The Southern Torch — Vol. 6, No. 28

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020 / VOL. 6, NO. 28 / $1.00 THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS

• See Who's Featured in our Business Spotlight! • Ala. Counties Begin Mandating Masks

Remembering Miss Helen

THIS WEEK IN POLITICS

•A • Inside The Statehouse with Steve Flowers

LIKE

THIS WEEK IN COMMUNITY •A • Sand Mtn. Park Announces Discounts

FOLLOW

TWEET

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS •A •A

THE RACE IS ON

(Submitted Photo)

By Southern Torch Staff RAINSVILLE, Ala. — Helen Brooks Browder, 89 of Rainsville, passed away on Saturday, July 4 at her residence. Graveside services were held on Monday, July 6 at 11 a.m. at Broadway Baptist Church Cemetery with Dr. Kevin McCreless officiating and Rainsville Funeral Home, Inc. directing.

Helen Browder, lovingly called Miss Helen celebrated her 89th birthday recently with an all-day party. She enjoyed refreshments, messages, cards, phone calls, flowers and visits from her family.

Miss Helen was a 1949 graduate of Sylvania High School and attended Alverson-Draughon Business College of Nashville. She married the love of her life, Jim Browder on April 8, 1950.

In 2015 the couple celebrated their 65-year anniversary with a reception held in their honor. During the two-hour event, over 200 family members and friends attended and shared in their blessed celebration.

For many years, she was a domestic engineer, keeping an immaculate home and staying busy with Jim and their two active children. She began her career later in life as the director of the Child Development Center at the DeKalb Baptist Mission Center in Rainsville. She earned her title as Miss

> HELEN, P3

Qualifying for DeKalb County's municipal elections began this week. Municipal elections will be held on Tuesday, August 25. (Submitted Photos)

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — Qualifying for municipal elections began on Tuesday, July 7 at 8 a.m. and will close on Tuesday, July 21, at 5 p.m.

Any individual who wishes to run in a city or town’s municipal election must qualify to run within this time frame. To be eligible, a candidate must live within the city limits of said municipality.

As of press time, the

following candidates have qualified: Crossville Mayor: Tera Fortenberry (incumbent) Council: Nelson Ferrell (incumbent, place 1), Faye Kilgo (incumbent, place 3), Bryan Ray (incumbent, place 4) Fort Payne Council: Jamie Fleming, Wade Hill (incumbent), Kerry Jones, Charlene Magbie, Diego Reynoso, Angie Shugart, Leslie Vaughn, Walter Watson, Neal Wooten Fyffe

Mayor: Paul Cagle (incumbent), Jonathan Bartlet Council: James Spears (incumbent, place 1), Gerald Green (incumbent, place 3), Dale Wooten (incumbent, place 5) Geraldine Mayor: Chuck Ables (incumbent) Council: Shon Rogers Hammondville Mayor: John Moore Council: Felicia Harrison Henagar Council: Jeff McCurdy (incumbent, place 5), Joy

DeKalb Schools Discuss Plan for Reopening

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — DeKalb County Superintendent of Education, Dr. Jason Barnett held a press conference on Friday, July 3 to announce steps for the reopening of DeKalb County Schools for the 2020-2021 school year. “COVID-19 is going to go down as one of the most, if not the most, disruptive in modern history, especially in K-12 history� stated Barnett.

Parents and guardians have the option of their children attending a

traditional school setting or by remote learning via virtual attendance.

DeKalb County educators will begin the school year on August 3.

The date for students to return will be pushed back from the original start date of August 7. DeKalb County will reopen beginning on August 10 with a staggered entry schedule. Students with the last name beginning with A-G will return to campus on that date. Students with the last name beginning with H-M will report to campus on August 11. Students with the last name beginning with N-S will report to campus on

August 12. All students with the last name beginning with T-Z will report on August 13. All students will come to campus on August 14.

DeKalb County School students will be provided a Chromebook for learning in the classroom and for home instruction should the schools for closed for additional safety concerns.

Dr. Barnett took the opportunity to thank Farmers Telephone Cooperative for providing “hot spot� internet access to several communities during the COVID-19 crisis.

