Vol. 1, No. 9 by Southern Torch

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

/ THURSDAY JULY 23, 2015 / VOL. 1, NO. 9 / $1.00

COMMUNITY

BUSINESS

SPORTS

3RD SATURDAY SUNSET CRUISE-IN > PAGE 3

PET DEPOT COMING SOON TO FORT PAYNE > PAGE 5

ZACHARY JOHNSON WINS THE OPEN, SECURES LEGACY > PAGE 7

Crowded field emerges in DeKalb special election for constable

Seven candidates have qualified for the special election on Sept. 16 to fill vacant constable positions in DeKalb. By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

Seven candidates have qualified to run for the position of constable in two different DeKalb County districts. A special election is scheduled to fill the empty positions of District 1 Constable Kneeley Pack who resigned

as a result of a recent fraud conviction, and the resignation of District 4 Constable James Grant Johnson who recently moved to another county, making him ineligible to continue as a DeKalb Co u n t y constable. Democrats George Roberts of Ider and Justin Talley of Henagar and

Republicans Kyle Pike of Cartersville and Leslie L. Vaughn of Fort Payne will run to fill the District 1 seat. Candidates to fill the District 4 Constable position are Michael Hardeman of Valley Head, Billy Whitt of Rainsville and Benton Farmer of Sylvania, all of whom will run as Republicans.

There is potential for runoffs in both the primaries and general election that could cost taxpayers more than $100,000 if one of the candidates in each race fails to receive 51 percent of the vote. A law passed in 2010 by local Democrat legislators to prevent appointments by the then Republican

Official grand opening for Fort Payne’s new Splash Pad this Saturday By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

The City of Fort Payne is hosting a grand opening celebration this Saturday for the Splash Pad, a new water feature recently constructed in the Alabama Walking Park on 5th Street SW behind the Depot Museum. The mayor held a soft opening last week with city officials at the Splash Pad, but the public grand opening is this Saturday at 10 a.m. The Splash Pad is a welcome addition to the park that already showcases two new playgrounds, a walking trail, fitness stations and pavilion. The water feature is designed to offer park visitors a place to cool off and

features 24 nozzles that spray from a ground-level concrete pad and nozzles above-ground located in the sculptures of a palm tree, an umbrella, a large flower, and a mushroom. The water is constantly filtered and recycled after collecting through shallow gutters on each side of the concrete pad. The water system is computer controlled. The city was assisted in funding the project through a $10,000 donation from the Fort Payne Optimist Club and a $1,000 donation from the VFW. The Splash Pad will be open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. seven days a week until cool weather arrives. MORE ON PAGE 2

Hundreds turned out Saturday to attend Fort Payne’s Third Saturday Sunset Cruise-In… Page 3

Petlovers across DeKalb have something to be excited about… Page 4

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS

Zachary Johnson wins the Open, secures legacy Zach Johnson ensured that his name would go down in history… Page 7 A few local children get a headstart on weekend grand opening of Fort Payne’s new Splash Pad

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governor forces a special election to fill the two vacated constable seats. The special election will be held on Sept. 15. The primary role of constable is to serve legal documents, and 36 of 67 counties in Alabama have abolished the position.

Call (256) 638-4040 or email subs@southerntorch.com

THIS WEEK IN POLITICS

The Fort Payne City Council met Tuesday night to discuss the following business Approving the temporary closing of a remote city street… Page 7

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Thursday - July 23, 2015

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Publisher, Joseph M. Morgan Layout editors, Dwayne Adams & Rachel Monroe

Slight rise in DeKalb unemployment last month, 1.1% overall reduction over past year By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

DeKalb County’s unemployment rate increased by threetenths of one percent in June, rising to 6.3 percent from 6.0 percent in May, according to figures released Friday by the Alabama Department of Labor. The state unemployment rate rose

from 6.3 percent to 6.7 percent from May to June while the national unemployment average went from 5.3 to 5.5 percent. “The June unemployment r a te continues to reflect what we saw last month,” Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald Washington said. “It

is not uncommon to see unemployment rise or remain steady during the summer months, usually as a result of an increase in the labor force as students and graduates search for work, and teachers and other school employees are not employed.” Shelby County has the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 4.6 percent, followed by Elmore County at 5.5 percent and Baldwin County

at 5.5 percent. County rates are not s e a s o n a l ly adjusted — the practice of anticipating certain trends in the labor force, such as hiring during the holidays or the surge in the labor force when students graduate in the spring, and removing their effects on the civilian labor force. Jobless rates in other Northeast Alabama counties are: Cherokee, 5.8 percent (5.3 in May);

S P Etowah, 5.3 (5.5);S Marshall, 6.3 (5.9);A Calhoun 7.5 (7.0);d Blount, 5.8 (5.6); ands St. Clair, 5.7 (5.3). s While unemploy-h P ment has slightlye risen in DeKalb overu

the past month, it has consistently decreased over the past year and is down by more than one point from 7.4 percent unemployment in June 2014 to 6.3 percent unemployed one year later.

