The Southern Torch, Vol. 2, No. 11

THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016 / VOL. 2, NO. 11 / $1.00

COMMUNITY

FAITH

SPORTS

NE AG CENTER TO HOST 2016 SOUTHERN HOME AND FAMILY SHOW > PAGE 4

A MOMENT WITH MEGAN: PINE CONES AND PRAYER

MARCH MADNESS CLASSIC

> PAGE 7

> PAGE 10

Surprise homecoming A local hero returns to his family

SFC Stewart surprises kids at Assembly

By Tyler Pruett tyler@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala— A touching scene unfolded at Cornerstone Academy this week when Sgt. 1st Class Johnny Stewart II

surprised his children at a student assembly.

Stewart has been deployed the last nine months in Kosovo, and was happy to return home a little early to a special homecoming.

With the cooperation of Cornerstone Christian Academy, a special assembly was held as a surprise for Stewart’s children, Trey age 9, and Caroline, age 3.

“Danny Ashley and Angela Smith, administrators of Cornerstone, along with Jimmy Hobbs, band director and Misty Williams, Bookkeeper/ Secretary were instrumental in arranging the surprise.” Stewart’s wife Sherri said. “Many thanks for helping us make this day special.”

Shortly after beginning the ceremony, Trey and Caroline were asked to play one of the musical instruments for a song. While they were CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

MARCH 18-20, 2016 SETUP: MARCH 17-18, 2016 NORTHEAST ALABAMA AGRIBUSINESS CENTER RAINSVILLE, ALABAMA

Shooting at Fort Payne Wal-Mart

By Staff Reports

FORT PAYNE, Ala—

There was a shooting tonight at approximately 8 p.m. at Wal-Mart in Fort Payne. Law enforcement at the scene reported that the victim is in critical condition and is being airlifted to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn. Police have apprehended the suspect and wanted to emphasize that the public is not in danger.

DeKalb man appeals pistol permit denial

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala.—A DeKalb County resident who was recently denied a handgun permit by the county sheriff’s department has filed an appeal to fight for his right to carry and conceal a firearm.

Rickey Pippin, 25, said

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that just prior to his permit denial in DeKalb he received approval from the federal government after passing an extensive background check. He said his ownership of the weapon is also recognized by the State of Alabama and it is registered with the Montgomery Bureau of CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

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THIS WEEK IN COMMUNITY

Rainsville Lions Club hosts 31st annual rodeo The Rainsville Lions Club hosted the 31st annual rodeo last weekend at the Northeast Alabama Agri-business Center. Larry Traylor, one of the Lions Club members who helped organize the event…

Page 5

THIS WEEK IN POLITICS

SCOTUS overturns Alabama Supreme Court ruling against lesbian mother

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision on Monday to overturn a previous Alabama Supreme Court ruling that refused to recognize the custody and visitation rights of a lesbian mother living in Alabama. The court's brief ruling says that the Alabama Supreme Court overstepped its authority by not recognizing the adoption that had been granted…

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THIS WEEK IN SPORTS

Area Win for the Geradine Bulldogs

Geraldine defeated North Sand Mountain 13-4 for the Area win.

Geraldine scored three in the first inning. The score was Geraldine 6, NSM 4 in the third and in the fourth the Bulldogs took control scoring five runs to make the score 11-4 over the Bisons. They added two more runs during the fifth and six for win…

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Friday–March 11, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Publisher, Joseph M. Morgan Layout editor, Dwayne Adams

The Spot expands with addition of food trailer

Owner Justin Sweeney with his new addition!

By Tyler Pruett tyler@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala.— One of Dekalb County’s favorite eateries is happy to announce they will be expanding and going mobile! The Spot, located on the corner of Gault Avenue and 1st Street in downtown Fort Payne, has now added a food trailer. It will be able to serve several mobile locations as well as provide a mobile kitchen for events such as weddings, festivals, and is even serving the Fort Payne High School prom on mainstreet. I sat down with the Spot’s owner, Justin Sweeney, to discuss

the new addition and business in general.

The new mobile kitchen will serve several locations in the area, and will even be making the trip all the way to Chattanooga; bringing a Fort Payne original to shoppers at the farmer’s market on Sundays. The trailer will also be making the rounds at locations in Dekalb County, including the Siemens industrial complex and the Children’s Place. Sweeney is also looking to add more locations in the future to share his unique dining experience with as many people as possible.

When asked what

made him decide to add a food trailer to his business model, Sweeney wanted to expand, but in a versatile way. “We were looking at adding a second location, but we were having a hard time find another spot,” he said. When he said, “spot,” he meant that quite literally. The architecture of his original location lends to the uniqueness of the business he’s created.

When Sweeney first saw the building that would become the home of his now thriving business, he couldn’t believe it had been vacant for two years. “My first thought was, ‘this architecture is incredible!’ With the metal ceilings, open floor plan, and stage, it would be difficult to find another location to replicate what we have here,” he said.

That’s when he decided that a food trailer was more versatile than another location, and would allow him to bring his existing business to new locations without trying to replicate it. “It allows us to serve a wider audience,” Sweeney stated.

If you’ve never experienced the uniqueness of Sweeney’s business, it only takes one look inside to realize

Services offered by the new food trailer.

The new trailer will feature the full menu of drink and food items.

that The Spot in Fort Payne is much more than just a small-town coffee shop. First of all, in addition to coffee and espresso, The Spot serves frozen blended drinks, Panini Sandwiches, pizza, pastries, ice cream and more. But it’s not just the unexpected size and quality of their menu that sets The Spot apart. They are a venue like no other.

