The Southern Torch, Vol. 3, No. 51

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 / VOL. 3, NO. 51 / $1.00 THIS WEEK IN SPORTS

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Leash laws discusses at council meeting

Coach of the Year Dustin Goodwin, Head Coach of the Plainview Varsity Football Team was named the ALFCA Class 3A, Coach of the Year.

THIS WEEK IN COMMUNITY

At the Movies!

Our resident moviegoer saw the latest installment in the sci-fi epic series, Star Wars: The Last Jedi!

THIS WEEK IN POLITICS

Rep. Brooks diagnosed with cancer Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) announced his diagnosis of prostate cancer on the House Floor last Wednesday.

Council to proceed without Public Vote Fort Payne City Hall in the recent snow. The council approved a decision to go forward with Sunday Alcohol Sales without a public vote. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch) Council approve a resolution Attorney Rocky “When we Council President Brian

By Tyler Pruett to send the Sunday Alcohol presented this act to our Baine explained his Managing Editor Sales issue to Montgomery for legislative delegation they opposition of Sunday Sales: “I tyler@southerntorch.com approval, and then hold a suggested some changes still agree that we need to put final vote of the council on the based on what they had seen this to a vote to the people FORT PAYNE, Ala. — (Full issue. everywhere else, and it puts and I’m not in favor of taking Video on our Website, Alcohol In earlier meetings, the the ultimate action on the city it out of that act; to not allow discussion begins at 25:45) In issue was to be sent to the council. That’s the change >> See FP COUNCIL, P6 a 3-2 vote, the Fort Payne City public for a vote. City they recommended to us.

By Tyler Pruett Managing Editor tyler@southerntorch.com

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SATURDAY 12/23

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SUNDAY 12/24

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MONDAY 12/25

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TUESDAY 12/26

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WEDNESDAY 12/27

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By Tyler Pruett Managing Editor tyler@southerntorch.com FORT PAYNE, Ala. — (Video at the Bottom) To begin yesterday's meeting of the Fort Payne City Council, former Councilman Walter

>> See LEASH LAWS, P2

Approves State Orders CouncilRaises count of Write-Ins

Results of online poll conducted on Southern Torch from Friday, December 15 – Monday, December 18. (Opinion Desk)

FRIDAY 12/22

Rachel Abrams, whose niece was killed by dogs recently on Sand Mountain, addresses the Fort Payne Council meeting regarding the dog attack.

(Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — On Monday, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill ordered all counties in the state to count the write-in votes that were cast on election day last Tuesday. The Secretary of State’s office issued a statement on the write-in count: “This decision on whether to count these ballots was made based on Act 2016-450 which provides, upon a determination that the number of write-in votes for Office of United States Senator is greater than or equal to the difference in votes between the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes for the Office of United State Senator,” the statement explained.

“Upon completion of the count of write-in votes,” the statement continued, “the write-in votes are to be

included in each county’s final canvass of results that will be certified to the Secretary of State on December 22, 2017.”

The statement also explained that the final vote won’t be certified, “until January 3, 2018, but this process could occur as early as December 26, 2017,” and that “final certification will occur once the vote has been reviewed and certified by the State Canvassing Board (a board which consists of Governor Kay Ivey, Secretary of State John H. Merrill, and Attorney General Steve Marshall).”

Many voters chose to write-in a candidate, with 22,814 (1.7%) being reported in the state. But with 1.5 percent of the vote separating the two, Moore still would have come up short as of now.

The difference between Moore and Jones’ vote totals is currently at 20,634 votes, but as the Secretary of State’s office points out, these numbers aren’t final.

“Upon the introduction of UOCAVA ballots and approved provisional ballots, these numbers are subject to change,” said the statement.

A poll conducted on our website between Friday, December 15 and December 18, shows that of 63 respondents, 79 percent believe that Moore should concede the race. 17 percent believe that he should wait until the vote is certified and another 3 percent said they had no opinion.

While the poll is not scientific, Moore did exceedingly well in DeKalb County and the surrounding counties, leading one to believe that Moore’s own supporters believe it’s time to move on.

By Marla Jones Reporter marla@southerntorch.com

Rainsville, Ala.—(Full video on our website) The Rainsville City Council met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, December 18, 2017.

The Council approved a resolution honoring Mycah Swift of Ider, thanking her for raising funds and the development of Shop with a Cop. The Rainsville Police Department participated and helped several children purchase gifts for Christmas.

Items approved during the meeting: •Changed the date of the next Council meeting to January 4, 2017 •Approved a 3% Employee pay raise •Approved the addition of five new street lights (Pine View, Brown’s Chapel, Shiloh Estates, Fortner and Thompson) •Accepted the Pest Control bid to Bama Pest Control at a annual cost of $3,120 •Accepted the bid for a tractor for the Wastewater Treatment Plant for $51,950 •Surplused three old time clocks •Approved a $1,000 sponsorship to the Bull Bash The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on January 4, 2017. Workshop beginning at 4:15 and regular council meeting at 5:00 p.m.

Democrat Doug Jones defeated Republican Roy Moore in a surprise upset last week in the special election to replace Jeff Sessions. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torrch) Visit our website at www.southerntorch.com for daily news updates and pick up your weekly print edition at news stands every Friday.

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–DECEMBER 22, 2017

Valley Head's Bill Monroe retires

Valley Head Principal Bill Monroe has spent over thirty-eight years in the education field with the last 18 1/2 years being spent at Valley Head. Last month, Monroe announced his plans to retire. He will surely be missed. Enjoy your retirement, Mr. Monroe!