Ten-year-old boy killed, two girls seriously injured in a Geraldine 4-wheeler accident By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

GERALDINE, Ala.—Thomas Brown, 10, of the Cross Creek area, lost his life Saturday when the 4-wheeler he was riding along

County Road 391 in Geraldine lost control and crashed into a tree. The young man was riding the 4-wheeler with two companions, girls ages 13

and 14, who were both seriously injured in the accident. The 13-year-old was airlifted to Huntsville Hospital and the 14 year old, Haley Brown, was driven to the same hospital by DeKalb Ambulance Service. DeKalb Sheriff Jimmy Harris said

the last update on the girls’ condition was they remain in Huntsville Hospital in serious condition. “This is a very tragic accident,” Harris said in a statement to the media. “Kids being kids. They were all getting ready to go back to school in a

few weeks. We would like to ask everyone if you let your child ride or drive a four wheeler or motorcycle, please make them wear a helmet. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family members and friends of these young k i d s .”

EST. 2013 Southern Torch seeks new professionals Southern Torch is hiring for the following positions: Sports Editor–experience writing and background in athletics Staff Reporter–writing experience required Sales Representative–Sales experience preferred, but not required Advertising Account Manager–minimum of 3 years outside sales experience required, advertising experience a plus Subscription Sales Representative–Inside sales, telephone sales, retail experience, food industry experience, or customer service experience required Includes generous commission earning opportunities.

We are holding interviews this week, so if you are interested in joining the Southern Torch team, call 256-638-5296 today!

Thursday - July 23, 2015

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

COMMUNITY

To submit community news, contact: news@southerntorch.com Tel. 256 638 4040 www.southerntorch.com

3rd Saturday Sunset Cruise-in Hundreds turned out Saturday to attend Fort Payne’s Third Saturday Sunset Cruise-in. Attendance has increased drastically each month this summer. The event, a free street festival held in historic downtown Fort Payne the 3rd Saturday of each month from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., showcases live

music, local food vendors, classic cars, children’s activities and more. As the event has grown in popularity, each 3rd Saturday has seen a larger crowd and more classic cars on display. The city blocks off the streets and many downtown merchants offer discounts and special sales during the event.

Rising musician Darren Camp to perform next Thursday in Mentone By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

MENTONE, Ala.—SingerSongwriter Darren Camp will perform next Thursday at 7 p.m. at Kamama Gallery in Mentone as part of the Kamana Music Series, weekly musical performances that showcase up-andcoming as well as established artists from throughout the Southeast. Camp is a musician, vocalist, songwriter and composer from Guntersville who recently released an EP called “Spice of Life,” available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and eMusic. Concert organizer

Russell Gulley said every song on Camp’s popularity has grown considerably and every song on the album has gotten radio airplay. “I’m very pleased to be playing at Kamama Music Series in Mentone,” Camp said. “The Series is becoming known throughout the South as a premier venue for performers of original music and to be on its roster is an honor.” Admission to the performance is $10 and seating is limited so reservations are recommended. To make reservations, contact Kamama Gallery at 256-634-3001.

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Thursday - July 23, 2015

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

COMMUNITY

To submit community news, contact: news@southerntorch.com Tel. 256 638 4040 www.southerntorch.com

Bike Night this Saturday at Fort Payne Pavilion By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

The Wills Town Rats will host their monthly benefit bike ride Saturday morning followed by Bike Night at the Fort Payne Rotary from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Bike night is a free event open to the public that is held the last Saturday of each month for motorcycle enthusiasts, participants in the morning charity rides, and members of the public. The event is held to raise money to help a different individual or family each month and showcases live music, fun, but competitive matches of Cornhole, catered food and cold drinks.

FAITH COLUMN

A Fable Retold next to his stall. The work was going to be completed by noon. And the ox knew that he would be able to spend the rest of the day in the stall, eating his hay, drinking good fresh water and resting.

