The Southern Torch, Vol. 4, Issue 21

Bobby Ledbetter’s

CONGRATULATIONS 2018 GRADUATES! 1411 Glenn Blvd SW, Fort Payne, AL 35967

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018 / VOL. 4, NO. 21 / $1.00

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Council Borrows $45 Million

(Marla Jones | Southern Torch)

By Marla Jones Reporter marla@southerntorch.com FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Fort Payne City Council met on Thursday, May 17, 2018 for their regularly scheduled meeting.

In March, the Council agreed to the issue of 45 million dollars worth of bonds that were partly due to the 1% sales tax that was passed in August 2017. The Council had the first

reading of the ordinance Thursday. According to City Attorney Rocky Watson, “There is no reason for us not to pass this today and get the benefit of $45 million for our city and our schools to go forward.�

The Council authorized the pricing of the completed bond issue, which will close on June 6, 2018. The interest of the bond will be set at 3.88%.

The 1% sales tax increase was put in place to help build the reserve of

the City. According to Fort Payne Mayor, Larry Chesser the repayment of debt will definitely be aided by the sales tax revenue. The additional revenue from the sales tax increase will provide the City of Fort Payne, upwards to three million.

The Council suspended the rules and passed the ordinance.

After the passing of the ordinance, Council member Wade Hill stated, “This is a big day for Fort

Payne, folks.�

While this bond will not encompass all the city’s debt, Fort Payne does have a larger bond that matures this year. The revenue from the sales tax will help make the payment. “This is the first time since I have become Mayor that the City has been in a position to do this kind of work,� said Mayor Chesser. “Since the collapse of the hosiery business, the City

>> COUNCIL, P2

TOSSING TWO TASSELS

Check out this week’s edition of The Southern Torch for a special graduation insert featuring ALL DeKalb County Schools!

Accident Claims Life

By Marla Jones Reporter

By Zach Hester Reporter

marla@southerntorch.com

zach@southerntorch.com

HENAGAR, Ala. — On Monday May 21, 2018, at approximately 1:17 p.m., the Henagar Police Department responded to a two-car accident at the intersection of Alabama Highway 40 & Alabama Highway 75 in Henagar.

According to Henagar Police Chief Randall Smith, one of the drivers, Terrell Bowden, age 47, of Valley Head, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident.

The second driver was transported to the hospital.

At press time, an update of his condition was unknown.

The accident is currently under investigation by state and local authorities.

Southern Torch will provide updates as they become available.

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — As graduations across the nation happen around this time of year, outgoing high school seniors are looking forward to that moment when they get to move the tassel perched on their caps from one side to the other.

For three DeKalb County seniors, they’ll get to toss more than one tassel this graduation season.

Christian Townson of Sylvania, Joshua Alexander Lance of Plainview and

Christian Townson

Audrey Biddle

Joshua Lance

Audrey Biddle of Cornerstone walked across their respective graduation stages this week and thanks to the dual enrollment program provided by Northeast Alabama Community College, they

will also be walking across the stage to receive their associate’s degrees at the same time.

Townson has been accepted into 21 colleges and universities from Alabama and Auburn all the

way to Belmont, Vanderbilt, and LSU. He has accepted a Kenneth Carnathan Crimson Scholarship to attend the University of Alabama in the

BALLOT BOX BREAKDOWN

By Zach Hester Reporter

zach@southerntorch.com

FRIDAY 5/25

78 • 65

SATURDAY 5/26

78 • 66

SUNDAY 5/27

77 • 66

>> GRADS, P2

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — Voters across Alabama will head to the polls on June 5 to vote in the primary races of statewide and local candidates in either the Democratic or Republican Primary. The June election will contain primaries for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and many others, including local and countywide races. Here is a brief breakdown of who will be on the June 5 ballot. To

see a full sample ballot for either party’s primary, please see our website at southerntorch.com.

If you are unsure of what your state senate or state house district is, please visit https:// openstates.org/find_ your_legislator/ and simply type in your address to see which race will appear on your ballot.

In the Republican Primary: For Governor: Tommy Battle, Mayor of Huntsville; Scott Dawson; Bill Hightower, state senator; Kay Ivey, incumbent Governor; and Michael McAllister (who

passed away in April 2018).

For Lieutenant Governor: Will Ainsworth, state representative; Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, Public Service Commission President; and Rusty Glover, state senator.

For U.S. Representative (4th Congressional District): Robert Aderholt, incumbent Congressman, and Anthony Blackmon.

