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News Headlines
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
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Child Advocacy Center Dedication Attended by First Lady |
Tennessee's First Lady Andrea
Conte accepts a certificate making her an honorary citizen
of Huntingdon.
Tennessee First Lady Andrea Conte has a personal message for
abused children in Carroll County, and one for survivors of
abuse. She was on hand Thursday morning, June 24, to
celebrate the grand opening of the 24th Judicial District's
child advocacy center, located at the Exchange Club-Carl
Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, 341 Redden
Street in Huntingdon, behind Thomas Park.
To children in abusive situations, she says, "What is going
on is not your fault. You need to tell some adult who you
trust—a parent, neighbor, relative, or teacher. Tell and
keep telling until someone believes you, because it is not
your fault—you've done nothing wrong—and you do not
deserve to be abused in any way."
Andrea, the petite, dynamic wife of Governor Phil Bredesen,
is the state's top female role
model, whose foremost personal missions underscore the
success of her advocacy: 1) her child abuse and victim's
rights projects demonstrate that protecting Tennessee's
children is everybody's concern, and 2) her passion to
restore Tennessee's executive residence, through the raising
of private funds, is testimony that life goes on in abundant
measure beyond abuse; there is much to savor.
Conte's premise, in fact, is that "healing begins when crime
survivors acknowledge that, while they can't change the
past, they do have the power to make a difference in the
future."
Even then, healing doesn't happen overnight. "It takes a
long time to recover," Andrea says in a personal message to
survivors. "Those who have been victims of physical or
sexual abuse should keep in mind to always go for help when
you think you need it. Even when you've been through
treatment; talking is very therapeutic."
Present at the celebration were numerous members of the
community, city officials from across the county, and
various county and state officials, some of whom included,
from McKenzie, Mayor Walter Winchester, City Clerk Charlie
Beal and Councilmember Jerry Arthur; from Hollow Rock, Ray
Waters; from Clarksburg, City Recorder Terry McCoy; from
Huntingdon, Executive Assistant Jeal Atwood and
Councilmember Clarence Norman; County Mayor Kenny McBride;
Chamber of Commerce President Brad Hurley; state
Representative Mark Maddox; and Pam Nash, executive director
of the Carl Perkin's Canter.
Also present were law enforcement officials, including
Huntingdon's Public Safety Director Joe Parker, and those
with roles tangential to child abuse, such area educators:
Jeannie Nunamaker, principal of Hollow Rock-Bruceton
Elementary; Mary Mays, principal of the Carroll County
Technology Center; Dana Cobb, regional coordinator of the
Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth; Diane Collins,
superintendant of the South Carroll Special School District;
Linda Inman, supervisor of the South Carroll Special School
District; Leanne Bailey, K-3 principal in Huntingdon; and
Angie Bunn, supervisor of instruction for Huntingdon Special
School District.
Andrea teams up with area
educators for a group photo.
Jennifer Patrick and Sharye Hendrix represented the
Star-Quality Child Care Program, a service affiliated with
the state Department of Human Services located at the
University of Tennessee at Martin. Its Child Care Resource
and Referral network "provides resources for parents, child
care professionals, employers and the community that support
quality care and development of our children."
Prosecutor John Overton, Jr. of Savannah, chief deputy
district attorney general for the 24th Judicial District,
expressed his appreciation of the center, saying, "This
center is part of our partnership. Anytime there is
effective law enforcement you find people working together
(like this.)"
He said the center helps to reduce the psychological trauma
endured by children who previously were required to recount
their experiences time and again at different levels of the
investigative process.
Child advocacy centers ease that burden by providing "a
warm, caring and nurturing environment" in which
law-enforcement officials can conduct investigations "while
providing much-needed counseling and support to children."
A forensic investigator interviews the child in a small,
comfortable room at the center, observed unobtrusively by
law enforcement and Children's Services personnel in another
room of the center, via closed circuit TV. Questions raised
during the interview can be relayed to the interviewer
through a small earpiece or may be suggested during an
intermission in the interview.
Pam Moss, an investigator of child abuse and neglect with
the Huntingdon-based Children's Services, said she
has had the opportunity to participate in forensic
interviews at the new Carl Perkins Advocacy Center on
several occasions since it opened earlier this year.
