Scenic Greenway Trail Greenway a place for all to enjoy Martin – A perfect fall day provided an equally perfect setting for a vision to become a reality Saturday, Nov. 14, as the first phase of the Brian Brown Memorial Greenway was dedicated. The greenway, named for the late Brian Brown, will eventually connect downtown Martin with the city’s west side and the UT Martin campus, providing a pedestrian trail for walking and bicycling. Read More ...

Maddox chosen as state leader for education forum State Representative Mark Maddox (D-Dresden) was chosen to represent Tennessee as a member of a team of policymakers meeting at the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) State Leaders Forum. The team included representatives of the Tennessee Department of Education and the Tennessee State Board of Education. Read More ...

Combined pageants set for Saturday The combined Miss University of Tennessee at Martin and Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Pageant will be staged at 7 p.m., Nov. 21, in the Student Life Center at UT Martin. The theme is “Soul Train…the Hippest Trip in America.” Read More ...

CoverKids will suspend enrollment after Nov. 30 Nashville – Enrollment in CoverKids, the state- and federally-funded program for uninsured children, will suspend after Nov. 30, as the program reaches its budgeted capacity. CoverKids currently has nearly 44,000 children on its rolls, all of whom will remain enrolled in the program and will not be affected by the change, providing they continue to meet eligibility requirements. Read More ...

Telethon of Stars raises $400,000+ It is an annual event hosted by area Lions Clubs that benefits agencies in Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee. Now in its 53rd year, the Telethon of Stars manages to bring in thousands of dollars for community programs. Read More ...

Tax relief act touted by national educators Washington – U.S. Reps. John Tanner (D-TN) and Dave Reichert (R-WA) announced that the National Education Association (NEA) endorsed their Teacher Tax Relief Act (H.R. 3758). The bill would increase and make permanent the maximum tax deduction available for educators who purchase classroom supplies out-of-pocket or who pursue professional development. Read More ...

Guard issues solicitation advice Nashville – Tennessee’s largest National Guard unit is scheduled to deploy to Camp Shelby, Miss., on or about Dec. 5. At Camp Shelby, the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment will transition to Active Duty status and conduct pre-deployment training for approximately two months prior to their departure for Iraq. Read More ...

Constable resolution tabled at county commission meeting It was a resolution with the potential to strip elected constables throughout the county of their law enforcement rights that brought a packed house to the Weakley County Commission meeting Monday evening. The resolution, which passed its first reading by a two-thirds vote in September, authorized the commission to remove the “conservator of peace” powers of the office of constable. Read More ... Sabrina Bates, News Editor

Seven in county have unclaimed IRS checks Nashville – The Internal Revenue Service is looking for Tennesseans who are due to receive a combined $1.77 million in the form of 1,849 refund checks that were returned to the IRS by the U.S. Postal Service due to mailing address errors. Of those Tennesseans, seven people in Weakley County still have unclaimed checks. The IRS is seeking the following people to claim their money from the IRS: Read More ...

Martin native walks 100 miles on new legs Read More ... Lt. Col. Matt Garner, Special to The Press

Election commission seeks stay in lawsuit It was a brief meeting Monday afternoon for the Weakley County Election Commission as board members discussed the status of two lawsuits aimed at the commission as well as certain board members. “As you all are aware, three Republicans serving on this board have been sued on a federal basis,” election commission chairman Wayne Chester told board members. Chester said there has been no progress in the case due to a stay that has been filed on the commissioners’ behalf. Read More ... Sabrina Bates, News Editor

CoverTN to suspend new enrollments Nashville – CoverTN program officials Monday announced that new enrollment in the limited benefit health insurance program will suspend Dec. 31, 2009, as a result of reaching budget capacity due to the most successful open enrollment in the program’s history. The better-than-expected success of the open enrollment period marks yet another milestone for CoverTN as the program surpasses its enrollment target. “This really is a bittersweet moment for CoverTN,” said Gerald Reed, director of CoverTN. Read More ...

