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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 / VOL. 3, NO. 50 / $1.00
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"A Date which will Live in Infamy"
THIS WEEK IN SPORTS
McPherson to play in Football Classic
Fort Payne’s own Evan McPherson has been selected to play for Alabama’s All-Star football team. THIS WEEK IN COMMUNITY
At the Movies!
Our resident moviegoer saw the first of many potential Oscar contenders this week. Check out a full breakdown of Lady Bird!
THIS WEEK IN FAITH
Keep Your Head Up This week's faith column deals with strength and how we should depend on God to show us how to deal with bullies.
UPSET: Jones wins
40 • 26
SATURDAY 12/16
48 • 33
SUNDAY 12/17
48 • 44
MONDAY 12/18
52 • 37
TUESDAY 12/19
53 • 35
WEDNESDAY 12/20
55 • 38
THURSDAY 12/21
56 • 42
By Tyler Pruett Managing Editor
Doug Jones (D - Birmingham) defeated Republican Roy Moore by 1.5 percent (20,715 votes). At the time of print, Moore has still not conceded the race. (Mickey Welsh |Advertiser via the USA Today Network) and Fox News called the U.S. 671,151 (49.9 percent) to 10097 votes (73%) to Jones' By Tyler Pruett Senate Election for Doug Moore’s 650,436 (48.4 3559 (26%) here, with Managing Editor Jones (D – Birmingham) percent); a difference of write-ins totalling 234 (1.6%). tyler@southerntorch.com around 9:30 pm on Tuesday 20,715 votes (1.5 percent). Moore support was also night. In DeKalb County, voters strong in the surrounding MONTGOMERY, Ala. With 100 percent of turned out big for Moore, — The Associated Press, CNN, >> See SENATE RACE, P6 precincts reporting, Jones has despite his loss. Moore had
'AIGHT': Pruitt climbs Rocky Top
defensive coach at the University of Alabama from 2007 – 2012, before going to Florida State University in 2013. He then coached at the University of Georgia before returning the Alabama as the Defensive Coordinator. Tennessee’s new head coach has been a part of 3 National Championship (2 with the Crimson Tide, 1 with FSU in 2013) teams in his career.
Rainsville native and current Crimson Tide Defensive Coordinator Jeremy Pruitt has accepted the Head Coaching position at the University of Tennessee. (Calvin Mattheis | Knoxville News Sentinel via AP) FRIDAY 12/15
Members of the Sylvania Marching Band release the wreath at the end of the ceremony with Keller looking on. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)
By Tyler Pruett Managing Editor tyler@southerntorch.com
KNOXVILLE, TN. — Rainsville native Jeremy Pruitt is heading to Knoxville to take over as the Head Coach of the Tennessee Vols. Pruitt will be replacing Butch Jones, who was fired almost a month ago after the struggling Tennessee Vols went 0 – 8 against SEC teams and 4 – 8 overall in 2017. The move comes quick after former Head Coach Phillip Fulmer took over as Athletic Director only six days ago. Jeremy Pruitt is a native of Rainsville and
began his football career at Plainview High School, and played from 1993 to 1996 as a defensive back at Middle Tennessee State University and The University of Alabama. He returned to Rainsville to coach defensive backs at Plainview in 1998, and returned as the Defensive Coordinator in 2000 after coaching at West Alabama in 1999. Pruitt was the Assistant Coach at Fort Payne High School from 2001 – 03 until joining the coaching staff at Hoover High School. Pruitt also appeared on the series Two-A-Days while at Hoover. Pruitt served as a
tyler@southerntorch.com FORT PAYNE, Ala. — “Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and
>> See PEARL HARBOR, P2
Sand Mountain Woman killed in Dog Attack
A woman was killed by at least five dogs on County Road 121 in Jackson County last Thursday; a short distance from Rainsville and NACC. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)
By Tyler Pruett Managing Editor tyler@southerntorch.com SECTION, Ala.— According to Jackson County Sheriff Chuck Phillips, shortly
before 9 am in Jackson County, near the DeKalb County line on Sand Mountain, a woman was attacked and killed by a pack of dogs.
>> See DOG ATTACK, P2
Sheriff's Office locates stolen vehicles
By Staff Reports FORT PAYNE, Ala. — According to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office: On December 11th the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office followed up on a tip about a possible stolen U Haul truck behind a trailer on County Road 97. When Deputies and Investigators arrived at the residence they ran the tag
and it came back that it had been reported stolen from a business on Highway 35 in Rainsville. The UHaul was recovered and returned back to the owner. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office received a tip about another vehicle in a field behind a residence between Rainsville and Sylvania. When deputies and Investigators arrived they ran the vehicle and the vehicle had been reported stolen 2 years ago from a residence in Dawson. The vehicle was also recovered. Both of these cases are
still under investigation and anyone with any information pertaining to either of these cases please call the Sheriff’s Office at (256) 845-3801. DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris said of the recoveries: “Thanks to the citizen calling in these tips we were able to recover these two stolen vehicles. We are always following up on tips that comes into the Office even if they are years old. Thanks to the Deputies and Investigators they did a great job following up on these cases.”
Visit our website at www.southerntorch.com for daily news updates and pick up your weekly print edition at news stands every Friday.
