THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 / VOL. 7, NO. 16 / $1.00
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Senate passes lottery, casino legislation By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com MONTGOMERY, Ala. — On Tuesday night, the Alabama Senate passed a constitutional amendment (SB319) to establish a state lottery and allow nine casinos by a vote of 23-9. The amendment will now move to the Alabama House of Representatives. If approved, casinos would be located in DeKalb or Jackson counties, Greene County, Houston County, Jefferson County, Macon County, Mobile County along with three sites
SPORTS
On Tuesday, the Alabama Senate voted 23-9 to move forward with a bill to allow gambling in the state of Alabama. (www. riverscasino.com/desplaines/casino)
owned by the Porch Band of Creek Indians. In addition, the bill would create the Alabama Gambling Commission to oversee and issue
licenses for casinos through a bidding process and allow sports betting. Sen. Jim McClendon, a Republican from
Springville, initially proposed the constitutional amendment last month, but it failed to move forward until earlier this
BUSINESS • Major retailers to continue mask order • See who's featured in our Business Spotlight!
POLITICS
• Ivey issues new 'Safer Apart' order • Cook visits DeKalb County Republican Women
COMMUNITY • Upcoming events in DeKalb County • Local DAR chapter attends state conference
>> See CASINO, P5
Commission invests in county By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com
• AHSAA to introduce girls' flag football for fall 2021 • 2021 DeKalb Co. Baseball Tournament
week. In a recent interview with Southern Torch, State Senator Steve Livingston said that if the bill passed, the money allocated should be put into the educational fund, scholarships, and the general fund. Livingston also stated he would like to see an increase in mental health funding. Livingston concluded that if passed, the state grocery tax should be reduced. Alabama is one of three states, joining Mississippi and South Dakota, to fully tax sales
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — On Tuesday, the DeKalb County Commission approved a resolution to grant property tax abatements for new equipment to Heil Environmental, a Dover Corporation. Heil has been located in DeKalb County since 1973 and employs 730 people. Each year the corporation has a 300 million dollar impact on DeKalb County. The corporation will be expanding its facilities, located on 108 4th Street, Fort Payne to better serve their customer needs for garbage trucks. This investment will not abate any educational taxes. Over the next ten years, the DeKalb County School System will benefit from over $700,000 in education taxes. “[Granting Heil Environmental the property tax abatement] is an Investment in the county,” stated District I Commissioner Shane Wooten. Commission President Ricky Harcrow
At Tuesday's meeting of the DeKalb County Commission, Heil Vice President of Operations Ken Chandler and Executive Director Jimmy Durham of the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority announce an expansion and requested tax abatements for the company. (Marla Jones | Southern Torch)
announced that the annual event to help clean up DeKalb County, sponsored by the DeKalb County Commission will begin this week. Dumpsters will be at the entrance of the Sand Valley Landfill located on 3345 County Road 209, Collinsville. Dumpsters will be available Wednesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until May 1, 2021. Road Department Supervisor Tom Broyles informed the Commission that recent flooding had closed three roads in DeKalb County. These roads are CR 34 at Oak Hill, CR 453 east of Peeks Corner, and CR 1004 at
Geraldine. Resurfacing projects throughout DeKalb County have been put on hold while his employees address the issues of washed-out roads. Broyles also requested the County’s approval to contract out the herbicide treatment during the summer months. The lowest bid was around $35,000. Broyles said his department might be able to resume in the fall. Personnel Changes in the road department were made as follows: • Promoted Rick Doeberi from District 2 Road Crew to Parts Manager, replacing Rex Goza who retired
• Hired Mickey Berry to replace Rick Doeberi in District 2 Road Crew • Hired Jeff Talley to replace Norman Price in District 3 Road Crew County Engineer Ben Luther requested that the County award the annual herbicide material bid to Helena. This request was approved by the Commission. DeKalb County Administrator, Matt Sharp informed the Commissioners of the recent auction results. The County profited approximately $320,000 on the 2020 equipment and vehicles. Those funds go back into the departments for additional equipment. “What we are doing [through the auction process] is working pretty well. This program lowers maintenance costs across the board,” stated Matt Sharp. “ It is a good program.” Sharp also asked that the Commission’s approval to hire Elizabeth Higgins and the promotion of Angie Pask at the DeKalb County Revenue Commission. Both the hire and promotion were
>> See INVEST, P4
TWEET
FPCS continues mask mandate
Fort Payne City Schools will continue to require masks indoors for students and staff despite the end of the statewide mask mandate. (Submitted Photo)
By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Fort Payne City School System (FPCS) will continue to requirements masks for students and staff, despite the end of the State of Alabama's mask mandate on Friday. According to a statement from Superintendent Jim Cunningham, masks will still be required inside school buildings, facilities, and buses, but not required in outdoor areas where 3-feet of social distancing can be maintained. "We only have seven weeks left in this school year and continuing with our practice for safety first is in the best interest of our students and employees," said Cunningham. "Thank you for your understanding of our desire to keep our students and staff as safe as possible." On March 4, Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala.) announced the final extension of the State of Alabama’s “Safer-at-Home” order, which includes a mask mandate. The health order defines “mask” as any covering that covers
>> See MASK, P6
SYLVANIA PHARMACY FRI. APRIL 16
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