Brownsville Radio News Archives
4th Annual Holiday in Haywood November 11-12
October 31, 2011
Those looking for special bargains and unique holiday gift items will have the perfect opportunity during the 4th Annual Holiday in Haywood 2-day shopping mart planned for November 11-12, in Brownsville, Tenn. “Holiday in Haywood” will feature over 25 retail and specialty merchants all under one roof and offering a variety of items perfect for your holiday gift giving. The event will take place at the National Guard Armory located at 221 Morgan Street.
New to this year’s event is the addition of Breakfast with Santa Saturday at 9 a.m. Hosted by First South Bank, tickets are $10 per child and include breakfast, a visit with Santa and an activity with Santa. All proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the March of Dimes.
Families, individuals and groups are invited to have their Christmas portrait taken by a professional photographer Saturday. Appointments are encouraged to minimize wait time. Call Laura Bailey at 731-617-0535. Portraits will be available in time for gift giving or holiday cards. Pet portraits will also be taken.
“Last year over 1,000 people came through the doors during the event,” says Monica Bivens, Holiday in Haywood coordinator. “This year we’re expecting even more.”
Doors will open Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., giving shoppers plenty of time to make their choices. The Haywood High School Show Choir, along with other regional artists, will entertain shoppers during the evening hours.
Saturday at 11 a.m., the Haywood High School Cheerleaders will present a Fashion Show featuring items from participating retailers.
“The response from retailers has been wonderful,” explains Bivens, “and we are very confident in the variety and quality of the items that will be available.”
Among the many items for sale will be handmade quilts, handcrafted jewelry, all natural soaps and lotions, candles, homemade pies, cakes and other culinary goodies, roasted nuts, ladies and children’s clothing, toys and books, wood-crafted items and much more. There will also be a large selection of personalized gift items available including on-site monogramming.
“Holiday in Haywood” is sponsored annually by the Brownsville Business Association. For more information about the event contact Bivens at 731-772-4042, or visit www.ShopBrownsvilleTN.com.
Shoppers at Holiday in Haywood will have lots to choose from this year, including personalized items such as coffee mugs, license plates, t-shirts and ornaments. The annual event will take place November 11-12, at the National Guard Armory in Brownsville, Tenn.
Two Exit 56 suspects arrested after chase
October 28, 2011
Early Thursday morning two men snatched the cash register from Exit 56’s Exxon convenience store and fled in a maroon van. The same two men are suspects in a similar crime at Exit 35 that occurred about a half hour earlier in Fayette County.
Police Chief Chris Lea said yesterday that the Tennessee Highway Patrol in Perry County arrested the two.
A trooper noticed the van on I-40 about an hour after the 5:30 a.m. crime and, according to Chief Lea, a chase ensued and eventually the two men were apprehended. Both, one man is 20 the other 18 are from Newport News Virginia. The van they were driving was stolen from Virginia.
Planners moving forward with more Brownsville improvement
October 28, 2011
The Brownsville Municipal Regional Planning Commission met on Thursday afternoon at City Hall to discuss ongoing and future downtown enhancement projects. They also looked at a site plan for a proposed residential development in the South Washington Avenue territory.
Downtown
The court square Brownsville renovation project is nearing completion, with contractors confident it will be finished prior to November 30.
Measures are already underway to extend the project down East Main to Jackson Avenue, with new sidewalks, underground utilities, and lamp post lighting to blend with what has just been done around court square. Bids for that phase will begin sometime early next year with the actual project to start probably a year or more from now.
Thursday Commissioners heard from Rhonda Thompson as part of a public hearing on a grant application for yet another phase of similar paving and landscaping to continue all the way down East Main to Park Avenue. Thompson is the city’s grant writer. Randy McKinnon of TLM Associates was at City Hall with drawings of this third phase and to answer questions. The City Board has agreed to apply for a $750,000 partial matching grant to implement the Jackson Avenue to Park Avenue phase. Response to the grant request is not expected until sometime late next summer, and actual construction may not commence until three years from now given all of the regulatory requirements. This time frame is comparable to that of phase one. The eventual goal is to have similar sidewalks, landscaping, and lighting east from Court Square to Anderson Avenue.