For Attorney General: Chess Bledsoe; Troy King, former Alabama Attorney General; Steve Marshall, incumbent Attorney General; and Alice Martin,

Voters will head to the polls on June 5 across Alabama to vote in local races and several open statewide races. (Zach Hester | Southern Torch)

Deputy Attorney General of Alabama.

For State Senate (District 8): Max D. Fuller and Steve Livingston, incumbent state senator

For State Senate (District 10): Mack Butler, state representative, and

>> BALLOT, 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

FRIDAY–MAY 25, 2018

BALLOT from Page 1 Andrew Jones.

For State Representative (District 23): Parker Edmiston and Tommy Hanes, incumbent state representative.

For State Representative (District 27): Wes Kitchens and Ronnie Opolka.

For State Representative (District 39): TJ Maloney and Ginny Shaver.

For Secretary of State: Michael Johnson and John H. Merrill, incumbent Secretary of State.

For State Treasurer: David L. Black, Stephen D. Evans, and John McMillan, Alabama Agriculture Commissioner.

For State Auditor: Stan Cooke, Elliott Lipinsky, and Jim Zeigler, incumbent State Auditor.

For Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries: Tracy “T.O.” Crane; Gerald Dial, state senator; Cecil Murphy; and Rick Pate, Mayor of Lowndesboro.

For Circuit Court Judge (9th Judicial Circuit, Place 2): Andrew Hairston, Scott Lloyd, and

LEGALS IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. CS-2018-900049 MARIA JIMENEZ FELIPE, Plaintiff v.

TOMAS CLEMENTINO JUAN FRANCISCO, Defendant NOTICE OF CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS TOMAS CLEMENTINO JUAN FRANCISCO, whose whereabouts are unknown, must answer the Petition and other relief filed by Plaintiff/Mother, Maria Jimenez Felipe, by the 8th day of July, 2018, or, thereafter, a judgment by default may be rendered against him. /s/Gabriela Watson, Esq WATSON & WATSON P.O. Box 1068 Albertville, Alabama 35950 Publish: May 18, May 25, June 1, June 8

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Jeff McCurdy.

For Circuit Clerk: Todd Greeson, former state representative, and Melissa Ledbetter, former Rainsville City Councilmember.

For DeKalb County Commission (District 3): Tony “Buck” Keef and Chris Kuykendall, incumbent Commissioner.

For DeKalb County Sheriff: Michael Edmondson and Nick Welden.

For DeKalb County Board of Education (District 3): Arlan “Monk” Blevins, Carol Hiett, and Jeff Williams, incumbent Board member.

For DeKalb County Board of Education (District 4): Monty Darwin, Hazel Haynes, and Matt G. Sharp, incumbent Board member.

In addition to these many races, there are also races for Alabama Supreme Court, Civil Appeals Court, Criminal Appeals Court, Public Service Commission, State Board of Education, State Republican Executive Committee, and DeKalb County Republican Executive Committee. There will also be several amendments to be voted on.

In the Democratic Primary: For Governor: Sue Bell Cobb, former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court; Christopher A. Countryman; James C. Fields, former state representative; Walt Maddox, Mayor of Tuscaloosa; Doug “New Blue” Smith; and Anthony White.

For U.S. Representative (4th Congressional District): Lee Auman and Rick Neighbors.

For Attorney General: Chris Christie and Joseph Siegelman.

For Secretary of State: Lula Albert “SGM Ret” and Heather Milam.

In addition to these races, there will also be races for State Democratic Executive Committee, District 23 (Female and Male) and State Democratic Executive Committee, District 27 (Male). There will also be several amendments to be voted on.

To see full sample ballots, visit our website at southerntorch.com!

Sandy Creek Apartments 159 George Wallace Dr. Rainsville, AL 35986 Family Households 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments Accessible Units Rent is based on income ~ Section 8 Accepted Rental Assistance Available on a Limited Basis

Please Call: (1) 256-638-6959 TDD/TYY #: 800-548-2546 This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer

Council repeals 2nd Hiring Resolution

By Marla Jones Reporter marla@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — The Rainsville City Council held their regularly scheduled meeting on May 21, 2018.

The Council voted to abolish resolution (05-04-2015) that required specific steps to be taken prior to city jobs being filled. This resolution was left on the books when the Council voted to abolish resolution 04-07-2014-1, on May 7, 2018, that required for open jobs within the city government to be posted for seven days internally and then externally for 14 days prior to the job being filled.

The Council passed resolution 05-21-2018B, allowing special signs honoring achievements made by Plainview and Cornerstone to be placed on Hwy 35 & Hwy 75, at

COUNCIL from Page 1 has had to patch things. In addition to the sales tax and national economy, we do not feel bad about borrowing money.”

