The Southern Torch- Volume 1, No. 1

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/ THURSDAY MAY 28, 2015 / VOL. 1, NO. 1

2014/2015 SPORTS REVIEW

TORCH TREAT OF THE WEEK

YRNEA OFFICERS ELECTED TO STATE OFFICE

> SPORTS PAGE 4

> BUSINESS PAGE 6

> COMMUNITY PAGE 5

German giants eye DeKalb DeKalb County Technology Center and Volkswagen enter into historic partnership RAINSVILLE, Ala. — Jordan Doufexis

T

he DeKalb County Te c h n o l o g y Center (DCTC) and Volkswagen have entered into a historical partnership that could put the region at the forefront of the automotive industry.

“This industry partnership with a Global Automotive Powerhouse like Volkswagen will hopefully attract more business and industr y to DeKalb County, and as our record shows we in Career Tech, are producing 21st centur y employees”, said Jonathan Phillips, Assistant Career Tech Director of DeKalb County Schools.

Mechatronics is a combination of mechanical engineering, electronics, and computer controlled processes.

The automaker’s Chattanooga training program is identical to its program in Germany, which utilizes a dual-education system. That system pairs vocational classroom education and paid on-the-job training.

The Volkswagen Academy is an innovative training center

preparing employees for work at the new Chattanooga plant. High tech classrooms also feature all the aspects of the manufacturing facility on a smaller scale to allow for

hands-on training, including a machining area, welding area, electricity lab, autotronics center, automotive diagnostics area, and more.

The Academy provides

Southern Torch debuts weekly print edition

THIS WEEK IN POLITICS Senate votes to reform Medicaid, save $1.5 billion over 10 years

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Southern Torch has brought the people of DeKalb County breaking news, political insight and revolutionary sports coverage since its online launch in August of 2013. Readers will now have the opportunity to receive Southern Torch in a weekly print edition as well. “ S out her n Torch h a s help oversee and roll out its blazed the trail for the future weekly print edition. Morgan of media coverage in DeKalb brings the benefit of more Count y,” said than a decade of Jordan Doufexis, “Southern Torch has communications vice president of exper ience to blazed the trail for Southern Torch. the future of media Southern Torch “By relea sing work i n g i n coverage in our print edition public relations, DeKalb County.” to complement marketing our online a nd p o l i t ic a l edition, we now offer a range consulting. of products that can appeal to “Southern Torch founder everyone in the region.”

Jordan Doufexis and his staff Southern Torch recently have done an incredible job brought Collinsville native building this organization,” Joseph Morgan onboard to Morgan said.

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advanced vocational programs and physically, so that when and promotes personal growth they enter the plant they are for workers and for those experts in their field. seeking employment. This dual Students’ cost for educational track is designed to help workers prepare mentally SEE >TOP STORIES PAGE 2

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Change in approach to long-term care will provide more home healthcare, decrease costs .................................................................................. PAGE 5

One DeKalb Senator’s Plan to Balance the General Fund without Taxes or Gambling By now I’m sure that you’ve heard that Alabama has a budget problem. As the chairman for the State Senate Committee for Fiscal Responsibility, I firmly believe that the budget........................................................... PAGE 5

YRNEA Founders elected to State Office “The quality of production and news coverage is second to none in the region and I’m looking forward to being back in DeKalb County where I was born and raised. I am excited to be a part of the Southern Torch team and help the organization continue to grow and improve every day.”

The mission of Southern Torch is to provide the citizens of DeKalb County with high i mpact i n for mat ion and entertainment that affects their lives on a daily basis.

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On Saturday, May 17, the Young Republican Federation of Alabama held their convention at the BJCC in Birmingham. The main order of business was the election of YRFA officers that will ................................................. PAGE 5

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS 2014 / 2015 Sports Review

Relive the 2014-2015 season as we bring you highlights and unforgettable moments from a historical year in DeKalb County sports ..............PAGE 4

THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS Business Profile: Urethane Supply Company

Urethane Supply Company (USC) knows automobile plastic. Based in Rainsville, USC is an ...................................................................... PAGE 6

Torch Treat of the Week

Each week, the staff at Southern Torch goes to a local restaurant to highlight a favorite menu item. This week, we chose Los Reyes in Collinsville, to try the.....................................................................................................PAGE 6

THIS WEEK IN COMMUNITY Will Town Rats charity ride, Desoto State Park History Hike, and upcoming events........................ PAGE 3

2 Thursday - May 28, 2015

THE SOUTHERN TORCH THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Thursday - May 28, 2015

PAGE TWO

THE

SOUTHERNTORCH TOP STORIES

COMMUNITY

CEO, Jordan Doufexis Senior managing editor, Joseph Morgan Managing editor, Jordan Doufexis Layout editor, Ashley Stanford

3

To submit community news, contact: news@southerntorch.com Tel. 256 638 4040 www.southerntorch.com

Wills Town Rats hold charity ride in Fort Payne

FAITH

Coming home

Photo by Joseph Morgan

Photo by Joseph Morgan

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Wills Town Rats sponsored a benefit motorcycle BY: DR. JOHN E. MORGAN ride for local resident Gary Shaw on Saturday. Shaw PASTOR - COLLINSVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH recently suffered a stroke and the money raised went to help pay medical bills.

Rusty did a lot of really dumb things. But maybe he After the ride, participants was smarter than you. A couple of days ago my son and others met at the Fort called me. He was frantic. His dog was missing. Could Payne Rotary Pavilion for I come and help him hunt for the dog? Soon my son, live music and food. his brother and I were walking and driving around Fort Payne hunting for his dog. This went on for about two hours. Finally the news came – someone had found the dog and he was safe. Rejoicing.

