Five young Martin adults, who were cited into court for allegedly vandalizing New Hope Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 30, learned the consequences of their actions during their preliminary hearing in Weakley County General Session Court last Wednesday.

 

    Those charged in the case are:

 

·    Carmen Genae Brundige, 19, of 123 Brundige Street, Martin, allegedly went to the New Hope Methodist Church on Sandy Branch Road and participated in the vandalism of the church, as well as vandalism of mailboxes on Stella Ruth Road.

·    Cary Lee Bills II, 20, of 206 Christine St., Martin, reportedly admitted to participating in vandalism of New Hope Methodist Church, as well as damaging mailboxes on Stella Ruth, Nethery, and Ralston roads.

·    Lorrie Anne Spencer, 22, of 125A Elm St., Martin, was allegedly present at New Hope Methodist Church when it was vandalized.

·    Jonathan Wesley Blane, 19, of 571 Vancleave Rd., Martin, allegedly participated in vandalizing New Hope Methodist Church, as well as damaging several mailboxes on Nethery and Ralston roads.

·    Kayla Lynn Rogers, 19, of 108 Lee St., Martin, reportedly participated in vandalizing New Hope Methodist Church, as well as damaging several mailboxes on Nethery and Ralston roads.

 

    After hearing the facts of the case, General Sessions Judge Tommy Moore ruled that all five of these individuals were to be given a 90-day continuance, and during this time, they are to pay restitution of roughly $5,000 in damages (or approximately $1,000 each). They are also to perform 20 hours community service. Providing all of these conditions have been met, at the end of 90 days, the defendants will be given a pre-trial diversion.

(Read the rest of this story in the August 29th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

By Shannon McFarlin shannonmcfarlin@henrycountian.com

 

   U.S. Congressman John Tanner said Monday that the proposed joint Henry-Weakley County Alternative Fuels Project will be “good for our country” because it helps provide an alternative to foreign oil and thus will help keep our country secure.

    Tanner appeared before a packed house of local, state and federal officials at the Henry County Extension Service in Paris, along with state Commissioner of Agriculture Ken Givens and Rural Development Assistant to the State Director Bob Connelly, to announce the release of a pair of federal and state grants totaling $40,000 to Henry and Weakley County officials.

    The monies will fund a feasibility study to evaluate the potential for value-added agricultural business opportunities in the region. Specifically, the funds include a $20,000 Rural Development rural enterprise business grant and a $20,000 State Agricultural Enhancement Grant, along with $3,500 from the West Tennessee Industrial Association and $1,750 each from Henry and Weakley counties for a total investment of $47,000.

    The feasibility study, which will be performed by Informa Economics of Memphis, will examine the viability of developing a soybean crushing mill and identify potential markets for locally produced soybean oil.

    Tanner praised the joint venture, noting, “it represents something close to my heart: regionalism. When you band together in Northwest Tennessee, you can make a difference.”

(Read the rest of this story in this week's print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

    Members of the Martin Police Department are investigating weekend robbery at Save-A-Lot Foods located at 4200 Skyhawk Parkway.

    According to a report filed by Ptl. John C. Finch, the robbery took place at approximately 8:45 p.m. Friday when two store employees were closing the store. As the employees said that as they were walking to their vehicles parked at the side of the store with the store’s money bag that was to be deposited at a local bank, they were approached by a black male with a slender build, who stood a little over 6 feet tall, and was wearing a dark blue or black hooded sweatshirt, as well as a white rag partially covering his face.

    The robber allegedly pulled a handgun, forced the employees to lie on the ground, took the moneybag and fled on foot through a wooded area at the rear of the business.

    Lt. Eric Reed contacted Lt. Randall Walker, who responded to the scene to assist in performing a search of the surrounding area, but no one matching the description of the robber could be located.

    Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the Martin Police Department, or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 587-2611.

    In an unrelated case, at approximately 12:20 a.m. on August 1, Ptl. Michael C. Wenz of the Martin Police Department was dispatched to Volunteer Community Hospital in Martin concerning an assault that took place at around 9:23 p.m on July 31.

    Those arrested in the case have been charged with aggravated robbery. They are: 18-year-old Montrell D. Grant of 304 10^th Street in Dyersburg; 18-year-old Ryan McCrady of 33 Carver Street, Apt. A-1, of Jackson; and a 17-year old male juvenile, who is also from Dyersburg.

    During questioning of the victim, Olice Mayberry, 30, of Hyndsver Road, told the officer that after parking his vehicle on K Street in front of K Apartments, he then walked north on North McCombs Street to the Unity Christian School and then walked south on Fulton Street. At this time, he said four black males wearing ski masks attacked him. Two of the attackers were wearing black shorts and white wife beater tee shirts. Mayberry stated that he was struck in the head by a blunt object and the attackers told him to give them his money and empty his pockets.

(Read the rest of this story in the August 29th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)