ST Vol 7 No 51

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, December 17, 2021 / VOL. 7, NO. 51 / $1.00

Christmas in Dixie

The parade spanned for nearly one hour with seventeen floats and record attendance.

“This was a well-put-together parade. The Chamber always does a great job, I have received numerous comments on how nice the parade was” stated Fort Payne Mayor Brian Baine. “The Christmas in the Park sponsored by the Fort Payne Parks and Recreation was a huge success, I appreciate all the hard work that was done by the City workers.”

“One of the nicest comments that I have received was that the City looks like something from a Hallmark movie.”

The City of Fort Payne will also sponsor ice skating at the Rotary Pavilion from December 17th through the 20th. The price is $10 per skater with all proceeds benefiting the Patriot Park project.

By Marla Jones Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala.-- (Full video on Southern Torch Facebook) The sights and sounds of Christmas were in the air Monday night as the City of Fort Payne hosted their 36th Annual Christmas in the Park and Christmas parade.

A large crowd gathered for “Christmas in the Park” from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for free hot chocolate, soft drinks, and popcorn. Santa was present along with the Grinch.

The North Pole Post Office had a mailbox at the park for letters to be dropped off for Santa.

The Fort Payne City Parade began at 6 p.m. with former Fort Payne Superintendent serving as Grand Marshall.

DeKalb Gives Back

By Marla Jones Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala.--(Full video can be viewed on Southern Torch Facebook) A press conference by DeKalb County Commission President Ricky Harcrow was held on Wednesday afternoon to unveil operations to support families impacted by the tornadoes in the State of Kentucky.

As we saw the devastation caused by the weekend tornadoes in Western Kentucky, we were reminded of April 2011, where we were also devastated by

tornadoes.

“So many have lost everything including lives in just a matter of seconds and I was reminded of our own experience in 2011” stated DeKalb County Commission President, Ricky Harcrow.

As the Christmas holidays approach, there is no doubt there are people who have not only lost their livelihood but also Christmas gifts that were acquired during the last few months.

Under the direction of the Commission Presiden Harcrow, the DeKalb County Emergency

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2 - Friday - December 17, 2021

Southern Torch

STOP BY FOR THE BEST DEALS IN DEKALB COUNTY WWW.BOBBYLEDBETTER.COM (256) 844-2210

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Teen Survives Gunshot to the Head

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

JACKSON COUNTY, Ala,-- An 18-year girl was found Saturday morning on Langston Gap Road with a gunshot to the head.

Rachel Hastings, age 18 of Scottsboro was found staggering near the woodline,

unable to talk.

Authorities first thought the female had fallen down a cliff and injured her head.

Hastings was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

An investigation of attempted murder has been opened by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

Former Jackson County Police Officer Teacher Arrested Charged with Assault

Manning, 33 of Scottsboro, was charged with marla@southerntorch.com aggravated SCOTTSBORO, assault and the willful abuse of a Ala.-- A Scottsboro police child.

Manning was officer was arrested Monday, booked into the Jackson County December 13, on charges of assault Jail under a $50,000 bond. and child abuse The Alabama according to the Law Enforcement Jackson County Agency (ALEA) Sheriff’s Office. began an Records show that Ryan Benton investigation on October 28, 2021,

after a request was made by the Scottsboro Police Department.

A request was made for a special prosecutor, and Madison County Assistant District Attorney Tim Gann was chosen.

The case was presented to a Jackson County Grand Jury on December 8.

Jackson County Public Works wishes to advise that Jackson County Road #19, between County Road #419 and County Road #48 will be closed for bridge repairs on Monday, December 20, 2021, between 7:30 am and 2:30

Jackson County Public Works apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions concerning this matter, please call the Jackson County Public Works office at 256-259-6037.

By Marla Jones Managing Editor

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

JACKSON COUNTY, Ala.--A former Jackson County teacher was arrested December 13, on multiple sex abuse charges.

According to records from the Jackson County

Sheriff’s Office, Scotty Belin Baugh, 52 of Gurley, is facing six different sex offenses, including charges of a school employee having sexual contact with a student and two counts of fondling a male child.

Baugh was

booked into the Jackson County Jail under a $201,000 bond.

According to Jackson County Chief Deputy Rocky Harren, Baugh taught at Woodville High School and one other school in the Jackson County School system.