Maybe you do not understand. (There used to be a cartoon called The Country Parson. Each single panel would have a simple lesson. One of them – “Maybe the reason some folks love their dog more than the church is that their dog loves them more”.) My sons and I understand. As I sat on the porch with my son, we began to talk. And Rusty was mentioned.

Above, from left: ACE President Lisa Miller, Rainsville Mayor Nick Jones and Akaysha Yukawa

Rainsville named “Alabama Community of Exellence” RAINSVILLE, Ala. Joseph Morgan The city of Rainsville was recently named an “Alabama Community of Excellence.”

The designation makes Rainsville one of the newest members of an elite group of 26 communities across the state recognized by the Alabama Communities of E xc el lenc e ( AC E) organization as some of A labama’s finest small towns.

“It is an honor for our great city to be recognized as an ‘Alabama Community

of Excellence,’’’ Rainsville partners with communities Mayor Nick Jones said. across the state, providing “Our partnership with leadership and community ACE and participation development programs, in this program provided strategic planning services, our staff with invaluable commercial and business training opportunities and development, education allowed the city to form a enhancement, tourism, clearer overall assessment economic development and of where other support to things are help Alabama “IT’S AN HONOR with our city cities and towns FOR OUR GREAT and develop a improve and CITY... “ comprehensive develop their strategy to get communities, us where we strengthen local want to be in the years to economies and create longcome.” term economic success.

ACE is a non-profit that

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German giants eye DeKalb CONTINUED FROM 1 Volkswagen Academy is

minimal because they’re paid about $30,000 during four on the job semesters.

Students who complete the program will begin working in the Chattanooga Plant but will also have the opportunity to transfer to jobs within the Volkswagen family of brands: Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, and Lamborghini.

Students will also get the opportunity to continue their education whi le employed by Volkswagen.

Gr adu at e s ea r n a n A s so c iat e of A ppl ied science in systems engineering technology with a concentration in mechatronics systems. The graduates’ starting pay at the plant averages to $22.50 an hour, or $46,800 a year. That doesn’t include possible bonuses and pay increase to $30 an hour.

DCTC is the on ly

secondary school to enter into a partnership with Volkswagen. No local col lege or un iver sit y is offering this type of program currently.

“DCTC and DeKalb County Career Tech are proving every day that we are graduating students who are prepared for post secondary education and the Workforce. The Volkswagen Partnership just makes that statement stronger,” said Jonathan Phillips, Assistant Career Tech Director of DeKalb County Schools To add to this historic news, the DeKalb County Technology Center has an nounced that th ree students have been selected f o r t h e Vo l k s w a g e n Academy.

Each year only twelve are selected from across the nation to enter the pr e s t i g iou s pr o g r a m .

Those chosen were John Carter (Ider), Josh Gravitt

(Plainview), and Houston Ward (Ider).

On Monday night, DeKalb County Director of Economic Development Jimmy Durham addressed the Rainsville City Council to discuss the potential of the German giants opening a factory in Rainsville.

“We’ve seen a tremendous increase on German auto suppliers coming in to this area and looking.You have a great site out here (Rainsville). It’s perfect.”

“When these companies come in they’re ready to go immediately. We’re competing with 120 other sites right now so we have to be ready to go too.”

Durham requested that the city order an environmental assessment on the available lots at the industrial park immediately.

A nother auto plant in Rainsville alongside RTI would put DeKalb County on the forefront of the automotive industry.

Rusty was the Golden Retriever who helped my wife and I raise our four sons. He never showed our children anything but love. Wrestle with him, pull his ears, ride him. Just love in return. Never a single growl.

But Rusty had one bad habit. He ran away from home every now and again.

Allen “Dude” Hulgan, member of the DeKalb County Chapter of American Cruisers Motorcycle Club, is greeted by fellow club members Stan Irwin and Clay Fugatt at the Wills Town Rats benefit ride on Saturday.

Hulgan, who was involved in a serious motorcycle accident several months ago is the beneficiary of a previous Wills Town Rats benefit ride

Desoto State Park History Hike:

We lived in a borrowed house on the lake for four years. Rusty loved the freedom. Loved the freedom CIVILIAN CONSERVATION so much that two or three times a year he just left. We FORT PAYNE, Ala. — would look, but we could never find him.

Desoto State Park led a Two or three days would go by, and Rusty would hike Saturday to view a appear at the door. Sometimes with a dead animal as bridge built by the Civilian a way of making things right with us (my wife was Conservation Corps (CCC) never impressed). Sometimes completely exhausted. about a mile and a half Sometimes with cuts and wounds (one dead animal into the park that was was a beaver. Rusty won the fight, but he didn’t look left unfinished as federal like it.) Once or twice we received a call from someone resources were transferred who found him, and we went and picked him up. from New Deal programs to support U.S. efforts at When we moved back to town, we had to build Rusty the emergence of World a pen to keep him and the neighborhood safe. But War II. every now and then, he got out over the five foot fence (this seemed to always happen during a thunder storm – Rusty regarded lightning as God’s permission for him to leave). He still came back each time.

RTI to host annual Charity CORPS - THE UNFINISHED BRIDGE Mud Volleyball Tournament Photo by Joseph Morgan

12th Annual Summer Latino Festival: I remember once when he was so tired and sore that A Celebration of Latino Culture he could not climb the three steps at the back door. I found him there. Barely raising his head and giving me RAINSVILLE, Ala. — a pitiful look. I picked him up, carried him in the house Northeast Alabama Comand we nursed him back to health. That’s why Rusty munity College will host was smarter than some of you. He always came home. the 12th annual Summer Latino Festival: A CelIsaiah once told God’s people that they were not as ebration of Latino Culture smart as an ox. Or a donkey. The ox knows its mas- on Saturday, June 6, 2015, ter, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does from 12:00 noon until 4:00 not know, my people do not understand.” Isaiah 1:3 pm on campus.

