The Southern Torch — Vol. 6, No. 48

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

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 / VOL. 6, NO. 48 / $1.00

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>> Fyffe Wins Battle of the Creekbank >> NSM Falls in Third Round

>> Alabama Senate Elects New Leadership >> Inside The Statehouse

>> FP Announces 36th Annual Christmas in the Park >> Upcoming Events in DeKalb

Then There Was One...

Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town

By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com

By Marla Jones Sports Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

FYFFE, Ala. — The defending Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Class 2A State Champions, the Fyffe Red Devils (13-0), moved

up to Class 3A this season.

Fyffe has won 43 straight games. They have outscored their opponents 566-86 points this season.

The Red Devils have won four state championships in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019.

The Red Devils will host the defeating 3A State Champions, the Piedmont Bulldogs, on Friday night. The Bulldogs have a 12-1 record this season and have won the Class 3A trophy in 2015, 2016, and 2019. They were runners-up for the State

Championship in 2018.

Piedmont defeated Saks 38-20 in the third round of the state playoffs for their 12th win of the season, keeping alive a stretch of six consecutive seasons of winning more than 12 games per season since 2015.

The winner of Friday

night's game will advance to the AHSAA Super 7 State Championship at Bryant-Denny Stadium at the University of Alabama on December 3.

The game will begin at 10 a.m.

Best of luck to the Fyffe Red Devils!

BOE Welcomes New Member

By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — (Full Video at southerntorch.com) Last week, the DeKalb County Board of Education (BOE) met to swear-in new members and address regular business.

New BOE member Chris Andrews, who was elected unopposed to succeed longtime Board member Mark Richards, along with returning member Randy Peppers were sworn-in by Circuit

Judge Jeremy Taylor.

Andrews, a retired member of the school system with 25 years of experience, stated, “I look forward to being an asset for District 2 and all DeKalb County Schools.

Even though I am a retiree from the DeKalb County Board of Education...I’ve still got a lot to learn. I look forward to the journey and appreciate your support.� “I appreciate the opportunity to once again serve District 1 and DeKalb County Schools,� said

>> BOE, P4

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NORTHEAST ALABAMA — Parades will be lining up across DeKalb and Jackson counties as our local municipalities hold their annual Christmas celebrations.

Here is a full list of Christmas parades in both DeKalb and Jackson counties: • Bridgeport: December 5 at 11:30 a.m. • Collinsville: December 12 at 6 p.m. • Crossville: December 12 at 5 p.m. • Fort Payne: December 11 at 6 p.m. • Fyffe: December 12 at 12 p.m. • Geraldine: December 12 at 2 p.m. • Ider: December 5 at 1 p.m. • Pisgah: no parade • Powell: no parade • Rainsville: December 5 at 11 a.m. • Rosalie: December 5 at 11 a.m. • Scottsboro: December 7 at 6 p.m. • Section: December 12 at 1 p.m. • Skyline: December 5 at 11 a.m. • Stevenson: December 12 at 5 p.m. • Sylvania: cancelled • Valley Head: cancelled • Woodville: December 5 at 11 a.m.

If we missed your town's parade, please contact us at (256) 638-4040 or by email at admin@southerntorch. com.

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 — NOVEMBER 27, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

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

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@JACKSONBLAZEAL

Jackson Co. BOE Members Sworn-In

By Marla Jones Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — The Jackson County Board of Education held their regularly scheduled meeting on November 19.

In the work session, two were sworn in as members of the Jackson County Board of Education. Newly elected board member Robert King, District 4, and re-elected Board Member Chad Gorham was sworn in by Judge Victor Manning.

Also during the work session, the board discussed the sale of the Hollywood property.

Jackson County Superintendent of Education, Kevin Dukes explained to the board the intent to sell the Jackson County Board of Education land in Hollywood that was formerly used as the Materials Center. The plot of land consists of approximately five acres and is unused at this time.

The first order of business for the regular session of the Jackson County Board of Education was the election of board officers. Mike Matthews nominated Chad Gorham for President with no other nominations submitted, Gorham was named as the President of the Board. Dr. Angela Guess was named Vice President.