Four arrested in separate incidents

(Left to right) Timothy Wayne Smith (45 of Fort Payne), Kimberly Dawn Haston (23 of Henagar), Christopher Justin Ray (37 of Ringgold, Ga), and Jessica Constance Gilreath (29 of Crawford, Tn). (DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office)

By Staff Reports FORT PAYNE, Ala. — According to DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office: Last Tuesday, (December 13th) Deputies went to a residence on County Road 602 in Fort Payne to serve a felony warrant on Timothy Wayne Smith.

While at the residence a search was conducted and as a result a marijuana pipe and marijuana was found. Both Timothy Wayne Smith, 45 of Fort Payne was arrested on the felony warrant for failure to comply and Kimberly Dawn Haston, 23 of Henagar was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

On December 17th DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office received a tip about a stolen vehicle being at a residence on Highway 75 in the Higdon community.

As Deputies and Ider Police Officer arrived at the residence they observed a male subject running into the residence and a female subject sitting in a vehicle outside the residence.

Deputies and Ider Officer made entry into the residence where they found the male subject and identified him as Christopher Justin Ray, 37 of Ringgold, Georgia.

Ray started fighting the Deputies and Officers, Ray was finally detained. In the meantime, the tag that was on the vehicle that Ray and the female subject was in came back to a different vehicle, so when Deputies ran the VIN of the vehicle and it came back that the vehicle was stolen out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The female subject Jessica Constance Gilreath, 29 of Crawford, Tennessee was detained at this time. As Deputies and Officers searched the vehicle they found what appeared to be a meth lab in the trunk of the vehicle.

Both Ray and Gilreath were arrested. Ray was charged with resisting arrest, attempting to elude, criminal mischief 2nd, assault 2nd, unlawful possession of controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of marijuana 2nd, and obstructing governmental operations.

Gilreath was charged with unlawful possession of controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of marijuana 2nd, and receiving stolen property 1st.

DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris said, “Deputies and assisting Officers did a great job in both of these cases and thanks to the concerned citizens for calling in tips we were able to recover another stolen vehicle and make these arrest.”

Two arrested after "throwing drugs" out of car

By Staff Reports FORT PAYNE, Ala. — According to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office: On Thursday, (December 14) DeKalb County Deputies observed a vehicle on County Road 107 on Lookout Mountain that ran from them last week.

Deputies initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle with the help of the Drug Task Force. The suspect Jason Lee Driskill, 35 of Fort Payne was observed throwing drugs out the window of the vehicle as Deputies were conducting the

traffic stop.

Drug Task Force Agents located the drugs and Driskill and Tara Whitney Peacock, 30 of Henagar (Peacock is out on bail) were both arrested.

Driskill was charged with unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of controlled substance and Distribution of controlled substance. Peacock was charged with unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Both Driskill and Peacock were transported to the DeKalb County Detention Center.

DeKalb County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Edmondson

Leash Laws, page 1 Watson opened the meeting in prayer. The first topic on the agenda was to discuss the "Animal Control" and leash laws in the wake of the tragic dog attack on Sand Mountain earlier this month that left a woman dead.

On Thursday, December 7th, Emily Colvin (24 of Section) was killed by five dogs near her property. The dogs were described as "pit bulls" by Jackson County Sheriff Chuck Phillips.

Another woman was also injured in the attack when she tried to help Colvin.

One of the dogs had to be "euthanized," by Jackson County Animal Control Deputy Billy Ray Adkins when he arrived on the scene due .

We contacted Adkins for an update on the other dog's status.

Adkins explained that the other four dogs are currently being held for a 14 day period that the owner's could appeal to have the dogs returned.

"The dogs are still being held. I carried a summons out last week to the owners, and they've got 14 days to apply with their attorney. The judge can still order to have the dogs put down, and I'm sure he will, but until those 14 days are up, I can't do nothing with them," said Adkins.

"If they don't (appeal) the summons, the judge can make his decision (to have them put down or not). It's up to them whether or not they dispute the decision," said Adkins.

"I think the 14 days is up this week, and we'll see what the judge decides," added Adkins.

Rachel Abrams addressed the council, who was Emily's aunt: "I think we should have a leash law as well as culpability. Too many of these attacks have happened recently. A couple of people have lost their lives.

The woman in Section was my niece. She was doing nothing,

but getting a package out of her yard. While that was in Section there are things that need to be done here in Fort Payne. " "On May 16 this council decided to add a 'Death Penalty' ordinance, and that is comforting, but it is only after something has happened. We need to be proactive as far as preventing people from being injured," said Abrams.

Abrams also explained that as early as this Friday, a "pit bull" was in her own yard, preventing her from getting to her car. "I shouldn't have to be afraid to go out in my yard.

I should not have this fear," she said. She also explained that on December 17th, the police had to be called back to her neighborhood because a different dog from the same owner had taken a cat from a neighbors porch and killed it.

Abrams also explained that a ordinance passed in 2009 in Fyffe should serve as an example as good regulation for the issue. She also said that regulation is better for the animals, and that free roaming animals are more likely to get parasites, diseases, injured by another animal or person, or struck by vehicles. Abrams also said she started an online petition, asking for a leash law. (You can view the petition via the link in the story on our website) "I have a list of individuals and comments were that were made of people requesting a leash law.

There is 18 pages, with 369 names, 98 of which say they live in the City of Fort Payne," said Abrams. She handed a printout of the petition and the signatures to the council.

She also recounted several other recent incidents ranging back to October in her neighborhood. Abrams lives near Beason's Gap in Fort Payne.

Council President Brian Baine stated the council had a

said, “Deputies and Drug Task Force did a great job on being observant during this traffic

stop and I would like to thank them for the good job that they do.”

copy of Fyffe's ordinance and would, "look at these things and try to be proactive."

