The Southern Torch, Vol. 2, No. 18

THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 / VOL. 2, NO. 18 / $1.00

COMMUNITY

FAITH

POLITICS

MEN'S BIBLE GROUP FROM COLLINSVILLE BAPTIST AFFECTING LIVES… > PAGE 3

POV

DISMEMBERMENT ABORTIONS TO BE MADE ILLEGAL UNDER ALABAMA SENATE BILL

2016 DeKalb County VFW Spring Fling fair this week

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala.— The 2016 DeKalb County VFW Spring Fling fair is

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in town this week. The fair will run from April 26 through April 30 and gates will open at 5 p.m. each night. .

Admission to the fair

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is $1 for everyone ages 6 and up. April 26 through April 28 will be $12 armband nights, then April 29 and April 30 will be $15 armband nights.

For those who are not interested in the “all you can ride” armband packages, there will also be individual ride tickets available as well for $1.25

Rainsville mayor Teen recovering after delivers 2016 State of being shot in the hip the City address

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala.—A record crowd turned out to attend the 2016 Rainsville State of the City address at the DeKalb County Schools Coliseum Thursday night.

Now in its fourth year, the event has grown annually since its introduction by Rainsville Mayor Nick Jones in 2013. Jones said hosting an annual State of the City was a commitment he made as a mayoral candidate with the intention of holding himself and the city council accountable for their actions as elected officials.

The annual State of the City report provides Rainsville citizens with an update of the overall state of the city and its finances, while also offering a candid assessment of the performance of the city government as a whole. Jones said the State of the City encourages and motivates the people of Rainsville to become more engaged and involved in city government.

“I never anticipated what a significant impact hosting a State of the City each year would have on our city in terms of operating with transparency

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Ronnie Lee Neeley

By Marla Jones, Staff Reporter marla@southerntorch.com

SYLVANIA, Ala.— A juvenile was shot Saturday night while attempting to roll a yard in the Town of Sylvania. According to Sylvania Police Chief, Ross Greenwood, a group of seven to eight juveniles had pulled off of Turner Road and parked. As they proceeded to walk to roll their High School Counselor's yard , Ronnie Lee Neeley allegedly pulled up to them in his vehicle

asking what they were doing. When they told him, according to reports, Neeley fired a shot into the air. As the juveniles were running back to their car, he fired once more, while reportedly using profanities toward them. One carload of teens left and as the other four were getting into the their truck, Neeley reportedly fired a final shot into the tailgate, striking a juvenile in the hip. The juvenile was transported to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga Tennessee.

Ronnie Lee Neeley was arrested April 27, 2016 and booked into the Dekalb County Jail. His charges are two counts of Menacing, Discharging a firearm into a vehicle and Assault 2nd. He is currently out on a $23,500 bond. According to Chief Officer Greenwood, he will be bound to a Grand Jury.

“I believe that the yard rolling was harmless”, said Chief Greenwood “these kids don't deserve to be put in front of a firing squad.”

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apiece. Gates will open at 5 p.m. each night.

The primary difference between the Spring Fling fair and the traditional fall VFW Agricultural fair is that the Spring Fling fair is solely for rides and entertainment. There are no agricultural competitions or other competitions where ribbons are given out to winners. The DeKalb County VFW Spring Fling fair is all about the carnival, games, rides and having a good time for the entire family.

The event is hosted by DeKalb County VFW Post 3128.

THIS WEEK IN COMMUNITY

NACC Phi Theta Kappa Chapter caps off a successful year The Phi Epsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Northeast Alabama Community College was recently recognized and awarded for achievement at the Phi Theta Kappa International Convention held in National Harbor, MD, on April 7-9, 2016. Phi Theta Kappa officers Nathalie Hitchcock, Griffin Horton…

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THIS WEEK IN POLITICS

DeKalb's newest Eagle Scouts honored at commission meeting Five scouts from Dekalb County were honored at Tuesday's regularly scheduled commission meeting for achieving the coveted rank of Eagle Scout. The county commission held a reception for the scouts before the meeting, then presented them with plaques…

Page 8 THIS WEEK IN SPORTS

Big Sur Birthday Chances are if you have been traveling on Highway 35, you have seen "Jerry's Crazies." The "Crazies" are a group of local runners who start at Body Vision in Rainsville and run down Highway 35 to Walmart and beyond. Members include: Nicole Goldsmith, Marien Amerigo, Pam Willingham, Jerry Clifton…

Page 11 PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO. 60 RAINSVILLE, AL

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Publisher, Joseph M. Morgan Layout editor, Dwayne Adams

Dekalb County Commission Meeting, April 26, 2016

Dekalb County Commission President Ricky Harcrow (right) and District II Commissioner Derek Caldwell (left) present plaques to local scouts (Photo by Tyler Pruett).

By Tyler Pruett tyler@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Dekalb County Commission held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 26 beginning at 10 am. Commission President Ricky Harcrow began the meeting by approving the previous minutes.

For the first order of business, the commission

honored five local scouts for attaining the highest rank of Eagle Scout.

District II Commissioner Derek Caldwell also took time to honor long-time Scoutmaster Don Brown.

Each scout received a pin and plaque from the commission honoring their achievement.

Superintendent Tom Broyles gave the commission an update on road maintenance and personnel from the road department. Due to the weather being well-suited for road work, the county was able to complete repairs on four roads that were delayed from the wet winter. Workers were also in the process of completing repairs on three additional roads that they had begun only last week. Broyles was also able to report that repairs to the roads affected by the December flooding were also nearing completion. In the area of personnel, the department is still looking for applicants to fill the position of mechanic.

At the recommendation of County Engineer Ben Luther, the commission voted unanimously to set speed limits on County Road 516. At the time of the meeting, there was no speed limit posted on the road.

“Based on state law, we have to pass resolutions to lower those lawful limits if it’s less than 45 (mph) on a paved road,” Luther said.

The new speed limit on the road will be 30 mph on one section, and 25 as drivers get closer to the dead end. Both the new limits passed unanimously.

Luther also requested for personnel from the department be able to attend the ROADTEC Workshop, which is hosted by the Alabama Department of Transportation and the ROADTEC Corporation.

The commission approved this request.

District I Commissioner Shane Wootten then brought up CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Collinsville Historical Association hosts Annual Meeting

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

Dr. John Morgan contributed to this article, photos

by Dr. John Morgan COLLINSVILLE, Ala.— The Collinsville Historical Association (CHA) held their 2016 Annual Meeting, last weekend at Cricket Theatre at 2 p.m. CHA holds an annual meeting open to the public each year to bring the community up to date on current and recent projects and give those in attendance an opportunity to view the museum and hear from a guest speaker.