Sometimes we run away from God. Get so hurt or so This exciting event will proud that we refuse to come back to Him. Back to be free and open to the the only one who can truly care for us – the one who public. There will be a live made us. Think we are smarter than Him. Making us Mariachi Band, live DJ, folkloric dancing, delicious dumber than an ox or a donkey.

Latino foods sold by local restaurants, photo boothOr a dog named Rusty. Who always came home.

-free family photos, authentic Latino merchandise for sale, as well as free soft drinks and ice cream treats.

For children, there will be arts, crafts, games and activities including a rock wall, inflatables, face painting, giant Jenga, Mexican bingo, piñatas, pony rides, learning futbol and soccer skills, and puppet shows.

The Hispanic community is a very significant part of the Northeast Alabama area, contributing to the economy and culture of our area. As part of the college’s mission as a community college, one way

to reach out to this part of the community is to offer a day of fun activities, ethnic foods and music. In the summer of 2004 the first Summer Latino Festival was held on campus. This June, 2015, is the 12th annual festival. This day is as much fun for local citizens and NACC students as it is for the local Hispanic community. In bringing the two cultures together, the best that we have to offer can be shared. NACC wants the Hispanic community to know that they are welcomed to our campus as potential students and that their families are welcomed to all the events that are sponsored. This festival has helped both heritages understand and appreciate one another.

“Each year the number of attendees to the festival has increased,” stated Tresha McClain, Chair of the Festival Committee at the college. “This past year there were approximately 1,500 people on campus to enjoy the games, pony rides, and arts and crafts.

One of the most popular activities each year has been free family photos.

We have free refreshments for everyone, as well as local Mexican restaurants selling great food. Live Latino music and beautiful, authentic Mexican dancers will perform. Our staff, faculty and students have taken on this project as part of their commitment and our outreach to the Latino community. This has truly been an education in understanding cultures for most of our staff. Each year our numbers grow in the involvement of our employees. The fun that is had by both cultures has made this annual event one that our campus looks forward to each year.”

The Summer Latino Festival will be held on the NACC campus located on Alabama Highway 35 between Scottsboro and Fort Payne. Everyone is encouraged to attend, bring a lawn chair and enjoy this Celebration of Latino Culture.

Alabama State Parks to host Great Outdoors Day GROVE OA K, Ala. — Alabama State Parks will be hosting Great Outdoors Day this Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Buck’s Pocket State Park, 393 County Road 174 in Grove Oak. The event will offer live music, guided fitness and nat ure hikes and l ive demon st rat ion s in f ly fishing, animal trapping, wood carving, and blacksmith forging.

Visitors will also have

the opportunity to take a closeup look at live birds of prey, reptiles, amphibians and other animals.

There wi l l a l so be display tables to learn more about Alabama State Parks, Alabama’s Forever Wild program, Outdoor Alabama, Leave No trace, A n n iston Museum of Natural History, Alabama D ept . of W i ld l i fe & Freshwater Fisheries, and the A labama Forestr y Commission

There will be no park entrance fee on the day of the event and the event itself is free and open to everyone.

Camping is available at Buck’s Pocket State Park, with additional camping a nd lo d g i n g opt ion s available at nearby Lake Guntersville State Park, Cathedral State Park, and Desoto State Park. For more details, visit www.alaparks. com or call 256.997.5025.

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — Rainsville Technology, Inc. (RTI) will be hosting the annual RTI Charity Mud Volleyball Tournament at its headquarters at 189 RTI Drive in Rainsville this Saturday, May 30 at 9 a.m. The mail-in deadline to sign up for the event has passed, but teams can still sign up to compete the day of the event for $15 per person. There is a minimum of six persons per team and a maximum of 10. Each team must have two females on the court at all times and all participants must be 16 years of age or older and those under 19 need a parent-signed waiver to participate. All teams must be registered and signed in by 8:45 a.m. on Saturday. Proceeds will go to benefit ARC of DeKalb County.

NACC REVIVES THE FOREIGNER

4 Thursday - May 28, 2015

THE SOUTHERN TORCH THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Sports editors Jordan Doufexis

SPORTS AUGUST 28 Southern Torch releases the Preseason Power Rankings: 1. Fyffe 2. Plainview 3. Geraldine 4. Collinsville 5. Sylvania 6. Valley Head 7. Crossville 8. Ider

AUGUST 29 Fyffe (1-0) hammers Geraldine in the season opener, 38-7.

DECEMBER 20

JANUARY 25

The #7 Sylvania Rams upset the #1 Geraldine Bulldogs, 42-35, to with the Sand Mountain Tournament.

Torch All-Tourney Teams:

Torch All-Tourney Teams: Varsity Boys:

Varsity Girls:

MVP - Caleb Haynes, Sylvania (JR) G - Peyton Wilbanks, Fyffe (SR) G - Alex “Grizzly” Adams, Sylvania (SR) G - Curtis “Hollywood” Smith, Geraldine (SR)

MVP - Savannah Willingham, Plainview (JR)

F - Cade White, Geraldine (JR) F - Zack Nelson, Geraldine (SR)

SEPTBEMBER 25 Fyffe (5-0) hangs a 60-burger on Sylvania in the “Benefield Bowl”, 62-15.

OCTOBER 2014 OCTOBER 30

Fyffe (10-0) rips off 543 yards on the ground to blow out the rIval Plainview Bears (8-2), 59-28.

