ST Vol 9 No 7

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala.-- (Full Video on Southern Torch Facebook)

The DeKalb County Commission held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, February 14.

Last year, The DeKalb County Commission requested bids for the expansion of the DeKalb County Detention Center. When the bids came in over budget, the plans for the expansion were redesigned and cut back 20%. The original base bid for the jail improvement came in at

over 5.6 million. After the size reduction and redesign, the bids came back at 4.8 million.

According to DeKalb County Administrator Matt Sharp, the County had bond money of 3 million with a locked-in, low-interest rate. Funds from the Alabama Rescue Plan could be used to

fund the remainder.

The Alabama Rescue Plan was created during COVID-19 to address the negative economic impacts caused by COVID. These funds can be used by state or local governments for infrastructure.

“In 2001 the old jail beside the courthouse

was overcrowded with inmates and in protest, several inmates set their mattresses on fire. This caused an evacuation of the jail. At that time the County held about 100-125 inmates in a jail that wasn’t built for more than 50. In fact by today’s

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala.-- Fort Payne Schools

Superintendent Brian Jett, accepted a $100,000 appropriation from the Fort Payne City Council at their February 7 meeting. This appropriation will assist in funding various projects in the school system.

“This will allow multiple things for a wide range of students” stated Superintendent Jett. “This will help all students find their niche.”

Programs that will benefit from the appropriation are as follow:

• Girls Basketball ($3500)

• Boys Basketball

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

POWELL, Ala.- On Tuesday, February 13, at approximately 2:30 p.m., emergency personnel responded to a vehicle accident in Powell, at the intersection of Highway 35 (Main Street and Traylor Street), where a car had collided with a wagon being pulled by a horse.

According to Powell Fire Chief, Martin Miller,

the accident involved a Mennonite family of four, in a horse-drawn wagon. All involved reported only minor injuries. The driver communicated that he had looked off for a moment when the accident occurred. Alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

Chief Miller stated the horse involved was loaded in a trailer and carried to the Mennonite Community. A determination was to be

made after observation if the horse was to be put down. It was later reported that the horse sustained fatal injuries.

In 2021, a group of Mennonites from Tennessee purchased 500 acres north of Alabama Highway 71 and west of County Road 19 in Section, where they have a market for their produce and woodwork.

To the joy of many, horse-drawn carriages

Photo provided by DeKalb County Sheriff website

Photo Submitted

Local Politicians Receive Eagle Award

officials and organizations,” said Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

“The annual Eagle Awards allow us to show our appreciation for all of the amazing work the winners do to enhance outdoor recreation and help our parks provide the very best experience possible. We truly thank them for all of their hard work.

Submitted Release

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. – Winners of the seventh annual Eagle Awards were honored Saturday as part of Eagle Awareness Weekend at Lake Guntersville State Park. The Eagle Award – sponsored by the Alabama State Parks Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – is presented annually to

people and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in support of Alabama State Parks. For 2022, 11 winners were selected from nominations submitted.

“Millions of people visit Alabama State Parks every year, and that’s a testament to the commitment and dedication shown by volunteers, community partners, elected

State Sen. Steve Livingston and State Rep. Wes Kitchens were among the 11 honored with the Eagle Award.

State Sen. Steve Livingston has three parks in his District, DeSoto, Monte Sano, and Buck’s Pocket. He has been very supportive of recent efforts to renovate DeSoto Falls, where upgrades to restrooms, parking areas, and a new beach and kayak launch were made. He also supported efforts to purchase 149 acres

of land being sold at auction that adjoins the park’s DeSoto Falls property. Sen. Livingston also championed the re-opening and renovation of Buck’s Pocket State Park’s campground along South Sauty Creek, which was funded by a grant from ADECA. State Rep. Wes Kitchens has three parks in his District, Cathedral Caverns, Buck’s Pocket, and Lake Guntersville. He has been very supportive of recent efforts to build a new campground at Cathedral Caverns State Park through a grant from ADECA and the ARC, as well as the project to pave the roads leading to the beautiful lodge at Lake Guntersville State Park with a special recycled tire asphalt product funded under a grant from ADEM. Rep. Kitchens also worked with Sen. Livingston on Buck’s Pocket campground project. Both legislators

were tireless leaders in the recent passage of the constitutional amendment to secure $85 million to fund new improvement projects in state parks, and both serve on the Joint Legislative Committee for State Parks.

