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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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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!
• LISTEN TO 98-3 WILD COUNTRY & 101-7 THE TORCH
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(Submitted Photo)
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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