Part coffee shop, part

restaurant, part art gallery, and part music venue, somehow The Spot manages to successfully pull off all four at the same time with an eclectic style and decor that is truly their own.

The combination of a unique venue, unique art, and unique food in a unique town, makes The Spot a Fort Payne original.

“What happened here, couldn’t happen anywhere else,” he said.

As far as his plans for the future, Sweeney anticipates adding hand tossed pizza to his menu.

Above all, no matter what successes the future might hold, he plans to stay true to the original styling that helped make his business a success.

Native announces app launch

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala.— Native Inc., a locally owned marketing strategy and software development company will officially launch their new app on Tuesday, March 15, 2016.

Native Director of Business Relations Ryan Tramel said the Native Rewards app will provide a connection between local business owners and consumers. Tramel said the app will reward consumers for shopping locally and help local merchants expand their customer bases.

Tramel said the app will level the playing field for national chains and small local businesses.

He said the app will CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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Friday–March 11, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Harmony in Rainsville?

Mayor, council find common ground with financial initiatives

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala.—The Rainsville City Council and mayor were able to find common ground Monday night at the city’s regularly scheduled council meeting. The council offered unanimous support for each of the three separate initiatives brought forth by Mayor Nick Jones that he believes will save significant dollars for the city.

The first initiative Jones introduced was a recommendation that the city consider hiring an outside insurance expert to assess the city’s current

insurance policies and offer insight in terms of suggesting policy adjustments to increase and/or decrease current coverage levels as needed. Jones said a representative from the company, Aronov, has briefly looked over existing city policies and believes that there is potential for significant savings by making policy adjustments.

“Rainsville currently does not have an outside insurance agent or expert who is acting on our behalf,” Jones said. “The consultant with whom I spoke specializes in analyzing municipal policies and offering insight and modifications

to help local governments save money and ensure that each policy is appropriate in size and scope.”

Jones said the company is offering a one-year “trial period” to see if the relationship would be a good fit for both parties. “What concerns me is that we don’t have an insurance professional that’s in our corner so to speak,” Jones said. “Aronov would come in and look at everything—liability, property, workmen’s comp. Each year we pay almost $200,000 in insurance premiums— large portion of budget.”

The company has offered the one-year deal at a cost to the city of 5 percent of the cost of each premium. “I think it would be a good thing to look into—to have an advocate that could be a go-between," Rainsville Councilman David Holt said. "I think it’s a good idea to pursue it. I'd like to see a contract before we decide to make sure

we’re all on the same page, but I’d be in favor of it. I think it would be a wise use of our money to have a 3rd party advocate."

The second measure Jones recommended was a potential restructure of the city works department. Jones said that upcoming personnel changes within the street department provides an ideal time to look at scaling down the size of the department."

"We have a retirement coming up and another employee indicated that they may also be leaving to pursue an opportunity in another city," Jones said. "These two employees primarily take care of mowing the city grounds. I think it’s a good time to look at maybe downsizing the street department, and at least take hard look at bidding out our mowing.

We would not only have some savings there in terms of two fewer salaries to pay for, but also equipment, fuel and

through the removal of insurance costs."

Jones said the city would still take care of maintaining the rights of way along city streets and other areas that require a tractor and bush hog.

"The areas we are looking at contracting out would be areas like the sewer plant and Field of Dreams that require mowing with a lawnmower," Jones said.

The city plans to begin taking bids for the project in the next couple of weeks.

The third measure Jones proposed offers potential funding for the taking down or demolition of dilapidated commercial and residential structures in Rainsville. The city will soon begin the application process for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). The grant CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Mentone loses historical tree

The tree at the Mentone Inn has greeted visitors at the top of the mountain for the last century

By Tyler Pruett tyler@southerntorch.com

MENTONE, Ala— For almost a century, motorists traveling up Highway 117 from Valley

Mentone Inn Owner, Cynthia M. Stinson and contractor Steve Moore discussing ways to try to preserve the tree

Head have been greeted by a large sugar maple when entering the Mentone city limits. The tree is on the right, located in the yard of the Mentone Inn. Recently the Inn’s owner, Cynthia M. Stinson, was faced with a tough decision; either remove the tree that has become so much a fixture of the town, or try to save it, and risk it falling on the highway and cutting power to the entire community.

Eight years ago, a certified arborist diagnosed the large tree with Verticillium Wilt, also known as Maple Wilt. This disease spreads

through the root system from a fungus in the soil.

Due to this, the root system is the first part of the tree thats attacked.

This large maple sits on a hillside, with the root system supporting most of it’s weight. While every measure has been taken to reverse the disease, it’s progressed to a point that makes the tree likely to fall.

“The center of the tree is hollow from the disease,” Stinson said. “It was not an easy decision to make, but for the safety of our guests and also traffic and power lines on 117… We have decided to remove it.”

Crews arrived on Tuesday around 10:00 am to begin the long process of removing the maple. Before beginning, the tree cutting crew contracted by Sand Mountain Electric tried to selectively remove dead parts of the tree in order to preserve it, but on closer inspection, they had no choice but to completely remove it.

Later that afternoon, the crew would return to take the tree down.

The tree will be sorely missed, not only by Stinson and her family, but by the entire town. “It has been a landmark of the Inn for years, my children and grandchildren have played around it and have had many picnics beneath it,” she said. “There have been weddings held in the shade of the tree, and art shows on the lawn.”

The sugar maple on Monday before it was removed

While the tree may be coming down, it’ll still be put to good use. In true Mentone fashion, local artist will be repurposing the left over wood for their work. In many ways, the tree will remain in town, and will help contribute to its growth and continued reputation as a cultural hub.

