By Joel Washburn washburn@mckenziebanner.com

     

BUENA VISTA (March 10) - A 19-year-old Buena Vista man is charged with attempted first degree murder after allegedly breaking into another Buena Vista man’s home and stabbing him multiple times with a knife.

Gerald L. Luther is charged with attempted first degree murder, two counts of aggravated burglary and vandalism over $500.

According to Carroll County Sheriff’s Department Investigator David Bunn, Luther went to the residence of Daniel Cooley, 20, at 19160 Highway 114 South and burst through the front door at approximately 4:40 a.m.

Bunn said Cooley was sitting at the kitchen table working at his computer when Luther broke into the residence.

Luther, whose address is listed as 3885 Rowland Mill Road, allegedly stabbed Cooley multiple times with what appears to be a folding fillet knife with a hook on the end. The knife, which had a blade approximately three inches, was left at the scene, according to Bunn.

One of the stab wounds pierced Cooley’s lung, while another struck an artery in the leg, Bunn said. Other wounds were to both shoulders and his back. Four juveniles who were spending the night at the residence were credited with saving Cooley’s life by applying pressure to his wounds and slowing blood loss.

Cooley was transported by ambulance to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Huntingdon and from there was airlifted to an undisclosed hospital, where he underwent numerous hours of surgery.

Bunn said family members have stated Cooley is expected to make a full recovery.

Bunn said there had been some ongoing animosity between Cooley and Luther.

One of the counts of aggravated burglary Luther is charged with, as well as the vandalism charge, stem from a March 6 incident in which Luther allegedly broke into Cooley’s house. At that time, windows were broken and furniture was damaged, Bunn said.

Prior to the March 10 incident, Luther drove to the residence and parked in a nearby field on Maytown Road. After allegedly stabbing Cooley, he left the residence on foot and called a family member to pick him up, leaving the vehicle parked.

His father drove him to the Carroll County Jail where he turned himself him at approximately 6 a.m. Sunday.

Luther was placed under $50,000 bond and was arraigned Wednesday in Carroll County General Sessions Court. Judge Larry Logan ordered him to undergo a mental evaluation at Pathways.

   

HUNTINGDON (March 15, 2007) Huntingdon Police Department began a second roundup of individuals who purchased pseudoephedrine with intent to make methamphetamine.

On March 9, warrants were issued for six individuals after Huntingdon Police Department conducted a survey of pseudoephedrine purchases from area pharmacies.

Four more warrants were issued last week after Director Joe Parker assisted by officers Angie Barker, Ken Blado, Joey Hedge, Richard Bryant and Lt. Johnny Hill continued their investigation of records at West Tennessee and Middle Tennessee pharmacies. Pseudoephedrine is now placed behind the pharmacy counters and requires identification but not a prescription to purchase.

Thursday’s warrants targeted persons who were purchasing Sudafed and similar sinus medicines that are allegedly being used to extract the ingredient ephedrine, a drug necessary to make methamphetamine.

Those charged include: Mandy A. Turner, 20, of Buena Vista, Anthony Paul Lashlee, 27, of Hollow Rock, Joseph W. Newhouse, 22, of Bruceton and James Eric Fuhs, 38, of Camden. At press time, only Mandy Turner had been arrested. Her bond was set at $1,000.

While attempting to locate these individuals, Officer Hedge obtained information that another wanted person was at the Huntingdon Motel. Officer Hedge and Officer Richard Bryant went to the motel and Sabrina Young, the person they were looking for, opened the door. Officer Hedge allegedly noticed a male holding drugs in both hands.

Kermit Maurice Cozort, 38, of Huntingdon was arrested after Officer Hedge reportedly found 38.6 grams of crack cocaine in two bags, with one bag containing 11 individually wrapped rocks.

Cozort was charged with possession of schedule II with intent to resale and possession of paraphernalia. A set of digital scales and baggies were found in the room.

Sabrina Young was also picked up on an outstanding warrant for violation of probation and was additionally charged with possession of schedule II with intent to resale.

Bond for Cozort was set at $10,250.

Samantha Wheat, age 16 and a junior at MHS was crowned Miss McKenzie 2007. She has brown hair, brown eyes, and is the daughter of Sam and Lisa Wheat and Ginger Davis. Samantha was crowned by Samantha Doster, 2006 queen. The event was sponsored by McKenzie Band.

Miss McKenzie and Court – ( l to r) third maid – Kelsey Cooper, age 15, 10th grade, is the daughter of Mistee and Eric Cooper; 1st maid – Laura Beth Fowler, age 18, 12th grade, is the daughter of Karen Fowler and Ricky Fowler; Queen – Samantha Wheat, age 16, 11th grade, daughter of Sam and Lisa Wheat and Ginger Davis; second maid – Victoria Hampton, age 16, 10th grade, is the daughter of Michael and Christie Hampton; and 4th maid – Josie Jarrett, age 17, 11th grade, is the daughter of Cindy Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The event was held Saturday, March 17 at McKenzie High School Theater.

