The Southern Torch — Vol. 4, Issue 2

Bobby Ledbetter’s

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 / VOL. 4, NO. 2 / $1.00

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>> THIS WEEK IN POLITICS

>> THIS WEEK IN SPORTS The 2018 DeKalb County Tournament is Here!

WATCH

TWEET

>> THIS WEEK IN COMMUNITY First Annual Patsy Pull draws a Big Crowd!

Inside the Statehouse

2018 Candidates Begin Qualifying

Fate of Dogs and Owners still in Question

A month after the deadly dog attack in Section that took the life of Emily Colvin, the fate of the dogs and the owners are still being decided in Jackson County. (“Demand a Leash Law in Fort Payne, Alabama” | The Petition Site)

By Tyler Pruett Managing Editor tyler@southerntorch.com

party, a candidate may be challenged by submission of a letter to the DeKalb County Republican Party. If a challenge is submitted, the matter will be decided on by a vote of the steering committee.

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — In an interview Friday, Jackson County District Attorney Jason Rupert Pierce discussed the potential criminal case in the deadly dog attack that took the life of a young woman on Sand Mountain a month ago.

>> See 2018 QUALIFYING, P6

>> See DOG ATTACK, P2

DeKalb County Sheriff candidates Michael Edmondson and Nick Welden officially submit their paperwork to start the qualifying process. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)

By Tyler Pruett Managing Editor tyler@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Despite the icy conditions, local Republican candidates began submitting qualifying paperwork on Monday morning for the 2018

FAMILY FIRST MEDICINE

elections. (You can view video from the first day of qualifying on our Facebook and YouTube Page) The qualifying dates for both parties began on Monday, January 8th and will last until Friday, February 9th.

The local Democratic party will meet this Saturday to

begin their process.

While state level offices (such as circuit clerk, state representative, state senate, etc.) must qualify at their chosen state party headquarters, most local races can qualify with the local party.

Candidates must disclose

their financial assets, fill out a state ethics form, and establish a campaign committee. Although anyone may submit paperwork to appear on a party’s ballot for the June 5th primary, simply submitting the paperwork does not make it official.

In the local Republican

City explores mowing Ice causes Havoc in DeKalb contract alternative

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The Rainsville City Council approved numerous items in Thursday's meeting. (Marla Jones | Southern Torch)

By Marla Jones Reporter

An accident on Highway 117 in Mentone yesterday morning caused by the ice. (Contributed Photo)

By Tyler Pruett Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala.—(Full video on our website) The Rainsville City Council held their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, January 4, 2018.

Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt discussed the possibility of hiring additional city workers to handle the City’s mowing. The City has contracted the mowing out to private contractors in the last two years. The Mayor stated that he would meet with the City accountant, review the numbers and get the costs together for Council to review and make a decision on at the next meeting.

The Council had a scheduled bid opening on the Pavilion/ Stage project at the Field of Dreams. No bids were submitted.

The Council gave the Mayor the authority to obtain prices through local contractors.

The Council moved to surplus a 2009 Aircraft Garbage Truck in order to sell it and agreed to purchase another one for $239,039.40. The council made the move to surplus 1,600 lights bulbs and give them to local churches in the City limits.

>> See RAINSVILLE COUNCIL, P2

SATURDAY 1/12

56 • 30

SUNDAY 1/13

33 • 20

MONDAY 1/14

31 • 19

tyler@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Monday morning, emergency services were overloaded as rain fell with temperatures hovering at just below freezing, and the roadways were already busy with 18 wheelers and commuters traveling to work.

Five tractor trailer accidents occured in DeKalb County, along with numerous passenger car wrecks. Three drivers had to be transported to the hospital, and many drivers were stranded on Highway 68 near Collinsville.

Despite the havoc, the situation could have been much worse if it were not for the quick thinking and teamwork of the DeKalb County EMA, local schools,

and first responders.

To cap off over a week of arctic temperatures in our area, rain fell Sunday night into Monday morning.

Temperatures had warmed just enough for the precipitation to not fall as snow, but freezing rain that formed ice on the roadways early Monday.

Around 5 am, The DeKalb County EMA announced that all roads were closed due to the weather. All DeKalb County Government Offices were also closed for the day.

The National Weather Service - Huntsville extended the Winter Weather Advisory for our area from 9 am until noon.

DeKalb Co. Schools, Fort Payne City Schools, and Cornerstone Christian Academy closed their doors for the day due to the weather. All schools in DeKalb

and surrounding areas were already operating on a 3 hour delay, which prevented further accidents.

At the end of Tuesday’s DeKalb County Commission meeting, DeKalb County EMA Deputy Director Michael Posey addressed the meeting on Monday's icing event.

“Yesterday morning, beginning around 4 o’clock, we began to see some accumulation of freezing rain and ice. Within about 30 minutes, we started seeing multiple accidents. We had five separate tractor trailer accidents yesterday within the matter of about an hour.

We had one in Ider, two in Mentone, and two on Alabama Highway 35 here in Fort Payne, up on Lookout Mountain,” said Deputy

>> See ICE IN DEKALB, P2

Visit our website at www.southerntorch.com for daily news updates and pick up your weekly print edition at news stands every Friday.

2

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–JANUARY 12, 2018

Geraldine holds first Ice in DeKalb, page 1 Council meeting of 2018

Geraldine Town Hall. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)

Contributed by Town of Geraldine

GERALDINE, Ala. — The Town of Geraldine met January 8 for their first regularly scheduled council meeting of 2018.

Geraldine Mayor Chuck Ables led the prayer and pledge to the flag. The minutes from the January 2nd Work Session and the December 11th, 2017 meeting were approved.

Items addressed during the meeting: •Police Chief Matt Crum gave a report for the month of December.

