March 28, 2019 Alex City Outlook

Page 1

THURSDAY

THE

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 March 28, 2019 Vol. 127, No. 62 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢

Special section to honor local doctors inside

Vernon arraigned in federal court STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

A Kellyton man was arraigned in federal court Tuesday on charges of kidnapping, carjacking and firearm possession, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Louis V. Franklin Sr. Shane Anthony Vernon, 28, of Kellyton was arraigned on eight felony

Vernon escaped from the charges, including one count Coosa County Jail in November of kidnapping, two counts of 2017 and went on to commit carjacking, two counts of being a robberies, burglaries and felon in possession of a firearm kidnapping in Coosa and Elmore and three counts of possessing counties, authorities said. Vernon a firearm in furtherance of a was apprehended in DeKalb crime of violence, according to County, Georgia, three days later a release by the U.S. Attorney’s where authorities there charged office. The crimes are alleged to Vernon him with possession of a firearm have been committed in Elmore by a convicted felon, possession of County in November 2017.

Cooper visitation Friday, funeral Saturday

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Dolly Parton impersonator Melody Knighton helped make the sale for donations for the Imagination Library Tuesday night.

By RON COLQUITT For The Outlook

CLOSING THE GAP Rotary Club hosts dinner to help Imagination Library, get more kids reading By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

F

ive-hundred ninety-nine area children have graduated from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library over the last five years with the help of the Alexander City Rotary Club and another 532 are enrolled. Wednesday night, the club hosted a dinner for invited guests seeking members to join the “Friends of the Imagination Library” and continue the program through the club’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation. Guests at the dinner learned about the program and were treated to a visit from Dolly Parton impersonator Melody Knighton.

Today’s

Weather

The club currently helps fund the program at Harbor Learning Academy where children receive age-appropriate books from birth to five 5 years old monthly by mail. Rotarian Dana Rickman wants to see more children reading in the community, especially children in underserved areas, to help close the gap in students’ reading abilities when they enter school. “We are trying to change that,” Rickman said. “We have a great disparity in our community. This program will help change that.” The dinner and program were sponsored by Tallapoosa County Commissioner Steve Robinson, Rotary International Foundation District 6860 Local Grant, Alabama Power See LIBRARY • Page 3

The funeral for Rev. Alfred Cooper will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church on Green Street in Alexander City. The iconic black leader died Monday at 90. The former Laurel School assistant principal and football coach also served on the Alexander City Board of Education. Armour’s Memorial Funeral Home on North Central Avenue in Alex City is handling the arrangements. According to a funeral home spokesperson, visitation is open to the public from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Cooper Cemetery in Sawyerville. Laurel and Benjamin Russell merged in 1971 although it was 17 years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the policy of “separate but equal” schools unconstitutional. Having the highly respected Cooper in a position of authority likely kept the integration of Alex City schools calm. “The Rev. Cooper was one of those iconic community leaders as far back as I can remember,” Tallapoosa County Commissioner T.C. Coley Jr. said. “As a member of the school board, he stayed involved in service to the community.” Coley said Cooper was wellrespected by blacks and whites in Alex City, had a positive impact on youths in his community and was a role model for prospective husbands and fathers. See COOPER • Page 2

New equipment cuts to the chase on city streets Crews will be more proactive clearing rights of way

71 44 High

marijuana less than an ounce, possessing an open container and giving a false name. Then-Coosa County Sheriff Terry Wilson said it appeared an electrical malfunction at the Coosa County Jail allowed Vernon to escape. Vernon had escaped authorities the month before and was recaptured the next day. When Vernon was recaptured, Elmore See VERNON • Page 3

Low

By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor 6

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Alexander City residents should see cleaner rights of way with a new tractor and three cutting arms chewing brush into mulch five days a week. Last week, the city’s public works department took delivery of a $143,000 Massey Ferguson tractor with a diamond-cutting arm and three attachments, according to facilities maintenance supervisor Kirk Mickaels. The equipment was purchased $7,000 under budget and should continue to save the city money because it can mulch everything it cuts, eliminating the cleanup time involved with the machine it replaced, a 20-year-old Machete that slung debris, Mickaels said.

5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL

See EQUIPMENT • Page 3

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Jimmy Wigfield / The Outlook

The Alexander City Public Works Department’s new $143,000 tractor, diamond cutting arm and rotary mulching head attachment will more efficiently cut rights of way and intersections and reduce cleanup time.

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Friday

76 52 Low

High Mostly sunny

Saturday

78 48 High

Low

Partly sunny, 20 percent chance of rain

Staff

Directory

Telephone: (256) 234-4281 | Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, 256-414-3190 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, 256-414-3191 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Jimmy Wigfield Managing Editor, 256-414-3179 jimmy.wigfield@alexcityoutlook.com Kenneth Boone Chairman, 256-234-4284 kenneth.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, 256-414-3177 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Audra Spears Art Director, 256-414-3189 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, 256-234-4282 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Erin Burton Circulation Manager, 256-234-7779 erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, 256-414-3017 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Santana Wood Design Editor, 256-234-3412 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, 256-414-3180 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, 256-414-3029 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com Gabrielle Jansen Staff Writer, 256-414-3032 Gabrielle Jansen@alexcityoutlook.com Amy Passaretti Assist. Magazine Editor, 256-414-3005 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com

Thursday, March 28, 2019

The Outlook

Dream of joining Marine Corps is shot down by mom and wife DEAR ABBY: I’m originally from El Salvador. I have been living in the U.S. for five years, have been studying English for four years and I have my GED. I want to join the U.S. Marine Corps because it is my dream. I want to do it because I think that service to this country is the best thing I can do. I want to protect this country, and I want my family to be proud of me. Here is the problem: My mom and my wife don’t want me to do it because they say it is dangerous. I love them both, but I want to achieve my dream. What should I do? -DREAMING IN HOUSTON DEAR DREAMING: I appreciate the concern your mother and your wife feel for your safety. Because they love you, of course they worry. However, the person who must live your life is you. If joining the United States Marine Corps is your dream, then following your dream is what you should do. Now is the time to have a heart-

concerned it will encourage her two young daughters to get tattoos. I have never encouraged DEAR my children to do something ABBY like this. In fact, I did the opposite. I did not comment about Advice hers. She has known how her dad and I have felt about this since she was a young child. to-heart talk with your wife Am I overreacting? What because this decision will have does a mother say about an impact on her life as well something so permanent? I no as yours. longer feel I know this person I thought was “conservative.� DEAR ABBY: I raised my -- DISAPPOINTED IN NORTH children to be respectful, CAROLINA responsible adults who are DEAR DISAPPOINTED: career- and family-oriented. Yes, you are overreacting. Both are college graduates, This is not a referendum on married and successful. My eldest daughter recently your parenting or your daughannounced that she has been ter’s character. In a situation like this, a mother should ask “going through something� her daughter what “things� she and surprised us with a tattoo has been going through, and on her shoulder sporting her what that tattoo means to her. children’s names on a colorThe mother should also recful, rather large background. ognize that her daughter is an I was shocked because she adult now, and her choice to works at a large banking firm and was recently promoted as apply body art is just that -- a choice. Then she should listen a senior financial investor. I’m carefully to what her daughter now afraid it will impede her career advancement, and also has to say, so that, if neces-

sary, she can be supportive. DEAR ABBY: My granddaughter moved out of our home a couple of weeks ago. Do I have the right to ask for our key back since she no longer lives here and she moved in with someone I don’t trust as far as I can throw him? -TEXAS GRANNY DEAR GRANNY: You not only have the right, but your granddaughter should have offered to return the key at the time she moved out. Don’t be mean about it, just ask for the key. Or, because you don’t trust the person she’s now living with, have your locks changed in case he has already made a copy. It may cost you some money, but your peace of mind is worth it. 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 Mr. James Frederick “Jimmy� Britton 1936 - 2019 Funeral Service for Mr. James Frederick “Jimmy� Britton, 82, of Alexander City, Alabama, will be Friday, March 29, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church Alexander City. Rev. Mike Densmore and Rev. Jeff Dye will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hillview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 28, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home. Mr. Britton passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at Goodwater Healthcare Center. He was born on October 8, 1936 in Tallapoosa County, Alabama to William

Advertising Sales Katie Wesson Sales Manager, 256-234-4427 katie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com Julie Harbin Advertising Sales, 256-234-7702 julie.harbin@alexcityoutlook.com Jolie Waters Advertising Sales, 256-414-3174 jolie.waters@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson National Advertising, 256-414-3185 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Kat Raiford Digital Advertising Director, 334-444-8981 kat.raiford@alexcityoutlook.com

Arthur Britton and Minnie Bell Fuller Britton. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church Alexander City. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sandra Britton of Alexander City; son, Bart Britton of Alexander City; daughters, Michelle Wingler (Leslie) of New Site, Jamie Mahoney (Paul) of Murray, KY, and Robyn White of Birmingham; brother, Gene Britton of Bunkie, LA; grandchildren, Matthew Britton (Jami), Jackson Britton, Anna Britton, Michael Wingler (Merideth), Britt Wingler (Mary Joyce), Sela White, and Garrett White; greatgrandchildren, Jamison Britton, Hattie Britton, Mary Harris Britton, Margaret Ann Wingler, and Evelyn Virginia Wingler. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome. com. Radney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Rev. Alfred H. Cooper Funeral service for Rev. Alfred H. Cooper, 90, of Alexander City, AL; Saturday, March 30, 2019; 11 a.m.; First United Methodist Church, 310 Green Street, Alexander City, AL, Burial, Cooper Cemetery, Sawyerville, AL. Visitation: Friday, March 29, 2019 at funeral home; 1-7 p.m. Final Arrangements Entrusted Armour’s Memorial Funeral Home.

Pedestrian struck by car

Composing Darlene Johnson Production Artist, 256-414-3189 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Shelley McNeal Production Artist, 256-414-3189 shelley.mcneal@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, 256-414-3175 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com

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USPS-013-080 ISSN: 0738-5110 The Outlook is published five times a week, Tuesday through Saturday, by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to P. O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011. Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, The Wetumpka Herald, The Tallassee Tribune, The Eclectic Observer, Lake Magazine, Lake Martin Living, Elmore County Living, Kenneth Boone Photography and a commercial web printing press. Š 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.

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Alexander City Fire Rescue medics tend to a pedestrian who was struck by an automobile in the parking lot of Dollar General on Hillabee Road Wednesday afternoon. A man was transported to Russell Medical with cuts and scrapes on his hands and he also had a minor cut to his head.

Cooper continued from Page 1 “He always had a very calming demeanor with all his wisdom,� Coley said. “His wisdom was always critical because he was the guiding hand in so many community organizations and groups. And his legacy of service to the kids that he taught, that he coached, people that he impacted, is pretty substantial. It’s a powerful legacy and (he is) such a revered leader, he won’t be replaced. It’s going to leave a void in the community and we are going to be challenged to find people that will step up into that type of role.�

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Thursday, March 28, 2019

The Outlook

Equipment

continued from Page 1

Jimmy Wigfield / The Outlook

Ken Lewis, a 35-year veteran of the Alexander City Public Works Department, operates the new tractor, diamond cutting arm and rotary mulching head attachment to clear the right of way along Trussell Road Wednesday morning.

Ken Lewis, a 35-year city employee and the foreman of the bush hog crew, will clear rights of way and intersections five days a week with the new machinery. He was busy cutting along Trussell Road Wednesday morning. “We can be more proactive and not reactive,” Mickaels said. “We’ve got 175 miles of streets to take care of. It’s a jungle.” The tractor’s remote-controlled arm can be fit with three attachments that operate between 2,000 and 2,500 rpm — a rotary carbon mulching head, which Lewis used Wednesday; a 48-inch carbon sawblade for straight cuts; and a 5-foot bush hog cutting head that “murders everything,” Mickaels said. “This new equipment will eliminate the cleanup afterward, saving us a lot of time and money,” Mickaels said. “It will also give us a more refined cut. It looks better.” Mickaels asks drivers to be cautious when approaching the cutting tractor on city streets.

Library

continued from Page 1

Foundation, Karen Channell State Farm, Russell Lands, Chapman Healthcare, Harbor Learning Academy, Koon’s Korner, Grace’s Flowers, Denise Bates, Ocie & Belle’s, Lynne Parker and the T.C. Russell Airport. Parton started the Imagination Library in 1995 to benefit the children in east Tennessee. In 2000 it was expanded to be available to any community willing to partner to support it locally. Currently more than 1,600 local communities take part with more than one million children receiving books each month. Those interested in helping the Alexander City Rotary Club’s efforts in supporting the Amy Passaretti / The Outlook Imagination Library can contact any member for more information Guests gather for a fundraiser for Alexander City Rotary Club’s participation in the on how to donate to the cause. Dolly Parton Imagination Library on Tuesday night.

Vernon

continued from Page 1 Richard McCord, 67, from his house on Bradley Road and also took the victim’s vehicle, a black Grand Prix GT-2. Officials searched the area all night looking for signs of the vehicle, the victim and Vernon.