Fort Payne citizen John Elliot also addressed the council. Elliot's wife had been attacked by a dog two weeks ago, and is still recovering.

The offending animal was put down recently. The attack occurred on the 900 Block of Williams Avenue (near the school).

"I've been a resident here since 2003," said Elliot.

"When I called the police to have them report the incident, the policeman came up to me, and he knew the dog before we even explained it, so it had happened multiple times. He said, 'There is really nothing we can do about it.'"

Elliot explained that while he's not for additional leash laws, he said, "there needs to be some culpability, I think, for people who have aggressive animals and don't restrain them properly." He explained that he had himself owned aggressive animals, but they have never bit anyone because he properly restrains them.

"I think it's incumbent of the person that owns the animal, not only for the sake of the people, but for the animal itself," he said. Elliot explained that these dogs are meant to attack, and the dogs are put down after doing what it's meant to do, but not properly restrained.

"If they are going to have an aggressive animal, they need to take the steps to restrain that animal, and take care of that animal. If they don't, then their needs to be some sort of recourse or penalty for that. If I'm driving a car, and I shoot a gun, I have criminal negligence, even if I did not intentionally mean to

hurt someone. So, why would it not be the same for animal?

Because an animal can be the same. It can be a tool for destruction as well as good."

Councilman Gerald Taylor asked if Elliot had seen the existing ordinance that Fort Payne has on the books.

Elliot said he hadn't, and he was given a copy of the ordinance to review.

Elliot also explained that he wasn't trying to limit people from having these types of animals and also owns a German Shepherd, but just wanted some, "some sort of escalating culpability and responsibility for these individuals. And up to maybe the point where they can't have them in the city limits at all."

"If they cannot do the proper actions to restrain that animal, and be responsible with that animal, it hurts the animal and it hurts the individuals, and the people. I'm all about maximizing your individual liberties and freedoms, but when it start infringing on other people's rights, it has to be a balancing act," explained Elliot.

Towards the end of the comments, I also addressed the council about expanding the laws at the state level this year. In my time at the Southern Torch, we've also covered the near fatal attack of Pastor Gary Haymon in Rainsville. My comments begin at 21:05 in the video.

We also reached out to the office District Attorney Jason Rupert Pierce, who covers the area where the Section attack occurred to check on potential criminal charges. Pierce was currently in court, and will provide us an update at a later time.

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

COMMUNITY & ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY–DECEMBER 22, 2017

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Merry Christmas and Spreading Christmas Cheer Happy New Year from DeKalb Co. Tourism Tony Goggans, Susan Bouldin and Elisha Tatum spreading Christmas cheer across DeKalb County. (Marla Jones | Southern Torch)

By Marla Jones Reporter marla@southerntorch.com

The Alabama Fan Club and Museum in Fort Payne during the recent snow. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)

Contributed by John Dersham Executive Director FORT PAYNE, Ala. — It is amazing how time lapses.

Seems like yesterday we were getting ready for our fall color season which ended as a banner year in tourism, despite the fact the color came late then ended quickly.

We had a high number of visitors through Thanksgiving but tourism died down quickly after that as people begin preparing for Christmas. Now Christmas is upon us and I still have that feeling it has all gone too quickly to get a full grasp of it all. Our Christmas parades and downtown holiday events are ending this week and we will be in Christmas and New Years mode all next week.

Record numbers are going to be travelling over the holidays and if that includes you and your family, I wish you safe travels and many blessings with family and friends.

If you are staying here for the holidays or have company coming, I hope they will enjoy our area. We are very blessed to live where we

do. We live in an extremely scenic area with a low cost of living and excellent city and county services. We have the most genuinely friendly and helpful people all throughout our area. We support our churches and our civic organizations and in a time of a lot of separation from the communities we live in our area that remains close knit.

People here care about each other and come to help whenever someone is in trouble. We should all count our blessings and be thankful each day for the outstanding quality of life we have here.

If you have lived here all of your life you might take for granted what I am saying, so now, in this special time of year it would be a good time to remind yourself of what we have. I get to talk to people all the time that come here as tourists. They love it here and they keep coming back over and over. They come because while they are here they enjoy our friendly helpful ways.

They enjoy our many scenic venues, our great communities, our places to eat, shop and stay. They love to come here and they relax in a place that is easy to get

around in without a lot of traffic. They come for our rental cabins, B&B’s, hotels, state parks, and our national preserve.

They come to drive our scenic parkway on motorcycles, they come to hike and enjoy nature, they come for the World’s Longest Yard Sale, and they come to mill around and enjoy music, arts and crafts at our scenic mountain get-a-way of Mentone. They come for events at the Northeast Agri Center in Rainsville, they come for the Alabama Museum and Gift shop. They come hoping to see one of the Alabama boys around town.

They come, they stay and they spend their hard earned income in our towns providing tax revenue for our communities.

People visit us and want to move here. We hear that all the time at our tourist information center. They come because they love it here… and I do too.

From all of us here at DeKalb Tourism, we wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year. May your blessings be many and your troubles be few!

DEKALB Co., Ala.—Since 1982, Tony Goggans has been spotted across DeKalb County spreading Christmas cheer.

What started out as a attempt to drum up some business by Roger McDowell, of Roger’s Pawn Shop, has turned into a Christmas tradition. One day, Roger handed Tony Goggans and guitar and said “Bring me in some customers”. Tony started walking down the streets of Fort Payne singing Christmas carols and the rest

December 18-29, Christmas Holidays - School's out for the year on December 18 to let students enjoy the holidays!

its Rainsville office, First State Bank will hold a blood drive from 9am until 2pm.

December 25, Christmas - Ring in the Christmas holidays in whatever you celebrate with those that you love! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Southern Torch!

