ST Vol 9 No 2

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

DEKALB, Ala.-- DeKalb County Engineer, Ben

Luther was recognized at a recent Commission meeting, as the longestserving engineer in DeKalb County history.

Luther graduated from

Rainsville Native Named State Director

Geraldine High School in 1996. He attended Snead State Community College, from 1996 to 1998. Luther then transferred to Auburn University in, Fall of 1998.

Luther graduated from Auburn University, in the Spring of 2001 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering.

After graduating from Auburn, Luther started his career in Huntsville, AL for Johnson & Associates, an engineering and surveying company. He was hired by DeKalb County as the Assistant Engineer in March 2003.

Luther served as the Assistant Engineer under three different County

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

MONTGOMERY, Ala.

-- Rainsville Native Dana Hall McCain has been named as State Director for Senator Katie Britt. McCain received her degree from Auburn

University in 1995, majoring in public relations and communication.

McCain worked as a columnist, writing about faith,culture and politics before joining the Britt team.

“I prayed long and hard

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, ALA.-The DeKalb County Commission held their first meeting of the new year on Tuesday, January 10. DeKalb County Engineer Ben Luther presented the Rebuild Alabama Annual Report. In 2022, DeKalb County began the 2022 fiscal year with $8,859.82 in excess. For 2023, the

County will begin with $247,529,62 this is due to contractors not completing all projects due to weather conditions.

The report shows that DeKalb is now receiving the full .10 cent allocation.

According to the trends in fuel taxes, the Rebuild Alabama funding should allocate DeKalb County roughly 1.2 million per year. These funds will go to the betterment of

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

Rainsville, Ala.-- The Rainsville City Council held their first meeting of the year on Wednesday, January 4.

The Council approved in an earlier meeting to surplus 2 tahoes from the Police Department, 2 trucks from the Fire Department, from the fleet program, and two trucks used within the City. At this meeting, The

Council approved the timeframe to bid on these vehicles. Vehicles will be able to be viewed from 1/10/23 until 2/1/23. This will give dealerships twenty-one days to inspect the vehicles and turn in their bid sheets. The vehicles will be sold as a whole. Bids will be open on February 1, at 12 pm, in the Council Chambers. The Council approved the bid, of $44,136, by Jimmy Traylor Construction, to build an

awing at the Rainsville Fire Department to park all emergency equipment in the dry when not in use.

This amount is to be paid out of the 3 mil tax and will not out of the Rainsville Fire Department budget.

The Council also gave Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt the authority to sign all necessary paperwork to obtain a 1-year note with First Southern State Bank.

STOP BY FOR THE BEST DEALS IN DEKALB COUNTY

BOLO: Armed and Dangerous

Nacc Hosts Community Event

STEVENSON, Ala.—Monday, January 9, 2023, at approximately 6:37 PM, the Jackson County 911 Center received a call regarding a shooting on County Road 147 in Stevenson, Alabama.

Members of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Stevenson Police Department, and Hollywood Police Department responded to the scene on County Road 147.

Upon arrival

Officers/Deputies located the victim, Jack Edward THOMPSON (age 54 of Stevenson, AL.) lying on the front porch and deceased

from an apparent gunshot wound.

Information was developed that the victim’s son, Jacob Tyler THOMPSON (age 26 also of Stevenson, AL.) shot the victim and fled the scene. The area around the scene was secured and the scene was processed for evidence of the shooting.

The suspect, Jacob Tyler THOMPSON (Pictured below), is described as a white male, 6’02” tall, approximately 140 lbs., with Brown hair and Hazel eyes. The suspect was last seen wearing a camouflage shirt with a skull emblem.

The suspect is considered ARMED and DANGEROUS and is possibly still in possession of a weapon (weapon description intentionally withheld) and has connections to Stevenson, AL, Bridgeport, AL. and Jasper, TN.

If anyone has information as to the whereabouts of Jacob Tyler THOMPSON, they should contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 256-574-2610 or their local Law Enforcement Agency. The public should not attempt to engage the suspect.

Woodville Mayor’s Wife Dies in Scottsboro Car Accident

Police arrived at the scene, they found Helms inside of the vehicle.

Authorities took Helms to the Huntsville Hospital where she died from her injuries.