New housing project on the drawing board
Commissioners, for the first time, saw a site plan Thursday for a 60 unit, single family dwelling building project in South Brownsville. New Horizons Developments, in association with Haywood Partners, LP, whose principals are from Mississippi, plan to construct the sixty units of affordable rental housing next to the current Prairie Creek subdivision near South Washington. If all planning and regulatory requirements are met, the developers of " Lakeview “ subdivision hope to have the project completed and ready for occupancy by the fall of 2012.
Building Inspector Jerry McClinton noted that the development could add $6 to $8 million to the property tax rolls. The Planning Commission will consider the development for a vote at its next scheduled meeting, which may not be until early December due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
The unemployment rate drops slightly in Haywood County, one of 32 Tennessee counties showing improved employment.
October 27, 2011
Tennessee county non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for September 2011, released Thursday, show the rate increased in 51 counties, decreased in 32 counties, and 12 counties remained the same.
Tennessee’s unemployment rate for September was 9.8 percent, up from the August revised rate of 9.7. The national unemployment rate for September 2011 was 9.1 percent, unchanged from the August revised rate.
It was a mixed bag for our immediate area with some counties ticking up slightly, and others, including Haywood County, moving down fractionally.
Lincoln County registered the state's lowest county unemployment rate at 6.6 percent followed by Williamson County at 6.9 percent. Scott County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 19.5 percent, followed by Obion County at 17.0.
Haywood County’s estimated September unemployment is 13.5%, down from August’s 13.7%. A year earlier our unemployment rate was reported to be 13.8%.
Counties near Haywood reported
Tipton 10.1%
Madison 10.2%
Fayette 11.2%
Crockett 11.7%
Hardeman 13%
Lauderdale 14.2%
NOTE: Specific county information is available on the Internet. Go to www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/labor_figures/sept2011county.pdf
Two shooting incidents in Haywood County Tuesday afternoon
October 25, 2011
Authorities and emergency care workers were called to two unrelated shooting incidents Tuesday afternoon. A shooting on Iola Street in Brownsville came into dispatch just minutes after a man was found shot on Forked Deer Road.
Accidental
Sheriff Melvin Bond said Claude Ray Lewis, 71, accidentally shot himself in the face. The sheriff said Lewis was driving a tractor, working on his driveway on Forked Deer Road. The deer-rifle, the sheriff wasn’t sure of the caliber, was on the tractor and accidentally discharged. The bullet struck Lewis on the left side of his face.
Lewis was airlifted from the scene by a Hospital Wing helicopter. His condition was not available at the time of this report.
Working on arrest
Just minutes after EMS and law enforcement were called to Forked Deer Road yesterday, Brownsville Police and ambulance crews raced to Iola Street in North Brownsville where they found a man shot in the chest.
Police say Donnico Rivers, his age unavailable, was shot in the chest but was talking to ambulance crews as they treated him on the scene. Rivers was airlifted from the scene to a Memphis hospital. Rivers condition was not available at the time of this report. One officer told me that late Tuesday night he was listed as critical.
Tuesday night Chief Lea identified the suspect in the shooting as Marcus Williams, 29. The victim and other witnesses, Lea reported, identified Williams. Marcus Williams lives nearby on Ferrell Street. Police surrounded Williams’ home address immediately after the shooting because they thought he was inside. After obtaining a search warrant, officers searched the house but discovered he wasn’t there.
If you know where to find Marcus Williams, call 772-CASH.
(above, left) Marcus Williams is being sought in connection with the Iola Street shooting. (right) Haywood County Ambulance Authority Assistant Director Donnie King helps load the Iola Street victim into an ambulance as they await the arrival of the Hospital Wing helicopter.
Tractor-trailer truck and train collide at Norris Crossing
October 25, 2011
It worked out about as well as a wreck between an 18-wheeler and a train could — nobody was hurt and the train wasn’t derailed.
The accident occurred during the 4pm hour Tuesday. The train stuck the trailer portion of the big-rig. No one on the CSX train was hurt nor was the driver of the truck. The truck is owned by Taylor Brothers’ farming operation. Sources said the train was not knocked off the track and the rails were not damaged.
The truck’s trailer, which was unloaded, was destroyed.
Chamber’s annual Christmas parade set for December 3
October 25, 2011
The Joys of Christmas is the theme for this year’s Brownsville/Haywood County Christmas parade.
The parade is scheduled for December 3.
Entry forms for the parade are now available at the chamber or by clicking here.
