Readers Choice 2021 - Southern Torch

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala.-- At the end of each year the Southern Torch Staff looks back on the year and chooses what they believe are the top stories of the year. This year, we let the readers decide what they were most interested in by the response on social media and our Southern Torch website.

This year might have been a much different year than many expected, and it certainly had its fair share of new stories in DeKalb County and the world in general.

From shutdowns, zoom meetings, and vaccinations, 2021 has been eventful, to say the least. Here are the Southern Torch Readers Choices for 2021.

DA Accepts Dalton’s Plea

Published: October

DEKALB CO., Ala-- Former DeKalb County Teacher, Dustin Wade Dalton, 29, entered pleas of guilty to three felony sex offenses Monday morning in Circuit Court at the DeKalb County Courthouse.

He was convicted of one count of Sodomy in the Second Degree and two counts of being a teacher having sexual contact with a student under nineteen years old. He was sentenced by Circuit Judge Jeremy Taylor to sentences totaling 10 years in state prison. He will be required to serve three years in prison before his release to serve another five years on supervised probation. As a result of the convictions, Dalton will be a lifetime registered sex offender upon his release.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Bob Johnston said, “The plea agreement was reached after several meetings with grieving family members. As always, we want to achieve accountability and just punishment while reducing any further trauma to victims of child sexual abuse. We are grateful for the brave students who came forward and hope this can help them feel a measure of closure and peace.” Johnston also thanked the long hours of investigation and interviews conducted by the Child Abuse Review Team of DeKalb County including Investigator Priscilla Padgett, the DeKalb County DHR, the CAC, and members of the DeKalb County Board of Education.

The TImeline for Dalton’s plea is as follows:

In October 2020, Dustin Wade Dalton (28 of Rainsville) was charged with Enticing a Child for Immoral Purposes and Dissemination of Obscene Material.

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the incident: “This is an absolutely unfortunate event that has happened in our quiet Town of Sylvania. We want to thank the community for coming forward with information that aided us in conducting this investigation.”

“We would like to ask for prayers for the victims and their families. Protecting our youth from this type of behavior is a top priority here at the Sheriff’s Office,” said Welden.

ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6: Dalton was released on a $100,000 bond with no preliminary hearing in Judge Steve Whitmire’s courtroom. The defendant’s attorney is Stephen Bussman.

“This is so frustrating, working endless hours on a case to only see them walk out of your jail on a $100,000 bond,” said DeKalb Co. Sheriff Nick Welden.

Dustin Dalton, 29, was indicted by the Grand Jury on June 22, 2021, on 24 charges by Grand Jury. Dalton was booked into the DeKalb County Detention Center at 6:49 pm, June 22.

The indictment list for Dalton shows eight different victims, identified by initials and ages.

Charges were as follows: (Charges may be updated)

• Distribution of Obscene Material

• Enticing Child

• Solicit Sex Act W/Student

• Dissemination of Obscene Material

• School Emp Sex W/Student

• Sexual Abuse 1st

• Sexual Abuse 2nd

• Dissemination of Obscene Material

• School Emp Sex W/Student Attempted

• School Emp Sex W/Student

• School Emp Sex W/ Student

• Production of Porn with Minors

• Sodomy 1st

The bond for Dalton was set at $393,875.

REDISTRICTING APPROVED FOR DEKALB COUNTY

Published: November

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala.-- The DeKalb County Commission held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November 9.

The DeKalb County Commission approved redistricting according to the 2020 Census. The population count for each district will be as follows:

• District 1- 17,170

• District 2- 17,764

•District 3- 18,620

•District 4- 18,054

The minimum in each district according to the census report is 17,006 and the maximum is 18,797.

“This redistricting will affect very few people. It will affect some but not a drastic change,” stated DeKalb County President Ricky Harcrow.

Cunningham To Retire As FP Superintendent

Published: April

FORT PAYNE, ALA.-- Fort Payne City Schools Superintendent Jim Cunningham announced his retirement, effective October 1, 2021.

“I want to thank you for the opportunity you’ve given me for the past 36 years of working for Fort Payne City Schools,” Cunningham said. “This has been the best thing that’s ever happened because of the great school system and great community.”

Cunningham is a lifelong Fort Payne native and a 1975 graduate of Fort Payne High School. He completed a bachelor’s degree in education at Jacksonville State University (JSU) in 1979 and began his career in Jackson County shortly after. He began work at his alma mater in 1984 and has held various positions within the school system ever since, including assistant principal at Fort Payne High School, principal at Forest Avenue Elementary, principal at Wills Valley Elementary, principal at Fort Payne High School, and eventually, superintendent.

