Alexander City will have a new Mayor come November 3.
In a close race, challenger Mike Densmore defeated incumbent Mayor Woody Baird in Tuesday’s runoff election in Alexander City by 58 votes.
In unofficial results, Densmore received 1,610 votes to Baird’s 1,552.
Joining Densmore at City Hall will be council members in City Council Districts 4 and 6.
Kelly Waldrop was elected to the fourth district after defeating Frank Tapley with 60% of the vote.
Mike Lucas won the city’s sixth district with 53% of the vote.
Densmore is a businessman and longtime pastor. The Alex City native and Benjamin Russell High School graduate has 30 years of corporate leadership at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. and over four decades in local ministry.
“As mayor, I will listen to the people of Alex City, and I will represent their interests,” Densmore had said in his campaign launch.
“When you are a public servant, you work for the people, and I believe my time in business and serving as a pastor in this community gives me a unique perspective on moving our city forward.”
Born and raised in Alexander City, Densmore earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Auburn University, where he also played on the football and wrestling teams.
He began his career teaching and coaching in Gadsden City Schools before joining Goodyear, retiring as director of global strategic planning and organizational development after three decades.
Densmore has chaired community boards including the Russell Medical Foundation Strategic Planning Committee, the Chamber of Commerce and the United Way.
When he claimed victory on Tuesday night, Densmore said he will work every day to honor the support and trust placed in him by neighbors.
“This is a new day for our community. Let’s leave the rear-view mirror behind and look forward together with faith, hope, and love for Alexander City,” Densmore wrote.
“I’m excited about what we will accomplish side by side — and I look forward to getting to work for you!”
Baird had been first elected in 2020 after serving as a city councilmember.
Densmore said: “This campaign was not about me. It was about Alex City’s future. It is time to get serious about enhancing our children’s educational outcomes, promoting economic growth, investing in our infrastructure, and improving our citizens’ quality of life.”
Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office are continuing to investigate the fireworks explosion that occurred, July 4 on Lake Martin. The incident injured six individuals and involved a pontoon boat that had been modified into a fireworks platform.
According to officials, the explosion happened around 9:14 p.m. near the Kowaliga Basin in Blue Creek. The vessel, carrying unpermitted fireworks, malfunctioned during a planned fireworks celebration, resulting in an onboard explosion.
Six individuals were injured and transported to area hospitals for treatment: William C. Davis, 39, and Aaron L. Kovak, 49, were taken to the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital; Alan J. Simmons, 31, was taken to Lake Martin Community Hospital in Dadeville; and Johnathan R. Wilmarth, 43, Joshua A. Husted, 36, and Matthew Davila, 28, were transported to other local area hospitals.
Troopers with ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division responded to the scene and were assisted by the agency’s State Bureau of Investigation Hazardous Device Unit and the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office. The remaining unexploded fireworks on board were rendered safe by investigators.
The Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office is leading the portion of the investigation concerning the fireworks and is requesting assistance from the public. Individuals who were on or near Lake Martin at the time of the incident and have video footage are asked to share it with investigators.
Alexander City’s 2025 mayoral contest expanded Thursday with the entry of businessman and longtime pastor Mike Densmore, who officially filed to challenge incumbent Curtis “Woody” Baird and a slate of fellow contenders.
“Alex City” as it’s known by locals, is the largest municipality in Tallapoosa County and anchored by Lake Martin’s 750-mile shoreline.
Densmore, a native of Alex City and Benjamin Russell High School graduate, is running on more than 30 years of corporate leadership at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. and over four decades in local ministry as qualifications to steer the city’s growth.
“As mayor, I will listen to the people of Alex City, and I will represent their interests,” Densmore said in his official campaign launch.
“When you are a public servant, you work for the people, and I believe my time in business and serving as a pastor in this community gives me a unique perspective on moving our city forward.”
Born and raised in Alexander City, Densmore earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Auburn University, where he also competed on the football and wrestling teams.
He began his career teaching and coaching in Gadsden City Schools before joining Goodyear, retiring as director of global strategic planning and organizational development after three decades.
In tandem with his business career, Densmore has pastored at local churches for more than 40 years and chaired community boards including the Russell Medical Foundation Strategic Planning Committee, the Chamber of Commerce and the United Way.
Densmore joins a crowded field that already includes Mayor Curtis “Woody” Baird, retired educator Sandra Cullins, whose campaign launch was announced June 2, longtime councilmember Buffy Colvin, and entrepreneur David Wyckoff.
With five candidates now in the race, Alexander City’s mayoral primary – set for August 26, 2025 – is expected to be highly competitive.
Baird was first elected in 2020 after serving as a city councilmember. His administration was reportedly centered on attracting new industry to the area.
