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PAGE 4A October 2023
By Brandon K. Pierce Alabama Ledger DeKalb County Authorities have arrested three individuals for Trafficking in Fentanyal, as well as several others on various drug related charges. According to DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden, on Tuesday, October 3, Narcotics Agents were following up on information about the trafficking activities of Blayden Lane Woodall, age 20 of Fyffe. Agents stopped Woodall on Airport Road where they found pressed fentanyl in his vehicle. Later during a search of Woodall’s residence, 271 pressed fentanyl pills were also found. Woodall was charged with Trafficking in any Illegal Drug and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. In a separate incident on October 3, a search warrant was obtained to check the vehicle of Shane Thomas Wright Jr, age 32 of Valley Head, who had previously been placed in the DeKalb County Detention Center. A DeKalb County Deputy and K-9 had a positive alert on the vehicle finding synthetic marijuana. Wright was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest, Harassment, Public Intoxication, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. A day earlier on Monday, October 2, DeKalb County Narcotics Agents went to a residence on Bailey Chapel Road in Powell to follow up on a tip about drug use. When Agents arrived, methamphetamine was spotted on the front porch. Once inside the residence, Agents also found over 30 pressed Fentanyl pills. As a result, Kansas Shay Wilkerson, age 25 of Section, was charged with Trafficking in any Illegal Drug, Unlawful Possession of Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and three warrants for Failure to Appear. Justin Dewayne Gilbreath, age 25 of Sylvania, was charged with Trafficking in any Illegal Drug (x2) and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Gilbreath had been out on bond for Trafficking in Fentanyl for less than a month. Additionally, Bruce Dewayne Rowland, age 59 of Rainsville was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Bondsman off Bond. Paula Majorie Edwards, age 45 of Henagar, was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. “Any opioid use is risky, but Fentanyl is a whole new level of risk,” said Sheriff Welden. “Even in the smallest of dose, fentanyl can be deadly. Other drugs you may be addicted to could be laced with deadly levels of fentanyl and you would never know it, until it was too late.” Welden added that there are two kinds of Fentanyl. One is pharmaceutical fentanyl which is prescribed by a physician to treat severe pain, especially after surgery and for advanced stage cancer patients. The other is illegally made fentanyl, liquid or powder, which is commonly mixed with other drugs. It can also be made into pills that are made to look like other prescription pills. “Fentanyl is being mixed with other drugs like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and even marijuana,” noted Harris. Jay Freeman Named Gadsden State Police Chief Authorities Arrest Three for Fentanyal
Scholarship Opportunity The Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association has committed to providing 70 scholarships to residents interested in training for careers in the state’s automotive manufacturing industry. The scholarships are the result of a partnership between AAMA and the Alabama Community College System. Each of the 70 scholarships will be $4,000 and will pay for costs associated with training at Gadsden State Community College or another ACCS institution. Interested high school seniors, students currently enrolled in college and Alabama residents interested in attending college should apply online at www.dreamitdoitalabama.com/aama/ Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA. The deadline to apply is Nov. 14. Students who are awarded the scholarship may use the funds for spring, summer or fall 2024 tuition, books and fees associated with the approved program of study. A full submission for the scholarship requires a completed application; completion of a new orientation course to the automotive industry and AAMA scholarship; a signed reference letter; an unofficial college or high school transcript; a resume; an essay and a head shot photo. Qualified programs available at Gadsden State include Mechatronics; Automated Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Electronics Technology; Industrial Maintenance Technology; Manufacturing Technology; Precision Machining; Automotive Service Technology and Engineering Technology. Other automotive technology related programs may be considered. ALBERTVILLE: The City of Albertville's 2023 Thanksgiving/Christmas Parade will be held on Thursday, November 16 at 5:30 p.m. The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place downtown at 5 p.m. GUNTERSVILLE: The Guntersville Christmas Parade will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2023. The parade will start at the intersection of Scott Street and Gunter Avenue and will end at the Marshall County Gas District. For more info contact the Guntersville Chamber of Commerce at 256-582-3612. RAINSVILLE: The city of Rainsville has scheduled its 2023 Christmas Parade for November 30 at 6 p.m. The event will feature half of the JSU Southerners Marching Band. CENTRE: The City of Centre will hold its 2023 Christmas Parade on December 7. The lineup is 5 p.m. and the parade will begin at 6 p.m. For more information call 256-927-5222. FORT PAYNE: The City of Fort Payne will hold its 2023 Christmas Parade on Friday, December 8 at 6 p.m. The Grand Marshall this year will be the FPHS Class 6A State Soccer Championship Team. 2023 Christmas Parades