The CHA 2016 Annual Meeting guest speaker this year was Stan Bradley from Birmingham. Bradley’s mother was a member of the Weaver family, and sister to the builder of Collinsville’s Cricket Theatre. Stan grew up in Collinsville. He worked lots of jobs at the Cricket as his family, the Weavers and the Overstreets, were the founders and owners for the theatre as well as establishing the telephone company which had offices

in the theater building with operators on duty 24/7, 3 during the day and one overnight. The Weavers also dammed Big Wills Creek to bring electricity to Collinsville.

Bradley spoke about the Cricket building as it was in the 40's, 50's and 60's. He said his Uncle Paul Overstreet went to Atlanta once every three months to order the movies for the next quarter. The films would be shipped over one at a time. The cost to get into the movie was 10 cents at first. Bradley said most parents gave their children a quarter, and that the kids would get 3 nickels back that they would spend on snacks, all of which were a nickel. When the night was over, there was a phone on the wall in the lobby with a sign above it saying, "Call Mamma Phone" to get their ride back home.

The movies sometimes would send a star to tour local towns to promote their movie while it was showing.

Blakely said that Lash Larue ate lunch at his house and that Robert Blake had his seventeenth birthday at his house when he stayed overnight promoting Red Ryder films.

The theatre had separate sections and separate box offices for Blacks and Whites. The Blacks sat in the balcony.

Bradley said that as a child he fell asleep on the

floor and stayed in the theater where he stayed for a good while until his parents realized he was not at home. As a worker, he went in every corner of the building including all the way up into the top of the clock tower.

Local musician and Collinsville Baptist Minister of Music Gloria Morgan sang two songs at the meeting, "Zip-a-DeeDoo-Dah," which won the oscar for best song in a movie in 1946, the year that the Cricket opened. Morgan accompanied herself on the auto harp during her first song. Morgan also sang "You'll Never Walk Along" from the musical Carousel in a cappella (no accompaniment) to great applause.

President Jerry Smith talked about the progress of the last year, especially the continuing work on the Cricket that was being used for a meeting for the first time since it reopened. The new marquee is to be put on in the next couple of weeks.

He hoped heat and AC could be added soon after so that the building could be used for events all year long.

Former mayor Jimmy Carter led the pledge.

Refreshments after the meeting were prepared by Jane Peek. Both before and after the meeting the new Collinsville Museum was open for everyone to look at the new exhibits.

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COMMUNITY

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

Men’s Bible group from Collinsville Baptist affecting lives across the globe

By Tyler Pruett tyler@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala.— A men’s bible study group

from Collinsville Baptist Church is organizing the community to pack 100,000 meals for starving children in third world countries. Collinsville Baptist Church Youth Director Luke Laney is directing the event.

The event will take place this Saturday, April 30th at the Dekalb County Schools Coliseum in Rainsville.

The group from Collinsville Baptist is

organizing the event for the “Feed My Starving Children” charity, that provides pre-packed meals for children in countries such as Nepal, Haiti, and Nicaragua. Each meal contains items such as rice, soy, vegetables, and chicken flavored vitamins.

“In 2014, I went to Nicaragua for a week in the summer, and while I was there we were using these meals for the kids in the school,” Laney explained.

State of the City address, pg. 1 and engaging our citizens to become more involved in our local government,” Jones said.

“Preparing the address each year allows me to take a close look at the entire picture of our city government. I’m obligated not only to reflect on the the positive things we’ve accomplished, but also obliged to take a look at some of the things that we could have done differently or handled in a more efficient manner, and then learn from those things and improve.”

The event was hosted by the Rainsville Chamber of Commerce. Rainsville Chamber Director Tim Eberhart and Assistant Director Sandy Hallmark were on hand to represent the chamber and introduce Jones before he delivered his State of the City address.

In addition to the more than one hundred citizens present at Thursday night’s State of the City, a strong media presence attended the event, including representatives from local newspapers, TV, radio, and online news outlets. The Times Journal, who co-sponsored the event, helped gather questions from the community during the week leading up to the event and Times Journal Publisher Tricia Clinton-Dunne served as moderator during the Town Hall Q & A open forum portion of the event.

Also included among the media was WVSM AM who broadcast this year’s State of the

City address live on local radio.

Despite the record attendance and large media presence, noticeably absent Thursday night was the Rainsville City Council. Not a single member of the council attended this year’s State of the City. The council’s absence was clearly felt by the citizens of Rainsville, who made a number of comments during the Town Hall Q&A open forum expressing their displeasure. Comments ranged from statements of frustration and annoyance to outright condemnation, anger and even outrage at the council’s absence at this year’s State of the City address.

To make matters worse perhaps in terms of perception, was the presence of elected officials and council members from other DeKalb cities at Rainsville’s State of the City Thursday night, while Rainsville’s own council was nowhere to be found.

“It’s strange to me that I don’t see a single city council member here at all in the whole building,” one Rainsville citizen commented to the crowd. “I’ve been looking for them all night and haven’t seen them. This is an annual event.

We’re concerned about our city and what’s going on here. And our elected officials that are paid to do the work of our city, and I don’t see one council member here, not a one? This only happens once a year. This should be something that’s important for everyone,

something that we should all put on our calendars and make it to no matter what, especially if you are elected and paid as a city councilman to lead our city. I wouldn’t even think it would be an option for them not to be here. I had several questions that I would have liked to ask them and I don’t know how we can do that if nobody is here.”

Times Journal Publisher Tricia Clinton-Dunne, who served as a moderator for the event, said that two of the Rainsville City Councilmen told her that were working out of town and the other three council members told her that they would be attending ballgames on Thursday night instead of attending Rainsville’s 2016 State of the City.

“I will say in defense of Mr. (Councilman Brandon) Freeman in particular, he had no choice,” Clinton-Dunne said. “He wanted to be here. His boss sent him… He was very, very upset. He called me and told me that he wanted to be here but couldn’t.”

Although the council did not show, Jones was joined at the event by a number of city employees, including Rainsville Police Chief Johnny Stewart, representatives from the Rainsville Fire Department and other city department heads and employees, whom made themselves available for questions during the Town Hall Q&A session that followed the State of the City address.

DeKalb County Commission meeting, pg. 2 the issue of a land purchase north of Henagar. The commission plans to establish a substation for the county’s road repair vehicles. The property will allow them to keep and maintain vehicles in the northern part of the county to save fuel costs as opposed to traveling from the main facility.

The purchase will consist of 2.4 acres at a cost of $18000. The commission unanimously voted to pursue the deal.

The sheriff’s office only had personnel issues to attend to this week.

The commission accepted the resignation of a correctional officer,

Daniel Sears, who had been with the department for five years.

Dekalb County Revenue Commissioner Tyler Wilkes requested approval to attend the Association of Tax Administrators Conference from June 12 - 16. This request was approved unanimously.

The next item on the agenda focused on the Department of Human Resources. Commissioner Wootten moved to replace Margaret Baker, who after serving the department for many years, did not seek reappointment. The commission thanked her for her service to the

county, and appointed Laura Kirby to take Baker’s place. After the new appointment, President Harcrow made the motion to reappoint Kelly Owens to the board.

