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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2020 / VOL. 6, NO. 26 / $1.00 THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS
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THIS WEEK IN POLITICS
• Jones Introduces Bill to Strengthen Telehealth • Inside The Statehouse with Steve Flowers
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• Twice The Blessing: Local Great-Grandmother Sees Two Grandchildren Receive Scholarships
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• Henagar Library Receives $10K Grant • Students Graduate NACC & HS Simultaneously
Local Officials Bail Out Police Heckler
By Marla Jones Managing Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
RAINSVILLE, Ala. — On Sunday, at approximately 8:51 p.m. Rainsville police officer Josh Wilson made a routine traffic stop. Jerry Jason McKee, age 44, was issued a citation for speeding. McKee, according to police reports, proceeded to verbally threaten Wilson after being issued a ticket. Wilson was wearing a body camera during the traffic stop. Upon review
Jerry Jason McKee (center) was bonded out of the DeKalb County Detention Center this week by DeKalb County Board of Education member Monty Darwin (left) and Rainsville City Councilmember Ricky Byrum (right).
of the camera footage, Rainsville Police Chief Kevin Smith forwarded the footage to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation. At 9:35 p.m. on
Monday evening, a warrant was served on McKee for Harassment by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. McKee was booked into the DeKalb County
Detention Center. His bond was set at $1,500.00. Southern Torch has obtained a copy of the bond that shows that Rainsville City Councilmember
Check out our 2020 Graduation Edition honoring this year's seniors enclosed in this paper!
Rickey Bryum and DeKalb County Board of Education member Monty Darwin signed the bond for Mckee’s release. When contacted Darwin stated, “He just called and asked me to bail him out. I don’t know nothing about it.� Byrum added, “All I did was bond him out. It ain’t no different than anybody else getting arrested. His wife called me crying to get him out of jail and I bonded him out. I don’t even know what he got arrested for.� Southern Torch reached out to Rainsville
Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt and Rainsville Councilmember Derek Rosson for comment regarding the arrest. Lingerfelt stated, “I have no comment on the pending case. I do support my police officers and I think they are doing a very good job.� Rosson, who serves as the Council liaison to the Police Department, stated that they have no comment. Southern Torch will continue to follow this story for further developments.
Attorney Arrested for Assault
Rainsville Wreck Local Fireworks Results in Death are Still On
(File Photo)
By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com
By Southern Torch Staff RAINSVILLE, Ala. — On Wednesday, June 24, Rainsville police officers responded to a traffic crash on McCurdy Avenue South near George Wallace Avenue. Officers arrived and began first aid until the Rainsville Fire Department medics arrived and took over care for the patients. The crash resulted in one (1) fatality, Jason Moss of Rainsville. The other driver was transported to Marshall Medical Center South for his injuries. The driver has been treated and released. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — Not even coronavirus can keep citizens from celebrating the Fourth of July. Local fireworks shows, some with social distancing protocols, will continue on next week. The City of Fort Payne will hold their annual fireworks celebration on Thursday, July 2 at 9 p.m.; however, no one will be allowed inside the sports complex to view the fireworks. The City of Fort Payne has arranged for choreographed music to
begin on time with the fireworks. The music can be heard on 98-3 Wild Country (WKEA 98.3). 101-7 The Torch (WMXN 101.7), WZOB 1250 AM, and WVSM 103.1. Rainsville Freedom Fest will continue as scheduled on Saturday, June 27 at the Field of Dreams behind the Northeast Alabama Agri-Business Center with gates open at 1 p.m. and Little Texas on the main stage at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. Enjoy your holiday and stay safe!
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By Marla Jones, Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com
RAINSVILLE, Ala. — On Sunday, June 21 at 10:36 a.m., Rainsville police officers responded to a domestic violence call. Officers arrested Dara Lamunyon Patterson, 43 of Rainsville, for Assault-Domestic Violence in the 3rd degree. According to Alabama Code Section 13A-6-132, a person commits domestic violence in the third degree if the victim is a current or former spouse, parent, child, any person with whom the defendant has a child in common, a present or former household member, or a person who has had a dating relationship. Domestic violence in the third degree is a Class A misdemeanor. Patterson is a licensed attorney in DeKalb County and previously served as a city attorney for the city of Rainsville.
