News 2012

Judge Susan Melton presided over General Session Court on Tuesday.  Some of the results of the various cases that appeared on the docket included:Beverly Sue Adamson pled guilty to reckless endangerment.  She was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was partially suspended upon serving 18 days, equal time on probation, paying a $525.00 fine and the costs.
Nathan James Barnett’s charges of driving on a suspended license, possession of drug paraphernalia (2 counts), initiation of the process to manufacture methamphetamine, and maintaining a dwelling for manufacturing methamphetamine were bound over to the January term of the Grand Jury.
Kayla Renee Besner’s charge of initiation of the process to manufacture methamphetamine was bound over to the January term of the Grand Jury.
Richard R. Brant pled guilty to solicitation to the promotion of methamphetamine manufacture.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was partially suspended upon serving 52 days and equal time on probation.
Jimmie D. Bryan pled guilty to reckless endangerment.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $525.00 fine and the costs.
Steven Wayne Buse pled guilty to trespass.  He was sentenced to 6 months in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation and paying the costs.  In another case Buse pled guilty to disorderly conduct.  He was sentenced to 30 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation and paying the costs.
Deanna Jo Collins pled guilty to DUI 3rd.  She was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was partially suspended upon serving 120 days, equal time on probation, losing her license for 6 years, paying an $1100.00 fine and the costs.  In another case Collins pled guilty to resisting arrest.  She was sentenced to 6 months in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, and paying the costs.
Samuel Gallegos agreed to the violation of probation.  He was ordered to serve 90 days and his probation was extended 7 months 29 days.  Gallegos’ other charges of initiation of the process to manufacture methamphetamine and tampering with evidence were bound over to the January term of the Grand Jury.
Joshua Ryan Hardin agreed to the violation of probation.  His probation was extended 11 months 29 days and he was ordered to pay the costs.
Terri Renae Manlove’s charges of initiation of the process to manufacture methamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling for manufacturing methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia were bound over to the January term of the Grand Jury.
Yolanda Marie Martinez charge of domestic assault was retired for 11 months 29 days.  She was ordered to pay the costs.
Amber McTaggart’s charge of underage consumption was retired for 11 months 29 days.  She was ordered to pay the costs.
Dallas J. Rogers agreed to the violation of probation.  He was ordered to serve 2 months 28 days and his probation was extended 7 months.  Rogers’ other charges of criminal trespass (2 counts), aggravated burglary (3 counts), theft under $500.00, theft over $1000.00 (3 counts), and burglary were bound over to the January term of the Grand Jury.
Dustin Ray Rogers’ charges of violation of an order of protection (2 counts), aggravated burglary (2 counts), theft over $1000.00 (2 counts), aggravated criminal trespass, and criminal trespass (2 counts) were bound over to the January term of the Grand Jury.
Ethan Emerson Rutter’s charges of simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia were retired for 11 months 29 days.
Tabitha Lea Smith pled guilty to driving on a suspended license.  She was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $50.00 fine and the costs.
Lara Stevens pled guilty to driving without a license.  She was sentenced to 21 days in jail. 
Terry Brian Tramel pled guilty to possession of schedule II drugs.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $750.00 fine and the costs.
David R. Walls pled guilty to theft under $500.00.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.
Robert Earl Watley’s charges of passing a worthless check, driving on a revoked license, speeding, evading arrest with a motor vehicle, reckless endangerment of a minor, driving on a revoked license 3rd offense, theft over $1000.00 (3 counts), criminal trespass, aggravated burglary, and burglary were bound over to the January term of the Grand Jury.
Ryan Blake Watson pled guilty to hunting over bait.  He was ordered to pay a $50.00 fine and the costs.
Daniel S. Wrisner pled guilty to driving without a license.  He was sentenced to 30 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $2.00 fine and the costs.
Brock J. Young’s charges of initiation of the process to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia were bound over to the January term of the Grand Jury.
Justin Taggart pled guilty to vandalism under $500.00.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was partially suspended upon serving 5 days equal time on probation, paying a $50.00 fine and the costs.

