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COVINGTONLEADER.COM ▪ THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011 ▪ VO L . 1 2 6 , N O. 3 1 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪

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Changes expected for school board By TYLER LINDSEY tlindsey@covingtonleader.com

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he culmination of a changing of tides is at hand for the administration at the Tipton County Board of Education. This will result in a chain of replacements in personnel. On Thursday, June 9, board members and administrators were witnesses to Tim Fite’s

last board meeting as superintendant. After a vote by school board members on May 12, Bibb was chosen to become the next superintendent of Tipton County Public Schools. “This is an excellent system and I’m going to do my best to keep it headed in the direction it’s been going in the last few years,” Bibb said.

Some minor issues will change when Bibb takes on the position. Steven Shields reported that Bibb will receive only single coverage on insurance as opposed to Fite’s family coverage. Here, a $9,000 difference will be saved, but dental coverage will be added. However, major changes in personnel are on tap for next year.

Georgia Dawson, the elementary instructional supervisor, will take on the director of instruction position, which is Dr. Bibb’s recently vacated job. Dr. Charlotte Fisher, former principal of Atoka Elementary School, will resume Dawson’s old position while Dr. Rebekah Byrd, assistant principal at AES, welcomes that princi-

EVENTS

pal’s position. Of Fite’s retirement, Shields said, “You will be sorely missed and my voice echoes with everybody else here. Congratulations to Mr. Bibb.” Dr. William E. “Buddy” Bibb has worked at the board since 1997. He was the only applicant for the position that will be left vacant when Dr. Tim Fite retires on June 30.

Police search for armed robbery suspect By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com COVINGTON - Police are seeking the help of the public in their search for a suspect who stabbed a clerk after robbing the Advance America Cash Advance store Monday morning. Officers were dispatched to the store, located across the street from Walmart, Monday morning. “He stabbed her in the right thigh,” said Det. Jack Howell, noting that the assailant jump over the counter and the clerk may have been stabbed after they both fell to the floor. Sources say she is in non-critical condition. Advance America closed for the remainder of the business day, but is now back open. Howell said the suspect, who remains unidentified, got away with an estimated $1,200. He

Russell Phelps, right, directs the choir comprised of former students throughout his 32-year career. The group is singing, “From Sea to Shining Sea.” Photo by Tyler Lindsey

Singers reunite for celebratory concert By TYLER LINDSEY tlindsey@covingtonleader.com

Old schoolmates Janet Phelps Sparkman and Ellen Clark had no idea the reunion would be so successful when they got the idea to bring past Byars-Hall High School and Covington High School choir students under choir director Russell Phelps together for one more performance. Last Saturday, past students who dotted Phelps’ 32-year-long tenure from 1957-1989 at BHHS, which became CHS in 1971, came together for a day-long reunion in celebration of the director’s impactful instruc-

tion of music. From 9-11 a.m., the 40 schoolmates who dedicated the time were given a chance to catch up with each other and with Phelps after all those years that had passed. As 2 p.m. rolled around, Phelps was all business as the group held a two-hour rehearsal of familiar selections that all had performed over the years. The group seemed apprehensive at first, but they soon fell back into the swing of things. “After we started, it felt like we were back in class with each other,” said Clark. “Mr. Phelps started in with the jokes and chiding. It made us want to sing well for him.” Their performance at 6:30 was one for the ages. The rep-

ertoire of the evening included “From Sea to Shining Sea,” “Sine Nomine,” “The Rainbow Connection,” “May Day Carol,” “Somewhere Out There” and “My Eternal King.” Clark said the group was worried that they would live up to the level of difficulty, but, when asked about them, Phelps quickly gave his affirmation. “The group that came together for the reunion concert was the best choir ever,” he said. “I don’t know how they could’ve improved. I was amazed.” That the group amazed Phelps is noteworthy in itself. The man comes from a musical family and is sure he inherited his musical ability from his lineage. After he

graduated high school, he said he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. “I knew I had talent in music, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with it. I then decided I did not want to perform and that I would enjoy teaching.” After graduating from high school in 1945 from Mayfield High School in Kentucky, Phelps earned his bachelors degree from Murray State University and took a job teaching in Tunica, Miss. In 1949, after a year, he was drafted as an assistant chaplain for the Korean War during which he married in 1951. The next year he was able to come back to Tunica where he taught until 1957 when he started at Byars-

SEE SEARCH, A3

Charges against Billings dropped By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com A Mason man accused of molesting a 5-year-old has had charges against him dismissed, but it might not be the end of his court appearances. On Friday, June 10, aggravated sexual battery and resisting arrest charges against Chris Aaron Billings were dropped in Tipton County General Sessions Court, however his case is expected to be presented to the grand jury during its next session in July. Authorities say an 11-year-old claims to have witnessed the alleged fondling of the younger child at Billings’ residence on Yarbro Lane SEE CHARGES, A2

SEE PHELPS, A3

COMMUNITY

Reader’s Guide

Residents turn to storm shelters, registry

TODAY’S WEATHER No end in sight for the heat. High, 95. Low, 72.

By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com Judy Walker said she’s tired of severe weather. With the installation of a storm shelter last week, she took a stand against the fury of Mother Nature. “I’m doing this because I’m terrified of storms,” she said. “That last one that came through Joplin, I’ve absolutely been terrified and I’m tired of it.” On May 22, an EF-5 tor-

nado hit the southwestern Missouri city of Joplin, killing 152 people. It is now considered the deadliest tornado in United States history. Though Tipton County has seen many tornadoes, there hasn’t been a death attributed to the potentially deadly storms in recent history. But that fact – and the fact that her son, Tim Van Horn, is part of Action News 5’s award-winning weather

team – didn’t stop Walker from purchasing a storm shelter. “This is absolutely a relief. I know I’ll have a safe place to go when they tell me to go.” A week ago, her shelter was installed under her garage in her Tracy Road home and will fit 10 people comfortably, giving her plenty of room for her entire family, including her Pomeranian. “This other stuff can all

be replaced if it goes, but my family can’t,” said the Atoka resident. “I’m thrilled to death to get it.” Walker said she also intends to register her shelter’s location with the sheriff’s office, part of the newly-implemented storm shelter registry. “In the wake of the recent devastation in areas such as Tuscaloosa, Ala. and Joplin, Mo., and the subsequent rescue efforts, we have sought to prepare more comprehen-

INSIDE Opinion Faith Obituaries Education Lifestyles

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Sports Outdoors Classifieds Puzzles Legals

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JUST KEEP SWIMMING Covington Manta Rays swim team had its first meet Tuesday night in Jackson, coming away with 28 first place ribbons. See A13. HOW TO REACH US Call 901.476.7116 Email news@covingtonleader.com Visit us at 2001 Hwy. 51 South, Covington, TN 38019

SEE SHELTERS, A2

AREA AreaEVENTS events

Thisweek’s week’s Featured Church: This featured church: Covington • Barretville • Millington • Collierville South Tipton • South Covington Mortgage Offices: South Tipton • Millington • South Covington • Collierville

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Fellowship Bible Church TurntotoPage Page A7 details Turn B4forfor details

6/19/11 Happy Fathersʼ Day 6/21/11 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Salad Tasting Luncheon First Methodist Church – Covington

6/15/11 7:20:44 PM


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