The Southern Torch, Vol. 3, Issue 16

> PAGE 12 THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017 / VOL. 3, NO. 16 / $1.00

Domestic Dispute leads to Death

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS

The Devils burn the Bulldogs The Fyffe Red Devils defeated the Geraldine Bulldogs, 16-2 on Friday.

THIS WEEK IN POLITICS Rainsville Council hires new police officer & WWTP Operator

The council made new hires for the city.

DeKalb County Deputies, Alabama State Troopers, and DeKalb County Investigators responded to a domestic violence call on County Road 282 last Friday, finding a man deceased. (DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office)

By Staff Reports FORT PAYNE, Ala. — On Friday, April 14, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s

Office received a call from 911 stating that a female had contacted emergency dispatch about a domestic

Fort Payne asks for help with new flag

LIKE

violence situation on County Road 232, on Lookout Mountain.

DeKalb County Deputies, Alabama State Troopers, and DeKalb County Investigators responded to the call. When Deputies, Troopers, and Investigators arrived at the residence they observed a male subject facedown and unresponsive in the roadway behind the residence, at which time the DeKalb County Ambulance Service was called to the

Continued P2

WATCH

TWEET

Machete Killer Convicted

By Staff Reports FORT PAYNE, Ala. — A Fort Payne man has been found guilty of murder today. David Paul Edward Wooten, 45 of Fort Payne, stood accused of slaying 45-year-old Bennie Wayne Clark in 2014, reportedly with a machete.

Wooten was convicted of the killing, which took place at Hardaman Trailer Park on South Gault Avenue back in November 2014.

Today, after almost three years, the jury returned a guilty verdict of aggravated murder after deliberating for several hours.

Sentencing is set for June 27th.

The Defense for Mr. Wooten argued

2014 mugshot of David Paul Edward Wooten, who was found guilty for murdering Bennie Wayne Clark (Fort Payne Police Department).

self-defense in the matter, and the jury took several hours to decide whether to convict Wooten of murder, or the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Fort Payne Police Chief Randy Bynum recalled the murder back in 2014, "Our investigators did a heck of a job, and our patrolman got there quickly to secure the scene."

"It was one of the more heinous crimes we've seen. Justice was served by a jury of his peers," said Bynum.

Unraveling Montgomery's Mess

The City of Fort Payne has announced a contest to design a city flag! The first place design will be awarded $500 and the second will win $250.

By Tyler Pruett,

Managing Editor tyler@southerntorch.com FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The City of Fort Payne recently announced that they are seeking a design for a new flag, and they need your help! After partnering with Fort Payne Main Street, the city announced a cash award for the first and second place winners. The top 10 overall flag designs will also receive a Certificate of Appreciation from Mayor Larry Chesser.

The entry forms asks contestants: “What are the best features of Fort Payne? What are the things that make Fort Payne a remarkable small town? As you think about the past, present, and future, what colors, symbols, and designs can you come up with to capture the spirit of Fort Payne?”

In the last meeting of the Fort Payne City Council, Mayor Larry Chesser explained what motivated himself and the city to seek out it’s own flag design: “Most of the larger cities in Alabama have a flag, and they are always displayed when the league of municipalities have their annual convention, they always have a hall of flags, and we always get a request to send one, and we never have one to send,” said Mayor Larry Chesser.

“The Spirit of Fort Payne, Design a City Flag Contest,” winners will be announced on Friday, June 30th at 7 pm at the Independence Day Celebration at the Fort Payne Sports Complex.

The deadline to submit all entries is Thursday, June 15th. Designs must be done on the official contest form, and can be dropped off at Fort Payne City Hall or mailed to: 100 Alabama Ave NW, Fort Payne, AL 35967. Contest forms may be picked up at City Hall, the banks around town, the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce, Fort Payne City Schools, and The Spot.

Over this week, Governor Kay Ivey set a new date for the special election to fill Sessions' Senate seat. There's more to it than meets the eye.

(Office of Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey)

By Tyler Pruett

Managing Editor tyler@southerntorch.com

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — It’s been a wild couple of weeks in Montgomery, to say the least. While many may feel lost in the quagmire of constantly changing narratives and differing perspectives, I’ll attempt this week to simply explain the significance of it all.

In the most recent news at the time of print, newly sworn-in Governor Kay Ivey has announced that a special election will be held this year for the seat vacated by U.S. Attorney General Jeff

Sessions. This being a change from the initial date set Currently, the seat is occupied by Luther Strange, who was Alabama’s Attorney General when appointed to the coveted senate seat, which is arguably more powerful than the Governor himself.

Before Donald Trump won the election and announced that Jeff Sessions would be vacating the seat, Strange was front-andcenter with the investigation into then-Governor Robert Bentley’s alleged use of state resources to cover up his affair with a staffer.

