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Fort Payne City Council Discusses Sales Tax Increase By Zach Moore FORT PAYNE, Ala. — “Tax is a bad word.” “Amen!” responded several members of the audience. Thus was the mood at Tuesday night’s city council workshop in Fort Payne. Though there doesn’t seem to be a vote in Fort Payne’s immediate future, over 75 people packed the council chambers for a special workshop which started the conversation of a possible sales tax increase and what to do with it. The last revenue adjustment in Fort Payne’s history took place over thirty years ago, in 1984. The workshop, as stressed numerous t i mes by the council, was not to find a conclusive solution to the issue, but to open a public dialogue for the council and citizens to work together in order to find a long-term solution. “One thing we talked about before we even thought about a tax increase was reducing spending,” reassured Councilman Randall Ham. While many solutions were discussed, the most popular adjustment proposal was that of a 1% adjustment in sales tax revenue. This increase has been estimated to adjust
Fort Payne’s revenue by $2.2 million. “You say the word ‘sales tax increase’ and politicians get worried because they may not get re-elected,” added Councilman Walter Watson. “I’m not one of them. When I spend a dollar in my city, I give an extra penny so that my city stays healthy.”
N o t a l l mem b er s o f the council were equally enthusiastic. “I’m not sure about a sales tax increase,” said Councilman Red Taylor. “Alabama is third highest in the nation in sales taxes. I feel like, if anything, it would be more fair to put it on a property tax. The state is about to have a special session.
They’re trying to raise $540 million. We don’t need to do anything until we see what Montgomery is going to do. We might go up one cent, but the state may go up two.” “If the state goes up two cents, what does that do for our city?” argued Ham. “Nothing.” “When I ran, I made one promise,” said Mayor Larry
Two councilmembers walk into a meeting By Jordan Doufexis jordan@southerntorch.com
RAINSVILLE, Ala. — The Rainsville City Council prepped for Freedom Fest on Monday night with their own fireworks show. There’s been tension between Council members Melissa Ledbetter, Joey Graham and Mayor Nick Jones from day 1. That tension was on display Monday night when the City Council held it’s regularly scheduled meeting and the topic of new hirings and appointments for the City of Rainsville came up. “The interviewing of the Officer that Chief Centers brought to us,” said Graham. “My understanding is that that interview did not take place.” “Typically how this works is I’ll checkout the applications and we will schedule interviews. Chief Centers has not given me all the applications. I’ve asked for that twice,” said Jones. “We are down four police officers right now,” said Graham. “And it’s to the point where it’s critical that
you bring in people to fill this staff. We can’t compel you to hire an officer...but as a citizen of Rainsville I would hope that you would adequately staff the police department for the safety of the whole community.” Jones fired back, “I’m glad we’re finally having a conversation about staffing our public safety departments...two part time people staffing the fire department is not kosher. That’s not a good thing. The Mayor and council before us made a decision to staff the fire department 24/7...and pay those folks. Which means, we’re telling the citizens of Rainsville what we’re doing with that tax money is we’re gonna have 2 fully trained, full-time professional firefighters...and there hasn’t been a whole lot of concern at this table about the understaffing of that department.” Jones finished, “I’m with you, we need more police officers...but, I can only work with however much Chief Centers will meet me there in the middle of the road.” ACT II - Ledbetter makes a motion to appoint Glenn
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Shedd to be the City Judge. “I have no issue with Glenn Shedd,” said Jones. “What I have an issue with is the process and how we arrived at the selection. Who were the applicants? How did we arrive at the selection of Glenn Shedd?” “I called all three applicants and I discussed at great length with each applicant and then Joey had told me that that was Tammy’s recommendation,” said Ledbetter. Jones responded, “There’s just no process to talk with the applicants or interview or select them? You guys just all...decided?” “I’m not going to talk about this anymore,” exclaimed Ledbetter. “We just had a discussion about rules in the meeting... and we don’t want a bunch of rules. Me and Mr. Holt do... we don’t want a bunch, we just want some structure. I’m just asking how we’ve landed at this selection.” Ledbetter refused to discuss the matter further and stated, “This is who we’ve selected. I have made my motion, there is a second on the table. I’m going to request that
Chesser, who had remained mostly silent throughout the conversation. “That I would veto a sales tax increase… and a property tax would have to be voted on. All of the property tax increases in Alabama have been voted down left and right.”
CONTINUED > PAGE 2 THIS WEEK IN POLITICS Recap of the 2015 Alabama
the Mayor Pro-temp please Legislative Session approve the motion and the second on the table so that What laws were passed in 2015 PAGE 2 we can we move on from this meeting and not hear this June DeKalb BOE Meeting debate any longer.” Personnel decisions take center “Let the record show that stage....................................... .....PAGE 2 we’re ending this debate before all of the issues were flushed out,” said Jones.” I’m THIS WEEK IN SPORTS asking a simple question with how we’ve arrived at this selection with no formal Deontay Wilder process.” The champ resides in Alabama.PAGE 7 The motion was passed and Shedd is now the new City Judge in Rainsville. DeKalb loses a coaching icon The process seems to have Collinsville lost a coaching legend last a similar feel to the debacle Thursday morning ..................PAGE 7 that was the hiring of a City Clerk at Rainsville City Hall in early February. Fort Payne student wins 1st Place In that instance, longtime in Junior Amateur golf tournament City Clerk Judy Lewis had ...............................................PAGE 7 announced her retirement and assistant City Clerk Debbie Lanier seemed to be the obvious choice. Overwhelming THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS support from the general public, Mayor Jones, and CounTorch Treat of the Week cilman Brandon Freeman led to speculation that Lanier was Vintage 1889 Spiked Tequila Chicken Soup......................................... PAGE 6 the homerun hire.