> SCHOOL, P5

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Dixson (place 2), Robert Trotman (incumbent, place 4) Mentone Mayor: Rob Hammond Council: Ray Padgett (place 4) Rainsville Mayor: Rodger Lingerfelt Council: Arlan Blevins (place 1), Bejan Taheri (place 2), Ricky Byrum (place 3), Brandon Freeman (place 4), Derek Rosson (place 5) Sylvania Council: Gary

Ferguson (place 4), Denny Smith (place 3) Valley Head Mayor: Michael Key Council: Russell Head (place 1), Adele Phillips (incumbent, place 2), Jack Martin (incumbent, place 3), Marie Behling (place 4) At the time of press, no candidates have qualified for municipal elections in Collinsville, Ider, Lakeview, Pine Ridge, Powell, or Shiloh.

Municipal elections in DeKalb County will be held on Tuesday, August 25.

Sessions, Tuberville Head to GOP Runoff

By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com ALABAMA — After months of delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville will finally meet in the Republican runoff for U.S. Senate next week.

The race was originally scheduled for March 31, but was pushed back to July 14 because of the impact of COVID-19 on the State of Alabama.

President Donald Trump endorsed Tuberville in March over his former Attorney General, with

(Photo by Zach Hester)

whom he has a tense relationship, due to Sessions recusing himself from the investigation on whether or not Trump's campaign colluded with Russia to influence the 2016 election.

According to results provided by Decision Desk HQ, Tuberville held a

> VOTE, P5

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FRIDAY — JULY 10, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

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H w k w r quorum of commissioners o present, Commission Chair t Tim Guffey was absent, H met with the Jackson y f County Legislative Delegation for the purpose w of raising taxes in Jackson t County Alabama. This was m a Deliberative Session of k the commission, the issue c will come before the commission at a later date. a The deliberative meeting is a violation of the Code of Alabama 36-25A-1, Open Meetings Law and Code of Alabama 11-3-8, County Commission Meeting Notice Requirements.

Reference Facebook Commission Meeting Video on June 15, 2020, this video includes a listing of the items deliberated upon and the commissioner’s positions at the secret meeting on or about June 10, 2020, with the Legislative Delegation.

Jackson Blaze will continue to follow this developing story.

Complaint Filed Against Jackson Co. Commission

By B.A. Little Reporter beverlyannette@southerntorch.com JACKSON COUNTY, Ala. — Garry Morgan filed a complaint with the Jackson County District Attorney on June 19. It is his position that the Jackson County Commission violated the Open Meetings Act of the State of Alabama. The

deliberative meeting with a quorum of the commission with our legislative delegation is a violation of the Code of Alabama 36-25A-1, Open Meetings Law, and Code of Alabama 11-3-8, County Commission Meeting Notice Requirements.

Jackson Blaze reached out to Mr. Morgan and he stated, “It is incumbent that our politicians,

stewards of our government’s business, be transparent and open in their actions, particularly when attempting to raise taxes which will involve all citizens of Jackson County.

We do not know exactly what was discussed and deliberated upon in the June 10 meeting with a quorum of the commissioners present with the Jackson County

Legislative Delegation. The press was not notified nor was there a notification to the public of this secret meeting on June 10.�

Enforcement of the Open Meetings Law (ACCA Primer, page 41): “Ala. Code §36-25A-9(a) states that the Open Meetings Law “is designed and intended to hold members of governmental bodies, and the bodies themselves, accountable to the public for violations of [the law].�

The enforcement provisions of the law provide the means to accomplish these goals.

The law was amended in 2015, in part to strengthen and clarify some of the enforcement provisions of the law. See Act 2015-340.�

Jackson Blaze reached out to District Attorney Jason Pierce who did not have a comment at this time.

In the complaint to the DA, Mr. Morgan requested that the Jackson County

District Attorney’s office bring an action, suit, injunction, to insure the Jackson County Commission does not hold secretive, deliberative sessions with the Jackson County Legislative Delegation when such issues involve raising taxes and will come before the deliberative body of the commission at a later date.

The purpose of Alabama’s Open Meeting’s Law is to ensure a transparent, open government in their deliberations and motives.

Particularly when an issue comes before the Commission and our local Legislative Delegation affecting all of the citizens of Jackson County in relation to raising tax revenue for the operations of our county. Additionally, I do not believe there is an official record of this meeting.