Carl Perkins-Carroll County
Director Tracy Connell with Children's Services Investigator
Pam Moss.
"I think it's wonderful," she said. "I think it really helps
provide services to kids and gives them a safe place to
come, and it allows us to listen more closely."
She said she was shocked upon discovering the prevalence of
child abuse in the county when she assumed her position
three and a half years ago.
The Carl Perkins Center Web site (www.carlperkinscenter.org)
states that last year, in Tennessee, there were over 38,000
reported cases of abuse, or 104 children every day. Of
these, according to the site, approximately 41 percent were
for neglect, 16 percent for physical abuse, 24 percent for
sexual abuse, 1 percent for emotional abuse and 18 percent
for other forms of maltreatment.
The "Kids Count—State of the Child in 2003" report
calculated the rate of child abuse in Carroll County as 6.7
per 1000 children under the age of 18.
As guests milled outdoors, Maddox commented, "The prevention
of child abuse and the protection of our children is one of
the most important things we can do as a community. I wish
all children could live (safe and happy lives.) But they
don't, and so it is fitting and proper that we have a place
like the Carl Perkins Center to help families in need."
Andrea Conte cute the ribbon to dedicate the Child Advocacy
Center located at the Carl Perkins Center in Huntingdon.
In introducing Conte to the crowd, McBride shared the recent
completion of her 600-mile walk across the state to increase
awareness about the problem of child abuse and to raise $1
million for child advocacy centers. Her goal is to have a
center in each of the state's 31 judicial districts.
Conte said the goal was close at hand with 26 centers "up
and running", three near completion and two others in
development.
She said she had learned during her walk that having a
successful advocacy center really comes down to a couple of
things: "To have a successful center you have to surround
yourself with the best people..." she said, "and you have to
have people that energize the community; and you do," she
continued, eyeing the large number in attendance.
Donors are also necessary in making the center a success,
she continued, counseling staff and board to be prepared to
tell others about the program "because they want to know and
they want to know how they can help."
McBride presented to Conte, in Mayor Dale Kelley's absence,
a framed certificate proclaiming her to be an honorary
citizen of the town of Huntingdon, an entity set out in the
certificate as composed of a people still pioneering in
combining a "treasured past and promising future."
Atwood earlier relayed Kelley's regrets, saying "He did
express his disappointment in not being able to be here
today to greet the first lady and attend the ribbon cutting
of this very important center."
Nunamaker, president of the Carl Perkins-Carroll County
Board of Directors, presented to board member Ben Gaines,
Jr., in absentia, a plaque in appreciation of his dedication
in raising funds for the center. She noted that through
fundraising events, in which his employees participated, and
his matching dollars, over $75,000 had been raised for the
center.
The plaque reads that the center "honors Ben Gaines, Jr. in
recognition of his efforts to truly make a difference in the
lives of children and families in Carroll County and for his
unwavering love and dedication to the center and those we
serve."
New Generations employees
present for the dedication include Linda McAdoo, Linda Perritt, Lillie Edwards, Sherry Townes, and Sandra Davidson.
Accepting the plaque for Gaines were representatives of New
Generations Furniture Co., including Linda McAdoo, Linda
Perritt, Lillie Edwards, Sherry Townes, and Sandra Davidson.
Nunamaker cited the important role the women had played in
fundraisers and telethons as individuals employed at New
Generations.
"We're proud to do what we do and it's for a wonderful
cause," said New Generations employee Sherry Townes. "I love
doing anything for the kids."
Davidson, who also works for New Generations, agreed, "It is
for a good cause: there's an abused kid out there and
sometimes they're right around the corner and you don't know
it."
Tracy Connell, director of the center, commented, "We're
excited to be able to offer this service and it's thanks to
the community's support that we're able to do that. We have
worked hard, but it's here and going strong."
