THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 / VOL. 7, NO. 17 / $1.00
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>> DeKalb County Champions! >> Hamilton continues basketball career with AUM
>> Fmr. VP Mondale dead at 93 >> Ala. Democrats push for marijuana legalization
>> Vintage Pickin' Spring Market returns to Fort Payne >> Upcoming Events in DeKalb
Broadway Baptist Church holds Celebration Sunday note burning
Bynum appointed to Fort Payne School Board
10 Years Later: Remembering Alabama's storm outbreak
The Rainsville Tornado Memorial honoring the victims of the April 27, 2011 outbreak was erected in 2012.
By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com
Randy Tumlin, chairman of the building committee, joins Pastor Dr. Kevin McCreless in burning the paid-in-full mortgage of the church.
By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com RAINSVILLE, Ala. — On Sunday, April 18, a large crowd gathered for Celebration Sunday at Broadway Baptist Church. After a worship service, the church held a "note burning" to recognize the church's debt-free status. Jeff Williams, treasurer, handed the final note payment to Scott Kirk of First Southern State Bank. Kirk, in return,
>> See NOTE, P3
The Fort Payne City Council appointed former Police Chief Randy Bynum to a seat on the Fort Payne City Board of Education to replace outgoing board member Kathy Prater. (Fort Payne City Schools)
By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com FORT PAYNE, Ala. — On Monday, the Fort Payne City Council held interviews for the open position on the City of Fort Payne Education Board. Eight candidates applied to fill the position of Kathy Prater, whose term expires June 2021, including Jamie Larson, Gina Kelly Grant, Ronnie Campbell, Steve Henery, Dana Grimes, Randy McClung, Slade
Carden, and Randy Bynum. On Tuesday, during the Fort Payne City Council meeting, Randy Bynum was appointed to the position. In his interview, Bynum said he felt that the Fort Payne School System was the “best of the best.” He went on to say, “the students had so many paths that they can choose and that he would like to part of that.” Bynum served as a student resource officer for seven years for Fort
Payne. Bynum said he felt that the biggest change that needed to be made within the system, was from a safety standpoint. The schools are to open and that traffic should be shut down, not to allow cars so close during school hours. At Tuesday’s meeting, the Fort Payne Council received a plaque and a letter of appreciation from the Fort Payne Tennis Team for the addition of new courts. These courts aided
the team to have a stellar season. This year the boy’s team won their first section tournament in school history. The Fort Payne Council held a public hearing to receive comments on the agreement between the City and Ram Development Partners, LLC. Ram Developments Partners represent a business that plans on locating in Fort Payne. The agreement, which
>> See BOE, P4
Rainsville Updates Sign Ordinance By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com
RAINSVILLE, Ala. — The Rainsville City Council met on Monday night with a full agenda. An updated sign ordinance was presented to the Council for the second reading. The ordinance that will regulate how signs
can be displayed within the City was passed under Resolution 3-15-2001. The ordinance will prohibit flashing, highway, bench, and digital signs within the city limits of Rainsville. Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt advised the Council of the need for a disposal agreement for when the City dumps a
dumpster owned privately. The Council agreed to draft an agreement to protect the City from any liability. Rainsville Assistant Police Chief Matt Crum reported to the Council that through the Amnesty Warrant Program over $40,000 had been collected.
>> See SIGN, P6
RAINSVILLE, Ala. — On Saturday, April 24, a ceremony will be held to honor the victims lost in the April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak in Rainsville. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the historic weather tragedy that is recorded as one of the most deadly storm outbreaks in the South. According to the National Weather Service, more than 60 tornadoes touched down across the State of Alabama over an entire 24 hours. Three EF-5 tornadoes touched down during the event with one wreaking havoc across DeKalb County. The storm measured more than 200 miles per hour winds with a path measuring 33.8 miles long and 3/4 miles wide. In total, 248 lives were claimed by the storms in Alabama with 35 citizens of DeKalb County killed. On Saturday, April 24 at 2 p.m., the final annual ceremony will be held at the memorial, which was built in 2012 at the
>> See STORM, P3
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