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

A domestic disturbance that turned deadly late last Wednesday evening left a 58-year-old McKenzie woman dead, and a Gleason man critically injured, according to Sgt. Richard Sawyers of the McKenzie Police Department.

Linda Lou Jackson of 35 Carroll Street sustained multiple knife stab wounds to the chest and abdominal area and later died at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, said Carroll County Coroner Steve Cantrell.

The prime suspect in the case, Paul H. Honaker, 42, of Gleason, also sustained a stab wound and is hospitalized at The Med in Memphis, where he underwent surgery Thursday. He was in good condition Monday, according to a hospital spokesperson. As of press time, no charges have yet been filed in the case.

McKenzie Police Department officers are being assisted in the investigation by members of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

At approximately 11 p.m. Wednesday, the police department received a call in reference to an unwanted person at the Jackson residence. Suspecting the person could be Jackson’s ex-boyfriend, Paul Honaker, Sgt. Sawyers advised the dispatcher to remake contact with the complainant, who was reportedly Honaker’s mother, Joyce Summers, and keep her on the phone until officers arrived on the scene. Summers reportedly advised that Honaker was holding Jackson at knifepoint.

Upon arrival, Sawyers observed a tan SUV parked in front of the residence and two women standing near the carport door. The women were later identified as Joyce Summers and her niece, Cheryl Tillman.

David Jackson stated that Honaker had arrived at his mother’s home on a bicycle, which he apparently used to travel from the home he shared with his mother in Gleason. David said his mother was outside the home when Honaker arrived and told her he didn’t feel well. He asked for a glass of water, and reportedly followed Jackson inside when she went to retrieve the water, he said. Honaker’s mother had reportedly followed her son to Jackson’s residence in McKenzie.

As Sawyers approached the home, Honaker was heard shouting at the two women (Summers and Tillman) through an open window near the carport door of the residence, according to Sawyers. Just as the officer came around the corner of the carport, Honaker slammed the window down and pulled down the window shade, according to the police report.

(Check out the rest of this story in this week's print edition of the Dresden Enterprise!)

Motorcyclist injured in single-vehicle crash

By David Fisher

Staff Reporter

A 29-year-old motorcyclist is lucky to be alive after striking a road sign and then being thrown from his motorcycle when the tires ran over a set of railroad tracks last week in downtown Martin.

According to a traffic report filed by Martin Patrolman Marty McClure, at approximately 8:14 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, Officer McClure saw a motorcycle and rider lying in the right of way of the railroad tracks near the intersection of University Street and Central Street. As Ptl. McClure approached the motorcyclist, he realized that the man was unconscious.

During his investigation of the accident scene, Ptl. McClure, who was assisted by Officer James R. Hatler, determined that the operator of a 1993 Honda 1000F motorcycle, identified as Michael Patrick Gray of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, was traveling east on University Street and failed to negotiate a turn onto Central Street at the T-intersection adjacent to the Martin Post Office. The motorcyclist left the roadway, struck a traffic sign and then struck the railroad tracks.

A diagram of the accident shows the injured man lying next to his motorcycle between two sets of railroad tracks.

Shortly after the crash, an Air-Evac helicopter set down in front of the Martin Police Department, and the victim, who was listed as having an incapacitating injury, was transported to the Med in Memphis, where he was treated for incapacitating injuries.

The report states that Gray was driving on a suspended driver’s license, while riding a motorcycle with license plates that had expired in January or 2008, and that alcohol was present.

The motorcycle, which belongs to Jamie L. McDonald of Holly Springs, North Carolina, received extensive damage in the crash and had to be towed from the scene by Harper’s Wrecker Service.

(Read the rest of this story in the July 23rd print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

Dresden Industrial Board to rebid site prep loan

By David Fisher

Staff Reporter

During Monday afternoon’s meeting of the Dresden Industrial Development Board, members voted to rebid a $164,694 loan agreement for the preparation of the site for a new spec building to be constructed at the Dresden Industrial Park.

The groundwork preparation of the site for construction of a spec building is estimated to cost $914,694, which will be paid for with at state FIDIP grant amounting to $750,000, and a local match of $164,694. It is this local match that the Dresden Industrial Development Board is in the process of borrowing.

The decision to rebid the loan agreement came after board members learned earlier Monday that the loan would not be classified as tax-exempt. Since the bank would have to pay income tax on the interest it receives on a non tax-exempt loan, the interest rate it charges would be higher.

Two local banks submitted sealed bids on the loan agreement. One of the banks provided a bid for tax-exempt loan and one bank provided a bid for non tax-exempt loan. The bid specifications did not request that the bid be submitted as a tax-exempt loan but earlier information obtained by one of the banks indicated that the loan may qualify for tax exemption status.

Dresden Finance Manager Melanie Bynum stated that, after researching the matter further, City Attorney Jeff Washburn changed his legal opinion that the loan could not be classified as tax-exempt, due to the fact that the intent of the loan for this particular project was for private sale.

Chairman Junior Moore stated that since one bank bid on a bank qualified tax-exempt loan and the other bank bid on a non tax exempt bank loan which would result in varying interest rates, the only fair thing to do was to rebid the loan package.

Dr. Bob Page agreed, saying that the loan should be rebid in order to “put everyone on a level playing field.”

In order to save money, James Westbrook offered an amendment to the motion to rebid the loan, saying that the collateral offered on the loan should be the 124-acre property at the Dresden Industrial Park adjacent to the Weakley County Detention Center building on Highway 22, instead of the land on which the spec building is to be built. He explained that this would save the cost of switching around the deed, a land survey, and other expenses in order to secure a loan agreement.

(Read the rest of this story in the July 23rd print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

Local radio disc jockey dead at 48

Local radio disc jockey Stewart Byars, 48, who was a popular morning air personality on 104.9 KYTN and Oldies 95.1 radio stations for over twenty years, lost his battle with cancer early Saturday morning at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Union City after being diagnosed last September.

Byars, known for his “Stew Man in the Morning” shows and wacky bumper sticker commercials, was a 1978 graduate of OCCHS and a life-long Union City resident.

During his broadcasting career, Byars was also the voice of WLJT Public Television. He and his late brother Rick Byars hosted WLJT’s Club Country music video program for a number of years.

Byars received national recognition for his creative production skills and as an entertainer, emceeing a number of charity events throughout his career.

Those who knew Byars, describe him as an individual who was likeable and witty, as well as kind and gentle.

He is survived by his wife, Ginger Byars; his son, Michael Byars; and daughter, Brandy Byars.

(Check out the rest of this story in this week's print edition of the Dresden Enterprise!)