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Frye Named Middle School Principal |
By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
 Jon Frye of Jackson is the new McKenzie Middle School
principal. The Medon, Tennessee native is eager to start his
administrative duties in McKenzie. Frye has served as assistant principal at Southside High
School, his alma mater, for the past six years. His 18 years
of experience in education includes four years at Jackson
Central Merry, where he taught physics and served as head
football coach, and 8.5 years at Dyersburg High School,
where he taught physics and math and coached football, track
and baseball. Coach David Duncan of McKenzie was Frye's
assistant at JCM. Duncan told Frye about the open principal
position in McKenzie. The new principal is a 1982 graduate of Southside High
School, a 1987 graduate of Lambuth College, where he
attained a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a
major in math, and a 1991 graduate of Trevecca University,
where he attained a master's degree in administration and
supervision. He is working on his doctorate in curriculum
and instruction at Union University.
He and wife, Debbie, have two daughters, Sara, age 12, a
student in the eighth grade, and Julia, age 10, a student in
the fifth grade. Both will attend McKenzie Middle School.
The new principal said McKenzie Special School District is
"very, very sound; it's exemplary." Frye has been meeting
with staff members who have dropped by the school to meet
him. "I have met half of the staff. They're ready to go,"
said Frye. He wants the first day of school to be as
seamless as possible.
Student development and involvement by the community and
parents are goals of Frye, who said he wants the school to
develop the student academically with a better understanding
of the world.
Self-proclaimed managerial strengths are "understanding
situations" and "good people skills." Sometimes the
situation requires a consensus of the parties while other
situations will require an executive-level decision. Either
way, he said he would attempt to apply the correct solution
to the situation.
Hobbies include watching motor sports and golfing, the
latter he clarifies by saying, "I own golf clubs. I'm not
sure I'm a golfer." His love of motor sports, preferably
NASCAR and Formula I, has been parlayed into physics lessons
for previous students.
While Frye is relocating from a 14,000- to a 1,400-student
school district, he feels McKenzie will provide community
support for the school, just as enjoyed at Southside High
School, which several generations of families call their
alma mater.
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Inmate Dies Unexpectedly at Carroll County Jail |
By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
 The sudden death of a Carroll County Jail inmate Saturday
morning is being investigated by Carroll County authorities
and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Weldon Keith Reynolds, 53, of McKenzie was discovered dead in
his cell Saturday morning by another inmate, said Sheriff
Bendell Bartholomew. Reynolds had arrived at the facility at
6:30 p.m. Friday to begin a 30-day sentence on charges of
aggravated burglary and unlawful carrying or possession of a
weapon. He was being housed in a 32-man cell, along with
approximately eight other inmates, the sheriff said. "He came into the cell, laid down and went to sleep, and never
woke up," the sheriff said he was advised by other inmates.
One of the other inmates, who Bartholomew declined to
identify, attempted to wake Reynolds at approximately 4 - 4:30
a.m. for breakfast.
"He said he opened his eyes and moved his feet some. He
mumbled something he did not understand and went back to
sleep," Bartholomew stated he was told.
At approximately 7:00 a.m. Reynolds was discovered dead when
the inmate or inmates attempted once again to rouse him. The
jailer was notified and an ambulance was summoned.
Bartholomew said he was notified of the situation and arrived
at the jail at approximately 7:30 p.m. He notified TBI Agent
Joe Walker, who arrived at the jail a short time later.
Assistant medical examiner Lee Carter and medical examiner
Steve Cantrell also arrived on the scene, where the inmate was
pronounced dead at 7:45 a.m.
"The best guess is that he had a heart attack," said
Bartholomew, who noted that an autopsy was ordered. Reynolds
had a history of heart trouble and was on medication at the
time, the sheriff stated.
Bartholomew said Reynolds had attempted to serve his time
approximately two weeks earlier. He was incarcerated on June
10; however, he began having chest pains and was released the
following day on medical furlough.
Bartholomew said the deceased inmate showed no signs of injury
or trauma. Other inmates were relocated to another cell as the
investigation continued.
Cantrell said Monday he had spoken with Dr. Tom Deering, who
conducted the autopsy at Tennessee Medical Examiner's Office
in Nashville. The doctor stated the cause of death is pending
toxicology and histology tests and will be made available at a
later date. |
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McLemoresville Man Killed, After Shooting Son-in-Law |
By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
MCLEMORESVILLE - Carroll County Sheriff's deputies shot and
killed a man at his home Tuesday night, June 21, after the man
fired on officers responding to a domestic disturbance call at
160 Bigham Lane, between McLemoresville and Trezevant.
Charlie Bigham, 72, died Tuesday night at Baptist Memorial
Hospital in Huntingdon.