MVP - Keneta Morris, Section (SR) G - Keely Ellison, Pisgah (SR) G - Savannah Willingham, Plainview (JR) G - Kaylea McAllister, Section (SO) F - Presley Johnson, Pisgah (JR) Anabelle Brown, Plainview (SO)

DECEMBER 21 The Alabama Sports Writers Association releases their AllState Honors: 1st Team All State: RB - Austin Stiefel, Fyffe (SR) WR - Will Kirk, Plainview (JR) LB - Dakota Newsome, Fyffe (SR)

2nd Team All State:

NOVEMBER 2014 NOVEMBER 6

G - Destiny Lowden, Plainview (JR) G - Logan Rogers, Geraldine (SR) G - Morgan Frazier, Sylvania (JR) G - Olivia Graham, Plainview (FR) F - Makenzie Bearden, Geraldine (SR)

LB - Isaiah Glover, Plainview (SR) K - Fernando Limon, Plainview (SR)

Hazel Green’s Matt Putnam agrees to become the next Head Coach at Sylvania.

FEBRUARY 2015 FEBRUARY 3 Plainview Head Coach Dale Pruitt (264 career wins) agrees to become the head coach at Albertville High School.

Geraldine Head Football Coach Tim Arnold resigns.

Honorable Mention: WR - Chase Willingham, Plainview (SR)

- The State Champion Fyffe Red Devils averaged 50.1 PPG and allowed an average of 11.5 PPG in 2014.

Cade White, Geraldine (SR) Chase Willingham, Plainview (SR) Alex Adams, Sylvania (SR) Bert Frost, Sylvania (JR)

Varsity Girls:

Defensive Player of the Year - Savannah Willingham, Plainview (JR) Coach of the Year - Heather Powell, Plainview

First Team:

Fyffe High School Varsity Cheerleaders win the 2A State Champtionship!

DECEMBER 25 The Season 2 premiere of Heat Check: A Season with the Plainview Bears airs on Southern Torch.

MARCH 2015 MARCH 4

MVP - Cody Willingham, Plainview (SR) Offensive Player of the Year - Zack Nelson, Geraldine (SR) Defensive Player of the Year - Caleb Haynes, Sylvania (JR)

JANUARY 2015 JANUARY 14 Sylvania Head Football Coach Roger Haynes resigns to be the defensive coordinator at Hueytown High School.

Trinity Garner, Collinsville Tatum Jones, Crossville Cassie McDaniel, Crossville Logan Bradley, Fyffe MaKenzie Bearden, Geraldine Logan Rogers, Geraldine Hannah Culpepper, Ider Dani Townson, Ider Lauren King, Sylvania Morgan Blalock, Valley Head

All-County Teams: Varsity Boys:

DECEMBER 5

- Austin Stiefel (SR) finishes the season with a state record 46 rushing TD’s.

“Been a while. Great feeling. So proud of players and coaches. Proud of parents and principals for letting a coach Coach. This isn’t easy and requires many people. Learning to be a team includes moms and dads allowing their kids room to fail. They will realize if failure is an option then success is a choice. They will make the decision for themselves.

We can’t make the decision for them. Coaches push. They push hard, if they are any good. Thanks to all of them.”

MARCH 30 Plainview Coaching Committee chooses Hueytown Offensive Coordinator Dustin Goodwin to be the next Head Coach at Plainview.

MVP - Destiny Lowden, Plainview (SR) Offensive Player of the Year - Morgan Frazier, Sylvania (JR)

DECEMBER 2014

The Fyffe Red Devils (15-0) defeat the Elba Tigers (14-1), 28-17, to win the 2014 2A State Championship!

ON PLAINVIEW WINNING THE DEKALB COUNTY TOURNAMENT...

BIRMINGHAM, Ala — On Saturday, May 17, the Young Republican Federation of Alabama held their convention at the BJCC in Birmingham.

The main order of business was the election of YRFA officers that will lead the state for the next two years.

YRNEA founder and former chairman Jordan Doufexis (Rainsville) was elected as the Senior Vice Chairman for the Young Republican Federation of Alabama.

“We spent two years building an organization that is a real and sustainable driving force in northeast Alabama,” said Doufexis. “I want to bring that same aggression to the State level. With Alabama being solid red now, it isn’t enough to just be a conservative. You need to be a logical, talented

leader that can deliver the GOP message to the 21st Century rather than just a “good ol’ boy”.

Ashley Stanford (Rainsville) was unanimously elected as the Chairman of the 4th Congressional District (Aderholt). The District includes DeKalb, Marshall, Etowah, Cullman, Winston, Lawrence, Colbert, Franklin, Marion, Lamar, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Lawrence, and Fayette County.

“I’m excited to be able to help create a consistent brand for the YR’s in the 4th District,” said Stanford. “Marketing and communication will be my priority, day one.”

The YRFA looks to be a major player in the 2016 SEC Presidential Primary with Doufexis and Stanford in lead roles. #

MARCH 10 Superintendent Hugh Taylor Forms a committee to hire the next Head Football Coach at Plainview.

Coach of the Year - Robi Coker, Plainview

MARCH 21

First Team:

The Ider Lady Hornets defeat the Fort Payne Lady Wildcats to win the DeKalb County Softball Tournament.

Jalyn Martin, Collinsville (SR) Austin Posey, Collinsville (FR) Bradley Best, Crossville (SR) Peyton Wilbanks, Fyffe (SR) Austin Stiefel, Fyffe (SR) Keylon Harris, Geraldine (SR)

Jordan Doufexis speaks to the group of Young Republican deligates from across the state

OFFICIAL LIST OF ELECTED OFFICERS

APRIL 2015 APRIL 10 The Plainview Bears win the DeKalb County Baseball Tournament.

APRIL 20 Sylvania’s Brad Waldrop is named the Head Football Coach at Geraldine.