Hurry to pay tax discounts
October 25, 2011
This year’s drawn-out budget discussions meant property tax bills were late being delivered. Both Brownsville and Haywood County’s tax notices are just arriving in the mail. But the lateness of the notices didn’t change traditional early-pay discounts
To enjoy the 2% discount offered by county government, bills must be paid by November 3. You have an extra day if you are a city taxpayer; the discount is good through November 4.
There is another window to take advantage of the 1% discount. Brownsville gives taxpayers until December 2 but the county’s deadline isn’t until December 5.
Haywood County raised the tax rate about 8%. Brownsville’s tax rate is unchanged from the previous year.
Suspect in church burglary arrested
October 25, 2011
Sheriff deputies “found evidence at the scene” that led them to an arrest Monday. Sheriff Melvin Bond said Cane Creek Baptist Church was discovered burglarized Monday morning.
The sheriff said investigators discovered information at the scene that led them to Billy Swain. The sheriff didn’t elaborate on the evidence deputies turned up but said they were also able to recover an amplifier taken from the church.
Swain has been charged with burglary, vandalism and theft of property.
Armed bandit steals cash
October 24, 2011
A gunman stole cash from a man who, when first confronted by the robber, chased him away. Police say they haven’t made any arrests but have leads in the incident that occurred in the Tina Drive/West Cooper Street area early Saturday.
Kendrick Lewis, who is from Somerville, is the victim. Lewis wasn’t sure where he was first attacked but thinks it may have been on West Cooper. The gunman eventually stole cash from him on Tina Drive. Police were called just a few minutes before 7am.
Officers say Lewis says he and a female companion were stopped when a man approached with a chrome-plated handgun and demanded money.Lewis said he refused and as the robber was searching the trunk of his car, he got out and chased him away refusing to give him cash and saying, “you’re going to have to shoot me.”
Lewis says the woman drove a short ways and parked on Tina Drive. That’s when somebody came from behind and snatched a fanny pack police said contained a significant amount of money.
The robber got away. He wasn’t wearing a mask and the police report describes him only as a black male.
Federal suit filed against school board dropped — Doris Battle files appeals
October 20, 2011
Doris Battle was among a number of applicants seeking the director of schools job that became vacant when George Chapman retired in 2009. But when she wasn’t hired, she filed a federal lawsuit alleging discrimination.
Battle was a veteran of the Haywood County School system having served as a teacher, in various administrative roles and, at the end of her tenure, assistant superintendent.
Battle’s suit has been dismissed in Jackson’s US District Court but she has appealed to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
US. District Court’s Judge Dan Breen, acting on the Haywood County School Board’s request for summary judgment, dismissed the suit. The case did not go to trial.
Battle filed the suit in February of 2010 alleging violations of the Tennessee Human Rights Acts. Her suit alleges the school board discriminated based on gender.
Marlon King was hired by the board and continues in the role of director of schools.
Battle, soon after being passed over, resigned from her job in Haywood County and was hired as the assistant director at Jackson-Madison County Schools where she continues to work.
In a 39-page order granting the school system’s motion for summary judgment, Judge Daniel Breen wrote that “At the bottom, there is simply no evidence from which a reasonable juror could conclude that the board’s decision not to hire Battle…was a pretext for gender discrimination.”
In her appeal to the appellate court Battle states, “The primary issue on appeal is whether the District Court erred…by failing to properly consider Plaintiff.”
Brownsville Arts Council
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WILL WILLIE NELSON WOW CROWDS FOR THE BROWNSVILLE ARTS COUNCIL?
As the band vamps Whiskey River’s intro, he steps into the spotlight to wild applause. As he sings the first line, “Whiskey river take my mind...,” the crowd is hushed. Then, a restless energy spreads like wildfire across the audience. All over the venue you hear the same thing being repeated, “Is that Willie?” “He looks just like Willie!’ “Darn, he sounds just like Willie!” “That’s gotta be Willie!” The scene is the same whether he is appearing at a festival with an audience of 25,000 or at a more intimate venue like the Marks Performing Arts Center. No, Willie Nelson won’t be there in body but his music and persona will be there in the capable hands of internationally acclaimed tribute artist, Marion Deaton.
