The Southern Torch, Vol. 2, No. 13

THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 / VOL. 2, NO. 13 / $1.00

COMMUNITY

FAITH

POLITICS

MENTONE'S KAMAMA'S HAS BIG PLANS FOR THE FUTURE > PAGE 5

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

SENATE BILL SEEKS TO TAKE THE STATE OUT OF MARRIAGE

> PAGE 7

> PAGE 8

Fort Payne named as stop on Hank Williams Trail

Beason’s Barber Shop visited by Jett Williams, Alabama Tourism on Tuesday

e h t d Re a … y r o t fu l l s Hank Williams' 1953 visit to Fort Payne

Franklin Ledel Blevins

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala.—Jett Williams, daughter of legendary country music star Hank Williams, visited

Beason’s Barber Shop in Fort Payne on Tuesday as one of the stops on a promotional road tour for the new movie, “I Saw the Light,” detailing the life and

times of Hank Williams.

Williams and crew began their trip at a premiere for “I Saw the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

To read Randy Grider's article from Lookout Alabama, turn to…

Page 3

Tragedy in Crossville: 1-year-old drowns in DeKalb County pond

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

CROSSVILLE, Ala.—A 1-year-old boy died on Wednesday in a tragic drowning in a backyard goldfish pond outside his family’s DeKalb County home off of County Road 29 in Crossville. A representative from the coroner’s office said there

are still members of the family that have not been contacted, so the child’s name has not been released at this time.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, county coroner, DeKalb Ambulance Services, and Alabama State Troopers all responded, along with the Aroney Volunteer Fire Department who was

first on the scene at around 3:30 p.m.

First responders said the child was found unresponsive in a backyard goldfish pond.

The child was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said that the drowning was accidental and believe that the child went into the pond when the

mother was not looking.

The coroner’s office said that as part of standard operating procedure following the death of a child an autopsy would be performed.

Southern Torch will continue to follow this story and update you when we have more details.

Bentley admits to inappropriate comments

By Tyler Pruett tyler@southerntorch.com

MONTGOMERY, Ala— In a strange sequence of events on Wednesday, Governor Robert Bentley admitted to making inappropriate comments to long-time staffer and advisor Rebekah Mason. The secretly recorded phone

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conversations were made public by the former Law Enforcement Secretary Spencer Collier, who was fired earlier in the week for potential misuse of state funds.

In an interview with the AP, Collier said that Bentley confided in him that he was, “madly in CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

The Southern Torch – Southern Torch, Inc. News every Friday.

For Subscriptions: Call (256) 638-4040 or email subscriptions@southerntorch.com

THIS WEEK IN COMMUNITY

Upcoming events for the week of 3/25 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…

Page 4

THIS WEEK IN POLITICS

Rainsville Council discuss costly city improvements, opt instead to hold debt workshop

The Rainsville City Council discussed a number of costly city improvements projects at their meeting on Monday, but choose instead at the mayor's urging to hold a workshop to thoroughly discuss the city's existing debts and how to pay for them first before taking on any additional loans…

Page 8

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS

Lady Bears on a winning streak

The Plainview Lady Bears defeated the Sylvania Lady Rams 2-0 last Tuesday.

Kenzi Traylor pitched for the win with 11 strikeouts, only allowed four hits.

Junior, Annabelle Brown had 2 singles and 1 RBI. Kenzi Traylor had one hit and 1 RBI. Senior Casey Eddings had one single and one walk. Ali Clark. Crimson Wells and Jacey Crowell finished the games with one hit each…

Page 10 PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO. 60 RAINSVILLE, AL

2

Friday–March 25, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Publisher, Joseph M. Morgan Layout editor, Dwayne Adams

Southern Torch celebrates social media milestone: 5,000 Facebook Likes; Torch finalizes distribution agreements with Walmart, Walgreens and Dollar General anywhere in DeKalb online and in print. national politics.

From the Editor: Torch as we work each

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

Dear Readers, Over the weekend we reached an important social media milestone: 5,000 Likes on Facebook.

I would like to thank you for your continued support of Southern

day to bring you the most comprehensive, timely reporting of news, sports, politics and community events in DeKalb County.

Since introducing our weekly print newspaper in May of last year, we have experienced significant growth. What started as an 8-page weekly newspaper that we distributed for free at various locations throughout DeKalb County has grown into a 12-page full-color publication that we believe is one of the best newspapers in the county. Since May of 2015 we’ve gone from printing 1,000 copies per week to a circulation of more than 3,000, available

County.

We now have a presence in every city and town in DeKalb, and I am proud to announce that earlier this month we finalized retail distribution agreements with Wal-Mart, Walgreens and Dollar General. Now, in addition to the 24 coin-operated newsstands conveniently located throughout DeKalb County, Southern Torch can be found at any of the 12 local Dollar General stores as well as Walgreens and Wal-Mart.

We know that our growth and success would not be possible without you. Thank you for your support, both

Southern Torch was the first, and remains the only, true New Media news outlet in the region.

We are the definition of digital media. Before establishing the Torch in print, we cut our teeth online, making a name for ourselves by consistently bringing you the most up-to-date, timely news reporting in the county. We remain committed to outworking the competition to bring you the most recent breaking news, live online sports coverage, and the most insightful, experienced perspective in DeKalb County in our coverage of local, state and even

We thank you for your contribution and support as we celebrate reaching this milestone.

We look forward to continuing to grow with you and remain committed to reporting the news from every community in DeKalb, no matter how large or small. Your story, your community and what affects your lives is important to us and will continue to be reflected both online and in print.

Thank you and God bless.

Sincerely, Joseph M. Morgan Southern Torch Editor and Publisher

Continued from page 1 You can now pick up your copy of Southern Torch every Friday at one of these local retailers:

Fort Payne named as stop on trail

Jett Williams poses in barber chair where her father, Hank Williams, got his last haircut in Fort Payne just hours before his death

Light” in Montgomery Monday night and stopped in Fort Payne on Tuesday afternoon at Beason’s. The route chosen by Jett, known as “The Last Ride,” follows the same path her father took along Highway 11 through the state of Alabama during the last week of his life while touring in December 1953 before he was found dead in Oak Hill, W. Va. Representatives from the Alabama Department of Tourism also traveled with Jett this week to promote the Hank Williams Trail, a route through the state of Alabama for tourists and Hank Williams fans that will include a stop in Fort Payne and other cities that will be marked by historic markers.