FIRE IN THE VALLEY

Published: June

FORT PAYNE, Ala.-- Southern Torch is moving to our brand new offices in downtown Fort Payne this week and next week. Our broadcasting operations have just moved and the remainder of our operations and staff are in the process of moving. Service areas, phone numbers, and other pertinent information will remain the same.

Eight years ago, Southern Torch opened its doors in Rainsville as an online news source. In May of 2015, Southern Torch expanded its reach with a printed newspaper product.

Today, Southern Torch averages over 60,000 website visits per month and has an online following of over 41,000 across all social media platforms that share free content with our audience.

Two years ago, Southern Torch expanded its reach into the radio market. With the purchase of two radio stations, WKEA 98-3 Wild Country and WMXN 101-7 The Torch, along with the addition of Fort Payne’s oldest radio station WFPA, the reach of Southern Torch now serves a primary audience in DeKalb, Jackson, and Marshall counties.

In January 2020, Jackson Blaze was developed as a subsidiary brand to host Jackson County news, happenings, and Southern Torch, Inc., is excited to announce the addition of WFPA 1400 AM and its FM translator 93.9 to the company’s radio programming portfolio.

Southern Torch sought approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and an application for license transfer was approved. The license transfer was completed on March 18, 2021.

“We are excited about the continued growth of our audience that puts Southern Torch in a better position to serve our area,” said Southern Torch General Manager Eloise Smith. “We look forward to rebranding the station and providing programming that offers more variety for our audience.”

Barnett set to be Superintendent at Guntersville City Schools

Published: April

DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — DeKalb County Superintendent, Dr. Jason Barnett, is set to be the next Superintendent of Education at Guntersville City Schools.

“Last night, it was announced that I am the top choice of the Guntersville City Board of Education to serve [as] its Superintendent of Education,” said Dr. Barnett. “I consider this a great honor and a statement of support not only for me but specifically in regards to the great work that we have accomplished in DeKalb County.” According to Barnett, members of the DeKalb County Board of Education will appoint his replacement on an interim basis to serve until his term expires on December 31, 2024. No special election is expected to be held.

Pending board approval, Barnett, who has served as Superintendent of DeKalb County Schools since 2017, will replace Ric Ayer who has served as interim superintendent since last December. Ayer previously served as superintendent for Albertville City Schools and Franklin County Schools in Georgia.

“While considering leaving home is hard and the timing may never seem right, God directs our path, and His timing and plan [are] perfect,” continued Barnett. “I am very excited to finalize this process and then embark on this new journey alongside the community and the faculty and staff of Guntersville City Schools.”

According to Guntersville City Schools, a special called board meeting will be held to finalize Barnett’s contract. Southern Torch will continue to follow up on this developing story.

Our Dixieland Delight: Alabama kicks off 50th Anniversary Tour

Published: July

NASHVILLE, Ala.-- Alabama’s 50th Anniversary Tour will kick off this weekend, July 2-3, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

The tour, which was delayed due to COVID-19, will cover nearly 30 concerts through 2022. A special guest for the kickoff concert will be Martina McBride. Several other musicians and bands will join the boys from Fort Payne throughout the tour included Travis Tritt, Tracy Lawrence, Sara Evans, The Marshall Tucker Band and The Beach Boys. In 1969, cousins Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook founded the band, originally named Wild Country. In 1977, the group changed its name to Alabama.

In the early 1980s, the band had over 27 number one hits, seven multi-platinum albums, and received numerous awards. Alabama’s first single on RCA Records, “Tennessee River”, began a streak of 21 number one singles, including “ Love in the First Degree” (1981), “Mountain Music” (1982), “Dixieland Delight” (1983), and Song of the South (1988).

Alabama changed the face of country music and have received over 300 awards for their talents, including being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. In 2019, the group was awarded the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jones to run for District Attorney

Published: October

FORT PAYNE, AL - DeKalb County attorney, businessman, and former Mayor of Rainsville, Nick Jones, has announced that he will seek the Republican nomination for District Attorney of the 9th Judicial Circuit which serves DeKalb and Cherokee Counties. The office is currently occupied by longtime District Attorney Michael O’Dell.