During his 35 –year- career as a musician and entertainer, the Clarendon, Arkansas native and Lakeland, TN resident has entertained audiences all over the world and appeared with two generations of rock and country greats including Roy Orbison, Ronnie Millsap, Percy Sledge and many more. In the last few years he has been appearing with his versatile, funky “Smooth Willie Show Band’ in a tribute to Willie Nelson.
Marion is one of those fortunate few look-alikes who not only has the look ‘dead on’ but also has the voice ‘dead on.’ His laid back demeanor makes him a natural Willie. Learn more about Marion at www.mariondeaton.com .
November 5th marks the artist’s only Tennessee performance in 2011 having just returned from a standing room only Australian Tour. Marion Deaton’s Tribute to Willie Nelson is part of the Brownsville Arts Council’s mission to cultivate art and appreciation of the arts in the community.
The show weaves a history of Willie’s writing career from Crazy to On the Road Again and chronicles his recording career from a celebration of the Stardust Album to Beer for My Horses.
The one performance only event will be at 7 p.m. at the Ann Marks Performing Arts Center, 127 N. Grand Avenue at College Hill, Brownsville, TN. Tickets are $12.50 for adults and $6.00 for students.
The artist will be available for interviews 2 weeks prior to the event. Please call 901-377-6971 for an interview appointment. Thanks for your support.
County Commission must replace retiring member Janice King
October 18, 2011
The Haywood County Commission quickly went through a routine agenda last night. The courtroom was about half full of people who had come to watch their government at work.
Mayor Franklin Smith told the commission that Janie King is stepping down from her post as County Commissioner District 1, He read Commissioner King’s immediately effective resignation letter.
Stating that she is resigning her position for health reasons, Commissioner King in her letter expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve and recommended the interim appointment by the Commission of Janice Rogers as her replacement.
Ms. King has represented District 1 on the Commission along with Kathy Chapman. Mayor Smith thanked Ms. King for her service and indicated the process for her replacement would begin immediately.
Commissioners unanimously passed budget Amendments including the approval of applying around $941,000 in loan proceeds, previously slated for the now completed Justice Complex, to payment of ongoing renovations to Haywood High School. They also followed the Budget Committee's recommendation to sell about 70 acres of the County Farm known as the Harrell property. They’ll place the farm money against debt.
Last night’s meeting included a report by Lisa Hankins, Director of REDI, which is the title of the Regional Economic Development Initiative, a program representing twelve counties in rural West Tennessee. REDI has four areas of concentration: education / workforce development, technology, entrepreneurship, and capacity building in the region.
Much of the presentation by Director Hankins focused on education, including guidance and assistance provided to high school students in obtaining aid for and applying to area community colleges. Of 208 Haywood High seniors last year, about half, or 103 students, enrolled in the REDI program, and many of those benefited from grants, scholarships, or other aid facilitated by REDI employees. Abbey Nichols of Brownsville serves high schools in Crockett and Haywood counties for the program.
Sheriff Melvin Bond announced the hiring of two new employees for the jail at the Haywood County Justice Complex. He reported that corrective measures in response to a recent inspection of the jail had been taken and expressed confidence in ultimately obtaining certification by the state for the facility. A state inspector is due to take a look October 31.
Solid waste committee debating money woes
October 18, 2011
The Haywood County Commission Solid Waste Committee met at the Courthouse Thursday evening, but the anticipated recommendation for a hike in rural garbage disposal fees did not materialize. Committee members decided to investigate all options over the next few months before sending a proposal to the full Commission. The Committee met to discuss how best to replace some $80,000 in revenue previously supplied by the local beer tax. For years the Commission has allocated beer tax revenues to the Solid Waste Department, but provisions of the recently passed 2011 - 2012 County budget stripped the Solid Waste Department of those monies and place them back in the County General Fund. Faced with an impending department deficit in light of the Commission's actions, the Solid Waste Committee once again considered recommending a $5 increase in the current $15 rate paid by residential customers, as well as a $10 increase for commercial customers now paying $40 per month. Those potential increases are projected to raise an additional $140,000 annually, a sum more than enough to offset the Department loss of $80,000 in beer tax revenue, but a sum, which may be needed to cover increasing fuel, and equipment maintenance costs. Nonetheless, Committee members in discussions with Solid Waste Director Clinton Neal want to consider other options before saddling rural residents with a green box rate hike.
