December 2022 Northeast Alabama print edition of The Alabama Ledger
A LABAMA L EDGER December 2022 Northeast Alabama Print Edition www.AlabamaLedger.com 10 Pages Published by The Sports Ledger, LLC
Illegal Gambling
By Brandon K. Pierce Alabama Ledger Authorities in North Alabama recently put a dent into illegal gambling in Etowah County. According to Sheriff Jonathon Horton, 108 illegal gambling machines and over $13,000 have been seized. The Etowah County Sheriff said his office investigated the case for two weeks after receiving some complaints from residents in one East Gadsden neighborhood. Etowah County Sheriff's Investigators and the County Drug Unit opened an investigation into makeshift gambling halls, and they found that the area's illegal gambling operations were causing unsafe issues in these neighborhoods, including traffic hazards, loud noise and music at night. As a result, search warrants were executed at five different locations around the Gadsden area where 108 illegal gambling Machines and $13,579.79 in cash was seized. The locations ranged from East Gadsden, South Gadsden, and Alabama
December is here and for some that means it is almost Christmas. However, for college football fans it also means it is time for some of the best football games of the season, as some of the nation's top programs get set to square off in various Bowl Games. Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner (15), who is shown scoring a touchdown against Tennessee, and his teammates finished as one of the Top 5 teams in the country and the Crimson Tide has earned the opportunity to play Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, LA on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. CT. Tennessee will face Clemson in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, FL on Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. CT. More Bowl Game information can be found inside and online at www.thesportsledger.com. It's Bowl Season Courtesy of Alabama Athletics Murder Arrest County Sheriff’s Office, 9th Circuit District Attorney’s Office and Jacksonville State University Center for Applied Forensics investigated the death. Investigators were able
Photo Courtesy Etowah County Sheriff's Office
City. During the execution of the search warrants no persons were present at the locations. Authorities said that three of the five locations had previously been delivered an order to "cease and desist" that was signed by the Sheriff and District Attorney. This order gave the business harboring any illegal machines 48 hours to remove them from the State of Alabama.
Sheriff Horton said that all three of the entities that received the order simply relocated to new buildings within Etowah County. The Sheriff's Office will ask the courts to order the machines to be destroyed. At the time of the press release authorities had not made an arrest as they were still investigating the case. However, Horton noted that an arrest could come at a later time.
By Brandon K. Pierce Alabama Ledger A Collinsville Murder Investigation has landed a man in jail after allegedly killing his mother. According to DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden, the Collinsville Police and Fire Departments, DeKalb Ambulance Service, and patrol deputies with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office responded to Watts Drive after receiving a call about an unresponsive female on the evening on December 6, 2022. When first responders arrived, they found Sandra Jelks, age 62 of Collinsville, deceased in her home. Welden said that Jelks was the mother of a DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office employee, so the Cherokee
“It’s unfortunate that this horrible crime happened in the peaceful community of Collinsville,” said Welden. “Our DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office family has suffered a tragic loss and we ask for your prayers for the family of Sandra Jelks and the employee who lost a mother.” “I would like to thank the offices of Sheriff Jeff Shaver and District Attorney Mike O’Dell for Investigating this horrendous murder," said Welden. Additionally, the Collinsville, Fort Payne, and Rainsville Police Departments, as well as the DeKalb County E.M.A. all helped with the investigation.”
to immediately develop a suspect who authorities identified as Bruce Lee Jones, age 41 of Collinsville. He was arrested shortly after on unrelated charges. Bruce Lee Jones was also identified as the son of Sandra Jelks. After a thorough investigation Mr. Jones was formally charged with Murder on December 9, 2022. At the time of the press release, Jones was being held in the Cherokee County Detention Center on a $1,000,000 bond.
Paisley Howell, age 9, of Collinsville, recently told Santa what she wanted this Christmas. It won't be long until Santa checks his list to see who has been naughty or nice this year. Let's hope all have been nice, and that Santa will have many stops this Christmas Eve around North Alabama. Have you been Naughty or Nice? Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger
Each year Leon McClung, AKA the Bicycle Man, gathers used bicycles and works on them until they are in good condition and look good as new. He donates them to children that may not have anything under the tree for Christmas. McClung attaches a note to each bicycle encouraging the rider to always be looking to God for guidance. He donates the bicycles to several counties around Northeast Alabama. Bicycles Donated For Christmas Photo Courtesy DeKalb County Sheriff's Office
Peoples Bank of Alabama recently made a donation in support of Neighborhood Bridges Boaz. 100% of donations are used in the community. Pictured (L-R) David Watts, Lender; Sandra Dick, Branch Manager; Karen Webb, Communications; Jamie Bliss, Neighborhood Bridges Area Director, and Gary Chumley, Neighborhood Bridges Area Director. Submitted Photo Donation To Neighborhood Bridges Boaz
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PAGE 2 December 2022
Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheater (SMPA) in Albertville has completed its first full operational year and the impact it is having on the region continues to expand. According to a press release, from Fall of 2021 to Fall 2022, the park hosted 100+ events, including 62 sports tournaments, 11 concerts, and numerous community- oriented events. The total estimated economic impact for Marshall County that the park has generated from October 2021 through September 2022 is $23.2M, compared to $14.2M over the same time frame the previous year. The growth in economic impact is a result of more events and park visitors associated with those events. “The city continues to see increases in direct and indirect economic impact due to the operation of Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater, said Mike Price, Director of Economic Development with the City of Albertville. Not only is there growth in specific sales tax revenue categories due to activity generated by visitors to the park - but there is also a continued interest in our area by retail, hospitality, and entertainment companies due in no small part to the park’s existence.” “The utilization of almost every area within the park has met or exceeded expectations up to this point, and that is reflected in our economic impact growth, said Sand Mountain Park General Manager Patrick O’Brien. It exhibits that we are executing our Mission consistently and bringing more visitors to the City of Albertville and Sand Mountain region through our events. We are also retaining nearly 100% of our events due to the level of service and client/customer experience that we provide. Our extremely talented and dedicated Team is the reason why we achieved this type of growth." The park hosted 1,750 teams, had over 97,000 member check-ins, over 300 teams participate in youth and adult recreation leagues, and over 1M unique park visitors. So not only are we generating significant economic impact for the region, but we are also significantly improving the mental and physical health of our community," added O'Brien. "Doing both of those at this volume is blazing a new trail in the sports, recreation, and entertainment industry because it is rare to see a venue to both with these types of numbers. The vision that the City of Albertville had for the park is coming to fruition, and it is helping cultivate significant growth in our community. Running parallel to that growth is a significant improvement in quality of life, and it is so rewarding for our Team to see and feel that every day at the park.” Marshall County Tourism and Sports President Keat Norton added that "We continue to partner with Sand Mountain Park and are excited to bring new events to the park next year." "Having the park and its facilities has opened doors to new opportunities that translate into additional room nights, as well as new visitors to our county. The positive economic impact of sports tourism on our community is only going to grow and expand as the park continues to build their brand. We are thrilled to be part of this growth," she added. “Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater has had a huge impact on our hotels, the Fairfield by Marriott in Albertville and the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton, and our vacation rental properties through Rohogo Rentals, here in Marshall County, said Darlene Temple, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, the Fairfield by Marriott. "By building a premier sports and entertainment venue that is visited not only by fellow Alabamians but nationwide, we have seen and hosted visitors from all over the country including Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Indiana, Michigan, etc., the list goes on and on. We are happy to be in a position to extend a warm, hospitable welcome and accommodate them as a proud and supportive partner of SMPA. The economic impact of the park reverberates throughout Marshall County as we have also seen new restaurants and companies choose to locate here because of SMPA. We have enjoyed hosting those companies' crews and staff throughout their building process, so the ripple effect is strongly felt by our lodging facilities.” “We have been busy almost every Saturday and most of it is ball teams and other functions from Sand Mountain Park, said Brittany Riddle, General Manager of Santa Fe restaurant in Albertville. It has definitely been an asset to our business!” SMPA had 23.2 Million Economic Impact Last Year
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger
By Brandon K. Pierce | Alabama Ledger Publisher A recent business trip led me to West Alabama, an area I have been to many times. I am usually in a hurry on the way to Florence, Muscle Shoals or just passing through on the way to somewhere else. However, during my recent trip, I had a few extra minutes and decided to check out the charming town of Tuscumbia, Alabama, which is only a few miles off Highway 72 near downtown Muscle Shoals. Growing up in Alabama I learned about the story of Helen Keller. She was a well known author and public speaker after she overcame deaf-blind conditions to communicate. However, I had never visited her childhood home. Tuscumbia hosts IVY Green, the historic house that is the birthplace and childhood home of Helen Keller. The preserved historic 1820's home is located just off the main street square, near the courthouse, and only a few blocks from the town's Spring Park. The home is available to tour and there is an admission fee. Although, I didn't take the inside tour, the outside is spectacular with beautiful trees and landscaping. Maybe the inside is something I can check out in the future. It might be worth the trip next June to attend the annual Helen Keller Festival. If you want to check out the home for yourself, the address is 300 North Commons Street West, Tuscumbia, AL 35674. Helen Keller's Birthplace
University of Tennessee Emeritus Professor and Distinguished Professor of Science Dr. Jan Simek will give a presentation at Northeast Alabama Community College in Rainsville at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2023, regarding cave inscriptions in Manitou Cave in Fort Payne. The lecture will be held in the small auditorium of the William M. Beck Fine Arts Center. Since coming to the University of Tennessee in 1984, Dr. Simek has served as Head of the Anthropology Department. From 2009 to 2011, he served as the 24th President of the University of Tennessee and was named President Emeritus by the Board of Trustees. He has published over 100 scholarly works, with a great deal of focus on the caves of France, as well as those of the Cumberland Plateau and Appalachian Mountains. In 2015 Dr. Simek said of Manitou, “The cave is an incredible place, and we will learn more and more as time goes on. The cave is a very important place from the point of view of Cherokee history and culture." The doors will open at 9:30 a.m., and the event is open to the public. For more information regarding this event please contact Blake Wilhelm at wilhelmb@nacc.edu or 256-638-4418, ext. 2288. Manitou Cave Presentation to be held on January 19