Public Notice For Road Cloasing pm. The closure should last approximately one (1) day depending on the weather and site conditions encountered.

In a press release by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a 2.2 magnitude earthquake was reported in Jackson County this weekend.

This area has a history of earthquakes associated with faults in the Southern Appalachian Seismic Zone, a zone of previously recorded earthquake activity.

For more information on this event, please see the USGS event page at https:// earthquakes/eventpage

Friday - December 17, 2021 - 3

Southern Torch

Christmas in the Park

FROM PAGE 1

Management Agency (EMA), is coordinating a toy donation drive which will be hand-delivered to the Kentucky State Police on Wednesday afternoon, December 22.

Gifts can be delivered to your local City Hall, during regular business hours, or to the DeKalb County Commission office located at 111 Grand Avenue SW, Fort Payne. Donations will be accepted beginning on Thursday, December 16 through Wednesday, December 22 at noon.

Monetary donations can also be brought to the DeKalb County Commission office as well. Please earmark that funds are going to the Kentucky Toy Drive.

“Let us not forget that giving is also loving,” stated Commission President Ricky Harcrow.

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EVENTS Submit your upcoming events to nicky@southerntorch.com for a chance to be featured in next week's print edition of The Southern Torch!

November 20th through January 2nd, WONDERLAND UNDER WARRIOR - Come experience the magic of twinkling lights underground! Join us for our 5th annual “Wonderland Under Warrior”. Originally called “Santa’s Underground Workshop” this event became a holiday selfguided cave tour through immersive winter wonderland themed caverns. During the walk through the cave you will encounter different themed rooms such as dancing lights, glacier ice caverns, winter wonderland, elf villages, and more! Address: 370 Rickwood Park Rd, Warrior, AL 35180 Time: 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Price: $10 per

peson ages 4 and up.

(205) 647-9692 December 17, Cozy Craft Night Alice Circle - Cozy Craft Night Alice Circle This event is for everyone 16 YRS. OLD AND UP! (Our multi craft kid’s days begin Dec. 18th) You don’t have to sign up, just show up.

Limited supplies available and we’ll stay until everything is gone!

Everything set up for you to purchase samples and you can grab some drinks from our ART BAR. So tag your friends and make a plan for a night out with your best pals.

Message us for more information. Alice Circle 114 1st Street West Fort Payne, AL 35967

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm December 18th & 19th, “Road of Life” HEAVEN or HELL “Road to Life” Christmas Drama. New Life Baptist Church. Shiloh, AL. Peopl e take the road of life journey and are given a choice, heaven or hell.

Come watch them make the most impportant decision of their life and face judgement day. 6:00 PM. New Life Baptist Church. Located behing Shiloh Fire Station.

DECEMBER 25, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

January 1, First Day Hike 2022- CCC Unfinished Bridge - Start the New Year with a first

JACKSON BLAZE • 98-3 WILD COUNTRY • 101-7 THE TORCH Staff:

Eloise Smith - General Manager Marla Jones - Managing Editor/Sports Brian Anderson - Radio Operations Manager Nick Vizzinia - Graphic Design Amy Thrash - Account Executive Jenna Sue Payne - Account Executive Patti Browder - Radio Traffic Teresa Smith - Radio Traffic Lindsey Jones - Accounting Marshall Stiefel - Fleet & Distrubition

Southern Torch (USPS Periodicals #19790) is published each Friday by Southern Torch, Inc. 225 Gault Ave. N. Fort Payne AL.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Southern Torch, P.O. Box 614, Rainsville, AL. 35986.

day hike in DeSoto State Park! Join DeSoto State Park & JSU Field School staff on a hike to the Civilian Conservation Corp’s ‘unfinished’ Bridge. Learn the history of why the CCC left it standing and see several original structures. Time: 1:00 pm (CST) Where: DeSoto State Park-Fort Payne, Alabama-Gilliam Loop Trailhead (past DeSoto’s Lodge on the cabin road) Coordinates: 34°29’24.3”N 85°36’28.7”W Fee: Free and open to everyone.

For any details, email Brittney.Hughes@dcnr. alabama.gov January 14, PBR Bull Bash 2022 - Landers McLarty Ford Fort Payne

proudly presents the PBR Bull Bash 2022!