By Marla Ballard Reporter

JACKSON

COUNTY – In addition to several theatre plays that are presented at the Tom Bevill Lyceum at Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) each year they also organize community events throughout the year.

she is well-known for planning the wedding of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.”

By David Hall Reporter david@southerntorch.com

According to authorities, a Woodville, Alabama resident was killed in a car accident over the weekend.

Nancy Collins

Helms, who has lived in Woodville her whole life, died Saturday, January 7, in a single-vehicle crash.

According to the Scottsboro Police Department, the wreck happened in the 19000-block of Alabama Highway 35. When Scottsboro

Nancy Helms was the wife of Woodville Mayor Steve Helms. She was an admired and loved teacher at Paint Rock Valley High School, Jackson County and Woodville High School.

The Scottsboro Police Department said no further information about the crash is available at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

Chasley Brown, Event Planner at NACC, created the Sand Mountain Soiree in 2016 and hosts a “Brunch and Learn.” “I search for guest speakers who have not been here before and that would most likely not be heard in this area if we did not host a community event,” stated Brown. “We have previously hosted Interior Designer, James Farmer who is a Wall Street Journal best-selling book author and has been published in magazines that include Southern Living and House Beautiful. We also hosted Wedding Planner, Tara Guerard,

On March 4 the guest speaker for the “Brunch and Learn” will be Beverly Farrington. More than 40 years ago Farrington set out on a journey to create a new kind of design that blends architecture with interior décor. Her elegant interpretations are timeless and well-rooted in the romantic classicism of her southern roots.

Farrington has created award-winning homes and her work has been featured in Traditional Home, Southern Living, Southern Homes, Alabama Magazine, Southern Lady, and the Washington Post. She is an Auburn University Interior Design graduate and is a state registered and certified professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers. She currently serves as an advisor to her alma

mater’s Interior Design department. She and her husband reside in the historic Twickenham district of Huntsville.

The 11:00 a.m. Saturday luncheon will be presented in the lobby of the Tom Bevill Lyceum and has limited seating and may only be attended with purchase of a ticket for $30 per person. The affair is open to both ladies and gentlemen and is in-general an occasion to wear one’s “Sunday best.” The cuisine is served in plated fashion. A PowerPoint presentation along with a meet-and-greet will be part of the event.

For more information on Beverly Farrington follow “Accents of the South” on Facebook and Instagram.

To purchase a ticket email brownchasley@nacc. edu or call Chasley Brown at 256-6384418 extension 2248.

Pedestrian Killed in Jackson County

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

WOODVILLE,

Ala.-- James Webb, 40, of Woodville was fatally injurened when he was struck by a vehicle. The

occured on Jackson County Road 8, which is three miles north of Woodville.

The crash occured around 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, Janauary 7.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

accident

(ALEA) Highway Patrol Division stated that a the driver was identified, but is not facing any charges.

with ALEA

investigate the accident.

Now that the Christmas and New Year’s holidays have passed, “play season” is underway at the Children’s Advocacy Center! The cast is rehearsing, builders are constructing the set, reservation charts are prepared, tickets have been printed, and Miss Liz is waiting for the phone to ring to take your ticket reservations for the

29th Annual Dinner Theatre fundraiser. The title of this year’s production is The Play That Goes Wrong by Henry Lewis, Johnathan Sayer, and Henry Shields. This is yet another family friendly comedy that will have you laughing from start to finish.

The event, recently re-named as the Eddie McPherson Memorial Dinner Theatre, is

Collinsville Drugs

coming up February 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, at Fort Payne First United Methodist Church’s Christian Life Center located at 206 Grand Avenue, NW in Fort Payne. Doors open at 6:05 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the play begins at 7:30 p.m. Contact the CAC at 256-997-9700 to reserve your tickets!

