OPINION: 2016 ELECTION WILL BE CLINTON VS. TRUMP ALL-STARS THURSDAY THE
Youth basketball teams shine at state competition. Sports, page 8.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 March 17, 2016
Vol. 124, No. 55
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Crime down 18.5% in Alex City
By MITCH SNEED Editor
The total number of crimes investigated by the Alexander City Police Department was down 18.5 percent from 2014 according to stats released by Chief Willie Robinson. According to the numbers, there were 318 crimes reported in 2015, with 118 of those ending with an arrest. That’s a clearance rate of 37.1 percent.
rapes as opposed to 10 in 2014, two more auto thefts where the number went from 13 to 15 in 2015 and robberies numbered 15 in 2015, one more than the 14 in 2014. Robinson said it’s hard to cite an exact cause for any changes, but to see the overall number of crimes at a fiveyear low was encouraging. Robinson said that combination of good, solid police work and citizen involvement also paid off in terms of See CRIME • Page 3
“We work very hard to make Alexander City as safe as we possibly can,” Robinson said. “We understand that there are things that happen and it is our job to track down the people responsible. “We have a great set of investigators and they work very closely with patrol,” Robinson said. “They do a very good job of sharing information and that is vital to solving cases.” Only three categories showed increases in 2015. There were 12
ALEXANDER CITY CRIME STATS Crime
2012
Murder 4 Rape 6 Robbery 28 Assaults 24 Burglary 143 Theft 141 Auto theft 18 Arson 3 Total
367
2013
2014
2015
3 13 19 27 134 148 15 2
1 10 14 24 191 135 13 1
0 12 15 18 146 111 15 0
361
389
317
Civitan Club working to reorganize By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Hackneyville’s Bradley Mann, below, has been involved in scouting for 12 years and he will earn his Eagle Scout designation Sunday. The honor comes after earning 35 merit badges and completing ta project that included this pavilion in the park in Hackneyville,
BUILDING CHARACTER
Hackneyville’s Mann set to earn Eagle Scout designation By MITCH SNEED Editor
Since he was 6 years old, Bradley Mann has dreamed on being an Eagle Scout. Sunday, that dream will come true. Boy Scout Troop 62 will hold an Eagle Court of Honor to recognize Mann for achieving the highest honor scouting offers – The Eagle Scout Award. The ceremony will be held at Hackneyville Community Center at 2 p.m. “There is so much that scouting has done for me,” Mann said. “I have learned a lot through all the
activities and through the merit badge program, but more than that, it has instilled a lot of values that I will take with me throughout my life. “Ever since I started scouting when I was 6 years old, I wanted to reach this goal. It’s a great feeling to have it all come together.” Reaching the designation is no easy feat. A successful candidate must earn 35 merit badges and have served his troop as Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader and Quartermaster. Mann, the son of Chris and See SCOUTS • Page 3
Once again Alexander City will have a Civitan Club if a group of local organizers has its way. C Civitan International District officials Brian Dix D and Tony Ledbetter are leading the efforts and an are looking for those that might already be serving in the area. se “We are looking for those that are volunteering in and looking for community service,” Dix said. sa “We are just everyday citizens helping each other.” ot See CIVITAN • Page 3
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
The Civitan International President Debbie Juhlke, center, visited a recent informational meeting about Civitan in Alexander City. Tony Ledbetter, left, Kearney Hutslter, Amy Steltenpohl, Brian Dix and Lisa Abercombie joined her for a photograph. A group is trying to re-charter the Alex City Civitian Club. Informational meetings are held Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at The Chamber.
Good Friday not a signal to start spring planting By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Some businesses already have plants in stock ready for consumers to plant, but experts say to beware as it is still a bit early to put some vegetables in the ground.
+
Bill’s Electric ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
P.O. Box 673 1814 Airpor t Blvd • Alexander Cit y, AL
(256) 234-4555 “PROVIDING QUAALITYY ELEECTRRICALL CONSSTRUUCTIIONN SINCE 196 61”
In the gardening world, there are a couple of folklore “guidelines” that revolve around Good Friday. First, many people will not plant their vegetable garden until Good Friday. They simply wait until that date before they put the first plant or seed in the ground. The other tradition involves only potatoes and requires that, in order to ensure a good crop, potatoes should only be planted on Good Friday. But Shane Harris, Tallapoosa County extension coordinator, says that when it comes to spring planting, it’s best to trust soil and air temperatures and location-specific planting calendars than it is folk-
lore. “Well, some of it depends on what you’re planting,” said Harris. “But around here most of our typical plants, we don’t recommend planting until April. Soil temperature has a lot to do with it. The soil needs to be between 60 and 70 degrees. When it’s cold or we get a lot of rain in the spring, that’s a factor. The soil doesn’t typically warm up as quickly.” Night time air temperatures are also a factor, according to Harris. “The average date of the last killing frost for our area is usually between April 10 and April 15,” Harris said. “We’ve had a killing frost in late April before. Just because the retailers are selling the seeds and transplants doesn’t mean that now’s the right time to plant See KIWANIS • Page 3
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
486.22 Reported on 3/16/16 @ 6 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
Today’s
Weather
76 47 High
6
Low
54708 90050
8
USPS Permit # 013-080
+ Buy
Here + Pay Here + + CLEAN USED CARS No Credit Checks
Cars• Vans• Trucks • SUV’s
Midway Auto,Inc.
256-329-1313 Free Consultations
Off Hwy. 280 • Alexander City, AL
217 Madison Street, Alexander City, AL
256.825.9830
“We are a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 under the Bankruptcy Code. Alabama State Bar requires the following in every attorney advertisement, “ 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.”