This also passed unanimously.

Before adjourning, District IV Commissioner Dewitt Jackson reminded the commission that the following day marked the fifth anniversary of the April 27, 2011 tornadoes.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Dekalb County Commission will be held on May 10, 2016 at 10 am.

After seeing the meals put to good use, he decided to get his youth group and other members of his church involved.

“We went up to a mobile pack event for the charity in Chattanooga, then another in Ringgold, Georgia last year,” Laney said. “After that event, we quickly decided that we needed to bring this event to Dekalb County.”

The event will be organized in three different work sessions, each being two hours. Volunteers will pack different food components into bags, then each bag will need vacuum sealing and packing in a box.

“It’s an incredibly efficient way to come and spend just a little bit of your time and make a huge impact,” Laney said.

The group not only organizes volunteers to pack the meals, but must raise enough money to pay for the life sustaining food.

Each meal costs 22 cents, meaning that to reach their goal of 100,000 meals, they must raise a total of $22,000 dollars.

The three packing sessions will be from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., and from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m..

Participants must register online, but for now, Laney says that they’ve easily reached their goal of 500 hundred volunteers, and all the sessions are currently full.

“Currently all our volunteer sessions are full, but we’re still accepting donations to reach our fundraising goal of $22,000 dollars,” Laney said. “We still need all of the help we can get and encourage anyone interested to reach out to us to get involved.”

The group is excited about the level of participation from the community, and so far has big plans for the future.

“We hope to double our goal to 20,000 meals by next year,” Laney added.

Visit their event page at http://www.facebook.com/ twoormoremobilepack for information about the charity and how you can make a difference.

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

COMMUNITY

NACC Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Caps off a Successful Year

For immediate release— April 26, 2016 The Psi Epsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Northeast Alabama Community College was recently recognized and awarded for achievement at the Phi Theta Kappa International Convention held in National Harbor, MD, on April 7-9, 2016.

Phi Theta Kappa officers Natalie Hitchcock, Griffin Horton, Ramsey Knott, Trent Linderman, and Hannah Wootten attended the convention, accompanied by Chapter Advisor, Brad Fricks.

At the convention, NACC received two international awards.

The officer team received the Distinguished Officer Team Award for outstanding leadership and teamwork. The Psi Epsilon Chapter was also named a Distinguished Chapter. This designation is given to chapters who excel at Phi Theta Kappa’s

two major projects, the Honors in Action Project and the College Project.

This year, the chapter’s honors project was based on the intersection of space exploration and popular culture, and the chapter’s college service project centered on raising student awareness about transfer to a four-year institution. Phi Theta Kappa President, Trent Linderman, commented, “I am so proud of our officer team and our chapter for all of the hard work that went into our activities this year.”

Prior to the International Convention, Northeast Alabama Community College hosted the Phi Theta Kappa Alabama Regional Convention. On March 4-5, around 200 community college students, advisors, and administrators from across Alabama visited the NACC campus to

participate in educational forums, develop leadership skills, and recognize their accomplishments.

NACC student Hannah Wootten, the 2015-2016 Alabama Regional President, presided over the convention. Students and advisors participated in general sessions and educational forums. At the convention awards luncheon, Chief Deputy District Attorney Bob Johnston from the Ninth Judicial Circuit was the featured speaker, sharing his advice and thoughts about the rights and responsibilities of United States citizens. During the awards ceremony, the NACC chapter was awarded with the

Distinguished Officer Team Award, an Honors in Action Project Award, and a Continued Excellence Distinguished Chapter Award.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,285 chapters on college campuses in all 50 of the United States, plus Canada, Germany, the Republic of Palau, Peru, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions.

More than 3 million students have been inducted since its

founding in 1918, with approximately 134,000 students inducted annually. For more information about how to get involved with Phi Theta Kappa and its programs, contact Brad Fricks at fricksb@nacc. edu.

For more information about Northeast, go to www.nacc.edu or download the free App at the App Store or by going to www.naccmobile.com.

Pictured are: (from left to right) NACC students Trent Linderman, Griffin Horton, Natalie Hitchcock, Ramsey Knott, and Hannah Wootten.

Upcoming events for the week of 4/29 April 30-May 1: Tennessee Cowboy Mounted Shooters Competition- Northeast Agri-Business Center in Rainsville.

April 30:

Fifth Alabama Brass Band and Sacred Harp Singers- Dekalb Theatre in Fort Payne at 2 p.m.

Admission is Free.

May 1 - 8:

Hope Puppets Ministries- At Rainsville First Baptist. Call 256-638-3141 for information or order free tickets at rainsvillefirst.com.

May 7:

Mid-South Paint Horse Show- At the Northeast Agri-Business Center on Rainsville at 8:00 a.m.

May 7:

Canyon Fiesta- From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Little River Canyon Center.

May 12-15:

18th Annual US 11 Antique Alley Yard SaleFollow the scenic U.S. Highway 11 from Meridian, MS to Bristol, VA. for

more than 500 miles of yard sales.

May 13-15:

Once upon a mattressFort Payne Opera House at 510 Gault Ave N Fort Payne. May 13 & 14 at 7 p.m. and May 14 & 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5.

May 14:

Hammondville Fire BBQ Fundraiser- Starts at 11 a.m. $6 plates include sandwich, chips and drink. Whole Butts sold in advance for $35.

May 14:

Relay for Life 5k Fun Walk/Run- Join the team at GH Metal Solutions for a Relay for Life fun run and walk. Call 256-273-0263 or email GHHEROES.RELAYFORLIFE@gmail.com.

May 14:

8th Annual Cody Renfroe Rod Run/Poker Run- Crossville City Park 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. All proceeds goes to Crossville Volunteer Fire Department.

May 19-21:

American Saddle Bred Association of Alabama Show- At the Northeast Agri-Business Center in Rainsville.

May 20:

Miss Rhododendron Pageant- At the Mentone Community Church Family Life Center at 6 p.m.

May 20-21:

Spring Vintage Pickin Barn Sale- Passes for both days are $15 for private 3-hour shopping day of the event from 9 a.m. to noon. General Admission tickets are $6 per day and sale runs from noon to 5 p.m.

May 21:

Mentone Rhododendron Festival- Enjoy an event that highlights the best of Mentone.

May 21:

Southern Gospel Concert featuring The Anchorman and The Sharps- 6:00 p.m. at the Tom Bevil Enrichement Center in Rainsville.

Tickets will be available at the door while they last.

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Southern Torch

WeddingGiveaway!

Our Story Contributed by Southern Torch Wedding Giveaway winner Charity Hester

You know that saying people say in a clumsy attempt to lend comfort to a friend during a breakup or relationship fail? “If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were.”