December 29, Blood Drive at First State Bank - At

USE HAPPY JACK Use Happy Jack Liquivict2x: Recognized safe & effective agaiinst hook & roundworms by US CVM. Hometown Feed & Seed.(www.kennelvax.com)

Staff: Eloise Smith, Business Manager

Southern Torch (USPS Periodicals #19790) is published each Friday by Southern Torch, Inc. 203 Main Street E, Rainsville AL, 35986. POSTMASTER:

Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor Marla Jones, Sports Editor Zach Hester, Graphic Design Artist Amy Thrash, Advertising Representative

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he started years ago. Now, he is sponsored by First State Bank and the City of Fort Payne.

For thirty-five years, the holidays have been made a little brighter by Goggans and his band. Southern Torch had the great opportunity to listen to a few Christmas Carols, as the team made a radio appearance at WZOB in Fort Payne. (Full video on our website). Goggans and Tatum prove that the best presents are not the ones that are brought, they are the ones from the heart.

We hope they help spread the Christmas cheer for years to come.

at the movies

'The Last Jedi' proves to be a masterpiece

(Disney | Lucasfilm)

UPCOMING EVENTS

is history. Goggans still uses the guitar that McDowell gave him.

Thirteen years ago, Elisha Tatum joined Tony as his banjo player. Tatum works for the Town of Henagar Public Works Department and wished to thank the Mayor, Council and fellow employees for allowing him the opportunity to have time off during the busy Christmas season. The duo along with various members of Goggans family make their rounds across DeKalb County, spreading Christmas cheer.

According to Susan Bouldin, Tony’s sister, Goggans only made tips when

By Zach Hester ST Columnist The Last Jedi. The moment that me and my fellow Star Wars fans have waited for over the last two years has finally arrived. The second act of the sequel trilogy debuted last weekend to rave critic reviews but a mixed response from fans.

Going into the movie, I was so excited and my expectations for this larger than life franchise were blown out of the water.

The film is the first in the series to pick up immediately after its predecessor and the urgency of the story is known from the beginning. The remnants of the Resistance are on the run with The First Order tailing them, and Daisy Ridley’s Rey has arrived to deliver a lightsaber to its previous owner, Luke Skywalker. It’s a more unique story than The Force Awakens, which has very strong elements of the original Star Wars thrown in.

This is a much darker tale.

We have to talk about

Kylo Ren. While I still believe Daisy Ridley to be the breakout actress in this new series, there is no doubt that that Kylo is the most interesting character here. He is seamlessly portrayed by Adam Driver as one of the series’ best villains. Driver brings a dark innocence to a character that is the epitome of this movie’s message: there is no good or evil. No light or dark; only the Force. He is wildly unpredictable and it becomes clear that this is his story just as much (if not more) than Rey’s.

The cinematography is gorgeous. Director Rian Johnson does excellent work with a color palette of white, red, and black. It’s a visual masterpiece with beautiful new fauna and the salt planet Crait is one of the coolest locations that the series has ever let us see.

I can’t go on without addressing Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill. Both of these original cast members do great work here. Hamill’s Luke Skywalker is a much darker person than we last saw and Fisher (in her final film role) is strong and

graceful. We’ve seen her grow from a princess to a rebellion leader and now a general.

The question now is: where do we go from here? I genuinely have no idea where Star Wars goes moving forward. The Force Awakens made some plot points of The Last Jedi relatively easy to predict, but this movie turns your usual suspicions for the next film on its head. I’m so excited to see where the series goes.

I understand some fans being underwhelmed because it doesn’t follow the traditional second act structure, but this film takes the franchise in an odd, new direction. I feel as though The Last Jedi could have done some things differently (tweaking dialogue, some pacing), but overall, this is an absolutely exceptional film with a strong message, beautiful cinematography, and great acting from an ensemble cast. It was easily the series’ best installment since The Empire Strikes Back and makes for an excellent addition to my personal favorite movie series of all time.

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–DECEMBER 22, 2017

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DEATH NOTICES CORNER STONE

RAINSVILLE

Audrey Spring Sheldon - 59, passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Highlands Medical Center.

The family will receive friends from 5pm to 9pm on Tuesday, December 19 and from 11am until service time on Wednesday, December 20 at Stevenson Holiness Church. Funeral services are set for 1pm CT at Stevenson Holiness Church with Bro. Michael Clark officiating.

Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Memorial Park.

Linda Irene Teel - 56, passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2017. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 19 from noon until 1pm. Funeral services are set for Tuesday, December 19 at 1pm at the funeral home.

Funeral services are set for Tuesday, December 19 at 1pm at Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David Teel and Little Wayne Teel officiating. Burial will follow in New Canaan Cemetery.

Amos Glenn Jolley - 62 of Ider, passed away on Monday, December 18, 2017 at Saint Thomas West Medical Center in Nashville, TN. The family will receive friends from 4pm to 8pm on Wednesday, December 20 and from 9am until service time on Thursday, December 21 at the funeral home.

Funeral services are set for 11am on Thursday, December 21 at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Bro. Luke McKay and Bro. Kenneth Holcomb officiating. Burial will follow in Fuller Cemetery.

Shelton Lee Black - 75 of Ider, passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at his residence. The family will receive friends from 12pm to 8pm on Wednesday, December 20 and from 9am until service time on Thursday, December 21 at the funeral home. Funeral services are set for 1pm CT on Thursday, December 21 at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Bros. Barry Pritchett, Mark Finlayson, Denny Moore, Stevie Eakins, and Jason Wooten officiating.

Burial will follow in Fuller Cemetery.

