis Carmichael, 49, of Lanett was arrested for burglary first degree, attempted rape first degree and violation of a protection order.

Brandon Ramon Doler, 32, of Lanett was arrested for disorderly conduct.

A 16-year-old juvenile was arrested for domestic violence third degree.

Theft of property first degree was reported in the 1800 block of North Second Court.

Domestic violence third degree was reported in the 1600 block of 49th Avenue SW. Theft of property third degree was reported in the 1400 block of South Gilmer Avenue, the 300 block of South 10th Avenue and the 100 block of East 22nd Street.

Criminal mischief third degree was reported in the 200 block of South Second Avenue.

PayPal and Ebay will become two in 2015 The Associated Press

SAN JOSE, Calif.

(AP) — PayPal is splitting from EBay Inc. and will become a separate and publicly traded company next year.

The separation is expected to occur in the second half of 2015.

EBay said Tuesday that its board decided that the separation was

the best path for growth and shareholder value creation for each business.

Dan Schulman, the president of the enterprise growth group at American Express, will be the new president at PayPal, effective immediately. The 56-year-old will become PayPal's CEO once the separation takes place.

Job training funding for Alabama school The Associated Press

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama community college is a major recipient of one of the job training grants announced by the Obama administration.

Officials announced Monday that Lawson State Community College in Birmingham is the lead college in a consortium of Southern colleges that will share $10 million in funding from the Trade Adjustment Assistance ComConstitution reports munity College and that retired Coca-Cola Career Training proCo. executive Terry Neal gram. will serve as interim president.

The orchestra's contract with the musicians union ended recently and several concerts have been postponed due to the dispute.

The Associated Press The union says it ATLANTA (AP) — A wants to negotiate in good faith to preserve company that manages linens for Atlanta hotels the orchestra.

The orchestra's man- is planning to open a faagement said it has op- cility in Fulton County.

Gov. Nathan Deal erated at a deficit for a dozen years and needs said in a statement that concessions because the Ivy Linen Services is financial trend is unsus- planning to invest $6 million in its metro Attainable.

Atlanta Symphony’s president resigning The Associated Press

cal Association.

Since the incident, the White House has treaded carefully. Although White House spokesman Josh Earnest acknowledged the president was "obviously concerned" about the intrusion, he expressed confidence in the Secret Service as recently as Monday.

It would be untenable for any president, not just Obama, to pointedly criticize the men and women who put themselves at risk to protect his life and

The grants provide community colleges with money to partner with employers to deliver education and career training programs to help improve the skills of people seeking jobs. Lawson State will receive $4 million, while Atlanta Technical College, Central Louisiana Technical Community College and CopiahLincoln Community College in Mississippi will get $2 million each over four years.

Grant writer Wendy Horn said the training will focus on transportation jobs.

Linen services firm will create 150 jobs lanta facility and is expected to create 150 jobs in the next three years.

Ivy Linen Services provides laundry service for hotels. The company is expecting to occupy a 56,000 squarefoot facility on the 4600 block of Fulton Industrial Boulevard.

Page 6 — The Valley/West Point Times-News — Tuesday, September 30, 2014

The Valley Times-News

and

WEST P INT TIMES-NEWS

OPINION Letters to the Editor Troup code enforcement not doing its job To the Editor: I know Troup County code enforcement must have a really tough job enforcing codes, going around going through trash bags (etc.) that people have thrown out on a dirt road or in a ditch, trying to find a name of the person that threw it out. My problem with them is I call them about a person that has a commercial lot rented next door to me that supposedly is in the hay business. He let the weeds grow head high through my fence, has old rotten pallets and hay stacked up and just doesn't give a flip about me or my neighbors.

I keep my grass cut. The church across the street keeps their grass cut, and so do all of my neighbors. It is an eyesore in our community. Some rich lady that owns the lot lives over on Lake Harding and she sure does not give a d---. I call code enforcement and they look at their schedule, and say my week to be in West Point is next week.

When they finally come out and tell the dude what they want him to do, they call me and say he has a week to address the problems. Trouble is, they never do a follow-up to see if it got done. It doesn't. The person walked over to the fence and said to me, "Why

do you keep calling code enforcement?

They are not going to do anything."

He is right. They are not going to do anything. Maybe the lady that is in charge of Keep Troup Beautiful could help me out and my neighbors. The place is an old service station that has three underground gas storage tanks that are over 50 years old. I am going to try EPA on that problem, but I have been told I would be wasting my time.

Probably will. You know how our government works.

Thanks, Cy. Everybody have a good week.

Don Dispain, West Point Road

Donors Choose helps local school projects To the Editor: Tax filing time is quickly approaching and taxpayers are usually looking for ways to get tax deductions. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage local residents and businesses to give back to the community by donating to local schools. There is an organization called Donors Choose where educators seek project funding for their schools and classrooms.

It is simple. Go to the website: www.donorschoose.org, key in your zip code, state or county to see what projects teachers in this local area are currently seeking funding for and pick

one. Your donation will be an investment in the children of your community. Lack of funding is an issue educators face on a daily basis. We are limited on our purchases to the basic necessities so anything extra for enrichment has to come from outside resources or our own pockets. I encourage you to check this site frequently because teachers are continually seeking ways to enrich their classrooms. They offer quick start bonuses where they match donations in the first 10 days after a project is funded.

I personally have had projects for the library/media center at W.F.

Burns Middle School funded through this organization. People as far away as California donated to purchase books for our library. Library funding has been cut for the last five years so fund raisers and donations are our libraries’ only way to get new books. I currently have a project for the library/media center at W.F. Burns that I need funded. Please consider investing and donating in your community and schools.

Thank your in advance for considering this option for tax deductions.

Denise Story Philpott Media Specialist W.F. Burns Middle School

Resolving the question of who’s left behind To the Editor: “For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.” (Mt 24:37– 41) We are seeing advertisements for a new Nicolas Cage movie based upon the “Left Behind” series. The movie portends to interpret Biblical prophecy using dispensationalist theology. While the concept of a “secret rapture” of believers is absent from scripture there is another problem with the premise of this movie: who is left behind?

I wish to argue that the passages in Matthew 24 wherein Jesus speaks about people being taken away actually refer to sinners and not to the righteous. This can be deduced from both a close reading of the passage in question and in the larger context of salvation history contained in Scripture.

Daniel Doriani addresses this very subject in his two-volume expositional commentary on Matthew (P&R 2008). We are all familiar with the story of Noah and the flood. Who was saved? Why, Noah and his family. Who was swept away? The evil ones were swept away.

This is the Scriptural reference upon which we must interpret the following examples regarding the two men working in the field and the two women grinding at the mill. The unrighteous one of the each pair will be taken away while the just remain.The Greek verb airo, translated “swept away,” connotes a violent act that means to “remove, destroy or kill.” The wicked of Noah’s

generation were unaware of what would happen until the flood came.

So it will be with the wicked of another generation.

The verb used in the example of the two men and women, “paralambenatai” (translated “taken”) is from a root word with the basic meaning “to seize, to take.” The “para” adds the notion to be “taken alongside” and elsewhere is used of Jesus taking a disciple alongside him.

R.T. France (Eerdmans, 2007) rightly observes “We are not told where or why they are ‘taken’ and the similar sayings in vv. 17–18 about people caught out in the course of daily life by the Roman advance presupposed a situation of threat rather than of rescue.”

Look closely at Mt. 24:1-4. Here Jesus predicts the destruction of Jerusalem. The disciple’s question “when will these things take place” refers to that. This is the immediate context of the discourse that follows.

In as much as Jesus speaks to the end of redemptive time it is ushered in by these things as the world continues to experience trials and tribulations (Ridderbos, 1962).

There are numerous parables wherein one group is “in” and the other group (or person) is cast outside the kingdom where “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” It is consistent.

The famous “meeting in the air” of 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 is in the context of Jesus descending to earth in final loud and public triumph. The blessed accompany the Lord down to earth. The image is taken from the familiar Roman triumph wherein victorious generals are greeted outside the city and then escorted inside.

The great 20th century theologian Oscar Cullmann (“Christ and Time”; Westminster 1950) points out the cul-

mination of salvation affects the believer not in terms of space but in relations of time. In other words, resurrection in glory is not an act of translating one into another place but to bring one into the next and final aeon (an age) where the “new heaven and new earth” exists in place of the old.

John in Revelation 21 sees a vision of a new heaven and new earth with the Holy City coming down out of heaven. This replaces the old heaven and old earth which have vanished with the old aeon. In other words redemptive time ends along with the old creation. It is over. There is no further hope of salvation.

The righteous remain safe in Christ and are glorified as creation ceases to exist and then remade perfect in the new aeon. It is the wicked that are taken away and thrown into the lake of fire (Rev 20:15) just before John has this vision of the new aeon.

It is a glorification in time from one aeon to the next. When aeons pass so created things vanish. All, that is, save the righteous by God’s grace and power.

For the believer the message of the passage is not some cryptic teaching of a secret rapture. It is that none will know the time so “be ready and stay alert.” In other words persevere with confidence through worldly events and your affliction in them.

For those who do not yet know Christ the message is a question: “who are you?” Are you one will be swept away to eternal punishment or one beloved of Christ who will vindicated and raised glorified in the new heaven and earth? Today, if you hear His voice calling to you out of eternity, I pray you will respond in saving faith.

Nothing less than your eternal destiny is at stake. The time is now.

Mitchel L. Galishoff, M.D.

