Local News
The Dekalb County Technology Center (DCTC), located at 409 Main St. East in Rainsville, AL., will host orientation for their Medical Science Students on Tuesday, July 16, 2019. The meeting will be held in the board meeting room of the Dekalb County Schools Facilities Building, which is located behind the Dekalb County Technology Center. The…
The State of Alabama will hold its 14th Annual “Back to School” Sales Tax Holiday, July 19– 21, 2019. This will be for school related items (see official list at the bottom for exact items) and begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 19th and will end at midnight Sunday, July 21st. The “Back to School”…
The Dekalb County Commission met on Tuesday, July 9, 2019. In the meeting, the Commission heard from Lucas Blankenship, director of Economic Development and Planning with TARCOG (Alabama Regional Council of Governments), about a community development block grant. Mr. Blankenship addressed the Commission about filing for money in the amount of $350,000, with a local…
GADSDEN POST – According to Trooper Curtis Summerville, Public Information Officer for ALEA, a single-vehicle crash today, July 12, 2019, in DeKalb County has claimed one life and injured another. Yasin Escalante Ortiz, 24, of Boaz was killed when the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado pickup, in which he was a passenger, left the roadway and struck a utility…
The Dekalb County Board of Education held a meeting on Friday, July 12, 2019. Here is a list of business conducted in the meeting: Retirements/Resignations Cyndy Smith – Network Manager (12 months) – Central Office – Retirement – 9/1/19 Crestah Taylor – Pre-K Teacher – Plainview High School – Resignation – 7/8/19 Tina Lyles –…
Cornerstone Christian Academy, in Rainsville, Al., will hold parent orientations for both returning and new families. During these orientations, administration will be on hand updating families on changes and what’s happening at CCA. These orientations are for both returning and new families. Schedule for orientations are as follows: •Preschool (K2-K4) Parent orientation is August 4,…
HUNTSVILLE —The Alabama Department of Transportation advises motorists that Alabama 71between Jackson County 99 and Jackson County 697 north of Flat Rock will be closed to through traffic from 6 p.m. Friday, July 19 to 6 a.m. Monday, July 22, weather permitting, for a pipe repair. The official detour route for southbound traffic is Alabama…
Date: 07/11/2019 Press Release – Elderly Abuse On July 9th Chief Randy Bynum stated a call came into the Fort Payne Police Department requesting officers to respond to 305 Bus Circle SW. Fort Payne Fire Medics were already on scene when officers arrived, he said. Officers made contact with a 78 year old elderly female…
Friday July 5th Incidents Theft of Property – Occurred at 310 1st Street E, a Husqvarna 365 chainsaw was taken, valued at $1000.00 0 Arrests 0 Accident with 0 Injuries Saturday July 6th Incidents Damaged Property – Occurred at 1808 Gault Ave S, a fire extinguisher cabinet and an awning support pole was…
Friday June 28th Incidents Theft of Property – Occurred at 2106 Alabama Ave NW, hand tools and power tools were taken, valued at $100.00 Lost Currency – Occurred at 1800 Gault Ave NW, $100.00 in currency was lost 8 Arrests Corey Joseph Nellis, age 20 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Public Intoxication at…
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Over the last several weeks, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has added several new K-9 units! The new K-9 program includes 3 new narcotics dogs and 2 tracking dogs. Two of the new drug dogs will be on the road full time, while the third narcotics dog will be used in…
Friday June 28th Incidents Theft of Property – Occurred at 2106 Alabama Ave NW, hand tools and power tools were taken, valued at $100.00 Lost Currency – Occurred at 1800 Gault Ave NW, $100.00 in currency was lost 8 Arrests Corey Joseph Nellis, age 20 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Public Intoxication at…
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — A man was recently taken into custody regarding a fatal accident that occurred in Henagar back in 2018. Lester Macklin (26 of Detroit, Michigan) was transported back to DeKalb County from Detroit by the U.S. Marshalls last week. Macklin is facing charges of Murder and Manslaughter. Macklin was living in Sylvania…
Monday June 24th Incidents Fraudulent Use of Credit/Debit Card – Occurred at 1806 Alyson Ave NW, charges of $590.14 was made without authorization Damaged Property – Occurred at 2008 Industrial Blvd SW, a Trimble Robotic Laser S-5 was damaged, valued at $25000.00 Damaged Property – Occurred at 1611 Airport Road W, a rollup door…
Area residents are in for a treat this summer as Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) Theatre brings the iconic play Driving Miss Daisy to the college stage. Additionally, acclaimed professional actress Sandra Ellis Lafferty will be starring in the role of Miss Daisy Werthan. Ms. Lafferty, throughout her distinguished career, has been in some fifty…
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — This week, the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit has seized a large amount of methamphetamine in several incidents. Yesterday (June 28, 2019), The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit was working an area in Rainsville regarding complaints from citizens. During a traffic stop a quarter-pound of Methamphetamine in crystal form (Ice) was found….
