Southern Torch — Vol. 4, Issue 29

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The Votes Are In FIGHT NIGHT

DeKalb County Probate Judge Ronnie Osborn and Sheriff Jimmy Harris analyze the election night results at the courthouse.

(Amy Thrash | Southern Torch)

By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — As we close the primary season after six grueling weeks leading up to the runoff elections, residents and candidates of DeKalb County and the entire state of Alabama can rest easy now that their first battle is over.

In the race for DeKalb County Board of Education - District 3, Carol Hiett defeated incumbent Jeff Williams, 662 votes to 403 votes. Hiett will not have a Democratic opponent in the November election.

In a statement after victory, Hiett said: “THANK YOU to the people of School Board District 3! I am very excited to get to serve you as your next school board member. You have supported me throughout my campaign with your

votes, encouraging words and prayers. Together, we can make a difference in the education of our children.�

In the race for DeKalb County Board of Education - District 4, Monty Darwin defeated incumbent Matt Sharp, 702 votes to 354 votes. Darwin is unopposed in the November general election.

The close race for Lieutenant Governor turned into a knockdown, dragout over the last few weeks, but Guntersville native Will Ainsworth successfully trumped Public Service Commission President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh. Ainsworth, a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, received 176,680 votes (51%) to Cavanaugh’s 166,475 (49%).

In DeKalb County, Ainsworth received 2,965 votes to Cavanaugh’s 1,725.

In her concession speech, Cavanaugh echoed

support for Ainsworth saying, “He ran a strong race. I hope [he] will go on to be our next lieutenant governor here in the state of Alabama.�

Ainsworth thanked the entire state of Alabama for their support in his election. He said, “I want to thank Twinkle for being willing to be involved in public service‌ I look forward to working with her to improve our state.â€? “It’s an exciting time to live in Alabama,â€? he concluded. “I’m going to be a lieutenant governor that y’all can be proud of.â€?

Ainsworth will face Florence minister Will Boyd, who ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate last year, in the general election.

Incumbent Attorney General Steve Marshall bested the former holder

>> ELECTION, P4

Trevor Peek knocked out Greg Hopkins after an intense battle that will be talked about for months. (Amy Thrash | Southern Torch)

By Marla Jones Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — On Saturday, July 14, 2018, mixed martial arts fans were treated to the first ever Alabama Fighting Championship (AFC) event in Rainsville.

Spectators were entertained with arm bars, submission holds and knockouts similar to what you would view on television in the biggest rings in the world.

AFC promoter Sam McAlpin began talks over six months ago to bring championship fighting to Rainsville. Fighters jumped on board and a 12-match card, with two title matches being

Concerned Citizens Address Council

presented.

Portions of the fight night proceeds were presented to Reese Colburn. Colburn is a 13-year old, with strong family ties to Rainsville, who was born with a congenital heart defect.

The money raised will aide in payment of medical expenses.

Colburn, presented the championship belts to winners. Trevor Peek, winner of the main event of the night, presented his belt back to Colburn.

Colburn, also received a USA Wrestling Team jacket, proudly worn by fighter, Chad Finnerty.

Finnerty formerly wrestled at the University of Purdue and was a member of the USA team.

Finnerty, age 38, was the oldest fighter on the card.

He boasts a career record of 192-8. He pinned his younger opponent, Trent Anderson, age 25, to the delight of every dad in the arena. Finnerty surely built a fire under everyone over the age of 30, to chase your dreams no matter your age.

In the only women's event on the card, Morgan Hickam, mother of three, won against Danielle Wynn in a split decision.

A few recaps from the night include: Heavyweights, Gage Green and Jimmy Dean started the night. Dean won the fight in the first

>> FIGHT, P7

Arrests Made in FP

(Fort Payne Police Department)

By Staff Reports

TORCHCAST

By Marla Jones Reporter marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — A group of concerned citizens addressed the

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Fort Payne City Council on Tuesday, regarding the closure of the 23rd Street South railroad crossing. Their main concern was that emergency vehicles

would be unable to assist them. Councilmember Wade Hill assured the citizens that the fire

>> COUNCIL, P2

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Chief Randy Bynum states: On July 9, Fort Payne Police Officers were advised of an active felony warrant with the offender possibly being in the Fort Payne area.