•The Council voted to not charge the ball teams a fee for using the fields this year and agreed to allow the teams to charge a nominal admission fee to the games. Those proceeds will be put back into the organization to help offset the costs of operating. The Town will help with the practice schedules after the January 18 and January 25 sign-ups.

•Passed a Resolution to declare a 2005 Crown Vic Police car with 152,400 miles surplus.

• Adopted an Ordinance Amending a previous Ordinance regarding Business Licenses for persons delivering goods within the Municipality or Police Jurisdiction.

•Voted to pay expenses for Donna Johnson and Kim Cleveland to attend Clerk certification classes.

•Hired Jeremy Sides as a full-time Police Officer.

• Voted to purchase some additional Christmas Pole decorations from Dixie Decorations During the Public Comment time allocation: •Heard from Melissa Ledbetter, Candidate for DeKalb County Circuit Clerk.

•Heard from Geraldine High School Softball Coach Julie West about some things the softball organization has done in the way of facility improvements and some requests for help from the Town on other issues.

The next scheduled meeting is a work session on Tuesday February 6 at 5:30 PM.

Rainsville Council, page 1 Items approved during the meeting: Change Chris Hampton from seasonal to part time Approved Revenue officer Richard Gibson and David Slay to attend training conference

Approved Police Chief Kevin Smith to attend conference for continued education credits Approved Fire Chief Willimac Wright to apply for grants for airpacks, thermal imaging cameras, and cardiac

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monitors Approved internet upgrade equipment at the library for $105 installation fee and $95 per month The Parks and Recreation Board announced that Baseball Signups will be held January 20, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and on January 27, 2018 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on January 15, 2018. The workshop will begin at 4:15 and the regular meeting at 5:00 p.m.

Dog Attacks update, page 1 Emily Colvin (24 of Section) was killed by five dogs near her home while retrieving a package around 9 am on Thursday, December 7th. The dogs were described as “pit bulls” by Jackson County Sheriff Chuck Phillips after the incident. A family member of Colvin’s was also injured in the attack when she tried to come to her aid.

Mr. Pierce explained that his office is in the middle of gathering evidence for a potential criminal case regarding the owners.

“We are going to evaluate the case for possible presentation to the grand jury,” said Pierce.

While a potential civil case against the owners only requires an attorney to prove the animals were dangerous to hold them liable, a criminal case requires prosecutors to prove to a jury that a human is responsible for the actions of it’s animal in some way.

In other words, it has to be proven that the owners

intentionally had their dogs attack Colvin, or that there was reckless or negligent conduct that lead to the attack. This adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

In addition to criminal and civil proceedings against the owners, a third layer to the case is what fate awaits the dogs, which is still ongoing.

One of the offending dogs had to be “euthanized,”

by Jackson County Animal Control Deputy Billy Ray Adkins when he arrived on the scene after the dog displayed aggressive behavior towards a deputy.

The remaining four dogs were captured and are still being held by animal control.

“There was a hearing that was set on Monday; a civil case, and these are two separate things, and that hearing has been continued and it has not been reset yet,” said Pierce.

Pierce explained that the hearing last Monday was

a civil case regarding the fate of the dogs that committed the attack: “Monday’s hearing just dealt with the civil aspect of it, on what to do with the dogs.”

“The criminal case will be filed when we make a decision as to whether or not we have enough evidence to go to the grand jury or not,” said Pierce.

Rachel Abrams, Aunt of Colvin, spoke at the December 19th (2017) meeting of the Fort Payne City Council to discuss the need for expanded leash laws in Fort Payne.

Abrams also has started an online petition, regarding the issue.

Director Posey.

“With that I discussed with (County Engineer) Ben Luther and Mr. Harcrow about issuing an order of impassable road ways to try and prevent any further accidents. So we did, and we also pushed that out on social media and media,” he said.

“We wound up having a lot of stranded motorists out on Alabama Highway 68; between the Cherokee County line to Collinsville.

Lucky for us, the temperatures began to rise around 10 o’clock, and we were able to coordinate with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and the road department here in the county. I also want to commend Tim, he was a big help yesterday, working to get the county roads slagged and treated,” he said.

“The mountain gap roads we were having issues with; basically everything north and east of Fort Payne.

We had a little pocket down around Geraldine and Crossville that didn’t get hardly anything. They may have had a little sleet and had a few icy patches, but other than that we were mostly okay in that area, District 2. The rest of the districts were heavily impacted; especially those

along Lookout Mountain, and points North and West of Fort Payne in the Ider and Henagar area,” said Posey.

“We did have a few injuries, we had three transported to the hospital.

Two from Ider, and three from Alabama Highway 35 at the brake check where a tractor trailer jackknifed and a passenger car came around the hill and slid into the back of the truck,” Posey explained.

“Fortunately, that resolved very quickly. Our temperatures went back above freezing at 10 o’clock, and by noon, we were back in business,” explained Posey.

Posey also explained that the DeKalb County EMA was short staffed on Monday, due to employees being sick, but the agency worked well at dealing with numerous calls regarding road conditions. He also said that all the local schools coordinated together to delay or close the schools and that all the surrounding counties delayed or closed schools at the same time, making it easier for media and the public to keep track of.

The delays and closures were, “just for the sake of being safe,” said Posey.

“You can always look in hindsight, and you can

always kind of question yourself, but if I’m making a decision to try and save lives, I’ll never second guess that.

You want to always protect life and safety; that is always our main priority,” said Posey.

Posey also explained that we actually have a chance of Thunderstorms on Friday, and temperatures will continue to climb to around 60 until then. On Saturday, our high will drop back down to 32.