Just hours before he passed away at the age of 29, Hank was in Fort Payne where he is said to have stopped for a haircut and a shave at Carter’s Barber Shop. The barber shop chair in which Hank received the last haircut of his life is on display today in Beason’s Barber Shop.

“The legacy of Hank

Williams is an asset to the state of Alabama,” Alabama Tourism Director Rick Harmon said. “Tens of thousands of people to come to Alabama every year to visit the places he lived, where he stopped and the places that were important to him."

Fort Payne Mayor Larry Chesser said he believes the addition of Fort Payne to the Hank Williams Trail will benefit the city by promoting tourism.

“This is one of the many examples of the great musical heritage we have in Fort Payne,” Fort Payne Mayor Larry Chesser said.

“There are a lot of well-known musicians that are from this area and have visited or performed in our city. This emphasizes the importance of what has happened here and continues to happen in terms of music. The trail will promote tourism and I’m for that. The addition of the Alabama (Band) statues downtown has already proven that music can do that. People come from all over the country to have their pictures made, and

this will no doubt bring even more visitors to Fort Payne.”

Randy Grider, publisher of Lookout Alabama magazine, also spoke at the event. Grider’s 2013 article in Lookout Alabama received regional and even national attention and is what put Hank Williams stop in the city of Fort Payne on Jett Williams’ radar and sparked the conversation to add the city as a stop along the Hank Williams Trail.

“I didn’t set out to prove this was the barber chair he sat in,” Grider said. “As a journalist, I wanted to separate fact from fiction and tell the story as it happened. I like to conjecture that on that day, I think it was an enjoyable road trip. During my research, I learned that there was a lot of pressure on Hank during the last eight to 10 months and last 48 hours of his life. He was able to get away from the pressure on this trip and I think Fort Payne was a peaceful stop for him.”

Jett Williams spoke briefly to the large crowd gathered outside Beason’s before stepping inside to see the chair where her father received his last haircut.

“Thank you for coming out. It’s a great day to be in Fort Payne, Alabama,” Williams said. “ As the daughter of Hank Williams, I’m honored that Fort Payne still celebrates my father, his music and his legacy.”

Randy Grider’s 2013 article that appeared in Lookout Alabama tells the full story of Hank’s stop in Fort Payne. To read the article, “Haircut and a Shave,” that helped Fort Payne finally get the recognition it deserved as one of Hank’s final stops on “The Last Ride” and ultimately become a stop on the Hank Williams Trail, turn to page 3.

3

Friday–March 25, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

COMMUNITY

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

Shave and a Haircut Hank Williams’ final trip included stop at Fort Payne, Ala., barber shop just hours before he died Note from the Editor: This article was written by Randy Grider, and originally appeared in Lookout Alabama magazine in the fall of 2013

By Randy Grider

Tucked in the front corner of Beason’s Barber Shop in Fort Payne, Ala., is a vintage barber chair.

Not an unusual piece of décor for such an establishment until you step close enough to read the typed words on an 8 ½-by-11 piece of paper resting against the back of chair: “Hank Williams Last haircut and shave in this chair given by Howard Simpson Dec. 31, 1952” Could it be that a historical artifact with

direct ties to one of country music’s biggest stars and his ill-fated last ride has stood here for about a decade with so little fanfare? Locals, and especially barber shop owner Alton Beason, swear it has.

Oh, there is the occasional road-tripping individual following Williams’ death ride from Montgomery, Ala., to Oak Hill, W.Va.,where the 29-year-old star was pronounced dead in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, 1953) who stops to see the chair. And a few years ago, a couple of

writers from Road & Track accidentally stumbled upon the chair while trekking the Williams’ trail when their car broke down near Fort Payne. The barber chair was mentioned in their published story.

But for the most part, the chair is part of local lore. Still, there is some pretty good circumstantial evidence that the Hank chair is the real thing if you follow what is known of Hank’s stop in Fort Payne and how the barber chair found its current home.

First, the back story.

Hank Williams and a teenage chauffeur named Charles Carr set out on Dec. 30, 1952, from Montgomery in a baby-blue, 1952 convertible Cadillac en route to two shows headlining one of Alabama’s favorite sons. The first show was scheduled for New Year’s Eve in Charleston, W. Va., to be followed by a performance in Canton, Ohio, the next day.

After spending the night of Dec. 30 in Birmingham, Carr and Williams headed north on U.S. Highway 11.

According to several interviews starting about 2000 (for years, Carr rarely spoke publicly about Hank’s death) the two stopped in Fort Payne for a shave and a haircut. Carr reported the barbershop was a threechair shop

along the main route through town. Beason says the barber shop where Williams and Carr stopped was Carter’s Barber Shop, owned and operated by the late Pete Carter.

The “front chair” (as barber chairs were in a line) was manned by Howard Simpson.

Although Simpson wasn’t one to brag, according to his twin sons, he politely discussed cutting Williams’ hair whenever someone broached the subject of Simpson's brush with fame.

“Sometimes we’d hear people talking about it in the shop,” says Gary Simpson. “Daddy said that Hank was really nice – calm and collected.

Mainly he was real nice. He got his hair cut and

then left.”

Simpson’s humble nature didn’t lend itself to exaggeration, and his description of the episode never changed, added Gary Simpson.

Probably the closest the

elder Simpson came to making anything resembling a “big deal” out of his accidental fame was joking that if he had saved the hair clippings that day, “he’d probably be a millionaire now,” says Larry Simpson.

Beason’s first job as a rookie barber was using the very same twohandle Reliance barber chair at the shop where Hank reportedly stopped a decade earlier. Over the years, as Benson and Simpson each operated their own barber shops (the latter had taken possession of the famous barber chair when he bought Carter’s Barber Shop), they continued as friends and cut each others' hair.

When Simpson moved his barber shop to north Fort Payne, he took the barber chair to his home, where he also cut hair.

“I told him [Simpson] that I would love to have that chair because it was my first chair to work on,” Benson says.

“So when he died (in 2002), his wife called me and told me that he had written down that I got the chair. so I bought it from her.”

So what does the future hold for the famous chair? Benson, 71, is semi-retired, coming into his barber shop on Fridays to cut the CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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Friday–March 25, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

COMMUNITY

SOUTHERN TORCH EASTER PHOTO PARADE CONTEST WINNERS!

1st Place Presley White

2nd Place Memphis Brandon

3rd Place Jase Butts

FPHS Indoor Drumline FPHS Winterguard

The FPHS Indoor Drumline competed at the SCGC Regional Championships at Belmont University this past weekend. They had a very successful season and a wonderful performance this weekend!

