The Southern Torch — Vol. 6, No. 40

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2020 / VOL. 6, NO. 40 / $1.00

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Commission Approves $23.2M Budget

By Zach Hester Reporter

zach@southerntorch.com DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — At this week’s meeting, the DeKalb County Commission approved their 2020-21 budget, amounting to $23,232,120.

DeKalb County Administrator Matt Sharp reported that the budget had increased from last year due to funding from the Rebuild Alabama Act

and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, as well as increases in school resource officer hires and simplified sellers use tax (SSUT). It also accounts for changes in the county employee retirement system.

For more detailed breakdown of the Commission budget, please see our full live video on southerntorch.com.

At the meeting, Road Superintendent Tom

FP Fire Holds MDA Bike Night

Broyles updated the Commission on road projects within the county.

He stated that work had been halted on County Road (CR) 835, also known as Old Highway 35, due to the excess rain that had fallen in the last few days.

Broyles hoped to restart work on the project next week.

Commissioner Scot Westbrook was honored for completing all the second-level mandatory

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courses through the governing training institute with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA).

In other business, the Commission: • Initiated federal aid projects on CR26 in District 2 and CR83 in District 3 Approved the annual release of the county’s snow and ice removal quote for the Alabama

> COMMS, P4

MATT JOHNSON OF CORNERSTONE

Ivey Extends "SaferAt-Home" Order

SPORTS • Fyffe Remains Undefeated • Valley Nailbiter • It's Homecoming Week at Several of our Local Schools!

POLITICS • CONTINUED: Ivey Renews Mask Order • Inside The Statehouse

COMMUNITY

Gov. Kay Ivey extended her health order, which includes a statewide mask mandate, at a press conference on Wednesday. (Stephen Quinn | ABC3340) PICTURED: Southern Torch Managing Editor Marla Jones delivers a donation from Southern Torch to Fort Payne Fire Chief Ron Saferite.

By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com FORT PAYNE, Ala. — On Saturday, September 26, the Fort Payne Fire Department and the Wills Town Rats hosted their annual Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Bike night.

Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. In muscular dystrophy, abnormal genes (mutations) interfere with the production of proteins

needed to form healthy muscle. The Fort Payne Fire Department usually has several boot drives to raise money but due to the coronavirus, the events had been canceled.

The MDA annual fundraiser event was kicked off with a motorcycle ride with over 40 cyclists. After the ride, the event at the Fort Payne Rotary Pavillion, which included cornhole tournaments and a performance by Still Kickin’, raised almost

> MDA, P4

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By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com MONTGOMERY, Ala. — On Wednesday, Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala.) announced another extension of the State of

Alabama’s “Safer-AtHome� Order and mask mandate through Sunday, November 8.

The order, which was first issued in July, was set to expire on Friday, October 2.

Ivey stressed her

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> MASK, P6

BUSINESS • Ivey Awards $35M to Emergency Personnel, Health • Who's In Our Business Spotlight?

Making Halloween Great Again

By Marla Jones Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — After the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce announced the cancellation of their annual Halloween Block Party, Southern Torch has filed an application with the City of Fort Payne to

host our own block party on Halloween night.

The application was submitted on Tuesday, September 29. According to the ordinance that governs time, place, and manner regulations in Fort Payne, the Chief of Police will review the application and make a recommendation of approval or disapproval to

desire to remove the mask order, but renewed it past through the upcoming national election to ensure a safe way to vote in-person and to keep the lowering of new cases

• DeKalb Co. Upcoming Events • NACC Well Protected by Police and Technology

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the City Council. The council will then vote to approve or deny the application. The submitted application asks for the closure of Gault Avenue North between 2nd Street and 5th Street. The new Southern Torch office is located in the 200 block.

Southern Torch will continue to update our audience on this

developing situation.

If approved, we encourage all businesses or churches to participate and the public to attend and enjoy the holiday, while continuing to be mindful of social distancing. Southern Torch always wants to serve our community by supporting our businesses and citizens alike.

SYLVANIA PHARMACY YOUR FRIEND, YOUR DRUGSTORE! Visit our website at www.southerntorch.com for daily news updates and pick up your weekly print edition at news stands every Friday.

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FRIDAY — OCTOBER 2, 2020

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FALL INTO SAVINGS AT TWIN CITY! 1411 Glenn Blvd SW, Fort Payne, AL 35967

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Scottsboro Police To Ticket Heavy Trucks on City Streets

SECTION MAN ARRESTED IN POWELL BURGLARY

By Southern Torch Staff

By B.A. Little Reporter beverlyannette@southerntorch.com SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — Beginning October 1, Scottsboro Police officers will begin issuing citations for unauthorized commercial trucks (GVW 10,000) on several streets.

