The preliminary hearing for a 26-year-old Sharon woman charged with child abuse and neglect for giving birth to a baby that tested positive for drugs, which had originally been set to take place in Weakley County General Sessions Court on Wednesday, June 4, has been rescheduled for Monday, July 9.

Charged is Jennifer Karen Wilson of North Martin Ave. in Sharon, who gave birth at McKenzie Regional Hospital on May 9, 2008.

According to an affidavit of complaint filed by Sharon Police Lieutenant Jason Edwards, Wilson tested positive for a long list of drugs on two separate occasions surrounding her child’s birth. Lt. Edwards states that Wilson tested positive for P.C.P., T.H.C., T.C.A., Benzo, and opiates at the time she gave birth. The defendant had also previously tested positive for cocaine on April 28. When Wilson’s newborn infant also tested positive for drugs, hospital administrators notified police.

In the affidavit, Lt. Edwards states Wilson admitted to investigators that she took Xanex and Hydrocodone while she was pregnant.

(Read the rest of this story in the June 11th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

    On Monday, Governor Phil Bredesen announced that Chancellor Steve Stafford of Dyersburg, Tenn., has been appointed to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Western Section.

    Stafford will fill the vacancy created by the death of Judge W. Frank Crawford in April.

    “I am confident that Chancellor Stafford will serve with honor and distinction. I appreciate the experience and skill he brings to his appointment and I am very pleased he has agreed to serve the State of Tennessee’s appellate courts,” Bredesen said. “I also want to honor the late Judge Crawford. He left behind a legacy of honesty and integrity after serving on the Court of Appeals for 26 years, and he will be deeply missed by all those who worked with him throughout his distinguished career.”

    Stafford, a Greenfield native, has been Chancellor of the 29^th Judicial District since 1993. A graduate of Samford University Cumberland School of Law, he was selected as the 2007 Judge of the Year by the American Board of Trial Advocates, Tennessee Chapter. A member of the Dyer County Bar Association since 1983, he received the Tennessee Judicial Conference Outstanding Service Award and the West Tennessee Legal Services Award for Support and Contribution to the Pro Bono Project in 2000.

 

(Read the rest of this story in the June 11th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

By David Fisher Staff Reporter

 

    Members of the Health, Education and Welfare Committee (H.E.W.) of the Weakley County Commission discussed making changes to the building construction plans for the new Election Commission building, during Friday morning’s meeting at the Weakley County Finance Department Board Room on Highway 22 in Dresden. They also examined the budgets of several county departments.

 

Weakley County Election Commission Building

 

    Due to proposed changes in the heating and air conditioning system for the new Weakley County Election Commission building, committee members agreed to talk with the architect before continuing with the construction project, which most likely will have to be re-bid to allow for recent increases in materials. The reconfiguration of the HVAC system was proposed to save money on the project.

 

Budget Transfers

 

    H.E.W. Committee members tentatively approved several budget transfers for FY 2008-2009. However, commissioners made it plain that approval of these budgets depends on the county’s financial bottom line when all county budgets are finalized. They are as follows:

 

    Election Commission - To pay for the two upcoming elections during 2008 – one in August (costing $22,950) and another in November (costing $25,590) - the Weakley County Election Commission calls for a budget increase of $41,851 (33.2 percent) to pay election personnel. The salary of the registrar is supplemented by the state.

    In the transfer request, Administrator of Elections Diane Cashon says, “I am requesting line item 51500.106 be increased to $48,000 (an increase of $511) not counting longevity. This will allow the two employees performing the same tasks to be paid equally. Longevity and whatever cost of living increase approved by the County Commission would need to be added to this amount. Performing the same work deserves equal compensation.” This portion of the Election Commission budget also calls for increases to deputies ($3,079); a decrease for part-time personnel (- $1,029); an increase for Election Commissioners, who currently receive $75 per meeting, to $125 per meeting for the chairman, and $100 per meeting for board members. With a total of 25 annual meetings, this amounts to an increase of $7,125 (118.8 percent).

    The budget amendment also calls for an increase of $4,894 (12.3 percent) for employee benefits, an additional $600 (1.0 percent) for contracted services, $200 (6.3 percent) more for supplies and materials, and an additional $200 (66.7 percent) for other charges.

 

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