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News Headlines
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Huntingdon Plans DCPAC Advisory Board
April is Spring Clean-up Month in Huntingdon |
The Dixie Carter Performing
Arts and Academic Enrichment Center is currently under
construction in Huntingdon.
HUNTINGDON - The Dixie Carter Performing Arts and
Academic Enrichment Center will be gaining the benefit of an
advisory board, following action by the Huntingdon Town
Council Tuesday, March 22. Mayor Dale Kelley secured
approval from the council to form the board and said he
would bring back to the council information for its
consideration at the next meeting on April 12.
He further announced the first seat in the DCPAC had been
purchased in a fund-raising effort that allows citizens to
sponsor seats for $200 each. Seats will be designated with a
plaque in honor or in memory of persons designated by the
sponsor. Kelley said 454 to 500 seats are available for
purchase.
In other DCPAC issues, the council approved the donation of
Web site design and hosting by the McKenzie Banner's Web
design department. Mayor Kelley and council members
expressed appreciation for the donation of the Web site
which will provide DCPAC patrons with 24/7 access to events
sponsored at the center.
Kelley issued a proclamation naming April "Spring
Clean-Up/Fix-up Month". A dumpster will be placed behind
City Hall for the deposit of refuse.
The proclamation encourages citizens and businesses to
"enhance the core of our community that makes our hometown
the garden spot of the world."
"We are excited to see the changes in our community with the
construction of the Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center and
the streetscape renovation project in the downtown area that
will make our community an even more beautiful place to live
and work," he said.
The council approved the sole bid for playground equipment
of $27,394.50 by Universal-Kidz Zone Play Systems of
Murfreesboro. Seven other companies were solicited but did
not provide bids. The funds will provide for two modular
play units, two spring bouncers, a set of parallel bars, and
a six-swing frame unit for the playground at the Kelley
Sports Complex.
In other matter the council:
- Amended Title Nine, Chapter Four of the Huntingdon
Municipal Code relative to taxicab regulations. Kelley
said the amendments bring the town's code into compliance
with state regulations;
- Approved the appointments of Manuel Cross to the
Recreation Advisory Board and Amos Anderson to the
Beautification Committee. "We appreciate their willingness
to serve," said the mayor;
- Approved the request of First Baptist Church for the
use of Edward's Park to conduct a church softball league
on both fields Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from June 6
through August 30;
- Heard Kelley laud Huntingdon native and University of
Tennessee at Knoxville student Jessica Tucker, who came in
second among 100 contestants in the National Association
of Teachers of Singing competition;
- Heard Kelley announce the donation of a clock at the
Welcome Center West. Mrs. Louise Garrett and children made
the donation in memory of their husband and father,
Lawrence "Bub" Garrett. The Mayor and council expressed
deep appreciation for the donation;
- Heard Kelley announce the foundation has been
completed and steel delivered for a spec building at
Industrial Park South. "It's exciting to see Industrial
Park South moving forward," he said.
Council members Tim Tucker and Gary Hatch were absent.
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Bethel Student Dies of Heart Attack |
By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
 MCKENZIE
- A 24-year-old Bethel College senior died of a massive
heart attack on Monday, March 21 following an intramural
basketball game. Keran Lesun Martin, age 24, of Memphis died
after he started feeling badly during the game. Martin went
to his dorm room and later drove himself to McKenzie
Regional Hospital where he died.
Kynnis Shelton, a graduate assistant from Florida, said
Martin's death was a real shock on campus. Martin was active
playing basketball, running, and lifting weights. He had no
history of problems, said Shelton, a dorm suite mate.
Shelton said he and Martin both arrived at Bethel in 1999.
Martin played football from 1999 to 2002 and was scheduled
to graduate this May with a degree in kinesiology.
Shelton said he was at the intramural game on campus when
Martin started complaining of chest pain. Martin sat down
upon the advice of Shelton but continued to laugh and talk.
He left the gym without telling anyone, went to his dorm
room, and drove himself to the hospital.
Martin was the "type of person who was always there when you
needed him," said Shelton. "He always had words of
encouragement."
