From the October 7, 2010 edition
Air Wing ready to land soon
Photo by Rodney MurrayThe hangar that will house Air Wing helicopters and staff is making progress and is expected to be completed in the next several days. Air Wing will have a staff at the Robert Sibley Airport 24/7 to fly medical emergencies to area hospitals.
2 vehicle wreck claims life
Photo by Tom EvansWilliam Mark Butler of Selmer was killed when his 2007 Saturn Ion struck a log truck on Guys-Chewalla Rd.
William Mark Butler, age 40, of Selmer was pronounced dead at the scene following a wreck on Guys Chewalla Road last Thursday evening.
According to a report filed by the THP, Butler was traveling east in a 2007 Saturn Ion at a high rate of speed and apparently loss control and overcorrected. As he approached a curve in the wrong lane and skidding sideways he struck a 1977 Chevrolet log truck driven by Ronnie Shelton, age 59, of Ramer.
Shelton drove off the roadway in an attempt to avoid the collision but was unable to do so. The log truck caught on fire following the collision and was destroyed by the fire.
Both Shelton and an 8-year-old passenger were wearing their seat belts and were not transported to the hospital.
Rabidoux tries a slugburger
Photo by Tom EvansDr. Greg Rabidoux, who is running against Marsha Blackburn for 7th District Congressman in November, was in McNairy County on Tuesday campaigning. Dr. Rabidoux took time out for lunch at Pat’s Café in Selmer where he tired a slugburger for the first time.
“He said he’d never tried one so we brought him to Miss Pat’s,” said Leanne Jones, who is helping with his campaign in McNairy County.
After leaving Pat’s Café Dr. Rabidoux visited both of the nursing homes in the county and the developmental center.
Fannie’s Florist holds grand opening
Photo by Tom EvansFannie’s Florist held their official ribbon-cutting at their new 375 Mulberry Avenue location.
Fannie’s Florist located at 375 Mulberry Avenue in Selmer held their official ribbon cutting ceremony for their new location, which was formerly Reggie’s Restaurant. County Mayor Jai Templeton, Selmer Mayor David Robinson, Ted Moore and Russell Ingle from the McNairy County Economic Development Commission, along with other friends were on hand Wednesday morning for the ceremony.
Fannie’s Florist is owned by Linda Fisher and employees include Patsy Mosier and Faye Armour. They offer a complete line of flowers for all occasions, flower arrangements, and hundreds of gift items. Fannie’s Florist is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon. You can call them at 645-4389.
Murder & Arson trial underway
Melissa Cole, age 41, who is accused of shooting her husband, Gary Cole, in the head while he was asleep on the couch and then setting their trailer on fire last November went on trial this week.
She is facing first-degree murder, arson, and tampering with evidence charges.
A jury of 10 women and 4 men were chosen at the beginning of the week. Prosecutors will try to prove that the killing was premeditated and the fire set to cover up the evidence.
Melissa Cole’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender Rickey Griggs, said his client does not deny shooting her husband. But Griggs said she did it out of desperation because she had nowhere else to turn. Gary Cole beat, threatened and kept absolute control of his wife, Griggs told reporters.
Even though he filed for divorce, Gary Cole would not let his wife leave him and threatened to harm her family if she did, Griggs said. Melissa Cole had sought help from WRAP (Women’s Resource & Rape Assistance Program) and had gotten an order of protection against her husband, but he continued to threaten her.
The morning of the shooting, Gary Cole had taken the pistol he was later killed with, pointed it at his wife and threatened her, Griggs stated.
Narcotics Unit finds meth lab
Members of the newly formed McNairy County Narcotics Unit busted a meth lab at 1266 Ramer Selmer Road in Ramer last Tuesday.
Officers discovered the lab while executing a search warrant at the home of Troy N. Murphy, Jr. Officers entered a shed at the residence and found three persons in the process of cooking meth.
Those arrested were Troy Murphy, Jr., Jason Hurt of Ramer, and Brandon Edwards of Selmer. All three were charged with initiation of methamphetamine. Murphy was also charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Kristie Morris of Lexington was arrested after she was discovered inside the house attempting to flush drugs down the toilet. Morris was charged with possession of methamphetamine and tampering with evidence.
“This was a good job by officers of our McNairy County Narcotics Unit,” said Sheriff Guy Buck.
Ambulance takes out truck
Photo by Tom EvansNo one was injured when this McNairy Regional ambulance collided with a Chevrolet pickup truck in Crump on Tuesday afternoon.
A McNairy County Regional Ambulance was involved in a wreck on Tuesday afternoon around 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Hwy 64 and 69 in Crump.
According to THP Officer Micah Whitten, James Singleton, who was driving a Chevrolet truck, was attempting to turn onto Hwy 64 from Hwy 69 headed east toward Savannah. A log truck was turning onto Hwy 69 and was partially blocking his view. He went ahead and pulled out and was struck by the ambulance, which was driven by Angie Taylor.
The truck received major damage and the ambulance suffered damage to the right front. No one was injured in the accident. The ambulance was not transporting, but had just dropped off a patient.
Register’s Office says beware of scam
According to Brian Dickey, Register of Deeds for McNairy, there is a scam circulating around McNairy County in regards to information on people’s property deeds.
“Our office received a call from a lady that had received a bill from a company saying that she owed them $87 for a copy of her deed and a $35 late fee, said Dickey. “The register’s office only charges $1 per copy for a certified copy of a deed. This company is ripping off hard working McNairy County people.”
Dickey advises that if anyone gets a bill in the mail for a copy of their deed to please disregard this bill. The company’s return address is 111 South Highland Street Suite 108, Memphis, TN. Their phone number is 1-888-637-2652. The name of the company is State Record Retrieval Services. Anyone with questions about deeds can call Brian Dickey’s office at 731-645-3656.