Geraldine Receives Paving Funds

GERALDINE, Ala.--

The Geraldine Town Council met on Monday, January 9, 2023. Following the opening prayer, and pledge to the flag, the minutes were approved from the December 12, 2022, meeting. Mayor Ables reported that the Town had been awarded a grant in the amount of $375,000 from U.S. Representative Robert Aderholt’s office. The funds will be used to renovate the former Liberty Bank building which will be occupied by Geraldine Clinic. Liberty Bank donated the building to the Town and Geraldine Clinic and is excited to have a larger facility to serve the people of Geraldine and the surrounding areas. Mayor Ables stated “Congressman Aderholt has been a true friend to Geraldine and the entire Fourth Congressional District. He made it possible for us to have sewer in Geraldine which gives us the opportunity to grow and better serve the needs of the people in our area. The expansion of the Geraldine Clinic will be a great service to our area. Owners Michelle and Jeff Stuart are committed to serving here and we are certainly very

fortunate to have them and their entire staff here in Geraldine.”

A discussion was held about the Picnic in the Park on June 17 which will feature Wildwood and other entertainment. the event is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM, and vendors will pay a modest $25 to set up.

It was reported that surveillance systems are in place in the park.

Geraldine Restaurant LaChona is planning a Singing in the park on May 6. More details will be coming soon.

Mayor Ables reported that State Representative

Ginny Shaver and State Senator Andrew Jones recently presented a check to Geraldine to assist with the next paving project. The Town approved a Resolution designating January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Mayor Ables presented a copy to Sherrie Hiett, Executive Director of Family Services of North Alabama. The Council approved the resignation of Police Officer Andrew Cowart and the hiring of Jordan Lewis to fill the vacancy.

January 14, Republican Breakfast - The Republican Breakfast will be held at the Cattle Stampede in Fort Payne, beginning at 7:30a.m.

January 15, The Old Paths - The Old Paths will be in concert at Hodge Baptist Church located at 77 County Road 19, Dutton, Alabama, beginning at 6 p.m.

January 17, Fort Payne City Council - The Fort Payne City Council will

January 19, City of Fort Payne Meeting - A Comprehensive Master Plan for the City of Fort Payne will be held at Little Ridge Intermediate School, beginning at 6 p.m.

January 19, Early Bird Breakfast - Bridgeport State of the City Early Bird Breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m at The Community Center

located at 411 Alabama Avenue Bridgeport, AL

January 19, Annual Bo Bikes Bama - Registration opens for the 12th Annual Bo Bikes Bama, at www. bobikesbama.com which will be held on April 23, 2023. The cost is $90 for a 60mile ride and $70 for a 20-mile ride. A $60 at-home option will also be available.

January 23,

DeKalb County Republican Women - The DCRW (DeKalb County Republican

Women) will be held their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, January 23rd at 6pm at the Desoto Golf Course. Judge Jeremy Taylor will be the speaker and will also be swearing in new officers.

January 25,

Building Codes Meeting - A Public meeting for input and to discuss concerns regarding Building Codes in the CIty of Fort Payne will be held in the Council Chambers beginning at 4 p.m.

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ANNIE MARIE TUCKER, DECEASED

CASE NO.: 2023-02

Letters of Testamentary on the Estate of ANNIE MARIE TUCKER, Deceased, having been granted to the undersigned on the 20th day of December, 2022, by the 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 January 6, 13, & 20

Engineer

FROM PAGE 1

Engineers until November 2008. On December 1, 2008, he was promoted to County Engineer.

Since December 1979 when DeKalb County was released from the State as a “Captive County”, meaning the State Department of Transportation is responsible for construction, repair and maintenance of the roads and bridges, there have been eleven (11) different County Engineers in that 29-year span until Luther took over the job. One of those engineers was hired twice. The longest serving of those eleven prior to Luther was from August 1984 to October 1989.

The duties of the DeKalb County Engineer are as follow:

• Oversight of Federal and State Aid Roadway and Bridge Projects, from development through construction, including the “Rebuild Alabama” program

• County Bridge Inspection Program Manager (we currently have 168 structures in inventory)

• Management of County’s Subdivision regulations

• County Floodplain Administrator

• Road and Bridge Safety Director for the Road Department

• Engineering services as needed throughout DeKalb County governmental agencies Engineer Luther is now beginning his

fifteenth (15th) year as the DeKalb County Engineer and will have a total of twenty (20) years of service come April 2023.

Luther has the following Licenses and Certifications:

• Licensed Professional Engineer, State of Alabama, since 2006

• Certified Bridge Inspector, since 2006

• Certificate in County Engineering Administration, Alabama Local Government Training Institute and Association of County Commissions of Alabama, 2011 Luther is married to Bambi Luther. They have two children. He also serves as an ordained Baptist Deacon.

