OAKLAND A’S PITCHER GRAVEMAN RETURNS TO WHERE IT ALL STARTED.
OFFICIALS PROBE GOLDVILLE ROAD FATAL CRASH, PAGE 3.
FRIDAY
THE
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 January 15, 2016
Vol. 124, No. 11
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Counterfeit money surfaces in Alex City By MITCH SNEED Outlook Editor
of the money they receive as change or from other transactions. He said with newer bills watermarks and a security strips are present. Check your wallets – Alexander City police Howell said even with the counterfeit bill reported that counterfeit money has again that was received in this instance, a close look turned up in the city. could cause concern. Investigators confirmed that counterfeit “First off there aren’t a lot of those older $50 bills have surfaced in the area, with one bills in circulation,” Howell said. “So as you recovered after a call from Winn Dixie. get your change, beware if you get an older “It’s a bill that is the old-style bill – and bill like this. Plus, the texture and the feel of this one is a 1984 series,” Alexander City it is different. A legitimate bill has a softer Police Department Cpl. Michael Howell said. feel than the paper used in these counterfeit “That was before many of the security feabills.” tures that current bills have.” Howell said that if you get a bill that you Howell said that residents should be aware See COUNTERFEIT • Page 3
A bogus $50 bill sits in an evidence bag at the Alexander CIty Police Department. Officials say it turned up at a local grocery store. Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Camp Hill to host town-wide prayer vigil
Schubert featured guest at Lead Forward Women’s Conference
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Outlook Staff Writer
The town of Camp Hill will have a chance to mourn together Sunday. “We are going to have a candle light vigil,” Camp Hill Council Member Ezell Smith said. “We think the town needs a chance to come together and grieve in light of recent events.” Just this past Sunday, four Camp Hill residents, James Moss, 47, Eric Moore, 40, Willie Ballard, 44, and 48-year-old Angela Barnett, lost their lives in an automobile accident at the intersection of Holley Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Street. In addition, the driver of the other vehicle was also a Camp Hill resident, Cobe Dashawn Bowens. Bowens was on the 2010 Edward Bell High School basketball team that won a state championship that See VIGIL • Page 3
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By CLIFF WILLIAMS Outlook Staff Writer
Cliff WIliams / The Outlook
This two-pound lemon is the largest of Our Town lemon queen - Dot Matthews’ crops.
LEMON LARGE Our Town gardener grows massive two-pound lemon By DAVID GRANGER Outlook Staff Writer
If you life gives you lemons, they say, make lemonade. But if life gives you big lemons, take time to show ‘em around. That’s just what Dot Matthews did on Thursday afternoon with her pair of large lemons, one weighing 1 ½ pounds and the
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Outlook Staff Writer
Lake Levels
483.91 Reported on 01/14/16 @ p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
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See LEMON • Page 3
See SCHUBERT • Page 3
Alexander City Schools seeking school bus drivers
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Lake Martin
other 2 pounds. Matthews grew the lemons in her home community of Our Town. “I’ve had the bush for three years, but this is the first year it’s made lemons,” Matthews said. “It had one little one when I had it in the house last year, but it fell off. Then I repotted it and it took off.”
The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce is getting ready for its annual Lead Forward Women’s Conference and Business Expo that will feature Sister Schubert Barnes as the keynote speaker. “It is our third annual Lead Forward Conference,” Kim Dunn, Alexander Schubert City Chamber of Commerce director of marketing and special events said. “It is a time for women to come together for motivation and inspiration.” This year attendees will hear from one of the most successful women in business today, Patricia Barnes of Sister Schubert’s Homemade Rolls. “This year Sister Schubert will be our keynote speaker,” Dunn said. “We thought with her being from Alabama and starting one of the most
Are you looking for a job and have a commercial driver’s license? Do you like that big yellow school bus parked on the side of Highway 280? If so, then Alexander City Schools is your next stop. “We are short bus drivers,” Keith Lashley, Alexander City Schools transportation director said. “We have enough drivers to cover all of routes but we do not have any substitutes.” Currently Alexander City Schools have 22 routes and 22 drivers. Don’t worry about being a substitute. “Our substitute drivers typically move into fulltime positions
when they become available,” Lashley said. “We want people to be aware that these jobs come with the benefits of other employees, like insurance and retirement.” “We are constantly recruiting drivers,” Lashley said. “If you have a CDL, there are no costs involved. We take care of the required background check and the school bus training.” For those interested in learning more about driving school buses or to apply can call 256-2348600. Lashley explained the school bus driver shortage was aproblem across the area. “It seems pretty wide spread,” Lashley said. “I know of several systems like us that are recruiting drivers.”
Now Playing:
Ride Along 2 – PG-13 The Revenant – R The Forest – PG
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
This school bus sitting along Highway 280 near River Bank gives news of career opportunities for drivers.