Sure enough, the farmer unhooked the plow and took off the yoke. And he patted the By Dr. John E. Morgan ox and sent him on into the Pastor - Collinsville Baptist Church barn. “Go eat your hay old boy. You probably like the Tortoise You’ve earned the afternoon and the Hare. Or the Fox and off.” The farmer went to the the Grapes. Not me. house, trusting the ox to go to I like the Ox and the Dog. It goes his stall. like this: The trust was well placed. The Once there was a farmer with a ox went through the barn door nice farm. It had all the things relieved to be out of the sun. a farm needs – fields, pens, He took a long drink and started to go into his stall. barns. And animals. One of those animals was an ox. The farmer used the ox to plow his field or to pull a cart. The ox was strong and worked very hard.

And then he saw the dog in his stall. The dog had been in the hay sleeping. The ox was surprised. This had never happened before.

One day the farmer needed to get the plowing completed. The yoke went on the ox, and he began to pull the plow. Row after row. The sun getting hotter and hotter.

“Hey, let me have my hay. Get out of my stall. You can have the whole rest of the barn.”

As noon approached, the plowing was almost completed. The ox began to think about the barn. And his stall in the barn. The farmer had worked the ox harder than usual that day. But the ox knew that the farmer would have lots of fresh hay in the stall. The ox began to dream about how sweet the hay would be. There was water in a trough

The dog jumped up and began to snarl. And then to bark. When the ox tried to go into his stall, the dog jumped at the ox and bit its ankles, growling all the harder. The ox tried again. The dog bit even harder, snarled even louder. The ox was confused (he was, after all, as dumb as an ox). No matter how hard he tried, he could not get to the hay in his stall. In disgust, he turned

around to leave the barn. But before he left, he looked back at the dog and said, “You cannot eat the hay yourself, and yet you will not let anyone else have any.”

Christians to swallow their faith? How is it hurting you? I don’t think a Christian flag is going to bring the Kingdom ofA N God to the world. But I don’td think it hurts anybody. And it I like that fable a lot. It reminds makes some of your neighbors us that there are people who feel better. are just mean. Bullies. Taking I know some would respond pleasure in ruining others something like, well, it just pleasure. Keying new cars. makes me feel like I don’t Breaking toys. Tearing down belong. What I want to say to signs. Mean because they are you is -- get over it. You live in angry. Or envious. Or just bored. The Bible tells us that a country where over 70% of “The heart is deceitful above all the people say they are things.” (Jeremiah 17:9). These Christians. You are never going people just want to spread to be in the majority. So just misery. Maybe you know some get over it. people like that. Maybe you But I will never say that to you. have been one. I know my anger at you comes Whenever I hear this fable, I from my deceitful heart. And think especially about those my mother raised me better. atheists who are so determined Sometimes we Christians go to take away Christian rights too far. And that is one reason and symbols. Twice in the last you do not listen to us. We snarl few months they have acted in and bark and ridicule, trying to Gadsden. Take down that chase you out of the public manger scene. Or that Christian space. And instead we chase flag. Or, in other towns, bake you away from Jesus. Your only this cake, perform this cerehope for a new heart. Please mony. Now, or we will sue, they forgive us. snarl and growl and snap. I don’t want us to see each And I always wonder. Why? other as snarling dogs. So I will Why do you care? You say you try to treat you with respect. don’t believe, that you can’t eat our hay, so why do you care? It And pray for you (even if that makes no sense. Can’t you be makes you angry). Hoping that happy just smugly believing someday you will understand. that you are smarter than And believe. Until that day, Christians? Why do you have could you maybe just get off to take away rights and our hay? Even if it is in a symbols? You can’t use them. manger? It really isn’t hurting Why do you want to force you.