County Sheriff’s Office, Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the State K-9 Tracking Team, the ALEA Aviation Unit and the United States Marshal’s Office were involved in the search. The Douglas Thursday, Nov. 23, County Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017 2017 Douglasville Police 2:30 p.m.: Vernon 6:55 a.m.: Vernon Department, Georgia escaped from the Coosa dropped McCord off County Jail for the second unharmed in Douglasville, State Patrol and Georgia Bureau of Investigation time in three weeks Georgia. McCord made were also involved in the through a door that had it to a police station to search. Wilson said U.S. not been secured. get help. The victim’s Marshals coordinated 4:30 p.m.: Vernon Grand Prix was found invaded a home on abandoned and there was what he called a nationwide search. Highway 231, terrorizing no sign of Vernon. If convicted of all and tying up residents. He Multiple agencies federal charges, Vernon stole clothes, guns and a including the Coosa 2016 Ford Fusion from that residence. 8:30 p.m.: The Ford Fusion was found abandoned near Living Waters Baptist Church on Elmore County Road 80 near the Coosa-Elmore county line. County District Court Judge Glenn Goggans set a $6 million cash bond officials said was the largest bond they could recall in Elmore County. Here is a timeline of events from events in 2017, according to authorities:

Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017

10:30 a.m.: Vernon, armed with a handgun, invaded a home on Grass Farm Road near Titus, tied up a woman and her husband and locked the woman and a child in a closet. At the home he stole a 2005 silver Chrysler Pacifica with a firefighter tag. He also took cash, clothing and possibly another weapon. 5:30 p.m.: Vernon kidnapped William

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faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum life sentence. There is no parole in the federal system. Vernon’s trial is set for Aug. 12. Franklin cited the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their assistance with the case.

www.alexcityoutlook.com

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Auburn man charged with rape in Tallapoosa County By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

The Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department arrested an Auburn teenager Monday on charges of first-degree rape and second-degree sodomy of a minor. Kameron Kailer Johnson, 18, was released from the Tallapoosa County Jail on $80,000 bond. Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said the alleged rape was reported March 15. “It occurred in a residence in Johnson Tallapoosa County,” Abbett said. “The arrest was made during the course of the investigation with assistance of the Auburn Police Department Monday.” Abbett said additional charges could result from the ongoing investigation. The Code of Alabama defines first-degree rape as a person engaging in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex by force, a person engaging in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex who is incapable of consent or a person who is 16 years old or older engaging in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex who is less than 12 years old. First-degree rape is a Class A felony punishable by 10 to 99 years in prison. Second-degree sodomy is defined as a person who engages in deviate sexual intercourse with another person less than 16 and more than 12 years old or a person engaging in deviate sexual intercourse with a person who is incapable of consent by reason of mental defect. Second-degree sodomy is a Class B felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison.

1 OUT OF 10

ELDERLY PERSONS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES ARE BEING:

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Opinion

EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Publisher

Jimmy Wigfield Managing Editor Kenneth Boone Chairman

Page 4

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Outlook The

Report shows Trump was right all along Our View Transparency A essential in government Opinion

W

e elect representatives to conduct our governmental business with a representative democracy. We do so to avoid the problems of a true democracy with the logistics of everyone debating and voting on governmental affairs. For this to work, there needs to be transparency, not only between a representative and their constituents but in the processes of government itself. Currently all bills and legislation have to be read from the floors of the Alabama Senate three times before they are voted on — the last time just before they are voted on. Alabama Senate Bill 3 sponsored by District 11 Sen. Jim McClendon worries us. The bill would take away the last reading just before a vote but only on bills involving redistricting. Redistricting is already a testy process with many interested parties from voters, representatives and the U.S. Department of Justice. Many parties are consulted or are seeking input in the process. Some are interested to make sure no voters are disenfranchised while the history of the United States shows evidence some would want to draw lines favorable to a certain group of people. The Outlook does not think it’s a good thing for the people of the Tallapoosa County or the state. How would you feel if at the last minute the county’s representation was changed? The bill currently has a favorable report in the governmental affairs committee and is likely headed to the floor of the Senate soon. Why would anyone want to take away the last reading of a bill after hours of discussions and amendments were made to the legal document before voting on it? Yes, it is timeconsuming but shouldn’t it be read one final time so lawmakers are entirely sure what they are voting on to make sure no mistakes were made in altering the bill in the process? Or are lawmakers trying to hide something in the process?

sk yourself this simple question: When you heard the news special counsel Robert Mueller concluded President Donald Trump had not engaged in a criminal conspiracy with Russia, were you relieved or disappointed? Be honest. If the answer is the latter, then it’s time for a little introspection. Every American should be thankful, as Attorney General William Barr explained in his letter to Congress, “the special counsel did not find that the Trump campaign, or anyone associated with it, conspired or coordinated with the Russian government ... despite multiple offers from Russian-affiliated individuals to assist the Trump campaign.” It would have been devastating for our country if the president of the United States had engaged in a criminal conspiracy with a foreign power to undermine our democracy. Mueller’s findings he didn’t should be cause for celebration by Trump supporters and opponents alike. You do not have to believe Trump is a good president to know it is good that the president did not betray the country. But the sad truth is many Democratic presidential wannabes were hoping Mueller would find evidence the president had conspired with Russia. Some were almost salivating in anticipation of the Mueller report. In February, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) crowed, “By the time we get to 2020, Donald Trump may not even be president. In fact, he may not even be a free person.” Last month, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) tweeted, “A campaign for President of the United States should never be in the business of scheming with foreign adversaries to tamper with our elections.” And just Saturday (one day after Mueller delivered his report exonerating

influence the 2016 elections. Trump just wasn’t a part of it. MARC With the collusion fallacy behind us, Republicans and THIESSEN Democrats should be working together to address that ongoing Columnist threat. As the U.S. intelligence community declared in a January 2017 report, “We assess Moscow Trump), Beto O’Rourke assured will apply lessons learned from us, “You have a president who, in my opinion, beyond a shadow its campaign aimed at the U.S. presidential election to future of a doubt, sought to, however influence efforts in the United ham-handedly, collude with States.” But instead of focusing the Russian government, a foreign power, to undermine and on countering those efforts, Democrats seem to want to influence our elections.” continue spending their time No, he didn’t. As Barr notes, the special counsel “issued more on Trump. On Sunday, House Intelligence Committee Chairman than 2,800 subpoenas, executed Adam Schiff (D-CA) stood by nearly 500 search warrants, obtained more than 230 orders for his claim there is “significant evidence of collusion” and said communication records, issued he plans more hearings. almost 50 orders authorizing Those who continue to push use of pen registers, made 13 the false collusion narrative requests to foreign governments are the ones inadvertently for evidence, and interviewed assisting Russia. The intelligence approximately 500 witnesses.” community report noted Russia’s Mueller found no evidence of objectives in 2016 included conspiracy or even coordination undermining “public faith in the with Russia. Thank God. US democratic process ... faith It is understandable Trump believes the Mueller investigation in the U.S. Government and should never have happened. But (fueling) political protest.” In this sense, it worked like a charm. the probe may end up being the Instead of helping Russia further best thing that ever happened to divide us, we should be uniting him. If even career prosecutors to push back against Moscow’s in his own justice department had cleared Trump of conspiracy continued efforts to interfere in charges, Democrats would never our democratic process as the 2020 elections approach. have accepted their conclusions. For the past two years, the But after embracing Mueller Mueller probe has hung like a — even launching a campaign cloud over Trump’s presidency. to pass legislation “protecting” Instead of the presumption of him from being fired by Trump innocence, Democrats and many — Democrats now will look in the media have presumed his ridiculous if they refuse accept guilt. Trump said more than 200 his determination that there was times there was “no collusion.” no Trump-Russia conspiracy. He was mocked. But it turns out Moreover, keep in mind he was right the whole time. Mueller was not simply And if you don’t think that’s investigating Trump; he was good news, you are part of the also investigation the Russian problem. government. He exonerated Trump but not Vladimir Putin. Marc Thiessen’s column is Mueller indicted 13 Russian provided by The Washington nationals and three Russian Post News Service & Syndicate. companies on charges of Follow Marc A. Thiessen on conspiracy and identity theft. Twitter @marcthiessen. There was a conspiracy to

Jim Nabors

Eric Brown represents District 4. His phone number is 256-3972011. His address is 1421 Parrish Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Works committee.

Bobby Tapley

Buffy Colvin

Scott Hardy

Eric Brown

Tommy Spraggins represents District 5. His phone number is 256-234-3609. His address is 1539 College Street, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Finance committee.

Tommy Spraggins

Tim Funderburk represents District 6. His phone number is 256-825-2993. His address is 1431 River Oaks, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Utilities committee.

Today’s

Scripture

“He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” — Colossians 1:22

alexcityoutlook.com

Daily Poll Wednesday’s question: Did you take a trip for spring break?

Yes — 4 votes 44.44% No — 5 votes 55.56%

Thursday Question: Do you camp or ‘glamp?’ 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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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.

We’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with the community for free. You may submit one letter to the editor per month (300 words or less) and/or a guest column (500 words or less). Include name, address and phone number. We reserve the right to refuse any submissions. Mail: Your View, The Outlook P.O. Box 999 Alexander City, AL 35011 E-mail: editor@alexcityoutlook.com

What the Mueller report told us, or didn’t tell us

T

Scott Hardy represents District 3. His phone number is 256-4962450. His address is 549 Sleepy Hollow Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee.

“Avoid popularity; it has many snares, and no real benefit.” — William Penn

Submissions

Bobby Tapley represents

Buffy Colvin represents District 2. Her phone number is 256-750-0663. Her address is 786 I Street, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Buildings and Property committee.

Quote

Opinion?

Officials

District 1. His phone number is 256-3920344. His address is 1821 LaVista Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Safety committee.

Today’s

What’s your

Know Your Jim Nabors is mayor of Alexander City. His phone number at city hall is 256-329-6730 and his home number is 256329-1320 His address at city hall is 4 Court Square; Alexander City, AL, 35010. His home address is 1695 Magnolia Street Alexander City, AL, 35010.

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Tim Funderburk

his year, my prediction of the Mueller report turned out to be better than my March Madness picks, even though the results seemed to shock both liberals and conservatives. If you were a liberal who expected President Donald Trump to be indicted, you’ll be disappointed. But I would have been shocked if he had. It would mean he had some complete surprise witness or previously unknown evidence, like secret accounts or emails. Keep in mind the mission of Robert Mueller report was to investigate Russian meddling in the election, not to “get Trump,” although some critics against it sure acted like it was. A smart experienced prosecutor isn’t going to bring a case to a grand jury or court unless he or she has a good chance of winning. A dumb prosecutor will bring wild charges before the media, trying to win the court of public opinion. Unless he definitively had a defendant on a charge, Mueller won’t demand a trial. This is why he didn’t indict Trump on collusion with Russia or even obstruction of justice. The smartest thing some of the defense lawyers did was to restrain Trump from testifying. Although he insisted on doing so, Trump would have likely perjured himself and might have been in a lot of hot water. More than 30 others associated with Trump, his campaign and with Russia were indicted showing there was a lot going on that will cause Team Trump some trouble.

JOHN TURES Columnist It also shows the foolishness of the Trump administration. This is the day you point out your guy avoided being indicted for the worst charges and let the rest go through the courts. Move on. But that’s not what was done. Sarah Huckabee Sanders crowed Trump was exonerated on all charges, which was clearly not the case. Some said the Mueller investigation was a waste of time or “found nothing,” when that’s clearly not true either. As Attorney General William Barr pointed out, it does not exonerate Trump of obstruction of justice charges, the area most likely to provide an indictment. And the report found wrongdoing among Trump campaign officials, confidants and associates. It was also a bad idea for Trump to spend months, even the day before the report was released, calling it false, fake and a witch hunt then loudly proclaim vindication. Those actions made Trump look guiltier than anything. Had he urged calm, promised cooperation and fairness in the investigation, he would have done as well as Clinton getting out of being removed from office after being impeached. But that’s Trump for you.

The biggest finding is it should be clear to all except the most willfully ignorant Russia did everything to control the election. And that’s another thing I’ve been saying all along. We know efforts to protect our elections are being undermined by pulling personnel and resources, at a time when we clearly need more protection. And our intel has indicated Russia is shifting strategy in their promotion of fake news to promote divisive topics, instead of made up material, to get Americans arguing or think the country is at each other’s throats and is likely to up their hacking skills. As General John Jumper told my students, Russia lost the Cold War and is trying to win the Cyber War, while China has employed a large military unit solely devoted to hacking the U.S. We need to let the Mueller report indictments play out in courts instead of the court of public opinion. Even more importantly, we need to protect our elections, our republic, from foreigners trying to control it. We can no longer “take Putin’s word for it” but listen to our intelligence agencies instead and take appropriate steps to protect our ballots and discourse and retaliate harshly against those authoritarian countries. John A. Tures is a professor of political science at LaGrange College in Georgia. He can be reached at jtures@lagrange. edu. His Twitter account is @ JohnTures2.