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Unexpected Thanksgiving guest took self-guided tour of home
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Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com
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Management Kenneth Boone Publisher, Ext. 218 kenneth.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com
Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Kim Morse Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 kim.morse@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Guill Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.guill@alexcityoutlook.com Debbie DeWildt Advertising Sales, Ext. 214 debbie.dewildt@alexcityoutlook.com
Accounting Angela Mullins Bookkeeping, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Mary Lyman Boone Bookkeeping marylyman.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Robert Hudson Sports Editor, Ext. 228 robert.hudson@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210 david.granger@alexcityoutlook.com
Friday, January 15, 2016
The Outlook
Composing Audra Spears Composing Department, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Alethia Russell Graphic Artist, Ext. 231 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Asst. Circulation Manager, Ext. 201
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Lake Martin Living, The Outlook is published five times Kenneth Boone a week, Tuesday through Saturday Photography and mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, a commercial web printing press. Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. © 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. ReproPOSTMASTER: Send address duction of any part of any issue requires changes to Post Office Box 999, written publisher permission. Alexander City, AL 35011.
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DEAR ABBY: I lived with my mother, who passed away recently. I invited my cousins over to the house for Thanksgiving. One of them invited a cousin-in-law I had never met. When I woke from a nap, the cousin-in-law was here and asked me about our walk-in bathtub, which means that while I was asleep on my mother’s bed, she had entered my mother’s bedroom and private bathroom. I was flabbergasted. She also asked to keep a program I showed her from Mom’s service. I wanted to refuse (I still haven’t sent programs to out-of-state friends and relatives and am unsure how many I may need), but I let her keep it. Should I say something to let her know how inappropriate it was for her to give herself a tour of my home before she even met me? -INVADED IN CALIFORNIA DEAR INVADED: No, but you should absolutely say something to the cousin who invited a stranger to your
DEAR ABBY Advice
Thanksgiving dinner without permission, and compounded it by leaving that person unsupervised while you slept. While you may not be able to teach either of them better manners, at least you will have made clear that you won’t tolerate that kind of rudeness in the future. DEAR ABBY: I’m a 31-year-old nail biter and have been one for as long as I can remember. As an adult, I’m now attacking my cuticles to the point that they bleed. If I feel a hangnail, I have to push it down or rip it out. It may be stress-related, but sometimes I don’t even realize I’m doing it. I have stopped biting my nails twice, but that’s because I used to get manicures weekly. I can’t afford
Obituaries Mr. John Franklin Thrower 1947-2016 Funeral service for Mr. John Franklin Thrower, 68, of Daviston, will be Friday, January 15, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Rev. Ken Griffith will officiate. Burial will follow in the Bethlehem-New Salem Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 14, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Mr. Thrower passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at his residence. He was born on November 13, 1947 in Akin County, South Carolina to
Mr. Aaron Fitzgerald Marshall 1964-2016 Funeral service for Mr. Aaron Fitzgerald Marshall, 51, of Jacksons Gap, will be Monday, January 18,
William Amon Thrower and Roberta Dixon Thrower. Mr. Thrower was a hard working family man. He worked as a Dryer operator for Russell Corporation. Mr. Thrower loved fishing and his dog Missy. He is survived by his wife, Dale Prestridge Thrower of Daviston and step-daughter, Jamie Lynn Stewart of Daviston, AL. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome. com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
them anymore. The stuff that “tastes bad” doesn’t taste so bad it stops me. I’d like to be able to show off my future wedding band. A co-worker said she thinks I have some sort of OCD. Could she be right? I know I need help. Do you have any suggestions on how I can help myself? -- DIANA IN SAN DIEGO DEAR DIANA: I do have one that may be helpful. Keep an emery board and cuticle scissors nearby at all times -- including in your purse, at your desk and where you watch television. That way, if you break a nail or get a hangnail, you can smooth it out immediately and you won’t feel so compelled to chew. Try it. Others have told me it fixed their problem. DEAR ABBY: I am a 25-year-old virgin and have never been in a relationship. I would like to wait to have sex until I’m married. Do you think I’ll regret it, since it doesn’t look like I’ll be married before I’m 30?
Mr. Paul Edward Steele 1937-2016 Graveside service for Mr. Paul Edward Steele, 78, of Alexander City, will be Monday, January 18, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. at Providence Community Cemetery in Coosa County. Rev. Tim Harris will officiate. Paul Steele was born in Coosa County, AL on April 4, 1937 to Thomas and Artie Steele. He lived his childhood in Alexander City and attended Auburn University. He served in the U.S. Army for ten years. He lived in Kentucky until his retirement from Commercial Construction. At that time, he moved back to Alexander City. He was greatly loved
2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Langley Funeral Home. Bro. Jimmy Sims will officiate. Burial will follow in the Dadeville City Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 17, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Langley Funeral Home. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.langleyfuneralhome. com. Langley Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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Do you have any thoughts on when to tell a man I’m dating that I’m still a virgin? Should it be on the second or third date, when we become exclusive, or after that? And if I ever get exclusive, how would I tell that person I’ve been single all of my life without sounding like I’m weird? -- STILL SINGLE IN WISCONSIN DEAR SINGLE: There’s nothing “weird” about a 30-year-old man or woman being single these days. People are marrying later than in years past, so you shouldn’t feel defensive about it. As to when to reveal that you are a virgin, the time to discuss it would be when a relationship progresses to the point where physical intimacy enters the picture. 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. by his family. Paul is survived by one sister, Glenda Harris (Elmer) of Pell City; one brother, Berkley Steele (Dottie) of Columbia, MS; three nephews, Tommy Harris, David Steele and Daniel Steele; one niece, Lori Elmore (Dave); three great nieces; six great nephews; and one great-great niece. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Comer Memorial Baptist Church, 341 E. Church St., Alexander City, AL 35010. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome. com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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Friday, January 15, 2016
Vigil some say brought the town together before the closing of the school. The school still operates as the Edward Bell Career Technical School. Smith says she hopes those who attend will pray for more than just the victims and driver.