Thursday - July 23, 2015

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

9 e c

BUSINESS Main Street Deli Cuban Sandwich Fort Payne, Al EXCELLENT

$6.50

VERY GOOD

MEDIOCRE

MODERATE

WEAK

From the exterior, Main Street Deli in Fort Payne looks exactly the way you would picture a restaurant of that name in any small town or city in America. However, after walking inside it’s tough not to feel like you’ve just fallen for the ol’ bait and switch. Laid out with all the cunning of a Chicago speakeasy, we’ll just say the deli counter (not a real thing) is far outsized by the bar. But, slow down. Before you get the impression that this is going to be a negative review, we want to make something very clear. We’re not saying that a deli that looks suspiciously like a bar is incapable of serving good food. Our ratings are based solely on the tastiness level of the treat and Main Street Deli’s Cuban Sandwich did not disappoint. Treat of the Week is all about choices. So if you tell us that not only do you serve great food, but you also happen to have a full selection of beverages to accompany that great food? Sold. When our bartender....er, server I mean, recommended the Cuban I actually tried to talk her out of it. The Cuban (followed closely by the Muffaletta and Reuben) is one of the most widely misrepresented sandwiches on the planet when served outside of restaurants that specialize in authentic Cuban or at least Caribbean cuisine. With that said, the Cuban is basically a glorified ham and cheese melt. Seems like it wouldn’t be that tough to get right, but it happens every day. The devil is in the details —the sandwich needs to be properly dressed and pressed. That’s where most restaurants go wrong and Main Street Deli gets it right. Their version of the Cuban veers slightly from the traditional meat ingredients served on the Cuban by replacing roasted pork and sliced ham with sliced ham, salami and turkey—actually a fairly tasty alternative. They stick to the script on the rest however, properly dressing the sandwich with a thick slice of swiss cheese, pickles, mustard and spices, and follow that up by grilling and pressing it to near perfection between two slices of baguette or hoagie-style bread.

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TORCH APPROVED

fABOUT: Neighborhood bar tdressed up as a deli

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ADDRESS:

Pet Depot coming soon to Fort Payne

CONTACT: OWNER:

203 Gault Ave S, Fort Payne, AL Tel. (256) 845-3900

John Silcox

CHAMBER CHATTER Carol Beddingfield, Executive Director The Social Security administration has announced that July 19-25 will be National Social Security Week. During this week, Social Security is trying to raise awareness about the benefits of having a Social Security account and to encourage the public to sign up for their account at www.socialsecurity.gov/ myaccount. The message of this campaign is “Prepare for your Someday.” Too many people are concerned with the present and do not properly prepare for their future. You can use a personal my Social Security account to access and manage your Social Security information online. Taking advantage of this convenient, cost-effective and secure service allows workers to plan for their financial future. It enables them to verify that their information is correct on the Social Security records. This is very important since earnings are the basis for determining the amount of future retirement benefits. If you already receive Social Security benefits, you can also get your benefit verification letter, request a replacement Medicare card, change your address and phone number. Direct deposits information can also be started or changed on the website. The proper form for filing taxes on how much you received in Social Security benefits in the past year can also be obtained. As of April 2015, almost 19 million people have opened my Social Security accounts. In fact, someone The Social Security administration has announced that July 19-25 will be National my Social Security Week. During this week, Social Security is trying to raise awareness about the benefits of having a my Social Security account and to encourage the public to sign up for their account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. The message of this campaign is “Prepare for your Someday.” Too many people are concerned with the present and do not properly prepare for their future. You can use a personal my Social Security account to access and manage your Social Security information online. Taking advantage of this convenient, cost-effective and secure service allows workers to plan for their financial future. It enables them to verify that their information is correct on the Social Security records. This is very important since earnings are the basis for determining the amount of future retirement benefits. If you already receive Social Security benefits, you can also get your benefit verification letter, request a replacement Medicare card, change your address and phone number. Direct deposits information can also be started or changed on the website. The proper form for filing taxes on how much you received in Social Security benefits in the past year can also be obtained. As of April 2015, almost 19 million people on Social Security opens a new my Social Security account every 6 seconds. On average, Social Security will replace about 40 percent of your annual pre-retirement earnings. You will need other savings, investments, pensions or retirement accounts to live comfortably. Learn more about your social security at http://go.usa.gov/3p26a. There are tools on my Social Security to help you plan your someday. Gov. Robert Bentley is proposing the end the state income tax deduction for Social Security taxes. This proposal is the biggest component in his plan to raise $302 million for the state General Fund. It would raise $182 million of the needed revenue. The governor stated that ending the deduction would cause taxpayers to pay at the most $276 more in state income tax. His alternative would be to impose a tax on soft drinks. This proposal would also raise an estimated $182 million. Let your local legislators know your opinion. Call the Chamber for the legislators’ contact information. Carol Beddingfield is director of the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce. Hercolumn appearsin the TimesJournal on Wednesdays. You can email her through the chamber’s website at fortpaynechamber.com.