According to Ordinance 614, passed by the City Council of the City of Scottsboro, “It shall be unlawful and constitute an offense against the City of Scottsboro for any person to operate or remain in a commercial vehicle with a

manufactured gross vehicle of 10,000 pounds or more on the following streets: Moody Ridge Road, Charlotte Street, King Street, Chapell Street, Hays Street, Peachtree Street, Appletree Street, Pine Street, Cherry Street, Garden Drive.”

Exceptions include emergency vehicles, delivery trucks, school buses, garbage trucks and maintenance equipment.

The first conviction, an offender may be fined up to $250.00. On the second conviction, an offender may be fined up to $500.

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: A Section man is facing theft and burglary charges related to a break-in that occurred on McGee Street in Powell about two weeks ago.

On Saturday, September 12, 2020, the Powell Police Department contacted DeKalb County Investigators to report that a large number of items had been stolen from the former Pendergrass Farms Company. Multiple items such as four wheelers, sound equipment, stereos, tools, two utility trailers, an engine, and several other miscellaneous items had been stolen from the building.

In total, tens of thousands of dollars’ worth

of items had been stolen from the building.

Investigators had several leads including a witness and evidence left on scene.

The evidence led investigators to a residence on Cemetery Drive in Section.

While at the residence, DCSO investigators, the Section Police Department, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office located multiple items that the victim identified as stolen in the burglary.

Methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia were also located at the residence.

Three subjects were arrested on scene. Tristan Dane Corbitt (34 of Section), Matthew Kaleb Christian (20 of Fyffe), and Jordan Levi Cisco (24 of Section) were all charged with Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. They were all taken into custody and transported to the Jackson County Detention Center on the drug related charges.

After further investigation, it was determined that Corbitt

was responsible for the burglary. After his release from Jackson County, he will be facing charges for Theft of Property 1st Degree and Burglary, 3rd Degree.

Several items are still missing, including two Yamaha four wheelers, two Bose Speakers, and a black, mesh bottom utility trailer.

These were likely already sold or traded by the suspect. If you have any information on the whereabouts of these items, please contact our office at (256) 845-3801.

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COMMUNITY

ADPH Hosts Flu Rainsville Nutrition Opens Doors Shot Clinics in DeKalb County

D

By Southern Torch Staff

DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — The Alabama Department of Public Health will be hosting six drive-thru flu shot clinics in DeKalb County this October.

According to healthline.com, anywhere from five to 20 percent of the population of the United States get the seasonal flu ever year, resulting in 31.4 million outpatient visits each year. These statistics reflect the 2017-18 flu season.

The flu shots are first-come, first-serve while supplies last for adults of all ages. There is no charge for Medicare/Medicaid or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBS) patients with an insurance card. The cost is $15 to all other insured and uninsured patients. Services will not be denied due to inability to pay.

The following locations will be available for flu shots: • Collinsville: 10/27/20, 9 am – 11 am at City Hall, 39 Post Office St. • Crossville: 10/27/20, 12 pm – 2 pm at City Park, 14108 AL HWY 68 • Fort Payne: 10/21/20, 8 am – 3 pm at VFW Fairgrounds, 151 18th St. NE • Geraldine: 10/30/20, 9 am – 11 am at First Baptist Church, 12854 Hwy 227 • Ider: 10/28/20, 9 am – 11 am at Missionary Baptist Church, 1695 Dogwood Drive • Valley Head: 10/28/20, 12 pm – 2 pm at field beside Town Hall, 41 Anderson St. For more information, please visit alabamapublichealth.gov.

Dozer Work • Pond Construction • Chert, Gravel, Topsoil, Etc.! • We accept partial trade on Cattle!

Rainsville Nutrition held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, September 30. PICTURED (L to R): Sandy Goff, Carol Hiett, Ruth Dukes, Ina Lloyd, Rodger Lingerfelt, Marshall Stiefel, Danilla Quintana (owner), Diana Acosta, Jordan Hypes, son Marshall, son Brandon, Rene Haney, and Rick Haney.

NACC Well Protected by Police and Technology

By Southern Torch Staff

POWELL, Ala. — The safety of students, faculty, and staff is a fundamental concern of officials at Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC). According to NACC President Dr. David Campbell, the campus police staff does outstanding work. “Our staff are always available to assist both students and staff members, and they are trained and qualified for any situation,” Campbell said. “Each staff member is a licensed police officer,” Campbell added.

“Each one has experience working for a city or county police department.”

During the closure and limited opening of the campus this fall due to coronavirus, Northeast police officers have become even more important in monitoring the campus.

The staff is made up of Police Chief Van McAlpin and full-time officer David Snay. Former Police Chief Norman Smith works part-time for the department, along with officers Josh Wigley, Greg Works, and Steven Whited.