The FPHS Winterguard competed at the SCGC Regional Championships at Belmont University this past weekend. They had very successful season and a wonderful performance this weekend!

Upcoming events for the week of 3/25 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:

Jess Goggans at The Wildflower Cafe - Come and enjoy dinner and music with Jess. For more information or reservations, call the Wildflower Cafe at 256-634-0066

March 25 -27:

Rainsville First Baptist Church invites you to three Easter Weekend Services on Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26 at 6:30 with Evangelist Ed Lacy preaching and on Sunday, March 27 at 10:15

with Pastor David Cofield preaching. Childcare will be provided for all services.

8370 or angie@oneworldadventureco.org

March 26:

Fort Payne Dekalb Theatre - For one night only join indie-blues local singer songwriter Katrina Barclay & Rome, Georgia’s Ethos as they introduce her brand new album “Element” LIVE at Dekalb Theatre in Fort Payne, AL. American artist, Megan Saunders from Chattanooga and Fort Payne’s favorite folk duo Mant’s Brothers (Jesse McClendon and Tom George) will be opening the night. Doors at 6 p.m. show at 7 p.m.

Tickets at the door. All ages. For more info visit katrinabarclaymusic.com

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

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-

March 26:

March 27:

You are invited to the Dekalb Schools Coliseum Easter Sunday 10 a.m.

for a time of celebration, amazing Music and a powerful message of hope. There will be a nursery for babies - 2 years and there will be a children’s service for ages 3 - 3rd grade. 256-7179512

April 2:

Dekalb Shrine Club 3rd Annual Motorcycle Ride - This will be an escorted ride with a meal included following the ride, Meet at the Rotary Pavillion in downtown Fort Payne. Registration starts at 10 a.m. and kickstands up at the 11 a.m. $20 per bike. This ride is to help benefit the Alhambra Shrine activities 256-630-1246.

April 2:

Mentone Spring Cleanup Day- Meet at the Mentone Inn parking

lot. Electronic recycling will be at the Town Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Community lunch at the Mentone Inn following the pick-up. Please call 256-996-0169 for more information.

April 7:

Master Gardener Meeting - The Jackson Co Master Gardener meeting will be April 7th at St Luke’s Episcopal Church fellowship hall on Scott St, Scottsboro, AL. The social time begins at 9:30 a.m. and the meeting begins at 10 a.m.. Our programs will be “Wildflowers” and presented by Susanne Wadsworth from Shoals Wildflower Society and Shoals Master Gardeners. Please bring a door prize and/or finger food and as always guests are welcome.

5

Friday–March 25, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

COMMUNITY

Mentone's Kamama's has big plans for the future

By Tyler Pruett tyler@southerntorch.com

MENTONE, Ala— Since opening it’s doors in 2012, Kamama has been considered the cultural hub of Mentone.

Meaning “butterfly” in the native Cherokee language, the business and the building itself has seen a metamorphosis over the years. The owners transformed the restored building into a work of art itself, and have since expanded from a coffee shop to include a spa, restaurant, art gallery and a massage studio.

On Feb 1, Twiggs, the cafe and coffee shop

portion of the business, came under new management. Fontana Stinson, whose mother Cynthia Stinson manages the historic Mentone Inn, moved to Mentone a year ago, and brings many years of culinary experience to Kamama’s.

Stinson worked for her aunt at Emily’s in her hometown of Georgiana, and one of her original dishes is listed in the “100 Foods You Must Eat Before You Die.” She’s already revamped the menu for this year’s tourist season.

“We do lunch seven days a week,” Stinson said, “every lunch we have a meat and two

brunch and Friday and

Saturday nights we have gourmet meals.”

Kamama’s is also planning on expanding with new services offered in the near future.

Another creative mind at work, Julia Ross, is working towards her goal of becoming a certified yoga instructor.

“We plan on offering morning yoga classes and aerobics classes in the near future,” Ross said.

“We already offer bi-monthly classes in art and music, with the focus on local artists.”

“This Saturday (March 26), Larry Joe Hall will be giving his presentation, ‘A Tale of Two

Mountains.’ Hall is a Mentone native that lived in the Himalaya’s for years as a Buddhist monk, and will be talking about his experiences, as well as leading the class in meditation,” She added.

Kamama’s is located at 5951 Highway 117 in the middle of Mentone.

Lunch hours are 11 am to 2 pm, Monday through Saturday. Brunch is served from 11 am through 2 pm on Sundays, and gourmet meals will be served 5 pm to 8pm, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

Reservations are recommended.

Hank Williams and has written two books about the legendary singer.

Turpen said that according to his interviews with Carr several years ago as well as with others from the area, Williams and Carr arrived in Fort Payne at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 31. The pair had a light breakfast (mostly coffee) at a diner near Carter’s Barber Shop.

(Property records indicate the diner was probably the American Café at 209 Gault Ave.) Carr said Hank wanted to get a shave and he walked to the barbershop about a block away while Carr moved the car to the front of the shop. After getting a shave and a trim from Howard Simpson, he had his boots shined by Abe Coleman.

Several persistent accounts of Williams’ stop in Fort Payne include

Carr and a local taxi driver making a trip up Lookout Mountain, where they bought a bottle of liquor for Williams from a well-known bootlegger.

(Fort Payne was in a dry county.) Carr told Turpen he got a pint of bonded whiskey at a nearby taxi stand – most likely Robertson and Lankford Cab Company at 315 Gault Ave. Whether someone else left the taxi company and retrieved the liquor from a bootlegger or it was already there is not clear, but Turpen said Carr insisted he didn’t leave Hank to go with anyone to get it.

Turpen said Hank and Carr were in Fort Payne for approximately one hour before heading north on Highway 11, where they had an early lunch. It was there, Carr said, that Williams gifted a server with a $50 tip.

“Charles Carr was

always adamant they stopped in Fort Payne,” Turpen said. “From my years of research, I believe the stopover in Fort Payne is definitely true.”

Editor’s note: While there is still controversy concerning exactly when and where Hank Williams passed away (sometime between 10:45 p.m. on the day he stopped in Fort Payne and 7 a.m. the next day and somewhere between Knoxville, Tenn., and Oak Hill, W. Va., in the backseat of his Cadillac), he was officially pronounced dead from a heart attack at age 29 on New Year’s day, 1953 – less than 24 hours after he visited Fort Payne. We attempted to interview driver Charles Carr for this story before he passed away on July 1, 2013 after a brief illness.

option, along with sandwiches and wraps.