In other business, the Board approved: • Approved a bid to

School Nurse Supply in the amount of $42,670.00 for the purchase of pulse oximeters for each school • Renewed Lightspeed Relay Content filter through ITS in the amount of $25,500 • Renewed Microsoft licensing renewal through Dell for operating systems and Office 365 in the amount of $32,148 • Deleted fixed assets/supplemental inventory • Approved the Facilities Construction Manager job description (Mr. Gorham explained that this job description had been presented to the board at a meeting in 2013 and therefore was not required to be tabled) • Amended the Instructional Coordinator job description from 202 days to 240 days, and to include the changes suggested. Mr. Dukes explained the reasoning for the change in this job description and that the position needed to be posted in order to have someone in place soon.

He asked the board to suspend the rules to approve this job description. • Amended the Instructional Coordinator salary schedule The following leaves were granted: • Robin White (family medical leave), county-wide school bus driver from August 3 through November 5,

Robert King (left) and Chad Gorham (right) were sworn-in for a first term and new term at the Jackson County Board of Education, respectively. (Submitted Photos)

2020 • Robin White, a county-wide school bus driver from November 6 to December 15, 2020 • Jeri Brown (family medical leave), Teacher at EPCOT from December 1 through December 18 • Extended family medical leave for Patricia Gann, county-wide instructional aide through December 18, 2020 • Chris Spivey (family medical leave), a county-wide school bus driver from October 19 through November 20, 2020 • Melissa Swaim (family medical leave), a county-wide instructional aide from October 22 through November 30, 2020 • Melissa Morgan, a county-wide school bus driver from November 6 through January 10, 2021 • Rescinded the approved leave of absence for Beth Cooper-Teacher at Stevenson for the 2020-2021 school year • Rescinded the approved leave of absence for Jennifer Roberts, Teacher at Flat Rock School for the 2020-2021 school year.

The following Retirements were granted: • Donna Barrentine, Child Nutrition Bookkeeper, effective November 1, 2020 • Pat Poe, Nurse, effective January 1, 2021 The following Resignations were

granted: • Anthony Buckner, Curriculum Supervisor, effective October 31, 2020 • Justin Cooper, Teacher at Stevenson Elementary School, effective October 31, 2020 • Melissa Hancock, county-wide school nurse, effective December 31, 2020 • Timothy Turner, technical school bus driver, effective November 10, 2020 The following Transfers were made: • Joy Fowler from 4-hour custodian at Woodville to technical school bus driver at Woodville effective November 20, 2020 • Christy McCloud from county-wide instructional aide to pre-K auxiliary aide at Stevenson effective November 30, 2020 The following placements were made: • Regina Britt, 84% Teacher at Bryant, effective November 4, 2020 • Penny Evans, county-wide school nurse (initial location at Stevenson) effective January 4, 2021 • Cara Oliver, county-wide school nurse (initial location at Macedonia) effective January 4, 2021 • Katelyn Manning as county-wide instructional aide effective November 30, 2020 • Hunter Hall as county-wide Indian education aide effective November 20, 2020 • James Byars as Physical Education Teacher at Stevenson effective November 20, 2020 The following Contracts were granted: • A contract between the Jackson County Board of Education and North Sand Mountain for transportation assistance for the 2020-2021 school year The following Coaching Assignments

were made: • Heather Smith as volleyball coach at North Sand Mountain • Jordan McCarver as junior high girls’ basketball coach at Skyline replacing Ronnie McCarver • Jordan McCarver as junior varsity girls’ basketball coach at Skyline replacing TJ Perry • Joey Rowell as 9th grade boys’ basketball coach at Skyline replacing TJ Perry • Caleb Henshaw as assistant basketball coach at Hollywood • Emily White as volleyball coach at

Pisgah • Kyle Cochran as assistant football coach at Pisgah Approved the following boat captains at Skyline High School: Nick Baugh, Tim Rousseau, Paul Kennamer, Drew McNutt, Shane McAllister, Mark O’Neal, Junior Lewis, Ben Adkins, Dan Utter, Nathan Hutchenson The next meeting of the Jackson County Board of Education will be on December 15. The Work Session will begin at 5:00 P.M. with the regular meeting immediately after.