Strange even sent a memo to state lawmakers, asking them to cease pursuing an impeachment investigation because his office was currently investigating Bentley, but that all changed when Donald Trump won the presidential election.

After it was announced that Jeff Sessions would be vacating the senate seat to become the next U.S. Attorney General, Strange’s statements on the Bentley investigation changed from referencing an ongoing investigation to basically saying, what investigation?

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–April 21, 2017

Durham Reappointed to Fort Montgomery's Mess, page 1 Strange also request was granted, office, the governor Payne Board of Education announced he would must, "forthwith and Strange then

By Tyler Pruett,

Managing Editor tyler@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Fort Payne City Council moved to reappoint long-time board member Jimmy Durham to the Fort Payne City Schools Board of Education.

Applications were accepted through Friday, April 7th until 4 pm. Mark Dorries, Joe Griggs, and Sharon Jones also applied for the spot.

Councilman Gerald Taylor made the motion to reappoint Durham: “It looks like we have four good, qualified people that applied to be appointed to this board. I know Jimmy has been on there three terms already, but under the circumstances, and undertaking the purchase of property and building a new facility, I make a motion to reappoint Jimmy,” said Taylor.

The project Taylor discussed, is the new facility that the board is planning on building at the corner of 49th Street and Valley Head Road, in front of the old bakery building. The school district purchased the 55 acres and is currently in the process of developing the property.

Councilwoman Lynn Brewer seconded the motion, and the appointment was approved.

“It was an honor for me to be appointed again,” said Durham after the appointment.

“There is a lot of good people out there, and we feel like we have a lot of good things going with the school system, and there is a couple of things that I would like to finish up in this term. This will definitely be my last term.”

Durham also pointed out the growth of the district, and the importance of seeing those programs continued: “Seeing the school system grow and

Jimmy Durham has served the Fort Payne Board of Education for three terms. (Fort Payne Board of Education)

change over the past several years, seeing

Public Examiners to adopt new policies in

the new career programs, we’ve got kids competing on a national level on different areas of education, and all the programs Mr. Cunningham has started have just been tremendous, and I want to see these programs continued,” said Durham.

In other items, the council also moved to establish a 4-way stop

regard to personnel.

The council approved the policies recommended.

•Authorized the opening of bids for engine repair to the landfill “pan” scraper.

•Authorized opening bids for road paving materials (plant mix and binder). Councilman Wade Hill pointed out that the city will be starting to repave the

at the intersection of Alabama Avenue and 4th Street South. The council had requested at the previous meeting for an ordinance to be put together. After a

north end of the city once the sewer repairs are complete.

•Approved a two year contract with Tony Keef for the cutting of hay on city property, located just

motion to suspend the rules to adopt the ordinance, the council approved the ordinance.

Ordinance 2017-05 was also approved, which amended

north of JET Polymer (old bakery building).

Mayor’s Report: • The competition for a new a city flag design is in full swing.

Contest forms may be picked up at City Hall,

Ordinance 2015-04, changing the date of the “Back-To-School” Sales Tax Holiday from

the banks around town, the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce, and Fort

the first weekend in

Payne City Schools.

August, to the third week in July. The council moved to suspend to the rules to

•Chesser pointed out that the recent “Gas Tax” Bill being considered in

go ahead and adopt

Montgomery had died,

the ordinance.

Other items addressed at the meeting:

but it’s rumored that the bill could reemerge. The mayor pointed out that if the

•It was also decided to appropriate

bill is not revived, the city may need to

$1000.00 to the Wills Valley Elementary School for the purchase of a new

consider increasing it’s fuel tax to fund the repair of city streets.

•The council and

sound system.

mayor also decided for

•Moved to Declare certain Recreation Department equipment surplus.

a council-member to start appearing on WOLW’s morning show once per month.

•As discussed in the last meeting, the city had been asked by the Department of

The next meeting of the Fort Payne City Council will be held May 2 at 12:00 pm at Fort Payne City Hall.

run for the vacant seat during the special election, and also announced that he would be talking to Bentley about the appointment to fill the vacancy, but not about any wrongdoing by the former governor. After interviewing 11 potential appointees, Bentley selected Strange, the only one of the potential candidates that had been investigating the governor’s scandals.

After the seat was vacated, Bentley announced a special election date for the seat, which would coincide with the 2018 Elections, in an effort to, “comply with federal and state statutes and cases, save unnecessary expense on a costly separate statewide special election, and setting a time that is expected to increase voter participation.”

While a statewide special election can be very costly and generally exhibit low-turnout, according to Ivey’s

order an election,” if the vacancy occurs more than four months before the next general election, which is in 2018. This seat became vacant over a year before the next general election. So no, the law wasn’t followed, as Bentley claimed.

To sum it all up, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office (Luther Strange) was investigating Robert Bentley (or at least claimed to be), and requested members of the House of Representatives cease their investigation, so not to interfere. The

claimed there wasn’t an investigation, conveniently when the governor had a U.S. Senate to give away.

