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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 / VOL. 4, NO. 5 / $1.00
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Marriage licensing to end?
Crossville High Rebounds A year ago, Crossville High School was designated a “failing school” by the Alabama Department of Education. This year, they’ve rebounded off the list. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch) there and I toured every Fourteen schools in that,” said Dr. Barnett. By Tyler Pruett classroom. What I saw was Birmingham were on the list; Board Vice Chairman Managing Editor some good stuff. I saw some not including those in the Randy Peppers, who tyler@southerntorch.com people who took offense to suburbs, such as the two in represents Crossville, said, that title, and knew that they Midfield City, two in Fairfield “Looking back about a year CROSSVILLE, Ala. — At City, and the additional two in were not a failing school. ago, when Crossville High Thursday night’s meeting of While there was more they the Jefferson County system. School was put on that failing the DeKalb County Board of could do, and they aren’t a Eleven more on the list are in list, one of the first things Dr. Education, Superintendent perfect school, they certainly Montgomery County, two in Barnett told me was, ‘I’m Dr. Jason Barnett recognized weren’t a failing school,” said Tuscaloosa County, nine in going to do everything I can. Crossville High School on Barnett. Mobile County, and many You have my word. We’ll put being removed from the list “Over the last year, it’s more scattered across the together a plan,’ and I’m going of “failing schools” in been a real fun time to work state. to say I appreciate that. He Alabama. with them, and they’ve “Last year, about this came through with that plan. The Alabama worked together and time, (Crossville High School) I believe he put a lot of time in Department of Education encouraged each other. The was named a, ‘failing school’ to that.” releases the list each January. students took offense to it. when the Alabama State “I think he put together a Seventy-five schools were on Because they realized it was Department of Education great team and a great plan, the list in 2018, and it the school they went to released their list of failing and got this turned around contains the lowest schools,” said Superintendent everyday,” said Barnett. really quickly. Sometimes it peforming six percent of “As of yesterday, they Dr. Jason Barnett. “And I got takes much more than a year schools in the state. released the list of 2018 the word the day…. maybe to get one turned around. To No schools in DeKalb failing schools, and they are two days before the list was see the team he put together, County or the immediate not on that list. I sent Mr. released, letting me know and especially the teachers at Northeast Alabama area Peppers and his faculty a that one of the schools in our Crossville High School, the (Cherokee, Jackson, Marshall, letter last night, commending administration, and the district was classified as a and Etowah Counties) were them on the hard work and failing school. Of course, that students worked really hard on the list. Anniston High the commitment that they hits you like a lead weight.” to get that turned around. School and three schools in made to their school, their “Immediately, I let the And I appreciate that,” Huntsville were on the list students, and their board know, and I talked to concluded Peppers. (Jemison High, Lee High, and community. It takes a lot of Mr. Uptain, who was the Ronald McNair 7-8). people working together to do then-principal. I went down
Alabama Senator Greg Albritton (R – Range), released a statement explaining his bill, SB 13, which seeks to eliminate most of the state’s role in marriages. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)
Contributed by Greg Albritton Alabama Senator
the vote of the senate and has currently cleared the House committee it was assigned. The bill must now pass the vote of the Alabama House of Representatives as House Bill 162, sponsored by Rep. Paul Beckman (R – Prattville). The issue could be voted on in the house this week. Once passed in the house, Governor Kay Ivey must approve the bill for it to be law. We’ll update as this issue progresses. Read the full statement from Albritton: “God established the institution of marriage for the benefit of mankind.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — EDITOR’S NOTE: Alabama Senator Greg Albritton (R – Range) wrote an explanation of his bill, SB13, which seeks to take the State of Alabama out of the marriage business. Albritton lists some of the intended things the bill will accomplish, and lists specific misconceptions that the bill will not do, including, “not eliminating marriage as an institution recognized by the State of Alabama or any other government entity.” Senate Bill 13 has passed >> See Marriage Licenses, P2
Spice seized during traffic stop
By Tyler Pruett Managing Editor
tyler@southerntorch.com
FRIDAY 2/2
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RAINSVILLE, Ala. — Sergeant Nick Knopps of the Rainsville Police conducted a traffic stop Wednesday (January 24) night near the intersection of Horton and Kirk Roads. The vehicle was driven by Brad Giffin of Fyffe. During the stop, it was discovered that Giffin had warrants in Jackson County and he gave Knopps consent to search the vehicle. Knopps discovered 10 grams of “spice” or “K2;” which are the street names for synthetic marijuana, which was banned in
Alabama in 2011. Spice is made by spraying organic material with chemicals to create a high when smoked, and is known to be dangerous. Kathryn Friedlander of Illinois was with Giffin during the stop. Through the course of interrogating Giffin, he admitted to having more spice at his residence in Fyffe. The Rainsville Police Department, in coordination with the DeKalb County Drug Task Force, searched the residence and found a further 2 ounces of Spice. Giffin and Friedlander were charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful
>> See RAINSVILLE PD, P2
The Rainsville Police Department seized 5 ounces of “spice,” or synthetic marijuana in separate incidents this week. The substance was banned in Alabama back in 2011 when it was discovered to be dangerous. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch) Visit our website at www.southerntorch.com for daily news updates and pick up your weekly print edition at news stands every Friday.