INSIDE TODAY: • Arrests, 2 • Obituaries, 2 • Opinion, 4 • Events, 5 • Faith, 6 • All-Stars, 11
Weekend The Outlook
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
July 14-15, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 139 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
FOR SUBSCRIBERS Lake Martin Living inside
SEARCH FOR SUSPECTS: Some property recovered but police still looking for suspects in recent incidents
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
The last week has been a busy one for the Alexander City Police Department. Two vehicles were reported stolen. A burglary was
reported and officers are still investigating an armed robbery. Despite being busy with reports, police have made some progress. “Patrol did recover two stolen vehicles last night (Thursday) on Ann Street,” Alexander City Police See SUSPECTS • Page 3
Submitted / The Outlook
This is an image of a burglary suspect captured from video camera footage at Koon’s on Jefferson Street.
Martin, Oliver preparing for runoff election
Sheriff to comply with comptroller request
West shares campaign vision during Thursday stop in Alexander City
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett has no problem with Gov. Kay Ivey’s recent request in regards to money for jail food programs. “We will abide by what she has said,” Abbett said. “We will comply with what the state comptroller has recommended.” Following stories of some sheriffs making money from the food programs, Ivey has moved to end the practice that allowed them to pocket leftover funds. Ivey’s statement this week only deals with the $4,000 a year sheriffs receive from the state as a food service allowance. “Public funds should be used for public purposes — it’s that simple,” Ivey said in a statement. See SHERIFF • Page 3
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Alexander City Water Department employees Dale Jones, left, and David Hogan install a new fire hydrant in the Parrish Hills subdivision Friday morning.
New fire hydrant installed in neighborhood By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
W
ater is flowing again in the Parrish Hill subdivision. The Alexander City Water Department cut off the water to the neighborhood to do some work Friday morning.
“We had a fire hydrant that was put in a long time ago,” Water Department Supervisor Eddie Futral said. “It was leaking and instead of rebuilding it, we put in a new one.” One of the reasons for putting in a new hydrant is to help give the fire department needed water if it needs to put out a fire in the area. See HYDRANT • Page 10
Locals who voted in the Republican primary June 5 will be returning to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots in the GOP runoff. Several state and local races are still up for grabs, Martin including Will Ainsworth and Twinkle Cavanaugh for Lieutenant Governor, Steve Marshall and Troy King for Attorney Oliver General and Terry Martin and Ed Oliver for Alabama House of Representatives, District 81. As their primary campaigns See RUNOFF • Page 10
McMichael talks active shooter training with Kiwanis Club By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Donald Campbell / The Outlook
Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy David McMichael spoke to the Dadeville Kiwanis Club Thursday, educating members on active shooter situations.
Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy David McMichael was the special guest speaker at Thursday’s meeting of the Dadeville Kiwanis Club, providing the Kiwanians with an education on a nationwide problem: active shooter situations. “We have to keep sharp and be prepared at all times,” McMichael said. “The more you prepare for this kind of situation, the better prepared you will be.”
McMichael handed out copies of a guide on how to respond to an active shooter situation to those in attendance. Prepared by the Department of Homeland Security and with copies available at the sheriff’s office, the guide provides details about coping with an active shooter, including whether it is best to run, hide or fight back, how to respond when law enforcement officials arrive on scene and how to train and prepare for an active shooter. Along with the guide, McMichael reviewed the five See SHOOTER • Page 10
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“You trusted me with your life, now trust st me with your vote.” Runoff JULY 17, 2018
“I trust Ed Oliver to support the farmers of District 81.” ~ Raphord Farrington Retired County Agent
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N.R.A. - Board of Directors, Friends of the N.R.A. Veteran - Army Pilot & Lieutenant Colonel Former Inspector General First Responder - MedEvac pilot Businessman - Owned a local retail business Former Trustee - First United Methodist Church, Dadeville, AL Member - American Legion
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Hard-working college student strives to be more organized
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Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood
Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Katie Wesson Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tkatie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Digital Marketing Coordinator, Ext. 231 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Jessica Ware Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 jessica.ware@alexcityoutlook.com Jaylan Reynolds Advertising Sales, Ext. 209 jaylan.reynolds@alexcityoutlook.com Carter Singleton Advertising Sales, Ext. 203 carter.singleton@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 219 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Shelley McNeal Composing Department, Ext. 219 shelley.mcneal@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com Erin Burton Office Assistant, Ext. 204 erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publish- printing press. ers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011.
Postal
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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.
How to submit obituaries
Weekend Edition, July 14-15, 2018
The Outlook
© 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.
Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by email at obits@alexcityoutlook.com For more information, call 256-234-4281.
DEAR ABBY: I am a 20-year-old college student. After attending a local community college for two years, I will be starting classes at a fouryear school. I make excellent grades, but I struggle with organization. My mother has ADD, and I am certain that I also have it because I display all the symptoms. However, I have never been diagnosed. My mother purposely didn’t have me diagnosed as a child because she didn’t want me to feel like there was anything holding me back. Now that I’m an adult, I keep wondering if getting a diagnosis along with some mental and emotional support might help me to become more organized and successful in life. Any advice would be appreciated, along with any resources you might know of for people who have ADD or ADHD. -- ANONYMOUS IN THE SOUTH DEAR ANONYMOUS: Because you feel that receiv-
DEAR ABBY Advice
ing a diagnosis would be helpful, it’s time to be evaluated by a mental health professional. If your college has a student health center, that’s the place to start. If not, contact the psychological association in your state about a referral to a therapist who specializes in patients with adult attention deficit disorder. I wish you luck, because there is help for it. DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I have been dating casually for about five months. He is busy and is often terrible about returning texts and phone calls. For his birthday, I bought him a gift that I had put a lot of thought into. We made plans to have dinner on
his birthday, but when the time came to pick me up, he didn’t show. Three hours after the agreed-upon time, he texted and canceled. My question is about the gift. It wasn’t extravagant, but I no longer have any interest in giving it to him when we do finally see each other (it’s been a week since he canceled). Is it acceptable to simply pay for dinner? I’m hurt and frustrated with him, and that doesn’t make me want to give him a gift. -- HURT IN TEXAS DEAR HURT: If he had wanted to spend his birthday with you, he would have shown up. One of the ways people show they care about each other is by returning texts and initiating phone calls. Because your “boyfriend” hasn’t done that, assume that he is not as interested in you as you are in him. Return the gift, if possible, and if he shows up again, do not buy the dinner. Shame on him.
DEAR ABBY: When my wife shops for clothes, she often returns something for exchange or reimbursement. Recently she bought an article of clothing and it shrank after she washed it, so she returned it. To me that was inappropriate. I think after a garment is washed it belongs to the buyer, and a return is wrong. Or am I wrong? -RETURNED IN THE EAST DEAR RETURNED: Personally, I agree with you -- unless the item was supposed to be shrink-resistant. However, because the retailer was willing to exchange it or reimburse your wife, it appears we are mistaken. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby. com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Obituaries Imojean Searcy March 2, 1932 - July 11, 2018
Rebecca Ann Stephens 1954 - 2018
Funeral services for Mrs. Imojean Searcy, 86, of Dadeville, Alabama will be held Sunday July 15, 2018 at Faith Assembly of God at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Rogers “Bubba” Lewis and Pastor Donnie MeHeard officiating. Burial will follow at Tallapoosa Memory Gardens in Camp Hill, AL. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Saturday, July 14 at Alabama Funeral Homes and Cremation Centers in Camp Hill, Alabama and also thirty minutes prior to service time at the church. Imojean was born March 2, 1932 to the late Ruben and Lila (Tarvin) Whitlow. She was a retired LPN with over 50 years of service. Imojean loved her GOD and cooking for her family and church. She is survived by her husband of 64 years Bobby Searcy; children, Gary (Frances) Searcy, Cheryl (Eddie) Milner and Barbara Searcy; grandchildren, Kristy (Robert) Weighall, Beverly (John) Franks, Josh and Jason Milner, Brandi (Scott) Stell; great- grandchildren, Kaleigh Patterson, Addison, Anslee, and Alex Franks, Logan and Grant Weighall, Julian Stell; siblings, Margaret Graves, Dorothy Tucker, Peggy Cooper; and several loving nieces and nephews. Care has been entrusted with Alabama Funeral Homes & Cremation Centers in Camp Hill.