Mayor Chesser went on to say, “ We are hopeful that we can use this money for the betterment of our City. If you wait to save the money to do these projects, you are liable to wait. Might as well bite the bullet, borrow the money and pay it back.”

GRADS from Page 1 fall and been awarded one of just forty spots in the exclusive Randall Research Scholars Program - one of the nation’s top undergraduate research scholars programs.

“I am thankful to Dr. Jason Barnett… and Dr. David Campbell of NACC for working together to allow students an opportunity to excel through the Dual Enrollment program,” said Christian.

Cornerstone senior Audrey Biddle will also accept her NACC diploma this week.

“Near the end of my tenth grade year, I desperately desired to accomplish something impactful. I had no idea that

Grant for $5,000 for classroom furniture a The Rainsville City 1 Pool with open Saturday, h May 26, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. M The Rainsville Farmers F Market will begin to sell C locally raised produce on o June 7 from 4-7 p.m. in their new building located at the Field of Dreams Complex.

Following the regular business, the Council went into Executive Session to discuss the good name and character of a city employee. After approximately 20 minutes, the Council exited the executive session and voted unanimously to terminate the employment of Officer Chris Kerby effective, May 21, 2018.

The next regular council meeting will be held on June 4, 2018.

Work session beginning at 4:15 and regular council at 5:00 p.m.

the Rainsville City Limits.

Passing of this resolution, will start the process of permits with the State right-of-ways.

In other business: • Adopted resolution 05-21-2018 titled Municipal Water Pollution Resolution • Approved the purchase of (12) lounge chairs for the City pool at cost of $1,142.00 • Approved cleanup and right-of-way acquisition for Boozer

Bridge project at cost of $5,242.00 • Approved Purchase of (7) Fire helmets at a cost of $2,083.00 • Hired Matt Crum to the Police Department • Approved the request to send Chief Kevin Smith and Assistant Police Chief Josh Wigley to a Chief’s Conference at cost of $2,609.96 • Donated $1,000.00 to purchase additional (92) weather radios • Applied for an AMRV

The Council has allotted 20 million that will issued as school bonds for the Fort Payne Board of Education construction of a new elementary school on 49th Street.

The Council has allocated 13 million to the Parks and Recreation Department for various projects to include a new tennis complex, new soccer fields and additions to the baseball complex.

Renovation of the Fort Payne Police Station, and new sidewalks are also on the list of projects that the Council feels are needed.

While there is no time frame of when the projects will begin, Mayor Chesser said that there is a possibility of beginning some of the projects late this year.

Fort Payne City Council President, Brian Baine said, “I am excited about the direction we are going, and seeing the improvements for Fort Payne that will benefit future generations for many years to come.”

In other business: • The Council further discussed and approved a proposal from MRS

Consultants, LLC regarding archaeological surveys off Alabama 11 North for a gravity sewer line.

• Approved a crosswalk at the DeKalb County Library for the Fort Payne Church of Christ.

• Rescheduled the June 5 meeting for May 30 at 11 a.m. at the Council chambers.

this would lead to such a desire for furthering my education,” said Biddle.

“This shy and insecure little girl stepped up out of her comfort zone and although I had no clue where to begin, I signed up for any and every dual enrollment class I possibly could.”

During her last semester at Cornerstone Christian Academy, Audrey took seven college classes while also traveling to many states as Alabama’s Senior Beta Vice President.

Biddle was offered several scholarships as a result of her achievements.

After graduation this week, she plans to attend Athens State University to pursue a degree in Elementary Education/Special Education.

Joshua Lance also picked up two diplomas this week.

Lance’s activities at

Plainview ranged from Beta Club to the basketball team.

He will continue his collegiate career at the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a major in biomedical engineering before heading to medical school where he plans to become an anesthesiologist.

Josh is just six generations down from Dr. Alexander Bailey (his namesake), one of the first physicians in our area. Dr.

Bailey died in 1918 during a flu epidemic treating patients.

The dual enrollment program allows high schools students to begin their college courses while still in high school. For more information, contact Staci Miller at (256) 638-4418, (256) 228-6001, ext. 2225, or by email at millers@nacc. edu.

THE PICKIN’ POST

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FRIDAY–MAY 25, 2018

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

COMMUNITY

Submit your community events to: zach@southerntorch.com

DEATH NOTICES COLLINSVILLE

Sarah Clayton Beene - 91 of Collinsville, passed away on Wednesday, May 16. Funeral services were held at 2pm on Saturday, May 19 at Collinsville Funeral Home-Sharpe Chapel. Bro. Tim Barnes officiated.