Monday Girls Action                                                                                 Tuesday Girls Action  
Woodland Lady Warriors  39                                                                    Eastside Lady Tigers  14
Centertown Lady Warriors  24                                                                  Dekalb Middles Lady Saints 40
 
Westside Lady Eagles 22                                                                           Woodbury Lady Cubs 14
Dibrell Wildcats          40                                                                            North Elementary Lady Warriors 24
 
Boys Action                                                                                                Boys Action
 
Woodland Warriors 25                                                                               Eastside Tigers  7
Dibrell Wildcats 53                                                                                     Dekalb Middle Saints 42
 
Westside Eagles 25                                                                                     Woodbury Cubs  35
Eastside Bulldogs (Warren Count) 36                                                           North Elementary Warriors  32
 

A Woodbury Man who kicked, punched and smashed a back car window near where a young child was sitting faces charges of reckless endangerment,  According to police reports 22 year old Curtis Rains of Sunny Slope Road was arrested and charged with Domestic Assault as he pulled on the hair of his ex girlfriend.  When the victim attempted to leave with her small son, Rains pursued kicking and punching and climbing on top of her car. Those actions put the victim in fear for the safety of herself   Rains was also charged with vandalism because the car did not belong to him and because the child was in the back seat in the vicinity of where the window was smashed, reckless endangerment charges were rung up on Rains.  Rains has since made bond and will appear in Cannon County General Sessions Court Tuesday November 13th  

Monday night wasn’t the final presidential debate after all.As Election Day quickly approaches, MTSU’s student debaters hope to help those voters who’ve yet to cast a ballot make a more informed decision.
The Blue Raider Debaters are teaming up with Student Programming and Activities for a special “Think Before You Vote” event, featuring a public “Mixed Plate Debate” at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, in the Parliamentary Room of the university’s new Student Union Building.
Attendees will see the nationally award-winning students in action as they conduct a mock presidential debate between President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
Preparation is intense and requires hours of research — analyzing a candidate’s voting history, reading published statements and press releases, watching news clips — all in an effort to portray the party as accurately as possible. Such dedication should make the event all the more exciting for spectators watching what debate coach Patrick Richey calls an “issues only” debate.
“There will be no ad hominems or mud-slinging,” Richey explained. “This will strictly be about what policies the candidate would use and how they would use them.”
Smiling, he continued, “This might be the cleanest debate of the year!”
Last fall the team held a Republican primary debate and received enthusiastic support from more than 100 people in attendance, and Richey said he anticipates this year’s event to draw a considerably larger crowd. Since the students are studying the candidates so closely, the Oct. 25 debate offers each audience member an opportunity to become a more informed voter.
While the entire group developed topics and questions during practice, the actual debate will be between two team members selected to represent Obama and Romney.
Moderating the event, which should last two hours, will be Dr. Jan Leone, associate dean for the College of Liberal Arts.
Comprising about 30 members from a variety of university programs with ages ranging 17 to 30, te group has achieved a great deal of success in a short amount of time.
The MTSU Debate Team has had an illustrious history, and, like the university, it also celebrated its centennial last year. The team lacked structure in recent years, but last year Richey, who also is the director of forensics for MTSU as well as professor of communication studies in the Department of Speech and Theatre, revived the group.
“We’ve come a long way,” said team captain Mary Choate. “We pulled the team back up again, and last year, at every tournament, someone at least went to the quarterfinals.”
Because of each student’s continued dedication and efforts, Choate said she is “confident the team will achieve a lot this year and for years to come.”
As the team flourishes under Richey’s coaching, the professor said he’s proud of all his students and their individual achievements while on the team and after graduation.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about them,” he said, “what they learn and the benefits they get.”
For all potentially interested debaters, the team maintains an open-door policy and invites anyone to participate. While no experience is necessary, a successful debater must be willing to argue, keep up with current events and be open-minded.
Practice is held every Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. in Room 312 of the Keathley University Center.
For more information on the “Mixed Plate Debate,” visit www.mtsu.edu/events/thinkbeforeyouvote.php. For updates on the MTSU Debate Team,visit www.mtsu.edu/debate or contact Richey at 615-898-2273 or Patrick.Richey@mtsu.edu.