WT WILSON Johnny Thomas Wray - 68 of Fort Payne, passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2017. The family will receive friends from 5pm to 8pm on Monday, December 18 and from 11am until service time on Tuesday, December 19 at the funeral home. Funeral services are set for 1pm on Tuesday, December 19 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bro. Cates Noles officiating.

Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery with military honors.

Joey David Knight - 40 of Fort Payne, passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2017.

The family will receive friends from 1pm to 3pm prior to the service on Tuesday, December 19 at the funeral home. A memorial service will be held at 3pm on Tuesday, December 19 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Gregory Keith Sansing - 52 of Scottsboro, passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2017. A graveside service will be held at 2pm on Friday, December 22, 2017 at South Cemetery in Blountsville, AL with Bro. Gary Holcomb officiating.

Interment will follow.

Dannie Joe Hairel - 60 of Fort Payne, passed away on Monday, December 18, 2017.

The family will receive friends from 5pm to 8pm on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at WT Wilson Funeral

Chapel. Funeral services are set for 1pm on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Mt. View Memory Gardens.

John Dennis Hughes - 49 of Valley Head, passed away on Monday, December 18, 2017. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 19 from noon until 8pm at the funeral home. Funeral services are set for 2pm on Wednesday, December 20 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bros. JT Williams and Larry McKinney officiating.

Burial will follow in Stewart Cemetery.

WILSON Dorothy Marie Bailey - 74 of Fort Payne, passed away on Thursday, December 14 at her residence.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 15 at noon at Rock Bridge Holiness Church. Funeral services are set for 1pm on Saturday, December 16 at Rock Bridge Holiness Church. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery.

Allie Ruth Kirby Kuykendall - 86 of Fort Payne, passed away on Friday, December 15, 2017. The family

will receive friends on Monday, December 18 from 6pm to 8pm at the funeral home. A celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday, December 19 at 11am at First Baptist Church. Her body will lie in state one hour prior to the service.

Timothy Daniel Wright - 56 of Fort Payne, passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2017. A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, December 21 from 4pm to 6pm at Wilson Funeral Home.

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–DECEMBER 22, 2017

Christmas Blessings to you and yours

NoRth office front row: tracy Arnold, Kisha Mays, Sabrina Box, Brenda hernandez, elaine turner, Nohami Median, cindy hechler, cynthia ellis, tina Burke Back row: Jon henderson, Debra Pitts, David henderson, felecia centers, Lily Smith, tina Whiteside, Amy tallent, holly Brandon, Pam Gibson, Kay Bryan and Sonja highfield Not pictured: Nanett McWilliams and Shelia hinds

RAiNSviLLe office front row: francisco Manuel, Glenda Norwood, tessica Burch, Bobby Busby Back row: Mandi cooper, Jan Anderson, olivia Lands, LaSondra chandler, Laura hulgan, Lisa Walker, Nick Jones, and Stephanie Dobbs Not pictured: Donna Johnson

South office Seated front row: Jeanie Sauerland, Nanette Wynn, Darline Goolesby, Martha helms Standing: DeLeslyn Richey, Sam Akins, Mary Smith, Randy Moses, Rocchina Blevins, Amy Woods and tania Brown

heNAGAR office Diane Smith, chelsea Dixson, Derek Whisenant, Jennifer Barrentine, and April Womack

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

GRANt office Gloria Shipman, Karen todt, Kathy ferguson & Amy Sanderson

Luke 2:11

www.fsbal.com Fort Payne, AL 256-845-6101 | Rainsville, AL 256-638-2200 | Henagar, AL 256-657-2200 | Grant, AL 256-728-8000

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–DECEMBER 22, 2017

POLITICS Inside the Statehouse Brooks on diagnosis:

"God Works in Mysterious Ways"

Congressman Mo Brooks (R – AL 5th District) announces his cancer diagnosis on the floor of congress last Wednesday. (Rep. Mo Brooks | YouTube.com)

By Tyler Pruett Managing Editor tyler@southerntorch.com

Contributed by Steve Flowers AL Political Columnist MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Well, folks, we have had a more exciting and fun filled political year than we expected. Usually, most of the fun is reserved for even numbered years when presidential or gubernatorial elections are held.

However, it’s been a good ride. Obviously, the Special Election for the remaining three years of Jeff Sessions’ senate term monopolized the year.

Although you will have to remember, that election was preceded by two events that set up the senate race.

Donald Trump selected Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General. Sessions had been our junior senator for 20 years. He was elected to his fourth 6-year term in 2014.

Therefore, the seat we just voted on comes up again in 2020. Believe me there are probably a dozen viable Republican thoroughbreds who have already decided they are interested and are chomping at the bit to run.

However, most of them have statewide or congressional reelection plans to get out of the way in next year’s 2018 elections.

Remember good ole Governor Robert Bentley? It may seem like a long time ago but Bentley was our governor this time last year.

His romantic obsession with his personal advisor was about to drive him from his office. However, he had a golden opportunity to appoint Jeff Sessions’ replacement until an election could be held. He appointed Attorney General Luther Strange.

Well ole Bentley leaves

office with two years left in his term and in steps Kay Ivey, who has been in the obscure office of Lt. Governor for six-years. She takes the reigns of state government and the first thing she does is throw Luther under the bus and change the election from 2018 to this year. If Luther had been given a year for people to forget the appointment by Bentley and been able to run when every other race was on the ballot in 2018, and spend $15 million from the Washington establishment PACs, he would have won the seat for 6-years and the rest of his life. Senator Shelby would have been happy with his new colleague and Jeff Sessions would have been pleased with his successor.

Our Ten Commandments Judge Roy Moore was poised and ready to go to the senate. The Judicial Inquiry Commission had removed him from the bench for being against gay marriage. The decision for Moore was easy. He had nothing else to do. It was like putting Brer Rabbit in the briar patch.

