Former McKenzie Grocer Earl Pace died at The Med in Memphis Friday from injuries sustained in an August 9 automobile accident. Pace was the lone passenger in a northbound vehicle driven by Samuel L. Poole, 75, of McKenzie when the vehicle struck a parked tractor-trailer truck. Pace's sister, Rebecca Jane Poole, age 69, died of a heart attack on the same day as Pace. Visitation at McKenzie Funeral Home was conducted concurrently with separate funeral services Monday.

According to a report filed by Trooper Mark Jackson, Mr. Poole, Highway 423, McKenzie and passenger Earl L. Pace, 73, McKenzie were traveling northbound in a 1998 Mercury Sable and were approaching the crest of a hill near Cherrywood Drive. The report noted that the vehicle traveled another 800 feet before colliding with the rear end of a driver-less 1991 Ford F-700 tractor-trailer truck belonging to Deviney Construction Company of Jackson, Mississippi parked on the north edge of the roadway, partially blocking the lane. Upon impact, the Poole vehicle entered into the southbound lane, traveling a short distance before coming to a final rest in the northbound lane. After impact, the tractor-trailer reportedly remained in its parked position. Pace was transported to McKenzie Regional Emergency and then airlifted to The Med. The report stated that driver Poole was listed as having sustained code 2 (moderate to serious) injuries.

McKenzie Fire/Rescue Team, McKenzie Regional Ambulance Service, THP, and McKenzie Police Department responded to the scene.

Damage to the Poole vehicle was listed as very severe. The semi received moderate damage to the rear of the trailer. D and D Wrecker Service of McKenzie towed Poole's vehicle from the scene, with towing of the semi arranged by the owner.

Pace owned Pace's Grocery, a downtown "rural-like" store offering refreshments, sandwiches and other old-time staples such as kerosene. He purchased the shotgun-style store known as Martin's Grocery in 1976 and closed the store in December 1999 because of failing health. He and his father once operated a store in the Macedonia community. After his discharge from the Navy, where he served during the Korean Conflict, Pace obtained a degree in business and moved to several cities in Illinois where he worked in finance. When the finance company sold, he moved back to Tennessee and bought the downtown grocery.

See obituares for Mrs. Poole and Mr. Pace in this issue.

In a separate accident reported by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, on August 11 at approximately 2:46 a.m., Trooper Michael Sullivan responded to a one-car accident occurring on SR 424, three-tenths of a mile from milepost .03. According to the report, Denese M. Guillory, 40, Old Paris Road, McKenzie, driving a 1994 Dodge Stealth owned by passenger Kay Sellers, 42, Reedy Creek Road, Huntingdon, was traveling west on SR424 and failed to negotiate a curve. Upon losing control, the vehicle exited the north edge of the roadway before re-entering the roadway and exiting the south edge of the road. The vehicle, upon striking an embankment began to overturn and struck a tree. Continuing to overturn, the vehicle traveled along the south edge of the roadway before coming to a final rest upside down facing south. The report noted that passenger Sellers, ejected from the vehicle during the crash, was transported by ambulance to Baptist Memorial Emergency in Huntingdon for treatment of critical (code three) injuries. Sellers was cited for left of center, driver license, registration, and seat belt violations. Damage to the vehicle was listed as severe to all areas. Kee's Wrecker Service towed the vehicle from the scene.

HUNTINGDON (August 14)- Carroll County Commissioners set a tax rate of $1.06 for fiscal year 2006-2007 and approved the budget during its monthly meeting at the Carroll County Office Complex.

The $15.1 million budget was approved unanimously with an attendant tax rate of $1.06 per $100 assessed value on real estate. The budget includes expenditures of $6,589,962 for the General Fund, $1,149,532 for Solid Waste Fund, $70,546 for Drug Control Fund, $3,279,851 for Highway and Public Works Fund, $2,478,576 for General Purpose School Fund, $1,199,344 for School Transportation Fund, and $356,973 for General Debt Service Fund.

The $1.06 tax rate consists of 63 cents for General Fund, 8 cents for Solid Waste Fund, 9 cents for Highway and Public Works, 9 cents for Debt Service, and 17 cents for School Transportation.

Four county commissioners said their good-byes during their last session of the full commission. Virgil Coleman (24 years), Roger Hollowell (12 years), Billy J. Smith (16 years), and Mike Creasy (eight years) are leaving the commission on August 31.

Coleman said he is honored the people elected him to serve 24 years. He is especially proud of the progress of the county road system, which has gone from wooden culverts and bridges to steel structures and from gravel roads to hard surfaces. He commended the four road commissioners and their crews for the excellent work.

Creasy said he appreciated fellow commissioners and their help and patience. He termed it a learning experience and thanked Joel Washburn, who will fill his post.