Officers spotted a vehicle in the area of 22nd Street NW and stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation. The driver of the vehicle with the possible felony warrant

>> ARRESTS, P2

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

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FRIDAY – JULY 20, 2018

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

COUNCIL, PAGE 1

ARRESTS, PAGE 1 was identified as Elliott Seth Roberts, age 30 of Dawson. During the process of confirming the felony warrant Roberts advised officers he had a small amount of methamphetamine in his shirt pocket and a smoking pipe in his pants pocket. Roberts was arrested and an inventory of his vehicle yielded a large amount of methamphetamine in multiple baggies. Also, while inventorying the vehicle officers found a fully loaded revolver in a Crown Royal bag. Mr. Roberts was charged with: Outstanding Warrants from DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department for: • Trafficking • Trafficking in Controlled Substance

• Possession of a Controlled Substance • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia • Two Charges of Carrying Brass Knuckles • Certain Person Forbidden to Possess a Pistol • Resisting Arrest A passenger in the vehicle, Ashley Lynn Aphay, age 24 of Rainsville, was also arrested for: • Trafficking in Controlled Substance • Possession of a Controlled Substance • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia • Resisting Arrest • Possession of Concealed Weapon without a Permit • Warrant for Revocation of Suspended Sentence.

TRAFFIC STOP ARREST

By Staff Reports FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Chief Randy Bynum states: On July 10, Angelo Conley Sanjuan, age 30 of Fort Payne, was arrested during a traffic stop. Officer Carl White detected a very strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A glass jar that was located inside the center console of the vehicle contained

marijuana. Present in the vehicle was a two year old male that was not the driver’s child.

Drug Task Force agents along with Department of Human Resources and parents of the child were called. The child was released to the biological parents. Officer White, Lt. Matt Wilson and Sgt. Matt Jones are to be commended on their arrest of this individual.

Sanjuan was charged with: • Possession of Marijuana 2nd • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia • Chemical Endangerment of a Child

Fort Payne Building Maintenance Supervisor Tony "Buck" Keef and Steve Miller began work on the building that will house the Dye Branch Gang donated by local artist, Bobby Welch. (Marla Jones | Southern Torch)

departments across the tracks were more than equipped to handle any emergency except transport.

DeKalb Tourism Director John Dersham addressed the Council regarding the increase in tourism numbers in our county for the year. He thanked the Council for their help in promoting tourism.

The Council passed a resolution allowing the Council in proceed in obtaining grants to help tear down the Old hospital building. “I am thankful that we have

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the possibility of receiving some grant money that will help in the demolition of the old hospital,” said Council President, Brian Baine.

“The site has been an eyesore for way too long.”

In new business, the Council: • Approved the renewal of lease to the Fort Payne Post Office for a sum of $2,100.00 per year.

• Approved curbing requests • Approved an activity permit for the Fort Payne Three Arts Club Boom Days 5k Run on September 15, 7 am to 10 am.

The next meeting of the Fort Payne City Council will be held on July 31, 2018 with the meeting beginning at 12pm and the work session at 11:30am.

SPLASH PAD ISSUES IN RAINSVILLE

By Marla Jones Reporter marla@southerntorch.com

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RAINSVILLE, Ala. — The Rainsville City Council held their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, July 16, 2018.

The meeting began with a motion initiated by Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt and brought forward by Councilmember Derek Rosson to send City Clerk Kelly Frazier to magistrate school as she would be assisting the City’s magistrate, Tammy Mason.

Councilmember Derek Rosson made a motion to hire Cody Dupree as the new part-time animal control officer. “[We’re] not adding to it, just replacing the position,” said Rosson.

Dupree will officially begin his tenure as an animal control officer on Wednesday, July 18. Rosson also reminded those in attendance about the school bus garage ribbon cutting that will be held on

Thursday, July 19.

Councilmember Brandon Freeman motioned to empower the City Attorney, Nikki Scott, to deal with the developing splash pad situation.

