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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 / VOL. 5, NO. 35 / $1.00
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THIS WEEK IN SPORTS
THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS
THIS WEEK IN COMMUNITY
THIS WEEK IN POLITICS
• Bulldogs Win Battle of Skirum Creek • Collinsville Starts 100th Anniversary Early
• See Who's In Our Business Spotlight! •Launch Your Business with NASA Conference
• See What's Going on in our Upcoming Events! • ALABAMA Postpones Upcoming Tour
• Jones to Hold Rainsville Town Hall • Alabama Updates Seat Belt Law
GAS PRICES ON THE RISE FRIDAY NIGHT FEVER
New Tax goes into effect this Weekend By Marla Jones Managing Editor DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — Northeast Alabama drivers and motorists across the state will now pay more for gasoline beginning next week as a new tax takes effect. The Rebuild Alabama Act levies an additional phased 10-cent excise tax on gasoline and diesel fuel. The money will go to the state, as well as city and county governments, for bridge and road construction and maintenance. Part of the
funds would be set aside for improvements to the Mobile Bay shipping channel. A six cent increase will become effective September 1, raising the tax rate per gallon to 24 cents per gallon of gas and 25 cents per gallon for diesel. The second phase of the increase will be effective on October 1, 2020, with two cents more per gallon added for gas and diesel. An additional
> GAS TAX, P6 K YLE DUK E S O F FYFFE
Check out our 2019 Football Edition, enclosed in this week's paper!
Alabama Updates Seat Belt Law
Beginning on September 1, a new law will require all passengers inside a vehicle to wear a seatbelt, including those in the backseat. Previous laws only required those in the front seat and minors in the backseat to be buckled up. (File Photo)
By Zach Hester Reporter MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Starting next week, a new law will require everyone inside a vehicle in the State of Alabama to “click it or ticket.� Beginning on September 1, the law, which was passed during the Legislature’s last session, will require that all passengers inside a
> SEAT BELT, P3
Barnett Receives Excellent
By Marla Jones Managing Editor DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — The DeKalb County Board of Education held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 28. DeKalb County Superintendent Dr. Jason Barnett received his annual evaluation from the Board. He received excellent scores. The Board also recommended to give him a two percent raise. “I am grateful and honored by the positive results of the Board’s recent performance review and evaluation,� said Barnett. “There is much in the evaluation that reinforces the work we are doing and refreshes for the labor that lies ahead.� “I, and the Board, are very proud of the work and progress that we have been able to collectively make as a school system. It is an honor to serve as Superintendent of DeKalb County Schools and I am excited to see the work that lies ahead,� he
• Listen to 98-3 wild country for fort payne football and 101-7 the torch for scottsboro football! after the games, listen to the southern torch scoreboard roundup show with host marla jones!
Weddings...Optional
Marks from DeKalb BOE
(Submitted Photo)
concluded. During the meeting, Chief School Financial Officer Anthony Cooper presented the Board with a preliminary budget for the 2019-20 school year. Retirements/ Resignations • Kathleen Brown, Bus Driver at Crossville Schools (Retirement, 10/1/19) • Regina Jones, Itinerant Instructional Coach at Crossville Elementary School (Resignation, 8/1/19) • Camille Bailey, CNP Worker at Geraldine High School (Resignation, 7/30/19) On-The-Job-Inquiry • Lea Long, Elementary Teacher at Moon Lake Elementary School (0 days)
• Mary Lance, Principal at Moon Lake Elementary School (0 days) Leaves of Absence • Haley Harbour, Elementary Teacher at Crossville Elementary School (8/19/19-10/11/19) • Anna Hairston, Assistant Principal at Collinsville High School (Intermittent, 7/1/19-6/30/20) • Tracy Gilliland, Secondary English Teacher at Crossville High School (8/1/19-5/27/20) • Kimmy Hanners, CNP Worker at Geraldine High School (8/2/19-11/4/19) • Ashley Swain Phillips, Itinerant Special Education Paraprofessional at Fyffe Special Services Center (9/23/19-11/1/19) • Terry White, Bus Mechanic at Bus Garage (6/27/19-9/30/19) • Linda Thacker, CNP Worker at Crossville Elementary
> BOE, P2
FULL COVERAGE
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FILE PHOTO
By Marla Jones Managing Editor DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — Traditionally, to be legally married in the State of Alabama, you must be married by a judge or an ordained minister. However, thanks to a new law enacted by the Alabama Legislature, that all changes on Thursday, August 29. The new law now only requires an Alabama
Marriage Certificate to be filled out by both parties, notarized, and brought to the Probate Office to be recorded. Once the $74 fee is paid and the certificate delivered, the marriage becomes legal once filed at the Probate Office. An official license with a county’s Probate Office is no longer needed. A wedding ceremony
> MARRIAGE, P3
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