MAY 2015 MAY 8 The Fort Payne Wildcats soccer team defeats Northview in 2OT, 1-0, to win the 6A State Championship!

MAY 16 The Ider Lady Hornets softball team finishes runner-up in the 2A State Championship falling to Sumiton Christian, 8-7.Coach at Geraldine.

special interests were able to allocate the primary growth revenues to sustain only the education budget.

This means that those revenue sources that go up with a good economy are slated only for education.

Meanwhile, the General Fund limps along with all of the flat, non-growth revenues.

So this year the education fund is scheduled for an increased level of spending and a surplus of several hundred million dollars. Meanwhile, the governor is calling for the citizens of this state to pay more taxes to boost the General Fund, which faces a $230 million deficit. State Troopers, mental health, Medicaid, prisons, National Guard, multiple state agencies and thousands of state employees are faced with the possibility of cuts within a very austere monetary environment while across the aisle a massive surplus is uncomfortably visible in the separate education budget.

Every time I tell this story I get incredulous looks from those who hear it. Alabamians send

Political editors contact informantion jordan@southerntorch.com Tel. 256.638.4040 www.southerntorch.com

From Left: Alabama Secretary of State, John Merill, Ashley Stanford and Jordan Doufexis

Senate votes to reform Medicaid, save $1.5 billion over 10 years CHANGE IN APPROACH TO LONG-TERM CARE WILL PROVIDE MORE HOME HEALTHCARE, DECREASE COSTS MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State Senate unanimously passed sweeping legislation today to reform the state Medicaid program, one of the largest cost drivers within the general fund budget.

Under the current system, long-term care is paid for using fee-for-service reimbursement. Senate Majority Leader Greg Reed’s (R-Jasper) legislation – part of the Senate Republican Caucus agenda – will establish integrated care networks (ICNs) to contract with Medicaid to provide long-term care services under a capitated system. It also allows increases the nursing homecare to home-based care ratio from 75/25 to 50/50.

The proposal will slow the rise in Medicaid costs and save taxpayers as much as $1.5 billion over the first ten years, assuming a three-percent annual growth in the program.

Optumas, a national actuarial consulting company that provides advice to state Medicaid programs,

One DeKalb Senator’s Plan to Balance the General Fund without Taxes or Gambling

MONTGOMERY, Ala – By now I’m sure that you’ve heard that Alabama has a budget problem.

As the chairman for the State Senate Committee for Fiscal Responsibility, I firmly believe that the budget woes we face this year can be fixed without raising taxes or relying upon gambling. But to do so we will have to make some repairs to the foundation of the Alabama budget process.

Let’s talk honestly about Alabama’s state budget process. The process makes no fiscal sense and represents a foundational problem. No household, and certainly no business, would ever plan their money matters in the way that our state does.

Before offering a solution I will first paint the ugly picture of the fiscal morass that we are in. Alabama is one of only three states with split budgeting. All things related to education are in one budget, while everything else it takes to run the state is in another budget known as the General Fund.

Some years back the

5

Photo by Don Johnson

YRNEA Founders elected to state office

FEBRUARY 12

1. Fyffe (10-0) 2. Plainview (8-2) 3. Geraldine (8-2) 4. Ider (7-3) 5. Valley Head (5-4) 6. Sylvania (4-6) 7. Collinsville (4-6) 8. Crossville (0-10)

The Fyffe Red Devils Cheerleaders win the 2A State Championship!

COACH TERRY MITCHELL

JANUARY 26

Southern Torch releases the final 2014 Power Rankings:

NOVEMBER 15

Head Coach, Robi Coker cuts down the net atfter the Plainview Vaarsity Boys won the County Tournament

Rainsville, AL Varsity Girls:

SEPTEMBER 2014

Varsity Boys: MVP - Cody Willingham, Plainview (SR) G - Chase Willingham, Plainview (SR) G - Dakota Newsome, Fyffe (SR) F - Zack Nelson, Geraldine (SR) F - Isaiah Glover, Plainview (SR) F - Cade White, Geraldine (JR)

The #4 Section Lady Lions knock off the #2 Plainview Lady Bears, 83-76, to with the Sand Mountain Tournament.

POLITICS

jordan@southerntorch.com Tel. 256.638.4040 www.southerntorch.com

2014-2015 SPORTS REVIEW AUGUST 2014

Thursday - May 28, 2015

approximately $8 billion in taxes to Montgomery every year and I cannot in good conscience ask them to send one dollar more to a foundationally broken system like the one I just described. Much of what is needed is available without new taxes if we just change the way we operate.

This seven-point plan (see right) has the potential to increase the revenues to the General Fund by an estimated $256 million without raising taxes, expanding gambling, or decreasing the funding currently projected for education. It also curbs the unbridled growth of our two biggest line items: Medicaid and prisons.

It does so by merely fixing foundational issues in the manner that revenues are spent, current taxes are collected, and state government operates.

My constituents, like most in the state, expect me to push for measures like these. It’s time to fix the foundation of our fiscal house.

by Sen. Phil Williams, a Republican from Gadsden

calculated the projected savings.

“Our state has an obligation to provide crucial long-term care services for the elderly eligible for Medicaid coverage, while at the same time finding ways to protect taxpayers from cost increases,” said Senator Greg Reed. “My bill will help us better care for patients and cut spending.”

In 2012, the legislature passed another Medicaid reform by Senator Reed to establish regional care organizations (RCOs), where each are given a set dollar amount to cover the cost of all Medicaid care within their established coverage area. The integrated care networks for long-term care will operate under the same premise and will be in operation by October 1, 2018. Beneficiaries will be prohibited from participating in both an RCO and ICN to further control costs.