GERALDINE O.C. Gillispie Jr. - 67 of Dawson, passed away on Wednesday, May 16 at DeKalb Regional Medical Center. Visitation was held on Sunday, May 20 from 1pm to 3pm at the funeral home. There will be no funeral services.

CORNER STONE Judy Ensley Whitley - 77 of Fort Payne, passed away on Wednesday, May 16 at her residence. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, May 26 from 4pm to 6pm at 1106 Clark Ave. in Fort Payne.

Eddie Myers - 52 of Pisgah, passed away on Friday, May 18 at his residence. Visitation was held for family and friends on Sunday, May 20 from 11am to 8pm at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel.

Cremation services were provided by Corner Stone Crematory.

BURT William Dwight Hairel - 66, passed away on Wednesday, May 16.

Visitation was held on Thursday, May 17 from 4pm to 9pm and on Friday, May 18 from 8am to 9pm at the funeral home. Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 19 at 11am at Burt Chapel-Fort Payne with Revs. Shorty Dover and Donny Cover officiating. Burial followed in Glenwood Cemetery.

Church).

WT WILSON April Nichole Murphey - 38 of Sylvania, passed away on Wednesday, May 16.

Bobby Darrel Black - 73 of Fyffe, passed away on Wednesday, May 16. The family received friends from 5pm to 8pm on Thursday, May 17 and from noon to 8pm on Friday, May 18. Funeral services were held at 1pm on Saturday, May 19 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Burial followed in Corinth Cemetery in Fyffe.

Irene Armstrong - 64 of Kilpatrick, passed away on Thursday, May 17. The family received friends on Friday, May 16 from 5pm to 8pm at the funeral home.

Funeral services were held at 11am on Saturday, May 19 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bro. Briggs Patterson officiating.

Burial followed in New Harmony Cemetery.

Mary Lee Sims - 85 of Crossville, passed away on Friday, May 18. The family received friends from noon to 8pm on Sunday, May 20 at the funeral home.

Funeral services were held at noon on Monday, May 21 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bros. Lonnie Croft and Charles Robinson officiating. Burial followed in Pleasant Hill #2 Cemetery in the Sims community.

Sara Edmonds Johnson - 66 of Rainsville, passed away on Saturday, May 19. The family received friends from 4pm to 8pm on Sunday, May 20 at the funeral home. Funeral services were held on Monday, May 21 at 4pm at WT Wilson Funeral CHapel with Bros. Rock Stone and Charles Edmonds officiating. Burial followed in Trinity Cemetery (Burnt

3

More Than A Day Off

Gaylon Russell Parmer - 74 of Crossville, passed away on Sunday, May 20. The family received friends from 10am to 2pm on Tuesday, May 22 at the funeral home. Funeral services were held at 2pm on Tuesday, May 22 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bros. Jason King and Brandon Bruce officiating.

Burial followed in Liberty Cemetery in Painter.

Hoyt Leonard Warden, Jr. - 77 of Collinsville, passed away on Monday, May 21. The family received friends on Wednesday, May 23 from 5pm to 8pm at the funeral home. Funeral services were held at 1pm on Thursday, May 24 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bros. Autry Barnhill and Steve Todd officiating.

Burial followed in New Testament Cemetery.

Billy Joe Godwin - 71 of Guntersville, passed away on Monday, May 21.

The family received friends from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday, May 22 at the funeral home. Funeral services were held at 1pm on Wednesday, May 23 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Burial followed in Rainey Cemetery in Langston.

RAINSVILLE Mary Ruth Paschal - 87 of Pisgah, passed away on Sunday, May 20 at her residence. Visitation was held on Tuesday, May 22 from 11am to 8pm and Wednesday, May 23 from 9am to 11am at the funeral home. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 23 at 11am at Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Nathan Paschal officiating. Burial followed in Friendship Cemetery.

(Marla Jones | Southern Torch)

By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — Why do we celebrate Memorial Day? The federal holiday in May has become a staple for being the best day to get out on the lake with your family and friends and cherish a day off from your regular work life, but the true meaning behind this day is something a lot of people gloss over.

Originally known as Decoration Day, the history of Memorial Day can be traced back all the way to the Civil War when a Union general called for a national day of remembrance in May. The day was not officially recognized as Decoration Day until 1966 when the

town of Waterloo, New York, held its first community event honoring fallen soldiers of wars past.

The holiday originally served as a time to just honor those who died during the Civil War, but as the United States found itself in further conflicts abroad during World Wars I and II, the holiday just stood to recognize those who fell in battle during all American-involved wars.