Dekalb County – A single-vehicle crash today, June 29, has claimed the life of a Georgia man. James Harold Hillis, 61, of Silver Creek, Ga., was killed when the 1999 Mack tractor trailer he was driving ran off the roadway and struck a ditch before overturning and catching fire. Hillis was pronounced dead at the…
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — This morning, the DeKalb County Criminal Interdiction team was working the major highways and interstates within the county. Around 10:30 am, interdiction deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near the 218 mile marker of I-59. After searching the vehicle, ten illegal aliens were located in a vehicle. After an…
MONTGOMERY – Jamie Lee, Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (ASADCA), announced Friday that invitations have been issued to 100 boys’ and 100 girls’ basketball players who will participate in the AHSADCA’s Basketball Showcase planned for June 22. The Showcase will allow outstanding student-athletes still in high school the opportunity…
Jonathon Phillips, Career Tech Director for DeKalb County Schools, and the DeKalb County Career Tech, would like to offer Congratulations to Seth Maddox. Seth is a 2019 graduate of Geraldine High School and just won at the National Microsoft Office Specialist Championship! Seth was a student in the Geraldine High School Business Career Tech Program….
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Saturday night (June 15, 2019) at approximately 10 pm, a Grove Oak man was arrested after deputies responded to a house fire. DeKalb County Deputies were dispatched to County Road 396 after it was reported that a man had set a house of a family member ablaze and had allegedly threatened…
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Last night (Thursday, June 14, 2019), DeKalb County Deputies interrupted a Kratom trafficking operation on Interstate 59. A Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at approximately 8 pm. During the stop, it was noticed that an open container of alcohol was inside the vehicle. After a search, Deputies found…
Monday June 10th Incidents Theft of Property – Occurred at 4001 Williams Ave NE Apt K 145, miscellaneous clothing was taken, valued at $100.00 5 Arrests Chad Alphonzo McElrath, age 44 of Fort Payne, was arrested on Two Warrants for Failure to Appear at 8:56 am Jason Dexter Williamson, age 41 of Henagar, was arrested…
Sunday June 9th Incidents Theft of Property – Occurred at Wal-Mart, sunglasses and a cowboy hat were taken, valued at $23.32 2 Arrests Austin Shane Medlock, age 20 of Fort Payne, was arrested on Two Revocation Warrants and a Warrant for Outside Agency at 2:46 am Deendra La Juan Walker, age 24 of Fort…
SUBJECT: Activity for June3 thru June 6, 2019 Monday June 3rd Incidents Theft of Property – Occurred at 1357 Godfrey Ave NE, an Apple iPhone 10 was taken, valued at $900.00 Fraudulent Use of a Credit/Debit Card – Occurred at 2645 Greenhill Blvd NW, charges of $245.00 were made without authorization Theft of Property…
Northeast Alabama Community College announced today that Ms. Kayleigh Smith has been named the college’s Theater Director starting Fall Semester 2019. “Ms. Smith is extremely talented and experienced,” stated NACC President Dr. David Campbell. “She has essentially grown up in the NACC theater culture, but has substantial experience in other locations as well.” Ms. Smith…
Monday May 27th Incidents Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Vehicle – Occurred at 1968 Godfrey Ave NE, $140.00 in currency and a PlayStation VR headset were taken, valued at $230.00 Theft of Property – Occurred at 107 7th Street NW, three baseball bats, three baseball gloves and four baseballs were taken, valued at $132.00…