Baird has been under fire for the consequences of the city’s role in some of those projects.
Local leaders have focused recent efforts on economic diversification – ranging from light manufacturing to hospitality – as well as enhancing education, road maintenance and municipal services.
Densmore says he is laser focused on accomplishing those missions – and will do so more effectively than anyone in the field.
“This campaign is not about me. It is about Alex City’s future. It is time to get serious about enhancing our children’s educational outcomes, promoting economic growth, investing in our infrastructure, and improving our citizens’ quality of life.”
The general municipal election for mayor and six city council seats is scheduled for August 26, 2025.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
Across Alabama on Easter Sunday, thousands of worshipers gathered to celebrate the most significant day on the Christian calendar, with some churches welcoming crowds large enough to fill small towns.
At Lake Martin’s Church in the Pines, an estimated 2,000 to 4,000 people flocked to the open-air, waterfront chapel. Worshipers arrived by foot, car, and boat, filling the 800-seat A-frame structure and spilling out across the surrounding hillsides. Even those who couldn’t find a seat stayed to join in the singing under the spring sky.
Among those in attendance was Governor Kay Ivey, who sat in the front row during the lakeside service. The Easter message was delivered by Mike Densmore, a retired Methodist pastor who serves as the resident chaplain for Church in the Pines, Radney Family Children’s Chapel, and Children’s Harbor.
Built in 1953 as a pine straw arbor and later expanded in 1956, Church in the Pines is a longstanding fixture at Lake Martin. The tradition of worshipers arriving by boat remains a hallmark of the non-denominational congregation, which draws visitors from across the country each summer.
Meanwhile, in Auburn, Auburn Community Churchdrew a crowd of around 10,000 to Neville Arena, the Auburn University basketball facility known as “The Jungle.” The venue typically holds 9,100 for basketball games, but church organizers added about 1,000 folding chairs on the arena floor to accommodate the Easter crowd.
Founded in 2014 by a handful of local families, Auburn Community Church has grown rapidly into a multigenerational congregation. Its mission emphasizes passionate faith over “cultural Christianity,” a theme that resonates with both students and families in the Auburn area and beyond.
Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sablevins@farmerstel.com.
Lake Martin’s Wicker Point Golf Club has been named to a prestigious list recognizing the best courses in each state across the country. According to GOLF Magazine, the members-only course is the best in all of Alabama.
Along with the rankings, the publication called Wicker Point a “top-drawer private golf club experience.”
“Wicker Point Golf Club opened its doors in 2023, offering a unique golfing experience along Alabama’s scenic Lake Martin. As you’d expect from Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the 18-hole golf course blends natural landscape features with strategic design.”
Wicker Point’s website detailed what golfers can expect while playing on the course, particularly regarding its aesthetic charm.
“One of the most exciting golf courses in the nation-Wicker Point Golf Club-is located on Alabama’s grand Lake Martin. Experience the only Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw-designed golf course in the state.”
“Set adjacent to Wicker Point peninsula along the stunning shores of Lake Martin, Wicker Point Golf Club is a private course defined by serene pine plantations, meandering creeks, and spectacular lakefront holes comprising the back nine. The unmatched 18-hole course celebrates the land’s unique beauty, topography,y and serenity. Wicker Point Golf Club—an oasis unlike any other in the Southeast.”
Wicker Point’s nearby sister course Willow Point was also recognized as one of the “Best in State” for Alabama in 2023.
Wicker Point Golf Club is the centerpiece of Russell Lands’ The Heritage, Lake Martin’s newest luxury residential development.
Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
For months now, residents of Alexander City have been raising concerns about the quality of the area’s drinking water. According to recent reports, the water has taken on a hazy brownish appearance, and in some instance, has emitted an odor similar to that of raw sewage.
According to Alexander City Mayor Woody Baird, Lake Martin, which is a major source of drinking water, has played a large role in the unusual smell of the water
“This year we’ve had four times the normal amount of algae blooms; it exploded. We’ve been fighting this since April,” Baird told ABC 33/40. “Warm weather has kept lake water temperatures too high and on top of that, there’s been little rain. We haven’t had a sizeable rain in 8 months to a year.”
Baird stressed that the water is not harmful despite its appearance.
“It smells. But if you don’t want that get a Brita filter and it’s fine, perfectly safe to drink.”
Charlie Edmondson, chief operator of Adams Water Treatment Plant, explained what could be causing the discoloration.
“If brown water like that were to come out of our treatment plant, ADEM (Alabama Department of Environmental Management) would come and arrest us,” Edmondson said. “But what can happen is manganese can set up in those lines and if water isn’t turned over a lot, that could happen.”
