Say goodbye to 2019! From celebrating awards and promotions to mourning the loss of loved ones in tragic events, the year had many highs and lows. Join us as we take a look back at the last six months of 2019.
July
3- Lee “Jody” Gibbons and Preston Gibbons, of Maury City, were arrested on multiple drug related charges during the execution of a search warrant by the Crockett County Sheriffs’ Department. Both men had previously been arrested by the West Tennessee Drug Task Force on similar charges.
Alamo Mayor John Avery Emison discussed the multitude of concerns revolving around the new city sanitation vendor.
Girl Scouts from troops in Crockett enjoyed a multitude of indoor and outdoor activities at their annual day camp.
10- The home of Shae and Amy Hunt became fully engulfed in flames as the family was traveling home from Gulf Shores.
Josh Jones was named the new Crockett County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) director. With more than 20 years experience in serving the community, Jones was excited to embark on the new adventure.
The Bells Community Association hosted an All White Affair with more than 150 guests to raise money that will aid in restoring the Andrew Walker Park in Bells.
17- Alamo Fred’s was announced as one of more than 129 stores that the company would be shutting down.
Tragedy struck the Crockett community after the vacation home of Bruce and Stacey Davis burned early July 13. Bruce and Stacey died in the fire. Their church, Bells Elementary School and former students, as well as many others in the community mourned the loss of the Davis’.
The town of Maury City received a $500,000 housing grant from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). The program allocated $470,000 to project funds and $30,000 to administrative funds for the town.
24- Local teenager, Zachary Mosier, was one of 37 graduates from Tennessee State Trooper Youth Academy.
The Crockett County Times received two awards at the Tennessee Press Associations (TPA) annual conference. Fifth place state awards were received in the Best Breaking News Coverage and Public Service categories.
31- The Maury City Mayor and Board of Aldermen adopted a revised ordinances allowing properties to be seemed unsafe, unsanitary, dangerous or detrimental to the health safety and morals or welfare of the residents of the town.
August
7- Nine vehicle burglaries and thefts that were reported to the Crockett County Sheriffs’ Department made the community more alert of their surroundings and the way they store personal belongings.
Brad York was named the new Police Chief of Alamo.
The 32nd West Tennessee Cotton Festival began with live music by the Tumbleweed band and dancing. Haley Beth Hill was crowned 2019 Miss Cotton Festival Queen in the pageant as well.
14- The cotton festival traditions continued with the United States Pullers Association Tractor and Truck Pull concluding the weeks events.
It was announced that Crockett County will receive a $765,000 loan and a $610,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to replace approximately ten miles of existing water lines that have experienced multiple failures.
A water main in Bells burst causing Bells Elementary School students to be released from school early and a major portion of Bells residents to spend most of the day with no water access.
Boy Scouts Sam Emison, Alex Howard, Everete Tritt and Jase Brown from Alamo Troop 53 attending World Scout Jamboree with over 45,000 others from across the globe.
21- Crockett County Property Assessor, George Walter Yearwood III, was arrested by the Alamo Police Department on aggravated assault following an incident at the Crockett County Mayor’s office.
28- Friendship Elementary School student, Millie Laster, received multiple prizes and awards from state Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) representatives as she was announced the state D.A.R.E. essay award winner.
The 36th annual Crockett County Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet features music and comedy from Master of Ceremonies, Miss Tennessee 2019 Brianna Mason, and new award winners in categories featuring businesses and individuals.
September
4- The town of Maury City honored the Jurnett family at the Maury City Park. The family is the only family to have five sons serve in active duty simultaneously since World War II.
11- A homicide investigation in the 300 block of Bells Street in Alamo resulted in the arrest of Leslie Earl Carter. Carter was arrested on one count of First-Degree Murder in the death of Mary Finch.
A Madison County chase resulted in a crash and apprehension of Hank Cooley Jr. after a Madison County deputy noticed many suspicious issues with the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop.
18- Bells Elementary educator Stacey McAdams was selected for the WestTeach program.
September 11, a day of remembrance, filled the court square lawn with many individuals of all ages to hear from Dr. John A. Copeland, director of Crockett County Emergency Management Service, and remember the lives lost on that day.
Bells Community Association hosted their sixth annual community day providing a day of fun, games, food and fellowship to the community as they revitalize Andrew Walker Park.
25- Former Crockett County Sheriffs’ Deputy, Matthew Berry, was arrested on charges of possessing child pornography following the execution of a multi-jurisdictional investigation search warrant by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
A single vehicle wreck on State Highway 221 resulted in the death of Walter Howard, of Dyersburg, and injuries to the driver Rhonda Peacock, of Newbern.
October
2- The St. Jude Trailride raised over $90,000 during the weekend long events at Weaver Farms. Approximately 1,000 people attended the events.
The family of fallen soldier, Lanny Ross Bolding, who died in the Vietnam War on February 16, 1967 received the Gold Star Award recognizing the sacrifice of Bolding and the family he left behind.
Crockett County High School boys golf team competed in the District Tournament and took home the championship with a 322 score.
9- A pedestrian, Candace Baggett, was struck and fatally wounded on Highway 54.