(On Right Past the River Bridge)
Page 2
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Wife has doubts about man donating sperm to his brother
Friday
70 52 Low
High
Mostly cloudy, 30 percent chance of rain
Saturday
65 40 Low
High
Partly sunny, 40 percent chance of rain
Staff
Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Kenneth Boone Publisher, Ext. 218 kenneth.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Accounting Angela Mullins Bookkeeping, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Mary Lyman Boone Bookkeeping marylyman.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Robert Hudson Sports Editor, Ext. 228 robert.hudson@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com
Thursday, March 17, 2016
The Outlook
David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210 david.granger@alexcityoutlook.com Mia Osborn Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 mia.osborn@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Kim Morse Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 kim.morse@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Guill Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.guill@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Audra Spears Composing Department, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Alethia Russell Graphic Artist, Ext. 231 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Asst. Circulation Manager, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Lake Martin Living, The Outlook is published five times Kenneth Boone a week, Tuesday through Saturday Photography and mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, a commercial web printing press. Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. © 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. ReproPOSTMASTER: Send address duction of any part of any issue requires changes to Post Office Box 999, written publisher permission. Alexander City, AL 35011.
Postal
Information
Ms. Bobbie J. Ephraim Ms. Bobbie J. Ephraim 61 of Alexander City, AL died Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at Russell Medical Center, Alexander City, AL. Arrangements by Armour’s Memorial Services.
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have a 19-month-old son and plan on trying for another baby soon. My husband’s brother, who is sterile, called and asked my husband to donate sperm to him. I am very upset because my husband refuses to ask his brother to make any kind of compromises to protect our family and theirs, such as counseling to resolve any issues ahead of time. Before we were serious about each other, my husband donated to his brother’s first wife. His brother wanted to keep it a secret from everyone -- including the children -- but his wife told all of her friends. What should I do? My husband is afraid he’s going to lose his brother if he doesn’t give him everything he wants, but the person he is really going to lose is me. -CONFUSED IN THE SOUTH DEAR CONFUSED: I hope you won’t let your husband’s generous impulses have a negative impact on your mar-
DEAR ABBY Advice
riage. I agree that counseling could help to head off future problems that might crop up -IF your husband and his brother would agree to it. But while you’re at it, this should also be discussed with a lawyer just in case your brother-in-law’s second marriage goes south, too. As to keeping all of this a secret -- because wife No. 1 has made public the fact that the children aren’t biologically his, the chances of the information being kept secret are slim to none. DEAR ABBY: Since the lottery for the big jackpot was in the news, my co-workers and I have discussed the etiquette regarding sharing the winnings with whomever may
have given you the ticket. For instance, if somebody has an uncle who gives lottery tickets as a gift on birthdays or holidays as opposed to a standard gift, and the recipient hits the winning numbers, is there a fixed percentage that’s customary to give? None of us is actually in this situation; it just became part of our discussion. Thanks for your input. -- OFFICE HOT TOPIC DEAR HOT TOPIC: Once a gift is given, it belongs to the recipient. The recipient would be under no obligation to share the winnings with the person who gifted him or her with the ticket, nor should it be expected. However, if the gift giver does expect a percentage, then this should be worked out before the drawing. DEAR ABBY: I’m 15 and I’m a lesbian. I’ve told my friends, but they don’t accept me. They say they do, but when I talk about other girls,
Sonya Marie Malouf Thornton Memorial service for Sonya Marie Malouf Thornton, 43, will be March 17, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Radney-Smith Chapel with the Rev. James Heath officiating. Ms. Thornton died Monday March 14, 2016 at her home in Alexander City, AL. She was preceded in death by her father, George Michael Malouf, mother, Patricia Ann Oneal, grandfather, George Malouf, grandmother, Ruby Oneal Carol, and grandfather, Oliver Oneal. She is survived by daughter, Taylor Gwen
Billy Ray Ballard BALLARD, Billy Ray, 81, a Montgomery resident and a native of Alex City, died Saturday, March 12, 2016. His Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 15, 2016, from 5-7 p.m., at Leak Memory Chapel, followed by his Funeral Service on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at 11 a.m., at Leak Memory Chapel, with Rev.
Thornton, sister, Kerri Malouf Sanders, husband Jason, sister, Kamiel Malouf Rodriguez, husband Geno, grandmother, Frances Pitts Malouf, lifetime friend, Christina Richardson, special niece, Katie Sanders, special nephew, Michael Sanders, special nephew, Jack Sanders, numerous aunts, uncles, & cousins, her dog, Peanut, and her cat, Aubie. Visitation will be Thursday March 17, 2016 from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneysmith.com. Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga, AL will direct the services. Brian Derringer officiating. Friends are invited to attend his Graveside Service in Hillview Cemetery in Alexander City at 2 p.m.. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sheila Joyce Ballard, and a brother, Charles Lynn Ballard. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Carolyn Alford Ballard; son, James Linion “Lynn” Ballard (Sherrie); grandchildren, Ashley
Mr. Gary L. Hutchins, 69 of Dadeville, AL passed away on March 16, 2016 at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, AL. A funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 18, 2016 at the chapel of Alabama Funeral Homes in Dadeville. A graveside service following in Sardis United Methodist Church Cemetery in Dadeville with Pastor David Johnson officiating. The family will greet friends from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home on Friday. Mr. Hutchins was preceded in death by his parents Leon and Flora Mae Hutchins; sister Missy Hutchins. He is survived by his loving wife Karen Knox Hutchins; children Audra Braughton, Lisa Hutchins ( William) Higdon, Michael (Kim) Whitehurst and Scott ( Tricia) Whitehurst; brothers Marshal ( Kathy) Hutchins and Vic (Tammy) Hutchins; grandchildren Brody and Brady Whitehurst. Alabama Funeral Homes in Dadeville are handling arrangements. www.alabamafuneralhomes.com Layne Mackin (Russell) and Jacob Linion Ballard. Pallbearers will be Wayne Daugherty, Stan Head, Jimmy Henderson, Bruce Holly, Chap Gilmore, and Frank Wiles, while Billy Walker, Dean Ray, and Farrell Alford will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. A long-time member of Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church and a Mason for over 50 years, Billy Ray
FOR SALE
had retired after 26 years with the State Highway Department. Memorials may be made to Children’s Harbor or Inner City Evangelism of Montgomery. Condolences may be offered at www.leak-mc. com.