“Some people live at the end of the line, and that can have an effect too. If you live at the end of a line and water is not turned over a lot, it can cause problems. It’s due to a lot of stuff. Even a thunderstorm — you’d be surprised how much a thunderstorm or bad lightning, it can cause the ground to shake and stuff to come off those pipes and into the water.”
The Alexander City Water Department serves about 29,565 people in the greater Lake Martin area, including Alexander City, Dadeville, and other surrounding communities.
Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
An Orlando, Florida native won big this weekend at the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Martin.
Bobby Bakewell landed 13 pounds, 12 ounces on the final day of the competition to earn a comeback victory with a three-day tally of 35-15. He also earned Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament honors with a 4-10 largemouth.
“I’m going to have to make room on the mantle,” Bakewell said of his victory. “That Classic berth is so sweet. It hasn’t really set in yet. After practice, I was ready to get done with this one. Now, I’m really happy we are done with this one.”
The angler revealed that the cast that effectively won the competition for him nearly didn’t happen.
“I had almost admitted defeat. I hadn’t got bit in hours. I was going through a little bit of a dry spell and started thinking that I should have gone to the water I had fished before. Then I hooked that giant,” Bakewell said. “It was crazy. I was trying to decide whether to let the boat ram the dock or go for the bass, and I chose the bass. I’m so glad I did, too.”
Bakewell was using a ½-ounce Greenfish Tackle Toad Toter buzz bait sent to him by 44 Tackle at the time of the big cast. He will now be competing in the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic at Lake Ray Roberts in March.
Alabama’s Josh Butler finished second with a total of 34-2 while Texas pro Dakota Ebare finished third with 32-13. Will Davis Jr, who led the first two days of the tournament, fell to fourth on the final day with a total of 32-11.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
Damage and flooding from Hurricane Helene has caused the final St. Croix Open, presented by SEVIIN to be moved from South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell to Lake Martin, Alabama. The event will be the first time since 2018 that the 44,000-acre reservoir found on the Tallapoosa River has hosted a major B.A.S.S event.
Bassmaster released a statement clarifying the decision to move the competition.
“Massive flooding in the area has created dangerous lake conditions, power outages, and gas shortages across the state. In an effort to respect the resources and be sensitive to the difficulties storms have created in the area, B.A.S.S. officials have decided to change venues. Alabama’s Lake Martin will now host the final event of the season.”
The Open will qualify nine anglers from the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers to the Bassmaster Elite Series.
More details will be released as soon as they are finalized.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Lake Martin Life — your new go-to destination for everything happening around the beautiful Lake Martin community. Whether you’re a long-time resident or a first-time visitor, our platform is designed to keep you connected and informed about all things Lake Martin.
Lake Martin Life is working to be the primary news outlet for Lake Martin, keeping everyone up to date with what’s going on at the lake.
The new website will be keeping you updated on things like concerts at Lake Martin Amphitheater or the Dadeville Performing Arts Center, weddings at picturesque venues like The Lodge at Cocktail Slough and Azalea Cove Waterside, and where to go for the best pizza on the lake. If you’re a history buff, our site also explores Lake Martin’s rich history and the notable figures who’ve visited, like the legendary Hank Williams. All of this and more can be found on our website and Instagram.
“Our Instagram has played a huge part in helping the launch of this website,” says Ellis Terry, President of YHN Media Group.
“Breaking down the numbers, the Instagram page currently has 21,590 followers, who each play a role in the content we cover. We are constantly growing, and the numbers reflect that. Since January alone, the Instagram page has gained 3,158 new followers, averages 4,903 post impressions, and continues to reach both a tailored audience of locals and a statewide audience of Alabamians ready to experience life on Lake Martin.”
Lake Martin Life thrives because of the stories, contributions, and support from the residents and visitors of the lake. We are always on the lookout for local stories, photos, and fun facts to share with the community. Interested in advertising or sharing your own stories? Reach out via DM on Instagram or email us at baylor@yellowhammernews.com.
Join us as we celebrate and elevate life at Lake Martin!
SpringHouse, a beloved and well-established restaurant at Russell Crossroads on Lake Martin, was forced to close nine months ago after a fire on December 23rd spread from the building’s chimney to its attic.
Tomorrow, however, that fire will be a thing of the past as SpringHouse is set to once again open its doors to the public.
Russell Lands CEO and president David Sturdivant complimented all those involved with making the reopening a reality and noted the devotion of the community.
“All the crews did a fantastic job, and it looks fabulous. We had always said (the reopening) would fall mid to late summer, so it fell pretty much when we were expecting it to.”
“We’re just really excited,” Sturdivant said. “SpringHouse is such an integral part of the amenities we offer. We’ve had a lot of folks continually asking when (the restaurant) is going to open, and we’re really excited it’s going to happen this soon.”
