THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2021 / VOL. 7, NO. 19 / $1.00
LIKE
FOLLOW
TWEET
SPORTS
POLITICS
COMMUNITY
>> Local soccer teams advance to state finals >> Thomas earns 200th win
>> Alabama officials react to Biden's presidential address >> Inside the Statehouse
>> NACC music department to host outdoor concern >> Upcoming Events in DeKalb
Fort Payne honors McPherson
Ivey will end health order, state of emergency
Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala.) has announced the end of Alabama's health order and state of emergency.
By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com
exercise. The Council also made a donation to the Rainsville Freedom Run. “A big thank you to our Mayor and Council for recognizing Pam and me for our year of running in a row plus for their donation to the Rainsville
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala.) will allow the State of Alabama’s existing COVID-19 health order and state of emergency to expire, rather than renew them again. According to a news release from the Governor’s Office, the COVID-19 public health order will officially end on Monday, May 31, while the state of emergency will end on Tuesday, July 6. Ivey initially created the “Safer Apart” order last month after the expiration of the state’s “Safer-at-Home” order, which included a mask mandate. The order was initially set to expire on Wednesday, May 5. “For over a year now, Alabamians, like people around the globe, have made sacrifices and adjusted to a temporary ‘new normal.’ We have learned much since last year, and this is absolutely now a managed pandemic. Our infection rates and hospitalizations are in better shape, and over 1.5 million Alabamians have
>> See RUN, P5
>> See IVEY, P8
Members of the Fort Payne City Council along with Mayor Brian Baine honored Evan McPherson with a key to the city after being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals. (Photo by City of Fort Payne)
By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com FORT PAYNE, Ala. — On Tuesday, the Fort Payne City Council honored Evan McPherson with a key to
the city after being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the National Football League (NFL) draft. “It’s not every day that you get to say that your hometown has an
NFL football player,” said Mayor Brian Baine. McPherson, a five-year starter from Fort Payne High School, continued his football career at Florida after receiving eight scholarship offers.
Man arrested for impersonating an officer
By Southern Torch Staff admin@southerntorch.com
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — A Fort Payne man has been arrested for impersonating a peace officer. On Wednesday, April 28, a victim came into the Fort Payne Police Department (FPPD) to file a report for harassment after following a Nissan Rogue down Beason Gap. While stopped at a red light, the victim stated a Black male with a gun and wearing a tactical vest approached their vehicle and engaged in a
conversation while pointing the firearm at the victim's head. The victim stated the individual said he was a federal agent before driving away. The victim identified the individual's tag and helped begin an investigation with FPPD, along with the DeKalb
County Sheriff's Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to obtain a search warrant. Richard Brian Tra'Bael (50 of Fort Payne, formerly of Ga.) was apprehended at a local campground and charged with Impersonating a Peace Officer, Possession of Forged Instruments 2nd, and Aggravated Assault/ Menacing. Chief David Davis stated that if anyone feels they have been a victim of Mr. Tra’Bael while he was acting as an officer to please contact the FPPD, 256-845-1414.
McPherson played three seasons at Florida before being drafted last week. “I would like to thank everyone here who’s doing everything for Fort Payne,” said McPherson. “I will always love coming back
here...I’ll be forever grateful to call this place my home. Whenever someone asks me where I’m from, I say Fort Payne, Alabama, proudly.”
>> See KEY, P2
Council honors local runners, donates to Freedom Run
Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt and members of the Rainsville City Council presented local runners Jerry Clifton and Pam Willingham with a plaque honoring their 365 consecutive days of running. (Submitted Photo)
By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com RAINSVILLE, Ala. — On Monday, the Rainsville City Council honored local runners Jerry Clifton and Pam Willingham for their 365 days of consecutive
SYLVANIA PHARMACY FRI. MAY 7
68 • 47 Interested in becoming an NACC student?
www.nacc.edu
SAT. MAY 8
76 • 56
SUN. MAY 9
80 • 61
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.