The Leader Thursday, January 3, 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 ▪
$1
Talking trash: cities see changes Atoka gets new collection service, Covington sees trash day change By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
For two cities in Tipton County, trash is the talk of the town. In Atoka, a town-administered trash collection plan comes to fruition Monday, more than a year after it was first proposed to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. “We think it makes sense for our residents and we’re confident it will add value to our town,” said Town Administrator Brian Koral Wednesday. Granted a franchise for the provision of public utilities and services, the Town of Atoka’s
event
Sea of Blue to honor late trooper
trash collection reduces the cost of services for residents from $30-35 per month to $15. Additionally, there will be fewer garbage trucks will be on Atoka roadways, which will reduce wear and tear on the roads. Beginning Monday, Jan. 7, curbside collection will be underway for Atoka residents who didn’t opt-out of the plan. Koral said the city currently has approximately 2,000 customers. “That’s right where we ex-
pected to be, and it will increase over time.” Collection will be conducted by Republic Services, the same vendor in use in Covington, which changes collection dates in the county seat. “Basically, if you were on a Monday route, you’re now on a Wednesday route,” said Covington Public Works Director Robert Martin Simpson. Simpson said other residential routes remain unchanged. The City of Covington has used Republic, and its predeces-
A free curbside Christmas tree pick-up will take place Saturday, Jan. 5 in Atoka. Please have trees outside by 8 a.m.
sors, as vendors for waste collection for nearly a decade. “They’ve always done a good job for us,” Simpson said. Customers with concerns about trash collection services can call 901-837-5301 in Atoka and 901-476-7191 in Covington.
new year, new you
By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com On Monday, the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office will lead the annual Sea of Blue processional to honor fallen state trooper Calvin Wayne Jenks. Marking the sixth anniversary of Jenks’ death, the sea of blue consists of law enforcement officers from various agencies traveling together from the Justice Complex to the spot on Hwy. 14 where Jenks was killed. “It’s a simple memorial, but it’s very moving each year to see how the community support has grown,” said Tipton County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Trooper Jenks Donna Turner. Jenks was fatally shot on Jan. 6, 2007, during a traffic stop on Hwy. 14 near the Gift community, east of Covington. Orlando Garcia and Alejandro Gauna, both of Austin, Texas, were convicted of his murder in 2007 and 2008. The two, teenagers at the time of the killing, were in Tennessee to sell marijuana. In addition to their murder convictions, both have since been convicted on federal drug trafficking charges and are currently in federal custody. Turner said the procession, which follows the route officers believe Jenks took from the Justice Complex to Hwy. 14, is a reflection on the ultimate sacrifice given. “This is a unique service started the year after Jenks was killed,” she said. “There are different officers from different departments involved; it’s one simple thing that brings officers together.” The sea of blue will begin at the Justice Complex at 5:30 p.m., will proceed to Hwy. 59, then down Hwy. 14 and stopping at the site of Jenks’ memorial, where a lone THP cruiser will be waiting. The procession will gather at the site of the memorial for a brief prayer and moment of silence and will conclude by following the lone THP cruiser
Working on Total Fitness By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com Jason Glass is expecting you. As the owner of the county's newest 24-hour gym, he knows the beginning of a new year means you'll be more than likely to join a gym now than when he opened Total Fitness in July. "No matter where you go, it's gonna be a bigger crowd, but as you can see, we're a pretty wellsupplied facility," he said. "And even with a bigger crowd, I think we're going to be fine, there won't be any waits." Glass opened the gym this summer and the reception has been fantastic. "Everyone's been very well pleased. People can use the gym at all hours. Some people work at some of the local factories that go 24 hours and they get off at 2 o'clock in the morning, then they come in the gym. People come in through any part of the day and they like the fact that we have 24-
Top, clients use the treadmills at Total Fitness. The gym also offers personal training services (above). Photos by Echo Day
hour products." The beauty of a 24-hour gym, he said, is that you don't have to worry about a big crowd and can work out whenever they want. "People are more likely to stick with their program because they can schedule their exercise time at their convenience. They don't have to worry about trying to squeeze it in before the gym closes. If you're a night owl, come in at 11 o'clock at night if that's your preferred time to work out." Total Fitness, located in the shopping center south of Walmart in Covington, offers clients top of the line fitness equipment, such as Life Fitness and Hammer See fitness, page A2
See jenks, page A3
INSIDE
Blanket drive for lebonheur
Malcolm Terry Jr., left, and Malcolm Terry Sr., right, are promoting a boxing match with former world champion Roy Jones Jr. A18
Reader's Guide Opinion Obituaries Community Correspondents Sports
A4 A6 A7 A8 A9
Faith A10 Puzzles A12 Classifieds A13 Legals A14 Outdoors A17
Miss Tipton County recently donated blankets at LeBonheur A17
Start the New Year Right
www.patriot-bank.com Like us on
Let us review your financial fitness! Come in and see us today.
www.patriotbankmortgage.com