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FRIDAY — JUNE 26, 2020
THE SOUTHERN TORCH
DIVE IN TO SAVINGS AT TWIN CITY! 1411 Glenn Blvd SW, Fort Payne, AL 35967
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@JACKSONBLAZEAL
Jackson Co. Unemployment HOLLYWOOD CHURCH Rate Drops to 8.6% VANDALIZED
By B.A. Little Reporter
By Dylan Smith, JB Managing Editor
beverlyannette@southerntorch.com
dylan@southerntorch.com SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — Newly released statistics from the Alabama Department of Labor show Jackson County’s unemployment rate has dropped to 8.6%. The updated percentage is down from the previous month’s rate of 13.3%. The 4.7% drop in unemployment comes after COVID-19 related social distancing restrictions were eased due to the desire of reopening the state’s economy. Many believe economic conditions will continue to improve as business continues to be unencumbered by strict government guidelines. Jackson County claimed a historic low unemployment rate of 2.7% before economic conditions worsened due to the coronavirus. The county’s unemployment rate is lower than that of the state’s overall rate of 9.4%. Updated employment statistics do not account for seasonal adjustment.
HOLLYWOOD, Ala. — A church in Hollywood has been vandalized with racial slurs painted on the walls. According to Jason Hepler, Chief of the Hollywood Police Department, made a Facebook post explaining the incident. Hepler stated the police station received a call that the Apostles and Prophets Church on County Road 412 in Hollywood had been burglarized and vandalized within the last
week and a half. According to Hepler, the back door had been kicked in and the offender(s) broke sound equipment, instruments, windows, and more. Racial slurs and graphic images were also painted on the walls. Jackson Blaze reached out to Hepler and he stated, “We can not and will not allow this type of lawlessness in our community.� If you have any information related to the capture of those responsible, please call (256) 259-1295.
Road Resurfacing in Woodville
By B.A. Little, Reporter beverlyannette@southerntorch.com WOODVILLE, Ala. — A long-awaited road project is beginning this week. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is preparing for a major resurfacing project on Highway 72 in western Jackson County. Motorists are advised to expect single-lane closures on Highway 72 westbound between Jackson County 7 and Jackson County 63 in Woodville. That work will start Tuesday, June 23, weather permitting from about 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Please drive with caution in the work zone. Reduce speed and be prepared to merge. ALDOT will resurface more than 16 miles of the four-lane highway, east of the Flint River to east of Parnell Circle in the Woodville area. Work on the westbound lanes will be complete before progressing to the eastbound lanes. The almost $12 million project is expected to be completed by November 19, 2021.
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COMMUNITY
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Nine Students Graduate HS & NACC Simultaneously
By Zach Hester Reporter
zach@southerntorch.com ALABAMA — Despite the inconveniences caused by the novel coronavirus, nine dual enrollment students from across Northeast Alabama have graduated from high school and Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) — at the same time. The following students were awarded both high school diplomas and their
two-year degree from NACC: • Garrett Akins (home-educated) graduated with an Associate of Science in English. He plans to attend Faulkner University for their Great Books program with an emphasis on Biblical Studies. • Raegan Ashley of Fort Payne graduated with an Associate of Arts in General Studies and an Associate in Applied Science in Pre-Nursing this summer. She will attend
Shorter University this fall to begin nursing school. • Hannah Benton of Kate Duncan Smith DAR School graduated with an Associate of Arts in General/Pre-Liberal Arts. She plans to attend the University of Alabama in the fall and major in Chemistry. • Laura Boehringer of Fort Payne graduated with an Associate of Arts in General/Pre-Liberal Arts. She plans to attend the University of Alabama at Huntsville and major in
Chemical Engineering. • Cadence Dooley of Kate Duncan Smith DAR School graduated with an Associate of Science in Business. She plans to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham and major in Marketing. • Jacklyn Garcia of Asbury graduated with an Associate of Science in Pre-Nursing. She will attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham and major in Nursing. • Gary Gattis of Plainview graduated with
an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice. He will attend Jacksonville State University this fall. • Kenzi Traylor of Plainview graduated with an Associate of Science in Business. She will attend Jacksonville State University and major in Business Administration. • Sydney Winkles (home-educated) graduated with an Associate of Science in Pre-Nursing. She will attend the University of Alabama at Huntsville
where she will major in Nursing. “This year, NACC set a new record of dual enrollment students graduating from high school and receiving their Associate Degree at the same time,� said NACC Dual Enrollment Coordinator Staci Miller. For more information about NACC’s dual enrollment program, please contact Miller at (256) 228-6001, ext. 2225, or by email at millers@ nacc.edu.
