Dan and Diane Winkler, paternal grandparents of the children of Mary Winkler, blocked visits that Chancellor Ron Harmon approved during a September court hearing in Carroll County Chancery Court.

On Friday, the Tennessee Court of Appeals in Jackson stayed all activities regarding visitation in the Winkler case. The Winklers have had temporary custody of the minor Winkler children since Mary’s arrest in the March 2006 shooting death of her minister husband, Matthew.

On September 19, Chancellor Harmon ruled that Mary Winkler could have limited, supervised visitation that could including calling the children every other day and in-person visits with them starting Saturday, September 29.

The Winklers on Friday filed an emergency appeal of Harmon’s ruling, stating “irreparable harm” would be done to the children if the Court of Appeals did not intervene, Neese said. Visitation activities have been postponed pending a decision by the court on the appeal.

    

A Lavinia man was killed when his vehicle struck a culvert on Terry Road Sunday evening. - photo by Carroll County Coroner Steve Cantrell

A 38-year-old Lavinia man died Sunday at 7:32 p.m. when his vehicle veered off Terry Road in Cedar Grove and struck a culvert, according to Trooper Brent Russom of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

David M. Travis of Race Track Road, was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:25 p.m. by Carroll County Coroner Steve Cantrell, who stated the victim sustained a neck fracture and spinal cord injuries.

According to Russom’s report, Travis’ 1999 Toyota Tacoma was northbound on Terry Road when the driver failed to negotiate a curve and ran off the west side of the roadway. The accident occurred 14 miles west of Huntingdon.

Other agencies responding to the scene of the accident included Carroll County Sheriff’s Department, McLemoresville Fire Department, Terry Fire Department and Carroll County Rescue Squad.

The victim was not wearing a seat belt, which in the officer’s opinion would not have made a difference.

 

Board members Lloyd Bateman and George Jennings review evidence presented to the Trezevant Beer Board by Little General representative Danny Patterson.

TREZEVANT (September 25) In a very intense meeting, the Trezevant beer board levied a fine of $100 to Libby's and warned of possible fines ($2,500 maximum, $1,500 maximum for qualified "Responsible Vendors") and / or alcohol license revocation in the future for selling alcohol to a minor to all businesses within the city limits. The board also requested that each establishment within the city limits of Trezevant should have a Trezevant beer board policy at each store and instruct each employee as to the seriousness of this matter.

Officer Mark Anderson of the 24th judicial drug and violent crime task force reviewed the charges against the Trezevant establishments.

"I had some complaints and people wanted something done about juvenile's buying beer, so that's what we done. It wasn't just targeted toward Trezevant, it was throughout the county," said Anderson.

Anderson explained the incident that occurred at Libby's on August 15, "At approximately 6:25 p.m. an undercover agent entered the Libby's establishment to purchase an alcoholic beverage. The agent, who was underage, never had his identification checked by the store clerk who sold him the alcohol."

"I will say this, when I went into Libby's to talk to them about this situation, they were very cooperative. They reprimanded the clerk on the day the information was presented to them (Libby's)," concluded Anderson.

Representatives from Paul's Pool Room and the Little General also appeared before the beer board to present their case as each have been charged with selling alcohol to a minor on August 15.

Both the Little General and Paul's Pool Room have cases pending that will be heard in general session court on October 25.

The Trezevant Beer Board will reconvene after October 25 to decide the verdict on the Little General and Paul's Pool Room.

If a business is found guilty of selling alcohol to minors twice in a twelve-month period, their license shall be revoked as stated in the Trezevant Beer Board ordnance.

Anderson stated that the task force bought alcohol from sixteen different stores across the county on or about the date of August 15 and we don't want you to feel like you are being singled out.

Libby's store manager Debbie Blankenship, represented by lawyer Steve West explained to the board that immediately following the offense, Libby's terminated the employment of the person that sold the alcohol to the minor. The former employee also pled guilty in general sessions court and was fined $100 and put on a 11 months and 29 day probation as part of the plea-bargain.

West advised the beer board that Libby's is currently in the process of updating their equipment in the store to ensure this doesn't occur in the future.

During deliberation, board member Bobby McAlexander stated, "We're not going to tolerate this (in the future)."

The board members all agreed the town has a good relationship with the businesses within the city limits, but noted they can't have people selling beer to minors.
 

   

HUNTINGDON (September 24) During a short but productive meeting, Huntingdon Town Council members approved amended Ordinances 501 and 502 on first reading, each receiving an 5-1 vote. Alderman Tim Tucker was absent from the meeting.