Weslyn Rowe Smith was named the 2023 Little Miss Boaz Harvest Festival Queen and Miss Photogenic. Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger Pageant Winners The 2023 Boaz Harvest Festival Pageant was held on Saturday, October 7. The winners are listed below. TINY MISS Queen: Addie Grace Oliver; 1st Runner-Up: Raegan Jo Smith; 2nd Runner-up: Remi Greigh Wisener; 3rd Runner- Up: Jemma-Kay Walker; Photogenic: Kami Haze Ross. LITTLE MISS Queen and Photogenic: Weslyn Rowe Smith; 1st Runner- Up: Sadie Brooke Garmany; 2nd Runner-up: Ellie Mae Reeves; 3rd Runner-Up: Kennedi Grace Kodge. PETITE MISS Queen: Rylee Pinyan; 1st Runner-Up: Skylar Grace Yarbrough; 2nd Runner-up: Lynnlee Grace King; 3rd Runner-Up: Molly Mashburn; Photogenic: Brelynn Shay Rowan. JUNIOR MISS Queen: Brynlee Walker; 1st Runner-Up: Ella Blair Hadley; 2nd Runner-up: Naiyan Reid Spurgeon; 3rd Runner-Up: Hadley Reese Walls; Photogenic: Julia Reese Young Duvall. TEEN MISS Queen: Demitria Adrinna Spurgeon; 1st Runner-Up and Photogenic: Kimora Aurrianna Spurgeon; 2nd Runner-up: Harley Marie Richey; 3rd Runner-Up: Bella Hope Mayes. MISS DIAMOND Queen: Ashlynn Faith Kelley; 1st Runner-Up: Julie Ramirez; 2nd Runner-up: Hannah McCormick; 3rd Runner- Up: Lila Jane Bonds; Photogenic: Alexis Brooke Denton.
Jay was recently sworn in as the first chief of police at Gadsden State Community College. Freeman took the reins Freeman as chief of police on July 3. He currently oversees a total of 19 employees working for the Gadsden State Police and Public Safety Department. “Jay hit the ground running the moment he arrived on campus,” Gadsden State President Kathy Murphy said. “I am excited about the progress we are making. I want to thank him for accepting this challenge.” Joe Nabors, the district judge in Etowah County, has complimented his good friend for his work ethic. “Jay is an amazing individual that has a calming presence,” he said. “He’s a man of integrity and a man of faith. I’m proud to call him my friend and I’m proud that he is the chief of police at Gadsden State.” District Attorney Jody Willoughby led Freeman in the reading of the Oath of Office during the swearing- in ceremony. The new chief was joined by his wife, Laura Champion Freeman, and their daughters, Parker Kate, 11; Lennyn Grace, 6; and Ellie Jay, 4. “It’s a great honor to be here today,” he said. “I’m excited about being the chief of police. I’m dedicated to the excellence at this college.”
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger 2023 Sardis Homecoming Court
Freeman pledged to be transparent and accountable. He also said his goals are to increase technology, invest in the employees who work for the department and create partnerships that will lead Gadsden State to being a training hub for local law enforcement. “I hold myself to the highest standards,” he said. “I don’t believe in short cuts. I have always been taught to treat others with respect and that’s what I do. Respect is the cornerstone of any community.” Freeman gave credit for his engrained love of community service to his grandmother, Janet Gregerson. “I always saw her treating others with respect,” he said. “She was always helping others. She is the definition of a lady of service.” Through her, he realized that kind words, a helping hand and encouragement go a long way. “Every person has a story,” he said. “Every person has things going on in their life. At the end of the day, we need to do what’s right. Any small gesture can make a huge difference in the lives of others.”
The bank currently located at the intersection of highways 68 and 227 in Crossville officially opened its doors as The DeKalb Bank on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1964. Claude J. Cook was the bank's first President and H. Sherrill Camp was the bank's first Vice President and cashier. Over the past 59 years the bank has served as a landmark for the community and has been through multiple name changes. It is currently First Southern State Bank. Before becoming First Southern State Bank, this location was the only branch for Vantage Bank of Alabama. Some of those attending the Vantage Bank branch Ribbon Cutting in June 2014 were: Danny Thrash (Director), Susan Armstrong (Vice President), Benny Fraiser (Director) James Easterling (Assistant Vice President), Bennie Clayton (Vice President and Branch Manager), Jeff Simpson (Crossville Town Council Member), Roger "Dino" Richards (Crossville Mayor), Lowell Galloway (Vantage Bank President and CEO), Myra W. Pierce (Executive Vice-President CFO/COO), Beverly Robinson (Crossville Town Council Member), Vickey Stone (Crossville Town Council Member), Laura Casey (Director), Frank McDaniel (Director) and John Weathers (Director). File Photo By Brandon K. Pierce Vantage Bank Branch Holds 2014 Ribbon Cutting
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