“Hats off to all the construction crews who worked so hard to make this happen.”
After the fire, SpringHouse moved its operation to Fanny Goldmine Diner, another Russell Lands-owned property.
In 2014, Southern Living magazine named SpringHouse one of its “100 Best Restaurants in the South.”
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
Guest and residents of Lake Martin got a surprise chance last week to see something that most Americans don’t get to witness.
Videos and photos from multiple observers show a Black Hawk helicopter hovering over the body of water for a short time. What happened next, however, was what drew the attention of everyone on the ground.
One by one, soldiers jumped out of the Black Hawk, activated their chutes and landed in the lake. The water jumps were part of a Family Day event conducted by The Warrior Training Center Brigade. Local reports indicate the troops were from the U.S. Army National Guard 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), headquartered in Birmingham.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
If you’ve been to Lake Martin, Alabama, you have probably visited the beautiful Kowaliga area. Whether to eat, boat around, or visit the marina, the area is a mainstay of Lake Martin and is held dear in the hearts of many. But beneath the favorite vacation spot of many Alabamians lie the ruins of a story you have likely not been told before—the story of John Benson and the community of Kowaliga.
THE ORIGIN STORY OF JOHN BENSON
According to Russell Lands History, John was born a slave on a plantation near the long-gone Kowaliga Creek before the Civil War. His sister was separated from him at a young age. The owner of the plantation, James Benson of Virginia, passed away shortly after John was born, and his estate was split among his family members.
Before long, young John was moved to Talladega, Alabama, after an heir of Benson’s acquired land there. After the Civil War ended, John found himself a free man in a time of economic rebuilding within the state of Alabama. Taking on the surname of his previous owner, Benson, he embarked on a heroic journey to Florida with the goal of finding his lost sister.
After an extensive search, he found her and brought her back with him to Alabama, where he began work in the Cahaba Field coal mines located in the Shelby County area. John’s hard work and perseverance shined through, and working for less than half a dollar per ton of coal, he managed to save up one hundred dollars and move back to his beautiful hometown of Kowaliga.
(Russell Lands on Lake Martin/Facebook)
THE FOUNDING OF KOWALIGA
In 1890, he was able to obtain 160 acres of his former owner’s land and began planting the seeds of what would become a flourishing community on the Kowaliga Creek shore. His expert planning and tenacity paid off and eventually, he owned more than 3000 acres of the land, each dedicated to different crops in order to maximize efficiency. John Benson, once a slave, had become an extremely wealthy landowner against all odds.
John’s son William had watched his father’s journey, inspired by his tenacity and success. John’s success allowed him to send his son to school, and William chose to return after he graduated to help his father on the farm. William was a progressive-minded individual determined to subdue the state’s intolerant nature and unbearable conditions of impoverishment in order to push his community toward a brighter future.
(Lake Martin Life/Facebook)
THE RISE AND FALL OF KOWALIGA
In 1897, under William’s leadership, the Kowaliga Academic and Industrial Institute was founded. William also went on to create the Dixie Industrial Company in 1900, employing people of all races and providing material products such as cotton and wood. It was a highly efficient company, grossing $30,000 yearly as per Russell Lands History.
The community of Kowaliga was flourishing thanks to the optimistic Benson family, and things seemed to be going well until the steep economic decline of World War I. According to Russell Lands History, William Benson eventually lost control of the Kowaliga Institute and the DIC to the board of trustees as the economy was being threatened by new, difficult challenges.
In 1926, the Alabama Power Company finished constructing the Martin Dam with the purpose of generating hydroelectric power. This forced residents of the Kowaliga community to pack up and leave, and when the water came rushing through, Kowaliga was left underwater, forgotten by the currents of time. Now, Kowaliga is a very different place. It is a vacationer’s paradise, cherished and loved by many—but Benson’s inspirational story is one that should not be forgotten.
The Landing at Parker Creek on Lake Martin, famous for its full-service kitchen and bars built from shipping containers, announced that they are going to soon be opening a second location, according to Lake Martin Life.
The owner of the popular spot, Herb Winches, said the new location will be called ‘The Landing at Harbor Pointe’.
Winches hopes it will be finished in mid-to-late spring with a grand opening coming this summer.
The Parker Creek location, which has been there for about nine years, features boat slips for guests to arrive via the lake along with multiple outdoor dining pavilions and offers a beautiful view of Lake Martin.
Winches is a former sports anchor as well as radio personality in Birmingham from the 1970s into the 2000s, but made a career shift in 2015 when he opened The Landing.
Two years after its opening, Winches added a tiny home community next to the restaurant which provides vacation rentals for people who want to vacation on the lake.
