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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020 / VOL. 6, NO. 5 / $1.00
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THIS WEEK IN SPORTS
THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS
THIS WEEK IN POLITICS
THIS WEEK IN COMMUNITY
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• CONTINUED: Coronavirus Causes Panic • Circus Returns to Rainsville
• CONTINUED: Board of Education • Inside The Statehouse with Steve Flowers
• Circus Returns to Rainsville • DeKalb Co. Students Invited to YPC
DOCK FIRE TURNS DEADLY
Citizens are encouraged to avoid Jackson County Park and the immedaite area after a fire raged on Monday night destroying many boats and claiming eight lives. (Photos by Marla Jones | Southern Torch)
By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — A fire broke out on Monday morning at Boat
Dock 19-B at the Jackson County Park. At the time of press, the number of confirmed fatalities remains at 8. At approximately 12:40 am, a call came in
that one boat at the docks was on fire. The blaze, which began on the shoreside of the dock, prevented firefighters from reaching residents of the
boats. By the time units were able to respond, multiple boats were on fire. The dock has eighteen slips per side with over thirty-five
boats destroyed. Seven residents jumped into the water for safety and were carried to Highlands Medical Center. These residents are listed in stable
condition. Chief Gene Necklaus of Scottsboro Fire and Rescue reported multiple fatalities.
>> FIRE, P2
Coronavirus Collinsville Residents Seek Answers Causes Panic By Marla Jones Managing Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
The coronavirus began in China and is blamed for more than 800 illnesses and 26 deaths at the time of press. (File Photo)
By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com USA — The Coronavirus outbreak, which originated last month in China has caused a major panic across the World. The virus that began in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has been identified as the
cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness, including pneumonia. The virus is blamed for more than 800 illnesses and 26 deaths. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many
>> VIRUS, P4
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RAINSVILLE, Ala. — The residents and alumni of Collinsville came before the Board of Education on Thursday evening seeking answers to problems that students face at Collinsville school. Spokespeople Monica Dennis and Libba Peek addressed the board regarding a home economics/ag building, air conditioning in the varsity gym, conditions in Alumni Hall (old gym), the building of a new gym, new bleachers, the need for handicap accessibility within the school and finally a music program. “We have almost doubled in size over the last few years,� said Dennis. Collinsville has recently been reclassified as a 3A school. “Our
growth requires a larger facility to provide the best educational experience for our children, and we believe we are entitled to the same as all the other schools in the county. Not better, nor worse but the same.� The Board along with Dr. Jason Barnett responded to the concerns. Barnett stated while there was progress on these items, no time frame had been established. “I do know that some of the preliminary approval documents were in Montgomery at the Alabama Building
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Commission,� he said. Dennis and Peek asked to be put on the agenda to follow up with these matters in the March meeting. Lauren Roszell also addressed the Board. Roszell, the band director at Geraldine High School, updated the Board regarding the 200th Anniversary Parade that several local bands from DeKalb participated in. She presented the board with hats and flags from the event. The Board approved a bid for concession beverages for Fyffe High School to Scottsboro Coca-Cola. The following early graduates were honored: • Collinsville High School: Isaac Cooper Tillery, Sarah Melissa Jones, Sharan Zheng (Junior), Julia Jeira Gipson (Junior)
• Sylvania High School: Kaylyn Brown, McCoy Teague, McKenna Bethune, Hannah Johnson The Board approved the following on the job injuries: • Susan Nelson - CNP Worker - Crossville Elementary School, • Leslie Sisk Secretary - Annex During the meeting, the Board went into Executive Session to discuss the good name and character of an employee with the following action taken: • Termination; Hannah Neel - Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher - Sylvania High School - Termination (Effective 1/23/20) The following retirements and resignations were
>> BOE, P5
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