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COVINGTONLEADER.COM ▪ THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2011 ▪ VO L . 1 2 6 , N O. 3 7 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪
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COVINGTON SLAM DUNK Jeremiah McCrory dunks a basketball Tuesday while playing a pick-
up game with a group of other teens in Covington’s Frazier Park. The group plays basketball every evening despite the extreme heat. Photo by Echo Day
Bus driver charged in gambling raid By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
Too hot to handle By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
It’s hot, but not too hot for a group of basketball players in Covington’s Frazier Park. “We’re just practicing,” said a very confident Derrick Somerville, 17. “Covington’s going to state this year!”
The teens were so caught up in their game they didn’t know the temperature had actually hit triple digits. “Really? It’s really 100?” asked Jawan Alston. “I didn’t know that.” Record-breaking highs were recorded again this week with temperatures reaching 100 degrees on
Tuesday (record of 100 degrees set in 2010) and 108 degrees on Wednesday (record was set at 103). Sources said with relative humidity at 41 percent, the heat index Wednesday afternoon was 131. And the heat won’t stop there. The Mid-South is under an excessive heat warning for the remainder
of the week. According to the Action News 5 weather team, the heat will remain and the humdity will increase for the end of the week and weekend. Isolated afternoon thunderstorms and and highs in the upper 90s and near 100 degrees are expected Thursday through Sunday.
COVINGTON – A Tipton County bus driver’s employment is in jeopardy after being arrested for the promotion of gambling Monday night. At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 1, deputies with the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office raided Soundz, an arcade in northern Covington, after receiving complaints of cash payoffs being made at the slot machines. An undercover operation confirmed cash payoffs were being made in an interior room in the business where several slot-style machines were located. “The store front portion of the business appears to be an arcade with video games and pool tables,” said sheriff J.T. “Pancho” Chumley. During the raid, investigators seized more than $2,000 in cash, 13 electronic gaming “slot” machines and electronic equipment including a computer and sound system. The business is owned by Linda Carol Mathis, 53, who is also employed with the school system. She was arrested at the scene.
SEE MATHIS, PAGE A3
CONVICTED
Chumley convicted in child rape case By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
Seven young ladies will compete for the coveted Miss Tipton County crown on Saturday, Aug. 6. Above, from left to right, are Chessie Biggam, Tracy Frisbee, Chelsea Kellum, Taylor Martchek, Jessica McCullough, Christina Miller and Justin Moritz.
Seven to vie for crown Saturday By SHERRI ONORATI sonorati@covingtonleader.com There are seven young ladies vying for the title of Miss Tipton County this year. This year’s contestants include, Chelsea Kellum of Burlison, Chessie Biggam of Germantown, Taylor Martchek of Munford, Christina Miller of Covington and Justin Moritz, Jessica McCullough and Tracy Frisbee, all of Brighton. The annual scholarship pageant will take place on Saturday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. at the historic Ruffin Theater. In the 14 years since it’s been revitalized, close to a 100 young ladies have stood on stage and participated in the swimsuit, evening gown, talent and onstage question segments of the beloved event. Winners of Miss Tipton County advance to participate in the Miss Tennessee pageant each June. This year’s event is the first time the pageant was
Meet the Contestants Chelsea Kellum, 18, attends Blue Mountain College. She is the daughter of Kimberly and LeRoy Kellum. Her platform is skin cancer and melanoma awareness and prevention. Chessie Biggam, 19, attends the University of Memphis. She is the daughter of Tom and Donna Biggam. Her platform is the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Taylor Martchek is a 17-year-old senior at Munford High School. She is the daughter of Tanya and Todd Martchek. Her platform is Rise Above Bullying (R.A.B.) Christina Miller, 19, attends Dyersburg State Community College. She is the daughter of Michelle and Harley McNeal. Her platform is Suicide Prevention. Jessica McCullough, 18, attends the University of Memphis. She is the daughter of Barbara and Larry McCullough. Her platform is promoting musical education. Tracy Frisbee, 21, attends Dyersburg State Community College. She is the daughter of Gary Frisbee and Barbara and Dean Ennis. Her platform is the Ronald McDonald House. Justin Moritz, 19, attends the University of Memphis. She is the daughter of Suzanne and Scott Moritz. Her platform is raising awareness of thyroid cancer. opened to include girls outside of Tipton County. “It’s a struggle now with the economy for girls to participate and it’s a struggle for us to be able to offer the scholarship money,” said Mary Gail Elam, the pageant’s executive director. “But the number of contestants this year is more than we have had in the past and we’re still giving out a total of $5,000
in scholarships to the winner and four runner-ups. That’s the whole purpose of the pageant. I know it’s difficult for some businesses but I would like to see our local people include in their budgets some money to go towards our program. Any encouragement we can give these young girls to further their education, develop their talents and abilities is ultimately
good for us and they will become and asset to our county.” Opening the evening’s event will be special guest Miss Tennessee Erin Hatley. Hatley, who served as Miss Collierville, was crowned Miss Tennessee in June and will sing the national anthem. Judges for this year’s event include William Mann form Brownsville,
Last week a Covington man was found guilty of raping a child, a crime that took place 13 months ago. William Franklin Chumley, 48, who lived at 55 Solo Road, was convicted of having sexual intercourse with a nine-year-old on June 27, 2010. According to Chumley’s arrest warrant, deputies responded to a sexual assault call at his residence the night the assault took place. The victim told police he touched her inappropriately. Medical examinations conducted at the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center (MSARC) determined the child had been raped.
SEE CHUMLEY, PAGE A3
Reader’s Guide TODAY’S WEATHER Excessive heat continues. High, 98. Low, 76. INSIDE Opinion Faith Obituaries Community Lifestyles
A4 A12 A6 A7 A8
Sports Community events Classifieds Puzzles Arrests
A11 A6 A15 A14 A5
TAX-FREE WEEKEND Aug. 5-7 is tax-free weekend in Tennessee! Take advantage of great deals - and don’t forget to shop locally. HOW TO REACH US Call 901.476.7116 Fax 901.476.0373 Email news@covingtonleader.com Visit us at 2001 Hwy. 51 South, Covington, TN 38019
SEE CROWN, PAGE A3
LOCAL EVENTS SCHOOL OF THE WEEK
Austin Peay Elementary Covington • Barretville • Millington • Collierville South Tipton • South Covington Mortgage Offices in South Tipton • South Covington • Collierville • Millington
FRONT.indd 1
474 Academic Drive ■ Covington, Tennessee 38019 Phone: 901-475-5121 ■ Web: www.tipton-county.com/aes
AUG. 6, 7 P.M. Miss Tipton County Pageant Ruffin Theater, Covington AUG. 8 First full day of school Tipton County Schools
8/3/11 4:48:26 PM