Campbell noted that the college does all it can to keep the police department well equipped.

This year, for example, the college acquired a new police patrol car for the officers. “We want them to be as effective as possible in doing their job,” said Campbell. NACC consistently has a very low crime rate on campus.

“Northeast is characterized by having very good and polite students, faculty, and staff. Visitors to our

SOUTHERN TORCH • 98-3 WILD COUNTRY • 101-7 THE TORCH Staff:

Southern Torch (USPS Periodicals #19790) is published each Friday by Southern Torch, Inc. 203 Main Street E, Rainsville, Ala. 35986. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Southern Torch, P.O. Box 614, Rainsville, Ala. 35986-0614.

Eloise Smith, General Manager Marla Jones, Managing Editor/Sports Jenna Sue Payne, Media Sales Manager Joe Sims, Radio Operations Manager Zach Hester, Art Director/Reporter Amy Thrash, Account Executive B. Annette Little, Account Executive Teresa Smith, Traffic Director Dylan Smith, Jackson Blaze Managing Editor Lindsey Jones, Accounting Marshall Stiefel, Distribution Manager Tim Jones, Account Executive

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campus notice this,” Campbell stated. “But in this day and age where anything can happen at any place or time, we want the NACC community to have the best protection available” Campus Police provide services to students and staff, such as starting the cars of students who are having battery problems, or shutting off a computer for a staff or faculty member who has left campus, or even keeping a watchful eye out for Roscoe the campus dog. “The police often feed him on the weekend,” Campbell noted. “And he is always so excited when they are around!”

The NACC police are served by cameras on campus as well. Northeast has made a great investment not only in educational technology but security technology as

well. NACC Educational Technology Director Patricia Falk says last year the college spent $69,000 to upgrade the college security system. “This included a new software management system, a recorder, and the purchase of 24 additional cameras bringing the total number of cameras on campus to 67,” said Falk.

She also noted that this year 21 additional cameras or being installed at a cost of $50,055.

“Security cameras are located throughout campus – outside buildings, inside buildings, and in parking

lots. Our Nature/Walking Trails even has cameras on it!” she added.

Campbell concluded by saying that the primary mission of NACC is to provide educational services, but that college officials want students and staff to be as safe and secure as possible while that educational process is taking place. “Students, their families, and the community should expect nothing less than that,” Campbell added. “We like to think that we certainly provide that safety and security and will continue to strive to achieve it.”

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LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No.: 2020-234 IN RE: THE ESTATE OF LILA FAYE DALRYMPLE, deceased PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE'S NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Anthony Clyde Dalrymple, as Personal Representative of the Estate of LILA FAYE DALRYMPLE, deceased, on the 15th day of September, 2020, by the Honorable Ronnie Osborn, Probate Judge.

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: September 18, September 25, and October 2

COMMS FROM PAGE 1

Department of Transportation (ALDOT) • Agreed to draft a resolution to approve the 2020 Emergency Operations Plan • Posted a part-time position with the DeKalb County Revenue Office The Commission approved the following personnel changes for the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office: • Hired Kim Wright to replace Tyler Pruett as Public Information Officer • Transferred Beau Cagle from student resource officer (SRO) to patrol to replace Levi Bates • Transferred Levi

Ider Discount Drugs

@

Bates from patrol to transport to replace Tim Devlin • Transferred Tim Devlin from transport to SRO to replace Beau Cagle • Transferred Regina Wilson from dispatch to corrections to fill a vacant spot left by Tim Smith • Moved Sara McAnelly from part-time dispatch to full-time dispatch to replace Regina Wilson • Hired Jennalee Roberts as a part-time dispatcher to replace Sara McAnelly • Transferred Kevin Akins to transport corrections officer to replace Will Formby • Promoted Kizzy Jones to deputy chief of corrections to replace Kevin Akins • Promoted Mickey Bowen to executive assistant to replace Kizzy Jones The next meeting of the DeKalb County Commission will be held on Tuesday, October 13 at 10 a.m. in the DeKalb County Activities Building.

MDA

FROM PAGE 1 $5400 for MDA. “I would like to thank the CIty of Fort Payne, Ronnie Osborn and Still Kickin’, and all the ones who came out to make this such a great event,� said Fort Payne Fire Chief Ron Saferite. “I would also like to thank our sponsors for donating to MDA.�

The 2020 MDA Ride sponsors include: Accel Graphics, Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, Builders Supply, DeKalb Parts, First Fidelity, First State Bank, Jenn Cruse, My Supply, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Southern Torch, South Y Auto Repair, 24/7 Towing, Bobby Ledbetter, Twin City, Westmoreland Tire, Sally's Smokin' Butts, and Wingstop.

