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Son of Huntingdon Minister Murdered in Selmer |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
Matthew and Mary Winkler and their
children, Patricia, Mary Alice and Breanna.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Selmer
Police Department are investigating the Wednesday murder
of the minister of Fourth Street Church of Christ in
Selmer and the disappearance of his wife and three
children.
The victim has been identified as Matthew Winkler, son
of Huntingdon Church of Christ minister Dan Winkler and
his wife, Diane.
It wasn't immediately clear if the woman and children
were abducted or if they were involved in the crime and
fled.
Church members went searching for their pastor late
Wednesday when he didn't show up for an evening church
services, police said. They used a key to enter the
parsonage and found him dead in a bedroom. His family
was gone.
Selmer Police Chief Neal Burks said Thursday that
Winkler, 31, had been shot.
"We're just really puzzled," Burks said. He said
investigators weren't sure if Winkler's wife had the
children or if any outsiders were involved in Winkler's
death and the family's disappearance.
According to Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
spokeswoman Jennifer Johnson, there were no signs of
forced entry at the parsonage.
The bureau issued an Amber Alert early Thursday for the
couple's daughters, Breanna, 1, Mary Alice, 6, and
Patricia, 8. The alert said the girls may be with their
mother, Mary Winkler.
Mary Winkler was last seen late Tuesday afternoon, March
21, picking up the children from school. Authorities
said she worked as a substitute teacher at the
elementary school.
The family had been living in Selmer for about a year.
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Prominent Citizen Dies in Accident
Wednesday |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
 Funeral
services for Ludie Montgomery Gaines, age 84 will be
Sunday, March 26, 4:00 p.m. at First United Methodist
Church, McKenzie with Brother Bill Mullins officiating.
Entombment will follow at Carroll Memorial Garden. She
died Wednesday in a two-vehicle accident near Jackson.
The family will receive friends at McKenzie Funeral Home
on Saturday, March 25, 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and
Sunday, March 26, 2006 noon until 3:30 p.m.
Mrs. Gaines, a homemaker, died Wednesday, March 22 at
Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. She was a
member of First United Church in McKenzie.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years,
Ben Gaines, Sr., who died January 7, 2003.
The Gaines family started Gaines Manufacturing Company,
an upholstered furniture manufacturing business, from
their garage in Memphis. They relocated to McKenzie in
1958, eventually employing as many as 600 persons. May
years later, the company was sold to a Mississippi firm,
which later ceased operations. Ben Gaines, Jr. and other
investors started New Generations, an upholstered
furniture company which now operates from the former
Gaines building on U.S. 79 in McKenzie.
Mrs. Gaines continued the philanthropic endeavors begun
while her husband was living. They were major
benefactors of Bethel College and the Bethel pool was
named in their honor.
Survivors include one son, Ben Gaines, Jr. of Jackson;
two daughters, Patricia and husband, Dr. Robert Kriebel
of Franklin, and Jodie and husband, Jeff Johnson of
McKenzie; and seven grandchildren: Scott Kriebel,
Jennifer Johnson, Jessica Johnson, Jake Johnson, John
Johnson, Ben Gaines, III, and Bailey Gaines. In lieu of
flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Bethel
College or First United Methodist Church of McKenzie.
McKenzie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For
more information, phone 731-352-4848.
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The Dixie Project Weighs In at 10.9 Percent Above
Projected Costs |
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Ads touting events at The Dixie have
become common as the center seeks to promote the arts
among young and old. In its first six months, the center
has featured events as diverse as The Velveteen Rabbit
and the Nashville Symphonic Orchestra. For more events,
visit The Dixie's Web site at
www.dixiepac.net.
"The Dixie" took center stage Tuesday, March 14, during
regular session of the Huntingdon Town Council, as Mayor
Dale Kelley requested the council authorize an up-to
$400,000 note reflecting increased expenses due to
project change orders and purchase orders. He explained
increased costs resulted in a 10.9 percent increase for
the project that was originally projected at $3,209,000.
"The construction of The Dixie has been a phenomenal
two-year project for the town of Huntingdon," said
Kelley. "As with any project and certainly one of this
size and magnitude, change orders and changes to the
original project have increased the total cost of the
project."
He reported that attempts to contain the additional
costs were made by proposing to delay installation of
the freight lift and completion of the apartment and
museum until funds became available. However, the state
fire marshal's office required the items be completed
before it would issue a certificate of occupancy, in
addition to other unexpected expenditures. Those include
changes in the building plan owing to the collapse of
the front wall of the original, 150-year-old buildings
which were to have served as the front of the new
building; and other items required by the fire marshal
for fire safety and handicapped accessibility, totaling
$305,000. Other items requiring completion include the
museum area and security gates for the lower level,
surveillance cameras, and other miscellaneous items,
bringing total additional costs to $370,000.
The resolution was approved with one "no" vote recorded.
Dr. Tim Tucker declined to voice his approval on the
matter after first making a motion to table the matter
until the council could be provided with more
information and a copy of the budget for the center.