January 14 & 15, 2022 | Doors open at 6:00 pm | Event starts at 7:30 pm. Come see some of the top bull riders in the Touring Pro Division on January 14th & 15th at the Northeast Alabama Agri Business Center. For the first time at this event, freestyle bullfighting is brought to you by Bud Light and the Ultimate Bullfighters!

Tickets are good for one-night admission only and are non-refundable unless the event is canceled. $20.00 Advance General Admission Ticket - Admit One. January 22,

American Legion Post 89 - American Legion Post 89 of Fort Payne, Alabama, cordially invites you to join American Legion Post 89, veterans, patrons, pastors, and public, to commemorate the selfless sacrafice of Four Immortal Chaplins 79 years ago.

Sunday, February 6, 2022 at 2:00 PM Hosted by the City of Fort Payne.

Fort Payne City Auditorium 100 Alabama Ave. N.W. Fort Payne, AL 35967.

For further information comtact Commander Donald Donaghy, Jr. (256)717-3350 / ctr2dbd@aol.com

4 - Friday - December 17, 2021

Southern Torch

LEGALS LEGALS

LEGALS

LEGALS

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF NATHAN EUGENE BENEFIELD

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF DEKALB

CASE NO.: 22021-400

IN RE: THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GAYNELL E. DOBBS, DECEASED

IIN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF NATHAN EUGENE BENEFIELD, DECEASED LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION ON THE ESTATE OF NATHAN EUGENE BENEFIELD, DECEASED, having been granted to the undersigned on the 29 day of Nov, 2021, by the Honorable Ronnie Osborn, Judge of Probate of said County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate, are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.

Said notice to be published December 3, 10, & 17

LEGALS EXECUTRIX’S NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS THE STATE OF ALABAMA THE COUNTY OF DEKALB PROBATE COURT CASE NO: 2021-420 IN RE: THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BRANDOL KIRBY LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the Estate of BRANDOL KIRBY, having been granted unto the undersigned on the 14 day of December, 2021 by the Honorable RONNIE OSBORN, Judge of Probate of said county, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.

CASE NO.: 2021-394

NOTICE BY PUBLICATION Notice hereby is given to Denny Will Smith; Ronald L. Williams; Donald Williams, Janita Stagger; Jenny Wilbanks, Sherry Bagley: Seth Kains, the personal representative of the estate of Nora Rains, deceased; and all of the heirs at law, next of kin, and devisees of the estate of Nora Rains, deceased; their successors and personal representatives, and any unknown heirs at law and next of kin of Gaynell E. Dobbs, deceased, that a Petition for Letters Testamentary and a Petition to Admit Will to Probate has been filed by Wanda Oliver, as Petitioner, in the abovestyled cause, requesting to admit to probate the Last Will and Testament of Gaynell E. Dobbs, deceased, and requesting that Wanda Oliver be appointed as Executrix of said estate.

The Court has set the Petitions to be heard on the 2 day of Feb 2022 in the Probate Court of DeKalb County, Alabama at 10 o’clock a.m. Any person wishing to be heard regarding the Petitions shall appear in court on said date and time.

Done this 24 day of Nov. 2021.

Said notice to be published, December 3, 10, 17, & 24.

Said notice to be published December 17, 24, & 31

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICE DEFAULT HAVING BEEN MADE in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Joe Blalock, a single man, the mortgagor, to First State Bank of DeKalb County, the mortgagee, which mortgage was dated November 30, 2020, and which was recorded on December 3, 2020 in Mortgage Book 5000, Page 20395 in the Office of the Judge of Probate, DeKalb County, Alabama; AND DEFAULT CONTINUING, notice hereby is given that under the power of sale contained in said mortgage, I will, on behalf of First State Bank of DeKalb County, proceed to sell on January 13, 2022, during the legal hours of sale; to-wit: 11:00 o’clock a.m. to 4:00 o’clock p.m., in front of the main entrance door to the DeKalb County Courthouse in Fort Payne, Alabama, to the highest, best, and last bidder for cash, the following described real estate situated in DeKalb County, Alabama, and described as follows: Commence at the Northeast corner of the Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter, Section 12, Township 6 South, Range 10 East of the Huntsville Meridian, and run North 89° 4’ 29” West along the North line of said Quarter, 576.85 feet to the point of beginning of the property described herein; thence deflect left and run South 0° 55’ 30” West, 588.96 feet to the center of Brush Creek; thence deflect right and run North 59° 3’ 52” West, along said creek, a chord bearing a distance 749.16 +/- feet to the West line of said Quarter; thence deflect right and run North 0° 29’ 12” West, along said West line, 214.33 feet to the North line of said Quarter; thence deflect right and run South 89° 4’ 29” East, along said North line 654.00 feet to the point of beginning.