The first poll and the last poll revealed the book on Moore. It was written. He had a hardcore 30-percent of the vote in Alabama made up of right wing, hardcore, evangelical Alabama folks.

This 30-percent would vote for him come Hell or high water; and they did.

However, that same polling also revealed that there

remains 70-percent that will not vote for him under any circumstance.

The reason he lost was that a good portion of that 70-percent showed up to vote. Surprisingly, the belief by many was that this 70-percent would not vote.

His 30-percent was going to vote and they did. That’s why he won the primary, his 30-percent are more ardent religious and quite frankly older. They vote. On the other hand, a good many of the Roy Moore detractors are younger and darker.

African American voters, young and old, turned out in massive, inexplicably amazing unprecedented numbers and voted against Roy Moore and Donald Trump. It was a tidal wave that was enormous and it sent Roy Moore to a watery grave.

As a good many of the state’s newspapers headlines declared, “No Moore.”

This race classically underlines and illustrates the undeniable political truism that more people vote against someone than vote for someone.

Merry Christmas and see you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www. steveflowers.us.

Stevenson I Centre I Scottsboro I Higdon I Leesburg Rainsville I North Ft. Payne I South Ft. Payne

www.fssbank.com All the bank you’ll ever need.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — According to the Office of Congressman Mo Brooks (R – AL 5th District), the congressman is recovering after his prostatectomy last Friday. Brooks announced his diagnosis of prostate cancer on the House Floor last Wednesday.

Brooks’ office released a statement late Friday on : “Congressman Brooks today underwent a prostatectomy as announced during a House floor speech on Wednesday, December 13. The procedure went well according to Brooks’ family and the Congressman is recovering.

Results from full pathology tests will be available in the coming weeks, but preliminary lab tests came back clear, indicating that all cancer was removed with the prostate. Congressman Brooks is currently scheduled to return home on Saturday to recuperate. Congressman and Mrs. Brooks are very grateful for all of the texts, calls, prayers, and well wishes.”

(Visit our website for full transcript and video)

Wednesday Morning (December 13), Rep. Mo Brooks (R – AL 5th District) gave an emotional announcement of his diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Brooks referred to the cancer as, “high risk.” The congressman is currently 63 years old.

Brooks explained that on Halloween evening after casting votes on the House floor, his doctor called and broke the heartbreaking news of his diagnosis.

“After my doctor’s diagnosis, I called my wife, Martha, who was back home in Huntsville welcoming Trick or Treaters, and shared the bad news,” Brooks choked up as he recounted the night.

“That night was one of the loneliest nights apart in our 41-year marriage.”

Brooks is set to have a prostatectomy on December 15th, and will be recovering over the holidays. The congressman did at least receive the good news that the cancer had not spread beyond his prostate, and the doctor is hoping that the procedure will rid Brooks of the cancer.

Congressman Brooks shared “three insights” with fellow house members and

FP Council, page 1 the people to vote on it.”

“I’m going to agree with Brian,” agreed Councilman Gerald Taylor. “The question was asked when we had the forum, whether or not I would support Sunday Alcohol Sales, and I made the statement at that time that I would not, but if it was left up to the vote of the people, and the people agree on it, I could live with that. I feel the same way Brian does, I feel like it needs to be by vote of the people.”

Then Baine said: “My reason for that, is when the wet/ dry issue came up, it was voted on by the people, with that ordinance in place that there would be no Sunday Alcohol sales, and in order to change that, I feel that would put it back out to a vote of the people.”

Councilman Wade Hill then explained his support for the change: “I don’t disagree with what Brian and Red(Taylor) have said. I’ve been overwhelmed with people telling me that I got elected to vote on things that are difficult; this is a difficult thing.”

“One other member of this council and myself have more than one reason to not support the sale of alcohol anywhere, but we’ve put the good of the city above our personal conflicts and history,” said Hill.

Hill also explained that while he doesn’t drink, he doesn’t have a problem with those that do so responsibly.

“This is not to me a religious issue; I think this is a personal issue and a decision on what’s best for the community.”

“I don’t have a problem with it, and if we want to go with the recommendation of the legislative delegation, I’m

willing to put this to a council vote. I don’t disagree with either one of you, but I think now is the time to decide what we are going to decide,” concluded Hill.

“Ya’ll remember what I said in the forum. I think it’s something we had to look at sometime. I have no problem with voting on it. Sometimes you have to make the decision if that’s what the delegation says,” said Councilman Johnny Eberhart.

“If we are going to continue to grow and attract tourism, we’re going to have to have it. I just think it’s something we’ll have to pass if we get better restaurants,” said Eberhart.

City Attorney Rocky Watson then explained; “There are some really big economic possibilities right now. If this thing is delayed for a (public) vote, they are going to go away.

And it’s been made very clear, unless Fort Payne approves Sunday sales, they aren’t going to happen. And they would be a big a major boost for revenue and employment.”

“It gives us a marketing tool and gives us a chance to grow our community and add a better lifestyle,” said Councilwoman Lynn Brewer who was in favor of the vote.

“We’re told we can’t get conferences and those types of

other men watching across the country.

First, he said to never, “take your health or family for granted. During the holidays, enjoy your family . . . because no one is promised tomorrow.” Secondly, Brooks urged men to, “have regular PSA tests.”

“While PSA tests do not diagnose cancer,” he explained, “my PSA spike persuaded me to have the prostate biopsy that revealed my ‘high risk’ prostate cancer early enough for me to enjoy a very good cure prognosis.”

Lastly, Brooks explained that he had his regular PSA test conducted after coming in third in his bid for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, and had he won, he, “would not have had time for my physical and PSA test. I would not have had a prostate biopsy.”

