THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021 / VOL. 7, NO. 9 / $1.00 SPORTS
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BOE Votes to Close Moon Lake
TWEET
Man Arrested for Criminal Activities on Social Media
• Fyffe and Sylvania Advance to State Playoffs • Collinsville Gives Back to the Community
COMMUNITY • Upcoming Events in DeKalb County • CONTINUED: Moon Lake School Will Close
POLITICS
• Sewell Looking "Very Closely" at U.S. Senate Run • Tuberville Announces State Staff & Offices
BUSINESS • Alabama Holds Sales Tax Holiday for Severe Weather Awareness • The Business Spotlight
By Southern Torch Staff admin@southerntorch.com
By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — (Full video at southerntorch.com) On Thursday, the DeKalb County Board of Education (BOE) held their regularly scheduled meeting. The work session of the meeting was dedicated to hearing the concerns of the Moon Lake community regarding the possible closure of Moon Lake Elementary School. Principal Mary Bailey Lance addressed the Board regarding the success of the school and the dedication of the staff and community support. “I’ve worked all over the country and never saw
the support for a school like Moon Lake has,” said Lance. Community member Jessica Harper-Brown, alongside former principal Bill Berry and Marsha Merrell, all addressed the Board on the unity and superior performance exhibited by the school. Superintendent Dr. Jason Barnett addressed the topics discussed and stated that the closure of Moon Lake had been ongoing for 90 years. “We have positions that are serving 56 students that we pay the same that serves 1,200 at other schools,” said Barnett. “We have to provide an equal opportunity for all our students.”
During the meeting, the BOE voted unanimously to close Moon Lake Elementary School at the end of the current school year. The Board approved the following: Bids • Child Nutrition Program: Supplemental Grocery Bid, Osborn Brothers Bus Purchases • 12 - Type C 72 Passenger International Bus: Southland Transportation Group, $993,695.28 • 1 - Type C 54 Passenger International Special Needs Bus: Southland Transportation Group, $95,702.70 On the Job Injury • Glenda Stephenson,
itinerant special education paraprofessional at Geraldine (0 days) • Misty McCallister, elementary teacher at Henagar (8 days) Retirements/ Resignations • Westley King, principal at Sylvania (retirement) • Dana Willis, CNP worker at Plainview (resignation) • Megan Lea, itinerant library media specialist at Moon Lake/Ruhama (resignation) • Dusty Darnell, head football coaching duties only at Crossville (resignation) • Tanner Cowart, 2-hour sanitization
>> See BOE, P3
Rainsville Passes Unsafe Building Resolution
By Marla Jones Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com
RAINSVILLE, Ala. — The Rainsville City Council held their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, February 18. According to Councilmember Rickey Bryum, Rainsville has approximately 40-50 structures that are deemed unsafe. He went on to say that it was important to prevent rodents and to clean the areas that were overgrown with tall trees and grass. The Council voted
unanimously to pass Resolution 02-18-2021 (D) that will allow certified inspectors to test the unsafe buildings for asbestos or other banned materials so that the structures could be safely burned. In other business:
• Approved a low bid for Jason Wright in the amount of $2,800 to repair damaged culverts on Everett Road. The Council also gave the Mayor authorization to negotiate during an emergency situation for repair or replacement of culverts
• Went over plans with Tree City USA to plant (6) Water Oak Trees in the Plainview School parking lot on Arbor Day, April 22. • Approved traffic signs posting weight limits on Dilbeck Road at a cost of $414.39 • Approved training for City Clerk Kelly Frazier on February 23-26 in Montgomery. • Approved Police Department training for Chief Michael Edmondson and Assistant Police Chief Matt Crum • Promoted Jimmy Brooks to Public Works Director
• READY TO TRAVEL IN 2021? GIVE MARLA A CALL: 256-638-4040
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• Posted a CDL Driver position for the Public Works Department • Approved a match of $5,854.76 for the grant that purchase air packs for the Rainsville Fire Department • Voted to buy a replacement badge maker for the departments to use in the amount of $1,188. • Purchased bookcases in the amount of $2,500 for Rainsville City Library • Purchase of handicapped accessible doors in the amount of $5,539 for the City Library • Appointed Carleen
>> See CITY, P6
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — According to DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: On Sunday, February 21st, Agents with the DeKalb County Narcotics Unit received tips about a video on Snapchat of an individual flashing marijuana, guns, and money. Agents quickly responded and a search warrant was obtained. DeKalb County Narcotics agents, along with DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputies and Sylvania Police Officers conducted the search resulting in the arrest of Cody Lance McIntosh (22 of Sylvania). McIntosh was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance. Due to a juvenile being in the home, DHR was called and a safety plan was put into place. Agents confiscated over a pound of marijuana, an undisclosed amount of US currency, THC wax, and a pistol. DeKalb County Sherrif Nick Welden said of the incident: “We want to thank the public for their willingness to come forward and expose this illegal activity. Our DTF, Deputies, and Sylvania PD have done a phenomenal job quickly following leads and tips provided to make a quick arrest. Guns and drugs have no good outcome for anyone and will be fought hard every day in DeKalb County” “God Bless!” Concluded Sheriff Welden.
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