“The population of people age 75 and older is expected to double by 2028.

This is projected to add 9,000 more seniors to the Medicaid long-term care roles,” Senator Gerald Dial, chairman of the Senate Health & Human Services committee. “I am proud to support Senator Reed’s bill to save more than a billion dollars and allow for more home-based care.”

Alabama Medicaid will actively supervise the ICNs’ activities to ensure solvency and quality assurance. The bill also establishes a citizens’ advisory committee for each ICN, which is tasked with advising the ICN on way to be more efficient in providing quality care to Medicaid beneficiaries.

— Article by Greg Reed Greg Reed is the Alabama Senate Majority Leader and represents Senate District 5, which is comprised of all or parts of Winston, Walker, Tuscaloosa, Jefferson, and Fayette counties. He is vice president of Preferred Medical Systems, a representative of Samsung Healthcare. Sen. Reed and his wife, Mitsy, have three sons: Andrew, James, and John Michael.

PHIL’S SEVEN-POINT PLAN

6 Thursday - May 28, 2015

THE SOUTHERN TORCH THE SOUTHERN TORCH

PERSNAL BUSINESS Profile: Urethane Supply Company LOCAL COMPANY LEADS THE WAY IN AUTOMOTIVE PLASTICS REPAIR INDUSTRY Staff Reports R A INSV ILLE , A la.

—Urethane Supply Company (USC) knows automobile plastic. Based in Rainsville, USC is an industr y leader in the development, manufacture and dist r ibut ion of automobile plastic repair and refinishing products used in the auto repair industry.

Founded in 1981 by Jim Sparks to meet the demand for products to repair and refinish urethane bumper covers as more and more automobile companies at the began manufacturing bumper covers from plastic instead of steel.

In May of 1995, Sparks retired and sold USC to brothers Kurt and Keith Lammon. The Lammon brothers hit the ground running, purchasing a Photo by: Zach Moore

From Left: Kurt Lammon and Keith Lammon with “StickyMan”

MRS. BARBARA MCPHERSON

on USC to teach accredited adult education courses in plastic repair to address the market’s need for this training.

MONDAY, MAY 4 U r e t h a n e S u p p l y 6 ARRESTS Company n o w KennethonNathan Dixson, age 34 of Fort Payne, was a Warrant for Judicial Court Services at manufactures the widest arrested 8:46 am. variety of plastic profiles Annette Ida Evans, age 64 of Cartersville, Ga, was for DUI and Possession of a Controlled for automotive repair in the arrested Substance at 2:03 pm. world, serving businesses Julie Marie Whitmire, age 37 of Lafayette, was in the auto repair industry arrested on a Warrant for Outside Agency at 4:35 pm. across the U.S. and Canada Susan Lynn Malone, age 66 of Fort Payne, was and shipping its products as arrested on a Revocation Warrant at 4:37 pm. far away Europe and Asia. Nicholas Michael Johnson, age 25 of Fort Payne, arrested on a Court Order to Serve 10 Days at The Lammon brothers was 4:00 pm. attribute the success of their Lauren Rhea Young, age 37 of Gadsden, was arrested company to great products, for DUI and Open Container at 5:18 pm. the strong work ethic they 5 ACCIDENTS WITH 1 INJURY accident occurred at Oakhill Road NE and learned from their father, An Pleasant Run Road NE, Corey Gene Ingram, age 37 of Fort driving a 1989 Nissan D21, left the and a commitment to roadwayPayne, and overturned. Mr. Ingram was taken to Erlanger Hospital

by Dekalb Ambulance Service. constant, relentless research and development.

“We are looking for TUESDAY, MAY 5 new products every day,” INCIDENTS Breaking and Entering a Vehicle – Lammon said. “For every Unlawful Occurred at 700 Williams Ave NE, $200.00 in currency was taken 10 ideas we have for a new Theft of Property – Occurred at 1101 Godfrey Ave product, nine of them either NE, $415.00 in currency was taken fail or are bad ideas, but the to Pay for Gasoline – Occurred at 1401 Glenn one or two products that Failure Blvd SW, six gallons of gasoline was taken, valued at $16.28 work out might be the ideas that carry this company and 2 ARRESTS Christopher Arsenault, age 24 of Fort Payne, drive our industry for the James was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia at 6:12 am. next 10 years.”

MRS. JEWELL JONES COCHRAN

MR. ERNEST RICHARD RHODEN

Jewell Stoner Jones Cochran, was born February 19, 1920 at Pea Ridge, AL. and peacefully went to be with the Lord May 24, 2015 at her home in Ider, AL., having lived a full and fruitful life of 95 years.

Age 78 of Pisgah, Alabama died Monday, May 25, 2015. SURVIVORS Wife: Jeanette Rhoden of Pisgah, AL Sons: Jody (Lorna) Rhoden of Pisgah, AL Jeremy Rhoden (Susan Rhoden) of Pisgah, AL 5 Grandchildren 9 Great Grandchildren Sisters: Lucille Ponder of Tallahassee, FL Rosemary Gant of Pisgah, AL PRECEDED IN DEATH Daughters: Anita Rhoden & Rosita Bateman Parents: Dave & Bessie Rhoden 6 Brothers & 3 Sisters Visitation: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 from 10 to 1 pm CST Kerby Funeral Home Services: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at 1:00 pm CST Kerby Funeral Home Chapel Officiating: Bro. Al Johnson Interment: Green Haven Memorial Gardens

She was preceded in death by husbands, Boyd Jones and Frasier Cochran.