Harcrow then said, ‘We appreciate all that you did, the road department, and law enforcement everywhere. Thank you for what you did. However we can help you, we want to work with you in every way we can, and take your advice under those kinds of conditions.”

“With a wintry system like we had [Monday], with ice and everything, does take a team,” said Posey. “We had the Sheriff’s Department transporting workers to keep the essential county offices open. We had the City of Fort Payne working with our folks to try to get first responders to the accidents on (Highway) 35.”

“It is a team role thing we have to play, and we appreciate all the support we get,” concluded Posey.

County moves Kilpatrick voting location

DeKalb County Commission President Ricky Harcrow discusses a resolution to move Kilpatrick’s polling location from the Fire Department to the Community Center. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)

By Tyler Pruett Managing Editor tyler@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — (Video on our Website) In Tuesday’s meeting (January 9th) of the DeKalb County Commission, the commission passed a resolution to move the polling location in Kilpatrick.

County Commission President Ricky Harcrow said, “Sometime ago, the fire departments and others around the Kilpatrick area have requested that we move the voting location from the fire department. There has been a relocation done, a building has been provided, and it meets all the specifications, as far as I know.”

“Mr. Sharp will explain all the legal ramifications. It’s not what it once was, the process to change a voting location, but we have to go

through some avenues to make it acceptable,” said Harcrow.

DeKalb County Administrator Matt Sharp then explained that changing a polling location once required approval by the U.S. Justice Department, but now the process has become simpler.

“Now, all it takes is a resolution by the commission, and approving that,” said Sharp. “We would notify the board of registrars, and they will notify any of those voters in that location that the change has been made.”

He also explained that he

had contacted the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office to verify that a resolution was all that was needed for the change.

“The first step would be the commission adopting a resolution, moving it from the current location, to the community center,” explained Sharp.

The commission then approved the resolution, moving the Kilpatrick polling location from the Fire Department to the Community Center, which is, “less than a minutes drive” from the old location, according to Sharp.

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–JANUARY 12, 2018

COMMUNITY First Annual Patsy Pull Draws Big Crowd

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All eyes were on the Collinsville Football Team as they prepared to pull the fully loaded fire truck tanker with a big crowd ready to cheer them on! (Photo by Mikey Brothers)

By Staff Reports

COLLINSVILLE, AL - The first annual Patsy Pull was held last October on a very chilly Saturday night (Oct. 28th). However, despite the cold conditions hundreds of p participants & spectators descended on Collinsville’s historic Main Street to compete & be part of the first ever Patsy Pull.

What is the Patsy Pull you might ask? Well you’re not alone, that’s exactly what a lot of people were asking in the months and weeks leading up to the event. For those that couldn’t make it to the pull we’ll break it down for you.

The Patsy Pull is a team oriented fire truck pull where teams of 8 pull a fully loaded fire truck (water & all) a predetermined distance in the quickest time possible. All to raise money for Breast Cancer Research. Each team was allotted 5 pulls & their times were recorded on a dry erase board for all to see & keep track of. After each team had pulled the truck 5 times the fastest time was declared

the winner. There were 2 divisions, all male & co-ed. To participate in the co-ed division, you were required to have at least 4 females on the team.

At approximately 6:30pm under the bright neon lights of the historic Cricket Theatre the Patsy Pull was under way with the co-ed’s taking to the pull rope first.

Instantly the event was a hit with a large crowd formed on both sides of the participants cheering them on as they worked together to pull a very heavy fire truck.

After the co-ed teams completed their 5 pulls it was time to bring in the bigger & heavier fire truck tanker for the all-male division. The night took an unexpected & fun turn when after 50 pulls had taken place The Sand Rock Football Team & The Zone Fitness Team were tied with a time of 11.73 seconds!

A loud cheer from the crowd echoed down the street when a “Pull-Off” was announced to determine a winner. The Sand Rock Football team edged out The Zone with a 12.09 to a 12.32 to

take home the first All-Male Patsy Pull Title while the Foster’s Training Team took home the Co-Ed trophy!

Event Director Paden Sharpe stated in his letter, " First off, let me say that there are no words I can use to express my appreciation for every single person involved in the 1st Patsy Pull!

If you were on board from day one or showed up that night just out of curiosity thank you. If you gave $100, payed the team entry fee or just bought a $1 chance to win a door prize thank you. If you were a Platinum, Gold, Silver sponsor or a vender that came & set up thank you!

At the end of the night we had raised enough money to make a $3,300-dollar donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama in honor & memory of Patsy Sharpe."

The committee for the 2018 Patsy Pull is already preparing to make this year's event bigger and better than the first, so keep your eyes peeled for an amazing opportunity to support a great cause.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Every Wednesday, Breakthrough Church Free Meal - Come and enjoy a free meal and hear the Word of God on Wednesday nights starting January 3 at 5:30pm. If you need a ride, please contact: Lynn Haas at 256-605-7854 or Connie Holkem at 256-605-1776. We would love to have you!

January 12, A Classy Night of Classics at Plowshares Bistro - Join classical singer Loree Brownfield of Mentone and Montgomery's jazz and classical guitarist Kurt McKinney will entertain you with nostalgic and newer well known songs from Roberta Flack, Barbra Streisand, Linda Ronstadt, Diana Ross, and more! It will be held at the Mentone Arts & Cultural Center from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, donations are $10.

January 14, Singing at Salem Methodist - Salem United Methodist Church will host The Chosen Generation at a singing in Geraldine, AL on Sunday, January 14 at 6pm.

January 18, Rainsville Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting / Banquet - The Rainsville Chamber will be hosting its annual banquet meeting at 6:30pm in the Tom Bevill Enrichment Center.

Tickets will be $25 each and should be purchased in advance. Enjoy a catered dinner, live entertainment, and

the Rainsville Person of the Year award presentation.