Ordinance No. 501, an amendment of ordinance No. 501 previously considered at the August 14 and August 28, 2007 meetings of the Huntingdon Town Council, calls for the proposed annexation of approximately 249 acres in the Skyline Lane, Tate Loop Road and Lookout Drive adjoining the present corporate boundaries of the Town of Huntingdon and situated in the town's approved urban growth area.

Prior to amendment, Ordinance 501 sought annexation of approximately 339 acres along the Tate School Road, Skyline Lane and Lookout Drive. The original ordinance was deferred by the Town Council at the recommendation of Mayor Dale Kelley on September 11 at the completion of a public hearing regarding the matter.

According to documents provided at the meeting, the specific intent of amended Ordinance 501 is to annex and incorporate into the town limits the following adjoining parcels located South and generally East and West to the present Town Limits, lying and being in the eleventh Civil District: Map 84 parcel 8.05-John L. Williams; Map 84 parcel 8.09-David Hamilton; Map 84 parcel 52.08 John Sanders (extension of Skyline Lane to the East); Map 84J parcel 12.0 John Sanders; Map 84J parcel 11-David Barnhill; Map 84J parcel8.01-Ray Hodge; Map 84J parcel 8.00-James Pruett; Map 95 parcel 5.00-Mark and Patricia Dillahunty; Map 95 parcel 5.01-Harold Bush; Map 84 parcel 83.01-James Ruffell; Map 84 parcel 83.00-Bobby Smith; Map 84 parcel 52.02-Teresa Hall; Map 84 parcel 84.00-Jerry Smothers; Map 84 parcel 54.00-Steve Barnett and Map 84 parcel 52.01-Tim Hilliard.

Ordinance No. 502, an amendment of Ordinance No. 502 also previously considered at the August 14 and 28, 2007 Huntingdon Town Council meetings, seeks to amend the Huntingdon Municipal Zoning Ordinance to establish zoning for the annexed property including approximately 249 acres along the Tate School Road, Skyline Lane and Lookout Drive area.

Following approval on first reading, Kelley informed that a second reading of amended ordinances 501 and 502 was scheduled for the October 23, 2007 Town Council meeting. He further noted that a public hearing regarding the ordinances would also be held at the meeting.
In other business, town council members, by 6-0 vote, approved on second and final reading Ordinance No. 503, an ordinance to amend ordinance No. 490 as amended by Ordinance No. 497 including the General Fund, Drug Fund, Solid Waste Collection Fund, Utility Fund, DCPA Special Projects Fund and Public Improvement Fund Budgets of the town for Fiscal Year 2007 (FY-007) (July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007), providing for the routine fiscal year-end review and amendments.

During citizen's comments, Wilma Darnell expressed to the Mayor and Town Council her appreciation for the swift response of the Town of Huntingdon's Fire Department and other responding fire and rescue units during the early morning blaze that destroyed the former Publix Shirt Factory building.

Darnell, who resides at 215 Mebanewood Drive located across from the burned building, emotionally said, "If it hadn't been for the efforts of the fire department, we would have lost our house."

Regarding the state of the charred building, Darnell said, "I am concerned about the clean-up of the property and the future of the area."

She continued, "The old factory property is located between the elementary and middle schools and borders one of our city parks. It is an eyesore and a disgrace and is rodent infested. Why should we residents have to deal with the property-it has decreased our property value. The side of the property that faces Woodlawn has debris strewn there that was there before the fire. We would rather see the property rezoned so that the town can tell the property owner what they can and cannot have in the building. No one living in the town of Huntingdon likes the appearance of that place."

Kelley, after thanking Darnell for addressing the board, stated that he agreed with her position regarding the property, assuring her that the town would do everything possible to help expedite clean-up of the property.

He said, "We will do all we can and will keep you advised regarding clean-up.

 
MCKENZIE (September 27) – McKenzie Beer Board approved the application of Rite-Aid pharmacy to sell package beer for off-site consumption. The permit was approved after store manager Craig Lunn answered questions concerning the understanding of the city’s and state’s law concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Lunn said the coolers for the beer will be at the rear of the store away from other soft drinks. He also noted Rite-Aid policy requires all clerks to take an online test of the rules concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages and that no clerk, under the age of 21, may operate the checkout during a purchase of alcoholic beverages.

Darra Adkins, chairman of the Beer Board, told Lunn that no beer may be sold to any person under the age of 21, to an intoxicated person, on Sunday or during polling hours on election day. She said window signage for alcoholic beverages may be no larger than 38” x 8”. No sales may be conducted during the hours between midnight and 6:00 a.m., and no sales may be conducted via drive-up window.

Lunn said the store’s policy prohibits window signage concerning alcoholic beverages.