While the whole thing looks suspicious, to say the least, Strange will have the chance to retain his seat, but only after he faces those who he does not have the power of investigation over: the Alabama voters.

While Montgomery has a long way to go in unraveling this mess, our new governor has taken a step in the right direction towards making things right.

Lookout Mountain, page 1

scene. The male subject was identified as Alberto

treated as a homicide, but investigators are

Sheriff Jimmy Harris.

"She called in

Pablo Felipe, 36 of Fort Payne.

A short time after the Ambulance service arrived, Coroner Tom Wilson arrived on the scene and pronounced Felipe dead. District

determining whether or not the incident was a case of self defense.

“There’s no doubt about who did it, it’s just determining if it’s a case of self defense or not,” said

and reported the victim was attacking her, and when deputies arrived at the scene, they found him deceased."

Attorney Mike O’Dell was then notified and an autopsy was ordered to be conducted. Felipe’s body was transported by DeKalb County Coroner’s office to Department of Forensic Science in Huntsville for an autopsy.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the death is being

DeKalb County

Legal Secretary Needed - Part-time hours (15-20 hours per week) - Legal experience preferred - Fax Resumes to: (256) 638-1198

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Friday–April 21, 2017

3

COMMUNITY

Four Channels We will feature a weekly series of walks in the past with special contributor, Bill Potter. We wait in anticipation for what memory he will recall next week!

By Bill Potter ST Contributor In today’s era of TV on demand and constant entertainment on our smartphones, laptops and TV sets, it seems unbelievable that it was not that long ago that three or four channels were all we had for our entertainment in our homes.

When I was a kid, cable was just a distant dream in Antioch, Alabama, with the nearest cable line being about five miles up the road from our house.

As a kid, I got all my TV entertainment from Channel 19, Channel 25, Channel 31 and Channel 48 out of Huntsville and pretty much anything worth watching came on one of these channels.

25 kept me “Edutained” with Sesame Street, The Electric Company, and Mister Rogers, while 31 is where all the cool shows like Happy Days and Lavern and Shirley made me sit like a

zombie on Tuesday nights, and where my Grandma would drop all her chores at 2 o’clock everyday to zone out with the latest goings on in Port Charles via General Hospital (who didn’t know Luke and Laura?).

Captain Kangaroo and his buddy Green Jeans woke me up in the mornings over on channel 19, which also is where I spent every Friday night keeping up with the good folks of Hazzard County and wondering what trouble David Banner and his alter ego, The Hulk, would get into before I had to turn the tube over to my grandparents so they could sympathize with Jock Ewing and his family. Channel 19 also held the distinction of being every kid’s destination as soon as they got off the school bus, since Gilligan’s Island came on every single afternoon at 3:30—which was perfect timing for the target demographic,

and I believe it aired in this same time slot for at least ten years. We would watch the entire series all the way through, then when it started over we would relive and re-laugh the whole thing once again.

While it may sound archaic to a modern kid, it wasn’t all that bad. With four channels, there was a one-in-four chance that whoever you were talking to about what was on TV last night watched the same thing you did—The Six Million Dollar Man, Welcome Back Kotter, M*A*S*H. Television viewing was also a much more shared experience at home too. We, like most families at that time, only had one TV. So if you wanted to watch anything at all, you watched whatever your parents wanted to watch because they decided which of the channels would be on your one TV that night.

The biggest change to local TV viewing in

Upcoming EvEnts

April 22: Annual Meeting: Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative At the DeKalb County Schools Coliseum in Rainsville. Two day registration: Friday from 10 am to 5 pm; Saturday from 8 to 10 am. The business meeting will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Live entertainment on Saturday morning. Registered members will vote for trustees, and have a chance to win door prizes. Two grand prizes: a year's worth of credits on your electric bill.

April 20-23 & 26-30:

NACC Theatre Presents...

Shrek The Musical At the Tom Bevill Lyceum on the campus of Northeast Alabama Community College. Thursday-Saturday evening performances will begin at 7:00 pm, and Sunday matinees will begin at 2:00 p.m. All seats are reserved, and tickets are $5.00 each. Tickets go on sale to patrons on March 9 and the general public on March 23. Phone the theatre department at 256-638-4418 or 256-228-6001 x 2218.

April 26: Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon 12 pm at the Tom Bevill Enrichment Center in

Rainsville. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. $20 per person; tickets must be purchased in advance from the chamber office.

Seating may be limited to the first 140 people. It's a great opportunity for bosses to treat their administrative staff to a special event on Admin Pro Day. Enjoy a catered lunch, door prize drawings and entertainment by comedian Michelle Thomas.

Purchase tickets online and get more details at http://www.rainsville. info/2017-luncheon. html.

my pre-cable days was when WZDX 54 went on the air in 1984. It was almost like a whole new WORLD had opened up.