Henagar Library Receives $10K Grant
Rainsville
FREEDOM FEST
at the Field of Dreams behind the Agri-Business Center
LITTLE TEXAS TAKES THE STAGE AT 7:30 P.M.
FIREWORKS BEGIN AT 9 P.M.
Pictured (L-R): Mayor-Lee Davis, Library Assistant-Tiffany Taylor, Librarian-Donna Carlin, DG Manager-Gidgett Baugh, Dekalb County Schools Parental Involvement Specialist-Tara Kirby, and Board Member-Monty Darwin.
The Henagar Library is the recipient of the 2020 Dollar General Family Literacy Grant in the amount of $10,000. The grant, All Language-All Literacy-All Together, will be used to expand available literacy resources to the whole family through community and school partnerships.
SOUTHERN TORCH • 98-3 WILD COUNTRY • 101-7 THE TORCH Southern Torch (USPS Periodicals #19790) is published each Friday by Southern Marla Jones, Managing Editor/Sports Torch, Inc. 203 Main Street E, Rainsville, Jenna Sue Payne, Media Sales Manager Ala. 35986. POSTMASTER: Send address Joe Sims, Radio Operations Manager changes to Southern Torch, P.O. Box 614, Zach Hester, Art Director/Reporter Rainsville, Ala. 35986-0614. Amy Thrash, Account Executive Staff:
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B. ANNETTE LITTLE
LEGALS
LEGALS
LEGALS
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA
NOTICE OF VEHICLE POSSESSION
Case No.: 2020-33
Case No.: 2020-136 IN RE: THE ESTATE OF SHELBY JEAN WORD, deceased
NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to DAVID TUCKER and MARCIA TUCKER, as Personal Representatives of the Estate of J.P. NATION, deceased, on the 4th day of June 2020, by the Honorable Ronnie E. Osborn, Judge of Probate. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to RHONDA LYNN HOLCOMB and LANA MICHELLE SMITH, as Personal Representatives of the Estate of SHELBY JEAN WORD, deceased, on the 10th day of June 2020, by the Honorable Ronnie E. Osborn, Judge of Probate. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
To be published: June 12, June 19, June 26
To be published: June 19, June 26, July 3
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2020, by the Honorable Ronnie Osborn, Judge of the Probate Court of DeKalb County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within six months after the granting of latters, or within five months from the date of the first publication of this notice, whichever is the later to occur, or the same will be barred.
CLAIMS LETTERS TESTAMENTARY AS EXECUTRIX OF THE WILL OF RITA L. MULLINS, deceased, having been granted unto the undersigned on the 23rd day of June, 2020, by the Honorable Ronnie Osborn, Judge of Probate of said county, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.
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IN RE: THE ESTATE OF J.P. NATION, deceased
THE FISHERMEN SOUTHERN GOSPEL QUARTET
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will proceed to take possession of the following described abandoned vehicle(s) on 7/24/20: 2000 DODGE DURANGO VIN: 1B4HS28N2YF216110 TWENTY FOUR SEVEN TOWING 1207 Gault Ave S Fort Payne, AL 35967 (256) 845-9918 To be published: June 19, June 26
LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No.: 2020-140 IN RE: THE ESTATE OF BRENDA JEAN ANDERSON, deceased EXECUTOR'S NOTICE TO FILE CLAIM Letters Testamentary as personal representative-executor of the Will of Brenda Jean Anderson, deceased, having been granted to the undersigned on the 16th day of June, 2020 by the Honorable Ronnie Osborn, Judge of Probate of DeKalb County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.