Winches made the announcement personally:
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
For $2,200 a night you can now stay in what has been dubbed as the ‘most luxurious’ Airbnb location in the entire country.
No, the property isn’t located in the foothills of Los Angeles, nor Martha’s Vineyard. As a matter of fact, this Airbnb is located in Alexander City on scenic Lake Martin.
“Stunning 8 bedroom lake home allows you to enjoy beautiful Lake Martin like a local,” the listing reads. “The back porch overlooking the pool provides shade and a wonderful area to catch up on a book, an outdoor snooze or have a conversation away from the main rooms of the home.”
(AirBnb)
Airbnb also showed that the mansion has 10 beds, 9.5 baths, and an overall 5 star review rating from all previous guests. According to Trips to Discover, the travel website that bestowed the title on the property, it has the capacity to accommodate up to 16 guests.
Trips to Discover said that the property is currently completely booked.
Reportedly, the 15,695-square-foot residence cost $17.8 million to build in 1998.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
Lake Martin and its surrounding areas are home to a variety of animal species. From supposed alligator sightings to large deer roaming the landscape, the lake is home to one of the most diverse ecosystems in all of Alabama.
Last week, some boaters got to experience that variety of wildlife first hand. While out on the lake one passenger recorded a video of three bucks swimming in the lake together, with their antlers just visible above the water line.
David McGirt, CEO of Lake Martin Dock Co., discussed the sighting and said the lake area is home to a large number of the animals.
“I have personally seen two deer swimming together before,” he said. “Generally speaking, you see deer in small groups – so logically if they are moving for food or migrating to a different area, I think it would be normal.”
McGirt also said there have been large deer spotted in the area.
“I am aware of at least one 12-point deer that was harvested by a car in the Windemere subdivision of the lake some years ago,” he said.
As for the reasoning of increased sightings around the lake, McGirt attributes it to population growth around the lake.
“I think it being common is more of a product on the increase in full-time residents at the lake versus deer who are capable swimmers,” he said.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
The state of Alabama is home to a number of lakes, both large and small, with varying amounts of waterfront properties. From Smith Lake to Lake Cyrus, the demand for property is increasing.
Glenn Phillips, CEO and lead economic analyst of Lake Homes Realty, discussed some of the data from the lake home real estate market and trends that he has observed recently.
“While the number of lake homes for sale changes daily, even by the hour, the majority of the lake homes and lots for sale in Alabama are naturally on the larger lakes,” said Phillips.
According to Phillips, the largest lake property markets in Alabama are:
Lewis Smith Lake: 223 homes
Lake Martin: 192 homes
Logan Martin Lake: 162 homes
Lake Guntersville: 106 homes
Weiss Lake: 72 homes
Lake Wedowee: 48 homes
“There are still several hundred more lake homes for sale across the state on a large number of smaller lakes,” Phillips said. “And hundreds of lots for sale as well that are not in these numbers above. These numbers are considered ‘low inventory’ and are expected to increase slowly over the next two years.”
When asked if some lakes are more popular than others, Phillips called it “an interesting question with several facets.”
“Large lakes have the most homes, so mathematically, that makes them more popular than small lakes,” he said. “However, popularity of a lake is more complex, and it can be attributed to the what people seek in a lake experience. Larger lakes have more activities, more boat traffic, and more nearby restaurants, shops, and entertainment. So these are more popular with people seeking activity.
“In Alabama, Lewis Smith Lake (more commonly called ‘Smith Lake’) and Lake Martin are the two largest and most active lakes, and are popular with the largest number of people. Logan Martin and Guntersville Lake can also be considered large and active.”
Phillips said a lot of lake home owners prefer the more quiet retreats of the small lakes.
“Smaller lakes are often, but not always, quieter,” he said. “These are more popular for those looking for a retreat, or a ‘get away from the world’ home. Some of these lakes may not even permit motorized boats or limit the size of such boats. They may even be private lakes requiring membership.”
He gave also gave an example of some of the smaller lakes within the state.
“Within the smaller lakes are a number of lakes within suburban communities, such as the lakes in the Highland Lakes community off Highway 280 in Birmingham and Lake Cyrus and Trace Lake in Hoover (as well as many others),” he said. “In these communities, waterfront is prized but the activities of the lake will be limited to fishing and peaceful kayaking and boating. Metro-Birmingham has 241 homes for sale in these types of communities right now.”
According to Lake Homes Realty, Alabama was ninth among the top 10 states in the country for the most lake homes and lot listings recently.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
It seems that alligators have been all over the news in Alabama lately. From being spotted in North Alabama creeks to hunters in Mobile hauling in almost 13-foot-long specimens, there has been no shortage of news involving the animals.
A member of the Lake Martin Boaters Facebook group posted about her recent experience and sighting of one of the reptiles at the lake.
