Tourism to Little River Canyon National Preserve Creates Economic Benefit

Fort Payne, Ala. – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 650,000 visitors to Little River Canyon National Preserve in 2019 spent $38.7 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 598 jobs in the local area. The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane…

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Rainsville Ministerial Association makes statement concerning what is happening in our nation and to support our police force

Media Release: Rainsville Ministerial Association, June 10, 2020 We grieve the death of George Floyd and the truth that it reveals about us. His death was so tragic and meaningless. We recognize there is a difference between a march and a riot. We support our constitutional rights to peaceful protest by marches or other means….

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22 Narcotics Cases Made, Multiple Stolen Cars Recovered | WVSM Digital News

The DeKalb County Narcotics and Interdiction Unit has made and assisted with 22 drug cases in the last several weeks. Two stolen vehicles have also been recovered in suspected drug related crimes.On Friday, May 22, deputies and an interdiction agent went to the residence of Melvin Christopher Moss (30 of Valley Head) on Highway 11 in Hammondville…

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The Rainsville Chamber of Commerce Announces 2020 Scholarship Recipients

The Rainsville Chamber of Commerce announced their 2020 scholarship recipients today for Plainview High School. Each recipient with receive $1,500.00 to use toward college expenses. Money raised for this scholarship program comes from the annual golf tournament held each August. This years winners were: Abrie Blair Catherine Clines Steven E. Cornelius II Averi Evans Samantha…

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NACC Students to Receive Assistance from CARES Act May 16, 2020

Approximately 1,000 Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) students will be receiving $500 each from the federal CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.  The funding is designated to assist students who have been negatively affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.  Students were forced to move their courses from on-campus instruction to an online delivery when NACC…

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NACC’s Dr. David Campbell and Ms. Andrea Okwu Participate in ACCS Listening Tour

Northeast Alabama Community College is always looking for new ways to connect with our community and show what a unique opportunity it is to become a student. Recently, two of NACC’s very own employees were given the opportunity to provide valuable feedback for the Alabama Community College System during a recent Listening Tour in ACCS’s…

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In Person Hearings Will Not Resume Until June 2, 2020 | WVSM Digital News

This morning, a new local Administrative Order was issued by Presiding Circuit Judge Jeremy Taylor regarding in-person hearings.  Because of the increase in infection rates in the circuit, in-person hearings will NOT resume until Tuesday, June 2nd. During the next two weeks, many cases will be handled through virtual hearings. Also new today, by Order…

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The Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office Reports Human Remains found near Mentone | WVSM Digital News

Yesterday (May 12, 2020), a contractor doing work on a home near Mentone discovered human remains in a wooded area off of County Road 948. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office was notified, and immediately began an investigation. Additional remains were located by investigators later in the afternoon. Early this morning, DeKalb County Investigators were assisted…

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Dekalb County Schools Move Graduations Back To May, With Short Notice | WVSM Digital News

Dr. Jason Barnett, Dekalb County Schools Superintendent, announced today that all Dekalb County School Graduations will be moved back to May. On May 5, 2020, Dr. Barnett released an update that graduations for Dekalb County Schools would be held starting July 16th through July 25th of this year. Now, today, May 12, 2020, it was…

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Burn BAN Is In Effect For Dekalb & Other Counties | WVSM Digital News

According to (ADEM) The Alabama Department of Environmental Management burn bans are in effect for the following counties in Alabama: Baldwin Dekalb Etowah Jefferson* Lawrence Madison Mobile Montgomery Morgan Russell Shelby Talladega Under ADEM regulations, non-agricultural burns are not allowed during the months of May, June, July, August, September, and October. In an effort to…

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Governor Moves To Re-Open Alabama, Allowing Restaurants, Hair Salons & Churches To Open

Montgomery, Al. – Alabama Governor Kay Ivey updated the citizens of Alabama on COVID-19 and relaxed closures in the state. In the updated order, which takes effect Monday, May 11, 2020, Churches, Hair Salons, Barber Shops, Gyms, and Athletic facilities may open while maintaining the recommended 6 ft. social distancing. The updated order removes the…

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Alabama Governor’s Updated “Safer-At-Home” Order Allows Some Businesses To Reopen