To be published: June 19, June 26, July 3
LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No.: 2020-106 IN RE: THE ESTATE OF BOBBY HUGH KIRK, deceased NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to ERICA PADGETT, as personal representative of the Estate of BOBBY HUGH KIRK, deceased, on the 16th day of June 2020, by the Honorable Ronnie E. Osborn, Judge of Probate. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
To be published: June 19, June 26, July 3
LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No.: 2020-145 IN RE: THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF TEDDY B. KEAN
Case No.: 2020-137
LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION on the Estate of TEDDY B. KEAN, having been granted unto the undersigned on the 19th day of June, 2020, by the Honorable RONNIE OSBORN, Judge of Probate of said county, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DONALD C. WISNER, deceased
Robert B. French, Jr. Administrator
Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Jeffery C. Wisner, Personal Representative, on the 10th day of June,
To be published: June 26, July 3, July 10
To be published: June 19, June 26, and July 3
LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA
LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY Case No.: 2020-121 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF RITA L. MULLINS, deceased EXECUTOR'S NOTICE TO FILE
Michael D. Mullins, Executor To be published: June 26, July 3, July 10
LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No.: 2020-151 IN RE: THE ESTATE OF ROCKY LANE BELL II, deceased NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS
TAKE NOTICE that Letters of Adminsitration having been granted to ERICA BELL HICKS, as Personal Representative of the Estate of ROCKY LANE BELL II, deceased, on the 23rd day of June 2020, by the Honorable Ronnie E. Osborn, Judge of Probate. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the tim allowed by law or the same will be barred. To be published: June 26, July 3, July 10
FRIDAY — JUNE 26, 2020
THE SOUTHERN TORCH
5
POLITICS
INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE How Has Coronavirus Affected Alabama Politics?
By Steve Flowers Political Columnist MONTGOMERY, Ala. — As we end the first half of 2020, there is no doubt that the coronavirus is the story of the year. The coronavirus saga of 2020 and its devastation of the nation’s and state’s economic well-being may be the story of the decade. How has the coronavirus affected Alabama politics? The answer is negligible, if at all. The Republican Primary runoff to hold the Junior U.S. Senate seat was postponed by the virus epidemic. It is set for July 14, which is right around the corner. The race between Tommy Tuberville and Jeff Sessions should be close and interesting. The virus delay did affect this race in one regard, if the vote had been held on March 31 as planned, Coach Tuberville had the advantage and the momentum. The almost four-month delay may have stymied that train. To what degree we will not know until the votes are counted in three weeks. Tuberville’s campaign has been totally based on his being loyal to Donald Trump. Both Sessions and Tuberville were given a golden opportunity to use the four-month hiatus to do some good old fashion one-on-one campaigning,
Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. She may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
if only by phone. If one of them did it, it could make the difference. We will soon see. People still like to be asked personally for their vote. The next elections will not be until 2022. It will be a big year. It is a gubernatorial year and there may very well be an open U.S. Senate Seat. Senator Richard Shelby will be 88. It would be a blessing beyond measure if he ran again. However, at that age, he may choose to retire. Governor Kay Ivey will be 78 in 2022. She will more than likely not run for a second term. The one development that has occurred during the virus saga is that Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, has made it clear that he will be running for governor in 2022. If it were not apparent before, it is obvious now. He inserted himself into the coronavirus episode. In many instances, he appeared to usurp the center stage from Governor Ivey.
The young Lt. Governor first urged aggressive public health response, differing from Governor Ivey’s. She made a comment about his out of nowhere position. She then forgave him and gave him a position on one of her many meaningless task force bodies. Ainsworth then changed courses and tweeted that the state’s businesses should reopen prior to the Governor’s recommended date. She seemed undeterred nor miffed by his second assertion of his policy position. Having been around Alabama politics a lot longer than Ainsworth, she may be savvy enough to know that she is giving him just enough rope to hang himself. Kay cut her political teeth campaigning for Lurleen Wallace for Governor in 1966. That was 15 years before Ainsworth was born in 1981. I doubt he knows of a similar scenario that played out 50 years ago where a Lt. Governor got too big for his britches and overly and overtly tried to play Governor. George Wallace had won his second term as Governor in 1970. If you count Lurleen’s 1966 victory, it would be his third straight gubernatorial victory. He was running for President in 1972 and was gunned down by a crazed assassin in a Maryland Parking lot.