NSM Falls in Third Round 22 FRIDAY — AUGUST 28, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

NORTH SAND MOUNTAIN

By Marla Jones Sports Editor

#1 Hank Farmer, F #20 Jack Case, J #3 Conner Brown, F #20 Jorge Luna, J #4 Lake Bell, S #21 Lane Whilhite, F #5 Derek Bearden, J #22 Fernando Luna, S #7 Nyle Poore, So #25 Kaleb Tate, So #8 Mason Smith, J #24 Kayden Gilley, So #9 Leon Moore, F #26 Josue Luna, So #11 Blake Hill, So #30 Dustin Meeks, S #12 Blaine McBryar, J #33 Jacob Kirby, F #14 Blake Blevins, So #35 Lucas Steele, So #15 Hershal Boran, F #42 Kolten Cooper, F #16 Myles Gottmann, #50 Matthew Hughes, F So #17 Shaun Phillips, J #51 Levi Pettijohn, So #18 Vinnie Scarbor#52 Logan Davis, S ough, J #53 Hunter Holman, #19 Jeremiah Case, J So

#54 Tanner Boatfield, J #55 Cruz Yates, F #56 Braden Hill, J #57 Cooper Smith, F #58 Ashton Higdon, J #61 Logan Haswell, So #66 Conner Garrett #68 Brodie Allison, J #69 Brayden Ellison, S #70 Kevin Holman, S #72 Branson Bridger, S #78 Eric Nevcherlian, F #89 Braiden Wells, F David Tinker

marla@southerntorch.com

8/28 woodville 9/4 @ ider 9/11 section 9/18 @ tanner 9/25 cedar bluff 10/2 pisgah 10/9 @ fyffe 10/16 whitesburg christian 10/23 falkville 10/30 sylvania

SPRING GARDEN, Ala. — The Spring Garden Panthers defeated the North Sand Mountain Bison 21-0 in the third round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Class 2A State Football Playoffs on Friday night.

Spring Garden put the first points on the board with 8:15 remaining in the second quarter, on a 15-yard run. The extra point made the score 7-0 going into the half.

Spring Garden dashed into the endzone from 2-yards out, to take the 14-0 lead with 8:24 remaining in the third quarter.

The Panthers ensured their victory with a 7-yard touchdown run with 5:59 remaining in the game. The extra point gave Spring Garden the 21-0 win over the North Sand Mountain Bison.

Spring Garden held the Bison to 84 total yards.

North Sand Mountain finished 2020 as Region Champions and with an 11-2 record. The Bison outscored their opponents 369-199.

Ider Discount Drugs

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FRIDAY — NOVEMBER 27, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

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COMMUNITY

FP Presents 36th Annual Christmas in the Park

By Southern Torch Staff FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Fort Payne Parks and Recreation and the City of Fort Payne will present the 36th Annual Christmas in the Park on Friday, December 11 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Due to health precautions, there will be no face-to-face visits with Santa, but the jolly ole elf will be at Christmas at the Park to say hello. A mailbox will be available for children to drop off letters to Santa.

Refreshments will be available.

Immediately following Christmas in the Park, join the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce for the 48th Annual Fort Payne Christmas Parade beginning at 6 p.m. in beautiful downtown Fort Payne. Outfield Angels, the parade's Grand Marshals, will lead the parade. Southern Torch and Fort Payne TV will livestream the parade coverage for those who wish to watch from the comfort of your own home.

Candy Cane Lane will be open beginning on

Saturday, December 5 at the Alabama Walking Park. Sponsored by the DeKalb County Public Library, Candy Cane Lane features trees decorated by area businesses and clubs. It will remain open throughout the Christmas season.

The City of Fort Payne asks that everyone wear a

mask and practice social distancing at all Christmas activities.

Additionally, everyone should adhere to current guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH).

They ask that no one who has symptoms of COVID-19 attend.

Fort Payne Parks and Recreation promotes health, fun, and family in the City of Fort Payne and surrounding areas. Their office is located at 4220 Godfrey Avenue NE in Fort Payne.

CRIME

One Current and One Fmr. Corrections Officer arrested for Harassment

By Southern Torch Staff

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: After an incident that occurred in the DeKalb County Detention Center was brought to our attention, an investigation began.

