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3299 HWY. 51 SOUTH ڰCOVINGTON, TN 38019 9 0 1 . 3 1 3 . 8 6 2 9 ڰt r y u s c h e v y. c o m
THE LEADER THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011 ▪ VO L . 1 2 7 , N O. 3 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪
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Charged, arrested
Former teacher faces multiple counts of raping students By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
Cindy Clifton, a former teacher at Crestview Middle School, was arrested and booked into the Tipton County jail Monday. She’s charged with statutory rape involving multiple students and providing alcohol to minors.
COVINGTON – A Crestview Middle School teacher has been charged with 53 counts of impropriety, the district attorney’s office announced Tuesday, a number which may be more than any other American teacher in the last decade. On Monday, Nov. 7, Cindy Garner Clifton, 41, a fifth and sixth grade remediation teacher at Crestview, was arrested after the Tipton County Grand Jury returned an indictment
charging her with 14 counts of statutory rape by an authority figure, 11 counts of aggravated statutory rape, 14 counts of furnishing alcohol to minors and 14 counts of contributing to the delinquency of minors. The alleged incidents took place with at least 11 juvenile victims between the ages of 14-17. In Tennessee, statutory rape by an authority figure is the unlawful sexual penetration of a victim by the defendant or of the defendant by the victim when the victim is 13-18 years
of age, the defendant is four years older than the victim and the defendant was, at the time of the offense, in a position of trust, or had supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim by virtue of the defendant’s legal, professional or occupational status and used the position of trust or power to accomplish the sexual penetration; or the defendant had, at the time of the offense, parental or custodial authority over the victim and used the authority to accomplish the sexual penetration.
This Class C felony is punishable by 3-6 years of imprisonment for each count. Per TCA 39-13-506, aggravated statutory rape is the unlawful sexual penetration of a victim by the defendant, or of the defendant by the victim when the victim is at least 13-18 years of age and the defendant is at least 10 years older than the victim. It is a Class D felony punishable by 2-4 years on each count, per District Attorney General Mike Dunavant. Clifton also faces a year for each of the furnishing alcohol SEE CLIFTON, PAGE A3
COVINGTON
Sewer contract awarded to Marbury Construction Upgrade to cost $352K
COMMUNITY
By SHERRI ONORATI sonorati@covingtonleader.com The Covington Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted on Tuesday, Nov. 8 to award the city’s 2010 sewer rehabilitation contract to Marbury Construction, LLC of Denmark, Tenn. in the amount of $352,408.25, which includes the base bid and five additive alternates sites, including: Cottonwood Pumping Station, Seminary Ave., Haynie and Stitt, Carr Ave., Tech Center and S. Tipton. Marbury Construction, LLC was one of nine companies competing for the contract with estimates ranging from $643,429.60 to $352,408.25. As the low bidder, Marbury was awarded the contract. Work is expected to begin as soon as approval is granted from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. Mayor David Gordon presented the board with a proclamation to proclaim the month of November as National Adoption Month in the city of Covington, urging all citizens to join in support for finding permanency for all children. The Covington Christmas parade will take place on Monday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. Before the parade, the Covington Economic Development Corporation will host pictures with Santa, available from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. for $3 at the Covington Farmers Market located at the corner of Main St. and Spring St. Ordinance 1623, an ordinance to amend the regulations governing recreational vehicle parks and deleting the 30-day length of stay restriction, was passed on its second reading. The third and final reading and public hearing will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 22. The fifth annual Fraternal Order of Police Chili Cook-off was deemed a success raising more than $3,100 for the Covington Police Department’s annual Christmas for Kids charity event. “It was extremely successful and I want SEE SEWER, PAGE A2
Reader’s Guide Sunny, possible overnight frost. High, 54. Low, 29..
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Sports Correspondence Classifieds Puzzles
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Legals
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LAND OF THE BRAVE Don’t miss our special salute to veterans in today’s issue. HOW TO REACH US Call 901.476.7116 Fax 901.476.0373 Email news@covingtonleader.com Visit us at 2001 Hwy. 51 South, Covington, TN 38019 or online at covingtonleader.com
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EVENTS
Chamber to host second holiday gala By SHERRI ONORATI sonorati@covingtonleader.com Are you looking for a night out to celebrate the holiday season with employees and the opportunity to get in a bit of training – all on the same night – while having a great time? If you are, the Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce has a deal for you! The Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce will host its second annual Chamber Holiday Gala on Thursday, Nov. 17
at the Chamber Center in Covington. The holiday fundraiser will feature dinner, music and entertainment by nationally known humorist and business trainer Dr. Dale Henry, a well-known author, educator and speaker. His presentation “If Business is Down – Up Yours!” will revitalize attendees and offer insight into ways to excel even when economists are predicting doom and gloom. His presentation is about laughter, joy, fun, life and relationships and will sure
to be the most cost effective training ever offered to employees. The evening’s training session will leave you in stitches, while showing you ways to invest in yourself and your self-worth through proven effectiveness techniques. The evening’s activities will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m., with dinner provided by the Bald Butcher following at 7 p.m. Music and entertainment will be provided by Debach n G with Justin Hanson at the piano. Dress is business casual.
Seating is limited. Tickets are $30 per person or sponsorships are available $300 and includes a reserved table seating for eight. The night’s event is made possible by Tennessee Technology Center of Covington, Bank of Tipton, BancorpSouth Bank, Baptist Memorial HospitalTipton and Wells Fargo advisors Lowell D. Friend and Oliver Smith. Call the Chamber office at 476-9727 for more information or to reserve seats.
Falling tree kills Memphis man, 51
TODAY’S WEATHER
INSIDE Opinion Faith Obituaries Education Lifestyles
Brighton High School FCCLA members sell their homemade products during Junior Auxiliary’s Fall Frenzy event last weekend to raise money for the club. Photo by Sherri Onorati
By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com DRUMMONDS – Officials have released more information on the accident that took the life of a Memphis man last week. On Wednesday, Nov. 2, Joseph Franklin Houser and his father, Charles W. Jones, were cutting a tree on Jones’ Hilltop Lane property when the large tree fell on Houser. Tipton County Sheriff’s Office
spokesperson Donna Turner said Jones, 75, was using a bulldozer to support the tree. It fell while Houser was sawing it. Deputies responded to the residence to assist in freeing him, however his injuries were fatal. Medical examiner Dr. John Hughey responded to the scene and an autopsy has been conducted at the Regional Forensic Center in Memphis. The investigation has not revealed any foul play in the incident.
Houser, 51, of James Street, was born on July 17, 1960 in Blytheville, Arkansas. He is survived by parents, Charles W. and Betty Jones of Drummonds; wife Belinda; daughter Ashley Marie; brother Kerry “Peppi” Jones; and sisters Melody Kay Smith, Shelia Kyleen Haynes and Sharron Rene’ Haynes. Funeral services took place on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Munford Funeral Home Chapel. Houser was buried at Quito Memorial Cemetery.
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