As far as plans for the spot in the future, Stinson knows the landmark tree will be hard to replace. The maple has greeted visitors to the community for much of the last century.

“We plan to put more flowers, a rock garden, and a nice sitting area for our guest,” she stated.

“The Saint Christopher statue will remain at the point to welcome travelers through Mentone.”

The tree contracted “maple wilt,” eating away at the root system and center of the tree

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Friday–March 11, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

COMMUNITY

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

NE Ag Center to host 2016 Southern Home and Family Show

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala.— The 2016 Southern Home and Family Show, presented

by FTC and Steel Safe

Shelters, will be held in Rainsville at the Northeast Alabama Agribusiness Center from March 18-20, 2016.

Adam Berry, president

of Excel Events Group which developed and is promoting the event said, “We are very excited about bringing a new type of event to the area.

In past events, the event is geared more to adults or more toward children, but this event will be enjoyed by all ages.”

A marketplace for all of your home and family products and services, complete with the 15,000 square foot KidZone sponsored by RTI, with numerous themed inflatables and surprise visits from kid's characters, this is one event you do not want to miss.

Phillip's Events welcomes Gigi Butler, founder of Gigi's Cupcakes, and she will be bringing FREE cupcakes to the first 250 kids on Saturday and again on Sunday. Also make sure to stop by SteelSafe

Shelters booth to register for your chance to win a FREE SafetySphere shelter.

Karmen Smith, Author of #PrayBig will be appearing Sunday from 11-2 for a book signing. The show is sponsored by Phillip’s Events, Harbin Automotive, Holiday Inn Express Fort Payne, The Wynn Agency, and First Southern State Bank.

Adult admission will be $5, with kids 12 and under being admitted free. The hours for the event are as follows: Friday, March 18 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Upcoming Events for the week of 3/18 March 19:

Heil Community Easter Egg Hunt - Begins at 11 a.m.

March 19:

Geraldine Eggstravaganza - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lots of fun with over 5000 eggs, lots of prizes food and music.

Bring your own basket.

March 19:

CPR Course - Desoto Rescue Squad will be holding a community

CPR course at the Mentone Community Church Life Center 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $20 and registration is limited to 20 people. Call to reserve a seat 256-755-1023

March 20:

Dogtown Fire Department BBQ Dinner - Begins at 11 a.m.

March 18-20:

Southern Home and Family Show - Hosted at the Northeast Alabama

Agri-Business Center.

Call (256) 605-1801 for booth sponsorship.

March 25:

Good Friday Celebration - Come enjoy great music with the Gold City Quartet and Wilburn & Wilburn.

Advanced tickets are $12 and $15 at the door at Dekalb Theatre in Fort Payne. 256-996-8910 or 256-459-4769

March 25:

Continued from page 1

Local soldier surprises his kids taking part in the musical act, Stewart quietly emerged from one of the back rooms in the gymnasium. His children seemed in disbelief at first, not expecting their father at school today.

This was Stewart’s second deployment overseas, also serving a long deployment to Iraq.

“I had to be at Fort Bliss for seven days to out process and demobilize,” Stewart said, “It was hard to keep it a surprise for the kids.”

Stewart certainly felt the appreciation from the community for his

homecoming on Wednesday, but had already felt it in a big way while still deployed.

While in Kosovo, the City of Rainsville promoted him to Chief of Police after the retirement of Chief Charles Centers.

Stewart has already served the City of Rainsville for almost 20 years as a police officer.

He served many years as the assistant chief, and has a wealth of knowledge on the day to day operations of the Rainsville Police Department.

When asked about the

promotion, Stewart expressed his gratitude to the community for trusting him with the top police job. “I’m excited about the opportunity,” Stewart said. “I live here, my kids obviously go to school here, and I really want to see our community go forward.”

The Rainsville First Baptist Church would also like to announce that they will be having a coming home celebration for Stewart this Sunday, March 13, from 2 - 4 pm in the fellowship hall.

Jess Goggans at the Wildflower Cafe - Come and enjoy dinner and music with Jess. For more information or reservations, call the Wildflower Cafe at 256634-0066

March 26:

RTI’s Easter Egg Hunt - 1 p.m. at RTI, 189 RTI Drive in Rainsville. Free Admission. Bring your own Easter basket

March 26:

Jackson County Cruisers and Wheels of Time Cruisers - Indoor benefit car show and swap meet. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Northeast

Alabama Agri-Business Center in Rainsville. Free admission for spectators.

March 26:

Fort Payne Reservoir/ Wills Creek Clean Up & Work Day - Help the crew at Fort Payne Water Board protect your drinking water! Reservoir and Wills Creek clean upvolunteers will remove litter from the reservoir shoreline, roadsides, and bridge near FP Water Treatment Plant.

Rain date is April 2. If you have questions or would like to participate, contact Angie at One World Adventure at 256-634-8370 or angie@oneworldadventureco.org

Continued from page 2

Harmony in Rainsville program provides demolition funding for municipalities to use and make available to city residents in order to remove dilapidated or dangerous structures on commercial or private property.

Jones said the city of Fyffe is a past recipient of a CDBG demolition grant.

The grant is funded through an 80/20 split with the state providing 80 percent of funding and the municipality providing the other 20 percent. Fyffe used the grant for the demolition of 25 properties that

ultimately saved property owners $188,000.

“This grant would allow property owners who are in need of demolition work to safely remove structures that are beyond repair and potentially dangerous,” Jones said. “Safely taking down a structure that needs to be demolished can be very expensive. If we were approved for this grant the work would be provided at no cost to the property owner and hopefully we could bring these structures up to city code.”