Freeman also motioned to empower the Mayor to start and submit the paperwork on funding regarding the sewer project. He also made a motion that the Pee Wee Football field have a chain link fence built around it with the price point between $18,000 and

$19,000 from Williams Fence Company. As the chain link fence project is a capital improvement, it doesn’t fall under the rules regarding the $15,000 rule.

The Council also approved the payment of the monthly bills and then adjourned.

The next meeting of the Rainsville City Council will be held on Monday, August 6 at 5pm with a work session beginning at 4:15pm.

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

COMMUNITY

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Submit your community events to: zach@southerntorch.com

Bus Garage Opens Black Bear Sightings Continue to Increase

By Staff Reports RAINSVILLE, Ala. — The City of Rainsville, The Rainsville Industrial Development Board and the DeKalb County Board of Education held a joint ribbon cutting at the new bus garage location in the Rainsville Industrial Park off of Roy Sanderson Drive on July 19 at 5pm.

This has been an ongoing project for the past 18 months.

"Working with the City of Rainsville and the Rainsville Industrial Development Board to provide a new home for our bus garage has been a great exercise of teamwork," said DeKalb County Superintendent Dr. Jason Barnett. "It has been a pleasure to work together on this project and I look forward to the benefits it will provide our school system and ultimaitely our students."

UPCOMING EVENTS NACC Fall Registration - Northeast Alabama Community College registration for the fall semester is going on now! Visit nacc.edu, call (256) 638-4418 or (256) 228-6001 or download the free app for more information!

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.

July 21, Third Saturday Sunset Cruise-In - This month’s Third Saturday Sunset Cruise-In will be an afternoon of family fun activities in the Main Street District of Fort Payne. This public event

will include food, live music, antique car show, and much more! It begins at 5pm, lasting until 9pm and is free to the public!

July 22, Jordan Family Band at Sylvania Baptist - Southern Gospel artists, The Jordan Family Band of Calhoun, Ga., will be in concert at Sylvania Baptist Church on Sunday, July 22 at 6:30pm with free admission. A love offering will be taken up and a warm welcome is extended to everyone!

July 24-28, Alabama State 4-H Horse Show - The Alabama 4-H Horse Show consists of education contests as well as performance horse classes (104 total classes). Educational events are free and performance horse events range between $20 and $30 per class.

Events will be held from 8am to 7pm on July 24 through July 28 at the Northeast Alabama Agri-Business Center.

July 28, Fyffe 50 Club Reunion - The Fyffe High School 50 Club Reunion will be on July 28, 2018 at the Fyffe Senior Center from 11am to 3pm. This reunion is for those classes who have been out of Fyffe High School for 50 years or more! That would be the class of 1968 and all the classes before that. The class of 1969 is invited, and they will host next year. The reunion will be potluck.

August 2-5, World’s Longest Yard Sale - The World’s Longest Yard Sale returns to DeKalb County this year. All locations in the County can be found along the Lookout Mountain Parkway. The yard sale will begin on August 2 and last until August 5.

August 3, DERA Meeting - The DeKalb Education Retirees Association (DERA) will meet Friday morning, August 3 at Kelly’s Kitchen in Rainsville at 10am. The program “Imagination Library” will be presented by the Fort Payne Main Coordinator, Mrs. Jana Cagle Groghan. All DeKalb County and Ft. Payne City Schools retired education employees, active and support, are invited and encouraged to attend.

August 18, 2018 Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament - The Rainsville Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual golf tournament on August 18 with sign-in/ registration at 7am and Shotgun Start at 8am at the Rainsville Country Club. Cost is $50 per player. The format will be a 3-person scramble with 2 flights. Contests will be held on several holes. Comete for a $1000 hole-in one prize plus nice prizes for closest-to-the pin and longest-drive on select holes.

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

WFF is currently working with Auburn University researchers and other state and federal agencies to collect data on the state's black bear population and movements. This data will be used to make scientific decisions regarding bear management.