Schubert recognizable bakery products that she would be a good fit. She definitely fits the bill of someone who can inspire and encourage women to dream and reach for their goals.” Barnes started Sister Schubert’s Homemade Rolls in the kitchen of her Troy home in 1989 and in 2000 sold the stock in her company to Lancaster Colony who has grown the company to three bakeries that ship across America. Barnes is still a hands-on executive who credits her family, employees and her faith for her phenomenal growth. In addition to Barnes speaking, Lead Forward includes a business expo. “It is open to any business especially
Counterfeit think may be counterfeit, ask the clerk or person giving you about it. “They may be totally innocent, but they may recall who gave them the bill and that could help us with a search for a suspect, “ Howell said. “The more times it changes hands, the harder it is to track back to the source.” While investigators are currently just dealing with one report, at least one area bank has also received some bogus bills. They often handle any counterfeit money received through corporate channels and those issues go straight to Secret Service.
Lemons Matthews’ tree made five lemons total, the largest two of which are shown in the photo accompanying this story. The lemons ranged from 12 7/8 inches to 14 3/8 in circumference and weighed from 1-2 pounds. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest lemon ever weighed more than 11 pounds and was grown in Israel in 2003. Regardless, Matthews’ citrus-growing talents are impressive. She brought her two largest lemons, both bigger than grapefruits, by The Outlook on Thursday. “People are just amazed,” said Matthews. “I had to have my car serviced the other day at Wayne Jones’
www.alexcityoutlook.com
The Outlook
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continued from page 1
The vigil will be Sunday at the Camp Hill Town Hall at 3 p.m. “We want it to be a vigil for everyone in town,” Smith said. “There is so much going here and we think a vigil would be good for all.”
continued from page 1
those geared toward women,” Dunn said. “It is free for Chamber members to display and $100 for non-Chamber members. Those interested in setting up a display need to call the Chamber to reserve their spot on a first come first serve basis.” The expo is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lobby of the Betty Carol Graham Technology Center and Barnes will be in the luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets to the luncheon are $20, include lunch and are available by calling the Chamber office at 256-2343461.
Submitted / The Outlook
All that remains of a vehicle involved in a fatal crash on Goldville Road is this mass of twisted metal. Officials say a Sylacauga man lost his life in the accident just south of the Clay County line.
One killed in car crash with log truck By MITCH SNEED Outlook Editor
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Howell said they too will follow up with federal officials. Howell said that if you have received a bill you believe could be counterfeit to contact investigators immediately. They will help determine the authenticity of the bill. Howell can be reached at 256329-6751 While no suspect has been identified, anyone who engages in counterfeiting is flirting with trouble. Individuals that knowingly pass a counterfeit bill will be charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument, second degree, which is Class C felony.
A Sylacauga man was killed Thursday afternoon after the Nissan Altima he was driving struck an oncoming log truck. According to 911 call summaries, a call for first-responders went out at 12:01 p.m. The Nissan was traveling north on Goldville Road, less than a mile from the Clay County line. The log truck, which was not loaded at the time of the crash, was traveling south, according to witnesses. Officials say that the accident
remains under investigation by troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Complete details were not available. Markings at the scene appear to show that the Nissan traveled into the lane occupied by the oncoming truck. The name of the victim was not released. The driver of the truck was transported for treatment with what were injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening. Factors that may have contributed to the cause of the accident were not made available.
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service station and a guy told me John Neighbors (who owns a produce farm on Highway 259) had some big ones. But when he saw mine, he said, ‘His aren’t that big.’” “A lady at an exercise place in town said a lady in Jacksons Gap had some about this big, but I haven’t seen them. I don’t think there are any others in Alex City this big.” Finally, Matthews said she’s willing to share her wealth of large lemons. “I’m going to save all the seeds from these, so, if anyone wants any, let me know,” she said.
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MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213
editor@alexcityoutlook.com
EDITORIAL BOARD Kenneth Boone Mitch Sneed
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Page 4
Our
Opinion Great to see efforts to clean up the area
H
umorist Will Rogers is credited with saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” There is a lot of truth to that old line, especially when you are talking about a visitor’s impressions of a city. In recent issues of The Outlook, we have featured news of efforts to address eyesores in our community. From a presentation to commissioners about a plan to place dumpsters in certain areas through the year, to an upcoming PATH Trash Walk set for Jan. 23, people are working hard to make our area more attractive. It’s great to see progress, but we can all do our part and speed what could be a dramatic transformation. Why? Think about this. We are blessed here to have a 44,000-acre tourist attraction that features almost 800 miles of shoreline in Lake Martin. It stands to reason that when people come to the lake, they will spend at least some time in Alexander City. With that in mind, showing these visitors the place we call home at its best is essential to help make these people want to return again and again. The Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance, the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce and MainStreet Alexander City are all trying to lure new industry, businesses and restaurants, as well as plan events that will help the local economy as well as improve the quality of life here. It’s important that we all do our part to give these groups the tools they need to sell our community to newcomers. No matter if it’s sprucing up our yards with landscaping, putting a fresh coat of paint on our home or simply taking the time to pick up a piece of trash we see on the ground – just do it. Take pride in our community and let’s make sure others who come here see it for the shining star that it really is.