Those options include (1) continuing the current service at higher rates as discussed, (2) replacing the current green box drop off system with door to door pickup by the County Solid Waste Department, and (3) contracting with a private firm to handle door to door pickup for rural residents. Neal noted that Carroll County currently contracts with a private firm, and that arrangement results in a monthly charge of $17.50 to county customers. However, he indicated that a private firm might charge a higher per customer rate in Haywood County because there are fewer residents than in Carroll County. Fewer residents would necessitate higher rates to achieve the same income stream for a private firm. Committee members requested that Director Neal crunch numbers for all three options and report back at the November meeting.
Director Neal's information about the Carroll County system revealed some interesting comparisons to Haywood County. With about 6,000 rural customers, Carroll County is disposing of 854,000 pounds of garbage per month. Haywood County is servicing 3,063 homes and is disposing of 908,000 pounds over the same period. Thus, Carroll County averages 35.6 pounds per customer per week compared to 74 pounds in Haywood County. According to Neal, this large disparity strongly suggests that a lot of garbage from other areas is finding its way into unattended Haywood County green boxes. Switching to a door-to-door system would likely significantly reduce the overall tonnage currently handled in Haywood County.
During Thursday's meeting. Committee members learned of the unauthorized disposal of a meth lab at dumpsters along Hwy. 54 North in the Al City area that day. A Hazmat (hazardous materials) company was summoned to safely and properly dispose of the meth lab chemicals and components late Thursday afternoon.
Brownsville Town Hall Meeting will help voters understand new law
October 18, 2011
A new law that will require voters to show a valid photo ID at the polls won't go into effect until next year, but in preparation for this new requirement, the Haywood County Election Commission will hold a town hall meeting to inform the public of the change in the law.
The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 1, at the Haywood County Justice Complex in the courtroom. The purpose of the meeting is to present information regarding the new law, which goes into effect January 1, 2012. The town hall meeting will include a presentation, followed by a question and answer period.
The major points of the law include:
A voter is required to produce a federal or state government-issued photo ID before being allowed to vote. Some examples of a valid photo ID, even if expired, are a Tennessee driver license, U.S. passport, Department of Safety photo ID card, state or federal employee photo identification card, or a U.S. military photo ID. Student college IDs will not be accepted for voting purposes.
Free photo IDs may be obtained from any Department of Safety driver license testing station. Registered voters must sign an affidavit stating that the photo ID is for voting purposes, that they are a registered voter, and that they do not have any other valid government-issued photo ID. The Department of Safety will not issue a free photo ID if the person already has a valid government-issued photo ID
Voters who are unable to produce a valid photo ID will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot, which is a paper ballot, at the polls. Voters casting a provisional ballot will have until two (2) business days after Election Day to return to the election commission office to show a valid photo ID.
Voters with a religious objection to being photographed, or voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee - for example, the voter cannot pay for a birth certificate for proof of citizenship - may sign an oath affirming to the information and will be allowed to vote on the machines.
Voters who vote absentee by mail, voters who are hospitalized, and voters who live in licensed nursing homes or assisted living centers and vote at the facilities are not required to show photo IDs. Registered voters over the age of 65 may request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
“The goal of the town hall meeting is to educate the public and prepare voters for the upcoming 2012 elections,” Andrea Smothers, administrator of elections said. “We want voters to have plenty of time to obtain a valid photo ID if they do not already possess one. We encourage everyone to attend the November 1 meeting.”
For more information about the new voting requirements, contact Mark Goins, coordinator of elections, or Andrew Dodd, elections specialist, in the state Division of Elections at 1-877-850-4959 or your local county election commission at 772-1760.
Free Child Safety Seat Check-up
October 18, 2011
The City of Brownsville Police Department is sponsoring a Child Safety Seat Check-up event on Friday October 21st.
This Free event will be at the Brownsville Wal-Mart from 2pm -4pm. Child Seat Technicians will be on hand to check, instruct, and properly install Child Seats. This is event is open to all Brownsville/ Haywood County residence.
Developer says he’s planning to bring new hotel to Exit 56
October 13, 2011
Jackson, Tennessee entrepreneur developer David Hunt says his property at Exit 56 will be the site of a new hotel. Hunt, who has for years told city leaders he’d build south of the exit reaffirmed his plans in a telephone interview with Brownsville Radio Wednesday.