In an effort of transparency, our agency reached out to the District Attorney’s Office to review the incident. During the course of the investigation, one employee was terminated and a second was placed on suspension.

A conclusion was reached that charges could be brought against our corrections officers.

In order to avoid a possible conflict of interest, Circuit Clerk Todd Greeson, called in an outside magistrate to review the case.

Harassment charges were approved for Wrett

Allen Tyson (30 of Rainsville) and Michael Alexander Gibson (23 of Dawson) on this date.

Both have been booked and released on bond through the DeKalb County Detention Center.

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the incident: “It’s unfortunate that something like this happens. One of the hardest things to do as Sheriff is to terminate your people and/or arrest them. I mean that when I say they are MY people. They are family

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

256.638.4040 • 256.259.2341 MEMBERSHIP RATES:

Regular Yearly Rate — $30 Senior /Veteran Yearly Rates — $25

and always will be, but you have to do what is RIGHT. I’ve said since day one that I WILL DO WHAT IS RIGHT, and I expect every one else at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office to do the same.”

“I took an OATH to uphold the law and to protect our citizens the best I could. It’s not always easy or the most popular decision but you can assure it’s what is RIGHT!”

EVENTS Submit your local upcoming events to zach@ southerntorch.com to be featured in an upcoming print edition of Southern Torch!

November 27, Black Friday Boutique Market The Black Friday Boutique Market will be held on Friday, November 27 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the VFW Fairgrounds in Fort Payne.

November 27, Fisher Rescue Squad Turkey Shoot - The Fisher Rescue Squad will hold their annual turkey shoot on Thanksgiving Day (November 27) from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at 1309 Fisher Road NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967. For more information, please call (256) 845-7910.

December 5, Fyffe Christmas in the Park - The Town of Fyffe has announced their first annual Christmas in the Park for Saturday, December 5 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Vendors will be available as your one-stop shop for all things Christmas. For more information, please contact Amanda McCutchen at (256) 601-6095.

December 5, Rainsville Christmas Parade - The City of Rainsville will host their annual Christmas parade

at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 5.

December 11, Merrityme Artisan Market - On Saturday, December 11, Moon Lake Baptist Church and the Little River Arts Council will host the Merrityme Artisan Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arlene Fowler Youth Center inside the church! All proceeds from this one-of-a-kind event benefit Moon Lake Elementary School. Free gift wrapping is available.

Stop by, grab some gifts, and support local artists!

December 11, Fort Payne Christmas Parade - The City of Fort Payne invites you to the 48th Annual Fort Payne Christmas Parade with grand marshals, the Outfield Angels. The parade will begin at 18th Street North and end at 3rd Street South. They ask that those who wish to come to the parade or to the Christmas in the Park event beforehand, please adhere to social distancing and mask-wearing protocols. Southern Torch and FPTV will live stream the event.

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LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

Representative of the Estate of SANDRA KAY SCOGGINS, deceased

To be published: November 27, December 4, December 11

To be published: November 13, November 20, November 27

LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are hereby required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Case No.: 2020-272

LEGALS

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF RYMON LADON YOUNG, deceased

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

Case No.: 2020-251 EXECUTOR'S NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS

NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS TAKE NOTICE that Letters of Administration having been granted to VERNON YOUNG, as Administrator of the Estate of RYMON LADON YOUNG, deceased on the 3rd day of November 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.

Case No.: 2020-285

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF NELLIE RUTH SHANKLES, deceased

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA

Letters of Testamentary on the Estate of NELLIE RUTH SHANKLES, deceased, having been granted to the undersigned on the 18th day of November 2020, by the 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.

Case No.: 2020-2077

VERNON YOUNG, Administrator of the Estate of RYMON LADON YOUNG, deceased To be published: November 13, November 20, and November 27

LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No.: 2020-277 NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to MELISSA NAN WILKINSON, as Personal Representative of the Estate of SANDRA KAY SCOGGINS, deceased, on the 9th day of November 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.