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THE SOUTHERN TORCH
FRIDAY–DECEMBER 15, 2017
Sex offender arrested and a bond revoked
Johnny DeWayne Croley (left), 41 of Crossville was arrested this week for stolen property and meth while being out on bond for possessing stolen property and meth.James Edward Price (right), 42 of Rainsville was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender on Tuesday. (DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office)
By Staff Reports FORT PAYNE, Ala. — According to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office: On Saturday, December 2nd Johnny DeWayne Croley, 41 of Crossville was arrested for possessing stolen property and meth, while being out on bond for possessing stolen property and meth. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office received a tip of Croley having stolen property at his residence. When DeKalb County Deputies, Investigators, Drug Task Force and Albertville Police arrived at the residence, as a result of the search they found a truck that was stolen from Gadsden, a camper from Marshall County, a Harley Davidson motorcycle from Southside and methamphetamine at the residence. Croley’s bond was revoked for previous charges of stolen property and was charged with new charges of three counts of receiving stolen property 1st, unlawful possession of controlled substance, and unlawful possession of drug
paraphernalia. On Tuesday, December 5th, James Edward Price, 42 of Rainsville was arrested on Sex Offender Registration Act Violation charges (SORNA). On several occasions, deputies went to Price’s residence to do a sex offender check, and Price was not there. A warrant was obtained for Price and this week, Price was arrested for sex offender registration notification act violation. Price’s bond was revoked for earlier charges of sex offender registration notification act violation and new charges of sex offender registration notification act violation. DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris said of the arrests: “We will continue to make checks to make sure the sex offender is where they are supposed to be.” “They are required to register their address with Nina Haney the Deputy Clerk/ Offender Compliance Specialist,” Harris added. “Deputies will continue to work hard to ensure the safety of our children and all citizens of DeKalb County.”
Collinsville PD Remembering Pearl arrests several for Harbor, page 1 drugs, theft
PHOTO: (left to right) Emily Ann Roden, Randy Dale Wright, and Amber Nicole Smith (all of Collinsville) were arrested by the Collinsville Police Department for drug charges over the weekend. Justin Wayne Busby (not pictured) was also arrested in a separate incident involving the theft of a rare coin collection. (Collinsville Police Department)
By Staff Reports COLLINSVILLE, Ala. — According to the Collinsville Police Department: Three people were arrested Saturday night after Deputy Chief Rex Leath, Officer Jeremy Bell, Officer Scott Green and Reserve Officer Amanda McCormick executed a search warrant at Rains Court Apartments in Collinsville. During a search of the apartment, officers and agents found and seized what is believed to be Methamphetamine, Morphine, Marijuana, Illegal Prescription Drugs, and Drug Paraphernalia. Emily Ann Roden, 27 of Collinsville, was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Roden is currently being held at Dekalb Co. on bonds totaling $13,500. Randy Dale Wright, 44 of Collinsville, was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Wright has bonds totaling $10,500. Amber Nicole Smith, 25 of Collinsville, was charged with two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Illegal Possession of Prescription Drugs. Smith has bonds totaling $21,000. These arrests were the result of an ongoing investigation being conducted by Officer Scott Green on the illegal distribution of drugs throughout the community. Additional arrests are pending as this is an ongoing investigation. In a separate incident Officer Scott Green and Reserve Officer Amanda McCormick arrested Justin Wayne Busby, 26 of Collinsville. Busby is charged with Theft of Property 2nd degree and Receiving Stolen Property 2nd degree. Busby is currently being held at Dekalb Co Jail on bonds totaling $17,500. This arrest was the result of an investigation into the theft of a rare coin collection stolen from a residence in Collinsville.
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deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” – President Franklin D. Roosevelt, December 8, 1941. These words, spoken to Congress after the surprise attack on the military base at Pearl Harbor in 1941, would mark the beginning of America’s involvement in World War II. For the 8th consecutive year, locals and veterans gather at the G.E. Hill Bridge that crosses Little River Canyon on Highway 35 to commemorate those lost on that infamous day, specifically, those that perished on the USS Arizona from Alabama. Among the 2,403 casualties at Pearl Harbor, 1,177 were lost when one battleship was sunk in the harbor. The battleship USS Arizona went to the bottom after eight bomb hits; with one bomb glancing off a gun turret, and penetrating the deck to explode in the ship’s powder magazines. The official website for the USS Arizona memorial lists 34 crew members from Alabama that lost their lives in the sinking of the mighty warship. 1400 men were assigned to the ship at the time of the attack, giving a staggering casualty rate of 84 percent among the Arizona’s crew. This year, members of the Fort Payne High School JROTC program presented and retired the colors; including flags representing the five branches of the military. Music was
Dog attack, page 1 The incident occurred on County Road 121 near the Bellview Community and Northeast Alabama Community College. The victim was identified as Emily Colvin, 24 of Section, and was found deceased at the scene. The victim was believed to be attacked by as many as five dogs. A relative tried to come to her aid, and fired a shot to scare the dogs off. The good samaritan was also attacked by the dogs and transported to a hospital by private vehicle and treated for non-life threatening injuries. On arrival at the scene, Jackson County Deputies
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performed by the Geraldine and Sylvania High School Marching Bands. John Keller of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #3128 in Fort Payne served as the Master of Ceremonies for the event, and is also the organizer for the event each year. “Believe it or not, and I heard on the news here recently, there are only four survivors left from the USS Arizona. This is to commemorate those from Alabama that lost their lives,” said Keller. The names of the casualties from Alabama were read aloud and a 21-gun salute for these men was performed by the Honor Guard of American Legion Post #5 from Rome, Georgia. The bugler for the honor guard, Bob Bennett, is 91 years old and still performing his duties at memorials and military funerals. At the end of the ceremony, the traditional wreath was cast off the bridge by Keller and members of the Geraldine High School Band. Local businesses and members of the community pitched in to make the event a success. Traci’s flowers donated the wreath, and Stephen’s Automotive Shop and Stevi B’s of Fort Payne also pitched in. The Keller and Jimenez Families also donated Sandwiches and Chili to the meal held after the event at the Little River Canyon Center.
attempted to the find dogs, and one dog, described as an American Bull Dog, had to be shot when it tried to attack a deputy. Four other similarly described dogs were captured and are currently being kept in quarantine. While the owner has not been named and charges have not yet been filed, Sheriff Phillips said, “We expect to take the case before the Grand Jury in March.” Follow Southern Torch for more updates on this breaking incident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs. Colvin’s friends and family.