“I wish I had my phone with me to take a video this morning. We are on Parker Creek between two sloughs near Bolton Cove area across from Smith’s Marina. I was up early at about 6:30, my father and I saw an alligator swim about 20 feet off of our pier very fast,” the post said. “I was worried at first that it was someone’s dog and that they might not know how to get out of the lake… so I ran to the end of the pier to look and it was definitely an alligator, all you could really see is his head and the wake from his head as he glided through the water quickly to the bank on the other side.
“In nearly 38 years, I have never seen an alligator at the lake… Is anyone else seeing them in the Parker Creek area?”
However, according to to travelsafe-abroad.com, there are no substantiated accounts of alligators in the lake.
“While there are no confirmed alligators in the lake, every few years, there are reports of gators being spotted, which are quickly dismissed by local wildlife groups,” read the site. “In May 2022, reports of a deer-eating, 14-foot alligator being on the loose in Lake Martin, but the Alabama Forestry Commission said this was false information.
“The only possibility that a gator could get into the lake is if a resident kept it as a pet, then released the reptile into the wild when it grew to be too large.”
David McGirt, CEO of LMDC, a construction company that focuses on creating and purchasing marine construction firms working on freshwater lakes, discussed the possibility of alligators within the lake.
“I believe Lake Martin technically meets the needs of an alligator to live in the area – water temps, food availability, and nesting locations,” he said. “However, I believe the boating activity level at the lake would not make it the first choice of an alligator.”
McGirt also said the “alligators” people are seeing are more than likely beavers.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
In the middle of east central Alabama lies what was once one of Alabama’s best kept secrets.
Miami residents Matthew Meehan, 43, and his husband, Rod Hildebrant, 66, told the Journal they first heard about Lake Martin in 2015 from one of their employees. After three visits, they were hooked.
“You can jump off the boat, swim down and see 10 feet under the water. The water is that clean and that clear,” Meehan told the Journal.
Their story isn’t unusual, according to Steve Arnberg, vice president of real-estate sales and company broker at Russell Lands. He said said people from all across the South have started to purchase property at the lake.
“Business really began to take off in 2019, especially in the central part of the lake where Russell Lands is located,” Arnberg told Yellowhammer News. “Over the last 10 years we have been adding amenities, like golf (with the new Coore & Crenshaw designed Wicker Point course), dining, marine, shopping, and an extensive forest trail system in our extensive land holdings.
“In addition to the added amenities, we enhanced our lake home designs and our approved builders have been able to provide a high-quality execution in spite of supply chain problems.”
Arnberg told Yellowhammer News COVID actually acted as a catalyst for the market.
“What really added fuel to an already busy market was the social distancing requirements brought on by COVID,” he said. “Lake homes are generally built on larger lots, and piers are ‘distant’ from one property to another. Boating is a fun and health safety activity that the whole family can enjoy.”
Its attraction has been a spark plug for the local economy, as well.
“Lake Martin is more that a scenic beauty; it’s a driving force behind Alexander City’s economic vitality,” said Scott Hardy, the city council pro tem. “Its presence has catalyzed business opportunities, tourism, and job growth, making it an invaluable asset to our community.
“As Alexander City residents, we deeply appreciate the prosperity and opportunities it continues to offer us.”
The area has seen a large amount of price increases, especially in the past five years. This July, the annual average sales price for single-family homes along the Lake Martin shoreline was around $1.3 million.
The price increase paid off for Robert Cobb of Birmingham, the former CEO of Cobb Theaters. He bought a 5,000-square-foot house in 2019 for $630,000 and sold it last year for $2.375 million, records show.
He bought a new lot for $800,000, according to the Journal, citing public records, and built a 6,000-square-foot home. The home was finished last year, but his wife Mary died before it was completed.
However Cobb, 74, told the Journal he spends mostly every summer weekend there and the winter, too.
“You just can’t help but enjoy yourself here,” he told the Journal. “It’s so peaceful and serene.”
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
Alexander City has been nominated by 10best.com, a USA Today affiliate, for the “Best Southern Small Town” award.
According to the process of the competition, “20 nominees have been initially selected, with the top 10 winners determined by popular vote.”
To vote for Alex City, the only Alabama town to make the list, visit here.
10best.com described the town on its website:
“Just north of the sprawling Lake Martin reservoir, Alexander City is a quiet Southern town with plenty of shoreline for a lakeside getaway with family or friends. Swimming, fishing and boating are favorite local pastimes, and local Chimney Rock has become a hot spot for cliff jumping. Main Street also draws in locals and tourists, with boutique shops, restaurants, a summertime farmers’ market, and the Wellborn Muscle Car Museum, home to the nation’s largest, high-performance Dodge collection.”