MELISSA NAN WILKINSON, Personal

EXECUTOR'S NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ROY WALTER DURHAM, deceased Letters of Testamentary on the Estate of ROY WALTER DURHAM, deceased, having been granted to the undersigned on the 12th day of November 2020, by the 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 time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.

To be published: November 20, November 27, and December 4

LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No.: 2020-249 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF IMOGENE ELLIOTT BOGLE, deceased Letters of Administration on the Estate of Imogene Elliott Bogle, deceased, having been granted to the undersigned on the 18th day of November, 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.

To be published: November 27, December 4, December 11

LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No.: 2020-251 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Letters Testamentary of said deceased having beeng ranted to William Steve Graben on the 19th day of November 2020, by the Honorable Ronnie Osborn, Probate Judge of DeKalb County, Alabama,

To be published: November 27, December 4, December 11

LEGALS

IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION PETITION OF ANGELA MARQUITA GREEN NOTICE OF ADOPTION PROCEEDINGS NOTICE TO: Alicia Megan Payne and any other interested party Please take notice that a Petition for Adoption of the minor child, C.W.R.R., in the above-styled matter has been filed in said Court by Angela Marquita Green, Petitioner, and that the 17th day of December, 2020 at 11:00 o'clock a.m. has been set for hearing on the same at the DeKalb County Courthouse in Fort Payne, Alabama. Alicia Megan Payne and any other interested be advised that if you intend to contest this adoption, you must file a written response within thirty (30) days hereof with counsel for said Petitioner, and with the Clerk of the Probate Court or thereafter a judgment by default may be rendered.

BOE

FROM PAGE 1 Peppers. “I’ve enjoyed the past term...and I’m looking forward to this one.�

The Board re-elected Peppers as Chairman and Robert Elliott as Vice Chairman.

The Board made the following placements: • Avery Collins as itinerant EL teacher at Collinsville (certified) • James Stack as band director (leave only from 12/1/20 through 5/27/21) at Plainview (certified) • Alex Carpenter as assistant custodian (9-month/4-hour) at Valley Head (support) The Board awarded the following contracts: • 21st Century Crossville Teacher: Samantha Flaherty, Haley Harbour, Tara Pickers, and Laura Smith • COVID Sanitation ESSER: April Hill and Lorilyn Owen • Bus Sanitizing ESSER: Tammy Richards

ADVERTISE HERE FOR JUST 12.50 The Board gave DeKalb County Superintendent Dr. Jason Barnett permission to place pending board (tigersfortomorrow.com) approval until the next meeting.

Barnett also spoke on the week of remote learning from November 30 through December 4, the week of classes following Thanksgiving break. The week of remote learning was scheduled to allow for students who gather with their families over the Thanksgiving break an extra week to make sure they were not sick with COVID-19 before returning to classes. The extra week outside of the classroom also allows each school to be properly sanitized over the break. “When [students] return from their holiday, they will be returning to a really sanitary, clean environment,� said Barnett.

The next meeting of the DeKalb County Board of Education will be held on January 7, 2021, at 5 p.m.

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

To be published: November 27, December 4, December 11, December 18

FRIDAY — NOVEMBER 27, 2020

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POLITICS

Alabama OPINION: The Pilgrim Story Is More Relevant Than Ever Senate Elects

By Robert Aderholt U.S. Representative This Thanksgiving will be different from any other we have had in our lifetimes. This past year has been a struggle, as every single one of us has had their normal lives disrupted. Many of us have also lost friends and family as the Coronavirus has swept through our communities. To say 2020 has been a trying time would be an understatement.

This year has not been unlike that first year the Pilgrims spent after landing at Plymouth Rock; their crossing of the Atlantic, their year of loss and struggle, and their ultimate triumph.

Four hundred years ago, a group of 102 passengers set sail from England on a ship known as the Mayflower. They left their homeland with eyes set on the New World, where hopes of religious freedom and entrepreneurial opportunities awaited.

Today, four centuries later, the New World that these pilgrims found is now the greatest country in the world, the United States of America.

As we look forward to

celebrating Thanksgiving in a few days with our loved ones, (as best we can under the current situation) I think that giving thanks for the land that we call home is especially important this year. With the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower landing, we can look back and admire those brave men and women who embarked on a dangerous journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

Many of the passengers aboard that ship sought religious freedom that would only be possible here in the New World.