Armistead’s big issue Have you ever started to shake hands with someone and realized you didn't have a free hand? I have. I've done an elbow bump to convey the idea of collegiality, even if I couldn't press the flesh directly.

Ever been at a reception with a drink in your right hand and have someone approach with outstretched arm for a handshake? Ever had that person recognize your situation and make a deft shift to a left-handed handshake?

Ever been running late and failed to properly express gratitude to the person who held a door open for you?

Well, don't ever let Alabama Republican Chairman Bill Armistead learn of your social faux pas, because he might just decide you are an anti-social miscreant who doesn't deserve to be in polite society.

That's based on his assessment of President Obama, who has been castigated by his right-wing detractors for an awkward salute he made exiting a Marine Corps helicopter.

For those of you who spend a lot of time in the right-wing echo chamber, the story is familiar.

Obama is stepping off the helicopter, a Marine in dress blues is By Cy Wood saluting and the President, with a Publisher/Editor coffee cup in his right hand, attempts an awkward return salute.

It was an insignificant moment and an insignificant event, but according to Armistead, it shows Obama has "a total lack of respect for those who put their life on the line to protect the President and fight for our country. It was downright chilling to watch this video."

When you are the state chairman of a political party in precipitous decline nationally, I suspect it is downright chilling to watch anything that features a much-maligned Democratic President of the United States who has thumped his Republican challengers for the past two elections.

Especially when Obama's Republican predecessor was so adept at dressing up like a soldier and declaring "mission accomplished."

Armistead went on to expound at length about how Obama doesn't understand or appreciate the military.

Here's a commander-in-chief who agonizes over sending young Americans into harm's way and looks for ways to avoid spilling their blood, but he doesn't appreciate them because one time out of hundreds while leaving a Marine helicopter he fails to execute a perfect salute?

I'll tell you what I think about Armistead's news release on the cup-in-hand salute. It suggests the Republican Party has very little to criticize the President about, if an inconsequential, rote salute demands extensive analysis from the Republican Party chairman of one of the reddest states in the union.

I'm particularly annoyed by the last paragraph of Armistead's news release: "I just pray that God will watch over our Armed Forces because we have a president who appears to be totally unable to do that."

I wish Mr. Armistead had prayed as fervently in the lead-up to the Iraq War 1n 2003 as he claims to be praying for the safety of our Armed Forces today. Had his prayers been answered then, more than 4,000 of our Armed Forces would be alive today and not casualties of an unnecessary war started by a President who could execute salutes to Mr. Armistead's satisfaction.

I also find it curious that Armistead thinks Obama "has done more to disrespect our military and to open our country to irreparable harm from those who want to destroy America and the freedoms that hundreds of thousands have given their life for than all of his predecessors in the White House."

What's the basis for that assessment, beyond an awkward salute? Extrapolating from styrofoam to geopolitics poses some analytical challenges beyond Mr. Armistead's competency.

Obama has responded with military force when the situation required it. He has kept the homeland safe, and he has filled the role of commander-in-chief with the reserve, dignity and empathy that such a leadership position demands. Armistead obviously prefers swagger in his commander-in-chief, and considers exit plans a waste of time.

After confirming his ignorance of military affairs, perhaps Mr. Armistead might want to consider critiquing the First Lady's apparel. Was that dress a good color for her to wear? The right-wing echo chamber wants to know.

And Armistead is just as qualified to comment on haute couture as he is on national defense and foreign policy.

Sizing It Up

What Others Are Saying: Comments from other newspapers

GOP may draw wrong conclusion in 2014 If Republicans have become more bullish about their party's prospects for victory Nov. 4, it could be traceable to a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News/Annenberg Public Policy Center poll, which found that Republican-leaning voters are much more highly interested — and therefore likelier to vote — in this year's election than are voters who support the Democrats. Consider this: In the 2012 presidential election, voters between the ages of 18 and 29 were the most Democratic voting bloc by age (60 percent for Barack Obama) in the electorate, whereas voters older than 65 were the most loyal GOP voters (56 percent for Mitt Romney). The poll found that among voters 65 or older, 62 percent of them self-identified as highly interested in the 2014 campaign, whereas among the youngest voters, just 20 percent said they are highly interested in this election.

If real estate is all about location, location, location, then national elections are all about turnout, turnout, turnout, which, as of today, looks favorable for Republicans in 2014. But first, if you would, return with me to the immediate aftermath of the 2012 election, in which the GOP again, for the fifth time in the past six presidential contests, lost the U.S. popular vote.

The Republican National Committee, after a hard-eyed assessment of the party's problems, delivered a blunt postmortem in March 2013, which

Mark Shields Creators Syndicate urged a renewed outreach to female voters and stated, "We need to campaign among Hispanic, black, Asian, and gay Americans and demonstrate that we care about them, too." The Republican autopsy was specific: "We must embrace and champion comprehensive immigration reform."

That was logical advice, considering that in 1992, Republican George H.W. Bush (while capturing just 38 percent of the national vote) still won 55 percent of the Asian vote but, by 2012, 73 percent of Asian voters were backing Democrat Barack Obama. And even though Republican George W. Bush in 2004 won 44 percent of the Latino vote, in 2012 the Democratic president received 71 percent support from Latino voters. In the past 20 years, the share of the national electorate represented by Asian and Latino voters has more than quadrupled, while white voters have dropped from 87 percent of the total down to 72 percent.

Republicans in power, as you may have noticed, did not "embrace and champion comprehensive immigration reform." With overwhelming opposition from Republicans in Congress to equal pay for equal work legislation endorsed by civil rights and women's

groups, the GOP's recommended renewed outreach to female voters was not evident.

So if the Republicans do win the upcoming midterms — in which more older white male voters tend to show up than younger and minority voters — then, because the winners do get to write history or to say what an election result really means, the GOP's most conservative partisans will insist that the touchy-feely RNC postmortem was wrong. All you need to do, the argument will go, is to give the voters what we gave them in 2010 (when the GOP picked up 63 House seats) and 2014, unapologetically conservative candidates who offered no yielding either on principles or, heaven forbid, to Obama or Democrats. There's obviously no need for "pandering" to Hispanic, black, Asian or gay voters.

Such thinking and feelings will strengthen that 2016 Republican presidential candidate who condemns political compromise as weakness or even surrender. A 2014 win could well convince Republicans that while the nation continues to change at accelerating velocity (the widespread support for same-sex marriage and the fact that more white Americans, for the first time, died last year than were born), the GOP does not need to change. That would frankly be a 2016 formula for the Republicans to again lose the White House.

Anniston (Alabama) Star on Montgomery morality: Alabama needs more than an influx of governmental morality. It needs elected leadership with equal doses of guts and humanity, both of which are lacking these days at the state Capitol.

That said, what took place Monday in Montgomery was a start. About 150 people rallied in what's being described as Alabama's version of "Moral Monday" — a grassroots civildisobedience effort in North Carolina that has become the model for activists in other states to mimic. It's happened in Georgia. It's happened in South Carolina. Now it's Alabama's turn.

The genesis of North Carolina's Moral Mondays is quite simple. Two years ago, Republicans won control of the three main facets of that state's government — the governor's mansion, the Senate and the House. Strong-right, if not far-right, conservative governing followed. A hefty number of North Carolinians felt the GOP-controlled state government was going too far, and too soon.

Protests began in April 2013 at the state Legislature's chambers. They haven't waned. Hundreds, sometimes thousands, show up each week for organized gatherings. Arrests have taken place, as have sit-ins at legislators' offices.

Though started by the NAACP and religious leaders, North Carolina's Moral Monday protests gained traction because they quickly became a cross-section of all North Carolinians: blacks, whites, well-to-do, poor, office workers and laborers, the highly educated and the not-so educated.

Those who organized Monday's gathering in Montgomery brought in the Rev. William Barber, head of the North Carolina branch of the NAACP and the protests' founder. He lent his voice to their concerns — Medicaid expansion, equality and voting rights, for instance. He may have given Alabama's opening Moral Monday a bit of buzz.

"After all the division and strife to make people mad, (Alabama's elected leaders) made sure people can get a gun quicker than they can vote," Barber said, according to the Montgomery Advertiser. "... We are not against Republicans.

We are not against Democrats. We are against extremists."

We agree with the reverend. Extremists make lousy leaders.

The Valley Times-News and

COMICS

Tuesday, September 30, 2014 Garfield

Arlo & Janis

Born Loser

Snuffy Smith

Beetle Bailey

Blondie

TUESDAY EVENING C W WJCN WRBL 4 WLTZ 5 WTVM 7 WSFA WTBS 23 WGN-A 16 WJSP 10 WXTX 8 WCIQ 9 A&E 49 AMC 51 ANPL 62 BET 52 BRAV 50 CMTV 60 CNBC 42 CNN 44 COM 66 CSPAN 96 CSPAN2 110 DIS 63 DISC 53

19 4 8 10 12 13 11 7 5 49 55 35 76 61 41 40 58 99 45 25

7:00

7:30

Page 7

SEP. 30

C - Charter, W - WOW Cable

8:00

8:30

9:00

9:30

10:00

10:30

11:00

11:30

12:00

12:30

WJCN Local News In the Zone LaGrange-Coaches Callaway-Show Lanett-Coaches Kevin Dunn WJCN Local News Jake Sessions Daytime Jeopardy Wheel of Fortune NCIS A lieutenant is murdered.