We also do a Sunday

Continued from page 3

A Shave and a Haircut

Hank Williams, September 17th, 1923 - January 1st, 1953

hair of many longtime regulars. “I don’t know,” he says. “I would like to see if someone with the Williams family might be interested in it. But I don’t know what I’m going to do with it.”

Hank's daughter Jett Williams and researcher verify visit Hank Williams’ daughter Jett Williams has little doubt her dad visited Fort Payne, Ala., on the last day of 1952.

Jett and her late husband Keith Atkinson – the attorney who proved she was the daughter of the legendary singer – spent a great deal of time and energy in the past couple of years investigating the Hank Williams’ final days and the circumstances of his death.

Lookout Alabama spoke with Jett by telephone just before this issue went to press. She said that according to the research she and Atkinson (who died this past June) collected, Hank Williams and driver Charles Carr stopped at 111 Gault Ave. at Carter’s Barber Shop, where he got a haircut from Howard Simpson and had his boots shined by Abe Coleman.

“Of the entire last trip of my dad, there seems to be no doubt about him stopping in Fort Payne,” Jett said. “I feel very confident to say that is 100-percent accurate.”

We also got in touch with police investigator Brian Turpen of Bedford, Ind., who has spent several years researching

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 6

Friday–March 25, 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.

RAINSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

March 24, 2016 Tim Eberhart, Executive Director

There are now about 260 million active websites and about 3.2 billion internet users on this planet alone. If you are one of the users, please note that we provide two active websites you need to visit more often, rainsvillealabama.com and rainsville.info. The former is intended for persons seeking to learn more about the city for various reasons. The latter is our business guide intended to make it easier to relate to the products and services offered by our member businesses.

Each website includes some useful features too few people know about.

One under-utilized feature at rainsvillealabama.com is the page where upcoming Rainsville-area events are listed.

Events are shown in chronological order with related links helping you navigate deeper into each event’s finer details.

We have recently had success driving extra traffic to that page with Facebook, so it’s becoming more important for event organizers to think about it as part of their promotional mix. If you have Rainsville-area events to share, it’s free to have them listed there.

Other website features more people need to discover include the customized maps, city ordinance archive, city job postings, and the emergency-preparedness section where you can­–among other things–register your personal shelter so emergency responders can pinpoint your location if storm damage makes it difficult to find you.

Similarly, too few people know rainsvillealabama.com has a DeKalb Sports Hall of Fame section where the biographies used on the plaques for each of the inductees from 1997 through 2014 can be found.

A whole new design for rainsvillealabama.com is in the works. Watch for an announcement about the new design’s launch­–hopefully around May or June.

Over at rainsville.info, too few people make use of the “A-to-Z” links and “news” pages. The “A-to-Z” page is essentially just a no-nonsense list of links to our members’ active Facebook pages, it can be a very efficient tool for scouting the Rainsville business community online.

The news page has short but important articles for business people and consumers. It has a panel where new members are listing –new members such as Tupperware consultants Michala Cloud and Ashley Perry.

Cloud and Perry are available for all your Tupperware needs including ordering the latest products, parties, and much more.

CHAMBER CHATTER

March 23, 2016 Carol Beddingfield, Executive Director The week of March 20-27 is celebrated by Christians all over the world. Easter services and special events will also be held throughout our community.

I want to encourage you to participate in the non-denominational services at Noon at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Payne during this week.

Each day a different speaker will present an uplifting message. The music is very inspirational. The fellowship with people from all aspects of our city will put a smile on your face. You can partake of the lunch that is provided also.

As I sat in the First Presbyterian Church for Holy Week services, I was in awe of the history of the sanctuary.

The church is part of the thirty-two churches that comprise the Hallelujah Trail of North Alabama. Each church is at least 100 years old, is on its original site, and is still holding services today.

Members of the church stood outside to greet me for each service. You could sense the devotion feet for their church.

The church was built in 1875. It is the oldest church still in use in Fort Payne.

The stain glass windows will take your breath away. The worn wooden floors creak with many memories of births, weddings, baptism, as well as funerals.

Located downtown, the church not only reflects important events in individual lives but also the history of our city.

If you would like to view the historical First Presbyterian Church, call the church office at 256-845-2915.

The Chamber has brochures describing the location of the other 31 churches on The Hallelujah Trail of North Alabama. Stop by 300 Gault Avenue, North for more information.

7

Friday–March 25, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

FAITH Spring Has Sprung

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

Spring arrived Sunday. You can tell by the signs of spring. Some good, some bad.

1. Life is returning to my yard. The grass is growing. Boo. If you like cutting the grass, contact me for my address.

2. My heating bills go down. So what? My cooling bills are going up.

I will be paying Sand Mountain Electric my life

savings.

3. Flowers. My wife loves to see the world and our yard come alive with flowers and blooms. I like Redbuds and Dogwoods. And some of the flowers. The problem – they make my grass cutting harder. I have to be sure I do not cut down any of the flowers. So this is, at best, an okay sign. After all, April showers bring May flowers, and DeKalb County definitely does

not need any more showers. And what about the pollen?

4. Baseball. Opening day is next week. Spring training is almost over.

Right now every team has life, a chance to play in October (except maybe the Braves who have only Little League players left.)

Baseball and spring. I remember my wife and me watching an early game here in Collinsville.

The sun was shining. It was warm enough to wear shorts with a light jacket. We sat down in the bleachers to watch the teams warm up. The wood of the bleacher behind me cut into my back as I leaned on it.

The smell of someone nearby burning branches that had fallen in their yard during the winter. A bit of dust being stirred up by the players. The distant sound of a lawn mower, but not mine.

It was like watching a perfectly timed ballet.

One coach hit flies to the outfielders. The ball would arch up against the sky then gracefully come

back down in the glove of a player. Throw the ball back in. Repeat. Next player. Coach and players knowing their part. In the infield, another coach hitting grounders.

“Play’s at first.” “Turn two this time. Who’s got second?” Players moving with the ball. The Baseball Ballet continuing. The opposing team pitching to each other out in foul territory with continual plops of balls hitting leather.

Nobody yet on.

Nobody yet out. Spring had sprung with all its promise. How can you beat that? Maybe with 5. March Madness.

Now you are talking. The absolute best weekend in sports – the opening weekend of the NCAA tournament. Did you not love last Thursday – Sunday gorging on TV games? Pulling for my teams and against your teams. Brackets. Lots of upsets and buzzer beaters. Life is good. No way to beat this. Is there?

6. You beat it with Easter Sunday morning.

Sunrise Service outside.