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.
1720 Dadeville Road • Alexander City, AL
Call Spencer or Dax Today!
256.234.5331 1555 HILLABEE STREET • (256) 329-0847
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.
Mr. Gary L. Hutchins
and Your Loved Ones!
A DAMS HEALTH & REHAB
TO MY READERS: Today’s the day for wearing something green! A very happy St. Patrick’s Day to you all. -- LOVE, ABBY
Obituaries
We Care About You •Home-like Environment • Specialized Dementia Care Unit •Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Services
they say, “Don’t talk about girls around us. We’re not gay!” I don’t know what to do. Please help. -- LGBT IN GEORGIA DEAR LGBT: Your friends probably do accept you, but would prefer not to hear all the details you feel the need to share. It’s time you find a youth group for gay teenagers. Go online, visit lgbtcenters.org and search for the nearest gay and lesbian community center in your area. If you do, you will see that the support you are looking for isn’t hard to find. I wish you luck.
DOWN PAYMENTS
MONTHLY PAYMENTS
$
$
As Low
As...........
500
As Low
250
As........... *Upon Kerley Motors Approval
381 GREEN STREET $78,900 PRICED TO SELL! 3BR/2BA Brick home with private backyard. Conveniently located to town. Spacious rooms, tile bathrooms & beautiful hardwoods throughout.
SAMANTHA SPURLIN
OfÄce: 256.329.LAKE (5253) Mobile: 256.786.0650 www.samanthaspurlin.com sam@samanthaspurlin.com
WHATLEY MONUMENT Company Better Service A Family Tradition 1049 Hillabee Street Alexander City, AL C.M. “Mike” Whatley, Owner
329-1217
Now thru Mar. 31, Receive a 10 year parts & compressor warranty on all York residential system replacements & new installations. Also includes a factory 10-year labor warranty. Buy NEW with Williams and you will have no repair cost for the next 10 years. Excluding maintenance and maintenance related problems i.e. stopped up drain, dirty coil, etc.
Williams Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning Inc Mike Coker 3875 Dadeville Road, Alexander City, AL 35010
256-329-8488 • 256-267-5021 mobile
Planning a Yard Sale? Boost your pro½ts with an ad in the Classi½eds. It’s an easy and affordable way to bring more business to your door! To place your ad call
256.277.4219 The Outlook ClassiÀeds
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Civitan
continued from page 1
The Alex City Civitan Club has not yet been started officially but meetings are being held to hopefully get it started soon. “We need 20 members before we can charter,” Ledbetter said. “That is the first step. We hope to meet that goal in April.” One local couple is hoping to be among the charter members, Marty and Amy Steltenpohl. “Marty was in the Auburn club,” Amy said, “When he moved here, he did not get involved but expressed an interest to me. I kind of took it and ran with it to try to join one here only to find there was no club.” That is where Dix and Ledbetter come into play. “Between us we have the successful start of five clubs,” Ledbetter said. “We help with the process.” Dix says that Civitan International has a main charity it serves but that it works in the communities also. “Civitan has a flagship project, the Civitan International Research Center
at UAB,” Dix said. “They serve people with developmental disabilities. We are also talking about local projects. We are talking about help with a food pantry with the Salvation Army and we are going to work with PATH on some of their projects.” Even though the club has not been chartered, it is already planning community service projects. “This coming Saturday, we are going to Camp ASCCA for a work day,” Dix said. “We have talked about reaching out to nursing homes and maybe something like an adopt-a-resident.” Both Dix and Ledbetter said it is to get information on how to become a charter member. “We are meeting every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce,” Ledbetter said. “Someone will be here to speak about Civitan and how it can be involved in the community. We have even had a visit from the International President Debbie Juhlke.” Both gentlemen said they are looking for fresh faces for the Civitan Club.
“We are looking for people that want to make other people’s lives better,” Dix said. “We want to get a fresh start with new members. We are wanting to start a club with fresh ideas.” An Civitan got its start not to far away. In 1917, a group of business and professional leaders were meeting in Birmingham as a part of a national civic club. They were concerned about their community and world, but they thought that the club focused too much on personal gain. These men wanted to make a difference, and they believed that their actions could help build a better world. Giving up the charter they had purchased, they set out to make a more suitable club. On March 17, 1917, these men formed an independent service organization. Eventually, they settled on the name Civitan, coined from the Latin word civitas, meaning “citizenship.” “Builders of Good Citizenship” was a natural motto for the civic-minded group.
Scouts
continued from page 1
Bridget Mann of Hackneyville, chose to build something that was needed in his own community for his service project. With the help of family and friends, Mann oversaw the construction of a 14 foot x 22 foot pavilion and two 6-foot picnic tables for the walking track and playground area at Hackneyville Community Center. “They had been doing a lot over the years to make the area nicer, so I talked to the people at the Community Center about what they needed,” Mann said. “They gave me some options and this is what I chose. I’m pretty proud of the way it turned out. To know that it will be there and I will see it as I come back, that is a good feeling.” Mann said the concrete slab was poured in October and two weeks later, they were able to construct the pavilion in
Page 3
www.alexcityoutlook.com
The Outlook
Planting
continued from page 1
them.” Harris said one of the best sources for planting advice in Alabama was the schedule included in the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s publication ANR-0063, “Planting Guide for Home Gardening in Alabama.” The recommended spring planting dates and optimum soil temperature ranges (in parentheses) it lists for some of the most popular garden vegetables are: • Bush snap beans (6085), squash (70-95), tomatoes (70-95) and watermelons (70-95), April • Pole snap beans (6085), April 10-30 • Lima beans (65-85), April 10-May 10 • Sweet corn (60-95), March 15-June 1 • Cucumbers (60-95) and eggplant (75-90), April 15-May 15 • Okra (70-95), April 10-June 30 • Peas (45-75), AprilJuly
• Peppers (65-95), April 1-May 10 • Sweet potatoes, April 15-June 15 According to ACES, Soil temperatures should be taken by inserting a soil thermometer three to four inches deep into the soil surface and noting temperature. Soil thermometers are available from garden centers, feed and seed stores and from many garden supply catalogs. Soil temperatures should be consistent for several days before seeds are sown to ensure that the seeds are being exposed to optimal temperatures for germination. As for planting potatoes on Good Friday only? Harris got a chuckle out of that one. “Well, I wouldn’t agree with that because Good Friday’s sometimes in April and that’s way too late,” Harris said. “Irish potatoes should be planted in February.”