NCIS: New Orleans “Carrier” Å Person of Interest “Nautilus” Å WRBL 11pm News Late Show With David Letterman Å Ferguson Family Feud Å Family Feud Å The Voice “The Blind Auditions, Part 4” The auditions continue. (N) (In Stereo) Chicago Fire “Wow Me” (N) (In Stereo) WLTZ First Tonight Show-J. Fallon Seth Meyers Inside Edition Entertainment Ton. Selfie “Pilot” Manhattan Lov Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Å Forever “Fountain of Youth” Å News Jimmy Kimmel Live (In Stereo) Å Nightline (N) Å WSFA News at 6 Entertainment Ton. The Voice “The Blind Auditions, Part 4” The auditions continue. (N) (In Stereo) Chicago Fire “Wow Me” (N) (In Stereo) WSFA News at 10 Tonight Show-J. Fallon Seth Meyers Seinfeld (In Stereo) MLB on Deck MLB Baseball: American League Wild-Card: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Inside MLB Å Conan (N) Å America’s Funniest Home Videos Å ›››› “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial ” (1982, Science Fiction) Henry Thomas. A California boy befriends a homesick alien.

Manhattan “The Understudy” Manhattan “The Understudy” History Detectives-Investigations Finding Your Roots-Henry Louis Gates Makers The rise of women in comedy.

Frontline “Bigger Than Vegas” American casinos in Macau.

Makers The rise of women in comedy.

Pioneers News at 7 (N) Big Bang Theory Utopia “Week Four in Utopia -- A” New Girl The Mindy Project FOX 54 News Ten (N) Big Bang Theory TMZ (N) (In Stereo) RightThisMinute To Be Announced PBS NewsHour (N) (In Stereo) Å Finding Your Roots-Henry Louis Gates Makers The rise of women in comedy.

Frontline “Bigger Than Vegas” American casinos in Macau.

After Hours BBC World News Tavis Smiley Å Brandi & Jarrod Brandi & Jarrod Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Brandi & Jarrod Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars Storage Wars “The Lost World: Jurassic Park ” (1997) ››‡ “Jurassic Park III ” (2001, Adventure) Sam Neill, Tea Leoni. ‘PG-13’ 4th and Loud (N) 4th and Loud ››‡ “Jurassic Park III ” (2001) Wild Russia (In Stereo) Å Wild Russia (In Stereo) Å Wild Russia (In Stereo) Å Wild Russia (In Stereo) Å Wild Russia (In Stereo) Å Wild Russia (In Stereo) Å ››‡ “Barbershop ” (2002) Ice Cube. A barbershop owner considers selling his establishment. Å ComicView Å ComicView (N) ComicView (N) ComicView Å ComicView Å The Wendy Williams Show Å Below Deck Below Deck Below Deck (N) The Singles Project Å What Happens Below Deck Housewives/NJ Raising Hope Raising Hope Raising Hope Raising Hope ›››‡ “Good Will Hunting ” (1997, Drama) Matt Damon. A young Boston man must deal with his genius and emotions.

Cops Reloaded Cops Reloaded The Profit “Amazing Grapes” Shark Tank (In Stereo) Å Shark Tank (In Stereo) Å Shark Tank (In Stereo) Å Shark Tank (In Stereo) Å The Profit “Eco-Me” Erin Burnett OutFront (N) Anderson Cooper 360 (N) Å CNN Special Report CNN Tonight (N) (Live) Anderson Cooper 360 Å CNN Special Report South Park Å Tosh.0 Å Chappelle’s Show Tosh.0 Å Tosh.0 Å Tosh.0 Å Tosh.0 (N) Å Brickleberry (N) Daily Show The Colbert Report At Midnight (N) Tosh.0 Å Key Capitol Hill Hearings Speeches. (In Stereo) Key Capitol Hill Hearings Speeches. (In Stereo) Key Capitol Hill Hearings Speeches. (In Stereo) (6:00) Key Capitol Hill Hearings Key Capitol Hill Hearings Speeches. (In Stereo) Key Capitol Hill Hearings Speeches. (In Stereo) Key Capitol Hill Hearings Speeches.

Dog With a Blog Liv & Maddie Å “Teen Beach Movie ” (2013, Musical) Ross Lynch. Å Mickey Mouse Austin & Ally Å Good Luck Charlie Jessie (In Stereo) Dog With a Blog Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie Yukon Men “The Longest Day” Å Yukon Men: Revealed “Rising Sons” Yukon Men (N) (In Stereo) Å Ice Lake Rebels: Deep Freeze Å Yukon Men (In Stereo) Å Ice Lake Rebels: Deep Freeze Å

THE Daily Commuter Puzzle ACROSS 1 Lively Irish dance 4 Deep audible breaths 9 Married lady 13 Acting part 15 Thief 16 Brass musical instrument 17 Male deer 18 Jewish leader 19 Had debts 20 Veneration; worship 22 Cereal grains 23 Sticky strip 24 Siesta 26 Dissimilar to 29 Tangiest 34 Clamor 35 Tree or bush 36 DVD player’s forerunner 37 Young horse 38 Hauling into court 39 Ripped 40 Busy __ bee 41 High points 42 Phonies 43 Odd 45 Tendons 46 Eva, to Zsa Zsa 47 Pealed 48 Shaping tool 51 Wastes 56 Tells a fib 57 1/16 of a pound 58 Thrown for a __; astonished 60 Lima’s nation 61 Carousels and Ferris wheels 62 Stench 63 Go no further 64 Baseball or football 65 Pigpen 1 2 3 4 5

WEST P INT TIMES-NEWS

DOWN Yrbk. section Smidgen Happy Minor injury Furious

6 Huge desert in Asia 7 Vagabond 8 Paring, as potatoes 9 Ms. Goldberg 10 “The Hawkeye State” 11 Worry 12 Finishes 14 Pompous one 21 Gather leaves 25 __ up; misbehave 26 Remove the lid from 27 Rope loop 28 Purple shade 29 More devious 30 Skillets 31 Conjure up, as a memory 32 Threaded fastener 33 Lock of hair 35 Wild feline 38 Barber’s need 39 Citrus fruit 41 Heavyweight Muhammad __

by Jacqueline E. Mathews

Monday’s Puzzle Solved

(c) 2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.

42 44 45 47

Discover Spends all of Most rational Dale Earnhardt or Jeff Gordon 48 Mont Blanc’s range 49 Eat less to lose weight

50 Two minus two 52 Clever and witty remark 53 Take apart 54 Serling and Stewart 55 Chimney residue 59 Use a crowbar

‘Dear Abby’ DEAR ABBY: How can I convince my aging, sick sister-in-law that her feeble husband's care is too much for her at this point? She can barely care for herself, yet she must help him eat, get out of chairs -- everything short of chew his food for him. I have tried telling her she deserves respite care of some kind, to no avail.

Have you any ideas how I can convince her she is literally killing herself and deserves some assistance? Their three daughters are no help at all to them. They turn a blind eye from their parents' situation. -- RELATIVE WHO CARES IN OHIO DEAR RELATIVE: I can think of a few things you might do to help. The first would be to talk to the daughters and explain your concerns for their mother's health -- because if she doesn't get some respite care, SHE could die before their father does. Be sure to point out that if that happens, their father's care would become THEIR responsibility.

When they realize the effect it would have on their own lives, it might motivate them to do something.

The second would be to do some research and see what options are available for parttime caregivers or senior day care centers where her husband would be safe and looked after while your sister-in-law has a few precious hours to herself. The man's doctor could guide you.

Then have a frank talk with her and explain that for her to be as effective a caregiver as she obviously wants to be, she's going to have to take better care of herself because the track she's on right now could cost her her own health or even her life, and that's no ex-

Aging caregiver must find respite time for himself aggeration.

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 29-year-old single man who is hard of hearing.

I have a steady job and plans for a good future, but I'm having trouble in the dating world.

I would love to have a special someone in my life, but I'm shy. I have a hard time talking with the girls who live in my area. I can hear people pretty well unless they mumble or talk quietly, or face away from me when they speak.

I have asked people to repeat what they say (I try not to do it often) if I missed something. They get frustrated and so do I, and then they say, "Never mind!"

I try so hard to hear people. But it seems the harder I try, the less it seems worth it to find a relationship. Any tips on dealing with impatient and non-understanding people? -- FRUSTRATED IN WISCONSIN DEAR FRUSTRATED: As people age, many of them encounter the problem you are trying to cope with now at your young age. Hearing loss is difficult because it is often subtle and can be extremely isolating for the person who has it.

My first tip would be to avoid noisy places for meeting women, if you can. My second would be to be upfront about your hearing loss right off the bat. If a woman finds you attractive, she will find ways to accommodate the problem.

And if she doesn't, then she wasn't the right candidate for a relationship in the first place.

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.

The Valley Times-News

and

WEST P INT TIMES-NEWS

SPORTS Troup softball team opens region tourney Wednesday

Page 8

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Sports Briefs Ladies Starlighters’ League at Valley Bowl •Valley Bowl invites all the ladies who ever bowled in the Starlightersʼ League to join the association once again starting Tues., Sept. 30, from 7-10 p.m. ET. Letʼs get together and have some fun.

Bring your old pictures, newspaper clips as well as your bowling ball.

Valley Bowl also has the best hamburgers in town. Come join in on all the fun, food and fellowship in the Startlightersʼ League at Valley Bowl. For additional information, contact: Valley Bowl officials at (334) 768-2729.

