Members of the Everett-Stewart Regional Airport Board, located at 1489 Airport Circle, Union City, discussed a counter-offer concerning the purchase of privately owned land needed for a proposed runway extension project during their regular monthly meeting Thursday, December 18, 2008. Board members also heard an update concerning ongoing airport improvement projects, and considered a proposed change in its rules and regulations involving insurance requirements for commercial customers.

 

Land Acquisition Counter Proposal

 

    Dr. Chris Gooch, chairman of the Everett-Stewart Regional Airport Commission, said of the latest counter proposal offered by landowners Bill and Gail Latimer, “As you know, we sent Mrs. Latimer, via her attorney, a letter making them another offer of paying them $100,000 over the appraised value of the land. In other words, we agreed to pay them $480,401, plus she would get to keep the farm income from the land that is tillable until she dies.” Dr. Gooch stated he received a letter from Latimer’s attorney, Charles Barnett, Monday, December 16 that reads as follows:

    “Both Bill and Gail Latimer have carefully considered the airport authority’s most recent offer for the purchase of the buildings and land it seeks to acquire for purposes of a runway extension. Both Bill and Gail respectfully decline the airport’s offer. They have authorized me to offer to sell the buildings and land in question to the airport for the sum of $595,000 cash, plus the rent from remaining farmable land for the lifetime of Gail Latimer. “Both Latimers are of the opinion that the above consideration is equivalent to the fair cash market value of the property and improvements sought to be acquired. By their estimates and calculations, this is equivalent to $6,000 per acre for the 65.15 acres, plus $255,000 for the improvements.

    “This offer is open for acceptance for a period of 30 days from the date of this letter, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing. I look forward to hearing your response.”

    Dr. Gooch said, “In other words, they dropped their asking price $51,000 from $646,000 to $595,000.”

    The difference between what the airport board has offered for the land and what the Latimers’ are asking is $114,599.01.

 

(Read the rest of this story in the December 24th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

   

    HUNTINGDON (December 19) Paul Howard Honaker, age 42, will face first-degree murder charges when his case goes before a Carroll County Grand Jury on January 12, 2009.  The Gleason resident remains in Carroll County Jail after the July 16, 2008 stabbing death of Linda Jackson, age 58, in her 35 Carroll Street, McKenzie home.

    After an hour-long preliminary hearing in Carroll County General Sessions Court, Judge Larry Logan said sufficient probable cause and the premeditation is based on the fact Honaker rode his bicycle from Gleason to McKenzie, refused to give up his knife to his mother and cousin when asked to do so, and a written statement Honaker had folded in his wallet which read, in part, "I had to kill you right now that is time to you die and me is over."

    During the hearing, the hearing-impaired defendant read the testimony as it was typed by a specially-trained court stenographer.

    Honaker is accused of stabbing Ms. Jackson and then himself. Jackson, who had sustained multiple stab wounds, was still conscious near the door when police arrived. Honaker was discovered in the den, lying in the floor with a knife protruding from his abdomen. Both were transported to McKenzie Regional Hospital and then airlifted for additional care. Mrs. Jackson's condition deteriorated en route to Memphis and she was pronounced dead at a Jackson hospital. Honaker was treated at The Med in Memphis, where the knife was removed from his abdomen. The weapon was taken into custody by the Memphis Police Department.

   District Attorney General Hansel McCadams called as witnesses officers Sgt. Rick Sawyers and Lt. Tim Nanney from the McKenzie Police Department and Honaker's cousin, Cheryl Tillman.

    The first witness was Officer Sawyers, who was the first officer dispatched to the scene where a man, armed with a knife was reportedly holding it on Linda Jackson. He said as he approached the carport he could see two women - Cheryl Tillman, a cousin of Honaker, and Joyce Summers, Honaker's mother - outside the residence. He said he could hear a man's voice, which sounded as if it was at the front door. He saw a man in a black shirt standing at the window near the carport inside the house. The window was slammed shut and the shade pulled closed immediately after Sawyers saw the man in the house. Sawyers said Tillman said Honaker had a knife.

(Read the rest of this story in the December 24th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

   A 27-year-old Martin man was arrested Sunday, December 14, 2008 on assorted charges involving a break-in at his ex-girlfriend’s home at Martin Meadows Apartment Complex.

    Raymond Isbell is charged with aggravated burglary, domestic assault and vandalism.

    According to a Martin Police report, at approximately 8 p.m., Ptl. Bradley R. Cook was dispatched to 289 Highway 431, Martin, Apt. 48, in reference to a domestic disturbance.

    When officer Cook arrived at the scene, the victim, Patrice R. Arnold, 38, stated her ex-boyfriend, Raymond Isbell, kicked in the front door of her residence and ran inside after her. Arnold, who said she became fearful for her life, immediately exited through the back door of the residence and called police.

    The victim also stated the offender then left walking in an unknown direction just prior to the Ptl. Cook’s arrival.

The report states officers searched the area for the offender, but were unable to locate him at that time.

    Ptl. Cook states he observed damage to the door-frame on both sides of the front door. The estimated cost of the damage and repair is listed at $200.

    At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Monday, December 15, the Martin Police Department was contacted by Capt. Lamb of the South Fulton Police Department stating he had Isbell in custody on warrants issued by Martin P.D.

    Ptl. Mike Wenz and Ptl. Aaron Gallimore took Isbell into custody at the South Fulton Police Department.

 

(Read the rest of this story in the December 24th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)