Said property being a portion of the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter, Section 12,

Township 6 South, Range 10 East, DeKalb County, Alabama and contains 6.00 acres, more or less.

ALSO: A non-exclusive easement for ingress, egress and utilities being 30 feet in width the centerline of which is described as follows: Commence at the NE corner of the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4, Section 12, Township 6 South, Range 10 E of the Huntsville Meridian and run North 89° 04’ 29” West, along the North line of said quarter, 576.85 ft. to a point; thence deflect left and run S 00° 55’ 30” W, 15.00 ft. to the point of beginning of a 30 ft. access easement: thence deflect left and run S 23° 36’ 32” E, along the centerline, 26.75 ft. to a point, thence deflect left and run S 78° 00’ 00” E, along said centerline, 200.00 ft. to a point; thence deflect left and run N 81° 00’ 00” E, along said centerline, 200.10 ft. to a point thence deflect right and run N 87° 39’ 15” E, along said centerline 362.47 ft. to a point; thence deflect right and run S 70° 20’ 00” E, along said centerline, 305.00 ft. to a point; thence deflect right and run S 65° 00’ 00” E, along said centerline, 460.0 ft, to the centerline of County Road #106 (50’ ROW) and the end of said easement.

Said easement being a portion of the NE 1/4 of Section 12, Township 6 S, Range 10 E, DeKalb County, Alabama.

Said sale is for the purpose of securing payment of the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, together with the costs of foreclosure.

Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process.

Done this 24 day of Nov. 2021.

LEGALS Eviction notice for renters at: 1340 McCurdy Avenue South, Rainsville AL 35986 This notice is to remind you that because uour rent hasn’t been paid, and after several attempts to talk with you about the removal of your leftover items, and clean the house and yard, you have not responded excepted say you no lonfer want the house.

On Jan. 2022, if all of your leftover things are not cleaned-up they will be discarded and you owe an additional 2 months rent.

- Management Said notice to be published, December 10, 17, 24, & 30.

LEGALS

LEGALS

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: DAVID DAN JOHNSON, Deceased.

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: JANICE ELAINE JOHNSON, Deceased.

Case Number: 2021-405 EXECUTOR NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS

Case Number: 2021-406

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF DAVID DAN JOHNSON

EXECUTOR NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JANICE ELAINE JOHNSON

LETTERS TESTAMENTARY AS EXECUTOR OF THE WILL OF DAVID DAN JOHNSON, DECEASED, having been granted unto the undersigned on the 13 day of Dec 2021, by the Honorable Ronnie Osborn, Judge of Probate of said county, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.

JOHNSON, DECEASED, having been granted unto the undersigned on the 13 day of Dec 2021, by the Honorable Ronnie Osborn, Judge of Probate of said county, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred

Said notice to be published December 17, 24, & 31

Said notice to be published December 17, 24, & 31

Albertville Alabama January 8, 1931.

Funeral service will be held Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 3:00PM. Jason Clay Brown - 24 of Rainsville, Alabama passed away on Monday, December 13, 2021. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 2PM. Johnny Ray Mefford - 60 passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, December 15, at 4PM. Mary Ann Daws Roper - 86, passed on November 29, 2021.

Visitation will be at the Rainsville Funeral Home in Rainsville, Alabama on December 19, 2021, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Denelda Rae Hopper - 63 of Scottsboro, Alabama passed away Saturday, December 11, 2021.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 14, 2021.

Marie Warren Houston - 93, passed on December 13, 2021.

Visitation is 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Thursday, December 16, with funeral services to follow at 1:00 pm.

Said notice to be published, December 10, 17, & 24.

OBITUARIES Fischer - 70, of Fort Payne, passed away Tuesday, December 14, 2021. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Wilson Funeral Home with burial following in Valley Head Cemetery.

Burt Jonathan Brenton Vaughn - 62 of Gadsden, Alabama, passed away on December 11, 2021.

Born September 15, 1959. Brenton was a caring hardworking man who loved and was loved by his family. He love the outdoors and especially loved Little River Canyon.