Kahlil Gibran. For the most part, this short sentence is tossed out into the wind without much thought. Much less an actual hope of the return of that loved

someone.

Our story is when love returns. It may be cliché, it may be incredibly cheesy, but the truth of this quote resonates with our love story. Chris Burks and I, my name is Charity Hester, met 15 years ago. Much, much younger and a lot less wise than what we thought we were at the time. As relationships sometimes end up, we struggled and after 2 years chose the paths that led in opposite directions. For over a decade we never saw one

The Southern Torch would like to thank our sponsors for helping us make this Wedding Giveaway possible!

• GiGi's Funky Junk • White Realty • Merle Norman Cosmetics of Rainsville • Simply Elegant

• Something Borrowed • Travel by Misty • Tina Cakes • Vicki's Flowers & Gifts • Kamama

And a big thanks to the Mentone Wedding Chapel

another, or spoke or even wrote a letter to the other. As the quote goes, “let them go, for if they return, they were always yours…”

4 years ago, in May of 2012, our return happened. It came with hope, controversy, and change. What our lives had been separately had surely molded us into different, stronger, beings. Souls not willing to give up or leave or let mountainous molehills be the deciding factor in a life decision. Isn’t that

what adults are supposed to do? Good times and bad times be there for the other part of the equation? Their love equaling no zeros? In our 1st year together again, we had a son, Kinsey Uriah, born at 24 weeks old on Dec. 16, 2012 and passing on May 1, 2013.

We spiraled downward and lifted one another back up. Life is hard.

Love is harder. Loss is exquisitely beautiful.

We were blessed with a healthy and bouncing baby girl, Alexis

Elizabeth, on Jan. 7, 2015.

She is the perfect addition to our family.

With loving big sisters Abi and Allyson and a big brother Ethan, she is the almost last piece of the puzzle. I honestly cannot determine a valid reason as to why we have not wed to this point in our relationship…it’s perfectly ok to wait, to savor the moments leading to marriage. To enjoy and appreciate the vows of matrimony with the one…the one that returned.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 6

Friday–April 29, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

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

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

Apply in Person: Looking for:

Bur-Tex Hosiery, Inc. 521 Paul Benefield Ln. Fyffe, AL 35971 Mon-Fri: 7:30am-4pm

• Knitters • Creelers • Experienced Fixers • Experienced Boarders • Seamers • Casers • Forklift Operators with Shipping and Receiving experience

RAINSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

April 28, 2016 Tim Eberhart, Executive Director

If you’re like me, the great mid-spring weather has you doing seasonal stuff like sharpening mower blades, applying sunscreen, and reading articles with titles like “low-maintenance perennials.”

On behalf of our 150-plus members, allow me to remind you to shop locally for all your mid-spring lawn care, skincare and gardening needs.

It has only been a few weeks since I used this space to serve up a few shop-local reminders. But it’s a matter of fundamental economic obligation that I remind the good citizens of the area early and often to favor local merchants over retailers 60 or 80 miles away, or an online retailer headquartered at the foot of the Rockies, for example.

The advantages of favoring the far, far away stores over local stores are few and far, far between. Any perceived advantage that seems to have some merit is easily stamped out by the more important advantages of making sure local stores are your first choice whenever possible.

Consider just two important factors. First, if you need to return a purchase, imagine the difference between the local and far away choices. Would you prefer to spend your valuable time dealing with labels, postage and packing tape dispensers to send something back because it does not fit well, or because it does not meet your quality standards? Or would you prefer to get something that you can touch and try on only a couple of miles from home, and avoid the risks?

Second, if you can help one of them thrive, would you prefer to help the one that could add local jobs and help directly fund local police and fire protection, or the one that will help do those things at the foot of the Rockies?

Our members and I have nothing against the cities and merchants out in the Rockies. If you want to help them create jobs and better municipal amenities in cool places like Boulder and Provo, that is your choice. We just want to remind you that such choices can have local ramifications.

Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Over a dozen of our Rainsville retailers are holding a Mother’s Day Open House for last-minute shoppers on May 6-7. There will be refreshments, door prizes and/or special offers at each place. Watch for details.

CHAMBER CHATTER

April 27, 2016 Carol Beddingfield, Executive Director

Have you seen Fort Payne’s latest retail accomplishment! The Chamber welcomed Dunham’s Sports with a ribbon cutting celebration on April 22nd.

I was truly amazed the huge selections of athletic gear displayed so very well in such a spacious store. The management and employees are most impressive.

The Dunham’s Sports retail chain began in 1937 in Waterford, MI, when a small shop called Dunham’s Bait and Tackle opened. Through the years, hard work, great customer service and attention to detail has grown that small store into a full line sporting goods chain located in 20 states.

Every one of the over 200 stores offers a full line of traditional sporting goods and athletic equipment as well as a wide variety of active and casual sports apparel and footwear.

According to store management, the motto of Dunham’s Sports is Big Names_Low Prices. Hot Deals and Sport Values can only be found inside the store. These prices are not advertized.

Dunham’s Sports also has a price matching policy. If a Dunham store or another competitor has the exact item you purchased at a Dunham’s Sports store at a lower price, Dunham will refund 100% of the difference.

For all you hunters, Dunham’s Sports will only sell firearms to in-state residents with a driver’s license or state ID from within the state the store is located.

Another benefit of Dunham locating to Fort Payne is the fact that they will employ people from our area. They are always seeking people who share their enthusiasm for sports and recreation, and especially, the dedication to providing service and value to the customer.

“Come have fun while you work, buy the latest sports gear with your merchandize discount and get paid as well.”

If you love sports, Dunham’s Sports management team is ready to talk to you. Whether you are looking for a career or a position to earn some extra spending money, there are many opportunities available in not only the retail stores but also in the distribution center and the corporate office.

If you are seeking employment, I encourage you to check out the job postings on the Dunham’s Sports website.

Congratulations to all those involved in bringing Dunham’s Sports to Fort Payne. The Chamber is proud to play a role in the overall improvement of retail shopping. After all, shopping local keeps the tax dollars in Fort Payne. Your quality of life depends on it.

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POLITICS Dismemberment Abortions to Be Made Illegal Under Alabama Senate Bill

By Staff Reports

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Today, with a 30-2 vote, the Alabama Senate moved to protect the sanctity of human life by prohibiting the abortion of unborn children by dismemberment. This practice is common in late-term abortions.

The Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion act is sponsored

by Senator Phil Williams (R-Rainbow City) and Representative Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City).

In dismemberment abortions, the fetus usually dies by bleeding out as its limbs and torso are torn and sliced apart with scissors, tongs, and clamps.

“Dismemberment abortions are a heinous

practice, and I am glad the Alabama Senate has taken this step to promote and protect a culture of life by outlawing these procedures,” Williams said. “The abortion of unborn children through violent dismemberment is something all right-thinking Americans should condemn.”

Senate Bill 363 contains an exception for procedures deemed medically necessary to prevent a serious health risk to the mother.

