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Volume 116, Number 25, Wednesday, November 1, 2017
Independent Appeal Making McNairy County headlines for 115 years
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Threat puts schools on lockdown By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
Two McNairy County schools were placed on lockdown following a threat near the campuses. Selmer Elementary and Selmer Middle School both were locked down for around 25 minutes Thursday. “I thought everyone at both schools handed everything well,” said McNairy County Director of Schools Wayne Henry. “You never want to be in this situation, but it is good to keep in mind that it could happen.” The Selmer Police Department was
“We are very fortunate the individual wasn’t targeting the schools.” - Wayne Henry dispatched to the McNairy County Health Department about 1:50 p.m. after it learned of a death threat to one of the department employees. Thirty-seven-year-old Arlon Sain had threatened to kill himself and his sister, an employee at the health department, according to the Selmer Police Department report. Police were told Sain was dropped off at Selmer City Park and had a handgun in
his possession. The park was evacuated and the McNairy County Health Care Center was also placed on lockdown. “We cleared the park and surrounding areas until dispatch advised units Mr. Sain was located at Quinco Mental Health Center,” said Selmer Patrolman Nick Inman. Officers made contact with Sain and searched him with his consent. “He advised us he had thrown the gun
out near a pond on Moose Lodge Road,” said Inman. McNairy County Deputy Tommy Howell and investigator J.P. Kellum searched the area and were unable to locate the weapon, according to the report. Sain was transported to Bolivar General Hospital for evaluation. Sgt. Ted Roberts and patrolman Stephanie Maxedon assisted in the case. Henry commended the efforts of the Selmer Police Department. “They communicated with us and kept of aware of everything which was happening,” said Henry. “We are very fortunate the individual wasn’t targeting the schools.”
Police arrest pair
School traffic change coming
By Joel Counce Contributor
The Adamsville Police Department arrested two men in connection with a string of burglaries in the same apartment over the course of two months. Adamsville’s Roger “Cornbread” Stewart was
By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
See POLICE, 6A
Trial set for Guys man By Joel Counce Contributor
A Guys man will stand trial on numerous charges including statutory rape and harboring or hiding a runaway. Twenty-five-year-old Dylan Reid Matlock was indicted by the McNairy County Grand Jury during its October session. He will stand trial Jan. 29. Matlock is also charged with vandalism, criminal simulation, falsification of drug test results, simple possession of schedule 3 narcotics, simple possession of schedule six narcotics, harboring or hiding a runaway, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and theft of property. Matlock was originally
See TRIAL, 6A
Brenda Ralph began making custom walking sticks and hand-painted gourds to stay busy.
Staff Photo by Steve Beavers
‘A Walk in the Woods’
Ralph turns ordinary gourds into art By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
GUYS – Brenda Ralph was looking for something to keep herself busy. The 59-year-old turned her love of art into making custom walking sticks and hand-painted gourds. “A Walk in the Woods” has become a hot item among crafters attending local festivals. “It started as a hobby to keep me busy in the winter,” said Ralph. “When it starts getting colder I need something to do.” Ralph bought her first dried gourds at the 2016 Ramer Days Fall Festival. Her mother – Susan Steele – wanted a birdhouse and her daughter set out on the mission to construct one out of a gourd. “She is so talented and has always loved to draw,” said Steele. “We always bought her books to sketch on.” Ordinary and dull gourds have been transformed into colorful works of art such as a pink flamingo, sea
The indian maiden is the favorite
gourd of Brenda Ralph. Threedecorative column:
turtle, indian maiden and a ghostly pumpkin. “I just google gourds to get ideas,” said Ralph, who has been married to husband Kevin for almost 33 years. “I
Two column:
have to look at something to come up with an idea.” Her Thunder Gourd has become very popular, according to the artist. The gourd – made into birdhouses – is a basically a spring attached to a drumhead. When the spring is shaken, it creates vibrations which are amplified through the drumhead into the gourd resembling sounds like a thunderstorm. “Most of what I make is for decoration,” said Ralph, who attended New Mexico State University. “I do them for me.” The transformation from a plain gourd to a bright design begins with a cleaning process. “Cleaning the inside is almost as bad as the outside,” said Ralph. She puts on a mask to clean the gourds with a wire brush and bleach to remove mold. The gourds are then put up to dry. Ralph will sketch out in pencil
See ART, 6A
3A
Staff Photo by Joel Counce
McNairy Central senior forms ministry to help those in need.
See TRAFFIC, 6A
Program assists inmates By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
A second chance. Southwest Human Resource Agency is providing another opportunity for inmates to improve their way of life. The Inside/Out Dad and How to be a Responsible Mother Program helps inmates become better fathers
See PROGRAM, 7A
Believe in McNairy Kirk a fixture at Finger Barbecue By Joel Counce
“There’s been so much change,” he said. “You used to couldn’t find a place to park for all the mules and wagons before the cars came along.” The festival has moved from the site of the present-day sawmill to the grocery store over the years. “They had it before the railroad came through here,” said Kirk. “Everyone had a rough way to go during the Depression. There wasn’t a lot going on.” Kirk missed the 1943-1945 barbecues during a 21-month stint with the United
Believe in McNairy
Contributor
Mancel Kirk has been to 78 Finger Barbecues through the years.
Selmer Elementary School is set to make another change to its drop off/pick up route due to construction on the campus. The latest change will begin Friday, according to SES Assistant Principal Bo Seago. “This should be the last change,” said Seago. “We want everyone to continue to be patient as we try to make sure we keep everyone safe.” Those dropping off or picking up students on the west side – office end of the school – will now enter the school from Elm School Road off East Poplar Avenue. “It’s similar to the route we used to begin the
FINGER – Mancel Kirk remembers riding in a wagon behind a team of mules to the 41st Finger Barbecue in 1936. He has been to all but three of them since. Kirk attended his 78th barbecue during the 122nd annual event last month. The second year, Kirk and his family caught a ride on a flatbed truck. By 1938, his father owned a truck. A sandwich was 25 cents and ice cream was a nickel.
Feisty 34-year-old woman loves to communicate with others.
See FINGER, 6A
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