He is survived by: his wife, of 42 years, Brenda Vaughn, his son Wesley Vaughn.

His three grandchildren, Makayla Vaughn, Dakota Vaughn, and Kara Vaughn. His three sisters, Myra Brown (Phillip Brown), Sheila Vizzinia, Vickie Childers.

Preceded in death by his father Ross Coleman Vaughn and his mother Naomi Victoria Gower The family will honor him with a celebration of life at later date.

Wilson Ashley Danielle Tishaw - 33 of Fort Payne, passed away Wednesday, December 8, 2021. She was born on January 26, 1988 to the late Roger & Cindy Langston Tishaw in Ft. Oglethorpe, GA. A visitation will be held on Monday evening from 5 until 7pm CST at the funeral home.

Robert Dale

Donna Lynn Smith - 63, of Fort Payne, Alabama, passed away on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at her residence. Date of Funeral: The Family will announce a Memorial Service at a later date.

Scott Jeffrey Thornton - 47, of Fort Payne, Alabama, passed away on December 11, 2021.

Date of Funeral: Thursday, December 16, 2021. Funeral Time: Celebration of Life at 2:00 PM Patricia Diane Peterson - 81, of Mentone, Alabama, passed away on Monday, December 13, 2021 at Highlands Medical Center in Scottsboro, Alabama.

The Family will announce a Memorial Service at a later date.

Cornerstone Brenda Sue Ellis - 64 of Ider died Wednesday, December 8 at Parkside Nursing Home. Funeral services are Sunday at 3:00 PM CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel.

Burial will follow Linda Fraley Turner - 72 of Henagar died Thursday, December 9 at her residence.

Funeral services are Sunday at 2 PM CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Bro. David Hairston officiating.

Burial will follow.

Linda Fraley Turner - 88 of Ider died Saturday, December 11 at her residence. Graveside services are Wednesday at 3 PM CT at Fuller Cemetery.

Lebron Goodridge - 62 of Flat Rock died Saturday, December 11 at CHI Memorial Hospital. Funeral services are Tuesday at 12 Noon at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel.

Pamela Bryant Brock - 50 of Pisgah died Monday, December 13 at Parkridge Medical Center. Funeral services are Thursday at 3 PM CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel.

Burial will follow.

Geraldine Ann Jarmon - 82 of Albertville, passed away on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at her residence.

Graveside service is Wednesday, December 15, 2021at 2:00 pm in Brashers Chapel Cemetery.

Kerby Jimmy Farmer - 64 of Henagar, passed away on Friday December 10, 2021 at his residence. Funeral service is Monday, December 13, 2021 at 11:00 am.

Heather Renee Green - 44 of Fyffe, passed away on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at DeKalb Regional Medical Center. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.

Leon Howington - 79 of Harrison TN, passed away on Sunday December 12,

2021 at his residence.

Funeral service is Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 12:00 pm.

Sherrie Stallings 48 of Rosalie, passed away on Sunday, December 12, 2021 at UAB Hospital.

Memorial service is Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 6:00 pm.

Rainsville Judy Davenport 71 of Birmingham, Alabama passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at UAB Hospital.

Charles “Chuck” Foreman - 81 of Sylvania, Alabama passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Crowne Health Care. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Ernest Summerford - 73 of Pisgah, Alabama passed away on Monday, December 6, 2021. Funeral service will be held Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 11AM. Gail Murphy Parker - 83 of Fort Payne, Alabama passed away on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. Private memorial services will be held at a later date.

Tony Michael Veal - 61 of Fort Payne, Alabama passed away on Wednesday, December 8, 2021.

Funeral service will be held Friday, December 17, 2021 at 2PM. Rita Gail Johnson - 69 of Adamsburg passed away on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at Crossville Health Care. Funeral service will be held Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 1PM. Kenneth Herman Rooks - born in

Scottsboro Dakota “Codi” Laine Schuelke - 31, passed from this life on December 6, 2021.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 13, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

Dorothy (Dot) Hugh Whitworth Smith - 94, passed on December 7, 2021.

Visitation will be Saturday, December 11, from 12:30-2 pm at Calvary Baptist Church.

Jenny McDaniel Baker - 56, of Scottsboro passed away Wednesday, December 8, 2021.

Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m.

Saturday, December 10, 2021.