He was near death from the multiple wounds and had to be hospitalized in Maryland for three to four months. It was a miracle he survived. Another young Lt. Governor Jere Beasley had been elected to the post in 1970, primarily because the Wallace people had supported him. Beasley seemed to insert himself overtly as governor during Wallace’s bedridden absence. The Governor’s people actually had to fly him back home from his recovery for a day so that he could remain governor. Folks never seemed to forgive Beasley for this ambitious assertion of power. In his next race for reelection as lieutenant governor, Beasley trailed Charles Woods in the first primary and barely won the runoff. Four years later, in the monumental 1978 Governor’s race – which Fob James ultimately won – Lt. Governor Jere Beasley finished in fifth place, even though he spent lots of money. Speaking of money, losing the 1978 Governor’s race was the best thing that ever happened to Jere Beasley. He began practicing law in Montgomery and became one of the most prominent Plaintiff lawyers in America. He and his wife, Sarah, have had a much happier and prosperous life out of politics. See you next week.
Magbie Announces Campaign for Fort Payne Council By Zach Hester, Reporter zach@southerntorch.com
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Charlene Magbie has announced her candidacy for Fort Payne City Council. "As a proud resident of Fort Payne, and someone with deep roots in the community, I would consider it a high honor to be able to serve the citizens of Fort Payne as a member of your city council," said Magbie in a press release. Magbie is a 1985 graduate of Fort Payne High School, an alumna of Northeast Alabama Community College, and has worked at Heritage Wire Harness as a customer service representative for 14 years. "In my role as a customer service representative, I am tasked with such responsibilities as account management, and solving customer issues, among many others," Magbie continued. "I believe the skills that I have acquired over these past fourteen years will serve to make me an able member of your city council." Magbie is a lifelong resident of the community and stated she plans to continue the growth she has witnessed in the City of Fort Payne.
(Submitted Photo)
"If elected I will dedicated to continuing that growth and forward momentum via the addition of more small businesses in the area and furtherance of the restoration of our beautiful downtown," she said. Magbie has pledged to be an effective, strong voice for the citizens of Fort Payne to "continue to bridge the gap between the community and the city government." " In addition, I will work to ensure that the community and this new council is prepared to face the many challenges that have presented themselves; such as balancing the safety and health of the community with keeping the city economy strong and moving forward," Magbie concluded. "I would greatly appreciate each and every one of your support and vote in this election." Fort Payne municipal elections will be held on Tuesday, August 25.
DEATH NOTICES KERBY Tommie Sue Liles 83 of Guntersville, passed away on Tuesday, June 16. Funeral services were held on Friday, June 19 at Kerby Funeral Home Chapel with entombment at Green Haven Memorial Gardens. Felicia Hicks - 50 of Henagar, passed away on Monday, June 22. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 24 at Kerby Funeral Home Chapel.
W.T. WILSON
Vance Richey - 75 of Rockmart, Ga., passed away on Sunday, June 15. Funeral services were dheld on Friday, June 19 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with burial in Geraldine Cemetery. James Roy Goforth - 34 of Section, passed away on Friday, June 19. Graveside services were held on Tuesday, June 23 at New Canaan Cemetery. Rayford Smith - 77 of Section, passed away on Friday, June 19. Funeral services were held on Monday, June 22 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with burial in
Price Cemetery in Hollywood.
Walker’s Chapel Cemetery.
Tillman Lamar Lyons, Sr. - 80 of Fort Payne, passed away on Saturday, June 20. Graveside services were held on Sunday, June 21 at New Life Baptist Cemetery.
Shirley Blansit Gilbreath - 74 of Fort Payne, passed away on Sunday, June 21. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 24 at Wilson Funeral Home with burial in Glenwood Cemetery.
