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Independent Appeal
Making McNairy County headlines for more than 111 years
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Volume 111, Number 25, Wednesday, November 6, 2013
INSIDE THIS WEEK
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Bomb scare in Selmer By Janet Rail Publisher
Police responding to a suspicious package closed off a portion of Downtown Selmer last Wednesday. The scene began at approximately 2 p.m. last Wednesday when Theresa Robinson, an employee at Judge Van McMahan’s private law office on the 100 Block of Court Ave. in Selmer reported receiving a suspicious package with no return address. When the office reported the package to Selmer Police, they in turn, contacted members of the Jackson, Tenn. Bomb Squad who sealed off the area around the Selmer Farmer’s Market, the Independent Appeal, the law office and Rockabilly Park area until they could retrieve and analyze the package. Officer Tony Valdes Bomb Technician of the City of Jackson Police Department was on hand working with the bomb unit. Valdes said they apprehended the suspicious package and examined it using an x-ray. Officers were able to determine it was just a pen delivered by the National Pen Company soliciting the sale of pens for marketing purposes with McMahan’s name and address on it. “There is a protocol that we follow for (threats) or suspicious packages that arrive, and Robinson did the right thing by calling this in,” Valdes said. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.” Following the discovery of the pen, officers issued the all-clear and quickly reopened the area to the public.
MCNAIRY COUNTY
HALLOWEEN
Crowds brave storms to celebrate Halloween PAGE 2A
SELMER GOES TO THE POLLS Residents decide mayoral and aldermen elections in extremely competitive race
Veteran’s Day events and celebrations
Staff Photo by Janet Rail
Officer Tony Valdes, bomb technician with the Jackson, Tenn. Police dons a bomb disposal suit as they investigate a suspicious package which was sent to the office of Judge Van McMahan in Selmer. Officers determined that the package contained a pen.
Photo Courtesy of Ben Rainwater WBBJ
Coach Webb goes to Washington
Nov. 9
By Christen Coulon
9 a.m. at the McNairy County Courthouse The Selmer American Legion will hold a ceremony honoring our nation’s veterans. A parade through downtown Selmer will follow the ceremony at 10 a.m. 1 p.m. at the Selmer Moose Lodge The Corinth, Miss. VFW will hold a flag raising in honor of Gunnery Sgt. Charles N. Gray (USMC) who fought in WWII, Korea and Viet Nam.
Nov. 10
2 p.m. at the Bethel Springs Presbyterian Church Cub Scout Pack 32 will present a Veteran’s Day ceremony memoralizing two of McNairy County’s Revolutionary War Soldiers Robert Rankin and and Alexander McCullar.
Managing Editor
When local WWII veteran and long-time McNairy Central High School coach and educator Bill Webb joined an honor flight with a group of Mississippi veterans on trip to Washington D.C. to visit the WWII Memorial, he found something that just was not right. Webb said that when their group of nearly 100 veterans arrived at the memorial, it was closed. “We were on the plane when we found out there had been a shutdown that night, and the next morning we were the first ones to arrive at the memorial. We found out that they were not going to let us see the memorial that was built to honor us and what we did in World War II.” To say the least, this did not sit well with Webb. “I said, ‘Listen this barricade can’t hold us. It won’t be near as tough as them hedgerows in France or that sand in Iwo Jima, and we are going in,’ and that is what we did,” Webb said. Webb said that he instigated the removal of the barricades, but before taking action he asked his fellow veterans if they would stand behind him if he took down the barricade. He said that they were all behind him 100 percent, and they told him that
Nov. 11
10 a.m. at Ramer Civic Center The Ramer Ruritans dedication of the Veteran’s Plaza will begin with a ceremony at the plaza on the grounds of city hall.
See WEBB GOES TO WASHINGTON, 3A
Photo Courtesy of Shawn Napier
Protestors remove barricades at the WWII Memorial in Washington. McNairy County’s Bill Webb was on hand to lead a group of veterans into the “closed” memorial site in October.
Adamsville Cardinals Band takes eighth state title
The Adamsville Junior/Senior High Marching Band competed in the Tennessee Div. 1 State Marching Band Championship last Saturday at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn. This is the eighth time the band has won state while under the leadership of director Frankie Congiardo. He is assisted by David Stevens, and Kelly Wilder. The band began work on their show long before school even started, putting in many hot, grueling practice hours. The members also give up numerous hours after school to learn the complicated music and intricate marching show.
6 p.m. at the Adamsville Senior Center The Adamsville American Legion will be reopening Post 0097 which has been inactive for more than 15 years. All war era veterans are invited to join the post and to attend this historic meeting. For more information call (731) 607-1918.
See ADAMSVILLE WINS STATE, 1B
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