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THE SOUTHERN TORCH
COMMUNITY & ENTERTAINMENT
NACC IN THE NEWS
Spring Semester Registration Going on at Northeast
By Staff Reports Regular registration for the Spring Semester at Northeast Alabama Community College will be Friday, January 5, 2018, 8:30 am until 5:00 pm. Early registration is going on now by appointment. Classes begin Monday, January 8. Registration ends on Tuesday, January 9. When students enroll in one of the academic transfer programs at NACC and follow the appropriate guidelines, courses are guaranteed by state law to be accepted at any public college in Alabama. Consult STARS at http://stars. troy.edu. Whether you are looking for an opportunity to earn skills for a first job or to qualify for a better job, to obtain the GED, or to gain skills necessary to go into business for oneself, NACC stands ready to help meet those educational goals. NACC offers many career-technical certificate and degree programs. Once a career path is determined, education and training here at Northeast will prepare students to be the best at whatever career chosen. We will help prepare you for the higher pay and higher demand jobs. The education programs here are second to none. The curriculum is industry-driven and caring faculty will prepare students for their career choice in a state-of-the-art facility using the latest in instructional technology. Not sure what career or program of study is right for you? We can help. Visit the Office of College and Career Planning in Room 112 of the Wallace Administration
Building. Contact Sherry Whitten, Director of College and Career Planning at extension 2315, or by email at whittens@nacc.edu. Tuition is only $148 per semester hour--a bargain when compared to four-year colleges and universities. Financial aid, scholarships, and student loans are available for those who qualify. NACC students also have great opportunities to complete a degree here at NACC. Students have opportunities to stay here and finish a bachelor’s degree or transfer anywhere with the help of scholarships to different colleges in and out of the state of Alabama. Check out the great opportunities available on the campus, as
well as the reverse transfer program. Go to our website and search your interest. Check out what is new at Northeast, one of the top American community colleges as designated by the Aspen Institute. You can learn App Development with Swift here. Contact Dr. Joe Burke, Vice President/Dean of Instruction at 256-638-4418 or 256-228-6001, ext. 2320, or by email at burkej@nacc.edu, for more information. For all class offerings and specific program information go to www.nacc.edu or download the college’s free App from the App Store or Google Play Store. Call 256-638-4418 or 256-228-6001, ext. 2222, for admissions. Complete your admissions on line.
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UPCOMING EVENTS December 15, Christmas in the Park & Parade Christmast in the Park festivities will take place in Fort Payne City Park. There will be free popcorn provided by the City of Fort Payne, free soft drinks provided by the Kiwanis Club, free coffee & hot chocolate provided by the Optimist Club and free hot apple cider provided by ABC Plus! You can enjoy caroling and visit Santa from 4pm to 6pm. Afterwards, the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Parade sponsored by Coffey Agencies is scheduled to begin at 6pm and this year's Grand Marshall will be Pete the Cat author, James Dean. You don't want to miss this fantastic night of fun for the whole family! December 15, Jacob Stiefel Live at Vintage 1889 - Come out and enjoy Jacob Stiefel "I'll Be Home for Christmas" at Vintage 1889 in Downtown Fort Payne for some food, fun and some good tunes! It starts at 8pm and is $10 admission.
Students visit in front of the state-of-the-art Mathematics, Science, Engineering, Technology Building on the NACC campus. (Contributed Photo)
FRIDAY–DECEMBER 15, 2017
December 16, DeSoto Golf Course Holiday Market - The DeSoto Golf Course is hosting a Holiday Market for all your last minute shopping needs or just something to do with the gals. Support local vendors on December 16th inside DeSoto Golf Course Banquet Hall. This is an all-day event from 9am until 4pm that you won't want to miss! December 16, Christmas Ball at Vintage 1889 - Bring on the ugly Christmas sweater season with Vintage 1889! Homemade or bought, come dressed in your ugliest Christmas sweater. Enjoy Still Kickin', food, drinks and ring in the holidays! It will begin at
8pm and last until 11pm. December 18-29, Christmas Holidays - School's out for the year on December 18 to let students enjoy the holidays! December 25, Christmas - Ring in the Christmas holidays in whatever you celebrate with those that you love! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Southern Torch!
December 29, Blood Drive at First State Bank - At its Rainsville office, First State Bank will hold a blood drive from 9am until 2pm.
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at the movies
'Lady Bird' is Gerwig's great debut
Know your
neighbor?
M. Chris Kuykendall
1827 Gault Ave. North Fort Payne, AL 35967 Bus 256 845-4934 chris.kuykendall.b17y@statefarm.com
I’M THERE
(A24 | Focus Features)
By Zach Hester ST Columnist
NOW BOOKING FOR 2017
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I have been excited for Lady Bird ever since the trailer for it came across my television screen. I became even more excited after seeing the article about the polite handwritten letters that director and screenwriter Greta Gerwig sent to ask various musicians for their permission to use their music in her film. It’s this bright, quirky demeanor that led Gerwig to make such a delightful film as this. Lady Bird stars two-time Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan as Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, a senior at a Catholic school whose dreams are too big to be contained within the city limits of her hometown of Sacramento, California. It also doesn’t help her situation that her mother is terribly overbearing and her first boyfriend turns out to be *spoiler* gay. I could probably write for a solid hour on how amazing
this movie is. It’s the perfect blend of comedy and drama that knows when you need to laugh before bringing you close enough to wipe the tears from your eyes during the sad parts. It’s a relatable tale that makes you feel as though you may have lived a little bit of Lady Bird’s life at some point along your own journey. For a first time director, Greta Gerwig does an outstanding job. She pieces the film together like a scrapbook. She grabs the important parts of her own story and places them on film to create a cohesive story about Christine’s senior year that never once feels like there’s an unnecessary scene or moment. The standout performance belongs to the movie’s lead. After making powerful turns in movies like Brooklyn and The Lovely Bones, Saoirse Ronan once again shines as Lady Bird. She brings a unique confidence to the character that makes her stand out against other female leads in teen-centric movies. She gets better every time I see her on screen, and
she was pretty darn good to begin with. I also can’t forget Lucas Hedges and Laurie Metcalf. Hedges does a great job here just like he did in last year’s Manchester by the Sea. He continues to make great choices in what films he wants to be in. Metcalf’s role as the uptight mother looking out for her daughter will have you laughing at first, but by the end, she’ll be the character that keeps you in tears. Her performance is pure excellence. She’s a frontrunner at next year’s Oscars and after walking out of the theater, I understand why. To sum it all up, Lady Bird is perfection. It’s a loose collection of snapshots taped together to spell out the message, “you can’t choose where you’re from, but you can choose where you go”. It’s a coming-of-age story that drives you to pursue your goals while also making sure that you keep up with and continue to cherish those that you leave back home.