“Our slogan is ‘Partners Pay the Way,’ and we could not thrive without the contributions of the Eagle Award winners,” said Greg Lein,

Director of the Alabama State Parks Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “They truly are partners in every way possible. Thanks to their efforts, our State Parks offer expanded programs and better amenities to our park guests. We’re honored that they choose to work to make our parks better than ever.”

Are You Or Someone You Know Ready For Medicare?

Thursday, February 23, 2023 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23, 2023 5:30 p.m.

IMPACT Learning Center 23123 John T. Reid Parkway Scottsboro, AL 35768 Call to Register: 256.218.2121

Inside The Statehouse

Our Congressional Delegation Has Garnered Good Committee Assignments

By Steve Flowers

For the past several decades, Alabama’s power has been centered around the U.S. Senate – primarily because of Richard Shelby’s immense power and influence. During Senator Shelby’s 36year tenure, he chaired the Intelligence, Banking and Rules Committees. However, he became immensely powerful his last six years as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. Shelby practically moved Washington to Alabama when it came to bringing home procured earmarked funds to the Heart of Dixie. We received more federal funding than any state in America. National publications labeled Shelby the Greatest Pork King in federal history, surpassing the late Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia. Less we forget, Shelby also had a very respected and tenured wingman in Senator Jeff Sessions, who served with distinction

for 20 years in the Senate. They were a great team. In the halls of congress, and especially in the U.S. Senate, seniority equates into power and we had it. However, we who follow Alabama politics have been cautioning you that our day of reckoning would arrive in January 2023, when Richard Shelby retired from the Senate and that day has arrived. Alabama will never be able to raid the federal vault like Shelby has done. Fortunately, as he was walking out the door, he brought so much largesse home with him that it will take other states 10 years to catchup. Under the U.S. Senate seniority system, it will take young Katie Britt about 10 years before she will have any impact and influence in the Senate. Katie Britt took office with zero years seniority and that places her 99th in seniority status in the U.S. Senate. Our senior U.S. Senator, Tommy Tuberville, has

two years seniority. That places him 89th in seniority in the 100-member senate.

However, we have several members of our U.S. House delegation who are garnering some seniority and are emerging as powerful members of the lower body. Therefore, for at least the next decade, our power in Washington will be in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Jefferson/

Shelby 6th District

Congressman Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) has been instrumental in helping to garner extremely good committee assignments for our six Republican members of Congress. Palmer, who is a quiet, policy issues congressman, was the founder and leader of the Alabama Policy Institute prior to going to Congress. Therefore, it was apropos that he would gravitate to the 30-member Republican Party Steering Committee. This committee has emerged as a

powerful entity in the past decade. They essentially chose the House Committee Assignments along with Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Congressman Gary Palmer will serve as Chairman of the House GOP Policy Committee. He will also retain his position on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This committee has jurisdiction over healthcare, which is vital to UAB – the heart and soul of the 6th District.

Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) is our senior Congressman. He got to Washington at a very young age. He is now only 57 years old and has 28 years seniority. He is one of the cardinals on the House Appropriations Committee and is now chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Resources. This committee will be very important to Alabama because of the biomedical research going on in Birmingham and Huntsville. If the Republicans maintain

their majority into 2025, Aderholt is in line to become Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Congressman

Mike Rogers (R-Saks/ Anniston) has emerged as Chairman of the House Armed Service Committee. This is a very important coup for Alabama and an impressive appointment for Mike Rogers. The U.S. Military has a very large footprint and importance in the Heart of Dixie. Defense dollars dominate Alabama’s economy.

In addition to Rogers, two of our newest members of Congress have scored seats on the Armed Services Committee –Representative Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) and Representative Dale Strong (R-Huntsville).

Both Carl and Strong are bright stalwart stars for our congressional delegation. They have also become close friends and allies.

In addition to garnering a seat on the Armed Services Committee, Jerry Carl has been placed on the Appropriations

Committee. He will be a workhorse for his coastal Alabama district.

Freshman Congressman Dale Strong’s appointment to the Armed Services Committee is a great feather for Strong given the importance of the Redstone Arsenal and the immense amount of defense dollars in Huntsville.

Representative Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) landed an appointment to the prestigious Judiciary Committee.

Alabama’s lone congressional Democrat, Representative Terri Sewell, will retain her position as Chief Deputy Whip within the Democratic caucus. Sewell will also continue to serve on the powerful and prestigious House Ways and Means Committee.

The paradigm of our power in Washington has moved to the U.S. House of Representatives. See you next week.