She is survived by two daughters, Judith Retten, Sandra (Frank) Hollingsworth, son, Rayburn (La Donne) Jones, grandchildren, Don Beaty, Kevin Beaty, Rex Beaty, Bruce Beaty, Collette Burnett, Tracie Burnett, Brett Jones, Kristin Scovack and Bethney Backhaus, sister, Charlene Dalton, 13 great-grandchildren and 6 great great-grandchildren.

Funeral services are Saturday at 2 pm ct at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with burial to follow in Fuller cemetery. Family will receive friends from 4 to 8 pm Friday and 1 pm until service time on Saturday.

MR. COY WILKERSON Mr. Coy Wilkerson age 80 of Fyffe, AL

Kevin Labron Jones, age 39 of Chattanooga, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct, Public Intoxication and a Warrant for DUI at 6:33 pm.

Michael Ryan Hulgan, age 24 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Public Intoxication and Carrying a Concealed Weapon without a Permit at 4:56 pm.

2 ACCIDENTS WITH 1 INJURY

Jonathan Bradley McElroy, age 37 of Fyffe, was arrested for Theft of Property and Public Intoxication at 4:54 pm.

An accident occurred at Sanders Ave NE and Rucker St NE, Maudelia Pascual Francisco, age 18 of Fort Payne, driving a 2000 Saturn SL2 struck Jessica Kathleen Gullion, age 30 riding a 2007 Lancer Moped. Gullion was taken to Dekalb Regional by Dekalb Ambulance Service.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 INCIDENTS Damage to Private Property – Occurred at 300 Airport Road W, a windshield on a 2009 Toyota Corolla was damaged, valued at $500.00 Damage to Private Property – Occurred at 800 Godfrey Ave SE, a stop sign pole was damaged, valued at $50.00 Delayed Accident Report – Occurred at 400 Gault Ave N, paint on a 2004 Saturn L300 bumper assembly was damaged, valued at $500.00 Theft of Property – Occurred at 2630 Alabama Ave NW, taken were a Craftsman 10 in 1 LED multi tool, Craftsman Lumens work light, Craftsman utility knife, 7 Craftsman lock back utility knives, 2 Craftsman mini tools, 3 Craftsman hex to square socket adapters, Craftsman compact screw guide, Black & Decker cordless screw driver, 2 Craftsman air chucks and a Craftsman quick connect stud, valued at $152.34 Delayed Accident Report – Occurred at 1801 Gault Ave N, a back quarter panel was damaged on a Ford LGT, valued at $200.00

5 ARRESTS Robert Brad Woods, age 33 of Sylvania, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Two Warrants for Outside Agency at 12:31 am.

Jacob Lawrence Wood, age 22 of Fort Payne, was arrested on a Warrant for Expired Tag at 12:38 pm.

Jody Daniel Phillips, age 40 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Controlled Substance and a Warrant for Probation Violation at 12:58 pm.

4 ACCIDENTS WITH 1 INJURY An accident occurred at Godfrey Ave NE and Kellett Drive, Kimberly Sue Eads, age 49 of Fort Payne, left the roadway, hit a mailbox and over turned. Eads was taken to Dekalb Regional by Dekalb Ambulance Service.

THURSDAY, MAY 7 INCIDENTS Theft of Property – Occurred at Wal-Mart, 7 Zippo lighters, Metallic earbuds, Samsung Gusto 3 cellphone, and 3 Alabama shirts and shorts were taken, valued at $133.74 Theft of Property – Occurred at 1009 Williams Ave NE, a push mower was taken, valued at $75.00 Delayed Accident Report – Occurred at 650 Wallace Ave NE, a bumper, headlight and hood on a 2006 Ford Taurus was damaged, valued at $2000.00

8 ARRESTS Jonathan Bradley McElroy, age 37 of Fyffe, was arrested for Public Intoxication, Theft of Property and Criminal Trespass at 7:26 am.

Tyler Drake Harden, age 19 of Centre, was arrested on Two Warrants for Judicial Court Service and Contempt of Court at 9:38 am.

Edward Winston Jacob Owen, age 25 of Fort Payne, was arrested on a Warrant for Outside Agency at 4:42 pm.

Amanda Lashon Boran, age 34 of Ider, was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana at 4:46 pm.

Stephen David Taylor, age 38 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Public Intoxication at 6:38 pm.

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passed away on Monday, May 25, 2015 in Highlands Medical Center.

Funeral: 2pm Wednesday, May 27, 2015 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bro. Randall Hastings and Bro. J.R. Hinkless officiating. Burial will follow in Macedonia Cemetery with W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel in charge. *visitation - 4 till 8pm (Tuesday) ****Survivors**** (sister) Frances McAbee of Section Several Nieces and Nephews Mr. Wilkerson was preceded in death by (Parents) Dave & Lula Wilkerson, (Sisters) Opal, Lou and Pina; (Brothers) Roy & Karow.

MR. DONNIE LEE SMITH Mr. Donnie Lee Smith, 66, of Mentone, AL, passed away at his residence on May 25, 2015.

Funeral: Thursday 5-28-15 at 11:00 AM at Burn Chapel-Valley Head

Visitation: Wednesday 5-27-15 from 5PM-8PM at Burt Chapel-Valley Head Burial: Bankhead Cemetary Officiating: Rev. Charles Flannigan & Rev. Steve Lucy

MR. RAY POWELL

Ray Powell, age 63 of Valley Head died Monday May 25 at his residence. Funeral services are Wednesday at 11 am in the chapel with Bro. Richard Ellis officiating.

Burial will follow in Unity cemetery.

Family will receive friends from 4 to 7 pm Tuesday and 9 am until service on Wednesday.

Survivors include wife, Leigh Ann Rice Powell and a host of friends.

