By Southern Torch Staff
DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — At the end of each year, we look back and choose our most important stories and narrow the list down to ten.
On this week's post, we are featuring the latter five stories on that list (stories 6-10). Come back next week for our top five stories of the entire year!
6. Justice for Amberly
By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • Published on March 19
COLLINSVILLE, Ala. — On Thursday, March 4, DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden announced the arrest of 33-year-old Christopher Madison for capital murder in the case of 11-year-old Amberly Alexis Barnett's death.
Barnett was found strangled 200 yards from Madison's home, the adjoining property to the home where Barnett was staying.
Investigators confirmed that Madison had pretended to search for Barnett's body after she was reported missing.
"The road to justice for this sweet, innocent little girl is too important to release anything to jeopardize this investigation," said Welden.
According to testimony by Chief Investigator David Davis, search and rescue dogs picked up Barnett’s scent at the back door of Madison’s home. The body of Amberly Barnett was found with a rope, the same type of rope found at Madison’s home, tied around her neck.
The following month, the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office began taking the necessary actions to pursue the death penalty for Madison.
A trial date has still not been set for the case. Madison remains in the DeKalb County jail without bond.
7. Contaminated Water in Northeast Alabama
By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • Published on November 21, 2019
IDER, Ala. — Following two letters sent to affected residents, officials at the DeKalb-Jackson Water Supply District are monitoring drinking water conditions after reporting violations of drinking water standards.
An official with the DeKalb-Jackson Water Supply District stated that their water supply would be retested on Tuesday, November 26th. At the time of press, we have still received no comment on the retesting.
At a meeting of the water board in November, its first official one in months, local law enforcement was called to deal with citizens accused of trespassing after the meeting was adjourned.
According to Jackson County Commission Chairman Tim Guffey, the current members of the Board include Greg Harris and William Dalton of DeKalb County, with Clinton Hill, Dois Holman, Johnny McAllister and Frankie Yates serving as Jackson County’s members. Two former members of the Board, who were appointed by the Jackson County Commission, have sued to remain on the Board.
“I feel confident that the new Board members that we appointed can fix the problem if they are allowed to,” said Guffey. “I think it’s awful that we’ve come to this point [and] that our water has gotten into this situation." The lawsuit is still pending at the time of press.
8. State Republicans Deny Whitmire
By Zach Hester, Reporter • Published on December 9, 2019
ALABAMA — On December 8, the Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) heard many ballot access challenges from across the state. Among those was the challenge regarding DeKalb County District Judge Steven Whitmire, who currently serves as a Democrat.
In October, Whitmire filed paperwork with ALGOP to seek re-election to office through the Republican primary in March 2020. The state committee voted to deny Whitmire ballot access in the upcoming Republican primary.
Whitmire made no public announcement of his intentions to switch parties and had failed to appear before the Dekalb County Republican Party prior to filing according to DeKalb County Republican Party Chairman David Gulledge.
In a prepared statement from Whitmire, he expressed disappointment in the committee’s decision but felt he was a Republican in his heart.
“Despite the Committee’s ruling, or what may come from it, I guarantee that I remain committed to serving the people of DeKalb county to the best of my ability. That’s what I’ve always done and what I will continue to do," stated Whitmire.
9. Day Trip Turns Deadly
By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • Published on July 11, 2019
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, on June 4, an incident occurred on a day trip at the Jackson County Park that resulted in the death of a resident of Haymon Homes.
The deceased, 31-year-old Lucius Wayne Frazier, reportedly became violent with other residents and was then subdued by employees inside the bus. After the incident, Frazier stopped breathing and was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation on the incident and an autopsy was conducted to determine the cause of death.
At the time of press, the results of the final autopsy are still pending and no charges have been filed.
10. DeKalb Bands United for Alabama Bicentennial
By Zach Hester, Reporter • Published on Nov. 26
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — For the first time, several DeKalb County bands united for a performance outside of the county.
Students representing the Crossville (25 students), Fyffe (18), Geraldine (18), Ider (23), Plainview (23), and Sylvania (13) bands will combine forces for a special trip to Montgomery to perform as part of the Alabama Bicentennial Celebration. The band marched in the Bicentennial Parade on Saturday, December 14.
The DeKalb County band performed an arrangement by Sylvania Band Director Patrick Roszell.
“We are so excited to be able to be coming together and forming a mass band. It shows the building up of and the unity of the DeKalb County bands,” said Ider Band Director Brandon Terrell.