Dr. George C. Herring, author of America’s most widely used textbook on the Vietnam War, will deliver the 2012 Strickland Visiting Scholar Lecture in History on Thursday, Oct. 25, in the State Farm Lecture Hall, Room S-102, of MTSU’s Business and Aerospace Building. The topic of his 6:30 p.m. address is “Vietnam: The War That Won’t Go Away.” It’s free and open to the public.
Herring, author of America’s Longest War: The United States and Vietnam 1950-1975, also will meet for formal and informal classes and workshops with undergraduates, graduates and faculty during his visit to MTSU, which is coordinated by the College of Liberal Arts.
The Strickland Visiting Scholar program allows students to meet with renowned scholars whose expertise spans a variety of historical issues. The Strickland family established the program in memory of Dr. Roscoe Lee Strickland Jr., a longtime professor of European history at MTSU and the first president of the university’s Faculty Senate.
Herring has been teaching about and researching the Vietnam War for more than 25 years and has made presentations on the subject throughout the world, earning National Endowment for the Humanities, Fulbright and Guggenheim fellowships and visiting professorships along the way.
The Alumni Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Kentucky joined the UK faculty in 1969 after four years at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. He served three terms as the UK history department chair and taught classes ranging from introductory survey courses in U.S. history to graduate seminars. He also directed the work of 35 doctoral students and more than 50 Master of Arts students.
In addition to America’s Longest War, now in its fourth edition, Herring is the author of From Colony to Superpower: U.S. Foreign Relations Since 1776, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in nonfiction and the recipient of the 2008 Robert Ferrell Award by the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations. He also is the author of The Secret Diplomacy of the Vietnam War: The Negotiating Volumes of the Pentagon Papers and LBJ and Vietnam: A Different Kind of War.
Herring, now retired from teaching, is a member and former president and journal editor of The Society of American Historians, an honorary organization created to encourage literary distinction in history writing.
For more information about this Strickland Visiting Scholar Lecture, please contact Connie Huddleston at 615-494-7628 or via e-mail at Connie.Huddleston@mtsu.edu.

The planning for the 22nd annual Cannon County Merchants Country Christmas was unveiled in a meeting Monday night at the Cannon County Courthouse. The event which takes place the weekend before Thanksgiving, will take place Friday and Saturday November 16th and 17th this year.  Participating merchants are encouraged to stay open later, provide door prizes and refreshments and be ready for a great turnout of potential buying consumers.  Santa will arrive on the square Friday November 16th at 5:00.  He will make himself available for pictures from 5:30 to 8:00 at the Party Place on Cannon Street.  There will be wagon and mules for people to ride in around the square as well as carolers and a DJ playing Christmas Music.  A Children’s Push Pull Pedal and Pups parade will spotlight Saturday November 17th on the square around 12 noon.  Plenty of door prizes will be awarded including a very nice business basket  

Organizers are preparing for MTSU’s largest Salute to Armed Services/Veterans Day event in its 31-year history. Seven hundred to 1,000 veterans and active-duty military personnel are expected to attend the Saturday, Oct. 27, events on campus, which include an afternoon gridiron battle between MTSU and North Texas at Floyd Stadium.
“It’s going to be an exciting day,” said Marco Born, assistant athletic director for ticketing and marketing for MTSU. “It will be a busy day, but exciting. So much planning — eight or nine months — has gone into this by our committee.”
In addition to the morning Veterans Memorial Service, one of each year’s event highlights is the announcement of the Joe Nunley Award winner.
This year, World War II veteran Em T. Ghianni, 90, of Nashville, is the honoree.
Another much-anticipated part of the day comes during halftime, when the nearly 460-member Band of Blue pays a special patriotic salute to the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
As each branch’s military marching music is played, veterans and active-duty personnel will cross Jones Field — some walking and some in wheelchairs, aided by family and friends — in a moving ceremony.
The day is filled with special events, including:
a 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Healthcare and Benefits Fair near Floyd Stadium’s Gate 3, presented by the Veterans Affairs/Tennessee Valley Healthcare System;
    an 11 to 11:30 a.m. Veterans Memorial Service outside the Tom H. Jackson Building;
    a 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. pregame picnic at the Kennon Sports Hall of Fame;
    the 1 to 1:30 p.m. presentation of the Joe Nunley Award at the Kennon Sports Hall of Fame;
    the 2:30 p.m. MTSU vs. North Texas kickoff; and
    the planned 4 p.m. Halftime salute to U.S. Armed Services.
For the first time, a silent auction benefiting Toys for Tots will be set up inside the Kennon Hall of Fame. Anyone attending the game or the Salute to Armed Services events may participate in the auction, which will end at 1:45 p.m.
During the morning memorial service, veteran and Murfreesboro businessman Fayne Haynes will be the featured speaker. World War II veterans will then be honored by the planting of a tree near the memorial site. A bugler will render a salute by playing “Taps.”
“We are expecting our largest Salute to Veterans event ever,” Born said, noting the effort extended by MTSU’s Athletic Department to visit and personally invite veterans and staff at veterans’ facilities in Nashville, Smyrna and Murfreesboro.
He also commended primary sponsors State Farm, Barrett Firearms, Bridgestone, USAA and the National Guard for their role in purchasing tickets for the special guests.
Joe Nunley Jr. will represent the Nunley family during the halftime presentation of the award named for his late father. Joe Nunley Sr. was a U.S. Army World War II veteran who was an MTSU education professor starting in 1961 and retired as alumni director at the university in 1987. The senior Nunley died in 1993.
Also scheduled during the Oct. 27 salute are:
    delivery of the game coin by a PackBot robot from the MTSU aerospace department’s unmanned aerial system program;
    the game coin toss, which will be performed by retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Bivens, a two-time combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient, and Lance Cpl. Eric Frazier, who lost both legs while serving in Iraq and received a Purple Heart and other awards;
    a performance of the national anthem by retired Sgt. Joe Wilson Sr.; and
    collection of new toys at each stadium gate by the Marine Corps-sponsored Toys for Tots.
Born said local Boy and Girl Scouts also will be in attendance.

