By Becky Ann Hopper bhopper@henrycountian.com

  
A Bruceton man is charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect following an alleged incident on Monday, June 4 in which his five-year-old son’s arm was fractured.

Jon Mike Braasch, 32, of 104 North Carroll Street, assaulted his son after getting angry at him, according to a report filed by Investigator Randy Kelley. The man reportedly picked up the child and threw him on the bed, causing a fracture to the juvenile’s left arm.

The child was treated and released at an unnamed hospital for a spiral fracture to the arm. The incident was reported to the Department of Children’s Services.

An arrest warrant was filed for Braasch, whose bond was set at $15,000.

    

Sheriff Bendell Bartholomew, his attorney Matt Maddox and paralegal Jean Newsome, and county attorneys Bob Keeton, III, and Bob Keeton, II at the Budget Committee meeting.

HUNTINGDON (June 12) – A request for a $1.3 million increase in the sheriff’s budget –including significant pay raises, more deputies and dispatchers, and additional patrol cars - was denied by the Carroll County Budget Committee last Tuesday. Instead, the committee voted to grant existing employees a three-percent pay increase beginning July 1 and to lease nine patrol cars to replace the three-year old fleet of Ford Crown Victorias. The three-percent raise is equal to the raise proposed for other county employees.

Last Tuesday’s meeting with the Budget Committee was Sheriff Bendell Bartholomew’s second this year. On May 8, Bartholomew requested the increase in the 2007-2008 fiscal year budget during county government budget hearings. Bartholomew, now in his fourth term, requested 14 new patrol cars, nine of which to replace the three-year old fleet of Crown Victorias, a four-wheel drive Explorer for himself, and nine additional deputies, additional jailers and dispatchers. He said the four-wheel drive would be used to pull the crime scene trailer in the event the other four-wheel drive vehicle, driven by the drug investigator, is not available. The Sheriff requests pay increases ranging from 28.2 percent for the chief deputy to 6.1 percent for jailers. The sheriff’s salary is set by state law. Bartholomew said his manpower was the smallest in the state based on the county’s population. He said the requested pay raises would bring his department up to the level of other similar departments.

Carroll County Mayor Kenny McBride said the $1.3 million request would require a 46.7 percent increase in property taxes, equivalent to $.43 per $100 assessed value, to fund the proposal. Currently, the tax rate is estimated at 92 cents per $100 assessed value after the recent reappraisal. The sheriff’s budget is $1,826,568 for fiscal year 2006/2007.

Carroll County Sheriff’s Department has 11 road deputies, four sergeants, one chief, three investigators, four dispatchers, and 10 jailers. The department has 35 automobiles assigned to it. Road deputies’ maximum pay is $28,045, sergeants’ $28,739, chief deputy’s $34,204, and investigators’ $29,601. The county pays 75 percent of the major medical insurance for both employees and dependants. Coverage is provided by Blue Cross-Blue Shield. The county’s portion is $383 for individual, $766 for two persons, and $1,079 for family on Network P, and $356, $712, and $1,003 respectively for Network S.

Bartholomew’s attorney, Matt Maddox of the law firm Maddox, Maddox, and Maddox, said the Budget Committee’s actions were “a slap in the face…The three-percent is paltry to what these men and women have to face each and every day. They are on the opposite end of a bullet at any second. And to only give them a three-percent raise, probably won’t even cover the cost of living. It is essentially a slap in the face to each and every one of them. Not only that, let it be your child, that may be calling 9-1-1, because a burglary might be in progress, and they have to be put on hold for saving (the expense of) an officer will be out there whenever we can get to it. And when something happens, the sheriff has let it be known that he has tried to do everything he can.”

Maddox hopes the full county commission will reconsider Bartholomew’s request when they vote on the 2007-2008 budget in July or August. He noted that the Sheriff’s Department is losing good deputies to other departments because of the pay differential.