WZDX was North Alabama’s first independent station, and as such it showed many old B movies and series you couldn’t find on any of the network affiliates. My most clear memory of the early WZDX days is when they advertised for weeks that they were going to air “Porky’s” without commercials and uncut, which of course meant with all the nudity and language intact. A 14 year old me thought this was a GRAND idea, but several area churches and parents put the pressure on, and this idea was deep sixed and it never aired.

I find there is not nearly as much to watch on TV nowadays, even with more than 100 channels. Sure, some shows command what passes for a sizable audience, but even if I were to watch one of those, there is a much smaller chance that whoever I might be talking to watched the same thing on TV last night that I did.

Nowadays, I watch a lot of YouTube on my TV and a lot of on demand streaming shows, as well as, quite a bit of MeTV network and Antenna TV, where I can still find those old classic seventies series that I grew up with.

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4

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Friday–April 21, 2017

BUSINESS THE FISHERMEN SOUTHERN GOSPEL QUARTET For bookings call: Glenn Smith (256) 572-6146 Check us out on Facebook

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Friday–April 21, 2017

5

NACC IN THE NEWS! NACC Concert Band to Present Spring Concert

By Staff Reports

The Northeast Alabama Community College Concert Band will present a Spring Concert on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 6:00 pm in the Music Auditorium of the Beck Health and Fine Arts Building.

“Please come out and join us for an amazing night of music as we celebrate the greatest film composer of all time,” said Concert Band Director, Stacy Morris. “We will be performing the music of John Williams from such movies as Star Wars, Harry Potter, Superman, E.T., Jaws, and much more!”

The concert is open to the public and admission is free.

For more information about

the Concert Band, call Morris at 256-638-4418 or 256-228-6001, ext.

2307. For additional college information,

go to www.nacc.edu or download the college’s free App at the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

FORT PAYNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Contributed by Carol Beddingfield, Executive Director

Awards Day to be held at Northeast Alabama Community College

By Staff Reports Awards Day at Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) will be on Monday, May 8, 2017, at 10 AM in the Tom Bevill Lyceum on campus. Students will receive scholarships from four-year universities/colleges, and certificates and awards for notable service in campus clubs and activities.

A reception will follow in the lobby of

the Lyceum. The

academic and

public is cordially

leadership abilities

invited to attend this

during their time on

awards ceremony and

campus. We hope

reception to help

their family and

honor NACC students

friends will come and

for their accomplish-

be a part of this

ments throughout

special occasion.”

the year.

“This is a day we

For more information, call

all look forward to

Okwu at 256-638-4418

each spring,” said

or 256-228-6001, ext.

Andrea Okwu,

2258, or email her at

Coordinator of High

okwua@nacc.edu.

School Relations/

For additional college

Recruiting. “It’s a

information, go to

special time for us to

www.nacc.edu.

thank and honor

Download our free

students that have

App at the App Store

shown outstanding

or Google Play Store.

RAINSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Contributed by Tim Eberhart, Executive Director

Our loft apartments are taking shape!

Next week is Administrative Professionals Week!

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The loft apartments above the Chamber office are really beginning to take shape. Construction continues to meet all building and fire codes.

I know the Stallworth family from whom the building was purchased would be very proud to see this accomplishment for future use.

I want to express my appreciation for the guidance of the Fort Payne Inspections Department as well as the Fort Payne Fire Department. After all, it is the goal of the Chamber Board of Directors and staff to make the apartments as safe as possible not only for the tenants but also the public who participate in the office space below.

A sprinkler system was added to all upstairs and downstairs space.

The journey to this point has been very exciting and definitely a learning experience. Little River Enterprise construction company has been most cooperative during this construction phase.

Greg Peavy, PV Design, created the architectural plans for the space. His knowledge was also very helpful in meeting the building codes.

The goal of the Chamber was to create living space that would be appealing to all age groups within a special segment of our population who desire loft living.

When completed the apartments will have a very classic, high end appeal with wood floors, granite counter tops, and stainless appliances.

The one-bedroom apartment has approximately 900 square feet and the two-bedroom has around 1600 square feet.

The deep-set windows will come with draperies. Washer and dryer hook-ups are available as well.

The apartments have not yet been named. If you have a suggestion, please submit it to the Chamber at 300 Gault Avenue, North, or email at info@fortpaynechamber.com.

If you think you would be interested in renting either apartment, please call the Chamber to add your name to the list. The target completion date is June 1, 2017. The rental fees will be determined closer to the completion date.

The apartments will fulfill the promise of the Chamber to help revitalize downtown. It is a proven fact that the greatest revitalization tool is residential living.

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — Next week is Administrative Professionals Week across our continent. Millions of Americans work in administrative careers in a variety of office settings including education, government, healthcare and other businesses large and small.

Admin pros keep things running. They find solutions. Business gets done the right way every day because of their work ethic, skills and loyalty.