“I appreciate the hard work that Representative Butler has done to advance this legislation in the House, and I trust the House of Representatives will give this bill swift passage before the end of session,” Williams stated.

Should SB363 become law, Alabama would become the fifth state to ban dismemberment abortion, joining Kansas, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Mississippi.

“I am grateful to the Alabama Senate for protecting unborn babies from dismemberment abortions,” said Cheryl Ciamarra, director of Alabama Citizens for Life. "Our senators showed they prioritize human life and its protection by passing this legislation.”

For more information on this bill and other legislation put forward by Phil Williams, follow him on Facebook at facebook. com/Phil.Williams.14 or on Twitter: @SenPhilWilliams

Pick up your copy of The Southern Torch at any of the following locations: FORT PAYNE: Jacks North Foodland The Strand The Spot

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8

Friday–April 29, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

POLITICS

Dekalb's newest Eagle Scouts honored at commission meeting

Scoutmaster Don Brown, with his newest Eagle Scouts and the Dekalb County Commission (Photo by Tyler Pruett)

By Tyler Pruett tyler@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala.— Five scouts from Dekalb County were honored at Tuesday’s regularly scheduled commission meeting for achieving the coveted rank of Eagle Scout. The county commission held a reception for the scouts before the meeting, then presented them with plaques and pins to commemorate their achievement.

The scouts honored

were Cade Nagler, Thomas Gilbert, Allen Burgess, Tyler Moore, and Jordan Greene.

District II Commissioner Derek Caldwell also honored their longtime scoutmaster, Don Brown.

Speaking to the commission meeting, Brown emphasized the importance of the scouts and the impact it has on young men’s lives.

“It helps prepare boys for their lives,” Brown explained. “It’s a good program for the boys to be in.”

During Brown’s service, he has served as scout master to over a thousand boys, with almost one hundred achieving the coveted title of Eagle Scout.

“43 years dedicated to one thing is a lot,” Caldwell said of Brown.

“There’s one thing that Don puts into it that’s more than scouting: he still uses the lord to help him guide them.”

According to the Boy Scouts of America website, to attain the rank of Eagle Scout,

candidates must complete a number of tasks to advance from the rank of Life Scout. They must earn at least a total of 21 merit badges in various tasks, including swimming, hiking, leadership, communication, and even cooking.

Potential Eagle Scouts must also demonstrate Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law, serve in a position of leadership within their troop, and do community service.

Before presenting the

plaques, Caldwell read aloud the inscription, which stated that each scout, “has demonstrated strong leadership abilities and has exhibited a strong sense of duty, honor, and patriotism; making him a clear example of the best quality of American youth.”

Each plaque was signed by the entire county commission, and presented by Caldwell and Commission President Ricky Harcrow.

OPINION / EDITORIAL

Make your own destiny

By Diego Reynoso diego@southerntorch.com

I know it has been a while since I last wrote to all of you. I apologize for that. I have been busy since the last column I wrote.

Let's start from the beginning. In March I had my last Pet scan to date. If you don't know I have them every 3 months. The report was good. Even though she did not exactly say I was in full remission, she did

say all is good.

Unfortunately she wanted me to stay on the more aggressive chemo. I asked her why and she stated that since it is like a roller coaster ride with my cancer coming back shortly after putting it in remission that I need to stay on it. I don't know if I have mentioned but this treatment is hard on me.

It is hard on my family also. So I asked her if I could take a break? I mean I am gonna have another PET scan in June so why not?

I just felt like needed a break. My body needed a break. I was getting worse also with my side effects. My feet and hands were terrible. The aggressive chemo dries out and cause very painful dry skin, skin that is dying and it cracks and bleeds. It is very painful.

Actually it was getting

worse than before. The oncologist said as long as I stay on the maintenance chemo, than I could take a break.

So here we are. Now, since I can move around more since wrapping up the aggressive chemo I talked with my wife, Angie, and decided to go back to college. I wanted to find a profession that would allow me to work from home if i needed to.

So web development was my choice. I am good with computers anyways so seemed to be the right choice. I start this summer.

Now I know what you are asking. What if it comes back? Will you have to go back on aggressive chemo? Easy answer is...Yes. But it is not so simple. I can change days for treatment, so that will help the most. Going a

different day to take treatments has been done before.

But I am gonna try and go a step further. I am gonna fight even harder than before. No one knows what tomorrow holds, and I don't want to sit back and wait for something to come to me. Not only is that unfair to me, but it’s also unfair to my family.

If i can do something to help my family then that is a fight I will take on, no matter how difficult that fight is.

This is my advice to all of you going through something like me. Don’t sit back and wait on cancer or treatment to determine your destiny.

Get out there and show the world what you can do! You have the power to make your destiny, not just change it—to forge your destiny for yourself.

My fight is cancer, but yours could be anything.

So no matter who is reading this, fight! Don't let it win. Nothing and noone can beat you but yourself. I have faith that you can do it. Just take a deep breath look at your family and go for it.

Look at it this way. A friend of mine sent me a gift this past week. And one thing enclosed had a quote on it. It is perfect for this column: “A goal is a dream with a deadline.”

So, set your goal and work for it. No matter if it is a new job, or beating cancer make your goal a reality. I have to go for now, but I will be back.

Maybe it won't take so long next time before I write again. Have a great day! And remember to reach that deadline.

Shape your own destiny.

It ultimately lies in your hands.

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Friday–April 29, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

POV

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

Death Valley. We searched closely for life.

And more closely for any break from the heat. It was June. The temperature under the edge of the roof of the Ranger Station in Furnace Creek

read 123 degrees.

The six of us had entered Death Valley coming over the mountains from Nevada on our second family trip west. As we paused at the top of the mountain, we could see a lot of rocks. Dust. Sand. An occasional dust covered

FAITH weed. And could feel the terrible heat. Signs as you enter the park warn not to use the car air conditioning. Too hot for air conditioning.

We bought a couple of baggies of dates freshly picked and cut into pieces at a one person stand.

Delicious. They almost made my wife smile. She is never, ever a complainer. Except that day. She was ready to get out of the Valley. I told her it was an amazing place. Astounding how thin the line between life and death was there. She was unimpressed. I told her that as long as we kept the car moving with the windows down it wasn’t too bad. She did not agree. Sweat evaporated so fast it did not seem to exist. No cooling. Hot and very dry. I suggested she try another date. She was not happy. And my two older sons were on her side.

So I started the 25 mile drive out of the valley heading for the west exit. The valley was over 200 feet below sea level. We were headed toward the west and the Panamint Mountains towering over 10,000 feet

high. The road would gain 5,000 feet in elevation, a mile higher.

We worked our way up the mountain. It got a little less hot. As we went over the crest, there was a dusty, unpaved pullover.