Maddox said the Sheriff’s Department does not have sufficient personnel to properly patrol the county or dispatch the officers for the incoming calls.

Concerning dispatching, Budget Committee Chairman John Mann said county dispatchers will soon have fewer calls to answer. Beginning in July, all 9-1-1 calls originating in McKenzie- and Huntingdon-proper will be answered by the respective cities’ dispatchers. Currently, all 9-1-1 calls are first handled by the sheriff’s dispatchers and transferred to other service providers as needed.

In a question to the sheriff, Mann said “Bendell, do you believe the majority of citizens in Carroll County will support you on this request and to raise taxes 43 cents?”

Maddox answered instead, “Mr. Mann there has been no proposal for any increase in the tax rate.”

“That’s what it would take to fund what he has requested,” said Mann.

“Is that including the $4 million the county has in reserve?” responded Maddox.

“We don’t have $4 million in reserves,” said Mayor Kenny McBride.

“It is in the audit from last year,” said Maddox.

“Not in the general fund balance…It may be in highway, solid waste, and all funds combined,” said McBride.

Maddox questioned if those funds were available?

McBride responded, “No.” The mayor said the county cannot take money from the bus shop, the school, or highway department, according to the state’s required maintenance of effort laws to continue receiving state funding.

“Well, are those items not budgeted? Then the cash reserves are available for other uses," said Maddox.

“No,” responded McBride. “County general fund balance is projected to be $2.7 million at the end of this year.”

Maddox questioned where the difference is in the $4 million and the $2.7 million. McBride answered the county general fund balance has never been $4 million. The $2.7 million projected for the year-end fund balance is not always $2.7 million. McBride said that the fund balances continue to dwindle until new property tax revenues start coming in October 1.

“What about the Indigent Care Fund?” questioned Maddox.

“Indigent Care is in Baptist Hospital. We don’t control that money,” responded McBride.

“That money is left over, the balance, from when the county used to own the hospital. Baptist Hospital is a private entity now. So why is that money still there when it is not being used for indigent care,” questioned Maddox.

McBride said it is being used for indigent care. The fund originally started at $500,000. According to the latest quarterly report, the current balance is $2,946,187. The board meets quarterly to pay for medical care of indigent Carroll County residents.

“It’s still part of county assets then, is it not?” inquired Maddox.

“No,” responded County Attorney Bob Keeton, II, who noted the Indigent Care Trust Fund was established by a private act of the Tennessee General Assembly.

“It’s the position we’re taking, regardless, of how much money the county has or what the proposed tax rate may be, the citizens of this county are suffering because we have two (patrol) cars on the road (during each work shift). There are calls that have to be prioritized, as far as the severity, for them to be answered by county deputies. And whether that be two burglary calls, or a car accident and a murder case. They have to be prioritized,” said Maddox.

After the meeting in the hallway, Mann asked Bartholomew if he felt confident enough to place the request for more manpower and the resultant tax rate on a referendum. Bartholomew responded, “It’s fine with me.” A referendum is unlikely on the matter.

If the county commission rejects the sheriff’s requests, he can file suit in Carroll County Circuit Court asking for a judgment in the matter.

Recently, Henry County Clerk and Master Mary Burns asked for a raise for her deputy clerks and the elimination of the tiered seniority system. After it was denied by the Henry County Commission, she filed suit in Henry County Chancery Court. A visiting chancellor denied her cause and dismissed the case. The county of Henry paid approximately $15,000 in attorney and legal fees for the plaintiff and defense in that case.

  

MCKENZIE (June 15) Burning hay on a flat bed trailer kept McKenzie Fire Department busy for three hours last Friday.

MFD Chief Brian Tucker said the department received a call at 11:03 a.m. to Highway 22 South in front of D&D Service Center where a tractor-trailer of hay was burning. The truck was transporting 22 large round bales of hay to Cedar Grove when the payload ignited. Chief Tucker said he is unsure of the origin of the fire.