Rebecca Ann Stephens, 64, of Alexander City, Alabama, passed away on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at Brookwood Medical Center. She was born on April 27, 1954 in Gadsden, Alabama to Woodrow J. Stephens and Tena Hill Stephens. Rebecca was a Respiratory Therapist who enjoyed working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pulmonary Floor at Montclair Hospital. She graduated from University of Alabama, Jacksonville State University, and Wallace State College. Rebecca adored her nieces. She was an accomplished baker and a gracious hostess. She met everyone with a smile. She indeed put other’s needs before her own. Her puppies were the luckiest dogs in the world. To know her was to love her. She will be missed by all. She is survived by her husband, David C. McGill; sisters, Cynthia Box (Karl) and Mary Julia Hiss (Ward); father in law, Lewis H. McGill; brother in law, Donald McGill (Nancy); and her sister in law, Susan McGill. She was preceded in death by her father, Woodrow J. Stephens; mother, Tena Hill Stephens; and her mother in law, Annie Sue McGill. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama, 700 South 18th Street, Suite 123, Birmingham, AL 35233. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome.com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Police Reports Alexander City Police Department July 12
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• William Louis Blackburn Jr., 32, of Jacksons Gap was arrested for theft and criminal mischief. • Brian Alan Black, 48, of Alexander City was arrested fo possession of marijuana first degree, distribution of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. • Jasmine Pearl Ellis, 21, of Alexander City was arrested for assault third degree. • Theft was reported on Pamela Drive. • Unlawful breaking and entering and theft of property was reported on Joseph Street. • Theft was reported in Alexander City. • Domestic violence was reported on Airport Drive. • Domestic violence was reported in Alexander City. • Theft was reported in Alexander City. • Theft was reported in Alexander City. • Distribution of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana first degree was reported in Alexander City. • Harassment was reported on 15th Place. • Receiving stolen property first degree was reported
on County Road. • Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle was reported on Elkahatchee Street. • Burglary was reported in Alexander City.
July 11
• Theft was reported in Alexander City. • Harassing communications was reported in Alexander City. • Theft was reported in Alexander City. • Theft was reported in Alexander City. • Domestic violence was reported on South Road.
July 10
• Marilene Rose Mathews, 33, of Montgomery was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and giving false identification to law enforcement.
Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department July 10
• Margaret Tapley of County Road 75 in Notasulga was arrested for drug paraphernalia. • Jeffery Price of 12th Avenue in Alexander City was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. • James Reeder of Lee
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No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
Road 72 in Waverly was arrested on a failure to appear warrant for possession of a controlled substance.
Dadeville Police Department July 10
• A Notasulga woman, age 30, was arrested on two warrants for failure to appear. • A Waverly man, age 49, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear.
July 9
• A Montgomery man, age 51, was arrested for public intoxication on East South Street.
July 8
• A one motor vehicle accident occurred on Mariarden Road resulting in minor property damage and minor injuries.
July 7
• A Jacksons Gap man, age 25, was arrested on a warrant for distributing an image with the intent to harass. • A report was filed for harassing communications and criminal trespass first that occurred on Herren Street.
July 6
• A Jacksons Gap man, age 46, was arrested for using false identity to obstruct justice on Highway 280. • A Dadeville woman, age 40, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear.
SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law 135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL
825-9559 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
Weekend Edition, July 14-15, 2018
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The Outlook
Developer not involved in lights across city street By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Local property owner and property manager Tim Evans had nothing to do with the installation of the outside patio lights at The Coffee Corner, but is supportive of efforts to improve downtown Alexander City, he told The Outlook Friday. “Tim Evans was not involved in the configuration or placement of the lights,” Evans said. “I have been in southeast Asia for the last three months. Before that I was in south Florida. I have been to Alexander City maybe three times in the last eight months.” In a previous story, The Outlook mistakenly associated Evans with the project. The lights became an issue when The Coffee Corner owner Tony Blanco installed them over Main and Alabama streets. In some cases the lights were attached to City of Alexander City light poles and plugged in power outlets on the poles normally used for Christmas lights. The lights were also moved higher to accommodate truck traffic on the streets. Evans acknowledged owning buildings in downtown Alexander City, including the one housing The Coffee Corner operated by Blanco. “Tony is one of four tenants in that building,” Evans said. “I don’t have any ill will towards him. I am proud of Tony. He has proven himself to be a hard worker.” Evans explained he heard months ago of ideas for doing something in the Alabama Street alley but advised Blanco to follow procedures. “I told him ‘You need to get a rendering and get it approved,’” Evans said. “There is a process and protocol. I assumed they checked the boxes on having them installed. Had I been there, the procedure would have been followed.” While knowing about the idea, Evans did not know the lights where being installed without checking with the city. “I just know I was not aware of it,” Evans said. “I am aware they may have overstepped boundaries.” Evans said the city has been supportive of his efforts on renovating downtown buildings for future use, like the Masonic Building in the roundabout. “The city has been nothing but good to Tim Evans,” Evans said. “I have worked with the city. They have always been good to us and have helped advise us what to do.” Evans is supportive of the efforts of Blanco and others in trying to improve downtown Alexander City and bring people to its businesses. “At the end of the day, we are all in this together,” Evans said. “I don’t blame Tony for trying to get things together and rock and rolling there. If it’s good for him and the town, it’s good for everyone.”
Sheriff
continued from page 1
Ivey’s directive does not stop sheriffs from keeping excess funds, since only lawmakers can change ambiguities in state law that allowed sheriffs to pocket the extra dollars, but she urged lawmakers to address the issue. There have been no reported issues with the jail food program at the Tallapoosa County Jail but the sheriff’s department is currently involved in litigation along with many other sheriff’s departments in the state over open records on the matter. The Atlanta-based Southern Center for Human Rights and the nonprofit Alabama Appleseed in January sued dozens of sheriffs, seeking public records about how much they had made off feeding programs. Groups seeking changes to food programs in jails across the state say this is a first step but still not enough. “For decades some Alabama sheriffs have abused the public trust by placing personal profit over meeting the basic human needs of people in their care,” Alabama Appleseed Executive Director Frank Knaack said. “We thank Gov. Ivey for taking the first step to rein in this abuse and urge Alabama
legislators to heed her call to end this for good.” The issue stems from a Depression-era funding system opponents say have given sheriffs incentive to feed prisoners inadequately. Ivey’s office says there are two different attorney general opinions on the matter. Currently the state is using the 2008 opinion allowing the roughly $4,000 a year to be paid directly to sheriffs. The 2011 opinion states funds can only be used for feeding prisoners. Some sheriffs have made large sums of money from the program. Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin lost his reelection bid after it was learned he profited over $600,000 from the jail food program in 2015 and 2016.
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Investigators ask anyone with information to call 256-397-1023.
Submitted / The Outlook
Right: This is an image of a burglary suspect. from video at Koon’s at Jefferson Street Above: This Polaris was reported stolen to the Alexander City Police Department this week. Authorities are asking the public for help in locating the property and individuals responsible for its theft.
Suspects
continued from page 1
Chief Jay Turner said. “Right now (Friday), no arrests have been made.” While police have not yet determined who stole the vehicles, they are still looking for suspects. “Hopefully some of the evidence we collected in the vehicles will lead to suspects,” Turner said. The ACPD is still looking into
a burglary at Koon’s on Jefferson Street. Turner said investigators were able to obtain images of a suspect breaking a window at the business. Police are also looking for a 2015 Polaris side by side that was stolen and are hoping someone has seen the golf cart taken from Central Alabama Community
College a few weeks ago. “There has not been a recovery there yet,” Turner said. “We are still investigating several burglaries.” Turner asks if anyone has any information that can help recover the items stolen or lead to the suspects responsible to give investigators a call at 256-397-1023.
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Opinion
EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker
Page 4
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The
Congress too weak to stop trade war
Our
View
Cold case bill a step in the right direction
S
en. Doug Jones introduced a piece of legislation to Congress Tuesday, calling for classified case file information from old criminal civil rights cases to be made available to the public and investigators looking into these cold cases. More than 100 criminal cases from the modern civil rights era remain officially unsolved to this day, with a majority of them coming from Alabama and Mississippi. Three of the four conspirators involved in the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing were convicted in 1977, 2001 and 2002, respectively. Edgar Ray Killen, who was involved in the murder of three Freedom Summer workers that was later adapted into the film “Mississippi Burning,” was finally convicted of manslaughter in 2005. Progress has been made in this country since the 1950s and early 1960s, but there is still much to be done. No conviction was ever secured in the 1955 murder of Emmett Till in Mississippi. William Moore was shot and killed outside Gadsden in 1963 while marching from Chattanooga to Jackson, Mississippi to protest Jim Crow laws and, despite evidence that should have been enough to obtain a guilty verdict, the case never went to trial. While we want to take the time to applaud Jones for introducing this bill, it is a shame it has taken this long for such legislation to be brought before Congress. There are those who may argue keeping these records hidden was done to protect certain individuals, such as FBI informants and key eyewitnesses, but since so much time has passed between now and when the crimes were committed, this should no longer be the case. If the United States government could determine a process for releasing documents surrounding the JFK assassination in 1992, then it should not have taken another 26 years for the same action to be taken with files documenting information on racially motivated crimes from the modern civil rights era. Now that this piece of legislation has been introduced and will hopefully be making its way through the Senate this session, we encourage all members of the Senate to back this bill, be it through signing on as a sponsor or by approving it when it is brought to a vote. When it reaches the House of Representatives, we encourage it to follow suit. While Jones may be right and not all cases are able to result in a prosecution, the fact this information will be available will hopefully bring some closure to all those involved. Such closure is long overdue.
Know Your
Officials
T.C. Coley represents District 1, including half of Coley Creek, the Andrew Jackson subdivision, the southern part of Indian Hill, North Central Avenue, part of Pearson’s Chapel Road, the Northside community and portion of Spring Hill community. His phone T.C. Coley number is 256-212-9316. His address is 2316 North Central Avenue, Kellyton. Steve Robinson represents District 2, which includes the southern part of Alexander City, the Cedar Creek area, Ourtown and Willow Point. His phone number is 256-654-0047. His address is 300 Heritage Drive Alexander City.
