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THE LEADER Thursday, March 25, 2010
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Volume 124 • No. 21
www.covingtonleader.com
Pursuit of burglar ends in accident LEADER STAFF REPORT news@covingtonleader.com
COVINGTON - The search for a burglary suspect came to a screeching halt Monday when a pursuit ended in a collision on Highway 51. At approximately 11:40 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the 400 block of Lindsey, near
Brighton, after the door to a residence was kicked in by a man allegedly trying to break into the home. But the homeowner struck back. “The homeowner fired shots at the suspect that was trying to break in the house,” said Tipton County Sheriff J.T. “Pancho” Chumley.
The suspect – Thomas Louis Alexander Jr., 31, of 1146 W. Perkins Avenue in Memphis – fled the scene in a gold Ford Taurus, prompting a search by deputies. Because there was a possibility the suspect was injured in the shooting, area hospitals were SEE PURSUIT, PAGE A2
Chief Deputy Billy Daugherty discusses the accident with Covington Fire Chief Jerry Craig and firefighter Lt. Richard Griggs. Photo by Sherri Onorati
Accident claims life of student
I-69 meeting scheduled
By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com MUNFORD - Officials with the department of transportation will conduct a public meeting Tuesday night to discuss the planned design of future I-69. Though a route was set four years ago, officials say they are now in the process of finalizing the planned alignment. "We're still working on completing the environmental impact study, but this is the time when we start to develop details," said project manager Steve Chipman. In 2001, officials with the Tennessee Department of Transportation announced plans to construct a segment of Interstate 69 in Tipton County, connecting Dyersburg and Millington. In 2006, TDOT formally announced a route for Segment 8. It will take motorists through the western part of the county, from Quito to northwestern Covington before crossing Hwy. 51 at Rialto in the heart of Covington's industrial developments and continuing into Lauderdale County. Chipman likened the proposed route to having an aerial view and says the department now needs further develop its plans, updating legal descriptions, surveying land and identifying points for the proposed alignment. The Tipton segment has been further broken down into sections, allowing for easier management, Chipman said. During Tuesday's meeting, the preliminary plans for section two of the roadway will be on display. Section two of the Millington to Dyersburg segment runs from north of Simmons Road to just north of Gilt Edge Road (SR 178). Proposals include the construction of 5.5 miles of roadway in this section. The roadways will consists of two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction divided by a depressed grass median. TDOT officials have proposed the widening of SR-178, the addition of a four-ramp interchange and a bridge over the interstate. A bridge over the interstate is also proposed for Campground Road.
On Monday, congressional candidate Steven Fincher (R-Frog Jump), right, made two stops in Tipton County on his West Tennessee bus tour. Fincher and several gubernatorial candidates have been campaigning in the area lately. Photo by Echo Day
Election Update Petition deadline looming By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com Election season is already in full swing, with visits from gubernatorial and congressional candidates, but there's still time to file a petition for office. Persons wishing to file a petition to run for one of the many seats have until the April 1 qualifying deadline to do so. "If they need to, they can still pick up a petition on April 1, just as long as they make sure to have it back in by noon," said Cindy Pinner with the Tipton County Election Commission. The only office whose deadline has passed is that of sheriff. "Candidates for sheriff had to have a post commission filed by March 18," said Pinner. "It's an affidavit of qualification. If you missed it, you can't run." In fact, only incumbent J.T. "Pancho" Chumley filed a petition for the office. It's been decades since a sheriff ran unopposed. "I've been here for 10 years and I know it's been a long time since a sheriff ran without opposition," said Pinner. She said the sheriff's race usually brings the most interest to an election, but without competition for the office it's difficult to gauge how heated the overall election will get. "I don't know what this election will bring," she said. "Usually the race for sheriff fuels the election, but that's one thing we don't have this time."
Up for re-election this year are the following: State ▪ Governor Phil Bredesen ▪ U.S. Representative John Tanner ▪ Tennessee Representatives Jimmy Naifeth (81st district) and Barrett Rich (94th district) ▪ Democratic State Executive Committeepersons Roger Warmath and Gladys Crain Republican State Executive Committeepersons John Wilkerson and Linda Roberts County ▪ County Executive Jeff Huffman ▪ County Commissioners in all districts ▪ Trustee Kristie G. Maxwell ▪ Sheriff J.T. "Pancho" Chumley ▪ Circuit Court Clerk Mike Forbess ▪ County Clerk Pam S. Deen ▪ Register of Deeds Claudia M. Peeler ▪ School board members in even districts
SEE I-69, PAGE A3
SEE ELECTION, PAGE A5
BRIGHTON - A car accident on Old Memphis Road claimed the life of a 17-year-old Brighton High School junior Friday night. Authorities with the Tennessee Highway Patrol report at approximately 6 p.m., Jordan Matthew Pate was traveling northbound on Old Memphis near Brighton-Clopton Road when he topped a hill, lost control of the Chevy Malibu he was driving and over-corrected. The report states Jordan's vehicle spun counter-clockwise in the roadway and slid sideways. The left side hit four trees before coming to a final stop. First responders said Jordan was killed on contact. This week, a grieving student body turned to Brighton High School's guidance counselors for grief support. Principal Kathryn Roe said a moment of silence was held on Tuesday. "We want to pause for a moment in memory of Jordan. He was a great student and certainly will be missed." Roe said staff members were collecting food and monetary donations and in lieu of flowers will be making a donation to the school's Students Against Destructive Decisions club. She said the close-knit nature of the community is both good and bad in a situation like the death of a student. "It's more difficult because everyone is so close, but it's good because since they're close-knit, they can really rely on each other." Jordan, who just turned 17 last month, was a member of DECA and a Life Boy Scout with Brighton's Troop 260. The accident reports he was not believed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He was wearing his seatbelt. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at Central Baptist Church in Brighton. He was buried at Magnolia Gardens Cemetery. Jordan is survived by his father, John Michael Pate, Sr.; his mother, Lisa Carole Pate; one brother, John Michael Pate, Jr.; three sisters, Lauren Nicole Pate, Lindsey Michelle Pate and Mary Elizabeth Pate; grandparents, Jack and Erlene May and a step-grandmother, Lou Pate. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Bill Pate and his grandmother, Mary Johnson.
Area events Area events This week’s week’s Featured This featuredChurch: church: Covington • Barretville • Millington • Collierville South Tipton • South Covington Morgage Offices: South Tipton • Millington • Arlington • Collierville
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Liberty Baptist Church Turn to to Page Turn PageA7 A7forfordetails details
April 24 March of Dimes Walk America Exchange Club Carl Perkins Benefit
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