just one day. Mann said he had a lot of help with the construction and all throughout his journey in scouting. Mann thanked all his scoutmasters over the years and his parents for being so supportive of his scouting activities. He said a lot of people helped with the construction, but said his grandfather Paul Mathis gave a lot of time, tools and expertise. “In scouting, your scoutmaster means a lot,” Mann said. “But when you are young, it takes a lot of time from your parents. I would have never been able to reach this goal without their love and support.” Mann is a senior at Horseshoe Bend where he is president of the Beta Club, and the FFA, plays baseball and is an all-A student.
Crime
continued from page 1
the decrease in crime and the clearance rate. “We hate that anyone is the victim of a crime, but we feel like the decrease is the result of some very hard work by the men and women in our department,” Robinson said. “We’ve tried to step up our community policing initiative and initiated the Night Out program and have worked harder than ever before to be more visible in our neighborhoods, in schools and in areas that have seen higher than normal criminal activity.”
The FBI reported that an average of 12.7 percent of burglaries and 17.3 percent of all property crimes are cleared nationally. In Alex City, 18 percent of the burglaries were solved with an arrest. Property crimes were solved at an 18 percent rate here, both better than the national average. Robinson credited residents for getting involved. “We are blessed in Alexander City to have residents who care, who look out for each other and often times help be
our eyes and ears and give us information that leads to arrests in many cases,” Robinson said. “That kind of community involvement can really make a difference for law enforcement.” Mayor Charles Shaw said news of the drop in crime was not unexpected “That is great news, but I’m not surprised,” Shaw said. “We have some of the most dedicated officers and investigators that I have ever seen. I would put our police force right there with any in the state.”
S E R V I C E
Now our New Full Service Alexander City Location NOW OPEN 3617 U.S. Highway 280 256-329-0500
R U N S
D E E P
elationships can run even deeper. We’re now offering all the products and services you need to plan, grow and succeed at our new full-service location. And since we’re a true community bank, we deliver a higher level of service and understand the value of the communities we serve. Visit us today and let us tailor a banking relationship to your needs.
Randy Dawkins
Abby Guy
Sr. Vice President Relationship Manager
Sr. Vice President Relationship Manager
NMLS# 501868
NMLS# 520213
RIV E RBA NKA NDTRUST.CO M M O N T G O M E R Y | P R AT T V I L L E WET UMP KA | ALEXANDER CI T Y
Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender
MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213
editor@alexcityoutlook.com
EDITORIAL BOARD Kenneth Boone Mitch Sneed
Outlook The
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Page 4
Our
Opinion
Wanted: Professional city management
H
ow many major problems does Alexander City have to endure before we change the way we run our city? This week District Attorney E. Paul Jones said he has evidence that money has been stolen from the city-owned Lakewinds Golf Course. One department head thinks it could be $120,000 or more. The accounting firm of Carr, Riggs and Ingram was hired by the city to investigate the missing money. They found out that it appeared to have been stolen, and they sent an invoice for $24,603 to the city for their services, but no one seems to know if that invoice was the final figure or if it was correct. So now this fiasco has cost the city at least $145,000 – which, interestingly, is more than the average annual salary for a professional city manager in Alabama. A professional city manager looking over the operations of the city wouldn’t necessarily prevent a thief from stealing from the city. However, a professional city manager would have systems in place based on best practices that would make theft less likely. In addition, a professional manager would discover a problem in short order and take immediate action to correct it. That is not the case now. We don’t know how long money has come up missing from Lakewinds Golf Course, but it appears this has been going on since at least 2014. This is 2016. That’s too long. When you add this latest issue to others that include unauthorized pay increases, three missed deadlines on approving budgets, the practice of jailing people for the inability to immediately pay court mandated fines and the firing and rehiring of a finance director, you have a list that can lead to only one conclusion. We need professional management of our city.