Hollowell said he has enjoyed the biggest part of his tenure on the commission and has learned how to win and how to lose. He said he missed a lone meeting during his tenure and that was due to being hospitalized. He asked for and was elected to the post three times. "If you need me, I will be in Yuma or at the Tennessee River," Hollowell said in closing.

Smith said he has made lots of friends and enjoyed his service. "I consider it an honor and privilege," said Smith of his service. He said he is especially proud of the improvements to the jail, office complex, and courthouse, while not raising taxes. Jokingly, he said he is concerned about the pay cut he will encounter, but noted the commission meetings "will be half as long and boring" without his presence.

Donations to nonprofit organizations were approved and include: Carroll County Rescue Squad $6,000; Gordon Browning Museum $4,000; McKenzie Memorial Library $8,000; Carl Perkins Center $1,000; West Tennessee Hearing and Speech $2,000; McKenzie Senior Citizens Center $200; Atwood Senior Citizens Center $200; Huntingdon Museum $400; Carroll County Museum $400; McKenzie YMCA $1,000; First Responders $2,500; Tenn. Rehabilitation Center $1,000.

Bertha Taylor was unanimously selected to serve as the interim circuit court clerk, filling the unexpired term of the late Paul Newmon. She was sworn in Tuesday by Judge Larry Logan. Taylor won the August 3 election and has served as first deputy clerk in the office for a number of years and has supervised the day-to-day operations of the office in the absence of the clerk. Newmon's term expires August 31.

Board appointments include: Charlene Agee and Nancy Rush to the Carroll County Library Board with a term ending June 2009; and Billy Smith, Jane Williams, and Howell Todd to the Carroll County Indigent Care Fund with a term ending September 2009.

William B. Melton was honored for 33 years of service to the Carroll County Highway Department. Mayor McBride presented Melton a wristwatch and a resolution honoring him for his service.

Melton thanked the commission for their support. He said the county roads are much better today than when he first became employed with the county. He recalled the days of manual labor, working with a pick and shovel compared today with modern hydraulic machinery to perform the harder tasks. He added his praises for the four road commissioners and a special thanks to Ricky Scott.

Notaries elected were: Scarlett S. Barger, Madeline M. Walker, Betty Wallace, Angie Martin, Sandra S. Spires, Cindy Doles, Paula Bolen, Jeal Atwood, Alexis M. Stallcup, J. Kenneth Todd, Martha Taylor, Ann M. Prather, Krista D. Taylor, and Myrna Johnson.

McBride announced that Commissioner Jerry White was in intensive care after suffering a ruptured colon. "He's a pretty sick man," said McBride.

Huntingdon (August 8th) During regular session, Huntingdon Mayor Dale Kelley informed council members that the Carroll County Watershed Authority had received two Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) grants. He noted that a $350,000 LPRF grant had been awarded to fund purchasing of land for usage in construction of the 1,000-acre Carroll County Lake project in Leach. He added that the town had also received a $175,000 LPRF grant to fund improvements to lighting, concession stands, and fencing at Veterans Park. Both grants include a fifty-percent matching cost agreement that can be repaid by currency reimbursement or in-kind sweat equity.

In honor of the late Betty Higdon Butler, the council members unanimously adopted resolution 006-12, renaming Welcome Park West to Betty Higdon Butler Memorial Park. Kelley stated that Higdon, a long-time member and chairperson for the Huntingdon Beautification Committee, was instrumental in many town projects and activities. He added that she had been played a pivotal role in the 2003 boardwalk construction project, and had worked diligently to secure state approval to acquire the old Highway Patrol property on West Main. He noted that Butler and Beautification Committee members transformed the property into an attractive welcoming park, adding significant luster to the entrance and appearance of the town.

The town council adopted on second and final reading ordinance 493, amending Chapter 7 Purchasing and Procurement, Title 5, Municipal Finance and Taxation, of the Huntingdon Municipal Code, to allow competitive telephonic bid requirements to be raised from $1,000 to $4,000.

The Council approved the sale of a 1993 Verneer Model 1250BC Brush Chipper to James Webb of Springville for $5,700. Kelley noted that the equipment was no longer utilized by the town and had been deemed surplus property.

The Huntingdon Jr. Babe Ruth Team was recognized for placing third in statewide Babe Ruth competition. Addressing the team and coaching staff, Kelley said, "The Town Council and I wish to show our appreciation to you players, parents, and coaches and recognize your distinguished sports achievement."

Kelley conferred certificates of recognition to team members Cody Crocker, Jay Pierce, Kennon Collins, Will McClure, Travis Rich, Kyle Adams, Ben Carter, Collin Hatch, Frank Villalobos, Dylan Clifft, C.J. Rich, and Daniel Thomas. A plaque commemorating the team's stellar accomplishment was presented to coaches Tony Crocker, Jerry Adams, and Danny Rich.

The council approved Bethel College's request to allow Kelley Sportsplex soccer field to be utilized for a fundraising tournament August 19.