Charles E. Washburn - 88, of Huntsville passed away Thursday at his residence. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 13, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

W.T. Wilson

Timothy Scott Escue - 55 of Rainsville, passed away Thursday, December 9, 2021. Memorial services will be held at 3pm on Monday, December 13.

Joyce Elaine Gillis - 80, of Fort payne passed away December 9th, 2021.

The Family will be holding a Memorial Service at a later date.

Barbara Greene - 87, of Fyffe passed away December 9th, 2021. Services will be held at 3pm on Sunday, December 12th.

Magdalena Lumapas Maquilan - 88 of Albertville passed away Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. Service 8:30 am Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021.

Harold L. “Bubba” Guilford, Jr. - 60 of Geraldine, passed away Friday, December 10, 2021. Services will be held at 3pm on Tuesday, December 14.

Lloyd John Banowetz - 70, of Valley Head, Alabama, died at home on Friday morning, December 10, 2021. The family will have memorial service Saturday December 18.

Michael Glenn Scott - 59 of Geraldine, left his hunting grounds on Friday, December 10, 2021.

The family will receive friends from 4pm-8pm on Sunday, Dec 12.

Southern Torch

By Steve Flowers 2022 was anticipated to be an exciting competitive election year. However, it is going to be a yawn of a political year. If you thought there was no competition for the constitutional offices and the House of Representatives’ seats in next year’s elections, then you have not seen anything like the lack of turnover in the Alabama State Senate. Incumbency will prevail.

In fact, the power of incumbency in the Alabama State Senate is on par with the incumbent return percentage for Congress, which is probably comparable to the Russian Communist Politburo.

There are 35 state Senate Seats, 27 of the 35 are held by Republicans. Out of the 27 Republican state senators, 24 are running for reelection and all 24 probably will

y

,

Friday - December 17, 2021 - 5

Inside The Statehouse

be reelected. Almost all of them have no opposition.

The Democratic minority has just as high a reelection bar. Of the eight Democrats, seven probably will be running unopposed.

The only Democrat not running will be Priscilla Dunn who has not been to the Senate this entire four-year term. Most of the firstterm State Senators have never met her.

According to rumors she is in poor health and cannot attend.

The 150,000 people in Senate District 19 in Jefferson County have been without a voice or vote in the Alabama Senate for four years.

The three retiring Republican State Senators are giants.

Del Marsh, Jimmy Holley, and Jim McClendon’s shoes will be hard to fill.

These three seats will be filled by new Republicans. The 27-8 super Republican

majority will continue.

State Senator Del Marsh (R-Anniston) has been a leader in the Senate for 23 years. He served as President Pro Tempore of the Senate most of that time. He ran a very effective ship of state.

State Senator Jimmy Holley (R-Elba/ Coffee) is an icon.

He was a master of Senate rules. He also was a mentor to a good many young senators.

State Senator Jim McClendon (R-St. Clair) will be sorely missed in the state senate.

The gentleman from St. Clair served with honor and distinction for eight years in the State Senate and 12 years before that in the House of Representatives.

This freshman class of senators have bonded and work cohesively with the veteran leaders.

The Freshman Class includes Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road), Tom

Butler (R-Huntsville), Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville), Dan Roberts (R-Jefferson), Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman), Randy Price (R-Lee), Donnie Chesteen (R-Geneva/ Houston), David Sessions (R-Mobile), Jack Williams (R-Mobile), Chris Elliott (R-Baldwin) and Andrew Jones (R-Cherokee/ Etowah). Senator April Weaver (R-Shelby/ Bibb) won her seat recently when Cam Ward left to become head of Pardons and Paroles. April Weaver previously served in the House of Representatives. She is the only female GOP Senator. She has a bright future. All twelve of these new senators have done an excellent job and all will be reelected. Ten of the twelve will probably run unopposed.

There are some exceptionally talented and dedicated veterans in the Senate that will coast to reelection. Most, if not all, will be unopposed.

This stellar group of legislative leaders include President Pro Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper/Walker), Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville), Senator Clyde Chambliss (R-Autauga/ Elmore), Senator Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro/ Jackson), Senator Shay Shelnutt (R-Jefferson), Senator Tom Whatley (R-Auburn/Lee), Senator Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa), Senator Greg Albritton (R-Escambia) the Chairman of the Senate Finance General Fund, Senator Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) Chairman of Senate Finance Education, and last but certainly not least, the legendary Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia), who chairs the Senate Rules Committee.