Outlook
Steve Robinson
John McKelvey represents District 3, which includes Jackson’s Gap, Hackneyville, New Site and Daviston. McKelvey currently serves as chairman. His phone number is 256-7944405. His address is 1285 Freeman Road, Dadeville.
John McKelvey
Emma Jean Thweatt represents District 4, which includes Dadeville, Pace’s Point, northern Camp Hill, Buttston, Dudleyville and part of Eagle Creek. She can be reached at 825-4207. Her address is 585 Brookwood Circle, Dadeville.
Emma Jean Thweatt
George Carleton Jr. represents District 5, which includes southern Camp Hill, Red Ridge, Walnut Hill, Union and Pleasant Ridge. His address is 630 Turner Road, Dadeville.
George Carleton Jr.
Y
ou may not have noticed it amid the White House’s bluster on NATO this week, but Congress utterly face-planted in its effort to rein in President Donald Trump’s everescalating global trade war. As The Washington Post reports, the Republicancontrolled U.S. Senate courageously approved a non-binding resolution that says Congress should have “a role” when the White House imposes tariffs for national security reasons. The resolution, which came after retiring U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., dropped his demands for a “substantive” measure constraining the president’s ability to impose tariffs, does not actually say what the role should be. Flake said he’d hold up filling federal circuit court vacancies until he got that vote. Then he folded like a cheap suit in exchange for that toothless language, the newspaper reported. The “motion to instruct” was so harmless it passed on an 88-11 vote, The Post reported. In case you missed it, the White House is using national security concerns for its slender justification for slapping punitive tariffs on steel imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union - who are actual U.S. allies. It’s also hitting China, a geopolitical rival, with steep tariffs. Canadian officials, including Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have each decried the White House’s heavy-handed tactics. And Canada has moved to impose punitive tariffs on American goods in retaliation. As The Post reported, Trump is threatening to invoke that same standard to
JOHN L. MICEK Columnist hit foreign cars, distorting the intent of the 1962 tariff law. But this White House has never been one to be deterred by such formalities. “It’s a non-binding vote, but if we had a substantive vote, it would fail today,” Flake said. “To put members on record, 88 of them, in support of Congress having a role in determining the national security implications of [Section 232] of the tariff law is substantive.” No it’s not. It’s a joke. And it’s an abdication of Congress’ authority. There is an easy way for the Senate to determine what its role should be, It could stand up, exercise its power as a co-equal branch of government, and vote on tariffs imposed on national security grounds. But it won’t. Of course, the phenomenon is hardly new. Congress, under both parties, has been gradually surrendering its power to the White House for years now. On issues from immigration to war-making, the co-equal branch of government has only been too happy to leave the heavy lifting to the occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. “Congress has been dropping in relative power along a descending curve of 60 years’ duration, with the rate of fall markedly increased since 1933... The fall of the American Congress seems to be correlated with a more general historical transformation toward political and social forms within which the representative assembly -
the major political organism of post-Renaissance Western civilization - does not have a primary political function.” American political theorist James Burnhan wrote those words ... in 1959. The curve has only grown steeper since, conservative columnist George F. Will wrote in late 2017. And true to form, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., blocked an effort by Republican Sens. Pat Toomey and Bob Corker to close a national security loophole on the issue of trade. Senior Republicans, who have proven spectacularly inept at standing up to the White House, are even more reluctant to do so in a mid-term election year when there’s a chance that Democrats could flip the chamber in November. The pointless vote (sort of) immunizes Republicans facing tough re-election races (especially in farm country) from accusations that they didn’t up stand up to the White House on polices that are potentially destructive for their home states. The House is even worse. There, retiring Speaker Paul J. Ryan, R-Wisc., has said he has zero plans to try to rein in the White House. And Ryan opposes the tariffs. Still, there’s almost zero downside for the White House in the face of this Congressional acquiescence. A Post poll found, among the 15 hardest hit states, Trump’s approval rating stands at 57 percent. And with lawmakers more concerned about selfpreservation in November than their constitutional prerogatives, that’s reason enough to play along. John L. Micek is an awardwinning political journalist whose column is provided by Cagle Cartoons, Inc.
Weekend Edition, July 14-15, 2018
Today’s
Quote
“The road to success is lined with many tempting parking spaces.” —Unknown
Today’s
Scripture
“God exalted him [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” —Philippians 2:9-11
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Daily Poll Friday’s question: Do you wear your seatbelt?
Always — 93%, 28 votes Not always — 7%, 2 votes
Weekend question: Do you agree with Gov. Kay Ivey’s recent move to end the practice that has allowed sheriffs to pocket leftover funds from jail food programs? To participate in this daily poll, log on each day to www.alexcityoutlook.com and vote. Find out the vote totals in the next edition of The Outlook and see if your vote swayed the results.
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What you won’t be needing on vacation
I
f you’re getting ready for summer vacation, here’s a handy checklist of things you won’t need. A map. Remember those? I’m referring to the kind you got for free at the gas station. When spread out it covered the entire backseat, yet never had quite enough detail to indicate how many miles before the turn from Main Street onto the highway. These maps came folded in such a way, once opened by anyone other than a gas station attendant, they could never be returned to their original condition. Transistor radio. This provided the soundtrack for summer. From the ‘60s through the early ‘80s you could walk along any beach on Long Island and hear every word WABC’s Dan Ingram said — even without a radio of your own — because so many people were blasting the same station. Big Dan provided a great service by running countless Coppertone commercials and advising when it was time to roll over. Stamps. For a short trip you might get by with a booklet of stamps, but for a month or more you would need a roll. The concept, for those too young to remember, was that you would use stamps to send postcards on which you wrote messages — usually something like: “Arrived safely, although we got lost several times. Rain is expected to let up by Friday. The picture on the other side is of the gift shop in town where I bought this card. Love, Pete.”
PETER FUNT Columnist Coins. So many things on a vacation used to require coins: vending machines, toll booths, parking meters and, most importantly, pay phones. Finding a phone was always a challenge; finding one that worked was an even bigger challenge. But to locate a functioning pay phone and then run out of change — a disaster! Batteries. As soon as our vacation plans were confirmed, my dad would say, “I’ve got to stock up on batteries.” You could get by with having dirty underwear or forgetting your hat, but you never, ever, wanted to find yourself on vacation without fresh batteries. The big fat ones went in the flashlight, while smaller ones powered the radio and the flash on the camera. Camera. Before cellphones, people on vacation actually carried a camera wherever they went, plus an enormous amount of what was known as “camera gear.” Many folks got along fine with a simple Brownie. But often a family had one person, usually an uncle, who brought it all: flash attachment, lenses, filters, tripod, and a bulky case. His pictures weren’t much better than those shot with the Brownie, although taking them was always a more elaborate
production. Board games. As kids we might have flown several thousand miles for a glimpse of the Grand Canyon, yet the big attraction was sitting in the hotel playing Monopoly or Clue. Nowadays the best games are on devices that can be carried — so kids can play while walking along the Grand Canyon without ever looking up. Travelers checks. Money used to be a major problem on a trip if you failed to plan ahead by purchasing travelers checks. The most popular kind, issued by American Express, used a distinctive blue ink so as to convey value while not being confused with actual cash. For foolproof security, you signed them in not one but two places! If you miscalculated and ran out of travelers checks you were forced to get money “wired” to you via Western Union, with branches located in the seediest part of every town. A few more things you needn’t worry about this summer. Don’t board your dog (pets all fly free these days as “service animals”). Don’t forward your calls (the only calls to your landline are from robots trying to sell you things). And don’t ask the post office to hold your mail (it will only be junk — unless, of course, you decide to send yourself a postcard). Peter Funt is a writer and speaker. His columns are distributed exclusively by Cagle Cartoons, Inc.
The subscription rate is $136.00 per year in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties and $177.99 outside the area. Periodicals paid at Alexander City, AL. Newspapers are available at 100 news racks in our area at 75 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. We would love to deliver a paper to your door. Call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281, Ext. 204 or email david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com.
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Weekend Edition, July 14-15, 2018
The Outlook
CommunityCalendar Need Insurance? Call me.
256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com
This weekend is July 14-15, 2018
Marie Ross are celebrating birthdays today.
Today’s Anniversaries
Dru and Charlotte Mattox celebrate their anniversary today.
Today’s Events
PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Comer Methodist Men’s Club pancake breakfast will be from 6 to 10 a.m. It is $6 a plate, eat-in or carry out. MARKET ON THE HILL: Artisans will display and sell their handmade items at Market on the Hill next to the Good News Baptist Church on Highway 280 in Jacksons Gap. There will also be face painting, prizes and awards. All pre-registered vendors are eligible to receive a $100 Hobby Lobby gift card. For more information call 256-8279857 or email at frslatter@gmail.com MARRIAGE WORKSHOP: Calvary Heights Baptist Church in Ashland is hosting a marriage workshop on communication from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be a discussion and video on how to improve communication with your spouse. Childcare is provided.