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Friday–March 11, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

COMMUNITY

Rainsville Lions Club hosts 31st annual rodeo

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala.—The Rainsville Lion Club hosted the 31st annual rodeo last weekend at the Northeast Alabama Agri-business Center. Larry Traylor, one of the Lions Club members who

helped organize the event, said that this year’s turnout was among the best of the last several years.

Traylor said more than 200 competitors from all over the Southeast took part in the event and estimates attendance was around 1,200 - 1,300 on Friday and 2,400 -

2,500 on Saturday. “This year’s rodeo was as good as most any I can remember,” Traylor said. “The money we raised from this event will have an enormous impact on the children that we are able to help. We are grateful to all the corporate sponsors and those who attended the

event.”

Traylor said that Rainsville Lions Club has a core group of strong membership and continues to host successful events and provide assistance to countless children each year.

He says the biggest challenge is recruiting younger

members to fill the shoes of those who might soon be ready to begin passing the torch to the next generation.

Traylor encourages anyone in the area who is interested in joining the Lions Club to visit https://www.facebook.com/ RainsvilleLions/ or call 256-899-3472.

SOUTHERN TORCH EASTER PHOTO PARADE CONTEST

Southern Torch is awarding prizes to be dressed in your Easter best! Post photos of your children dressed in their Easter outfits on our facebook page beginning March 14 and ending March 23 at 10 a.m. We would like our facebook followers to be the judges so the picture with the most likes will be awarded first place and will receive $100, second place will receive $50 and third place $25. Spring is in the air and Easter is around the corner so post your photos for your chance to win.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 6

Friday–March 11, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

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

3 locations to serve you: Rainsville 256-638-8600 Scottsboro 256-574-2679 Fort Payne 256-845-3350.

Continued from page 2

Native announces app launch utilize technology to allow local merchants to connect directly with their consumers. Tramel said crowdsourcing provides the network with pooled funding that makes it possible for small business owners to thrive in the global marketplace.

According to Native, the app will allow shoppers to save and win money, just by shopping at local businesses. “All you have to do is show the app on your phone at the register to be entered in one of Native's $100 a week Fortune drawings,” Tramel said. “Native is giving away $100 in both Jackson and DeKalb Counties each week, and Fortune winnings can be spent at businesses that use Native in either county. Shoppers will also gain access to personalized deals from local businesses, just by having the app.”

The Native Education Rewards program provides a way to connect your local business to your local school,

ensuring that businesses and schools retain a close partnership. Simply by downloading the app and filling out the online form at $0.25 is given to your school of choice in DeKalb or Jackson County.

"I grew up here, and I know that it's the local businesses that are supporting the band, and the softball team, and coming out to the homecoming parade," said Marketing Director Ashley Stanford, "We can't lose sight of the bond between local businesses and the school system. This is how we can reward both for being the fabric of the community."

More than 50 local merchants have already joined the Native Network, and the company hopes to reach 500 merchants by Christmas 2016.

The Native Rewards app is free to download on the App Store for iPhones and the Google Play store for Android phones.

RAINSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

March 10, 2016 Tim Eberhart, Executive Director The sun will not set until 6:49 p.m. this Sunday. That’s great news.

Combine the extra sunshine with some budding trees budding and some songbirds singing and you cannot help but feel a sense of renewal.

With the shorter, colder days behind us it’s time for the Rainsville Chamber to move forward with renewed purpose and energy. It has been great to hear lots of fresh ideas from our board members at some of our recent meetings. It’s great to have a small group of people who are willing to spend the time and energy to see to it that our ideas turn into plans, and that our plans turn into programs and activities. It’s great to see us take a fresh look at who and what we are, and what we are supposed to be doing.

For those who don’t know, we’re a business alliance with about 160 members who share most of the same values, objectives and aspirations. At the core is the idea of accomplishing some good things as a big group that individual small businesses can’t as easily accomplish on their own.

The main thing most are hoping to accomplish by being part of this alliance is to effectively market the community’s assets to the outside world while providing a catalyst for community action and a clearinghouse for information.

They also hope to advance and protect our business-friendly environment and our standard of living.

At one of our recent directors meetings, we talked about the fact that we must make it clear that we are open to fresh ideas from outside the board, and we need more people to get involved with the process. We want more of our members to believe that they are getting their money’s worth, and at least one new campaign will be introduced in coming weeks as a result.

Membership is not a requirement for sharing ideas with us, but the cost of membership is pretty painless, so you might as well join. It’s only $85 per year for most businesses.

We also have a $35 membership rate that’s great for retirees or other individuals who want to support our efforts but are no longer associated with a business or other organization.

To join, contact me at 638-7800 or timeberhart@farmerstel. com, or visit the “join” page on our website.

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Friday–March 11, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FAITH

The Last Locker Room

By Dr. John E. Morgan Pastor–Collinsville Baptist Church

It happened again two weeks ago. The last locker room.

Every year almost every team in Alabama ends its football and basketball seasons in the same way. They lose.

About 64 teams in each classification. 63 of them end their season with a loss.

I have kept books for the Collinsville basketball

teams for a long time.

My job is to write down most everything that happens – points, score, fouls, time outs, etc. And keep the coach up to date during the game. When the game is over I total everything up. The last thing I do is carry the book into the locker room and hand it to the coach.

That means I always walk into the last locker room every year. They are all pretty much the

same. Kids with their heads down. Smell of sweat soaked clothes. By the time I get there, most of them have already taken off their uniforms and thrown them into a pile. Depressed kids who just lost their last game.