January 18, Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce Banquet - The Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their annual banquet on January 18 at 6pm with the main speaker being John Croyle, the founder of Big Oak Ranch!

January 19, Fort Payne Depot Museum Art Contest The Fort Payne Depot Museum presents a FREE art contest for DeKalb County students 1st to 12th grade. Create an original art depiction of the Fort Payne Depot Museum. Art must be freehand, i.e. paints, pencils, charcoal, ink, colored pencils, markers, crayons, etc. (no photographs or graphic designs) on paper, canvas, etc.

The winning selections will be auctioned off at a fundraising event to raise money for the current remodeling efforts.

Turn your art into your school

by January 19 to be eligible.

Good luck!

January 27, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out - Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out will be at the DeKalb Theatre on January 27 from 7pm to 9pm!

For tickets, there are a few pick-up locations (in Fort Payne): Bruce’s Foodland, Roger’s Pawn, BBQ Place and DeKalb Theatre. The event is presented by Big Wills Arts Council and tickets are $20 in

advance, $23 night of the show!

February 1, Learn to Square Dance - You're invited to four free lessons in February 2018 (free weeks are Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22)! Lessons will be held at the Tom Bevill Enrichment Center on Thursdays from 6:30pm to 9pm.

February 2-3, Sylvania Baptist Church Simulcast of Johnny Hunt - Sylvania Baptist Church will be hosting a simulcast of Johnny Hunt's Men's Conference Simulcast on February 2 and 3. The event is free. A meal will be provided on Friday night from 5-6:30pm.

The Friday sessions begins at 6:30pm and the Saturday morning sessions will begin at 8am. Door prizes will be awarded.

February 3, Sylvania Soccer Bingo Night - The Sylvania High School Soccer team will be hosting a Bingo Night on February 3. Tickets are $20, which includes a meal catered by Limon’s Restaurant and one bingo card. Extra cards are available for purchase.

February 17, 2018 Meet the Hornets Dinner Auction - The Ider Hornets will be hosting a dinner auction with proceeds going to help pay for new equipment, field prep supplies, uniforms and day items needed to run a successful softball and baseball program.

NACC Celebrates another great Christmas gala e r o dm

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Nee

By Staff Reports The Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) Foundation Board hosted its annual Holiday Gala on Thursday, December 14 at 6:00 PM in the William M. Beck and Fine Arts Building (gymnasium).

This year’s honored special guests who have made major contributions to the

college included: Mrs. Doris Slater from Flat Rock, Mrs. Linda Chandler from Huntsville and Mr. Gene Hess and Mrs. Pamela Ashley from Dutton.

“The Gala is a highlight of the year, not only for Northeast but for our area as well,” stated Dr. David Campbell, NACC President.

“The Foundation Board, Ms. Heather Rice and staff did an outstanding job this year, as

usual. It is truly a unique and exceptional event.” The Gala featured music from the NACC Jazz Ensemble and a short musical program from Northeast’s very own Chorus.

All funds raised through this event support the mission of the college through scholarships for NACC students. You can view pictures on the NACC Foundation Facebook page.

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

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–JANUARY 12, 2018

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–JANUARY 12, 2018

5

Illegal Immigrant Prosecution rises under Trump

By Tyler Pruett Managing Editor tyler@southerntorch.com

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — According to numbers just released by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, prosecution of criminal immigration cases rose 212.5

percent in North Alabama during President Donald Trump’s first year in office.

After being sworn in to the oval office, President Trump set about replacing Federal Judges and Prosecutors to more aggressively tackle illegal immigration, violent crime, and the nation’s drug problem.

One of these prosecutors who took office in the last year was U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town, who took office in August 2017. During this short time span, Town is showing big results towards achieving these goals.

During Fiscal Year 2017, Federal Prosecutor Jay E Town tried 50 criminal immigration cases this year, as opposed to

only 16 tried in 2016, which is the most since 2004.

Overall, the number of federal charges brought against criminals and the percentage of those defendants sentenced to prison is at it’s highest since 2011 “Charging more defendants, putting more criminals behind bars, and preventing future criminal activity makes the Northern District a safer place for our families,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Town.

“I am very proud that my office has successfully prosecuted the priorities of the Department of Justice and we will continue to do so,” Town said in a statement. “In addition to our impressive prosecutorial and litigation numbers, we continue to install and manage

comprehensive violence reduction and crime prevention initiatives across the Northern District, such as Project Safe Neighborhoods and the Public Safety Partnership, which will continue to make our communities more secure, our partnerships more robust, and our law enforcement agencies more impactful.”

Along with the increase in federal immigration prosecutions, the overall priorities of the Department of Justice are to reduce illegal gun crimes, reduce violent crime, pursue criminal immigration matters, and to aggressively address the opioid epidemic in Alabama.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office showed vast improvement in all categories in 2017 over the previous fiscal year.

When it comes to

convictions, 94.4 percent of cases resulted in a conviction, which is the highest since at least 2004. The overall number of criminals charged was 540 for this year; up 32.4 percent from 2016. The 239 defendants charged with violent crimes in 2017 was a 39.8 percent increase over the 171 charged with violent crimes in 2016.

Illegal firearms prosecutions also rose 36 percent in FY 2017 to 225 from 165 in FY 2016. Illegal firearms prosecutions are 57.9 percent higher than the average of the previous four fiscal years.

There were also 33 defendants charged with opioid-related crimes in 2017, which was a 65 percent increase over the 20 defendants charged with opioid crimes in 2016.

DEATH NOTICES RAINSVILLE

CORNER STONE Noel Jan Hensley - 72 of Higdon, passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at Memorial Medical Center.

No formal services are planned. Cremation services are entrusted to Corner Stone Funeral Chapel.

