SEE WHAT’S GOING ON THIS WEEKEND, PAGE 3.
CLOSING STATEMENT ‘Cats close summer on high note, page 8. OPINION
THE
RMC - UAB partnership great for the area, page 4.
FRIDAY
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 June 26, 2015 Vol. 123, No. 127 www.alexcityoutlook.com
Court upholds Healthcare Act By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
The United States Supreme Court today upheld a key provision of the Affordable Care Act, ruling 6-3 that government subsidies that make health insurance affordable for millions of Americans should be available to all who qualify, including those living in states, including Alabama, that have chosen not to set up their own health insurance exchanges.
Meeting Tuesday on city pay issue
That’s good news for millions of Americans who now have health insurance they obtained through the federal healthcare marketplace, including some 1,600 individuals and families who were helped through the federal marketplace by staff at Russell Medical Center. Jim Carnes, policy director for ARISE Citizens’ Policy Project, a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of 150 congregations and organizations dedicated to improving the lives of low-income Alabamians, heralded
the Supreme Court ruling. “The Supreme Court’s decision is a huge victory for millions of Americans, including more than 170,000 Alabamians who have gained health coverage through the federal marketplace,” Carnes said. “This ruling protects tax credits that make coverage more affordable for 132,000 Alabamians and it protects all Americans from the soaring insurance costs that would have resulted from a decision the other way. See SCOTUS, Page 7
‘Starch in Their Petticoats’
By Griffin Pritchard The Tallassee Tribune
Outlook Editor
The Alexander City City Council will continue its discussion on pay raises and inconsistencies on how they are handled at a work session on Tuesday night. The council announced Thursday that the meeting will be held Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the conference room on the second floor of city hall. City Council President Bob Howard suggested the work session after a meeting last week ended without a final decision or an agreement on how to handle the perceived pay increase procedural irregularities. “We need a work session to address those three areas, having all the justification and information in hand, and make a determination on which way to go,” Howard said at the last meeting. The council voted to freeze pay increases and See PAY, Page 7
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
489.48
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Storyteller Dolores Hydock delivered her “Starch in Their Petticots: True Stories of Strong Women Who Settled the West” Thursday at the Adelia M. Russell Library to over 60 in attendance. The presentation focused on five women who made the move to the West in the mid to late 1800s. The material for her story came from diaries, letters, newspaper clippings and photos to help tell the story of the women in a male dominated era.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
Today’s
Weather
87 72 Low
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
Joe Espy can see the light at the end of the long, dark tunnel for Macon County. On Thursday, Montgomery Circuit Judge William Shashy dismissed the State of Alabama’s civil forfeiture case against VictoryLand. The ruling could potentially clear the way for the massive casino, dog track and hotel to reopen. “We think this is a major victory,” Espy, who represents VictoryLand and its owner Milton McGregor, said. “He rendered that the rule of law is going to be upheld. We are entitled to run these machines as long as anybody else does, including the Native Americans.” The gaming center and hotel located in Shorter has had its doors shuttered since law enforcement agents, at the behest of the Alabama attorney general’s office, raided the facility in February of 2013. Shashy in his opinion writes: “ … it is undisputed that other facilities within the state have operated the same type of gaming devices for substantial periods of time, even while VictoryLand has been shut down. The state did not dispute that other facilities have the same machines or that they are open.” VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor issued a statement Thursday, saying he plans to reopen as soon as possible “The decision paves the way for electronic bingo to resume at VictoryLand and for the people of Macon County to once again go back to work and provide for their families,” McGregor said in a statement. See GAMING, Page 7
Dadeville Chamber preparing for its second Lake Fest By Cliff Williams Outlook Staff Writer
Reported on 6/25/15 @ 4 p.m.
6
Judge dismisses state’s suit against VictoryLand Ruling may clear way for reopening and vindicates Judge Young’s stance
By Mitch Sneed
High
Griffin Pritchard / Tallassee Tribune
VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor said Thursday he hopes to reopen as soon as possible.
The wait is over. Lake Fest is this Saturday. The Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its second annual Lake Fest at DARE Park this Saturday, June 27. “It will be a great day for everyone,” Chamber Executive Administrator Linda Andrews said. “With it being at DARE Park, it is free admission. It will be Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will go on rain or shine.” “There will be a cornhole tournament,” Andrews said. “Registration begins at 9 a.m. with the first round of games at 10 a.m.” In addition to enjoying the lake, everyone in attendance will have a chance to see what wares vendors will bring. “We will have vendors with hand-
Now Playing:
Pitch Perfect 2 – PG-13 Inside Out – PG Jurassic World 3D – PG-13
made soaps, embroidery and other arts and crafts,” Andrews said. “We will have a bounce house for the children. The chamber will have its Lake Martin T-shirts available for sale.” The list of items on display and for sale this year is long and varied. There will be jams and jellies, children’s items, books, fresh fruit and vegetables, monogrammed shirts and glassware, wreaths and door-hangers, candles, room fresheners, all-natural pain-relieving cream, handmade jewelry, a Tupperware party, antiques, pottery, hand-painted lake art, essential oils and more. And for those that get hungry? “We will have food vendors too,” Andrews said. “The vendors are the only thing that will cost money.” Tiger Dogs will be there selling hotdogs and the Overall Company will be Robert Hudson / The Outlook selling cool fruity and creamy popsicles. Food, games and vendors will be featured at Lake Fest See LAKE FEST, Page 7 Saturday at DARE Park.