From the March 18, 2010 edition
Property dispute ends in death
Stanley Alexander
Neighbors fight, 1 dies
Stanley Alexander, age 62, of 267 Perry St. in Milledgeville was arrested on Saturday afternoon around 4 p.m. and charged with Voluntary Manslaughter, following the death of his neighbor, Johnny Burkhead, age 59, of 77 Pentecostal Ave.
McNairy County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Bob Pipkins along with Officers James McNeil and Michael Gilbert were dispatched to a call for two people fighting with weapons. When they arrived on the scene they found a man identified by his 8-year-old grandson as being Johnny Burkhead lying on the ground.
The grandson told officers that his grandpa and the neighbor were fighting and that the neighbor hit his grandpa in the head with a fence pole. Officer Gilbert then went to the neighbor’s house and brought Alexander to the scene.
Alexander admitted that he and Burkhead had gotten into a fight. He stated that Burkhead jumped on him and began to hit him and then hit him with a board. A red painted wooden board was found lying near Burkhead.
Alexander had a bruise on the top of his head and scratches to his face and neck. Alexander stated they came from Burkhead hitting him with the board and scratching him during the fight. Alexander stated that he only hit Burkhead with his fist and kicked him and after the fight went home and took a shower.
Officers collected evidence at the scene, including the clothes Alexander was wearing during the fight, the wooden board and the fence post. Upon further examination at the Justice Complex the fence post was found to have hair on one end of it leading officers to believe that Alexander did hit Burkhead with it.
Johnny Burkhead was still breathing when officers arrived but was later pronounced dead at the McNairy County Regional Hospital. The medical examiner stated that he died of a subdural hematoma and blunt force trauma.
The fight was said to have occurred at around 2:30 p.m. and was over a property line dispute. The back of the men’s houses faced each other with a ditch in the middle. One of the men was reportedly going to burn a brush pile near the ditch.
Alexander was arrested at around 4 p.m. He was arraigned on Monday and was released on a $75,000 bond. He will have a preliminary hearing on May 6 in McNairy County General Sessions Court.
Car and motorcycle collide 
Photo by Tom Evans
James Taylor of Selmer was thrown from his motorcycle when it was struck by a car on Hwy. 45 South last Friday afternoon. Taylor was treated on the scene for minor injuries.
A car and motorcycle collided on Mulberry Avenue near Hollingsworth Locksmith last Friday afternoon at around 3 p.m.
James Taylor, age 75 of Selmer, was driving his 1990 Honda Goldwing motorcycle and was traveling north. He was in the turning lane and attempting to turn left.
Marissa McDonald, age 21, of Ramer was traveling south in the right hand lane in a 2008 Nissan.
McDonald told officers that cars in front of her were slowing down to turn and she put on her blinker and started to change lanes. That’s when she struck the motorcycle with her left front fender.
Mr. Taylor was thrown from his motorcycle and suffered a cut on his hand and some bruises. He was treated at the scene and his injuries did not appear to be severe.
Miss McDonald was not injured.
Taste of McNairy raises over $8,000
Photo by Tom Evans
Jackie Prather (right), Winner of a Philips 42” LCD TV donated by Aaron’s of Selmer along with Steve Weirich the chairman of fundraising for Habitat for Humanity. At left is Aaron’s General Manager, Clayton Lingelbach who helped get his company to make the donation. Prather said she was excited when she got the call that she had won. She stated that she only bought one ticket. Lingelbach said he is happy that Aaron’s could help with the donation for such a worthwhile cause like Habitat for Humanity.
Attendance was once again ‘excellent and fantastic’ for the 6th Annual Taste of McNairy held at the Selmer Community Center Tuesday night.
Feasting guests participated in another enjoyable evening hosted by Habitat for Humanity McNairy County. Thirty-four tables decorated and set up throughout the room offered many international tastes along with confections and breads, fruit mixtures and ‘down-home’ fares that included cheese-ball bits, scrumptious grilled chicken, and samplings of a few of ‘Habitat’s own!
Groups and individuals came together to offer tastes of local ‘cookery’. It was a fun and filling event and proceeds will go towards the next Habitat House Build in McNairy County.
A most generous $2,500.00 is to be received by Habitat McNairy through a matching grant program of the Modern Woodmen, announced by representative Carolyn Bowers.
New to the Taste for 2010 was the addition of a silent auction, which helped to raise over $1,100. Aaron’s of Selmer graciously donated a 42” LCD TV and sold tickets for the raffle both in-store and at the night’s event.