"I'm real proud of The Dixie; I'm real proud of where we
are and I'm real proud of where we're going," he said as
preface to his request.
Tucker's motion died, however, for lack of a second and
the resolution was approved without further discussion.
Kelley noted, however, "Certainly that is a legitimate
request and we will be supplying all that information."
He said a full 12-month experience with the center was
needed rather than the six months currently available in
order to gain a "real understanding of where we're at
and where we're going."
City recorder Martha Taylor later verified that the
center's budget, which council members were provided in
June last year, has seen no amendments to date.
The Dixie project was made possible by approximately
$1.3 million in grant funds, more than $610,000 in
donations and pledges by local businesses and
individuals, and a previous loan of $1.7 million.
The 12-year capital outlay note has an estimated fixed
interest rate of five percent, borrowed through the
Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund.
"We continue our commitment of seeking ways to fund The
Dixie", to find ways to proceed with our fund raising
efforts and meeting our goals," said Kelley.
County Plugged in "Expansion Solutions" Magazine
The Dixie was lauded as "one of Tennessee's most modern
facilities for fine arts" in the February-March issue of
Expansion Solutions magazine in an article presenting
Carroll County as a fine place to live, work, and bring
industry.
Kelley shared with the council the article as well as
advertisements commissioned by the Carroll County
Chamber of Commerce which tout the county's halfway
position between Nashville and Memphis as offering the
"best of both worlds--rural lifestyle and urban
amenities.
The ads also brag about the county's "growing space",
rural market prices for real estate, rural recreation
and sporting opportunities, and the county's health and
educational facilities, plus existing industries and
businesses. Also cited was the county's number one state
and national status among similarly sized counties,
reflecting a $9.44 per capita giving index to the
American Cancer Society alone.
Ads promoting Carroll County join an
article in Expansion Solution magazine in touting the
region to prospective industry, business, and
individuals seeking a new hometown.
The full-page article delves deeper, reflecting not only
the accomplishments but the dreams presently unfolding
across the county. Among accolades attributed to the
county, in addition to The Dixie, is the 1,000-acre
recreational lake planned for development in Leach.
Bethel College, in McKenzie, is cited as home to one of
only two Physician Assistant programs in the state, with
students from 15 states as far away as California, and
the small teacher-to-student ratios in K-12 classes
across the county.
"Carroll County is not a sleepy village; rather it is a
county on the move," the article reads.
In other business, the council:
Approved a resolution not to amend the town's urban
growth plan in order to allow the county ample time to
amend its own growth plan to encompass the proposed
Carroll County lake project in order to establish zoning
in the region. Kelley said all municipalities in the
county are asked to establish like resolutions after
which the county's plan will be forwarded to the
legislature for ratification;
Approved on second and final reading an ordinance
amending the official zoning ordinance and map by
establishing the Wellhead Protection Overlay District;
Heard Kelley announce April is spring cleanup month in
Huntingdon;
Approved the request of First Baptist Church for the use
of Edwards Park Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays from June
12 through August 31, for church league softball.
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Accident Claims Life of McKenzie Man -
Tennessee Highway Patrol Reports |
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Hugh Shune Hamilton of McKenzie died from
injuries sustained in a collision between two trucks.
CARROLL COUNTY - Troopers from the Tennessee Highway
Patrol have been busy in the past seven days. In Carroll
and Henry counties, troopers wrote 212 citations. In
Carroll County six persons were arrested for DUI and one
fatality was recorded.
A 41-year-old McKenzie man was killed when the pickup
truck in which he was a passenger struck another pickup
truck on State Highway 22 near McKenzie Thursday
afternoon.
Hugh Shune Hamilton of 290 Sydnor Road, McKenzie died
from injuries as the result of being ejected from a 1984
Dodge D15, driven by Charles Eugene Self, 42, 109 Royal
Street, Bruceton.
According to Trooper Brent Russom of the Tennessee
Highway Patrol, the accident occurred one mile south of
McKenzie at 12:07 p.m. A 1996 Ford F150, driven by
Stanley Ray Currin, 54, of 19770 State Highway 22,
McKenzie, was northbound on Highway 22 and attempting to
turn into a driveway when it was struck in the rear by
the Self truck. The impact caused the Self vehicle to
overturn, coming to rest on its top.
Currin and Self also sustained injuries, along with
another passenger in the Self vehicle, Chris Brown, 25,
450 Ellis Road, Buena Vista. Currin, who sustained minor
injuries, was the only one using a safety belt, the
trooper said.
McKenzie Fire and Rescue team also responded to the
accident scene, along with Air Evac Lifeteam.
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a d v e r t i s e m e n t
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Crocker Receives 30-year Sentence for Murder |
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Bobby Crocker
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HUNTINGDON (March 20, 2006) Bobby Crocker, age 64, of
McKenzie, today pled guilty to second-degree murder in
the October 4, 2004 death of his ex-wife, Betty Crocker.
Defense Attorney Steve West entered the plea for Crocker
at the Fairgrounds Exhibit Building, which serves as the
temporary Circuit Courtroom. Judge Creed McGinley
sentenced Crocker to 30 years in prison.