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger
Lincoln Bruce poses for a photo with Santa and the Grinch.
Check out our huge selection of gift ideas! Case pocket knives, J&J candles, Beehive Bath House, all natural candles & melts
and lots of other Christmas items!
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PAGE 3 December 2022
Randall Martin Cowan, age 67, of Gadsden Jo Ellen Hardy, age 76, of Gadsden Ralph F. "Bo" Dillard, age 83, of Rainbow City Perry Funeral Home In Centre Karen Jean Floyd Ball, age 72, of Centre SirLester Hershel Houston, age 53, of Centre Kathy Annette DeBerry, age 59, of Centre Gertrude Barnes, age 86, of Cedar Bluff Betty Smith Rinehart, age 87, of Centre Travis Jay Chambers, age 84, of Centre Emma Inez Crane, age 78, of Cedar Bluff Charles Keener, age 83, of Cherokee County William Robert Longshore, age 94, of Cedar Bluff Rainsville Funeral Home Amy Prestwood, age 21, of Rainsville Alton Simpson, age 93, of Estill Springs, TN Freeda M. Payne, age 92, of Henagar Gladys Haymon Galloway, age 88, of Rainsville Rodney Hooper, age 64, of Fort Payne David Smothers, age 81, of Fort Payne Irven "Buddy" Hawley Heard Jr., age 91, of Henagar Eric Taylor, age 31, of Henagar Marie Bryant, age 87, of Fort Payne Michael A. Goodwin, age 65, of Henagar Louise Teat, age 90, of Rainsville Tyler Bates, age 29, of Henager/Sylvania Section Funeral Home Leon Carson, age 82, of Dutton Brenda Etta Hale Guffey, age 76, of Section Terry Boyd, age 61, of Section Wilson Funeral Home in Fort Payne Joyce Cole Helton, age 82, of Rainsville Loyd McSpadden, age 71, of Mentone Kerry Wayne Griggs, age 73, of Fort Payne James Grady "Tiny" Miller, age 59, of Cedar Bluff Freddie Ray Campbell, age 72, of Flat Rock Margaret Lee Craft Crapse, age 84, formerly of Fort Payne Coy Elbert Greeson, Jr., age 80, of Fort Payne Darrell Ray Norman, age 83, of Fort Payne Patsy Ann Edwards, age 84, of Rainsville Flavil Leon "Bud" Atkins, age 82, of Valley Head Luther Alan Miller, age 68, of Fort Payne Jerry Lee Pate, age 76, of Centre Charlene Tillery, age 69, of Centre James "Jim" Edward Byrum, age 73, of Mentone William "Bill" R. Biddle, age 87, of Fort Payne Rickey L. St. John, age 77, of Valley Head W.T. Wilson Funeral Home Joy Marie Hawkins, age 92, of Dawson Oscar Thomas Paschal, age 89, of Dutton Jerry Wayne Gilbreath, age 62, of Logan Raymond Lee Wilbanks, age72, of Sylvania Joseph W. Johnson, age 64, of Collinsville Gwendolyn Pendergrass Ingram, age 86, of Grove Oak Judy Carolyn Harper, age 75, of Section Thurman Troy Ragan, age 81, of Crossville Donnie Joe Webb, age 62, of Crossville Betty Smith McCoy, age 90, formerly of Tenbroeck Jimmy L. Browder, age 84, of Sylvania Randall Wade Solomon, age 59, of Mentone Sherry Lahrman Buettner, age 66, of Geraldine Elanor Jo Foreman, age 74, of Fort Payne Luther Ray Pounds, age 74, of Crossville Argolis Outlaw Bouldin, age 89, of Fyffe Gordon Mitchel Rainer, age 78, of Huntsville Allen Adams Blake, age 68, of Fyffe Tommy Ray Engle, age 53, of Albertville Jeremy Lamar Smith, age 43, of Flat Rock Troy Cleckler, age 83, of Clanton Loyd James Shelton, age 86, of Fort Payne Roger Wesley Centers, age 63, of Albertville Mark Anthony Sisk, age 50, of Boaz Catrina Clines, age 55, of Rainsville Wanda Faye Gaither, age 72, of Rainsville Yener Arael Reynoso-Francisco, one month, of Crossville James Bruce Goodowens, age 82, of Fyffe Marie Steele Riley Wilson, age 95, of Collinsville Sandra Lee Glass, age 85, of Fort Payne William Terry Townsel, age 57, of Fyffe Robert Allen Holland, age 75, of Section Margie Driver Willoughby Masters, age 96, of Crossville
Adams Brown Service Funeral Home The following Death Notices are published as a courtesy of the Alabama Ledger and local funeral homes. To include more information, or a photo of your loved one, in a future Edition of the Alabama Ledger contact us at 256-506-7368. You can also find more obit information on the Sand Mountain Obits Facebook Page. George L. Boydston, age 70, of Henagar Henry Hank Sinclair, age 90, formerly of Flat Rock Kay Frances Williams, age 83, of Fort Payne Infant Lydia Marie Gunter passed away
William Randall Brown, age 56, of Crossville Kenneth Eugene Young, age 80, of Albertville Mabel Richey, age 93, of Albertville Julie Dianne Groover, age 53, of Albertville John Terry "JT" King, age 65, of Albertville Geneva Marie Baugh, age 92, of Albertville Marvin Thomas Reese, age 83, of Boaz Martha Jean Jolley, age 77, of Albertville Dorothy Nell Nailer, age 73, of Albertville Charlotte Ann Smalley, age 76, of Albertville Betty Jean Moore, age 82, of Albertville Rickey David Harper, age 67, of Albertville Jessie Lee Kight, age 91, of Albertville Eli Daniel Frey, age 33, of Boaz Helen Agnes Light, age 75, of Albertville Annie Louise Bevel, age 86, of Boaz Kenneth Ray Colvin, age 86, of Albertville Albertville Memorial Funeral Home James Forest England, age 81, of Albertville Betty Jean Box, age 87, of Boaz Elder Wendell Eugene Robertson, age 88, of Boaz Dellie Jane Cornelius, age 84, of Albertville Tommy Braxton Cagle, age 60, of Albertville Martha Ann (Boyle) Trapp, age 93, of Albertville Freida Head, age 62, of Boaz Christina Lee Kelly, age 46, of Boaz Shirley Jean Casey, age 77, of Boaz Anthony Harold Smith, age 62, of Albertville Martha Elaine Autrey, age 68, of Albertville Cindy Kay Windsor, age 64, of Albertville Esco Ann Sessions, age 71, of Boaz Burt Funeral Home Aaron Lee Dickens, age 46, of Leesburg Carolyn Blalock Kilgore, age 78, of Mentone Norman Ballenger, age 75, of Fort Payne Dorothy Jean Norrell, age 87, of Fort Payne Charles Robert "Bobby" Brown, age 87, of Mentone Nellie Faye Crowley, age 88, of Fort Payne Kenneth L. Elrod, age 77, formerly of Fort Payne Carr Funeral Home in Guntersville Peggy J. Abner Wolf Smith, age 83, of Guntersville Daniel