If you would unable to attend the bike night event and would like to make a donation to the Fort Payne Fire MDA fundraiser, send a check to Fort Payne Fire MDA, located at 200 14th Street NE in Fort Payne.

Joseph K. McNew, D.V.M • Linda Galbraith, D.V.M. • Jessica Jones, D.V.M.

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Ivey Awards $35M to Health, Emergency Personnel

By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com MONTGOMERY, Ala. — On Thursday, Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala.) awarded $35 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to establish the Alabama Health Care and Emergency Response Providers grant program.

The grant program, which comes on a first-come-first-serve basis, will support healthcare and emergency service providers who have been financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

"The health crisis we continue to face has had significant impact on many fronts," said Governor Ivey.

"I am proud to continue getting the CARES Act money into the hands of Alabamians who need it.

The State of Alabama was awarded $1.9 billion in CARES Act money, and my

(governor.alabama.gov)

team and I will continue working hard to get it directly to those individuals and groups who have been impacted."

The following programs qualify: • Health Care Providers: primary care clinics, ambulance/EMS services, pharmacies, physician, physical therapy and dentist offices, outpatient care centers, medical and diagnostic laboratories, home health care, assisted living facilities • Emergency Response Providers: rescue squad organizations, volunteer fire departments, 911 boards For more information, visit governor.alabama.gov.

FRIDAY — OCTOBER 2, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

5

DEATH NOTICES W.T. WILSON Betty Ann Wilson - 87 of Pisgah, died on Tuesday, September 22. Services were held on Friday, September 25 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with burial in Pleasant View Cemetery.

Imogene Hairel Waldrop - 65 of Fyffe, died on Wednesday, September 23.

Services will be held at a later date.

Savannah Raye Goodwin - 21 of Fort Payne. Services were held on Sunday, September 27 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Home with burial in Rainsville Memorial Park.

Gladys Bradford Dutton - 90 of Scottsboro, died on Friday, September 26.

Services and burial were held on Monday, September 28 at Pinehaven Memorial Gardens.

David E. Robinson - 74 of Dutton, died on Saturday, September 26. Services will be held at a later date.

Elvin C. Barnes - 85 of Fort Payne, died on Sunday, September 27.

Services were held on Wednesday, September 30 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with burial in Town Creek Cemetery.

Jesse Paul Biddle - 85 of Valley Head, died on Tuesday, September 29.

Services and burial were held on Thursday, October 1 at New Home Cemetery.

BURT David Wayne Dean - 61, died on Wednesday, September 23.

Services were held on Friday, September 25 at Burt Chapel-Valley Head with burial in Valley Head Cemetery.

Jean Rowe Plunkett - 82 of Fort Payne, died on Wednesday, September 23.

Services and burial were held on Saturday, September 26 at Kilpatrick Cemetery.

Merle Burton Sperber Jr. - 66 of Cloudland, Ga., died on Thursday, September 24.

Services and burial were held on Monday, September 28 at Bankhead Cemetery.

Edward A. Shaver - 83 of Dogtown, died on Sunday, September 27.

Services were held on Wednesday, September 30 at Burt Chapel-Fort Payne with burial in Black Oak Cemetery.

RAINSVILLE Christopher James Lyles - 46 of Rainsville, died on Friday, September 25.

Private services will be held at a later date.

Kenneth Bruce Ledford - 90 of Rainsville, died on Saturday, September 26. Services and burial were held on Monday, September 28 at New Bethel Cemetery.

Kenneth Timmons - 75 of Rainsville, died on Monday,

September 28.

Services were held on Wednesday, September 30 at Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel.

Joe F. Mendez 85 of Rainsville, died on Monday, September 28.

Services were held on Wednesday, September 30 at Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel.

KERBY Billy Boyd Griffith - 87 of Dutton, died on Saturday, September 26. Services were held on Tuesday, September 29 at Kerby Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Pleasant View Cemetery.

died on Monday, September 28.

Services were held on Thursday, October 1 at Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Glenwood Cemetery with military honors.

CORNER STONE Bobby Dallas Medlock - 77 of Henagar, died on Saturday, September 26. Services and burial were held on Tuesday, September 29 at Green Haven Memorial Gardens.

GERALDINE

Alene Hendrix Dewberry - 96, died on Thursday, September 24.

Services were held on Thursday, October 1 at Geraldine Funeral Home with burial in Geraldine Cemetery.

Burt Funeral H omes

WILSON Hulin Jeffery Long - 48, died on Sunday, September 27.

Services were held on Wednesday, September 30 at Wilson Funeral Home with interment in Pine Grove Cemetery.

To receive your print edition of DeKalb County’s #1 News Source, please call our office at (256) 638-4040! Follow us on social media at @southerntorch on all platforms!