H. Daniel Manning - 69 of Rainsville, passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at his residence. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 6 from 4pm to 8pm at Rainsville Funeral Home and on Sunday, January 7 from noon until 2pm at Double Springs Baptist Church. Funeral services are set for Sunday, January 7 at 2pm at Double Springs Baptist Church with Revs. Earnest Corbitt, Charles Centers, and Tony Pope officiating. Burial will follow in Green's Chapel Cemetery.

Mr. Manning is survived by his wife of 47 years, Brenda Wells; his three children, Chris, Becky, and Kim; 4 grandchildren: Tori, Aaron, Seth, and Kayle Marie; 2 sisters-in-law: Mattie Manning and Nellie Dornhecker; 4 brothers-inlaw: Jimmy Wells, Everett Wallace, Bruce McAnelly, and Doyle Edmondson. Mr. Manning worked at Game Time for 8 years. He sang with many gospel groups and was in the Rainsville Rescue Squad for several years.

Billy Clinton Smith - 72 of Henagar, passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2018 at his residence. The family will receive friends on Monday, January 8 from 4pm to 7pm and on Tuesday, January 9 from noon until service time.

Funeral services are set for Tuesday, January 9 at 2pm CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Bro. Steve Lea officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain Home Cemetery.

Michael “Mike” Davis - 56 of Henagar, passed away on Friday, January 5, 2018 at DeKalb Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 7 from 5pm to 8pm and Monday, January 8 from 11am to 2pm at the funeral home. Funeral services are set for Monday, January 8, 2018 at 2pm at Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tony Ivey officiating. Burial will follow in New Home Cemetery.

Barbara Copeland - 65 of Henagar, passed away on Friday, January 5, 2018 at Gadsden Regional Medical Center. A memorial service may be announced at a later time.

Edna Earl Brown Rogers - 72 of Ider, passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2018 at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 9 from 5pm to 8pm and on Wednesday, January 10 from 10am until 1pm at the funeral home. Ms. Rogers will lie in state at Shady Grove Baptist Church on Wednesday, January 10 from 1:30pm to 2pm. Funeral services are set for Wednesday, January 10 at 2pm at Shady Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Dennis Hall and Bro. Jason Wilks officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery.

Michael Anthony Wallace - 63 of Evensville, TN, passed away on Monday, January 8, 2018 at Rhea County Medical Center. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 4 from 11am until 8pm and on Friday, January 5 from 10am until service time. Funeral services are set for Friday, January 5 at 1pm CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Bro. Terry Phillips officiating.

Burial will follow in Payne Gap Cemetery.

KERBY

John William Gant - 98 of Pisgah, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Highlands Medical Center.

The family will receive friends at Pisgah Baptist Church on Wednesday, January 10 from

noon until service time.

Funeral services are set for Wednesday, January 10 at 2pm at Pisgah Baptist Church with Bro. Tommy Turner officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery.

Johnny Tilley - 82 of Henagar, passed away on Monday, January 8, 2018 at Serenity Place Assisted Living. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 11 from noon until service time at Second Baptist Church of Fort Payne. Funeral services are set for Thursday, January 11 at 2pm at Second Baptist Church with Revs.

John Screws, Fred Porter, and Will Ramage officiating.

Burial will follow in New Home Cemetery.

WILSON Frances Payton Shepard - 90 of Fort Payne, passed away on Friday, January 5, 2018. The family will receive friends on Monday, January 8 from 5pm to 7pm and on Tuesday, January 9 from noon until service time. Funeral services are set for 2pm on Tuesday, January 9 at Wilson Funeral Home with Rev. Wayne Killian officiating.

Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery.

Billy Carl Hoge - 85 of Hammondville, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2018.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 9 from 4pm to 8pm at the funeral home. Funeral services are set for 1pm on Wednesday, January 10 at Wilson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Whitehall Cemetery.

Mary Hammon Hoge - 83 of Hammondville, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2018. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 9 from 4pm to 8pm at the funeral home. Funeral services are set for 1pm on Wednesday, January 10 at

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Wilson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Whitehall Cemetery.

Shirley Ann Hussel - 87 of Mentone, passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2018 at her residence. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Richard Edmond Rains - 69 of Fort Payne, passed away on January 8, 2018 at his residence. The family will receive friends from 4pm to 7pm on Friday, January 12 at the funeral home. Funeral services are set for 11am on Saturday, January 13 at Allen Memorial Baptist Church with Revs. Ken James, Chris Crowe, and Steve Davis officiating.

Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery with military honors.

Evelyn McGee - 69 of Mentone, passed away on Monday, January 8, 2018. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 11 from noon until service time.

Funeral services are set for 2pm on Thursday, January 11 at Wilson Funeral Home with Rev. Don Brock officiating.

Burial will follow in Little

River Cemetery.

Charles Scott McNew - 51 of Fort Payne, passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 10 from 9am until the 11am hour of service at the funeral home. A graveside service will be held at 11am on Wednesday, January 10 in Glenwood Cemetery.

WT WILSON Jean Cathadell Woodall - 75, passed away on January 5, 2018 at her residence.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 9 from 11am until service time at Skyline Church of God. Funeral services are set for 1pm on Tuesday, January 9 at Skyline Church of God. Burial will follow in Prince Cemetery.

Jerry Wayne Noblitt - 72 of Scottsboro, passed away on Friday, January 5, 2018. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 12 at 5pm at Hollywood Missionary Baptist Church.

Bobby Lowman - 62 of Henagar, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2018. The family will receive friends from noon until 8pm on Wednesday, January 10 and from 10am until service time on Thursday, January 11 at Old

Sardis Holiness Church.