Vincent Carier, age 68, of Scottsboro Jerri Gwen Noblitt Kennamer, age 48, of Guntersville Mary Beth Moriggi, age 63, of Guntersville Michael Blaine Durham passed away at age 59 Matrel Lane Brooks, age 94, of Guntersville Eugina Lynn Tims, age 60, of Arab Ruby Neil Kight Ballard Champion passed away at age 82 Hubert Wilburn "Will" Goble, age 70, of Guntersville Rebecca Lynn McCurry, age 55, of Albertville Virginia Louise Norrell, age 92, of Guntersville Billy Lyn Sims, age 83, of Guntersville Melvin Rickey Johnson, age 71, of Horton Robert Sonny Riddle, age 67, of Albertville Ardie Arthur "Bubba" Lewis, age 66, of Albertville Nellie Smith Lanford, age 74, of Arab Lucille Helen Ewert passed away at age 82 Rosaline Marie Tye passed away at age 26 Patsy Louise Nelson Chandler passed away at age 81 Collier-Butler Funeral Home Robert Leon Hardin, age 75, of Gadsden Barbara Jean Mitchell, age 78, of Southside Jenie Morgan Cunningham, age 74, of Gadsden Troy Milton Bruce, age 81, of Hokes Bluff Lorene Owens Pinson, age 95, of Gadsden Beverley Gatlin McAnear Keel, age 80, of Gadsden Jason Lee Alford, age 53, of Gadsden Billy Nelson Livingston, age 77, of Gadsden Judith Johanson Moore, age 79, of Rainbow City Pauline Jane Thompson, age 81, of Ashville Anita Handley Chavers, age 67, of Hokes Bluff Donna Jordan Mershon, age 57, of Attalla William Arthur Turner, age 91, of Gadsden Johnathan Goode Klemm Clapp, age 23, of Gadsden Martha Elrod, no age listed, of Gadsden Jimmy Marlen Thacker, age 82, of Gadsden Mary Lou Deerman, age 80, of Gadsden Henry John Durant, age 97, of Gadsden Susan Gwin Hill, age 72, of Southside Ida S. Rader, age 91, of Gadsden Joann Wood Perry, age 83, of Gadsden Winfred George Mahy, age 90, of Rainbow City Robert C. Barnes, age 85, of Tuscaloosa Sandra Faye Milton, age 70, of Gadsden Peggy Blevins Houk Wall, age 82, of Gadsden Collinsville Funeral Home Audrey Madden Morgan, age 61, of Collinsville Noie Andrew Griffin, age 85, of Collinsville Kenneth Gerald Roach, age 55, of Leesburg Betty Sue Marsh, age 90, of Collinsville Ruby Joyce Addison Garrett, age 99 of Collinsville Diana Baker, age 66, of Collinsville Wayne Austin Smith, age 87, of Collinsville Doris Joan Beck, age 77, of Collinsville Cornerstone Funeral Chapel in Ider Danny Ray Summerford, age 70, of Henagar Charles Eric Hurst, age 55, of Ider Margaret Louise Broom Durham, age 90, of Henagar
Jane Christeen Crabtree Ellis, age 85, of Henagar Edith Jean Wooten White, age 76, of Henagar Tammy Marie Hartline, age 46, of Higdon Mildred Bailey Rogers, age 82, of Flat Rock Carol Puckett Smith, age 50, of Flat Rock Geraldine Funeral Home Nell Louise Little Young, age 89, of Scottsboro Kate Hill Rowell, age 77, of Crossville Farrell Gilbreath, age 74, of Crossville Guntersville Memorial Chapel Chief Deputy Steven Floyd Guthrie passed away at age 58 Gregory Alan Johns, age 70, of Guntersville Jerry Leon David, age 75, of Guntersville Michael Clayton Paul Fenley, age 18, of Grant Pamela Kay Rice, age 52, of Guntersville Ronald Ralph Akers, age 86, of Guntersville Hubert H. Eason passed away at age 85 Dianne Rains Barnett, age 77, of Guntersville Donna Duckett Shields, age 69, of Guntersville Julie Christina Luck Vaughan, age 67, of Albertville Sharon Kay Gulley Bubbett, age 70, of Albertville Patricia Niven passed away at age 71 Jimmy Neal Told passed away at age 81 Ann Loree Jarvis, age 68, of Guntersville Etowah Memorial Chapel Andrew Gordon Kerr, Jr., age 78, of Crossville Charles Larry Johnston Sr., age 85, of Boaz Rachel Larae Salster Lee, age 31, of Attalla Donna Jo Pate, age 61, of Boaz Kenneth Hollingsworth, age 83, of Altoona Nila Faye Collins, age 88, of Boaz Wayne Turner, age 75, of Anniston Jerry Lee Watson, age 76, of Mountainboro Jerry "Jai" Glynn Abercrombie III, age 45, of Attalla Billy Ray Noojin, age 70, of Boaz Steve Norton, age 57, of Boaz Tammy Jones Parks, age 64, formerly of Sardis James Franklin Lang, age 78, of Horton Elaine Minckler, age 77, of Boaz Richard Bermel, age 81, of Boaz Mary Ellen Allison, age 73, of Boaz Jason Heath Minshew, age 50, of Boaz Richard Monroe Johnson, age 57, of Sardis Terry Lynn Collins, age 49, formerly of Boaz Mary Fay Helton Elkins, age 70, of Boaz Benny Gene Boland, age 61, of Boaz Stacey Reece Sims, age 55, of Chester, TN Billy "Mayor" Crow, age 74, of Henagar L.Q. Gilley, age 96, of Pisgah Jimmy Moore, age 85, of Pisgah Linda Webster, age 82, of Henagar Jimmy Roden, age 77, of Rainsville Marshall Memorial Funeral Home Johnathan Bankston passed away at age 21 Richard Samuel Haldeman, age 81, of Guntersville Maria Cobian, age 76, of Guntersville Willie Hubert Elkins passed away at age 78 Billy Wilson Young, passed away at age 87 Joyce Ann Ogle, age 75, of Boaz Rex Honea, age 82, of Attalla Rev. Jerry Butler, age 86, of Boaz Willodean Scott McDowell, age 90, of Boaz Kerby Funeral Home in Henagar McRae Funeral Home in Boaz Rev. Jim Brooks, age 75, of Sevierville, Tennessee Morgan Funeral Chapel and Crematory Thomas Henry Pondick, age 34, of Southside Douglas Wayne Hopkins, age 53, of Attalla David G. Hood, age 95, of Rainbow City Sylvia Nell Bain, age 96, of Altoona Tony Robinson, age 81, of Rainbow City Margrette Little, age 90, of Gadsden Anthony "Tony" Pruitt, age 59, of Attalla Charlotte Coin Harris, age 81, of Altoona Ruby Sue Roberts, age 94, age of Attalla Thomas Edward Rasch III, age 58, of Rainbow City Keela Lynn Pettys, age 62, of Rainbow City Joyce Dean Bost, age 81, of Attalla Virginia Ann Parker, age 72, of Attalla Peter Matthew Pope, age 36, of Goodwater Huston Lee Vann Jr., age 55, of Gadsden Edith Ann Fitts passed away at age 81 James Milton Glover, age 76, of Boaz Elsie M. Brooks Horton passed away at age 92 Joyce W. Swindall, age 83, of Rainbow City George Preston Gray III, age 67, of Gadsden William B. Bass Jr., age 77, of Hoover Hubert Lamar Colvin passed away at age 73 Rex Mayo, age 66, of Attalla Randa West Baggett, age 84, of Southside Rovine Thrasher, age 81, of Boaz Mark Crane, age 64, of Geraldine Mildred Holman, age 100, of Boaz
Billy Dan Crowe, age 80, of Fyffe Delia Faye Gray, age 80, of Dutton Mary Grace Oliver, age 83, of Rainsville Arlin Mae Gregory, age 86, of Rainsville
Larry W. King, age 75, of Gadsden Ann B. Loomis, age 83, of Gadsden
PAGE 4 December 2022
Lynn's Ledger Devotional Column By Denise Lynn Oh Christmas Tree!
