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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020 / VOL. 6, NO. 13 / $1.00
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Legal Alcohol Sales in Rainsville?
By Marla Jones Managing Editor
marla@southerntorch.com RAINSVILLE, Ala. — A petition to add a public vote for legal alcohol sales within the City of Rainsville is being circulated. Rainsville citizens last voted on alcohol in 2014, that vote fell short of passing by 29 votes, with 770 against and 741 for the sale. Zane Mitchell, along with a few other citizens, has circulated a petition within the City. Mitchell stated, “ I do believe that passing this will be an asset to the city and I am not the one who is leading
this effort,�. When asked who was leading the petition effort, Mitchell stated there were several. Southern Torch also reached out to Rainsville Mayor and Councilmembers for their stance on alcohol sales: • Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt: We made several attempts to obtain a statement from Mayor Lingerfelt but calls were or messages were not returned about this issue. • Brandon Freeman: I really take no stance either way but I feel that the money if passed should be equally distributed and should be used for helping with the present school situations.
Educators on a Mission
• Derek Rosson: I am in the middle on this. I have had calls for both sides. I feel that people are exercising their first amendment right to petition the government. This right is something I
By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com After the school closure last week due to the coronavirus scare, DeKalb County Superintendent of Education, Dr. Jason Barnett sprang into action to help students who might not otherwise have food to eat. Several volunteers begin to package a healthy breakfast, lunch, and snack to be distributed at sites across the county. On Monday, over 18,800 meals were distributed to cover five days. These meals in coordination with Backpack of Blessings should supply the children’s needs for a healthy meal.
Dr. Jason Barnett has set a lofty goal for next week to supply 24,000 meals for the next week. DeKalb County administrators and teachers have worked endless hours to provide for all the students’ needs. In this time of uncertainty, many teachers have reached out to their students. Two of our very own DeKalb County teachers, both previous Southern Torch Teachers of the Week, have stepped up to connect with their students during this difficult time. Jan Renfroe Faulkner, a first-grade teacher at
>> SCHOOLS, P4
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: This past month was productive for the DeKalb County Narcotics Unit. 26 were arrested and received charges related to narcotics. On Thursday, February 6th, Deputies along with Narcotics Agents conducted a traffic stop on Highway 75 in Rainsville. A search of the vehicle revealed methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Terry Jacob Dutton (27 of Rainsville) and James Hairston (36 of Prattville, Al) both were arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Drug Paraphernalia. On Friday, February 7th, Deputies received a call of an assault and robbery that occurred in the Hammondville area. Interdiction Agents were in the area and spotted the vehicle in question. After stopping the vehicle, suspects Melvin Moss (29 of Valley Head) and Edward Owens (30 of Fort Payne) were located within the vehicle. After a search of the vehicle and an investigation, investigators
charged both suspects with Robbery 1st Degree, Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Carrying a Pistol without a Permit. On Thursday, February 13th, Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the Powell area on Jerry Little (41 of Scottsboro) and the Narcotics Unit was called out for assistance. After their arrival, Little was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On Tuesday, February 17th, a Henagar Police Officer had a subject run on foot on County Road 85 in the Fort Payne area. The suspect was later found and arrested. The Narcotics unit arrived on scene to assist, and identified the subject as Ryan Burt (28 of Henagar). He was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Attempting to Elude. On the same day, during a traffic stop on Highway 35 near Powell, agents found Cocaine, MDMA (Ecstacy), and
• LISTEN TO 98-3 WILD COUNTRY & 101-7 THE TORCH
schools and spend more money on ball facilities for the children. We need to spend money on children, they are our future. I also think that some money should be spent on the roads also. • Marshall Stiefel: Obviously I will go along with the will of the people, that is what I was elected to do. I have to be very careful with my votes because I have two little girls at home that will be watching very closely what their Dad does. As for where the money should go, that is something that the next council will have to decide. People need to think seriously about who they vote for in the coming
election, due to the implications of new revenue streams coming in, if passed. Look for updates on this topic in the following weeks. If this petition successfully gathers enough legally qualified signatures, it will appear on the August 2020 municipal election ballot in the City of Rainsville. If passed into law, the next mayor and council would be tasked with creating an ordinance establishing the rules and guidelines of alcohol sales, as to how the revenue would be used. We would encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote on public matters such as this.
26 Charged for Narcotics Last Month By Southern Torch Staff
Jan Faulkner, a first-grade teacher at Geraldine, visited her students via Jeep and a sign stating "I Miss You!" (Submitted Photo)
fought for. I will go along with whatever the outcome because that’s my job, something I was elected to do. If passed the three things I would like the money allocated for are (1) Schools, (2) emergency personnel and (3) infrastructure. • Bejan Taheri: I will go along with how the majority votes. I would like 50% of the money to be used in our schools, Cornerstone and Plainview. The other 50% needs to be allocated to the police department and the roads. • Ricky Byrum: I will go along with whatever the people vote. I can deal with it either way. I think we need to buy computers for
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Clozapam. Jessica Brown (32 of Birmingham) was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (x3) and Drug Paraphernalia. On Tuesday, February 18th, Deputies went to a residence in the Whiton area on an arrest warrant. While there, they found marijuana at the residence. The Narcotics Unit was called to the scene, and Alexander Mosely (28 of Geraldine) was arrested for Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree. On Wednesday, February 25th, Interdiction Agents made a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 68 and Highway 168 in Kilpatrick. During the stop, agents found methamphetamine and marijuana. Matthew Patterson (29 of Albertville) was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On Thursday, February 27th, Narcotics Agents conducted a search warrant on Willow Road in Ider. During the search, methamphetamine was found as well as drug paraphernalia. Chris
Holcomb (46 of Ider) and Quanda Franks (49 of Fort Payne) were arrested. While conducting the search warrant, a white male ran from the residence. The suspect was identified as Ethan Phillips (27 of Henagar), who was later apprehended. All three were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Phillips was also charged with Attempting to Elude, Tampering with Evidence, and Loitering in a Drug House. On Friday, February 28th, while working in the Mentone area regarding drug complaints, agents found themselves in a high speed pursuit that started on Highway 117 and ended on County Road 642. The driver and passenger both fled on foot. The driver was later identified as a white male juvenile from Georgia. Warrants were obtained for their arrest. While in the Shiloh Crossroads area on the on the same date, Deputies were following up on leads of drug activity. While following up on these
>> CRIME, P5
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