The Fort Payne City Council met on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. In the meeting, the council presented the Fort Payne Board of Education with two checks, one for $50,000 and one for $150,000, for a total of $200,000. This money will be used to purchase school supplies, so students and parents do not have to…
The Rainsville City Council met Monday, June 03, 2019. The council informed the public that there is a no burn order in effect, which bans outside burning, until October 31, 2019, for air quality. Announced the City received $16,500 from the insurance company for a recent totaled police car. Discussed the Boozer Bridge project. The…
Date: 05/29/2019 Title: Press Release On Tuesday May 28th at approximately 4:57 pm a call of a two-vehicle accident was reported to the Fort Payne Police Department Chief Randy Bynum stated. Officers arrived on scene and discovered a 2003 Jeep Liberty, driven by Robert Joseph Hairell age 21 of Fort Payne and a 1997 Nissan…
With the help of workforce funding and local support, Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) has begun a Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) program. Key to the local support was the donation of a tractor truck by local businessman Samuel Noble of Noble LLC. The 160-hour program, which started May 6, will train students to earn their…
AL 40 to close for weekend pipe repair HUNTSVILLE —The Alabama Department of Transportation advises motorists that a 1.4-milesection of Alabama 40 in Jackson County will be closed this weekend for drainage repairs. The highway will be closed in both directions between County Road 19 and County Road 418 from about 6 a.m. Saturday, April…
The Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office held training and qualifying yesterday (Thursday April 18, 2019) for all of their employees. Training was held from 1:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Sheriff Nick Welden stated, “This is something we do to better prepare our employees.” Officers were trained on night time stress shooting, shots fired after a car…
The city council presented Anita Shankles with a retirement plaque for her 20 plus years of service to the Fort Payne Parks & Recreations Department. The city council invited the public to come to the Fort Payne Walking Park, this Friday, April 19, 2019, for Chalk Art in the Park Day. Approved Resolution 2019-18, declaring…
RAINSVILLE, AL. — The City of Rainsville has announced its 2019 spring cleanup for the month of May, running May 6th through June 1, 2019. If you are a current sanitation customer of the City of Rainsville, you can bring items for disposal to the roll-off dumpsters that are located behind the Rainsville City Shop…
Today Sheriff Welden adopted two dogs from the DeKalb County Animal Shelter! One is going home with him, the other will be our office dog! The Animal Shelter is on Jordan Road in Fort Payne right next to the sheriff’s office, and they have plenty of dogs & cats that need a good home! A…
Dekalb County Commission Meeting for April 9, 2019 Mr. Broyles with the county road department gave an update that the road department is working on patching pot holes in the county. Work is also continuing on the slide area on Tutwiler Gap and is getting close to being finished. Mr. Broyles stated he believed the…
Press Release From Jackson County Sheriff’s Office 04/09/2019 Missing 17 year old and child LOCATED The Jackson County Sheriffs Office is happy to report that 17 year old Shayla Hope WOOD and her 9 month old child, who were reported missing on March 27, 2019 from their home in Flat Rock, Alabama have been located….