That religious freedom they risked their lives for remains a value we treasure and must continue to defend today.

Sadly, it’s a freedom we too often take for granted each and every day.

And when rough weather forced the Mayflower to land in Massachusetts rather than Virginia, the seeds of democracy were sewn. It was the Mayflower Compact that gave way to the Pilgrims establishing a colony that created its own laws and abided by them. This incredible feat of getting consensus among a diverse group is

(aderholt.house.gov)

what led to the first self-governing document in the New World. The Mayflower Compact established something that had never been done before but was soon to be replicated on a larger scale when the nation’s Founding Fathers put pen to parchment and drafted the Constitution.

It was the brave passengers of the Mayflower who started the tradition of a day of giving thanks in the year 1621. That first year, especially the winter of 1620-21 was harsh and deadly. Of the 102 original passengers, 45 died the first year. Many died from exposure to the cold, from diseases, and from malnutrition. Four entire Mayflower families also died that first winter in Massachusetts.

But those who survived persevered.

While it wasn’t called Thanksgiving back then, it was a joyous

celebration of the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest that they invited nearby Native Americans to join. Some two hundred and forty years later, President Abraham Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a national holiday to be observed on the final Thursday of each November.

While we are still struggling through the season of COVID, we can look to those 102 brave souls from four centuries ago who also struggled.

But they trusted that brighter days and the prospect of freedom were on the horizon. Not only that, but they looked to God for their guidance and thank him for bringing them to the place we are today.

So, on this Thanksgiving, while we still struggle, we can take comfort from those who came before us. We owe so much to the Pilgrims, as God put it in their hearts to travel to the New World. Furthermore, they set before us a spirit of Thanksgiving to the all-knowing God. And that is an example for us today, perhaps even more so than ever.

New Leadership

The Alabama Senate chambers (Encyclopedia of Alabama)

By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The leadership of the Alabama Senate will look different when the legislative body convenes next year.

Sen. Greg Reed (R-Jasper) was unanimously elected as the new President Pro Tempore of the Senate, taking on the role from Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston), who has held the role since 2010.

Sen. Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville), whose district covers a small part of DeKalb County, was elected as the new majority leader, the job Reed leaves to become

pro tem.

Marsh, who was first elected to the Alabama Senate in 1998 and briefly served as acting President of the Senate after then-Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey ascended to the Governor's office, announced that he would not be seeking a leadership role in the upcoming session.

Marsh has also stated he would not seek another term in the Senate when his term ends in 2022.

Both Reed and Scofield are expected to take on their new leadership roles when the 2021 regular session of the Alabama Legislature begins early next year.

DEATH NOTICES W.T. WILSON David Mark Garner - 45 of Fort Payne, died on Friday, November 20.

Services were held on Saturday, November 28 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Ivaline Fuller Hufstetler - 83 of Geraldine, died on Saturday, November 21. Services were held on Sunday, November 22 at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with burial in Piney Grove Cemetery.

Dwight Randall Gary - 75 of Crossville, died on Sunday, November 22. Services were held on Tuesday, November 24 at The

Church at Wills Creek in Gadsden with burial in Freeman’s Chapel Cemetery.

Rhonda Lynn Wolfe Bailey - 74 of Fyffe, died on Monday, November 23.

RAINSVILLE Billy Joe Reed 82 of Fort Payne, died on Friday, November 20.

Services and burial were held on Sunday, November 22 at Section United Methodist Cemetery.

Robert Earl Everett - 88 of Rainsville, died on Monday, November 23. Services and burial will be held on Saturday, November 28 at Town Creek

Cemetery.

KERBY Bradley Centers - 35 of Pisgah, died on Friday, November 20. Services were held on Wednesday, November 25 at Kerby Funeral Home Chapel.

Virginia Ellis - 83 of Pine Grove, died on Saturday, November 21.

Services and burial were held on Tuesday, November 24 at Pine Grove Cemetery.

Robert David Dawson - 66 of Fort Payne, died on Sunday, November 15. No services are planned at this time.

- 86 of Crossville, died on Wednesday, November 18.

