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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, July 29, 2022 / VOL. 8, NO. 30 / $1.00
Dr. McNew Retires
By Marla Jones Managing Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
FORT PAYNE, Ala.-- After forty-four years, Dr. Joseph McNew, DVM will pet his last patient and retire on Friday. Dr. McNew graduated from the University of Kentucky. Since the University of Kentucky did not have a veterinary school, he transferred to Auburn University to continue his doctorate degree. While at Auburn, he met his late wife Emily who was from Scottsboro. After graduation, the couple ventured back to Kentucky. The first winter in Kentucky, there was a 20-inch snow storm. Emily could not get out of the house for a week. She told Dr. McNew, “ I’m headed back to Alabama and I hope you join me.” The rest is history. Dr. McNew opened his practice in Fort Paye in August 1979. During his
career, he has had many adventures. He has de-scented skunks, been chased by cows, took care of iguanas, been bit by too many dogs to count, and scratched by numerous cats. The strangest thing that he said happened in his career, was a barn falling in on him as he was delivering a calf. Dr. McNew stated that he had a pretty good track record with animals but two people had heart attacks and died while he was working on their animals. He thought one animal owner had passed out while watching surgery on their dog but they actually had a heart attack. The other death occurred after chasing a cow in Lickskillet. A farm hand went inside to call the owner, informing him that they could not capture the cow. Dr. McNew told, in his wonderful storytelling manner, that he waited an “
>See MCNEW, P5
Dr. Joseph McNew stands by the picture taken in the first few weeks of his practice opening 44 years ago.
New Mayor for Hammondville
Harcrow Elected to Serve on Retirement Board
participation in the retirement program by local government has grown significantly – to the point marla@southerntorch.com that local employees and retirees actually outnumber the state MONTGOMERY, Ala.-- The employees and retirees in the Association of County Commissions of Alabama initiated fund. With the addition of two local and supported legislation in the government seats to the board, 2021 session establishing there are now five state stronger representation for counties on the Board of Control employee-related seats, five local government-related seats and of the State of Alabama Employees Retirement System. Over the last several years, By Marla Jones Managing Editor
>See BOARD, P3
By Marla Jones Managing Editor
excitement of being named Mayor and stated he had always desired to be actively involved in the marla@southerntorch.com town. After being sworn in, Clecker HAMMONDVILLE, Ala.-- (Full thanked Bobby Ledbetter of Twin video on Southern Torch City Used Cars for donating a bull Facebook) Gene Cleckler was sworn in as Hammondville’s new horn, to be used at festivals, to Mayor by Judge Shaunathan Bell the Town of Hammondville. on Tuesday. Clecker expressed his
>See NEW, P5
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