Pet lovers across DeKalb have something to be excited about. A new pet store, Pet Depot, will be opening soon in the Drinkard shopping center next door to Goody’s in Fort Payne. Pet Depot has stores in Fort Payne, Florence, Muscle Shoals, Athens, Madison, Guntersville, Cullman, Jasper and Hartselle. Founded in Florence in 1994 with nine locations throughout Alabama, Pet City claims a

commitment to being dedicated to providing quality products at great prices. Pet Depot carries a full line of supplies from dog treats and toys, premium dog and cat food, to pet collars, flea and tick control and much more. Pet Depot also has a wide assortment of live fish, birds and small animals, including rabbits, ferrets, snakes and more and will offer professional, fullservice grooming services for cats and dogs including baths, hair and nail trimming, flea and tick treatments, anti-itch treatment, teeth cleaning, ear cleansing, and odor removal. Pets are welcome to join their owners inside the store as they shop.

RAINSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Tim Eberhart, Executive Director Rainsville Chamber of Commerce

For the American consumer, it has never been easier to not support his or her local merchants. Online retail sales has grown at an annual pace in the double-digits for several years now while growth at “real” stores has generally contracted a good bit. Some analysts expect the online growth numbers for the second half of this year to be the biggest ever, particularly for the biggest online retailers. That’s not good news on Main Street. As an advocate for local businesses, the Rainsville Chamber must remind the good citizens in its territory to not be easily lured away from the classic ideal of “shopping local first.” I’m not saying online shopping should be forbidden in your household. I’m just saying you and I must consider all possible factors when making shopping decisions. The perceived infinite selection, and saving three or four dimes here and there, are real “pros” of shopping online. But, oh my how the “cons” far out weight the “pros.” Shopping online is too risky at the personal level. I don’t like the idea of being stuck with a garment that doesn’t fit properly, or lawn mower part that doesn’t live up to my expectations for quality. I don’t have the time or patience to risk having to ship it back. Do you? It’s better to get it at a local store. Try it on. Feel the quality. Make sure it fits your needs and expectations. Shopping online is too risky at the community level. When you buy something online from that giant online company based in Seattle, or the one in West Chester, Pennsylvania when you could have bought it at the store down the street, you do some real local damage. It’s not good for your own neighborhood, your own county, or your own state. The folks at the Seattle corporate campus don’t provide much support when new uniforms are needed for the local high school band. You know who can. Shop there first. The board of that company in Pennsylvania aren’t the ones you call when you are raising funds for a scout trip, or a new gym floor. You know who you call. Shop there first at every opportunity.

Thursday - July 23, 2015

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Publisher, Joseph M. Morgan Layout editors, Dwayne Adams & Rachel Monroe

The Wildflower Cafe: The Restaurant that Time Forgot By Zach Moore

The city of Mentone is revered across the nation as a must-visit enigma of a town. In its seclusion atop Lookout Mountain, it is distinctly separated, both physically and in spirit, from the rest of Alabama and DeKalb County. In a single word, it can be summarized as unique. Several art festivals each year, including Colorfest, The Rhododendron Festival, and, most recently, Julyfest keep tourists flowing steadilt throughout the year. All of the restaurants and shops serve the town each in its own special way, and, temperature permitting, Mentone boasts of the ability to give visitors the opportunity to ski in Alabama at its famous Cloudmont Ski and Golf Resort. “Mentone is all about the magic of the land. It’s kind of the town that time forgot. Clocks don’t mean as much here,” says L.C. Moon. “This is the perfect place for me to be as an entertainer and as an artist. Here you can live your life

really in tune with nature. You don’t feel the pressures in Mentone that you do in other places.” Moon is the owner of one of many crown jewels of M e n to n e : The Wildflower Cafe. The management and staff of The Wildflower have been able to firmly establish its place among the top restaurants in Alabama, recently earning the title of “The Best Cafe in Alabama”. “Fresh and Fabulous is out motto,” says Moon. “We want everything here to be as fresh and as fabulous as it can possibly be in every aspect and in every way.” True to her motto, Moon claims to have always strived to live her life as close to nature as she can. Several years before her acquisition of The Wildflower Cafe, she lived in a cabin in the woods with no running water or electricity. Her fascination with herbs led her to making and selling herbal lip balms as a source of income before acquiring

