Police chief to champion early education to cut crime Union City Police Chief Joe Garner will visit Union City Elementary School on Friday to discuss the importance of pre-kindergarten in cutting crime, reducing violence and saving taxpayer dollars. He will also discuss the im-portance of proposed federal legislation that would increase access to quality early learning for at-risk children. Published in The Messenger 11.19.09 Read More ...

UC’s ‘field of dreams’ joins Lambeau in claiming national recognition for 2009 By KENNETH COKER Messenger Sports Reporter The playing surface at War Memorial Stadium is a field of dreams. The Union City High School football field has been named as the Sports Turf Managers Association’s National Field of the Year for 2009. Published in The Messenger 11.19.09 Read More ... Kenneth Coker Messenger Sports Reporter

Tanner presides over NATO sessions on future of fight in Afghanistan U.S. Rep. John Tanner discussed the future of the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan in meetings with top NATO leaders while presiding over NATO Parliamentary Assembly sessions in Edinburgh, Scotland, recently. The Parliamentary Assembly is NATO’s legislative arm, and Tanner has served as the body’s president since November 2008. Published in The Messenger 11.18.09 Read More ...

FPD promotes Neighborhood Watch program The Fulton Police Department needs the community to work and become a team player in its new Neighborhood Watch program. Published in The Messenger 11.18.09 Read More ...

McWherter, Herron claim poll victories Two candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor say they did very well, thank you, in recent polls. But the “Undecideds” will have the last word. Published in The Messenger 11.18.09 Read More ...

Robbery suspect eludes police at local park Police are seeking a local man who allegedly eluded police Tuesday night in the Highland Avenue area on the back side of Graham Park in Union City. Published in The Messenger 11.18.09 Read More ...

State buckles down on motorists to boost seat belt use and save lives The Governor’s Highway Safety Office is working to save lives by reminding rural drivers that wearing a safety belt is the single most effective way to prevent deaths and injuries during a traffic crash and it’s also the law in Tennessee. Published in The Messenger 11.17.09 Read More ...

Students collect thousands of canned goods; additional donations sought from community By CHRIS MENEES Messenger Staff Reporter Some of the biggest help for this year’s Feeding of the 5,000 has come from some of the smallest members of the community. Published in The Messenger 11.17.09 Read More ... Chris Menees Messenger Staff Reporter

Attention Troy shoppers: EW’s open for business By DONNA RYDER Messenger Associate Editor Just over two weeks ago, Troy lost its only grocery store to fire. Today, E.W. James is back in business. Published in The Messenger 11.17.09 Read More ... Donna Ryder Messenger Associate Editor

Landowner seeks payment from county for property survey By JOHN BRANNON Messenger Staff Reporter A letter from Obion County Assessor of Property Kathy Robertson to the Obion County Budget Committee summarizes a local David-and-Goliath battle. In this scenario, Martha Croc-ker of Samburg is David, while the Obion County government is Goliath. Published in The Messenger 11.17.09 Read More ... John Brannon Messenger Staff Reporter

Local Democrats gather for annual Truman dinner By JOHN BRANNON Messenger Staff Reporter Two of northwest Tennessee’s elected officials — state Rep. Judy Barker and state Sen. Roy Herron — were guest speakers at a Truman Day dinner Thursday evening at Hampton Centré in Union City. Published in The Messenger 11.16.09 Read More ... John Brannon Messenger Staff Reporter

Domestic violence alleged in 2 weekend incidents Two separate weekend incidents involving alleged domestic violence resulted in criminal charges against a Union City man and a Union City woman. Published in The Messenger 11.16.09 Read More ...

Namesake for Tommy John surgery built impressive resumé on mound, too By KENNETH COKER Messenger Sports Reporter Tommy John is an “All-Star” again nearly 20 years after his retirement from baseball. The veteran of 26 Major League Baseball seasons and four Mid-Summer Classics with the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers among other teams, and who has an athletic surgical procedure bearing his name, was in Union City and South Fulton on Friday as part of a sales trip with Murray-based Sportable Scoreboards and its All-Star brand. Published in The Messenger 11.16.09 Read More ... Kenneth Coker Messenger Sports Reporter

Budget hearings under way amid bleak forecasts By ERIK SCHELZIG Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Phil Bredesen, who came into office during a previous budget crisis in 2003, expects the upcoming spending year to be tougher still. Published in The Messenger 11.16.09 Read More ... Ap

Hickman flood wall gets $100,000 makeover By JOHN BRANNON Messenger Staff Reporter Trivia question of the day: How long is the flood wall on the east bank of the Mississippi River that protects the Town of Hickman, Ky.? Published in The Messenger 11.16.09 Read More ... John Brannon Messenger Staff Reporter

Additions made to history exhibit DISPLAY GROWS — Discovery Park of America’s military history committee vice chairman Hugh Wade of Union City is continuing to add new items to the military history display at the Obion County Museum in Union City. Read More ...

