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THURSDAY, MAY 1, 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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Munford sirens still don’t work By JEFF IRELAND jireland@covingtonleader.com
The Munford and Atoka Fire Department has been having problems with malfunctioning tornado sirens for more than a year. “The weakness in our sirens was apparent this morning,” mayor Dwayne Cole said during Monday's Munford Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting. Severe weather came through
the area Monday morning and a tornado warning was issued for Tipton County and the surrounding areas. Munford Fire Chief Alan Barkelew said he has plans to meet with representatives from Tupelo, Miss.-based Precision Communications today to address the issue. “There are still several sirens not working,” Barkelew said. There are a combined nine sirens in Atoka and Munford
and only four are operational. “We've had numerous problems with them,” Barkelew said. “Every time we turn around something goes wrong with them … we've spent a lot of money working on them.” While sirens can be helpful, Barkelew said people should not rely on them when there is a threat of severe weather. “They are really for people who are outside,” Barkelew said. “There are apps you can get
on your phone. You can buy a weather radio, which are pretty cheap.” When there is a tornado warning, somebody at the fire department has to manually turn on the sirens. There have been occasions, Barkelew said, when firefighters were out on a call and have not been able to set off the sirens. “Hopefully, with this meeting, we're going to figure out why they keep going out,” Barkelew
three.
▸ The number of sirens
working in South Tipton in May 2013 when an EF-1 tornado touched down in the Piljerk community west of Burlison. In a June 6, 2013 story, fire chief Alan Barkelew encouraged residents not to rely on hearing sirens.
SEE SIRENS, PAGE A2
SPECIAL OLYMPICS COVINGTON
Father killed in Morris Rd. fire By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
An estimated 250 students participated in the annual Area VIII Special Olympics at Brighton High School last Friday. The event has been held in Tipton County for the last decade. Courtesy photos
‘Let me be brave’
A N N UA L A R E A V I I I S P E C I A L O LY M P I C S G A M E S H E L D I N B R I G H TO N
By FRANCE GASQUET fgasquet@covingtonleader.com The day began with the Special Olympics motto to remind everyone that to participate might be a little scary, but it might also be a lot of fun. The 250 athletes from Area VIII of Tennessee gathered on Wednesday, April 23, for a highly-anticipated day: the Big Hatchie Region Special Olympics. Participants from Area VIII, also known as the Big Hatchie Region, came from four counties: Tipton, Haywood, Lauderdale and Crockett. The event, which serves individuals with intellectual disabilities, took place at Brighton High School, and has been held annually in the region since 1977 and in Tipton County for the last 10 years.
After the Pledge Of Allegiance and the lighting of the torch, and the “Walk of Champions” around the track, the games began. “For a day, the kids have a wonderful time. Everybody is a winner. This is one day of the year that we know every person there is going to feel special,” said Lee Johnston, a volunteer with the organization since 1977. The participants have practiced year round for the games. A person is only allowed to compete in two events, and it can be difficult to decide because there are so many options. Special Olympics area director DeeDee Faulk, who has been associated with the event for the last 12 years, meets with a committee of six all year round to organize the special day. Every participant is a winner and receives a ribbon, whether it is for first or fifth place. These games are also the qualifying event for the state games held in the fall. According to Johnston, the
‘Belligerent’ driver pulls knife on cops By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
The Special Olympics motto is "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." The Area VIII spring games have taken place since 1977.
SEE GAMES, PAGE A3
TENNIS, ANYONE? Brighton Middle School's tennis teams both bring hardware home. A21
A Covington man was found dead after a fire destroyed his home Tuesday morning, the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office said. The fire was spotted by a neighbor at about 6 a.m. Firefighters discovered Wallace “Wally” Melvin Smith Jr., 31, inside the Morris Road home when extinguishing the blaze. A father of two, Smith lives alone. His cause of death will be determined by an autopsy. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Smith family during their time of loss,” Sheriff Pancho Chumley said. “The agencies investigating the tragic death are in their preliminary stages of the investigation.” Anyone with information in the case is asked to call 901-475-3300 or 901-475-4300 after hours.
Reader's Guide Opinion A4 Obituaries A6 Classifieds A10 Legals A11 Puzzles A15
When Thomas Comer ran a stop sign, he set a chain of events into motion that would eventually land him in jail last Thursday morning. According to the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to pull Comer over after he failed to stop at the corner of Simmons and Wilkinsville roads, but Comer also failed to stop for police. SEE DRIVER, PAGE A2
Events Sports Community Correspondence Faith
A7 A20 A7 A17 A8
THREE STAR HOSTS MOCK CRASH A mock crash was hosted over the weekend to alert drivers, A22