Sen. Livingston accepting his award from State Parks Director Greg Lein:

Rep. Kitchens accepting his award from State Parks Director Greg Lein:

Tombstone Tourism Is Still Alive Time Travel In Dekalb County

unknown man was exhumed for DNA analysis.

DNA tests failed to establish the unknown man as the alleged killer. The wanted man has never been apprehended.

By Marla Ballard Reporter

SCOTTSBORO

- For centuries people have made pilgrimages to the burial sites of well-known individuals.

In modern times

tombstone tourism has continued to be a phenomenon. This is evident from the fact that each year, 600,000 people visit the mausoleum of Elvis Presley. In addition to Elvis the most visited gravesites in the U.S. are of John F. Kennedy, Princess Diana, Bruce Lee, Leonardo da Vinci, Bob Marley, Marilyn Monroe, and William Shakespeare.

While the saying is “dead men tell no tales,” that has not stopped the remarkable stories of some of those buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Scottsboro. Take for example Lucille Benson who had roles in a number of movies between 1960 and 1983, several under director Steven Spielberg, including The Fugitive Kind (with Marlon Brando and Maureen Stapleton), Silver Streak (with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor), Big Fauss and Little Halsey (with Robert Redford and Lauren Hutton), and Mame (with Lucille Ball and Bea Arthur).

Benson appeared in many television

series, including Alice, Simon and Simon, The Ropers, Wonder Woman, Eight is Enough, Little House on the Prairie, Mannix, Cannon, Love Boat, The Waltons, and Bonanza. She was a cast member of the Bosom Buddies sitcom in 1980 with Tom Hanks. She died on February 17, 1984, in Scottsboro.

Some of the lure of tombstone tourism is the mystery behind the grave. For example, on October 18, 1981, an unidentified man was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Scottsboro. His burial was delayed for five weeks while his picture was circulated nationally and his body was viewed by numerous people searching for lost family members.

Thirty-three years after he was buried in Cedar Hill, the FBI placed an alleged murderer, William Bradford Bishop, on its Ten Most Wanted list. He was charged by the FBI with murdering his wife, mother, and three children in 1976. After watching a “cold case” program, a Scottsboro Funeral Home employee informed the FBI that there was a strong resemblance between William Bradford Bishop and Scottsboro’s unknown

Collinsville Drugs

“Caring for you like family”

February 17 & 18, Children’s Advocacy Center

Eddie McPherson

Memorial Dinner Theatre - Children’s Advocacy Center presents their annual Eddie McPherson memorial dinner theatre. “The Play That Goes Wrong”. The play will be held at the First United Methodist Church Life Center. Ticket prices vary and are by reservation only.

For more information or tickets, 256-9979700. First United Methodist Church 206 Grand Ave NW.

Learn to Make a Pop-UP Valentine Card - The Ider HCL

Club is presenting “Learn to Make a PopUP Valentine Card”. This class is another in a series of teacvhing/ learning sessions presented by the Ider Homemakers Club. Time will be 12:30 to 2:00. The class is FREE. Everyone is Welcome. If you have plans to attend, please contact 1-423-800-1215 or 256-632-2037, or leave your name at the Ider Library.

February 21, Fort Payne City CouncilThe Fort Payne City Council will hold its regularly scheduled meeting at 12:30

Among the graves, the site of Matt Wann brings history alive from the 1931 case in which nine black youths were accused of assaulting two white women in Scottsboro.

Wann was the Jackson County Sherriff who faced down a 100-plus man lynch mob in front of the county jail in order to protect the Scottsboro boys. Wann pulled the nine young men from a train just yards from the edge of his jurisdiction. “A little further and they’d have been known as ‘The Huntsville Boys’,” Wann is credited with saying.

Wann’s actions that night are commonly believed to have inspired the scene where Atticus Finch makes a similar stand in “To Kill A Mockingbird.” Many also speculate that Matt Wann’s jailhouse defense cost him his life. He was murdered one year later under unusual circumstances involving fake warrants.

For more information on other notable grave sites at Cedar Hill Cemetery (located next to Unclaimed Baggage) go to www.jchaweb. org. A cemetery stroll with a tour guide may be taking place in the future, follow Jackson County Historical Association on Facebook or email jcha@scottsboro.org.