Junior Miss McKenzie 2007 – Ashlee Hampton, age 14, daughter of Chris and Valeria Hampton. She was crowned by Kelsey Carr, 2006 queen.

Junior Miss McKenzie and Court – (l to r) third maid – Brittney Waddell, age 10, daughter of Ronnie and Donna Waddell; 1st maid - Rumor Shafer, age 12, daughter of Eric Shafer and Tammy Price; queen – Ashlee Hampton, age 14, daughter of Chris and Valeria Hampton; 2nd maid – Megan Hickman, age 14, daughter of David and Lynda Hickman; and fourth maid – Shelby Cook, age 12, daughter of Tim and Pam Cook.

Little Mr. and Miss McKenzie 2007 – Rachel Rorer, age 9, daughter of David and Kristy Rorer and Cameron Rawls, age 7, son of Luke Rawls and April Parham.

Little Mr. and Miss McKenzie and Court – (l to r) – third page Devon Elliott, age 7, son of Jan and James Pate; third maid – Cheyenne Sellers, age 9, daughter of Donna Sellers and Randall Sellers; first page – Anders Rider, age 7, son of Lance and Hollye Rider; first maid – Molley-Kate Tippitt, age 8, daughter of Tyler Tippitt and Stacey Mayberry; queen Rachel Rorer, age 9, daughter of David and Kristy Rorer; king – Cameron Rawls, age 7, son of Luke Rawls and April Parham; second maid – Emma Martin, age 6, daughter of Jessica Martin; second page – Lucas Waddell, age 7, son of Ronnie and Donna Waddell; fourth maid – Julie French, age 5, daughter of Norman and Annette French; and Mason Wallace, age 8, son of Bobby and Amanda Wallace. The event was held Friday, March 16 at McKenzie High School Theater.

MURFREESBORO (March 17,2007) The late Richard Welch of Lavinia was one of nine new members inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame at the annual luncheon at the James Union Building on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro. This is the same day as the Division I boys’ basketball finals, which was held at Murphy Center on the campus of MTSU as well. Two administrators, four coaches, two officials, and one contributor were inducted that day to join others in the annual gathering of those selected since the process began in 1982. Inducted at this year’s luncheon were: Albert Ellison, contributor from Linden; Lynn Brown, administrator from Maryville; Wayne Hobbs, administrator from Pulaski; Fred Sorrells, coach from Greeneville; Jerry Vradenburg, coach from Gallatin; the late Richard Welch , coach from Lavinia; Ted Wilson, coach from Maryville and Kingsport; Ed Henley, official from Manchester; and the late James Warmbrod, official from Jackson.

Welch’s award was presented to his wife, Betty, by Hall of Famers Hardy Loyd and Dale Kelley, mayor of Huntingdon. Kelley is an inductee for his career in officiating.

Welch coached basketball 35 years in West Tennessee with 1,488 games, with an 81 percentage winning record (888 high school games with 747-141 record). He retired from teaching at West Carroll High School in 1995, but enjoyed a highly successful career as a basketball coach at Trezevant High School, leading the girls’ team to two state championships, in 1974 and 1976. He began his career in 1956 at Westview School, where he coached boys and girls basketball until 1966. In 1966, he accepted a position as girls’ basketball coach at Trezevant High School, which he continued until 1978. Welch received many honors and awards in his lifetime of teaching, coaching and community service. He coached the West All-Star basketball team in Knoxville (1970-1973). He was named coach of the year nine times. He was a graduate of Trezevant High School, class of 1950, and completed his education at Bethel College in McKenzie. He, and his family, were avid gospel music singers.

His wife, Betty, was joined by their daughter, Teresa, son-in-law Johnny Wall, and granddaughter, Bethany at the luncheon.

Welch was inducted into the newly formed Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

The United States Achievement Academy announced today that Zach and Sebastian Gallimore from McKenzie have been recognized for academic achievement as a United States National Honor Student Award winners.

Zach and Sebastian Gallimore, who attend McKenzie Middle School, will appear in the United States Achievement Academy's Official Yearbook which is published nationally.

"Recognizing and supporting our youth is more important than ever before in America's history. Certainly, United States Achievement Academy winners should be congratulated and appreciated for their dedication to excellence and achievement," said Dr. George Stevens, Founder of the Unites States Achievement Academy.

The USAA National Honor Student Awards provide honor students with many benefits and services and is a great tribute to a student's dedication, talent, and ability.

Zach and Sebastian Gallimore are the sons of Waylon and Rea Gallimore of McKenzie. The grandparents are Betty Parker of Fulton, KY, Bobby Chisum of Santa Maria, CA, and Marilyn Stephenson of Fulton, KY.