On or about June 10, 2020, the Jackson County Commission, with a

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FRIDAY — JULY 10, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

3

COMMUNITY

• •

 Â

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HELEN

Their favorite campsite was Mountain Lakes Resort in Guntersville. They spent most of their time from early spring to fall each year visiting the resort, making memories with a host of friends, old and new. Pastime at the campgrounds included walking, reading a good book, ladder golf tourneys, playing cards, and having ice cream socials.

Miss Helen was a fun-loving, strong, kind, and independent lady who always held her family and friends dear to her heart.

She enjoyed any time spent with them. She was a

FROM PAGE 1

Helen from her 22 ½ years working with daycare and kindergartners. Often she would be stopped in a restaurant, a grocery store or any public place for kids to yell out, “Hey, Miss Helenâ€?. Throughout the years she was greeted by former daycare students who would come to enroll their own children at the mission center daycare or kindergarten.

After she retired, the couple took up camping and bought a travel trailer.

long-time member of Broadway Baptist Church and taught a teen girls Sunday School class for many years.

Her life on earth ended last Saturday, July 4, when God led her to her heavenly home. What a celebration that had to be and she is now resting in the arms of Jesus, free from disease and health issues.

She is survived by her daughter Diane B. Hale (Jimmy); daughter-in-law, Patti Browder; brother, Larry Brooks; sister, Marilyn Buff (Jim); grandchildren Jenni (William) Bobo, Brandi Bell,

Ashton (Jon) Spann, Aime Browder, Katie Browder, and Lacy (Steven) Cognevich; great-grandchildren Brett Bobo, Harley Bobo, Bella Bobo, Maci Pope, Sadie Spann, and two more due in the fall; great-great-grandson, Bo Peters; special friend and caregiver, Glenda Hancock; and caregivers, Tammy Williams, Macy Leath, and Debbie Lynn.

She was preceded in death by her husband James “Jim� G. Browder; son, Steve Browder; sister, Gayenell Short; and parents, Leon and Inez Brooks.

CRIME

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: Last week, deputies, investigators, and narcotics agents with the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office conducted a saturation operation in several areas across the county.

The following arrests were made as a result of increased patrols in Cartersville, Ider, Henagar, Powell, Geraldine, Crossville, Painter, Whiton, and Kilpatrick: • Sledge Ashia (28 of Trenton, Ga.): domestic violence 3rd • Jessica Bachelor (33

of Albertville): unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana 2nd, theft of property 4th • Pamela Baldwin (37 of Langston): outstanding warrant in DeKalb Co. • Donald Baldwin (45 of Dawson): outstanding warrant in Marshall Co. • Darrick Betz (45 of Dawson): failure to appear warrants (x2) • Amber Bradshaw (23 of Cedar Bluff): failure to

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appear warrants • Joel Contreras (28 of Albertville): warrant for resisting arrest, warrant for disorderly conduct, warrant for unlawful possession of a controlled substance • Alex Corona (28 of Albertville): warrant for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, warrant for possession of marijuana 2nd • Amber Cornelius (40 of Dawson): failure to appear warrant for forgery (x5) • Francisco Miquel Manuel (18 of Fort Payne): DUI (alcohol) • Carla Osteen (36 of Dawson): DUI (controlled substances), unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia • Brooklyn Richards (26 of Albertville): possession of marijuana 2nd, possession of drug paraphernalia • Christopher Richey (26 of Fyffe): possession of a controlled substance (x3), unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana 2nd • Cristen Roberts (35 of Higdon): public intoxication • Adam Dakota Earl

“FIWA QL AOH SHWA GLI NVJ. JL LJH NVJ QL TLMH AOVJ AOVA.� — FLOJ KLLQHJ

YOUR HINT: S = B The Southern Torch Cryptogram is a new part of our game section. Quotes are selected from famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

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.