By Marla Ballard Reporter

DEKALB COUNTY

-- Locals might want to save this article for the next time out-of-town guests come to visit and take their visitors on a trip into the past. While every town has a history not every town tells a tale that includes The Trail of Tears or has a multitude of easily accessible historical markers and landmarks. Visiting the past is easy when a plan and information are readily available. Self-proclaimed tour guides might want to start their tour at 324 Gault Ave. N. at the Sawyer building. Take your guests back 144 years to 1879. While the building currently houses Boomtown Makers Market it has been the home to the Post Office, Alabama Power Company, the Water Office, Whaley and Burt Store, and Myrtle Bigley’s Hat Shop. It is an interesting place to pick up some local artwork or take a photo of Pete the Cat

before traveling north one block and ten years back toward the future.

At 510 Gault Ave. N. visitors will find the oldest theater in Alabama, the Fort Payne Opera House. This time-honored theater is the only one in the State of Alabama still in use. The structure was built in 1889, to put that in perspective, it was the same year Washington, Montana, and the Dakotas were admitted to statehood. It was also the same year the Eiffel Tower was inaugurated. The building has been used as a movie house and live theater, these days yoga classes are taught and annual events such as the Fiddler’s Convention can be found keeping the place lively. Crossover to the Northeast side of the street to the Fort Payne Depot Museum and land two years later in time in 1891.

Architectural enthusiasts will enjoy the Richardsonian Romanesque style with its thick walls made from locally quarried

pink and white sandstone. For 85 years the depot served the Alabama-Great Southern Railroad. The Museum is on the National Register of Historic places and serves upwards of 3,000 visitors annually. History buffs will enjoy the exhibits and artifacts on display. Take a drive up Lookout Mountain and jump forward in time to the Depression years at DeSoto State Park when visiting the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum (CCC) and the Lodge. The small but informative cabin-sized museum can be accessed by appointment during the off-season. The CCC was a government-made work program during the Great Depression. The CCC was developed as part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, designed to bring relief to millions of unemployed. Few work programs during this time matched the success of the CCC as it contributed to the preservation of county, state, and national parks.

Planning a tour to visit the Trail of Tears, Historic Wills Valley School, Willstown Mission & Cemetery, Council Bluff School and more can be researched by visiting landmarksdekalbal.org.

“A generation which ignores history has no past and no future,” - Robert Heinlein, American Author (1907-1988).

p.m. in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of the Fort Payne City Hall.

February 22, The Rainsville City Council - The Rainsville City Council will hold its scheduled meeting. A work session will begin at 4:00 p.m. The regular meeting of the Rainsville City Council will start at 4:30 p.m.

February 25, The Scottsboro Tree Commission - The Scottsboro Tree Commission will have its Alabama Arbor Day tree seedling giveaway at the Veterans

Fairgrounds on Cecil Street in Scottsboro from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

April 15, 1st Annual Charli’s RunCome out and join us as we work together to promote awareness and raise money to support the American Autism Association! Walkers, Runners, teams of all ages - Join us for the First Annual Charli’s Run. PreRegistration through March 15 is $25. After March 15 the fee will be $35. Located at Fort Payne VFW.

Registration starts at 8:00am. Kids fun run begins at 8:30am. 5K race to follow!

February 25-

Johnny Cash’s 91st Birthday Tribute featuring JC Cole at The DeKalb Theater in Fort Payne. Tickets are General Admission $25. Tickets are available at www. onfireconcerts.

February

LEGALS LEGALS

OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN RE: A.F.V.

CASE NO. 2023-31

NOTICE OF PROCEEDINGS

NOTICE TO:

UNKNOWN FATHER/ RESPONDENT

RE: Petition for Name Change Order for A.F.V.

Please take notice that a Petition for minor child name change has been filed in said Court by Candelaria Elizabeth Velasquez Reynoso. Please be advised that if you intend to contest said.

Petition for Name

Change you must file a written response with the attorney named below and with the Clerk of the Probate Court, 300 Grand Avenue SW, Suite 100, Fort Payne, AL 35967 as soon as possible but no later than 30 days from the last date of this publication.

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

HIRING

Alltemp Windows by Kudzu is now Hiring

First shift, 15.00 ph, Mon-Thurs. 5-3:30 Bonus plus benefits, Apply in person.

1201 Echols Drive W. Fort Payne

LEGALS

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

CASE NO.: CS-2023900014

SUSY ALEJANDRA RAMOS ALVARADO, Plaintiff, vs.

UNKNOWN

UNKOWN, Defendant.

