2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LS
2015 CHEVROLET SILVERADO CREW Z-71 4WD LT
CALL TODAY! 731-989-4632 SHOP OUR WEBSITE WWW.LOFTONCHEVROLET.COM
17,995
*$
STK#1173273
PRE-OWNED, PRE-TITLED VEHICLES INCLUDE $389 PROCESSING FEE PLUS TTL.
28,995
*$
STK#G174371
Independent Appeal
independentappeal.com
Volume 117, Issue 4 | 50 cents
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Road closure stirs debate among residents By Joel Counce For the Independent Appeal
STANTONVILLE – The closure of a road is being debated in Stantonville. “We’ve had to temporarily close it,” said Stantonville Mayor Larry Russell. “That’s where it stands.” Dennie Barber Road – off of
Highway 142 near West Shiloh Church Road – has two houses on it. One is owned by William and Mary Lou Thomas. “The kids get on this road on their way to school,” said Mary Lou Thomas. “They speed down it to see if they can beat their friends there.” The road is all dirt, according to Thomas.
“Everything we have is covered in dirt,” she said. Thomas said the road is not safe. “We’re lucky no one has been seriously injured,” said Thomas. “It’s been a lot quieter since it’s been closed.” Edward Johnson, who owns property on the road, does not want it closed.
“I always go into it one way and out the other,” he said. “I can’t get in and out if it’s closed. I have to go in there and turn around.” Johnson blames the town for the road’s condition. “They just want it off their books,” he said. “They haven’t maintained it for 50 years and now they want to close it.” Russell said closing the road
was practical. “The decision of what is best for the town falls on the mayor and board of aldermen,” he said. “Our road budget is between $7,000 and $8,000 and the road would cost almost all of that to fix.” Johnson has threatened legal action if the road is permanently closed.
Crash claims life of young mother By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
A young mother of two was fatally injured in a onevehicle wreck early Sunday near Chewalla. Twenty-two-year-old Addison Leigh Westbrook of Ramer was killed around 5 a.m. when her 2013 Ford Taurus crashed into a tree, according to the Tennessee High Patrol. Westbrook was traveling north on Wenasoga Road when she lost control
in a curve about one mile north of the TennesseeMississippi line, according to the THP. Her vehicle veered across the center line before overcorrecting. Westbrook’s vehicle then excited the right side of the road and struck a tree. Westbrook – the lone occupant of the vehicle – was not wearing a seatbelt. Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 6 at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Selmer.
Rockabilly Festival set for downtown By Joel Counce
Staff Photo by Steve Beavers
Rockabilly Cafe will give candidates a chance to meet customers and distribute campaign cards on June 30 from 9-11 a.m. McNairy County Mayor candidates Ronnie Brooks (left) and Larry Smith get in some practice before the date under the guidance of cafe owner Lola Nichols (second from left) and manager Stacy Thompson.
Breakfast Special
Cafe putting candidates to work By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
Rockabilly Cafe is putting candidates to work. The Selmer restaurant is allowing all local, district and state candidates a chance to visit with customers and distribute campaign cards on Saturday, June 30. Those seeking election will have to put in a good-natured two hours of work for the chance by taking orders, busing tables, washing dishes or cooking from 9-11 a.m.
“The candidates will be doing anything our girls normally do,” said cafe manager Stacy Thompson. “I loved it the last time,” added Rockabilly Cafe owner Lola Nichols. “Candidates came together as one big community and did a fun thing ... it was perfect.” Rockabilly Cafe did the candidate campaigning for the first time four years ago. “It was so much fun four years ago,” said Thompson. “We aren’t biased to any candidate ... the purpose is to have a fun day.”
Sixty-six candidates are seeking local positions on Aug. 2. “It’s nice of Lola and Stacy to do this,” said McNairy County Mayor Ronnie Brooks. “It will be a lot of fun and I encourage everyone to come out that morning.” If a candidate can’t attend, a family member is welcome to step in for them, according to Nichols. “I really enjoyed the last time,” said county mayoral candidate Larry Smith. “I am not much in the kitchen, but it shows we aren’t beyond doing what it takes for the community.”
For the Independent Appeal
Hot Rod Walt and the Psycho Devilles will headline the 10th Annual Rockabilly Highway Revival. The group is set to perform at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 9 at Rockabilly Park in downtown Selmer. “Selmer seems like a city dedicated to this type of music,” said Hot Rod Walt Richards. “We are really looking forward to it.” The Atlanta-based group has been together since 2002. Richards estimated the band does about 100 shows a year. “We’ve played Mem-
phis and Nashville,” he said. “We’ve played shows all over the world.” Music gets under way at 3 p.m. A cruise-in will also be held at the same time along Warren Avenue and North Front Street. “We will set up behind the farmers market,” said McNairy County Tourism Director Jessica Huff. “We’ve invited cars, trucks, bikes and tractors.” Joe Rickman Band will play at Rockabilly Park at 3 p.m. Dawg Creek Band will take the stage at 4:15 p.m. The McNairy Idol winner will perform at 5:45 p.m. There will also be 11 vendors set up in the farmers market.
Boyd’s bus tour makes stop in McNairy County By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
Randy Boyd has a plan to keep public school students and teachers safer. The Republican candidate for governor shared his ideas while making a stop at Selmer City Park during his 95 County Bus Tour. “Our teachers and students are in our schools to teach and to learn,” said Boyd on Monday. “That should be the only thing they should be worrying about ... we are going to work harder and smarter to keep them safe.” Boyd, one of four Republican candidates vying for the party’s bid on Aug. 2, also made stops in Shelby, Fayette and
2A
Hardeman counties on Monday. His stop in Selmer was the fifth over the last 15 months. “Our goal is to prevent any more school shootings and tragedies from ever happening again in our state,” said Boyd. “That’s what our citizens expect and that’s what we’ll go to work on Day One to do.” Boyd – a strong supporter of the Second Amendment – said law-abiding gun owners are the first to know they must do more to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill, especially disturbed students who signal their desire to commit violence. “As governor, we are going to start by
Staff Photo by Steve Beavers
Republican candidate for governor Randy Boyd (center) and State Representative Ron Gant visit with McNairy County residents during Boyd’s bus tour across the state.
See BOYD, 5A
McNairy County native named new police officer in Adamsville.
Music Hall of Fame selection gets his picking start locally.
z Opinion 7A z Obituaries 8A z Events 9A z Community & Lifestyles 9A z Sports 1B z Campus 3B z Classifieds 5B
4A
Follow us on Facebook © 2018 Independent Appeal
NOW HIRING:
salesperson & LUBE TECHNICIAN! 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER R/T COUPE STK. 3824065R 28,577 MILES
*$
26,218
2016 JEEP RENEGADE LTD STK. 3B1769U 23,578 MILES
*$
17,199
2018 FORD ESCAPE SE STK. 3B1792U 2,330 MILES
*$
22,898
10140 hwy 64 • bolivar, tn • (866) 881-9139
shop 24/7 at BOLIVARFORD.com
APPLY IN PERSON!