David Alan Wiseman - 53, passed away on Sunday, June 21. Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 25 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with burial in Glenwood Cemetery. Kimberly Nichole McKinney - 51, passed away on Monday, June 22. Graveside services were held on Tuesday, June 23 at Liberty Hill Cemetery in Adamsburg.
WILSON Patti McGee - 72 of Fort Payne, passed away on Sunday, June 21. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 25 at Wilson Funeral Home with burial in
Dorothy “Dot� Casey - 90 of Fort Payne, passed away on Sunday, June 21. Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 25 at Second Baptist Church with burial in Glenwood Cemetery.
BURT Marjorie Loretta Bain - 79 of Mentone, passed away on Friday, June 19. Funeral services were held on Monday, June 22 at Burt Chapel-Valley Head with burial in Bankhead Cemetery.
CROSSVILLE Terry Lee Watkins - 67 of Crossville, passed
away on Wednesday, June 17. Funeral services were held on Friday, June 19 at First Baptist Church Crossville with interment in DeKalb Memorial Gardens.
RAINSVILLE Freddie Woods Malone - 83 of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, June 16. Graveside services were held on Friday, June 19 at Kirk Memorial Gardens. Jody Ralph Padgett - 60 of Cedar Bluff, passed away on Wednesday, June 17. No services will be held. Ruth Louise Crook Callaway - 81, passed away on Saturday, June 20. Graveside services were held on Tuesday, June 23 at Unity Missionary Baptist
FISH DAY!
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Albertville 7:30-8:15 @ Albertville Farmers Co-op Boaz 8:30-9:15 @ Farmtown Crossville 9:45-10:30 @ DeKalb Farmers Co-op Collinsville 11:00-11:30 @ Tyler Farms Centre 12:00-12:30 @ Cherokee Farmers Co-op Gadsden 1:15-2:00 @ 411 Feed & Seed Garden Center
Church Cemetery. Jesse Cline - 38 of Rainsville, passed away on Sunday, June 21. Visitation was held on Tuesday, June 23 at Rainsville Funeral Home.
CORNER STONE Hugh Estel Burnette Jr. - 58 of Higdon, passed away on Saturday, June 20. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 23 at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with burial in Brown’s Gap Cemetery.
GERALDINE Sarah Satterfield Bryant - 81 of Crossville, passed away on Monday, June 22. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 26 at Geraldine Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Douglas Cemetery.
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FRIDAY — JUNE 26, 2020
THE SOUTHERN TORCH
POLITICS
Jones Introduces Bill to Miller Announces Brooks Supports Mayoral Bid Strengthen Telemedicine By Zach Hester Reporter
(Butch Gill | AP Photo)
NGIP
By Marla Jones Managing Editor
zach@southerntorch.com
marla@southerntorch.com
By Dylan Smith JB Managing Editor
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) has joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in introducing a bill to strengthen telemedicine across the country. "The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the benefits of telemedicine for our country's patients, providers, and health care systems so that folks can stay healthy and safe and receive the care they need from their homes," Jones said in a statement. The bill introduced last week will direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study telehealth programs and how they can be utilized in the future. It also requires HHS to publish a report every five years on the following: • Conduct an inventory of telehealth initiatives in
SYLVANIA, Ala. — Sylvania resident and Councilmember Tom Miller would like to announce his intention to run for mayor of Sylvania. Miller presently serves on the Sylvania Town Council. He formerly served for one term from 2008-2012. If elected, Miller said the biggest thing he wants to accomplish is to make improvements for the police and fire departments. “I had seen some qualities that I think I could improve on in our city government,� Miller said. “I want to see a big difference and an upgrade to the Police Department and an upgrade to the Fire Department so that they can be number one so they can be noticed. I want our officers to be protected. I want them to have the best equipment that can be found. I want the same for the fire department.� Miller also said he would like to see a new
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existence, including their capacity to handle increased volume during the response to a public health emergency; • Identify methods to expand and interconnect regional health information networks and state and regional broadband networks; • Evaluate ways to prepare for, monitor, respond rapidly to or manage the events of a public health emergency through the enhanced use of telehealth technologies; • Promote greater coordination among existing federal
Joseph K. McNew, D.V.M • Linda Galbraith, D.V.M. • Jessica Jones, D.V.M.
