The Leader 8.8.13

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THE LEADER THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013 ▪ VO L . 1 2 9 , N O. 3 5 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪

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Teacher suspended after arrest Munford man accused of stabbing woman while at education conference

By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com A Covington teacher arrested and charged with attempted murder in Nashville has been placed on suspension without pay, said director of schools Dr. Buddy Bibb Monday. Earl Scott Kelley, 42, of Windy Oaks Drive in Munford, was arrested Friday at the Alternative Learning Center on Bert Johnston Ave. by Tipton County deputies. At the ALC, Kelley

PUBLIC SAFETY

assists students trying to earn their GED. Monday Kelley, a 21-year veteran of the school system, was placed on suspension pending the outcome of the criminal investigation. He was reportedly attending an education conference in Nashville when police there allege he stabbed a woman. According to a press release from the department, he is accused of stabbing Charlotte Drake, 39, after she parked her

car in an Opry Mills parking lot at 2 p.m. on July 17. Police say Drake reported that a man entered her vehicle through the front passenger door, told her not to scream or panic, and then used a knife to stab her in the side and inflict lacerations to both arms. She said the assailant never made a robbery demand. Drake exited the car screaming and the suspect was then seen calmly walking to his vehicle and driving away.

Information from an alert witness helped police develop Kelley as a suspect. He was interviewed by investigators in late July and denied having anything to do with the incident, however police say forensic evidence linked him to the scene. Kelley was transferred from Covington to Nashville Friday night. He is currently being held on a $150,000 bond and was set to appear in court on

SEE ARREST, A3

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

‘Why, it's Grease Lightnin’!’

Parents are outraged because Covington has done away with crossing guards. Every afternoon during the school year, a crossing guard used to help children cross this busy intersection at Hwy. 51 and Bert Johnston Avenue. Photo by Justin Hanson

Covington retires crossing guards

Grease opened last weekend at The Ruffin to rave reviews. The show will go on at 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Above, the T-birds are: Jay Davis as Danny, Chase Day as Doody, Aric Delashmit as Kenickie, Justin Word as Sonny, Chase Kellum as Putzie and Jessie Ocampo as Eugene (the Nerd). See more information, page A7. Courtesy photo

By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com

COMMUNITY

On the first day of school, some Covington parents noticed something was missing, and they’re not pleased. For the first time in many years, there are no crossing guards directing traffic at CovWe felt in ington’s schools. some spaces “We’ve they weren’t had the same necessary at all. crossing guard TIM GLASS out there Covington Police Chief since I was a kid,” Crestview parent Kim Mize said Wednesday. “Today it was a mess, there was no traffic control.” Longtime guard Pashing Pruitt, who was with the department for 39 years, retired in May and this school year, none of the other crossing guards was brought back. “We did away with crossing guards this year,” said police chief Tim Glass. “We felt in some spaces they weren’t necessary at all.”

SEE GUARDS, A3

Kicking the mailbox to the curb Post office: Walking loops being phased out By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com New curbside mailboxes seem to be the trend in Covington’s city limits, thanks to a recent request made by the postmaster. Many residents have received requests to move mailboxes from the house to the curb, a move that will save an estimated $126 per household every year, said postal service spokesman David Walton. “Delivering mail costs about $30 billion annually and making changes like this saves us a considerable amount,” he said. Walking loops, where the postal carrier delivers mail door-to-door, are being phased out. In addition to saving money, mostly on overtime charges, driving from box to box will be safer for carriers. Walton said it will greatly SOCCER PREVIEW The soccer season's starting soon. Catch our preview on page B1.

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reduce the chances of trips, slips and falls and encounters with dogs. “Being in a vehicle is a safeguard for our carriers.” In Covington, there are three city routes and seven rural routes. Each route is an estimated eight hours. And though residents have received notification of the post office’s request to transition to curbside boxes, it is only that: a request. “It’s not a requirement, we can’t make a customer move to a curbside box,” Walton said. “We would love it if they did, but we can’t make them.” Additionally, if and when a resident installs a curbside mailbox, the post office must currently obtain written permission to begin delivering to the new box. USPS requirements state curbside boxes must be 6-8 inches from the curb and 41-45 inches high. See www. usps.com/manage/know-mailbox-guidelines.htm for full guidelines. Residents who live in the historic district (see the zoning map at www.

Reader's Guide Opinion Obituaries Community Correspondents Education

USPS requirements state curbside boxes must be 6-8 inches from the curb and 41-45 inches high. See www.usps.com/manage/know-mailbox-guidelines.htm for full guidelines. ► Do you agree with the post office's push for residents to move to curbside delivery? Send us a letter to the editor explaining your position.

covingtontn.com/Departments/Planbuild. htm) must first obtain permission from the historic zoning board before putting a mailbox up. The board meets at city hall at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.

COMMON CORE STANDARDS

A4 A6 A7 A8 A9

Sports Faith Classifieds Legals Meet the Pros

B1 B3 B5 B6 B9

The Wings Over Halls Airshow will be August 17 and 18. Pick up your tickets at any Patriot Bank location or go to www.hallsairshow.com for more information. We hope to see you there!

What are Common Core Standards? We'll tell you on page A9

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