A3 / NEWS B4 / HOMEFOLK Virus’s impact: More Outdoor Alabama relaxing, thinking, photo contest less socializing opens August 2 Daily Mountain Eagle “The newspaper that cares about Walker County” MOUNTAINEAGLE.COM WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 24-25, 2021 $1.50 WALKER COUNTY WALKER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ARTS ALLIANCE Arts Alliance developing strategic plan Special to the Eagle The Walker County Arts Alliance (WCAA) is encour- aging residents of Walker County to play an integral role in Daily Mountain Eagle - Jennifer Cohron developing Bitty Nelson, 7, shows off the hon- a five-year strategic orary deputy card she received Daily Mountain Eagle - Nicole Smith plan for the during her recent visit with Sheriff School systems are having to make tough decisions on how to best protect stu- organization Nick Smith. by completing a commu- dents and employees from COVID-19. nity survey. This survey will allow the WCAA to New program determine awareness of the Will masks be required organization and its current aimed at See ARTS, A7 introducing in city, county schools? Sumiton Park girls to Education officials outline COVID policies for schools and Rec Board approved in career in law By NICOLE SMITH tocols. “There will be no mask mandate for Daily Mountain Eagle Walker County Schools, but they are cer- called meeting tainly encouraged.” enforcement As it stands, face masks Dr. Ann Jackson, superintendent for will not be required in city Jasper City Schools, said the school system’s By ED HOWELL Daily Mountain Eagle By JENNIFER COHRON or county schools in the plan has been for no masks to be required in Daily Mountain Eagle upcoming school year, but schools. However, with COVID cases rising SUMITON — The Su- that could change in one once again, the plan may have to be altered. miton City Council met in The future of the Walker County school system. “I am talking with our administrators, special session on Friday to Sheriff’s Office may be in the hands Walker County Schools teachers, nurses, and local physicians to unanimously approve a new of women thanks to the suggestion of Superintendent Dr. Den- determine our course of action,” she said. Sumiton Park and Recre- one local girl. nis Willingham has been “With the uptick in positive cases, we will ation Board. Bitty Nelson, 7, met with Sheriff adamant that face masks have to re-evaluate our decision. We know City Clerk Nina Absher Nick Smith on July 2 to discuss a list will not be required when that it definitely helped keep the rate of told the Daily Mountain Ea- of improvements she would like to see. students return to school COVID transmission low in our schools. We gle about the called meet- One was getting more women involved next month. will do our best to make the best decisions ing and the action Friday in law enforcement. “We are following guid- for our kids and employees based on what afternoon in a phone call, Smith and his staff quickly orga- ance from the state and See SCHOOLS, A7 nized a new program called Little CDC,” Willingham said of COVID-19 pro- See SUMITON, A7 Miss Sheriff, which will give girls between the ages of 7 and 12 an opportunity to learn from WCSO investigators on a mock crime scene. More Walker County farmers The first class was announced last week on the department’s Facebook page for Saturday, Aug. 7. join Sweet Grown Alabama The community response was over- ers and consumers. whelming. By NICOLE SMITH Daily Mountain Eagle People may visit www.sweet- “We had over 100 people sign up grownalabama.org to find within an hour, so we had to cut the More Walker County farm- farmers in their area by simply class size off at 56,” Smith said on ers are now listed in the Sweet entering a zip code. There is also Friday. Grown Alabama database that the ability to search for specif- Another class will be announced at supports state farmers. ic produce and meats for sale a later date, according to Smith. Launched in late 2019, Sweet throughout the state. The first Little Miss Sheriff pro- Grown Alabama is a nonprofit Farmers that are registered gram will be held at Living Light with Sweet Grown Alabama pay foundation and the state’s agri- Daily Mountain Eagle file - Nicole Smith Church of God’s Family Center. Stu- cultural branding program that annual dues ranging from $100 dents will start the day with a tour of provides marketing opportunities Sweet Grown Alabama provides a database for See FARMERS, A7 See WCSO, A8 for farmers to connect with retail- people to search for local farmers. DEATHS WEATHER INDEX SOCIAL Phillip “Phil” Ryan Courington, 32, Jasper Classifieds .................... B6 LEFT David Eugene Heflin, 49, Nauvoo Homefolk ....................... Audry Faye Barker Ganey, 85, Graysville B4 ON Sports ............................ B1 RED Helen Elizabeth Edwards, 86, Jasper Use your Jerald Ray Banks, 79, Jasper Viewpoints .................... A6 phone to Weather ......................... Find us on your Roy Lewis Wells, 82, Carbon Hill High Low quickly sign A2 favorite podcast Infant Daniel Valen-Gray Hunter, Jasper up for our streaming 92 73 weekly e-mail platforms. MORE OBITUARIES / A2 newsletter Two sections, 16 pages A2 | Daily Mountain Eagle | WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 24-25, 2021 Today’s weather Forecast for Saturday, July 24, 2021 Obituaries TENN. Oxford 91/75 Huntsville ARK. 92/74 Phillip ‘Phil’ Jerald Ray Banks February 3, 1942-July 20, 2021 Ryan Courington Jerald Ray Banks, 79, of Jasper, passed on to be GA. with the Lord Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at Ridgeview Phillip “Phil” Ryan Courington, 32, of Jasper, Greenville Birmingham Health Services. 92/74 passed away peacefully Saturday, July 17, 2021. 94/74 The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 27, A graveside service will be held 2021, at 11 a.m. at Collins-Burke Funeral Home. Sunday, July 25, 2021, at 3 p.m. at Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. in the Col- New Hope Cemetery in Jasper for lins-Burke Chapel. Burial will be at Boldo Cemetery. Jackson Montgomery family and friends. Terry Witt will 92/76 92/75 Gene Grace will officiate. be speaking. He was a retired coal miner UMWA 1948. He loved He was a much loved daddy, son, Brookhaven Hattiesburg to hunt, fish and ride his motorcycle and had a pas- 91/75 brother, uncle, nephew and cousin. 91/76 sion to restore and show old tractors. He was a 2007 graduate of Alexan- Mr. Banks was preceded in death by his father, Mobile dria High School located in Alex- 91/75 Tillman Banks and mother, Leola Banks. LA. FLA. andria. He loved Auburn football, He is survived by his daughters, Dianne Seagle and fishing, and blueberries. Donna Mason. Phil was preceded in death by his father, Timothy Courington; grandfathers, Alfred Courington and Collins-Burke Funeral Home, Jasper; 205-384-5571 James Lipscomb; and grandmothers, Ann Courington and Mary Ryan. ©2021 AccuWeather, Inc. He is survived by his son, Landon Chase Cour- ington; mother, Lisa Pate; step-father, Mark Pate; Roy Lewis Wells sister, Sabrina Walker; brother-in-law, Dustin Walker; December 10, 1938-July 21, 2021 nephew, William Lane Walker; niece, Paisley Grace Roy Lewis Wells, 82, of Carbon Hill, passed away Walker; and many aunts, cousins, and friends. Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at St. Vincent’s East in Obituaries He will always be remembered forever young. Please Birmingham. keep Phil’s family in your prayers during this very sad A memorial service will be held Monday, July 26, Andrew Jackson time. 2021. Visitation will be from 2:30 until 3:30 p.m. The service will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Collins-Burke Funer- ‘Jack’ Taft Abanks Mortuary and Crematory, al Home in Jasper. John Billy Butler will officiate. Andrew Jackson “Jack” Taft, 84, of Jasper, passed Birmingham; 205-322-9050 Wells worked in mine construction for several years away Friday, July 23, 2021, at his residence. and for the city of Carbon Hill as police chief. Arrangements will be announced by Kilgore-Green He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Funeral Home. Lorraine Wells and Pearl Wells; his wife of 56 years, David Eugene Heflin Carolyn Wells; and brother, Kenny Wells. David Eugene Heflin, 49 of Nauvoo, went home to Survivors include his children, Robin Wells Ham- Kilgore-Green Funeral Home, Jasper; 205-384-9503 be with the Lord Monday, July 19, 2021 at Walker ilton, Jason Wells and Jonathan Wells (Jan); grand- Baptist Medical Center. children, Megan Wells Davis (Brian), Rachel Daniel, Visitation will be held Saturday, July 24, 2021, from Kalyn Wells, Hailey Wells, Caroline Wells, Emma 2 to 3 p.m. at Carbon Hill Church of God of Prophecy Randall Robison Wells, and Josh Wells; great-grandchildren, Gabby Randall Robison, 55, of Empire, passed away Fri- in Carbon Hill. Funeral services will follow at the and Gavin Davis; and brother, Larry Wells. day, July 23, 2021, at Walker Baptist Medical Center church. T.J. Armstrong will officiate. in Jasper. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Me- Collins-Burke Funeral Home, Jasper; 205-384-5571 Arrangements will be announced later by Col- lissa Heflin; three children, Nicole Colburn (Justin), lins-Burke Funeral Home. Kayla Tidwell (Joe), and Austin Heflin (Amber); six grandchildren, Makenna, Sophia and Mason Colburn Collins-Burke Funeral Home, Jasper; 205-384-5571 and Olivia, Hazel and Sadie Mae Tidwell; mother, Daniel Valen-Gray Hunter Karen Heflin; father, David Heflin (Ruth Ann); and a July 20, 2021-July 20, 2021 host of other relatives and dear friends. Infant Daniel Valen-Gray Hunter of Jasper, passed away Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at UAB Women and Audrey Nell Dill Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory LLC, Infants Center.