Crockett County native, Jena Eubanks, was promoted as the first female sergeant in the Tennessee Highway Patrol Jackson District Special Programs.
Maury City educator, Kiley Doyle, was the recipient of a $1,000 L.E.A.D.S. Educator Grant for her fourth and fifth grade Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) class.
Crockett County UT Extension office enlisted a new Ag and Natural Resource Agent, Daniel Wiggins, to help the area he was raised in through a wealth of knowledge he has gained through education and experience.
The Cavalier boys golf team became Region Champions with a score of 309.
16- Crockett Lady Cavalier volleyball team became District Tournament Champions.
Crockett County was one of 59 counties to receive ThreeStar grants. The $50,000 grant was the largest the county has ever received and will help conduct studies for infrastructural needs that will help with industry.
MyRide, a transportation service for people age 60 and older, was introduced to Crockett County.
23-A trial date was set for May 26, 2020 in the child pornography case against former Crockett County Sheriffs’ deputy, Matthew Berry.
The Lady Cavalier volleyball snagged the region tournament championship to advance to the state tournament.
Jaden “JJ” Zimmer became the state individual golf champion.
30- Governor Bill Lee toured the Career and Technical Education (CTE) classrooms at Crockett County High School to explore classrooms and school programs that offer value to students.
The road entrance into Bells Elementary School was named Stacey Davis Drive.
Search warrants resulted in 10 arrests with multiple drug charges were made throughout the week.
November
6- Crockett County High School was reported as one of 34 districts in the state to have 100 percent participation on the ACT with 2019 graduates.
Alamo First United Methodist Church hosted their 29th annual Cafe Hope scholarship dinner to go or the late, Hope Laman.
Mary Scott Tritt beat her own personal record at the State Cross-Country Meet in 20:01 minutes. She also finished 32 in the state and second in West Tennessee.
13- A barricade incident in Gadsden resulted in multiple charges as Carlos McCoy attempted to use an oxygen tank and gasoline as a booby trap to barricade himself in a Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) building.
Crockett was labeled a high risk community for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and area hunters became more educated on procedures at an event hosted by the UT Extension Institute of Agriculture and TWRA.
Veterans were honored in the American Legion Post 32 annual dinner and The Boar’s Nest owners presented the post with a $19,681 check from benefits raised during Jam Fest.
20- Another rash of auto thefts and burglaries prompted authorities to remind the community to lock their vehicles and not leave valuables within.
A Crockett Christmas, hosted at Maury City Elementary by Hannah East, exceeded their goal and raised $11,000 that was donated to Crockett County Neighbors Offering Assistance and Hope (NOAH).
27- Five local leaders were honored in the Hughlett United Methodist Church annual awards banquet. Jean Love, Alamo Mayor John Avery Emison, Mary Francesa White, Crockett County Mayor Gary Reasons and Theresa Powell were among 13 individuals and organizations recognized for their cheerful selfless service to their communities.
Crockett County chartered a new civic organization as The Crockett County Exchange Club held their first meetings and began organizing was to help within the community.
December
4- The first phase of construction on the Bells Theatre began.
The Bells Police Department began looking for two attempted armed robbery suspects after a Dollar General employee was assaulted while the suspects demanded money.
The Crockett Elf Ride drew an extraordinary amount of participation, as the ride became more of a parade scene to help raise money for Relay for Life.
Madison Hendrix, signed to play softball with North Alabama University.
11- Seven people were arrested in a credit card theft. James Jeff Delaney, Cody Enochs, Joey Glasscoff, Robert Paul Kelch, Christopher Lloyd Latham, Draper Scott Lee and Justin Drew Richardson were all arrested for involvement in charges over $6,000 for fuel over eight days on a Best One credit card that was either lost or stolen from an employee.
Dustin Blake Via became a wanted suspect of attempted assault and second-degree attempted murder of a police officer.
A family in Gadsden faced a new beginning as their home on Tinsley Road became engulfed in flames. Norma Luna and her teenage son and their two dogs survived the blaze.
The Friendship Christmas Parade drew a large crowd with an abundance holiday joy with puppet shows, music, and several participants involved in the parade itself.
18- The annual Crockett Christmas Store served 615 children. The families shopping in the Christmas Store as well as the volunteers were overjoyed with Christmas spirit.
Adam Buckingham, Cubmaster of Alamo Pack 53, was named Cubmaster of the Year by the Boy Scouts of America West Tennessee Area Council Central District.
The Crockett County Animal Shelter received a generous donation from Lebanon Church in member of David Beaird. Along with blankets and toys, over 600 pounds of dog food was donated.
25- Crockett County remains on the Tennessee Comptroller’s Offices report of misused money as funds have not been completely recouped from former Crockett County Schools Director of Technology following his last restitution payment of $10,000.
NOAH received $7,500 in donations from local businesses to help people of Crockett who are experiencing cancer or other catastrophic illnesses or events. Foundation Bank Inc donated $2,500 and Crockett Fabricating donated $5,000.
Josh Griggs was named Gadsden Fire Departments Firefighter of the Year.
Bubba Argo cashed in on the Crockett County Times Football Contest $250 grand prize just in time for Christmas.