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Twenty Arrested in Fourth of July Saturation

By Southern Torch Staff

CCA Student Gives Back to Siblings

Teague (26 of Collinsville): failure of appear warrants, unauthorized use of a vehicle • Jeffery Vinson (47 of Albertville): possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana 2nd, outstanding traffic warrants (x3) • Terry Swearengin (32 of Guntersville): warrant for an outside agency • Elida Rodrigues (24 of Albertville): warrant for an outside agency • Preston Early (35 of Flat Rock): warrant for an outside agency • Travis Townsend (50 of Dutton): warrant for an outside agency In addition, marijuana, ecstasy (MDMA), illegal prescription pills, and drug paraphernalia were found at a residence on County Road 18.

"Our guys did a great job keeping our roads safe...they got a lot of dangerous drugs and criminals off of our roadways," said Sheriff Welden.

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — Carter Pike is a 14-year old with a great business head on his shoulders.

Carter appreciated the fact that his parents paid for his and his siblings’ tuition at Cornerstone Christian Academy. He decided that he wanted to help his parents with the costs. Coming from a family of farmers. He knew exactly what he needed to do.

Pike planted a crop of ambrosia sweet corn last year.

His profits paid his tuition for his seventh-grade year at Cornerstone, plus bought his books.

This year, he added a few more acres to his crop. His goal was to not only pay for his tuition, but he also wanted to pay for his brothers and if funds allowed, his sister's tuition.

Carter’s siblings along with his parents have all helped him in his new business. They have helped gather, package, and distribute the corn.

If you happened to drive by Cornerstone Christian Academy on Wednesday, you would have seen the parking lot full of people anxious to get his sweet corn.

If you are interested in helping this young farmer achieve his goal, you can message his mom, Deedra Pike, on her personal Facebook. He sells his delicious corn for $6 per dozen. The next gathering will be next week.

Farmers feed America, and Carter Pike has learned that at a long age.

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LEGALS

LEGALS

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

Case No.: 2020-121

Case No.: 2020-145

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF RITA L. MULLINS, deceased

IN RE: THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF TEDDY B. KEAN

EXECUTOR'S NOTICE TO FILE 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.

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.

Michael D. Mullins, Executor

Robert B. French, Jr. Administrator

To be published: June 26, July 3, July 10

To be published: June 26, July 3, July 10

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Ala. Counties Begin Rainsville Renews Mandating Masks Ag Center Lease S

By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com ALABAMA — At a press conference last week, Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala.) opted against taking action to enforce masking in the State of Alabama. However, local officials have stepped in to mandate masks on their own.

Four of the five of the state's largest cities — Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, and Tuscaloosa — are now under mask orders with some choosing to enforce the order at the county level.

This week, Madison County, which encompasses the City of Huntsville and its metro area, issued an order to mandate mask wearing for those over the age of 2 in indoor facilities, on public transportation, and in outdoor areas where social distancing is not possible.

"We need to do all we can to limit the spread of COVID-19," said State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris.

"Until we have a vaccine or treatment...wearing a face covering in public is a key measure we have available to prevent transmission of the virus."

At the time of press, there is no mandatory masking order for DeKalb County.

In a joint statement last week, county officials with the DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and DeKalb County Commission encouraged face coverings and social distancing to combat the growing spread of the virus locally.

"We realize people are tired and we all want to get back to a normal state, but we must be vigilant and safe about reopening," said DeKalb County Commission President Ricky Harcrow.

According to EMA officials, DeKalb County is one of the fastest-growing positive testing areas in the state.

By Marla Jones Reporter marla@southerntorch.com RAINSVILLE, Ala. — (Full video on southerntorch.com) The Rainsville City Council held their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, July 6.

During the meeting, it was brought up that the lease agreement between The Public Building Authority and the City of Rainsville was up for renewal. Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt stated that he forgot to bring a copy for the council to review.

Councilman Marshall Stiefel stated that he did not want to vote without reviewing. A copy of the agreement was provided by the City Clerk, for review between the work session and regular session of the Council meeting. After a vote, the Council approved the agreement.

Mayor Lingerfelt asked the council for approval of two new signs for the City.

The first one would be a 5x10 sign at the entrance of the Field of Dreams and the Northeast Alabama Agri-Business Center in the amount of $3,580.00. The Council approved this purchase.

The second sign would be a 4x4 sign at the Rainsville City Hall at the price of $1275.00. All Council members approved the purchase, with the exception of Marshall

p

Stiefel.