Mr. Powell was a 1970 graduate of Sylvania High School and was an Alpha Gama Rho while attending Auburn University and was retired from Aramark Industries as a sales representative. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elzie Ford and Amy Smalley Powell and infant sister, Melba Ruth Powell.

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LOS REYES MARKET & RESTAURANT

•

7

OBITUARIES

Mrs. Barbara Findley McPherson age 76 passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2015. Funeral Services are set for 2PM Thursday, May 28, 2015 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bro. Bret Photo by: Zach Moore McPherson and Bro Kenneth Findley officiating, burial will follow at Hillcrest cemetery in Boaz. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 27, 2015 from 5-8PM from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel. *Survivors* Sons- Billy (Tracy), Bart (Samantha) and Bret (Megan) McPherson Sister- Annie Ruth Jones Brothers- J.C., Moses “Pete” and Jack Findley Grandchildren- Tyler, Story, Alyssa and Addie **Preceded in death by** Husband- Bill McPherson: Master Tech, Fortunado Ruiz, assembles a welder kit at Urethane Supply Company Parents- Albert & Roxie Findley: Sister- Imogene Thompson: Nitrogen Welding System after year. I-CAR TrainingBrothers- William, R.B., Barney and used to repair plastics and Alliance recently broughtJimmie Findley

plastic extruder that allowed USC to manufacture in house and control the qualit y of the plastic welding rod products USC had recently brought to market to be used in the auto repair industry to repair and weld plastic marketed the product to bumpers and other parts. bumper recyclers.

USC is a leader in the “We didn’t think body auto repair industry in shops would be interested manufact ur ing plastic because it was not portable,” repa i r pro duc t s . The said Lammon. “We learned company emphasizes that a lot from this one. This is they do not make or sell the one that started it all.” any product that is not in In 2011 USC continued some way connected to to see rapid growth as plastic repair. This sets they launched the 6056 Urethane Supply Nitrogen Welding apart from other System , wh ich companies who was a “plug and THE LAMMON only offer plastic play” version BROTHERS repair as one of of the original PURCHASED USC many services. machine.

IN MAY OF 1995 In 2007 USC P r e v i o u s l y, i nt ro duc ed a the Dual Fuzer comic character required that called “Sticky Man” you purchase many to increase marketing different items to have a and promotions efforts. complete system.

Since, Sticky Man has They added a 12,000 become the mascot for square foot warehouse Urethane Supply’s plastic in 2013 to devote more repair products and has been manufacturing floor space featured in its humorous to nitrogen welders and advertisements ever since. purchased a new plastic In 2008 USC took their extruder to keep up with business to the next level demand for their products. when they introduced USC continues to grow the Dual Fuzer, the first and achieve success year

Thursday - May 28, 2015

256-638-4040

Michael Burnett Hall, age 47 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Attempting to Elude at 6:38 pm.

A 16 year old juvenile male of Fort Payne was arrested for Attempting to Elude at 6:38 pm.

A 14 year old juvenile male of Fort Payne was arrested for Attempting to Elude at 6:38 pm.

2 ACCIDENTS WITH 1 INJURY An accident occurred at Wallace Ave NE and Desoto Pkwy NE, Ryan Lee Martin, age 23 of Fort Payne, driving a 2012 Ford 150, struck Justin Earl Williams, age 33 of Gaylesville, driving a 1999 Ford Ranger.

Martin was taken to Dekalb Regional by Dekalb Ambulance Service.

FRIDAY, MAY 8 INCIDENTS Burglary – Occurred at 1702 Quail Hollow Road NW, two Dewalt cordless drills, a weed eater, Backpack leaf blower, an edger and a hedge trimmer were taken, valued at $1950.00

James David Jones, age 38 of Rossville, Ga, was arrested on a Revocation Warrant at 10:27 pm.

3 ACCIDENTS WITH 0 INJURIES

SATURDAY, MAY 9 INCIDENTS

Recovered Stolen Firearm – Occurred at 900 Greenhill Blvd NW, a Glock 23 was recovered, valued at $500.00 Theft of Property – Occurred at 201 Cracker Barrel Row, a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado was taken, valued at $60,000.00

4 ARRESTS Charmine Rochall McElrath, age 35 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance, Open Container, Criminal Mischief, Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication at 2:25 am.

Wanda Jeanee Newsome, age 26 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance, Resisting Arrest and Public Intoxication at 2:25 am.

Criminal Mischief – 1200 Clark Ave NE, saddlebags and gas tank were damaged on a 2002 Harley Davidson, valued at $2000.00

Brenda Joyce Roden, age 26 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance at 2:25 am.

8 ARRESTS

Traci Marie Burt, age 22 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance at 2:25 am.

Patricia Jean McCormick, age 67 of Boaz, was arrested on a Warrant for Harassment at 8:18 am.

Cindy Michelle Clardy, age 43 of Henagar, was arrested on a Warrant for Expired Tag at 10:00 am.

Christopher Lee Walls, age 40 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia at 10:40 am.

Khristian Nicole Couch, age 25 of Fort Payne, was arrested on a Warrant for Failure to Appear at 7:11 pm Shelia Brown Faulkner, age 50 of Rainsville, was arrested for DUI at 8:25 pm.

Gloria Ann Jones, age 48 of Henagar, was arrested for Open Container at 8:25 pm.

Teresa Gail Payne, age 48 of Rainsville, was arrested for Open Container at 8:25 pm.

2 ACCIDENTS WITH 0 INJURIES

SUNDAY, MAY 10 2 ARRESTS Jacob Clark Goza, age 28 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Public Intoxication, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia at 12:32 am.

Karen Renee Carter, age 49 of Pisgah, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia at 10:27 pm.

1 Accident with 0 Injuries

8 Thursday - May 28, 2015

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