Usually cool enough to wear a fleece. Gathering together with a feeling of

adventure to be up and out so early. Children rubbing their eyes uncertain as to why they are already up. Sun peeping over Lookout Mountain – this year at 6:30.

And then, as the pastor, I get to say the magic words, “Jesus Christ is alive”. And the people will all shout back to me, “Jesus Christ is alive indeed.” Repeat.

“Jesus Christ is alive.

Jesus Christ is alive indeed.” I am always so excited that my voice breaks. You can feel the presence of the risen Jesus. Right here on the hill in front of the church. We will sing some songs. Read the Easter story. Pray. Go inside and eat breakfast.

Love the Lord. And each other. And know that all is truly right with the world. Because He is alive.

Spring is a sign of the rebirth of life after winter. Easter is the proof of new life that will never end. Jesus Christ is alive. Jesus Christ is alive indeed.

A Moment with Megan: He is the Good Shepherd

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

Psalm 23 is comforting: “ The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not lack. He makes me lie

down in green pastures; He leads me beside still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.

Surely only goodness, mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord shall be my dwelling place.”

Lets examine verse one, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not lack.” When I think of a shepherd, I think of a very attentive individual.

I imagine a shepherd’s only priority being to tend to his flock and not resting until he knows his sheep are cared for completely. After doing some reading, I learned that a good shepherd will stay on the job 24 hours a day if needed. If this is the case, couldn't this also be said of God? He never goes off the clock!

His eyes and ears are always attentive to you and I. The last half of verse one says, “I shall not lack.” David made a bold, but ever so true statement. This may

sound cliche, but Jesus does have all we need. As long as we have Him we lack nothing.

Verse two says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures…” Wait, why did David use “green pastures?” Was this a random word choice?

Absolutely not! The whole meaning of the verse could be different had David said, “He makes me lie down in a desert.” That would symbolize that God doesn't take care of our needs, leaving us alone, thirsty, and hopeless. A desert is quite bare, making any kinds of life nearly impossible.

Whereas the words “green pasture” have a positive connotation.

Also notice the word “lie,” meaning to rest.

The psalmist is saying, “Hey! I can rest in the Lord, He takes care of my needs.” Friend, Jesus is aware of what you are going through. Good or bad, He wants to give you peace and rest. How can we get ultimate rest? We can get ultimate rest when we focus our eyes on our Shepherd and not on our situation.

Remember, a good Shepherd always has his eyes on his flock. He is prepared for anything that may come after his sheep.

Due to lack of word space I cannot dissect each verse, sentence by sentence. However, I can

challenge you to do so!

Psalm 23 is a beautiful reminder that you and I (the sheep), have an amazing Shepherd (Jesus). We are always the object of his attention and affection. He always has our best interest in mind; He is passionate about being a GOOD Shepherd. I love that the chapter says “His rod and staff, they comfort me.”

This reminds me that Jesus, my Shepherd, fights my battles, and that He goes before me.

Friend, we do not have to fear because our Shepherd never leaves us!

Each day we can be refreshed and satisfied by The Shepherd. A good shepherd never leaves his flock; however, it is common for sheep to wander off. Will you be a wanderer or a “rester?”

Sure, certain situations may cause us to want to wander due to things not going as we had planned, but friend, rest assured that The Shepherd always has your best interest in mind and that He is out to help you not hurt you.

Jesus has a purpose for you. You are not forgotten. He delights in meeting your needs, as well as your desires.

Lastly, He is perfectly capable of handling any negative situation that targets you. Rest with Him today, friend.

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Friday–March 25, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

POLITICS Senate bill seeks to take the state out of marriage

By Tyler Pruett tyler@southerntorch.com

MONTGOMERY, Ala— On March 15, the Senate passed a bill introduced by Senator Greg Albritton (R-Bay Minette) that would abolish marriage licensing laws in Alabama. Senate Bill 143 would end the continuous same-sex marriage debate; neutralizing both sides of the argument.

About a century ago, probate judges simply recorded marriages based on affidavits between the

two parties in lieu of issuing licenses, requiring a ceremony, or charging a fee.

SB 143 would effectively remove the state’s role from the issue of marriage, while retaining basic guidelines, such as minors between the ages of 16 and 18 being required to seek parental permission. Marriages would also still be between only two consenting parties.

“I’ve spent a year and a half developing this process in anticipation of the United States Supreme Court decision,” Albritton

said, referring to the supreme court’s decision to overturn the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling regarding same-sex adoptions and marriages.

“The U.S. Supreme Court overturns the Alabama court’s ruling, but that does not change the statute,” he said, “We must bring Alabama in line with the federal statutes, and this bill does that.”

“We’re changing the procedure so that we don’t have to give the state authority when you want to get married. The current

law gives the probate judges the authority of an ordained minister because of the ceremony requirement,” Albritton added.

The current law treats marriage as a privilege granted by the state, and leaves open the possibility of a marriage being defined and potentially revoked by the state if it doesn’t meet certain criteria. SB 143 would remove that authority from the state, and place it in the hands of the responsible parties. It would also allow parties to record a marriage after the union takes place, as opposed to the current system which requires individuals to seek a marriage license before.

In 2015, Albritton introduced a similar bill, which was passed by a majority of the senate, but died in the house. When asked if this bill might suffer the same fate, he replied, “I think we have the votes to get it through the committee and then the

house. I think we are in good shape.”

“We’ve had opposition from the left and the right, which let’s me know we are in the middle on this issue,” Albritton said. “The Alabama Supreme Court can’t fight the issue anymore since their case has been dismissed.”

Regardless if Senate Bill 143 passes or not, the supreme court decision leaves a hole in Alabama marriage laws. With some probate judges choosing to follow the supreme court decision and others the state court’s decision, the current climate has caused much of the authority to rest on probate judges.

Marriage licensing can vary now from county to county; with judges refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses in violation of federal law.

SB 143 will be voted on in the appropriate house committee and if passed, will go before the house for full approval.

Rainsville Council discuss costly city improvements, opt instead to hold debt workshop

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

discussed a number of costly

RAINSVILLE, Ala.—The Rainsville City Council

their meeting on Monday, but

city improvement projects at choose instead at the mayor’s

urging to hold a workshop to thoroughly discuss the city’s existing debts and how to pay for them first before taking on any additional loans.

One project discussed was the re­-grading of the parking lot at the former Weekly Post building that is now owned by the city. Councilman Rodger Lingerfelt recommended the $20,000 project that he said is necessary to address poor drainage that currently causes water to flow

into the building. Lingerfelt mentioned utilizing city labor as a means to decrease the $20K price tag. Councilman Joey Graham mentioned extending the city’s debt to move forward with city paving projects.