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interagency telehealth and health information technology initiatives; and • Make recommendations related to updates on the use of telehealth in public health emergencies in Federal and State public health preparedness plans and any actions taken to implement such recommendations. Telehealth services have become a highly useful tool amidst the coronavirus pandemic that erupted in March. "This bill will help us continue to build our telehealth infrastructure so we can ensure that patients have access to these services, both during the pandemic and beyond," Jones concluded.
(Submitted Photo)
senior citizen center in Sylvania. “We had it at one time, but the council voted it down when it was time to renew it,� Miller said. “I want to change that. I don’t know that I can, but I will certainly do everything in my power to make it happen.� Miller said the roads in Sylvania are in poor shape and in bad need of repair, but the biggest challenge he sees in terms of Sylvania continuing to grow is continuing to work to implement a city sewer system. Sylvania recently received a grant to get the project started. Tom Miller is married to Martha Miller. They attend Mountain View Baptist Church in Sylvania. Miller is an instructor for Celedon Driving Academy, out of Gadsden, Ala., where he trains long-haul truck drivers. Prior to working for Celedon, Miller worked for Wal-Mart for more than 20 years and has spent more than 40 years of his career driving an 18-wheeler.
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) has announced his support for the Missile Defense Agency’s plan for the Next-Generation Interceptor program, a crucial defense system that will be designed in the Tennessee Valley. On Monday, Brooks, a member of the House Armed Forces Committee's Strategic Forces Subcommittee, voted to pass its portion of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2021. “The subcommittee’s base bill has portions that are good for national security and Redstone Arsenal,� said Brooks. “The NGI program will replace America’s current ground-based midcourse defense (“GMD�) system, and will be the backbone of our nation’s missile defense system for generations to come.� Brooks says NGI will be managed by Redstone Arsenal. As such, he says the Tennessee Valley community will play a vital role in the design, engineering, building, and deploying of the system for decades.
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FRIDAY — JUNE 26, 2020
THE SOUTHERN TORCHT
Buck's Pocket State Park 28 Test Positive for Reopens for Business COVID-19 at Crossville Nursing Home
(Alabama State Parks)
By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — After years of closure, Buck's Pocket State Park has officially reopened its campground to the public. Last week, the park reopened the campground on June 16 after being closed since 2015 due to financial issues. The new campground features 23 campsites with 13 of those having sewer hook-ups, four being
pull-through, and 10 providing water and power. Each site features a concrete camper pad, picnic table and area, a firepit, and a grill. Bathhouses and dump stations are provided. Other amenities include a common pavilion area and high speed internet connection within the main campground. In addition, the park has added a brand new ORV (off-road vehicle) trail, a 6.2 mile endeavor that is the first of its kind in the State of Alabama.
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neighbor?
I’M THERE
According to alapark.com, the new trail "was designed to be a slow ride through beech/hardwood forest, parallelling South Sauty Creek." It also includes locations for picnicking and fishing. To make a reservation at the new campground, please call (256) 659-6288 during normal business hours or online. Reservations must be confirmed with payment, cash or credit (no checks). Buck's Pocket State Park is operated and managed as a facility of Lake Guntersville State Park. For more information, please alapark.com or northalabama.org.
(Crossville Health and Rehabilitation | Facebook)
By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com CROSSVILLE, Ala. — An outbreak of COVID-19 has occurred at Crossville Health and Rehabilitation with 20 residents and eight employees testing positive for the novel coronavirus. According to a spokesperson at the facility, all residents and staff were tested as a precaution after a resident was taken to the hospital upon showing symptoms of the virus. A dedicated coronavirus unit has now been set up to separate the positive residents from the rest of the facility. Visitors have not been allowed inside the facility since March. The current “Safer-At-Homeâ€? order signed by Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala.), which ends next week, does not allow residents to have visitors except for end-of-life cases. Nursing homes have become a breeding ground for the virus as COVID-19 wreaks havoc across the nation. John Matson of the Alabama Nursing Association said 166 nursing homes in Alabama have had either a resident or employee test positive for the virus. It is unknown how many nursing home-related cases have recovered. To see if a local nursing home has reported a case of COVID-19, please visit data. cms.gov.