Lanett Athletic Booster Club Meetings •The Lanett Athletic Booster Club meeting schedule is as follows: Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m.; Oct. 13, 6 p.m.; Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m.; and Oct. 27, 6 p.m. All meetings will be held at the Lanett High cafeteria. All of Panther Nation is invited to join. Membership dues are $5 per year. Contact: Stanley Roberts Sr., president, at (706) 773-3696 or C.A. Brasfield, vice president.

By SCOTT SICKLER Times-News Sports Editor LaGRANGE — After a solid season, the Troup High Lady Tigers softball team is busy preparing for the GHSA 4A-Region 5 tournament this week held at Whitewater High School.

Troup went 10-9 in regular season play and 5-5 in region action.

In addition, Troup defeated rival LaGrange for the

first time in five seasons.

The region tourney will open Wednesday at Whitewater High and will be a best 2-of-3 games format.

Libby Wheeler, Taylor Mooseman, Abby Taylor and Kinley Stanford are all from West Point.

Wheeler is a two-sport student-athlete, playing golf and softball for the Lady Tigers. In addition, Taylor also plays on the golf team.

Troup is led by coach Blair Shimandle.

Assistant coaches include Devin Arnold, Eddie Hull and Mason Bracket.

UGA boots backup safety Dawson

By The Associated Press ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia safety Sheldon Dawson, who appeared in two games this season in a backup role, is no longer a member of the team.

Coach Mark Richt says Monday that Dawson "is not a member of the team anymore," but provided no further details.

Dawson, a junior, made one start in 2013. He had three tackles this season.

Richt also said freshman tailback Sony Michel probably won't need surgery for his shoulder injury, but won't play this week for No. 13 Georgia against Vanderbilt.

TROUP SOFTBALL TEAM — Shown above are members of the Troup High girls softball team. The Lady Tigers are participating in the GHSA 4A-Region 5 tournament this week at Whitewater High School. Team members include, fron row, from left: Brandy Brown, Olivia Jones, Katie White, Abby Taylor, Kinley Stanford and Hannah Lane. Back row, from left: Maddy Weathers, Libby Wheeler, Taylor Mooseman, Ciera Gilbert, Chandler Pritchett, Andrea Nix and Amber Arnold. (Photo special to Times-News Sports)

Stewart searching for new normal TIGERS ARE COUNTY CHAMPIONS — The Troup Tigers football program can now claim a first among local schools in the county. For the first time ever, Troup, LaGrange and Callaway all played each other and the Tigers came out on top, defeating both rivals for a 2-0 record and earned the first official Troup Co. championship. Troup is 3-2 and with a break or two, could easily be 4-1 or even 5-0 after close losses to Harris Co. and Carver. The Tigers rushing attack has powered the team once again. Troup has nearly 1,500 yards rushing and 17 rushing TDs in five games to date. (Times-News Sports Staff photo)

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (AP) — Slowly and somberly, Tony Stewart is trying his best to find his new normal.

He may never again be the "Smoke" the racing world knew before Aug. 9, the night a sprint

Shaky future for Braves after dismal 79-83 mark

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer ATLANTA (AP) — Less than 24 hours after the end to a disappointing season, many of the lockers at Turner Field were already cleaned out Monday.

The Atlanta Braves were able to get an early start on the offseason.

The final week was essentially meaningless — the first time the Braves have been in that situation since 2009. The players were able to gather their belongings ahead of schedule, leaving the clubhouse largely deserted Monday except for reliever Luis Avilan packing up some boxes. Several name tags had already been removed from atop the lockers, perhaps the most telling sign of a franchise in transition.

General manager Frank Wren has already been fired. Manager Fredi Gonzalez isn't sure if he'll be back.

Gonzalez plans to meet Wednesday with interim general manager John Hart, though any decision about the manager's future will likely be left until the new GM is hired.

"I think the first piece is hiring a GM," Gonzalez said, sitting in the office he inherited from Bobby Cox after the Hall of Famer retired in 2010. "Everything will go pretty quickly after that."

Gonzalez has led the Braves to a pair of playoff appearances and an NL East championship during his four years at the helm. But this season, the team collapsed in September under the weight of a feeble offense and finished 79-83 — only its third losing record in the last 24 years and a staggering 17 games behind the division champion Washington Nationals.

Making matters worse, both the Nationals and the wild-card Pittsburgh Pirates clinched their playoff berths at Turner Field, meaning there were two champagne celebrations in the visiting clubhouse.

"It stinks," third baseman Chris Johnson said. "It's definitely a down year — big time — any time this organization doesn't make the playoffs."

The Braves' biggest problem was easy to pinpoint: the offense was mis-

erable most of the season and downright pathetic as the team went 7-18 in September, ruining any hopes of making the playoffs. Atlanta was held to three runs or fewer, including six shutouts, in 18 of its final 25 games.

"We just didn't produce any offense," Gonzalez said. "The pitching was good all year."

Indeed, the rotation performed much better than expected after projected starters Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy went down with season-ending elbow injuries on backto-back days during spring training.

Ervin Santana was hastily signed to a one-year deal and went 14-10. Aaron Harang was a bargain pickup, going 12-12 with a 3.57 ERA. Julio Teheran (14-13) and Alex Wood (11-11) both posted ERAs under 3.00 but were plagued by a lack of run support.

Santana, who made $14.1 million this season, is unlikely to return. But there's still the making of a solid rotation, assuming Mike Minor bounces back from a disappointing season (6-12, 4.77).

The offense is another story.

Other than Justin Upton, who had 29 homers and a career-best 102 RBIs, no one performed up to expectations.

The Braves were counting on bigger numbers from Freddie Freeman (.288, 18 homers, 78 RBIs), Jason Heyward (.271, 11, 58), Andrelton Simmons (.244, 7, 46) and Johnson (.263, 10, 58).

Evan Gattis (.263, 22, 52) was sidelined frequently by injuries and illness.

Then there were Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton, two of the highest-paid players on the team.

Uggla was hitting .162 when he was cut in mid-July, forcing the Braves to eat the remainder of his $13 million salary this season, not to mention another $13 million he is owed next year.

B.J. Upton, Justin's older brother, is still on the roster but looking like one of the biggest busts of the free-agent era. He hit just .208 with 12 homers, 35 RBIs and a franchise-record 173 strikeouts — which was actually an improvement on his first year in Atlanta but

•SEE BRAVES RECAP, page 9

car he was driving struck and killed Kevin Ward Jr. at an upstate New York dirt track. The three-time NASCAR champion was fiery on the track, so quick-witted he never lost a verbal spat, and a larger-thanlife personality throughout the garage.

Stewart, without a doubt, was the heart and soul of NASCAR. Now, some seven weeks after Ward's death, the driver affec-

tionaly referred to as "The People's Champion" is struggling to find his footing. Stewart spent three weeks in seclusion at his Indiana home, and though he returned to racing Aug. 31, he's been a shell of his former self.

He's incapable of hiding when he's having a tough day, he wears his emotions all over his body, and he's not yet comfortable sliding back into his old, familiar routines. Stewart loved rac-

ing and women and a good practical joke, and now struggles to relax enough to even smile in public.

It made Monday a huge step for Smoke, who held his first news conference since a grand jury decided last week not to charge him in Ward's death. Aside from a statement he read when he returned to the track at Atlanta and an •SEE NASCAR, page 9

GREAT ALL-AROUND GAME — Springwood’s Steven Stuntz (40) gets the defensive call from coordinator Matt Livingston in last week’s thrilling 32-30 win over the rival Chambers Academy Rebels. Stuntz led the Wildcats defense with a team and game-high 19 tackles, including 11 solo stops. He also had five tackles for loss, intercepted one pass and scored a rushing TD as well in a sensational game for the hard-nosed player. Coach Thomas Hill’s team is now 4-2 overall and won three straight and play AISA 3A rival Lee-Scott this week in Auburn. (Photo by Scott Sickler, Times-News sports editor)

SEC West showcase

By The Associated Press The Southeastern Conference's Western Division will have a showcase like none other on Saturday.

When No. 11 Mississippi hosts No. 3 Alabama, No. 12 Mississippi State hosts No. 6 Texas A&M and No. 15 LSU visits No. 5 Auburn it will be the first time that three games featuring six ranked teams from the same division will play on the same day, according to STATS. On four previous occasions, two games featuring four ranked teams from the same division were played on the same day. The four times: Division, Date, Matchups

— SEC Eastern Division, Oct. 27, 2001: No. 9 Tennessee defeated No. 12 South Carolina, 17-10; No. 6 Florida beat No. 15 Georgia, 24-10.

— Big 12 South Division, Nov. 6, 2004: No. 2 Oklahoma outlasted No. 22 Texas A&M 42-35; No. 6 Texas ran past No. 19 Oklahoma State, 5635.

— SEC Western Division, Nov. 3, 2012: No. 1 Alabama edged No. 5 LSU 21-17; No. 16 Texas A&M thumped No. 17 Mississippi State, 38-13.

— SEC Western Division, Nov. 10, 2012: No. 15 Texas A&M upset No. 1 Alabama 29-24; No. 9 LSU defeated No. 22 Mississippi State 37-17.