No office would be very productive without the right people handling the administrative responsibilities.

If you’re a supervisor, department head, executive or other boss, don’t forget to make some effort to recognize and show appreciation to the professionals who make your offices function successfully.

Since the late ‘90s we have hosted a special event to help celebrate the value of the admin professionals of this area. Our annual Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon is Wednesday, April 26 at the TBEC in Rainsville.

Since it’s now less than a week away, please consider this the last call for getting in on it. Tickets sales are winding down. The head count must be finalized.

It’s only $20 per person, but it’s likely that it will be sold out before the weekend, so act fast. Those who attend should expect fun and a little “edge-of-your-seat” suspense. There will be a catered lunch by Nancy’s Lunchbox, entertainment by comedian Michelle Thomas, and nice door prizes including four $250 cash prizes to be given away by random drawing.

For those with tickets only, the doors will open by 11:30 a.m. The TBEC auditorium will be decorated in a festive manner. The comedian will provide a lot of laughs. Thomas has delighted audiences across the nation with her charm, her spirited and lively standup routines and other inspiring presentations.

In other business, we have another new member to report this week. Tri-State Pools has opened a new location to help serve our area better. It’s at 270 McCurdy Avenue (Alabama Highway 75) North in Rainsville. That’s next door to Nana Poppins in the building between Farmers Telecommunications and Foodland. Phone them at 256-638-6679.

The growing company based in Scottsboro offers complete pool service. That includes construction, remodeling, maintenance, replacement liners and other parts, and chemicals and other supplies.

Think in-ground and above-ground pools, and hot tubs, too. They can certainly help make your summer backyard dreams come true.

6

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Friday–April 21, 2017

FAITH

A Brother is born for Adversity

By Zach Hester Art Director

zach@southerntorch.com

This article was preivously published in another issue of The Southern Torch.

In life, we encounter very few relationships that are more important than those we share with our closest friends. It’s the little things like staying up late just to talk, or taking a spontaneous hiking trip, or even watching Netflix and not speaking for hours on end. This week I had the opportunity to poll my little circle of friends on what they believe leads them to people when making friends. I got answers like “Loyalty.

Honesty. A good influence. Someone I can confide in. Someone who allows me to be myself”, etc, but then I got to thinking: what does the Bible say about the kind of friends we’re supposed to make as Christians?

What should we be

looking for when forming focused, close relationships with people outside of our family unit?

The most famous example of friendship in the Bible is definitely David and Jonathan, but we mostly focus on the life of the future king of Israel.

Their relationship should be the perfect model of a covenant friendship betweens brothers or sisters in Christ because they had three pillars that their friendship was based on: loyalty, the ability to confide, and accountability.

When I asked one of my friends what they look for when seeking out new allies, he simply said, “loyalty”. I believe that the Bible supports a strong sense of loyalty between friends and that is definitely displayed in the example of David and Jonathan. While Jonathan’s father, King Saul sought to seek out and destroy his friend, Jonathan allowed David to hide from his father to save his life, and even provided him with a signal. In 1 Samuel 20: 19-23, Jonathan gave David the plan for a possible escape based on how many arrows his servant shot into their field where David was hiding. He was able to rebuke his father in this great act of loyalty

because of his loyalty to God. In Proverbs 18:24, the author says “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” I believe that the Lord wants us to be lead to people who will hold their characteristic of loyalty in very high regard, but first both people must have loyalty to God. Another answer I received from a friend was “honesty”. Friends should be able to confide in each other. There’s a pretty big consensus among my friend group that I have a loud mouth. This vice that I hold onto is something that I am working everyday to correct, because just like David confided in Jonathan, I should allow my brothers and sisters in Christ to vent and be faithful enough to the people whom I love the most to keep their iniquities to myself. “A friend loves at all times, and brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17) is a good example of God showing us that friends are there for the hard times. My truest friendships not only allow me to process the pain in my life alongside them, they also keep the issues I discuss to themselves, and I can definitely do a better job

in this aspect of my life.

It’s very hard to trust someone with our closest held fears and dreams, but this element of a godly friendship is one of the most important. We must listen without fear or judgment and hold on to the information given to us by our friend in modest confidence.

Friends should also be very accountable to each other. True friends in Christ push you to explore the vast canyons of your walk with God and they catch you when you begin to stumble off a ledge. In my experiences, the closest friends are those that push me to better myself and challenge me when I fall out of line. A friend that loves unconditionally will be close enough to let go of bitterness, bite the bullet, and help you transform into the person that God has planned for you to become. If I looked around my group of friends, I would be hard pressed to find someone that I don’t feel comfortable being upfront with. It’s tough to take criticism, but when it’s from a friend and it’s coming from a place of love, we should be willing to listen. For this example, we jump forward in time to when David was king,

during a time when he was without his friend, Jonathan. The Lord sent the prophet Nathan to hold the sinful leader accountable for his actions. After speaking with Nathan, David knew that he must turn to God once again and seek His grace to change his life. I believe God uses the people he has placed into your life as instruments to provide you with comfort and advice that push you to achieve your goals that will ultimately, glorify Him. In conclusion, we

should let God lead us to our friends, and not seek out those based on their social status or what they can offer you. As I close this piece, I hope you look into more examples that David and Jonathan provide of a friendship that not only reflects the three pillars we discussed, but also the love of God. When you find a person that God has drawn you to and you see the Spirit inside this friend: get close, hold onto them tightly, and grow together.