NOTICE OF CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS

NOTICE TO:

UNKNOWN

UNKNOWN

UNKNOWN

UNKNOWN, whose whereabouts are unknown, must answer the Petition for Custody and other relief filed by Plaintiff/Mother, Susy Alejandra Ramos Alvarado, by the 27th day of March, 2023, or, thereafter, a judgment by default may be rendered against him in Case No.: CS-2023-900014, in the District Court of DeKalb County, Alabama.

Said notice to be published February 3, 10, 17, & 24

STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF DEKALB

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICE

DEFAULT HAVING BEEN MADE in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain real estate Mortgage executed to First State Bank of DeKalb County by TABATHA MCKAIG, an unmarried person, which mortgage is dated August 23, 2019, and which mortgage was recorded in Mortgage Book 2233, Page 12208 in the Office of the Judge of Probate of 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 March 21, 2023, 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 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:

Beginning at an iron pin marking the NW corner of the SW ¼ of the NW ¼ of Section 35, Township

6 S, Range 6 E of the Huntsville Meridian and run S 00 deg. 11 minutes E 230.00

feet to an iron pin; thence run S 89 deg. 41 minutes E 169.62 feet to an iron pin located on the W ROW of DeKalb County Road No. 538 (60 foot ROW); thence run along the ROW N 10 deg. 09 minutes E 128.33

feet to an pin; thence run N 09 deg. 18 minutes E 104.84 feet to an iron pin; thence leaving said ROW run N 89 deg. 41 minutes W 209.92 feet to the point of beginning. Lying in and being a part of the SW ¼ of the NW ¼ of Section 35, Township 6 S, Range 6 E, in DeKalb County, Alabama. Containing 1.0 acres, mor or less.

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.

***This sale was postponed from February 10, 2023, and is rescheduled, and will be held on March 21, 2023 during the legal hours of sale at the location listed above.

Calhoun Man Charged with Interference of Custody

said of the incident:

“We are so very thankful to Tuscaloosa PD, Vernon PD, FBI Huntsville, FBI Atlanta, Calhoun Co Sheriffs Office, US Marshals and to the public for their vigilance in this investigation.”

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala.—Corvarius Raynell White (21 of Oxford, Al) was charged with Interference With Custody. White is currently being held in

the DeKalb County Detention Center and also faces additional charges in Calhoun County.

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden

“Thank you all for the tireless hours you all worked and for never stopping and never giving up until we brought her home safely.”

“God Bless!” Concluded Sheriff Welden.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered from Ider

Submitted Press Release

FROM PAGE 1

Said notice to be published February 17, 24, & March 3 ($3500)

• Football ($3500)

• Baseball ($3500)

• Girls Golf ($3500)

• Boys Golf ($3500)

• Girls Soccer ($3500)

• Boys Soccer ($3500)

• Softball ($3500)

• Tennis ($3500)

• Wrestling ($3500)

• Cheer ($3500)

• JROTC ($3500)

• Band ($3500)

• Track ($3500)

• Cross Country ($3500)

• FPTV ($3500)

• Drama ($3500)

• Robotics-Wills Valley ($3000)

• Robotics- Little Ridge ($3000)

• Robotics-Middle School ($3000)

• Robotics- High School ($3000)

• Fishing ($3500)

• Drone Class ($3500)

• Culinary Art Cooking ($3500)

• Criminal Justice ($3500)

• Nursing Program ($3500)

• FBLA ($1000) Funds for each school are to be used at the Principal’s discretion:

• Williams Avenue Principal ($1500)

• Wills Valley Principal ($1500)

• Little Ridge Principal ($1500)

• Middle School Principal ($1500)

• High School Principal ($1500)

IDER, ALA.-- On Sunday, February 12, a 1970 Ford XLT was stolen from inside the town limits of Ider.

After investigation work by the Ider Police Department and Dade County Sheriff’s Office(GA) the truck was found on security cameras at a Trenton GA service station. Tips from the public identified the suspect as Zechariah Clark.

Sgt. Chad Payne(Dade County) and Ider Police Chief

HIRING

Looking

Stephen Malone checked known areas that the suspect frequented and located the stolen vehicle abandoned in the woods in Bryant AL on 02/14/23.

Mr. Clark is currently wanted for Theft of Property 1st degree, and the Ider Police Department will be obtaining warrants for his arrest.

“This investigation is still ongoing but we want to thank Dade

County Sheriff’s Office and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this case” stated Chief Stephen Malone.