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THIS WEEK IN COMMUNITY DeKalb Animal Adoption Center................................PAGE 3 German Giants come bearing gifts..............................PAGE 3 Shave and a Haircut
Hanks last ride through Fort Payne...........................PAGE 5
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3 Thursday - June 17, 2015
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Rainsville City Council control their tax dollars and make decisions about the well being and day-to-day activities of their city are doing. This is why the passage of the Sunshine Laws a decade ago was so monumental. Sunshine laws make meetings, records, votes, deliiberations and other official actions available for public observation, participation and/or inspection. Sunshine laws also require government meetings to be held with sufficient advance notice and at times and places that are convenient and accessible to the public, with exceptions for emergency meetings. Furthermore, the Alabama Legislature just strengthened the Sunshine Laws with
“The Open Meetings Act”. “It is the policy of this state that the deliberative process of governmental bodies shall be open to the public during meetings as defined in Section 36-25A-2 (6).” “The Open Meetings Act allows nine exceptions when governmental bodies can meet in private, including discussions of litigation with attorneys, good name and character of an employee or preliminary negotiations in an economic development deal.” These are rare exceptions... To watch the Rainsville City Council meeting in its entirety, visit our website at www.southerntorch.com
Fort Payne City Council Discusses Sales Tax Increase
making cuts,” responded Councilman Ham. “I made you a promise,” the citizen responded. “I appreciate your help, but I won’t hold you to that promise,” said Councilman Watson, “because I know how difficult it is once you start looking for them. You may find something to cut, but it may not be feasible to do it. It may take away some of the services that we currently provide. I invite you to look for cuts that are feasible and will keep the city of Fort Payne strong.” “We’re open to any ideas, regardless of what happens here,” added Mayor Chesser. As the workshop settled to a stopping point, Councilman Watson reiterated his desire to be held responsible for the future of Fort Payne. “If we don’t do it now, plea s e hold t h i s g roup accountable for making sure that we make the city of Fort Payne strong, and we can help our school systems when they ask for it.” Video of both the workshop and the regular council meeting that followed can be found on southern torch.com.
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After weeks of debate among the Council, it was agreed that the hiring process and interviews for the City Clerk position should be conducted publicly. Fast forward to April 16, when council members hired Kelly Frazier as the City Clerk after holding private interviews without any public oversight. The public’s right to know what business their government officials are conducting is the bedrock of a free society and should not be taken lightly. All citizens should have the right to know what the people who
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Chesser continued to mention numerous other avenues through which to achieve revenue stability, including an adjustment to the city’s lod g i n g t a x , wh ich he assured would primarily affect travelers passing through Fort Payne, and an internet sales tax. “I know this isn’t a fun subject for you,” began Fort Payne City Schools Superintendent Jim Cunningham, “but I have a list of sales taxes in Alabama and how they are allocated within the school systems. Fort Payne is on the back page.” Cunningham continued by voicing his concerns for numerous needs for funding within the school system, including, but not limited to, the fact that nearly a third of the city’s population is Hispanic, increasing the need
for bilingual translators and English teachers. “That becomes a real problem. Do you know how much the state gave me to solve that problem? $35,000. That pays for one aid… What if, in 2008, we decided not to move forward tech nolog ica l ly? Where would we be now?” Cunningham spoke of the “21st Century Classroom” campaign, which he led in 2008. With the help of $250,000 from the city, Fort Payne City Schools were able to raise $1.1 million to stock classrooms with high-end technology. When the f loor wa s opened to citizens, some voiced their own concerned. “The number one word everyone is using up there is ‘tax’,” chimed one citizen. “No one’s ever looking at cuts… I’ll give you my services that I will find you $2 million in cuts that you’re not taking.” “We spent three years
2015 ALABAMA LEGISLATIVE SESSION REVIEW
CEO, Jordan Doufexis Senior managing editor, Joseph Morgan Managing editor, Jordan Doufexis Layout editors, Ashley Stanford & Rachel Monroe
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DEKALB BOE PERSONNEL RUNDOWN
LOCAL VOLUNTEERS WORK HAND-IN-HAND WITH DEKALB ANIMAL ADOPTION CENTER
STAFF REPORTS FORT PAYNE, Ala. —The Friends of DeKalb County Animal Adoption Center (FDCAAC) are a group of volunteers in Fort Payne that work closely with the DeKalb County Animal Shelter staff. The groups official mission is: “to improve visibility and increase awareness of the countless number of abandoned, homeless animals in DeKalb County, with the ultimate goal being to unite these deserving animals with
the perfect family to call their own.” The group works daily with shelter staff to find adopters for homeless animals, reunite pets with their owners, and increase communit y awareness about important issues. FDAAC is dedicated to being a voice for the animals and pet owners in our area that are in need. The group also tries to point out the many numerous ways the public can help in this effort in terms of volunteering, educating, donating, or fostering a pet
until it is adopted. FDAAC urges the community to “share” pictures of animals that are posted on their Facebook page. The list of ways to help is endless and can be tailored to meet whatever your needs may be. For those interested in adopting a pet, the DeKalb County Animal Adoption Center offers an affordable adoption fee upon approval of an application. For $75, an adopted animal is spayed/ neutered , m icroch ipped and given a rabies shot. In
addition, you receive a free, 30-day pet insurance policy. “ We a r e i nc r e d i b l y grateful for those of you who are considering adoption and for those who have already opened your hearts and homes to these precious animals.” As Karen Davidson once said, “Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.” F D C A AC a l s o a s k s citizens to drop off at the shelter any gently used toys, beds, bowls, sheets, kennels, etc. for use by lost or homeless pets. please drop them off at the shelter. The DeK a lb Count y Animal Adoption Center in Fort Payne serves the entire county and stresses the importance of checking with them first if you have a m issing an i ma l f rom
anywhere in DeKalb County. Their phone number is 256-304-474 and they are located at 2601 Jordan Road SW, behind Lowe’s near the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Dept. You can visit the shelter on Facebook for daily updates and photos regarding adoptions or lost/fount pets go by the shelter in person to find out more about adopting a pet.