(Billy Pope | ADCNR)

By Staff Reports MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Add Jackson, Limestone, Marshall, Morgan and St. Clair counties to the growing list of black bear sightings in Alabama in 2018. In recent years, bears have also been recorded in Chambers, Elmore, Jefferson, Lee, Macon and Tallapoosa counties. These recent sightings are more evidence of the state’s expanding black bear population.

Biologists from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources say the increase in sightings may be due to a combination of factors including changes in bear distribution, habitat fragmentation, seasonal movement and the summer mating season. However, most spring and summer bear sightings are of juvenile males being pushed out of their previous ranges by their mothers and other adult males.

Historically, a small population of black bears have remained rooted in Mobile and Washington counties. Baldwin, Covington and Escambia counties on the Florida border host yet another population of bears. In northeast Alabama, bears migrating from northwest Georgia have established a small but viable population.

“While seeing a black bear in Alabama is uncommon and exciting, it is no cause for alarm,” said Marianne Hudson, Conservation Outreach Specialist for the Alabama

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Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF).

“There has never been a black bear attack on a human in Alabama.”

Black bears are typically secretive, shy animals that will avoid human interaction.

Occasionally, a curious bear will explore a human-populated area in search of food.

“If you are lucky enough to see a bear, simply leave it alone,” Hudson said.

Below are tips on what you should do if you encounter a black bear and how to avoid attracting one to your property.

• Do not run from the bear.

• Avoid direct eye contact with the bear.

• Encourage the bear to move away by waving your arms and yelling as you slowly back away.

• Make sure the bear has an unobstructed direction to escape.

• In the unlikely event of an attack, fight back.

Never “play dead.”

• Never approach or purposely feed a bear.

• Store all food indoors or in a bear-resistant container.

• Do not leave pet food outside overnight.

• Keep trash cans clean and don’t put trash out until the morning of pick up.

• Avoid feeding birds and other wildlife from April to January when bears are most active.

For more bear safety tips, visit www.bearwise. org.

Those who have seen a bear in their neighborhood, on their property, or crossing a road are encouraged to report the sighting to their local WFF District Office. This information helps biologists document black bear movement and distribution in Alabama. WFF district contact information is available at www. outdooralabama.com.

Bear sightings can also be reported online at https://game.dcnr.alabama. gov/BlackBear or by email to Thomas Harms at Thomas.Harms@dcnr. alabama.gov.

In Alabama, black bear is a species of highest conservation concern with no open season. Shooting at one is a Class A misdemeanor. Other penalties for shooting at a black bear include the potential loss of hunting and fishing license privileges for three years and possible jail time.

For more information about black bears in Alabama, visit www. outdooralabama.com.

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

BUSINESS

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Rising Leaders of DeKalb

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of his office, Troy King, in the runoff, 62-38. Marshall received 211,620 (3,343 from DeKalb) votes statewide against King’s 129,427 (1,333 from DeKalb) votes. Marshall faces Joseph Siegelman, a Birmingham attorney and son of ex-governor (and attorney general) Don Siegelman, in the November election.

The final statewide race for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries was fought between Lowndesboro Mayor Rick Pate and longtime

Alabama State Senator Gerald Dial. Pate defeated Dial after a hard fought race with 176,519 votes to Dial’s 134,799 votes. In DeKalb County, Pate took 2,255 votes to Dial’s 2,045 votes.

In the coming months, the contested races all across the state will begin to heat up. Southern Torch looks forward to another great election season as we hope to see the best candidates elected to represent us from the courthouse all the way to the State House.

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Contributed by Jennifer McCurdy Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Did you know we have a Young Talent group in DeKalb County? What’s that you ask?

Well, it’s a group of DeKalb Countians between the ages of 18-35 who hope to be leaders in this community and want to develop and network with others in their age group.

Why should you care? Because they are our future.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) recognized that communities were not doing enough to develop leaders within their communities. Communities were losing talented employees because they felt they were missing the opportunity to connect with the community. TVA reached out to the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce and DeKalb County Economic Development Authority to spearhead a Young Talent group in DeKalb County.

With the help of Randy Posey, Allstate and Cole Justice, First Southern State Bank the group, Rising Leaders of DeKalb, was formed. It’s free to become a

member, you just have to want to be a part of your community and develop professionally.