The driver stopped the truck and unhooked it from the trailer. Eighteen firefighters used a water-foam mix in an attempt to extinguish the fire. Once the fire was sufficiently knocked down, the hay was offloaded at the city’s burning pit. The hay was valued at $1,200, said Tucker. Neither the truck nor trailer was damaged.

  
McKenzie’s upcoming Festival of Freedom on July 4 promises to be a real family event with numerous activities planned.

The day begins with a breakfast, 6:00 - 10:00 a.m. at McKenzie V.F.W., located on Cherrywood Road. The menu consists of country ham, sausage, fried bologna, eggs, biscuits and gravy, orange juice and coffee, all for $ 5.00. Advance tickets are available for purchase. Tickets are also available at the door. For more information, call 352-9976 for Tom or Lucille. As an added bonus, the VFW is pre-selling BBQ chicken lunches, which will be served 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Chicken halves are $ 3.50, or add the trimmings for a total of $6.00. So remember to make plans to call ahead and get your name on the grill!

At 7:00 a.m., activities begin at the recreational park with the 5K run and one mile walk/fun run. Pre-registration is $15.00, registration day of the run is $20.00. T-shirts will be given to all entrants. Trophies will be awarded first and second male and female in each category. Categories will be up to 12 yrs, 13-19 year, 20-29 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, and 50 and above. The race begins at 8:00 a.m., with walkers competing at 8:30 a.m. To register or more information, call Hunter at 352-3330. Registration forms may be picked up at the McKenzie City Hall.

At 9:00 a.m., the Jack and Jill double elimination softball tournament begins at the recreational park. Registration is $150.00. The winning team will be awarded a cash prize. Contact Ricky French at 415-7887 or the McKenzie City Hall for more information.

The ATV rodeo will get underway at 10:00 a.m. This event will be held off Liberty Drive, near the recreational park. There will be three categories, with trophies awarded. Contact Johnny Sexton at 415-3200 for more information.

For those ready to cool down, the Slip N Slide opens at 2:00 p.m. at the recreational park. Buy a bracelet for $ 5.00 and go as many times as you wish!

Spectators will want to line up for the Festival of Freedom Parade, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Flags will be waving down Stonewall Street to the recreational park as the parade makes it way to the ultimate place to be on the 4th, the McKenzie Recreational Park! The Festival of Freedom committee wants floats, cars, bikes, wagons, music makers, etc. to enter. Call Mike Holt at 352-5475 to enter.

Opening ceremonies will begin at the McKenzie Recreational Park at 5:45 p.m., featuring singing of the National Anthem by Kimberly Faye and presentations for the “Most Patriotic Window” and “Yard of the Month.” Judging for the businesses will take place July 3 by the Morning Glory Garden Club.

Plan to purchasing a ticket to sample some of the “flavored” home-made ice cream and vote for the winner of the “People’s Choice Award.” Vanilla will be judged by the Prairie Farms / Turner ice cream folks. First place will be awarded $50.00, second place will receive $25.00, and third place will receive $15.00. Winners will also receive fantastic gift baskets from Prairie Farms/Turner and a one-month free membership to the McKenzie Family YMCA. All contestants will receive prizes donated by Prairie Farms/Turner. Cost to enter your ice cream is $10.00 (per ice cream entered). Contact Hunter Jones at 352-3330 for more information.

Festival-goers will want to browse around the craft booths and the food booths. What’s the 4th of July without food and crafts? To have a booth Contact Jill Holland at 352-9963.

The “climbing wall” from the McKenzie National Guard will also be availablefor those youngsters with an excess of energy!

American history comes to life with a costume contest at 6:00 p.m.! Judgingis based on costume and character portrayal. Trophies will be presented for first, second and third place. Contact Jennifer Waldrup at 352-9281 or pick up a registration form at the McKenzie City Hall.

At 6:30 p.m., be prepared to be dazzled by comedy magician Brian Staron on stage in the park!

