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THE LEADER
SERVING TIPTON COUNTY SINCE 1886 | COVINGTONLEADER.COM | VOL. 124, NO. 43 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2010
Covington man drowns in Atoka By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
MILLINGTON - A farm employee drowned Tuesday while working in a pond on Ash Rene Drive in the Millington part of Tipton County, officials said. Tipton County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deputy Chief Donna Turner said Terrance L. Hobson, 37, was working on a pump on the pond, something he’s done “numerous” times prior to
his death on Tuesday afternoon. According to police reports, homeowner Ann Smith told police she noticed an empty boat floating in the area of the pump at approximately 12:50 p.m. Hobson, who lived on Douglas Street in Covington, could not swim. The Munford Fire Dept. and emergency crews with Rural Metro responded to the scene. Though the address of the residence is Millington, it is located in Atoka near Meade Lake Road.
Hobson’s body was located by rescuers with the Tipton County Emergency Unit at approximately 3 p.m., Turner said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Hobson family at their time of loss,” said Sheriff J.T. “Pancho” Chumley. “I want to thank the Munford Police Department for their assistance at the scene in quickly locating Mr. Hobson.” Sheriff’s Office detectives and medical examiner Dr. John Hughey conducted the investigation and an autopsy
was performed. There were no apparent signs of foul play at the scene, Turner said. The depth of the pond was estimated at 10 feet deep. Hobson had been employed at the farm for approximately 15 years. Funeral arrangements had not yet been made at press time. Homeowners Bruce and Ann Smith have set up a trust fund for Hobson’s children. Donations can be made at First State Bank on Hwy. 51 in Atoka.
Project Play set to reopen By TIFFANY HOLLAND tholland@covingtonleader.com
Firefighters investigate a house fire that injured two contractors in Covington on Thursday, Aug. 19. Photo by Echo Day.
Two injured in Covington house fire By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com COVINGTON – Two contractors were severely burned Aug. 19 when a flash fire broke out in the home they were working in, officials said. Just before 11 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire at 231 Turner Lane, which is on the city’s northwest side. Investigators with the Covington Fire Department said the use of lacquer thinner near a hot water heater was to blame. “We’re sure that’s pretty much what happened,” said Covington Fire Chief Jerry Craig. “We’re still putting the final touches on (the investigation), though.” Craig said Chad Cromwell and Heath Billings were contracted by homeowners to remove linoleum in the kitchen and stain the con-
crete floor beneath it. According to Craig, once the linoleum was removed, glue remained on the floor and the two men used lacquer thinner to loosen and remove it. “They’d shut the gas dryer off and removed it from the house, but they didn’t cut the hot water heater off,” he said. “When they poured that thinner on the floor, the water heater ignited and it was a flash, like a fireball.” Craig said the men sustained second- and third-degree burns over 40 percent of their bodies. Cromwell and Billings were airlifted to The Regional Medical Center in Memphis where they remain in the burn unit. A fund has been set up for Cromwell and Billings. To donate, visit Patriot Bank on Covington’s Historic Court Square.
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Covington man dies in fiery wreck By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
Two contractors were injured last week when a hot water heater ignited lacquer thinner they were using to clean a concrete floor. Photo by Echo Day.
For exclusive photos from this scene, see our website, www.covingtonleader.com
McWherter makes visit to Tipton County By TIFFANY HOLLAND tholland@covingtonleader.com After winning the democratic nomination for governor, Mike McWherter visited Tipton County on Aug. 16 and stopped by Hydratrek, a company that produces multi-purpose, amphibious terrain vehicles, in Covington as part of his “Mike Works” tour. Wearing a workman’s shirt and ball cap, McWherter was not just here to talk, but to roll up his sleeves and do some work. At every tour stop he takes part in a task from everyday Tennesseans,
which has had him doing everything from shoveling fertilizer to building auto parts. This is all part of his efforts to bring new industry to the state. “When you talk about jobs, Governor Bredesen has done a
After hundreds of volunteers came out in intense heat to help in the rebuilding efforts, the park is finally complete. Project Play will have its grand opening on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at its location in Cobb-Parr Park in Covington. “We encourage everyone to come out to Project Play and see the new playground,” said Mayor David Gordon. “It is a big part of our community.” After the ribbon cutting there will be an auction for the leftover tools and country ham. In spite of the heat hitting some of the highest temperatures of the year, hundreds of volunteers showed up for the rebuilding efforts of Project Play, which were held in June and July. As the heat beat down on the workers, many men, women, and teenagers remained hammering and drilling away on the playground. Even trustys from the correctional facility came out, as part of the sheriff’s inmate labor program, to participate. Those who could not donate their labor donated funds or things as simple as passing out water and registering volunteers. Several churches brought hoards of volunteers including their youth groups, many of the local schools’ coaches and club organizers brought some
really good job about bringing industry (to Tennessee),” said McWherter. “For example the Hemlock and Volkswagen companies. Now, we need to focus our attention on bring associating industries to Tennessee, such as seat belts, solar parts and other auto needs.” McWherter visited the Hydratrek Company in Covington and got a good look at a industry that he refers to as a “locally grown example of technology and homespun good sense” in the marketplace. He is also pleased with the comSEE VISIT, PAGE A3
COVINGTON – A 20-year-old Covington man died Saturday morning when the car he was driving exploded after it wrecked on Bride Road. According to reports from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, at approximately 4:14 a.m. Saturday, the 1993 Nissan sedan driven by Cody Allen Daugherty was traveling westbound on Bride Road and left the north side of the roadway. The vehicle then traveled along the northside of a DAUGHERTY ditch, striking a driveway culvert. The impact, said the THP, caused the vehicle to begin rolling in a westbound direction, coming to its final rest approximately 50 feet from the site of impact, in an upright position on the northside of the roadway. The vehicle then became engulfed in flames, killing Daugherty, the THP said. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, August 24 at the Covington Funeral Home chapel with interment in Randolph Cemetery. Daugherty graduated from Covington High School in 2009 with honors. He is survived by his mother and step-father, Sherry and Charles Robert Carter of Covington; his father, Larry Daugherty, Jr. of Covington; one sister and brother-in-law, Collin and Chris Tutor of Burlison; and his grandparents, Larry and Sara Daugherty, Sr. of Gilt Edge and James and Bee Strevel of Memphis. Friends may sign an online guestbook at www. covingtonfuneralhome.com.
AREA Area EVENTS events
Covington • Barretville • Millington • Collierville South Tipton • South Covington Morgage Offices: South Tipton • Millington • Arlington • Collierville
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This week’s This week’sFeatured featuredChurch: church:
8/27/10 5-7 p.m. Retirement Reception for Pam Deen Chamber Center – Covington
Turn A7forfordetails details Turn to to Page Page A7
9/2/10 TBA Project Play Grand Opening
Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church
8/25/10 3:48:33 PM