Alex City is about 50 miles northeast of Montgomery along Lake Martin. The 2020 US Census registered the town with a population of 14,843.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
The program was developed for the lodging industry and provides hospitality workers with experiential training and skills to elevate the visitor experience.
“In Alabama, we prioritize developing a highly skilled workforce,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a news release from the Lake Martin Tourism Association (LMTA). “The Flawless Delivery Hospitality Certification will lay the groundwork for workers to gain the skills necessary to attract, retain and grow tourism in our state.”
The graduates are Jacquetta Perry, Donna Wilikins, Jeanna Bradberry, Barbara Greenlee and Hope Radcliffe from Wind Creek State Park; Charlene Hawes and Jennifer McDonald from Willow Point Golf and Country Club; Lisa Queen from Super 8; Vonzell Traylor from Hampton Inn; and Wendy Wheeler from American Inn.
“We were very blessed by the opportunity that the Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association and the Alabama Tourism Department gave to our local lodging employees in the Lake Martin area,” said the LMTA’s Brandy Hastings.
Lake Martin is Alabama Power’s largest reservoir. (Lake Martin Tourism Association)
“Professional development is important for all industries, and the level of service that we provide to our visitors is something we take very seriously,” Hastings said. “This training will elevate the level of professionalism that is already shown to our visitors. This increases the chances of return visitation, helping our local and state economies.”
Based in Alexander City, the LMTA is a nonprofit tourism and economic enhancement organization serving communities around Lake Martin.
Alabama Power’s largest reservoir, Lake Martin, on the Tallapoosa River, encompasses more than 41,000 acres with 880 miles of shoreline. Learn more at apcshorelines.com.
Pipes and roadways have frozen plus air travel is a mess. Thoughts of sugarplums have passed.
Now visions of warmer weather, sunset watching, and the lake home lifestyle are dancing in peoples’ heads.
Smith Lake is ranked among the three cleanest lakes in the country.
The analysts at Lake Homes Realty, the country’s largest lake real estate brokerage, have reviewed more than 50 million pageviews on LakeHomes.com and searched available inventory to determine the 2023 Hot Lakes List for real estate.
Lake Martin is No. 5 and Lewis Smith Lake is No. 8 in pageviews on LakeHomes.com, the brokerage said.
Alabama is third, behind Texas and Tennessee, on the list of “top states searched” for lake properties.
“While lake homes are appealing across the country, lakes in South Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Tennessee made up the Top 10 lakes for pageviews on LakeHomes.com in 2022,” said Glenn S. Phillips, CEO and lead economic analyst for Lake Homes Realty. LakeHomes.com features more than 6,600 lakes across the country.
“For the second year in a row Lake Hartwell along the Georgia and South Carolina border had the most pageviews and tops the 2023 Hot Lakes list,” said Phillips. “Texas topped the list for most pageviews by state, followed by Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and New York.
“LakeHomes.com typically experiences a spike in searches for lake homes after Christmas and at the start of the New Year.”
He expects the searches for lake homes and lots to increase as spring approaches.
“To help determine the Hot Lakes for 2023, we reviewed statistics from the more than 50 million pageviews in 2022 and looked at current listings for lake homes and lots for sale across the country,” said Phillips.
Lake Martin – One of the largest man-made lakes in the country, Lake Martin covers 44,000 acres in east Alabama and has 750 miles of wooded shoreline. Lake Martin is known for its clear water and is ideal for boating, swimming, fishing, and water skiing. In 2022, Lake Martin had 630,524 pageviews. Lake Martin currently has 203 lake home and lot listings.
Lewis Smith Lake – Located an hour north of Birmingham, Smith Lake is ranked among the three cleanest lakes in the country, reaching depths of 264 feet. Smith Lake covers 21,000 acres and has more than 500 miles of shoreline. This lake welcomes all watercraft types and has no speed limit, besides the no-wake areas. Smith Lake had 611,150 pageviews in 2022 and ended the year with 639 listings.
The 2023 Hot Lakes list was compiled from more than 50 million pageviews on www.LakeHomes.com between Jan. 1 and Dec. 20, and compared with the current lake home and lot listings on the website as of Dec. 28. Listings from 145 MLS areas in 34 states served by Lake Homes Realty are featured on LakeHomes.com.
There is an area on Alabama’s Lake Martin where a wooden statue, culinary notoriety and Hank Williams converge.
Just as the song has endured, so has the restaurant. Though the original Kowaliga Restaurant was lost to a fire, the current version was built and opened in 2013 and has expanded on the culinary reputation of the original.
Its menu is full of Southern comfort food with a decisive Alabama bent featuring Conecuh Sausage, Wickles Pickles and other state products.