Funeral services are set for 2pm on Thursday, January 11 at Old Sardis Holiness Church with Bros. Oron Whitley and Royce Cornelison officiating.

Burial will follow the service in the adjoining cemetery.

Clara Jean Guinn - 85, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2018. The family will receive friends from 5pm to 8pm on Sunday, January 7 at the funeral home. Funeral services are set for 1pm on Monday, January 8 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bros. James Ledwell, Bud Durham, and Chris Guinn officiating. Burial will follow in Green’s Chapel Cemetery.

Shirley Ann Bunn - 68 of Fyffe, passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2018.

Visitation will be held from 5pm to 8pm on Thursday, January 11 at the funeral home. A service and burial will take place in Cleveland, Ohio at a later time.

Dean McKenzie - 82 of Valley Head, passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 11 from 5pm to 7pm. A memorial service is set for 7pm on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bro. Brian Maxwell officiating.

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–JANUARY 12, 2018

POLITICS Inside the Statehouse 2018 Qualifying, page 1

Contributed by Steve Flowers AL Political Columnist A few months back the Jefferson County Republican Party honored our Senior U.S. Senator, Richard Shelby. It was held at The Club in Birmingham. The view from atop Red Mountain from this elegant club is spectacular, especially at night from the ballroom. The glass enclosure allows you to see the grandeur of the Birmingham skyline. As you glimpse at the scene you can see many of the buildings that are the heart of the University of Alabama/ Birmingham.

As the tribute to Shelby began, I looked out over the night sky and caught a glimpse of the $70 million Shelby Biomedical Research building. I thought how appropriate that they were honoring a living legend in Alabama political history.

Senator Shelby has been an integral part of the growth and expansion of UAB. The

UAB Medical Complex and Research Center is now Jefferson County’s premier economic engine and employer.

In fact, UAB and the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville are Alabama’s crown jewels now and for the future. It could be said that UAB and the Redstone Arsenal have flourished because of Richard Shelby and his prowess at bringing home the bacon to Alabama over the past 30 years.

In my book, “Six Decades of Colorful Alabama Political Stories,” which was published several years ago, I have a chapter devoted to and entitled “Alabama’s Three Greatest Senators.” Two of those Senators served as a tandem in Washington during the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s.

Lister Hill and John Sparkman were powerful and revered statesmen.

Hill, a Montgomerian, served in the U.S. Senate for 30 years from 1938 to 1968.

He was a congressman from the second district for 12

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years prior to going to the U.S. Senate during the FDR New Deal.

Prior to becoming a U.S. Senator, John Sparkman was a congressman for eight years from his native Tennessee Valley. When he retired in 1970, he had been in the Senate for 32 years – the record for an Alabama U.S. Senator.

Sparkman is the father of the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. In fact they ought to name Huntsville Sparkmanville. Lister Hill whose legacy was in health care was the Father of UAB. Senator Shelby has sustained these two giant legacies. He has used his power and influence to fuel the continued growth of these two pivotal cogs in Alabama’s economic engine. They are both reliant on Federal dollars which Shelby has supplied.

Hill and Sparkman were University of Alabama graduates, Law school and undergraduate. They both were Student Government Presidents. Shelby was also a product of the University of Alabama. He was a Tuscaloosa lawyer prior to going to Congress in 1978. He had served eight years in the State Senate prior to his departure for Washington. He served eight years in Congress prior to being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986.

He was reelected to his sixth six-year term last year.

This time next year, he will surpass John Sparkman’s 32 years in the Senate and will have the record for longevity in the U.S. Senate from Alabama. I would contend that Richard Shelby has eclipsed Hill and Sparkman in Alabama political history when it comes to power and influence in Washington.

Many times it is difficult to ascertain or recognize greatness when it is current.

However, history will record that Richard Shelby would arguably be considered Alabama’s greatest U. S. Senator.

John Sparkman chaired banking and had a legacy with housing Americans. Lister Hill authored the Hill-Burton Act which built hospitals all over America.

Richard Shelby has been Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. He has been Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. He is currently Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee.

Folks, what that means is that nothing becomes law in the United States or no budget or U.S. appropriation is approved without the consent of our Senior U.S. Senator.

Richard Shelby has reached a pinnacle of power never before seen in Alabama political history.

It really does not matter who is our Junior Senator. As long as we have Richard Shelby we do not need a second U.S. Senator.

See you next week.

DeKalb County Sheriff candidate Nick Welden was the first to submit his paperwork on Monday.

When asked what his plans were moving forward, Welden said, “We are ready to get after it and get out, work the whole county, which we’ve been looking forward to getting started. We’ve been looking forward to getting qualified. Here today, despite the rain and ice, we were here when the doors opened.”

“We are eager to get going forward, and we are really excited about. We’ve got a lot of things on the agenda, and I’d like to get out meet a lot of people, and share these ideas with them,” Welden said.

Later in the day, Michael Edmondson, who is also applying to be on the Republican ballot in 2018 for Sheriff, submitted his paperwork.

When asked what were his campaigns plans moving forward, Edmondson said, “Continue the same we’ve done. We’re going to talk to as many people as we can, let them know our goals, and what we want to do to move DeKalb County forward.”

Shortly after lunch, Fort Payne native Andrew Hairston dropped by with his wife and father to submit his qualifying paperwork for Circuit Judge, Place 2. The circuit ju Hairston was asked what his plans were moving forward, and said, “I think people are tired of politics.

You can look out at the world around us, and this is what politics has given you. Are you safer now than you were 20 or

30 years ago? Are there less drugs on the street now than there were 20 or 30 years ago? Are our kids safer in the court system and the job that people are doing to protect our kids?”

“And I think politics has gotten us to the point that we are all frustrated and discouraged. My candidacy is about getting back to what the law means, and what our founding fathers meant by the law, and just be fair to people; be honest to them,” he explained.