Have a great week!

Southern Torch Song of the Week!

Salt & Light | Lauren Daigle

Salt & Light Lauren Daigle

DEATH NOTICES W.T Wilson Funeral Chapel Payton Hixon Greenwood - 68 of Ft. Payne passed away Sunday April 16, 2017.

Graveside services are set for 12pm Wednesday April 19, 2017 at the Glenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:30am until 11:30am Wednesday April 19, 2017 at the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Officiating will be Bro. Kevin McCreless.

Betty Sue Eckhardt - 83 of Henagar passed away Sunday, April 16, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Friday, April 21, 2017 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with burial to follow in Concord Cemetery. The Family will receive Friends from 11am until 8pm on Thursday, April 20, 2017 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Leta Mae O’Connor Miller - 90 of Fort Payne passed away Sunday, April 16, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral

Chapel with burial to follow in Miller’s Chapel cemetery. The Family will receive Friends from 4-8pm on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.

D.T. Richey - 86 of Geraldine passed away Sunday April 16, 2017.

Funeral services are set for 1pm Wednesday April 19, 2017 from the Salem Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Geraldine Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5pm until 8pm Tuesday April 18, 2017 & 9am until 12pm Wednesday April 19, 2017 at the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Officiating will be Bro. Lynn Childress & Bro. Karl Abernathy.

Dorothy Faye Atchley - 74 of Grant, AL passed away Saturday, April 15, 2017.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 from the Hebron Holiness Church with burial to follow in Walker’s Cemetery. Bro. James Burgess & Bro. Dean Smitherman will be officiating. The Family will receive Friends from 5-8pm on Monday, April 17, 2017 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Mrs. Atchley’s Body will Lie in State from 10am

until the time of service on Tuesday at the Hebron Holiness Church.

Corner Stone Funeral Chapel Garry Lee

Thornhill - 66 of Pisgah, died Saturday, April 15.

Funeral services are Thursday at 11 am at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Bro. Jerry Beavers officiating.

Burial will follow in Macklin Cemetery, Family will receive friends from 3 to 8 pm Wednesday and 9 am until service time on Thursday.

Raymond Clyde "Cooter" Chisenall - 73 of Flat Rock died Sunday, April 16 at his residence.

Funeral services are Tuesday at 11 am at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Bro. Glen York officiating. Burial will follow in Coffee Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 3 to 8 pm Monday and 9 am until service time on Tuesday.

Rainsville

Funeral Home

arrangements.

Graveside services will be held Sat. April 15 at

Howard Bouldin - 79 of Rainsville, AL passed away on Friday, April 14, 2017 at Gadsden Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, April 16, 2017 at 2pm from Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. JT Williams, Bro. Milford Williams & Bro. Jerry Williams officiating.

Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery with Rainsville Funeral Home, Inc. directing, www. rainsvillefuneralhome. com.

Andrew Jason “Drew” Horton - 30 of Fort Payne, passed away Thursday, April 13, 2017.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Sunday at Wilson Funeral Home with Dr. Pat McFadden officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 4 until 8 p.m.

3:30 at DeKalb Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Sat. from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Geraldine Funeral Home.

Wilson Funeral Home Alberto Pablo Felipe - 35 of Fort Payne, passed away Friday, April 14, 2017. Funeral services will be 11 am Wednesday, April 19th at Wilson Funeral Home with burial following in Glenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 4pm to 7pm. Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of

Geraldine Funeral Home Jimmy H. Machen - 78 of Langston, AL. died Thursday April 13 at Shepherd's Cove.

Martha N. Waldrop - 84 of Crossville, AL passed away at her residence. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at 4pm from Geraldine Funeral Home Chapel with Don Brock, Anzella Abernathy & Steve Spears officiating. Burial will follow in Kilpatrick Cemetery with Geraldine Funeral Home directing, www.geraldinefuneralhome.com.

NOW BOOKING FOR 2017

THE FISHERMEN SOUTHERN GOSPEL QUARTET

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Friday–April 21, 2017

POLITICS Rainsville hires new police Sand Mountain officer & WWTP Operator Electric Cooperative 77th Annual Meeting Saturday, April 22, 2017

DeKalb County Schools Coliseum

REGISTRATION (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)

By Tyler Pruett,

Managing Editor tyler@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — At Monday night's meeting of the Rainsville City Council, among other items, the council made new hires for the city, and accepted the retirement of a member of the Rainsville Police Department.