I headed in and stopped the car. We got out stretching and rejoicing at leaving the oven. We walked over to the edge and looked back down into Death Valley. My wife agreed it looked a lot better from up here. The sun going down behind us shone down on the heat waves and patches of dust clouds blowing.

It looked peaceful. From afar.

I walked back across the parking area to look at where we were going next.

A gasp. In front of me across another valley were the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The contrast was astounding. Below us was the little town of Lone Pine. Past it were the mountains and green.

Real green. Trees, grass.

In the middle of our view was Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states. Over 14,000 feet. Almost three miles higher than Death Valley. On its top

was snow. In June. Later that night, the temperature went below freezing, a hundred degree change in about two hours and 100 miles. My wife came and looked with me.

Green. Snow and water.

Life. We looked back the other way. Dust. Sand.

Death.

It just depended on your point of view. Your POV. Look east. Death.

Look west. Life. I can’t imagine a more dramatic contrast.

Unless it is the difference in the POV of a Christian and a non-Christian.

There has been a lot written in the last few years about worldviews.

Attempts to define a Christian worldview. Is it about marriage, sexuality, poverty, social justice? I just know that when a Christian bows at the cross to surrender to Jesus, the view changes.

We see life. Everlasting.

We look back at the world and see only death. Quite a difference in POV. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life”. John 11:25 Choose life.

A Moment with Megan: Be Confident*

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

I hope everyone reading this is having a great week… and if not, I hope you keep reading this! Hopefully I’ve got some encouraging words for you. These encouraging words come straight out the the Bible.

Let’s look at Ephesians 3:12, “ In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”

This makes me happy!

Let’s skip to verse 20-21, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus through the generations, forever and ever, amen!”

I love how Paul uses the word “confidence” in verse 12. That word can shadow over into verse 20. We as Christians should be confident that the Lord WILL do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.

However, do notice the end of verse 20, it says “according to His power that is at work within us.”

Friend, if you do not know Christ as your Savior, then He is not at work within you. “Why?” Because He is a gentleman and He will never go places that He is not invited. When someone gets saved, the

person invites Him into their hearts. Then, can His power be at work within them. Maybe you're reading this article at work on your lunch break and would like to start your relationship with the Lord by inviting Him in, I dare you to do it! I dare you to have an audacious faith that the Lord has big plans in store for you and that you experience His grace and limitless love.

Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident in this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it out on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” There is that word again, “confident”! I imagine that our days would go a lot smoother if we were confident that Christ was working all things out for our good, that He has everything under control, etc. Satan loves to get inside our brain, causing doubts and fears.

Confidence and fear cannot coexist. Either we are living in confidence (in Christ) or fear. I don’t know about you, but this confidence thing sounds a lot more appealing!

Webster says the definition of confidence is to be assured or have no uncertainty. Now go back and read Philippians 1:6 and Ephesians 3:20. The Word

is telling us not to have any uncertainty! Jesus always has your best interest in mind. Just like Chris Tomlin’s song says, “He is a good good father…”

How many of us really meet the definition of being confident in Christ? If we could be honest, I am sure we could say there are days that our faith wavers. I hope that these verses bring the word “confident” (in Christ) to new perspective. The verse could have said, “Be hopeful that He who began a good work in you will carry it out until completion.” or “If you pray and fast everyday…”

BUT! it says “Be CONFIDENT ….” We serve such an incredibly patient, forgiving, and loving God who desires to bless us (His children) in mighty ways. Friend, dream big, have faith, and ultimately, BE CONFIDENT in Christ!

He knows what He is doing and you are not forgotten. *This article was originally published on Friday, April 15, 2016.

10

Friday–April 29, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Plainview Lady Bears are County Champs!

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

Plainview 9, Ider 6 RAINSVILLE, Ala.—Class 3A, No. 5 ranked Plainview Lady Bears defeated the Class 2A, No. 3 Ider Lady Hornets in the Championship game of the Dekalb County Softball Tournament, Saturday night.

Ider had the 5-4 lead in the third but Anabelle Brown scored in the fourth to tie the game.

Jenna Maze scored two to increase the Hornet lead

to 7-5. Mackenzie Hughes brought in Catlin Tinker on a single to make the score 7-6. That was the last time the Lady Hornets would score. In the sixth inning, Anabelle Brown scored to make the Plainview lead 8-6. Lacee Kirk scored in the seventh to make the score 9-6. Shelby Hawkins from Ider was credited the loss from the mound.

From the Plainview mound, Bailey Smart started and pitched ½ innings allowing 2 hits, 1

walk and 3 runs. Jenna Mays was awarded the win. She pitched 3 ⅔ innings allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, no walk and had 3 strikeouts. Kenzi Traylor closed out for Plainview and pitched 3 innings allowing no runs, 1 hit, and 1 walk.

Anabelle Brown was named Tournament MVP. The Lady Bears have a 26-7 record and will host the Area Tournament starting next Thursday.

Congratulations to the Plainview Lady Bears!

Dekalb County Softball All-Tournament Team

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala.—Eighteen players were named to the All-Tournament Team at

the Dekalb County Softball Tournament on Saturday: Annabelle Brown, Tournament MVP (Plainview), Emma Barkley, Collinsville, Caroline

Brannon, Collinsville, Kaylan Brown, Ider, Sierra Chambers, Valley Head Payton Davidson, Sylvania, Bethany Davis, Sylvania, Casey Eddings, Plainview, Tayilor Freeman, Crossville Harley Godwin, Fyffe Savannah Hood, Ider Madison Hunt, Crossville Lacee Kirk, Plainview Kayla Norman, Ider Anna Norris, Geraldine Bailey Smart, Plainview Mallory Stiefel, Fyffe Kenzi Traylor, Plainview

Fort Payne Ladies Advance to Golf Sub state

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

Alexis Chambers and Elle Patterson advance to substate.

FORT PAYNE, Ala.— Junior Alexis Chambers and Sophomore, Elle Patterson both fired a 1 under round of 71 at the Class 6A/7A Sectional Golf Tournament.

Sixty-four golfers

representing seventeen schools participated.

Only four schools and four individuals were allowed to advance to sub state. Both Chambers and Patterson qualified and will advance to Sub state at Highland Park in Birmingham Monday, May 2.

Catch of the Week!

Krymson Thrash, age 5, got this monster while fishing with her dad, Heath Thrash. Submit your pictures to marla@ southerntorch.com to be our next Southern Torch Catch of the Week winner!

Fyffe sails past Falkville

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

FALKVILLE, Ala.—In the first round of the Class 2A State playoffs, Fyffe defeated Falkville 15-5 and 10-0 in back-to-back games.

Fyffe (15-7) defeated the Falkville Blue Devils 15-5 by a mercy rule in the first matchup. Brant Rowell earned the win from the mound for Fyffe. He struck out six and only allowed two runs in six innings.