DOUGLAS AREA SENIORS - The Douglas Senior Center offers fellowship with area senior citizens, games and a nutritious meal each weekday. The Senior Center is located at 335 Stadium Circle in Douglas, which is across from the High School. The senior center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. for those age 60 and older. In addition to food and games, the facility has exercise equipment, quilting facilities, and a pool table. A computer and sewing machines are also available. For more information call 256-840-1440. SPRING REGISTRATION - Registration at Gadsden State Community College for spring semester is ongoing through Jan. 13. Classes begin Jan. 9 for the full spring semester and spring mini 1 term. Classes begin March 3 for the spring mini 2 term. For more information email admissions@gadsdenstate.edu. START STRONG SCHOLARSHIP - Gadsden State Community College is awarding Start Strong Scholarships for the 2023-24 academic year. The scholarship covers up to six hours of tuition and fees for the 2023 fall semester and 2024 spring semester. It is open to graduating high school seniors. Applications are due March 1. Full- time, eligible students can get a combined 12 hours of credit paid for through the Start Strong Scholarship Program. The scholarship is not limited to those living within the Gadsden State service area. The Start Strong Scholarship will pay in-state tuition for out-of-state students. This is Gadsden State’s second year to award these scholarships worth almost $2,000 each. CRAPPIE TOURNAMENT - The Cedar Bluff Baseball program will be hosting its annual Crappie Fishing Tournament on April 1, 2023. The event starts at 6:30 a.m. For more information call 256-927-1750. AWARD WINNERS - Winners of the 2022 Chancellor’s Awards from Gadsden State Community College were recognized during the Alabama Community College Association Conference Nov. 20 in Birmingham. The winners were recognized also locally in September at the Spring Convocation held at Gadsden State Cherokee. Two members of faculty were selected for the award. They are Dr. Danetta McCurley and Elise Harbin. The support staff award went to Kathy Brown, and the administrator award winner was Jessica Slaten. CASTING CROWNS - Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater has announced it's 2023 concert season opener, which will include the Christian Rock band Casting Crowns. The band will be making SMPA a part of their 2023 Tour, as the Multi-platinum selling Grammy winners group will in Albertville on Saturday, April 15. Casting Crowns has many featured hit songs from the band’s current chart-topping Healer album (“Scars In Heaven,” “Crazy People”), The band has sold more than 12 million albums and they have won multiple Grammy, Dove and American Music Awards. There will be additional performances by special guests We Are Messengers and Ben Fuller. EAGLEAWARENESS - America’s national symbol, the bald eagle, will be celebrated in January and February when Lake Guntersville State Park hosts the annual Eagle Awareness Weekends, giving wildlife enthusiasts a chance to learn more about the magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. The popular weekend event attracts people of all ages from all over the United States who come to Guntersville to spend a winter getaway in one of Alabama’s most popular state parks immersed in nature-based learning. In 2023, Eagle Awareness will be held every weekend from January 20 through February 5. The 2023 dates and presentation programs are Jan. 20-22 (Wings to SOAR, Anniston Museum of Natural History and Alabama Wildlife Center), Jan. 27-29 (David Haggard, Raptor Ridge and Alabama Wildlife Center) and Feb. 3-5 (Auburn University, Rice Raptor Project and Alabama Wildlife Center). Activities get underway at 5:30 p.m. Friday, with activities throughout the day on Saturday and wraps up Sunday following the 11:30 a.m. program. Sessions typically fill up quickly and participants are encouraged to reserve a weekend by calling 256-505-6621. Lodging packages start at $324 and include lodging, two breakfasts, one dinner, a welcome packet, VIP access to presentations, discounts at the restaurant and gift shop, photo opportunities with birds of prey, activities for children, engagement with featured sponsors and one-on-one access with the naturalists. Day passes for programs only are $15/adults and $5/children 12 years old and under .
Oh Christmas Tree, how Iʼve ignored you. After the passing of my mom, building a house and moving, I just was not into putting up a Christmas Tree. It was a choice to put it on the back-burner. For the past eight seasons, I have been super busy being busy. Donʼt get me wrong, busy is good sometimes, especially in the grieving process. I will say it matters what your busy doing. I chose to step towards a dream of mine to open my own store, but somehow help people at the same time. I knew it was Gods will and He opened that door wide open, but that's a story for another day. We also decided to build our dream home, something the Lord gave my husband and I a vision for nearly 16 years prior when we took some time to discuss what our future would look like and our end goals. Also very much in Godʼs will as He opened that door wide open too, yet another miracle story to tell another day. Every Christmas since my mom's passing, I have been super busy. Blessed for sure with a beautiful home on the prettiest piece of property full of birds and critters, and the most amazing view. Also a house full of rooms to decorate for every holiday, and no matter how busy, I have managed to decorate with joy. So why did I ignore the tree? I didnʼt completely ignore it. The tree got put up eventually, but never decorated. I put a Charlie Brown tree up on Christmas Eve one year, and all the others were put up without their normal garland and ornaments. Very basic, it served a purpose and had a job, which was a place to put presents. Decorating a tree is personal for me. I am not that girl who searches Pinterest for the latest ideas and trends on ways to make my tree the most photo worthy shot on Facebook or Instagram. My tree could be described as hodge-podge. A giant melting pot of past styles I liked, different financial budgets, handmade and sentimental ornaments, and things I love. My tree tells a story over and over again. One ornament is a cross-stitched penguin hanging on a paperclip made by a little girl named Molly who was living at the children's home I worked and lived at. There's a mason jar lid with nail hole punches spelling “Christmas 1984” with ric-rack glued around the edges and a ribbon tie that my sweet grandmother made me for Christmas the year I graduated high school. Some of the other decorations I bought and picked out with people on shopping trips at the store, including my husband and all my kids. Then there are the few things that survived from my first apartment as a single gal at age 21. A time when I was feeling very proud to be putting up my very own tree, and sprung to spend $20 to get some really cute decorations. There are also the decades, the seasons of liking “kitschy style” (aka pre Pioneer woman style) garland, then
onto anything sparkly, sometimes silver, sometimes gold. Then I went through a big pink spell where every year my daughter and I carefully inserted the pink berry twigs, one of the few trends that I thought looked pretty cool. Then there's the star. Some do angels, others do the trendy bows, the gnome heads, the list goes on and on. However, I am still doing the star from my first adult Christmas. I inherited my mom's gold tree topper, but I decorate a display in the house with it and it sparkles so pretty. When I was younger mom always had an angel with the cotton band at the bottom that needed repairing every year. I still have that Angel somewhere safe. Christmas tree decorating was something fun for me and something my mom did every year. She always surprised me because she lived in a world of vanilla, tone- on tone and she was as monochromatic as they come. I however was born in full color and destined to enjoy and explore my rainbow world full of millions of colors. Pretty fitting that I live in a town called Rainbow City! Every Christmas was a small miracle as she strayed from her usual and wanted only multi-color lights. I was so happy about this! The lights were beautiful to me, so full of excitement, and definitely more festive in my opinion. My mom was very predictable for the most part, but I so enjoyed watching her face light up when she stretched herself and did what she wanted and realized she could stray away from the norm and still be as happy as punch. And she was. Precious memories, and that's something no one can ever take away from you. As far as my light choice, its non-blinking plain white because I need something neutral in my rainbow tree world. But make no mistake the small trees on my front porch for all the world to see (or at least those driving by) will always have multi-colored lights on them as the memory of my mom lives on, bringing me joy every time I see them. I was blessed last July driving home from work when I saw a man carrying a very large tree out to the side of the road. I did a U-turn and to my surprise it was a 10 foot flocked tree, exactly what I was praying for and thinking if I had one like that I might decorate it. Another God wink. The man helped me load it and it fits perfectly in our new house. God was telling me it's time. Time to decorate the tree and relive the stories, experience the flood of emotions, both good and bad. Iʼve been very busy decorating my Christmas tree and experiencing a new level of healing in my heart. Decorating my hodge-podge tree this season has brought me great joy and I think the old gal looks pretty good. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. ( From John 16:22)