The Fried Catfish Fillets are a top seller. While the recipe may be a simple Southern classic, there’s something about eating golden-fried fish next to the water that adds to the experience. It’s special enough to earn a spot on the Alabama Tourism Department’s list of 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama.
A volunteer cleanup at Double Cove Park at Lake Logan Martin has put some springtime shine on this public recreation space, just in time for Earth Month.
The group of 18 volunteers gathered for a public cleanup day and focused on picking up trash throughout the park, around pavilions and along the shoreline and hiking trails that are part of the Alabama PowerPreserves site.
The volunteers came from the Lake Logan Martin HOBO (homeowners and boat owners) group and community, many of them part of a geocaching group at the park.
Katherine Miller, a lake resident and member of the geocaching group, was instrumental in organizing the cleanup. Her group of geocachers often hold CITO (cache in, trash out) events where they pick up caches along the trail and, on the way out, pick up trash. Miller thought a CITO was needed on the trails at Double Cove Park and reached out to Alabama Power for help.
“I live on the other side of the lake from the park and visit the area a good bit,” said Miller. “Every time I go in the trails, I pick up at least a bag of trash.”
Miller posted information about this month’s cleanup day on the “Love Logan Martin” Facebook page and spread the word with her geocaching group to gather volunteers.
Alabama Power employees assisted by providing access to the park, trash bags and grabbers, a trailer and Ranger ATV, as well as a dumpster. The group was able to remove almost a full trailer of trash and debris from the trails and park, leaving the area clean and ready for visitors to enjoy.
“It was a very successful day with great weather,” said Alabama Power Recreation Development Assistant Steven Posey. “I was happy to see so many folks from the local community gather together to be a part of the cleanup and to help keep Preserves parks and trails clean so they can remain a pleasure for everyone to visit.”
All Alabama Power Preserves trails are “carry in, carry out,” meaning that visitors are asked to take out any items they bring in with them. Trash cans are located throughout all the parks but are not installed along trails due to accessibility issues. Over time, trash can accumulate in remote locations for a variety of reasons.
“Unfortunately, not all Preserve guests follow our requests for ‘carry in, carry out’ but we feel the majority do,” said Posey. “We have also noticed our guests tend to keep the sites cleaner and pick up after themselves when it’s a clean site to visit in the first place. This is why we appreciate the support from the community so much with the cleanup effort.”
Miller also believes the event was a success. “Many hands make light work,” she said. “Lots of people came together to make it look new again and we could still do more! When everyone does their part, the world can be a beautiful place.”
Although there are regular volunteer waterway cleanups organized through Renew Our Rivers, the park and trail cleanup day at Double Cove Park was the first of its kind with volunteers from the community at any of the Preserves sites. The company hopes to work with community volunteer groups to plan more in the future.
Alabama’s vast terrain ranks above average according to AirDNA’s market research among short-term rentals in the U.S. The national average occupancy rate is just 60.2%, but investors and second-home buyers will find higher rates throughout rentals in Alabama’s beach, mountain, lake and urban locations. Below is a breakdown of the four places you might want to consider spending money to make money.
Beach Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are spring break and summer vacation meccas for beach lovers. Gulf Shores lists over 5,000 active rentals bringing in an average of $271/night and an occupancy rate of 74%. If you can manage to snag a nearby property in this market, that could be over $4,000/month in additional revenue.
Mountains Mentone is making its way up as one of Alabama’s highest ranking destination locations. Because of its low inventory of short-term rentals, this small mountain town sees the highest occupancy rate on our list at 77% throughout the year. With only 145 current active rentals, Mentone is a great spot for new or experienced investors to snag a second home and start making money.
Lake Realtor.com ranked Guntersville, Alabama as the 9th most affordable lake town in the U.S. in 2021. Glenn S. Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty stated, “lake homes have always been a popular, aspirational home. The events of the past year drove additional interest.” And that additional interest in lake houses means additional rentals. Guntersville also ranks higher than the national average with an occupancy rate of 65%. Your dream lake house for family fun over the long weekends could also mean a $2,880/month raise.
City Birmingham is a growing hub for foodies and remote working millennials. With Barber Motor Sports (Alabama’s largest tourist attraction) right on the outskirts, Birmingham is a high traffic area with rich culture… and a lot of visitors. Micro-lofts, condos and community living are up-and-coming in the city’s urban center and make the perfect spot to invest in a vacation home. With an overall occupancy rate of 65% (higher in more desired zip codes of downtown), Birmingham city and surrounding suburbs continue to prove their ROI.
So, whether you are considering a vacation home for family or an investment property to list on AirBnB or VBRO, the vast Alabama terrain has endless opportunities for personal and economic growth.
