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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 / VOL. 6, NO. 42 / $1.00
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DENIED: Halloween Block Party Is a No-Go By Marla Jones Managing Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
At this week's meeting of the Fort Payne City Council, the permit submitted by Southern Torch to host a Halloween Block Party in the downtown area was denied by the Council. (Marla Jones | Southern Torch)
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — At the City of Fort Payne Council meeting on Tuesday, the permit submitted by Southern Torch for a Halloween Block Party was denied. The reason stated for denial was that the City had never closed the streets for anything other than a City event. Mayor Larry Chesser went on to state the Fort Payne Chamber had canceled the party amidst COVID-19 concerns.
Twin Teachers Arrested Westbrook Bids Farewell for Inappropriate Conduct with Students to Commission
marla@southerntorch.com FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The DeKalb County Commission held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 13. Since this meeting was the last meeting before the new Commission is seated, current District 2 Commissioner Scot Westbrook bid farewell to the Commission. Westbrook addressed the Commission with a quote from Vince Lombardi, “Gentleman, we are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it, but we are going to relentlessly chase it because in the process we will catch excellence. I am not remotely interested in
just being good.� Westbrook went on to state, “What we do here as politicians...nothing that we do is perfect. We try our best to make things better for those we serve. It was my honor and privilege to sit on that side of the table.� Westbrook thanked all his fellow commissioners, County Administrator Matt Sharp, the staff, the media, and most of all his family. “The only promise I made while campaigning was that I would be accessible, and I have done that. I am a public servant and I will remain in public service,� Westbrook concluded. Commission President Ricky Harcrow, District 1 Commissioner Shane Wooten, and District 3
> COMMS, P5
• LISTEN TO 98-3 WILD COUNTRY & 101-7 THE TORCH
SPORTS
POLITICS • Inside the Statehouse • Ivey Announces "Light Up Friday Nights" Campaign
Twin teachers, Dustin and Donovan Dalton of Sylvania and Fort Payne, respectively, were charged last week in separate incidents in regards to inappropriate conduct with a student. (Photos by DeKalb County Sheriff's Office)
By Southern Torch Staff DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — A pair of local teachers, twin brothers Dustin and Donovan Dalton, were arrested last week regarding sexual abuse charges against students. On Monday, October 5, Dustin Dalton, a now-former teacher at Sylvania High School was arrested and charged with Enticing a Child for Immoral Purposes and Dissemination of Obscene Material. Dalton was terminated by the DeKalb County Board of Education on the same day.
Following his arrest, the Board and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office began an internal investigation and provided all appropriate agencies, including the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), the information that was gathered. “I am sickened by the news and what has transpired. I pray for the families and for justice to be served,� said DeKalb County Superintendent Dr. Jason Barnett. “I appreciate the partnership with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and DHR and look forward to working
> DENIED, P5
• Tigers Dominate the Conquerors • Bulldogs Bite the Rams • Fort Payne Wins in Nailbiter
At Tuesday's meeting of the DeKalb County Commission, Commissioner Scot Westbrook bid farewell to the Commission as new commissioners will be seated at next month's meeting. (Marla Jones | Southern Torch)
By Marla Jones Managing Editor
Southern Torch Managing Editor Marla Jones addressed the Council and stated that Southern Torch hoped to have the block party because they were new to the area and wanted to be involved, and listened to their readership about needing something for the children since COVID-19 had taken away a lot. The council approved the request of Ian Conerly of Fort Payne Ministerial Association, for a Thanksgiving Community
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alongside them for the duration of this investigation.� On Tuesday, October 6, Dustin Dalton was released on a $100,000 bond with no preliminary hearing in Judge Steve Whitmire’s courtroom. The defendant’s attorney is Stephen Bussman. Following this case, Dustin Dalton’s twin brother Donovan, a teacher and coach at Fort Payne City Schools, was arrested on Thursday, October 8 on similar charges after the Sheriff’s Office received a complaint about
> CRIME, P5
COMMUNITY
• Council on Aging to Hold Free Food Drive • Northeast Ala. Upcoming Events • Toys-for-Tots to Accept 2020 Apps
BUSINESS • ALDOT Begins Paving on I-59 Southbound • Who's In Our Business Spotlight?
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