The Volkswagen and DeKalb County Tech Center THIS WEEK THE GERMAN AUTOMOTIVE GIANT SENT A GIFT DEKALB’S WAY… By Jordan Doufexis
jordan@southerntorch.com
R AINSVILLE , A la. — DeKalb County Technology Center’s Automotive Mechanic Instructor Dennis Stiefel and son receiving automotive engines (4 2013 Gas 5 cylinder, 5 2013 TDI Turbo Diesel two Auto and one dual clutch transaxle) donated by Volkswagen of America Chattanooga for students of DeKalb County to be educated and trained on the latest models. Thanks Volkswagen of America Chattanooga! The Vo l k s w a g e n Academy is an innovative training center preparing
employees for work at the new Chattanooga plant. High tech classrooms also feature all the aspects of the manufacturing facility on a smaller scale to allow for hands-on training, including a machining area, welding area, electricity lab, autotronics center, automotive diagnostics area, and more. The Ac ademy prov ide s advanced vocational programs a nd promot e s per s on a l growth for workers and for those seeking employment. This dual educational track is designed to help workers prepare menta l ly and physically, so that when they enter the plant they are experts in their field. Students who complete the
program will begin working in the Chattanooga Plant but will also have the opportunity to transfer to jobs within the
Volkswagen family of brands: Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, and Lamborghini. Students will also get the opportunity to
continue their education while employed by Volkswagen. Graduates earn an Associate of Applied science in systems eng ineer ing tech nolog y with a concentration in mechatronics systems. The graduates’ starting pay at the plant averages to $22.50 an hour, or $46,800 a year. That doesn’t include possible bonuses and pay increase to $30 an hour. DCTC is the on ly secondary school to enter into a par tnership with Volkswagen. No local college or university is offering this type of program currently.
FAITH COLUMN and all the displays and exhibits in the Women’s Building. Sometimes a show – one year TV’s Wyatt Earp (Hugh O’Brian) doing quick draw demonstrations. Then walk past the food stands (my granddaddy worked at the Coca Cola stand where my mother could leave her purse). And finally, the Midway where all the rides were. And we would ride a few. The year my daddy took me was different. We zipped past everything else to get to the Midway. The rides, the sawdust on the ground, the smell of onions frying, and the taste of cotton candy my daddy bought me. The greatest place in the world. Especially with my daddy who worked long hours at the newspaper.
By Dr. John E. Morgan Pastor - Collinsville Baptist Church
There was nothing much bigger than the State Fair in Nashville where I grew up. As near as I could tell it was the best fair in the world. My mother and grandmother carried me to the fair most years. They made sure we saw all the livestock
He let me know that we could ride everything. And we set out to do that. Tilt-o-whirl. Yep. Octopus. Oh yeah. Roller coaster with its jerks in the curves. Ferris wheel. Please stop at the top a while. Side Shows. Daddy assured me I did not want the one with the women dancing in harem clothes (as if ready for Elvis in Harem Sacrum). The one I really wanted – bearded lady, sword swallower, fire eater, pygmy horse – daddy assured me that it would
disappoint me. Games. I won a knife worth fifty cents throwing baseballs at milk bottles. Cost daddy about $2.00. Time with my daddy at the Fair. It was great. Near the end of the Midway, there was that ride like a Ferris wheel with baskets over the seats. You get strapped into your seat, then as the wheel turns, if you push really hard you can turn the basket over and over. And we did. Wow. Great. Except that my daddy quit helping near the end. He jumped out of the basket quickly at the end. On one of the flips he had lost his wallet. And keys. And money. They had had all fallen out of his pants, through the basket to the ground. As we searched I realized his pants leg was torn. And there was some blood running down his leg. A nail in the basket. We found most of what lost. I thought we might ride some more. He thought it was time to go see my granddaddy and get a hamburger and a Coke and then head on home. So we did. By the time we got home, my daddy, a master story teller was turning our day at the fair into a family story. The kind that was told over and over.