Voting to issue the permit were: Mayor Winchester, Wade Allen, Gene Hale, and Jill Holland. Brad Davis voted no and Charles Ramey was absent. Chairman Adkins votes in case of a tie.

Mark Anderson of the 24th District Drug Task Force appeared before the Beer Board to report the results of a recent undercover operation in which clerks at six McKenzie stores are accused of selling package beer to an undercover operative. He said an undercover operation throughout Carroll County netted illegal sales of beer to an operative, who was 20 years old. In McKenzie, clerks at MegaMart, Little General, Maverick, Pockets, Sudden Service, and Eagles are charged with illegally selling package beer to the underage operative. Anderson said both Cobb’s Corner and Smoke Shack followed the proper procedure and did not sell to the operative.

The undercover operation was initiated after complaints from law enforcement in Paris, who indicated that the youth of that community come to Carroll County for the purchase of beer. Sixteen stores in Carroll County were checked, said Anderson. The operative, a 20-year-old white male, with no facial hair, presented his own valid driver’s license and was able to purchase beer. Clerks would look at the license but did not verify the date of birth or age.

City Attorney Kent Jones asked what if the clerk asked if he was 21?

Anderson said, “No lies were to be told.” If asked his age by the clerk, he was told to answer truthfully, said Anderson. The operative and his vehicle were searched before entering the store and he was wearing an audio transmitter for the authorities to listen to the conversation between the operative and the clerk.

Anderson said the stores are now taking extra precautions.

Adkins requested an update on the disposition of each case scheduled for October 25 in General Sessions Court. The Beer Board have the options of assessing monetary penalties or suspensions of the privilege to sell beer.

Earlier in 2007, the Beer Board dismissed charges against three beer permit holders after a similar sting operation conducted by the McKenzie Police Department. The board voted April 26 to assess each of the violators a civil penalty up to $1,500 or suspend the licenses for six months. Instead, the board dismissed the charges.

 

Property tax notices for 2007 were mailed Friday for Carroll County. Property owners should receive the notice early this week.

The property tax rate this year is $1.00 per $100 of assessed value. Special school tax is added to each property owner’s bill. The tax amount per $100 of assessed value for each of the five special school districts in the county is as follows: Huntingdon - $1.46; McKenzie - $1.36; Hollow Rock – Bruceton - $1.66; South Carroll - $1.41; and West Carroll - $1.56.

County Trustee Pat Rich said county property owners may pay their taxes in person at the trustee’s office in the county office complex, located at 625 High Street, Suite 106, Huntingdon from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Rich noted the office remains open from 12 – 1 p.m.

Property tax payments are also accepted at various banks within the county, including: McKenzie Banking Company in McKenzie, First Bank in Hollow Rock-Bruceton, Farmers & Merchants Bank in Trezevant, and Citizens Bank & Trust in Atwood.

The last day to pay 2007 county property taxes without penalty will be February 29, 2008.

The tax aggregate for the county is 18,330 parcels of property. The expected revenues if 100 percent of taxes were collected would be $7,940,686.13 for this year, she said. Normally, her office collects 93 – 94 percent of property taxes due. A large portion of the remaining 6-7 percent is collected on delinquent taxes in Chancery Court, she noted. The 2006 delinquent tax bills will be filed in late March.

Rich reminded taxpayers that a tax relief program is available from the state. This year, the maximum income level has been increased from $20,000 to $24,000 to qualify for tax relief.

In 2006, the county’s tax relief program had 546 participants who received a total of $83,398.63 in relief.

To apply, a property owner must be age 65 or older, or 100 percent disabled. Applicants should bring their Social Security card, Medicare card and proof of 2006 income to the trustee’s office when they come in to apply.

For military veterans, the tax relief rules have changed. They no longer have to be 100 percent combat-related disabled, but can now be just 100 percent service-connected disabled.

Rich said, for those people who do qualify, the state will pay $133 on their county portion of taxes and, an additional amount will be paid depending on the school district in which the property owner resides.

The city of McKenzie will mail property tax notices by the second week in October. The rate per $100 of assessed value is $1.05.
Huntingdon, Hollow Rock and Trezevant mailed tax notices Friday, September 28. The rates per $100 of assessed value are $1.29 for Huntingdon, $.74 for Hollow Rock, and $.69 for Trezevant.

Bruceton and McLemoresville mailed tax notices Monday. The rates per $100 of assessed value are $1.89 for Bruceton and $.66 for McLemoresville.

Atwood and Clarksburg have no city property taxes.

Like the county, the last day to pay 2007 city taxes without penalty is February 29, 2008.