Services were at 1 p.m. Saturday at Thomas Chapel Baptist
Church on New Raleigh in Memphis with burial in Galilee
Memorial Gardens. N.J. Ford & Sons Funeral Home had charge.
Shelton said the funeral was standing room only for the
young man.
A memorial service will be held on the Bethel College campus
at a later date, said Bethel Chaplain Anne Hames.
Martin was a member of Devine Providence Church and a
graduate of Kingsbury High School. He leaves his mother and
stepfather, Debra and Rev. Dyron Kent of Memphis; his father
and stepmother, Ralph and Anita Martin of Minnesota; four
sisters, Britney Martin of Chattanooga, Raven Martin and
Kalla Kent, both of Memphis, and Natalie Hudson of Fort
Lewis, Texas; four brothers, Christopher Martin, Ralph
Martin Jr., Gregory Atkin Jr. and Dyron Kent II; his
grandparents, Dorothy Coleman and Frances and Essie Martin,
and his step-grandparents, Louish Kent and Eddie Kent, all
of Memphis, and his great-grandmother, Elizabeth Leach of
Greenwood, Miss.
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Customized Manufacturing Opens in McKenzie |
By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
Kyle Manns and Miranda Smith
are the principals in the new Customized Manufacturing, Inc.
located on Highway 22 in McKenzie. MCKENZIE -
Customized Manufacturing, Incorporated is a new industry with
a familiar product and location. Customized Manufacturing
Company, an upstart plating company, began operations February
1 in the McKenzie Industrial Park-North, adjacent to
Windsor-Republic Builders along State Route 22 North.
Area newcomer Miranda Smith and McKenzian Kyle Manns are the
principals of the plating company, a successor to defunct
Tri-Star. Smith holds a PhD in engineering and technology
management from Southern California University and an
undergraduate degree in industrial technology, with a
concentration in robotics, from Morehead State University. She
is serving as president of the company. Manns is a McKenzie
High School graduate with almost 30 years of sales and
management experience in radio and retail. He currently owns a
jewelry store and tanning salon in Lexington. Manns is vice
president of sales and marketing.
A mutual acquaintance brought both owners to the business,
said Smith. Neither knew each other before this endeavor.
The owners bought some of the assets of Tri-Star and began
operations in the same location after the landlord, McKenzie
Industrial Board, evicted the former company.
While many people do not know about plating, Manns said, "Most
people come into contact with a plated part everyday." Plated
nuts, bolts, and screws are common items plated, said Manns.
Billy Barksdale, executive director of the McKenzie Industrial
Board, said he is pleased that Smith and Manns have assumed
operations in the building. Barksdale said he feels "positive"
about the new owners. "I think they will do well." He said the
new company is aggressively seeking safety and quality
manufacturing certifications, known as ISO, in hopes of
landing contracts with companies serving the automotive
industry. Smith has helped other industries secure those
coveted ISO ratings, said Barksdale.
CMI thanked Barksdale, the McKenzie Industrial Board, and the
Bank of Gleason, namely James Terrell and Curtis Mayo, for
their assistance in helping them start the business.
Manns said CMI offers plating and painting services for
industrial customers in McKenzie, Carroll County, Martin,
Union City, Arkansas, and Jackson, to name a few. Manns hopes
to expand the market quickly. Services include plating in
black oxide, clear zinc, phosphate and yellow zinc, and powder
coat painting in various colors.
"Response has been fantastic," said Manns of the customers. He
said CMI is providing high quality products with a quick
delivery time.
In a short six weeks, Customized Manufacturing, Incorporated
has doubled its production, a feat credited to the 16 members
of the company's workforce. Two production lines have been
brought back online with the able assistance of the
associates.
"That's dedication," said Smith. "I've worked in four states
and I've never seen a crew pull together like this." Smith and
Manns hope to reward the employees' dedication by upgrading
the work environment and providing work uniforms. Renovations
have already begun in the employee's break room and rest
rooms. A new roof is being installed on a portion of the
building and inoperable lighting fixtures are being repaired.
