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THE LEADER Thursday, April 1, 2010
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Volume 124 • No. 22
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Mason veteran killed on Hwy. 59 By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com COVINGTON - A Mason man is dead following two separate accidents early Sunday morning. Authorities say 29-year-old Patrick Jones, a two-time veteran of the War in Iraq,
was traveling northbound on Highway 59 South near Brierhedge when he veered off the west side of the road just before 5 a.m. Driving a 2008 Honda Civic, he reportedly struck a concrete culvert and the vehicle became airborne. An investigation
determined the vehicle rolled from side to side before coming to a rest on its roof. This accident was not the one to claim Jones' life, however. He exited the vehicle and witnesses confirmed he was on the phone when he stumbled into the high-
way in the path of an oncoming vehicle. "He walked out into the roadway and was struck by a Chevrolet Trailblazer," said Deputy Chief Donna Turner with the Tipton County Sheriff's Office. The Trailblazer was driven by Myron Jones, 28, also of Mason.
The two men are not related. "The preliminary investigation reveals Myron Jones was not drinking at the time of the crash," Turner said. "We're waiting on results from the TBI Crime Lab and the autopsy reports before we meet with the (dis-
trict attorney) to determine possible charges." Turner said the investigation and autopsy will determine whether alcohol was a factor in the first accident and which of Patrick Jones' injuries came from which accident. Myron Jones was not injured in the accident.
April declared Child Abuse Prevention Month By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
Patrick Murray, right, with GeoTech Engineering discusses I-69ʼs proposed design to a resident before Tuesdayʼs meeting. Photo by Echo Day
TDOT discusses I-69 design By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com MUNFORD - Tuesday night, officials with the Tennessee Department of Transportation held a public meeting with residents to discuss the Interstate 69 project. Though still in the environmental stage, where an impact study is being conducted, TDOT officials discussed the interstate's planned design with residents. "After every public meeting, we do make some changes," engineer Patrick Murray with GeoTech Engineering told the
audience. First unveiled in 2008, the proposed design has been just one of many aspects of the project to concern residents. "We moved here from Memphis to get away from the crime and the traffic," said Kathy Reid, a resident whose street will be dissected by the interstate. "I'm just worried about the kids. I know you're doing an environmental study but the kids are number one or should be." TDOT officials displayed maps and artists' renderings of the way the proposed intersection at Gilt Edge Road (SR-
178) will look once construction is complete. Segment 8 of Interstate 69 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. Section two of the Millington to Dyersburg segment runs from north of Simmons Road to just north of Gilt Edge Road. It was the subject of SEE I-69, PAGE A10
COVINGTON - Last week County Executive Jeff Huffman officially proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, a designation that has not been declared in nearly two decades. Convening on the lawn of the Tipton County Courthouse, Huffman and local officials committed themselves to helping "families under construction." Annually, an estimated 4 million children are affected by child abuse and neglect. The problem has reached epidemic proportions, local Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse Director Bethany Kirby said. "Each year, more than 39,000 suspected cases of child abuse and neglect are reported in the state of Tennessee," she said. "However, many more cases go unreported. That is why it is so important for citizens to know that everyone can do something to help prevent child abuse and neglect." When Kirby joined the staff in 1992, Tipton County had the highest rates of child abuse and neglect in the state per capita. Today the numbers are much lower and education and advocacy have both been cited as contributing factors in the decrease. T h e Exchange C l u b - C a r l County Executive Jeff Huffman reads a proclaiPerkins Center mation recently to declar April as Child Abuse in Covington Prevention Month. Photo by Echo Day acts as a facility central to all disciplines involved in the investigation and prosecution of abuse cases as well as the advocacy of abused children. "It's a safehaven for families to be able to come and those children can be interviewed here in a safe environment," said Kirby. Kirby said neglect encompasses 60 percent of cases the Carl Perkins Center sees, but many people forget about it because physical and sexual abuse is so common. There are four types of abuse: neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. Neglect is not meeting the basic needs of the child, like food, shelter and clothing as well as not taking them to the doctor. In terms of abuse, there is not one type more prevalent than SEE PREVENTION, PAGE A3
Munford mom selected to represent state at conference By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com MUNFORD – A Tipton County mother has been chosen to represent the state in an inaugural education and learning conference next month, Parenting magazine announced Monday. Pearl Andrews of Munford will join Parenting staffers, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne
Duncan and one mom education advocate from each state at Georgetown University on May 2 for Mom Congress. “I am elated,” Andrews said Monday. “I deem it an honor and a privilege to be found worthy to not only represent moms from my hometown and school district, but also the entire state of Tennessee.” In a press release, Parenting editors said Andrews was cho-
sen to represent the state for her outstanding contributions and dedication to improving local schools. A total of 51 mothers from each state and the District of Columbia have been selected as Mom Congress delegates. Driven by the ever-increasing role parents play in advocating positive change in the education system, Parenting magazine launched the Mom
Congress initiative in March 2009 to celebrate and connect mothers fighting for better schools. Each delegate was selected from applications submitted at parenting.com <http://parenting.com> and will receive round-trip airfare, a two-night hotel stay and the opportunity to connect with other mothers from across the country to share success stories, chal-
lenges and concerns as they work to improve the nations’ schools. Mom Congress delegates will work toward creating Parenting’s “Lesson Plan for Change,” a guide to help empower parents across the nation to become more involved in the education of their children. SEE ANDREWS, PAGE A3
Area events events Area This week’s week’s Featured This featuredChurch: church: Covington • Barretville • Millington • Collierville South Tipton • South Covington Morgage Offices: South Tipton • Millington • Arlington • Collierville
FRONT.indd 1
Oak Grove Bapitst Church Turn to to Page Turn PageA7 A7forfordetails details
April 11, 2 p.m. Senior Talent Revue, Ruffin Theater April 24, 8 a.m., Pick Up, Fix Up Munford, Munford City Hall
3/31/10 4:46:58 PM