Today’s Birthdays
Gene Baker, Tiffany Clark, Lougenia Ligon, Troy Russell, Roy Russell, Randy Lackey, John Thomas, Melissa Peppers, Ronnie Shores, Jazell Morgan and Phyllis
Sunday’s Events
CHURCH HOMECOMING: Mt. Carmel Baptist Church is hosting homecoming services at 11 a.m. with a covered dish to follow. The church is located at 3610 Dudleyville Road in Dadeville. Rev. John Marks will deliver the message. CHURCH HOMECOMING: Haven Memorial United Methodist Church is hosting homecoming services at 2 p.m. Pastor John Leonard Sr. of St. James AME Church is the guest speaker. HISTORICAL SOCIETY: Joyce Cauthen, a member of the Alabama Humanities Foundation’s Road Scholars Speakers Bureau, will present “Way Down in Alabama: Finding Old-Time Fiddlers and their Tunes” at 2 p.m. at Tallapoosee Historical Society Museum on the square at 214 N. Broadnax Street. The public is invited, and refreshments will be served. WOMEN’S DAY PROGRAM: Bread of Life Apostolic of Promise on Highway 280 West in Kellyton is hosting a Women’s Day Program at 3 p.m. Guest Speaker will be Elder
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Submit calendar items:
Participate in your Outlook by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or logging on to http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/. Brenda Mock, pastor of Sylacauga. Elder Netherland Tuck is pastor of Bread of Life. MEN’S AND WOMEN’S DAY: New Elam #1 Missionary Baptist Church is hosting Men’s and Women’s Day at 2 p.m. Guest speaker will be Rev. Michael McCain Sr. of Cornerstone House of Prayer. Rev. Michael McCain Sr. is pastor of New Elam #1 Missionary Baptist Church. CHURCH HOMECOMING: New Hope Baptist Church is hosting homecoming services at 10:30 a.m. Covered dish dinner to follow at noon. The Mike Lowery Trio will be singing. Everyone is welcome.
Sunday’s Birthdays
Judy Brown, Ken Griffith, Cameron Pouncey, Katie Pouncey, Ashley Brewer, Melana Cox, John Livingston and Gyovantaye Tucker celebrate their birthdays Sunday.
Monday’s Birthdays
Joshua Solomon, Tracy Teel, Allen Jones, Sherry Bailey, Donna Russell, Rev. Jeff Dye, Rev. Ronnie Lightsey, Robert Gunn, Briann McCullars, Katerine Parrott, Cigi Cassiano Bryson and Garrett Baker celebrate their birthdays Monday.
THE MEADOWS ASSISTED LIVING
2712 Washington Street Alexander City
256-234-0800
SEE ME FOR INSURANCE
Monday’s Anniversaries
Thomas and Mary Ann White celebrate their anniversary Monday.
Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com
Brown Nursing and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services •Physical Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Speech Therapy 2334 Washington Street Alexander City • 256-329-9061 www.crownemanagement.com
Come Visit Us! Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing
WARREN’S APPLIANCE PARTS, LLC Johnnie Warren, Owner
MAJOR APPLIANCE PARTS! 1008 Hillabee Street Alex City, AL 35010
256.215.PART
(7278)
The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow
The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for Housekeeper. Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Shatia Carr (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 Email: Scarr@learning-tree.org
File / The Outlook
The Comer Methodist Men’s Club pancake breakfast will be held Saturday from 6 to 10 a.m. It is $6 a plate, eat-in or carry out.
Today - July 31
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM: Registration for Faith Christian Academy’s After School program 2018-2019 will be July 9-31 for school-aged children K4 and up. The program provides snack and help with daily homework. Pick-up from schools is available. Faith Christian Academy is a ministry of Faith Temple Church and is located at the corner of Franklin and Gorgas Streets in Alexander City. For more information please contact Vickie Waters at 256-397-4130.
Today - July 14
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Family Worship Center is hosting Game On, Vacation Bible School July 12-14 for ages 3 through teens. July 12 and 13 will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and July 14 will be from 9 a.m. to noon. Tony Harris is pastor of Family Worship Center.
July 15-17
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Duncan United Methodist Church is hosting Vacation Bible School July 15-17 at 5 p.m. daily. The theme is “God First” and a closing ceremony will be Sunday, July 22 at 5 p.m. with a program presented by the children of activities, games and music they enjoyed. Rev. Wayne Hicks is pastor.
July 15-19
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Comer Baptist Church is hosting “Game On” Vacation Bible School July 15 - 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for ages 4 through sixth grade. The church is located at 341 East Church Street. Call 256-234-2236 for van pickup.
July 16-17
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• • • • •
Alexander City Outlook Dadeville Record Wetumpka Herald Eclectic Observer Tallassee Tribune
THROW AWAY DAYS: The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission are holding Throw Away Days July 16-17. Dumpsters will be located at the Alex City Annex at 395 Lee Street, Double Bridges on Highway 63, the Old Daviston School on Highway 22, Youngs Ferry Road at Mullican and Gibson roads and the Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50. Dumpsters will be available at no charge to residents.
July 16-18
CHURCH REVIVAL: Haven
Memorial United Methodist Church is hosting revival services July 16-18 at 6 p.m. Guest speakers are Pastor James Grasham of Haven Chapel, Pastor Lou Benson of GAP Fellowship and Associate Pastor Joann Finley of Haven Memorial United Methodist Church.
Tuesday, July 17
ELECTION: The primary election runoff will be held July 7 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. IF YOU VOTE AT THE NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY IN ALEXANDER CITY, THE POLLING PLACE HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE MILL 280 JUST UP THE STREET ON HIGHWAY 280 AT ELKAHATCHEE ROAD. BOARD OF EDUCATION: The July meeting of the Tallapoosa County Board of Education will be July 17. A work session will be held at 3 p.m. and the board meeting will be at 5 p.m.
Thursday, July 19
DEMOCRATIC PARTY MEETING: Jeremy Jeffcoat, candidate for Alabama House of Representatives District 81 will be the speaker at the monthly meeting of the Tallapoosa County Democratic Party. SENIORX: Deborah Jones, SeniorRx coordinator will be at the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce July 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to help seniors determine if they are eligible for assistance with diabetic supplies, liquid supplements and medications. TOUCH-A-TRUCK: First Baptist Church of Alexander City Daycare is holding a touch-a-truck event 9 a.m. July 19. There will be fire trucks police cars and other vehicles.
Meet in Broad Street Plaza at 8:30 a.m. for supplies and assignments. Contact Jacob Meacham at jacob. meacham@alexandercitychamber. com for more information. COMMUNITY HEALTH DAY: Beacon of Joy Seventh Day Adventist Church is hosting a community health day Saturday, July 21 from noon to 3:30 p.m. There will be free health screenings, gospel entertainment, Back 2 School supplies and science, arts and crafts activities with healthy snacks as long as supplies last. Beacon of Joy is located at 369 Scott Road. For more information call 256-7869711. TRADE DAY: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends Monthly Trade Day in Millerville on Highway 9 between Ashland and Goodwater will be held on July 21 from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Refreshments are also available. CONFLICT RESOLUTION WORKSHOP: Seleeta Baptist Church is hosting a conflict resolution workshop Saturday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The workshop will cover identify your anger warning signs, develop healthy ways to manage difficult feelings and learn how to respond to situations that may or may not be out of your control. The workshop is for everyone of all ages and presenters include licensed counselors and law enforcement. For those planning to attend, please call Min. Reginald Harkins or LaCheryl Harkins at 334-991-2050. Lunch will be served.
Sunday, July 22
July 20-21
VBS CLOSING CEREMONY: Duncan United Methodist Church is hosting a VBS closing ceremony at 5 p.m. with a program presented by the children of activities, games and music they enjoyed during the recent VBS program. Rev. Wayne Hicks is pastor.
Saturday, July 21
MEETING: The Lake Martin Area Industrial Development Authority will hold its quarterly meeting on Monday, July 23 at 10 a.m. in the Board Room of the Betty Carol Graham Technology center on the Alexander City campus of Central Alabama Community College. For agenda details, please contact Denise Walls at dwalls@lakemartineda.com.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Kellyton Chapel United Methodist Church is hosting vacation Bible school July 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and July 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The church is located at 50 County Road 87, Kellyton. Rev. Michael Strong is pastor of Kellyton Chapel United Methodist Church. CITY CLEANUP: Please join members of the community, in association with Clean Community Partnership, to help clean up the streets of Alexander City on July 21.
Monday, July 23
–Since 1978–
BIG “B” BAR-B-QUE “We Cook The Best BETTER!”
Hickory Grilled Meat BBQ • STEAK CHICKEN • CATFISH
256.329.9996 Hwy. 22 West, Alexander City, AL
How to add a calendar item: Participate in your
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
By e-mailing your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or call 256-234-4281. _____ Send your news items to editor@alexcityoutlook.com
Page 6
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Weekend Edition, July 14-15, 2018
The Outlook
In Community, We Share Tallapoosa County Devotional Page
SECURITY Grace’s Flowers and Gifts PEST CONTROL
“Since 1962”
652 Cherokee Road • Alexander City
Flowers with the Extra Touch!
256-329-1018 THOMAS AUTO PARTS
951 Hillabee • Alexander City • 256-234-4238
• Automotive Parts • Machine Shop Services • Paint & Body Supplies • Hydraulic Hose Assemblies
AUTO PARTS
150 Green Street • Alexander City • 256.234.5023 157 E. South Street • Dadeville • 256.825.4155
Since 1976
256-357-9233 www.Àooringwholesale.com
Abbett Tractor Service ice 61 Jefferson Street • Alexander City Phone: 256-234-3454
Which place will be your comfort zone?