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THE SOUTHERN TORCH
FRIDAY–DECEMBER 15, 2017
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his family at Builder’s Supply. Putting his business degree to use, Scott feels like he made the right decision. Builder’s Supply is a staple in the community and has met the building needs of northeast Alabama's professional contractors and do-it-yourself homeowners for over 50 years. In addition to building materials, insulation, lumber, paint, windows, doors, tools, and other retail goods, Builders Supply offers specialized products and services, including large commercial orders of cement block, wooden pallets, and engineered trusses. Scott is President of the Fort Payne Kiwanis Club and serves on the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. In his spare time Scott enjoys spending time with Kim Conaway Traylor and her children. They can often be found on the river during the summer months. Thank you, Scott for serving on the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and to Builder’s Supply for taking care of all our building needs, right here locally.
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THE SOUTHERN TORCH
FRIDAY–DECEMBER 15, 2017
FAITH
Keep Your Head Up By Zach Hester ST Columnist
If you’re active on social media at all, you’ll have noticed this kid’s name in the news: Keaton Jones. According to several news articles, Keaton and his family hail from Knoxville and the video that was posted with him in it absolutely broke me this week. In the video, Keaton explains that he is being bullied by kids who make fun of his nose, tell him he has no friends, and pour milk on him at lunch. As we scroll through our daily feeds and see the majority terrible news that happens to fall in front of our eyes, it’s become easy to unknowingly numb yourself to even the most horrendous of stories. In the past 24 hours, attempts have been made to paint Keaton’s mother as racist and
dishonest. I won’t get into that, but I will say, regardless of whether or not the video was authentic (and despite his mother’s possibly bad intentions, I feel like Keaton was genuinely upset), his story has brought an important issue to light: bullying. Deuteronomy 31:6 says “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” It’s a simple concept, but one that can be hard to grasp when it feels like everyone around you is pulling you down. Just understand that we are stronger with God around. We are directed to first love our enemies and pray for those that seek to do us harm. God will take care of the rest. Over the past few days, I’ve seen celebrities offer this kid chances that most of us
will never be able to afford. He’s been offered many chances for tickets to expensive sports games and even the opportunity to attend some of 2018’s biggest movie premieres. While these offers are amazing, God has something even bigger to offer Keaton, his family, all bullies and anyone else who feels beaten down: hope for a brighter tomorrow. As you go forward this week, don’t forget to be strong. I’ve been guilty of
anger and unkindness as we all have, but it’s easy to rest knowing that God is the one picking me up and pushing me to be a better person everyday. Regardless of how you feel about Keaton’s video, a tweet I saw this week summed up this issue perfectly. It read “The video started a needed conversation about bullying, regardless of the kid’s involvement. There are kids out there who feel alone and lost, let’s remember to be kind.”
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SOUTHERN TORCH
SONG OF THE WEEK
Because Of Your Love Chris Quilala
Each week, we feature faith contributors from across the the DeKalb County area from the mountain all the way to the valley, even some from our staff! If you would like to submit a faith article for print, send your submissions to marla@southerntorch.com and you could see it here!
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DEATH NOTICES CORNER STONE Emily Mae Colvin - 24 of Section, passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at her residence. The family will receive friends from 12pm to 8pm on Sunday, December 10 and from 8am until service time on Monday, December 11. Funeral services are set for Monday, December 11 at 2pm CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Bro. Raymond Blevins and Bro. Rayburn Cole officiating. Burial will follow in Jacob’s Ladder Family Memorial Cemetery. Larry Ray Dover - 73 of Trenton, passed away on Friday, December 8, 2017 at his residence. Cremation services are entrusted to Corner Stone Funeral Chapel. Billy Frank Little - 74 of Dutton, passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at his residence. Cremation services entrusted to Corner Stone Funeral Chapel. Melanie Gwyn Landers - 53 of Flat Rock, passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2017 at her residence. The family will receive friends from 3pm to 9pm ET on Wednesday, December 13 and from 11am until service time on Thursday, December 14. Funeral services are set for Thursday, December 14 at 2pm ET at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Bro. Charlie Kerns officiating. Burial will follow in Brown Gap Cemetery. Lorene Barrentine Benefield - 85 of Rosalie, passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2017 at Highlands Health Care. The family will receive friends from 5pm to 8pm on Tuesday,
December 12 and from 10am until service time on Wednesday, December 13. Funeral services are set for Wednesday, December 13 at 1pm CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Bro. Bill Bass and Bro. Eugene Crawford officiating. Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery. Virginia Drake Lea - 83 of Henagar, passed away on Monday, December 11, 2017 at Dade Health and Rehab. The family will receive friends from 4pm until 8pm on Wednesday, December 13 and 9am until service time on Thursday, December 14. Funeral services are set for Thursday, December 14 at 11am CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Bro. Steve Lea officiating. Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery.
CROSSVILLE Reynes Perez - 60 of Crossville, passed away on Friday, December 8, 2017 at his residence. The family will receive friends at 5pm until 8pm on Wednesday, December 13 at Crossville Memorial Chapel. Funeral services are set for 11am on Thursday, December 14 at Crossville Memorial Chapel with interment at Kilpatrick Cemetery and Bro. Ed Ables officiating. The pallbearers will be family and friends.