“Our biggest help was from the public helping our department narrow down areas and suspects, without them this case may have not been solved. We need just as much help from our community as the community needs help from us. I am beyond thankful for all of you who reached out and assisted” concluded Chief Malone. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Information and photos posted are obtained from public sources (arrest records, booking lists, jail rosters and court documents.

Ider Resident Assaulted and Zip-Tied

Submitted Press Release

IDER, Ala.-- On Thursday, 02/09/23, just before 7:00 p.m., the 911 center received a call for service on Alabama Highway 75 inside the Ider Town limits. The caller advised the victim had been assaulted and was tied up.

Ider Police Department arrived on the scene and found the victim, who had his hands bound by zip ties, had been assaulted to a substantial degree.

The Ider Police Department freed the victim, and began speaking with him. The Department learned that after the assault, the victim was restrained and his truck, a 1997 Ford

F-150, was stolen during this incident. Ider Police Department will not be releasing the victim’s name due to privacy concerns.

“The public needs to understand that, we believe this is an isolated incident, meaning we do not believe this is ongoing in our area. If the public was in any type of danger, we would release that information immediately” stated

Ider Police Chief Stephen Malone.

“I want to thank Sheriff Nick Welden and Henagar Police Department for having such highly trained staff that arrived on the scene to assist so quickly. Sheriff Nick Welden’s investigation team ultimately took over the crime scene and has some of the best investigators in the state, so I have no doubt this case will be solved” continued Chief Malone.

“I ask everyone to just pray for the victim, these investigators, and our Department because I can assure you we all work tirelessly to protect our communities” concluded Chief Malone

Drug Arrest In Rainsville

Press Release

Rainsville AL - On February 2nd, 2023 Rainsville Officers were dispatched to the 1800 Block of Garret St. for a call of Domestic Disturbance. Onscene officers arrested Hunter Sayre(27) of Rainsville for the charges of Domestic Violence Harassment and Possession of a Controlled Substance after Methamphetamine, syringes, and a tourniquet were found in her purse. Hunter Sayre is currently in Dekalb County jail with a $7500 Bond

Amount.

On February 9th, 2023 Rainsville Officers were dispatched to a business in the 3400 block of AL 35 East in Rainsville for a male employee that was “not acting normal” according to supervisors. The supervisor also advised officers that the subject may have

a gun. When officers arrived on scene, they made contact with Paul Poe as he was trying to leave in his vehicle.

Officers stopped him and in speaking with him found in plain sight drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. After a search of the vehicle, officers found a controlled substance as well as a handgun, and other

paraphernalia on Poe’s person. Mr. Poe was arrested and charged with: Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess Firearms. Poe’s bond was set at $9500 and he was release same day as arrest.

Chief Edmondson stated “I’m thankful for all the officers hard work on these cases”. “We are not going to put up with drugs in this city, we will continue to buckle down on drugs in our area”.

Zechariah Clark Photo Submitted by Ider Police Department

Paul William Poe Hunter Sayre

Clifford (Tom)

Satterlee - passed away on February 5, 2023 at his daughter’s, Elizabeth Stephens, home in Mentone, Alabama. He was born and raised in New Orleans where he graduated from Holy Cross High School. He was drafted into the Navy at 18 and was a World War II veteran serving as an aviation radioman in the South Pacific.

Fred E. Green - 76, of Fort Payne, passed away Thursday, February 9, 2023 at his home. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Walkers Chapel Cemetery.

My’Zamir

Khiceeyah “Shyne” Rollins Jelks - 9 months old, of Fort Payne, passed away Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham. A Celebration of Life Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church.

Vicky Tiner - 77, of Fort Payne, Alabama passed away on Friday, February 10, 2023 at her residence. Vicky was a loving

mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, & a dear friend. Funeral: Sunday, February 12, 2023at 3pm.

J. D. Blassingame - 94, of Fort Payne, Alabama passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2023 at his residence. The Family will announce a Memorial Service at a later date.

Ronald Leon “Ron” Williams - 73 of Henagar died Friday, February 10 at his residence. Funeral services are Tuesday at 2 PM CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Liberty Cemetery at Dawson with Military Honors.

Dovis Claude Blevins - 64 of Flat Rock, died Friday, February 10 at Hospice of Chattanooga Care Center. Funeral services are Monday at 2 PM CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Payne Gap Cemetery.

William A Bell - 80 of Rainsville, AL passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at Marshall Medical Center South. Funeral service is Sunday, February 12,

2023 at 3PM. Burial will follow in Kirk Memorial Gardens.