T
temperatures for extended he summer of 2018 periods of time. will be remembered for The modern-day purpose of many things. On each air-conditioning is for comfort. of our minds are the trapped It keeps us cool as we relax at soccer players in a Thailand home, as we work each day cave. Our judicial system has and as we attend most events. seen the nomination of a U.S. Would life be different if we Supreme Court judge whose did not have the ability to stay confirmation could influence JACKIE It might seem strange to our court system and affect WILBOURN cool? some people but life is not over our lives for decades. We Faith columnist with our earthly death. At death, have witnessed inexcusable each of us will have chosen behavior of men and women where we spend eternity. I don’t know if in powerful positions. The common thread of all these events is being able to Heaven has an air-conditioner as scripture watch these events unfold on television or does not say but I know it is a place of by reading the written print in the comfort comfort, peace and rest. Hell is a place where those who are of our homes. not saved will spend eternity. 2 Peter 2:4 We get upset when the media report says even angels were not spared but too much news and we get upset when the media report too little news. The real were cast “down to hell.” Hell is eternal. villain is not the media; the real villain is Hell is irreversible. Revelation 14:10 you and I. In 1902, a young Willis Carrier reads, in hell, one will be tormented with set out to invent a device that would keep fire and brimstone. Brimstone is often the printing presses efficient by lowering referred to as “stones that burn” and is also synonymous with sulphur, which the humidity in the printing rooms so only ignites when it reaches 478-511 the paper would not curl. The invention degrees Fahrenheit. Which destination led to a young Mr. Carrier being called will be your comfort zone? the inventor of the modern-day air conditioning. Could the comfort of an Jackie Wilbourn is a member of Bethel air conditioner contribute to the hours Baptist Church, a chaplain with the we choose to stay indoors and saturate Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Team our minds with all these facts we read and a regular faith columnist for The and see? My guess would be that few would choose to sit outdoors in 95-degree Outlook. This devotional and directory made possible by these businesses who encourage all of us to attend worship services!
Tractor Work • Lawn Care Driveway Grading • Gravel Hauling
256.786.1759 8:00-4:00 Monday-Friday By Appointment (except emergencies) Phone: (256) 234-4295 After Hours: (256) 329-7100
TEMPLE MEDICAL CLINIC, P.C. YOUR FAMILY CARE CENTER Medicine, Office Surgery, Pediatric and Industrial JAMES P. TEMPLE, M.D. 859 Airport Drive TIMOTHY J. CORBIN, M.D. Alexander City, AL VINCENT LAW, M.D.
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Compliments of Mayor Jim Nabors and City Employees
ALEXANDER CITY HOME OF LAKE MARTIN
R & R Refrigeration HEATING & AIR AL HVAC #92120
Rehab • Long-Term Care • Assisted Living 3701 Dadeville Road Alexander City
256-234-6366
Truck Accessories
St. John A.M.E. Off Hwy. 280 on Hwy. 9 Socopatoy, (256) 215-3532 ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Cedar Street Church of God 703 E. Boulevard, Alex City Faith Assembly of God 590 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Dadeville 256-825-7741
Sales & Installation
River of Life Worship Center 407 Hillabee St., Alex City, 256-329-9593
Trailer Sales Trailer Parts Trailer Repairs 1201 U.S. Hwy. 280 • Kellyton, AL (256) 392-5353
1326 Dadeville Road Alexander City, AL
INDEPENDENT BAPTIST Liberty Baptist 1365 Hillabee St., Alex City 256-329-8830 New Life Baptist County Road 14, Alex City, 256-329-2635 Victory Baptist 280 By-Pass, Alex City West End Baptist Off 280 West, 256-234-2130
256-234-2511 1-800-285-3881
Member by Invitation Selected Independent Funeral Homes www.radneyfuneralhome.com
Paradise Bed & Breakfast on Lake Martin
• Updated Pro Shop • Junior Golf Program • Annual Tournaments • Weekly Matches 18 Holes of Golf - 7 Days a Week
256-825-9860 95 County Rd. 40 (Off Hwy. 280)
Our Business Is God’s Business
Whirlpool • Kitchen Aid Maytag • Amana Holland Grills Full Service Department
Tapley Appliance Center 574 S. Central Avenue Alexander City, AL 256.329.9762
SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law
135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL
256-825-9559 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
Season
Johnson
Mountain Springs Baptist Off Hwy. 22, Daviston
Pleasant Grove Church of Christ 1819 Bay Pine Rd, Jackson’s Gap
Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist 835 Valley Rd., Camp Hill 334-257-4442
Mt. Carmel Baptist 3610 Dudleyville Rd., Dadeville
Southview Church of Christ 2325 Dadeville Rd., Alex City 256-329-0212
Ridge Grove Missionary Baptist Alexander City, 256-234-6972
Mt. Zion Baptist Hwy. 63 South, Alex City 256-234-7748
Rocky Mt. Baptist New Site community
New Beginning Baptist 1076 Coley Creek Rd.
Seleeta Baptist Booker St., Alex City 256-329-2685 Shady Grove Baptist Jackson’s Gap Community
New Concord Baptist Off hwy. 49, Dadeville, 256-825-5390 New Elkahatchee Baptist Elkahatchee Rd., Alex City 256-329-9942
CHURCH OF GOD Alex City No. 2 A.C.O.P. Church of God Local Street, Alex City Bread of Life A.C.O.P. Church of God Hwy. 280, Kellyton Cedar Street Church of God 711 Martin Luther King Blvd. Alex City
The Great Bethel Missionary 520 Christian St., Alex City 256-234-5513
New Hope Baptist 1133 New Hope Church Rd. 256-329-5218
Dadeville Church of God 425 Horseshoe Bend Rd. (Hwy. 49 N.) Dadeville 256-825-8820
Unity Baptist Robinson Rd., Alex City
New Life Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-6190 / 256-329-2635
Marshall Street Church of God 428 Marshall Street, Alex City 256-234-3180
New Pine Grove Baptist Off Hwy. 22, Perryville
New Faith Tabernacle A.C.O.P. Church of God “J” Street
Zion Hill Missionary Baptist 583 S. Broadnax St., Dadeville BAPTIST – SOUTHERN Bay Pine Baptist 1480 Bay Pine Rd. Jackson’s Gap, 256-825-4433
New Providence Baptist Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City
New Harvest Ministries Church of God Hwy 280 & Coosa 28 256-329-2331
BAPTIST – MISSIONARY Bethlehem Baptist New Site
Bethany Baptist Church Bethany Road
New Rocky Mount Baptist 670 Peckerwood Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-794-3846
Cross Key Baptist Hackneyville, 256-329-9716
Bethel Baptist Smith Mt. Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-825-5070
New Salem Road New Site Rd., New Site, 256-234-2932
Darian Missionary Baptist Church Pearson Chapel Rd., Alex City 256-329-3865
Beulah Baptist Smith Mt. Rd., Jackson’s Gap 256-825-9882
Old Providence Baptist Off Hwy. 63 N., near Hackneyville
The Church of God 13th Ave. N., Alex City 256-329-1696
Old Union Baptist 1106 Davis Circle 256-596-1873
Washington Street A.C.O.P. Church of God Washington Street
Orr Street Baptist 1000 “O” Street (Hwy. 63N) Alex City, 256-234-3171
CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY Church of God of Prophecy 303 Poplar Rd., Alex City, 256-234-6941
Elam Baptist Robertson Rd. Alex City Early Rose Baptist 201 E Street, Alexander City
256.770.7777 256.770.7777
Pleasant Home Baptist Clay County
The Meadows, L.L.C. of Alexander City ASSISTED LIVING
More like home.
