TODAY’S NEWS: NABORS SAYS BOLD MOVES PAYING OFF
THE
FRIDAY
CALENDAR, PAGE 5
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
SPORTS, PAGE 9
April bringing many events
March 29, 2019 Vol. 127, No. 63 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
BRHS vs. Opelika baseball
Time is TAKING PRIDE IN JOB ticking County teacher of year ‘values’ class time, students
Russell gets until noon today to take 15 years or possible life sentence By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Fifth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Ray Martin has extended Ronnie “Flip” Russell Jr.’s deadline for a decision on a plea offer until today at high noon. Russell, 34, of Alexander City was arrested in March 2018 on 20 counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, trafficking hydrocodone, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, first-degree possession of marijuana, certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia. The State Russell of Alabama said it is ready to proceed to trial Monday if Russell does not accept a plea deal to serve 15 years in prison. If found guilty he would serve life in prison without parole based on five previous felony convictions. Earlier this month, Martin set Thursday as a deadline for accepting a plea but Russell’s attorney Mitch Gavin filed motions for the suppressing of evidence and change of venue in the heaviest charge Russell faces. The defense argued it had not received lab reports for the trafficking hydrocodone charge in the discovery process and said the illegal drugs were confiscated without a warrant. “In that discovery, there is not a copy of the arrest warrant,” Gavin said. “Mr. Russell tells me he was not served an arrest warrant and there was not probable cause to search.” Fifth Judicial Circuit assistant district attorney Kevin Hall called two law enforcement officers, Luke Sivley with the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force and Marcus Osborne with the Alexander City Housing Authority, involved in the arrest of Russell following an investigation into Russell selling controlled substances. See RUSSELL • Page 10
By GABRIELLE JANSEN Staff Writer
R
eeltown High School science teacher Georgia Smith was named Tallapoosa County Schools’ Teacher of the Year for 2019-20 Thursday, as the county board of education held an awards luncheon. “I’m thankful to be here,” Smith said. “I love my school.” Smith was nominated along with Dadeville Elementary School teacher Lyssa Riggins, Dadeville High School teacher Wes Talton, Horseshoe Bend Elementary teacher Thomas C. Brown, Horseshoe Bend secondary teacher Tracy Robbins and Reeltown Elementary teacher Chris Burley. “We have some very, very good teachers in the Tallapoosa County School System,” superintendent Joe Windle said. “We have teachers who understand (why they teach).” Dadeville Elementary sixth grade math teacher Leslie Loftin gave the keynote speech Thursday at the award ceremony. Loftin was named teacher of the year for 2018-19 and told the nominees to enjoy the honor. “No matter what stage of your career you’re in, just take this honor and run with it because at some point now or later, you’re going to need this Gabrielle Jansen / The Outlook moment or achievement to get through this rough Reeltown High School teacher Georgia Smith was named Tallapoosa County Schools’ Teacher of the Year on Thursday. From left are Reeltown High School principal Dr. Tom Cochran, Smith and Tallapoo- patch or maybe look back See SMITH • Page 8 sa County Schools superintendent Joe Windle.
Today’s
Nabors says bold moves paying off for Alex City City hall project, rental ordinance, cleanup touted
Weather
75 52 High
By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor
Jimmy Wigfield / The Outlook
Mayor Jim Nabors said Thursday, ‘Alexander City was in a position that required a new way of thinking and I firmly believe the changes made on my watch are starting to bring positive results.’
FREE CONSULTATIONS
Low
Lake Martin
Alexander City Mayor Jim Nabors said Thursday his administration will continue on an audacious path that reflects a needed change in thinking to move the city forward past the doldrums of economic calamity. “The state of the city is strong and improving,” Nabors proclaimed during the second annual State of the City program at the Betty Carol Graham Technology Center. With the city about to commence its purchase and renovation of the former Russell Sales Office as a new municipal complex, debris from the old Russell Corp. property being swept away, infrastructure See NABORS • Page 3
Lake Levels
488.51 Reported on 03/28/19 @ 5 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
6
54708 90050
8
USPS Permit # 013-080
We Care About You and Your Loved Ones!
•Home-like Environment • Specialized Dementia Care Unit •Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Services “It’s not the end ... It’s a new beginning”
8:00AM & 10:30AM – STA TARTING APRIL 7
256-329-1313 217 Madison Street, Alexander City, AL “We are a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 under the Bankruptcy Code. Alabama State Bar requires the following in every attorney advertisement, “ No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”
one church two services i
A DAMS HEALTH & REHAB 1555 HILLABEE STREET • (256) 329-0847
9:15AM SUNDAY SCHOOL 178 S. Tallassee Street • fbcdade fbcdadeville.com