Accused gunman may be paralyzed By ANGELA K. BROWN Associated Press Writers FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) — The Army psychiatrist accused in the fatal shootings at Fort Hood may be paralyzed from the waist down after being shot multiple times during the attack, his attorney told The Associated Press today. Read More ...

Obama says he’ll make decision soon on sending more troops to Afghanistan By CHARLES HUTZLER Associated Press Writer TOKYO (AP) — President Obama, facing withering criticism for a prolonged decision-making process on Afghanistan, asserted today he doesn’t want the next move to be seen as an “open-ended commitment.” Read More ...

Drug court program graduates largest class By JOHN BRANNON Messenger Associate Editor An impressive number, this: eight men and women graduated recently from the 27th Judicial District Drug Court program. Read More ...

Nearly 4,000 killed by swine flu —CDC By LAURAN NEERGAARD AP Medical Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Estimates of deaths caused by the swine flu have grown to nearly 4,000 since April, roughly quadrupling previous estimates. But that doesn’t mean swine flu suddenly has worsened. Read More ...

Family dinner survives By CALVIN WOODWARD Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Pass the gravy — plus the phone and the remote control. It’s dinnertime in America. Published in The Messenger 11.12.09 Read More ... AP

Housing agency’s financial cushion sinks By ALAN ZIBEL AP Real Estate Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Housing Administration says its financial cushion has dipped to a dangerously low level but should remain above zero under “most economic scenarios.” Published in The Messenger 11.12.09 Read More ... AP

Brinkley to represent CDS at annual telethon Area Lions Clubs — along with individuals in Obion, Weakley, Henry, Carroll and Lake counties who receive support from Community Developmental Services — are excited about the 53rd Annual Lions Club/Local 6 Telethon of Stars. Published in The Messenger 11.12.09 Read More ...

Bredesen open to furloughs to soften layoffs NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen says he’s open to measures such as furloughs and contract freezes to soften state employee layoffs. Published in The Messenger 11.12.09 Read More ... AP

Job openings remain close to record-lows By CHRIS RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Job openings are at rock-bottom levels, according to government and private surveys released Tuesday, a trend that could keep the unemployment rate high even as layoffs slow. Small businesses in particular are reluctant to add workers as they struggle to obtain credit. Many are pushing their current employees to produce more. Economists say small businesses account for about 60 percent of new jobs. Published in The Messenger 11.11.09 Read More ... AP

Tennessee talent to perform on annual telethon By JONATHAN KISER Special to The Messenger Several area stars will perform during the 53rd Annual Telethon of Stars Saturday and Sunday at the Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center in downtown Paducah, Ky. Published in The Messenger 11.11.09 Read More ... Jonathan Kiser,Special to The Messenger

Volunteer spirit alive and well across Tennessee By JOHN BRANNON Messenger Staff Reporter Nate Crawford of Nashville has some Veterans Day numbers that tell quite a story about Tennesseans, one of whom is a Union City native son. Published in The Messenger 11.11.09 Read More ... John Brannon Messenger Staff Reporter

OC senior to launch college career as University of Texas Longhorn By KENNETH COKER Messenger Sports Reporter It’s almost official. Obion County Central senior Chassidy Fussell has told The Messenger she will sign a National Letter of Intent to continue her basketball career at the University of Texas within the next seven days. Published in The Messenger 11.11.09 Read More ... Kenneth Coker Messenger Sports Reporter

Accident claims Hornbeak man A Hornbeak man has died in a single-vehicle accident, which occurred Saturday around 10 a.m. on Luther Davis Road. Rick L. Madding, 52, died as a result of the accident in which he was a passenger. (See related obituary, Page 5.) Published in The Messenger 11.10.09 Read More ...

