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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2020 / VOL. 6, NO. 21 / $1.00
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THIS WEEK IN CRIME
THIS WEEK IN SPORTS
THIS WEEK IN POLITICS
• Crack Cocaine Seized in Drug Arrests • CONTINUED: Human Remains Indentified
• Phyllis George Paved the Way • Powell Returns to Fyffe
• Inside The Statehouse with Steve Flowers • Lawmakers Approve Ivey Amendment
Fort Payne Reduces Polling Places
FREEDOM FEST Where Do You Stand?
(Wochit News | YouTube)
By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — (Full video on our Facebook) The Fort Payne Council held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, May 19. The Council reported additional safety measures, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that would have to be implemented for the Municipal City Election in August. The Council discussed the prices for holding municipal elections at the five physical polling places. Along with the availability of poll workers and the additional cost of COVID-19 security measures, it was determined that the polling places needed to be limited. Two polling
places will be available for the municipal elections in August, one at the VFW Fairgrounds and the other at the Willis Valley Recreation Center. These two locations will provide adequate parking and space available for social distancing. The council suspended the rules and adopted Ordinance 2020-03 relating to a reduction in polling places for the 2020 Municipal election. For six years the City of Fort Payne has been working on the demolition of the “Old Hospital�. The City plans to apply for CDBG and ARC funding to assist in the demolition of the building located in the 1300 block of Forest Avenue North. According to Mayor Larry Chesser, the City “stood a
> POLLS, P5
Will Rainsville Freedom Fest happen this year? Do you think it should? (Craig Ruttle | Associated Press)
By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com
RAINSVILLE, Ala. — (Full video on our Facebook) The Rainsville City Council held their regularly scheduled meeting via teleconference on Monday. The main item up for discussion was whether the Rainsville Freedom Fest would be held as scheduled in June. Councilmember Derek Rosson brought up the matter to the council and stated that he would like to carry on with the
Freedom Fest as planned and social distance if needed. The majority of the council, along with Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt was in agreement that the event should still be held. After a brief discussion, it was agreed that more research was needed to be done to make sure the City was following the orders of Governor Kay Ivey. As of press time on Wednesday afternoon, a decision had not been made. Councilmembers Marshall Stiefel and Bejan Taheri have asked for a Special Called Meeting to
be held on Friday, May 22 at 4 p.m. to make a decision. Southern Torch will update as soon as a decision is made. Rainsville Chamber of Commerce Director, Sandy Goff stated that “this was a short notice to pull such a major event together but people are anxious to find out� whether the event would be held. Goff also informed the Council that thirteen students from the Plainview Class of 2020 were awarded a $1500 scholarship from the Chamber.
An item that was not on the agenda but was brought forth was the desire to resume council meetings at the council chambers. It was decided that on June 1, the council would meet with a limited audience and with adequate spacing between the council and mayor. The Rainsville Library will have a modified reading program that will begin on June 1. All details are posted on the Rainsville Library
> FEST, P3
REMEMBERING DR. JOHN ISBELL By Southern Torch Staff FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Dr. John B. Isbell, 89, of Fort Payne died at his home Friday, May 15, 2020, with his family present. Born March 24, 1931, to John B. and Eleanor Gilbreath Isbell, he attended Fort Payne City School and was a graduate of DeKalb County High School Class of 1949, Auburn
University Class of 1954, and Medical College of Alabama Class of 1959. After serving an internship at Lloyd Noland Hospital, he returned with his family to Fort Payne in 1960, founding Isbell Clinic, and practicing General Medicine and later limiting to Obstetrics and Gynecology until his retirement in 1995. He was a Veteran of the
Korean War, serving as a medic and ambulance driver from December 1950 until January 1952. He remained a member of VFW until his death. Known as “Dr. John� to most who knew him, he was known for his love and support of his family, his church, his work and coworkers, and flying airplanes. Without exception, he was an encourager of the best
(Wilson Funeral Home)
sort, and a lover of learning, affecting his own children and many others to pursue excellence in all things.
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Delivering somewhere around ten thousand babies over his career, he made a connection to most households in the area. Many of those children later were his “copilots� in his beloved Aeronca airplane as he and his airport friends gave rides to encourage interest in flying through the Young Eagles program. Dr. John excelled in obstetrics,
but since childhood had interest in almost anything mechanical. With his family, he managed to build from scratch a car, boat, and airplane, unselfishly sharing rides with any who wished, and always eager to share his enthusiasm and knowledge about such,
> ISBELL, P3
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