Know Your
Officials Communication with elected officials is the key to good government. To let your most local representatives know how you feel about state or local matters, contact any of the following. Governor Robert Bentley represents the state of Alabama and its 67 counties. He was elected to office on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334242-7100. His office is located at the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.
Luther Strange
Robert Bentley
was elected Alabama’s 49th Attorney General first elected in 2010, and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement officer. He can be reached at 334242-7300, and his office is located at 501 Washington Avenue, Luther Strange Montgomery. Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256-392-2006 or by email at tughd81@ gmail.com. His office is located at 110 Mark Tuggle Calhoun Street, Suite 108, Alexander City. Tom Whatley represents the 27th District covering Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa County. He was elected to the Alabama Senate on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334-242-t7865. Tom Whatley His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.
Outlook The
Friday, January 15, 2016
Kim Jong-un seeking attention, like father like Un
W
ith all the conflicts in Iran, Saudi Arabia and Syria last week, evil dictator-in-training Kim Jong-un was feeling ignored. So he either tested, or pretended to test, a hydrogen bomb. He had his scientists fill up a balloon with H2O and drop it off North Korea’s tallest building, a full six stories. North Korean scientists discovered the water balloon technology when they were trying to develop a way for Kim Jung-un to take a bubble bath while still wearing his military medals. The 32-year-old Lil’ Kim inherited the evil dictator business from his dad, Kim Jong-il, who got it from his dad, Kim Il-Sung, who acquired North Korea in a hostile takeover in 1948. They are all ruthless, and have killed more uncles than cigarettes. Kim Il-Sung was People’s Republic Magazine’s “sexiest man alive” from 1948 until his death in 1994. I think Tom Selleck won the title in 1995, losing it the following year when Kim Jong-il solidified his power. A year before he died, Kim Jong-il picked his third son, Kim Jong-un, to run his evil empire, bypassing older brothers Kim Jong-Tito and Kim Jong-Jermaine. Like that of many despots, the young Un’s bombastic bravado could lead us to war. The U.S. did fly a bomber near North Korea this past weekend as a show of strength. When we heard Obama had sent a B-52 to North Korea, most assumed it was the flamboyant lead singer of the group. It was a quicker response than the last time Lil’ Kim rattled his sabers. That time we deployed guided missile destroyer USS John McCain to Korea. The ship took a while to get there because of the need for so
RON HART Guest Columnist
many men’s room stops enroute. Reports say this display of petulance by young- Un was in response to a North Korean girl band not being well received in China – a dangerous precedent. Imagine how many times we would have to fight Canada when Justin Bieber tours the U.S.A. Pentagon intelligence fears North Korea might be four years out from developing a boy band. Kim blustered that he would use his high-tech missiles, which he says can reach Los Angeles, to obliterate America. Since he likes mistresses, cognac, Viagra, cocaine and Communism, military experts feel he would not bomb L.A. out of professional courtesy. North Korean leaders, like those in most countries, personally love American culture while condemning it to their countrymen. Kim Jung-un did take a bride a few years ago (probably literally). I think he named her Kim Kardashi-Un. Obama is right to ratchet down this crisis, despite North Korea mobilizing its midget submarines. His issue is not with potential submarine attacks, but he is willing to use military power against politically incorrect speech if he keeps hearing the word “midget.” Obama won’t get involved unless additional Democrat voters can subsequently be registered or a white policeman shoots a fleeing black criminal. Republicans will not want to invade until either oil reserves are found in Korea or it looks like gay marriage might be
legalized there. Until this incident, Kim Jong-un seemed to be toning it down; instead of releasing 20 photos of him looking through binoculars at something military, he replaced two of the photos with ones of him inspecting a milk plant. Kim Jong-un is taking a well-worn path of saber rattling until the U.S., through some political back channel, pays him to buy the loyalty of his generals. Some think Un is upset because he just realized that self-styled “envoy” Dennis Rodman is not President Obama. The plight of the people of North Korea under command-and-control rule should be educational to anyone paying attention. North Korea, under communist rule, has little electricity or commerce, and free health care (but no one can see a doctor or get medicine). Its citizens can’t have guns. Communist indoctrination schools and local police forces answer to the President. The government tells the people what they can eat. It is as if Obama had been running the country for 25 years. Embarrassed by its dysfunctional Communist economy, Un said that his country has developed a smart phone. It turns out the phone was built in China and shipped to North Korea. In fact, when you ask Siri a question, it turns you in to the police. Trump says our big trading partners in the region, Japan and China, are our best allies in this potential conflict. If we go to war, we should follow the lead of Japan or China. At least they can tell the Koreans apart. Ron Hart is a libertarian syndicated columnist. His columns appear occasionally in The Outlook.