Congressman requests probe into Social Security overpayments WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. John Tanner, chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security, has asked the Government Accountability Office to investigate reports that the Social Security Administra-tion often makes payments to disability insurance beneficiaries long after these payments should have stopped. Published in The Messenger 11.10.09 Read More ... AP

Report: Tennessee pre-K program not effective after the second grade By LUCAS L. JOHNSON II Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — A re-port released Thursday shows the effectiveness of Tennessee’s pre-kindergarten program diminishes after the second grade, but supporters say it still provides a valuable foundation that will help at-risk children succeed.Published in The Messenger 11.10.09 Read More ... AP

Sending a message Buy American; don’t use illegal immigrants By DONNA RYDER Messenger Associate Editor Buy American and don’t use illegal immigrants. That’s the message the Woodland Mills mayor and board of aldermen are sending to prospective contractors bidding to build or repair homes through a Community Development Block Grant in their community. Published in The Messenger 11.10.09 Read More ... Donna Ryder Messenger Associate Editor

Housing plan reaches 1 in 5 borrowers By ALAN ZIBEL AP Real Estate Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — After a slow start, the Obama administration’s mortgage relief program has reached one in five eligible homeowners, a government report says. Published in The Messenger 11.10.09 Read More ... AP

Mr. Football: UC’s Fair joins elite company in line for prestigious award By MIKE HUTCHENS Messenger Sports Editor From Day 1 in his tenure as Union City High School head football coach, Darren Bowling noticed Ronnie Fair. Apparently now, so have a number of other coaches across the state. Published in The Messenger 11.10.09 Read More ... Mike Hutchens Messenger Sports Writer

Forest Service tackling remains of ice storm GOLDEN POND, Ky. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service plan for dealing with the ravages of last winter’s ice storm at Land Between the Lakes includes debris removal and letting nature take its course. Published in The Messenger 11.09.09 Read More ... AP

World famous Vienna Boys Choir to perform in Union City Nov. 21 The world-renowned Vienna Boys Choir is coming to Union City this month. The Community Concert Association of Union City/Obion County regularly brings musicians to the area through its annual concert series. This special performance is being made possible through the corporate sponsorship of Union City Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Published in The Messenger 11.9.09 Read More ...

Tanner votes ‘no’ on bill Congressman John Tanner voted “no” on the controversial health care reform bill that passed the House by a vote of 220-215 Saturday, according to Randy Ford, his legislative aide. The measure now goes to the Senate for action and an up or down vote. Published in The Messenger 11.09.09 Read More ... John Brannon Messenger Staff Reporter

Bill passed in House unacceptable to many By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Don’t look for the Senate to quickly follow the House on health care overhaul. A government health insurance plan included in the House bill is unacceptable to a few Democratic moderates who hold the balance of power in the Senate. They’re locked in a battle with liberals, with the fate of President Obama’s signature issue at stake. Published in The Messenger 11.9.09 Read More ... AP

Scientists: Flu virus evolving By LAURAN NEERGAARD AP Medical Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Vaccinating more children might help slow the evolution of the constantly changing flu virus, government scientists reported Thursday. Influenza is a mighty mutator. Sometimes it makes big changes that result in never-before-seen strains, like this year’s swine flu. But from season to season, it undergoes subtle shape-shifting, which is the reason people need a new winter flu vaccine every year.Published in The Messenger 11.9.09 Read More ... AP

Hime: OC luckier than others Obion County fared far better than Lake County in damage to corn and soybean crops still in the field during recent rains, a federal official said Thursday. Published in The Messenger 11.6.09 Read More ...

Wet weather delays harvest By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press Writer NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Hartwell Huddleston returned the extra combine he bought to help harvest what looked to be one of his best soybean crops ever. Published in The Messenger 11.6.09 Read More ... AP

3 men bound over on murder charge By CHRIS MENEES Messenger Staff Reporter Three local men were bound over to the grand jury Thursday on charges stemming from the beating death of a South Fulton man after a judge heard testimony from just one person — the victim’s brother. Published in The Messenger 11.6.09 Read More ... Chris Menees Messenger Staff Reporter

Gleason man arraigned on assault charges A January court appearance has been scheduled for a Gleason man indicted Monday on charges stemming from recent home invasion sexual assaults in Martin. Published in The Messenger 11.6.09 Read More ...

Back on top: Yankees beat Phillies for 27th title By MIKE FITZPATRICK AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — They paraded around the warning track high-fiving fans, a New York Yankees victory lap nine years in the making. Published in The Messenger 11.5.09  Read More ... AP

Troy collects gifts for Samaritan’s Purse It looks like Santa has workshops popping up all over Obion and Weakley counties, as well as Fulton County, Ky., as local businesses, churches and homes prepare to serve as collection points for Operation Christmas Child. Published in The Messenger 11.5.09 Read More ...