J “To my knowledge, s there was nothing wrong with the present sign. The F G sign looks great. The amount of the sign purchase was not the issue� stated Stiefel. “ I am just against needless spending of the taxpayer’s money. “ The Mayor and Council will welcome the new Rainsville business, DeKalb Urgent Care and Wellness Center at the grand opening and ribbon cutting on Sunday, July 12 from 2pm-4pm. The public is invited to attend.

In other business the Council approved the following: • Accepted the resignation of Asst. Police Chief Josh Wigley and posted the position he vacated for 14 days (seven internally, and if necessary, seven externally) • Accepted the low bid to Reed Contracting Services in the amount of $161,244.44 for the street paving of Grimes, Church Street to White Street and Northside • Accepted the low bid to Boozer and Son Construction in the amount of $11,790.00 for concrete flume on Church Street • Hired Tyler Ledford as Part-time Maintenance/ Shop in the amount of $11.43 The next Rainsville City Council meeting will be July 20.

FRIDAY — JULY 10, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

5

POLITICS

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE

Senate and Congressional Runoffs Next Week

By Steve Flowers Political Columnist MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Believe or not, coronavirus notwithstanding, we have three important GOP runoffs next Tuesday. You will go back to the polls to elect two Congressmen and a United States Senator.

That is assuming that you go vote and are not afraid of germs.

It will be interesting to see how the turnout is on July 14. Mostly older folks, like me, are the ones that vote in all elections and we have been told for four months not to congregate or get around other people.

There could be some concern among older voters about getting out and going to the polls. Also, most of the poll workers are retired volunteers.

There is an open Congressional seat in District 2. Dothan businessman, Jeff Coleman, is the favorite.

He garnered close to 40 percent of the vote against a large field of candidates including former Attorney General Troy King, who finished fourth. Former Enterprise State Representative, Barry Moore, finished second with 20 percent and will face Coleman in the runoff next week. This seat is comprised of the Montgomery, Autauga, Elmore River Region area coupled with the Wiregrass. The seat has been held by Montgomery

Republican, Martha Roby, for 10 years. She chose not to seek reelection. It is surprising that the two combatants who made the runoff, Jeff Coleman and Barry Moore, hail from the Wiregrass and most of the people are in the River Region.

Coleman has had a substantial campaign dollar advantage over Moore and the entire field running for this open seat.

However, Moore has received a $550,000 gift from an innocuous Washington political action committee that has pummeled Coleman with negative ads. This contribution may make this race close.

The 1st District Mobile/Baldwin area seat is also up for grabs, literally. This is the seat open by the departure of Bradley Byrne, who opted to run for the U.S. Senate.

The two aspirants who wound up in the runoff, are veteran Mobile County Commissioner and businessman Jerry Carl and former Mobile State Senator Bill Hightower.

They finished in a dead heat with Carl getting 39% and Hightower 38% of the vote on March 3. This one will be close and interesting. My guess is that Jerry Carl wins this runoff. He received some late important endorsements in the waning days.

The marquee event will be the GOP runoff for the U.S. Senate between

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.

Steve may be reached at www. steveflowers.us.

former Senator Jeff Sessions who sat in this seat for 20 years and former Auburn football coach, Tommy Tuberville.

This one will also be close.

The two conservative gentlemen finished in a virtual tie on March 3.

The winner may be the one who took the best advantage of the three-and-a-half-month hiatus. They each could have and should have simply used the phone to call every single potential Republican voter in the state.

They could have taken a page from the playbook of the most prolific politician in Alabama history, one George C. Wallace. He would keep the telephone glued to his ear. Wallace would constantly call people on the phone 8-10 hours a day.

He would call you at all hours of the day and night.

Tuberville and Sessions should have used this method of campaigning without getting out of quarantine mode.

One-on-one old-fashioned

campaigning and asking people for their vote goes a long way in Alabama politics. It always has and it always will. Folks like to be asked for their vote.

Tuberville has outworked Sessions in old fashioned one-on-one campaigning. Although Tuberville is a novice to Alabama geographically and politically, he has traversed the state and met a lot of folks in a grassroots campaign style.

He is a very likable fellow and sells well personally.

He did well in the rural areas in the first primary.

It helped him immensely, probably more than he realized, with the endorsement and full support of the Alabama Farmers Federation.