At 7:15 p.m., the patriotic program begins with a reading by Hershel Wilkes of the Declaration of Independence and ends with a dazzling display from the McKenzie National Guard Color Guard.

At 7:30 p.m., sit back and enjoy the beautiful voices of the David Johnson Chorus.

The culmination of a glorious day ends with the spectacular fire works show at 9 p.m.

McKenzie Festival of Freedom committee hopes to make this event bigger each year, but to do so, they need everyone’s support. Come out and enjoy the day.

  
After nearly a month of 8-hour per day rehearsals at Bethel College, the Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corp., will host a clinic and preview show to exhibit its work to the public.

The Memphis Sound will present its summer production entitled "Harmonic Voices" at the show, which will be free and open to the public. The event will be at Wildcat Stadium on the Bethel College campus on Monday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m.

"It's such an valuable experience for the McKenzie Community to have this extremely talented and dedicated group of young people who want to come here and be a part of it for a month of rehearsals in the summer," said Tom Oakley, Director of Renaissance Regiment at Bethel College. "They are amazingly gifted and promise a great show for all who come to watch."

The Memphis Sound, composed mostly of junior high and high school students, came to Bethel on June 3 to begin rehearsals for its nationwide summer tour. The group will depart on June 27.

For more information about the Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corp., or their clinic and preview show, call the Bethel College Band Room at (731) 352-6724.

   

Michael Beal, age 31, of a graduate of West Carroll High School in Atwood Tennessee, is featured as one of the Army soldiers in a rescue of severely malnourished Iraqi children. Beal is a member of the 82nd Airborne from Ft. Bragg.

Inside the Iraqi government-run orphanage of special-needs children, soldiers found emaciated little bodies tied to their cribs. They had been kept this way for more than a month, according to an exclusive from CBS News.

In a video interview, Staff Sgt. Beal said, “I saw children that you could see literally every bone in their body that were so skinny, they had no energy to move whatsoever, no expression on their face.”

Beal compared the children to his own eight-month old son, Logan, whom he saw briefly before his deployment back to Iraq. Sgt. Beal left behind his wife Patricia and their first son to return to Iraq.

The tragedy of the situation is the orphanage’s kitchen was well stocked and clothes were in the storeroom. Three people were cooking their own food but not sharing it with the children.

The children were taken to the hospital via ambulance and the caretakers were turned over the Iraqi authorities.

Danny Beal of McKenzie, Tennessee is proud of his son. He said his Michael is on his sixth deployment, none of which has been easy for his father, who was blinded by diabetes. “This is good reason for us to stay in Iraq,” said Danny.

Michael is the son of Danny Beal of McKenzie and Mary Ann Smith of Atwood.

See the CBSnews.com story Iraqi Orphanage Nightmare for more information, photos and videos.

   

Virgil E. Samuels, Jr. was led into Henry County Circuit Court on Thursday. At least six law enforcement officers were in the courtroom for the hearing. Samuels were clothed in orange and white striped jail shirt and wore ankle cuffs.

PARIS (June 21, 2007) Virgil E. Samuels, Jr., age 22, of 1330 Highway 77, Paris, pled guilty to especially aggravated kidnapping, attempted first degree murder, and aggravated rape in connection with the November 28, 2005, kidnapping, rape, and attempted murder of then 18-year-old April Sykes, also of Paris.

  
June 6 -- Dana Corporation (Pink Sheets: DCNAQ) announced today that the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, which has jurisdiction over Dana's Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings, approved today the sale of the two businesses that compose the Fluid Products business that the company announced for sale in late 2005.

Executive Director Andre Feagin leads a section of the Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps during morning practice.

MCKENZIE (June 15) If you live in the surrounding area of Bethel College or the McKenzie Middle School, there's a good chance that you've heard the musical instruments playing in the past few weeks. The Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps, approximately 65 members strong, have set up shop on Bethel's campus for a four-week period as they rehearse for their upcoming tour.