At bat, Dilan Kilpatrick led the Fyffe Red Devils with three hits, two were three-run homers, and six RBIs. Ethan Jones, Jase Jones

and Seth Benefield finished the night with doubles.

The score was 2-1 in the first inning but Fyffe quickly started a scoring frenzy in the third, scoring six. During the fifth inning of the game, Falkville scored four runs but Fyffe quickly answered back forcing the mercy rule in the sixth.

“We played really clean baseball except for the fifth inning of the first game.” said Fyffe Head Coach Brad Thomas. “I thought we swung the bats pretty good also.”

In the second game, Will Mashburn shut out the Blue Devils from the mound. He pitched for five innings and struck out five.

At bat, Ethan Jones had a triple and two RBIs and Brady Carson had three RBIs. Fyffe will travel to Section on Friday at 5:30 pm for the second round of the playoffs. In previous matchups, Fyffe has split the series with Section 1-1.

Plainview defeats New Hope

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

Plainview 2, New Hope 0 NEW HOPE, Ala.— The Plainview Bears defeated the New Hope Indians in a doubleheader on Friday to will advance to the second round of the Class 3A State baseball playoffs this Friday against Pisgah Eagles.

The game was scoreless the first three innings. Kolton Farmer brought home Colton Bevel on a single to make the score 1-0. Clay Cooper was brought home by Colton Bevel, making the score 2-0.

New Hope scored in the sixth inning on a walk.

Ben Williamson was awarded the win from the mound for Plainview. He pitched six innings and struck out four. Colton Bevel was awarded the

save in the final inning.

In the second game, Ben Williamson drove in John David Martin for the score in the first inning.

Martin in return drove in Cade Willingham in the fourth for the 2-0 lead.

Colton Bevel had the win from the mound. He pitched for six innings and struck out 10. Cade Willingham was credited with the save.

The Bears will face the No.7 Eagles Friday night.

The Bears were defeated

by Pisgah in two games earlier in the season.

“Pisgah is a very good team. We are very familiar with them and have a lot of respect for their program”, Head Coach Phillip Johnson said. “We are excited to have the opportunity. If we can compete and execute the way we did last weekend it should be a very good series.”

11

Friday–April 29, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

Collinsville wins Soccer Title Big Sur Birthday

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

COLLINSVILLE, Ala.—Collinsville Panthers Boys Soccer Team defeated the Donoho Falcons to capture the Area 16 1A-3A Boys Soccer title.

The Panthers have a perfect 6-0 record in area play and are coached by Jeff W. Stanley.

Bryan Barrientos scored two goals and had one assist for the game.

Leo Barrientos, Isaiah

Avila and Jonathan Sequra each had one goal. Sequra and Avila both had assists.

Collinsville will host Fultondale in the first round of the state playoffs Tuesday, May 3 at 5 p.m.

“I am extremely proud of our team. We are a young team with no seniors and a handful of juniors. We have really improved throughout the year,” said Coach Stanley.

“Our kids have really bought into what we are

teaching them. I have three former players helping me coach: Luis Segura, David Hernandez and Phil Hernandez. We have a proud tradition at Collinsville and this particular team is doing a great job maintaining.

Winning the area championship was a team goal that we set the beginning of the season.

I really like the attitude and work ethic of our team. We have a very bright future!”

Fyffe Men's Golf Team-County champions

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

FYFFE, Ala.—The Fyffe Men’s Golf team won the Dekalb County Golf Tournament on

Thursday. As a team they shot 328 on 18 holes. The team is coached by Shawn Wigley.

“I have a wonderful group of guys this year.

We are having a lot of

fun” said Coach Shawn Wigley.

The All County individual team was selected at the Tournament. Members include: 4th Place Brandon Bright-Geraldine Tied for 3rd Chad Gray and EB Carroll-Fyffe 2nd Place Mason Barber-Fyffe 1st Place-Logan Forester-Geraldine

Crossville defeats Hokes Bluff

Taylior Freeman

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

Crossville 1, Hokes Bluff 0

CROSSVILLE, Ala.— Crossville is 6-0 in area season play. They defeated Hokes Bluff 6-0 Thursday night, 1-0.

The game remained scoreless until the sixth inning. Tay Freeman was lead off batter with a big hit single. Maddie Hunt laid down a sacrifice bunt for the 2nd out.

McKenzie Wilks hit a screamer between second and the second baseman to bring in Freeman.

“Our bats were not as solid as they should have been but our gloves and pitching were”, said Crossville head coach Meg Jones. “The Lady Panthers hit the field, kept them from scoring, got 3 outs for the win.”

Left to right: Nicole Goldsmith, Marien Amerigo, Pam Willingham (Birthday Girl), Jerry Clifton and Brittney Goza.

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala.— Chances are if you have been traveling on Highway 35, you have seen “Jerry’s Crazies.”

The “Crazies” are a group of local runners who start at Body Vision in Rainsville and run down Highway 35 to Walmart and beyond.

Members include: Nicole Goldsmith, Marien Amerigo, Pam Willingham, Jerry Clifton and Brittney Goza. Early Saturday morning, you can see them as they make their trek back up the mountain with a smile on their face, waving as cars go by.

This group is a tight knit group who all seem like family. When your “family” asks you to do something, you do it. Pam Willingham is a member of the “family” and had an item to check off her “Bucket list’. She wanted to run the Big Sur International Marathon, which so happened to be held on her forty-fifth birthday. The “Crazies” knew that being selected to run in this marathon was like a lottery. To get registered was “a luck of the draw”. They pre-registered thru “Runner's World” magazine and hoped for the best. In November, they found out that they all had been selected and training began. Official Pam Willingham Birthday shirts were designed for each runner to wear.

Big Sur International Marathon is rated #1 Most Beautiful Marathon and the #17th Most Difficult Marathon to run. This year over 3500 runners were selected between the ages of 16-81.

There are strict time limits on the 26.2 mile race. This year 500 runners did not qualify, as finishing the race, due to the time restraints. Thirty-seven countries were represented.

The Big Sur race begins on Pacific Coast Highway, goes thru the Redwood Forest, opens up to the Pacific Coast and ends at Carmel. One part of the race goes straight up, two miles to Hurricane Point.

At Hurricane Point, the runners faced 50 mph winds.

At the halfway point, they were greeted by someone playing a baby grand piano.

While taking a break to enjoy the music, Pam Willingham was interviewed by a local television station because it was her birthday. At mile 23, the famous large strawberries are served to the runners. As the crazies started to arrive at this point, they were already famous due to the interview and “Happy Birthday Pam” could be heard.

Each of “The Crazies” finished the Big Sur International Race and received a medal. Southern Torch would like to say Congratulations to all the runners. One of the next runs that they will participate in will be the Freedom Run to be held on June 18. This run is very special to the group because money will be divided among local charities and this year the majority will help Savannah Willingham.

Savannah was involved in an automobile accident earlier this year. For donation and registration for the Freedom Run, please call Jerry Clifton at (256) 717-5650.