Local artist Bonita Eileen, from Fort Payne, Al., will be featured at Dollywood’s Heartsong Theatre in Pigeon Forge, TN. on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Bonita has been singing gospel music in church since she was just 5 years old, recording since she was 28, and has lived in Fort Payne all her life. She has…
Sheriff Nick Weldon and officers from the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department participated in the North Alabama Family Service Center’s Child Abuse Awareness Month Event. The event was held at the Dekalb County Courthouse today, April 2, 2019. Members of the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department, along with other guests, planted pinwheels at the courthouse to honor…
From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Early Saturday morning (March 30, 2019), the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a male sitting near the gas station at the intersection of Highway 35 and County Road 47 (Powell Crossing). It was believed that the individual had narcotics…
Official Press Release from FPPD: Activity for March 25 thru March 28, 2019 Monday March 25th Incidents Damaged Vehicle – Occurred at 102 Drinkard Drive NW, a mirror on a 2019 Freightliner Cascadia was damaged, valued at $200.00 Theft of Property – Occurred at 1400 Sanders Ave NE, a 2005 Ford Freestar van was…
Press Release from FPPD, March 28, 2019 On March 26th at approximately 8:10 pm a fourteen year old juvenile male of Fort Payne was taken into custody by the Fort Payne Police Department and agents of the Dekalb County Drug Task Force Chief Randy Bynum reported. The juvenile was charged with three counts of Theft…
The Dekalb County Technology Center, in partnership with Northeast Alabama Community College, the Alabama Fire College, and the Rainsville Fire Department, offers a new Fire Science Program this year, taught at the Rainsville Fire Hall. The Director of the Alabama Fire College, Matt Russell, Region 2 Coordinator Mike Hill, Section Chief Arthur Willis, and Cece…
Official Press Release FPPD Chief Randy Bynum stated a body was found on today’s date in Wills Creek south off of Prestwood Drive. Chief Bynum stated a call came in at 12:40 pm. When personnel arrived on scene they discovered the body of a white male. Bynum reported the investigation continues and further details will…
Official Press Release Chief Randy Bynum stated on March 11, a Sanders Avenue resident reported a theft of property. The resident stated while he was in his yard, he observed a white female driving a Nissan Frontier pull in front of his residence. The home owner stated to officers the female started removing items from…
Twelve local businesses and industry representatives partnered with Crossville High School to conduct mock interviews at the school on Wednesday, May 20, 2019. Approximately 85 eleventh grade students were interviewed for this event. Each business or industry simulated hiring one student from the interview process. Students were rewarded for their efforts with gifts and prizes…
At the Fort Payne City Council meeting, held on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, Mayor Larry Chesser read a proclamation in honor of John Mathieu, Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church, who is retiring. Erin Franklin, with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, recognized the Fort Payne Fire Department for their continued and dedicated support of the MDA. She…
Official press release furnished by Valley Joist + Deck Valley Joist + Deck announces plans to build new, state-of-the-art, joist and deck plant in Fort Payne, Alabama. “We are committed to growing our joist and deck operation in Fort Payne. Building the new plant is an important step in our growth strategy. Through our partnership…
The Rainsville City Council met Monday, March 18, 2019. The council approved the following: Approved the minutes from the last meeting. Approved to surplus a 2008 fire truck. Approved to surplus some radios and exercise equipment. Approved to authorize the Mayor to dispense funds for new radar equipment for the Police Department in the amount…
Official Press Release from Fort Payne Police Department SUBJECT: Activity for March 11 thru March 14, 2019 Monday March 11th Incidents Damaged Property – Occurred at 200 19th Street NE, a mailbox was damaged, valued at $40.00 Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Vehicle – 100 silver coins and sterling silver silverware were taken, valued…
Mountain View Christian Academy in Bryant competed at the State Beta Convention. Syler Stone won Second in state in 6th grade Language Arts, Gage Blevins won 3rd in state in 6th grade History, Jayden Lea won 2nd in the state in 8th grade Science, and the Mountain View Beta club won 3rd in the Service…
Awards for Henagar Jr. Beta 1st place Anna Beth McSpadden – Individual Talent 1st place – Gold Key Award 1st place Wynston Keith – Elementary Woodworking 1st place David Godwin – 5th grade Social Studies 1st place Aidan Rains – Elementary Technology 1st place Wynston Keith – and Best in Show Elementary Woodworking 1st place…
The Sylvania Jr. Beta Club brought home numerous awards and filled State offices this week at the Alabama State Jr. Beta Convention, which was held in Birmingham, Al., at the BJCC. Braydon Kittle was elected to serve as the 2019-2020 State Vice President. Sylvania Beta Winners Elementary Division 1st Engineering Natalie Atchley, Lucas Buttram &…
On March 8, 2019 DCTC Welding Instructor Russell McFall took 5 students to compete in the annual SkillsUSA Northeast Alabama District Contest held at Wallace State Community College. Ten counties that make up the Northeast District came together to compete for the top 3 spots to represent their district at the state level. The contest…
The Sylvania High School FFA recently brought home some 1st and 2nd place awards in several competitions recently held at Calhoun Community College. Cody Turner won 1st place in creed speaking and Alexis Stevens won 1st place in prepared public speaking and was also elected to serve as FFA district treasurer. The FFA welding team,…
Press Release SUBJECT: Train Hits Vehicle Thursday morning March 14th at 2:30 am in the area of 55th street NE and Gault Ave N at the railroad crossing a 2011 Nissan Rogue was struck by a Norfolk Southern train engine. Witness stated that the vehicle ran off the roadway and became lodged on the tracks….