Coach trying to pat them on the back and encourage them.

And then there are the seniors. No more “next years” for them.

They are done. Most of them will never again wear a school uniform.

So they often wait longer to take them off. Tears rolling down their cheeks no matter how much they try to hold them back.

When I walk out of that last locker room, standing outside waiting are usually the mommas and daddies. And the cheerleaders who know they are wearing their uniforms for the last time, too. They have the same tears on their cheeks.

I know and you know that life will go on. They won’t wear the school uniform again, but they

will have lots of memories. They will sit in the bleachers and talk about the good ol’ days. Some will watch their own children put on those uniforms. Maybe even wear the same number.

There will be lots of smiles as they remember.

And they will forever be remembered by who they played ball with -- their teammates and their coach.

I know they will all be okay. But I hurt because they hurt. What I really want one time is for our kids to have a last locker team where they are rejoicing at winning it all.

Passing around that State Champions trophy.

Keeping their uniforms on because they are taking so many pictures.

I want that for our kids.

And their parents. And our community. 63 of 64 lose. I want one time for us to be that 64th team that wins. I want that to be the memory of their last locker room. Going out winners. Not holding back the pain and tears.

Big smiles. Big trophy.

Winners.

One of the biggest winners of all time was Satan. He didn’t win 63 of 64. He won them all.

Starting with Adam and Eve – here eat this fruit.

Over and over for thousands of years, people listened to Satan.

And still do. As long as we sin, he wins. We lose.

The last locker room is really bad with him. But he did not defeat Jesus – no sin with Jesus.

A couple of weeks ago I sat at a kitchen table with a new widow. She held back tears. She missed her husband so much. But she is a strong Christian lady. And she knew her husband left that hospital room and went to heaven. He was a winner because he trusted in Jesus. And she knows someday she will go through the door as a victor in Jesus Christ. Old body left behind like a discarded dirty uniform.

No tears ever again needed. Lots of reunions.

Rejoicing forever in a final victory.

A Moment with Megan: Pine Cones and Prayer

By Megan Blansit Founder of The Beautiful Movement - a youth ministry for high school girls. For more information, visit The Beautiful Movement’s Facebook page, where I post the time, place, and activity for each month

Last Sunday, I was sitting outside overlooking the pond at my brother’s house. I absolutely love being outside and enjoying

beautiful weather, so that day in particular I grabbed a few books and rode over to his house. As most of you know (if you read my articles), God speaks to me a lot through nature and animals. As I was sitting there reading, I paused and said, “Lord, please speak to me.” Side notelast week was a very exhausting and stressful week; I was feeling overwhelmed and desired to hear His voice.

I will also pause this story and say that perhaps He speaks to us more than we realize but our lives are too loud (busy) for us to hear Him. However, Sunday, I knew it was just me and Jesus out there, with no distractions.

After minutes of asking the Lord to speak to me, I heard some cracking noises in the tree closest to me, I look to my left and saw a pine cone falling from the tree and it hit the ground. At first glance, I didn't think anything of that. As I went back to reading my book I glanced back at the pine cone and immediately the Lord said, “I knew when that fell,” …. “I also know when you fall.” OKAY. Cue the tears! Jesus knows, friend.

I started thinking, what did He mean by “fall?” I concluded that not only does he know when we fall and mess

up, but He knows when we are hurting, when we feel defeated, broken, and when we feel like we have literally hit rock bottom. He loves us through it all and He wants to be the one who we fall on. No matter the situation, His eyes never stop gazing with love on us. “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book,” Psalms 56:8.

That verse reminds me that Jesus is intimately concerned and notices everything about us. You may think no one knows that you cry yourself to sleep at night or maybe you think Jesus doesn't even know who you are. Friend, the Bible says He knows how many hairs you have on your head… that tells me He knows more about the me than I do! Psalm 139:13 says, “ For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” You are extremely important and loved by Him. Friend, when you think no one else cares, He cares! He is always thinking about you. My mind really cant imagine that kind of love; perhaps I could if I had a child.

Jesus is crazy obsessed with you- in the most intimate, loving way. In fact, I imagine Jesus looking down on you from Heaven, desperately

waiting to listen to your prayers, your trials, and your heartaches.

A few months ago I was having a rough day (I felt like a pine cone who had just fallen HARD) and was feeling down and defeated. I was driving up the mountain from Scottsboro to Section and decided to pull over and watch the sunset over the water. In frustration, I sat there talking to God. “Am I forgotten?”… “Where are you?” … “Why is this happening?” Then once I decided to quit having a pity party and actually listen for Him to speak back, He said, “Megan, if you only knew what I have in store for you.”

Then He reminded me of Isaiah 55:8, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord.

And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Friend, I am here to remind you that you are not forgotten. You may have fallen or are falling, but Jesus wants to be there to catch you, to pick you back up, pour out His purpose and love on you.

He isn’t concerned with whether something you are upset about is “valid.”

Like I said previously, He notices EVERY tear and is intimately concerned with your heartache.

Will you fall into His embrace?

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Friday–March 11, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

POLITICS SCOTUS overturns Alabama Supreme Court ruling against lesbian mother

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision on Monday to overturn a previous Alabama Supreme Court ruling that refused to recognize the custody and visitation rights of a lesbian mother living in Alabama. The court’s brief ruling says that the Alabama Supreme Court overstepped its authority by not recognizing the adoption that had been granted the woman in

Georgia. The woman, identified in court documents as V.L., was denied visitation rights with her adopted children after ending a relationship with her lesbian partner, identified as E.L., who is the birth mother of the three adopted children.