Billy Ray Brown - 88 of Fort Payne,

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FRIDAY — OCTOBER 2, 2020

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POLITICS

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE Alabama's Budget Year Begins This Week

By Steve Flowers Political Columnist MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The new fiscal year begins this week for the Alabama government. We have two budgets, a General Fund and an Education Budget. Both budgets have seen devastating havoc to their revenues due to the coronavirus. The Education Budget was drastically destroyed from what was originally expected at the beginning of the calendar year in January.

The Education Budget receives the revenues generated from our sales and income taxes in the state. Therefore, the downturn in the economy is especially heartbreaking for educators, teachers, schools, and universities.

The Education Budget was poised in January to be by far the largest and robust in state history.

There was money for a 6% increase over the $7.1 billion 2020 Education Budget. However, that was eliminated and the budget is level-funded.

Altogether, the coronavirus pandemic has left a half-billion-dollar cut to Alabama’s state budgets for the upcoming year.

The pandemic debacle has decimated other states much more than Alabama.

Indeed, our legislative budget committees have done such a good job as

stewards of our tax spending and of budgeting that, unlike other states that are deficit spending and headed towards bankruptcy, there is a slight increase in our two budgets.

In fact, all surveys nationally rank Alabama in the top five of the 50 states when it comes to how well states are handling and are able to absorb the staggering blow to state’s budgets.

Our state budget chairmen, Representatives Bill Poole of Tuscaloosa and Steve Clouse of Ozark and Senators Arthur Orr of Decatur and Greg Albritton of Escambia, have done a yeoman’s job of keeping Alabama afloat bypassing conservative budgets and implementing rainy day funds.

The Education Budget will be about $7.2 billion.

The General Fund will be about $2.2 billion. The difference in what was expected in January is about $500 million.

However, Alabama’s share of the Federal Stimulus money is said to be $1.8 Billion. This is like manna from Heaven.

The General Fund budget still includes increases for the Alabama Medicaid Agency. The Department of Public Health also got an increase to cover a larger share of the costs for The Children’s Health Insurance program.

The Department of Mental Health got an increase to setup three regional crisis centers for folks with mental illness caused by the epidemic.

The Department of Corrections will get about a $20 million increase, but it may not be enough to satisfy the feds. Within the Education Budget, the Legislature was able to fund a bond issue for school and capital projects.

All-in-all, it could be a lot worse. Again, Alabama is in better shape than other states.

One of the best things the crafters of our 1901 Constitution did was to make it unconstitutional to have a deficit budget. We have a constitutional mandate that we cannot spend more than we take in. We cannot print money in Alabama as the Federal Government does. The amount of red ink that the federal government is stacking up is staggering.

The federal government with the printing of new money sent over $1.8 billion to the state in the 2020 Cares Act bailout. This money was sent to the states to pay for

expenses incurred from the coronavirus epidemic.

That is a lot of money and it did not take lawmakers and the governor’s office long to start salivating and feuding over the use of the pandemic relief manna from Heaven from the good old debtor Uncle Sam. Indeed, the fight over the windfall money caused quite a brouhaha between Governor Kay Ivey and the Legislature. It is a natural spat because it is a gray constitutional interpretation of power between the Legislative Branch, which is given the power to appropriate money, and the Executive Branch which administers state government.

The Cares Act of 2020 passed by Congress, which appropriated a total of $105 billion of which Alabama received $1.8 billion, is different than the federal bailout funds during the Great Recession. This relief money for this year cannot be used to aid in current or long-term expenses. It can only be used for expenses directly related to or incurred for expenses directly caused by the coronavirus.

We are in the waning days of the census count. If you have not been counted, be sure you are.

See you next week.

MASK FROM PAGE 1

going on.

“The mask order is working. Hospitalizations are decreasing,” said Ivey.

“So to those who want to see the masks go away, I’m asking to be patient for a little while longer…I’d hate to see us pull back too quickly.”

Ivey also announced the guidelines in regards to visitation at long-term or critical care facilities would be changed. As of today, each resident or patient will be allowed one person or caregiver to accompany them.

On Monday, Donald Williamson, head of the Alabama Hospital Association, asked the governor to extend the mandate which he credits with “[mitigating] some of the positive tests” and lowering the overall spread of COVID-19 in the state.

The Medical Association of the State of Alabama, which has over 5,000

physicians as members, also support the order’s extension.

According to the order, a “mask” is defined as any covering that covers both the nose and mouth.

Exceptions are made for practical necessities defined by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) including some exercise, voting, and religious worship, though masks are encouraged in all of those scenarios as well.

Earlier this week, a lawsuit filed by seven plaintiffs who claim to have suffered either emotionally, physically, or financially due to the mask order moved from Huntsville to Montgomery.

The suit states that the governor’s order restricts certain freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore is representing the plaintiffs.

