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

During a meeting of the Weakley County Commission’s Finance, Ways and Means Committee on Thursday, January 15, members approved several budget resolutions and transfers, including an amendment providing funds for an airport runway extension project. The committee also approved the appointment of Kellie Thayer as committee secretary.

Airport Land Purchase

Committee members voted unanimously to approve a resolution to Weakley County’s budget that allocates $76,038 for the purchase of land needed for a runway extension project at the Everett-Stewart Regional Airport, located at 1489 Airport Circle, Union City.

The resolution involves the purchase of 65.15 acres of land to extend the airport’s runway 1,500 feet to accommodate the largest corporate jets, and thus, promote economic development to the region. Weakley and Obion counties entered into an agreement to jointly operate Everett-Stewart Regional Airport in late 2007 for the purpose of attracting industrial development and creating jobs to benefit area citizens.

Both counties share in the operational costs and improvements made at the airport. This includes the current runway extension project, which cannot go forward without the purchase of the additional tract of land. The federal government is providing $385,625 of the $537,700 purchase price, which leaves a balance of $152,075 to be paid by the Everett-Stewart Regional Airport Board, which is funded by Obion and Weakley counties. In order for the land purchase to take place, these two counties will each have to provide $76,038.

Approval of the recently negotiated land purchase agreement between landowners Bill and Gail Latimer and the airport board is essential if a federally funded $4.1 million airport improvement and runway extension project is to move forward. If the Obion and Weakley County commissions approve funding for the project, the negotiated agreement stipulates that in addition to the $537,700 purchase price, Mrs. Latimer would continue to receive the farming income from the property for the remainder of her life.

During a recent airport board meeting, Dr. Chris Gooch, chairman of the Everett-Stewart Regional Airport Commission, explained the land purchase is not only holding up the $4.1 million runway project, which has already been approved by the state, but also a $4.3 million grant to fund a road project linking Highway 22 and the airport. “What it boils down to is an economic stimulus package via new construction in this area of over $8 million,” Gooch said.

The budget resolution providing $76,038 for the land purchase was approved by the Weakley County Commission’s Health, Education and Economic Development Committee on Tuesday, January 13. It will be considered by the Weakley County Commission during its meeting on Monday, January 26, 2009.

Members of Obion County Commission’s budget committee approved funding for the project during a Monday, January 5 meeting. The Obion County Commission will consider the land purchase agreement when it meets Tuesday, January 20.

(Read the rest of this story in the January 21st print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

Kidnapping case dismissed

A 25-year-old Dresden man charged with holding a friend at gunpoint for over an hour on Christmas Day, after the two men became involved in an argument, has had criminal charges against him dropped.

During a hearing in Weakley County General Sessions Court on Wednesday, January 14, Matthew Cloar Mangum of 139 West Main Street had charges of aggravated assault and aggravated kidnapping dismissed. There was no testimony given during the court proceeding, and there was no reason provided for the dismissal.

According to an affidavit filed by Ptl. Michael Gertsch of the Dresden Police Department, the alleged victim, Joshua Edwards, reported that at approximately 1:15 a.m. December 25, he was at Mangum’s residence, when Mangum “became irritated with him and his actions.” Edwards states Mangum went to a drawer and pulled a black handgun out of a Royal Crown bag, and began waving the gun around. Mangum then allegedly told Edwards he was not going to allow him to leave the residence.

Edwards stated Mangum finally allowed him to leave when his girlfriend’s mother arrived to pick him up at approximately 2:30 a.m.

The case remains closed and officers have no other plans to file charges against Edwards or Mangum.

Martin woman arrested on alcohol and drug charges

A 40-year-old Martin woman was arrested outside of a local bar last week on drug and alcohol related charges.

Tara Beth Clevinger of Volunteer Drive 1 in Martin is charged with simple possession / casual exchange of schedule VI (marijuana), resisting stop / arrest, and public intoxication.

According to a Martin police report, at approximately 7:42 p.m. Monday, January 12, Ptl. Jennifer M. Owens and Ptl. Larry D. Baker, arrived at Dales bar, located at 105 Church Street, to investigate reported drug activity. A member of the business’ management stated Clevinger was seen in the establishment in the possession of what he believed to be marijuana, and when he asked Clevinger to leave the premises, she threw a beer bottle at him.

The officers located the defendant in the parking lot in a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado. Ptl. Owens states she saw a plastic baggy containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana on the passenger side of the vehicle in plain view.

The report states Clevinger had slurred speech and seemed confused by officers’ statements. When officers Baker and Owens asked the defendant to step out of the vehicle, she refused to cooperate. Clevinger was described as unsteady on her feet. Also, the officers state they smelled the odor of an intoxicating beverage coming from the defendant’s person.

As Clevinger was being taken into custody, she physically resisted officers and was uncooperative.

(Read the rest of this story in the January 21st print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

Cold weather blamed for several fires in Sharon area

By David Fisher

Staff Reporter

Members of the Sharon Fire Department were busy last week with fires breaking out three consecutive days. Two of the fire calls were at residences, while the third fire involved an outbuilding housing livestock.

According to Sharon Fire Chief Stacy Bostwick, at approximately 2:11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 14, the fire department received a call reporting a structure fire at 334 South Front Street. Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters found heavy fire venting from several of the front windows of the residence. Bostwick states the fire started around the cook stove that was being used as a heat source. Three engines and 13 firefighters responded to the scene. Dresden also provided mutual aid with a pumper and five men. The home received heavy smoke, fire and water damage.

At 1:10 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, Sharon firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire at 2656 Sidonia Road. Upon arrival, they saw heavy smoke venting from a singlewide mobile home. A heavy fire was found in the living area of the residence. The fire apparently started in the area of a gas stove. A total of 12 firefighters utilized a fire engine and a tanker in extinguishing the blaze. After the flames were extinguished, heavy fire damage was found throughout the structure.

(Read the rest of this story in the January 21st print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)