The ruling issued Monday restores full parental rights to V.L. "I am overjoyed that the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the Alabama court decision," the adoptive mother, V.L., said in a prepared statement. "I have been

my children's mother in every way for their whole lives. I thought that adopting them meant that we would be able to be together always. When the Alabama court said my adoption was invalid and I wasn't their mother, I didn't think I could go on. The Supreme Court has done what's right for my family."

The case was first unsuccessfully appealed to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals in October 2014. The case was then appealed to the Alabama Supreme Court who issued an order in

September 2015 refusing to recognize V.L.'s Georgia adoption and declaring it void. The court found that Alabama did not have to recognize adoption by V.L. of her partner's biological children because it found the Georgia court didn't properly apply state law.

The U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling in the case, granting V.L. temporary visitation rights in December. "The Supreme Court's reversal of Alabama's unprecedented

decision to void an adoption from another state is a victory not only for our client but for thousands of adopted families," National Center for Lesbian Rights Family Law Director Cathy Sakimura, who is representing V.L.,” said.

"No adoptive parent or child should have to face the uncertainty and loss of being separated years after their adoption just because another state's court disagrees with the law that was applied in their adoption."

Lawmakers introduce bill to allow hemp research

Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture John McMillan

By Tyler Pruett tyler@southerntorch.com

MONTGOMERY, Ala— In an official press conference at the state house, Agricultural & Industries Commissioner John McMillan, Senator Paul Bussman (R-Cullman), and Representative Ken

Johnson (R-Moulton) announced a proposal to allow for the scientific research of hemp as an agricultural product. This will make Alabama the 29th state to allow scientific research. The plan would allow the Department of Agriculture & Industries

or an institution of higher learning to research the uses of hemp.

Hemp was outlawed in 1970 as part of the Controlled Substances Act. This was due in large part to its relative in the plant family, Cannabis, or better known as

Marijuana. While hemp is similar, it contains only small traces of the psychoactive chemical Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which exists in large amounts in marijuana.

Before it was outlawed, hemp was grown as an agricultural in North America since its settlement. Hemp can be used in a wide variety of products including: textiles, paper, food, building materials, and even to produce a type of carbon fiber used in auto production. In recent years, the topic has been hotly debated, as proponents maintain that the crop is a viable replacement for other agricultural crops. This has led many states to rethink their approach.

“The federal government has approved the production of industrial hemp and 28 states have already green-lighted pilot programs or production,” Bussman said. “This bill would allow the Agriculture Department and our colleges and

universities to investigate the full uses of industrial hemp, which we already know can be used in the production of insulation materials, yarn, textiles, and even auto parts.”

“If this is a viable and productive crop in other states, we owe it to Alabama farmers to at least research the economic opportunities in our own backyard,” Johnson said.

“I want to commend Senator Bussman and Representative Johnson for their leadership on this issue and for their willingness to help seek new viable cash crops for Alabama farmers,” Commissioner McMillan said. “We look forward to the potential research opportunities this legislation provides our state institutions of higher education.”

The legislation will first have to be considered by the appropriate committee, and then be voted on by the entire legislative body. Bussman and Johnson plan to introduce the measure this session.

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Friday–March 11, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

OPINION / EDITORIAL

New places, new faces Dwayne Adams, Layout Editor for Southern Torch

By Dwayne Adams dwayne@southerntorch.com

Four years ago I moved to Heflin, Alabama, where the green, rural scenery and narrow, tree-lined streets connected a handful of neighborhoods, providing a rich backdrop for a fresh start in a new town. I never would’ve guessed that I’d soon find myself designing logos, flyers, signage, banners, direct mail, t-shirts, and a host of other materials for almost every annual event throughout Cleburne County!

Prior to 2012, I was content to just punch a clock, but the good people of Heflin had other plans. Being a bit of a homebody, and an undeniable introvert, I honestly didn’t get out much, but as I continued to meet more and more people, I found myself being slowly

pushed out of my comfort zone. I started by contributing artwork for the Rudy Rooks mayoral campaign, which was a crash course all by itself (he won, by the way), and which would lead to a long line of political direct mail down the road. Later, I joined the Cleburne County Fair Committee where I volunteered creative services for marketing and promotions. I joined the local Chamber of Commerce, which enabled me to attend networking events like “Business After Hours.” And I designed for everything from Relay for Life, to Heflin’s annual Strides of March and St. Pawtrick’s Day Pet Parade, to the latest stage productions from the Heflin Arts Council, to the city’s holiday light show and “shop local” campaign.

Quite a contrast from just punching a clock.

You may wonder why I’m telling you all this. Well, it’s simple, really. It was the people of Heflin that showed me the real value of community, and it’s because of them I recognized a demand throughout the county for services that aren’t always easy to find. Services that I could provide! So, suffice it to say, I owe a real debt of gratitude to the friends I’ve made throughout East Central Alabama. But…

everything changes. Careers evolve. Paths diverge. And last Summer, a new client was about to change everything.

The Southern Torch.

Originally, I worked remotely from Heflin. Over a period of 6 months or so, I had attended a few staff meetings at the Southern Torch office in Rainsville. I got along swimmingly with everyone on staff, and was happy to finally match faces and personalities with names.

But Heflin was still very much my “home base.” But just like four years ago, the good folks at the Torch had other plans.

With a little coordination and assistance, I made the decision to come to Fort Payne and begin my next fresh start, and I could not be happier about the decision!