Martin opts to take bids for siren replacement It was a unanimous decision by Martin board members Monday evening to issue a call for bids to replace the city’s defunct storm warning siren system. The city will accept bids until 10 a.m. on Dec. 1. Once the bids are read publicly on Dec. 7, board members will choose how to replace the storm warning siren system. A proposal has been discussed that involves charging an additional $2 fee to every water bill for the residents of Martin. Under the proposal, a resident will pay a total of $28 within 14 months to help pay for the storm warning system. Read More ... Sabrina Bates, News Editor

Trial date set in Rowe DUI case A former Sharon man will stand trial for an alleged DUI that resulted in the death of his stepson. Robert Rowe’s case in Illinois began Sept. 1, 2008 when he was charged with aggravated DUI in Iroquis County, Illinois. Read More ...

MMS cheer squad places in weekend competitions The Martin Middle School cheerleading squad kicked off its 2009-10 competition season with back to back competitions. The squad walked away with a 1st place finish in the Small Junior High Division of the Universal Cheerleaders Association’s Mid-South Regional Competition held at the University of Memphis on Saturday, Nov. 7. Read More ...

Trent Scates with father Don Scates and brother James Coren Scates Father, sons serve together Retired Sgt. First Class Don Scates of Greenfield said his two sons really deserve all the praise for their dedication to the Tennessee National Guard. In 2005-06, Capt. Trent Scates and Capt. James Coren Scates joined their father, Don, in Operation Enduring Freedom. James Coren was deployed with Don and the 1196th Field Artillery Unit of Chattanooga. Their destination was Afghanistan. Read More ...

Earthquakes reported Friday and Monday Two minor earthquakes were reported over the course of three days by the United States Geological Survey, according to its Web site. The first quake, which was reported shortly after midnight on Friday, measured a 3.4 on the Richter Scale. Read More ...

Paris man indicted in boating fatality A Paris man accused of claiming the life of a Martin-native while boating under the influence was indicted by the Henry County Grand Jury last week. David Ray Phelps, 37, of Woodlawn was arrested July 3 after a boat he was driving on Kentucky Lake struck a pontoon resulting in the death of Martin native, 47-year-old Sandra Renee Adams. Read More ...

Tuck rape case reset A Gleason native accused of raping three woman at gunpoint in Martin will re-appear before 27th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge William Acree in January. Bruce Tuck, 35, faces 22 charges in connection with three alleged sexual assaults that occurred this summer. Read More ...

Education Edge to partner with Tennessee Scholars The Weakley County Education Edge and Tennessee Scholars partnership, a vital part of the Weakley County school system, could soon see even more growth. Read More ... Sara Reid, Special to The Press

Grocery store to rebuild after devastating fire E. W. James and Sons Supermarkets announced last week that it will be temporarily reopening its Troy location in the old NAPA building at 531 East Bright St., just across from Obion County Central High School. A building fire on Oct. 31 caused significant damage to the grocery store and a Subway store located inside of the building. The cause of the blaze is still unknown. Read More ...

Martin storm warning system in need of funding It is typically not a question of necessity; all too often it is a matter of funding. While the City of Martin is not at a point to pay for a project which includes replacement of the city’s storm warning system, board members will vote Monday night to put the project out for bids. Read More ... Sabrina Bates, News Editor

Drug, case reset for December The case against a University of Tennessee at Martin student arrested for drug and gun possession has been reset in Weakley County General Sessions Court for Dec. 18. Tai Young, 19, was taken into custody Thursday, Oct. 29 after a search by local law enforcement allegedly uncovered a significant amount of cash, drugs and guns. Read More ...

WCSD arrest armed convicted felon Weakley County Sheriff’s investigators have located a Decatur County convicted felon after he allegedly attempted to flee from an active meth lab. Read More ...

H1N1 flu shot still offered at health department The Weakley County Health Department is still accepting appointments for the administration of the H1N1 injectable vaccine. While children and pregnant women fall into the list of those eligible to receive an injectable H1N1 vaccine, the department will continue to take appointments until there is no availability of the shot. Read More ...

Largest state Guard unit to mobilize Knoxville – After completing more than three weeks Annual Training at Camp Shelby, Miss., Tennessee’s largest combat unit is preparing to return to the south Mississippi mobilization station on the first leg of their scheduled overseas deployment. Read More ...

Tennessee Report Card system announces changes Nashville – The Tennessee Department of Education this week released the annual comprehensive report card on pre-K – 12 education, including state, district and school-level information on achievement, demographics and discipline. Read More ...