“Judges shouldn’t sit in an ivory tower far away and not be in our communities.

They ought to right down there with everybody in their communities. And the number one issue we are going to address is the drug issue in our communities.

“Employers are having a tough time hiring people because they can’t get anyone to test negative for drugs. We have victims that are getting their belongings stolen, because people are trying to get money for their next drugs,” said Hairston.

“My motto is if law enforcement do their job, then I as a judge am going to do my job. We can help people.

We need to be tough and administer justice on those who bring drugs into our communities. People that have an addiction problem, we need to get them help, and they have the choice of jail or to get help.

“There is a lot of faith-based initiatives out there that will help people with drug problems, but we’ve got to have judges that will

encourage those faith based programs to become part of the court system, and to come in, and open up new opportunities and doors for those that need help,” said Hairston.

Scott Lloyd, who is also running for Circuit Judge Place 2, and will face Hairston in the primary, submitted his paperwork at Alabama State Republican Party Headquarters in Birmingham.

Senator Steve Livingston also qualified for reelection at the state party headquarters.

He has no challenger at this point.

Monk Blevins also dropped by around lunch to submit qualification paperwork for Board of Education, Place 3 and Monty Darwin of Sylvania submitted his paperwork for Board of Education, Place 4. Incumbent School Board Member Jeff Williams (which Blevins would be facing in the June primary) stopped by and submitted his paperwork on Friday.

Lester Black of Rainsville also submitted his paperwork to run against Democrat incumbent County Commissioner DeWitt Jackson.

Probate Judge Ronnie Osborn also stopped by to submit his paperwork. Osborn is not expected to have an opponent this year, but even unopposed offices must still submit the paperwork.

We still have a month to go until qualifying has officially ended, and we may see some surprises that have yet to announce. Stay tuned.

Information Technology (IT) Specialist/Analyst Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. is seeking an IT Specialist/Analyst.

The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, organized, able to multi-task, and possess a strong work ethic. The IT person will be responsible for helping to develop a new product offering of IT Services to our business customers and potential customers. The IT person will be responsible for monitoring, management, and support for customer network hardware and software needs.

Requirements for this position are as follows: •Associate’s degree in computer science, computer information systems or equivalent major from a regionally accredited educational institution. Four or more years of experience in Information Technology Business Analysis.

•Knowledge of a range of computer networking systems, network hardware and peripheral equipment. Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel. Ability to install, configure, and maintain personal computers, networks, and related hardware and software. Knowledge of federal copyright laws as they pertain to the use of computer software. Knowledge of computer and/or network security systems, applications, procedures, and techniques.

•Highly proficient in MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Windows OS, MS Exchange •Perform multiple tasks effectively •Strong analytical skills required •Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive matters •Good oral, written and interpersonal communication skills •Attention to detail and accuracy •Strong planning and organizing skills •Information and task monitoring Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. will not accept electronic application submissions. Please submit resumes with a cover letter by 4pm January 26, 2018 in person at our Rainsville office, or mail them to the following address:

Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. Attention: Business Development P.O. Box 217 Rainsville, AL 35986 Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, national origin or any other protected characteristic.

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–JANUARY 12, 2018

Scores Across DeKalb Dreams Come True

By Marla Jones Sports Editor

(Photo by Kristy Gallagher)

marla@southerntorch.com

SYLVANIA, Ala.— After seven years, the dream for Sylvania to have a soccer team, has came true.

For three years, Sylvania parents drove to Fyffe and Fort Payne, three days a week and on Saturday, just where their children could play soccer. Sylvania parents went on a mission to make the game more available for everyone. Although, unable to get soccer at Sylvania School due to lack of funds in the budget, parents did start a community “rec-league” community soccer program, four years ago. The players practiced on the baseball fields and then traveled to play at the Fort Payne Sports Complex, due to not having field of their own. In the first year of being a rec-league over one hundred fifty children signed up. The numbers kept growing each season with over two hundred children registered to play.

After realizing the great need to incorporate soccer

Fort Payne Varsity Boys (15-5) defeated Westminster Christian Academy 81-78 Varsity Girls (12-7) defeated Westminster Christian Academy 53-22

Collinsville Varsity Boys (11-7) defeated Sand Rock 55-43 Varsity Girls (14-5) defeated Sand Rock 70-63

Fyffe Varsity Boys (11-4) fell to Asbury 65-55 Varsity Girls (10-3) defeated Sylvania 58-30

Plainview Varsity Boys (17-1) defeated Sylvania 69-39 Varsity Girls (15-4) defeated Sylvania 60-44

Ider Varsity Boys (3-11) fell to Section 83-57 Varsity Girls (4-10) fell to Section 67-41

Geraldine Varsity Boys (10-5) defeated New Hope 66-28 Varsity Girls (8-8) defeated New Hope 63-15

into the Sylvania School sports program, Principal Wesley King worked tirelessly to make the dream a reality.

Coach Josh Clements and Coach Traci Biddle Roper stepped up and took on the role as Head Coaches for the Sylvania Soccer team.

Neither one had any idea when they were hired as teachers that someday, they would help the dreams of many come true. It has been a school effort to make soccer a success with other coaches joining in to help. Head Football Coach, Matt Putnam has worked to get the players in shape and even helped with fundraisers for the team.

Starting up a new sport is not easy or inexpensive.

Sylvania will host a Bingo night, on February 3, 2018.

Tickets are $20 each, which includes a catered meal by Limon’s Restaurant. Extra bingo cards will be available for purchase.

After many years of anticipation, the Sylvania soccer teams will hit the field soon. We look forward to seeing the soccer program grow and be successful!