There should be a safeguard on handguns Dear Editor, What if there was a product in America that killed 30,000 people each year? Would you want to see that product banned, available to less people or modified in some way as to not kill? There is such a product now being sold every day – handguns. Letters to the editor, without fail, condemn President Obama for every word he says concerning gun control. He has seen the parents, the children and survivors of gun violence. He has also seen their grief. Congress is bought and paid for by the gun industry. Every mass murder only results in more gun sales. Now there are an estimated 300 million guns in America. Have these guns made us safer or less safe? Are more guns the answer? No one
seems to know. There is an answer. Years ago in England there was an epidemic of people committing suicide by opening the oven door to a gas stove and sticking their head inside. The people sought an answer. The answer was to have the oven shut itself off if the door was not closed in a certain amount time. Suicides by gas stoves stopped when all the old stoves were replaced. How does this pertain to guns? Technology is available now that would allow a handgun to be fired only by the person who purchased it. In order to re-sell the handgun, the fingerprint would have to be changed by a licensed dealer. That would prevent children from accidently shooting themselves or others. It would make this handgun use-
less to criminals to steal as the handgun would not work. My cell phone has the same technology. Now, rather than a series of numbers as a passcode, I can place my thumb on my phone and it is operational. If we can do it on a phone, why not on handguns? It does not prevent law-abiding citizens from obtaining a gun and does not violate the second amendment, which sates “A wellregulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Somehow the beginning of the sentence is completely ignored, but that’s another day, another debate. Charles R. Gillenwaters Alexander City
Church can help get country back on track Dear Editor, When you pay people for not working, you kill the economic system upon which our society is based. Now close to 50 percent of the total population of our country is receiving public assistance, and the American family has crumbled for many. Any reasonable person who can perform the simplest math understands that we are reaching the tipping point for our economy. We are now borrowing massive amounts of money to support a government, which is over committed and cannot support itself by the labor of its population. The Judeo-Christian principles which served us well for over 200 years have been undermined by our misguided attempts to “help the disadvantaged.”
Violent crime in many cities is in epidemic proportion. In Chicago and other large cities urban gang warfare kills more people every week than we lose in all our military endeavors around the world. These gangs are comprised of young males from violent, chaotic, and single parent families who grow up in an entitled society which has not taught them the value of honest work for honest pay. The idea of “you owe me” dominates and dictates their lives. They are taught “if you won’t give it to me, I will take it from you”. Our Declaration of Independence states that our citizens have the right to the pursuit of happiness, not happiness. We cannot make life easy for everyone. We cannot guarantee that every person can and will
be able to work to support themselves, but we should expect it. For those who absolutely cannot support themselves because of physical or mental insufficiencies, we should be able to assist them with basic needs. Is there time or the will to turn things around to bring us back to the principles upon which our country was founded? We can only guess. My belief is that the only organization which is large and strong enough to spearhead this turn-around is the Christian Church. If the church cannot or will not work to get us back on track, I have little hope for the survival of our civilization. I pray that there is time and the will to save our country. Billy Sellers Alexander City
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“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.” – Steve Jobs
Today’s
Scripture “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” –James 1:19
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Friday, January 15, 2016
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Kendall Graveman speaks to the Alexander City Kiwanis Club Thursday. Graveman spoke on how his father, his faith in God, perseverance and hard work got him to where he is today. Graveman played baseball for Benjamin Russell before going on to Mississippi State. He currently pitches for the Oakland A’s.
January 16
will be provided by the Auburn University Speech and Hearing Clinic Room 1199 Haley Center.
January 17
BINGO NIGHT: Bibb Graves School in Millerville is hosting family bingo night Jan. 23 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. TRASH WALK: The next PATH Trash Walk is scheduled for Saturday, January 23 at 9:00 AM. We will meet at the fountain in front of Jake’s Restaurant to receive supplies and assignments. Come out and join your friends and neighbors for a healthy walk while removing unsightly litter from the roadways of the “most scenic� county in Alabama. For additional information contact John Thompson at jthompson@lmra.info LAKE MARTIN POLAR PLUNGE: Lake Martin Young Professionals hosts its inaugural Polar Plunge, 11 AM, Saturday, January 23 at Kowaliga Restaurant on Lake Martin! Join LMYP as they take the PLUNGE to support the Lake Martin Resource Association and Lake Martin by diving in during the dead of winter. Tickets are $20 to take the plunge and $30 if you’re too chicken. Tickets include a LMYP Polar Plunge tee shirt, all-day access to live music, games, food/ drink specials to Kowaliga Restaurant, and a whiskey warm-up tent. Everyone is encouraged to attend. ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Sisters In Christ Gospel Singers Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 24 at 2:30 p.m. at Sardis M.B. Church, Dadeville, Rev. William Perry Jr., Pastor. Guests include Voices of Faith, Pell City, Shiloh Spirituals, Eclectic, Greg & Joyful Experience, Columbus, GA, Proverbs 31, Talladega, Bishop Thomas Weaver, Roanoke, Gospel Voices, Hollins, Traveling Harrells, Alex City, Sister Alice Lewis, Wadley and many more! Special Guest MC Minister David Butler. All Groups, Choirs & Soloists are our “Special Guests� and everyone is invited to attend.