“I would not now know about my ‘high risk’ prostate cancer that requires immediate surgery,” said Brooks. “In retrospect, and paradoxically, losing the Senate race may have saved my life!”

“Yes, God does work in mysterious ways,” Brooks concluded. things because people want to come in for a conference on Sunday and serve alcohol because that’s what they are accustomed to,” said Brewer.

“I don’t think there is any reason in putting the issue to a vote and dividing our community, and spending lots of money. When it’s our job to make those decisions,” said Brewer. “I think it’s our responsibility as council people to make that decision.”

“The first thing I looked at is what it’s going to contributed as far as alcohol revenue itself, and it’s not that much,” said Mayor Larry Chesser.

Chesser explained that the revenue difference is the additional food sales that sunday alcohol sales brings in.

New Year’s Eve is also on a Sunday this year. Chesser also explained that Sunday Sales will still have to be approved in Montgomery and voted on by the legislature, and then approved again by the council.

“We want to do our due-diligence and make sure these things happen in the best way possible,” added Brewer. “I think for sustained growth we are going to have to have alcohol sales on Sundays.”

The resolution passed with Wade Hill, Johnny Eberhart, and Lynn Brewer voting for, and with Council President Brian Baine and Gerald Taylor voting against.

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–DECEMBER 22, 2017

It’s the season of giving!

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What does it mean to have a heart for those that have less than you do? To PIB, the board and employees, it means trading a Christmas party for the staff and spouses, for checks to be given to organizations that care for the sick, the less fortunate, the homeless and those struggling to just get by.

How does this affect our hearts each year? It fills each of us with the true love of Christ and a sense of being part of an organization that continues to be blessed, partly because we choose to give back to the communities. As we continue to count our many blessings, remember to take every opportunity to pay it forward!

DeKalb County Council of Aging The Child Advocacy Center Powell Fire Department DeKalb County DHR Gurley Pediatric Douglas Fire Department Hokes Bluff Fire Association Hokes Bluff Tawannah Lions Club Habitat for Humanity of Marshall County Shepherd’s Cove Hospice Marshall County Christmas Coalition Room in the Inn, Marshall County Jackson County Christmas Charities Backpack Buddies Upper Sand Mountain Parrish Sylvania Fire Department

Fyffe • Powell • Sylvania Boaz • Scottsboro • Hokes Bluff Douglas • Steele • Gurley

www.pibonline.com

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–DECEMBER 22, 2017

Coach of the Year

2017 Class 3A All-Region Team

By Marla Jones Sports Editor

marla@southerntorch.com RAINSVILLE, Ala.— Dustin Goodwin, Head Coach of the Plainview Varsity Football Team was named the ALFCA Class 3A, Coach of the Year.

Goodwin graduated from Demopolis High School.

He attended Etawamba Community College and then transferred to Auburn University where he served as quarterback for the Auburn Tigers. He received his degree from University of North Alabama (UNA).

Coach Goodwin has a strong history in football, following his father’s footsteps, Doug Goodwin.

Doug Goodwin is in the Alabama High School Hall of Fame, coaching for twenty-seven years.

Goodwin has served as Head Coach for Plainview for the past two years. Coach Goodwin is married to Sara K. Goodwin. They have four boys; Whit, Colt, Grant and Jett. The family attends Rainsville First Baptist.

Before becoming a Plainview

Jacob Wooten is the Class 3A All-Region Player of the Year. (Kristy Gallagher | Southern Torch)

Bear, Goodwin previously served as defensive coordinator at Hueytown, Homewood and Russellville.

Goodwin tends to stay out of the limelight and gives his coaching staff and the players all the credit. “This is such a great honor” said Goodwin. “ Without my coaching staff and my team,

none of this would be possible. I would just like to thank everyone for their support.”

Coach Dustin Goodwin is not only teaching his players how to be a better athlete, he is teaching them how to be better men. Congratulations Coach Goodwin from all of us at Southern Torch!

By Marla Jones Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com DEKALB Co., Ala.—The Class 3A, All-Region 7 Football Team was recently released.

Region 7 is comprised of Plainview, Sylvania, NSM, Geraldine, Pisgah and New

Hope. Twenty athletes from DeKalb County were included on the prominent list.

Planview had eight players, Sylvania had seven and Geraldine had five players to receive the All-Region honor.

Plainview Jacob Wooten-Player of the Year

Bailey DukesCo-Offensive Player of the Year Clay Cooper Chance Broyles Ashley Spigner Cade Willingham Zack Allen David Mejia Honorable Mention Elijah White Alex Gonzales Jonathan Brown Riley Stephens Elijah Provins Sylvania Tyler WilbanksDefensive Player of the Year Kris ShaversCo-Offensive Player of the Year Ethan Dover Chandler Boman Christian Boman Blake Spears Lucas Hall Honorable Mention Brett Brown Paul Griffin Geraldine Thomas Willoughby Eduardo Garcia Patrick Stewart Marshal Sparkman David White Honorable Mention Austin King

The Story so Far... Lady Eagles Confident Heading into Break

By Staff Reports

The Varsity Boys Team boost a 7-4 record, defeating: DAR, Etowah, Dade County, Armuchee, Northwest Whitfield, Cullman and Oxford.

The Varsity Girls Team boost a 8-3 record, defeating: DAR, Helena, Arab, Oxford, Albertville, Etowah, Cherokee County and Oxford.

Next week’s featured team in “The Story so Far” will be the Valley Head Tigers.

Hunter of the Week

The Southern Torch Hunter of the Week is Jake Turner!! Jake is 9 years old, and attends Sylvania High School. Submit your photos to marla@southerntorch.com to be our next Hunter of the Week!