Part of the mission of Rising Leaders of DeKalb is to help attract and retain talent for industries and businesses within DeKalb County. Partnering with our local businesses and industries to help introduce DeKalb County to their employees who may be doing an internship or are new to the area. Of course, we want to try and bring back those who once lived in DeKalb County or have family still in DeKalb County.

Rising Leaders will hold socials with businesses who are hiring and invite college students from our area to those socials. What a great way to meet people in the community and learn about prospective jobs you may be interested in. Do you have a family member you would like to see return to DeKalb County? Let us know we will reach out and share more information with you.

If you are interested in more information as a business or individual, please call Randy Posey at (256) 365-8805 or Cole Justice at (256) 845-6550.

FRIDAY – JULY 20, 2018

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

POLITICS

5

Inside the Statehouse

By Steve Flowers AL Political Columnist MONTGOMERY, Ala. —You have the results of Tuesday’s runoff elections. I had to go to press with my column before the results were known.

There are some fantastic runoff races which should be close and interesting. The four best will be Troy King versus Steve Marshall in the Attorney General’s race. The Lt. Governor runoff between Twinkle Cavanaugh and Will Ainsworth will be interesting. The Agriculture race between Rick Pate and Gerald Dial will be good. It will be interesting to see if Bobby Bright ousted Martha Roby from Congress in the 2nd district.

Let me share some thoughts and analyses from the first primary on June 5th. Kay Ivey and Walt Maddox won their party’s nominations very impressively. Governor Ivey used the mantle of incumbency to win a decisive victory with 56 percent of the vote against three thought to be viable, well financed opponents. Her campaign was brilliantly run. Her television ads were excellent.

The mastermind of her campaign was Brent Buchanan. He is now the master of political campaigns in Alabama.

His polling arm, Cygnal, is the most accurate on the scene. He uses his polling adroitly to design brilliant ads. Buchanan runs many campaigns out of state.

He only ran two in the state, Ivey’s gubernatorial contest and Gerald Dials’ race for Agriculture Commissioner. In fact, Buchanan came up with the best ad of the campaign season. The jingle ad for Dial in the Ag race was spectacular.

Walt Maddox’s waltz to victory over five opponents without a runoff was impressive. It became apparent in the closing days that he was going to win without a runoff. He ran the table on all of the important endorsements. He got the Alabama Democratic Conference, New South Coalition, but even more importantly the endorsement of and use of the young Birmingham Mayor, Randall Woodfin’s organization. This was a recipe for a big win.

Maddox is the best candidate that the Democrats have fielded for governor in two decades. He is young, vibrant, and has a proven track record as a Chief

Executive/Mayor of one of Alabama’s largest and most important cities, Tuscaloosa.

However, we are still a very red state. All 29 of our statewide elected offices are held by Republicans. Kay Ivey is not only the Republican nominee, she is the sitting Republican governor who can continue to cut ribbons and claim credit for every industrial announcement as well as the outstanding national economy and job growth.

She will refuse to debate or go unscripted. In addition, as the incumbent she can raise substantial campaign funds.

In the June 5th primary, there were twice as many votes cast in the GOP Primary as there was in the Democratic Primary. There were 340,000 votes cast for Kay Ivey, whereas there were only 284,000 votes

cast for all of the Democratic gubernatorial candidates combined.

Therefore, 174,000 more people voted for Governor Kay Ivey than Mayor Walt Maddox.

I would handicap this race 56 to 44 in favor of Ivey going into the Fall.

The only way that Maddox can win is for Kay to falter. Her handlers should keep her close to home and limit her appearances. They should continue to not discuss the issues that face the state or take any positions or offer any plans for the state woes.

Under no circumstance should they allow her to debate. The young articulate mayor would eat her lunch. The contrast in appearance itself would be dramatic.

Maddox, if not elected, will live to run another day. The divide between the two political parties is narrowing in

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the state. Younger voters are trending Democratic, even in the Heart of Dixie.

Tommy Battle ran a very successful get acquainted race for governor. He will be the favorite in 2022. You could see a Walt Maddox vs. Tommy Battle contest in four years.