Obituaries: 25 cents per word with a $15 charge for picture. Obituaries are only accepted via the funeral home in charge of arrangements. The Outlook does not accept obituaries from individuals. Weddings, Engagements, Anniversaries, or Birth Announcements: These significant family events or milestones are free up to 120 words and a small photograph. Longer announcements are billed at 25 cents a word over the initial 120. Photographs up to 4 columns by 4 inches are $25 and must be emailed to us at announcements@ alexcityoutlook.com. Include name and telephone number. The text for the announcement must be in the body of the email (not as an attachment) and photographs must be sent as a .jpeg attached to the email. Announcements will appear within 10 days in The Outlook.

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Alex City Schools have 4 months in reserve; facility assessment may be done by July and it will be reviewed yearly, Blythe said. “We’re in more than decent shape,� Alexander City Schools superintendent Blythe said. “It’s getting better. Part Dr. Keith Lankford presided over a board of what we were able to do when they meeting Tuesday evening in which it was passed the 1-cent sales tax (in Tallapoosa County) was we saved a good bit of it reported the system has four months of to go toward our reserve. Progressively operating expenses in the bank and said in the last five years it continues to afterward he may have a firm grasp on grow from the years of proration. We’ve needed upgrades to facilities by middone fairly well managing our financial summer. resources.� The financial condition of the school As of February, the school system had system is solid enough that chief finan$8.973 million in cash, Blythe said in cial officer Rhonda Blythe said $3.25 the monthly financial report, which was million has been withdrawn from the approved unanimously by the board. general cash fund and $250,000 from Tax revenue is steady, with the sysreserved funds to buy a CD earning tem’s share of the 4.5-mil countywide 2.55 percent interest. The school system ad-valorem tax down 1.53 percent from should reap $46,000 this year in interest By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor

February 2018 and the 7.5-mil tax up 1.5 percent from February 2018. The 3-mil ad-valorem tax was down 3.91 percent from February 2018 to February 2019 but Blythe told the board an adjustment in the budget is not yet needed. Lankford said after the meeting the school board has received some preliminary information it needs to compile a list of facility needs requested by the Tallapoosa County Commission to maintain the 1-cent sales tax. “We received an initial assessment from Schneider Electric, which looked at lighting, mechanical, roofing and safety,� Lankford said. “Now we’re going to Lathan Associates, our board architect who did the initial assessment five years

ago so we can compare and do an overlay. But until I can walk all the hallways, I won’t have a good idea of the needs. I think it will be mid-June or mid-July to truly understand what we need.� As the meeting opened, board member Michael Ransaw paid homage to former board commissioner, assistant principal, coach and community icon Rev. Alfred Cooper, who died Monday at 90, and those assembled observed a moment of silence. “He got me involved with being on the board,� Ransaw said. “He was an assistant principal when I came through. He was a mentor and a father figure. There were times he could have told us to go home but instead he told us to bend over and take a lick and learn something.�

Public Meetings • Alexander City Board of Education meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the board office at 375 Lee St. or local school at 5:30 p.m. • Alexander City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in the courtroom at the old city hall at 5:30 p.m. • Camp Hill Town Council meets the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6 p.m. • Community Action Agency of Chambers, Tallapoosa, Coosa holds its regular board of directors meetings every other month at the Central Office in Dadeville. • Coosa County Board of Education holds called meetings at least once a month. • Coosa County Commission

meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the Coosa County Courthouse in Rockford at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday and at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday. • Coosa County Industrial Development Board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room in the courthouse in Rockford. All meetings are open to the public. • Dadeville City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. with a pre-meeting at 5 p.m. in city hall. • Daviston City Council meets the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Daviston Fire Department. • Goldville Town Council meets

the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the town hall. • Goodwater City Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held at the Caldwell Center at 6:30 p.m. • Jackson’s Gap Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 6:30 p.m., all Jackson’s Gap citizens are encouraged to attend. • Kellyton Town Council meets

on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the community center in Kellyton. • New Site Town Council meets the first and third Monday of the month at 5 p.m. in the Conference Room in the Town Hall. • Ray Water Authority meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Ray Water Authority Office. All customers are invited to attend. • Rockford Town Council

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to the public 30 minutes before each regular session. • Tallapoosa County 911 Board will meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the 911 Administrative office at 240 West Columbus Street, Dadeville. Call 825-8490 for more information. • Walnut Hill Water Authority meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited. Call 825-9841 to inquire about the agenda.

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CommunityCalendar Today is SEE ME FOR INSURANCE March 28, 2019 Today’s Events

CONCERT: Alexander City Arts is hosting “The Charlestones in concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 28 at the BRHS Auditorium. “The

Thursday, March 28, 2019

The Outlook

Charlestones” are a professional male a cappella quartet. COUNTY REPUBLICAN MEETING: The Tallapoosa County Republican Party will meet at The Elks Lodge in Alexander City March 28. Anyone interested in joining or learning more is invited to attend. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and Brunswick stew, grilled cheese and a drink will be available for $7. The

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/. meeting starts at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Chairman Lee Hamilton at 334-3019411.

Today’s Birthdays

Tynita Doss, Miriam Dunlap, Melody Robertson, Ressie Toland, Phil Hart, Amari Armour, Maddox Lee Yates and Pat Baker are celebrating their birthdays today.

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

B IG B BAR-B-QUE “We Cook The Best BETTER!” “Since 1978”

“Let Mitchell & Co. help you with all of your prom alterations.” 1685 Highway 22 West Alexander City, AL 256-329-0025 Monday - Friday 9 Ã - 5ÖÃ

Daily Lunch Specials! File / The Outlook

The annual spring celebration at Keebler Park in Dadeville is Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be crafts, a magic show and music. An egg hunt will start at noon. Hotdogs with a drink and chips will be available for $1. All activities are complementary and community sponsored. Contact Dianna Porter with questions at 256-750-0075.

Today - April 15

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

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

The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow

The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for 2nd, 3rd and Weekend Shifts for Direct Care 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

The FANS HEAR You!

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Advertising Dept.

256.234.4281

TAX ASSISTANCE: Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama is providing free tax and electronic filing assistance Jan. 28 to April 15. The program is to assist seniors 60 and over with no income limit, taxpayers under 60 with incomes less than $54,000 and disabled taxpayers. Taxpayers will be assisted in the order they are registered. March assistance will be available Mondays and Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 1 to April 15 Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The following information is required by the IRS: last year’s tax return, photo ID/drivers license for taxpayer and spouse, Social Security cards, W2s, 1099s, SSA 1099 and 1095A if you have health insurance through the government marketplace. For more information call 256-2340347.

Saturday, March 30

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Kiwanis Club of Alexander City is hosting an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, Saturday, March 30 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Benjamin Russell High School cafeteria. Tickets are $6 each and take-out meals are available. There will be pancakes, Conecuh sausage, hot coffee, juice and milk. COMMUNITY CLEANUP: The Town of Camp Hill is hosting a community cleanup Saturday, March 30 for a spring cleaning. Volunteers should meet at the Camp Hill Park at 8 a.m. to get assignments. Refreshments will be available. EASTER EGG HUNT: Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Highway 63 South is hosting its annual Easter egg hunt Saturday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Toddlers and children up to 12 years old are invited to come and enjoy refreshments, games and looking for a prize egg.

Sunday, March 31

DAY OF WORSHIP: God’s House of Prayer Holiness Church is hosting a Day of Worship. Special guest will be Dr. Rance Allen. He will be at the Camp Hill location on old Highway 280 Sunday, March 31 at 8 a.m. He will be at the Auburn location on Harper Avenue at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Bishop Frank McCleod is pastor of God’s House of Prayer Holiness Church. FIFTH SUNDAY SINGING: The Kellyton Revival Center is hosting a Fifth Sunday singing at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 31. Paid In Full from Opelika is the guest singers who will sing along The Faithful Few and Kellyton Revival Center singers. Lunch will be served following the singing. Everyone is invited to attend. CHURCH SINGING: Red Ridge United Methodist Church is hosting Harlan Burton in concert at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, March 31. Burton is a local pianist and soloist who has been performing locally for 60 years. Red Ridge is located at 8091 County Road 34 at the corner of Highway 49 and County Road 34. Vicki Cater is pastor.

Tuesday, April 2

USHER MEETING: The Early Rose District Usher meeting will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 2 at the Cooper Recreation Center.

Wednesday, April 3

MONTHLY LUNCHEON: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville is hosting its monthly luncheon Wednesday, April 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please bring a covered dish and a small donation.

Saturday, April 6

BIKE RIDE: There will be a “Ride for the Children” charity event Saturday, April 6. It is a Bike ride around Lake Martin to support the children of the Brantwood Children’s home in Montgomery. There will be a car and motorcycle show, silent auction, music, prizes and awards. There is a free lunch for all registered participants. It is $20 per rider and $5 per passenger The ride begins at the Alexander City Walmart. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. The ride leaves at 10:30 a.m. and the show judging starts at 1 p.m. For more information call 256-827-9857. 4TH ANNUAL UNITED WAY QUAIL FRY: The Lake Martin Area United Way will host its annual quail fry at The Stables at Russell Crossroads at 5 p.m. Tickets are $35, which include food, drinks and music. There also will be a baked goods sale and auction. All the proceeds benefit the Lake Martin Area United Way and will be the first event toward its 2020 fundraising campaign. Tickets are available at the United Way Office at 17 Main St., Alexander City; from United Way board members and staff; or at the Dadeville Valley National Bank located at 391 N. Broadnax St. For more information or to donate baked goods, call the United Way office at 256-329-3600. CHURCH MEETING: The biannual meeting of Holly Springs Baptist Church and Cemetery Association of Coosa County is at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 6 at the church. Anyone who has family buried in the cemetery is invited to attend. WOMEN’S CONFERENCE: New Style Baptist Church in Equality is hosting God’s Ladies of Worth (GLOW) Women’s Conference at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 6. Speakers will be Pastor Trish Gregory, Jennifer Gonsoulin, Prophtess mary Daniels, Lady Tabitha Griffin and Pastor Marilyn Benson. Tickets are $15 which includes a free gift or $20 which includes a t-shirt.

Sunday, April 7

PASTORAL APPRECIATION: New Popular Springs Baptist Church in Dadeville is holding the 3rd pastoral appreciation honoring Rev. Richard D. Jacobs at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 7. Rev. Willie D. Howard is the guest minister. Everyone is invited. PASTOR’S ANNIVERSARY: Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating their pastor’s anniversary Sunday, April 7 at 2 p.m. The guest speaker is Rev. Clifton Cook pastor of Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Odenn. The morning service and pulpit conductor is Rev. Eddie Kelsey of Opelika. Everyone is invited.

April 7 -10

CHURCH REVIVAL: Life Point Church at 122 Popular Road is holding a revival April 7 -10 at 6:30 p.m. Evangelist Bishop Michael Willingham of Kentucky will be preaching. Nursery and children’s ministry will be provided.

Saturday, April 13

EGG HUNT: Wind Creek State Park is hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 13 starting at 10 a.m. There will be sections for ages 2 and under, 3- to 4-year-olds, 5- to 6-year-olds, 7- to 8-year-olds and 9to 12-year-olds. The hunts will be in the north picnic area across from the beach. It is suggested you arrive early as there is a walk to the hunt areas. It is free for campers. Noncampers will need to pay day admission, $5 for 12 to 61, kids 4 to 11 years old are $2 and seniors 62 years old and older are $2. FUNKY FUN RUN: April is Autism Awareness Month and the Autism Society of Alabama will host its second annual Funky Fun Run April 13 at 9 a.m. The run will be held on the lower walking track of the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex. Registration is $20 for youth ages 10 and under and $30 for adults. To register, visit firstgiving.com and search for the Alex City Funky Fun Run. Proceeds benefit the Autism Society of Alabama. For more information, contact Melissa Mullins 256-794-9282 or email her at melissa. mullins.advocate4autism@gmail.com LIVING HISTORY CEMETERY TOUR AND ART SHOW: Alexander City Theatre II and Russell Medical have teamed up for an arts event that will include an art show at The Mill Two Eighty and a cemetery tour at Alexander City Cemetery. Transportation between the two venues will be provided. The cemetery tour will include 11 monologues by local actors who will take the parts of historic characters from Alexander City’s history from the early 1800s to modern day. Tickets for the tour are $20 for adults and $10 for students and will only be available at The Mill Two Eighty on the day of the event. Admission to the arts show will be free. The show will feature the works of popular local artists, and many items will be available for purchase. Refreshments will be available. For information about the art show, contact Tammy Jackson at 256215-7459; for information about the cemetery tour, contact Betsy Iler at 256-509-6791. SPRING FOOD SALE: The United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church are sponsoring a spring food sale Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be held in the fellowship hall of the Green Street Campus. The sale will feature frozen dishes, baked goods and canned food items. Proceeds will benefit the mission projects of the United Methodist Women. SPRING CELEBRATION: The annual spring celebration at Keebler Park in Dadeville is Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be crafts, a magic show and music. An egg hunt will start at noon. Hotdogs with a drink and chips will be available for $1. All activities are complementary and community sponsored. Contact Dianna Porter with questions at 256-750-0075. FISHING TOURNAMENT: The inaugural Ferst Readers of Tallapoosa County fishing tournament is April 13 from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m launching from Chuck’s Marina with prizes up to $600 plus a two night stay at Paradise Bed and Breakfast. Registration is $100 per boat by April 6. Boats registered by April 1 are entered into an early worm raffle. Money raised will support Ferst Readers program of books for children up to the age of 5.

