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THE LEADER
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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013 ▪ VO L . 1 2 9 , N O. 8 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪
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County to offer scholarships
By JEFF IRELAND jireland@covingtonleader.com
After a resolution passed unanimously at the Tipton County Legislature's monthly meeting Monday night, the county is officially in the scholarship business. The process began in December 2011 when the commissioners passed a resolution allowing the county to use
funds received from a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement with Unilever Manufacturing in Covington for the Tipton County Education and Workforce Initiative. Monday's resolution named a seven-person committee made up of educators and county officials that will provide direction and policies for the scholarship program. The West Tennessee Health-
IN HONOR
Vietnam memorial set for Saturday
care Foundation is the fiscal organization that will be responsible for distributing the funds to colleges and universities. County Executive Jeff Huffman said other counties have similar plans in place, but Tipton County's is unique. “I don't know of anybody else doing this,” Huffman said. “A lot of other counties have programs, but they don't
have industries actually putting money into them.” Huffman said he expects the money going into this year's scholarship fund to be between $50,000 and $100,000, and that students could receive approximately $600 for a year. “That's just a start,” he said. The scholarships are not need-based, Huffman said. Students interested in the
scholarship can contact guidance counselors for more information. In other matters: • Huffman read a proclamation naming April as Child Abuse Awareness Month. • The Tipton County Sheriff's Office report revealed that officers responded to 3,422 calls in March and 296 arrests. Other county agencies arrested 111 people during March.
EVENT
By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com It’s been 40 years and the wounds are still deep, so deep that the men who served in Vietnam are still reluctant to share their experiences. On Saturday night, though, the Celebration of Service and Sacrifice group will commemorate the ending of the war in Vietnam with a memorial service at the Veterans Museum in Covington. "This is to commemorate the ending of the war," said Randy "Mac" McKee, one of the event's organizers. "We invite everyone to come out and honor those who served in Vietnam and those who didn't come home." In January 1973, the Paris Peace Accords were signed, marking the end of U.S. involvement in SEE MEMORIAL, PAGE A3
During on-site judging, a representative from pro team Boars Night Out makes a presentation to judges. The team went on to win the grand championship. More photos from the event can be found on page A10. Photos by Echo Day
Atoka hosts first BBQ Fest By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
Clean Up, Fix Up this weekend The ninth annual Walk Across Covington is scheduled for Saturday, April 13 beginning at 8 a.m. The clean up will begin at 8 a.m. at the city maintenance shop located at 410 E. Ripley St. Upon registration, volunteers will be given a T-shirt, garbage grabber and assigned a team leader and areas of the city to clean. At the conclusion of the clean up, volunteers will meet back at the city maintenance shop at noon SEE WALK, PAGE A3
All signs are pointing to success, Atoka officials have said about the town's first barbecue festival. The event took place on April 5-6 in Nancy Lane Park, a two-day festival that celebrated the fine art of smoking swine. "Everyone seemed to have a good time, despite the mud," said Town Administrator Brian Koral. It was muddy, but a little mud never stopped anyone from participating in a contest devoted to cooking pork. "It was just a fantastic success: people enjoyed themselves, there was a great turnout, a lot of positive feedback from the cooking teams and, overall, a great event." On Friday night, rocker Tori Tollison and band Section 8 performed on stage at the inaugural festival. On Saturday, turn-in and judging took place and Emma AMERICA'S PASTIME Baseball season has kicked off in Tipton County, B1
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Webb performed just before the awards ceremony. More than $10,000 was awarded. Final results from the 2013 Atoka BBQ Festival were: Ancillary Sauce - Victory Lane BBQ Chicken - Pork Me Baby Beef - Red Eyed Smokers Dessert - Red Eyed Smokers Challenger Division Pulled Pork 3rd - Dang She's Swine 2nd - Pork Illustrated 1st - F'N A BBQ Ribs 3rd - Chomp Chomp BBQ 2nd - F'N A BBQ 1st - Rib-ka-teers Challenger Grand Champion - Rib-ka-teers Pro Division Whole Hog 5th - 10 Bones BBQ 4th - Boars Night Out 3rd - Sweetness of Hog 2nd - Smoke Masters 1st - Victory Lane BBQ
Judges from the Memphis Barbecue Network judge one of the challenger turn-ins Saturday afternoon.
Pro Grand Champion - Boars Night Out
Shoulder 5th - Sweetness of Hog 4th - Hoggystyle 3rd - Victory Lane BBQ 2nd - 10 Bones BBQ 1st - Boars Night Out Ribs 5th - Designated Smokers 4th - Victory Lane BBQ 3rd - High Life on the Hog 2nd - 10 Bones BBQ 1st - Sweet Swine O'Mine.
Fifty-five teams entered the contest. Organizers plan to have 55-60 teams next year and add more vendors. Koral said plans are already in progress for the 2014 event, which will take place on April 4-5.
KICKING OFF JA WEEK
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Patriot Bank Mortgage is now offering down payment assistance of up to $5,000 for qualified homebuyers. Please call us at 901-840-1911 or 901-475-6680 today for more details.
This week a proclamation was signed, designating April 7-13 Junior Auxiliary Week, A7
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