Battle built name ID and got 25 percent of the vote against a popular incumbent governor. He goes back to being Mayor of Alabama’s most prosperous and fastest growing city. If you think Huntsville has prospered and boomed the last 10 years, you ain’t seen nothing yet! It could very easily be the boom town

of America in the next five to ten years.

Maddox’s city of Tuscaloosa is growing right behind Huntsville.

Quite frankly, Battle and Maddox have much better jobs as mayors of Huntsville and Tuscaloosa than if they were Governor of Alabama.

See you next week.

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

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DEATH NOTICES WT WILSON Charlotte Ann Barksdale - 55 of Fort Payne, passed away on Wednesday, July 11.

Visitation was held on Friday, July 13 from 5pm to 8pm at the funeral home. Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 14 at 11am at WT Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Hoyt Barksdale, Jr. officiating.

Burial followed in Pilgrim’s Home Cemetery in Ider.

Lowell Monroe Richards - 75 of Henagar, passed away on Wednesday, July 11.

Visitation was held from 5pm to 8pm on Saturday,

July 14 at the funeral home. Funeral services were held at 2pm on Sunday, July 15 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bro. Jim Bohannan officiating. Burial followed in New Canaan Cemetery.

Danny Ray Hollis 61 of Albertville, passed away on Friday, July 13.

Visitation was held from 12pm to 2pm on Monday, July 16 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Edna Louise Cook Strickland - 89 of Henagar, passed away on Saturday, July 14 at her residence. Visitation was held from 4pm to 8pm on Tuesday, July 17 at the

funeral home. Funeral services were held at 3pm on Wednesday, July 18 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel. Burial followed in Kirk Memorial Garden.

Wilfred Roland Durham - 98 of Rainsville, passed away on Sunday, July 15.

Visitation was held on Monday, July 16 from 6pm to 8pm at the funeral home. Funeral services were held at 1pm on Tuesday, July 17 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bro. Richard Bruce officiating. Burial followed in Mountain View Memory Gardens.

BURT Mary Jane Martin - 89, passed away on Wednesday, July 11.

Visitation was held on Friday, July 13 at Burt Chapel-Fort Payne from 5pm to 8pm. Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 14 at Allen Memorial Baptist Church at 11am with Revs. Chris Crow and Ken James

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officiating. Burial followed in Allen Memorial Cemetery.

Brenda Joyce Clinton - 70 of Valley Head, passed away on July 14 at her residence.

Visitation was held on Monday, July 16 at Burt Chapel-Valley Head from 4pm to 8pm. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 17 at Burt Chapel-Valley Head at 1pm with Rev. Richard Ellis officiating. Burial followed in Little River Cemetery in Mentone.

KERBY Kyle Frost - 89 of Pisgah, passed away on Friday, July 13 at Highlands Medical Center. Visitation was held on Saturday, July 14 from 3pm to 8pm and Sunday, July 15 from 10am to 3pm at the funeral home. Funeral services were held on Sunday, July 15 at 3pm at Kerby Funeral Home Chapel with Bros.

Richard Smith and James Hutcherson officiating.

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

Burial followed at Green Haven Memorial Gardens.

CROSSVILLE Bonny Beatrice Parkerson - 33 of Albertville, passed away on Thursday, July 12 at her residence. Visitation was held from 2:30pm to 3:45pm at the funeral home. A graveside service was held at 4pm on Sunday, July 15 at DeKalb Memorial Gardens.

CORNER STONE Paul Sartin - 92 of Stevenson, passed away on Sunday, July 15 at his residence. Visitation was held on Wednesday, July 18 from 1pm to 3pm and Thursday, July 19 from 10am to service time at

the funeral home. Funeral services were held on Thursday, July 19 at 3pm CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Pastor Frankie Carroll officiating. Burial followed in Fuller Cemetery.

Danny Eurie Currie - 69 of Pisgah, passed away on Sunday, July 15 at VA Hospital Birmingham.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, July 17 from 12pm to 8pm and Wednesday, July 18 from 10am to service time at the funeral home. Funeral services were held at 4pm CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Bro. Gary Smith officiating.