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Thursday, March 28, 2019

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The Outlook

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

PUZZLES & HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) When you focus on someone or something, your intensity can be felt by many people around you. Before you draw someone in, make sure you really want to. The disappointment that this person could experience after such intensity could be rough. Tonight: Be thoughtful. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) You have several choices among plans and company. Only you know what makes you most content. Now is the time to manifest a long-term desire. Just make sure you really want it. The other party could be only too happy to participate in this adventure. Tonight: Let your imagination take oɈ. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Someone comes toward you. This person could be a delight in general, but your focus is elsewhere. How you distance yourself and respond to this person can make or break your bond. Tonight: Put on your dancing shoes. Count on a late night. CANCER (June 21-July 22) You become nearly childlike in your choices and what goes on. Your aɈection for another person emerges. You can be fun, perky, and perhaps a little shy. The other party could be delighted by your attention. Tonight: Party the night away. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Tension soars around the home front. You might feel as if you cannot win, no matter what. Calm down and relax. A loved one lets you know, in no uncertain terms, where he or she is coming from. Be aware of a family member’s needs. Tonight: Throw a party. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You could be tired and withdrawn. You also might wonder which way would be best to proceed. Do not close down. Rather, deal with the issues at hand. You could be drawn to a diɈerent solution than you have been in the recent past.

Tonight: Chat over a relaxing meal. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) You can handle what comes down the pike. Understand the implications of this event on your Ă„nances. You might want to back oɈ before the cost becomes too great. You might need to use your self-discipline. Tonight: Make it your treat. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Others look to you for ideas and the possibility of change. You could see a situation diɈerently from other people. You might not realize how often people use you as a resource. Tonight: Beam in much more of what you want. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Much is going on behind the scenes. You are likely to lie back and allow others to make the Ă„rst move. Following this procedure allows you to relax far more and, at the same time, gather more information. Tonight: Play it low-key. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You will zero in on an important priority even if surrounded by a social situation. You know what you want, and you know how to get there. Allow greater give-andtake between you and another person. Tonight: Make the most of the evening. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) You could be at the point of no return. You also may want to adapt and change your ideas and thoughts around an important Ă„gure in your life. You will bring others together for an important occasion too. Tonight: Out late. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) You could be very tired. Indulge in a get-together only after you have had time for a nap. You will revive your energy as a result. Willingly get together with someone quite diɈerent. You might opt to get together with this person and some friends at the movies or a play. You will be able to relax more. Be entertained. Tonight: Whatever feels right.

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The Eclectic Observer

Employment

The Tallassee Tribune

Job Opportunities

Scott Accounting and Computer Service, Inc. Alexander City, AL Software Technician (Traveling Required). College degree or equivalent experience required. Offers competitive compensation and excellent EHQHÂżWV Please email resume to resume@sacssoftware.com.

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Experienced Machinist Needed Manual Mill & Lathe Operator Contact Brown Machine & Fabrication, Inc. Alexander City, AL Monday - Thursday 256-234-7491 CNA classes starting this month. Come and join our team.

IS YOUR COMPANY HIRING? PLEASE GIVE US A CALL TO PLACE YOUR HELP WANTED ADS 334-478-6003

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The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for 2nd, 3rd and Weekend shifts for Direct Care 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

Job Opportunities

We Are Looking to Fill the Following Positions: 1. RN/LPN Nursing Supervisor 2. Caregivers Provide appropriate care and supervision to Elderly and Disabled individuals. Call us at 256-342-5222 or email: aohcs08@gmail.com

Oxford Healthcare hiring full-time & part-time day shift Home Health Aides/CNA’s in the Alexander City, Dadeville & Camphill areas Applicant’s must have ‡ PRQWKV H[SHULHQFH ‡3DVV EDFNJURXQG FKHFN ‡5HOLDEOH WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ ‡%H UHDG\ WR ZRUN Call:1-877-253-4055 To set up time to come in DQG ¿OO DSSOLFDWLRQ

EARN EXTRA CASH PART-TIME DRIVER NEEDED Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. seeks a Part-time Delivery Driver for the Tallapoosa & Elmore County areas. 0XVW EH DEOH WR ZRUN ÀH[LEOH KRXUV ([FHOOHQW GULYLQJ UHFRUG Ability to lift 35-45 lbs.. Apply in person: Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. &KHURNHH 5RDG $OH[DQGHU &LW\ $/ No Phone Calls Please 'UXJ )UHH :RUNSODFH TPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Now Hiring for Full-Time Manufacturing Positions in the Alexander City Area. All Shifts Available. Overtime & some Saturdays may be required. Pay rates start at $9.00/hr & increase depending on the company. Your choice of two Health Insurance Plans available. Must pass drug screen & client background requirements. Apply in person at: 207 South Central Avenue Alexander City, AL 35010 or Online at www.asapply-ag.com Now Hiring Experienced Mechanical/ Structural Draftsman SURÂżFLHQW LQ 'LPHQVLRQDO AutoCAD drafting. Contact Brown Machine & Fabrication, Inc. Alexander City, AL 0RQGD\ 7KXUVGD\

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Page 8

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Thursday, March 28, 2019

The Outlook

THE BORN LOSER ÂŽ By Art and Chip Sansom

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DRIVERS Hanna Truck Lines is seeking Professional Flatbed Drivers. 56 cpm-No surprises: Starting pay (all miles): 54cpm, 55cpm at 6 months, 56cpm at 1 year. 100% Outbound loads Pre-loaded & Tarped. 75% Inbound No Tarp. Late Model Peterbilt Trucks. AirRide Trailers. Home weekends. Low cost BCBS Health/Dental Ins. 0DWFKLQJ . 4XDOL¿FDWLRQV 18 months Class A CDL driving H[SHULHQFH ZLWK PRV ÀDWEHG Applicants must meet all D.O.T. requirements. Contact recruiting at 1-800-634-7315 RU FRPH E\ +7/ RI¿FH DW 1700 Boone Blvd, Northport. EOE MACHINIST WANTED CNC Programming experience required. Mastercam experience a plus. Very competitive pay! Contact: Cameron Carr 256-234-6386 6DWWHU¿HOG 0DFKLQH Alexander City, AL

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Thursday, March 28, 2019

Page 9

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

Downtown attraction focus of Dadeville council McGukin says city must take advantage of Lake Martin and development commission told him people are looking for towns with A plan to attract people sidewalks and places withto move to Dadeville was in easy walking distance. “The main thing we one of the main items discussed at the Dadeville don’t have is walking distance to a decent resCity Council meeting taurant,� McGukin said. Tuesday night. Dadeville Beautification “That was one of those things that (the planner) Board chairman Jerry said: ‘If you get the housMcGukin talked to the ing piece done and you council about working get a couple people, then with the East Alabama the other piece should fall Regional Planning and Development Commission in place and start followto bring more people into ing.’� McGukin said the planthe city. ning and development “To me, and I think commission is creating a (it’s) the general consenproposal for downtown. sus, we’re sitting on a “(The proposal is) not good potential,� McGukin going to be cheap but I said. “The problem is we don’t think it’s going to be need to be where we’re going to be hopefully in a astronomical,� McGukin said. “I’m hoping that the year. We should be right city council can see far there today but we’re not so we cannot go and offer enough ahead to want to any of these people hous- spend the kind of money ing at this particular time.� that they’re going to be, whether it’s $5,000 or McGukin said a repre$10,000, whatever, to get sentative of the planning By GABRIELLE JANSEN Staff Writer

this piece put together and that you can start envisioning what it might look like.� McGukin said the commission told him having Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant houses would help. McGukin said there is no affordable housing in Dadeville. “I just encourage you to keep your minds open to think about what it could do to the city,� McGukin said. “We have the potential to be a bedroom community and a good-sized bedroom community.� McGukin said the city can appeal to visitors with housing featuring access to Lake Martin. “Dadeville is 6 miles (from the lake),� McGukin

said. “We leave our house, we’re in the boat and on the water in 10 minutes. ‌ You can’t get any better than that. We could create that same environment right here, get some people who are interested who want to have a nice little retail place and a nice place to live and still have access to the lake.â€? McGukin said he wants input from the community on what it wants downtown Dadeville to look like. “We can adjust,â€? McGukin said. “We can make amends, do things however we want to do it but we’ve got to have the input before we can do it or else it’s going to be four or five of us making decisions.â€?

plant sale

Gabrielle Jansen / The Outlook

Dadeville Beautification Board chairman Jerry McGukin speaks to the Dadeville City Council at its meeting about attracting more people to move to the city.

In other action at the meeting, the Dadeville City Council: • Heard from citizen Lamar Hartley about adding a traffic light at Broadnax and Lafayette streets. • Voted unanimously to make July 19-21 the back-to-school sales tax holiday.

• Voted unanimously to approve recreational center rentals. • Was reminded ethics reporting is due April 30. • Went into executive session about pending litigation. • Was updated on the removal of a weather siren and the courthouse square projects.

2019 spring

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LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 414-3180 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com

Page 10

www.alexcityoutlook.com

CACC picks up narrow wins over Marion Military STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

It took everything Central Alabama Community College’s softball team had to take down Marion Military Institute on Tuesday afternoon in a pair of one-run games. The Trojans won the opener, 3-2, before narrowly securing a 1-0 victory in Game 2. The Trojans didn’t hit the ball well in the first game, garnering just four hits all game. They finally broke through in the top of the sixth. With two outs, Madison Huston laced a single to center field, and Chelsea Parker followed with an RBI double to put up the game’s only run. The story was much different in the nightcap. CACC (24-10) was clearly the better team in Game 2, as it racked up 10 hits compared to just four for the Tigers. But the Trojans couldn’t get enough clutch hits to score more than three runs. They did however hold off MMI, which scored a run in the bottom of the seventh and threatened to take the game to extra innings. Amber Parker went the distance in the circle, allowing just one earned run. She struck out eight and walked four. The Trojans finished with 14 hits in the doubleheader, led by Huston’s three. Chelsea Parker, Kayli Hornsby (Reeltown), Lauren Phillips and Pearl Huff (Dadeville) each had a pair of hits.

BASEBALL CACC falls to Wallace Dothan late

Things were going well enough for Central Alabama Community College’s baseball team early on. It led Wallace Dothan by a run after three innings, but the Governors scored at least a run in the last five runs and seven in the seventh to score a 16-6 victory over the Trojans. Wallace Dothan exploded for 19 hits, while CACC (17-14) had just seven. Colby Drummond led the Trojan offense with three hits, while Dehreon Pressley drove in three runs on a double.

Sports Outlook The

Thursday, March 28, 2019

CLUTCH TRIUMPH File / The Outlook

Benjamin Russell’s Nick McGhee went 4-for-4 in the Wildcats’ win over Opelika on Tuesday night.

BRHS defeats Opelika, 7-4, to start area action by a pitch, Elliott made the Bulldogs pay by flying one over the fence to take a 6-4 lead. The Wildcats added an insurance run After allowing Opelika to tie it up with from McGhee on a passed ball in the sixth four runs in the bottom of the fourth, inning. Benjamin Russell’s baseball team stormed McGhee went a perfect 4-for-4 on the back to score to take a lead in the fifth night and scored a trio of runs. Elliott and never surrender it from there. The racked up four RBIs with his two hits, and Wildcats walked away a 7-4 victor to put Pitts also had a pair of hits. themselves in a good position to kick off a Cade Brooks, Elliott and Ryan Slaten week full of Class 6A Area 6 action. combined for the win on the mound. They The Wildcats (15-7), who are now just scattered a total of six hits while also outside the top 10 in the Alabama Sports striking out nine. Writers Association 6A rankings, took an The Wildcats will be back in action early lead with a pair of runs in each of the tonight against Opelika with a home first two innings. Nick McGhee and Brett doubleheader starting at 4 p.m. Pitts each singled and both were followed by outs, but Brock Elliott had a clutch Coosa stalled by Bayside Academy two-out double to drive them both home Six errors were more than enough for for an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Bayside Academy to jump all over Central Brooks Vardaman then drew a walk to Coosa’s baseball team in an 11-1 loss for start the second inning, and Denzel Greene the Cougars Tuesday at the Gulf Coast moved him to scoring position with a Classic II. sacrifice bunt. McGhee took advantage Coosa (3-11) had only three hits, with a run-scoring double, and McGhee including singles from Ryan Payne, TD scored on an error during the next at-bat. Parker and Garrett Shurette. Opelika was kept scoreless until the The Cougars got some decent pitching, bottom of the fourth when it exploded for as only four of the runs they allowed were four runs to knot the scoreboard at 4-4, but earned. Steen Hardy, Carson Cardwell and Elliott played hero in the visitors’ half of Payne all spent time on the mound, and the next frame. After Joe Young was hit although they gave up 12 hits, they didn’t STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

issue any free passes. Payne struck out three in three innings of work.