The Valley/West Point Times-News — Tuesday, September 30, 2014 — Page 9

SCOREBOARD Tide No. 3; Tigers No. 5 in AP poll

25. Winona State (Minn.) 3-1 41 20 ***********************************************

AP College Football Top 25

By The Associated Press The Top 25 teams in The Associated Press college football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Sept. 27, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote, and previous ranking:

Postseason Baseball Glance

By The Associated Press All Times EDT x-if necessary

Record Pts Pv 1. Florida St. (27) 4-0 1,416 1 2. Oregon (13) 4-0 1,405 2 3. Alabama (13) 4-0 1,387 3 4. Oklahoma (7) 4-0 1,357 4 5. Auburn 4-0 1,272 5 6. Texas A&M 5-0 1,206 6 7. Baylor 4-0 1,149 7 8. UCLA 4-0 975 11 9. Notre Dame 4-0 972 8 10. Michigan St. 3-1 944 9 11. Mississippi 4-0 906 10 12. Mississippi St. 4-0 848 14 13. Georgia 3-1 788 12 14. Stanford 3-1 643 16 15. LSU 4-1 636 17 16. Southern Cal 3-1 560 18 17. Wisconsin 3-1 502 19 18. BYU 4-0 450 20 19. Nebraska 5-0 445 21 20. Ohio St. 3-1 298 22 21. Oklahoma St. 3-1 246 24 22. East Carolina 3-1 237 23 23. Kansas St. 3-1 216 25 24. Missouri 4-1 145 NR 25. TCU 3-0 109 NR •Others receiving votes: Arizona St. 97, South Carolina 61, Clemson 52, Arizona 43, Marshall 40, Georgia Tech 37, West Virginia 24, Arkansas 18, Maryland 5, Louisville 4, N. Dakota St. 3, Washington 2, NC State 1, Virginia 1. ***********************************************

Alabama No. 1 in Amway Top 25 poll The Amway Coaches’ Top 25 Poll The Amway Top 25 football coaches poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Sept. 27, total points based on 25 points for first place through one point for 25th, and previous ranking: Record Pts Pvs 1. Alabama (15) 4-0 1477 2 2. Florida State (26) 4-0 1468 1 3. Oklahoma (14) 4-0 1442 3 4. Oregon (7) 4-0 1407 4 5. Auburn 4-0 1312 5 6. Baylor 4-0 1191 6 7. Texas A&M 5-0 1172 7 8. Notre Dame 4-0 1072 8 9. UCLA 4-0 1007 10 10. Michigan State 3-1 975 9 11. Mississippi 4-0 907 11 12. Georgia 3-1 824 13 13. Stanford 3-1 735 14 14. Mississippi State 4-0 708 16 15. LSU 4-1 587 18 16. Wisconsin 3-1 571 17 17. Nebraska 5-0 559 19 18. Ohio State 3-1 474 20 19. Brigham Young 4-0 473 21 20. Southern Cal 3-1 392 22 21. East Carolina 3-1 255 24 22. Kansas State 3-1 253 25 23. Oklahoma State 3-1 216 NR 24. Arizona State 3-1 148 12 25. TCU 3-0 86 NR •Others receiving votes: Missouri 83; South Carolina 82; Clemson 81; Arizona 59; Marshall 49; Georgia Tech 39; Washington 10; Louisville 8; Duke 7; North Carolina 7; Arkansas 5; Iowa 3; Minnesota 3; Cincinnati 1; Texas 1; West Virginia 1. ***********************************************

N. Alabama Lions No. 5 in Div. II poll AFCA Division II Coaches Poll

By The Associated Press Record Pts Pvs 1. NW Miss. St. (30) 4-0 774 1 2. Col. St-Pueblo (1) 4-0 741 2 3. Minn. St-Mankato 4-0 696 3 4. Minnesota-Duluth 4-0 684 4 5. North Alabama 3-0 641 5 6. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) 4-0 596 6 7. Henderson St. (Ark.) 4-0 585 7 8. Ohio Dominican 4-0 554 9 9. West Chester (Pa.) 4-0 501 10 10. Shepherd (W.Va.) 4-0 469 11 11. Delta State (Miss.)

3-0 463 12 12. Bloomsburg (Pa.) 4-0 425 13 13. Ferris St. (Mich.)

4-0 415 14 14. W-Salem St. (N.C.) 3-1 303 15 15. Harding (Ark.) 3-0 292 16 16. Midwest State (Texas) 3-0 287 18 17. Colo. School of Mines 4-0 278 17 18. C.-Newman (Tenn.)

3-1 209 19 19. Pittsburg State (Kan.) 3-1 207 8 20. Slippery Rock (Pa.) 4-0 196 22 21. Sioux Falls (S.D.) 4-0 155 24 22. West Alabama 3-1 124 23 23. Michigan Tech 4-0 95 — 24. West Georgia 4-0 73 —

MLB Postseason

WILD CARD Tuesday, Sept. 30: Oakland (Lester 1611) at Kansas City (Shields 14-8), 8:07 p.m. (TBS) Wednesday, Oct. 1: San Francisco (Bumgarner 18-10) at Pittsburgh (Volquez 13-7), 8:07 p.m. (ESPN) DIVISION SERIES (Best-of-5) American League All AL games televised by TBS Los Angeles vs.

Oakland-Kansas City winner Thursday, Oct. 2: Oakland-Kansas City winner at Los Angeles Friday, Oct. 3: Oakland-Kansas City winner at Los Angeles Sunday, Oct. 5: Los Angeles at Oakland-Kansas City winner x-Monday, Oct. 6: Los Angeles at Oakland-Kansas City winner x-Wednesday, Oct. 8: Oakland-Kansas City winner at Los Angeles Baltimore vs. Detroit Thursday, Oct. 2: Detroit (Scherzer 185) at Baltimore (Tillman 13-6) Friday, Oct. 3: Detroit at Baltimore Sunday, Oct. 5: Baltimore at Detroit x-Monday, Oct. 6: Baltimore at Detroit x-Wednesday, Oct. 8: Detroit at Baltimore National League Washington vs.

San Francisco-Pittsburgh winner Friday, Oct. 3: San Francisco-Pittsburgh winner at Washington (FS1) Saturday, Oct. 4: San Francisco-Pittsburgh winner at Washington (FS1 or MLBN) Monday, Oct. 6: Washington at San Francisco-Pittsburgh winner (FS1 or MLBN) x-Tuesday, Oct. 7: Washington at San Francisco-Pittsburgh winner (FS1) x-Thursday, Oct. 9: San Francisco-Pittsburgh winner at Washington (FS1) Los Angeles vs. St. Louis Friday, Oct. 3: St. Louis (Wainwright 209) at Los Angeles (Kershaw 21-3) (FS1) Saturday, Oct. 4: St. Louis at Los Angeles (FS1 or MLBN) Monday, Oct. 6: Los Angeles at St. Louis (FS1 or MLBN) x-Tuesday, Oct. 7: Los Angeles at St. Louis (FS1) x-Thursday Oct. 9: St. Louis at Los Angeles (FS1) LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (Best-of-7) American League All AL games televised by TBS Friday, Oct. 10: Detroit-Baltimore winner at Los Angeles OR Oakland-Kansas City winner at Detroit-Baltimore winner Saturday, Oct. 11: Detroit-Baltimore winner at Los Angeles OR OaklandKansas City winner at Detroit-Baltimore winner Monday, Oct. 13: Los Angeles at Detroit-Baltimore winner OR Detroit-Baltimore winner at Oakland-Kansas City winner Tuesday, Oct. 14: Los Angeles at Detroit-Baltimore winner OR Detroit-Baltimore winner at Oakland-Kansas City winner x-Wednesday, Oct. 15: Los Angeles at Detroit-Baltimore winner OR Detroit-Baltimore winner at Oakland-Kansas City winner x-Friday, Oct. 17: Detroit-Baltimore winner at Los Angeles OR Oakland-Kansas City winner at Detroit-Baltimore winner x-Saturday, Oct. 18: Detroit-Baltimore winner at Los Angeles OR OaklandKansas City winner at Detroit-Baltimore winner National League Saturday, Oct. 11: St. Louis-Los Angeles winner at Washington OR San Francisco-Pittsburgh winner at St. Louis-Los Angeles winner (Fox) Sunday, Oct. 12: St. Louis-Los Angeles winner at Washington OR San FranciscoPittsburgh winner at St. Louis-Los Angeles winner (FS1) Tuesday, Oct. 14: Washington at St. Louis-Los Angeles winner OR St. LouisLos Angeles winner at San FranciscoPittsburgh winner (FS1) Wednesday, Oct. 15: Washington at St. Louis-Los Angeles winner OR St. LouisLos Angeles winner at San FranciscoPittsburgh winner (FS1)

x-Thursday, Oct. 16: Washington at St. Louis-Los Angeles winner OR St. LouisLos Angeles winner at San FranciscoPittsburgh winner (FS1) x-Saturday, Oct. 18: St. Louis-Los Angeles winner at Washington OR San Francisco-Pittsburgh winner at St. Louis-Los Angeles winner (Fox) x-Sunday, Oct. 19: St. Louis-Los Angeles winner at Washington OR San Francisco-Pittsburgh winner at St. Louis-Los Angeles winner (FS1) WORLD SERIES (Best-of-7) All games televised by Fox Tuesday, Oct. 21: at American League Wednesday, Oct. 22: at AL Friday, Oct. 24: at National League Saturday, Oct. 25: at NL x-Sunday, Oct. 26: at NL x-Tuesday, Oct. 28: at AL x-Wednesday, Oct. 29: at AL ***********************************************