Always with an embellishment or two. The cut on his leg got bigger, the number of rides I forced him to ride increased. And he and I could share again the magic of the Midway. The wonder of time together. Sunday is Father’s Day. I won’t be seeing my father. He has in heaven. I wonder if he tells our stories up there. I miss him. A lot. As a Christian, a couple of things help me. One is that I know that he and mother are happy and beyond pain. And that I will join them one day. Family reunion. Because Jesus died for us. I wonder if they have Midways in heaven. And please remember that whether you had the best father or the worst father, you have a Heavenly Father who loves you and wants to spend time with you. Give Him a call. He’s waiting. He’s missed you. Until then, I am thankful to have happy memories. And to share the stories with my children and grandchildren. Like the time my daddy lost everything he had and hurt his leg. But we felt only joy. Thank you, daddy. I love you.
4 Thursday - June 17, 2015
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Vintage Movie Night, an event intended to bond lovers of film in DeKalb County over classic movies and great food (catered by this week’s “Treat of the Week”), continues to gain velocity. The bimonthly party was launched in April with a viewing of Raiders of the Lost Ark at Vintage 1889 in Fort Payne. Since then, hosts Studio 3
The next Vintage Movie Night will be held on June 25th at 7 p.m. for the Brat Pack favorite, The Breakfast Club.
SHAVE AND A HAIRCUT FORT PAYNE RESIDENT SANDRA LAFFERTY’S IMPRESSIVE ACTING PORTFOLIO INCLUDES MORE THAN 40 FILM, TV AND COMMERCIAL ROLES
By Zach Moore RAINSVILLE, Ala. —This Saturday, Rainsville will host its annual Freedom Run 10 and 5k. True to tradition, the event promises to be bigger, faster, and better than its predecessors. While the 2014 Freedom Run was host to 500 runners, almost 600 have already signed up since registration opened in January , with the promise
of more to come. “The amount of anticipation and the distance which runners are willing to travel are both growing,” said event planner Jerry Clifton. “We’ve got runners coming from across a 175-mile radius; as far as places like Birmingham, Atlanta, and Nashville. Early packet pickup for
runners will take place at Broadway Baptist Church between 4 and 8 p.m. on Friday, June 19. Runners can still sign up online at rainsvillefreedomfest.races.com until Thursday at 10 p.m. CST, but registration will close once the event reaches 700 runners.
“Singing with the Stars”
By Jordan Doufexis jordan@southerntorch.com
from 2:00 – 3:00pm and a conversation with the authors July 1st at 6:00pm at Word of Life Ministry. The authors will also perform a storytelling at the Rainsville Public Library June 30th at 1:30 pm. Autographed books
will be sold at all events. Books can also be ordered from most major bookstores, including Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. All events are open to the public.
By Zach Moore RAINSVILLE, Ala. — Thursday, June 18, Northeast Alabama Community College will host its annual benefit, "Singing with the
Stars" at NACC's Tom Bevill Lyceum. The show is a songwriter symposium, which will feature Teddy Gentry and the Rockit City Band, as well as local singer/ songwriters.
SHOW SCHEDULE
FORT PAYNE, Ala. —BCG Press celebrates the release of the children’s picture book, Something Big and Good, with an open house party at The Spot in downtown Fort Payne, Alabama. Authors, Dr. Dale Carver and Martha Pendergrass Templeton, will be on-site from 5:00 until 9:00 pm on June 29th to sign books and to chat with visitors. Something Big and Good is the first in a series of children’s books that seeks to introduce the concepts of mission and calling, promoting the belief that even small people can do big and good things in the world. Other Fort Payne events include a book signing at The Book Shelf June 29th
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By Randy Grider Lookout Alabama Tucked in the front corner of Beason’s Barber Shop in Fort Payne, Ala., is a vintage barber chair. Not an unusual piece of décor for such an establishment until you step close enough to read the typed words on an 8 ½-by-11 piece of paper resting against the back of chair:
“Something BIG & Good”
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Freedom Run to host record Vintage Movie Night number of runners By Zach Moore
and The Fort Payne Film Society have treated guests to Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and most recently, The Godfather, always free of charge.
