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THE LEADER THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 ▪ VO L . 1 2 9 , N O. 3 5 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪
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Unilever gives $61K for scholarships By FRANCE GASQUET fgasquet@covingtonleader.com
On Monday, July 21, the Tipton County recipients of the REDI scholarship were honored at Dyersburg State Community College. The scholarship, a fundamental part of the REDI program, was developed specifically to increase the culture of education in West Tennessee. REDI, or the Regional Economic Development Initiative, began in March of 2012. According to REDI, educational culture is transformed by stressing post-secondary education, advising career paths and assisting in college applications and financial aid forms. The goal is to create a higher level of educated population and thus a more prosperous workforce and
community. The scholarship is a two-year commitment from the county that provides each student with $600 for both the first and second year. The student must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and perform eight hours of community service after the first year of college. According to county executive Jeff Huffman, research has shown that in the next 30 years, 72 percent of new jobs will require an education past high school, whether it be a certificate, an associates degree or a four-year university degree. Currently in Tipton County, 14 percent of adult residents (25 years or older) have a bachelors degree or higher and 19 percent of adult residents have an associates degree or higher. That, according to Huffman, is below the state average, which is below the national average.
REDI was created as an economic initiative for SouthWest Tennessee, striving to improve the quality of the workforce in the area, by increasing the current percentages. In the last two years, more than 100 students have received the REDI scholarship, which is more than $61,000 in scholarship dollars this year. There are plans are for an increase in scholarship recipients each year, said Huffman. REDI is funded by payments from Unilever to Tipton County government and according to Huffman, the corporation is proud to be a part of such a program, as the dollars are reinvested back into the workforce, thus improving the quality in the pool of workers. For more information about REDI, go to www.reditn.com.
World class action
Munford's ISO drops to a four Family Dollar locating on Munford Avenue By JEFF IRELAND jireland@covingtonleader.com Munford fire chief Alan Barkelew delivered some news at Monday's Munford Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting that should please that town's citizens. He said that his fire department had recently been assessed and that their ISO rating had been reduced from five to four. The ISO program provides a country-wide standard that helps fire departments in planning and budgeting for facilities, equipment and training. Class 1 generally represents superior property fire protection, and Class 10 indicates that the area's fire-suppression program doesn't meet ISO’s minimum criteria. “This is due to the hard work of everybody,” Barkelew said. “And this means savings on everyone's insurance.” According Barlew, the department was one-tenth of a point away from a three. “I'm going to look at some numbers and see if we can get it down to a three,” Barkelew said. “We were so close.” Munford Mayor Dwayne Cole said moving from a four to a three should save citizens six percent on their home owners insurance. Said Cole, “This is a tribute to Alan Barkelew and all of his firefighters.” In other matters: • Family Dollar is coming to Munford. Cole made the announcement Monday night that the company is building a 9,000-square-foot retail story on the south side of Munford Avenue, in between the Munford Fire Department and Pop's Gas Station. Located near the intersection of Munford Avenue and Beaver Road, the building is expected to begin going up in six months. • Cole announced that Gov. Bill Haslam will make an appearance at City Park in Munford on Monday at 12:45 p.m. He will speak on his “Get
Atoka Debs player Shady Ross makes contact with a pitch Saturday afternoon during the Dixie Girls World Series held at Nancy Lane Park in Atoka. Thousands of people were in town for the event. For more on the tournament, see page B1. Photo by Jeff Ireland
Hall found guilty on two charges
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A former Covington police officer information that the Covington Police was found guilty last week of Officer ran a stolen check on a official misconduct and misuse handgun in the possession of of official information, while his father, convicted felon Jack a third charge of criminal reHall Jr. sponsibility was dismissed. Agents further developed At the request of 25th Disevidence that the son, who is trict Attorney General Mike now 42, knew his father was a Dunavant, TBI Special Agents felon and still allowed him to began investigating Jack Shelpossess more than 20 firearms. ton Hall III on July 17, 2012. Additionally, the officer ran HALL During the course of the inthe check on his father’s handvestigation, TBI Agents developed gun while on Family Medical Leave
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Act and portrayed himself to be onduty when he contacted central dispatch. Acording to the TBI, Hall also purchased a firearm from his father, sold it to a dealer and profited from allowing his father to remain in possession of the firearms. On Nov. 5, 2012, the Tipton County Grand Jury returned indictments for Jack Hall III. Sentencing is Sept. 15. Hall remains out on bond until his sentencing.
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