Both projects were put on hold until the city can hold a workshop to discuss all of Rainsville’s current debts and formulate a plan to pay each debt before obligating the city and taxpayers to pick up the tab for additional funding for more city improvement projects.

The council also took up the following business: • Corrected the minutes to reflect an accurate depiction of what occurred at a previous meeting.

• Voted to send a city employee to a regional seminar for municipal court training.

• Voted to begin the process of looking at the roads in Pine Subdivision to make sure they are brought up to spec.

• Approved the purchase of trees out of beautification fund to be planted at the Field of Dreams baseball complex and fulfill the obligations to retain the status as a “Tree City.”

• Voted to empower the mayor to sign a resolution declaring a property surplus for a truck and disposition of same.

• Voted to settle up with 5-star food services with a payment of $3,000 for alleged overbilling by the city’s sanitation dept.

• Approved a motion to officially designate April 20, 2016 as Arbor Day in Rainsville.

• Voted to empower the mayor to sign a legal service agreement for city representation.

The Rainsville City Council will meet again on Monday, April 4, 2016.

9

Friday–March 25, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

DEATH NOTICES W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel Mrs. Mattie Marie Humphrey - 51 of Fort Payne passed away March 16, 2016. She is survived by her husband, Jeffrey Dale Humphrey; daughter, Kayla Humphrey (Eric Adkins); son, Jeffery Chad Humphrey (Alex Phillips); sisters, Gloria Chestang, Marylin Smith, Elizabeth Sprinkle, Sheila Humphrey, Rebecca Stiles, Amanda Haynes; brothers, Benny Woods, Earnest Bolling, Randy Salisbury; 2 grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents Earnest and Gloddy Bolling; sisters, Brenda Kelley, Cheryl Hooper, Jackie McKissick; brother, Johnny Woods.

Mr. Tommy D Ennis - 73 of Marshall County passed away March 16, 2016. He is survived by his wife Mary L Ennis; daughter, Pamela (Sebastien) Marie; son, Tommy (Denise) Ennis; sister, Linda Harris; brothers, Joe Ennis, David Ennis, and Phillip Ennis; grandchildren, Kyla (Dallas) Taylor, Aidan Ennis, Molly Dunaway, and Scott Hannah; greatgrandchildren, Jaxon Taylor and Oakley Dunaway. He is preceded in death by his parents Wesley and Ruth Ennis and sister, Jean Ratcliff.

Mr. Marcus McElrath - 50 of Grove Oak passed away on March 16, 2016.

He is survived by daughter, Heather McElrath; son, Marcus Hank McElrath; mother, Shirley McElrath; Sister, Kathy Thackerson; brother, Marlon McElrath. He is preceded in death by his wife Teresa McElrath.

Mrs. Mamie Bowen - 57 of Crossville passed away March 17, 2017. She is survived by her son, Kenny Ray Bowen; sisters, Elanor Jo Foreman, Molene Greenwood, Marlene Langley, and Dean Ramsey and 2 grandchildren.

Mr. Billy Wayne

Gilbreath - 46 of Rainsville passed away March 17, 2016. He is survived by his mother, Jean Gilbreath; sister, Michelle Smallwood; niece, Jordan Helton; nephews, Jake Gilbreath, Justin Gilbreath, Aubrey Pruitt; great nephew, Cayden Moss. He is preceded in death by his father, Sammy Gilbreath and brother, Jamey Gilbreath.

Mrs. Kimberly Hope “Kim” Davis - 44 of Grove Oak passed away March 20, 2016. She is survived by her daughter, Keisha Davis; mother, Katie Smith Davis; sister, Mara (Kelly) Gilliland; brother, Joey (Michelle) Davis; nephew, Jake Gilliland, Justin (Leanna) Davis, and Jai Davis; special father, Hollis Bolton. She is preceded in death by her father, Bobby Joe Davis and grandparents, Christine Davis and Loy Davis.

Mrs. Ruth Mandy Turner - 94 of Scottsboro passed away March 21, 2016. She is survived by her daughter, Sue (Durrell) Nix; sons, Paul Turner, Dewey (Sandy) Turner, and Tommy Turner; sister, Stella Baliff; 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Louis Turner; grandsons, Shawn Turner and Chipper Turner.

Mr. James E. Lawson - 76 of Geraldine passed away March 22, 2016.

Funeral: 1 p.m. March 25, 2016 at W.T Wilson Funeral Chapel. Burial: Geraldine Cemetery.

Survivors include wife, Jean A. Lawson; sons, James E and Tammy Lawson, Steven W. and Regina Lawson, Scott E Lawson and Daniel and Suzanne Lawson; sister, Nancy Lawson cline; brothers, George Lawson and Willard Lawson; grandchildren, Jessica Cushen, Kristen Lawson, Magan Brown, Tanna Patrick, Luke Lawson, Matthew Lawson, Gracie Lawson, Ethan Meeks,

Allison Kincer; greatgrandchild Ryhea Brown.

He is preceded in death by parents Alonzo and Clara Lawson; sisters, Gracie Anders, Mary Keen, Alice Griffith.

Corner Stone Funeral Chapel & Crematory Mrs. Patricia Sue Davis Newsome - 62 of Ider passed away March 19, 2016. Survivors include husband, Bob Newsome, son, Robert Newsome Jr.; daughter, Shelli Newsome; grandchildren, Dakota, Kayla and Abbie Newsome, Lilly Johnson; sisters, Mary Haynes (Charlie), Loretta Moore; brother, Robert Davis (Lisa), James Davis (Vivian), Carl Davis (Debbie). She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Christine Lewis Davis, sisters, Wanda Davis Anderson, Delores Raepier; brother, Ronnie Davis.

Mr. Lonnie Earl Dunn - 53 of Henagar passed away March 19, 2016. He is survived by his parents, Tenice Avans Dunn and Papa Al Zerbe; sister, Rhonda Blevins (Jimmy), half-sister, Cathy Dunn Wedekin (Bill), halfbrothers, James Missildine (sheila), Donnie Missildine, nephews, Jimmy Bivins (Rosa), Donnie Wayne Missildine Jr., Cory Missildine, Larry Ledford Jr., nieces, Christy Bivens Moore (Todd), Honor Renea Six (Chad), several aunts, uncles and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Henon Arthur Dunn Jr.