For years, Memorial Day was recognized on May 30, but it has come to just be celebrated on the last Monday in May. This was declared by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, which also made the day a federal holiday. It also signals the official beginning of summer in America.

On April 24, 1961, then

President John F. Kennedy made his famous Prayer for Peace speech on Memorial Day, stating: “Whereas Memorial Day each year provides a fitting occasion upon which our people may not only commemorate the Nation’s heroic dead but also unite in prayer for the preservation of liberty and peace free from the threat of war.”

As we get up from sleeping in next Monday morning, let’s remember that Memorial Day should be and always will be more than just another day off from work. It’s a solemn moment to remember and thank those who came before us and gave their lives in the service of liberty so that we can all one day still pursue this thing we call The American Dream.

DeKalb breaks D.A.R.E. Graduation Record

Billy Jack Bailey - 72 of Valley Head, passed away on Saturday, April 28 at Kindred Hospital in Rome, Ga. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 1 at Burt Chapel-Valley Head from 4pm to 6pm. A memorial service will be held at Burt Chapel-Valley Head at 6pm on Friday, June 1 with Rev. LA Smith officiating.

WILSON The largest D.A.R.E. graduation to date in DeKalb County. (Facebook | Thomas Underwood)

Kaye White - 86 of Fort Payne, passed away on Sunday, May 20 at DeKalb Regional Medical Center.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 30 from 11am to 1pm at the funeral home. A graveside service will be held at 1pm on Wednesday, May 30 at Adamsburg Cemetery.

By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com

Staff: Southern Torch (USPS Periodicals #19790) is

Eloise Smith, Business Manager Marla Jones, Sports Editor

published each Friday by Southern Torch, Inc. 203

Zach Hester, Graphic Design Artist

Main Street E, Rainsville AL, 35986. POSTMASTER:

Amy Thrash, Advertising Representative

Send address changes to Southern Torch, P.O. Box 614 Rainsville, Alabama 35986-0614.

(256) 638-4040

Lindsey Jones, Office Assistant Membership rates: Regular yearly rate–$30 Senior or Veteran yearly rates–$25

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — On May 16th, D.A.R.E. celebrated their largest graduation to date with 700 kids across all of DeKalb County’s schools graduating from the program.

For those who do not know, D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. It’s a nationally acclaimed program that focuses on providing children with the skills they need to avoid future involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence.

According to dare.org, “D.A.R.E. is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives.”

In addition to the graduation ceremony that was held at the DeKalb County Schools Coliseum, the kids also took part in an essay and poster contest.

Congratulations to ALL 700 of these kids for graduating this great program from all of us at The Southern Torch!

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FRIDAY–MAY 25, 2018

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

BUSINESS

Woody’s

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105 Co. Rd. 89 in Fort Payne / Dogtown

256-364-2221

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Submit your business news to: admin@southerntorch.com

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They are open on Tuesday through Sunday from 10:30am to 8pm. Give them a call today at 256-364-2221!

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UPCOMING EVENTS Every Wednesday, Parents of Addicted Loved Ones - A new support group for Parents of Addicted Loved Ones is starting in Fort Payne at Word of Life Ministry, located at 3610 Gault Ave North. The meeting will be held every Tuesday from 6pm to 7:30pm. Any adult family member over 18 is welcome to attend these PAL meetings, however, for insurance reasons, no one under the age of 18 may attend and child care will not be provided. For more information, visit palgroup.org.

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 Holdem at (256) 605-1776.

May 25, Liberty Bank Grillin’ and Chillin’ - Stop

by Liberty Bank’s Geraldine location on Friday, May 25 from 9am to 4:30pm and help us celebrate 47 years of banking. President Chris Bailey will be manning the grill and they’ll be serving up some cold refreshments as well.

Stop by for a bite and some friendly conversation!

May 31, ABC Plus Pharmacy Blood Drive - A blood drive will be held on Thursday, May 31 from 11am to 4pm at ABC Plus Pharmacy in Fort Payne!

June 1, DERA Meeting - The DeKalb Education Retirees Association (DERA) will meet at Kelly’s Kitchen in Rainsville on Friday, June 1 at 10am. The program, “Financial Security and Protecting Your Assets” will be presented by Anna Pritchett, AARP Advocacy Director. All retired educators, professional and support personnel, are invited and encouraged to attend.

Terrell Chiropractic, LLC OPEN SIX DAYS A WEEK!

Dr. Robert Terrell Dr. Jeff Parker Mon-Wed Thu-Fri Saturday 8:30-5:30 8:30-5:30 8:30-12

65 McCurdy Ave S, Rainsville, AL 35986 Phone: (256) 638-9393 • Fax: (256) 638-9395

June 2, Memories of Mayberry - The Town of Valley Head presents Memories of Mayberry as a day of fun for the whole family! There will be a cruise-in, great food, lots of fun, live entertainment, door prizes and more.