District Attorney Robert (Gus) Radford said he doesn't
believe Crocker will breathe another breath of air as a
free man.
Standing beside defense attorney Steve West, Crocker
answered a battery of questions as to his understanding
of his plea. He received a 100 percent sentence,
requiring that he at least serve 85 percent of the
sentence. West said Crocker could get a 15 percent
reduction in the sentence for good behavior. The
reduction is not guaranteed, said West. He was
originally charged with first-degree murder, which could
have netted a life-sentence or execution.
Crocker was charged with stabbing and cutting the throat
of Betty Crocker, whom he had recently divorced. Her
body was found in a soybean field, across Highway 190
from the home where she was living with her son, Randy
Crocker, a Weakley County deputy. The home is located in
Carroll County in the Christmasville Community, less
than one-quarter mile from the Weakley County line. Mr.
Crocker resided in Weakley County. Mr. Crocker's 1987
Chevrolet Celebrity was abandoned and disabled at the
scene. He remained at large, hiding in a barn for
several days before turning himself in to neighbor,
Hulon Cooper and his friend, Willie Bush. Bush convinced
Crocker to surrender to authorities.
Jeff Townes, a family member, found the body of Ms.
Crocker in the field during the night.
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Betty Crocker
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"No one knows the hell that woman went through," said
Lisa Reeves, speaking of her mother. Lisa is the
daughter of Bobby and Betty Crocker. "Mom was as close
to an angel on earth as one can get," echoed Carol Plunk
concerning her mother.
Lisa related her mother was finally happy after the
divorce. She was happy about moving into her own trailer
and was eager to put out a welcome mat. She was going to
display the gifts she had received from her children
over the years and the keepsakes of her late mother, all
of which had been placed in storage for fear that Bobby
would damage or break them. Lisa said everyone should
"learn from it" and not put one's children through the
trauma they endured while growing up.
On that fateful evening, Lisa received a call from a
neighbor telling her about the incident. She rushed down
to the scene but deputies stopped her from going closer.
"I could see her. Is she cold, is she dead or what?"
Lisa remembers thinking. "I wanted to put a blanket on
her or something. She doesn't need to be out there by
herself. I didn't get to see her."
The 45-year marriage of Bobby and Betty sustained a
major blow at the wedding of their first grandchild on
June 26, 2004, that's the day Betty left him.
Leading up to the wedding, Betty was happy for her
grandson and was to be part of the ceremony. She was
going to be escorted down the church isle by a young
man. Bobby reportedly pushed the man and he and she left
before the wedding started.
The couple divorced in September 2004. The front-page
story of the homicide and the notice of their divorce
appeared in the same issue of The Dresden Enterprise.
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Case Against Dunlap Placed on Pre-Trial Diversion |
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PARIS - (March 17, 2006) A candidate for Henry County
General Sessions judge was himself in that court today as a
defendant. The assault case against Richard L. Dunlap, III
has been placed on pre-trial diversion and the case will be
dismissed on September 13 if he complies with the conditions
of the agreement approved by the District Attorney and the
defense.
McKenzie attorney Steve West represented Dunlap and appeared
before General Sessions Judge Hansel McCadams on Friday. In
the agreement, Dunlap agrees to have no contact with
Assistant District Attorney Beth Boswell except in open
court and in their capacities as officers of the court.
Dunlap was charged with assault of Boswell.
A letter of apology signed by Dunlap and approved by Ms.
Boswell must be filed with the clerk on May 15, 2006. The
case was originally set for a hearing on April 17.
Dunlap is one of six candidates vying for the office of
Henry County General Sessions judge. |
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Prank Calls Disrupting 911 Emergency Service |
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By Ernie Smothers
smothers@mckenziebanner.com |
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Old, disconnected cell phones may
still be used to dial 911.
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(March 20)-Tressia Barksdale, coordinator for Carroll
County's 911 emergency services, stated that persistent
prank calls originating from children in the McKenzie
area are seriously affecting emergency response
services.
She stated, "We have spoken with the callers and can
tell by their voices that they are children. Our
dispatchers are receiving about 20 calls per hour,
usually occurring early in the morning at around 7 a.m.,
or later in the afternoon after school has been
dismissed. This has been going on for the last month."
She continued, "We need parents and care-givers to
determine who is doing this and to aid in stopping it.
This is a serious and potentially life-threatening
problem and our dispatchers can't effectively do their
jobs with this occurring."
Barksdale said that old, disconnected cell phones can
still be utilized to make 911 calls. Barksdale urged
parents, "If you have an old cell phone lying around the
house, please take the batteries out of it. You may not
be aware that your child may be calling 911, but it
really must not be allowed to continue. These calls are
seriously compromising our ability to serve those who
may desperately need us. Please help make this stop." |
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Carroll News
Leader
Click the Photo Reprints button below to buy reprints of almost any photo in The McKenzie Banner print edition.
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Photos are mailed directly to you. Don't see what
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