“ I have been very fortunate and blessed to have worked for Commissioners who have been very willing to work together and provide the best we could for the citizens of the County, considering the resources that we have to work with” stated Luther.

Director

FROM PAGE 1

about the decision to step away from my platform as a columnist to lead the staff” stated McCain.

“I am confident that God is going to use her to do great things for our state and our nation. To be part of of this humbling. Great days are ahead, Alabama” concluded McCain.

Surplus

FROM PAGE 1

Rainsville Fire Chief Willimac Wright advised the Council that an In-house Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) school would be offered beginning on January 17. Wright stated that six people had already signed up for this program.

The Rainsville Coucil accepted the Boozer Bridge Road Project which was constructed through the Rebuild Alabama Act. Boozer Bridge has recently received stripping to complete the project. The amount of project was $105,288.25. The DeKalb County Commission will pay ⅓ of the project since it extends into the county. The cost to Rainsville will be around $76,000.

The Council accepted the stripping project of Browns Chapel Road, Rainbow South, Clements, Shankles North and Boozer. There was a total of 11.199 miles of stripping for a price of $7,895.38.

In other business, The Rainsville Council:

• accepted the resignation of Stanley Hollingsworth as

Wiglley Named to Realtors Hall of Fame

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala.-- Deana Wigley received the 2022 Real Estate “Hall of Fame Award” for DeKalb County from the Northeast Alabama Association of Realtors, at a recent

banquet.

“I would like to thank the appraisers, lenders, attorneys, and all other Realtors for working together for the betterment of DeKalb County” stated Wigley.

“I am most thankful for God leading, guiding and directing my steps. 2022 completed forty years

of service in DeKalb County” concluded Wigley. White Realty agent Courtney Riggins received the “Rising Star” Rooke of the Year Award. “I am so happy to be the DeKalb County “Rising Star Rookie of the Year” stated Riggins. “I am very thankful to all my

buyers nd sellers for helping me to be in the 3,000,000 club” concluded Riggins. White Realty agents receiving the Sales Club Awards were Jessica Carden, Jamie Dobbs, Courtney Riggins, Reggie Bryrum, Kyle WIlbanks and Deana Wigley

part-time police officer

• approved the purchase of a Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in the amount of $2,749 for the Rainsville Sports Complex. Chief Wright is to work on grants to purchase additional AED’s for throughout the City.

• approved Concrete Work Around Hydrants at the Waste Water Treatment Plant to Boozer & Son Construction in the amount of $2000.00

The next meeting of the Rainsville City Council will be held January 16, with a worksession beginning at 4 p.m. and the Regualr meeting at 4:30 p.m.

Funds

FROM PAGE 1

DeKalb County roads.

Luther also asked that the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado, which was a demo, bid be awarded in the amount of $60,000 for the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office., which the Commission approved.

The Commission awarded the Integrated Tool Carrier Bid, in the amount of $353,100, to Chambers American Products. . This is for (2) boom mowers. One previously had burnt and Chambers will deduct $10,000 for

the burnt mower. The County will be allowed to take parts, that are needed, off the mower.

A preliminary subdivision plat was approved for land located SE of the Kilpartick Community. The subdivision, Four Winds, has fourteen proposed lots and is loathed off CR 384 and CR 375. A road, for the subdivision, approximately 1100 feet, met all sCounty pecifications.

Tom Broyles, Supertinendent of the DeKalb County Road Department, gave the Commission an update of roads.

DeKalb Connty roads did not receive much damage from the recent freezing temperatures. Road crews are patching potholes as the weather allows.

Broyles stated

this week. Three crew cabs trucks will be available in the next few weeks.

Work truck packages are averaging sixty days out.

DeKalb County

Sheriff Nick Welden advised the Commission, that along with their help and the DeKalb County Board of Education, an additional full-time School Resource Officer could be hired.

David Stanley, was hired as a new SRO at Crosville High School.

In Corrections, there were three new hires and one resignation.