256-234-0800 2712 Washington Street • Alexander City, AL
G. Daniel Brown ATTORNEY AT LAW 926 Cherokee Road Alexander City, AL
256.329.1552 2533 Hwy. 280 Alexander City, AL 256.234.0988 ––––––––
Calvary Baptist 819 Main St., Dadeville, 256-825-5989
Flint Hill Baptist Hwy. 280, Dadeville
Calvary Heights Baptist Elkahatchee, Rd., Alex City 256-234-7224
Friendship Baptist Our Town Community, 256-329-5243
Camp Hill Baptist Downtown Camp Hill, 256-896-2811
Hollins Springs Baptist Hwy. 280, Goodwater
Comer Memorial 941 E. Church St., Alex City 256-234-2236
Jackson’s Gap Baptist Church 21 East Church St. 256-825-6814
Daviston Baptist Daviston, 395-4327
Liberty Church 1034 Liberty Church Rd. Willow Point Alex City Macedonia Baptist Macedonia Circle, Goodwater 256-839-5793 Marietta Baptist Goodwater Miracle Missionary Baptist 1687 “I” Street 256-215-9788, 256-215-9787 Mt. Calvary Baptist 329 King St., Alex City, 256-234-5631 Mt. Olive Baptist Hwy. 280 & Jct. 49, Goodwater Mt. Sinai Baptist Fish Pond Rd., Coosa County 256-329-2337 Mt. Zion Baptist Hwy. 22, New Site Mt. Zion East StillWaters Dr., 256-825-4991 Mt. Zion West Our Town Community, 256-234-7748 New Elam Baptist Hwy. 9, Burtonville, 256-234-2037 New Bethel Baptist Rock St., Dadeville, 256-825-7726 Peace & Goodwill Baptist Cottage Grove Community Alexander City, 256-377-4634 Pine Grove Baptist Eagle Creek Rd., Dadeville
Eagle Creek Baptist Hwy. 49, Dadeville, 256-825-6048 Fellowship Baptist Buttston Community Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church on Claybrook Drive, Alex City 256-839-5339 First Baptist Court Square, Alex City 256-234-6351
Perryville Baptist Perryville, 256-234-3588 Pine Grove Baptist Camp Hill Ray Baptist Rockford Hwy., Alex City, 256-234-7609 River Road Baptist 148 Dean Rd., Alex City, 256-234-6971 Rocky Creek Baptist Samford Rd., Cowpens Community Rocky Mount Baptist Hwy. 22 E., Alex City, 256-329-2327 Rock Springs Baptist Jackson’s Gap, 256-839-6263 Russell Farm Baptist Hwy. 63 beyond Our Town
Pentecostal Church of God 163 Franklin Street, Alex City 256-215-4055
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1515 Worthy Road, Alex City (Corner of Worthy Place and Dadeville Road)
First United Methodist 310 Green St., Alex City 256-234-6322 First United Methodist Dadeville, 256-825-4404
Haven United Methodist 354 Christian St., Alex City 256-329-8394
Kellyton U.M., Kellyton, 256-329-1681 Liberty United Methodist Liberty Rd., Hackneyville
Trinity United Methodist 280 By-pass, Alex City, 256-234-2455 Union United Methodist 4428 Hwy. 50, Dadeville 256-825-2241 METHODIST – INDEPENDENT Daviston Independent Methodist Daviston, 395-4207 PENTECOSTAL Pentecostals of Dadeville 115 West Columbus Street Dadeville, 256-596-3411
EPISCOPAL Saint James Episcopal Church 121 South Central Ave., Alex City 256-234-4752
First Presbyterian Okefuske, Dadeville, 256-825-4081 Robinson Memorial Presbyterian Robinson Rd., Alex City UNITED PENTECOSTAL Alex City Apostolic 3708 Robinson Rd., Alexander City, 256-329-1573 INDEPENDENT Faith Temple Franklin Street, Alex City, 256-234-6421
Hackneyville Baptist Hwy. 63 N., Hackneyville
Sunny Level Baptist Church Sunny Acres Subdivision Sewell Street
Kellyton Revival Center Co. Road 87 South Kellyton
Hillabee Baptist Hillabee Rd., Alex City 256-234-6798
Town Creek Baptist Camp Ground Rd., Alex City
Liberty Life Christian Center 321 “S” Street, Alex City
Horseshoe Bend Baptist Hwy. 280, Dadeville
Wayside Baptist 21 Wayside Circle, Alex City 256-234-5564
Passion Church 3340 Hwy. 63 N., Alex City 256-409-9590
Zion Hill Baptist Hwy. 79, near Horseshoe Bend
The Family Worship Center 365 Scott Road, Alex City
CATHOLIC St. John the Apostle 454 N. Central Ave., Alex City 256-234-3631
METHODIST – UNITED Alexander City Methodist 11th Ave. N., Alex City 256-329-1284
CHURCH OF CHRIST Alex City Church of Christ 945 Tallapoosa St., Alex City 256-234-6494
Bradford Methodist Hwy. 9, Goodwater
New Bethel Fellowship Church 5474 Rock Springs Road Jackson’s Gap 256-825-3367
Comer Memorial U.M. 427 East Church St., 256-329-3467
The Baha’I Faith 740 Newell Street, Camp Hill 256-896-4007
Duncan Memorial U.M. 3997 Hillabee Rd., Alex City 256-234-6708
The Word Bible Church 161 Main St., Alex City, 256-215-5646
Kendrick Baptist Church Nixburg Lake Martin Baptist Hwy 34, Dadeville 256-825-7434 Lake Pointe Baptist 8352 Hwy. 50W, Dadeville Lebanon Baptist Mt. Carmel Rd., Dadeville, 256-234-7541
“We offer a 5-year labor warranty for free!”
Dadeville Church of Christ East LaFayette St., Dadeville Meadows St. Church of Christ 306 Meadows St., Alex City
Family Worship Center 1676 Sewell Street 256-839-6895 First Congregational Christian 11th Ave. South, Alex City GAP Fellowship Ministries P.O. Box 1571, Alex City God’s House 9334 Hwy 63N, Alex City Roger Green Sun. Service: 11:00 & 6:00 Wed. Bible Study: 6:30 Jehovah-Jireh Ministries 252 Tallapoosa St., Alex City 256-215-4211 Leap of Faith Outreach Ministry 886 Terrance Drive, 256-234-7119
Sales •Service •Installation P.O. Box 103 – Alexander City, AL
(256) 329-8488 792 Commerce Drive, Suite 103 • Alexander City
256.234.2007 256.749.8804
Buena Vista Landscaping
Sunnylevel United Methodist 3202 Hwy. 63N, Alex City 256-234-6877
Fellowship Revival Center Mission 316 6th Ave., Alex City 256-329-1510 weekends
Kellyton Baptist Kellyton, 256-329-1512
334.663.3269
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phases of active shooters, from the initial idea all the way to the execution of the act. “The first stage is the fantasy stage, where the shooter begins dreaming of the shooting, fantasizing about the headlines,” McMichael said. “They may read about previous mass shooters and think about ways they can outdo the last one.” Following this comes the planning stage, where the shooter will spend time thinking about the who, what, where, when and how an attack can be carried out. “The third phase is the preparation stage, where the suspect will be getting weapons and researching chemicals that can be used to make explosive,” McMichael said. “The suspect will also be contacting friends, telling them not to go to school on a certain day and things like that. “ During the fourth stage, the approach phase, McMichael said this is the last opportunity law enforcement officials have to stop an active shooter without any casualties, though it has become more dangerous to stop a shooter at this point. The gunman will have finalized all plans, gathered up all necessary equipment, is committed to attacking and is moving towards the target. The fifth and final phase, implementation, begins when the shooter opens fire in order to carry out the overall plan. When this happens, law enforcement officers will have to take immediate action in order to stop the threat the shooter poses and prevent a large number of innocent individuals becoming victims. Along with this information, McMichael detailed a profile of school-age shooters put together by the Secret Service after analyzing 37 incidents. According to their data, those who are more likely to carry out a shooting make violent threats, have a background of serious disciplinary problems, has been bullied or is a bully, has threatened suicide and has little, if any, supervision from parents. “We have to be trained and watch for these things,” McMichael said. In order to be prepared for any such potential incident, McMichael said the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department, along with the police departments of Dadeville, New Site, Alexander City, Tallassee and Notasulga have worked together on exercises to address issues that might come up if a shooter situation happens at one of the county schools. McMichael said, with the schools in Dadeville being in the middle of town, the response time there is very good. At the same time, involving other police departments in the response to a shooter situation will help decrease the reaction time from the first report to when the sheriff’s department can be on scene. “We need to be more proactive and not put blocks up in the way,” McMichael said. “This takes everyone’s involvement. Be aware of your surroundings.
Weekend Edition, July 14-15, 2018
The Outlook
Hydrant
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Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Backhoe operator Jimmy Bramblett removes the old fire hydrant in the Parrish Hills Subdivision Friday morning.
Runoff began to wind down with less than a week to go before the runoff, Oliver and Martin both gave a last insight into what they have been up to over the past month and where they plan on going in the next few days. “I have been doing everything I can,” Oliver said. “We’ve had people going door-to-door and calling people. We’ve just been doing a lot of things to get my name out there in front of people. “We are going to keep doing this until the election. Between now and then, it’s all hands on deck. Everyone we have has been out working hard.” Just like Oliver, Martin has been hard at work in the final campaign push to be that much more visible before Tuesday’s election. “We’ve had anywhere from 22 to 24 people working out in the field every day,” Martin said. “We’ve been knocking on doors, encouraging people to go out and vote, and working to capture the (Joy) Johns and (Derrick) Blythe vote. “We have been putting in 14 to 16 hour days. Six weeks may seem like a long time, but it really isn’t when you’re working the field. We will continue to work the field and knock on doors right up to the end.” In addition to their campaigns, both Martin and Oliver felt the polling place change from the National Guard Armory to The Mill Two Eighty would not be a major issue Tuesday. “I do not see it being a problem
“The old hydrant did not have the steamer head,” Futral said. “It will help them have the water needed for the trucks. Besides, when you rebuild an old hydrant, it is still an old hydrant.” Friday’s work included the installation of a valve at the hydrant so future work on the hydrant means water to the entire subdivision does not have to be cut off. By lunch Friday, the water was back on, but the work is not complete as the department needs to finish up some landscaping. “We will be going back in couple days to dress it,” Futural said. “The leaking hydrant made the area wet. It is hard to fix mud.”