UC’s Doris Tanner among WASP vets to be recognized By JOHN BRANNON Messenger Staff Reporter Were Tennessee to choose a poster couple for Veterans Day or for marriage and military service, Bill and Doris Tanner of Union City would, no doubt, be top contenders. Published in The Messenger 11.5.09 Read More ... John Brannon Messenger Staff Reporter

Opening projected for temporary E.W. James store By JOHN BRANNON Messenger Staff Reporter “We are going to make a comeback. No question about it.” With those few words, Steve Hilton expressed the corporate determination of E.W. James & Sons Inc., the locally-owned supermarket chain that lost its Troy store to fire Saturday. Published in The Messenger 11.5.09 Read More ... John Brannon Messenger Staff Reporter

Barker: Letting process on I-69 a big step forward The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s “letting” process represents a big step forward for construction of Interstate 69 in northwest Tennessee, according to state Rep. Judy Barker. Published in The Messenger 11.4.09 Read More ...

Injectable H1N1 vaccine offered free The Obion County Health Department is now offering H1N1 injectable vaccine at no charge. To make an appointment, call the office at 885-8722. The department is located at 1008 Mount Zion Road in Union City. The vaccine will be offered to the following individuals: Published in The Messenger 11.4.09 Read More ...

Deadline Friday for purchasing raffle tickets for $10,000 drawing Someone will be $10,000 richer after Saturday’s noon drawing at the former Central Elementary School — site of the future Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Tennessee-Union City.Published in The Messenger 11.4.09 Read More ...

Bredesen: Federal stimulus has ‘concealed’ budget woes By ERIK SCHELZIG Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Phil Bredesen said the influx of federal stimulus money has “concealed” the extent of Tennessee’s budget woes and he is asking state departments to plan for 6 percent spending cuts when he holds budget hearings later this month. Published in The Messenger 11.4.09 Read More ... AP

Christmas almost two months away, but ‘Chimes’ already ringing ‘for Charity’ By CHRIS MENEES Messenger Staff Reporter With just over seven weeks until Christmas, Chimes for Charity is kicking into high gear. Published in The Messenger 11.4.09 Read More ... Chris Menees Messenger Staff Reporter

Hensley denies making comments against city By DONNA RYDER Messenger Associate Editor “There is a liar in our midst.” Those words came from Obion County commissioner Dwayne Hensley Tuesday night when he addressed the Union City Council. Published in The Messenger 11.4.09 Read More ... Donna Ryder Messenger Associate Editor

SF making progress on securing grant for sewer system upgrades By CHRIS MENEES Messenger Staff Reporter South Fulton city manager Jeff Vowell said “a big hurdle” has been cleared with the city’s receiving a grant for much-needed sewer system upgrades. Published in The Messenger 11.3.09 Read More ... Chris Menees Messenger Staff Reporter

Huss’ contract focus of meeting By CHRIS MENEES Messenger Staff Reporter The annual evaluation of Obion County Director of Schools David Huss is still several months away, but it’s already on the minds of county school board members. Published in The Messenger 11.3.09 Read More ... Chris Menees Messenger Staff Reporter

Destructive Troy fire has officials, business owners looking at options By DONNA RYDER Messenger Associate Editor When E.W. James and Sons in Troy burned Halloween night, it left the city without a grocery store Published in The Messenger 11.3.09 Read More ... Donna Ryder Messenger Associate Editor

Gleason man faces 22 felony indictments By SABRINA BATES Special to The Messenger A Gleason man accused in a recent home invasion rape in Martin now faces felony indictments. The Weakley County Grand Jury was called into special session Monday to hear the case against 35-year-old Bruce Tuck, whose case was originally set for the panel’s January term. The grand jury handed down 22 felony indictments against him Monday. Published in The Messenger 11.03.09 Read More ... Sabrina Bates, Special to the Messenger

Fulton County farmers race Old Man River By JOHN BRANNON Messenger Staff Reporter A word to the wise: If water gets over soybeans just one time, they’re ruined. Published in The Messenger 11.3.09 Read More ... John Brannon Messenger Staff Reporter

UT Martin student arrested after guns and drugs found MARTIN (AP) — A University of Tennessee at Martin student was arrested after police found guns and two pounds of marijuana inside an apartment on campus. Published in The Messenger 11.2.09 Read More ... AP

One-vehicle accident claims Lake County man A Lake County man died following a one-vehicle crash Friday afternoon on Highway 22 in Obion County. Mark Spicer, 48, of 511 Cherry St., Apt. 48, Tiptonville, died in the emergency room of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City as the result of injuries sustained in an accident about 4:20 p.m., according to the Tennessee Department of Safety. (See related obituary, Page 12.) Published in The Messenger 11.2.09 Read More ...