In other business, the Commission approved

• A new hire for Tag Clerk in the Revnue Commissiona

• Approved an Eagleview Contract for the Revnue

Resolutions:

a) Expenditure Resolution –Crossville Water – Hwy 68 – D2

b) Expenditure Resolution – Town of Section – Antioch – D4

c) Expenditure Resolution – City of Fort Payne –Culpepper – D3

d) Expenditure Resolution – NE Water – CR 89 – D3

• Mack Truck Financing Resolution through Cadence

• 2023 Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday Resolution

• High Falls Walking Track Project, Bid Award to K.W. Rains, which will paid for in grant money

The next meeting of the DeKalb County Commisssion will be held on January 24, beginning at 10 a.m., on the second floor of the DeKalb County Activities Building.

Call

(256)638-7800

Deana Wigley received the 2022 Real Estate “Hall of Fame Award”

Courtney Riggins received the “Rising Star” Rooke of the Year Award.

James “Jim” Virgil Jenkins, III - passed away Thursday, January 5, 2023.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 11, 2023 with burial following in Glenwood Cemetery in Fort Payne, Alabama.

Barbara Keithpassed away Friday, January 6, 2023 at her home. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery.

Wesley Griffithpassed away on January 7, 2023. A funeral service will be held on January 14, 2023 at 1:00pm at St. Joseph’s Church in Mentone, AL.

Mary Garrett Wisner - 93, of Rainsville, Alabama, passed away on Friday, January 6, 2023. Funeral: Sunday, January 8, 2023 at 4pm.

Ronald Timothy Wheat - 72, of Mentone, Alabama, passed away on January 7, 2023. He was born April 1, 1950 in Columbus, Mississippi to Verlie and Bernice Wheat.

Funeral: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 2:00pm.

Loretta Martin

“Rets” - 86 of Albertville passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at her residence. Graveside service is Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 1PM at Mountain View Memory Gardens.

Judy Childress Rutledge - 70 of Albertville, passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at UAB Hospital. A service will be held at a later date.

Chaplin, Donald D. Reeves - U.S. Air Force (Retired), 83 years of age, passed away peacefully with his wife, Jene, by his side, on January 5th, 2023 at Dekalb Regional Medical Center, Fort Payne, Al. A celebration of life service will be held on January 29, 2023, at 2:00.

Elsie Ellen Day88 of Leesburg, AL passed away Friday, January 6, 2023. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Jimmy Don Benefield - 81 of Section passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2023. Memorial service is Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 2PM in Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel.

E.C. Samples - 96, passed away, January 8, 2023 at his beloved home in the Browntown, Alabama community. E.C. was born May 1, 1926 to Jay Gould and Della Samples in the Asbury Community (Marshall County), he was the seventh son in a family of eleven. In joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served in the South Pacific Campaign as a member of the Amphibious Unit. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in World War II.

He married the love of his life and his wife of 64 years, Annie Lee Brown on March 19, 1947. He made a living as a farmer and an Ironworker. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was a prankster and delighted in making others smile. He firmly believed a man’s word was all he had and telling the truth was the most important thing a man could do. However, he did leave school and tell a small fib about how old he was to serve in World War II. Still, he believed in getting an education, and at the age of 95, he was awarded his Honorary High School Diploma from Sylvania High School by the DeKalb County Board of Education.

E.C. and Annie lived a wonderful life raising three children and enjoying their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He took pride in taking care of his cattle and horses. He delighted in helping a child sit on the back of a horse or holding them in his lap as he “let them drive the tractor” which made him a favorite uncle. He was a member of Pilgrim Congregational Methodist Church where he was an ordained Deacon. He was a member of Sylvania Masonic Lodge #673, Sylvania Order of the Eastern Star #474, Alhambra Shriners, and the Dekalb County Shrine Club.

E.C. is survived by his son, Daryl (Linda) Samples, daughters, Alethea Wofford (Rick Hedrick), Marla Jones (Scott); grandchildren, Eric Samples, Tara Henderson (Jason), Justin Jones (Courtnie), Ashley Wofford, Logan Jones (Mikalah), great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his wife, Annie Lee and all of his siblings and many lifelong friends.

A special thank you to Dr. Anthony Sims and staff, Enhabit Home Health and Hospice and the many wonderful caregivers who loved him like their own family.