SOFTBALL Reeltown doubles up on Beauregard

Despite trailing by two runs early on, Reeltown’s softball team fought back Tuesday night and picked up an 8-4 victory over Beauregard. The Rebels trailed 2-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth before scoring two runs in each of the next two innings and four in the sixth. With one out in the bottom of the fourth, Bella Studdard smacked a double and Marlee Knox traded places with her with one of her own to cut the Hornets’ lead in half. Madison Ledbetter then tied things up with an RBI single before the inning’s end. The Rebels (7-14) then took a lead when Chloe Davidson scored on a passed ball and Knox knocked one in with a sacrifice fly. In all, Reeltown finished with nine hits, including three from Studdard and two from Savannah Hornsby. Davidson and Knox each had two RBIs. Kenzie Hornsby and Davidson did a fine job in the circle. Despite walking a combined seven batters, they allowed only four hits and just three earned runs.

ALABAMA SPORTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION RANKINGS BASEBALL CLASS 7A 1. Smiths Station (18-4) 2. Bob Jones (22-5) 3. Oak Mountain (19-3) 4. Hoover (15-7) 5. Auburn (13-6) 6. McGill-Toolen (13-5-1) 7. Mountain Brook (16-6) 8. James Clemens (17-5) 9. Hewitt-Trussville (17-4) 10. Austin (17-5) Others nominated: Vestavia Hills (14-6), Huntsville (125), Prattville (14-5), Mary Montgomery (10-5), CentralPhenix City (9-4), Fairhope (15-8), Florence (10-9), Spain Park (13-8), Thompson (1410) CLASS 6A 1. Russell County (23-2) 2. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (13-3) 3. Oxford (15-3) 4. Faith Academy (13-3) 5. Spanish Fort (13-9) 6. Wetumpka (15-5) 7. Hazel Green (10-12) 8. Saraland (14-8) 9. Homewood (14-5) 10. Cullman (9-9) Others nominated: Hueytown (15-5), Benjamin Russell (15-7), Athens (12-7), Helena (10-9), Daphne (1010), Chelsea (10-8), Buckhorn (9-10), Muscle Shoals (117), Hartselle (8-11), Decatur (8-7), Gulf Shores (13-7), Robertsdale (13-7), Shades Valley (11-5), Gardendale (126), Northview (12-9) CLASS 5A 1. St. Paul’s (15-3) 2. Charles Henderson (16-4) 3. Jasper (18-6) 4. Etowah (17-7) 5. Shelby County (15-6) 6. Corner (15-8) 7. Satsuma (16-4) 8. Alexandria (10-6) 9. Chilton County (14-5) 10. Ardmore (10-4) Others nominated: Carroll (13-7), East Limestone (8-7),

Jackson (11-4), Lawrence County (11-6), Scottsboro (9-5), UMS-Wright (11-7), West Point (10-11) CLASS 4A 1. Hokes Bluff (12-2) 2. Trinity (12-5) 3. North Jackson (12-2) 4. LAMP (12-5) 5. Oak Grove (13-7) 6. Mobile Christian (7-8-1) 7. West Morgan (11-4) 8. Elmore County (12-4) 9. Andalusia (15-8) 10. Fairview (12-5) Others nominated: Alabama Christian (11-5), Brooks (6-3), Haleyville (9-4), Headland (9-6), Holtville (11-4), Montevallo (14-7), Wilson (9-7-1) CLASS 3A 1. St. James (12-7) 2. Gordo (10-2) 3. Providence Christian (14-6) 4. Winfield (18-5) 5. Piedmont (17-4) 6. Bayside Academy (13-6) 7. Phil Campbell (14-5) 8. Hanceville (9-2) 9. Houston Academy (15-6) 10. Hale County (10-3) Others nominated: Beulah (11-5), Geneva (11-10), Oakman (10-6), T.R. Miller (11-3) CLASS 2A 1. G.W. Long (17-2) 2. Fyffe (13-1) 3. Thorsby (15-3) 4. Fayetteville (12-5) 5. Highland Home (13-3) 6. Ariton (16-8) 7. Decatur Heritage (9-4) 8. Leroy (15-6) 9. Luverne (12-8) 10. Westbrook Christian (108) Others nominated: Cedar Bluff (8-3), Cottage Hill (9-6), Ranburne (10-5), Southeastern (8-3) CLASS 1A

1. Millry (15-4) 2. Brantley (14-5) 3. Athens Bible (11-3) 4. Sweet Water (9-5) 5. Mars Hill Bible (10-5) 6. Covenant Christian (13-0) 7. Spring Garden (10-2) 8. Victory Christian (12-2) 9. Winterboro (10-4) 10. Holy Spirit (8-3) Others nominated: Donoho (6-2), Gaylesville (6-7), Red Level (7-4), Waterloo (8-4)

7. Spanish Fort (13-8) 8. Athens (12-5) 9. Chelsea (12-7) 10. Hartselle (13-6) Others nominated: Albertville (12-5), Baldwin County (1311), Brookwood (11-6), Helena (10-8), Oxford (11-7), Pelham (16-8), Pell City (13-6).

CLASS 5A 1. Hayden (18-2) 2. Springville (14-6) 3. Tallassee (25-4) AISA 4. Mortimer Jordan (15-7) 1. Morgan (14-0) 5. Rehobeth (14-7) 2. Macon-East (22-4) 6. Satsuma (24-3) 3. Autauga Academy (20-8) 7. Alexandria (9-6) 4. Bessemer Academy (20-7) 8. Ardmore (9-3) 5. Lee-Scott (12-7) 9. Moody (12-13) 6. Lakeside (19-3) 10. Douglas (16-1) 7. Hooper (19-7) Others nominated: 8. Pike Liberal (17-7) Brewbaker Tech (16-12), 9. Coosa Valley (14-8) Corner (13-5), Lawrence 10. Patrician (12-4) County (11-11), Madison Others nominated: Escambia County (5-9), East Limestone (9-2), Glenwood (9-6), (12-3), Scottsboro (8-7), Jackson Academy (10-4), Southside-Gadsden (16-10). Monroe (9-5) CLASS 4A SOFTBALL 1. Holtville (22-6) CLASS 7A 2. Alabama Christian (16-7) 1. Fairhope (23-3) 3. White Plains (17-4) 2. Spain Park (26-3) 4. American Christian (17-5) 3. Bob Jones (21-2) 5. LAMP (16-4) 4. Hewitt-Trussville (19-4) 6. Wilson (19-3) 5. Sparkman (18-3) 7. North Jackson (6-1-1) 6. Central-Phenix City (20-9) 8. Good Hope (18-3) 7. Vestavia Hills (15-11) 9. Curry (20-9) 8. Hoover (18-8) 10. Leeds (10-3-1) 9. Thompson (21-2) Others nominated: Andalusia 10. Auburn (10-9) (13-7), Cordova (8-8-1), Others nominated: Austin Lincoln (21-10-1), Madison (7-10), Baker (16-8), Academy (8-3), Northside Huntsville (11-3), James (6-10), Rogers (10-8). Clemens (9-8-1), Oak Mountain (9-8), Prattville (19CLASS 3A 11-1), Tuscaloosa County 1. Prattville Christian (18-2) (9-4). 2. Pisgah (15-4) 3. Plainview (11-4) CLASS 6A 4. J.B. Pennington (9-1) 1. Buckhorn (15-2) 5. Pleasant Valley (14-5) 2. Northview (20-7) 6. Colbert Heights (11-2) 3. Gardendale (22-3-1) 7. Winfield (18-3-1) 4. Saraland (19-5) 8. Geneva (13-11) 5. Hazel Green (13-4) 9. Providence Christian (11-5) 6. Daphne (13-8) 10. Locust Fork (12-5)

Others nominated: Carbon Hill (10-8-1), Lauderdale County (7-6), Mobile Christian (7-11), Oakman (8-7), St. James (16-4), Wicksburg (196). CLASS 2A 1. G.W. Long (18-0) 2. Sumiton Christian (11-8-1) 3. Hatton (13-8) 4. Sand Rock (9-2) 5. Leroy (14-4) 6. Red Bay (12-3) 7. Collinsville (5-2-1) 8. Cedar Bluff (5-7) 9. Vincent (12-3) 10. Horseshoe Bend (5-8) Others nominated: Cleveland (4-7), Cottage Hill (4-2), Reeltown (7-14), Section (3-3), West End (6-31). CLASS 1A 1. Brantley (14-5) 2. Mars Hill Bible (15-5) 3. Appalachian (9-3) 4. Falkville (11-2) 5. Spring Garden (11-3) 6. Kinston (13-8) 7. South Lamar (4-2) 8. Belgreen (7-3) 9. Millry (9-5) 10. Waterloo (7-5) Others nominated: Berry (5-5), Gaylesville (5-3), Marion County (4-5-1), Sweet Water (5-10). AISA 1. Autauga Academy (21-9) 2. Macon-East (29-10) 3. Glenwood (26-6-1) 4. Edgewood (29-9) 5. Marengo Academy (14-6) 6. Pickens Academy (12-4) 7. Clarke Prep (12-4-1) 8. South Choctaw (10-4) 9. Bessemer Academy (21-11) 10. Pike Liberal Arts (16-9) Others nominated: Abbeville Christian (10-7), Cornerstone Christian (10-2), Hooper Academy (11-6), Lowndes Academy (11-4), Tuscaloosa Academy (7-5).

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Doctors’ Day 2019

Long schooling won’t keep Ward from achieving dream Alabama, where she’s pursuing a degree in biomedical sciences. Always having been dedicated to her When most people think of becomschool, Ward said she’s already nearly ing a doctor, they are thwarted by the completed a year’s worth of credits at idea of endless years in school. Not South Alabama so she should have just only do you have to get a four-year three more years to achieve her underdegree, but that’s followed by medical graduate degree. school and what could be a long resiFrom there, she’ll apply to medical dency before you finally dig into your school, and although Ward said she can career. apply anywhere, she hopes to stay in But for Benjamin Russell graduate the Mobile area. Shelby Ward, that’s never been a prob“When I stepped on the campus at lem. South Alabama, it just felt like home,” “I love learning and I love picking Ward said. “I love the town and I love up new skills,” Ward said. “I’ve always the area, so I hope to stay in the area as loved learning new things, so 12 years long as I can.” of school definitely does not scare me.” Ward has always been interested in Ward graduated from BRHS in the medical field, saying chemistry and December 2018 after doing a semester medicine and the way it works in the of dual enrollment at Central Alabama body is something that’s always fasciCommunity College, allowing her to nated her. But she changed her track graduate early. That gave her a jump midway through her high school career. on her bachelor’s degree at South “I was really interested in pharmaBy LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

cy,” Ward said. “I shadowed at a pharmacy, and I just felt like it was a little boring for me. I decided I wanted to be working with patients, and that’s when I decided I wanted to be a surgeon.” Luckily, Ward was at a good place at Benjamin Russell, which offered several classes that helped further her career. She said she took health science with Jessica Dean and sports medicine with Molly Davenport, both of which helped her tremendously. Under Davenport, Ward did a sports medicine internship working with the Wildcat football team, and she also got the opportunity to shadow several doctors. Ward said the experience that stuck with her most was shadowing Dr. Regina K. Phillips at Russell Medical’s Wound Care Center. “She was my favorite to shadow,” Ward said. “I got to watch her amputate a toe once, so that was a really cool experience.”

During the internship, Ward also shadowed Dr. Justin Vines and Dr. John W. Adams, both of whom are in family and general practice at Russell Medical, as well as shadowing other departments at the hospital. Ward currently works at the Medicine Shoppe and is in the process of making the decision about what kind of specialization she would like to do within surgery. But regardless of where she ends up in the field, Ward has always been certain it’s a doctor she wants to become. “It’s just something that I love; it’s my passion,” Ward said. “I know I’m built for it; I’m built to be a doctor. It’s something that’s always really interested me. Oddly enough, I was watching ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ when I was younger, and I thought, ‘Oh, I really want to do that.’ The more I looked into it, the more I knew it’s what I wanted to do.”

Hyperbaric chambers give doctor a leg up on healing wounds By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor

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Jimmy Wigfield / Tallapoosa Publishers

Dr. Regina Phillips and program director Karen Treadwell demonstrate how patients enter a hyperbaric chamber at Russell Medical’s Wound Care Center.