TRADE DAY: The Bibb Graves School in Millerville is hosting Trade Day Jan. 16 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. GOSPEL SINGING: Hillabee Baptist Church will host a gospel singing and concert with Adam Crabb and The Griffith Family Jan. 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A love offering will be taken.
January 18
Call 256-234-4281 or stop by our ofĂšce at 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL
MLK CELEBRATION: God’s House of Prayer Holiness Church in Camp Hill is hosting its 9th annual Dr. M.L. King Jr. Celebration Monday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon. The guest speaker will be Bishop Nolan Torbert.
January 19
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MEETING: The Artist Association of East Alabama will meet Jan. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the United Way Conference Room. RETIREE MEETING: Tallapoosa County Education Retirees (TCERA) meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education. The program will be tornado awareness.
January 21
WINE TASTING: Emporium Wine will host a wine tasting event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 128 Calhoun Street, Alexander City. There is no charge for this event. PUBLIC MEETING: The Tallapoosa County Commission/ Emergency Management Agency is scheduling a public meeting on January 21 at 10 a.m. to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan. The meeting will take place at the Tallapoosa County Courthouse, Dadeville in the Extension Auditorium downstairs. The public, private non-profits, municipalities, school board, universities/colleges, utility/water/sewer boards, fire departments, and elected officials are among those invited and encouraged to attend. Participation is required in order to apply for federal hazard mitigation grants in the future.
January 22
MARDI GRAS AUCTION: St. James Episcopal Church will host live and silent auctions at this inaugural event to support the Feast of Sharing ministry, which provides free meals twice a week at First United Methodist Church to some 100 people in need. Auction items will include original art, a Russell Marine wakeboarding package, framed photography by Kenneth Boone, handmade pottery items, a vacation at the beach for the whole family, the Rev. Rob Iler’s handyman services for a day and more. There will be beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and entertainment. Tickets are $25 per person and can be reserved by calling St. James Episcopal Church at 256-234-4752. For information, contact Heidi Ross at 256-794-7010 or Susan Mange at 601-431-8239. FREE SPEECH AND HEARING SCREENING: The Auburn University NSSLHA and SAA are having a free speech and hearing screening Friday, January 22 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.. No appointment is necessary. All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Please note that very young or handicapped individuals may not be able to respond to the speech hearing screening and may require a more formal evaluation at a later appointment date. Services
January 23
January 25
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Steve Flowers will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited Jan. 25 at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
January 26
ANNUAL MEETING: The Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual meeting and awards banquet Tuesday, Jan. 26 for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 460 Camp Civitan Road in Dadeville. There will be an awards presentation, installation of 2016 officers, displays by chamber members, drawing for door prizes, dinner and a cash bar. For more information call the chamber at 256-825-4019.
January 30
ART WORKSHOP: The Artist Association of Central Alabama is hosting a Zantangle Art Workshop Jan 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the United Way Conference Room. Cost is $35 for members and $45 for nonmembers, all supplies included. Call Martha McKnight at 256-8256503 or Dottie Holdren at 256-3774918 with questions or to register. PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Pine Ridge Mission team will have its’ annual Pancake breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 30 from 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. at the Alexander City Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.
The plates are $6 and include 2 big pancakes, sausage, fruit and drink options. The proceeds help fund the teams’ annual trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation including VBS and Community outreach projects.
• • • • •
Alexander City Outlook Dadeville Record Wetumpka Herald Eclectic Observer Tallassee Tribune
Season Speaks
January 31
BIG DAY: Lake Pointe Baptist Church invites everyone to celebrate a Big Day for the church on Sunday, January 31, 2016, beginning at 10 AM. Lake Pointe is a new church and the new pastor will be introducing the church strategy of “Come! Let Us Build!� in the morning worship on January 31st. The worship music will be led by Anthony Counts, former pastor of Mountain View Baptist Church in Wetumpka. Faron Golden, pastor at Lake Pointe, will be sharing the church’s plan for serving the community and surrounding area through the message from God’s Word. Lake Pointe is located at 8352 Highway 50, Dadeville, Alabama 36853, and is just a short drive from Tallassee. Everyone is welcome.
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February 1
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Dr. Mark Conversino will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited Feb. 1 at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
February 4
BASEBALL/SOFTBALL REGISTRATION: The Alexander City Baseball/Softball Registration will be at Radney Elementary School Thursday, Feb. 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $75. Late registration will be Monday, Feb. 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sportplex Baseball Tower at a cost of $100.
February 5
BASEBALL/SOFTBALL REGISTRATION: The Alexander City Baseball/Softball Registration will be at Radney Elementary School Friday, Feb. 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $75. Late registration will be Monday, Feb. 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sportplex Baseball Tower at a cost of $100.
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February 6
BASEBALL/SOFTBALL REGISTRATION: The Alexander City Baseball/Softball Registration will be at Radney Elementary School Saturday, Feb. 6 from 8 a.m. to noon. Cost is $75. Late registration will be Monday, Feb. 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sportplex Baseball Tower at a cost of $100.