RAINSVILLE Jewel Guffey - 89 of Rainsville, passed away on Friday, December 8, 2017 at Crowne Health Care. The family will receive friends from 5pm to 8pm on Saturday, December 9 and from 10am until 2pm on Sunday, December 10th. Funeral services are set for 2pm on Sunday, December 10 at Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Kenneth Goggans & Bro. Rick Haney officiating. Vilma Reiss - 79 of Boaz, passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at her residence. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
WT WILSON Lonnie Burt - 78 of Collinsville, passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2017. There will not be a visitation. A graveside service will be held at 2pm on Sunday, December 10 at Stewart Cemetery with Bro. James Grindstaff officiating.
Francisco Jeronimo - 39 of Fort Payne, passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2017. The family will receive friends from 3pm until 8pm on Sunday, December 10 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel and from 10:30am until 11:30am on Tuesday, December 12 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Fort Payne. Funeral mass services are set for 11:30am on Tuesday, December 12 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church with Father Mark Spruill officiating. Julia Jane Brumbeloe 76 of Dawson, passed away on Friday, December 8, 2017. The family will receive friends from 1:30pm to 4pm on Saturday, December 9 at the funeral home. Funeral services are set for 4pm on Saturday, December 9 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Skirum Cemetery.
Ethelene Blackwell - 67 of Fyffe, passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2017. Private funeral services will be held. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the American Cancer Society. Roland Floyd Robbins - 71 of Rainsville, passed away on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. The family will receive friends from 3pm until 8pm on Friday, December 15, 2017. Funeral services are set for 1pm on Saturday, December 16 at WT Wilson Funeral Chapel. Burial
will follow in Henagar Cemetery.
WILSON Lisa Pope - 57 of Fort Payne, passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2017. The family will receive friends from 4pm until 8pm on Wednesday, December 13 at the funeral home. Funeral services are set for 2pm on Thursday, December 14 at Wilson Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Mitchell and Rev. John Keefe officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery.
6
THE SOUTHERN TORCH
FRIDAY–DECEMBER 15, 2017
POLITICS Inside the Statehouse Senate Race, page 1
Contributed by Steve Flowers AL Political Columnist MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The legendary Speaker of the U.S. House, Sam Rayburn, coined a famous phrase he used often and imparted to young congressmen when they would arrive on Capitol Hill full of vim and vigor. He would sit down with them and invite them to have a bourbon and branch water with him. The old gentleman, who had spent nearly half a century in the Congress, after hearing their ambitions of how they were going to change the world, would look them in the eye and say, “You know here in Congress there are 435 prima donnas and they all can’t be lead horses.” Then the Speaker in his Texas drawl would say, “If you want to get along, you have to go along.” Mr. Sam Rayburn ruled as Speaker during the Franklin Delano Roosevelt post-Depression and World War II era. The Democrats dominated Congress. Mr. Sam could count on the big city Congressmen from Tammany Hall in New York and the Chicago machine politicians following the Democratic leadership because they had gotten there by going along with the Democratic bosses who controlled the wards that made up their urban districts. But the country was still rural at that time and Mr. Sam would have to invite a backsliding rural member to his Board of Education meeting in a private den in the basement of the Capitol and occasionally explain his adage again to them that in order to get along you have to go along. One of Mr. Sam Rayburn’s young pupils was a freshly minted congressman from Alabama’s Tennessee
Valley. Bob Jones from Scottsboro was elected to Congress in 1946 when John Sparkman ascended to the U.S. Senate. Speaker Rayburn saw a lot of promise in freshman congressman Jones. The ole Texan invited Jones to visit his Board of Education meeting early in his first year. He calmly advised Jones to sit on the right side of the House chamber in what Mr. Sam called his pews. He admonished the young congressman to sit quietly for at least four years and not say a word or make a speech and to always vote with the Speaker. In other words if you go along you will get along. Bob Jones followed the sage advice of Speaker Rayburn and he got along very well. Congressman Bob Jones served close to 30 years in the Congress from Scottsboro and the Tennessee Valley. He and John Sparkman were instrumental in transforming the Tennessee Valley into Alabama’s most dynamic, progressive and prosperous region of the State. They spearheaded the location and development of Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal. Bob Jones was one of Alabama’s greatest congressmen. At the time of Bob Jones’ arrival in Congress in 1946 we had nine congressional seats. By the time, he left in the 1960’s we had dropped to eight. We now have seven. Folks, I hate to inform you of this but population growth estimates reveal that we are going to lose a seat after the next census in 2020. Our current seven-person delegation consists of six Republicans and one Democrat. This sole Democratic seat is reserved for an African American. The Justice Department and Courts will not allow you to
abolish that seat. Reapportionment will dictate that you begin with that premise. The growth and geographic location of the Mobile/Baldwin district of Bradley Byrne cannot be altered, nor can the urban Tennessee Valley 5th District, nor the Jefferson/Shelby 6th District. They are unalterable and will also reveal growth in population. Our senior and most powerful Congressman, Robert Aderholt’s 4th District has normal growth and you do not want to disrupt his tenure path. Therefore, the odd man out may be a woman. It is conjectured that Martha Roby’s 2nd District is the one on the chopping block. Her second and Mike Rogers’ 3rd District will be combined into a new 2nd district. However, Roby may exit before she is carved out. She made a colossal blunder in 2016 by denouncing and publicly stating that she was not going to vote her party’s GOP nominee, Donald Trump. The fallout was devastating. She has become a pariah in her southeast Alabama district. It is one of the most conservative and pro-Republican districts in the state. She may survive 2018, because any serious challenger who has their own money to buy the seat may be wise enough to realize that District will not be here in four more years. It will be over in Georgia around Atlanta. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers. us.