Thursday, March 17, 2016
2016 election will be Clinton vs. Trump
B
arring some unforeseen circumstance, it appears that the two major-party candidates in the November general election for the presidency have been decided. Hillary Clinton, after what appears to be a sweep of five primaries – Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio – on Tuesday, will be the Democratic Party’s 2016 presidential candidate. Donald Trump, after winning Republican primaries in all of the same five states except John Kasich’s home state of Ohio on Tuesday, will be the Republican Party’s 2016 presidential nominee. Supporters of Bernie Sanders, Ted Cruz and John Kasich may manage weak arguments to the contrary, but let’s be real. All that remains necessary prior to November is the tapping of running mates by Clinton and Trump. For many, this writer included, the choice is not one that generates a lot of excitement about the coming election. Many will cast their vote for the “lesser of two evils,” which is a shame in what is – still, without doubt – the greatest country in the world. Regardless of the choice, there will be, one way or another, some historical significance to this year’s election. Clinton will become the first female nominee of a major party for president and could become the first woman to hold the office. Trump would become the first person to be elected president without holding prior public office since Dwight Eisenhower was elected in 1952. Of course, Eisenhower
DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
had just helped lead our troops to victory in World War II. Trump just stepped off the set of his own reality show. Just from the perspective of potentially making history in November – particularly with the election of the first woman as president – this, in any other year, would likely be an election filled with anticipation and excitement. But the partisan, um, dislike that exists for Clinton simply won’t allow such anticipation or excitement to materialize. Between her marriage to philanderer Bill, Benghazi, emails and the general polarization of the American electorate, Clinton will never be a beloved figure. Not even among American women. Trump, through the same rhetoric that endears him to his supporters, comes off as un-American, as a loose cannon with no real depth to others. He, too, should have kissed goodbye his chances to ever be beloved by all some months ago. Here are the facts: If you like Hillary Clinton, it is almost a lead-pipe cinch you despise Donald Trump. And if you like Trump, you’re likely counting the days until Clinton is popped with an inevitable indictment over the email scandal. This might be called the oil and water election. The supporters of the respective candidates certainly don’t mix and can, in fact, become
combustible, as we’ve seen at recent Trump rallies where alleged Sanders supporters invaded the arenas in protest of Trump’s sometimes overthe-top rhetoric about immigration, race relations and other touchy topics. When a 78-year-old man is moved to “chicken-wing” a young black man who is walking by him posing no threat and paying the fightin’ old fogey no attention whatsoever, it’s likely that the rhetorical temperature in the room has risen to a dangerous level. But some like it hot. Trump and his supporters seem to be among them. Confession: I never thought back in June when Trump announced his candidacy that he would make it this far. In fact, I thought the prospect of Trump as president was a hoot. To be clear, I thought the prospect was laughable and wrote as much in this same space. I have since maligned the candidate and his candidacy on several occasions and continue to think that a Trump presidency will prove dangerous and that all should wake up and realize the same. Yet here we are. I have since come to realize the inevitability of Trump’s nomination. Not just today, but some weeks ago. And while I held out hope for some time for Bernie Sanders, I was largely resigned all along to Clinton’s inevitability as the Democratic nominee. So Trump surprised me. Clinton did not. And that’s not only proven true with the election overall, but also the day-to-day of this crazy 2016 campaign.
Quote
“To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one’s own in the midst of abundance. “ – Buddha
Today’s
Scripture “Pride ends in humiliation while humility bring honor.” – Proverbs 29:23
alexcityoutlook.com
Daily Poll Wednesday Question: Would you be willing to host a community cleanup event?
No - 27 Yes - 7
Thursday Question: Do you feel safe in Alexander City? 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.
Our
Mission The Outlook strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.
How to
Subscribe
Get
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 50 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. We would love to deliver a paper to your door. Call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281, Ext. 204 or e-mail david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook. com.
Involved 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 T.C. Coley Chapel Road, the Northside community and portion of Spring Hill community. His phone number is 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, Steve Robinson Ourtown and Willow Point. His phone number is 256-654-0047. His address is 1225 Warren Circle, Alexander City. John McKelvey represents District 3, which includes Jackson’s Gap, Hackneyville, New Site and Daviston. His phone number is 256-825-8403. His address is 1285 Freeman Road, New Site.
Today’s
John McKelvey
Emma Jean Thweatt represents District 4, which includes Dadeville, Pace’s Point, northern Camp Hill, Buttston, Dudleyville and part of Eagle Creek. Her daytime phone Emma Jean number is 825-6914 Thweatt and her evening phone number is 825-4207. Her address is 585 Brookwood Circle, Dadeville.
George Carleton Jr. represents District 5, which includes southern Camp Hill, Red Ridge, Walnut Hill, Union and Pleasant George Carleton Ridge. His address is 630 Turner Road Road, Dadeville.
Jr.
What’s your
Opinion?
Letters to the Editor
Thanks for helping Artists Association grow Dear Editor, I would like to thank the Outlook for helping a new artist group become known in Alexander City. This group, Artists Association of Central Alabama, is encouraging, enthusiastic and creative. Anyone who is interested in art can benefit by becoming a member. Alex City community members have been very supportive of the group. Henry Foy at The Wine Emporium provides meeting room, displays of artwork,
and support for our efforts. The United Way offered their Conference Center for many of our meetings and workshops. Larry and Dee Dee Tuggle have offered to display artwork and provide meeting room as needed at The Shoppes of Queen’s Attic. The Chamber of Commerce provided a room for the board members to meet and plan programs and workshops. I am amazed at how much I have learned from this group in less than one year of membership.
I thank everyone who has supported the guiding forces of Dottie Holdren and Martha McKnight who have worked so hard to form this group and promote its progress. For anyone who wishes to find a creative outlet please join us on the second Tuesday of each month at First United Baptist at 9:30 a.m. Diana French Alexander City
Reader believes in Shaw’s role as mayor Dear Editor: As you know, Mr. Charles Shaw is mayor of Alexander City and will be running for that spot again this summer. As for myself, I personally know Charles Shaw. He and his family are Christian people, and he has helped a lot of people that were in need and he wants the best for our community. Also, he LOVES everyone. But, there are some people that have made Mr. Shaw’s job as mayor very hard for him. They
have caused him trouble in any and every way they could. I have also read many things in the Outlook about Charles Shaw that are not true and they have been written by the editor, Mitch Sneed. Look (enclosed) what I pulled up on the Internet about Mitch Sneed. Read it for yourself, and see what you think. Mr. Sneed writes that we need a professional administrator to run the City, instead of our mayor. How can he say something like this, when his behavior is cer-
tainly not professional? I believe that what Alexander City needs is for Charles Shaw to be re-elected. Then, the people that are against him, like Mr. Sneed, should leave him alone and let him do his job. I know Mr. Shaw can do a fabulous job if he is allowed to do his job. Sincerely, Brenda Payne Alexander City
We’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with the greater Lake Martin community. It’s free and it only takes a few moments of your time. We have two ways to get your opinion in print: letters to the editor and guest columns. The main difference is length. Letters to the editor are up to 250 words, while guest columns can be up to 500 words. Letters and columns may be sent to P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011, faxed to (256) 2346550 or e-mailed to editor@alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send us your thoughts today!