Friday March 8th Incidents 4 Arrests Brian Anthony Perdue, age 34 of Rainsville, was arrested for DUI at 11:45 pm Eduardo Francisco, age 18 of Fort Payne, was arrested for DUI and Minor in Possession/Consumption of Alcohol at 5:09 am Angel Elias Velasquez, age 21 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Public Intoxication at…
For the 2018-2019 school year, Plainview High School added a new visual arts program to help students get more hands-on art instruction. There has been an overwhelming response from the students in the program. Many students are receiving the new opportunity to draw, paint, and create pieces of masterful artwork. Mrs. Regina Huber, who holds…
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Early Saturday morning, the DeKalb Ambulance Service (DAS) and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a home in the Painter community, after a man had notified them his girlfriend was unresponsive. The victim, Melissa Nicole Waldrep (31 of Crossville), was pronounced deceased on the scene. The DeKalb County Coroner, Sheriff’s…
Press Release On Saturday March 9th at 11:30 pm at 105 13th Street NW Apartment # 45 a home invasion occurred Chief Randy Bynum stated. Witnesses reported that a while female along with a juvenile white female burst into the back door of this residence looking for the renter of the apartment. The witnesses stated…
Press Release Monday March 4th Incidents Theft of Property – Occurred at 1202 Adamsburg Road E, $3962.99 in currency was taken Theft of Property – Occurred at 102 Drinkard Drive NW, two pillows and a Duvet were taken, valued at $83.90 Theft of Property – Occurred at 103 20th Street SW, a 14 Karat…
Friday March 1st Incidents Theft of Property – Occurred at 1807 Glenn Blvd SW, a pair of Under Armour Phantom SE shoes were taken, valued at $130.00 7 Arrests Eric Scott Trotman, age 34 of Fyffe, was arrested on Three Warrants for Failure to Appear at 12:51am Roberto Antonio Castillo, age 20 of Collinsville,…
On Wednesday March 6th, new charges were filed on Shane Lee Henegar, age 47 of Fort Payne. Henegar is currently in the Dekalb County Detention Center on charges he was unable to make bond for in 2018. Chief Randy Bynum stated those charges were Robbery 1st, Sexual Abuse 1st, Breaking and Entering a Vehicle and…
“Made in Dekalb”, is an annual event put together by the Dekalb County Economic Development Authority, to give students of Dekalb county the opportunity to explore the various careers and jobs that are available in Dekalb county. This year about 90 different businesses, manufacturers, and industries from across the county are in attendance and have…
FORT PAYNE, Ala. —Last week was a productive one for the DeKalb County Drug and Major Crimes Unit. From February 21st – 28th agents recovered and seized 390 grams of methamphetamine as well as 178 grams of Kratom as a result of investigating citizen’s tips and complaints. Various amounts of other illegal drugs were also…
RAINSVILLE, AL. — The director of the Northeast Alabama Agri-Business Center, Mike Sweat, officially resigned tonight. The Rainsville City Council held its regular monthly meeting tonight and at the end of regular business a motion was made by Councilman Brandon Freeman to go into executive session, to discuss the good name and character of an…
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Statement from Sheriff Nick Welden regarding Amberly Barnett case: We would like to announce that an arrest has been made in the case of 11-year-old Amberly Alexis Barnett’s death. Christopher Wayne Madison, age 33, has been arrested and charged with Capital Murder. He is being held without bond. Her body was…
The State of Alabama, along with Emergency Management in Dekalb county are assessing damages from the recent flooding the area received over the past week. According to estimates, these are the costs for emergency work in the following areas. Emergency work: Mentone Co. Rd. 89, debris, $25,000.00 Rescue at Bucks Pocket, road…