Mayor Jo Matherne reported Tuesday that the work to extend utilities under the Interstate to service Brownsville’s newly annexed tracts has just been completed. The utilities provide sewer and water on the south side of Exit 56.
The north side of the Exit saw remarkable growth when it was annexed decades ago, but there’s been no new growth south of the intersection in years.
Hunt owns property at the southwest corner of Exit 56. Matherne said Hunt’s property isn’t in the new city limits but she expects, barring unforeseen complications, to annex once the hotel plans are firm. Matherne mentioned that a lawsuit challenging the city’s urban growth boundaries might be problematic.
Details of how many rooms or the name of the hotel aren’t available. Hunt said he may also build a family-style restaurant on the tract. “Really, I’d like to develop that whole strip,” Hunt said.
The developer said he is currently building a hotel in Fayetteville and forecasts its completion by next spring. Once the Fayetteville hotel is open he says he will turn his attention to the Brownsville development.
Haywood County Clerk makes voter ID easy
October 13, 2011
If you don’t have the right photo ID you won’t be able to vote next year. Maybe you’re not worried about that just yet — but sooner or later you will be and things are being done about.
Officials say 30 county clerks across Tennessee, including Haywood County Clerk Sonya Castellaw have agreed to issue photo driver's licenses at no charge to registered voters who do not have them.
Under a new state law, starting in 2012 voters will have to show a state or federal photo ID to vote in Tennessee.
According to state officials, county clerks will provide this service beginning next Monday and continuing through March 12th, a week after the presidential primary election.
2011 “Trick or Treat with Me” date announced
Brownsville and Haywood County merchants invite areas children to “Trick or Treat with Me” on Monday, October 31, from 4-7 p.m. The annual event is sponsored by the Brownsville Business Association (BBA) and has become a favorite among children and adults.
The event began in 2008 when BBA members recognized a need for a safer alternative to traditional trick or treating. By remaining open later and offering this service to the children, merchants feel that they are providing a safer environment for the young people of our community.
“The kids still get to experience the excitement of going door-to-door,” explains BBA President Albert Campbell, “and the parents have the piece of mind of knowing this is a lot safer than visiting homes and neighborhoods they are not familiar with.”
“Trick or Treat with Me” is open to children ages 12 and under and each child is encouraged to dress in his or her favorite costume. Parents will recognize participating merchants by the purple and orange “Trick or Treat with Me” poster in windows. Last year over 20 businesses stayed open for this special event.
For more information, or to sign-up your business to participate, contact the BBA at 731-780-5144 or e-mail: info@shopbrownsvilletn.com. Interested businesses should contact the BBA before October 15, 2011.
Brownsville merchants participating in this year’s “Trick or Treat with Me” will be posting this sign on their windows and doors. The event is planned for Monday, October 31, from 4-7 p.m.
County budget committee mulls leftover cash — decides to sell farm
October 11, 2011
In its first meeting since passage of the 2011 - 2012 budget and tax rate, the Haywood County Commission’s budget committee met Monday afternoon to propose budget amendments and discuss the possible sale of county property to raise revenue.
About a half dozen people from the Concerned Citizens Group were there to watch the proceedings and ask questions.
Schools to get justice center leftover
October 11, 2011
The most significant amendments to the new budget concerned over $1.1 million in concluding expenditures related to the construction of the Haywood County Justice Complex. Approximately $170,000 in final bills for construction were part of that figure.
So now that all of the justice center bills have been paid — county government finds itself with $941,000 leftover from the original $15 million bond issue. Yesterday the budget committee recommended transfer of that money to Haywood County Schools. Schools will use it to pay some of the bills for the $4.3 million renovation happening now at Haywood High School.
(Recall that the County commission voted to spend $4.3 million for school repairs and renovations last December but has yet to finalize plans for paying for it. The county commission has already budgeted $1 million and the school system has agreed in principle to pay $1 million. With the almost $1 million in leftover justice complex bond funds slated by the budget committee for the school project, about $1.4 million in additional revenue is still needed to finish funding it ($1,000,000 +$1,000,000 + $941,000 = $2,941,000. $4,300,000 - $2,941,000 = $1,359,000, or roughly $1.4 million). That $1.4 million was not addressed in the budget and tax rated passed by the County Commission last month. So funding the renovation is still a question for county leaders. )
Sell ground — raise cash
October 11, 2011
The county needs $1.4 million to fund school improvements. Maybe they can get some of it by selling surplus property.