“After months of thoughtful prayer, I believe I can bring a fresh face to the District Attorney’s office,” stated Jones. “I do not take this task lightly, however, I feel a renewed commitment to aggressive prosecution and programs of drug crime offenses is needed. The drug epidemic affects every family in our communities including mine. Plainly stated, compassionate consideration of both victims’ and defendants’ rights in each individual case should be given before a hasty plea deal is cut, that allows criminal defendants to avoid punishment and help encourage them to seek rehabilitation services,” he added.

Jones is married to Lindsey Cuzzort Jones of Fyffe and they have two boys, Jackson and Bennett. He is a graduate of Plainview High School, Auburn University, Alabama Banking School, and the Birmingham School of Law. He is currently employed by First State Bank of DeKalb County.

“We are at a point in our nation’s history where traditional support of our law enforcement folks has come under attack and that’s just unacceptable,” Jones added. “Sheriff Welden in DeKalb and Sheriff Shaver in Cherokee need a reliable partner. My background is in business and real-world problem-solving. As a problem solver, I will be the public’s crime-fighter if elected. In DeKalb County, Sheriff Welden needs a cooperative partner in re-establishing the drug task force, and I feel a modern plan with fresh ideas is the solution. This crisis is bigger than any one office or agency. It has to be a team effort and I have a proven record of getting the job done regardless of politics," he said.

The Republican primary election will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

Cardwell Charged with Murder

Published: August

RAINSVILLE, Ala.-- The Rainsville Police Department reported that a homicide occurred on Friday night.

The Rainsville Police Department received information that a body was left near a business in Rainsville. Officers responded and located the body of Ricky Don Wilks.

Wilk’s body was sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science for an autopsy.

On August 9, 2021, Jason Cardwell, 43 of Rainsville, was booked into the DeKalb County Detention Center. He was charged with Murder. Cardwell’s bond is set for $1,000,000.

Agents with Rainsville, Fyffe, Fort Payne, and Boaz Police Departments, along with DeKalb and Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, investigators from Center for Applied Forensics, and 9th Circuit District Attorney’s Office all assisted with the case.

Chief Michael Edmondson states, “I am extremely proud of the tireless work that the officers of the Rainsville Police Department and Major Crimes Unit have put into working this case. It has taken many hours and the work is being continued in a great effort to bring this case to a close.”

Moon Lake Closure

Published: February

The DeKalb County Board of Education (BOE) held its regularly scheduled meeting.

The work session of the meeting was dedicated to hearing the concerns of the Moon Lake community regarding the possible closure of Moon Lake Elementary School. Superintendent Dr. Jason Barnett stated that the closure of Moon Lake had been ongoing for 90 years.

“We have positions that are serving 56 students that we pay the same that serves 1,200 at other schools,” said Barnett. “We have to provide an equal opportunity for all our students.” During the meeting, the BOE voted unanimously to close Moon Lake Elementary School at the end of the current school year.

Rainsville Sign Ordinance

Published: April, June, & October

In March, the Rainsville City Council approved Resolution 3-15-2021. The ordinance will regulate how signs can be displayed within the City. The ordinance will prohibit flashing, highway, bench, and digital signs within the city limits of Rainsville.

On June 6, Kay Guffey addressed the Council on the digital billboard that was installed by New South Outdoor, in front of the Tom Bevel Center in Rainsville. New South Outdoor is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She requested verification regarding why the Council allowed the billboard without the knowledge of Rainsville citizens. City Attorney Nikki Scott advised Guffey that the Council voted in Executive Session to hire a Constitutional Lawyer to help advise on the proper procedure in handling the request for the billboard. The company found a “loophole” in the Sign Ordinance that originally wanted five billboards across the City. The Mayor and Council agreed to not pursue a lawsuit if only two were allowed in the City.

On Thursday evening, October 7, Rainsville Citizens had the opportunity to meet and appeal decisions made by the Rainsville City Board of Adjustments regarding sign permit applications.

After the installation of a digital sign on City property by New South, many Citizens requested the same opportunity. The decision to allow New South the opportunity to install two digital signs struck a chord with many citizens who were denied. Dennis Hicks served as spokesperson for the group of citizens whose applications were denied. Hicks also discussed the Ordinance, which was patterned from a current Ordinance from the State of Oregon, and the City’s ability to enforce the regulations.

Hicks asked the Board of Adjustments whether they wanted the same values in our small town as those from Oregon.

After hearing the concerns of citizens at the meeting, the Board approved two signs for Hicks. The sign locations are at Hilltop, on Highway 75, and one on Highway 35 in Rainsville. The Board later denied the approval to Hicks, citing that it was not unanimous.

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