Northeast Alabama counties. Moore won by 44 percent in Cherokee County, 37 percent in Jackson County, 45 percent in Marshall County, and 19 percent in Etowah County. However, Moore lost in Madison County (Huntsville) to Jones by almost 17 percent; showing the disparity between voters in urban and rural areas. Democratic voters turned out big for Jones in the state’s urban areas, with Jones getting 121,169 votes in Jefferson County alone. After the race was called by the news media, Roy Moore Campaign Manager Rich Hobson said to crowd at Moore’s election night event in Montgomery: “Some people are calling, but we’re not calling it yet.” The mood changed from confident to somber in Montgomery late in the evening when returns started shifting in Jones’ favor. Approximately 200 reporters are present at Moore’s election night event, with Washington Post reporters being kept out of the event after the paper broke the story on Moore’s alleged sexual misconduct in November. No other news outlets were kept out of the event. Write-ins also certainly played a factor, with 22,819 (1.7%) being reported in the state. But with 1.5 percent separating the two, Moore still would have come up short. Donald Trump tweeted a congratulations to Jones around 10 pm on election night. “Congratulations to Doug Jones on a hard fought victory. The write-in votes played a very big factor, but a win is a win. The people of
Alabama are great, and the Republicans will have another shot at this seat in a very short period of time. It never ends,” said Trump. Near 11 pm, Moore addressed supporters and the media (Video on our Website), declining to concede from the race, and telling supporters to, “wait on God, and let this process play out.” “We also know that God is always in control,” said Moore. “We’ve been painted in an unfavorable and an unfaithful light.” Moore then quoted from the 40th Psalm. “Votes are still coming in, and we are looking at that,” Moore said to supporters. “May God Bless you as you go home. May you have a safe journey, and thank you for coming tonight.” “Let’s go home and sleep on it,” he concluded. At the time of print, Moore (Wednesday, December 13) has still not conceded the race. The threshold for an
automatic recount is a 0.5 percent difference, meaning that Moore is shy one percent for the recount. The difference would need to be 6,722 votes instead of 20,715. After Moore announced he would not be conceding yet, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill told CNN it would be, "highly unlikely" that Jones is not the winner. Merrill also told CNN that in recent recounts, the vote totals only changed by, "three or four votes" after the recount. If Moore wants a recount and it's not within the threshold, a recount can be performed, but at the Moore campaign's expense, not the taxpayers. While the race has been won by Doug Jones, the votes will not be officially certified until the end of this month, meaning that if Moore demands a recount, it will drag the process out for several more weeks.
Geraldine Council update
Contributed by Chuck Ables Mayor of Geraldine GERALDINE, Ala. — The Town of Geraldine met on Monday, December 11 for their regular monthly meeting. After the prayer, pledge, and approval of previous minutes the council discussed the use of the ball fields including practice times, sign-ups, fees,and field maintenance. Paul Cofield attended to represent T-Ball. Shawn Hanarahn attended the work session representing softball. The council was given a monthly report from Police Chief Matt Crum about November Police activities. The Council Also: •Voted to deposit 5% of gross sales tax into savings beginning with January 2018 collections •Promoted Officer Heath Albright to Assistant Police Chief •Voted to hire Donna Johnson as additional court personnel •Voted to replace the lights in the Senior Center/Homemakers Building using Money from a grant received from State Legislators •Agreed to sell a 2005 Crown Vic Patrol car •Voted to pay expenses for Chief Crum to attend the Chief's Conference in Montgomery •Agreed to place, "No Wide Loads" signs on Salem Cut-Off road between Highway 75 and Highway 227
THE SOUTHERN TORCH
FRIDAY–DECEMBER 15, 2017
7
McPherson to play in Football Classic By Marla Jones Sports Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
(Kristy Gallagher | Southern Torch)
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Fort Payne’s own Evan McPherson has been selected to play for Alabama’s All-Star football team in the 31st Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game. The players and coaches reported Monday with both 40-man squads comprised of current seniors. The teams are preparing for Saturday’s 31st Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game set for a noon kickoff at Carlisle Faulkner Field/D.D. Roberts Stadium on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. The Alabama-Mississippi
All-Star Game series, a partnership between the AHSAA and AHSADCA and the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC), is making its second appearance in Mississippi after playing the first 28 games in Alabama beginning in 1988. The game was held at Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium from 1988-2010 and moved to Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl in 2011. The MAC hosted the 2015 game at Hattiesburg with Mississippi snapping a seven-game Alabama win streak with a 28-21 win. Last year’s game, a 25-14 win by Alabama, was played at Cramton Bowl and improved Alabama’s record to 22-8 in the series. Alabama All-Star Head
Coach, Steve Smith, of Piedmont, gave high praise for place-kicker and punter Evan McPherson of Fort Payne. “I realized that his 60-yard field goal this past season was the longest in AHSAA history from a snap and hold,” Smith said. “But what I didn’t know was that he kicked it without a tee – right off the ground even though kicking off a tee is allowed in high school. He can really boom his kicks.” McPherson began his kicking career with the Fort Payne Wildcats in the eighth grade. His career record is 30-for-48 field goals (some misses where from over 60 yards). 169/206 kickoff touchbacks, 127/130
point-after attempts for an average of 98.40%, and 127 punts. His record for his Senior year is 12 for 18 in Field Goals (some misses where over 60 yards), 38 kickoff touchbacks, punted for 43 times for 1810 yards, scoring on 26/27 point-after attempts. Depending on which kicking service class you use for 2018 (Kohls or Sailor), McPherson will be ranked as the #1 or #2 place kicker in the nation. He was awarded the 6A, Region 7 Special Teams Player of the Year as a Junior. Along with the kicking duties for the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game, he will also be kicking in the Under Armour High School All-American Game in January.