Wilson Funeral Home & Crematory Mr. Roger Lee Miller - 66 of Fort Payne passed away March 18, 2016.

Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Nancy Jean Pridgeon Miller; son, J.R. (Willow) Cramer; daughters, Melanie Slaughter, Tina (Eric) Merchant and Katy (Ben)

Sytsma; mother, Juanita Hagerman Miller; 13 grandchildren, brothers, Nolan (Sally) Miller, Dennis (LeAnn) Miller and Winston Miller; sister, Elaine (Steve) Shephard. He is preceded in death by his brother, Kenny Miller.

Kerby Funeral Home Mrs. Sarah Turner Stevenson - 61 of Madison, formerly of Pisgah passed away March 18, 2016. She is survived by her daughter, Sarah Grace Stevenson; step-daughters, Bonnie Stevenson, Melanie Stevenson Dubs, Sheri Stevenson Quale; step son, Scott Stevenson; step grandchildren, ellen Dubs, David dubs, Jessie Rei Stevenson, Noah Quale, Adilyn Quale; mother, Betty Colvard Turner; brothers Jack Turner and Tommy Turner. She is preceded in death by husband, Bo Stevenson and father Ollie Jackson Turner.

Burt Funeral Homes Mrs. Bobbie Sue Smith - December 10, 1934 March 19, 2016. She is survived by her husband, John P smith Jr.; daughters, Sandra Sanders (Charles), Susan Spurling (Jeff) & Sheila Smith (Bayne Dobbins); son, Stanley Smith (Dana); grandchildren, Clay Sanders (Tonya), Jordan Spurling (Sarah), Hillary Hall, Gavin, Josh, Ranzy and Ansley Smith; 1 great-grandson, Charles Maddox Sanders; brothers, John L Bain (Joann); sisters, Ethel Manifold Gregory (Joe), Mary Porter (Ed) & Pat McKenzie; sister-in-law, Loretta Bain. She is preceded in death by her father, John Ranzy; mothers, Katheryn Irene Bain and Evelyn Bain and brother, Charles “Charlie” Bain.

Rainsville Funeral Home Mrs JoDean “Rosie”

Townsend - 89 of Rainsville passed away March 17, 2016. Survivors include 2 sons, Don Townsend and David Townsend; 1 sister Tommie (Wendell) Elliott; 2 grandchildren, Wade (Brandi) Townsend and Alexandra Makris; 2 great-grandchildren, Marlee Townsend and Savanna Townsend. She is preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Mae Robertson; husband, Clarence Townsend; 1 son, James Myron Townsend; 1 sister Lillian Lindsey; 2 brothers, L.Z. Robertson and Eldred Robertson.

Mrs. Marie Lowe - 82 of Fyffe passed away March 19, 2016. Survivors include 2 sons, Gary Lowe and Brian Lowe; 1 daughter-in-law Lisa Lowe; 1 brother Hoyt Barksdale Jr.; 2 sisters, Nancy Terrell Letchworth and Geneva Paseur; 2 grandchildren, Hannah Lowe and Ben Lowe. She is preceded in death by her husband H.L. Lowe, sister, Linda Louise Downs, mother Charlotte Bramlett Barksdale and father General Hoyt Barksdale.

Crossville Memorial Chapel Mr. Wade Powers Richey - Jan. 3, 1957 March 17, 2016. Survived by wife, Benita Davis Richey; son, Chad Heath Richey; God-daughter, Tiffany Childress Sweatt; sister, Barbara Chandler (Mike); brothers, Roger Richey (Mary), Lyle Richey, Lynn Richey (Macie); aunt, Gwendolyn Richey; several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by parents, James Powers Richey and Georgia Nadine Richey.

Continued from page 1

Bentley admits to inappropriate comments love” with Mason and that when he confronted Bentley about the relationship, “Gov. Robert Bentley simply hung his head and asked for advice on how to get out of it.”

The phone conversation was recorded as part of a family investigation of the relationship in 2014. In the recording, which was made public today, Bentley can be heard making inappropriate comments in a phone call in which the other party is widely

believed to be Mason.

Though Bentley has denied any physical relationship, in a press conference earlier today, he admitted to saying, “some inappropriate things.” He also took the time to apologize to his family and the citizens of Alabama, saying, “Today I want to apologize to the people of the state of Alabama, and once again, I want to apologize to my family. I am truly sorry and accept full responsibility.”

Mason, having served

in many roles close to Bentley for years, did not address allegations of a physical relationship or Bentley’s behavior, but responded to claims made by Collier that she, “wields extraordinary influence within the governor’s office.” In a statement, Mason accused the former top-cop of gender bias and that he wouldn’t be making those comments if she were a man.

10

Friday–March 25, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Lady Bears on a winning streak

Senior, Casey Eddings waits for the perfect pitch.

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala.— The Plainview Lady Bears defeated the Sylvania Lady Rams 2-0 last Tuesday.

Kenzi Traylor pitched for the win with 11 strikeouts, only allowed four hits.

Junior, Annabelle Brown had 2 singles and 1 RBI. Kenzi Traylor had one hit and 1 RBI. Senior Casey Eddings had one single and one walk. Ali Clark. Crimson Wells and Jacey Crowell finished the games with one hit each.

Plainview Lady Bears defeated the Pisgah Lady Eagles 3-2 on Thursday.

Kenzi Traylor pitched for the win with four strikeouts and 6 hits. She also had 2 hits from the plate.

Bailey Smart had one hit, one walk and one RBI. Kennedi Traylor had one hit, one walk and one RBI on two plate apperances. Laci Kirk finished the game with one hit, two walks and one RBI. Plainview Lady Bears defeated the Collinsville Lady Panthers 9-5 on Friday.

Bailey Smart started the game for the Lady Bears, and Crimson Wells came in for the save.

Senior Casey Eddings was 4-for-4 from the plate with one RBI. Annabelle Brown had two hits and one walk. Kenzi Traylor was 3-for-4 at the plate with a single and two doubles and 2 RBIs. Lacy Kirk had two singles.

Jade Crowell got 2 RBIs and one double.

Plainview Lady Bears defeated the Geraldine Lady Bulldogs 13-1 on Tuesday.

Bailey Smart pitched for four innings and struck out one. She gave up one hit, one run and walked three.

Casey Eddings had two singles. Kennedi Traylor had two singles and three RBIs. Laci Kirk had a double and a RBI. Ali Clark finished the night with a single and two RBIs. The Class 3A, No. 8 Lady Bears have a 11-2 record for the season.

Two Local Athletes receive All-State Honors

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala.— Two local athletes were selected for the All-State Basketball Team in their divisons.