Characters from Mayberry will be featured.

All proceeds go to benefit the Valley Head Volunteer Fire Department. The festival will be held in the downtown square of Valley Head.

June 2, MaDe Strong Car Show - The MaDe Strong Car Show will be held on June 2 from 10am to 2pm at Broadway Baptist Church in Rainsville. There is a $20 entry fee and all proceeds will go to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. It's open to cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors, and vehicles of interest! Trophies and door prizes will be given away!

June 14-17, Alabama Band Fan Appreciation Weekend - Fort Payne's own Country music group ALABAMA invite you to their Fan Club & Museum and weekend activities throughout DeKalb County. Tour the Fan Club, attend an autograph

session, enjoy concerts and much more! Events will be going on all through the weekend with varying ticket prices at the Alabama Fan Club & Museum, Northeast Alabama Community College, and the DeKalb Theatre!

June 16, 10th Annual

Freedom Fest 5K & 10K - Don’t miss the area’s largest fun run/walk!

Registration and starting of the race is at Broadway Baptist Church in Rainsville. This year, they will close registration at 1,000 runners/walkers.

Proceeds go to local charities. The race will begin at 8am with

pre-registration at $30 and day-of registration at $35. To register online, contact info and more, visit the website www. racesonline.com. Funds generated by the 2017 Freedom Run will remain in the community, helping local citizens through donations which will benefit local charities.

FRIDAY–MAY 25, 2018

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

5

POLITICS

Commission approves Sales Tax Holiday

By Marla Jones Reporter

marla@southerntorch.com FORT PAYNE, Ala. — (Video on our Website) At the May 22, 2018 meeting of the DeKalb County Commission, the Commission approved the resolution to make July 20-22, 2018 the Back to School Sales Tax Holiday.

“Of course, school is not out yet but we have to do our Back to School resolution in time to get the information and all the items identified in this process,” stated DeKalb County Commission President, Rickey Harcrow.

Tom Broyles updated the Commission on several projects within the Road Department. The department is working on herbicide application. The herbicide must be sprayed ten days prior to mowing.

The department is continuing to haul chert to District 1, which is off of DeSoto Parkway. The building on the District 1 property has been started with footing being dug.

Regarding the approach work for the new bridge at landfill, Broyles stated, that their part should be completed by next week.

Broyles asked the commission to authorize the new service truck bid for new cab and chassis.

After purchase of new cab and chassis, the service body can be bid out. The commission approved the request.

Ben Luther, of the Engineering department, addressed the commission concerning bids received to install guardrails on the County Road 212 bridge.

The Commission accepted the bid from Alabama Guardrail for $11,400.00.

Luther updated the Commission on two recent roadways that were reclassified. The first being County Road 88 which runs from Pine Ridge to Lebanon. The second road to be reclassified was County Road 651 which runs from Alabama Highway 117 to Highway 75.

The reclassification of these roads made them eligible to receive federal funding when available.

Chris Norquist addressed the commission thanking them for the work on the new landfill bridge on County Road 212.

Norquist reported that employees were enjoying the safer bridge and the project was definitely worthwhile.

The DeKalb County Commission held their regularly scheduled meeting on May 22, 2018. (Marla Jones | Southern Torch)

DeKalb County Revenue Commissioner Tyler Wilks asked for a job to be posted that was recently vacated.

The Sheriff’s Office brought forward personal changes. The Commission was asked to: hire Christian Furgerson as a part-time dispatcher, accept the termination of Cody Dupree as full time dispatcher, and transfer Brian Whitmire from part time to full time to replace Dupree.

For the jail, the

Commission was asked to hire Brandon Dupree and Christina Phillips as full-time Corrections Officers, hire Phillip Henderson as part-time corrections officer and to promote Leia Hitchcock to Sergeant.

The Commission appointed JoAnne Keef to the Department of Human Resources Board.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 ar 10:00 a.m. in the DeKalb County Activities Building.

THE FISHERMEN SOUTHERN GOSPEL QUARTET

For Bookings call: Glenn Smith (256) 572-6146

Inside the Statehouse

By Steve Flowers AL Political Columnist As we get down to the lick log in the 2018 June Primary, there are few if any surprises in any of the major state races. Polling indicates that all of the contests are about where they were three or four months ago when the races began.

There is a tremendous amount of apathy and indifference as we head into the final days. This lack of enthusiasm has also affected fundraising. Most of the high-profile races have not attracted the amount of dollars as in the past.