B j

The Wildflower Cafe in Mentone, AL

The Wildflower Cafe. “I bought the Wildflower from a lady named Margaret Baker. She saw the potential and passion that I had for what I wanted to do with it so she allowed me to but it and move it to a new location.” In the days at the old location, the restaurant could only seat around twenty-five people. Now, between indoor and outdoor seating, the restaurant is able to feed around a hundred and fifty people at once. “It’s definitely grown in the best of ways,” says Moon. Anyone who has ever dined at The Wildflower Cafe will certainly speak of the atmosphere therein. On a normal weekday one may find him/herself in a state of sensory overload. An upside-down aluminum bathtub hangs f ro m the c e i l i n g, suspending a sign, which reads “RESTROOMS”. The front of the store is filled with locally crafted art, candles, and miscellaneous home remedies. “Through The Wildflower Cafe I’ve had the opportunity to work among great food, art, and

t d t d A T t t m T G p c o c L.C. Moon and The Wildflower team. b music, and connect with provides some of the vege-L people,” says Moon. It’s a tables and herbs used inA self-expression for a lot of the dishes. Everything isa people that come here. organic and hormone-free,C Everyone feels at home.” and nothing is fried. She Saturdays and Sundays, travels to places like however, bring moments France, Japan, Italy, and that Moon will simply refer Monte Carlo to gather to as “magic”. During tastes and recipes to bring dinner, local performers back to guests of The ranging in genre will often Wi l d f l owe r Cafe. helm the stage area beside “One of the greatest the kitchen. During the day, musician Tony treasures I feel like I can Goggans will float from offer people is that they table to table with an can come here and now for acoustic guitar, charming certain that I’m going to guests with an impromptu give them the best quality sing-along style that Moon ingredients that I can. refers to as “a human Where I can use local, I’m going to use local. Our jukebox”. “Tony brings magical salmon is caught fresh and moments to T h e flown in on ice from Wildflower,” says Moon. Scotland. Our burgers are “He can walk up to a table ground in house with filet and whip out a song that and sirloin from local, may have been their hormone-free, grass-fed wedding song. Several beef.” times I’ve seen people in Despite the intricate tears because he was right care placed in the product there in that moment with itself, Moon is very proud them.” of the care-free environMore so than its ambience, Moon is most pleased ment she provides for both by the care she and her her workers and her staff takes in each and customers. “We’ve got a great every dish prepared in the Wildf lower kitchen. team, and we have a lot of Quality and local ingredi- fun. I feel so blessed to ents are stressed; the have a business where so garden in the side yard of many people are blessed, the restaurant even and I’m blessed by them.”

F fi

Thursday - July 23, 2015

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

SPORTS

Publisher, Joseph M. Morgan Layout editors, Dwayne Adams & Rachel Monroe

Zach Johnson wins The Open, secures legacy among PGA greats

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

Zach Johnson ensured that his name would go down in history as one of the greats with his dramatic finish at St. Andrews and his win at The Open (formerly called the British Open), one of the PGA’s most prestigious major tournament events. The 32-year-old from Georgia nailed a 30-foot putt on the 72nd hole to complete a closing round of six-under-par 66 and come from three shots behind to tie South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and Australia’s Marc Leishman at the 144th Open Championship at St

Andrews. He then proceeded to go on to beat his rivals in the subsequent four-hole play-off. Johnson, who won a Masters title back in 2007, is now a star in his own right and as Champion Golfer of the Year he joins an illustrious list including Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods who have won the w o r l d’s oldest Championship at St Andrews. The 144th Open Championship started with Dustin Johnson claiming his accustomed position in the headlines after grabbing the lead with blazing opening

rounds of 65 and 69, but he was soon to slip. Jordan Spieth’s bid for the Grand Slam and Paul Dunne’s (who?) attempt to become the first amateur to claim the title for 85 years were also dominating the headlines from St. Andrews, but in the end it was Johnson’s contribution we will remember best as he put together rounds of 66, 71, 70 and 66 to tie Oosthuizen and Leishman on 15-underpar 73 and then beat them with two birdies, a bogey and a par on the four extra holes. “I said earlier this week that I’m sometimes under the radar,” Johnson said at the post-tournament press

conference. “I don’t mind being in that position but I guess that radar is going crazy now.” Johnson also made it clear what winning The Open meant to him. “I feel blessed to be the champion, I feel honored to be a part of the history of this game and to don my name on that trophy, especially with the names before me. Humbling and surreal are two words that come to mind. “I can’t play any better than I did. I had a lull on Friday and Saturday, but nothing significant, but stayed in it and waited for the opportunities and made a few.”