Extra ‘give-a-ways’ were also provided and given out with the ticket purchases. Habitat’s fundraising chairman, Steve Weirich, reported community excitement over these new ideas and proceeds received from raffle ticket sales for the TV and ‘Taste’ ticket sales, along with the silent auction totals have added over $8,000 to the House Build Fund.
Habitat for Humanity wants to say a very SPECIAL THANK YOU to all of the contributors at this year’s event and our appreciation goes out to everyone who has helped to make it a success. Were it not for the continuous community effort and support that goes into the Taste of McNairy, Habitat for Humanity could not proceed with their work to provide affordable home ownership to qualified area residents.
They thank all who attended and look forward to seeing you again next year.
Information on Tables Awards for 2010 Taste of McNairy:
1st Place Best Overall Winner - First Baptist Church Brotherhood
Most Delicious Food - Family’s Café , Guys, TN
Most Creative Dish - McNairy County F.C.E.
Healthiest Food - Selmer First United Methodist Church
Most Fun Table - Court Avenue Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Most ‘Tastefully’ Decorated Table - Arts in McNairy
AiM Artisan Trail
The Arts in McNairy Spring Artisan Trail will be held this Saturday, March 20, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in the studios of McNairy County artists and artisans.
The Artisan Trail is an opportunity to visit some of the finest artists in southwest Tennessee in their working environment, learn more about their creative process and purchase high quality, one-of-a-kind, art objects.
The trail features, pottery, glass, beading, broom making, traditional textiles, metal sculpture, woodworking, painting and much more at various locations around McNairy County.
Maps can be downloaded online at the Arts in McNairy blog and website (www.artsinmcnairy.blogspot.com) after March 16 or by following AiM on Facebook (Key Word: Arts in McNairy). Don’t miss the trail!
Jones resigns as coach
Longtime McNairy Central Bobcat Football Assistant Head Coach Mike Jones is stepping down from his coaching duties after 21 years with the Bobcats.
During his tenure as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, the Bobcats compiled a record of 144 wins, 90 losses, and had 16 postseason appearances.
The Bobcats’ defense was either ranked first or second in the region almost every year during that span.
“Recent personal developments with my family have forced me to resign my coaching duties at McNairy Central,” said Coach Jones. “It was not something that I wanted to do, but I felt it was best for the kids and the program. The players need to be completely focused on the upcoming season. I’ve had some great memories over the past 21 years. I would like to thank all the parents, people in the community, and current and former players for all their calls of support.”
Mike is a former Bobcat player and also played college football at Lambuth.
Church repaints sign
Defies federal judge’s ordersThe Creation 7th Day Adventist Church at Guys has defied a federal court order and repainted their sign. A federal judge ordered officials to remove the signage from the building because of a violation of the trademark of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The church sign was painted over and letters taken down on February 15th. But recently members of the church repainted the sign. They say they are willing to go to jail over their beliefs.
County mayor seeks re-election
Jai Templeton has announced his intentions to seek a second term as McNairy County Mayor.
Templeton, age 38, is a 6th generation McNairy County farmer and cattleman living in Stantonville with his wife Allison and children Mycaela, Canon, and Eliza Smith.
He is the son of Jimmy and Rebecca Templeton and the grandson of Lois and the late Fred Templeton and Edna and the late Rev. James B. Wolfe.
“I am proud of our steps forward in emergency response equipment, highway department equipment, UT Martin Higher Education Center expansion and the pending health department expansion. Our county government has managed quite well during a difficult economic time to control spending, reduce debt and increase fund balances. I want to continue the progress in our local education infrastructure as we focus on creating the jobs for the new economy. I am acutely aware of the situation we have in local economic growth. I pledge that we will continue to work within our means to prepare all of McNairy County for increased economic opportunities,” said Templeton.
Jai is a member of the First Baptist Church of Adamsville, McNairy County Landowner’s Association, McNairy-Chester Cattleman’s Association, Masonic Lodge #338, O.E.S. Chapter #330, Selmer Rotary Club, Stantonville Ruritan Club, and Gideon’s International.
As county mayor he serves as a member of the West Tenn. Railroad Authority, West Tenn. River Basin Authority, Southwest Tenn. Development District Executive Board, Southwest Tenn. Human Resource Agency Policy Council, Association of County Mayors, and the McNairy County Regional Alliance. He is chairman of the McNairy County Commission and past Chairman of Tennessee Homeland Security District 10.
“We have worked hard to control spending and reduce our county’s debt. Everything that has been accomplished has been through a partnership with other local leaders. I’m grateful for the harmonious relationship I’ve enjoyed with our county commissioners, other elected officials, as well as city leaders. With your vote, I know we can continue the progress,” stated Templeton.
This year’s county election will be held on August 5th.