For more information, please visit alabamapublichealth.gov.

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FRIDAY — OCTOBER 2, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Plainview 34, Crossville 20 Saks 46, Geraldine 14 Sylvania 42, Holly Pond 12 Valley Head 34, Ider 32 DAR 28, Pisgah 14 Russell Chr. 40, CCA 10

NORTHEAST ALABAMA’s #1 Source for Sports is proud to present the final scores for Friday, September 4!

Bears Claw the Lions

7

Collinsville 28, Section 0 Fort Payne 35, Etowah 21 Scottsboro 20, NJ 6 Decatur Her. 47, Woodville 14 Fyffe 21, Clarke Co. 0

Fyffe Remains Undefeated

(Cheryl Boydston | Southern Torch)

By Marla Jones Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com RAINSVILLE, Ala. — The Plainview Bears defeated the Crossville Lions, 34-20 on Friday night.

On the first play of the game, Jathan Underwood galloped down the field for the 83-yard touchdown, to take the 6-0 lead with 11:57 remaining in the first quarter. With 1:54 remaining in the first, Brody McCurdy rumbles in for 2-yards out. Marcos

Vega brought it in from 3-yards out for the two-point conversion to take the 14-0 lead over the Crossville Lions.

The Bears scored with 5:53 remaining in the third on a 53-yard pass connection from Noah White to Levi Brown. The kick by Jacob Yates gave the Bears the 21-0 advantage. With 2:00 remaining in the first half, Hunter Haston scored on a 13-yard rushing touchdown for the Crossville Lions.

The Lions unsuccessfully went for two, making the

score 21-6. With only :40 remaining before intermission, Plainview cashed in on a 1-yard scamper into the endzone

by McCurdy. The PAT was no good but gave the Bears the 27-6 lead going into the half.

With 8:52 remaining in the third quarter, Underwood scored on a 41-yard rushing touchdown. The extra point attempt by Jacob Yates gave the Bears the 34-6 advantage.

The Crossville Lions scored two touchdowns in

the fourth quarter. At the start of the fourth quarter, Dakota Causey scored for Crossville on an 11-yard rushing touchdown. The extra point attempt by Rodolfo Balcazar was good.

With 6:31 remaining in the game, Andy Bolding scored on a 71-yard rushing touchdown for the Lions.

The extra point by Balcazar made the final score of the game, 34-20.

Plainview will host the Fyffe Red Devils in regional play on Friday. Crossville will host West Point for their Homecoming game.

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com FYFFE, Ala. — The Fyffe Red Devils defeated the Clarke County Bulldogs, 21-0 on Friday night.

After a scoreless first quarter, Ike Rowell dashed through the defense, scoring for the Fyffe Red Devils with 7:29 remaining in the first half. With :50 remaining before intermission, Rowell scored again. The point-after attempt gave the Red Devils the 14-0 advantage going into the half.

With 9:31 remaining in the fourth, Rowell made the 32-yard connection with Brody Dalton for the touchdown., to make the final score of the night. 21-0 against the Clarke County Bulldogs.

Rowell rushed for over 160 yards on 29 carries for the night. Dalton was spot on making all three field-goal attempts.

Fyffe will travel to face region foe, the Plainview Bears, on Friday.

Rams Attack the Broncos

By Marla Jones Sports Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

HOLLY POND, Ala. — The Sylvania Rams defeated the Holly Pond Broncos, 42-12 on Friday night.

The Rams brutally attacked the Broncos, scoring five touchdowns in the first half. The Rams jumped to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. The Broncos got on the board, at the top of the second quarter. The Rams scored, with 9:22 remaining in the first half, to make the score 27-6. With 6:24 remaining before intermission, the Rams had the 35-6 advantage over Holly Pond.

To start the second half, the Rams scored with 6:50 remaining in the third quarter to take the 42-6 lead. Holly Pond brought the score to 42-12 with 10:39 remaining in the game.

Keenan Wilbanks led the Rams with 93 yards, scoring a rushing touchdown and a receiving one. Braiden Thomas had 64 yards on seven carries and scored two touchdowns for the Rams.

Sawyer Hughes had an interception and scored a touchdown. Blake Phillips returned a Bronco fumble for a Ram touchdown.

Sylvania will be on the road as they travel to face the Asbury Rams.

(Submitted by Kristy Gallagher)

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FRIDAY — OCTOBER 2, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

SPORTS

Cats Scratch The Coach's Wife the Bulldogs WELCOME TO A NEW SOUTHERN TORCH COLUMN

By Laura Glover Pruitt Sports Columnist

By Amy Thrash Sports Reporter amy@southerntorch.com GERALDINE, Ala. — The Geraldine Bulldogs were defeated by the Saks Wildcats 46-14 on Friday Night.