Fake Prescription Pills May Contain Lethal Dose of Fentanyal
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is alerting the public of a sharp nationwide increase in the lethality of fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills. The DEA Laboratory has found that, of the fentanyl- laced fake prescription pills analyzed in 2022, six out of ten now contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. This is an increase from DEA’s previous announcement in 2021 that four out of ten fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills were found to contain a potentially lethal dose. “More than half of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills being trafficked in communities across the country now contain a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl. This marks a dramatic increase – from four out of ten to six out of ten – in the number of pills that can kill,” said Administrator Anne Milgram. “These pills are being mass-produced by the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco Cartel in Mexico. Never take a pill that wasn’t prescribed directly to you. Never take a pill from a friend. Never take a pill bought on social media. Just one pill is dangerous and one pill can kill.” Last year, the DEA issued a Public Safety Alert on the widespread drug trafficking of fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills in American communities. These pills are largely made by two Mexican drug cartels, the Sinaloa
Cartel and the Jalisco (CJNG) Cartel, to look identical to real prescription medications, including OxyContin®, Percocet®, and Xanax®, and they are often deadly. In 2021, the DEA seized more than 20.4 million fake prescription pills. Earlier this year, the DEA conducted a nationwide operational surge to target the trafficking of fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills and, in just over three months, seized 10.2 million fake pills in all 50 states. Through its One Pill Can Kill campaign, the DEA is working to alert the American public of the dangers of fake prescription pills. Fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing this country. It is a highly addictive synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, the small amount that fits on the tip of a pencil, is considered a potentially deadly dose. According to the CDC, 107,622 Americans died of drug poisoning in 2021, with 66 percent of those deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco Cartel in Mexico, using chemicals largely sourced from China, are primarily responsible for the vast majority of the fentanyl that is being trafficked in communities across the United States. For more information on the dangers of fentanyl, please visit Fentanyl Awareness (dea.gov).
Theft Ring Busted
PAGE 5 December 2022
Three Rainsville residents have been arrested after a multi-agency and multi-state investigation. According to a press release from the Rainsville Police Department, those arrested were Tammy Walters (49), Kristie Cobb (25), and Jake Carter (25). All three were arrested on theft warrants obtained by Summerville, GA Police Department. During the Albertville Education's November 2022 meeting, Superintendent Dr. Boyd K. English provided the board with an update on flu numbers in the system. He noted that the numbers were down significantly, and credited the two back-to- back three-day weekends as being a big help to combat the high numbers. He also shared his excitement about getting back to a pre-pandemic calendar format, as the board approved the 2023- 2024 Academic Calendar. Employees voted to move spring break to a week earlier than in years past to March 18-22, 2024, to better prepare students for testing that’s held in the beginning of April. The calendar also includes a three-day fall break, a week-long Thanksgiving break and a Christmas break that spans 12 days. In other business, Dr. English commended Chief Financial Officer Christy Mead and her team for their hard work on successfully closing out fiscal 2022. The district currently has a fund balance of Board of
The Dade County (GA), Trenton Police Department (GA), Summerville Police Department (GA), Trion Police Department (GA), Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Task Force (GA), and Fort Payne Police Departments, all traveled to Rainsville where a Warrant Operation was coordinated with Rainsville Police Department. Sheriff’s Office 4.4 months of operation. Beginning fiscal 2022, the district had a total fund balance of $41,099,900. Revenues and expenditures for fiscal 2022 totaled $74,726,942 and $68,902,824. Other financing sources totaled $576,321 bringing the district to an excess of $6,400,439. The district began fiscal 2023 with a total fund balance of $47,500,339. Technology Coach Spring Charles spoke about her experience at the 2022 Pathway Conference presented by Woz Ed in Scottsdale, AZ. The conference featured innovative educators in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, and Ms. Charles was chosen as the sole presenter from Alabama at the conference. Albertville Primary School was November’s School of the Month and Principal Dr. Miranda Battles and Assistant Principal Cynthia McCain presented the crowd with a presentation about what’s going on at the school. Additionally, students Kaylee Isom and Caroline
Authorities said that the truck used for the thefts was located at a residence in the 700 block of county road 311 in the Peeks Corner community. All three subjects were found and arrested at a residence in the 600 Block of Kirk Road in Rainsville. A short time after the arrest were made in Rainsville; investigators were able to locate a stolen Rains were also present to open the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. The following items were also approved during the board meeting: The Oct. 18 and Nov. 2 meeting minutes; updated fundraising revenue for November; the listing of inventory to be recycled and deleted; the surplus and destruction of outdated textbooks at AES; and the “Opt-In for Mental Health Services by Parent or Legal Guardian” policy that was presented for the first reading at the Oct. 18 regular board meeting. Noah Zych-Goodwin and Benjamin Andrew Vaugh were both approved as independent contractors to provide services with the Albertville High School Show Choir as an accompanist. Their pay, which will not exceed $2,000 each will be from AHS choir funds and the term is effective from Nov. 16, 2022 through May 31, 2023. Makiko Jones was approved as an independent contract to provide her services to the AHS Band to alter formal wear. Her
trailer and four-wheeler in Hamilton County TN. Cobb, Walters, and Carter have been linked to thefts in Dade County (GA), Trenton (GA), Summerville (GA), Ringgold (GA), Chickamauga (GA), Fort Payne, DeKalb County, Rainsville, and Albertville. Additional warrants are expected to be signed. All three subjects have been extradited to Georgia. pay, which will not exceed $2,000, will be from AHS Band funds and the term is effective from Nov. 16, 2023 through May 31, 2023. The financials and reconciliations for Sept. and October were also approved. In September, the district’s revenue totaled $9,331,387.71, and the expenditures totaled $11,507,436.08. October’s revenue totaled $5,258,301.51, and expenditures totaled $5,209,805.99. November fundraising requests were approved for FCCLA and the baseball team at AHS, the library and PTO at Albertville Intermediate School, and the PTO at Albertville Primary School. The Board also approved a school-wide fundraiser at Albertville Pre-K and Kindergarten and extended a fundraiser by the PTO at APS. The Albertville Cheerleaders received approval to travel to Lake Buena Vista, FL to compete in the National High School Cheerleading Championship Feb. 7-14, 2023.
