Dresden Enterprise - Covering Weakley County Like the Dew from Heaven for 118 Years

During Thursday night’s meeting of the Weakley County School Board at the Weakley County Board of Education conference room on Hwy. 22 in Dresden, members: discussed some of the changes for the 2007-’08 school year, approved several policy changes, heard and update on the Westview Football Stadium situation, extended the use of school buses for another year, discussed changing guidelines for excused absences, approved the Youth Leadership Weakley County 2008-’08 course for another season, hired volunteer coaches, approved assorted field trips, appointed a Sick Leave Bank trustee, and made announcements of upcoming meetings.

New for 2007-‘08

Director of Weakley County Schools Richard Barber said that registration at Weakley County Schools went very well on Thursday, and he heard very positive comments from school officials. He said that he has also heard a lot of favorable remarks concerning the county’s low teacher to student ratio. He added that all of the teachers have been hired for the 2007-’08 school year.

Mr. Barber said that there are four full-time nurses and one part-time nurse at Weakley County Schools this year, which will be shared among the nine schools in the county.

Barber stated that this year’s School Fund budget was approved by the Weakley County Commission, and is in fairly good shape with a respectable fund balance, especially when compared to a few years ago.

Barber said that the pre-K classrooms (for children who are four years old) have been a great success, and that three new pre-K classes have been added this year at Gleason, Greenfield and Sharon schools. When these are added to the pre-K classroom at Dresden K-8 School and two classes at Martin Primary School, this gives Weakley County a total of five pre-K classrooms. With room for up to 20 children in each of those classrooms, Barber stated that there are already people on waiting lists for classes in Martin and Greenfield. “Folks, I’m telling you, this is going to grow when people find out how good of a job they’re doing,” Barber said. “We’re going to grow until we don’t have the space, and then, I don’t know what we’re going to do.” He stated that there is already a request for an additional pre-K classroom at Martin.

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

Hydroponics marijuana growing operation discovered in Obion County

On Wednesday, August 1, 2007, local and state law enforcement agencies discovered and dismantled a major hydroponics marijuana grow operation in Obion County.

During the course of a two-day investigation involving the illegal shipping of marijuana via Fed Ex, officers of the 27th Drug Task Force and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Drug Investigation Division were led to J. C. Haynes, Jr., of 241 Cemetery Rd., Hornbeak, TN. Haynes was mirandized by officers, then admitted to shipping marijuana to a relative in Florida and having a marijuana grow operation in the basement of his house.

After obtaining consent from Haynes to search the residence, officers of the 27th Drug Task Force and agents of the TBI, assisted by the Obion County Sheriff’s Department and Hornbeak Police Department searched the residence. Officers discovered a hydroponics marijuana grow in the basement. Hydroponics is a growing method that greatly increases the potency and value of the marijuana. Officers recovered 80 mature plants and another 145 smaller plants in various stages of growth. Also found in the house was approx. ½ to 1 pound of processed marijuana, 27 assorted handguns, rifles and shotguns and a large quantity of ammunition.

(Read the rest of this story in the August 8th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise!)

Martin couple charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect

A Martin couple has been charged with allegedly abusing a child.

During the evening hours of Saturday, July 28, Martin police were dispatched to Volunteer Community Hospital in Martin in reference to a child that had a serious head injury.

When Investigator James Hatler arrived, he observed that the 19-month-old boy had bruises and cuts on his head and arms, and severe trauma to the head.

The child was transported to Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis by Air Evac Lifeteam.

Lt. Randal Walker traveled to Le Bonheur on Monday, July 30, and interviewed medical staff members, who stated that the injuries are consistent with severe child abuse.

At last report, the child was in the Intensive Care Unit of Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center in critical condition.

The child’s biological father, Wesley Griffin, age 20, of 100 Stafford Street in Martin, and step-mother Tiffani (Callahan) Griffin, age 24, of the same address, have both been charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect.

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