Terry Taylor - 78 of Rainsville, AL formerly of Summerville, GA passed away on Friday, February 10, 2023 at his residence. Funeral service is Monday, February 13, 2023 at 1:00PM in Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Dale Haynes & Bro. Tim Craig officiating. Burial will follow in Kirk Memorial Gardens.

Bill Morton - 75 of Dutton, AL passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2023 at Huntsville Hospital. Funeral service is Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 1:00PM at Pleasant Hill Church with Bro. Glenn York officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Annie Fossett - 77 of Scottsboro, Alabama passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at her home. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Scottsboro Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Pinehaven Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, February 10, 2023.

Russell Dewayne Scivally - 59 of Foley, Alabama passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2023. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 12, 2023 at Scottsboro Funeral Home. Burial will follow

in Skyline Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12 -2 p.m. on Sunday, February 10, 2023.

Verlin Paskel “Booter” Ashmore79 of Larkinsville, passed away Friday, February 10, 2023 at his home. Booter was born on December 31, 1943 in Alabama to Herman Paskel & Lora Edith Hall. He loved singing, playing the guitar, painting gourds; and his love for his motorcycle and his little puppies. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at Scottsboro Funeral Home with Bro. David Hill officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Wesley James Obenlander - 57, of Ft. Payne passed away on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Funeral services are set for 1pm Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bro. Jamie Bailey officiating. Burial will be in Gravel Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 until 8pm Thursday at the funeral home. W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. He is survived by his daughters, Amber (Jake) Waller and Catelyn (Chris) Gaskin; son, Wesley Obenlander; brothers, Wayne (Lisa)

Obenlander and Tim (Denise) Obenlander; grandchildren, Harper Obenlander, Ethan Gaskin, Zane Gaskin, Dixon Gaskin, Broady Waller, and Brinley Waller; and several nieces and nephews. Home. Burial will follow.

Essie Gaye Bain83 of Pisgah passed away Thursday at her residence. FUNERAL 2pm - Monday Feb. 13, 2023. W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel. BURIAL Friendship Cemetery, Pisgah VISITATION 4 till 8pm Sunday. Randale Wallace “Wally” Burt, Jr. - 37, of Ft. Payne passed away on Friday, February 10, 2023. A memorial service will be held at a later date. He is survived by his wife, Jamie Burt; daughters, Cambree Burt and Jasper Burt; son, Jacob Burt; father, Randale Wallace Burt, Sr.; mother, Carolyn Burt; sisters, Kelly (Juan) Gonzalez and Amy Morgan; brother, Dallas (Brandi) Burt; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, James and Alice Patterson and Claude and Edith Burt.

Susan Nix Hartline - 66, From Section Alabama 08/25/195602/11/2023

Visitation: Sunday, Febuary 12, 2023

6:00P.M.-8:00P.M.

Monday, February 13, 2023

10:00A.M.-2:00P.M. Section Funeral Home. Funeral Service:

Monday, Febuary 13, 2023. 2:00P.M. Section Funeral Home Burial at Macedonia Cemetery. Christopher “Scratch” Kirby - 68 12/07/196302/09/2023

Visitations: Saturday, Febuary 11, 2023

Section Funeral Home 6:00P.M.-8:00P.M.

Funeral Services:

Sunday, Febuary 12, 2023 3:30P.M. Section Funeral Home Chapel. Jennie Lou Medlock - 76 01/08/1947-02/13/2023

From Dutton Alabama

Visitation: Thursday, Febuary 16, 2023

Section Funeral Home Funeral Service: Friday, Febuary 17, 2023

11:00A.M. Section Funeral Home Chapel Burial at New Shady Grove Cemetery.

standards that jail should have held no more than 25 inmates. Numerous lawsuits had been filed and court orders in place over the years that removed female and juvenile inmates from the jail” stated Chief Administrator Matt Sharp.

“After the 2001 Fire, Commission President Charles Bell and I met with members of the legislature as well as Presiding Circuit Judge Randall Cole to come up with a solution. The legislature passed a $40/case court fee that was supposed to generate $500,000 + per year to help pay for the new jail. It started out at about $300,000/year and increased to over $500,000 in 2008, but after the recession, those funds have now been reduced down to less than $300,000/year” continued Sharp.