NFL Standings

NFL Glance National Football League The Associated Press All Times EDT AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF New England 2 2 0 500 80 Buffalo 2 2 0 .500 79 Miami 2 2 0 .500 96 N.Y. Jets 1 3 0 .250 79 South W L T Pct PF Houston 3 1 0 .750 87 Indianapolis 2 2 0 .500 136 Tennessee 1 3 0 .250 60 Jacksonville 0 4 0 .000 58 North W L T Pct PF Cincinnati 3 0 0 1.000 80 Baltimore 3 1 0 .750 103 Pittsburgh 2 2 0 .500 97 Cleveland 1 2 0 .333 74 West W L T Pct PF San Diego 3 1 0 .750 102 Denver 2 1 0 .667 75 Kansas City 2 2 0 .500 102 Oakland 0 4 0 .000 51 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF Philadelphia 3 1 0 .750 122 Dallas 3 1 0 .750 115 N.Y. Giants 2 2 0 .500 103 Washington 1 3 0 .250 95 South W L T Pct PF Atlanta 2 2 0 .500 131 Carolina 2 2 0 .500 73 New Orleans 1 3 0 .250 95 Tampa Bay 1 3 0 .250 72 North W L T Pct PF Detroit 3 1 0 .750 85 Green Bay 2 2 0 .500 92 Minnesota 2 2 0 .500 91 Chicago 2 2 0 .500 92 West W L T Pct PF Arizona 3 0 0 1.000 66 Seattle 2 1 0 .667 83 S. Francisco 2 2 0 .500 88 St. Louis 1 2 0 .333 56

PA 90 75 97 96 PA 67 95 110 152 PA 33 60 99 77 PA 63 67 79 103 PA 104 86 91 109 PA 113 96 110 119 PA 62 96 84 100 PA 45 66 89 85

Thursday's Game N.Y. Giants 45, Washington 14 Sunday's Games Green Bay 38, Chicago 17 Houston 23, Buffalo 17 Indianapolis 41, Tennessee 17 Baltimore 38, Carolina 10 Detroit 24, N.Y. Jets 17 Tampa Bay 27, Pittsburgh 24 Miami 38, Oakland 14 San Diego 33, Jacksonville 14 San Francisco 26, Philadelphia 21 Minnesota 41, Atlanta 28 Dallas 38, New Orleans 17 Open: Arizona, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Seattle, St. Louis Monday's Game Kansas City 41, New England 14 Thursday, Oct. 2 Minnesota at Green Bay, 8:25 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 5 Cleveland at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans, 1 p.m.

Houston at Dallas, 1 p.m.

Chicago at Carolina, 1 p.m.

St. Louis at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

Atlanta at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.

Buffalo at Detroit, 1 p.m.

Baltimore at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Arizona at Denver, 4:05 p.m.

Kansas City at San Francisco, 4:25 p.m.

N.Y. Jets at San Diego, 4:25 p.m.

Cincinnati at New England, 8:30 p.m.

Open: Miami, Oakland Monday, Oct. 6 Seattle at Washington, 8:30 p.m. ***********************************************

Sports Briefs Monday's Sports In Brief

By The Associated Press NFL ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Raiders fired coach Dennis Allen four games into his third season.

The decision was announced Monday night, soon after the Raiders (0-4) returned from London where they lost their 10th straight game, dating to last season, 34-14 to the Miami Dolphins. The firing was first reported by Fox Sports.

Allen was the first head coach hired by Oakland after the death of longtime owner Al Davis. His 8-28 record is the worst for the franchise since before Davis arrived in 1963.

An announcement on the interim coach is expected to be made on Tuesday.

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer has been formally charged with assaulting his wife during two arguments in July at their Phoenix apartment.

An indictment publicly released late Friday charges Dwyer with felony aggravated assault and eight misdemeanors, including assault, criminal damage and disorderly conduct.

Investigators say Dwyer broke his wife's nose with a head-butt during a July 21 argument and engaged in a dispute the following day in which he punched his wife and threw a shoe at his 17-month-old son, who wasn't injured.

Dwyer had been booked on Sept. 17 on suspicion of aggravated assault against his son, but the indictment doesn't charge him with any crimes related to the child.

An Oct. 6 status conference has been scheduled for Dwyer.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A developer that proposed building an NFL stadium in downtown Los Angeles asked the mayor and other city officials Monday for more time to lure a professional football team.

Anschutz Entertainment Group's twoyear agreement for the right to replace the city's convention center with a 76,000-seat stadium and a new $287 million convention center wing hinges on landing an NFL franchise. If that deal expires Oct. 18, the city would take control of redeveloping its outdated convention center.

AEG Chief Executive Dan Beckerman said in a letter to Mayor Eric Garcetti and two City Council members that the firm needs six more months for talks that have resumed with the NFL. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — An autopsy performed one year after Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher fatally shot his 22-year-old girlfriend and killed himself found signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the degenerative brain disease found in athletes and others with a history of repetitive brain injuries.

Belcher, 25, killed Kasandra Perkins on Dec. 1, 2012, in the couple's home while his mother was caring for his baby daughter in a nearby room. He then sped from the residence to the Chiefs training facility, where he shot himself in the head in front of then-general manager Scott Pioli and then-coach Romeo Crennel.

Belcher's mother, Cheryl Shepherd, filed a lawsuit in December in Jackson County Circuit Court in Kansas City alleging her son was subjected to "repetitive head trauma," and that the Chiefs failed to provide adequate medical care before he killed his girlfriend and then committed suicide.

That lawsuit and similar actions by more than 30 plaintiffs — many of them former Chiefs players — has been moved to federal court and subsequently set aside while a $765 million settlement between the league and various lawsuits is going through the approval process.

BASEBALL MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins fired manager Ron Gardenhire on Monday, saying it was time for a new voice after his 13-season tenure concluded with at least 92 losses in each of the last four years.

The move was made with one season left on Gardenhire's contract, ending the second-longest active tenure in the major leagues behind Mike Scioscia of the Angels.

Gardenhire played an integral role in the franchise's renaissance, guiding the Twins to their first of six American League Central division titles in 2002 in his first year on the job. But Gardenhire's teams only got out of the first round once, and his postseason record was 6-21 with the last win coming in 2004.

NASCAR Continued from page 8 interview last week with The Associated Press, Stewart had remained silent since Ward's death.

But he knew avoiding the questions was one of the many things preventing him from getting on with his life.

So he sat down in front of a sterile gray backdrop at Stewart-Haas Racing wearing jeans, sneakers and a shirt void of any sponsor logos. He took 29 questions over 36 minutes about his grief, his change in priorities and his future in racing.

He tried twice at small jokes — the room laughed — but Stewart didn't smile. He can't grasp what's appropriate right now, has no idea if anything will ever be the same.

"I honestly think every day, things will get better, and things will get easier. And I think it will for Kevin's family as well. Time heals," he said. "I don't know that it will ever be normal again, but (I'll) find a place to settle into and (I'll) do the best (I) can.

"Whether I ever get back to (normal) or not, hopefully through this I will somehow be a better person.

That's all I can hope for."

When he was done, Stewart exited out the back and headed to nearby Charlotte Motor Speedway for a two-day test with his three SHR teammates.

That's the normal he needs. Stewart needs to be with his team, needs to be in a race car, needs to return to a routine. After four below-average races in his return, he finally turned a corner Sunday at Dover — his 14th-place finish was his best since the

BRAVES RECAP Continued from page 8 hardly what the team expected from a player who still has three seasons left on a five-year, $75.25 million contract.

"Putting a lineup together was a challenge every single day," Gonzalez said.

With Upton scheduled to make $14.45 million in 2015 and the Braves still on the hook for the last year of Uggla's contract, the next general manager will face a tough challenge reshaping the offense with some significant financial limitations.

Nevertheless, look for some big changes.

"The new people will come in with their own ideas of what it takes to make a winning ballclub," Johnson said. "No one in here is safe, no matter who you are."

middle of July.

"We've still got some work to do," crew chief Chad Johnston radioed Stewart on the final lap, "(but) P14 is a far cry from what we've had the last couple weeks. So we'll build on that and go to next week."

Did a more focused effort have anything to do with the weight of a possible criminal charges being lifted four days earlier? Stewart doesn't know. He doesn't think so, but he likely doesn't realize how miserable he's looked outside of his race car.

He says both his heart and his head are into his job, but Sunday was the first race in which it showed.

He doesn't think a 14th-place finish is "anything to brag about," but realizes his wins will come in curious shapes and sizes going forward.

"I think at this point in my career as a driver, when you make that decision to put the helmet on, you have to know in your heart that you're ready to go, you're ready to do it," he said.

Now he must navigate his way back into society, something he's avoided for seven weeks. He admitted he's "let my team down" in not being engaged with teammates Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and Danica Patrick as he's grieved, and a schedule once so packed with appearances and autograph sessions has been wiped clean.

It's made time stand still on too many days, and after facing a room full of reporters on Monday, he believed he was ready to resume the off-track commitments that come with his job.

"I think that's another step of making forward progress, getting back to trying to resume what was the best of a normal life before this," he said.

Nobody knows if he'll ever be his old self again.

Everyone hopes a version of the old Smoke will come back, but it's also possible any changes will be for the better.

Although his charity, compassion and generosity rank at the top of NASCAR, Stewart could be prickly, moody and mean. He kept people at arm's length, made poor personal choices and never seemed capable of finding the happiness he craves.

Perhaps the new Smoke will indeed be different, but in a good way.

