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Volume 116, Number 16, Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Independent Appeal Making McNairy County headlines for 115 years
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Masked man robs bank Armed robbery suspect escapes on ATV
For the Independent Appeal
Staff Photo by Steve Beavers
McNairy County Sheriff’s deputy Mike Shipman goes over notes following the armed robbery of the Home Banking Company branch in Finger.
FINGER – The McNairy County Sheriff’s Department continues to check out tips involving the robbery of a bank in the northern part of the county.
A white male entered the Finger branch of Home Banking Company just after 9 a.m. Friday and robbed the bank of an undisclosed amount of money before getting away on a blue Yamaha Rhino ATV.
“We are chasing a few tips,” said McNairy County Sheriff Guy Buck on Monday. The robbery suspect was dressed in all camo and brandished a stainless steel handgun, according
to Buck. Law enforcement officials found the abandoned ATV Friday afternoon off Duberry Road. The blue ATV was reported stolen earlier on Friday.
Deputy finds stolen Golden Flake truck By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
FINGER – The search for an armed robbery suspect helped the McNairy County Sheriff’s Department recover a stolen delivery truck. Deputy Tommy Howell discovered the Golden Flake truck off Young Road in a wooded area on Friday morning. The truck was carrying chips and other snacks when it
See TRUCK, 3A
Committees hear plan to reduce space problems By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
An engineering firm has developed a plan to reduce space issues at the McNairy County Justice Center. Representatives from Cook Coggin Engineers Inc. met with the budget and building committees of the McNairy County Commission to discuss the possible ideas Thursday. “These are just ideas and things can change,” said architect Rud Robison. Cook Coggin President Kent Geno and Robison unveiled plans to solve overcrowding issues at the jail. The plans also addressed space problems in the court area of the complex.
Robison broke the plans down in four parts. Part 1A would involve turning the existing outside recreation area into a pod to house 64 state prisoners. “This makes a lot of sense and is very doable,” said Robison. “You build on the outside of the building and start using it.” McNairy County Sheriff Guy Buck told county commissioners the jail was significantly overcrowded in April. The jail, which is certified to house 95 inmates, was averaging 116 in April. “Basically, we have no state inmates any more,” said Buck. Overcrowding has
See SPACE, 5A
Photo Courtesy of the Michie Volunteer Fire Department
A Corinth, Miss. man is listed in critical condition at The Med following a two-vehicle accident.
Mississippi man in critical condition following crash By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
MICHIE – A 33-year-old Corinth, Miss. man is in critical condition following two-vehicle wreck which also sent a Michie man to Regional Medical Center (The Med) via air ambulance. Daniel Taylor and 65-year-old Jimmy W. Young were both airlifted from the scene to The Med after the 5 p.m. crash on Aug. 23.
Young was listed in good condition on Monday, while Taylor remained critical. Young was headed north on Highway 22 in his 2000 Ford F-150 when Taylor crossed into his lane, according to the Tennessee High Patrol report. Young maneuvered his truck to avoid the collision when Taylor – the only occupant of a 2006 Chevy Impala registered to a Milton Montgomery Jr. of Memphis – corrected and reentered the proper lane.
The vehicles collided with the truck coming to rest in the middle of Highway 22. The Impala came to rest partially off the road heading west. Taylor was charged with driving on a suspended license 2nd offense; reckless driving and financial responsibility. The THP report said Taylor was driving on the wrong side of the road, failed to keep in the proper lane and was driving in a reckless negligent manner.
Unit makes huge fentanyl bust By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
Staff Photo by Steve Beavers
Nacotics Unit agents Nathan Harrison (from left), Kim Holley and Selmer Mayor John Smith look over evidence collected in a fentanyl arrest.
The McNairy County Narcotics Unit recovered a huge amount of fentanyl during an afternoon traffic stop. Agent Nathan Harrison found 21 containers of the nasal spray form drug. Each container had 400 milligrams. Twenty-four-year-old Joshua Ray Maness, 3654 Litt Wilson Road, Bethel Springs was charged with possession with intent to sell Schedule II and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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Maness – believed to also have been involved in a shooting in Hardin County – remained jailed at the McNairy County Jail on a $5,000 bond. “Fentanyl is a dangerous drug,” said Harrison. “It can be up to 100 times stronger than morphine depending how it is made.” Harrison attempted to stop Maness’ Chevrolet Blazer on U.S. Highway 64 East near Steve Sweat’s Body Shop for no brake lights at 1:35 p.m. on Aug. 22. Maness finally stopped his vehicle
on East Poplar Avenue. Harrison found the fentanyl after Maness consented to a search of the vehicle. The huge supply was found under a back seat in a black bag, according to Harrison. The agent also found a small metal container with marijuana residue and rolling papers. Fentanyl is one of the strongest opiate drugs on the market. It is not a long-lasting drug so it is often used for surgery recovery and for breakthrough pain.
Photographer comes from line of entrepreneurs
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By Joel Counce Contributor
Bryan Huff has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. “I come from a long line of entrepreneurs,” he said. “We’ve always had hobbies we have managed to destroy by turning it into work.” Huff, a Selmer resident, is an accredited master photographer, storm chaser and entrepreneur. His parents – Bill and Rachel Huff – started Huff Industries in the early 80s. “My mother always made flower ar-
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rangements and craft items,” said Huff. Bill Huff noticed his wife had trouble getting supplies, according to Bryan. “He figured how to get the supplies she needed then sold the extra to other people,” said Bryan. That was the beginning of Huff Industries, a company Bryan Huff and his wife, Jessica run today. Eventually, the main product Huff Industries produced was called Vacuum Magic, a product that is sprinkled on carpet and vacuumed. Bryan Huff estimated the product was
See PHOTOGRAPHER, 5A
Courthouse employees keep cool without benefit of air conditioning.
Staff Photo by Joel Counce
Local photographer Bryan Huff has a hand in a little bit of everything. He said his family has destroyed hobbies by turning them into work.
Bobcats score 44 unanswered points in rally over Tishomingo County.
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