A Crusader's View “The Franken Amendment or Payday” Read More ... Jeremy Thayer, Guest Columnist

Plain Talk “The Franken Amendment and no bipartisanship” Read More ... Nicolle Crist, Guest Columnist

Herron, Maddox claim more than $78 million in state budget for county Nashville – Senator Roy Herron and Representative Mark Maddox, both of Dresden, announced Monday that Weakley County will receive more than $78.49 million through programs funded by the 2009-2010 state budget. “Families all across Tennessee are balancing their budgets with less coming in, and we had to do the same this year in the legislature,” Senator Herron said. “But, we set our priorities, and we produced a budget that pays for vital services without adding to the taxpayer’s burden. Read More ...

Gleason, Palmersville awarded grants Governor Phil Bredesen and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matthew Kisber recently approved more than $28 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to assist with infrastructure improvements in Tennessee. Read More ...

Finney: Improve quality of care, cut waste for seniors Read More ...

Plain Talk 10.29.09 Why is it that I am not surprised anymore when politicians deliberately try to fool me? I really should be outraged, after all, growing up I was taught that cheating wasn’t worth it. Whenever someone was caught cheating in school my Mom would point out all of the time and energy wasted on cheating could have just as easily be spent on actually studying. Read More ... Nicolle Crist, Guest Columnist

Electric company consolidates Martin, Dresden offices Weakley County Municipal Electric System Manager Faron Collins said after one year of watching the new construction of the WCMES headquarters come to fruition, the general co-census among workers is relief while they prep for its opening on Monday. WCMES employees are busy this week moving all of the company’s equipment as well as the combination of two offices to the electric system’s new location on Hwy. 22. Read More ... Sabrina Bates, News Editor

News Briefs 15-year-old recovers after hit by car Fulton commissioner’s home shot Murder suspects to appear in court Read More ...

Parade will honor men and women who serve Saturday, Nov. 7 will mark the 2nd Annual Veterans Parade held in Weakley County. With an extended parade route and other activities planned for that afternoon, Rolling Thunder® TN Chapter 6 Activities Director Pat Laird said she is overwhelmed by the enthusiasm from the community. Read More ...

Halloween Safety Tips This Saturday, the streets and sidewalks will be filled with trick-or-treaters and party-goers as they venture out in celebration of the holiday. While Halloween and Fall Fest celebrations mark a time for fun, parents and children are reminded to be extra cautious this time of year. To help families have a good time and protect themselves against Halloween risks, area agencies are asking everyone to follow these safety tips. Read More ...

Operation Christmas Child shoe box drive under way Christmas is arriving early all over Tennessee, as local businesses, churches and homes prepare to serve as collection points for Operation Christmas Child. Soon, with the help of Martin volunteers, the sites will be brimming with festively wrapped shoe boxes full of gifts.  Read More ...

A Crusader’s View 10.27.09 “Net neutrality or Neutered Net” Hello once again. With the realization of this week’s subject I must interject that I am very opinionated as always on this somewhat heated soon-to-be debate in Washington. “Net Neutrality” is the newest buzzword in the media up for talk show debate. Many people on both sides of the aisle are in favor of such a major overhaul of internet policy. Read More ... Jeremy Thayer, Guest Columnist

News Briefs Meth lab found by WCSD in Palmersville Strengthen families is partnership goal Military stop-loss pay is retroactive Read More ...

State releases H1N1 virus information and Web sites H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines are available and being administered across the state. Nationwide distribution began on Sept. 30 to those areas and populations that were considered at high risk for getting the flu such as healthcare workers, pregnant women and young children. Read More ...

Brinkley embodies CDS vision Caring and charismatic are just a few words that describe 32-year-old Wendy Brinkley, of Union City. Earlier this year, Brinkley was chosen by Community Developmental Services (CDS) to represent the agency at the 53rd Annual Lions Club/Local 6 Telethon of Stars. Read More ... Jonathan Kiser, Special to The Press

John Bucy named TAHRA president The Tennessee Association of Human Resource Agencies (TAHRA) has named John Bucy as its new president. Bucy is the Executive Director of Northwest Tennessee Human Resource Agency and Development District in Martin and was voted into the position by a group of his peers earlier this year.  Read More ...