“In the chamber you must wear 100 percent cotton due to the fire risk of the pure oxygen,” Phillips said. “If you weren’t born with it, you can’t take it in. We don’t want anything that might spark.” Phillips said patients who are treated in the hyperbaric chamber must come Monday through Friday for two hours each session. “That’s 40 to 60 treatments over eight to 12 weeks,” she said. “It’s a big commitment but we see almost everybody complete their treatment here.” That is gratifying to Phillips, who knows amputation can often cripple patients emotionally. “If you lose a leg to a wound, you lose your freedom, especially if you’re older,” she said. “Maybe you’re not strong enough to use that crutch or that wheelchair. I’m passionate about it because of how much it means to have both legs. If you don’t, your life expectancy goes down considerably.” Russell Medical’s facility has succeeded so well with wound care it received Healogics’ 2018 Dr. Robert A. Warriner III Center of Excellence award for achieving patient satisfaction rates higher than 92 percent and a healing rate exceeding 91 percent in less than 30 median days to heal for three consecutive years. Warriner is a pioneer in wound care. Phillips said patients must meet stringent criteria to be treated in the hyperbaric chamber. “Not all diabetics can go in,” she

said. “If the wound is not badly infected or it’s a bone infection, it wouldn’t qualify. If they have chronic refractory osteomyelitis or they’ve tried IV antibiotics, that can put you in the chamber, or crush injuries, interstitial cystitis,

2017

or diabetics and others with slow-to-heal wounds, Russell Medical’s Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Department has proven to be a nearly foolproof solution. “We’ve saved a lot of legs and a lot of toes,” said Dr. Regina Phillips, the physician in charge of the department. “Our success rate is in the mid to high 90s. We joke that we’re not only saving a limb but lives because through our process we’ve found people with cancer and blocked arteries.” Diabetic patients are often unaware they are developing foot sores because the chronic disease can lead to neuropathy and numb the sensitivity of the body’s extremities. Russell Medical’s twin hyperbaric chambers, which enclose a patient in 100 percent oxygen, boost the body’s natural healing process. “The chamber is the gold standard for treating diabetic wounds,” Phillips said. “When you breathe oxygen under pressure, that large amount of oxygen is diluted into your blood and it carries an enormous amount of oxygen to areas that need them. It stimulates the bone marrow to release stem cells, which will go to the wound and turn into new tissue and blood vessels. It also kills bacteria in bone infections.” The two hyperbaric chambers in Alexander City help patients avoid a trip to Birmingham or Montgomery, the next closest sites for treatment. While some patients are uncomfortable being sealed inside a clear tube for two hours at a time, Phillips said most find it comfortable, even relaxing. “It’s warm,” she said. “You can watch TV.” Others are hesitant about lying in such close quarters. “I’ve had people go in and say, ‘You’ve got to get me out,’” Phillips said. “I had one refuse to go back in. Some people have confinement anxiety in the chamber. Typically after one or two treatments they’re fine. Some can be given something to help them relax.” The patients are serene a majority of the time. “A technician is always with them,” Phillips said. “I’ll go to check on them and the tech will say, ‘He’s sound asleep.’” There is a fire risk to the chamber because 100 percent oxygen is highly flammable. When exposed to a spark, an inferno such as the one that killed the Apollo 1 astronauts during a launch-pad test in 1967 can result.

spider bites, dog bites, rattlesnake bites, anything toxic that can cause tissue damage. “Medicaid won’t pay for arterial inefficiency. You have to revascularize them. If you have an embolus in the leg in an artery, not a blood clot in a vein, you’d qualify for the chamber. Soft tissue radio necrosis, which is an injury to tissue with radiation, if you have that six months after the last radiation treatment, that would qualify.” Phillips, who was born and raised in Demopolis, graduated from the University of Alabama Medical School in Birmingham and spent three years in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. During her residency, she worked with Dr. Phala Helm, whom she called “the foot guru.” “I’ve treated wounds all my career,” Phillips said. “As I get older, what I really, really love is working with wounds of geriatric patients.” Phillips said she came to Alexander City because of Russell Medical’s affiliation with Healogics. “They’re the largest wound care company in the U.S. and they do it better than anybody,” she said. “I wanted to work with them and stay in Alabama. There was an opening here at Russell and what better place to live than on the lake?”

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Doctors’ Day 2019

Goldhagen leads Russell Medical staff By GABRIELLE JANSEN Staff Writer

It takes passion and talent to be a good leader, according to Russell Medical’s chief medical officer Dr. Michele Goldhagen. “You have to lead from the front and you have to lead by example,” Goldhagen said. “I think if you choose a leadership role it’s because you truly want to lead and help and improve. If you’re doing it because you’re burned out and you’re tired, that’s the total reason to not (enter) a leadership role because being a leader is harder than being a member of the staff.” Goldhagen said she wanted to

become a doctor after getting hit by a boat when she was 9 and took stitches in her head. “I ended up in the emergency department and got 12 stitches and I thought it was the coolest thing ever,” Goldhagen said. “I realize I made the doctor put the mirror in place so I can see it stitched and I knew then I just loved medicine.” Goldhagen was named the hospital’s chief medical officer five years ago and it’s not her only leadership role. Goldhagen is also the medical director for hospital medicine service and is the medical director for the Alexander City Fire Department. As the chief medical officer,

Goldhagen is the liaison between the medical staff and hospital board and administration. “(I’m) there to be a representative for them and an information source for them to make sure that there’s true alignment throughout the organization and our focus is high-quality patient care,” Goldhagen said. Goldhagen said as the chief medical officer, she was tasked to update and innovate the hospital’s program for inpatient care. As the medical director for the fire department, Goldhagen said she informs firefighters about the standardization of care and makes sure See GOLDHAGEN • Page 6

Gabrielle Jansen / Tallapoosa Publishers

Dr. Michele Goldhagen is the chief medical officer at Russell Medical.

Let’s break the stigma surrounding mental health

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couldn’t — accept it because I or some reason, mental was so ashamed. health and stigma go hand in hand. I’ve always said high school is the worst place to be. In high Talking about mental health school, emotions are so extremely problems has been taboo for what raw. Everything is new. You usualseems like forever, and it’s time ly don’t get along with your parents we break that stigma. The only (at least I didn’t), so your support way to do that is by being more system is full of other people going open about mental health issues LLIZI IZI crazy emotional turmoil. and making them as normal as a ARBOGAST through broken bone or the common cold. I was miserable in high school. Sports Editor From self-mutilation to thoughts Here’s my story. of suicide, there was a big part of From a very young age, I’ve me that thought I’d never make had a problem with anxiety it to my graduation. There’s a part of me and self-esteem. When I was very little, I would pull my hair out when I was feeling now that thinks I love being a high school sports reporter so much because I missed overwhelmed. When I was 13, I turned out on the best parts of high school; I was from hair pulling to being a full-blown just so warped by my mental instability. self-mutilator. The scars on my wrist are And what’s crazy to me about the akin to a road map of my life. stigma surrounding mental health is, I Self-mutilation, in my opinion, is an addiction. Like turning to alcohol or drugs don’t understand why. No one looks at you funny if you say you’re going to the doctor in times of need for some, self-mutilation because your throat hurts or you sprained was my coping mechanism. Even after your ankle or you think you might have I stopped cutting regularly in late high school, I often came back to those feelings food poisoning. But the minute you say your heart hurts or your brain feels funky, of wanting to do so years later. people think you’re crazy. As a teenager, I started seeing my first psychiatrist. I hate to say it but that psyNo one questions you if you’re going to chiatrist didn’t help. Not because he was the hospital for cancer treatments or acts a bad doctor by any means, but because I like you’ve done something wrong if you was so embarrassed by the process. Who, break your leg and have to be in a wheelat 14 or 15 years old, would want to tell chair for a month. But if you say you have their friends they had to see a psychiatrist to take your anti-depressants or you have and they had to be on anti-depressants and to go through some talk therapy, there must anti-anxiety medication? be something seriously wrong with you. There’s that stigma I was talking about. And of course, everyone thinks it’s a Even being a person who needed help, good idea to go get checked out by a doctor See MENTAL • Page 6 I didn’t want to — and, in many ways,

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Dr. John Adams, far right, and his staff of, from left, LPN Ashley Doss, CRNP Lisa Steele and secretary Becky Adams treat patients at Russell Medical Health Partners of Goodwater.

Rural doctors face challenges but the reward is in patients’ smiles By RON COLQUITT For Tallapoosa Publishers

National Doctors’ Day is celebrated on March 30 and physicians and healthcare facilities across the nation have evolved to meet the demographic and economic needs of their patients. Russell Medical Health Partners of Goodwater mainly treats patients who rely on Medicaid, Ivy Creek Urgent Care of Tallassee takes care of walk-in patients and Eclectic Family Care LLC is a primary care facility that operates the old-fashioned, personal way. Doctors’ Day honors physicians for the work they do for their patients, the communities they work in and for society as a whole. Dr. John Adams and nurse practitioner Lisa Steele see young and old patients at the Russell facility at Goodwater in northeast Coosa County. Because of financial restrictions, Coosa is the only one of 67 counties in Alabama that doesn’t have a state-run health department. The Goodwater clinic is the only healthcare facility in the county. Adams, 33, avoided the word “poor” in describing the majority of his patients. “I would probably use the term underserved,” he said. “In Coosa County, we are the only practitioner out here, so the access to healthcare is a big issue out here. And I think that’s why Russell chose to put this clinic here.” Adams, who is from Calera in Shelby County, said he felt a calling to became a doctor. People who rely on the clinic range in age from 12 to their 90s, Adams said. Most rely on Medicaid but some pay cash. “Out here, you feel like you make more of an impact because there are less providers out here,” he said. “You see people who haven’t been to a doctor in so long. It’s something easy you can do. You can simply put them on blood pressure medicine, you can do it today and save them from a really bad outcome 15, 20 years down the road. And it’s the same thing with diabetes and controlling their blood sugar.” Adams said he has worked at the clinic since 2017 and has treated patients with some disturbing physical and mental health

issues. “The most distressing thing we’ve seen is some people who come out here are suicidal, hallucinating,” he said. “They just have a mental illness, so that’s always a challenge.” A woman who had been injured in a vehicle crash came to the clinic complaining about severe pain in her shoulder, Adams said. “She was in a really bad car wreck and five days prior had gone to a hospital in Alabama,” Adams said. “She came back and said, ‘My shoulder is hurting,’ and I saw gravel in her wound. You could see her tendons and all the way to the bone. “And a lot of times you see people who haven’t been to the doctor in 10 to 15 years and you see some things you are not expecting to see. I saw a guy two weeks ago, a 70-year-old man, 130 pounds, and he had a spot on the side of his shoulder the size of a cantaloupe, a big ball, I mean it was huge.” Annie Birts, 72, came to the clinic after suffering a dizzy spell. “They treated me very good, it just made me feel really good,” she said. “They checked everything to find out what caused the dizziness.” Birts said having the clinic nearby is more convenient when a health issue arises. “I have transportation but if I did not have transportation that would be great for me right here in Goodwater,” she said. “I’m not just speaking of myself but speaking for the other people, the older people, they don’t have the transportation, the younger person, they don’t have the transportation. So this is a good place that they would be able to come to.” Adams said he is content helping underserved people and feels financially secure at the small facility because it’s owned by Russell Medical. “I am Alabama born and have no desire to leave Alabama,” he said. “I like working for Russell. I have three young kids and hopefully I will stay here as long as they will have me.” The Ivy Creek urgent care facility in Tallassee was mainly created to handle walkin patients who are pressed for time but it See RURAL • Page 4

and medical community a

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Doctors’ Day 2019

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Thursday, March 28, 2019

Preventative care is most important to pet health Dr. Lyndsey Anderson, left, examines Quirk with the help of Kimberly Aldridge Benson. Anderson said it’s important to educate her patients’ owners on preventative care.

those patients to an exotic specialist, two of which are located in Auburn. But Alex City Vet does have a far reach in the community. According to office One of the most important things about manager Laura Fagan, Alex City Vet serves good veterinary care is preventative health. right around 11,000 dogs and just under Because dogs and cats can’t talk, it can 4,000 cats in the area. be hard to know when something is wrong It also has a partnership with Lake with our furry friends. And if people wait Martin Animal Shelter. Alex City Vet does too long or wait only until they see sympthe majority of the spay and neuter surgertoms in their pets, it can be too late to do ies for LMAS and also offers adopted pets anything about it. a free complementary visit. “When I was growing up, there was a “When they’re at the shelter, it’s sort of mentality that you do your best and there Cliff Williams a crazy environment as far as them being were a lot of wives tales and things we / Tallapoosa able to get a full exam and being able to followed when I was younger,” said Dr. Publishers pick up on any problems,” Gavin Smith Lyndsey Anderson, of Alexander City house,” Gavin Smith said. “Then anything mon preventable things she sees in pets are said. “So that first week, (LMAS director) Veterinary Clinic. “But when you start eduthat gets too complicated or above what Mia (Chandler) wants people to know what heartworm disease and parvo in puppies. cating people on how much preventative Heartworm can be prevented by a monthly they’re getting into and if there is an issue, care counts, it makes a big difference. People our technology can handle here, we refer people to Auburn.” the owner can make decisions with Mia as medicine, and parvo is stopped by a vaclearn things that they never thought of.” But both Anderson and Gavin Smith far as care.” cine if given quickly enough. Alex City Vet is one of just two vetagreed in order to catch most of the things “Those are probably the two biggest While those first visits for a new pet are erinary clinics in Alex City, along with that would require some of the more inthings around here, and they are so devextremely valuable, the importance of getting Wayside Animal Hospital, and both are depth processes at Alex City Vet, people astating when you have them,” Anderson a dog or cat to the vet increases with age. general practice. need to take their pets to the vet on a regu- said. “Really, it’s about education and “As animals age, we will do blood Although there are specialized services lar basis. showing them things they may not have screening and try to do everything we can in Auburn, there is a lot that can be done “When I first got into practice, it was ever realized about their pet. Dental care is to pick up on problems before the animal regarding animal health locally. considered if you did a once-a-year visit, another big thing that people don’t realize is really is extremely symptomatic,” Gavin According to Dr. Angela Gavin Smith, really important to the overall health of the Smith said. “Animals can’t tell you they’re Alex City Vet can do everything from soft- that was great,” Gavin Smith said. “Now we really push more toward twice a year — animal.” starting to feel bad, so we try to do more tissue surgeries and intestinal surgeries to Alex City Vet is a small-animal general diagnostic-wise to try to head that off or C-sections and tumor removals. The clinic at least having the dog or cat in the clinic, practice, so its focus is mainly on dog and at least know early so that we can change can also take care of limited orthopedic sur- checking weight. We are much more proactive on preventative medicine and early cat care. Anderson said she and Gavin diet or start early medicine. We want to do geries, most X-rays and a lot of medicinal diagnosis.” Smith can also do some work on birds anything we can to slow down any disease care. According to Anderson, the most comand pocket pets, but they typically refer process.” “Most basic lab work, we can do here in By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