The Rainsville Police Department announced the retirement of Charles Coffen, who had been with the department for several years, and had previously served as a Sheriff's Deputy with the Marshall

County Sheriff's Office for many years. To replace Coffen, the department hired Chris Phillips, from the Fort Payne Police Department.

As previously discussed and posted, the council hired Brad Willingham to serve as a Grade 4 Operator at the Waste Water Treatment Plant, who will start the job on May 3.

Other items addressed: •Hired Kim Erwin to assist with a grant to help repave Ranch Road.

•Changed the "Back to School" Tax Holiday from to

August to the third weekend in July.

•Purchased a used truck for the WWTP for the price of $16975.00.

•Purchased two new computes for City Hall for a total of $1789.00.

•Surpluses two city vehicles.

•Purchased a second used truck for the Street Department.

The next meeting of the Rainsville City Council will be held on May 1, 2017 at 5 P.M. with the workshop beginning at 4:15 P.M. at the Rainsville City Annex.

Young Republicans of Northeast Alabama Elect New Leadership

By Staff Reports

As one electoral season closes, another is opening in DeKalb County.

The Young Republicans of Northeast Alabama hosted their first meeting of 2017 and are welcoming aboard a new executive committee.

Tyler Wilks, Revenue Commissioner and former YRNEA Chairman, welcomed the new officers on April 10th as follows: Cole Wagner, Chairman; Logan Ingle, ViceChairman; Quincy Akins, Treasurer; Jade Wagner, Secretary; Dylan Smith, State Committeeman; Jesslan Sharp, State Committeewoman.

Chairman Cole Wagner says, “We are excited to start off 2017 with a strong committee that shares a conservative vision for Northeast Alabama. We are establishing big goals in

preparation for the 2018 election season.”

During the meeting Wagner introduced himself and the newly established officers, while each shared their political testimony.

“I think we have a real opportunity to modernize campaigns in the area with data and insights from the GOP that would normally come with a high price tag through out-of-town consulting groups,” said ViceChairman Logan Ingle.

Wagner revealed to attending members goals the YRNEA has established in the lead-up to 2018; to become more involved through community service projects, voter registration, volunteer initiatives, and candidate support.

State Representative Will Ainsworth of Guntersville attended the

meeting to provide members with updates on the status of House bills being discussed in Montgomery. Ainsworth encouraged YRNEA members to stay active and in touch with area Republicans serving both locally and in Montgomery.

The YRNEA will host their next meeting on May 8th at 6:30 PM at Carlisle’s Restaurant in Scottsboro.

Anyone is welcome to attend. If you are interested in joining the YRNEA, please contact Cole Wagner at (256) 601-1494 or connect through Facebook, @ YoungRepublicansNEA.

Friday - April 21 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday - April 22 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Registered members on both days will receive a copy of the co-op annual report, a ballot to vote for directors, and a prize ticket. A free 10-qt. galvanized bucket will be given to registering members while supplies last.

• Business Meeting Saturday, April 22 at 10 a.m.

• Six cash prize drawings will be held following the business meeting Saturday morning.

Members registering Friday and Saturday are eligible to win.

• Golf Carts will be available on Saturday for those needing assistance to the coliseum entrance.

• Two Grand Prize drawings for FREE ELECTRICITY will be held immediately following the business meeting on Saturday.

Please read below for details of that drawing.

FREE ELECTRICITY FOR ONE YEAR! Two GRAND PRIZE drawings will be held immediately following the business meeting on Saturday.These two winners will receive $200 credit per month on their electric bill for one year.The first ticket drawn does not have to be present to win.The second ticket drawn for the same prize, the member must be present to win.

7

8

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Friday–April 21, 2017

The Devils Burn the Bulldogs

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

GERALDINE, Ala.—The Fyffe Red Devils defeated the Geraldine Bulldogs, 16-2 on Friday.

The Red Devils grabbed an early lead, scoring on a double by Seth Benefield, a single by Jase Jones, a walk by Carter Hilley, and a groundout, all in the first inning.

The Red Devils had 17 hits in the game.

Benefield, Brant Rowell, Jones, Hilley, Seth Benefield collected four hits in four at bats. He doubled in the first, singled in the second, third and fourth innings. Marla Jones | Southern Torch

Lady Bears Scalp the Chiefs

and Justin Stiefel each collected multiple hits, score 5-2. Thompson hit an RBI to bring in Smart’s courtesy runner, Ali Clark. At Tobi Trotter’s bat, she

Jones and Benefield

playing on Friday

each drove in three

night in the first round

runs to lead at the

of baseball playoffs.

plate for the Red

Geraldine (14-12),

Devils.

clinched the Area Title

On the mound,

with a win over the

Brant Rowell earned

New Hope Indians.

the win for Fyffe. He

They will be hosting

pitched three and a

the first round of

third innings, giving

playoffs against

up two runs, one hit,

Pleasant Valley (7-17)

striking out three, and

beginning at 5 p.m and

walking one. William

7:30 The Fyffe Red

Jacobs took the loss for

Devils (13-4) will travel

the Geraldine

to take on Westbrook

Bulldogs. He pitched

Christian (15-12). The

for two and a third

game will begin at 5

innings, allowing nine

p.m. and at 7 p.m.

runs, 12 hits, striking

Both teams will play

out one, and walking

on Saturday if

one.

needed,at 1 p.m., to

Both teams will be

break a tie.