M. Chris Kuykendall
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1827 Gault Ave. North Fort Payne, AL 35967 Bus 256 845-4934 chris.kuykendall.b17y@statefarm.com
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FRIDAY — JUNE 26, 2020
THE SOUTHERN TORCH
Bear Hit Close to Little River Canyon
Alabama Reaches 18K COVID-19 Recoveries, 30K+ Total Cases By Zach Hester, Reporter zach@southerntorch.com
By Marla Jones, Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com ALABAMA — On Tuesday, as she was heading down the mountain from Little River Canyon, Brittany Biddle drove up on something you do not see every day, a baby cub in the road. The cub had been hit and the driver did not stop. Additional bear cubs were on the side of the road and Biddle knew she had to do something to protect them. Luckily someone stopped to help her and they got the bear cub off the road. Onstar alerted authorities after impact with the Broomtown Fire Department, National Park Service officials, Floyd EMS Medics, and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Offices responding to the call. Rangers from the Alabama Fish and Game, along with the National Park Services took custody of the bear. After an examination, it was determined that the bear had a broken lower jaw. “I’m so glad that God placed me there at that moment,” stated Biddle. Southern Torch will update with more information once that is made available from the Alabama Fish and Game.
ALABAMA — As coronavirus cases continue to surge across the nation, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has confirmed more than 30,000 cases of COVID-19 in the State of Alabama. After what seemed like a lull period through the month of May, the state has added 9,181 cases in the last 14 days out of 92,632 tested as of press time on Wednesday, June 24. However, cases have fallen from a peak of 1,047 new cases recorded on June 12. “The increase in the numbers we’re seeing is not explained by an increase in testing,” said Alabama State Public Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris. “It’s caused by the number of disease transmission events that are going on in the state. There just seems to be community transmission going on.” While 879 deaths have been recorded statewide, the ADPH now reports an estimated 18,886 presumed recoveries from the virus in Alabama. To be considered a “presumed recovery,” a confirmed case has to have more than 14 days since a positive test without hospitalization or more than 32 days since a positive test with hospitalization or unknown hospitalization status. At the time of press, DeKalb County had 445 cases with five reported deaths out of 3,856 tests.
CATCH OF THE WEEK This week's Catch of the Week is Cayden Moses! Cayden recently caught this bad boy! To be featured as our next Catch of the Week, submit your photos to marla@southerntorch.com!
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SPORTS
TWICE THE BLESSING
By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com
It’s not every day that a Great Grandmother can celebrate her grandchildren receiving scholarships. Wydene "Nanny" Dukes of Rainsville has the honor of two grandsons signing scholarships to continue their sports careers. Jackson Sarratt, from Boaz High School, recently received a football scholarship to continue his football career at Bethel University in Tennessee. He is also a recipient of a Nucor Scholarship. He is the son of Jason and Melaine Sarratt. Grandparents are Jerry Dukes and Sandy Dukes of Rainsville and Dale Sarratt of Boaz. Great grandparents are Wydene and the late Milford Dukes of Rainsville and Ruth Gilespie of Fyffe. Benson Miller,
Wydene "Nanny" Dukes (lower right) is celebrating her greatgrandchilren, Jackson (upper right) and Benson (upper left) receiving scholarships to further their sports career. (Submitted Photos)
Chestatee High School of Gainesville Georgia, recently received a baseball scholarship to continue his baseball career at Georgia Highlands University. He also received the Hope Scholarship. He is the son of Brandon and Tara Miller. Grandparents are Sue Dukes Dupree and the late Billy Jack Dupree of Gainsville. Great Grandparents are Wydene Dukes and the late Milford Dukes of Rainsville.
CITY OF FORT PAYNE THURSDAY, JULY 2 AT 9 P.M. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no one will be allowed inside the sports complex to view fireworks; however, the City of Fort Payne has arranged for choreographed music to begin at 9 p.m. during the fireworks show as you enjoy it from the safety of your own vehicle! Tune in on any of these stations to hear the special music:
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FRIDAY — JUNE 26, 2020
THE SOUTHERN TORCH
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