If Tuberville wins, he needs to ask for a seat on the Senate Agriculture Committee. We have not had a senator on the Ag Committee since the late Howell Heflin, who was Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. By the way, this seat that Sessions held for 20 years and is running for again and Coach Tuberville is aspiring to, is the seat held by the late Senator Heflin for 18 years.

This runoff has the potential to have a low turnout due to trepidation from older voters and it will be hot as blazes in mid-July.

Y’all vote. See you next week.

VOTE

FROM PAGE 1 narrow margin in the initial March 3 primary over Sessions at 33.39% to 31.65%. An internal poll conducted by OnMessage in May found Sessions trailing Tuberville 49% to 43%. Tuberville also leads Sessions in the final fundraising report before Election Day with the coach raising $652,389 while spending $663,004 and $448,204 cash-onhand. Sessions reported $439,639 raised, $688,639 spent and more than $500,000 cash-on-hand.

Both men are vying to face incumbent Democrat

Freeman to Run for Re-Election

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com RAINSVILLE, Ala. — Brandon Freeman recently announced his intention to seek re-election to the Rainsville City Council, Place 4. “I have proudly served the City of Rainsville for the past 8 years as a Councilman. This August, I hope to earn the opportunity to serve four more years� stated Freeman. “Our city has taken

DEATH NOTICES BURT Roderick Neal Ford Sr. - 59 of Collinsville, passed away on Tuesday, June 30. Graveside services were held on Friday, July 3 at Glenwood Cemetery.

KERBY William S. Liles - 83 of Guntersville, passed away on Wednesday, July 1. Funeral services were held on Friday, July 3 at Kerby Funeral Home Chapel with entombment at Green Haven Memorial Gardens.

RAINSVILLE Shelby Ann Badgett Harper - 75 of Rainsville, passed away on Friday, July 3. Graveside services were held on Sunday, July 5 at Mountain View Memory

WILSON Thelma Gray - 83 of Fort Payne, passed away on Wednesday, July 1.

Graveside services were held on Friday, July 3 at

Mountain View Memory Gardens.

Mary Ruth Butler - 78 of Fort Payne, passed away on Friday, July 3. Graveside services were held on Monday, July 6 at Walker’s Chapel Cemetery.

GERALDINE Reynaldo Valencia - 56 of Albertville, passed away on Monday, June 29. Funeral services were held on Friday, July 3 at Geraldine Funeral Home Chapel with burial in DeKalb Memorial Gardens.

John Ray Stancil 68 of Albertville, passed away on Sunday, July 5. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

W.T. WILSON Robert Earl Schultz - 46 of Rainsville, passed away on Tuesday, June 30. Funeral services were held on Sunday, July 5 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Gary Wayne Davis - 71 of Valley Head, passed away on Wednesday, July 1.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 6 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with burial in Mountain View Memory Gardens.

Ishma Joe Stephens - 91 of Valley Head, passed away on Wednesday, July 1.

Funeral services were held on Friday, July 3 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with burial in Glenwood Cemetery.

William Jeffery Brannon - 49 of Dawson, passed away on Saturday, July 4. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 7 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with burial in Mt. Pleasant @ Crossville Cemetery.

Michael Ray Westmoreland - 54 of

Fort Payne, passed away on Sunday, July 5.

Graveside services were held on Wednesday, July 8 at Bluff Cemetery in Section.

Alan Jeron Comeau - 58 of Boaz, passed away on Sunday, July 5. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

CORNER STONE Charlene Wooten Cartwright - 76 of Bryant, passed away on Friday, July 3. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Mark Anthony Phillips - 58 of Henagar, passed away on Sunday, July 5. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 8 at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with burial in Rainsville Church of Christ cemetery.

Know your

neighbor?

I’M THERE

M. Chris Kuykendall

1827 Gault Ave. North Fort Payne, AL 35967 Bus 256 845-4934 chris.kuykendall.b17y@statefarm.com

Doug Jones (D-Ala.) in November. A recent poll by ALG Research from June 18-22 shows a tight race for Jones no matter who he faces this year. In the poll, Tuberville led Jones by one percent, 45-44, and Sessions was locked in a dead heat with the freshman Democrat at 44 percent each. The poll had a margin of error of Âą 4 percent.