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Results from DeKalb County Jr. Basketball Tournament SATURDAY Girls Ider 37 Valley Head 32 7th Boys Fyffe 26 Ider 23 Crossville 67 Geraldine 31 8th Boys Valley Head 43 Fyffe 42 (OT) Geraldine 33 Collinsville 16 Sylvania 50 Ider 38

MONDAY Girls – Sylvania 39 Crossville 7 7th Boys – Plainview 56 Crossville 37 Sylvania 50 Fyffe 22 8th Boys – Plainview 57 Valley Head 23 Sylvania 32 Geraldine 28

Hunter of the Week

Crossville Varsity Boys (5-12) fell to Scottsboro 76-44 Varsity Girls (2-14) fell to Scottsboro 55-14

Valley Head Varsity Boys (5-11) fell to Cedar Bluff 70-57 Varsity Girls (6-7) fell to Cedar Bluff 71-30

This week's Southern Torch Hunter of the Week is Gage Griggs! He is a junior at Fort Payne High School and bagged this buck over the Christmas Holidays.

Holloway Signs with UAB

Submit your photos to marla@ southerntorch.com for a chance to be our next Hunter of the Week!

CCA Basketball Returns from Christmas Break

By Staff Reports

By Marla Jones Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Bailey Holloway, a 2017 Fort Payne High School graduate, received a cheerleading scholarship and an academic achievement scholarship to assist her in furthering her education at the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

She currently is a member of UAB’s Small Co-Ed cheer team, a member of Kappa Delta sorority, and has plans to pursue a career in Nursing.

Bailey has cheered competitively since the age of 5, so was able to easily transition and adjust to the demands of taking on so much in her first semester of college.

Throughout her cheerleading career she has cheered for Connie Cochran, owner of what is now Ace of Rainsville and coach for the Fyffe High School cheer squad, and Christa Stanford, University of Alabama’s head cheer coach and owner of Ace of Tuscaloosa. She cheered her last 2 years in Tuscaloosa for the Tide Warriors Restricted Level 5 team. Her teams have also received the title of International All Level Champions. She also cheered on 2 of Fyffe’s state cheerleading championship teams, and has received many other bids and awards.

After almost walking away completely from cheerleading, she received an invitation to come give UAB a try and instantly fell in love with the atmosphere. At UAB, she has found her home and

loves the current program in which Cody Sellers, the head cheer coach, instills consistency, discipline, and hard work ethic all of which she has learned from every coach that played a part in getting her to the next level.

This weekend she will be stepping on the mat at the collegiate level where her and her team will be competing at the UCA Cheerleading College Nationals in Disney World.

Bailey is where she is at today because of not only her former coaches but her former teammates never giving up on her and the mentality she formed at an early age. It has always been a dream of Bailey’s to step on the mat past high school and now her dream becomes reality this weekend.

The Cornerstone Christian Academy basketball teams enjoyed a few weeks off from ACAA play during the Christmas break. Returning to school after the New Year the Eagles got the last month of the season started with a slate of home games on Friday the 5th. In action that night was the JV Girls vs Grace Lutheran and the JV/ Varsity Boys hosted Providence Classical afterwards.

Games played on 1-5-18 at Minvale Life Center: CCA JV Lady Eagles notched their 10th win of the season after defeating Grace Lutheran School in non-conference play on Friday night. The Lady Eagles jumped out to a 16-4 1st quarter lead. At the start of the 2nd quarter some first year and bench players took the court for CCA. Cornerstone would go on to defeat GLS 37-7. Jacie Bell led

CCA in scoring with eight points followed by Braylynn Reneau and Laura Beth Wells with six points each.

When the CCA JV Boys last played Providence Classical on Nov 30th the Eagles came up two points short of leaving Huntsville with a victory. Tonight’s match had the same feel. Both teams battled back and forth the entire game and went into the 4th quarter with PCS up 26-25. CCA found themselves down by five points with less than 30 seconds left. Despite a strong 4th quarter effort from the Eagles they fall 35-34 to PCS. Cornerstone also had a rough night at the line going 7-26 from the charity stripe Matt Johnson with six of his game high 11 points and Eli Carter scoring three of his eight points in the 4th led CCA in scoring.

The 2017-18 Varsity boys season for the CCA Eagles has been a true trial by fire. Their match up against Providence Classical was another fiery

test. PCS jumped out to a commanding 38-4 1st quarter lead by Counts and Givhan with 14 points each.

Cornerstone matched up better with the PCS bench in the 2nd quarter holding the Knights to just eight points while scoring eight of their own. In the end the Knights had CCA’s number and defeated the Eagles 64-24.

PCS had three players in double digits with 14 points apiece. Leading scorers for the Eagles were Bryce Dupree with eight and Eli Carter with seven points.

1-9-18 In late action on Tuesday night CCA JV Girls defeated Pineview 37-14 to go 11-0 on the season, Jesi Farris led CCA with 10 points. The JV Boys won 27-20 over the Pineview Warriors.

Friday the Lady Eagles Varsity, JV and Varsity Boys all travel to Valley Fellowship in Huntsville to take on the Flames in regional ACAA action.

8

FRIDAY–JANUARY 12, 2018

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

DEKALB COUNTY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Come and cheer on your team starting on January 15th and concluding on January 20! All games will be held at the DeKalb County Schools Coliseum in Rainsville.

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FRIDAY–JANUARY 12, 2018

9

Join all of us here at the Southern Torch and these great advertisers in wishing good luck to all the teams and every single player in the DeKalb County Basketball Tournament!

10

FRIDAY–JANUARY 12, 2018

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Good Luck to ALL DeKalb County Teams!

Join all of us here at the Southern Torch and these great advertisers in wishing good luck to all the teams and every single player in the DeKalb County Basketball Tournament!