POLITICS

“I am fairly speechless right now,” he added. “Dreams have been realized and goals accomplished. “I’m humbled, I’m just honored to be your Open Champion and your champion golfer of the year.” Further down the leaderboard Jordan Spieth’s brave bid for a third leg of the Grand Slam (PGA Championship, Master’s Champion, champion of The Open) came up a heartbreaking hair short when his second shot on the 72nd hole spun off the green and he missed the following putt. Spieth carded a battling 69 which saw him finish tied with Australia’s Jason Day just one shot out of the play-off one 14-under-par 274 and now the chances are he may never have another opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the great Ben Hogan by winning the first three Majors of the Year. Johnson prevailed it what was perhaps the most exciting finish since the days of John Daly. Johnson’s win at The Open was hard fought and well deserved. More importantly, his place in PGA history is now absolutely secure.

Political editors contact information jordan@southerntorch.com Tel. 256.638.4040 www.southerntorch.com

Fort Payne City Council passes ordinance requiring firemen, policemen, to live in city limits • The Fort Payne City Council met Tuesday night to discuss the following business: • Approving the temporary closing of a remote city street to allow a resident of the city to finish building a 200 ft wall in the front of his house. The measure was unanimously approved. • Approval of new city ordinance that would require all new firemen (will not employees already on the fire department) to live within the city limits of Fort Payne and all new police officers to live within a 20-minute radius of the police station. The measure was unanimously approved. • Vote to adopt Resolution 2015-09 to submit an application for a grant to purchase land on Citadel Rock Road to be converted into an overlook and a walking and biking trail that would connect to the Kiwanis Pavilion at the

Rec Center and Desoto State Park, with the goal of eventually tying in to Little River Canyon. The resolution was unanimously adopted.

including a motion to restructure the Rainsville Fire Department. Several from the fire department were present at the meeting in addition to a number of Rainsville citizens to voice Rainsville City Council their opinions regarding the city’s plan. Their message was Rainsville City Council met Monday night to heard loud and clear and discuss a number of issues the motion to restructure

the department died for lack of a second to the motion. In an open dialogue with members of the fire department, the council informally scheduled a meeting for next Monday night to meet with the chief of the department and other FD members to iron out their differences and voice their concerns.

The only other items on the agenda brought to a vote included a motion to “pay the bills” and a motion to approve the city to lock in rates on a $1.5 million bond issue that will be used to repave roads in Rainsville for the next several years. Both motions passed.

Thursday - July 23, 2015

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

OBITUARIES Peggy Sue Oliver Mrs. Peggy Sue Oliver Stanfield, age 65 of Albertville passed away Thursday, July 16, 2015 in Shepherds Cove. Funeral is set for Sunday, July 19, 2015 at 2PM from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bro Tommy Mashburn officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2015 from 5-8PM from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel. Jamie Wagner Miss Jaime Lasha Wagner, age 35, of Fort Payne passed away Friday, July 17, 2015.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2015 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with burial to follow in B r o w n’s Chapel Cemetery. The Family will receive Friends from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2015 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel. Bro. Richard Ellis will be officiating. Tomas Lee Brown Thomas Lee Brown, age 10, of Geraldine passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2015. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on

Thursday, July 23, 2015 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with burial to follow in Kyuka Cemetery. Bro. Oran Whitley & Bro. Bill Scott will be officiating. The Family will receive Friends from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday. Arrangements Entrsuted to W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel. Betty Jane Carrol Mrs. Betty Jane Carroll age 87 of the Pleasant Hill community passed away on Monday, July 20, 2015 at her residence. Funeral

service will be Thursday, July 23,2015 at 11am at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with burial following in Mt. View Memory Gardens. Bro. David McCarrell will officiate. Visitation will beWednesday from 5-8pm at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel. Harold Lancaster Mr. Harold Ray Lancaster, age 70, of Ringgold, GA passed away Monday, July 20, 2015. The Family will be holding a Memorial service at a later date.

Mildred Catherine Mrs. Mildred Catherine Brewer age 66 of the Trenton, GA passed away on Monday, July 20, 2015. Funeral service will be Friday, July 24, 2015 at 7 pm CST at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Flat Rock, AL. Burial will be later in Virginia. Bro. Carl Menefee & Roger Wagner will officiate. Visitation will also be Friday, July 24 from 4-7pm CST. at the Church.