In addition to the U.S. Senate race, Republican voters will also choose between Beth Kellum and Will Smith for Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place No. 2. There is no Democratic runoff in DeKalb County.

SCHOOLS FROM PAGE 1

When school resumes, Dr. Barnett said students will see several changes.

Teachers will be required to wear masks following Governor Kay Ivey’s “Safer at Home Order� for educational institutions.

Students are encouraged to wear masks to campus but this will be left to the discretion of parents.

There will be some cases where masks will be mandatory, such as when a

(Submitted Photo)

many steps forward and I am excited to hopefully earn the right to build upon our progress made and work towards brightening the future of Rainsville and its citizens� Freeman concluded.

Municipal elections will be held on August 25, 2020. student is on the school bus.

The Board will follow the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) recommendations regarding fall sports when those decisions are made in a meeting scheduled for this week.

Athletes who are practicing their respective sports are using the safety procedures as set out by the AHSAA. DeKalb County has published the Families Guide for School Re-Entry for the 2020-2021 school year that can be found on DeKalb County Superintendents Facebook page @DrJasonBarnett.

In an interview with Southern Torch, Dr. Barnertt answered specific questions from parents.

That interview can be found on the Southern Torch Facebook page.

Burt Funeral H omes

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FRIDAY — JULY 10, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCHT

SPORTS

No Cash, Please

REFEREES WANTED

Auburn's Biggest Fan Meets Tuberville

By Southern Torch Staff

By Marla Jones, Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com

ALABAMA — The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) recently announced that schools across the state are adopting a new cashless, touchless ticketing policy for the 2020-2021 school year events. “COVID-19 has drastically altered how consumers pay and use technology. We highly recommend schools proactively prepare for these new fan expectations. Our ticketing partners at GOFAN have been working closely with AHSAA member schools to offer schools a turnkey solution to appropriately social distance and provide contactless payment optionsâ€? stated Assistant Director Denise Ainsworth. • The AHSAA cited the following as key benefits: • Financial Transparency • Enhanced Safety and Security • Limit Person-to-Person Interactions • Minimize (or eliminate) Cash • Better Fan Experience.

ALABAMA — The Northeast Alabama Football Officials Association is preparing for the 2020 high school season, which begins Aug. 20 with what the AHSAA labels week zero because teams are permitted to play regular-season games or jamborees.

All the association’s meetings will take place at the Guntersville Recreation Center. The meetings will be Wednesday nights at 6:30 beginning July 22.

People interested in joining the association should contact Bud Moore at 256-582-4685. It’s best to call him at night. Moore is the contact person for new officials and assists them in obtaining their license. “It’s a typical year and looks like we’re short guys again,� Moore said. “Coaches call every year wanting us to call their games, but unless somebody drops off our list, we can’t add anybody. We would have to borrow officials from other associations to add schools.�

The Northeast Alabama Football Officials Association has contracts with 14 schools, and Moore said several other schools contacted the group and asked if it could officiate their games. “We need people who really want to do this,� Moore said. “You can’t do it for money — you have to do it because you want to be involved.�

Moore said new officials must study the rule book, develop good communications with players and coaches and make sure they call quality fouls.

The NAFOA officiates games on the varsity, junior varsity and middle school/junior high levels. Officials usually work two nights per week, but some could work three nights a week due to the number of games on the schedule.

The association’s officers are president Andy Robertson, vice president Crash Cannon, recording secretary Marlon McElrath and assigner Jeff Young.

Besides Young, the assignment committee features John Banholzer, Ronald Anderson and John Holcomb.

Banholzer also assists with training new officials.

Jason Pruett, who is self-proclaimed as "Auburn's biggest fan", had the opportunity to meet former Auburn head coach and current U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Tuberville at a campaign stop last week.

CATCH OF THE WEEK

This week's Catch of the Week is Byron Armstrong!

Armstrong caught this 7-pound, 15-oz bass last week!

To be featured as our next Catch of the Week, submit your photos to marla@southerntorch.com!

We would like to encourage everyone to wear a mask when in public places, practice social distancing, and abide by all state COVID-19 regulations. We must all do our part to stop the spread.

We are all in this together.

FRIDAY — JULY 10, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

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FRIDAY — JULY 10, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

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