Albertville BOE Approves 2023-24 Academic Calendar
Albertville Senior Set to Perform at Carnegie Hall Alec Abney, a member of the Aggie Band and the Albertville High School Wind Ensemble, will join performers from across the United States for a special performance at the world- famous Carnegie Hall in February 2023. A 17-year-old Albertville High School student is going to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall as part of a prestigious music program reserved for the highest-rated young performers from across the world. Alec Abney, a member of the Aggie Band and the AHS Wind Ensemble, will join performers from across the United States for a special performance at the world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of music achievement. As a participant in the High School Honors Performance Series, Alec will have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned conductors and work with other performers prior to the Feb. 5, 2023, performance where he will play the french horn with the Honors Symphonic Band. “This is a surreal moment for me,” said Abney, who hopes to perform as a career in the future. “I’m thrilled to have been selected to perform on such a special stage. It’s the dream of a lifetime for any performer. It’s going to allow me to get my foot in the door and give me opportunities to advance my career in performance.” The Honors Performance Series was created to showcase accomplished individual student performers on an international level by allowing them to study under master conductors and perform in world-renowned venues. Alec auditioned for the series and was accepted after a review by the Honors Selection Board. Almost 10,000 nominations were turned in this year to the board. Acceptance into the elite group is a direct result of talent, dedication and achievement demonstrated in their application and audition. Alec has studied music for six years and has served as section leader since his sophomore year. He started playing the french horn in eighth grade, after starting the trumpet in seventh grade. “I’m really proud of Alec. He’s earned this opportunity for himself, and I’m excited for him to have this experience,” said Albertville High School Director of Bands Dr. Taylor Cash, who has worked with Alec since middle school. “It’s special to see a student who comes in with a good work ethic and develops on their own and works hard through it and they are finally able to realize their full potential and earn these opportunities for themselves.” In addition to this honor, Alec has also been selected as an All-State finalist each year since eighth grade, and he has also participated in the University of Alabama and Auburn University honor bands. He plans to attend Troy University in the fall of 2023, where he intends to major in music education and minor in performance.
Law enforcement officials recently recovered multiple guns and chainsaws that were stolen from the Scottsboro area. According to DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden, patrol deputies conducted a traffic stop in the Sylvania Community on November 29, 2022. Authorities arrested Justin Wade Bass (age 26 of Henagar) on felony warrants. Welden added that during an inventory of the vehicle a firearm was recovered that had been stolen during a burglary in Scottsboro. After an investigation by DeKalb County Criminal Investigators, Patrol Deputies, Drug Agents, and Detectives with Scottsboro Police Department, authorities also arrested William Charles Sparks (age 32 of Fort Payne) on November 30, 2022 in Valley Head. During the arrest of Sparks, several more stolen guns and chainsaws were recovered that were related to the burglary in Scottsboro. Sparks was charged with Burglary 3rd, Theft of Property 1st, Theft of Property 4th, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Attempt to Elude and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. During the course of the investigation, James Christopher Arsenault (age 31 of Valley Head) was also arrested for felony warrants. “We would like to thank Rainsville, Sylvania and Powell Police Department for their assistance during the investigation. With the arrest of these three individuals, we were able to close two Burglary and Theft cases from DeKalb County during the investigation," said Welden. Stolen Guns and Chainsaws Recovered
By Brandon K. Pierce Alabama Ledger According to authorities two foreign exchange students have moved out of the state following the arrest of a Valley Head women and a charge of contributing to Minors. According to DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden, two foreign exchange students were removed from Catherine C. Findley’s (age 52 of Valley Head) home on November 2, 2022 following an investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit, DeKalb County Drug Task Force and ASSE – World Heritage, which is a foreign exchange student company. Welden added that Findley was arrested on Thursday November 17, 2022 and charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a minor (x2), Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. This investigation is ongoing with more charges pending. “I am so thankful this situation had a good ending. I pray that both students can put this behind them and continue with the program,” said Welden. Authorities also reported that both students are safe and are continuing with the program. Woman charged with contributing to minors
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SPORTS LEDGER Read Free Online at www.TheSportsLedger.com The PAGE 6 November 2022
Fyffe Wins State Title
By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger
AUBURN - Winning a state championship, in any sport, is a huge accomplishment. To achieve the feat with a perfect record is even more impressive and to repeat the process in multiple years is monumental. The 2022 Fyffe football season was indeed monumental. The Red Devils finished the year with a perfect 15-0 record for the sixth time in nine seasons. Fyffe also clinched the program’s sixth state football championship since 2014 with a 40-28 victory over B.B. Comer in the 2022 AHSAA Class 2A State Title Game, which as played at Jordan Hare Stadium in Auburn. “It keeps getting better,” said Fyffe Head Coach Paul Benefield. “This group, I didn’t see it coming. We play nine kids both ways. You expect those injuries will eventually catch up to you – like Logan.” Benefield was referring to sophomore running back Logan Anderson, who ran for nearly 2,000 yards before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the Red Devils semifinal victory over Pisgah. Anderson, who was watching from the sideline, was missed in the lineup. However, his Fyffe teammates were spectacular on their own. Brodie Hicks set a Class 2A State Championship game record with five touchdowns in the victory over B.B. Comer. Hicks carried the football 45 times for 235 yards, and he