Aside from all the friendly faces I had already met in this area, what immediately struck me about my new

home was its rich natural beauty, with the relatively low-lying areas of Fort Payne starkly juxtaposed against Lookout Mountain! I was traveling along Highway 35 recently, returning home from a friend’s house in Centre. As I began the final descent into downtown, I turned off my radio, rolled down my window, and just took in what I was witnessing, staying silent and ignoring the 40 degree temperatures.

The scene would have made a wonderful post card. As I gazed through the leafless trees of the wintery forest covering the side of the mountain, hundreds of street lights danced along Gault Avenue and weaved through the neighborhoods I was approaching. Beautiful! It was nothing short of energizing.

I realize that in terms of natural beauty, Highway 35 is just the tip of the iceberg, but

you must keep in mind that aside from Mt. Cheaha, we don’t see a lot of that in East Central Alabama. There is still much to discover. Of course Little River Canyon and DeSoto Park are on my list.

And I’m already finding local hangouts that suit me perfectly like The Spot and Vintage 1889 (if you see me out in public, you’re likely to see me with a latte and my laptop). But if my experience in DeKalb is anything like my experience in Cleburne County was, what will make my experience most enriching is the people. And I can already say I’m impressed by the love DeKalb County citizens clearly have for their mountain home. Yes, Northeast Alabama is looking bright indeed. I look forward to what the future will bring, and I thank the citizens of DeKalb County for welcoming me with such open arms!

Continued from page 1

DeKalb man appeals pistol permit denial Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Pippin’s luck would end at the county level.

Pippin says he was denied the permit because of a juvenile sex offense conviction he received almost 15 years ago when he was a 11-year-old minor. Pippin admitted that when he was 11 years old, he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with an eight-yearold. He also points out that he completed sex offender treatment years ago and has maintained a clean record over those years.

He points out that he was convicted under seal as a juvenile and said the laws are very different for adult and juvenile sex offenders.

"The only thing different between me and you is once a year I go tell the sheriff where I'm living and what I drive," Pippin said in a recent interview with WAFF news. Pippin said that the

requirement that he register as a sex offender is what alerted the sheriff’s department of his past and led to his permit being denied. .

Pippin said when he asked why his permit was denied, he was told by an officer, "I don't have to tell you anything other than I'm not going to give you one."

Alabama law however, requires county sheriff’s to send out a form to applicants who are denied permits giving them at least one reason for denial by placing a checkmark in a box corresponding to the stated reason. None of the boxes on Pippin’s rejection form were selected and no other reason for denial was given other than the fact that he was registered with the sheriff's department as a juvenile sex offender.

Pippin’s appeal date has been set for April 17, 2016. Alabama is an

open-carry state, meaning that a permit is not required to carry a firearm in plain view of others in a hip holster or other visible place on the body. Pippin currently carries his firearm in compliance of Alabama open-carry laws, but he is not allowed to carry anywhere on his person a gun that is concealed by a jacket or other clothing.

Pippin, who rolls off the sex offender registry next year, said his fight is not as much about being denied a permit, but more a matter of principle—that his sealed juvenile record was used as a reason to deny his permit.

A spokesperson with DeKalb Sheriff’s department declined Southern Torch’s request for an interview with Sheriff Jimmy Harris and said that they could not discuss the matter at this time.

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Friday–March 11, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

March Madness Classic

Area Win for the Geraldine Bulldogs

Hannah Culpepper goes for the net against R.C. Hatch in the State semifinal game.

Photo Courtesy of Kristy Gallagher, Sports & More.

Avery Byars on the mound for the Bulldogs.

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

Geraldine 13, NSM 4 GERALDINE, Ala.—Geraldine defeated North Sand Mountain 13-4 for the Area win.

Geraldine scored three in the first inning.

The score was Geraldine 6, NSM 4 in the third and

Eighth grader, Kenzi Traylor pitched two games of the March Madness Classic and went 1-1.

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

Hoover 8, Plainview 0 RAINSVILLE, Ala.—The Plainview Lady Bears were defeated by Class 7A Hoover in the championship game of the March Madness Classic 8-0.

Eighth grader, Kenzi Traylor took the loss on the mound for Plainview.

The Lady Bears played four games during the tournament and finished 2-2 for the day. Both of the losses were to Hoover.

The first game of the series was against Madison County. They won 6-0. Sophomore Bailey Smart had the win on the mound. She pitched for five innings.

She struck out one and gave up only four hits.

Sisters Kennedi and Kenzi Traylor each had 3 RBIs .

Anabelle Brown had a double.

The Lady Bears

advanced to the second round of play where they faced Hoover for the first time. Hoover won with a score of 7-5. Kenzi Traylor took the loss on the mound. Annabelle Brown and Tobi Trotter each had a homerun.

Plainview faced the East Limestone Lady Indians in the third round of the classic, sponsored by Crossville Lady Lions Softball. They won 12-2. Kenzi Traylor pitched the game only allowing 2 earned runs.

She struck out 5. Kenzi Traylor also hit a double and knocked in two.

Kennedi Traylor had two doubles, Ali Clark had a single which brought in three runners, Bailey Smart had a two-run homer, Crimson Wells had a single bringing in two runners. Jacey Crowell had a single and a triple.

in the fourth the Bulldogs took control scoring five runs to make the score 11-4 over the Bisons.

They added two more runs during the fifth and six for the win.

Noe Guevara had his first win of the season on the mound, pitching for 5 innings. He struck out six, walked two and only

had one earned run.

Justin Murphy pitched for two innings striking out two. Murphy went for 3-for-4 on the plate knocking in one and scoring three runs for the Bulldogs. Jordan Cookston was 1-for-4 for the game, scored one run and brought home two players for the score.