Thursday - June 17, 2015
Hank Williams Last haircut and shave in this chair given by Howard Simpson Dec. 31, 1952 Could it be that a historical artifact with direct ties to one of country music’s biggest stars and his ill-fated last ride has stood here for about a decade with so little fanfare? Locals, and especially barber shop owner Alton Benson, swear it has. Oh, there is the occasional road-tripping individual following Wil liams’ death ride from Montgomery, Ala., to Oak Hill, W.VA. (where the 29-year-old star was pronounced dead in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, 1953) who stops to see the chair. and a few years ago, a couple of writers from Road & Track accidentally stumbled upon the chair while trekking the Williams’ trail when their car broke down near Fort Payne. The barber chair was mentioned in their published story. But for the most part, the chair is part of local lore. Still, there is some pretty good circumstantial evidence that the Hank chair is the real thing if you follow what is known of Hank’s stop in Fort Payne and how the barber chair found its current home. First, the back story. Hank Williams and a teenage chauffeur named Charles Carr set out on Dec. 30, 1952, from Montgomery in a baby-blue, 1952 convertible Cadillac en route to two shows headlining one of Alabama’s favorite sons. The first show was scheduled for New Year’s Eve in Charleston, W. Va., to be followed by a performance in Canton, Ohio, the next day. After spending the night of Dec. 30 in Birmingham, Carr and Williams headed north on U. S. Highway 11. according to several interviews
starting about 2000 (for years, Carr rarely spoke publicly about Hank’s death) the two stopped in Fort Payne for a shave and a haircut. Carr reported the barbershop was a three-chair shop along the main route through town. Beason says the barber shop where Williams and Carr stopped was Carter’s Barber Shop, owned and operated by the late Pete Carter. The “front chair” (as barber chairs were in a line) was manned by Howard Simpson. Although Simpson wasn’t one to brag, according to his twin sons, he politely discussed cutting Williams’ hair whenever someone broached the subject of Simpson’s brush with fame. “Sometimes we’d hear people talking about it in the shop,” says Gary Simpson. “Daddy said that Hank was really nice – calm and collected. Mainly he was real nice. He got his hair cut and then left.” Simpson’s humble nature didn’t lend itself to exaggeration, and his description of the episode never changed, added Gar y Simpson. Probably the closest the elder Simpson came to making anything resembling a “big deal” out of his accidental fame was joking that if he had saved the hair clippings that day, “he’d probably be a millionaire now,” says Larry Simpson. Beason’s first job as a rookie barber was using the very same twohandle Reliance barber chair at the shop where Hank reportedly stopped a decade earlier. Over the years, as Benson and Simpson each operated their own barber shops (the latter had taken possession of the famous barber chair when he bought Carter’s Barber Shop), they continued as friends and cut each others’ hair. When Simpson moved his barber shop to north Fort Payne, he took the barber chair to his home, where he also cut hair. “I told him [Simpson] that I would love to have that chair because it was my first chair to work on,” Benson says. “So when he died (in 2002), his wife called me and told me that he had written down that I got the chair. so I bought it from her.” So what does the future hold for the famous chair? Benson, 71, is semiretired, coming into his barber shop on Fridays to cut the hair of many longtime regulars. “I don’t know,” he says. “I would like to see if someone
with the Williams family might be interested in it. But I don’t know what I’m going to do with it.” Hank’s daughter Jett Williams and researcher verify visit Hank Williams’ daughter Jett Williams has little doubt her dad visited Fort Payne, Ala., on the last day of 1952. Jett and her late husband Keith Atkinson – the attorney who proved she was the daughter of the legendary singer – spent a great deal of time and energy in the past couple of years investigating the Hank Williams’ final days and the circumstances of his death. Lookout Alabama spoke with Jett by telephone just before this issue went to press. She said that according to the research she and Atkinson (who died this past June) collected, Hank Williams and driver Charles Carr stopped at 111 Gault Ave. at Carter’s Barber Shop, where he got a haircut from Howard Simpson and had his boots shined by Abe Coleman. “Of the entire last trip of my dad, there seems to be no doubt about him stopping in Fort Payne,” Jett said. “I feel very confident to say that is 100-percent accurate.” We also got in touch with police investigator Brian Turpen of Bedford, Ind., who has spent several years researching Hank Williams and has written two books about the legendary singer. Turpen said that according to his interviews with Carr several years ago as well as with others from the area, Williams and Carr arrived in Fort Payne at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 31. The pair had a light breakfast (mostly coffee) at a diner
near Carter’s Barber Shop. (Property records indicate the diner was probably the American Café at 209 Gault Ave.) Carr said Hank wanted to get a shave and he walked to the barbershop about a block away while Carr moved the car to the front of the shop. After getting a shave and a trim from Howard Simpson, he had his boots shined by Abe Coleman. Several persistent accounts of Williams’ stop in Fort Payne include Carr and a local taxi driver making a trip up Lookout Mountain, where they bought a bottle of liquor for Williams from a well-known bootlegger. (Fort Payne was in a dry county.) Carr told Turpen he got a pint of bonded whiskey at a nearby taxi stand – most likely Robertson and Lankford Cab Company at 315 Gault Ave. Whether someone else left the taxi company and retrieved the liquor from a bootlegger or it was already there is not clear, but Turpen said Carr insisted he didn’t leave Hank to go with anyone to get it.
Turpen said Hank and Carr were in Fort Payne for approximately one hour before heading north on Highway 11, where they had an early lunch. It was there, Carr said, that Williams gifted a server with a $50 tip. “Charles Carr was always adamant they stopped in Fort Payne,” Turpen said. “From my years of research, I believe the stopover in Fort Payne is definitely true.” Editor’s note While there is still controversy concerning exactly when and where Hank Williams passed away (sometime between 10:45 p.m. on the day he stopped in Fort Payne and 7 a.m. the next day and somewhere between Knoxville, Tenn., and Oak Hill, W. Va., in the backseat of his Cadillac), he was officially pronounced dead from a heart attack at age 29 on New Year’s day, 1953 – less than 24 hours after he visited Fort Payne. We attempted to interview driver Charles Carr for this story before he passed away on July 1 after a brief illness.
6 Thursday - June 17, 2015
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Thursday - June 17, 2015
PERSNAL BUSINESS
Fort Payne student wins 1st Place in Junior Amateur golf tournament
Fort Payne, Al
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FORT PAYNE, Ala.—Local Fort Paye High School student Elle Kate Patterson, 15, won 1st place in the Junior Amateur Girls 13-15-year-old division with a two-round score
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of 160 (81,79) at the 54th Annual Bud Burns Invitational Golf Tournament on Tuesday hosted at the 5,400-yard Selma Country Club. Patterson, who also plays on the golf team at Fort Payne High School and travels year-round to compete in Junior
Amateur events across the Southeast, finished 7th overall in the 2-day tournament with a field of 23 amateur golfers ages 13-19. Starting two shots down going into the 2nd round on Tuesday, Patterson captured the lead after the 3rd hole and never looked back.