Kay Ivey is sitting on a sizeable lead in the GOP gubernatorial primary. She took a slight dip in the polls when she ducked out of debates. However, it is not as pronounced as it would have been if she had appeared. Her campaign has been managed brilliantly.

Coincidentally, at the same time that her staff adroitly kept her out of the

debates, her polling picked up that preserving the confederate monuments was an issue with conservative Republican primary voters. Kay’s media folks responded with an ad that could have come out of the George Wallace playbook. They had her telling folks that northern liberals and scalawags were not going to tell us what we are going to do with our monuments. Her resolve made folks wonder if she was actually there when the monuments were erected.

Last week, with only three weeks until the primary, lesbian lawmaker and LGBTQ activist Patricia Todd suggested in social media posts that Kay was gay. Ms. Ivey adamantly denied the tweet. She has adroitly deflected any and all inquiries into her private life.

The bottom line is that polls indicated she had a 30-point lead three months ago, and that lead is about the same now with less than two weeks to go to the Primary. The question is do her challengers push her

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into a runoff. Speculation is that she could win without a runoff the same way that her mentor, Lurleen Wallace, did in 1966.

The surprise in the GOP race could be Birmingham evangelist, Scott Dawson. He has run a very energetic campaign.

Evangelical, rural, Roy Moore voters may be coalescing around the young minister. His strength might be underestimated by polling data.

This white evangelical vote is ironically similar to the African American vote in the state. It is quiet and beats to a different drummer. The message resonates through word-of-mouth between church pews rather than through the media and social media. Although, it eventually gravitates to being somewhat in lock-step with a predictably higher than average turnout.

Most observers expect Huntsville mayor, Tommy Battle, to make a late run at Ivey. He has money in the bank. He will also come out

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of the vote rich Tennessee Valley with good Friends and Neighbors support. He should get enough votes to run second and force Ivey into a runoff. However, there will still be a 15-to-20 point spread in favor of Ivey when the votes are counted on June 5. Kay will have to put on her campaign bonnet for another six weeks. She will still not debate.

The Democratic Primary for governor has two thoroughbreds battling it out for the opportunity to face the GOP candidate, probably Ivey. Polling in this race between former Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox is inconclusive.

Most of the folks who vote in the Democratic Primary on June 5 will be African American.

Although this vote is not monolithic, the pendulum swings toward one candidate.

The African American leadership in the party is actively supporting Walt Maddox. He has also captured a good number of young white millennials and college students. My guess is that Maddox is the winner in the Democratic Primary.

Troy King will probably lead the balloting in the Attorney General contest.

Alice Martin and Steve Marshall are battling for a place in the runoff with King.

Twinkle Cavanaugh is poised to get a good vote in the Lt. Governor’s race. If she has a runoff, it will probably be Will Ainsworth from Sand Mountain, who has had a significant TV buy.

State Senator Gerald Dial has surged in the Agriculture Commissioner race, primarily due to a brilliant and upbeat television ad. It is the best TV spot of the year. He is also benefiting immensely from grassroots support from rural volunteer firefighters throughout the state.

Voter ambivalence favors incumbents and

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those who have voter name identification. Therefore, my prognostication is that when all of the votes are counted in November, we will have a female Republican Governor, Kay Ivey, and a female Republican Lt. Governor, Twinkle Cavanaugh.

We will see.

See you next week.

Office: (256) 878-1050 www.howardbentley.com Cell: (256) 558-3166 Email: jared@howardbentley.com

6

FRIDAY–MAY 25, 2018

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Bears represent DeKalb well

By Marla Jones Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com MONTGOMERY, Ala. — On Thursday, May 17, 2018, the Plainview Lady Bears softball team stepped onto the field in hopes of bringing the blue State Championship trophy home to Rainsville.

In the first game of the series, the Lady Bears defeated Pleasant Valley

6-2.

Plainview fell to Prattville Christrian 6-4 in the second game of the day, putting the Lady Bears into the losers bracket.

Plainview was faced with the daunting task of winning five consecutive games on Friday to win the state title.

On Friday, Plainview defeated Lauderdale County, 10-8. The standouts of the game

were Tobi Trotter who went 4-for-5 with three singles, a double and three runs scored. Bailey Smart was 2-for-3 with two walks and three RBI’s. Ava Jacobs finished the game 3-for-4 with three RBI’s.

Plainview then brutally attacked Locust Folk, defeating them 15-0.

The mercy rule was applied in just four innings.

In the third game of the day at Lagoon Park in

Montgomery, the Lady Bears nearly cinched a sport in the title game as they faced Geneva.

