The Leader - May 20, 2010

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THE LEADER Thursday, May 20, 2010

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www.covingtonleader.com

Volume 124 • No. 29

Sign thefts plague election

Erosion exposes grave site By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com RANDOLPH - A normally quiet community was abuzz with activity Thursday as human remains were unearthed at Richardson’s Landing. Residents said the property is rumored to be family burial grounds exposed by constant erosion of the bluff by the Mississippi River. “My son and his neighbor went down the bluff and found the bones,î said property owner Barbara Spencer. “They texted me and said, ‘Mama, we have this crazy Mother’s Day present for you!’” Her other son, she said, called and shared the news of their find. “He said, ‘We found bones and a casket. Happy Mother’s Day!” A deteriorated wooden casket and fragments of what appeared to be a human skeleton — a skull, teeth, pelvic bones, vertebrae and a femur — could be seen from the bluffís edge. “You can tell it was old by the casket being deteriorated and the hardware; you can just tell,” Spencer said. During the Civil War, Randolph was a bustling riverport city, rivaling that of pre-Civil War era

Memphis. During the war, the city was torched by Union soldiers but never regained its status as a major riverport. Spencer moved into her home in 1997 and her neighbors have shared with her stories she believed to be rumors regarding the property’s past. “We’d heard about other houses being out and there was a store and various tales about them running moonshine,” she said. “At one point one of the neighbors said there had been a graveyard out here and someone had taken and removed the stones. You don’t know what to believe and what not to believe.” She’s beginning to think the neighbors’ tales were true. Though Spencer’s land once protruded 150 yards farther into what is now the Mississippi River, it has now been lost forever to the river’s murky waters. Because of the erosion, a boat ramp and the end of Hwy. 59 West have also been lost. “It falls off all the time. It just cracks and breaks off. We didn’t expect this when we moved in,” said SEE GRAVES, PAGE A2

By TIFFANY HOLLAND tholland@covingtonleader.com

Deputy Chief Donna Turner brushes soil from a hip bone Thursday. The body is believed to have been buried at least a century ago, but will be tested by the medical examinerʼs office. See additional photos on page A2. Photo by Echo Day.

CPD announces cash for tips program By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com COVINGTON – The Covington police department is fighting crime with a new weapon: a cash for crime tips line. The measure comes as a means to provide a safer community environment and make enforcing laws more efficient, said police chief Bennie Carver. “It’s up to us how efficient crime reduction will be,” he said. “Someone other than the person committing the crime is always aware of the criminal act.” By offering a reward for tips, police and city officials are hoping to encourage residents to report crimes and any information they have

75¢

relating to criminal activity. Carver hopes the tipline will be an effective weapon against crime in Covington, which has the highest crime rate in the county. “If the people of the city are willing to give detailed information on crimes related to unlawful gun possession, gang activities, drug activities, burglaries, robberies and any other criminal acts, we can successfully reduce the crime rate in Covington,” he said. Carver said creating a productive city is one goal of the police department and with the help of concerned citizens, the impact of law enforcement can be more effective. A reduced crime rate

may also attract other businesses, industry and educational institutions. He also wants to create a crime-free setting for Covington’s children. “It is our job to create a worry-free environment for our children to grow up without the concerns of being assaulted on the streets of our city,” he said. Persons with information on criminal acts in Covington are asked to call 901-476-9036. Rewards may be paid for information leading to the arrests and convictions. Callers may remain anonymous and are not required to testify in court. Please leave a code name and contact information.

With the campaigning for local elections in full gear, there have been some unpleasant surprises. Two of the candidates for Tipton County Court Clerk, Darlene Wheeler and Casey Fletcher, have reported theft of several hundred of their campaign signs. Wheeler reported that close to 150 of her signs, all of which have been pre-approved to be placed according to her, have noticeably gone missing. Fletcher has also reported having the same problem. Places where his signs are documented to be are simply not there. Wheeler said that she plans on filing a police report about the incident due to the large number missing. However, Fletcher does not plan on reporting the crime citing the difficulty it would take law enforcement to actually catch the perpetrators. “We go to a lot of time and a lot of effort to put these signs up,” said Wheeler. “I don’t think people realize the effort SEE SIGNS, PAGE A3

Fallen Officers Honored

On Friday, May 14, officers gathered at the Tipton County Justice Center to remember officers who died in the line of duty. The fourth annual memorial honored Deputy Charles Webb (end of watch Oct. 17, 1907), Deputy Chester A. Doyle (end of watch July 18, 1937), Deputy Mike Erwin (end of watch Oct. 31, 1975), Deputy Ricky Rose (end of watch Nov. 29, 1988), Covington officer John Wayne Delashmit (end of watch Nov. 4, 1991), Covington officer Lanny Bridges (end of watch Aug. 14, 1997) and Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Calvin Jenks (end of watch Jan. 6, 2007). Photo by Echo Day

Area events events Area This week’s This week’sFeatured featuredChurch: church: Covington • Barretville • Millington • Collierville South Tipton • South Covington Morgage Offices: South Tipton • Millington • Arlington • Collierville

FRONT.indd 1

First Baptist Church of Mason Turn to to Page Page A7 Turn A7forfordetails details

5/20/10 7:30 p.m. Brighton High School Graduation, Brighton High School Gymnasium 5/21/10 7:30 p.m. Munford High School Graduation Munford High Athletic Field

5/19/10 5:00:58 PM


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The Leader - May 20, 2010 by The Leader - Issuu