Saks scored on their opening drive with a quarterback keeper. The 2- point conversion was good, giving Saks the 8-0

lead with 9:35 remaining in the first quarter. With 2:14 left in the first, Saks scored on a 53-yard touchdown run to give them the 16-0 lead over Geraldine. The Bulldogs were forced to punt with Saks taking over at their own 42. Saks scored their third touchdown of the night, giving them the 24-0 advantage over the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs

Panthers Defeat the Lions

By Marla Jones Sports Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

COLLINSVILLE, Ala. — At their second meeting the year, the Collinsville Panthers defeated the Section Lions, 28-0. The game was made necessary due to COVID-19 cancellations.

Collinsville limited Section to 12-yards rushing and 53 total yards.

After punting on their first possession, Collinsville scored touchdowns on their next 4 possessions.

Malachi Orr scored on a 32-yard run. The PAT failed by the Panthers took the lead 6-0 with 11:51 remaining in the second quarter. Orr crashed in from 8-yards out with 1:23 remaining to take the 14-0 lead into the half.

Collinsville scored on a 65-yard run by Johnathan Henderson. The kick was good to advance the Panther lead to 21-0 with 8:18 remaining in the third quarter.

Deon Winsley scored the final touchdown of the night on a 22-yard gallop into the endzone with 5:41

remaining in the game.

The kick was good, making the final score 28-0 over the Section Lions.

Collinsville did not attempt a pass during the game. Malachi Orr rushed for 64 yards and two touchdowns on runs of 32 and 8 yards. Luke Henderson had a 65-yard touchdown run and Deon Winsley rushed for 61 yards.

Cameron Summerford led the Section Lions with 14 yards rushing.

“I am really, really proud of all of you. Last Friday, I challenged you to fight on every play and I feel that you did that tonight,” stated Collinsville Head Coach Daniel Garrett to his team. “You played for the whole team, not for each person. You took the fight to them for 45 minutes.”

Garrett went on to thank Section for playing the game, “I thought going on and playing tonight was good for both teams.”

Collinsville will have a bye week before hosting Plainview. Section will host Falkville this week.

fumbled the ball with Saks recovering. With 1:21 remaining in the first, the Wildcats scored to stretch their lead to 32-0.

With 11:29 remaining in the second quarter , Saks scored on a 35-yard run, to make the score 38-0. The Wildcats dashed into the endzone from 2-yards out to give them the 46-0 lead at the half.

To start the third quarter, Caleb Hall galloped down the field with a 34-yard touchdown.

The Bulldogs unsuccessfully went for 2, making the score 46-6 with 11:40 remaining in the game.

The Bulldogs blocked the Wildcats punt and recovered the ball. Hall scored from 7-yards out, The 2 point attempt was good making the final score 46-14.

The Geraldine Bulldogs will host the Brindlee Mountain Lions on Friday.

My first born didn’t have a choice to be born to us.

He could have been born into a rich family that could give him every single thing a kid could ever want for.

He could have been born into a family where he was an only child and got all the attention.

He could have been born into a family that takes expensive vacations and takes summer and fall break trips to beautiful locations.

He could have been born into a family that owned some huge corporation and he would be groomed to one day be commanding CEO and make millions a year.

But he was born into our family.

A football family.

Where we aren’t rich monetarily but our investments are in the lives of young men.

Where he isn’t an only

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FULL COVERAGE

by Sports Editor Marla Jones of ALL DeKalb and Jackson County games at southerntorch.com and jacksonblaze.com!

child; he has biological siblings but he gets 30-40 new brothers every single fall.

Where he doesn’t get expensive vacations but rather tag football in front of the field house with his buddies, a summer full of all day field house workouts and a different football field every Friday night.

Where he isn’t being groomed to be the next CEO and make millions but

he just might be the next head football coach somewhere making a difference in the lives of young men every day.

He was given to us to raise.

And the man that’s raising him is having a small hand in raising a lot of other young men, too.

And mine is watching.

He sees. And he hears.

And I know he is proud to be the son of a football coach.

VALLEY NAILBITER

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

This Week's Games 10/2 Appalachian @ Valley Head Brindlee Mtn. @ Geraldine (HC) Sylvania @ Asbury Victory Christian @ Ider (HC) West Point @ Crossville (HC) Falkville @ Section New Life @ CCA (HC) Fyffe @ Plainview Fort Payne @ Scottsboro NSM @ Pisgah Woodville @ Cedar Bluff NJ @ Madison Co.

VALLEY HEAD, Ala. — Last Friday, the Valley Head Tigers defeated the Ider Hornets, 34-32 in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

On Valley Head’s third play from scrimmage, Jordan Burt took it in from 55 yards out. The point-after attempt was blocked but gave the Tigers the early 6-0 advantage. B With :25 remaining in the first quarter, Ider tied the game 6-6.