2017 All-County Team 2017 All-Region Team
Payton Anderson of Fyffe was awarded the 2017 DeKalb County Player of the Year. (James Williams | James Williams Photography)
By Marla Jones Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com DEKALB Co.—DeKalb County Coaches recently released their choices for the 2017 DeKalb County All-County Team. Player of the YearPayton Anderson, Junior from Fyffe High School. Anderson also received the All-Region Player of the Year honor for Class 2A. The Junior tailback, finished with 2,006 yards for the season. He scored thirty-two times for the season. Offensive MVP-Blanton Jones, Senior from Crossville High School Defensive MVP-Ethan Dover, Senior from Sylvania High School Defensive MVP-Jacob Wooten, Senior from Plainview High School Fyffe Brant Rowell-Senior, DB Silas Hicks-Senior, LB Dakota Dalton, Senior, TE Seth Benefield, Senior, QB Jon Brown, Senior, OL Cole Lyles, Senior, OL Luke Martin, Senior, DL Daniel Martin, Senior, LB Honorable Mention Cage Cochran
Parker Broyles Chase Adams Plainview Bailey Dukes-Senior, QB Clay Cooper-Senior, RB Chance Broyles-Senior, DB Ashley Spigner-Junior, OL Cade Willingham-Senior,WR Zack Allen-Senior, LB David Mejia-Junior, OL Honorable Mention Elijah White Alex Gonzalez Jonathan Brown Riley Stephens Elijah Provins Sylvania Blake Spears-Senior, Ath Tyler Wilbanks-Senior, DE Kris Shavers-Senior, OL Christian Boman-Senior, OL Chandler Boman-Senior, OL Lucas Hall-Senior, DT Honorable Mention Eli Battles Bo Brown Paul Griffin Christian Andrade Ider Jacob Higdon-Junior, RB John Pennington-Senior, LB Ryan Adams-Senior, ATH Alex Brown-Senior, LB Honorable Mention Chase Townson Sam McKay Logan Townson Jared Swanson Chase Byrum
Geraldine Eduardo Garcia-Senior, LB Thomas Willoughby-Senior, LB Patrick Stewart-Senior, DL Marshall Sparkman-Senior, DL Honorable Mention Austin King David White Crossville Banks Jolley-Senior, WR Jay Luther-Junior, DB Dalton Peek-Senior, DL Honorable Mention Jedd Hicks Andrew Driskill Isaias Simpson Jose Cruz Javier Soriano Collinsville Isaiah Avilia-Junior, K Kaleb Jones-Sophomore, QB Mason McKinney-Junior, DB Honorable Mention Jarrod Barkley Michael Tucker Bryan Lopez TJ Osborn Calvin Willingham Valley Head Kyle Miller-Senior, LB Roger Kirby-Senior, FB Harley Gilreath-Senior, OL Honorable Mention Frank Hester Hunter Izell Owen Izell Jaxon Landers
Payton Anderson of Fyffe was awarded the 2017 Class 2A, All-Region 6 Player of the Year. (James Williams | James Williams Photography)
By Marla Jones Sports Editor marla@southerntorch.com DEKALB Co., Ala—The Class 2A, All-Region 6 Football Team was recently released. Region 6 is comprised of Fyffe, Collinsville, Ider, Sand Rock, Collinsville, Section, Gaston, Asbury and Westbrook Christian. Thirty athletes from DeKalb County were included on the prominent list. Fyffe had twelve players, Ider had ten and Collinsville had eight players to receive the All-Region honor. Fyffe Payton Anderson-Player of the Year Anderson received the Player of the Year honor for Class 2A. The Junior tailback, finished
with 2,006 yards for the season. He scored thirty-two times for the season. Silas Hicks-Defensive MVP Hicks received the Defensive MVP for Class 2A. The senior rushed for 409 yards and scored ten touchdowns for the 2017 season. He had fifty-nine tackles, 42 solo tackles and forced 33 turnovers. Brant Rowell-Senior, DB Dakota Dalton-Senior, TE Seth Benefield-Senior, QB Jon Brown-Senior, OL Parker Broyles-Senior, DL Luke Martin-Senior,DL Cole Lyles-Senior, SL Chase Adams-Senior, DB Honorable Mention Daniel Martin Cage Cochran Collinsville Kaleb Jones-Sophomore, QB Mason McKinney-Junior, DB
Isaiah Avila-Senior, Kicker Calvin Willingham-Sophomore, OL Honorable Mention TJ Osborn Jarrod Barkley Bryan Lopez Michael Tucker Ider Jacob Higdon, Offensive MVP John Pennington-Senior, LB Ryan Adams-Senior, Ath Alex Brown-Senior, LB Jared Swanson-Junior-OL Chase Byrum-Senior, DL Honorable Mention Chase Townson Sam McKay Logan Townson Colton Keith *The 2017 Class 3A Region 7 AllRegion Team will be featured in next week's edition of Southern Torch.
super 7 - state championship results UNIFIED GAME Baldwin County 20, Vestavia Hills 6 CLASS 7A Hoover 48, McGill-Toolen Catholic 20 CLASS 6A Pinson Valley 31, Wetumpka 10 CLASS 5A St. Paul's Espiscopal 17, Briarwood 14
CLASS 4A UMS-Wright 21, Fayette Co. 7 CLASS 3A Hillcrest-Evergreen 26, Randolph Co. 14 CLASS 2A Lanett 33, Leroy 15 CLASS 1A Sweetwater 20, Pickens Co. 6
8
THE SOUTHERN TORCH
FRIDAY–DECEMBER 15, 2017
Cornerstone Wins Sand Mountain Holiday Classic Tournament 2017 SAND MOUNTAIN TOURNAMENT VARSITY BOYS
1 PLAINVIEW
8 CROSSVILLE
Tues. Dec. 19 8:30 p.m.
Sat. Dec. 16 7:30 p.m. 9 IDER
Thurs. Dec. 21 8:30 p.m.
5 FYFFE Mon. Dec. 18 5:30 p.m. 4 NSM
Friday Dec. 22 8:00 p.m.
3 PISGAH
Tues. Dec. 19 5:30 p.m.
Pictured above (Standing): Coach Lori Culpepper, Eric Couch, Katie Wagner, Emily Couch, Sydnee Griffith, Shelby Harrison, Coach Heather Harrison. (Kneeling): Darby Culpepper (All Tourney Team), Jesi Farris (All Tourney Team), Jacie Bell, and Chloe Bell.
