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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019 / VOL. 5, NO. 17 / $1.00
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Statehouse rejects gun bill, lottery moves ahead By Zach Hester Reporter MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Two hot button bills walked away from the floor of the statehouse with different results this week. The first bill, one that would dissolve the State’s requirement to obtain a permit to carry a concealed or loaded handgun in a vehicle, failed by a 6-5 vote in the Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee. The
Prosecutors to seek death penalty in Barnett case
IT'S ALL IN THE WRIST Local Fort Payne Kiwanis Flip for helping others
bill was sponsored by Sen. Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa) and backed by the National Rifle Association. Sens. Beasley, Burkette, Sessions, Singleton, Smitherman, and Price voted against the bill in committee. Voting in favor were Sens. Elliott, Gudger, Jones, Melson and Marsh. Allen argues that citizens should not be required to pay a fee to exercise their Second Amendment right to bear
arms. Sheriffs across the state say that it would cost their respective departments too much revenue and would negatively impact the safety of law enforcement officers. "I'm strong for the Second Amendment, but also strong for the people to possess it that are law-abiding citizens," said
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BOE Recognizes
Volunteer of the Year
Andrea Wainwright was presented with the ACEA Volunteer of the Year award alongside Collinsville educators and Board members. (Marla Jones | Southern Torch)
By Marla Jones Managing Editor 11-year-old Amberly Barnett was found deceased in the woods behind her home on the morning of Saturday, March 2. (Submitted Photo)
By Marla Jones Managing Editor DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — The DeKalb County District Attorney's Office began taking the necessary actions to pursue the death penalty for 33-year-old Christopher Madison in the capital murder case of Amberly Barnett. Madison was charged with the strangling of Barnett in March. He is also accused of dumping her body in the woods with a rope around her neck. Madison's motive is still unknown at this time. A trial date has not been set for the case yet. Madison is currently being held in the DeKalb County jail without bail.
Managing Editor Marla Jones and Digital Sales Manager Jenna Sue Payne presented Randy Posey of the Fort Payne Kiwanis Club with a donation for their upcoming special projects. (Amy Thrash | Southern Torch) banners to help fund this with The Fort Payne By Jenna Sue Payne project. Special thanks to Optimist Club and Digital Sales Manager dozens of leading business Gametime. Money raised owners contribute year from the annual FORT PAYNE, Ala. — 43 after year by purchasing BOOMDAYS PANCAKE years, over 60,000 hours, banners and tickets to help BREAKFAST helps fund the over 600,000.00 raised, Children’s Advocacy Center. ensure the clubs success. and nearly 600,000.00 This year was no exception. This dynamic club is dollars donated, the Fort It was one of the largest comprised of caring, Payne Kiwanis Club is no yielding Pancake Days in concerned and dedicated stranger to raising money, the history of the club. men and women. They and building a better The Fort Payne Kiwanis frequently volunteer with community. Club is committed to local projects like Meals on The Fort Payne Kiwanis inspiring leadership to Wheels, RIF Reading Club is a service young men and women thru Program, Book Buddy and organization that is sponsoring the Fort Payne the Fort Payne Track Meet. dedicated to helping others. Key Club under the Everybody loves Thru fundraising efforts direction of Valerie Barnes. coming together to serve like the Annual Kiwanis pancakes. There is a special These local teens donate Pancake Day, the dozens of hours a year to skill to it. Some of our organization has funded our various volunteer veteran members even college scholarships, IPADS projects, like Pancake Day know how to make Mickey for Fort Payne City School and Christmas in the Park. Mouse shape pancakes for Students, Promethium They also learn sales skills, the kids who come thru. Boards in the City Schools. by selling tickets to our Members like George and Our club assisted in annual Pancake Day. Fort Scott Weatherly as well as building the Special needs Tommy Hicks and Sharon playground in the Alabama Jones have been > KIWANIS, P2 Walking Park by partnering instrumental in selling
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RAINSVILLE, Ala. — The DeKalb County Board of Education held their regularly scheduled meeting on April 18, 2019. The Board and Collinsville educators presented Andrea Wainwright with the Alabama Community Education Association (ACEA) Volunteer of the Year award for 2018-19. The following non-renewals were made: • Alissa Mann, 9 month Custodian-Geraldine (effective 5/28/19) Retirements and Resignations: • Leslie Bunch, Elementary Teacher-Moon Lake Elementary School-Retirement 6/1/19 • Deborah Harville, Bookkeeper-Fyffe High School-Retirement 6/1/19 • Teresa Jamison, Elementary Teacher-Ider
School-Retirement 6/1/19 • Brenda Marks, CNP Manager-Henagar Jr. High School-Retirement 6/1/19 • Robin Morton, Itinerant Special Education Aide-Geraldine School-Retirement 6/1/19 • LaJanet Troxtel, Elementary TeacherGeraldine SchoolRetirement -6/1/19 Rickey Bryant, High School Teacher-Fyffe High School-Retirement 7/1/19 • Billy Keith,Secondary Science/P.E. TeacherRuhama Jr. HighRetirement 6/1/19 • Beverly Hood, Librarian-Plainview High School-Retirement 6/1/19 • Leisha Hancock, Intierant Bus Aide-Fyffe Special Services Center-Resignation 4/10/19 • Lucas Butts, Computer TechnicianAnnex- Resignation 4/1/19
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