Sylvania Women's Golf Team-County champions

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com

SYLVANIA, Ala.— Sylvania Women’s Golf Team recently won the 2016 Dekalb County Golf Tournament. The

team is coached by Karyn Pickett.

The team was unable to attend Sectionals due to prior commitments.

The All- County Individual Team were also named at the tournament.

Tied for 4th Place-Ally Wade (Sylvania) and Kaylee Willingham (Geraldine), 3rd Place- Emilie Murphy (Sylvania), 2nd Place-Logan Politakis (Crossville), 1st Place-Haley Stephens (Crossville)

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Friday–April 29, 2016

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

DEATH NOTICES 4/29/16 W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel

Hubert and Bertha Thompson; 1 sister and 2 brothers.

Mr. Julian L. “Pat” Powers - 88 of Cleveland passed away April 19, 2016 in a Chattanooga health care facility. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Powers; son, Randy Powers and wife, Debra; daughter-in-law, Phyllis Powers; granddaughters, Shannon Powers, Marie Roberts; grandsons, Keith Godfrey, Mac Jenkins, Brandon and Dusty Warnock; great-grandchildren, Austin Roberts, Peyton Roberts, Branden Jenkins, Caden Godfrey, Zack Godfrey and Mason Godfrey; brother, Billy Powers and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Marlon D. Harris - 73 of Sylvania passed away April 22, 2016 in Dekalb Regional Hospital. He is survived by wife, Virginia Bailey Harris; sons, Marlon Harris Jr. (Margaret), Jonathan Harris; brother, James Edward Harris and 3 grandchildren.

Mrs. Joanne Smith - 59 of Fyffe passed away April 24, 2016 in Huntsville Hospital. She is survived by husband, Douglas E. Smith; daughters, Wendy and Bob Morris; Cindy and Brian Heckler; Jennifer and Frankie Welden; sister, Sandra Eassey; brothers, Leon Smith, Ben Smith, Jimmy Smith and 6 grandchildren.

Mrs. Lana Floyd - 72 of Fort Payne passed away April 24, 2016 in Dekalb Regional Hospital. She is survived by her husband, George Carlton Floyd; children, Brian Floyd, Julie (Randall) Wade, Jennie (Brian) Pearson, Richard (Stephanie) Floyd, and Rebecca (Chad) Barnes, 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Mr. James Thompson - 82 of Collinsville passed away April, 24, 2016 at his residence.

He is survived by his sisters, Elouise Caldwell, Shirley Thompson, Sue Vaughn, Brenda McKinney, Sandra Bryan, and Betty Bowman; brothers, Pete Thompson, Rickey Thompson, Roger Thompson, and David Thompson; special niece, Kisha Thompson; and a host of nieces and nephews. Mr. Thompson was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Thompson; parents,

Mrs. Lynda T. Albert - 73 of Hollywood passed away April 21, 2016 at her home. She is survived by husband, Mack E. Albert; daughter, Lisa Alan Manning; son, Mark Alan Albert; sisters, Nancy Tate Pickens, Judy Tate Maness; brother, Herman L. Tate and 4 grandchildren.

Rainsville Funeral Home Mr. Bobby G. Hudgins - 63 of Sylvania passed away April 21, 2016 at his residence. He is survived by his wife, Gloria Sue Elkins; son, Shane Hudgins; daughter, Stephanie Wooten (Kenny); brother, Tommy Hudgins (Donna); sisters, Margie Loveless (Charles), Rita Hudgins and 2 grandchildren. Mr. Hudgins was preceded in death by parents, Thomas Benson and Mildred Louise Hudgins.

Mr. Phillip Dale Puckett - 63 of Section passed away April 22, 2016 at Section. He is survived by wife, Candy Puckett; son, Joshua Puckett (Brittany); daughter, Amanda Hudspeth (Brett); sisters, Sandra Jones, Deloris Patterson, Lisa Stephens; and 4 grandchildren. Mr. Watkins was preceded in death by his father and mother, Herbert and Lora Mae Puckett.

Mrs. Matilda Brownfield - 78 of Hawkin’s Chapel Community passed away April 23, 2016 at her residence. She is survived by sons; Mike (Pete) Thomas and wife, Debra Ann; Scott Bownan and wife, Tammy Lee; daughters, Joy Guinn and

husband, Don; Barbie Taylor; April Laney and husband, Todd; brothers, Buck Wilborn and HA Hawkins; sister (Tootsie) Hardeman; 16 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Brownfield was preceded in death by daughter, Pamela Thomas; husband, Luther Brownfield; parents, Henry and Minnie Wilborn and 3 brothers and 3 sisters.

Kerby Funeral Home Mrs. Betty Jean Watkins - 80 of Henagar passed away April 23, 2016 at Shepherds Cove.

She is survived by husband, Edward Watkins; sons, Jeff Watkins (Rhonda), Roger Watkins (Marilyn); daughter, Charlotte Austin (Barry); brothers, Joe Kirby and Jim Kirby; sister, Alean Releford; 5 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Watkins was preceded in death by parents, Charlie and Susie Kirby; brothers, James W. Kirby, Neil E. Kirby, Mack Kirby, and Jerry Kirby and infant sister, Wannell Kirby.

Burt Funeral Homes Mr. David A. Flarity - August 11, 1942 - April 21, 2016. He is survived by daughter, Janie (George) Hall; grandchildren, Clayton Hall and Shannon Hall; sisters; Joye (Jerry) Ritchey, Nancy (Charlie) Brown and Marie (Terry) Frala; special niece; Cindy Reed; several nieces and nephews. Mr. Flarity was preceded in death by wife, Mildren (White) Flarity; son, Timothy Flarity and parents, Ben and Mabel Flarity.

Corner Stone Funeral Home & Crematory Axel Patton Bowers - Infant son of Homer Milton and Stormy Dawn Guffey Bowers became a

bud in heaven on April 19, 2016. He is survived by parents, brothers, Homer Bowers Jr., Logan Bowers; sisters, Brandy Bowers, Makella Bowers, Bailey Bowers; grandparents, Bobby Guffey, Gena Guffey, Tony Bowers Sr. and several aunts and uncles. Axel was preceded in death by his grandmother, Patricia Bowers.

Crossville Memorial Chapel

son, Hudson Head; girlfriend, Jena Hope Bright; father and stepmother, Terry and Charlene Jones; mother, Deborah Head; grandmother, Gladys Head Allen; sisters, Kea, Kerie, Alicia and Contish Jones; brothers, Raynard Head and Tavon Houston and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Head was preceded in death by his brother, Terry.

Mr. Reginald Tremain Head - 31 of Crossville passed away April 25, 2016. He is survived by

Thrash Bail Bonding

Heath Thrash Call (256) 572-9996 or (256) 996-6699 102 Laverne Drive Rainsville, AL 35986