CRIME Date: 07/21/2015

Sheriff Jimmy Harris states as follows: Sheriff Jimmy Harris says “after spending more than 25 years in Law Enforcement and in my 3rd term as Sheriff I never imagined our Country would be in the violent state it is in now. When I was a 3rd grader at Hatton Elementary School in Laurence County Alabama Sheriff Harold Richards was elected to his 1st term as Sheriff. His wife Doris Harper Richards was my dad’s, Korl Harris, 1st cousin. We moved around all over the state of Alabama. When we would come visit DeKalb County we would always go see my Grandparents and Sheriff Richards and Doris. From those days forward I knew who I wanted to be. Sheriff Richards had such a great laid back approach with everyone he came in contact with, regardless if he was making an arrest, going fishing or riding horses with his friends. As a little boy he allowed me to ride in his Sheriff’s car almost every time we came to DeKalb County. When I was in the 11th grade at Butler High School in Huntsville we moved to DeKalb. After Graduating from Geraldine High School I went to work at Monsanto in Guntersville. About a year after I started Monsanto Sheriff Richards offered for me to come to work for him at the Sheriff’s Office, but the pay difference was so great I couldn’t afford to quit. Almost 10 years later I did get my opportunity to go to work for Sheriff Richards. I have not regretted a minute of it. I say all of that to say this. The world is in a state of disarray and the United States is going down fast. We are losing everything that our Founding fathers based this Country on. Until last week almost all the bad terrorist or mass shootings were somewhere else and now they are in our backyard. Chattanooga TN is only about 35 minutes away from the DeKalb County line. As Sheriff I receive sensitive information from all over the United States almost on a monthly bases. I called a supervisor meeting last Friday to change the policy on our firearms. We are trying to raise the money now to buy every Certified Deputy a backup weapon to carry concealed on his person everywhere he goes. When people can walk into schools, movie theatres, recruiting stations ext. and pull a gun it’s time for all of us law abiding citizens to take a look at how we protect ourselves, family and friends. This Country is based on God, guns, and the right to protect ourselves. I think as Sheriff it is my place to protect the safety and security of our citizens. And help citizens in ways to protect their selves and their families. When we have laws that will not allow our military personnel to wear a weapon on this soil that leaves them wide open and unable to protect themselves. 25 years or more when this law was written it wasn’t needed then and is surely not needed now. I ask each and every

one of you to take a look at how you are prepared to protect yourself. If you are not prepared it is time that you get self-defense training or firearms training. As a Christian I ask you to put your faith in God, and as a life time NRA member it is time you learn to protect yourself by learning the proper and safe ways to handle a weapon. They are saying this terrorist in Chattanooga was a long wolf. You do not have to be a member of ISIS to belong to their terrorist organization. You just have to believe the way they do and carry out deadly attacks against U.S. citizens. This doesn’t make them a long wolf it makes them a pack of wolfs. This is what makes them so dangerous. We not only have ISIS we have different Drug cartel that travel Interstate 59, Highway 11 and Highway 117 almost on a weekly bases. With all of these threats I ask you to be observant of your surroundings and be prepared to protect you and your family. Please report anything out of the ordinary to the Sheriff’s Office or your local Police Department.

Date: 07/20/2015

Sheriff Jimmy Harris states as follows:

Sheriff Jimmy Harris reports that on July 18th on County Road 391 a tragic 4 wheeler wreck takes the life of a 10 year boy Thomas Brown of Cross Creek area in Painter and injured 2 teenage females’ one 13 year old of the Asbury Community and Haley Brown 14, of Geraldine. This incident is being investigated by the ALEA (Alabama Law Enforcement Association). Trooper Micah Little and Ranger Wright worked the scene. They were assisted by Geraldine Police Department, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Andy Brown, Sergeant Seth Green and members of Geraldine Fire and Rescue. The females were transported by the DeKalb Ambulance Service to a landing zone in Geraldine. The 13 year old was in critical condition and was air lifted to Huntsville Hospital. Haley Brown was in serious condition and was transported to Huntsville Hospital by DeKalb Ambulance Service. The last update on the two girls was that they remain in serious condition. Sheriff Harris states “this is a very tragic accident, kids being kids. They were all getting ready to go back to school in a few weeks. We would like to ask everyone if you let your child ride or drive a 4 wheeler or motorcycle please make them wear a helmet. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family members and friends of these young kids.”

Southern Torch seeks new professionals Southern Torch is hiring for the following positions: Sports Editor–experience writing and background in athletics Staff Reporter–writing experience required Sales Representative–Sales experience preferred, but not required Advertising Account Manager–minimum of 3 years outside sales experience required, advertising experience a plus Subscription Sales Representative–Inside sales, telephone sales, retail experience, food industry experience, or customer service experience required Includes generous commission earning opportunities.

We are holding interviews this week, so if you are interested in joining the Southern Torch team, call 256-638-5296 today!