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Cliff Williams / The Outlook
State Board of Education candidate Tracie West stopped by the Tallapoosa County Republican Party meeting Thursday night at The Coffee Corner as she campaigns for next week’s runoff against Melanie Hill.
and affecting the election in any way,” Oliver said. “We are expecting a light turnout Tuesday, so I encourage people to go out and vote.” Martin added, “I can see where it might be a problem, but I think people have been paying attention. If they put out signs (at the armory) reminding people to vote at The Mill Two Eighty, I think people will turn around and go vote there.” Another race locals will be voting on Tuesday is the Republican runoff for District 2 of the Alabama State Board of Education. Candidate Tracie West was at The Coffee Corner Thursday evening, presenting her campaign vision in a nutshell to members of the Tallapoosa County
Republican Party. “My message has not changed,” West said. “Our teachers and our students deserve better. I am a proponent of dual enrollment and technical education.” A supporter of pre-K and a state reading initiative, West said she has been consistent during her nine years on the Auburn City Board of Education, the past two of which she has been president of the board. The runoff polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Those who voted in the Democratic primary in June will not be eligible to vote in Tuesday’s runoff, while those who did not cast a ballot whatsoever June 5 can cast one Tuesday.
LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com
Weekend Edition, July 14-15, 2018
Sports Outlook The
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DAYS UNTIL FOOTBALL Page 11
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2018 All-Area Baseball Team Player of the Year Coach of the Year Johnson helps Horseshoe Bend have huge turnaround By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
Taylor does a bit of everything for HBS By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
As a junior this season, Horseshoe Bend’s Grant Taylor switched positions. He moved from outfielder to catcher, and it seemed to pay dividends for the Generals’ success. It also certainly didn’t faze Taylor, as he did a little bit of everything for Horseshoe Bend this season and he is the Outlook Baseball Player of the Year. Taylor was a stud offensively, finishing with a batting average of .432 — third only to Chandler Lewis (.483) and Jace Rodriguez (.437). “Grant got so much better offensively from last year,” Horseshoe
Bend coach Jason Johnson said. “He probably hit in the low .300s last year, and he really came along this year.” The biggest difference for Taylor was his patience at the plate. “He used to be bad at chasing pitches,” Johnson said. “This year, he hit the breaking pitch that he always struggled with before.” Taylor’s improvement at the plate could’ve also had to do with how well he learned pitches. Taylor was the Generals’ top pitcher this year. He fired 37 2/3 innings and although he finished with a record of just 3-2, he struck out 52 total batters. “Grant is a fastball pitcher,” Johnson See PLAYER • Page 12
This time last year, Horseshoe Bend’s baseball team was coming off a seven-win season. This year, the Generals added a one in front of that seven, finishing with a 17-11 record. Jason Johnson, who has served a decade as the Generals’ head coach, had a lot to do with that turnaround, and for that, he is the Outlook Coach of the Year. “The kids really just decided that seven wins was kind of embarrassing from the year before,” Johnson said. “They set a goal for 20 wins and we were at 17, even though we had pretty much the exact same roster as the year before. They just started clicking.” So what was the difference for Johnson’s Generals this year?
There weren’t any major position changes. Grant Taylor was moved to the catcher’s position, freeing up Chandler Lewis to play in the infield more. But the biggest change was Horseshoe Bend’s offensive production. The Generals had four players with batting averages better than .400 — Chandler Lewis
(.483), Jace Rodriguez (.437), Grant Taylor (.432) and Lee Norrell (.427). Johnson coached them to switch things up technically at the plate which may have been a big key to their success. “We had a little bit of a change in our offensive philosophy,” Johnson said. “We changed the way we approached our See COACH • Page 12
First Team Landon Hunt
Slade McCullers
Bradley Stewart
Dadeville catcher
Benjamin Russell utility
Reeltown shortstop
By far the top hitter for the Tigers, McCullers finished with a batting average of .411. He had 30 hits, including 10 doubles, a triple and two home runs. He drove in a team-leading 26 runs — 10 better than anyone else — and scored 22 of his own. “He worked really hard in the offseason,” Dadeville coach Kyle Caldwell said. “He got in the weight room and he got stronger. He started driving the ball from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. In key games, some teams would pitch around him. When they’re putting you on base on purpose, they think you’re a threat.” McCullers struck out only 11 times all season.
Hunt had some incredibly timely hits for the Rebels this year and was second on the team in batting average, hitting .393 on the season. He boasted an incredible slugging percentage of .640 and smacked five home runs.
As the only senior on a young and struggling squad, Stewart did a little bit of everything for the Wildcats. He played third, second and shortstop and even pitched 7 2/3 innings. “I think he dealt with our youth as best as he could,” BRHS coach Richy Brooks said. “He won’t be around to see the benefits of this year, but hopefully a little bit more will come out of his leadership. He was so consistent. He brought good work habits to practice and the game, and that is important to me.” Stewart finished with a batting average of .319 and led the team with 21 runs scored.
Jace Rodriguez
Hayden Solomon Reeltown centerfielder As the Rebels’ leadoff hitter, Solomon was consistent all year long. He finished with a batting average of .395 and was the sparkplug behind Reeltown’s offense.
Chandler Lewis Horseshoe Bend catcher/outfielder Lewis was unstoppable offensively this season, finishing the season with a staggering .483 batting average. “Chandler hit leadoff for us all season, and he hit close to .500,” HBS coach Jason Johnson said. “Any time your guys are getting on that much, it sets the table for everyone behind him. The thing with Chandler is he can play pretty much anywhere. He’s multi-talented in that way.” Lewis also pitched 29 innings for the Generals with a 4-1 record. He had 29 strikeouts and allowed 18 runs.
Horseshoe Bend pitcher/centerfielder Rodriguez was another one of the Generals’ top hitters this year, averaging .437 at the plate. He also threw 30 1/3 innings and although he gave up 27 runs, he also struck out 30. “Jace really came on offensively,” Horseshoe Bend coach Jason Johnson said. “He’s always been a really good defender, but he raised his batting average so much last year — close to 200 points. He really came on offensively, hitting in the middle of the lineup for us. He put in some good work on the mound and threw a lot of innings for us.”
Tal Bullard Dadeville third baseman Bullard doesn’t boast the best batting average on this team. He hit a solid .294 with 21 singles and four doubles, but what makes Bullard stand out is his baserunning ability. He stole 24 bases this year and was caught only once. “Tal is just a sparkplug,” Tiger coach Kyle Caldwell said. “You gotta have these guys on your team. They have that grit about them. They’ll get hit by a pitch, run to first with a grin on their face then steal second, third and home if they’ve got to. He’s just a good tough out at the top of lineup that any team would have enjoyed to have.” On two separate occasions, Bullard stole home for the game-winning run.
Wilson Hays Benjamin Russell catcher Despite being undersized, Hays was one of the top catchers in the area. He caught 19 runners stealing. “A lot of people look at his size and immediately dismiss him, but he’ll grow on you once you watch him play,” Wildcat coach Richy Brooks said. “He does a lot of things that guys that are 6-foot-4, 250 pounds can’t do. Best thing I can say about this is that he’s a hard-working guy that shows up every day.” Hays was also the most consistent hitter for the Wildcats with a batting average of .362 and was second on the team in RBIs with 22.
Logan Hunt Reeltown pitcher Hunt was the Rebels’ go-to pitcher this year, finishing with a record of 7-3 on the mound. As just a sophomore, he had an ERA of 2.1 for the season, and he was also one of the best hitters. He finished with a batting average of .306.
Honorable Mention: Benjamin Russell: Joe Young, Cade Brooks; Horseshoe Bend: Cade Worthy, Lee Norrell; Dadeville: Justin Meadows, Jeff Rice, Ab Abernathy; Reeltown: Ardarious Woods; Central Coosa: Bailey Harris, Dawson Duncan.
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LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor
Neutral-site games must be planned carefully
I
was reading a column this week on ESPN.com by Greg Wyshynski arguing the NHL should bring back neutral-site games. They do them in the NFL and college football all the time with a fair amount of success, but I personally don’t love them. In the case of the NHL, neutralsite games’ main point would be to generate new hockey fans, which I’m not entirely sure they do. For instance, if the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Dallas Stars came to Birmingham to play a regular-season game, sure, people would go. They might even sell a decent amount of tickets. But I doubt any non-hockey fan attendees would suddenly be a diehard for the Lightning or the Stars based on one Saturday night game in Alabama. For several years now, the NHL has had a few regular season games — usually at the beginning of the season — held overseas. Although they have been successful and commissioner Gary Bettman continues to stress more overseas games in different places with continuity, I’m not entirely sure those games have been successful at growing the sport for non-fans. Certainly they help the development of players, but those are people who are already interested in hockey. Wyshynski argued if you’re going to host a neutral-site game, make it more of an experience than just a game. “Bring the trailer with the awards and the memorabilia,” he wrote. “Invite the local hockey community to take part in the festivities, whether it’s young players taking part in the puck drop before the game or a high-school game earlier in the day on the same sheet of ice.” While these are all fine ideas, they are once again catering to a community that already has some sort of drive for the sport. And even if you’re bringing out families with children who aren’t interested in hockey, it’s going to be hard to keep them hooked if this is a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity or event. My thoughts are neutral-site games need to be planned extremely carefully so they’re not too far away from the teams’ home sites, but they also need to be with relative consistency so it’s not a one-and-done experience for newcomers to the sport. They also can’t be every other weekend, though, as they’ll lose their flare. It’s similar to the NHL’s Winter Classic. The outdoor showcase used to be just one game per year in the NHL. It was so successful and would have NFL-sized stadiums jam-packed full of NHL fans because it wasn’t something that happened all the time. It was an experience. Then the NHL introduced the Stadium Series and the Heritage Classic and watered down the thrill of the once-in-a-year Winter Classic. I also have to wonder why the NHL seems to be the only league really discussing the need for neutralsite games. The NFL plays plenty of overseas games each year, but it doesn’t seem to be pushing any further. Neither the NBA nor the MLB has neutral-site games, at least not on a regular basis, and there’s not a lot of mumbling about this changing any time soon. The NBA and the MLB are both entirely more successful than the NHL is in the United States, but neutral-site games aren’t changing that any time soon. Lizi Arbogast is the sports editor of The Outlook.