Services and burial were held on Saturday, November 21 at Macedonia Baptist Church #2.

James Robert Burgess Jr. - 70 of Alabaster, died on Friday, November 20.

Services and burial will be held on Friday, November 27 at Lebanon Cemetery.

Mary Sue Byars - 85 of Crossville, died on Thursday, November 19.

Services and burial were held on Saturday, November 21 at DeKalb Memorial Gardens.

GERALDINE

Evelyn Bell - 66 of Pine Ridge, died on Friday, November

BURT

Quaylene Allen

Burt Funeral H omes

20. Services were held on Tuesday, November 24 at Geraldine Funeral Home with burial in DeKalb Memorial Gardens.

WILSON Vera Lee Goodwin - 82 of Fort Payne, died on Thursday, November 19. Services were held on Sunday, November 22 at Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Mountain View Memory Gardens.

FRIDAY — NOVEMBER 27, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

7

FYFFE WINS BATTLE OF THE CREEKBANK

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com OHATCHEE, Ala. — The Fyffe Red Devils defeated the Ohatchee Indians, 26-7 in the third round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) State Playoffs.

The first quarter was a defensive battle with neither team scoring.

With 9:01 remaining in the second quarter, Ike Rowell snuck in from 2-yards out. The point-after attempt failed but put six points on the board for the Red Devils. Rowell

attacked again, this time from 86 yards around the left to score, with 4:09 remaining in the second quarter. The two-point conversion failed but gave Fyffe the 12-0 advantage going into the half.

Rowell connected with Justin Stiefel on an 8-yard touchdown pass, with 8:35 remaining in the third quarter.

The extra point by Brody Dalton made the score 19-0. On fourth-and-1, Ohatchee dashed into the endzone with :39 remaining in the third. The extra point narrowed the Red Devil lead to 19-7.

Ike Rowell scored his third rushing touchdown of the night, as he bulldozed his way in from 2-yards out with

6:56 remaining in the game. The kick by Dalton was good, giving the Fyffe Red Devils their 13th straight postseason win, with a score of 26-7.

Rowell led the Red Devils with three rushing touchdowns and one touchdown in the air. “It’s a tough road win for anyone to beat Ohatchee,� said Head Coach Paul Benefield. “Our guys have a ton of experience...and I think it showed. I was very proud of how physical we played and how we found a way to win.�

The Fyffe Red Devils will host the defending Class 3A State Champions, Piedmont Bulldogs on Friday night.

Congratulations TO THE FYFFE RED DEVILS FROM

Dr. Tara L. Moncus

371 McCURDY AVE. S, RAINSVILLE, AL 35986 (256) 638-3000

Let’s Go Fyffe Red Devils! Win State! pibonline.com Fyffe • Powell • Sylvania • Boaz • Scottsboro • Hokes Bluff • Douglas • Steele • Gurley

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FRIDAY — NOVEMBER 27, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Emergency care.

Recognized nationally. Available locally.

CHEST PAIN CENTER

STROKE CARE

30-MINUTE PLEDGE

GENERAL SURGERY

CARDIOLOGY

OBSTETRICS

GASTROENTEROLOGY

ORTHOPEDICS

Ashley Cole, M.D.* Board-Certified in Emergency Medicine • Emergency Department Medical Director

When you have an emergency, turn to the emergency department at DeKalb Regional Medical Center with confidence.

• The 30-Minute Pledge means we will work diligently to have you initially seen by a medical professional within 30 minutes of your arrival.

• As an American College of Cardiology Accredited Chest Pain Center, we have achieved a higher level of expertise when caring for patients who arrive with heart attack symptoms.

• We have earned The Joint Commission’s Certificate of Distinction for Primary Stroke Centers. This means we provide the critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients.

All this, plus specialists in Cardiology, General Surgery, Orthopedics and Neurology, means we are at our best when you need us most.

Current Average ER Wait Time DeKalbRegional.com 200 Medical Center Dr. SW • Fort Payne, AL 35968 If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

Specialists are Employed and Independent Members of the Medical Staff at DeKalb Regional Medical Center. *Independent Member of the Medical Staff at DeKalb Regional Medical Center.