Rural

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has evolved into a primary care facility. It employs doctors and nurse practitioners. Dr. Gabriel Hester said the company is affiliated with Elmore County Community Hospital and he stays busy. “I’ve been here about six months,” Hester said. “We’ve started primary care at this location so we will have walk-in and primary care options available.” Hester, 39, said he grew up in Fayette and was studying chemical engineering but switched to medicine after the company he had planned to work for was bought out. “I took some classes and fell in love with it,” Hester said. “I’m trained as an internal medicine doctor, which is for adults. However, in an urgent care setting, I will see kids as well.” During the cold and flu season, about 95 percent of the patients come in complaining of sore throats, runny noses, fever and coughs. “The rest of the year it’s anything,” Hester said. “We see a spectrum of stuff from rashes to chest pains, just acute things where they maybe can’t get in to see their regular doctor. They have an issue that has

come up right then and they don’t want to go to the ER.” If a person comes in with a severe injury, they are sent directly to the nearest emergency room, Hester said. “A man came in and he was holding his hands over the left side of his jaw,” Hester said. “He was doing some work with a chain saw in his yard and it had bounced off a log. I could see his jaw bone. He was probably in his 40s. We just sent him to the ER. In that case, we called for an ambulance.” Heather Brock brought her 13-year-old son Andrew to Ivy Creek when he developed a bad cough and congestion. “It’s closest to where we live,” said Brock, 42, who lives in nearby Kent. “They are pretty good about getting people in and out quickly.” The doctor she normally takes her son to has an office in Montgomery. “It’s a long drive,” she said, “and it takes months to get an appointment to see him.” Dr. Gary McCulloch, 69, is an oddity in this day and age because he owns his practice, Eclectic Family Care LLC, which has

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been in Eclectic for 24 years. “We receive no outside funding, we are not affiliated with hospitals or government agencies,” he said. “It’s a private practice which is a dwindling oddity nowadays. ... Unless you’ve been in a place and established a practice, it’s difficult to survive nowadays.” McCulloch said the increase in urgent care facilities hasn’t hurt his business. “There is not another facility within 25 miles of here,” he said. “We are kind of equidistant between Alex City and Tallassee and Wetumpka. We are used sometimes as the emergency room, everything from heart attacks to strokes to rattlesnake bites. We try to get folks patched up, stabilized and get them on to where they need to be. This is a practice where I see my patients in the grocery store, at Walmart in Wetumpka. I see them everywhere. I can’t go anywhere that I don’t bump into them. I see them at church. I enjoy that. I mean, if you don’t enjoy people, you don’t need to be in family practice.” McCulloch, a former Army Airborne Ranger, said he became a doctor to serve people. “It was something I had in my head for a number of years and I decided to go ahead

and pull the trigger on it,” he said. “I was the oldest person in my medical school class. I was 31 when I started medical school.” One of his patients, Kenneth Abrams, 79, said he retired as a Dallas banker and decided to move back home to Kent, not far from Eclectic. “I’ve been coming to Dr. McCulloch since about the time he arrived here, about the same time I retired,” Abrams said. “He is very nice. That was the initial reason I came because he was a local, community doctor. “When I was a kid, I always came to the doctor here, Dr. Will Owsley. At that time, the doctor might be the only person in the entire community who owned a vehicle. There weren’t too many people who owned cars until the late 30s. After World War II, people got around by horse and wagon; it was a long way. Doctors had cars and they came out to see you easier than you could go to see them.” McCulloch said he has no plans to quit although the future for old-fashioned doctors is not bright. “The hours are longer and the pay is less, so you’ve got to be motivated by something other than money,” he said.

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Thursday, March 28, 2019

Doctors’ Day 2019

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Lake Martin led to career for Dr. Katie Cooper By GABRIELLE JANSEN Staff Writer

Sometimes a happy place can lead to a career opportunity. Russell Medical gynecologist Dr. Katie Cooper said when she and her husband, anesthesiologist Nelson Cooper, were studying during their residencies, they visited her family’s cabin on Lake Martin, which was her happy place and later became his. “My family had a small cabin on Lake Martin when I was growing up and this was always my happy place,” Cooper said. “We were very fortunate for both of us to find positions at the same time right as we finished our residency programs.” Both found positions in their exact fields at Russell Medical in 1994. Cooper, who is originally from Birmingham, worked in public relations for the city’s chamber of commerce for a few years after graduating from college. Cooper said during that time she started taking science classes and decided to become a doctor. Cooper said she wouldn’t have been able to go back to school to get her undergraduate degree in science and her medical degree without her parents. She

met her husband the first day of medical school. “My decision to change course — I really have never looked back,” Cooper said. “It’s been a magnificent way to live my life. And it’s not the easiest way to live your life but it’s really worth it. So if somebody’s thinking about doing it, I wouldn’t let anybody discourage you because there will always be a need for physicians. You go home tired at the end of the day and you’re able to say, ‘I did something good today.’ I don’t know if in every (career) field you can feel that way.” Cooper said she wanted to make a difference and feel fulfilled when she switched to medicine. “I felt like I could contribute better,” she said. “I felt like I met a need and I’m good at what I do and I think because I’m so empathetic, I think I meet a need that sometimes is not met for all people.” Cooper originally trained in obstetrics and gynecology but gave up the former to spend more time with her family around 2000. “Obstetrics is a difficult field to be able to plan and with gynecology I could plan for the most part,” Cooper said. “I could plan around some of my family’s needs and functions and I could be a better par-

Gabrielle Jansen / Tallapoosa Publishers

Dr. Katie Cooper said as a doctor, she leaves work each day knowing she ‘did something good.’

ent and a better wife doing gynecology alone and I was never willing to sacrifice that part of my life — my favorite part.”

Cooper said she has helped patients through different stages of their lives, from when they were girls to mothers. “I feel really privileged to have been a part of people’s lives,” Cooper said. “Being involved in their lives as through births, through deaths, as through hard spots, all of that, not just a superficial part of their life, but it’s been such an honor when people have truly needed me and I’ve been able to help.” Cooper said she enjoys the surgical part of gynecology because her husband also works at Russell Medical in anesthesiology and sometimes share the same patients. “I’d say 50 percent of the time he provides anesthesia to my patients,” Cooper said. Cooper said anyone considering switching to a second career in medicine should know while it can be difficult balancing the professional and personal parts of life, it is all worth it. “My fellow physicians are for the most part so invested in their patient population and the health and wellness of the community that it’s a joy to work with them and, again, it is a true privilege to be allowed into someone’s life,” Cooper said. “I know of no other field which that’s really the case.”

Routine checkup brought much-needed diagnosis

Y

ou never know what might happen at a regular doctors checkup. In October 2017, I was at a routine checkup at Dr. Katie Cooper’s office in Alex City when the staff detected my resting heart rate was abnormally rapid. The nurse couldn’t get the automated blood pressure cuff to work, and that’s when she felt my pulse racing. Dr. Cooper then manually counted my resting heart rate, and indeed, it was 182 beats per minute. I was just sitting there, y’all — calm, cool and collected — and my heart was doing what yours would do after running 5 miles. I was new to Alex City and didn’t have a team of doctors here yet. It was my first visit with Dr. Cooper, and she learned about my plethora of health issues I unfortunately have at only 24 years old. She wanted to be sure to refer me to Alex City physician Dr. Robert Edwards so I’d have a primary doctor to take care of me. But her first priority was getting me to a cardiologist that day. She sent me straight to Dr. Kevin Sublett, a cardiologist here in Alex City, who hooked me up with all kinds of wires and sticky things; this was all new to me and, to be honest, it was kind of scary. In-office testing showed my heart rate was not irregular but it was abnormally fast. Dr. Sublett then prescribed I wear a 24-hour heart holter monitor. Oh joy, more wires to be hooked up to but this time for a whole day. What fun for a 20-something-year-old. Results from that showed the same thing, then I had to do a stress test, which is basically just walking and running on a treadmill for about 20 minutes. The nurses told me I’d be on the treadmill for either 20 minutes or until my heart rate reached 120 bpm. I kind of laughed because as they were checking my vitals and telling me this, they realized my heart rate was already at 120 just sitting there. “Oh well, we’ll get you on the treadmill anyway and see what happens,” one of the nurses said. So, I obliged and started the test. I walked for two minutes and my heart rate reached 210 bpm. Remember how the test was supposed to be 20 minutes or 120 bpm? Yeah. Needless to say, they let me stop after those two minutes. I ended up being referred to something called a dysautonomia clinic in Birmingham. I had no idea what that was or what to expect, but I knew I’d be getting a tilt table test (again, no idea what to expect there). I had to lie flat on this table, get strapped up then a nurse raised

means autonomic dysfunction. If the table slowly to be at 90 you’re anything like me, you just degrees. The nurse monitored read that and said “autonom… me and checked my blood presdo what now?” Basically, your sure and heart rate throughout autonomic nervous system can be the test, which lasted about 20 thought of as your “automatic” minutes. The nurse told me I nervous system and it includes might pass out during the test what you can’t control, such and the thought of that terrified as your heart, brain, digestion, me. Once the test was complete SSANTANA ANTANA breathing, vision, etc. Everything and I didn’t faint, I thought WOOD you do without thinking about that meant I “passed.” Surely I Design Editor it, your autonomic nervous sysdidn’t have whatever they were tem is automatically doing that testing me for. for you. So, normal things like My mama and I waited in a breathing and digestion are very hard for small waiting room until the cardiologist, Dr. Paula Moore, brought us into a room to me because of POTS. There are a lot of things I have to do share the results. to help my body cope with this illness, “Have you ever heard of POTS?” Dr. including drink a ton of water and eat a ton Moore asked us. of salt. Weird I know, but it’s true. My mom had heard of it because she I would probably still be undiagnosed has a friend who has the syndrome, but I and suffering had I not went to that routine really didn’t know what it was. checkup with Dr. Cooper. I had noticed my “Well, you have it,” Dr. Moore said. heart racing before and my boyfriend had We sat there speechless. brought it up to me multiple times, but I I couldn’t really believe it. You see, the really didn’t connect it to being the cause backstory of all this is I have had extreme of my symptoms. But it was. And a routine fatigue and other symptoms since I was checkup is what led me to getting the treatabout 14 years old. I went from doctor to ment and answers I so desperately needed. doctor, specialist to specialist and had test I suffer daily with this illness, although after test. I had sleep studies, extensive blood work, B-12 injections, trial and error with multiple medications, a prediabetic scare where I had to prick my finger every day multiple times a day for months — not an ideal teenage experience, let me tell you. But none of that ever led me to a diagnosis. I was still searching for what in the world could be wrong with me. So, to be sitting in a doctors’ office and be actually diagnosed with something — I had no words. Dr. Moore started to go over what she called “POTS Protocol” and tell me about this syndrome I’d never heard of, and you probably haven’t either. It’s Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and the classic symptom of it is the heart rate immediately rising at least 30 bpm or reaching 120 bpm after going from sitting to standing and blood pressure dropping as well. So, it takes me three times the amount of energy to stand as it does for you. My heart feels like I’ve ran a marathon, but all I’ve done is stand up. Because of this, I have poor blood circulation meaning all of my blood stays at my heart. This causes problems like brain fog, dizziness, vision issues, digestion issues, body temperature regulation issues and more. If my heart rate gets too high and my blood pressure gets too low, I could faint. POTS is a form of dysautonomia, which

you wouldn’t know it by looking at me. I look like a normal 24-year-old, but I’m so far from it. I’m lucky to have a team of doctors taking care of me and trying to find the best treatment for me, including Alex City’s own Dr. Edwards who is very educated and familiar with dysautonomia. I travel to Birmingham to see Dr. Moore, who has specialized in POTS for more than 20 years, and is one of only three dysautonomia specialists in Alabama and one of only about 100 in the United States. Invisible illnesses are so very real. If you are having any type of symptoms or just don’t feel right, get checked out. Don’t give up if doctors don’t find anything at your first visit because one day, a doctor will notice something about your body that’s off and it could lead you to some answers. Go to your doctors’ appointments. If you’re not one who usually goes to the doctor, start going. You need to get a checkup at least once a year with a general physician and other specialized doctors. It’s important, and one visit could end up changing your life like it did mine. Santana Wood is the design editor at Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.