Player
Weekend Edition, July 14-15, 2018
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Bat Blitz highlights role in ecosystem By DAVID RAINER Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Despite the stigma caused by countless Dracula movies, a dedicated group of naturalists continues to demonstrate its love for the animal with a face only a mother could love. Those enthusiasts express their devotion to the bat, nature’s only flying mammal, all the way down to the bat jewelry. Bat lovers met recently at Lakepoint State Park near Eufaula for the annual Bat Blitz, a celebration of the small animal that can sometimes be spotted zooming around street lights at dusk, dining on a smorgasbord of insects. Nick Sharp of the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division said this year’s Blitz was a joint exercise for bat biologists and enthusiasts from Alabama and Georgia. The Blitz is a collaborative effort of all the Alabama Bat Working Group (ABWG) members. Jeff Baker from Alabama Power and Shannon Holbrook from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service served as co-chairs of the Bat Blitz committee. Alabama State Lands Division’s Jo Lewis said the recent gathering was the 17th annual meeting of the ABWG, an informal affiliation of bat biologists and enthusiasts from many state, federal and private agencies across the state. The group holds the Bat Blitz in different areas of the state each year to sample the bat populations in those areas with mist nets deployed at night. “We’re looking for distribution information about what bats are in what areas of the state,” Lewis said. “We have 15 species of bats that are native to Alabama. Some only occur in the more southern portions of the state, and others only occur in the more northern portions of the state because of the different habitats in Alabama and our complex ecosystems. “In the north part of the state, bats appear to be more numerous because of the karst geology with all the caves. In the south part of the state, we have a lot of bats, but they don’t congregate as much in caves. They’re referred to as forest bats. They roost in trees. They’re actually all around us, but we’re kind of oblivious to them. A little bat hanging in a tree snuggled up against a nook or branch, you’re never going to notice.” The southeastern myotis is one bat species found in the south part of the state but not as often in the north. The Bat Blitz researchers found 16 southeastern myotis bats in a culvert on the first night of the event. Another bat more common in the southern part of the state is the Mexican freetail. Sharp said the fast-flying bat is now most often found in attics because most of the large, hollow trees it historically used have been cut down. A bat that is found in the northern part of the state but not the southern part is the
David Rainer / Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Two common bat species in Alabama are the evening bat, left, and big brown bat.
northern longear, a protected species. Gray bats, also protected, are found in north Alabama. The most common species throughout the state is the big brown bat. Currently, the biggest concern for the bat enthusiasts is the condition known as white nose syndrome, a fungal infection that has killed more than six million bats in North America. “Nobody knows right now how white nose syndrome affects the tree bats,” Lewis said. “We’re hoping it doesn’t affect them because they don’t roost together as much and are less likely to spread the infection. We do have confirmed cases of white nose in most of the northern counties, as far south as Bibb County near Birmingham.” Lewis said it is very difficult to determine how much the syndrome has affected the populations in north Alabama because of the labor-extensive requirements to do those studies. “From personal observation in a cave that I’ve been monitoring for the past 10 years, it followed the classic series of events associated with the disease, and it truly decimated the population,” she said. “A tenth of the number of bats that used to be there are there now. I used to count hundreds of tri-colored bats in there. Now, we’re counting 30. It has definitely affected that bat population.” Sharp said data from nine caves in north Alabama monitored from 2010 to 2017 indicate a reduction of tri-colored bats by 70 to 95 percent. He said counts at two Indiana bat hibernacula over that time period are down 95 percent. Bats are predators and eat huge numbers of insects, which can be disease vectors. They eat mosquitoes, which can carry several diseases, including Zika. Some of the insects the bats are eating are pest species that damage crops in the state. “Their simple presence can deter pest species from infesting crops,” Lewis said. “If you have bats working a field, you’re less likely to have insects that are going to
eat the corn.” Sharp said bats provide at least $3.7 billion in pest control service to agriculture annually in the U.S., according to a 2011 scientific study. Lewis said human-bat interaction most often occurs at dusk and dawn, especially around street lights, but bats are active all night. “Bats will sometimes take a nap in the middle of the night,” she said. “But they’re not roosting. They’re just getting a little rest before they go back out and eat more insects. The street lights attract insects, so it’s kind of like McDonald’s for the bats.” Another area of concern for bat researchers and the public in general is the fact bats can be rabies vectors. Lewis said this adds to the stigma of bats but that rabies does not appear to occur at a higher rate in bats compared to other wildlife. Sharp said rabies studies in bats showed infection rates of less than 1 percent in wild animals. “But there’s an extremely important distinction,” she said. “When humans encounter a bat, they are not interacting with the regular population of bats. They are interacting with a bat that is acting extremely abnormally because bats avoid us.” Sharp said rabies can be transmitted by a bite from an infected animal or by bat saliva entering an open wound. Sharp and Lewis said to seek immediate medical advice if you suspect contact with a bat resulted in either of those situations. If the bat is incapacitated or captured, take the animal to have it tested for rabies. “If you’ve had contact with a bat, it’s highly advisable to have that bat tested because rabies is 100-percent fatal if symptoms appear,” she said. “It’s just not worth the risk. Anybody who works with bats at the Blitz has pre-exposure vaccinations. Anybody who hasn’t had vaccinations cannot touch a bat. We’re having fun, but we have real rules that we will not bend.” One of the presenters at the Bat Blitz was Vicky Smith of A-to-Z animals in
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said. “He works off that, and he was in the upper 80s with his velocity this year. When he’s throwing strikes, he’s pretty hard to hit but he was mostly a fastball and slider pitcher.” Taylor allowed 19 runs for an ERA of 3.50. He’s also the kicker for the Generals’ football team. “As far as his baseball goes, he’s just an ace on the mound,” Johnson said. “He’s a good player and catches and can play outfield for us. He’s a really high energy kid, and I want to see him continue to get better. If we can have as much improvement next year as we did from last year to this year, File / The Outlook he has a good chance to be really great.” Horseshoe Bend’s Grant Taylor is the Outlook Baseball Player of the Year.
Coach at-bats and the way we do things there. That was the biggest thing. We put up way better offensive numbers. This was probably the best offensive hitting team I’ve ever had.” A graduate of Dadeville and a former first baseman himself, Johnson has been at Horseshoe Bend for 14 years and just finished his 10th year at the Generals’ helm. Being he was a Tiger and knowing Horseshoe Bend’s struggles against his alma mater, Johnson looks
Auburn. Smith, who has taught thousands of school kids about bats and their role in our ecosystems, dispelled several myths associated with bats. “One is ‘blind as a bat,’” Smith said. “Bats are not blind. Bats have tiny eyes, but we’ve actually discovered something about their echolocation, the way they use sound waves to locate the insects. What we found was that once they get close, they zoom in with their eyes on the insect. When they scoop it to their mouth with a wing or their tail membrane, they use their eyes for up-close work. Another myth about their eyes is that light hurts their eyes. That’s not true.” Another myth is bats will get tangled in your hair, especially folks with long hair. “Bats will come close to you,” she said. “You are not a food source, but you have attracted their food source by breathing out carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes and other bugs. If the bat echolocates and sees a buffet flying around your head, he’s going to fly to that buffet. They will fly quite close to you in the dark, and that can be quite scary. We believe that’s how that myth got started.” A misconception is a bat, which belongs to the order Chiroptera (winged mammal), is just a mouse with wings. “Bats are not rodents,” Smith said. “They are about the same size, but a bat typically gives birth to one pup per year. A little mouse about the same size can give birth to about 144 babies per year. Another difference is tooth structure. The teeth in a bat are more like dogs’ and cats’ with large canines to crunch the exoskeletons of the insects.” Although outreach and education are important, Lewis said the main goal of the Blitz is to catch as many bats as possible to assess the population in that area. For Lewis, catching bats during the Bat Blitz is just a continuation of her infatuation with the species. “I’ve been doing this for 20-something years,” Lewis said, “and I still love it.”
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mostly fondly back on beating Dadeville. “I’ve been here for going on 14 years now, and as far as boys varsity sports, I don’t think we’ve ever beaten Dadeville in anything. The playoff series (against Ariton) was good too. We won the first one in extra innings and had a chance to win the second one. That was the thing with this team — they were one of the scrappiest teams I’ve ever coached. They got after people pretty good and didn’t like to lose.”