Hannah Culpepper of Ider was selected as 3rd Team All-State for Class 2A. Culpepper also received All-County and MVP for the All-Dekalb County Team for the 2015-2016 season.

Culpepper averaged 17 points and 3 rebounds per

game for the season. She was brought up from the 8th grade to play varsity and has maintained her leadership position thru the years.

Wanya King of Fort Payne was selected as 2nd Team All-State for Class 6A. King also was named to the All-Area 13 Team for the 2015-2016 season. He averaged 22 points per game and 10 rebounds per game.

Both players helped their teams advance to area and regional playoffs.

Lady Lions on a Roll

Madison Hunt had an impressive 16 strikeouts against Cherokee County Tuesday night.

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

Crossville 7, Cherokee County 4

CROSSVILLE, Ala.— The Crossville Lady Lions defeated Cherokee County 7-4 on Tuesday.

The Lady Lions are 3-0 in Area play, making a trip to Regionals a definite possibility.

Senior Madison Hunt was near perfect with an impressive 16 strikeouts.

From the plate, Taylior Freeman went 4-for-4 with 2 RBIs. Cassidy McDaniel went 3-for-4 with one earned RBI. The Lady Lions record is 10-5. They will travel to Pigeon Forge this weekend for tournament play.

Collinsville Lady Panthers cause Soccer Fever

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

Collinsville 5, Crossville 1 CROSSVILLE, Ala.— The Collinsville Lady Panthers are bringing soccer fever to Collinsville. They defeated Crossville 5-1 on Tuesday.

Demi Bartalome scored the first goal and assisted Monce Sirerra as she scored the second goal of the first half.

In the second half, Stephanie Perez had a standout performance.

Perez to Stephy Lucas to score the third goal.

Perez scored the fourth goal of the night on a

The Collinsville Lady Panthers celebrate their win over Crossville.

penalty kick. Perez added the fifth goal for the win.

“This year is our first season and we have a young team with a lot of heart.” Said Collinsville Head Coach Amy

Robertson, “Every game is a learning experience.

I have a lot of faith that we are going to develop a strong foundation for years to come.” The Panthers are now 2-3 for the season.

Bears shut out the Rams

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

seven innings pitched.

Plainview 8, Sylvania 0 SYLVANIA, Ala.—The Plainview Varsity Bears defeated the Sylvania Rams 8-0 Tuesday night.

Ben Williamson was the winning pitcher, striking out 9 and only allowing one walk in

Brown had 2 hits and 2

At the plate, Austin RBIs. Colton Bevel added a RBI. Kolton Farmer, John David Martin, Trent Brown and Cade Willingham all had 2 hits and one RBI for the Plainview team.

Ben Williamson strikes out nine players in the game against the Rams

FAN OF THE WEEK! The Southern Torch Fan of the Week is Sydney Stone.

She is from Rainsville and attends Northeast Alabama Community College. Sydney was spotted enjoying a baseball game.

Submit your photo to marla@southerntorch.com to be our next Southern Torch Fan of the Week!

11

Friday–March 25, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Collinsville defeats Fyffe in double header

Carter Hilley makes a throw from third base in the Collinsville/Fyffe doubleheader.

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

COLLINSVILLE, Ala.— In a double header, Collinsville defeated the Class 2A, No. 7 Fyffe Red Devils. The Collinsville Panthers scored a combined 28 runs in the two games.

In the first game, Collinsville defeated Fyffe 12-2. Keaton Kilgro captured the win on the mound for the Collinsville Panthers.

The Panthers won the game in five innings.

In the second game, Collinsville defeated the Red Devils with a score of 16-12.

Patrick Nelson pitched for three innings and was awarded the win.

Collinsville jumped to an early 9-0 lead in the first but the Fyffe Red Devils rallied and took away the cushion from the Panthers battling back to narrowing the score to 9-7. Collinsville held on long enough to win. In the series against Fyffe, Collinsville now holds hold the 2-out-of-3 advantage and increases their record to 8-5.

Fyffe sneaks past the Rams

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

Brant Rowell throws the heat against the Rams

Fyffe 6, Sylvania 5 FYFFE, Ala.—The Fyffe Varsity Boys defeated the Sylvania Rams 6-5 Monday night.

Brant Rowell pitched six innings and struck out six. Ethan Jones pitched two innings, struck out three and got the win.

At the plate, Seth Benefield, Brady Carson and Carter Hilley each had doubles. Tyler Ashley was 2-for-3 with a homerun and 3 RBIs. Cyle Collins had two hits and the game winning RBI in the bottom of the 8th.

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Competition

SPOTLIGHT ON COACHES

Black Belt Academy in Fort Payne recently participated in the state Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Competition at Samford University.

Brady Benefield earned a bronze medal in No Gi, Ben Benefield placed fourth in Gi and Fermin Mendoza won the bronze medal in his division

SYLVANIA, Ala.—The Southern Torch featured coach of the week is Sylvania Junior High and Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach, Nelson Gregory.

Coach Gregory graduated from Sylvania High School in 1988 and enlisted in the Navy, where he served four years, including Operation Desert Storm. He serves his country now by being the Chief of Police for the Town of Geraldine.

Gregory and his wife Jennifer have three children Dakota, Justin and Joshua.

Five years ago, Nelson started as a volunteer coach for the Sylvania baseball teams. Despite ongoing health problems, he still has been a rock to many. He refuses to be sick during baseball, often refusing treatment for illness because so many depend on him. Gregory is a father to those who need one, the team's cheerleader and offers an ear to listen when a player has troubles.

The junior varsity team that Coach Gregory coaches is undefeated. The love that he has for all the players is undeniable. He serves as assistant coach for the varsity team and can be found on first base encouraging the players whether on his team or not.

Several players of the Sylvania Baseball team along with their parents wanted to personally tell Coach Gregory how much they love and appreciate him.

Gregory said his goals for this season are “to help the boys learn to become great men.” He will be successful because they have one of the best role models around.

Weightlifting Correction In last weeks edition, we failed to give credit to

Junior, Marcus Chaney for placing third place in the State Weightlifting Competition with a total

weight of 855 pounds. We regret this error and want to congratulate Marcus for a job well done!

Catch of the Week!

Harlee Tatum is the Southern Torch Catch of the Week winner! Harlee is the daughter of Patrick and Valerie Tatum. She enjoys fishing with her family.

Submit your photos to marla@southerntorch.com to be our next Catch of the Week winner!

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Friday–March 25, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH