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THE LEADER
SERVING TIPTON COUNTY SINCE 1886 | COVINGTONLEADER.COM | VOL. 124, NO. 46 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2010
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INSIDE TODAY Celebrate Munford 2010 will take place Saturday, Sept. 18! See our special section for event details. A AM
Charleston man arrested after standoff
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By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
A Charleston man is behind bars after a weekend standoff in which he threatened his family members and law enforcement officers, the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office said. After being arrested on multiple charges relating to reckless endangerment on Saturday, Sept. 11, Brian Keith Huggins made bond and less
than 12 hours later the standoff began. According to police, at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12, deputies arrived at Huggins’ Hwy. 179 residence after receiving information Huggins was threatening to shoot other family members and any law enforcement officers who attempted to come to the residence. Deputies assisted by the SWAT Team and Criminal
Investigation Division personnel responded and attempted to make contact with Huggins. They confirmed that Huggins had also broken the rear window of a vehicle out during the incident with a metal pipe. Officials said a family member in the residence was safely evacuated. Huggins did not respond to attempts to negotiate his surrender, resulting in the residence being assaulted by the
SWAT team with the entrance of gas agents into the house, said TCSO spokesperson Deputy Chief Donna Turner. At about 6:10 a.m. Huggins was taken into custody without further incident. “This was an extremely dangerous and volatile situation that could have resulted in serious injuries to family members and deputies,” said Sheriff “Pancho” Chumley. “Due to the professional and
BHS dedicates field to Eubank
SEE FIELD, PAGE A3
SEE HUGGINS, PAGE A2
Marshall finalist for Principal of the Year
By TYLER LINDSEY tlindsey@covingtonleader.com On Sept. 10, Brighton High School dedicated its football field to Rodney Eubank, former Tipton County School Board Chairman. Rodney Eubank was the chairman of the Tipton County Schools Board for 23 years; he served on the school board for 34 years, longer than any other person in the state of Tennessee. Eubank also served on the Tennessee School Board Association Board of Directors from 2001-2008, and he earned Level V board member status which is the highest level in the state. Upon Mr. Eubank’s death in March of 2010, Dr. Tim Fite, superintendent of schools, said, “Everything he did was in service to his community.” Besides his work with the school board, he also worked as the personnel director for the City of Covington, the news editor for The Leader, and was an active member of Salem A.R.P. Church. Kathryn Roe, the principal at Brighton High School agrees with Dr. Fite saying, “Mr. Eubank was dedicated to the betterment of our county and our children. He was also an avid sports follower. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this special recognition.” On Sept. 10, the Brighton Cardinals kicked off against the Covington Chargers at 7 p.m. The game is a yearly rivalry game. At 6:40 p.m., every Charger and Cardinal came together to pay tribute to Mr. Rodney Eubank, a man who worked so tirelessly for the benefit of all students community members say. “The 47-6 win over the Chargers
well-trained personnel of the SWAT members, the matter was resolved without injury to the suspect, family members or sheriff’s office personnel.” During the investigation, multiple firearms and a large amount of ammunition was recovered at the scene, as were blasting caps and detonation cord. Witnesses during the incident indicated one of the fam-
By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
SHOWDOWN IN B-TOWN Brighton High School quarterback Danny Potter drops into the pocket on a passing play in Friday nightʼs 47-6 blowout of the Covington Chargers. Potter concluded the game with 286 yards passing and two touchdowns, and completed more than 65 percent of his 35 passes. BHS takes on Jackson Northside Friday night at home and will fight to remain undefeated, while the Covington Chargers will take on Ripley seeking their second win. See page A23 for more sports. Photo by Brian Blackley.
Last week the Tennessee Department of Education announced its 2011 principal and supervisor of the year nominees and a local man made the list. Darry Marshall, principal at Munford High School, was among those nominated. “I just feel humbled being nominated,” Marshall said. Each year the TDOE honors outstanding administrators with Principal of the Year or Supervisor of the Year awards. MARSHALL Candidates for these awards are nominated by regional study councils composed of fellow principals and supervisors representing nine regions across the state. The Principal of the Year award celebrates school leaders who have implemented outstanding programs resulting in significant school improvement and actively advocated for the improvement of education for Tennessee’s children. The Supervisor of the Year award honors district-wide administrators who guide improvements in school programming while pursuing higher standards of student academic success. “The forward progress of Tennessee schools relies on the hard work and dedication of our education leaders,” Education Commissioner Timothy Webb said. “The professionals we recSEE MARSHALL, PAGE A3
Four arrested in county-wide theft ring Covington gets set for By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com Four people were recently arrested as suspects in a county-wide theft ring, the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office has announced. The thefts were reported in July and August on Mt. Carmel Road, Sunnyside Road, Nelson Road and the CSX Railroad property near Rialto. During the investigation, detectives developed a vehicle description. On Aug. 30, the vehicle was stopped and as a result, three suspects identified. “The detectives in this case broke the theft ring by working with area scrap metal dealers and witnesses in the cases,” said Sheriff J.T. “Pancho” Chumley. “It was a great piece of
police work.” Suspects, said officials, stole items that could be sold as scrap metal or easily sold on the streets. The items included a 4 ton air conditioner, 5 horsepower 25-gallon air compressor, reciprocating saw, tools, floor jack, battery charger, 16-foot foot trailer, stainless steel counter tops, industrial jack stands, copper wire, tin from the side of a shed and large amount of railroad spikes and metal. During the investigation it was discovered that one of the suspects was also stealing electrical services from Southwest Electric Company. Approximately $9,000 in stolen property was recovered. “I am so pleased that this large amount of property was recovered
and returned to the victims,” Chumley said. Detectives have arrested three adults and one juvenile in the ring. Steven Duane Wallace, 26 of 728 Nelson Road in Brighton, has been charged with two counts of burglary, two counts of theft of property $500 to $1,000, theft of property $1000 to $10,000, theft of property $10,000 to $60,000 and theft of services. Paul Allen Grisham, 25, of 808 Bucksnort Road in Brighton, has been charged with two counts of burglary, two counts of theft of property $500 to $1,000, theft of property $1,000 to 10,000, theft of property $10,000 to $60,000, and theft of property under $500. Dillian Rey Cox, 18, of 728 Nelson Road in Brighton, has been
upcoming events
It was a great piece of police work.
By TIFFANY HOLLAND tholland@covingtonleader.com
- Sheriff Pancho Chumley charged with burglary and theft of property $1,000-$10,000. A 17-year-old Atoka juvenile was also arrested and charged with theft of property under $500 and will appear in juvenile court this month. The adults are slated to appear in Tipton County General Sessions Court on Oct. 12. Anyone having information in this case is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 901-475-3300, Central Dispatch after hours at 901-475-4300, phone in tips at 901-4753007, email tips to sheriff@tiptonco.com.
This week the Covington City Council met and approved the dates for parades and celebrations for many of the upcoming activities for this fall. The annual Veteran’s Day parade was approved for Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11 in the morning. Covington High School was also granted permission for their annual parade during homecoming on Thursday, Sept. 23 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Covington Rotary Club was given permission for the roads to have their sixth annual 5K race on Sept. 25 beginning at 8 a.m. This is the same day as the Covington Heritage Festival so the route has been changed from previous years, so as not to go around the Covington Court Square. On the same note, Covington Mayor David Gordon mentioned Heritage Day, which is on Sept. 25, and the upcoming BBQ Festival, on Sept. 30 –Oct. 2, and energized citizens to come out to these community affairs. “I really encourage people to come out and enjoy these events,” said Gordon. “We have a few surprises this year and I would like to see everyone out there.” In other news it was reported that the city tax SEE EVENTS, PAGE A3
AREA Area EVENTS events
This week’s This week’sFeatured featuredChurch: church:
Covington • Barretville • Millington • Collierville South Tipton • South Covington Morgage Offices: South Tipton • Millington • Arlington • Collierville
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Ravenscroft Episcopal Church Turn A7forfordetails details Turn to to Page Page A7
9/25 8 a.m. Rotary 5K Run Shelton Park – Covington 9/25 9 a.m. Heritage Day
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