Quickly after the second quarter started, Bryson Morgan sailed into the endzone, on a 40-yard run. The Tigers went for two to make the score 14-6. After a Valley Head fumble, Ider kicked a 25-yard field goal to narrow the Tiger lead to 14-9. With 1:08 remaining in the first half, Burt scored on a quarterback keeper from 3-yards out.

The PAT was blocked, making the score 20-9, going into the half.

On the first play of the second half, Eian Bain took it to the house with a 60-yard touchdown. The PAT was blocked, making the score 26-9. With 4:43 remaining in the third, Ider scored with a 12-yard pass connection to bring the score to 26-16.

With 7:28 remaining in the game, Ider cashed in on a touchdown and a successful 2-point conversion to narrow the Tiger lead to 26-24. Valley Head answered quickly with 5:18 remaining in the game, with a 39-touchdown run by Bain. Burt brought in the 2-points to make the score 34-24. Ider scored a touchdown and successfully went for two making the score 34-32 before the clock ran out.

Ider will host Victory Christian this week, while Valley Head will host Appalachian.

FRIDAY — OCTOBER 2, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

9

SPORTS

HOMECOMING 2020 IDER

GERALDINE (Seated, L to R): Shasta Webb (8th), Lilly Boyd (9th), and Ava Simpson (7th); (Standing, L to R): Katherine York (10th), Dessa Faulkner (12th), Stormie Hyatt (12th), Tinsley Satterfield (12th), Gracie Boyd (11th)

PICTURED (L to R, first row): Katelyn Wells (S), Taylor Watkins (S), Erin Pruett (S), Nyla Newsome (11th), Emma McMahon (10th), Lillianna Rich (9th).

(L to R, second row): Cheyenne Boatner (8th) and Sydney Talley (7th).

CORNERSTONE PICTURED (L to R): Grady Camp, Ava Wilks (House of Zion), Belle Oliver, Ethan Henshaw (Ravenwood), Jeremy Anderson, Addison Sullivan (Potter's House), Jackson Clines, Jacie Bell (House of Elisha)

CROSSVILLE (Front Row, L to R): Seniors Laura Lopez, Ximena Chairez, Renee Cirillo; Juniors Kiya Spence, Jasmine Lopez, Riley Jones; (Back Row, L to R): Christa Soriano Dimas, Juleydi Franco-Ramos, Lesly Barojas Garcia [not pictured]; and freshman Nadia Arellano, Amy Martinez, and Alexis Denton.

Victory for the Wildcats!

By Amy Thrash, Sports Reporter • amy@southerntorch.com FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Fort Payne Wildcats defeated the Etowah Blue Devils 35-21 on Friday Night.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Etowah Blue Devils pushed through the Fort Payne defense to take the 7-0 lead with 8:07 remaining in the second quarter. After an interception by Will Abbott, Hunter Love punched it in from 7-yards out to tie the game 7-7 with 1:56 remaining in the first half.

With 9:40 left in the third quarter, Hunter Love galloped his way down the field with a 18-yard touchdown, to give the Wildcats the 14-7 lead. The Blue devils scored from 6-yards out to tie the game 14-14 with 5:23 remaining in the third quarter. JD Blalock scored on a quarterback keeper, to give the Wildcats back the lead 21-14 with 1:13 left in the third. Etowah answered back with a 75-yard touchdown to tie the game 21-21 with :15 left in the third.

In the fourth quarter, Balock connected with Sawyer Burt for the 34-yard touchdown, to make the score 28-21 with 10:06 left in the game. Blalock scored again on a quarterback keeper, from 8-yards out, to make the final score 35-21.

“It was a great team win and we are very proud of all of our players and coaches.

Etowah has a great team with many explosive players”, stated Fort Payne Head Coach Chris Elmore. “We did not play well on offense in the first half but we respond by scoring on all 4 possession of the second half.”

The Fort Payne Wildcats will travel to Scottsboro to battle for the Top Cat Trophy on Friday.

Are You in Favor of...

• a balanced budget & wise spending • COMPLETING THE DEMOLITION OF THE OLD HOSPITAL • A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE PLAN TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN A NEW RECREATIONAL COMPLEX AND FIELDS • INCREASING SUPPORT FOR OUR SCHOOL STAFF • INCREASING SUPPORT FOR OUR FIRE, POLICE & EMS • RETAINING OUR CITY EMPLOYEES, AND RE-EXAMINING PAY AND BENEFITS PACKAGES

WELCOME TO MY TEAM!

CITY COUNCIL

Pd. Pol. Adv. by John Smith for Fort Payne City Council

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FRIDAY — OCTOBER 2, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

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