The owners said repairs and upgrades would be made to the
production area before any work is done in the offices.
The company has a goal of doubling its workforce in five
years.
CMI has contacted the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) to develop a plan of action to correct
"open issues", said Smith. A priority for correcting problems
includes the installation of additional ventilation and a new
roof in the production area. |
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Murder Suspect Will Be Relocated to Mental Facility |
By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
HUNTINGDON - A motion was filed in Carroll County General
Sessions Court Thursday, March 24, to relocate murder suspect
Bobby Crocker to a mental health facility. Judge Larry Logan
signed the motion allowing the relocation.
Steve West of McKenzie, attorney for Crocker, stated in the
motion "it is the opinion of counsel for the defendant that
the defendant constitutes a danger to himself and to others
and is not able to assist counsel in his defense."
The motion further stated it is the statutory obligation of
the Attorney General to institute proceedings to provide
mental health care for the defendant which has not been done.
"If it is determined that he (Crocker) is not competent, then
the state cannot proceed with trial," said West.
Crocker is accused of stabbing his recently divorced wife,
Betty Crocker, several times near her son's home in the
Christmasville community, near the Carroll County-Weakley
County line on October 4, 2004.
West entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of his client
during an October, 2004 hearing.
A preliminary hearing has never been held because his mental
state remains in question.
Crocker remained in Carroll County Jail Monday awaiting
transfer to
Western State Hospital in Bolivar.
However, Assistant District Attorney Steve Jackson said he was
contacted by a Western State official who had received a copy
of the General Sessions Court order and explained Western’s
legal position at this time. The official stated that if
Crocker is to be admitted at Western State because he is a
threat to himself and/or to others, that Pathways Behavior
Mental Health Services must be requested by the local court to
complete a crisis evaluation to see if Crocker meets
in-patient emergency criteria. Pathways, which operates as
part of West Tennessee Mental Health Services, would then
contact Western if they certify Crocker is committable on an
emergency basis. Western would then accept him on that basis.
Jackson said he plans to file a petition this week to order
the crisis evaluation.
Jackson said that in January, 2005, Crocker was referred to
Pathways of Tennessee, Inc. for an evaluation to determine
competency to stand trial and mental condition at the time of
the crime by order of the court.
After completion of the competency evaluation, Dr. Sidney
Moragne concluded in a letter to Judge Logan "that the
defendant's condition is such that he is not capable of
defending himself in a court of law."
In making the determination, Dr. Moragne found that the
defendant does not understand the nature of the legal process,
that he does not understand the charges pending against him
and the consequences that can follow; and cannot advise
counsel and participate in his own defense.
The letter further stated, "this is due to his mental
retardation and not a mental illness."
After completion of the evaluation, it was Dr. Moragne's
preliminary opinion that a defense of insanity could not be
supported.
"The opinion is based on the determination that at the time of
the commission of the act constituting the offense, the
defendant was able to appreciate the nature and wrongfulness
of such acts," Moragne wrote.
In February 2005, the court ordered an IQ evaluation on
Crocker at Western State Hospital.
A letter from Melvin Ewell, forensic coordinator, stated in
part, "Mr. Crocker was assessed by members of our psychology
staff and found to be functioning within the moderate range of
mental retardation."
The letter further stated, "please note that competency to
stand trial and/or mental condition at the time of the crime
was not addressed by staff of Western State Health Institute.
Jackson said he has tentative approval from General Sessions
Court for a re-evaluation of Crocker’s I.Q. and has requested
that a specialist at Pathways re-evaluate Crocker regarding
his mental retardation to address specifically competency on a
mental retardation level. An appointment has been scheduled
for April 6 at Pathways in Jackson. The first evaluation by
Western was mental health only, not specifically targeting
mental retardation issues. One of the primary purposes of the
re-evaluation would be to see if Crocker can become competent
through treatment or training or if he is permanently mentally
retarded and never be capable of helping in his defense at
trial.
Jackson said he doesn't know what will happen next in the
case. He said he will file the petition this week and see what
happens. |
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