Follow us
On the Web
Follow The Outlook on the Internet on our website or on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Log on to http://www.alexcityoutloook.com. There you will be able to view stories and multimedia posted by The Outlook. You can also click on the Facebook link to join The Outlook’s fan club or click on the Twitter link to start receiving tweets on your phone as we post updates. You can also subscribe to our RSS (Rich Site Summary) feed on the Outlook’s home page. Check it out today.
ClassiÄeds
Lake & River Phone (256) 277-4219 Fax (205) 669-4217 The Alexander City Outlook
Reaching more than 22,000 households in Tallapoosa and Elmore counties The Dadeville Record
classifieds@alexcityoutlook.com public.notices@alexcityoutlook.com classifieds@thewetumpkaherald.com public.notices@thewetumpkaherald.com
The Eclectic Observer
The Tallassee Tribune
Needed Immediately!
PART-TIME MAILROOM SUPERVISOR Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. seeks a Part-time Mailroom Supervisor for the TPI Of¿ce in Alexander City. Must be able to work 6pm - Until.
JOBS
Job Includes: Being responsible for daily circulation of papers and inserts and managing of mailroom staff. Ideal candidate must have good organizational skills, friendly attitude and self-motivation. Please come in and ¿ll out an application at:
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. 548 Cherokee Road Alexander City, AL
No Phone Calls Please Drug-free Workplace TPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The Wetumpka Herald
Thursday, March 17, 2016
The Outlook
CommunityCalendar SEE ME FOR INSURANCE
Today is
March 17, 2016 Today’s Event
WINE TASTING: Emporium Wines in Alexander City welcomes Rush Wines features wines from
Cannonball Wine Company of Healdsburg, California from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 256212-9463.
Today’s Anniversaries
Glenn and Tanya Yates and Fred and Wilma Sasser are celebrating their anniversary today.
Page 7
www.alexcityoutlook.com
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/.
Today’s Birthdays
Zach Smith, Linda Kelly, John Steverson, Johnnie Hayes, Gaynell Robinson, Dajaun Graham, Lynda Skiff, Gary Livingston, Johnnie C. Hayes, Catherine Mann, Brandy Hall, Jeffery Graham, and Linda Britton are celebrating birthdays today.
HOLLEY’S HOME FURNISHINGS
We Dare You To Compare! 1660 Hwy. 22 West Alexander City, AL
Harold Cochran 256.234.2700
256.234.4141 Visit us online at:
www.holleyshomefurnishings.com
haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com
We will deliver the Lake Region’s News to your door
Season Speaks
Daily, Weekly or Monthly
SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Take advantage of our Magazine Subscription Special and get both LAKE Magazine and Lake Martin Living for the low price of . . . $4500
Express Blowout • Highlight Ombre • Gloss • Color Make-Up • Keratin Adult & Children Hair Cuts Bridal & Bachelorette Packages 792 Commerce Drive Suite 103 Alexander City, AL
Call 256-234-4281 or stop by our ofĂšce at 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL
256.234.2007 256.749.8804 Submitted / The Outlook
Officials from Russell Marine recently donated an Evinrude Marine motor to Alexander City Rescue Squad. Accepting the donation is Ken Cowart President of Alexander City Rescue Squad and Edward Bailey. They plan to use the Evinrude engine to replace an older engine on one of their rescue boats.
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
SERVING LUNCH IN THE CAFÉ Tuesday - Saturday 11am-1:30pm
ŽŽ Œ¥ Œ—— ŽšŒ š—“šŽ ª“¤’ www.emporiumwine.net (256) 212-9463 Tue-Fri: 10-5 Sat: 10-2
128 Calhoun Street Historic Downtown Alexander City
***
“£“¤ ÂŚÂĄ Š—–ဖ š ÂŚÂ˜Â“Â?ÂœÂĄ
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
March 14-18
LUNCH PROGRAM: Alexander City Schools Nutrition Program is serving free meals at Stephens Cafeteria for children from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. Adults can eat for $3. This is part of the community lunch program and not the free lunch program and is open to everyone. The theme of the week is leadership. Monday there will be a history presentation of Nathaniel H. Stephens School, Tuesday, DARE Program with Corporal Marcus Billiups, Wednesday, Mayor Charles Shaw, Thursday Adelia Russell Library, and Friday Gospel Magic by Rev. Carl Kelly, Sr. Menus are Monday, Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, English peas, wheat roll, and applesauce; Tuesday Hamburger, baked beans, oven fries and fruit cup; Wednesday Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, marinara sauce, steamed broccoli and fresh apple; Thursday, chicken sandwich, oven fries and fruit cup; Friday, pizza, corn and fresh orange. Every day a a vegetable bar with celery, carrots, tomato, lettuce and onion will be offered.
March 18
MOVIE UNDER THE STARS: Wind Creek State Park is hosting a movie under the stars March 18 at 6 p.m.
March 18-20
WIZARD OF OZ: The Dadeville High School Drama program is presenting the Wizard of Oz March 18 at 7 p.m., March 19 at 7 p.m. and March 20 at 2 p.m. at the Dadeville High School Auditorium.
March 19
EGG HUNT: Wind Creek State Park will host an Easter Egg Hunt March 19 at 10 a.m. in the North Picnic area. There will be prize eggs. For ages under 2, 2 to 4 5 to 8 and 9 to 12. For more information call 256-3290845. PATH TRASH WALK: The March PATH Trash Walk is scheduled for Saturday March 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will be hosted by New Water Ministries which is located on Lake Martin at 460 Civitan Road (newwater.com).Volunteers can register on line or on site at New Water campus the day of the event. Volunteers will also be able to meet and register at
Siggers grocery crossroads on Young Ferry Road where they will receive supplies and road assignments. At noon, all volunteers will be treated to lunch at New Water contact John Thompson at jthompson@lmra.info for more information. ANNIVERSARY OF HORSESHOE BEND BATTLE: There will be a special event commemorating the Anniversary of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. TRADE DAY: Bibb Graves School is hosting a trade day March 19 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. ELKS GOLF TOURNAMENT: The Alexander City Elks Lodge is hosting a golf tournament at Lakewinds Golf Club and seeking sponsors. All proceeds go toward Lodge events such as aide to Camp ASCCA and other community programs. Contact Bo Parks at 256-329-3954 or Lakewinds at 256-825-9860. COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT: Mt. Zion Baptist Church is hosting a community Easter egg hunt from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
March 19-20
SINGING: Family Worship Center is hosting a singing March 19 at 6 p.m. and March 20 at 10 a.m. with the Willing Vessels.