COLLINSVILLE, Ala. — Collinsville lost a coaching legend last Thursday morning when retired Collinsville High School (CHS) boys ba sketba l l C o a ch L . D. Dobbins passed away at the age of 79. Dobbins began coaching at Collinsville in 1961 when the Panthers hired him fresh from a two-year stint at Southside High School near Gadsden. In Dobbins’ first season at CHS he took over a fledgling basketball program that posted a 3-18 record the previous year. Dobbins transformed the Panther squad in one season, finishing one game shy of .500 with a record of 17-18. Over the next 29 years, Dobbins would go on to record more than 500 victories at Collinsville. Among those wins were f ive DeK a lb Count y Championship titles and a 1-A State Championship in 1975.
Dobbins was voted Alabama High School Basketball Coach of the Year the same year and was nomintated for National Coach of the Year honors in 1976. Dobbins retired from from coaching in 1991, finishing his career at CHS. After retirement, Dobbins was inducted into the charter class of the DeKalb County Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2000 earned induction into the Alabama High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Dobbins was also voted DeKalb County Coach of the Year five times, Collinsville Alumni Association Teacher of t he Yea r, rNat ion a l Association of Basketball Coaches Achievement Award. He had 10 high school pl ayer s g o on to pl ay basketball at the college level a nd seven for mer players who became coaches themselves. Additionally, the L.D. Dobbins Gymnasium at Collinsville High School is named in Dobbins’s honor.
The tequila shot chicken soup maintains the perfect consistency... not thick or watery. The chipotle paste, jalapenos and peppers are surprisingly mild with just a slight burst of heat in the aftertaste.
Alabama’s Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder
The Spiked Tequila Chicken Soup with a Tomato Pie appetizer is as light, flavorful and comforting of a lunch as I’ve enjoyed anywhere.
By Joseph Morgan
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Gourmet Bistro in the heart of Fort Payne
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DeKalb loses a coaching icon joseph@southerntorch.com
Spiked Tequila Chicken Soup
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RAINSVILLE, Ala. — It is fair to say that boxing has never been a particularly popular sport in Alabama. It’s not that we dislike boxing. It’s that its simply foreign to us: an unknown, a mostly unvisited pursuit that we occasionally witness by chance or by accident when flipping through the channels to see what movie is on HBO. We don’t grow up with boyhood dreams of one day becoming world champion prize fighters. We play peewee football and Dixie Youth baseball instead just like our fathers before us did. And for most who grow up in DeKalb County, choice in the world of sports has traditionally revolved around the big three: baseball, basketball and football—three sports neatly rolled into three seasons. Not very complicated decisions: You either play or support as a fan one, two or three of the above. At the college level football is king in Alabama, as it rightfully should be. Acting accordingly, as students and fans, we spend a lot of time
watching football in the fall and ignoring college athletics for most of the remainder of the year, until Spring football that is. As for professional sports? Well, professional sports don’t really exist in Alabama either. We don’t have the demographics or market size to sustain a Big League team, NBA or MLB team they say, and likewise Alabama certainly isn’t traditionally on the shortlist to host big-name, main event boxing match-ups. Before 2015, no professional title bout at any weight class had ever been held in Alabama. That changed drastically last Saturday night. In front of a sold out crowd of 9,347 fans at Bartow Arena on UAB’s campus in Birmingham witnessed the first heavyweight world title bout to ever take place in Alabama. WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder successfully defended his title against Eric Molina with a knockout in the 9th round of a 12-round match. If you are still asking yourself at this point why the heck the fight would be held in Birmingham, that’s okay. Unless you are a fan it is entirely possible that you weren’t aware that professional boxing crowned a new heavyweight champion in January when Tuscaloosa native Deontay Wilder became the first U.S. heavyweight titleholder since 2006 when Shannon Briggs last held the belt for what seemed to last about 30 minutes before giving it back to someone whose last name was more than likely Klitzcho. More than likely, even if you’ve never seen a single professional boxing match
, you have heard of the Klitschko brothers. They’re the Ukranian boxers who have virtually owned the heavyweight division of professional boxing for the past 15 years. So, stay with me here because this is where things get confusing. There are four professionally boxing organizations that award title belts and recognize champions at each sanctioned weight class in pro boxing. So, Alabama has our own Heavyweight Champion in Deontay Wilder who currently holds the World Boxing Commission (WBC) title. Wladimir Klitschko is currently hoarding the other three heavyweight belts while he hides in the Ukraine. Wladimir holds titles with —International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Organization (WBO), and World Boxing Association (WBA).
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Pretty impressive. Not only were the Klitzcho brothers belt hoarders who refused to fight each other, they also pretty much refuse to fight anywhere in the U.S. After 15 years of that type of behavior from both brothers you can probably understand why heavyweight boxing lost its luster for most mainstream Americans. The problem is, despite being incredibly boring, the Klitzcho brothers were and are absolute masters in the ring (combined record of 109-5). Elder brother Vitali retired in 2013 (totally kept his belts) and Wladimir will be 40 in the next year and appears to also be nearing retirement. The one problem? Deontay Wilder has the WBC belt and Klitzcho’s Smeaglish need to retire with all four belts to match his big brother’s set almost guarantees a matchup in the near future
with Deontay Wilder. Wilder, who is in the midst of his prime, could soon be given the opportunity to take Klitzcho’s belts if he wins to become the undisputed unified heavyweight champion of the world. He is a world champion and well on his way to becoming a household name with each title defense—certainly a new source of pride for the State of Alabama. But, a shot at the unified heavyweight title puts Deontay Wilder in a position to go from being a legitimate champion who is relatively famous to becoming the next sports superstar. We’re talking boxing legends famous—Tyson, Holyfield, Foreman, Ali— a name as large as any in boxing with more endorsement deals than any one athlete has seen perhaps sense Tiger Woods was at his peak.