Contributed by Eric Couch DEKALB Co., Ala— Friday Dec 8th brought the threat of wintry weather to the Tennessee Valley and other areas of Alabama. While most students were enjoying the day off from school, the parents and players of the Cornerstone Christian JV Lady Eagles basketball team were making their way down to Opelika, AL. The Lady Eagles were scheduled to play in the 2017 Conecuh Springs Holiday Hoops tournament the next day in Union Springs, AL. Why make the trek through snow and ice just to play in a basketball tournament? This was more than just a chance to play in a tournament; it was a chance to finish something that was started 10 months earlier. Rewind back to Feb. 4th in Jemison, AL. Cornerstone was in its first season of Alabama Christian Athletic Association (ACAA) Basketball. The JV Lady Eagles had finished with an 11-3 record in the 2016-17 basketball season and secured a spot in the Final
Four of the ACAA Division II State Tournament. CCA dispatched their semifinal opponent Adullam 27-15, but lost the title game to Conecuh Springs Christian School (CSCS) 26-20 later in the day. The Lady Eagles felt that they didn’t finish that game and had this tournament circled on the calendar. CCA was moved up in classification to Division I in all sports to start the 2017-2018 athletic seasons. The JV Lady Eagles were slated to play Div. I Region A opponent Marshall Christian in the first round of the Holiday Hoops Tournament. A broken down bus prevented the Lady Stallions from attending the tournament. The bracket had to be shifted and in doing so placed CCA to play Adullam first in the tournament. CCA had a slow start to the game scoring only six points in the 1st and eight in the 2nd but put the Lady Knights out with a 33-7 final score. This set up a rematch of the 2016-17 JV girls’ championship game. Cornerstone controlled the tip and scored off the first play. The first two
quarters were back and forth, although one could say that the home team was getting the majority of the calls in the first half. Due to excellent shooting from the free throw line the Conecuh Springs Lady Eagles kept it close as CCA lead 14-12 going into half time. CSCS looked tired at the end of the 2nd and CCA capitalized out of the half and attacked on defense. The Lady Eagles pressure defense made it hard for Conecuh Springs to advance the ball past the free throw line. In fact CCA held Conecuh Springs scoreless in the 2nd half in route to a 40-12 victory. The Lady Eagles know that this win was just another step to the goal. That goal is hearing the final buzzer at the end of the season on February 3rd 2018 in Jemison, AL. Jesi Farris and Darby Culpeper were both named to the All-Tournament Team. The Holiday Hoops Tournament also held a skills competition. Shelby Harrison won the Hot Shot competition; Darby Culpeper won the Gotcha competition and Jacie Bell placed 2nd in the Ball Handling competition.
Hunter of the Week
The Southern Torch Hunter of the Week is Luke Smith! He is celebrating his birthday today with this beautiful 8-point buck! Happy Birthday Luke! Submit your photos to marla@southerntorch.com to be our next Hunter of the Week!
6 GERALDINE 7 SYLVANIA
Thurs. Dec. 21 7:00 p.m.
Mon. Dec. 18 8:30 p.m. 2 SECTION
2017 SAND MOUNTAIN TOURNAMENT VARSITY GIRLS Highest Seed Wears White/Home Team
All Games Played at Crossville HS Gymnasium
1 PISGAH
8 SYLVANIA
Tues. Dec. 19 7:00 p.m. .
Sat. Dec. 16 6:00 p.m. 9 CROSSVILLE
5 SECTION
Thurs. Dec. 21 5:30 p.m. .
Mon. Dec. 18 4:00 p.m. .
4 FYFFE
Friday Dec. 22 6:30 p.m.
3 NSM . 19 Tues. Dec. 4:00 p.m. .
6 IDER 7 GERALDINE
Thurs. Dec. 21 4:00 p.m.
.
Mon. Dec. 18 7:00 p.m. .
2 PLAINVIEW
JV Schedule
Highest Seed Wears White/Home Team All Games Played at Crossville HS Gymnasium
Crossville will also host the 2017 JV Sand Mountain Tournament beginning, Saturday December 16 at the Crossville Gymnasium. The schedule for all games are as follows:
Monday December 18 JVB Pisgah vs Crossville 3:00 Thursday, December 21 JVB Semifinals 2:00 JVB Semifinals 3:00
Saturday, December 16 JVB Plainview vs. Fyffe 2:00 JVB Geraldine vs. NSM 3:15 Friday, December 22 JVB Section vs. Sylvania 4:30 JVB Championship 5:00
THE SOUTHERN TORCH
FRIDAY–DECEMBER 15, 2017
9
The Story So Far...
THIRD ANNUAL
SHOOTOUT
December 27 3:00 pm Plainview vs. Douglas JVB 4:00 pm Geraldine vs. Sylvania JVB 5:00 pm Decatur vs. Cordova 6:30 pm South Atlanta vs. Gadsden City 8:00 pm Central of Clay vs. Plainview December 28 3:00 pm Geraldine vs. Douglas JVB 4:00 pm Sylvania vs. Plainview JVB 5:00 pm Gadsden City vs. Decatur 6:30 pm Cordova vs. Central of Clay 8:00 pm Plainview vs. South Atlanta
December 29 3:00 pm Douglas vs. Sylvania JVB 4:00 pm Plainview vs. Geraldine JVB 5:00 pm South Atlanta vs. Cordova 6:30 pm Central of Clay vs. Decatur 8:00 pm Plainview vs. Gadsden City *Team listed first will wear white.
The Plainview Varsity Boys Basketball Team, coached by Robi Coker, remain perfect in play thus far. The team started their season with a 76-69 win over Oxford. They have defeated the following teams: • Westminster Christian, 61-56 • North Sand Mountain, 119-55 • Pisgah, 80-49 • Sylvania, 95-39 • Sacred Heart Catholic School, 100-90 • Oxford, 70-66 Next week's featured team in 'The Story So Far...' will be the Fort Payne Wildcats! Updated December 11, 2017
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THE SOUTHERN TORCH
FRIDAY–DECEMBER 15, 2017
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