February 7
PASTOR ANNIVERSARY: New Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Camp Hill will celebrate it’s 7th Pastor’s Anniversary honoring Rev. and Sister Melvin C. Kelley, Jr. Sunday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m.
February 8
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Troy Jones will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited Feb. 8 at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
February 11 - February 27
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ROBERT HUDSON SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228
sports@alexcityoutlook.com
Page 8
Friday, January 15, 2016
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HOMECOMING
AREA SCHEDULE Upcoming local high school basketball games: Friday, Jan. 15
A’s pitcher Graveman works out with Wildcats By Robert Hudson Outlook Sports Editor
Seeing baseballs flying around the fields of the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex each afternoon this month is a very familiar sight, but Thursday was a little different. Working alongside the dozens of maroon-clad players during Thursday’s workouts was a 6’2” figure decked out in gray with hints of green and gold, and while he may now be an Oakland Athletics pitcher, that player will always be considered a Wildcat. Alexander City native Kendall Graveman worked out alongside the Wildcat baseball team Thursday as he returned home during the off-season. With a month break before he sets off on Feb. 10 to prepare for Spring Training in Scottsdale, Arizona, Graveman said he is happy to be back where it all began. “I tell people I’m away for eight months a year, so it’s always great to be around family, around friends, around the community I grew up in for the time I actually have in the offseason,” Graveman said. During the off-season, Graveman said he has been working to recover from an injury that prematurely ended his 2015 season. He said he is feeling great and looking forward to this year. “I’ve really worked hard the last month of the season and really the first month of the offseason to get healthy from the oblique injury, and it seems to be fine now. I’ve had no issues and I don’t even think second thoughts about it, so that’s been a blessing to recover from that and continue to go forward and
keep staying strong in the core so it doesn’t happen again.” A return to Wildcat practices is a pilgrimage Graveman often takes during the off-season. No matter how many times he comes back, he said he always finds himself reflecting on his time as a Wildcat. “Throwing right there, and even throwing with Cade (Brooks) – Coach Brooks’ son – you look around and take a breath in between throws and think about how I’ve played a lot of games and had a lot of good memories here,” Graveman said. “Even just sitting in the dugout I remember my dad standing here being the first one to praise me if I did something good and the first one to let me know if I messed up to correct me. It’s one of those things that you don’t take for granted. It’s one of those things you really reflect on. Not a lot of people are blessed to have a program like Benjamin Russell has and the coaching staff that they have.” During his time at Thursday’s practice, Graveman took time to get in some work throwing off of flat ground. “This time of year before I get on the mound and get off a slope, I throw some flat grounds. I think that was my fourth one of the off-season,” Graveman said. “I’m really trying to fine tune my release point, feel some pitches, and it’s not always the prettiest thing, but you get out there and you work through some struggles early in the year that everybody has and everybody goes through. It’s not like you’re going to be in midseason shape, but you’re trying to build the arm and the pitch
Lanett at Reeltown, 4 p.m. (Girls), 5:30 p.m. (Boys) Valley at Benjamin Russell, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys) Central-Coosa at Dadeville, 6 p.m. (Girls), 7:30 p.m. (Boys)
Monday, Jan. 18 Horseshoe Bend at Wadley, TBA (Girls)
Tuesday, Jan. 19 Benjamin Russell at Auburn, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys) Central-Coosa at Prattville Christian, 6 p.m. (Girls), 7:30 p.m. (Boys) Reeltown at LaFayette, 4:30 p.m. (Boys)
Thursday, Jan. 21 Opelika at Benjamin Russell, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys) Dadeville at Wetumpka, 4:30 p.m. (Boys), 5:30 p.m. (Girls)
Saturday, Jan. 23 Booker T. Washington at Dadeville, 3 p.m. (Girls), 4:30 p.m. (Boys)
Monday, Jan. 25 Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Alex City native and Oakland Athletics pitcher Kendall Graveman worked out with his alma mater on Thursday at the sportplex.
count. Of course, being a starter, they’re going to demand a lot out of you the beginning of the season, so I’m just trying to get back out there.” BRHS Coach Richy Brooks said it is always good to have Graveman back at practices. “It perks them up when he comes out here. They know who he is, they know what he’s accomplished,” Brooks said. “I love for him to come back, and he’s the type of guy that when he comes back he’s no different from when he was playing here. He’s humble. He came this year during our middle school tryouts, took ground balls and helped the kids out. He doesn’t ‘Big League’ you. He knows where he came from.” Graveman’s message to players? Do not take any days
for granted and love playing the game each time you step out on the field. “I like to talk to the guys individually and keep encouraging them and keep being a positive example of ‘hey, you don’t have to be an arrogant or flashy player to succeed in sports,’” Graveman said. “It’s all going to end one day for all of us and I keep trying to let them know to enjoy this while you can. Even one day my baseball career will end. Some of these will go on to play in college and some of them after they graduate they’ll be done, but I want to keep emphasizing don’t take one day for granted. I know it’s tough to keep that mindset sometimes, but maybe coming from me it’ll resonate a little better.”