A Celebration of Life service for E.C. Samples will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at the Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Rainsville Memorial

Park. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday from 5:00 until 8:00 PM and Wednesday from 10:00 until 1:00 PM. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons and great-grandsons: Eric Samples, Justin Jones, Logan Jones, Easton Samples, Eli Samples, Jacob Henderson, Kyle Collins, and Justin Blansit. Honorary pallbearers will be longtime friend, Richard Ward, Members of Ironworkers Local 704 and his Masonic brothers.

To honor his memory, please do something each day to make another person smile.

Jo Ann Lancaster - 83 of Rainsville passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. Funeral service is Friday, January 13, 2023 at 11:00 am.

service will be Thursday, January 12. Nancy Collins Helms - passed away Saturday, January 7, 2023. A celebration of life service will be held Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

Stevie Lee Higgins - 42 of Henagar, passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Sunday, January 8.

Bernice Christopher Fricks63, of Sylvania passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. Funeral services are set for 11am Saturday, January 7.

Harold Clenton Overdear - 82, of Rainsville passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023.

Betty JonesWilkerson - 84 of Rainsville, passed away Saturday, January 7, 2023.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Monday, January 9, 2023 at Fyffe First Baptist Church with burial to follow.

of Scottsboro, AL, passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. The funeral service will be Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 1:00 pm.

William Richard Patterson ”Pat”passed away Friday, January 6, 2023, surrounded by family and loved ones. Celcy Hall - 78 of Clarksville, Tennessee died Friday, January 6, 2023. Graveside

Jolee Carrell Smith - 95, of Pisgah passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2023. Funeral services are set for 1pm Saturday, January 14, 2023 from the W. T. Wilson Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in New Canaan Cemetery.

David Riley Dixson - 78, of Ider passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2023. A graveside service will be held at 3pm Monday, January 16.

Chaviers Receives 2 Consecutive Life Sentences McBryar Seeks Youthful Offender Status

DEKALB CO, Ala.-- On January 4, 2023, Christopher Michael Chaviers, 51, of Boaz, received 2 life sentences, to run consecutively, for his convictions of Rape in the 1st Degree and Sodomy in the 1st Degree. A DeKalb County jury found Chaviers guilty of both charges following the November 14-15, 2022 trial. Circuit Judge Jeremy Taylor presided over the trial and following Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, pronounced Chaviers’s sentence.

Chaviers’s two prior felony convictions render him subject to the Habitual Felony Offender Act, meaning that any subsequent Class A felony conviction would result in a minimum sentence of life imprisonment. Rape 1st Degree and Sodomy 1st Degree are each Class A felonies. Often, conviction of separate offenses results in imposition of separate sentences that run concurrently, meaning that they begin and

Taylor elected to impose a life sentence for each offense, and require that they run consecutively, guaranteeing that Chaviers will be in prison for the remainder of his life.

One of Chaviers’s prior convictions is for Rape 2nd Degree, a charge to which he pled guilty in 2010, and which already required him to register as a sex offender under the Alabama Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act (SORNA). The November 2022 convictions likewise require lifetime registration under SORNA.

The investigation was completed by

County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted at trial by Deputy District Attorney Bob Johnston and Assistant District Attorney Stanna Guice. Ms. Guice argued at the sentencing hearing for Chaviers to receive the maximum sentence. District Attorney Summer Summerford said, “On behalf of the victim and her family and all who worked on this case, we are pleased with the sentence Judge Taylor imposed. These types of cases are difficult to prosecute, not only due to the nature of the offense, but also because trial requires a victim to relive the trauma of the event. It takes a very brave

person to follow through to trial and sentencing, and we are so proud of the heart and courage this victim showed in doing so. Her goal was to do everything she could to ensure this man would never victimize anyone else, and her dedication to seeking justice is an inspiration to us.”

Numerous agencies and individuals played a part in the investigation and prosecution, including the James M. Barrie Center for Children in Gadsden; Tasha Galanty, Registered Nurse and Certified Forensic Nurse Examiner with Family Services of North Alabama; Investigator Gary Williams with the District Attorney’s. Office Major Crimes Unit; and Sheriff’s Office Chief Investigator Nick Brown. These contributors are part of a multidisciplinary team that pools resources and advocacy practices to ensure child safety, provide services to victims, and bring perpetrators of abuse to justice.