March 20
MEN AND WOMEN PROGRAM: New Adka Missionary Baptist Church will have its Men and Women program Sunday March 20 at 11 a.m. Edward Milner is pastor. PASTORS APPRECIATION: Rocky Mt. Baptist Church on Highway 22 East in Alexander City is hosting its 13th Pastors Appreciation for Rev. and Sister Al Lawson. Guest speaker will be Rev. Bobby Hargrove pastor of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church. EASTER CELEBRATION: New Site area churches will be hosting an Easter Celebration in the Park on March 20 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the New Site Town Hall. CANTATA: Comer Memorial Methodist Church is having an Easter Cantata March 20 at 11 a.m. GOSPEL SINGING: Miracle Missionary Baptist Church is hosting a Gospel Explosion and Praise Celebration March 20. Scheduled to appear are Tim Rogers and The Fellas, The Shiloh Spirituals, The Southern Bells, Ruth
Black and the Harmonettes, The New Joyful Sounds, N2 Christ and Gospel Exodus. Tickets are $25. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the program starts at 5 p.m. EASTER CANTATA: The sanctuary choir and members of the Orr Street Baptist Church invite everyone to their Easter Cantat Champion of Love at 6 p.m. A fellowship meal will follow.
March 23
EASTER PHOTOS: Sarrell Dental is sponsoring free Easter Bunny photographs March 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
FOOT Specialties
Dr. Douglas Stewart Alexander City, AL
256-215-5596 American Board of Podiatric Surgery CertiÂżed Diabetic Shoes Hospital Surgeries Total Nail Care Hammertoes, Bunions, Corns and Calluses Sports Injuries
March 24
MUSIC PROGRAM: Alexander City First United Methodist Church will present “At the Cross,� Holy Thursday music program March 24 at 6 p.m. It is a worship service built around the Lord’s supper with the sanctuary choir. MAUNDAY THURSDAY: Comer United Methodist Church is hosting a Maunday Thrusday service March 24 at 6 p.m.
Need Insurance? Call me.
March 24-25
LAST SUPPER: Flint Hill United Methodist Church will presenting a live and moving reenactment of Leonardo Di Vinci’s The Last Supper on Thursday March 24 and Friday March 25 at 6 p.m. Tickets will be available at Flint Hill UMC, from church members, Cloud Nine, Lake Martin Humane Society, The Coffee Corner and Lake Broadcasting. You will not be turned down if you do not have a ticket. For more information call 256-2345047.
March 25
TENNEBUE SERVICE: Comer Memorial Methodist is hosting a Tennebue Service March 25 at 7:30 p.m. CRUCIFIXION REENACTMENT: Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Highway 63 South will display a reenactment of the resurrection of Jesus Christ March 25 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., all day on March 26 and to noon on March 27.
March 26
FAMILY BINGO NIGHT: Bibb Graves School is hosting family bingo night March 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com
ROBERT HUDSON SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228
sports@alexcityoutlook.com
Page 8
JOE MCADORY Sports Columnist
Learning about sports gambling the hard way
F
Thursday, March 17, 2016
www.alexcityoutlook.com
illing out a bracket is harmless, even if you wager a few bucks that a 10-seed will stun a 5-seed or that North Carolina might run the table. You throw a few dollars into the pool and hope that your guesses are better than the next guy’s, or your crazy aunt’s who knows nothing about college basketball. But when a person shells out a wad of green believing one team will cover the point spread against another team of similar talent, that’s venturing into territory I don’t recommend going. Even those who live and breathe sports can never be sure what will happen on a basketball court or football field on a given night. Sure, it’s easy to believe a 20-point favorite will win. But will they cover the socialistic spread, which levels the playing field for gamblers? That’s why gambling in America is such a booming industry – not for the sports fans who think they know the inside scoop on a basketball team five states away – but for the businesses (often online) willing to take your bet. Gambling sites aren’t charities for sports nuts. I found out the hard way in 1989, long before the Internet. I knew a bookie in Daytona Beach, Fla., and was willing to roll the dice. The first two rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament had passed and I couldn’t resist the excitement of laying a few bucks on a game any longer. As a college student and parttime sports writer, you could imagine the amount of dough I had in the bank. Yeah, not much. Let’s see, who should I bet on – or against? Michigan. I hated Michigan, and for no reason. The Wolverines snuck past Xavier and North Alabama before meeting North Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen. Two hundred bucks on the Tar Heels, please. Not only would the Heels beat Michigan, but they’d cover whatever the spread was. Michigan won, 92-87. Fine. Whatever. The Fab Five wouldn’t cover against Virginia in the next round. Besides, if I keep betting double or nothing, I’d eventually make a profit, right? Didn’t matter, Michigan crushed the Cavs, 102-65. Just like that, I’m down $600. Incensed, and probably deranged, I refused to give up. It’s like having too much pride to admit you are wrong. In the Final Four, Big Ten rival Illinois awaited Michigan. The Illini beat Chris Weber and Juwon Howard (this is before I realized these guys were going to be legends) twice in the regular season by a combined 28 points. Surely, the Illini had the Wolverines’ number – plus Michigan was due to lose and I was due to win. I can’t remember the point spread as this was 27 years ago. Regardless, Illinois was favored. Didn’t matter. Illinois lost outright. Can you imagine going to the bank and withdrawing much of your savings because your personal bank account was already exhausted? How do you explain this to your parents? In this case, I didn’t. Sorry mom and dad. It happened. It’s better you didn’t know. Down $1,200 and dejected beyond dejection, I threw my hands up and quit even though the hated Wolverines still had a game to play. Michigan was a two-point favorite against upstart Seton Hall in the championship. With nothing left to wager against the Wolverines, I passed. Michigan failed to cover, beating the Musketeers by a single point. Figures. Gambling can be fun and addictive, especially when you win. But it’s much more fun and stress-free when your life savings aren’t at stake. Good luck with your office pool brackets. Joe McAdory is the former Sports Editor at the Opelika-Auburn News and is Communications Editor at the Auburn University Harbert College of Business.
