THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2021 / VOL. 7, NO. 11 / $1.00 SPORTS
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Welden Clears the Air State Sheriff Addresses Alleged COVID-19 Outbreak at Jail
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DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — (Full video at southerntorch.com) On Tuesday, DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden held a press conference regarding accusations of a COVID-19 outbreak at the DeKalb County Detention Center. “The answer is yes. We have COVID-19 in the detention center. We have COVID-19 in every community there is...it’s just one of those things we’re having to deal with,” stated Welden. He continued to say while there are cases in the jail, they are being treated accordingly. "I assure you, everything is being handled in an appropriate, professional [manner] and by every guideline and policy that can be handled the right way," said Welden. "No one is left in the trenches, no one's laying there being sick for days...if there's any kind of
symptom or anything going on, we know about it." "I think people kind of get in a confusion mold thinking we're a hospital, we're a detention center... we have to follow our guidelines and policy for safety as well as those policies and guidelines for medical conditions," he continued. Welden did not confirm how many cases of the novel coronavirus were within the jail, due
to regulations provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); however, he did state that 14 members of the staff of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office were either sick with the virus or in quarantine due to exposure. Welden confirmed there were two cases of COVID-19 in the detention center last year, becoming one of the last detention centers within the State of Alabama to be
impacted by the virus. Welden attributed the low number of cases in 2020 to the “true, diligent, relentless work from our staff and the jail administration who followed every protocol and CDC guideline you could follow, and they still are.” Two staff members of the sheriff’s office passed away last year due to complications from COVID-19: Mickey Bowen, 49, who served with the sheriff’s office for over 20 years, and Jeff Bain, who served as a senior lieutenant and patrol supervisor. Holding up his personal Bible, Welden stated while “it’s torn and it’s tattered, and it’s beaten and it’s rough, but there’s one thing I can promise you about this Bible: it’s good on the inside. And the people that work at this office are no different.” At the time of press, DeKalb County had 8,538 cases of the novel coronavirus with 177 deaths.
By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com
$560,000 in interest payments. DeKalb County Road Superintendent Tom Broyles gave a maintenance update regarding the County Road 835 (Old Highway 35) project. Broyles stated this project has not been abandoned, but
grounds are still too wet to work on and it will be mid-to-late spring before work is able to begin again. Broyles also said the county may not be able to spray again this year due to being shortstaffed. District 3 Commissioner Chris
Kuykendall requested that Broyles check prices regarding contract spraying within the county. Sara James, Economic Development and Planning Director of the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG),
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Senate Rejects Lottery
On Tuesday, the Alabama Senate rejected a bill from Sen. Del Marsh (pictured) that would've allowed voters a chance to weigh on a lottery and gambling proposal. (Mickey Welsh | Montgomery Advertiser)
By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com
addressed the Commission regarding an application that had recently been submitted to make trail improvements and a kayak launch at High Falls Park. This application was for $100,000, which will be an 80/20 split with the Commission. James went on to state that DeKalb County was eligible for a $500,000 Community Agreement Block Grant with no match for development in low to moderate income areas that are recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Senate has rejected yet another attempt to allow a lottery and casinos in the State of Alabama. On Tuesday evening, the legislative body voted down a bill proposed by Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston) by a vote of 19-13, falling short of the 21 votes necessary to pass the 35-member chamber. The bill would have allowed the citizens of Alabama a chance to vote on expanding gambling and establishing a state lottery. Marsh, who previously pulled the proposal weeks ago to do more work on the legislation, stated he had “six more votes” at the time, but the bill ultimately fell short. Nearly half of Senate Republicans opposed the bill with Majority Leader Clay Scofield of Guntersville joining in the proposal’s defeat. Sens. Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) and Andrew Jones (R-Centre) voting in favor of passage. “My vote in favor of the bill was an attempt to allow you, the citizens of Alabama, the opportunity to vote to regulate gaming in our state,” said Livingston. “The failure
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COMMISSION SIGNS $5.5M BOND
DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — At Tuesday’s meeting of the DeKalb County Commission, a $5.5 million bond resolution was signed for improvements to the DeKalb County Detention Centers and several county roads. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, all members were present. Due to the county having a great credit rating, the bond was presented at a 1.89% rate. This bond restructure will save
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