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

IDER, Ala.-- Taylor

Marie McBryar, 21, of Ider was indicted on one count of custodial sexual misconduct in October 2022, after she was accused of sleeping with an inmate while employed at the DeKalb County Detention Center.

Records show McBryar applied for youthful offender status in the case on Thursday, January 5. McBrayar, who was

arrested on the charge in August 2022, remains free on a $15,000 bond. If youthful offender status is granted, McBryar would get up to three years of probation and a suspended jail sentenced for the crime but it would not be considered a conviction. This would mean she would not be subject to the same restrictions as others who are found guilty for the same Class C felony. A hearing is set for February 10.

Inside The Statehouse

By Steve Flowers

For many years, Alabama has been ridiculed in national publications for having fewer women in political leadership positions than other assumed to be progressive states. States like Colorado, New York and California were lauded for having an inordinate number of females in public office. Well, folks, take a cursory look around at Alabama’s political landscape, and it is a new day in the Heart of Dixie, and unlike the above mentioned liberal states our slate of women leaders are conservative Republicans.

Our top two most powerful leaders in the state are Governor Kay Ivey and U.S. Senator Katie Britt. If you include PSC President Twinkle Cavanaugh into the mix, then the three most powerful and popular political leaders in the Heart

of Dixie are women Republicans. You can eat your heart out Colorado.

This day did not just happen. These three women have been on the scene and the horizon for a while, and arose the old fashioned way by rising through and within the system to get to the top of the class.

Kay Ivey was a student leader at Auburn. She spent a decade or more working with the legislature as the lobbyist for the Alabama Commission on Higher Education; then ran for and was elected State Treasurer and served eight years. She then was elected Lt. Governor where she served six years. She has been governor, now, for almost six years.

Twinkle Cavanaugh has been on a leadership track since her high school years in Montgomery. She became Chairman

of the Alabama Republican Party at a young age and has been President of the Public Service Commission for over a decade. She is the hardest working political figure in office in Alabama with a hardcore grassroots organization.

Katie Britt also won our U.S. Senate seat the old fashioned way. She worked hard and built a statewide grassroots organization that will hold her in good stead for years to come.

All three of these ladies are conservative, yet rational and reasonable leaders. They are exemplary of Southern grace, yet decisive and disciplined and dignified. They are people we can be proud of and excellent role models. All three are Alabama born and bred and know the folks of Alabama. All three are closely aligned

with and have proudly been supported by Alabama’s premier and most powerful and respected political organization, the Alabama Farmers Federation (Alfa).

Currently, two of the most prominent jurists on the Alabama State Supreme Court are females. Justices Kelli Wise and Sarah Stewart grace the Court. I can see our Supreme Court in Alabama, as well as the United States Supreme Court, being majority female in future years. The majority of law students and graduates throughout the country are female. Women will dominate this profession in the next decade, if not already.

The State Senate has two very prominent female leaders. The most powerful and proficient is veteran Mobile State Senator Vivian Figures. Senator April Weaver

from Bibb/Shelby is on a fast track in the Alabama Senate.

Another sign of women taking their rightful place in the Alabama Legislature is the takeover of Republican House Seats in the Shelby and Baldwin County Republican suburban districts. There were five new Republican women in these two Republican bastions that all took seats previously held by older men. Susan Dubose and Leigh Hulsey will be joining three females from Baldwin County. All three of the Baldwin County GOP seats will be held by female Republicans including Jennifer Fidler, Donna Givens, and Frances Holk-Jones.

Representative Cynthia Almond (R-Tuscaloosa), a relative newcomer, is a star on the horizon. Three of the most prominent leaders in the House of Representatives

are women.

Representative Margie Wilcox of Mobile is in a leadership position.

Representative Ginny Shaver of Cherokee County works extensively on family and adoption issues. Representative Terri Collins of Morgan County is the education guru in the Alabama House.

Speaking of education, our Alabama State Board is currently made up of eight female members and only one man. This eight to one female majority really becomes nine to one because Governor Kay Ivey serves as ex officiate Chairman of the Board of Education.

So, folks, as you can see, women rule in Alabama politics and my guess is that this trend will not diminish in years to come.

See you next week.

Dekalb County Basketball Tournament Brackets

Jackson County Basketball Tournament Brackets