"I want to be happy again and find peace," he said last week in his AP interview. "It's easy to get so focused on certain goals in life that you just forget about other things in life that are important — your friends, your family, your relationships. This has put a lot bigger emphasis on things that you've not necessarily put a lot of emphasis on in the past."

140 Help Wanted

310 Services Offered

LOG TRUCK DRIVER - Must have CDL license, DOT physical and good driving record.

MUST PASS DRUG/ALCOHOL SCREENINGS. Contact Fuller’s Logging 334-576-3636

Metro Climate Systems LLC Call 706-773-0917 for all your air cooling needs. Financing Available. www.metroair.net

10 FOOD SERVICE Workers: Salary: $8.21 per hour. Work Schedule: Wed.-Sun. 9am-6pm (40hrs/wk). 2 months exp. req.

Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, brewing coffee or tea, and serving customers.

Duration of job: 01/01/2015 to 10/31/2015. Job located in Lanett, Alabama. Please fax resume to William Robles (334) 644-3100.

Ad paid by an E.O.E. HuaYun BDNE is looking for Professional Building Cleaning staff. Email resumes to kaley4autigers@yahoo.com or call between the hours of 9am-5pm EST. 334-864-8098 or 706-586-8039.

150 Employment Wanted I WILL sit with the elderly, will do light housework & light cooking. Call 706-7730801.

180 Items Wanted

BOOKER SEPTIC TANK CO. FIELD LINES INSTALLED & PUMPING Call 334-576-2748

380 Investments

BY OWNER Investment property building & lot, 6202 Fairfax Bypass, Valley. Suitable for bar & grill. $59,000. Contact info.

229-869-3854 / 229-226-9888

450 Mobile Homes GOVERNMENT Home Loans AVAILABLE - Good, Bad or No Credit. Lenders Available.

Call 334-749-7048

460 Rental Houses 3BR, 2BA brick home for rent. Close to Beulah School.

Security deposit required.

Call 334-742-3128 LANETT, house, 2BR, 1BA, 1 bonus room, LR, DR, kitchen, all appliances furnished. Rent $450, security dep. $450 Proof of job & credit. 334-644-1708.

2 BR - HUGULEY $400 month Call 706-588-8573

470 Houses for Sale

270 Farm Equipment

CHAMBERS VILLAGE - 1118 Co. Rd. 193 - 3BR, 1-1/2BA brick & vinyl, fenced backyard, garage, new ceramic tile, carpet & paint. $69,500. Call 706590-9397.

GALION 503A MOTO GRADER. Rebuilt motor. Small size makes it great for farm use $5,000. Call 334-576-3636

FOR SALE BY OWNER Rent to own or owner finance.

VALLEY - 3BR, 1BA. Call 334703-2175.

310 Services Offered

500 Lots

WILL PAY $200 UP For your Junk Cars or Trucks

Call 706-518-7743

HAMBY’S SAND, SOIL & GRAVEL - NOW OPEN!!

1401 Crystal Springs Rd. (old Henderson Brothers) Mon. - Fri. 8a-5p & Sat. 8a-12p Call 334-644-0888 or 706-585-0888

ONE ACRE HOUSE LOTS for sale in Lee County.

Call 334-756-3636 MOBILE HOME LOTS Lee County Call 334-756-3636

Fed Up With Dirty Carpets?

Our rotary extractor lifts and cleans the carpets from all directions removing matted down traffic areas, spot & stains.

Our amazing Bio Base cleaning agents deodorize and sanitize leaving a fresh natural fragrance.

Last step our powerful STEAM EXTRACTION removes any remaining contaminants and allergens leaving beautiful clean carpets that dry fast and stay clean longer.

Jeff Brown’s Carpet Care 3 rooms $149 $99 Save $50 today, call before it’s to late 706-590-1166

Busy, upbeat health care facility in the Valley has a permanent, part time position for an energetic, caring, and personable individual to assist with patient care. Must enjoy working with others and helping patients.

Previous experience with face to face customer service, therapies, or x-rays is desirable but not required as we can train right person.

Please send resume and a summary of why you might be a good fit for our team to: Valley Times-News c/o Part Time-2980 P.O. Box 850 Lanett, AL 36863

The City of West Point currently has the following position open:

Certified Patrol Officer Part-time Job Description: Job duties include, but are not limited to: responding to calls relayed by communication officers, serving and executing search and arrest warrants, apprehending, arresting, searching and processing offenders. Duties also include transporting prisoners and providing assistance and backup support to other officers and emergency service providers.

Minimum Requirements: Applicants must already be certified as Peace Officers under Georgia POST. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and possess a High School Diploma or equivalent. Associates Degree preferred. Successful candidates must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen, background check, polygraph test and and psychological evaluation.

Applications will be accepted beginning Friday, September 26 - Friday, October 10, 2014.

All applications will remain active for six months.

Deadline for applications is Friday, October 10, 2014 @ 5:00 p.m.

Applications may be downloaded @www.cityofwestpointga.com or obtained from City Hall.

All applications must be returned to: Virginia Nieves City of West Point Human Resources Department 730 1st Avenue P O Box 487 West Point, GA 31833 Absolutely NO phone calls please. **The City of West Point is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of Race, Sex, Age, National Origin, Religion, Sexual Orientation or Physical/Mental Disability. The hiring authority will only contact those individuals deemed most appropriate for the position.**

Page 10 — The Valley/West Point Times-News — Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Briefly Told Briefly told items may be emailed to reporter@valleytimes-news.com. Please keep brief. Announcements are published twice a week.

•Lanett City Board of Education will hold its regular monthly board meeting Thursday, Oct. 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the central office boardroom.

•The Active Life will host a special musical tribute to Willie Nelson (staring professional musical tribute artist Casey Ferguson) Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Active Life Recreation Center, 140 Ragland St., LaGrange (Wellness Building). Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at the door. For ticket information, call 706-883-1681.

•The Chambers County Commission office will be closed Monday, Oct. 13 in observance of Columbus Day. •Mary Chapter 34 Order of the Eastern Star of the West Shawmut Lodge will hold an annual big yard sale give away and will be selling fish plates for $8 on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. until at the West Shawmut Lodge in West Shawmut across from Cal's Place. To order, call (706) 773-7483 for deliveries and feel free to walk in and purchase as well.

•The DAV needs volunteer drivers. Call Frank Hartley, 756-4695.

•Langdale Neighborhood Watch Group will meet at Valley City Hall Thursday, Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Please make plans to attend.

•The city of Opelika, the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau and the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail will hold open house Saturday, Oct. 11 at 8:45 a.m. CDT at the Opelika Wood Duck Heritage Preserve and Siddique Nature Park, which is located off the Waverly Parkway.

•Due to the lack of response from the public, the Lanett Citizen’s Police Academy will not begin until after Jan. 1. Applicants will be contacted before Jan. 1, 2015, to advise them of the beginning date for the class.

•The Lanett Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch program will meet Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. at Lanett City Hall.

•The Lanett Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 5 p.m. at Milano's Grill in Valley.

•Come join the LaGrange Moonlight Dance Club for a western dance and a beginner western two step lesson Friday, Oct. 10 at the Lafayette Christian School Gym, 1904 Hamilton Road in LaGrange. The lesson will begin at 7 p.m. and the dance will be held from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Dress: Western or casual. Visitor couples are welcome, $20 per couple. For more information call Moonlight Dance Club at 706-881-2734.

•Vendor Village and Craft Fair will be held Saturday, Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lanett Nazarene. Shop with 20 local direct sales companies and crafters. All vendor spaces are filled.

•The Thursday Lunch Club will hold an annual health screening Thursday, Oct. 2 at LaGrange First United Methodist Church from 9 a.m. to noon.

A family-style lunch will be served at noon in the ministries building fellowship hall, 401 Broad St. in LaGrange. Cost, $6. Call or email the FUMC office, 706-884-4635 or email churchoffice@lagrangefumc.org for reservations. Deadline, Sept. 29.

•The Alabama Democratic Conference will meet Thursday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. at H. Grady Bradshaw Library in Valley. Guest speaker, Lanett Police Chief Angie Spates. For information, call Chambers County ADC chairman Dr. Randy B. Kelley, 256-3901834. Public is invited.

•The Christian Service Center will take applications for Christmas assistance on Mondays and Thursdays through Oct. 30 from 9 to 11 a.m. Low income families will need to provide birth certificates, picture IDs, current electric bills with name and address showing and verification of income. Parents or legal guardians of children birth through 12 years are eligible to apply. Please have a list of your child's clothing sizes. Call 334-576-3552 for more information.

•Lanett High School is accepting donations of prom and pageant formal gowns. Items can be dropped off at the school. Contact Cathy Senkbeil if you have questions.

•The Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a Native American Pow Wow and Festival on Friday, Oct. 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

EDT, and Saturday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Chambers County Agricultural Arena in LaFayette.

•Lanett Nazarene Church semi-annual chicken-que will be held Saturday Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. until sold out. Cost, $7 per plate.

•Do you have lupus? Does a loved one have lupus? You and loved ones are invited to a Lupus Support Group meeting every third Monday at 6 p.m. CDT at East Alabama Health Resource Center in Opelika. Toni Lee Lazzara, facilitator 706-7189882 and Adrienne Jordan co-facilitator 334-4970273.

•The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama will host “Reflections of Italy,” a 10-day trip March 4–13, 2015. For information, contact Mary Jackson, AAA Alabama, 334-409-4628 or Jackson.mary@aaaalabama.com. Book by Sept. 5 and save $250 per person.