Burial followed in Free Hill Cemetery with Trenton American Legion rendering military honors.

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FRIDAY – JULY 20, 2018

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

inside the huddle

By Marla Jones Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

COLLINSVILLE, Ala. — On my fifth stop of Inside The Huddle, our crew made the trek to southern DeKalb County to check out what’s going on with the Collinsville Panthers!

The Panthers had already hit the field when we arrived to see them, and they go by the motto “if you’re on time, you’re late.”

To start out the workouts, the Panthers ran, and then they ran some more. The Collinsville Panthers will boast one of the most physically fit teams in the county this time. I even started to ask a few of them if they were personal trainers.

I was very pleased with the unity that the players had. They encouraged their teammates and worked

well together. They have formed a bond that will not easily be broken. This bond will help them in season play.

The Panthers had a 4-6 record in their 2017 season. This is the fifth year that the Panthers have been in Class 2A. After realignment, Collinsville was moved to Region 6.

The Panthers have five returning seniors with ten returning offensive players and nine defensive players. They practice on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

Head Coach Ernie Willingham’s staff includes: Coach Riley Edwards (Defensive Coordinator/Line, Offensive Line), Coach Jon Tidmore (Junior High), Coach Shane Stewart (Receivers), Coach Chris Conde (Offensive Line), Coach Jeff Stanley (Offensive Line/ Defensive Line), Coach Mike McElrath (Running Backs), Coach Teddy Helms (Special Teams), Coach

SPOTLIGHT ON COACHES

COLLINSVILLE, Ala. — The Southern Torch Coach of the Week is Coach James "Ernie" Willingham, Head Coach of the Collinsville Panthers!

Willingham is a alumnus of both Collinsville and Jacksonville State University. He served as the Head Coach at Appalachian from 1984 to 1991. He coached basketball with Albertville from 1991 to 1993 before going back to Appalachian for five more years.

He returned to Collinsville in 1998 and coached for five years where the Panthers reached the playoffs for four of the five seasons he coached. In 2003, he returned to Appalachian before moving back to Collinsville in 2013.

Coach Willingham is entering eleventh season with the Panthers. He is married to Nina Willingham and the pair have three daughters: Kim, Kayla and Kendall.

Chuck Dutton (Linebackers), and John Morgan (Stats).

The Panthers begin their season at home against the Plainview Bears on August 23. Collinsville travels for the following two weeks to face Crossville and North Sand Mountain on August 31 and September 7, respectively. They play at home against the Fyffe Red Devils on September 14. The Panthers then face the Ider Hornets on September 21 and the Section Lions on October 5, both are away games. They face Asbury on October 12 at home. Their final away game is against Sand Rock on October 19. The Panthers’ penultimate game is against Cedar Bluff at home in October 26. Their final game is at home against Valley Head on November 1.

I look forward to seeing the Collinsville Panthers in action this fall and expect them to go deep into the playoffs!

FRIDAY – JULY 20, 2018

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

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FIGHT, PAGE 1

round with a choke hold.

In the 150-pound division, Alonzo Jose and Mark Young squared off in a explosive match. Young of Black Lion Studios, won by knockout in the first 20 seconds of the first round.

The 155-pound division featured Garrett Sharp and Corey Pergo. In a back-and-forth battle, Pergo was caught in a rear naked choke hold and was forced to tap out with only 15 remaining in the match.

The match that will be talked about for months was between Greg Hopkins and Trevor Peek. Peek, who hails from Ider, came in as the hometown favorite. The battle was an intense back-and-forth between two competitors who refused to give up. As fans were on the edge of the seat in the fourth round, Peek brought down Hopkins with a left hook that knocked Hopkins out. The hit will be a topic of discussion but Peek’s actions after the fight is what made him a true winner. He presented Reese Colburn with his first title belt. Peek then took the microphone and gave his testimony of God’s saving grace.

Promoter, McAlpin is in talks to bring back the AFC Championships fights back to our area in the near future.

You can count on Southern Torch to be there, every step of the way.

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FRIDAY – JULY 20, 2018

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

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