was named the championship game’s MVP. “It’s tough because you run up the middle every time,” Hicks said. “You run into people’s faces. It’s definitely not fun. You’ve got to suck it up and do it.” Those words were true as Fyffe had to learn to “suck it up” quickly. The Red Devils fell behind early, as B.B. Comber found the end zone in only two plays. The Tigers added a two-point conversion to go up 8-0. Fyffe’s opening possession stalled quickly, and B.B. Comer had a chance to make it a two score lead on the next drive. However, the Tigers could not haul in what might have been a touchdown catch. That was the first of several mistakes, miscues and turnovers for B.B. Comer and one that Fyffe took advantage of. Ryder Gipson capped off the Red Devils second possession with a 1-yard touchdown run to cut B.B. Comer’s lead to 8-6. Fyffe missed the two-point conversion attempt. Hicks followed up Gipson’s scoring, with his record setting performance of five straight touchdowns. The Class 2A MVP scored on a six-yard run and a one- yard run to pull Fyffe ahead 19-8 at the end of the opening quarter. B.B. Comer kept the game close, as the Tiger’s hauled in a 44-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter to cut Fyffe’s lead to 19-16. Hicks added his third touchdown just before halftime to give the Red Devils a 26-16 advantage at the break. Fyffe slowed down the pace in the third quarter. The Red Devils opening possession of the second half lasted 6:22 and covered 63 yards. Hicks capped off the 11-play drive with his fourth touchdown. His 19-yard scamper put Fyffe on top 33-16. B.B. Comer scored twice in the final quarter. However, Hicks was not done as he added his fifth touchdown of the night with 3:57 remaining. His seven-yard run helped seal the Red Devils 40-28 Class 2A State Championship. “We knew we were going to have to run it between the tackles,” said Benefield. “That’s Brodie’s strong point. … We just mainly ran two of three plays in the second half.” Benefield finished the season in third place in AHSAA history with 336 career wins. B.B. Comer’s Kamore Harris paced the Tigers with 180 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Teammate Tristian Garrett rushed for 29 yards and a touchdown.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association’s State Baseball and Softball Championships have found a permanent home – at least for the next five years. AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs has announced that an agreement has been reached with the City of Oxford and Jacksonville State University to host the AHSAA State Baseball Championships and State Softball Championships at Oxford’s Choccolocco Park and Jacksonville State University’s Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium through 2027. The AHSAA State Softball Championships moved to Choccolocco Park in the spring of 2021 and returned in 2022. The AHSAA State Baseball Championships were moved last spring to Choccolocco Park’s signature baseball field for game one of each of the best 2-of-3 championship series for each classification. The final two games, if needed, were played at JSU last spring due to schedule conflict at Montgomery’s Riverwalk Stadium. The softball championships consist of eight-team double elimination tournaments in each of the AHSAA’s seven classes. Both sites drew rave reviews from AHSAA member schools and fans that attended the 2021 and 2022 softball championships and the 2022 baseball championships. “We are excited to have our state championships in both sports locked in for the next five years and hopefully for many years to come,” said Briggs. “Our experience with softball at Choccolocco Park and baseball last spring at Choccolocco Park and JSU was incredible. We had packed crowds for most of our games. Both sites provided real championship experiences and life-long memories for our teams, schools and communities that traveled to attend.” Oxford Mayor Alton Craft and Oxford Parks and Recreation Director Don Hudson are both excited about the new agreement. “We are grateful to host the state softball finals at Choccolocco Park and to co-host the AHSAA state baseball finals with Jacksonville State University,” said Craft. “The city of Oxford is proud to partner with the Alabama High School Athletic Association for these premier championships, and we are looking forward to creating memorable experiences for our participants and guests.” Hudson adds, “We are very proud to host the 2023 state softball tournament and co-host the 2023 state baseball tournament. We are very pleased we have such a great working relationship with the AHSAA. We are honored to host such a prestigious event.” JSU President Don Killingsworth said, “Jacksonville State is excited about continuing our longstanding relationship with the AHSAA in hosting the baseball state championships for the next five years. We look forward to partnering with the city of Oxford in hosting this tremendous event.” Greg Seitz, JSU Athletic Director has been working with AHSAA championships for many years. “Jacksonville State couldn’t be more excited to secure the AHSAA Baseball Finals at Jim Case Stadium for the next five years,” he said. “We felt that the event in 2022 was a tremendous success and are proud to be a part of that going forward. Our partnership with hosting AHSAA events goes back many years, and we look forward to crowning state champions on our campus and hosting those student-athletes and their fans for many years to come.” The new contract, which begins May 15-20, 2023, will solidify the two spring sports championships on fields that have hosted a number of state and national events. Choccolocco Park has a signature field for softball and baseball, and JSU’s Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium is one of the South’s premier collegiate baseball stadiums. Trent Dilfer Named UAB Head Coach The University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) football program has named Trent Dilfer as the team's new head coach. He is a former NFL and Super Bowl Champion, spending fourteen years in the National Football League. AHSAA Signs 5-Year Agreement Keeping Baseball And Softball Finals at Oxford & JSU Submitted Photo JSU's Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Class 2A MVP Brodie Hicks
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Fyffe's Ryder Gipson (#11)
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Fyffe's Tucker Wilks (#70) attempts to recover a B.B. Comer fumble
Photo Courtesy of Ann Nelson Photography
Cornerstone Christian Senior MacKenzie Ely recently signed a volleyball scholarship with Snead State Community College in Boaz. MacKenize was supported in the decision by her teammates, her parents Cristy and Chris Ely, her sister Chloe Ely, Cornerstone Christian Coach Teri Jo Edwards, and Snead State Coach Cristie Brothers. Volleyball Scholarship
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