Tigers building program in first year of wrestling
Tuesday, Jan. 26 Montgomery Academy at CentralCoosa, TBA (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys) Elmore County at Dadeville, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys) Reeltown at Lanett, 4:30 p.m. (Girls), 6:30 p.m. (Boys)
Thursday, Jan. 28 Elmore County at Reeltown, 4:30 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys) Horseshoe Bend at Holtville, TBA (Girls), 5 p.m. (Boys) LaFayette at Central-Coosa, 4:30 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys)
Friday, Jan. 29 Dadeville at LaFayette, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys) Beulah at Reeltown, 4 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys) Wadley at Horseshoe Bend, 4 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys)
Saturday, Jan. 30 Dadeville at Benjamin Russell, 1 p.m. (Girls), 3 p.m. (Boys)
Monday, Feb. 1
By Robert Hudson
Randolph County at Reeltown, 5 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys)
Outlook Sports Editor
This year is a historic year in Dadeville High School athletics, as it has undertaken the building of a program on the mat. This is the first year for Dadeville’s new wrestling program, as Monday’s match against Benjamin Russell High School marked the Tigers’ first home meet ever. Tasked with the leadership and establishing of the wrestling program is Coach Ben Gross, who said the process of bringing wrestling to DHS has been two years in the making. “When I got hired two years ago Coach (Richard) White was interested in starting a wrestling team once he found out my wrestling background,” Gross said. “We couldn’t find the funding for it the first year, but we got a few donations here and there, saved the money up and got some larger donations to get a mat. Once we got the funding, we got everything we need for the next 10 years – mats, scoreboard and scale. Everyone has been pouring in donations and it’s helped us out a lot.” Gross comes from Scottsboro where the wrestling program has been one of the state’s most successful. “I wrestled in Scottsboro pretty much my whole life. Wrestling is pretty big up there. I wrestled two years in high school and was a part of the four-time state champion team in Scottsboro,” Gross said. “I’ve been wrestling since I was in the third grade. I’ve always loved it, but I’ve never ever dreamed of being able to coach it and getting this opportunity. I’m glad I did. Coaching is twice as fun as wrestling itself.” Gross said it is an exciting time to be a part of something that has never been done at Dadeville High School. “Being a part of building something from scratch, I seriously doubt I’ll have this anywhere else if I ever leave,” Gross said. “Being a part of something where you started it from nothing, there’s nothing like it. It’s like building a house for the first time – you step back and look at it and you just say ‘wow.’” This year’s team has starters at 106 pounds in Troy Cruz, 120-pounder Tal
Fayetteville at Horseshoe Bend, 5 p.m. (Girls), 6:30 p.m. (Boys)
Childersburg at Dadeville, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys)
Tuesday, Feb. 2 Auburn at Benjamin Russell, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys) Randolph County at Horseshoe Bend, TBA (Girls), 7:30 p.m. (Boys) Holtville at Reeltown, 5 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys) Dadeville at Central-Clay County, 5 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys)
Wednesday, Feb. 3 Central-Coosa at Winterboro, 4:30 p.m. (Girls), TBA (Boys)
Friday, Feb. 5 LaFayette at Dadeville, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys) Robert Hudson / The Outlook
Dadeville’s Branterro Banks, right, tries to pin Ab Abernathy during wrestling practice at Councill Middle School on Wednesday.
Bullard, 132-pounder Frederick Ford, 152-pounder Armando Muniz, 160-pounder Paul Pritchard, 170-pounder Dillan Ray, 182-pounder DJ Pearson, 195-pounder Carson McClendon, 220-pounder Ab Abernathy and 285-pounder Branterro Banks. McClendon, a junior and captain, said it’s a special feeling to be with a new program in Dadeville. “I’m just glad to be a part of it and starting a new dynasty at Dadeville in a new sport,” McClendon said. “I’d like to qualify for state and show that Dadeville is here, put Dadeville on the map and show we can do something in wrestling.” Pearson, a senior and captain, said the program has a good foundation to do special things. “It feels good to make history here at Dadeville,” Pearson said. “We’ve got a great coach that gives us his all every day and great teammates to help us get better so we can prove ourselves in the matches.” McClendon said the biggest challenge
with wrestling is getting in proper shape for the matches. “I’ve been learning new techniques and how to get in better shape,” McClendon said. “You’ve got to get your body right for the six minutes of hell.” Pearson added that wrestlers have to work through adversity each day. “You’ve got to be able to get through adversity, get in good shape and just work hard every day,” Pearson said. “It’d be nice to make state in the first year to prove we’ve been working hard and show that we’re here working hard to get better.” In year one, Gross is hopeful to send a few wrestlers to the state competition in Huntsville. “The first year, I would like to get a few people qualified for state. That would be an all-around accomplishment and would be a very big step for the program,” Gross said. “It would get more people out and once the word spreads there would be more people involved. If you get people qualified for state your first year it really says something about your program.”
Central-Coosa at Benjamin Russell, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys)
Monday, Feb. 8 Benjamin Russell at Central-Clay County, TBA (Girls), 7 p.m. (Boys) Lanett at Dadeville, 5:30 p.m. (Girls), 6:45 p.m. (Boys)