Alex City youth teams shine at state tourney By ROBERT HUDSON Sports Editor
A pair of youth basketball teams represented Alexander City on the state level last week. The Alexander City All-Stars boys 9U and girls 10U basketball teams competed in the state basketball tournament in Gadsden on March 11-13 with the boys team finishing in the final four out of 16 teams in the competition. The boys team advanced to the state tournament after finishing first place in District V at the district tournament in Opelika earlier this month. Michael Goggans, director of Cooper Community Center, said both teams competed in the tournament that is hosted through the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association. “We had a 9-and-under boys team to compete and we also had a 10-and-under girls team to compete. They advanced to state from the teams that competed in district,” Goggans said. “The Recreation and Parks Association heads up the entire state as far as competition. They host a lot of different tournaments that are offered on a yearly basis. Alabama Recreation and Parks gives the opportunity for all of the districts to meet in a state competition and fight for a state title.” Goggans said that both teams also displayed great sportsmanship and received tremendous support throughout the tournament. “Our 9U boys competed very, very well. They went to district in Opelika and they won first place and earned the berth to advance to state,” Goggans said. “The basketball program here had a very good year. They all went out and competed hard, showed great sportsmanship. Even though they didn’t win the state tournament, they all kept a positive attitude throughout the entire tournament. They got great support from the community. We want to thank County Commissioner T.C. Coley for helping making this trip possible for the kids.” Goggans said the tournament also marked a first for many of the girls team members. “The girls, we typically go in as a 12-and-under team, but this year we had a lot of younger girls so we played in the 10-and-under division,” Goggans said. “We had girls ranging from 7 years old to 10 years old. This was their first year that a lot of them got to play, not only together, but a lot of them for the first time ever playing basketball. It was a great learning experience for them and we can also use this as a learning experience for them to go back next year.”
Submitted / The Outlook
The Alex City All-Stars 9U boys basketball team pose with their district championship trophy. Members of the boys team are Chaden Allen, Gabriel Benton, Dylan Calhoun, LaJayvious Calhoun, Christophyer Foster, Michael Gross, Justin Hardaway, Lovell Kelly, Lee Leonard, Conner Mitchell, Elijah Richardson, and A’lijah Russell. Coaches are John Russell, Derrick Owens, and Kadori Benton.
Submitted / The Outlook
The Alex City All-Stars 10U girls basketball team includes JaLayna Kelly (not pictured), Kamori Hoytt, Kelli Jackson, Montasia Jackson, Kaden McCoy, Aaliyah Riley, Jariyah Williams, A’Laysha Wyckoff, Emiyha Hester, and Jordan Embery. Coach for the 10U girls is Calvin Holtzclaw.
Dadeville trying to bounce back after road defeats By ROBERT HUDSON Sports Editor
After dropping two road games on Monday, the Dadeville Tigers are still searching for answers to try and turn their season around. Dadeville lost to Beauregard 8-7 and 11-5 in a doubleheader on the road Monday evening. Dadeville Coach Randy Nolen said the Tigers (3-14) played well in spurts during game one, but little mistakes cost them in the end. “We really played halfway decent for most of the night except for one inning in the second game. The first game was back-and-forth, we just couldn’t get runs across late,” Nolen said. “We scored one in the sixth and couldn’t tie it up in the seventh and ended up losing 8-7.” In game one, Dadeville’s Landon Tidwell was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI, while Slade McCullers was 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. Kyle Harkins and Ethan Towne each had a RBI and one hit. Dadeville’s Slade McCullers pitched four innings, giving up five hits, six earned runs, walking three and striking out three. Brian Eaton pitched two innings and gave up two hits for Dadeville. Nolen said that pitching was solid, but a couple of defensive miscues hurt the Tigers in game one. “I thought we pitched well. Slade started and I think he went five innings and Brian pitched two. I mean, we’re throwing really, really well,” Nolen said. “But we’re up going into the bottom of the fifth and first batter hits a routine fly ball and we drop it. Then three pitches later we hit a batter. Then we’ve got first and third runners and they hit a soft line drive to third base that was about to be a double play because the guy at third is taking off, but we drop it.” Nolen said the Tigers have to learn how to close out the game when playing from ahead. “That’s the kind of thing that you could just sense it. When that first error happened, you could sense that we weren’t used to this (being ahead),” Nolen said. “But we swung the bats pretty good and had some really good at-bats at times. Like I said, the pitching was good, but we’ve just got to get over that hump. We’ve got to figure out ways
File Photo / The Outlook
Dadeville’s Tal Bullard, right, hauls in a catch as teammate Carson McClendon backs him up during a game this season against Benjamin Russell.
to win those kinds of games instead of something like that turning us around and let the wheels roll off and find a way to lose it.” In game two, Dadeville’s Cal Jones was 2-for-4 with a RBI, a run scored, a double and a triple. Dadeville’s Ethan Towne went 3-for-3 from the plate with two RBI and a run scored, while Ab Abernathy was 2-for-3 with a RBI, and Kyle Harkins was 1-for-2 with a RBI. Dadeville’s Landon Wilson also
went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, and Carson McClendon was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Wilson had two stolen bases, while McClendon also stole a base. Abernathy pitched four innings, giving up five hits, three earned runs, walking two and striking out five in game two. Dadeville will travel to Gadsden City on Saturday to play Gadsden at 12 p.m. and Piedmont at 2:30 p.m.