Hornets Sting the Rams

brought in Lacee Kirk and herself, making the score 8-2. The Lady Bears scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth with a double from Smart and error

by North Jackson and the game was called at 10-2.

From the mound, Kenzie Traylor pitched six innings. She struck out five batters and gave up only two unearned runs. She was also 2-for-3 with a

Marla Jones | Southern Torch

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

infield error and was

base. Katherine

able to put the first

Thompson had a solo

point on the board.

homerun, to tie the

In the second RAINSVILLE,

inning, The Lady

game.

During the fifth

Ala.—Despite the

Chiefs scored another

inning, the Lady Bears

early North Jackson

unearned run, to take

went on a scoring

lead, the Plainview

the 2-0 lead. In the

frenzy. Kenzie Traylor

Lady Bears defeated

bottom of the third,

brought in Ava Jacobs

the Chiefs, 10-2 on

Plainview’s Kenzie

to take the lead. Bailey

Monday.

Traylor hit an

Smart brought in

RBI-single to center

Annabelle Brown and

single, the Lady Chiefs

field to bring in Jacey

Kenzie Traylor, on a

capitalized on an

Crowell from second

double, to make the

After a leadoff

walk and two singles.

She led the Lady Bears

On Senior Day, The Ider Hornets defeated the

with three RBIs.

Asbury Rams 12-2 in Area Play. Ider Senior,

Katherine Thompson

Braxton Lassetter struck out twelve Asbury

went 2-for-4 at the

players, in four innings pitched, Jacob Smith and

plate with a home run,

Riley Baker finished out the fifth inning pitching

a single, scoring two

before the game was called on a mercy run rule.

runs and batting two players in.

The Lady Bears will face the Fyffe Lady Red Devils at home, Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Friday–April 21, 2017

9

Baseball Playoff Pairings First Round Series Class 2A - Area 15 RU: Fyffe (13-4) at Area 12 winner: Westbrook Christian (15-12) Fri., 5 and 7pm (Sat., 1pm, if needed) Class 3A - Area 14 RU: Plainview (18-6) at Area 9 winner: Ohatchee (14-12), Fri., 4:30 and 7pm (Sat., 1pm if needed) Area 10 RU: Pleasant Valley (7-17) at Area 13 winner: Geraldine (14-12), Fri., 5 and 7:30pm (Sat., 1 pm if needed)

Valley Head On Par! Trouper visits NACC!

Congratulations to the Valley Head golf team for their wins over Fyffe, Pisgah, and Sylvania! | Submitted Photo

Pictured above with Trouper: Owner Amber Mathewson, her son, Tristan Mathewson and her father, Maurice Weaver. They live in Henagar. Trouper is the official mascot of Northeast Alabama Community College.

First State Bank holds 5K 6th Annual

NOW WITH CHIP TIMING!

5K Run/Walk

d

Fun Run

Participants are encouraged to Walk or Run in Memory or in Honor of a Loved one!

Saturday, April 29, 2017 7:30 a.m.

DeKalb Lake, Sylvania Alabama 720 Co. Rd. 194 Sylvania, AL. 35988

By Staff Reports

Name________________________________________________________ Proceeds go to the FSB Relay for Life team.

Participants are encouraged to walk or run Birth date: __________Age: ____Sex: _______Phone:________________

The 6th annual First State Bank 5K Run/ in memory or in honor of a loved one!

Address______________________________________________________ Walk Fun Run is set for Saturday, April 29th Race forms will be available on the FSB City/State/Zip__________________________________________________ at 7:30 am in Sylvania, AL at DeKalb Lake. website at www.fsbal.com, on the banks Cost to enter is $25. Race day registration is EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION facebook page&orNUMBER at any FSB branch in Fort ______________________________________________ set for 6:45 am. A ceremony will be held Payne, Rainsville, Henagar or Grant. following the completion of the race, door EMAIL_______________________________________________ prizes will be given out after the ceremony. **NOW WITH CHIP TIMING**

CatCh of the Week Jax Moon enjoys a little springtime fishing. He is the son of Josh and Magan Moon. To be our next Catch of the Week winner, submit your photos to marla@ southerntorch.com.

10

Friday–April 21, 2017

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

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