•Bradshaw Chambers County Library will commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I. Registration is under way for a Library Travelers trip to the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center in Columbus on Friday, Oct. 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost, which includes transportation, IMAX movie, D-Day Normandy 1944, drink and popcorn, guided indoor tour and a guided tour or WWII Company Street, $30. The cost of lunch isn't included.

•The 23rd annual Waverly Barbecue will be held Oct. 11, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT at the Waverly Community Center on Patrick Street in Waverly. Chicken or pork plates, barbecue sandwiches and chipped meat per quart, whole boston butts, stew per quart, canned drinks and bottled water, as well as plenty of activities will be available.

•The Interfaith Food Closet will be open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m.

•Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held Thursdays and Sundays at 7 p.m. at Chattahoochee Clubhouse, 501 S. Sixth St., Lanett.

Georgia Lottery Numbers PowerBall Jackpot

$50 million Mega Millions Jackpot

$105 million Fantasy 5

01-22-25-30-32

Cash 3 - Yesterday 1-5-4 (PM) Cash 4 - Yesterday 4-7-1-8 (PM) GeorgiaFive 1-2-0-3-4 (PM)

Reid works to keep Senate majority The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has twice won elections he was supposed to lose. If Democrats maintain control of the Senate in November, much of the credit will go to the wily Nevada Democrat.

Reid is not on the ballot this year, but his position as majority leader depends on Democrats denying Republicans the net six seats they need to retake the Senate. By all accounts he is working as single-mindedly toward that goal as any of his endangered incumbents.

With his stooped shoulders, monotone delivery and occasionally impolitic remarks, Reid, 74, does not shine on the campaign trail. He appears at virtually no public events. Instead his maneuvering takes place behind the scenes and on the Senate floor, where he's gone to extraordinary lengths this year to protect his Democrats from taking tough votes and deny legislative victories to Republicans.

At the same time Reid has immersed himself in work on behalf of the Senate Majority PAC, a fundraising committee led by longtime confidants that has become the most formidable of the so-called super PACs that are allowed to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money. Thanks to huge donations from labor unions and wealthy liberals, it has spent more than $30 million and is credited with keeping Democrats competitive in states like Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana and North Carolina where they were forecast to trail. A second committee run by a Reid ally, Patriot Majority USA, has spent more than $7 million independently against Republicans, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Reid is legally barred from directly raising money for Senate Majority PAC, but he meets privately with donors to discuss matters short of a

direct request for funds.

Aides said Reid has attended 116 meetings and fundraisers in 14 cities this election cycle for the Senate Majority PAC, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and other groups. Aside from its chairman, Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, Reid is the top Senate fundraiser for the DSCC. Even as he has helped Democrats narrow a money gap with Republicans, Reid has relentlessly attacked the high-spending conservative activist Koch brothers, accusing them of trying to buy the elections. The attacks have sparked accusations of hypocrisy from Republicans but also have forced them to spend money in response. Reid declined an interview but officials with the Senate Majority PAC dismissed any suggestions of a contradiction.

"We have to play by the rules as they stand, not the rules that we want," said Ty Matsdorf, director of campaigns at the political action committee.

With President Barack Obama in office another two years and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi already in the minority, the GOP has made "Fire Reid" its slogan for motivating voters to elect enough Republicans to replace him as the Senate's majority leader.

"Harry Reid and Barack Obama — those are the battle cries," Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., said.

Reid and his allies dismiss those efforts as a waste of time since polls show many voters still don't know who he is. "In a sense it helps the candidates that those people are firing at Reid," Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said.

Only a politician as skilled as Reid could have won re-election in 2010, a bad year for Democrats, despite abysmal approval ratings in Nevada. But Reid had survived an earlier close call, winning reelection in 1998 by a mere

B&G CLUBS Continued from page 1 he said. "They are in a very clean environment. They get help with their studies, we have computers for learning, and they play lots of different games. We have certified teachers helping us in the afternoons. Some people think the Boys & Girls Club is a baby sitting service. It's not; it's more than that."

Bailey said the Langdale site could use a deep fryer and a new refrigerator.

There will be an open house at the meeting site in November. Bailey is asking everyone to be looking for the details in the coming weeks.

During the summer, it costs around $500 a month for the club to break even. Donations, fundraisers and some help from an Auburn food bank are beneficial.

"The Troup County Boys & Girls Club helps us," Bailey said. "They recently had an Oscar Night and a golf tournament that helped us. We've also had some local fundraisers."

Bailey is frequently doing fundraisers, not just for the Boys & Girls Club but for other causes as well. "Me and (Sheriff) Sid (Lockhart) enjoy doing fundraisers to help the kids in the community," he said. "We've had them for the Circle of Care to help them get a new van.

There are people out there with health challenges. We can't turn our backs on them."

Membership in the Boys & Girls Club costs $45 a week during the summer months and $25 a week for the after-school program. Bailey said the members have enjoyed taking trips to Auburn and other destinations in the east Alabama region.

The board meets on the third Monday of every month. Bailey thanked Chambers County Superintendent of Education Dr. Kelli Hodge for her support.

"She comes to all of our meetings, and helps keep us in the right direction," he said.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America is a national organization of local chapters which provides summer and after-school programs for young people. It is headquartered in Atlanta with regional offices in Chicago, Dallas, New York City and Los Angeles.

The first Boys Club was founded in Hartford, Conn., in 1860. In 1906, 53 independent clubs came together in Boston to form a national organization, the Federated Boys Clubs. The organization renamed itself the Boys Clubs of America in 1931 and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 1990.

The organization today has over 4,000 local clubs.

It's the official charity of Major League Baseball, and actor Denzel Washington, a former member, is its national spokesperson.

Current members range in age from 5 to 16 years.

Approximately 31 percent of its membership is Caucasian, 29 percent African American and 23 percent Latino. In addition to Washington, notable people who were members in their youth include Shaun White, Jennifer Lopez, Adam Sandler, Gen. Wesley Clark, Lee Corso. Magic Johnson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Sugar Ray Leonard, Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Smokey Robinson, Shaquile O'Neal, Martin Sheen and C.C. Sabathia.

428 votes. He also had taken a lesson from the loss of former Democratic leader Tom Daschle, who was upset in South Dakota after alienating home-state voters by pressing his party's national agenda.

Reid worked methodically to avoid such an outcome.

He helped make Nevada an early nominating state in the 2008 presidential election, ensuring a boom in Democratic voter registration. Then he and his team meddled in the Republican primary, elbowing out the mainstream candidate in favor of a hard-right conservative. Reid ended up winning handily.

A chief architect of that victory was Rebecca Lambe, Reid's top operative in Nevada. Lambe and Susan McCue, Reid's former chief of staff, are now running the Senate Majority PAC. They and

other Democratic operatives associated with Reid, including leaders of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, are applying some of the same techniques they used on Reid's behalf four years ago to help Democratic candidates this year.

"In 2010 they had to reelect a guy who should have been dead," said Jon Ralston, a longtime political pundit in Nevada. "I don't think you can underestimate them."

Reid, who once complained that tourists to the Capitol smell in the summer heat, is happiest away from the spotlight, finessing deals and parliamentary tricks. He all but shut down the amendment process in the Senate this year to avoid votes on politically tricky issues like the president's health care law and regulations discouraging coalburning power plants.

THIRD GRADE Continued from page 1 The concept is based on education literature that describes third grade as a critical juncture for students, a moment in their education when they shift from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." Reading, in other words, moves from being a subject to be studied to become a tool to be employed. It's also popular among state lawmakers who believe the current education system allows for "social promotion," wherein students are passed to the next grade for social reasons even though they haven't attained educational targets.

Education officials where the idea has been adopted tout myriad benefits, as they face critics who say holding back third-graders is hard on kids and families and adds to the costs of education.

"This will have a positive effect on our whole state," the Florida Department of Education says in online guidance to parents. "It will reduce the need for remedial education in middle and high school and may lower dropout rates and juvenile delinquency."

In Ohio, where the Third Grade Reading Guarantee went into effect this year, more than 12,000 thirdgraders faced retention after the first round of reading scores were calculated in June.

But there was good news for 25,000 other thirdgraders who initially had missed the reading target; they now had passed. Many had signed up for summer school as a precaution, Clinton Elementary school principal Kathy Leffler said.

Third-grade teacher David Wilson, who taught the past two summers, said he's witnessed heightened anxiety during both the regular school year and in summer school since the retention requirement was put in place.

"I had one student who was throwing up every day" in the days leading up to the reading test, he said.

Alicia Priest, vice president of the Oklahoma Education Association, said her state's retention law was revamped last year to give families and teachers more say in whether a child stays in third grade or moves on.

"That snapshot of that child's reading on that one day in April was determining whether they should advance to the next grade," she said. "We believe you should look at the whole child: What are the other factors that might have impacted that test, their abilities in other subjects, the social issues involved if they're held back?"

The Foundation for Educational Excellence says any stress from adding retention requirements ultimately will be trumped by long-term benefits. The center says the vast majority of high school dropouts did not meet third-grade reading requirements.

Ohio Department of Education spokesman John Charlton said the state is providing additional opportunities for third-graders to earn a promotion score in reading. Beyond the end-of-year test, there was a follow-up exam in August, along with the option of taking one of three alternate assessments. Thirdgraders who are held back also may take the reading test again mid-year.

Joshua Rowell's mother, Char, said he thrived in summer school and got a score of accelerated on the August test. He's now in fourth grade.