Geneva scored ahead early and the Lady Bears answered in the second with Krimson Kidd scored due to error in the Geneva’s infield.

In the fourth, the Lady Bears took an 8-6 lead, thanks to some heavy hitters.

At the top of the fifth,

the first five batters all got on base and took back the lead, 12-8.

In the bottom of the sixth, Kenzi Traylor led off with a single and scored by a RBI from Ava Jacobs, cutting the lead to only three points.

In the seventh, Jacey Crowell looked like a professional as she nabbed the homerun from Geneva by diving to catch the ball in right-center field.

The Lady Bears went down in the seventh to end with a third place finish in the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Class 3A State Tournament.

Plainview’s own Kenzie Traylor was named to the Class 3A All-State Tournament Team. Traylor finished the tournament going 12-for-20 from the plate. From the mound, she pitched 6 ⅔ innings.

Striped Bass Stock Weiss Lake

By Staff Reports

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Recently, 30,000 striped bass fingerlings were stocked in the Coosa River above Weiss Lake to supplement the existing population, which has experienced a decline in recent years.

This stocking is a cooperative effort between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR).

Although Weiss Lake is best known for its crappie and black bass fisheries,

for many years it has also provided a popular and economically valuable striped bass fishery.

Striped bass were first stocked into this system in the late 1970s and early 1980s and have since been sustained entirely by natural reproduction. The upper portion of the Coosa River Basin is one of the few remaining locations in the region where natural reproduction by striped bass has been successful.

In recent years, Weiss Lake anglers reported a decline in striped bass numbers. In July 2017, the Weiss Lake Improvement Association requested that ADCNR consider stocking striped bass into the lake.

ADCNR conducted an email survey that was sent to more than 5,000 individuals who held a fishing license in the surrounding counties of Weiss Lake. Seventy-six

percent of the respondents supported the supplemental stocking.

“We appreciate the input from the fishermen around Weiss Lake on what was needed to improve the

fishery,” said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner. “ADCNR is pleased to partner with Georgia’s DNR to provide this supplemental stocking, which will

enhance recreational fishing opportunities for our citizens and guests who enjoy fishing on Weiss Lake.”

The GADNR Fisheries Management Section provided the fingerlings and ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division will monitor the result of the stocking before considering any future stockings. This fishery is shared by both Alabama and Georgia and is an important source of adult brood fish for the GADNR striped bass hatchery program.

For more information about striped bass in Alabama, visit www. outdooralabama.com.

FRIDAY–MAY 25, 2018

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

7

Hope in the Storm

By Marla Jones Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com FORT PAYNE, Ala. — “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 Every now and then, someone comes into your life and shows you that

when things seem impossible, the word says we shall renew our strength and not be weary.

Life has not always been easy for Kallup McCoy II of Cherokee, NC. Kallup suffered for over fourteen years with multi-substance addiction that resulted in six overdoses. He died three times before being revived with Narcan.

McCoy is a member of the Eastern Band of

Cherokee Indians from Cherokee, NC. On May 14, 2018 Kallup McCoy II started his journey of running the Trail of Tears in North Carolina in remembrance of his ancestors and to show those who are suffering from addiction, that there is hope. A felony conviction on his record excluded him from the application process of taking the northern bike

route.

On Monday, McCoy ran into DeKalb County and touched many lives as he did. He will be running 1,095 miles total. Thus far he has ran 161 miles in seven days. His mother, Ruthy McCoy is along for the journey, driving beside him as he runs. She tells of having him put in jail and even having him committed to help him break the cycle of

addiction. She offers a story of hope for other mothers who are watching their children face addiction.

McCoy shares the good news of transforming power of his Lord and Savior and hopes to lead others to him along the way. While in DeKalb, McCoy reached out to DeKalb County Chief Duty, Michael Edmondson, in hopes of collaborating with

CATCH OF THE WEEK

the Sheriff's Office to bring his faith based message to inmates. McCoy stated that “faith based recovery” is what helped him break the bonds of addiction.

McCoy is raising money along his run, to build RezHope Recovery House, on the Qualla Boundary of Cherokee, NC. You can follow McCoy’s journey to Oklahoma on either his facebook page; Kallup McCoy II or Rez Hope.

Congratulations to this week's Southern Torch Catch of the Week: Jules Catherine Manning! This was Jules' very first catch and as you can tell... it will probably be her last. Jules is the daughter of Justin and Charlene Manning and she caught this monster while fishing with her family on Sunday afternoon. She is pictured with her dad.

Submit your photos to marla @southerntorch.com to be our next Southern Torch Catch of the Week!

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