“So, later in 2001, the Commission purchased what we call the “Jail Domes”. These are fiberglass structures that look like igloos. We placed them behind the Revenue Commissioner’s Building as a “temporary” fix to ease the overcrowding until

the new jail was built in 2006. We moved those Jail Domes out to the site of the new jail and used them to house “trustees” and other non-violent offenders. Those “temporary” buildings have now outlived their usefulness. They are leaking and the roofs are sagging, so we have discontinued their use as facilities to house inmates” stated Sharp. In 2021, we bid out an 80-bed addition to the jail to replace the domes. That bid came in at over $6 million. The new jail constructed in 2006 to house some 300 inmates cost about $10 million. So, we redesigned the addition and rebid in 2022. The bids only dropped to about $5.6 million. We went back to the architect and low-bidder and reduced the size down to about 60 beds and dropped the costs to about $4.8 million. That was still nearly twice what our original estimates were; however, with inflation the way it is, it wasn’t totally unexpected. The County has approximately $3,000,000 in Bond Funds available for the Jail Construction and has enough unencumbered

ARPA Funds available to make up the difference. I don’t think the Commission was real excited about the jail addition; however, when it comes to public safety, we have to have a place to house inmates and they made the decision to move forward with the project. I’ve jokingly tried to get Sheriff Welden to stop making so many arrests, but he insists on doing his job. “ concluded Sharp Commissioners and Sheriff Nick Welden agreed that there were other things that they would rather spend the county’s money on other than jail expansion.

“We have been dealing with this for a long time” stated DeKalb County Commission President Ricky Harcrow. “Prices have increased due to COVID and other factors. All of us pretty much agree that it is time to move on.”

The Commission voted unanimously to approve the jail expansion. District 3 Commissioner Ron Saferite pointed out that housing federal inmates would help offset the cost.

“We are blessed to finally get this project finalized and moving forward. It’s sad that we live in such a time that this

SALES TEAM WE’RE HIRING

is needed so badly due to running out of room to house people for violating the law. But, we simply can’t slow down doing what we do or it will definitely get out of control” stated DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden.

“Thanks to ALL the County Commissioners for understanding the need, not the want and allowing this to move forward. Huge thanks to County Administrator Matt Sharp for all his research and the financial resources, he was able to assemble. This has been a lengthy process and I’m glad it all worked out the way it has, so now, lets move forward. God Bless” concluded Sheriff Welden.

Sheriff Welden also presented before the Commission the following personnel changes, which were approved by the Commission:

• Hire Jessica Johnson

• Transfer Kizzy Jones from Assistant Chief Jail Administrator to Compliance Clerk to replace Nina Haney, who retired

• Promote Tracie Hamilton from Jail Financial Clerk to Assistant Chief Jail Administrator to replace Kizzy Jones

• Promote Valerie Williams from Correctional Officer to Jail Financial Clerk to replace Tracie Hamilton

• Promote Christian Cronnon from Corrections Officer to Executive Administrative Assistant

• Promote Wendi Wright from Warrant Clerk to Deputy Clerk

• Accept the resignation of Mitchell Smith

The Commission approved Welden’s request for the following employees to attend training:

• ACCA training

March 1-2 in Prattville for Seth Cagle and Tracie Hamilton

• Alabama Jail Association training

April 22-27 in Orange Beach for Tracie Hamilton, Melissa Mason, and Kizzy Jones

In other business, the DeKalb County Commission

approved:

• Road Stripping for County Roads 56, 106, and 177 in the amount of $17,780 to J.C. Chee Company

• Appointed Sheriff Nick Welden, Geraldine Mayor Chuck Ables, and Jeff Buttram to the 911 Board

• Reappointed Kenneth Black to the Blake Fire Protection Authority

• The hiring of Ruth Portage, as a driver for Rural Public Transportation

The next meeting of the DeKalb County Commission will be held on Tuesday, March 14, beginning at 10 a.m. on the second floor of the DeKalb County Activities Building.

can be observed across DeKalb and Jackson Counties.

“I have contacted the State of Alabama Department of Transportation in regards to installing horse-drawn vehicle caution signs along AL 35 and AL 75”, said Rainsville Police Chief Edmondson. “Hopefully in the near future, there will be signs along those highways to remind drivers to share the road with these types of vehicles”.

Title 32 in the Alabama Code Book contains the ”Rules of the Road”. 32-5A-5 Specifically states that animaldrawn vehicles have the same rights on a roadway as any motor-driven vehicle. Please be sure to watch for these buggies as you are traveling throughout the area.