A knife-wielding Martin man was arrested Thursday, March 6, by Martin Police officers, following an altercation at Cheers bar, located at 627 North Lindell Street in Martin.

According to a police report, at approximately 1:46 a.m., Ptl. John A. Miller of the Martin Police Department responded to the scene of a reported altercation at Cheers bar involving someone pulling a knife on another customer.

   Ptl. Miller states that upon his arrival at that location, he spoke with witnesses, who stated that the defendant, identified as Matthew McMorries, 23, of 119 Ivie Circle in Martin, pulled a knife on a patron at the bar.

    Ptl. Miller then spoke with McMorries and read him his Miranda rights. The defendant stated that he was dancing on the dance floor when an unknown male subject came up behind him and they entered into an argument.

    McMorries stated that at this time, one of the bouncers approached the defendant and attempted to break up the altercation. The defendant stated that he pulled the knife with the blade out and said, “I am going to kill you.”

    McMorries stated that when the bouncer told him who he was, the defendant then dropped the knife and was taken to the ground by the bouncers. And about this time, the police showed up.

    Ptl. Miller states that he could detect an odor of an intoxicating beverage about the defendant as he spoke. The defendant, who was charged with aggravated assault, was then taken into custody and transported to Martin Police Department for booking procedures.

(Read the rest of this story in the March 12th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

    A 25-year-old Kenton, Tennessee man was arrested last week after allegedly pulling a pellet gun on three individuals and threatening them with the weapon, as well as for possession of schedule II narcotics.

    According to a report filed by Lt. Jason W. Arant of the Martin Police Department, at approximately 10:55 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, Lt. Arant responded to 123 Elm Street to speak with victims, James Mitchell Davis and William Brock Davis concerning them and victim, Lindsey West, who were allegedly assaulted by the defendant, Ryan A. Lee, of 505 Hillwood Street, Kenton, Tennessee.

    West stated that she went to 130 Beaumont Street, #6, to see a friend, and while there was confronted by the defendant, Ryan Lee, who said he needed to get something out of a vehicle he saw her driving earlier in the day. The defendant stated he had a friend who had left an item hidden in a vehicle that currently belongs to the victim, James Mitchell Davis. While the defendant was speaking to West, she stated he had a small black handgun in his hands and told her he was serious.

    After leaving the apartment, West contacted James Davis and William Davis, and told them that Lee said he wanted items that had been left in James Davis’s vehicle.

    James Davis and William Davis then went to the Beaumont Street apartment to speak with Lee, and they agreed to take the defendant to the vehicle so he could retrieve his belongings. However, prior to leaving the apartment, both victims, James Davis and William Davis, stated they witnessed Lee exit a bedroom carrying a black handgun and saw him rack the slide of the weapon.

    When officers arrived at the apartment to investigate the reported aggravated assault incident, the resident, Audrey Virgin, 21, opened the door. As she did so, Lt. Arant states that he detected a strong odor of what he believed to be burnt marijuana from inside the apartment. Officer Arant also saw Lee run into a back bedroom.

    Upon entering the apartment, Lt. Arant observed an ashtray on the couch, which contained several small, burnt blunt ends. After securing the occupants of the apartment, officers began a search and located a small plastic baggy on the bedroom dresser, weighing approximately 2 grams, which contained green plant material believed to be marijuana. Officers also located a plastic baggy containing green plant material, weighing approximately 15.5 grams, believed to be marijuana, located behind the television in the living room. Also located during a subsequent search were a plastic baggy containing green plant material, weighing approximately 22 grams, which was believed to be marijuana; a superior balance electronic scale; and six individual baggies containing a white powder substance, with a total approximate weight of 61 grams, was located in a dark color backpack located inside a bedroom closet.

(Read the rest of this story in the March 12th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

    Members of the Weakley County School Board considered several budget resolutions, the school calendar for 2008-2009, adoption of textbooks, athletic practice during the school day, acceptance of a donation to Gleason School, assorted field trips, and other items of interest during their regular monthly meeting at Martin Elementary School.

Budget Resolutions

    Board members approved several resolutions and budget amendments, as follows:

    A resolution authorizing budget amendments to the School Federal Projects Fund for the current fiscal year, which budget $5,398 in additional funding for vocational education under the Carl Perkins program, was approved. This resolution shifts this amount into the line item for “vocational instruction equipment.” The resolution also moves $20,000 out of “instructional supplies and materials” and places $14,000 of this amount into “regular instruction equipment” and $6,000 into “other charges.”

    A budget resolution amending the Child Nutrition Fund for the current fiscal year, budgets $300 in additional revenue from the sale of equipment at a recent county auction, and $2,000 in additional revenue from the USDA. It adds a line item for “USDA – other” budgeting USDA reimbursable snacks, which are being provided to students who are in remediation of enrichment classes after school. It also adds $1,000 to “travel” (for training food service managers) and $1,300 to “freight expenses” for commodities for this year. This resolution passed unanimously.

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