MONTGOMERY, Al. – Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey will allow Alabama’s economy to reopen, beginning Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 5:00 pm. This will allow for the reopening of the state’s economy through a phased-in approach. This new update, issued today, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, will ease some of the restrictions in the State of Alabama…

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Large amount of Meth, Marijuana, and Cash seized | WVSM Digital News

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — On Monday night, DeKalb County Deputies and Narcotics agents conducted a search on County Road 1000 (near Hammondville) resulting in a large amount of narcotics being seized. The investigation stemmed from information received that several juveniles were purchasing marijuana from other residents in the area. After tracing it to the source,…

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Governor Ivey Announces Auto Insurers Return More Than $100 Million in Premium to Alabama Policyholders

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey announced today that automobile insurers are returning premium totaling to date more than $100 million, to more than two million Alabama policyholders during the ongoing crisis brought on by COVID-19. Because most drivers are following the governor’s stay-at-home order, there are fewer miles being traveled resulting in fewer accidents. As…

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Facilities to be named in honor of Sheriff Reed and Commission President Charles Bell

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Administrative Office and Detention Center are to be named in honor of former Sheriff Cecil Reed and former Commission President Charles Bell. The two were instrumental in building the new facility. The process started back in 2001, when Sheriff Reed approached DeKalb County Commission President Charles Bell…

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ALEA Reminder Federal Government has Extended STAR ID Deadline to October 2021

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Law Enforcement reminds the public the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, at the direction of President Donald J. Trump, has extended the STAR ID enforcement deadline to Oct. 1, 2021, in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). STAR ID, which stands for Secure, Trusted and Reliable Identification, is Alabama’s version of the federal…

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SEVERE Weather Forecast Again This Sunday | WVSM Digital News

Severe Weather is forecast for the South, again this Sunday. Current models show the outlook area for the highest threat of Severe Weather will cover Central and Southern Alabama. The threat extends from Eastern Texas through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, The Florida Panhandle, and South Carolina. The Storm Prediction Center says all forms of Severe…

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Two Rainsville Men Arrested For Large Amount of Narcotics | WVSM Digital News

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Last Tuesday (April 7, 2020) the DCSO seized a large amount of illegal narcotics in Rainsville. The investigation was initiated after receiving numerous complaints from the community regarding possible drug activity on Hancock Drive in Rainsville. Through the course of the investigation, a search warrant was obtained for the residence. Deputies…

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Sheriff’s Office Investigators Recover Stolen Property Valued at over $250,000

According to Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver, investigators from Cherokee County and Etowah County executed a search warrant on Thursday, at a residence located on Norton Lane just inside Etowah County.  The search warrant was the result of a burglary and theft investigation led by Investigator Jeremy Stepps.  Stolen property, valued at over a quarter-million…

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Churches Don’t Risk Stiff FCC Fines For Using An Illegal FM Transmitter

Don’t let your church fall to the temptation of broadcasting your “drive in” church services illegally. During these trying times and social distancing, church congregations are unable to meet in person and some companies are selling FM transmitters for churches to broadcast their services on. First, this is ILLEGAL, unless your transmitter is less than…

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ALEA Dispels Rumors During Stay at Home Order

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is receiving a high volume of inquiries from motorists concerning enforcement along Alabama roadways, particularly since Governor Kay Ivey announced Friday, April 3, the stay-at-home order in response to COVID-19. Questions include whether law enforcement will set up checkpoints at Alabama state lines and/or ban motorists from entering…

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SEVERE Weather Possible Tonight & Again On Easter Sunday | WVSM Digital News

There is an enhanced risk for severe weather across parts of the mid-Mississippi valley today, Wednesday, April 8, 2020, into the lower Ohio and Tennessee valleys overnight tonight. The primary threats will be large hail (some very large) and damaging winds (some significant). In addition, a few Tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Cities within the…

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Alabama Governor Kay Ivey Issues Statewide “Stay-at-Home” Order | WVSM Digital News

ORDER OF THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER SUSPENDING CERTAIN PUBLIC GATHERINGS DUE TO RISK OF INFECTION BY COVID-19 (APPLICABLE STATEWIDE) AMENDED APRIL 3, 2020 WHEREAS Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been detected in Alabama; and WHEREAS the appearance of COVID-19 in the State poses the potential of widespreadexposure to an infectious agent that poses significant risk…

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Little River Canyon National Preserve, Canyon Mouth Park Is Closed, But The Park Is Open

According to The Little River Canyon National Preserve the Canyon Mouth Park is Closed, but the walking areas and trails, around the falls are open. But keep in mind, all bathroom facilities, on park grounds, are closed. Here is a statement from the park: “Following federal and state recommendations for precautions to help prevent the…

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ALEA Confirms STAR ID Deadline Extension, Further Limits In-Person Driver License Services

MONTGOMERY – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, at the direction of President Donald J. Trump, is extending the REAL ID enforcement deadline to Oct. 1, 2021, in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Alabama’s version of the federal REAL ID program is STAR ID, which stands for Secure, Trusted and Reliable Identification. ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor…

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Governor Ivey urges Alabama Small Business Owners To Prepare Now by Applying for Federal Financial Relief

APRIL 1, 2020 PRESS RELEASE MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday urges Alabama Small Business Owners to respond to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic by taking steps to ensure their business will withstand the troubling economy. Final guidelines for how the federal government will distribute financial relief to Alabama’s small businesses will be released very soon….

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Governor Kay Ivey Announces USDA Waiver Approved

Today Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced that the USDA has approved the Alabama State Department of Education’s Child Nutrition Programs waiver request. “Great news, Alabama! The USDA has approved the Alabama State Department of Education’s Child Nutrition Programs waiver request. This will allow food authorities and community organizations, in good standing, to operate in non-area…

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Dekalb County Courthouse & Activities Buildings Closed

The DeKalb County Courthouse and DeKalb County Activities Building are closed to the public effective immediate until further notice due to circumstances related to COVID-19. Those having service needs should attempt to call the appropriate office of need to conduct business via telephone or internet. DeKalb County Commission number is 256-845-8500 DeKalb County Probate number…

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Alabama Department of Public Health reports its first known employee with COVID-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) confirmed the first case of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in an ADPH employee who works at the Bureau of Clinical Laboratories in Montgomery. Laboratory testing confirmed this diagnosis. The individual had no public interaction on the job and was not working on COVID-19 testing….

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ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division Reminds Everyone about Social Distancing, Water Safety

Please see below for a safety reminder from the ALEA Marine Patrol Division: ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division Reminds Everyone about Social Distancing, Water Safety MONTGOMERY – Because schools, businesses and churches have closed indefinitely in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), more people are spending their free time on Alabama waterways. Activity on Alabama’s lakes, rivers…

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Small Business Administration is offering Economic Injury Disaster Loans

Small businesses across Alabama have been negatively impacted by the #Coronavirus. To help, the U.S. Small Business Administration is offering Economic Injury Disaster Loans. For more information, or to see if you are eligible, go to the SBA’s #covid19 disaster assistance web page at www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19 You can also contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service…

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SEVERE Weather Possible Across A Large Area On Saturday/Saturday Night

THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH-CENTRAL AND NORTHWEST ILLINOIS, AN ENHANCED RISK AREA SURROUNDING THAT AND THEN A LARGE SLIGHT RISK AREA THAT EXTENDS INTO THE DEEP SOUTH. The Storm Prediction Center says a significant Severe Weather Outbreak is possible for portions of the middle Mississippi Valley on Saturday. …

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ALEA Confirms STAR ID Deadline Extension, Further Limits In-Person Driver License Services

MONTGOMERY – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, at the direction of President Donald J. Trump, is extending the REAL ID enforcement deadline to Oct. 1, 2021, in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Alabama’s version of the federal REAL ID program is STAR ID, which stands for Secure, Trusted and Reliable Identification. ALEA Secretary Hal…

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Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office, 26 Charged in Narcotics cases in the last month

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — This past month was productive for the DeKalb County Narcotics Unit. 26 were arrested and received charges related to narcotics. On Thursday, February 6th, Deputies along with Narcotics Agents conducted a traffic stop on Highway 75 in Rainsville. A search of the vehicle revealed methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Terry Jacob Dutton…

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