CONTINUED > PAGE 7
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8 Thursday - June 17, 2015
THE SOUTHERN TORCH
Education Technology Conference held at NACC
An Educational Technology Conference was held recently at Northeast Alabama Community College in the Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Technology Center. NACC faculty and staff got the latest informa-
tion on technology this week with a workshop held on campus as a part of the college’s in-service professional development. The workshop, organized by NACC Educational Technology Director Patricia
Deontay Wilder CONTINUED FROM 7 It has been far too long since we’ve seen a legitimate American heavyweight contender and it is a perfect storm. America is ready, Big Business is ready, Pro Boxing is ready. Deontay Wilder is the most exciting thing to happen to professional boxing in a very long time. He could almost single-handedly bring legitimacy, relevance and marketability back to the heavyweight division. Perhaps at that point boxing fans
will no longer be forced to watch men who are 5’7” 135 lbs chase Floyd Mayweather who is 5’8” 135lbs around the ring as he talks about how much money he has and makes us all feel stupid for spending $100 on the next “fight of the century.” While we, simply due to a lack of a better option, have spent the last 7 years buying the same Mayweather fight over and over again, Wilder has quietly been building an impressive resume since his pro debut shortly after
Combs and staff, brought in experts from Apple, Microsoft, Blackboard, Howard Technology Solutions, Mimio as well as eBook publisher Cengage Learning to conduct sessions for NACC faculty and staff. Combs said, winning a bronze medal for Team U.S.A. in the 2008 Olympics. His record as a professional has been perfect. At 34-0 with 33 knockouts, 32 of which occurred within the first 4 rounds, the 6’7” 225 lb Wilder is an electric fighter with a right-hand explosive enough to keep fans on their toes there could literally be a knockout at any point in the fight. He is not quite as polished and experienced as his record would suggest, and most would agree Wilder still needs to develop a bit as a fighter before facing an opponent as wily and ex-
“I’m so excited about the success of our 2nd Annual Technology Conference. This was a day where faculty and staff had choices to brush up on technology skills that are used in their day to day activities or something new that they would like to incorporate into their classrooms/jobs. We are so thankful to have such great participation from vendors, staff and/or publishers that make this event such a success.” NACC personnel also held sessions on MAPS, new advising process and school specific software. Sessions included iPads in Teaching and Learning, What’s New in Blackboard Collaborate, Microsoft in the Classroom, Using an Elmo and Starboard, and Basic Computer Maintenance. “Educational technology is ever expanding and changing,” stated Dr. David Campbell, NACC President. “What
Ms. Combs and our technology staff do in conducting these workshops is so important. These workshops and other learning opportunities permit Northeast to be ahead of the curve when it comes to educational technology.”
perienced (and belt-stingy) as Klitzcho. The Ukranian may be approaching 40, but he is still a great fighter and could pose significant risk to Wilder if fought too soon. Regardless of what lies in the future, it is exciting to finally see the return of an American champion to the heavyweight division of professional boxing, and even more exciting for that champion to be from right here in Alabama. Wilder loves our state, promotes the sport, and promises more heavyweight title matches right here in Alabama. I was almost certain that professional boxing
would never recover from the fallout of one of the most overhyped, disappointing sporting events in boxing history when we fell for with Mayweather - Paquiou fight a few months ago, but in Alabama’s new champion, our new champion, lies hope for the sport and potential to bring heavyweight boxing back to its former glory. Regardless of whether or not boxing becomes mainstream in Alabama sports, as long as Wilder is heavyweight champion we will have a front row seat to the action and a champion we can call our own.
FLOYD “JIM” LEROY CASEY
with Bro. Brian Vann and Bro. Gary Bone officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Memorial Park. Family will receive friends from 2 to 9 pm et on Tuesday and 10 am until service time on Wednesday.
###### For additional information about the educational technology conference or technology on campus, contact Combs at combsp@ nacc.edu or call her at 256638-4418 or 256-228-6001, ext. 2212.
For more about Northeast, go to www.nacc.edu or download the college’s free App at the Apple App Store or by going to www.naccmobile.com.
OBITUARIES JERRY BEARDEN Mr. Jerry Randell Bearden age 60 of Geraldine, AL passed away on Monday, June 15, 2015. Graveside Service will be held on Wed, June 17, 2015 at 10AM in the Geraldine Cemetery with Bro Charles Jones officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 from 5-8PM from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.
DAVID MATTESON Mr. David Matteson, age 80, of Mentone passed away Sunday, June 14, 2015. A Memorial service will be held by the Family at a later date.