There will be some outstanding veteran Democrats returning to the State Senate. There are several giants, who include Senator Bobby Singleton (D-Greene),

See you next week.

BUISNESS AMY THRASH ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Hometown banking, wherever you are!

amy@southerntorch.com

Office: (256)638-4040 Cell: (256)996-0460

QUALITY JEWELRY

James Allensworth • allensworth@aol.com 1706 Glenn Blvd., Suite 4 Fort Payne, AL 35968 • (256) 997-7591

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Senator Vivian Figures (D-Mobile), Senator Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham), and Senator Billy Beasley (D-Barbour).

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6 - Friday - December 17, 2021

Southern Torch

SPORTS Sand Mountain Tournament Brackets Varsity Boys Basketball

Varsity Girls Basketball

1. Plainview

8. Fyffe

1. Pisgah

Mon. Dec. 20 4:30pm

Mon. Dec. 20 3:00pm

8. Section

Sat. Dec. 18 3:30pm

Sat. Dec. 18 2:00pm

9. Crossville

9. Crossville Wed. Dec. 22 4:30pm

Wed. Dec. 22 3:00pm

4. North Sand Mountain

4. Sylvania

Mon. Dec. 20 7:30pm

Mon. Dec. 20 6:00pm

2. Section

Tues. Dec. 21 7:30pm

5. Geraldine Thurs. Dec. 23 5:45pm

2. Plainview

Championship

Championship

5. Pisgah

Tues. Dec. 21 6:00pm

7. Sylvania

7. North Sand Mountain

Wed. Dec. 22 7:30pm

Wed. Dec. 22 6:00pm

3. Geraldine

3. Ider

Tues. Dec. 21 4:30pm

Tues. Dec. 21 3:00pm

6. Ider

6. Fyffe

AHSAA Announces Football Classification Changes MONTGOMERY – The Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board of Control unanimously approved Tuesday, December 14 the current sevenclassification system for championship play for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. The sevenclass system, which began in 2014-15, was approved once again for all sports.

In accordance with the AHSAA constitution and by-laws, the AHSAA Central Board of Control manages championship play and classification.

Member schools are reclassified every two years. The high schools are currently

divided into seven classifications (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A and 7A) for competition in championship programs.

Classification is based on Average Daily Membership (ADM) figures furnished by the State Department of Education for public schools for grades 9 through 11 plus eighth-grade hold-back students.

Member private schools report that same data directly to the AHSAA. An index of 1.35 is used to determine the enrollment figure for classifying private school members.

Each private school student counts 1.35 for classification

purposes. A competitive balance success factor is also applied to private school sports teams which affects approximately 10% of private school teams.

Alignments were also released for fall sports, which recently completed championship play for the 2021-22 school year, based on the number of schools declaring to participate in a sport for the upcoming 2022-23 and 202324 school years.

Some programs may include two or more classes in a division.

The alignments for each sport in a class are published in the online AHSAA Sports Book each year.

Reclassification, according to the AHSAA Constitution and By-Laws, is conducted every two years by the AHSAA Central Board of Control.

“More than 190,000 student-athletes are expected to participate in AHSAA sports activities during the upcoming classification period,” Central Board President Van Phillips, principal at Center Point High School, said.

The 2022-23 and 2023-24 football alignment places the 32 largest high schools in Class 7A and 57 in Class 6A, 56 in Class 5A, 62 in Class 4A, 60 in Class 3A, 60 in Class 2A,

and 62 in Class 1A. “I want to thank the Classification Task Force, Central Board and AHSAA staff for their dedicated effort and time put in and the recommendations they made,” AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs said.

“As always, it was a difficult job, but everyone worked together to find the best solution as we move forward.”

Phillips said he also wanted to thank the Classification Task Force and member schools for their input and patience throughout the reclassification process. “These recommendations

came after many hours of study and discussion. Everyone involved gave of their valuable time to evaluate our classification system thoroughly and provided valuable input in ways to improve that system,” he said. “On behalf of the Central Board of Control and our member schools, I want to thank Mr. Briggs and his staff for their hard work.

I also want to thank our Central Board for their commitment and dedication to providing a first-class athletic program to all our studentathletes, and for making decisions that are best for all of our member schools.”

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Southern Torch

Friday - December 17, 2021 - 7

8 - Friday - December 17, 2021

Southern Torch

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