Rams defeat the Devils

Senior, Hunter Miller slides into third against the Fyffe Red Devils.

Photo Courtesy of Kristy Gallagher-Sports and More Photography

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

Sylvania 5, Fyffe 1 SYLVANIA, Ala.—The Sylvania Rams defeated

the Fyffe Red Devils 5-1 Monday.

Levi Bass pitched seven innings and gave up only two hits in getting the win. He

struck out ten and gave up one unearned run.

Hunter Miller went 3-4 and had two RBIs. .

Brody Fulgham went 2-4 with one RBI.

FANS OF THE WEEK! Taylior and her dad, Brandon Freeman were spotted at the Crossville March Madness Softball Tournament.

Submit your pictures to marla@southerntorch.com for your chance to be our next Southern Torch Fans of the Week!!

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Friday–March 11, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Fort Payne Tennis dominates Dade County

Baseball Box Scores March 3-March 7, 2016 Sardis 11, Collinsville 7 Cedar Bluff 15, Collinsville 1 Collinsville 10, Skyline 0 Crossville 11, Fyffe 5 New Hope 11, Crossville 5 Crossville 8, DAR 7 Crossville 11, Geraldine 9 Boaz 14, Crossville 4 Gadsden City 11, Fort Payne 4 Plainview 7, Fort Payne 6 Sylvania 5, Fyffe 1

Marcus Chaney returns a ball to the net against Dade County.

Photo Courtesy of Christie Chaney

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala.— Fort Payne swep the Boys

and Girls double and single play against Dade County Monday.

The girls won all six single-play games, while

the boys took six of seven. The Fort Payne Wildcats won all six games of double play.

Fyffe Burns the Hornets

Fyffe 13, Ider 1 Sardis 8, Geraldine 7 Geraldine 13, NSM 4 Sardis 9, Geraldine 2 Ider 6, Woodville 3 Ider 4, Sylvania 0 Plainview 8, Section 5 Sylvania 9, Woodville 1 Sylvania 9, Gaylesville 0 Sylvania 13, Valley Head 0

Softball

Box Scores March 3- March 9, 2016 Collinsville 12, Minor 1 Collinsville 9, Susan Moore 0 J.B. Pennington 2, Collinsville 1 Collinsville 2, Douglas 0 Crossville 11, Cherokee 0 Glencoe 1, Fort Payne 0 Fort Payne 7, Coosa Christian 3 Fort Payne 9, Ashville 1 Ider 6, Fort Payne 0

Fort Payne 8, Glencoe 3 Fort Payne 7, Ider 5 Westminster Academy 3, Fyffe 0 Plainview 10, Fyffe 2 Fyffe 4, Guntersville 3 Ider 4, Piedmont 2 Ider 13, Ashville 1 Ider 6, Fort Payne 0 Ider 10, Sylvania 3

Super 5 team Boys

Fyffe tries to steal against the Ider Hornets.

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

Fyffe 13, Ider 1

FYFFE, Ala.—The Fyffe

Devils defeated the Ider Hornets Tuesday night 13-1.

Junior, Will Masburn pitched five winnings for the win. Mashburn gave up 2 hits and struck out 9.

Seth Benefield was

four-for-four with a double, a homer and 3 RBIs. Ethan Jones was two-for-four with a homer and four RBIs. Brant Rowell had a double and 3 RBIs. Cyle Collins, Dilan Kilpatrick and Will Masburn all had doubles.

Catch of the Week!

Wayne Shrader and Jason Atkins are the Southern Torch Catch of the Day winners. They recently placed first with 28.48 lbs, in the NATA Bass Tournament at Goosepond!

Submit your photos to marla@southerntorch.com and you might be our next Catch of the Day winner!

Caleb Haynes, Section Caleb Henshaw, Section Cade White, Geraldine Jay Shirey, Pisgah Jeffery Armstrong, Plainview Coach of the Year: Jamie Pruett, Section

Girls

Presley Johnson, Pisgah Morgan Frasier, Sylvania Hannah Culpepper, Ider Logan Bradley, Fyffe Brianna Davis - NSM Coach of the Year: Mark McMahon- Ider

All-DeKalb County Boys

Girls

Co-MVPs

Co-MVPs

Jeffery Armstrong-Plainview Cade White-Geraldine

Hannah Culpepper-Ider Morgan Frazier-Sylvania

All-County:

All-County:

Koby Tinker-Plainview Jake Slay-Plainview Clay Cooper-Plainview Caden Millican-Plainview Colby Lee Mincey-Geraldine Justin Murphy-Geraldine Austin Posey-Collinsville Keaton Kilgro-Collinsville Gannon Pointer-Crossville Chad Gray-Fyffe

Dani Townson-Ider Jackie Allday-Ider Lauren King-Sylvania Jenny Sweeting-Sylvania Logan Bradley-Fyffe Brooklyn Dutton-Fyffe Cassie McDaniel-Crossville Aryelle Jones-Collinsville Annabelle Brown-Plainview Morgan Blalock-Valley Head

Honorable Mention: Honorable Mention: Austin Willoughby-Geraldine Brady Gilbert-Geraldine Will Kirk-Plainview Phillip Dendy-Sylvania Will Batey-Sylvania Coach of the Year: Robi Coker-Plainview

Morgan Flynn-Ider Trinity Garner-Collinsville Brittany Rivera-Collinsville Haley Stephens-Crossville Karlee Hale-Geraldine Kenzie Willingham-Valley Head Coach of the Year: Mark McMahon-Ider

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Friday–March 11, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH