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Stanton shooting suspect caught
May 31, 2011

Authorities in Fayette County have arrested a man wanted for shooting a woman in Stanton Monday night. The woman that was shot had been carrying a baby.

Deputies went to Davis’ Quick Stop on Highway 70 in Stanton about 7:15 p.m. They found Cerrie M. Blevins shot twice and seriously injured. The clerk in the store was caring for her baby when authorities arrived.

Sheriff Melvin Bond said Blevins was in the store when a man came in an argued with her. They both went outside but eventually came back in. “He chased her around the store and shot her twice while in the store,” Sheriff Melvin Bond said. Bond said Blevins at some point prior to the shooting had handed the baby to the clerk and the child wasn’t hurt.

Blevins was taken to a Jackson hospital where, the sheriff said, she was taken directly to surgery.

Jecolby Lewis, 22, was arrested mid-day Monday. Lewis has a Galloway, Tennessee address. Blevins home address and age were not immediately available.

Brownsville Country Club bartender confronts burglar
May 31, 2011

The bartender at the Brownsville Country Club came face-to-face with a burglar early Sunday morning. Sheriff Melvin Bond didn’t identify the club’s worker but said he was in the process of closing the club and was alone.

“The bad buy must have thought everybody was gone,” the sheriff said. Returning from another part of the building, the employee went into the downstairs bar area to find a young man standing in the bar — the crowbar he used to enter in hand. The burglar fled and got away. Nothing was taken.

The sheriff’s department is looking for a white male, 18 to 25 years old. 5’7” to 5’10” tall. The man suspect weights an estimated175 pounds.

Hey — that looks like mine! Owner passes stolen trailer on 412
May 31, 2011

A trailer stolen back in 2009 was recovered this weekend when the original owner happened to see it while traveling Highway 412 in Crockett County.

Timothy Jordon had parked the trailer on a lot on Highway 70 West in Haywood County when it was stolen in April of 2009. This weekend he passed a truck pulling a trailer that “looked a lot like his” according to sheriff Melvin Bond. Crockett County authorities investigated and discovered the Vehicle Identification Number matched the stolen trailer.

Sheriff Bond says it appears the trailer has had multiple owners since the theft. So far no one has been charged — but the investigation continues.

Haywood unemployment rate remains one of highest in Tennessee
May 31, 2011

County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for April show that the rate decreased in 46 Tennessee counties, increased in 41 counties, and stayed the same in eight counties.

In Haywood County 13.9% workers were unemployed, that’s down slightly from March when the state reported 14% out of work. In April 2010 the unemployment rate was reported to be 15% in Haywood County.

Lincoln County registered the state's lowest county unemployment rate at 6.6 percent, followed by Williamson County at 7.0 percent. Scott County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 22.1 percent, up from 21.8 percent in the previous month, followed by Marshall County at 14.9 percent, down from the March rate of 15.0 percent.

Immediate area statistics include:
Lauderdale 14.8%
Hardeman, 12.9%
Crockett, 12%
Madison, 10.3%
Tipton, 10.1%
Fayette, 9.9%

http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/labor_figures/april2011county.pdf

Police Chief Chris Lea says bad guys have been burglarizing vending machines in North Brownsville. Know this car? Call 772-CASH

Free Fishing Day and annual rodeo planned for June 11

The Jackson Center for Independent Living will sponsor its annual Free Fishing Rodeo June 11 at Oneal Lake on the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge. This is held each year in conjunction with Tennessee’s Free Fishing Day; a day when residents and non-residents regardless of age can fish without a license in Tennessee’s public waters.

The event begins at 8 a.m. until noon, and will include fishing, kid’s crafts and lunch. Prizes and awards will be presented. Bring your own fishing poles, rod and reel, etc. or one will be provided for you. Bait will also be provided. You do not have to be disabled to participate in this fishing rodeo. Everyone is invited.

This is the seventh year for the event, according to Beth James, executive director of the Jackson program. “Each year approximately 30-40 children have participated,” says James. “This year we’d like to see this number increase while also helping to make the community more aware of the services we provide.”

JCIL was established in 1996 and is part of a world wide network of non-profit organizations operated by people with disabilities for people with disabilities. JCIL serves an eight county region including Haywood County.

For more information about the event, contact Beth James at 731-668-2211. You can also learn more about JCIL by visiting its website: www.i-cil.com.

Utley concert draws crowd despite rain

This year’s first Concert on the Porch at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center had to be moved indoors due to rain. But that didn’t dampen the spirits of over 100 fans who crowded into the Center to hear hometown boy, Mickey Utley, perform Sunday, May 22, 2001. Utley, along with band members Sammy Flagg (left) and Justin Hinson (right), talked with the audience, told stories and sang some of their favorite songs including Mickey’s newest release “I’m Feelin’ You” and his chart climbing hit “Cry Like Memphis.”

Woodmen of the World donate flags to Heritage Center

Brownsville’s Woodmen of the World Lodge 28 held their monthly meeting Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. The Lodge has donated an American and Tennessee State flag to be displayed at the Center. Vice Mayor Carolyn Flagg was on hand to accept the donation from Lodge President Jerry Myers. Pictured are Lodge members (from left) John and Margaret Wigington, Patty Coburn, Vice Mayor Flagg, Myers, Lucinda Chilcutt, Clayton Richardson and W.O.W. Area Manager Anthony Stallings.

Who will own Haywood County megasite water rights?
May 24, 2011

County Mayor Franklin Smith says he believes the county’s rural water district should own the water rights to the megasite. But Brownsville’s energy authority is also interested in owning the system.

It seems clear that wastewater from the industrial site located near Exit 42 will be pumped to Brownsville and treated in its facilities. Brownsville’s wastewater permits carry enough capacity to manage the megasite waste.

But who will supply the water remains in question. There is state funding to construct 3 eight-inch wells capable of pumping up to 3 million gallons of water daily. Mayor Smith says the income from the water would help fund the county’s efforts to supply water to rural residents.

Haywood County budget makers mull building numbers
May 24, 2011

The 2011/2012 Haywood County government budget process has officially started. The county’s budget committee has begun the tedious process of looking at hundreds if not thousands of items in the various county government budgets.

During a meeting Monday members talked about the increased expected in “county buildings” which includes the justice complex. Early numbers suggest the budget could be increased 75% or $259,000. The increase includes the costs of new personnel required to run the complex, higher utility and other costs. Some leaders have speculated that it may be even more because of higher than expected utility costs.

Mini warehouse burglar busted in the act
May 23, 2011

Last week Brownsville Police posted photos of a car they believed to have been involved in burglaries at Main Street Mini Storage. Monday night they arrested a man driving a similar car who was allegedly in the act of burglarizing one of the mini storage units.

Police were called early Monday night when a witness noticed something unusual at the complex of storage buildings located on West Main Street.
Officers arrested Preston Rogers, 26. They say they caught Rogers in the act of burglarizing one of the units. They also say Rogers was driving the Buick Roadmaster captured by security video about the time of a previous burglary.

Investigators say they are still inventorying property they’ve seized from Rogers. Tuesday morning he was being held without bond.

Brownsville police, Haywood County firefighters and deputies busy
May 24, 2011

Deputies, police and firefighters answered several calls during the past 24 hours

A house fire on Clark Road did little damage. The fire was contained in a clothes dryer.
A mattress caught fire in an apartment on Prairie Creek in Brownsville.
There was an auto accident on Dancyville Road and 1 a.m. Tuesday morning. No details about injuries.
Sheriff Melvin Bond said burglars visited Sandra Bond Campbell’s home on St Peter Road between 9:30 a.m., and 7:30 p.m. Monday. Breaking a back window to get inside they took two televisions.
Ashley Turner called deputies Monday night when she discovered an 18-foot tandem axle trailer and a zero turn lawn mower stolen from her residence on Forked Deer Road.
Police arrested Bobby Weddington Monday night after he allegedly fired shots at his neighbors. He lives at 737 Park. No one was hurt. Weddington was also charged with public intoxication.
Artisha Watkins told police a burglar entered her home at 1123 Tamm and took electronics and jewelry

Restaurant manager says robbed during breakdown
May 24, 2011

Police say an assistant restaurant manager carrying a deposit to the bank claims she was robbed in Brownsville while changing a flat tire Monday. Officers did not provide the name of the woman who helps run the Huddle House.

The robbery allegedly occurred about 1:30 Monday afternoon as she stopped to change a flat tire somewhere on the Gray/Rawls Bypass. She says a 6 foot 250 pound black man with shoulder length hair took the restaurant’s deposit. Police didn’t say how much money was actually taken.
Officers are also looking for two “good Samaritans” that stopped to help the woman change her tire. The two might be able to offer tips about the robbery.

Haywood High Scholarships total nearly $2 million
May 24, 2011

The total count and amount from last weekend’s Haywood High School graduation? The school graduated 196 students and sent them on their way with $1,910,154 in money for higher education.

Seniors raked in $701,354 in scholarships awarded by colleges and universities. Local contributors sponsored $104,800 in scholarships and the lottery provided seniors with $1,104,000.

Haywood County Library to be visited by Secretary of State
May 23, 2011

Members of the Library Board say they are expecting a visit from Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett Wednesday.
The secretary sent an e-mail stating that he’ll drop by the library at 9:45 a.m. to “make a presentation.”

Haywood Megasite Authority names Franklin Smith chairman
May 23, 2011

The committee that will oversee the Haywood County Megasite has elected Haywood County Mayor Franklin Smith chairman. Smith was unanimously elected at the Haywood County Megasite Authority meeting Monday. It was the first meeting for the group that was created by the state legislature to help manage the industrial project.

The Haywood County Megasite is a more than 3,000-acre tract located near the Haywood/Fayette/Tipton County line on I-40. The Interstate’s Exit 42 is closely identified with the location. Most of the property is located in Haywood County.

Tennessee owns the property and will develop it into what leaders hope will attract a major employer for rural West Tennessee. Tennessee has recently successfully developed two megasites. The Volkswagen plant is under construction on an industrial tract near Chattanooga and Hemlock Semiconductor is in operation on another near Clarksville.

Smith said Monday that he believes the state’s building commission will quickly release money approved by the legislature. The cash, approved last year but has been withheld because of governmental red tape, will fund the process of planning and building infrastructure for the megasite.

Brownsville Mayor Jo Matherne and attorney Tommy Hooper are also on the megasite authority.

Haywood County Library to be visited by Secretary of State
May 23, 2011

Members of the Library Board say they are expecting a visit from Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett Wednesday.

The secretary sent an e-mail stating that he’ll drop by the library at 9:45 a.m. to “make a presentation.”

Library Board Chairman Mark Dyer said he assumes Hargett will be delivering a check for $21,866. The money is for a grant recently awarded the library to update technology. Dyer said the library would use the money to update computers used by the public to access the Internet.

Cookbook features recipes of Tennessee celebrities
Author to sign copies at Exit 56 Blues Fest

What do Elvis, Trace Adkins, Dolly Parton, author Sam Pickering, Pres. Andrew Jackson, and The Chattanooga Choo Choo have in common? They all have favorite recipes in Country Goodness: Recipes of Tennessee Celebrities.

You can take a lighthearted peek into the personal recipe files of celebrities from all across the state Saturday, May 28, during the Exit 56 Blues Fest, at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, Tenn.

Cookbook Author Pamela Whinnery will be on hand and available to talk about and sign copies of her cookbook beginning at 10 a.m.

Over 300 recipes from local and national personalities, highly visible Tennesseans, are featured. In addition, there are brief notes with each recipe about the contributor.

She recalls when sending his recipe, Jordanaires bass singer Ray Walker of Memphis, who sang for years with Elvis Presley, brought a smile to her face. His statement about the recipe he sent: “I could eat this corn chowder every day. We've been married a little over 55 years and Marilyn and the corn chowder gets better all the time.”

Whinnery uses her books to help communities. Fifty percent of any copies that are sold are given to charities or non-profit organizations.

In addition to being interesting to read, Whinnery also believes the cookbook is a great way to publicize and promote Tennessee tourism and the wonderful people who were born, lived, or have ties to Tennessee.

“Country Goodness Recipes of Tennessee Celebrities” is available now at the Delta Heritage Center for $19.95. For more information about Whinnery and the Exit 56 Blues Fest, including a complete schedule of events, visit: www.westtnheritage.com.

The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center is a tourist information center and three regional museums located off of Interstate 40 at Exit 56, behind McDonald’s, in Brownsville, Tenn. Admission is free and hours are Monday – Saturday 9-5, and Sunday 1-5. Contact the Center at 731-779-9000.

MINNIE PEARL
CHESS PIE

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 unbaked (8-inch) pie shell

Combine the butter and sugar in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until the butter melts, stirring until smooth. Remove from the heat and whisk a small amount of the hot mixture into the eggs; whisk the eggs into the hot mixture. Whisk in the vinegar, vanilla, and salt. Spoon into pie shell and bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes. Makes 6 servings.
Sarah Ophelia Colley, Centerville (Grinder Switch Train Station), known professionally as Minnie Pearl, was an American country comedienne who appeared at the Grand Ole Opry for more than 50 years and on the television show Hee Haw 22 years. Her catch phrase was "How-w-w-DEE-E-E-E! I'm jes' so proud to be here!" delivered in a loud holler

Budget committee considering tornado safe place for Haywood County Schools
May 19, 2011

The Haywood County Commission’s Budget Committee met with Cary Henson of Envirosafe Solutions in Jackson to discuss the potential for building tornado safe spaces to accommodate children and faculty at Haywood County Schools. There is a tornado safe space at the new Haywood County Justice Complex, and the increasing frequency of violent weather has prompted commissioners to consider the safety of school buildings.

Henson explained that tornado safe areas can be independently constructed buildings or retrofitted interiors of existing structures. They are designed to withstand 250 mile per hour winds without damage and there may be grants available to defray costs. Commissioners requested that Henson review the current renovation plan at Haywood High, and look at other schools to make proposals to the budget committee.

Budget makers talking about renovations to the Haywood County Courthouse
May 19, 2011

With the move of many county officials from the Courthouse to the new Haywood County Justice Complex, leaders are considering a move of the Haywood County Property Assessor's office from currently leased offices on the west side of the square back into the courthouse.

The Assessor's office requires more space than it previously occupied in the courthouse. Preliminary plans, based on yesterday’s meeting, are for renovations and expansions in the courthouse so that the Assessor's office would include the area now occupied by the County Mayor. The County Mayor and his assistants' offices would move to the upstairs and occupy the area formerly used as the General Sessions Courtroom.

The Circuit Courtroom would be reconfigured to accommodate County Commission meetings.

Henson Construction Services has estimated preliminary costs for all three phases are projected to be in the area of $883,000.

. The leased offices currently occupied by the assessor cost taxpayers between $16,000 and $18,000 annually

Numbers being crunched for 2011/2012 Haywood County budget

County budget director Larry Livingston presented Budget Committee members with preliminary requests by various county departments for the upcoming 2011 - 2012 fiscal year that begins July 1. The Budget Committee members took away from yesterday's meeting lots of paperwork to review before returning next week for called meetings on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Livingston noted that preliminary requests would produce a county general budget of approximately $10,684,000, with a projected deficit of around $1,000,000.

Notable increases in departmental requests for the upcoming year as compared to last years figures include $259,000 for County Buildings and $215,084 for the Jail.

Haywood County Megasite Authority to meet in Jackson
May 17, 2011

Mayor Franklin Smith told county commissioners this week that the West Tennessee Megasite Authority would meet for the first time in Jackson on Monday, May 23rd.

Governor Haslam had planned to convene the Authority earlier in the month but changed his plans because off the flooding disasters blighting several communities in West Tennessee. In connection with the upcoming Authority meeting next Monday, Deputy Governor Claude Ramsey will tour the Haywood County Megasite with County Mayor Smith and Brownsville Mayor Jo Matherne.

Governor Ramsey, from Hamilton County, was integrally involved with the megasite authority that landed the Volkswagen plant in the Chattanooga area.

Marlon Kings makes sports appointments for Haywood County Schools
May 19, 2011

Schools may be about to wrap up the current session, but Director of Haywood County Schools Marlon King is already focusing on next year. King made upper management appointments earlier this week. Wednesday he announced changes to the athletic programs.

“In an effort to provide our athletic program with additional support and hands-on leadership, I have appointed two Athletic Directors, Mr. Jim Frazier and Mr. Ray Jones,” King said.

Jim Frazier will continue in his role as a school administrator and Ray Jones as a teacher and have additional responsibilities in the school’s athletic programs.

The school’s athletic responsibilities will be split between Frazier and Jones.

Frazier will be responsible for football, baseball, soccer, softball and tennis. Jones will be in charge of basketball, track, cross-country, volleyball and golf.

Fire razes Highway 19 home in Haywood County
May 19, 2011

A rural mobile home was destroyed by fire Wednesday. Firemen made the call in the afternoon to the Highway 19 west structure. Apparently the mobile home was unoccupied and firemen said no electricity was connected to the house

Teens “surrounded” and threatened in Brownsville
May 19, 2011

A scary incident for three teenagers walking on Tamm Street Wednesday night in Brownsville. Brownsville police said the three young men age 15, 17 and 18 were walking on Tamm about 9:30 p.m. when they were “surrounded” by seven or eight guys demanding whatever they had and promising to “beat them up.”

The three boys ran — and got away. Nobody was hurt. So far nobody arrested.

Police make good on promise to uphold curfew laws
May 19, 2011

Wednesday night police made good on their promise to enforce the curfew laws. About midnight they caught to 17 year olds in the Key Corner Street Park. The two teens were taken to city hall — their parents were called.

The curfew is 11p to 6a for anyone under 18.

Justice Complex security benefits sheriff’s department
May 19, 2011

Thursday was the first “appearance day” to be held at the new Haywood County Justice Complex. Typically the sheriff’s department is responsible for transporting between 30 and 40 county jail inmates to the county courthouse for appearance day. Previously that meant loading the prisoners up at the county jail and transporting them downtown to the courthouse.

Sheriff Bond said for Thursday’s session inmates were simply escorted from the complex’s jail through secure hallways to the court. Thirty-five prisoners were in court Thursday.

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Blues Fest revived in Brownsville

BROWNSVILLE, TN (May 17, 2011) - Brownsville will once again celebrate its blues heritage during the Exit 56 Blues Fest Saturday, May 28, at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. Festivities will include an arts and crafts show, quilt exhibit, book signing, cruise-in and live music. The day long event will run from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Artisans will showcase their wares from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Items for sale will include sunglasses, handmade ribbons and bows, aprons, boutique dresses, flower arrangements, jewelry, handbags, wood products, quilts and more.

Heirloom and more modern quilts will be on display inside the Center as part of the “Heritage Quilts of West Tennessee” special exhibit sponsored by Pat’s Fabrics of Brownsville. Also on exhibit will be the winning art projects of the Haywood County School children for the recent Cinco de Mayo Celebration.

Author Pamela Whinnery will be present from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., to sign copies of her latest cookbook “Country Goodness Recipes of Tennessee Celebrities.” The recipe collection includes recipes from Elvis, Trace Adkins, President Andrew Jackson and more.

Beginning at 5 p.m., local and area artist will perform from the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home, located on the grounds of the Center. Memphismusicians Graham Perry and Kevin Kilgore, members of the group Tucson Simpson will perform at 5 p.m. Brownsville’s own Clifton Smith will take the stage at 6:30; and Union City Blues band Blind Red Rooster will perform at 7 p.m.

Car and motorcycle enthusiasts are invited to cruise-in for any or all of the festivities.

Festival admission and concerts are free and everyone is invited to attend and enjoy a day celebrating the Brownsville blues. The West Tennessee DeltaHeritage Center is located off of Interstate 40 at Exit 56, behind McDonald’s. For more information, contact the Center at 731-779-9000 or visit www.westtnheritage.com.

Blind Red Rooster will perform live at the Exit 56 Blues Fest
Saturday, May 28, beginning at 7 p.m.
Members of the group from Northwest Tennessee are
Smokin' Joe Watts, Rick Casey, Coby Watts and Rob Kingrey.

Mickey Utley to kick-off summer concert series

This Sunday, May 22, Brownsville’s own Mickey Utley will kick-off a summer of live performances from the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. The summer concert series, called “Concert on the Porch,” will feature local and regional talents each month leading up to the Hatchie Fall Fest in October.

Utley will take the stage (porch) at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, when he will introduce his newest release, “I’m Feelin’ You.” The concerts are free and everyone is invited. Utley will be signing autographs and posing for pictures immediately following the concert. A special exhibit will also be on display inside the Center showcasing items donated by Utley.

Other performers scheduled to make an appearance on “The Porch” this summer are: Hannah Company, Jupiter Stone, David Smith, His Voice, Diverse Five, Wildwood Express, David Evans, Elmo Lee Thomas and more.

For a complete schedule and more information, contact the Center at 731-779-9000, or visit the website: www.westtnheritage.com .

Neal appointed Haywood County Farm Super.
May 17, 2011

Haywood County Director of Solid Waste Management Clinton Neal added to his workload Monday evening when the Commission appointed him as County Farm Superintendent on the recommendation of Mayor Franklin Smith. Neal has been serving as interim superintendent. His pay has been $800 monthly, but under the new appointment he’ll receive $1,000 per month. Mayor Smith noted that this salary is approximately a third of the compensation when full time workers held the job.

Mayor Smith lauded Neal for his performance at the County Farm as interim Superintendent. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation had cited the County for violations relating to the operation of the Farm, and Neal was instrumental in rectifying problems, cleaning up the Farm, and enabling the County to get a "clean bill of health" from state officials. Current operation of the farm, located on Hwy. 70 East surrounding the old County Jail building, includes the growing, cutting, and sale of hay in addition to raising cattle, growing a sizable garden, and cutting firewood.

Haywood County Board of Equalization appointed
May 17, 2011

Commissioners confirmed the appointment of Rick Bowden, Susan Scott Wilson, George Williams, Maltimore Bond and Tara Joyner to the Board of Equalization for a term of two years.

The Board hears and rules on appeals by property owners of appraised values of real estate, values used by the County Property Assessor in establishing ad valorem property taxes. State law provides an appeal process from the local tax assessor to the local Board of Equalization, then to the State Board of Equalization, and finally to state Courts if property owners deem appraisals and assessments to be unfair.

Haywood County Megasite Authority to meet in Jackson
May 17, 2011

Mayor Franklin Smith told county commissioners that the West Tennessee Megasite Authority would meet for the first time in Jackson on Monday, May 23rd.

Governor Ramsey, from Hamilton County, was integrally involved with the megasite authority that landed the Volkswagen plant in the Chattanooga area.

Haywood schools get $2 million interest free
May 17, 2011

Haywood County Commissioners approved a $1 million interest free loan Monday. The loan is in addition to an existing Energy Efficient Schools Initiative Grant to upgrade and replace heating and air conditioning units at Haywood High School.

Annual loan payments are expected to be $100,000.

According to Mayor Franklin Smith, the funds are part of an overall $4, 445,000 high school improvement initiative previously approved by the Commission and are not in addition to that sum.

Approval of the loan means that $2 million of the total expenditure will be interest free.

Koko residents mad at Haywood County Beer Board
May 17, 2011

Several residents from southern Haywood County —primarily residing near Koko — attended Monday’s County Commission meeting, and they won an apology from County Mayor Franklin Smith.

They’re unhappy because they say the Haywood County Beer Board won’t let them talk. Many had attended a beer board meeting and weren’t allowed to present their case against an applicant for a beer permit for a store at Koko.

The Beer Board granted the application for the license at Club 52.

Well over a hundred people signed a petition opposing the license and many attended the meeting of the county beer board at which the applicant appeared with legal counsel. According to the residents, board members would not let them speak or voice concerns despite repeated requests to do so.

Commissioner and Brownsville Police Chief Chris Lea said the beer board "will hand out a beer license to anybody who wants one. " Other commissioners questioned whether there were term limits for beer board members and indicated their wish to consider that issue at subsequent meetings.

Mayor Franklin Smith apologized to the Koko community residents and expressed his view, echoed by several commissioners, that interested members of the public should be allowed to comment at board meetings.

Sheriff Melvin Bond told county commissioners that even though the license was granted, the bar hasn’t reopened.

The beer board includes members Sam Willis, Sherry Poole and Earl Stanley.

Associated problems
As part of the discussion, Sheriff Bond told the commission that he’d seen many more problems at rural nightspots following the county commission’s approval of an extension for the permissible hours of operation for businesses selling beer for consumption on premises.
Previous rules required cessation of sales by midnight. Current regulation permits sales until 3:00 A.M. General discussion by the Commission suggested a consensus to revisit the issue in consultation with legal counsel.

School sports help skyrocket overtime pay
May 17, 2011

Haywood County Commissioners approved a recommendation by their Budget Committee to fund what will ultimately total approximately $42,000 in overtime pay for the Sheriff's Department. The originally budgeted amount for overtime for fiscal year 2010 - 2011 was $14,000.

Deputies accompanying school sports teams necessitated part of the overtime expense and guarding prisoners who required medical care at clinics and hospitals an additional, significant burden.

Almost $21,000, nearly half of the total, relates to officers present for security reasons at junior high and high school athletic events, including football, basketball, baseball, and soccer games.

At the schools' requests, the Sheriff's Department supplies a minimum of two officers for every single event, whether the contest is in Brownsville or at the opponent's venue.

Brownsville Radio News Archives

Brownsville Police to crack down on curfew violators
May 11, 2011

During a guest appearance on Brownsville Radio Monday, Police Chief Chris Lea said he’s given officers new orders based on recent crime. Chief Lea blames much of the recent crime — especially those late night/early morning shooting incidents — on young people.

Lea says the police department has at least two initiatives in place he hopes will curb or stop the activity.

Police are targeting neighborhoods with high crime or high numbers of incidents. He says extra officers and patrols have been added to these territories.

Patrolmen are also strictly enforcing the city’s curfew ordinance. The ordinance states that juveniles — young people under 18 years old — are under orders of curfew between 11pm and 6am.

Brownsville business owners bound and robbed
May 11, 2011

Two people were bound — hands and feet — with duct tape and robbed Tuesday morning at a Brownsville business.
Police did not identify the victims but said they were robbed at Y & D Auto Sales on Anderson Avenue.

Two masked men entered the store between 9:15 and 9:30 Tuesday morning. Both carried “small” revolvers and both were disguised with masks. They used the tape to disable the two victims and stole their cell phones and cash.

The victims weren’t able to free themselves until about 11:30. It was only then that police were notified.

Police believe the two bandits approached the store from the west, crossing a field between Anderson and Hatchie Street. It’s believed they left the store the same way. Y & D Motors is located across the street from Tennessee Tractor.

The robbers are described as black men. They are 5’8” to 6’ tall and both of medium build.

No one was hurt.

Brownsville man wanted for dope charges in LA faces more charges
May 11, 2011

Brownsville Police have filed additional charges against a man they were picking up for authorities in Louisiana. When serving an arrest warrant on Christopher Eugene Dawson at 164 Kirby Place, police officers noticed the “strong smell of burnt marijuana.”

After a search of his home, police found what they believe to be marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The result is new charges for Dawson.
The arrest warrant police were serving on orders from Louisiana authorities also accuses Dawson of having illegal drugs.

Brownsville suspends downtown parking rules
May 11, 2011

Brownsville aldermen and the mayor heard Tuesday that police are no longer enforcing the two-hour parking restriction downtown. Police Chief Chris Lea said downtown business managers and property owners agree with the police department’s new policy.

Moving the courts from the courthouse to the justice complex has freed dozens of parking spots previously occupied by courthouse worker and patrons of the courts.

Mayor Jo Matherne said downtown parking would be monitored to assure the new policy doesn’t cause problems for merchants.

Haywood schools presented award
May 11, 2011

Tennessee School Board Association Southwest District Director David Baker presented the TSBA’s prestigious Board of Distinction Award to the Haywood County Board of Education Tuesday night. This distinction, which was announced in April, recognizes outstanding performance by the school board. Made up of five members, the Haywood County Board of Education includes Allen Currie, Harold Garrett, Pearlie Hess, Robbie Jarrett-King and Daniel Thornton.

Colhoun Trust poised to make Haywood senior scholarship awards
May 11, 2011

Haywood County Schools Chief Financial Officer Vincent Harvell told the school board this week that the Catherine Truss Colhoun Trust has a cash balance of $233,452. Dozens of students have received scholarships from the trust. Harvell said $10,000 in scholarships would be awarded this year at graduation.