The 2017-18 ACAA Varsity Basketball season was another first for the Cornerstone Christian Academy Lady Eagles. CCA’s basketball program in only its second season is fielding both a Varsity Girls and JV team for the first time in school history. In their first season of varsity play the Lady Eagles record going into the Christmas break is 3-5 overall and 0-3 in region play.

Despite their record Cornerstone is very confident heading into the Christmas break.

Recently I asked Coach Harrison about her team’s performance thus far in the season: “We are a young Varsity team, and we are still strengthening fundamentals and building team unity. I realize that building a new program takes patience. It’s important to lay a foundation one step at a time and not get the steps out of order. With maturity and experience, our girls will be ready to successfully compete in the next couple of years.”

Cornerstone started the season off hot winning the 2017-2018 Cougar Classic on

November 4th. The Lady Eagles then ran into a buzz saw of older, more established teams. Some with senior and upper classmen led teams that have been playing in the ACAA for several years together. CCA is arguably the youngest team in Region A with one junior, four freshmen and four 8th graders.

When asked if this age difference has had an effect on their play Coach Harrison said, “This has affected us. We are competing with girls more mature, stronger and more experience working together as a team. “ It’s not as if the Lady Eagles haven’t played as a team together before. CCA has a healthy rec basketball program and that has led to their JV team being one of the strongest in the ACAA. “Some of our girls have played together since rec ball, some have not. It has definitely laid foundations for what we are working with now” said Coach Harrison.

JV Lady Eagles have their sights set on return trip to Jemison.

The JV Lady Eagles are sitting at 9-0 going into the Christmas break. Last year

the CCA JV girls had a very successful season, finishing 13-4 and runner ups in the ACAA state championship in Jemison. I asked Coach Harrison how a team builds upon a season like that the following year: “We win state!

We did bump up to Division One competition so compete with larger more experienced programs. I believe we are ready.”

Having a deeper bench than last season has had to be helpful in tough games for the JV squad. When asked about her bench’s play this year Harrison replied: “We are definitely building more depth and working as a team better. Learning to transition quickly and communicate better has made a deeper bench useful. Also, improving fundamentals and experience has helped.”

CCA JV won their last match up 38-22 over the Tabernacle Torches while the Varsity Lady Eagles fell 60-39 to the Lady Torches. The JV Lady Eagles next game is Jan. 5th at home vs Grace Lutheran School. The Varsity Lady Eagles visit Valley Fellowship in Huntsville on Jan. 12th for their next game.

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–DECEMBER 22, 2017

9

Nothing Plain about Plainview Holiday Hoops Fyffe will host a Boys Varsity Holiday Tournament on December 27-29.

December 27 4pm - Susan Moore v. Valley Head 5:15pm - Oakwood v. Sylvania 6:30pm - Sand Rock v. Fyffe 7:45pm - Cleveland v. Brindlee Mountain

December 28 4pm - Oakwood v. Valley Head 5:15pm - Sand Rock v. Brindlee Mountain 6:30pm - Susan Moore v. Fyffe 7:45pm - Sylvania v. Cleveland

By Staff Reports RAINSVILLE, Ala. – Plainview High School boys’ basketball coach Robi Coker is a big proponent of the 3-point shot. And for good reason.

The Bears finished 31-5 last season reaching the Class 3A state finals by taking a state-record 972 3-point shots. Plainview fell to Midfield 60-46 in the championship game at the BJCC but not before closing the season with 314 made three’s on the year.

The unbeaten Bears

(9-0) have been on an even faster pace this season making 25-of-54 shots behind the 3-point arc in a recent 119-55 win over North Sand Mountain. Coker’s Bears set an AHSAA single-game record for treys made, attempted and for the number of players contributing. The sharp-shooting display thrust Plainview into the AHSAA’s first Basketball Spotlight of the season.

Several records fell in that game including most 3-point shots attempted (54) and most 3-point shots made (25) by one team and most 3-point goals (33) made by

both teams. North Sand Mountain was 8-of-31 as both teams combined to make 33-of-85 treys attempted.

Ten different players for Coker’s Bears sank at least one 3-pointer with Koby Tinker nailing 7,Caden Millican 4, Haden White 3, Cade Willingham 3, Jeffery Armstrong 2, Clay Cooper 2,Sebastian Long, Dane Haymon, Levi Lusk and Bailey Dukes with 1 each. The Bison had six players sink at least one 3-point goal with Hunter Vest and Dylan Gentry making 2 each,Russell Marr, Jayden Culpepper, Benjamin Beasley and Kristian Walsh, 1

apiece for a total of 16 players contributing to yet another state record. Hayden and Cleveland high schools held the record with 11 players sinking treys in last season’s 101-74 win by the Wildcats last season.

Plainview picked up four big wins over the last seven days beating 3A arch-rival Sylvania (95-49), three-time defending 1A state champion Sacred Heart (100-90), Class 5A Talladega (89-77) and Class 6A Oxford (70-66). The Bears averaged 88.5 points in the four wins.

December 29 1:30pm - Oakwood v. Fyffe 2:45pm - Sylvania v. Susan Moore 4:00pm - Valley Head v. Sand Rock

For complete coverage of the Sand Mountain Tournament, check out next week's edition of The Southern Torch!

Merry Christmas!

Pam Bailey

SIMPSON The People’s Clerk

Merry Christmas

Pd. Pol. Adv. by Pam Bailey Simpson • 600 County Rd. 544 Grove Oak, AL

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–DECEMBER 22, 2017

nick

welden for sheriff

Merry Christmas!

Pd. Pol. Adv. by Nick Welden for Sheriff • 11684 US Hwy 11, Collinsville, AL 35961