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

A wide variety of events are scheduled at Weakley County schools Monday, October 27 through Friday, October 31 as part of Red Ribbon Week to encourage students to be alcohol and drug free, and especially not to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

A special program presented at area schools this week involves former tennis standout Blake McMeans, 31, of Knoxville, who was on his way to becoming a professional tennis player. During his address, McMeans recounts how he lost his chance of being at the top of his profession because of his foolish decision to get behind the wheel of his truck and drive while intoxicated.

McMeans says he speaks publicly, especially to young people, because he wants to stop as many people as he can from making the nearly deadly mistake he made - drinking and driving.

On Monday, McMeans spoke to middle and high school students at Gleason and Sharon schools; Martin Middle School, Greenfield School and at UT Martin’s field house on Tuesday; and Dresden High School on Wednesday.

During the presentation at Gleason School, Principal Randy Frazier called the assembly to order, as the program was about to get underway. As students filed into the gymnasium, they were wearing their pajamas as part of “Dream of a Drug Free Day,” which was the theme of dress for the day.

Gleason senior Hunter Trevathan, chairman of the Weakley County Youth Alliance for a Safe and Drug Free Tennessee, introduced McMeans.

During the program, McMeans explained how he made bad decisions that led to him being paralyzed, and for the most part, wheelchair bound. He talked about the years of therapy that followed his accident, only to regain very limited use of his hands and the ability to stand up out of his wheelchair with the assistance of a walker.

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

Woman airlifted following single vehicle accident near Dukedom

By David Fisher

Staff Reporter

A Dukedom woman was airlifted Friday, October 24, following a single-vehicle accident on State Line Road approximately one-and-a-half miles east of Dukedom.

According to Trooper Baron Cooper, the accident took place at approximately 12:15 p.m. when 30-year-old Tobey Morgan of Roberts Road, Dukedom failed to negotiate a curve. Trooper Cooper stated the victim was eastbound in her 1995 GMC four-wheel drive pickup, when she ran off the right side of the road into the embankment and crashed into a tree, breaking it off near the ground. The tree was cut up and moved off the roadway by members of the Weakley County Highway Department to clear the way for traffic. The vehicle came to rest with the rear in the ditch on the south side of the road and the front partially blocking the road.

The impact caused the victim to be thrown through the windshield, resulting in multiple injuries.

According to Sgt. David Andrews with the Weakley County Sheriff’s Department, Morgan apparently fractured both of her arms and suffered lower abdominal injuries in the accident.

Weakley County EMS and Weakley County Rescue Squad personnel moved Morgan into a waiting ambulance, where she received emergency medical treatment. Once an air ambulance arrived at the scene, the injured woman was airlifted to a Jackson hospital for further treatment.

Officers at the scene were uncertain as to the extent of the victim’s injuries, but described her condition somewhere between serious and critical.

(Read the rest of this story in the October 29th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

Martin women arrested on assorted drug charges

Two Martin women were arrested at a local bar Friday, October 24, on assorted drug charges.

Arrested are 21-year-old Kayla Rene Johnson of 609 Old Fulton Road, for possession of schedule IV with intent to resale, and simple possession; and 21-year-old Christy Lynn Matthews of the same address for possession of schedule IV with intent to resale.

A report filed by Ptl. Timothy S. Dolack of the Martin Police Department states that at 10:50 p.m. Ptl. Dolack and Lt. Jason W. Arant were dispatched to Cheers bar at 627 North Lindell Street, to investigate a report of two females attempting to sell prescription medication to patrons of the business.

The two officers escorted the two females outside, where they spoke with them individually.

Ptl. Dolack states, after being read her Miranda rights, Matthews admitted to having Xanax in her possession. She then took the drugs out of her bra and handed them to the officer. Matthews stated Johnson obtained the pills from a family member and gave them to her to hold. Matthews said Johnson attempted to sell the pills to patrons inside the bar.

Lt. Arant spoke with Johnson, who admitted to having pills in her possession and gave them to the officer, but she did not admit to attempting to sell the pills. However, while at the police station, Johnson admitted to Ptl. Dolack she took the pills from a relative without her permission, went to Cheers bar with the intent to sell the Xanax pills.

(Read the rest of this story in the October 29th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

Record numbers expected during Nov. 4th General Election

By David Fisher

Staff Reporter

The citizens of Weakley County will soon be going to the polls to cast their ballots in the November 4, 2008 General Election.

Campaign ads flood the airways as one of the most hotly contested presidential races in decades draws near.

With the national economy and financial well being of all citizens of the United States of America the top issue on the minds of voters, political annalists predict a record turnout on Election Day.

Weakley County Administrator of Elections Diane Cashon states early and absentee voting numbers are very high, and if the momentum continues, she predicts a large voter turnout on Election Day.

Candidates listed on the ballots in national, state and local elections are as follows:

National Elections

On the Democratic ticket are presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama and his running mate, vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden. Obama, who has generated a lot of interest in the election, has already made history by being the first African-American presidential candidate nominated by either party for president of the United States.

Those running on the Republican ticket are presidential candidate Senator John McCain, and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska. If elected, Palin would be the first female to hold the office of vice president of the United States.

Independent candidates appearing on the November 4 presidential and vice presidential ballots are: Chuck Balwin for president and Darrell Castle for vice president; Bob Barr for president and Wayne Root for vice president; Charles Jay for president and Thomas L. Knapp for vice president; Cynthia McKinney for president and Rosa Clemente for vice president; Brian Moore for president and Stewart Alexander for vice president; and Ralph Nader for president and Matt Gonzalez for vice president.

(Read the rest of this story in the October 29th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)