     The Woodbury Lions Club will be hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive on November 15, 2012 to honor a local warrior Branden Schwartz.  Branden had been fighting Cancer for two years.  During this time he has received numerous units of blood from the American Red Cross.  Branden wanted to do something to give back to the Red Cross and to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.  The Woodbury Lions Club was approached to see if there was anything that could be done.  The Woodbury Lions Club coordinated with the American Red Cross and set their November blood drive as an honor to Branden.     Branden also wants to help the Ronald McDonald House located at Vanderbilt because of all that it does for visiting family and friends to the children being treated at Vanderbilt.  The collection of aluminum tabs from soda cans can be turned in to the Ronald McDonald House in turn they will recycle them and monies made provides for the snacks and meals used in the critical care family waiting rooms, and supports the building that houses the families that live too far away to drive back and forth to be with their child while been admitted to the hospital.
     The Woodbury Lions Club wants the plastic bottle caps collected and turned in to recycle.  Monies made from the recycling will be given to Branden to make a donation to the American Cancer Society for research.
     The American Red Cross has made a goal of 75 units for that day with a max of 103 units.  The Lions Club encourages everyone to come out.  And bring in their tabs and caps, even if they are unable to donate.  The Red Cross will provide a Christmas ornament or a tee shirt to all donors.  Hopefully Branden or a family member will be on hand to personally thank all who come in.  The blood drive will start at noon and go until 6 PM or until 103 donations have been made, whichever comes first. 

Tennessee early voting continues to be strong through the first five days of early voting. A total of 103,642 voters cast their ballots Monday, bringing the overall total to 491,575 leading into the sixth day of early voting Tuesday. Tennessee has approximately 4 million registered voters. “Voter turnout continues to exceed expectations,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “Voters continue to avoid long Election Day lines by voting early.”
Early voting will continue through Thursday, November 1. Voters with questions regarding the locations and hours of early voting are encouraged to contact their local election commission offices.
In Cannon County 845 registered voters have exercised their right to vote during early voting.
 

Posting threats against another person is against the Terms of Use on Facebook.  It is also not a good idea when person on the other end of those threats is Woodbury Police Chief Kevin Mooneyham.  According to police reports that’s exactly what 25 year old Sheenia Grant of Woodbury did when she posted on the social media giant that if she ever got her hands on Mooneyham she would crush his head and bash it in until blood pours from his ears.  Once the Woodbury Police Department were made aware of the comments, Assistant Chief Lowell Womack made a visit to her residence and arrested her on charges of retaliation for a past act.  Ms. Grant made bond and is due in General Sessions Court on November 13th to answer to the charge.