New group helps US monitor swine flu shot safety By LAURAN NEERGAARD AP Medical Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Independent health advisers begin monitoring safety of the swine flu vaccine today, an extra step the government promised in this year’s unprecedented program to watch for possible side effects. Published in The Messenger 11.2.09 Read More ... AP

Troy businesses lost to fire, smoke; probe continues By JOHN BRANNON Messenger Staff Reporter An investigation into the weekend loss of two major businesses in Troy — E.W. James Supermarket and Dollar General Store — to a fire of unknown origins continues today. Published in The Messenger 11.2.09 Read More ... John Brannon Messenger Staff Reporter

It’s ‘time’ to fall back, change batteries Americans should get an extra hour of sleep Sunday, if they remember to set their clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday. Read More ...

Former businesswoman volunteers for local drug court program By JOHN BRANNON Messenger Staff Reporter Asserting she cannot, will not, “sit around and do nothing,” retiree Melba Mackins of Union City has found a new career: Drug court volunteer. Read More ...

H1N1 response has been good in Obion County The Tennessee Department of Health reports “great response” from local residents interested in receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine at the Obion County Health Department. By the close of business Thursday, staff at the local health department had provided almost 600 total doses of the vaccine, according to Shelley Walker, communication and marketing coordinator for the Tennessee Department of Health. Read More ...

More rain to come, motorists urged to slow down By JOHN BRANNON Messenger Staff Reporter Northwest Tennessee, specifically “Union City proper,” has received double the amount of rainfall it normally does in the month of October. Read More ...

THP: Don’t let Halloween turn into horror story NASHVILLE — Halloween is a fun night for both children and adults, but the Tennessee Department of Safety and Ten-nessee Highway Patrol remind parents, children and especially motorists to do their part to make sure that everyone gets home safely. Published in The Messenger 10.29.09 Read More ... NASHVILLE

Obama visits Dover Air Force Base to honor fallen soldiers By BEN FELLER Associated Press Writer DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AP) — President Obama made a midnight dash to this air base Wednesday to honor the return of fallen soldiers, absorbing the ultimate cost of war as the United States endures its deadliest month of the Afghanistan campaign. Published in The Messenger 10.29.09 Read More ... AP

South Fulton awarded $500,000 grant to use for infrastructure improvements Gov. Phil Bredesen and Eco-nomic and Community Devel-opment Commissioner Matthew Kisber have approved a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to assist in infrastructure improvements in South Fulton. Published in The Messenger 10.29.09 Read More ...

Long lines reported at health department for vaccine There are unconfirmed reports of long lines at the local health department by those seeking the H1N1Flu Mist vaccine, although no official figures are yet available from local or state health officials. Published in The Messenger 10.29.09 Read More ...

UT Martin graduate hits the road for musical ride from jazz to rock By RITA MITCHELL Special to The Messenger Ed Sargent stepped on a tour bus three days after finishing finals at UT Martin in 1982 and began a jazz ride that lasted 24 years. Now, he has taken a walk on the wild side. Published in The Messenger 10.28.09 Read More ... Rita Mitchell, Special to the Messenger

Saturated ground, rainy forecast a growing concern among farmers By JOHN BRANNON Messenger Staff Reporter If northwest Tennessee re-ceives the predicted two to four inches of rain in the next 24 hours, it would possibly cost Obion County about $10 million in damage to corn and soybeans still in the fields, a federal official said today. W.T. Hime, executive director of the local Farm Service Agency office, conceded that his is a gloomy outlook. “If there is a 20 percent damage because of the rain, we are looking at the possibility of a $9 (million) to $10 million loss,” Hime said. “So it’s important that we miss it. I know we can’t do anything about the weather, but it would be good if we missed this one.” Published in The Messenger 10.28.09 Read More ... john Brannon Messenger Staff Reporter

Goodyear reports third quarter profits By THOMAS J. SHEERAN Associated Press Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s profit more than doubled in the third quarter, helped by cost-cutting, new products and lower raw-material costs, the largest U.S. tiremaker reported today. Published in The Messenger 10.28.09 Read More ... AP