RUTH D. ROBERTS Ruth D. Roberts age 92 of Scottsboro, AL
formerly of Rainsville, AL died Thursday, June 11, 2015 at Cloverdale Manor. Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 14, 2015 at 3pm from Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel with the Bro. Gary Haymon officiating. Burial will follow in Kirk Memorial Gardens with Rainsville Funeral Home, Inc. directing, www. rainsvillefuneralhome.com. Visitation will be Sunday, June 14th from 10am3pm.
ELIZABETH PIKE Mrs. Elizabeth Pike of Centre, Alabama died Thursday June 11th at her residence. Funeral service will be Sunday June 14th at 3:00 PM at the Harris Funeral Home Chapel with interment in Hopewell
Cemetery near Geraldine. The family will receive friends Sunday beginning at 12:00 noon until service time at 3:00 PM. Harris Funeral Home of Geraldine directing.
Floyd “Jim” Leroy Casey age 77 of Trenton, GA. died Monday, January 15 at his residence. Funeral services are Wednesday at 3 pm et in the chapel
CRYSTAL “BETH” ELIZABETH CUZZORT Beth Cuzzort, age 36 of Hammondville, died Thursday, June 11. Funeral services are Monday at 2 pm ct at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Bro. Eric Watkins officiating and Bro. Heath Burns speaking. Burial will follow in Poplar Springs Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 1 to 8 pm Sunday and 10 am until service time on Monday.
CRIME Payne, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Controlled Substance at 9:12 pm. Daniel Levi Garrett, age 33 of Sylvania, was arrested on Three Alias Warrants for Improper Passing, Driving While Suspended, and Speeding at 10:16 pm.
DEKALB COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE DATE: 06/15/2016
FORT PAYNE POLICE DEPARTMENT
ACCIDENTAL DEATH AT BUCKS POCKET
Sheriff Jimmy Harris states as follows: Sheriff Jimmy Harris reports that on Sunday around 6:30 pm the DeKalb County E911 received a call about a white male that had fallen over 40 feet in Bucks Pocket State Park. When Deputies arrived the DeKalb Ambulance Service, Fisher and Geraldine Rescue Squads, Grove Oak Fire Department, Officials from the State Park Services and Air Evac Helicopter out of Huntsville were on the scene attempting to get to the white male. Stanley Edward Kirby, 35 of Sylvania was pronounced dead by Coroner Tom Wilson.
Sheriff Harris states “this is a tragic accident and our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family members. Thank you to the DeKalb Ambulance Service, Fisher and Geraldine Rescue Squads, Grove Oak Fire Department, Officials from the State Park Services, Air Evac Helicopter, Deputies and Investigators for their quick response on the scene.” DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office 2801 Jordan Road SW Fort Payne, AL 35968 (256) 845-3801
DATE: 06/08/2015 POSTED BY: CHIEF RANDY BYNUM
FRIDAY JUNE 5 INCIDENTS
Receiving Stolen Property – Occurred at mile marker 222 Interstate 59, a Nissan Altima was recovered, valued at $5000.00
7 ARRESTS Kenneth Hoyt Jackson, age 49 of Gaylesville, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia at 2:12 am. Austin Lee Spencer, age 18 of Corpus Christi, TX, was arrested on a Warrant for Fugitive from Justice at 10:16 am. Dee Ann Ward, age 54 of Rome, was arrested for DUI and Open Container at 3:03 pm. George William Hurt, age 61 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia at 7:51 pm. Chad Austin Evan, age 38 of Valley Head, was arrested on a Probation Violation Warrant at 8:37 pm. Timothy Duard Posey, age 50 of Fort
3 ACCIDENTS WITH 0 INJURY
SATURDAY JUNE 6 INCIDENTS
Criminal Mischief – Occurred at 400 Godfrey Ave SE, a windshield on a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche was damaged, valued at $300.00 Criminal Mischief – Occurred at 604 2nd Street NE, glass on a front door was damaged, valued at $150.00
6 ARRESTS
SATURDAY JUNE 7 INCIDENTS Burglary – Occurred at 411 15th Street SW, a headboard, footboard, mattress and box spring were taken, valued at $150.00 Theft of Property – Occurred at 211 Clark Ave NE, a Next Shocker bicycle was taken, valued at $100.00
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4 ARRESTS Tony Randall Stiles, age 24 of Fort Payne, was arrested on a Warrant for Outside Agency at 4:33 am. James Reubin Doss, age 50 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana at 12:15pm. Tracy Ray Morrison, age 44 of Valley Head, was arrested on Two Warrants for Criminal Mischief and Probation Violation at 11:02 pm.
Clenton Burnett Carroll, age 51 of Rainsville, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct at 12:20 am.
Gregory Lynn Garret, age 48 of Valley Head, was arrested for Burglary and Hindering Prosecution at 11:37 pm.
Diana Lynn Detillion, age 61 of Panama City, FL, was arrested for Driving under the Influence of Controlled Substance at 2:05 am.
1 ACCIDENTS WITH 0 INJURIES
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A 15 year old juvenile male of Fort Payne was arrested for DUI and Underage Consumption of Alcohol at 2:43 am. A 16 year old juvenile male of Fort Payne was arrested for Underage Consumption of Alcohol at 2:43 am. Jacqueline Hurst Higgins, age 54 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Driving under the Influence of Any Substance at 8:41 am. Humberto Tomas Ramos, age 39 of Fort Payne, was arrested for DUI at 9:12 pm.
1 ACCIDENTS WITH 0 INJURIES
256-638-3933