Carroll County sheriff's deputies responded to a domestic
disturbance call between 6:00 and 6:30 p.m. from neighbors on
Bigham Road, said John Mehr, special agent in charge for the
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Because of the county's involvement, Carroll County Sheriff
Bendell Bartholomew notified the TBI, who took over the
investigation. TBI Agent Joe Walker is investigating.
Bigham was reportedly shooting at his son-in-law, Ulysses
Chism, who resides next door to Bigham. While officers were en
route, another call was received, informing officials that
Bigham had shot at a second son-in-law, Obie Kirby, wounding
him in the arm.
When Bartholomew and deputies arrived, Bigham began to shoot
at officers from the front yard of his home. They returned
fire and struck him, Mehr said. Mehr said the investigation is
continuing and declined comment on who fired the bullet that
struck Bigham.
Mehr stated authorities have been called to the residence
several times before on domestic-related disturbances
involving Bigham.
Kirby, 50, spoke from his 5018 Anderson Street home in Milan
Thursday, stating he was not at the home when the incident
began. He said his wife called and told him that his
father-in-law had shot at another son-in-law.
Kirby left his Milan home to pick up his wife before
continuing to the Bigham home. When he arrived, he and other
family members tried to talk Bigham into surrendering his
weapon before officers arrived.
"He was incoherent," said Kirby. "My father-in-law has a
history of mental illness."
More shots were fired, with a bullet or bullets hitting
Kirby's truck and another hitting his arm. He went by private
vehicle to Milan General Hospital, where he was treated and
transferred to a Jackson hospital where he received further
treatment in the emergency room.
Kirby said two bullet holes were evident in his truck, one in
the bed and one in another location in the back of the truck.
However, the two holes in the truck may have resulted from one
shot, he said.
First Responders and Baptist Emergency Medical Services
arrived at the Bigham residence and performed CPR on the
victim. Resuscitation attempts continued at the hospital for a
short time.
Carroll County Rescue Squad also responded to provide lighting
at the crime scene.
The body was sent to Tennessee Medical Examiner's Office in
Nashville for autopsy.
Bigham is survived by his wife, Patty Phillips Bigham, and
seven children. See separate obituary in this edition. |
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Unemployment Remains Stable in Tri-Counties |
By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
Latest unemployment statistics released by the Tennessee
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TWLWD) little
or no change in Carroll, Henry and Weakley counties during
the May reporting period.
Carroll County's jobless rate at 7.6 percent was unchanged
from April to May, as is Henry County's rate at 7.4 percent.
There were no significant changes in any area of employment,
with labor forces remaining stable in all industries,
according to Judith Bradberry, Labor Market Analyst for
TDLWD.
Weakley County's May unemployment rate was 6.5 percent, a
slight increase from the 6.3 percent reported for April.
Again, there were no significant changes in the employment
picture for that county, stated Bradberry.
The number of available workers in Carroll County totaled
13,610, with 12,570 employed and 1,040 unemployed.
Henry County's labor force totals 14,150, with 13,100
employed and 1,050 unemployed.
Weakley County has a labor force totaling 15,480, with
14,470 workers employed and 1,010 without jobs.
Tennessee's unemployment rate for the month of May is 6.2
percent, up 0.4 percentage point from the seasonally
adjusted April rate of 5.8 percent, according to
Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley.
The national unemployment rate for May is 5.1 percent, down
slightly from the April rate of 5.2 percent.
"The household survey for May shows an unusual increase in
unemployed youth entering the workforce," said Commissioner
Neeley. "Some school systems across the state ended earlier
this year sending more teens looking for summer work in
May."
The April-to-May figures show increases in leisure and
hospitality jobs, up by 4,500. Construction jobs rose by
2,500 and manufacturing jobs rose 1,600. Month-to-month
seasonal decreases took place in government jobs, down
3,700. Professional/scientific/technical services jobs
decreased 2,500 and education services jobs fell 1,300. |
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