Happy Doctès’ Day!

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Dr. Dix on track to deliver 300 babies this year

Russell Medical OBGYN Dr. Brian Dix smiles at a newborn he delivered. Gabrielle Jansen / Tallapoosa Publishers

By GABRIELLE JANSEN Staff Writer

Only three months into the year Russell Medical OBGYN Dr. Brian Dix is on track to deliver 300 babies in 2019. Dix said he has delivered between 60 and 70 babies this year and while that sounds like a lot, the hospital also has patients from Roanoke and Goodwater. As an OBGYN, Dix said he usually awakens at 4 a.m., checks in on the labor hall to evaluate patients at 6 a.m. and starts seeing patients from 8 a.m. to noon. From noon to 1 p.m. he does a scheduled C-section and goes to the clinic from 1 to 5 p.m. He delivers babies in between. “I do like the fast pace where I’m able to deliver babies, do a C-section and do a surgery,” Dix said. “What I like about obstetrics too is that I’m not sitting around tweeting my thumbs. I’m actually on point doing different things throughout the day.” Before Dix went to medical school, he worked in the women’s health division for a pharmaceutical company. Dix said he became a doctor because he was interested more in the medical side of his job. “That was the first thing I wanted to really do was go into OBGYN and I looked at some different things and eventually that’s what I decided to do after four years of medical school,” Dix said. Dix said his favorite part of delivering babies is that it’s typically a happy situation for patients. “You’re bringing some of the most important things to people, (which) are their kids and you’re able to enjoy that with the families,” Dix said. “And that’s what’s fun about it.” Dix said he’s seen a trend of patients using birth plans for their deliveries. “Years ago we’d see that every once in a while,” Dix said. “We’re seeing more people coming in and wanting

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Doctors’ Day 2019

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a photographer to come in and take pictures of the baby and have it more professionally (taken), requests for when they get their epidural or home stay (when) people come in.” Dix said he also seen an uptick in mothers breastfeeding in the last few years. “We advocate that but it’s always been a little more tougher to get people to do it,” Dix said. “I think because the trend is shifting that we’re seeing people who are more inclined to do that. You do see trends and I think those are two good ones.” Dix attributed those trends to patients following celebrity influencers. “I think it’s part education,” Dix said. “I think it’s just part of general influencers throughout society. Kim Kardashian decides she’s going to do something — there are a million people who see it who think they’ve got to do it. In some respects that’s not a bad idea; (it) just depends on what they’re pushing.” Dix said one thing he doesn’t see with patients is preconception counseling. Dix said women trying to conceive should get their weight at a healthy level and get hyperten-

sion and diabetes under control to prevent pregnancy complications. “So for women who are not pregnant, the most important thing is to get in the best shape of your life you possibly can,” Dix said. “If there was any message it’s lose weight, make sure your diet is good and you take care of any comorbidities that are presented and are under control before you decide to get pregnant.” Dix said while delivering babies can be joyous, there are risks to pregnancy and giving birth. “I’m taking care of two patients — I’m taking care of a mom and I’m taking care of a baby and those are very stressful things especially when you’re taking care of what people value the most, their children, so you want to make sure everything goes right and perfect for them,” Dix said. “So we’re constantly increasing maternal and fetal surveillance in the delivery process as much as we can.” Dix said some of his favorite stories of delivery are delivering healthy babies after the couple had a previous pregnancy that went bad.

Mental once a year, just to make sure nothing’s wrong and if it is, hopefully the doctor can catch it early. But the idea people should go see a therapist once a year to make sure their brain health is doing as well as their physical health is unnecessary? Why? Not only is talking about mental health taboo, it’s also wildly difficult to get help when you want and need it. Many insurance companies are very limited in how much they cover mental health problems, and in doing the research for this column, I was informed there’s not even a psychiatrist in Tallapoosa County. The closest is Sylacauga. I was told finding a child psychiatrist anywhere close to home is even more difficult. There are absolutely some amazing licensed therapists in this area, two of whom were featured in January’s edition of Lake Martin Living. I have no shame now in admitting I’m seeing a therapist in Alexander City, just to make sure my brain health is always in check. But for those with more serious mental health problems, this is something that needs to be addressed because it can be very difficult for

Goldhagen they follow the correct policies and procedures. “I love it,” Goldhagen said. “I wouldn’t do anything else.” Goldhagen said she knows she is role model in the community and it’s important to talk to youths about taking care of themselves. “It’s important that you reach out to them and make sure that they understand some of the decisions that they make,” Goldhagen said. “You can do anything from promoting not drinking and driving to promoting safe sex practices to promoting general all-around health. Good health begins in childhood.” Goldhagen said being a doctor is not an 8 to 5 position but rather a lifestyle. “As a physician there’s a code of conduct that you practice whether you are in the hospital or you are outside shopping at Walmart because people do look to you as a role model and that’s a responsibility,” Goldhagen said. Goldhagen said some of the challenges of her job are the changing medical environment and getting approval from insurance companies for certain tests. “When you have a person who is sick, injured or hurt, they’re not at their best so you have to balance trying to

continued from Page 3 them to get the care they need, especially when so many still think needing a psychiatrist or psychologist makes you automatically “crazy.” While I do obviously want to shed some light on this under-talked about issue, it’s also important to me to leave you all with some advice. We’ve all heard it and probably even said it before, but you are not alone. I’m going to say that one more time: You are not alone. From the outside, it’d be hard to guess I struggle with paralyzing anxiety. A major part of my job is talking to people, being social, asking tough questions. I almost always have a smile on my face and I’ve been told my laughter is contagious, but as the cliché goes, don’t judge a book by its cover. I’ve worked extremely hard to get to a point where I’m not scared of every single day. I can promise you this: You too, with the help of doctors, counselors, friends and family, can come out on the other side a healthier and happier person than you ever thought possible. I did. Lizi Arbogast is the sports editor at Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.

continued from Page 3 meet the needs of the patients in the current political environment of medicine and you also have to realize you not only take care of the patient, you take care of all of their family members,” Goldhagen said. “If they don’t understand and they don’t support the decisions and the medicines you give, then the patients won’t take them and won’t have a good outcome.” Goldhagen said it can also be difficult when patients are underinsured or don’t have health insurance and doctors don’t want to financially devastate the patient’s family. Goldhagen said her favorite thing about working at Russell Medical is seeing patients get better. “To take someone who’s scared or sick and to play detective and to find out what they have and treat them and then weeks or months later see them out with their family — and they may not even know you’re there — and they’re happy and their healthy and they’re engaging in society, that’s probably my favorite, being able to make a difference,” Goldhagen said. Goldhagen’s husband, Paul, is an orthopedic surgeon. The two met in medical school and she said they moved to the Lake Martin area since they could balance their careers and family.

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Doctors’ Day 2019

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Life (and death) in the ER Losing patients is jolting but most cases aren’t emergencies, Dr. Peaden says By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor

W

hen Dr. Michael Peaden was lying on a football field with a fractured spine in his senior year of high school in Pensacola, Florida, and taken to an emergency room, he didn’t think he would one day be on the other side of the gurney trying to save someone’s life. “I got interested in the X-ray aspect when I saw the X-rays of my back,� Peaden said. “It sparked an interest. I wore a back brace for six months. My mother was an LPN and she urged me to take medicine as a career and I said, ‘No, I’d have to go to school too long.’ I wanted to be an engineer and go to (the University of) Florida. The problem was I stunk at math. The first two calculus classes was all it took. The science classes seemed to come easier to me.� Peaden went on to become a doctor and is now the interim medical director of Russell Medical’s emergency room, where he sees death and sore throats in the same day. “The ER is not for everybody,� said Peaden, who customarily works 12-hour shifts. “I don’t know many people who set it out as their goal starting in medical school. Usually the ones who choose that may have experienced being taken good care of by a physician.� Peaden and Russell Medical ER certified registered nurse practitioner Tyler Till are still jolted when they lose a patient but most cases in the emergency room aren’t emergencies. “We have a full-fledged emergency maybe three times out of 10,� Peaden said. “I am surprised at what passes for an emergency these days. Nobody knows what an emergency is anymore. When I started in the ER, I had all my books and I was sweating, asking, ‘Do I know enough?’ But I saw sore throats, achy joints and headaches.� When death comes, the loss of a child is particularly unsettling, Peaden and Till said. “You never like death,� Peaden said. “I never like to deliver that kind of news.� Till remembered a young person from a car accident who was dead when he arrived at the emergency room. “The team worked on him for 50 minutes,� she said. “You feel so defeated and heartbroken. You put yourself in their shoes. You try and save them and then you have to go to the next patient. Then you go home and get panicky and ask yourself, ‘What did I do? What did I not do? What if that was my family?’ “We had the death of a child 24 months old from respiratory problems. The child’s parents were at the bedside. We worked on the child for an hour and we weren’t getting anything. You want to keep going but there has to come a time to stop. We were all looking at each other in the room. Then you think, ‘Be careful what you try to bring back after an hour.’� Peaden recalled a death when he was a fourth-year medical student that caused him to question his chosen profession. “I was starting an ER rotation and there was a car accident where a child died,� he said. “I had two young kids myself and I could not keep my composure. I had to step away. I remem-

Peaden said. “That’s a landmark of Lake Martin. It’s pretty high — it’s higher than 50 feet. Usually people who are chemically induced decide to jump from Chimney Rock. For some it’s a rite of passage and their form is not real good when they hit the water. It’s not the fall that hurts them; it’s when they hit the water. But they’re not all chemically induced. “For those who are not as bold, they go to Chicken Rock, which is below Chimney Rock. We see mainly broken ribs, shoulder separations, head injuries, a few drownings and near drownings.� Many cases are accidents, especially on U.S. Highway 280, but some are as unusual as a man who lost his fingers at his chicken farm. “He got his fingers caught in one of those huge fans in his barn and his fingers got cut off,� Till said. “He wrapped his hand himself and drove himself to a gas station and the ambulance brought him here. He brought his three fingers with him and got them reattached.� Emergency rooms can’t refuse anyone and often treat patients with minor medical issues and those who think they can’t afford the time and money to see a traditional doctor. “You see almost everything in the ER,� Peaden said. “We’ve seen lots of abdominal pain tonight. Last night it was leg pain. The people we see don’t have any other options. Unfortunately, that’s an extremely expensive way to do things. The expense is two to four times more that it would have been at a regular doctor.� Some rely on the internet to diagnose themselves, a mistake that makes Peaden cringe. “That’s what I call Dr. Google,� he said. “Everybody’s a coach and everybody’s a doctor. Some people think because they have a headache they must have a brain tumor.� Peaden’s path to Russell Medical’s ER began when he graduated from Ole Miss’ medical school in 1989. He entered family practice residency in Tuscaloosa and chose rotations such as sports medicine and orthopedics. “I liked every rotation I did,� Peaden said. “I like being a jack of all trades, so I ended up in family medicine.� He said he was allowed to moonlight in Tuscaloosa during the second and third years of his residency. “I needed the money,� Peaden said. “I had two kids so I moonlighted at an ER nights and weekends.� Peaden found his way to Tallassee after a physician friend, Dr. Keith Bufford, started a family practice there. “I was going to do sports medicine at the University of Alabama but I didn’t have a lot of extra hours,� Jimmy Wigfield / The Outlook Peaden said. “I had three kids by then and I thought my family was more Top: The emergency room at Russell Medical can be the scene of desperate, life-saving important. Dr. Bufford had moved measures but more often than not the physicians treat routine conditions. Above: Dr. Michael to Tallassee and was looking to add Peaden, left, the interim medical director of the Russell Medical emergency room, and CRNP Tyler Till consult on a patient’s chart during a late night in the ER. Peaden supervises the physi- somebody to his family practice. It was a good fit.� cians, nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants. While Peaden tried to build his own ber asking myself, ‘Am I going to be found late and a lot of times it’s older practice, he also worked in the ER of able to keep things together when the people. It seems like our population is Tallassee Community Hospital for 20 years and served as Tallassee High decisions are on me?’ It keeps you aging. At one time it was rare to see School’s team physician. Eventually, humble.� someone in their 90s and now we see he felt he was being forced to serve an While the ER staff is dedicated to people in their 100s. There are four electronic master. saving lives, Peaden said many deaths nursing homes around Alex City so “I decided my office practice and are beyond its control, especially that makes for a lot of elderly patients, electronic medical records caused me among senior citizens. a lot of falls.� “Lots of times when that happens, Then there are those who think they to spend more time with computers than patients, so I decided to do ER there’s not much we can do when are indestructible. work for a little while,� he said. they get here,� he said. “They were “We see Chimney Rock victims,�

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Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.