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office held a news conference this afternoon in reference to missing 11-year-old Amberly Lee Barnett. Dekalb County Sheriff Nick Weldon said the deceased body of Amberly Lee Barnett was found around d 6:30 AM this morning and no additional details would be released at this time. The…
According to the DeKalb County, Al. Sheriff’s office Bucks Pocket State Park is closed. “Buck’s Pocket is now closed on both sides. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is now on scene and will be issuing citations for those who do not obey the closure. The water levels are back rising again due to additional rainfall.”
Cold Springs jumped out to a 16-6 lead by the end of the first period, as The Fyffe Lady Red Devils had a slow start. Cold Springs known for shooting a lot of 3 point shots, hit several in the first period to mount their 10 point lead. Fyffe was able to close the gap…
February 28, 2019 12:30 PM – A spokesperson with the Jackson County Sheriff’s office confirmed today that the missing teenager and vehicle have not been found at Bucks Pocket State Park. On February 22, 2019, emergency services were notified of an incident at Bucks Pocket involving a vehicle being swept from the park roadway, at…
WVSM radio would like to thank Nick Hall for being “The Voice of the Plainview Bears.” Nick announced all of the Plainview Football and Basketball games on the Plainview Sports Network, Rejoice 103.1 FM and online at www.wvsmfm.com. Nick does an outstanding job, and we appreciate all of his hard work. Many people have asked…
RAINSVILLE, AL. – County Road 835 (Old HWY 35) between Rainsville and Fort Payne, Al. is closed, until further notice, due to the ground sliding and making the roadway unsafe for travel. Also, there is a possible natural gas leak in the area, due to the land slide. Gas officials are in route. Please avoid…
Dekalb County, Alabama EMA activated to level 2 for search and rescue / recovery operation beginning at 8:55 pm on February 22, 2019 at Bucks Pocket State Park DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA – Dekalb and Jackson County emergency services were notified of an incident at Bucks Pocket involving a vehicle swept from the park roadway at…
The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK. has increased the threat level across parts of the South today. A Moderate Risk area has been added that covers a large portion of Mississippi, which includes central and northern Mississippi. This Moderate Risk area also includes northwest Alabama and southern portions of Tennessee. Surrounding the Moderate Risk…
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Monday February 18th Incidents Theft of Property – Occurred at 2129 Gault Ave N, a Circle R double axle trailer was taken, valued at $1000.00 Property Damage – Occurred at 1202 Adamsburg Road SE, a stop sign was damaged, valued at $300.00 1 Arrest Tammy Wynette Lazo, age 44 of Fort Payne, was arrested…
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — On Thursday (February 14), several firearms were recovered in Crossville after being reported stolen. Investigators went to a home the alleged suspect was reported to be staying at. While questioning the homeowner, an investigator noticed a safe that matched the description of one stolen in the burglary. After searching the home,…
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Last night, Deputies and Officers with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, DeKalb County Drug Task Force, Jackson County Drug Task Force, Alabama Department of Public Safety, Sylvania Police Department, Powell Police Department, and Henagar Police Department took part in a Saturation Operation targeting the Powell and Sylvania…