The budget committee discussed the potential sale of county property located on North Washington across from the Escue & Hill Parts Store, as well as over 70 acres of land known as the Harrell farm, which is part of the County Farm property near Highway 70 East.
They eventually decided to postpone recommendations concerning the North Washington property until county records currently stored there can be removed. However, they voted unanimously to recommend the sale of the 70-acre Harrell farm property. The Harrell farm represents about half of the total county farm acreage.
Tax notices soon — write checks quickly to get discount
October 11, 2011
Haywood County Trustee Sonny Howse is waiting for approval from Nashville and hopes to send out County property tax notices by the end of this week, and if that occurs taxpayers should receive them early next week. There will be no extension on the November 3rd and December 3rd deadlines for taxpayers to take advantage of the available 2% and 1% discounts. Property taxes in the notices will be up over 8% from last year.
King says he’ll make good on earlier promise to suggest pay cut
October 11, 2011
Budget Committee Chairman Allen King reiterated his intention at some point in time to propose a 50% pay cut for the County Commissioners. King said lots of county workers took it on the chin with the last budget — he thinks commissioners ought to share the pain. He didn’t say, exactly, when he’d make the proposal. His earliest opportunity, however, will be when the Haywood County Commission meets in regular session at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, October 17, at the Courthouse.
Third man arrested in pizza caper
October 11, 2011
Police have arrested a third man alleged to have been involved with last week’s armed robbery.
Last Tuesday night a pizza deliveryman was beaten, robbed and his car stolen. The incident occurred at a vacant house located on North Park where he thought he was delivering a pizza.
Police arrested the final suspect, David Clark, 20. Two other people were arrested last week. Allen Henley, 19, was arrested shortly after the robbery and Derrick Holmes was arrested a couple of days later.
Three arrested in Tuesday night violent crimes
October 5, 2011
Police have arrested two of three suspects believed to have been involved in a burglary, robbery and auto theft Tuesday night.
Pretty scary time for pizza deliveryman Jonathan Pinkington.
Police say he delivered a Dominos pizza to what turned out to be an abandoned house — but was greeted by three guys who pulled a gun — and beat him.
Investigators started working on this about 10 Tuesday night.
Pinkington delivered the pizza to 600 North Park. When he arrived, three men confronted him. One man drew a gun — they pulled him into the house where they hit him in the head with a chair, took a very small amount of money, his wallet, cellphone and pizza.
The three bad guys left in Pinkington’s car. Police found the car a very short time later on Reid Street.
Officers say they believe the three men broke into 600 North Bradford. They found a back door kicked in and the unoccupied house had been ransacked.
They have arrested Allen Henley, 19 and Derrick Holmes so far.
Pinkington was not seriously hurt.
Short Street robbery
About an hour after the North Park Street incident, Tuesday police were called to a strong-armed robbery and have also made an arrest in that case.
Tashantay Douglass told investigators a man forced his way into her home at 413 Short Street and snatched $60 in cash she was holding in her hand. The man fled.
Police have charged Tyler Boyd in connection.
Reeves Garrett receives National Merit Letter of Commendation
Haywood High School Principal Dorothy Bond announced that senior Reeves Garrett has received a Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program for outstanding performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. To receive this commendation, Reeves placed in the top 50,000 of over 1.5 million students who entered the program.
Reeves is the son of Art and Laurel Garrett. He holds a 4.0 grade point average and is a member of the HHS 30+ Club for scoring 32 on the ACT test.
Madison Eubanks earns membership in HHS 30+ Club
Madison Eubanks, a senior at Haywood High School and the daughter of Teresa Russell and Stanley Eubanks, is a new member of the HHS 30+ Club. She earned this distinction by making a 31 on the ACT test. Madison holds a 4.0 grade point average and is president of the Beta Club.
Other members of this HHS elite academic 30+ Club are seniors Reeves Garrett, Taylor Primrose, Seth Tillman and Kaitlyn Schwarz. The club was organized in the 2009-2010 school year with Anna Baumheckel and Andrew Pearson as the charter members. Other members were Audrey Pattat, Alex Primrose, Nathan Peace and Breanne Sills all of whom graduated in 2010 and 2011.
