Newly modified vehicles in McNairy and Alcorn County and a new officer in the Tennessee county are 'daring' to help area children make positive
choices and avoid drugs and other dangerous activities.
The recently completed DARE vehicles in the two counties are part of efforts to draw attention to the program and get students excited about the lessons being taught through the effort. Both vehicles were purchased and equipped without the use of any taxpayer money through a combination of donated materials and labor and funds from drug seizures.
Alcorn County Sheriff's Department Deputy and DARE Officer David Derrick said for him the DARE program is all about showing the students there are adults out there who truly care about them and their futures.
"I love my children and I tell them that and I mean it," he said.
The eye-catching graphics on the vehicles were created by James "Clevey" White at BDS Advertising Solutions. Derrick explained his department's Chevy Tahoe was already in the county's fleet and they came up with the idea of turning it into a tool for attracting students to the DARE effort.
White and a student at Glendale Elementary School came up with the design for the graphics. Work was also done on the vehicle by High Profile Signs in Muscle Shoals, Ala. and chrome wheels and tinting were donated by Timbes Tire and Accessories in Burnsville. Donated equipment was also installed free of charge by Citizen's Page in Corinth.
McNairy County Sheriff Rickey Roten praised White and all the others involved in helping his department get their Ford Expedition accessorized and equipped, noting as in Alcorn, the project was done without the expenditure of any taxpayer money.
Roten noted he recently appointed a new DARE Officer in his department. James McNeil will teach the program to students in all the county schools.
The sheriff said he's been wanting to expand the program for some time and sees it as a great way to reach out to young people and catch them early before they have a chance to get involved with drugs and other negative behaviors.
"We're trying to stay involved enough to where we can stay in contact with as many kids as we can," he said.
Derrick, who teaches the DARE anti-drug and alcohol curriculum to more than 300 students in fifth grade throughout the Alcorn School District each year, said he hopes students will learn not only the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and other hazards, but the importance of making positive decisions in all areas of their lives. He also wants them to know they can always turn to him when they find themselves facing a problem.
"We talk about anything with them. It's just building a relationship," he said. Derrick said the two DARE programs plan to share information and hope to work together in the future to spread the message.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Driver charged after two-county pursuit
A Prentiss County man faces a charge of felony fleeing after leading law enforcement on a pursuit from south Corinth into Prentiss County Wednesday morning.
Corinth police identified the man as Robert Welch, 46. His address is listed as a post office box in Booneville and is believed to reside in Prentiss County.
The situation began just before 11 a.m. in the area of Cemetery and Dickey streets as Officer Arlene Gann attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle whose driver failed to use a traffic signal when turning.
The 1996 Honda sport utility vehicle made several blocks in the south Corinth area. At some point as the vehicle was followed by the officer, the passenger jumped out of the vehicle and tossed an object believed to be drugs back into the vehicle, said Scotty Harville, assistant Corinth police chief.
The Honda finally traveled west on U.S. Highway 72, reaching speeds of 90 mph as it ran stop lights at the intersections with Cass, Fulton, Tate and both intersections with U.S. Highway 45.
"We cut off the pursuit at the city limits," said Harville. "The county got involved on 72." The pursuit left the city limits at 11:05 a.m. The vehicle turned onto Mississippi Highway 2 and traveled through Kossuth and Hightown as it headed toward Prentiss County on County Road 500. The pursuit apparently ended with the suspect crashing in Prentiss County without serious injury. The Prentiss County Sheriff's Department referred inquiries about the pursuit's end to Alcorn County.
Welch faces several charges in Corinth, including felony fleeing. As of 4 p.m., he had not been returned to Corinth. The passenger in the vehicle was charged with at least one misdemeanor.
Corinth police identified the man as Robert Welch, 46. His address is listed as a post office box in Booneville and is believed to reside in Prentiss County.
The situation began just before 11 a.m. in the area of Cemetery and Dickey streets as Officer Arlene Gann attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle whose driver failed to use a traffic signal when turning.
The 1996 Honda sport utility vehicle made several blocks in the south Corinth area. At some point as the vehicle was followed by the officer, the passenger jumped out of the vehicle and tossed an object believed to be drugs back into the vehicle, said Scotty Harville, assistant Corinth police chief.
The Honda finally traveled west on U.S. Highway 72, reaching speeds of 90 mph as it ran stop lights at the intersections with Cass, Fulton, Tate and both intersections with U.S. Highway 45.
"We cut off the pursuit at the city limits," said Harville. "The county got involved on 72." The pursuit left the city limits at 11:05 a.m. The vehicle turned onto Mississippi Highway 2 and traveled through Kossuth and Hightown as it headed toward Prentiss County on County Road 500. The pursuit apparently ended with the suspect crashing in Prentiss County without serious injury. The Prentiss County Sheriff's Department referred inquiries about the pursuit's end to Alcorn County.
Welch faces several charges in Corinth, including felony fleeing. As of 4 p.m., he had not been returned to Corinth. The passenger in the vehicle was charged with at least one misdemeanor.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Five arrested after meth lab raid
Five people face drug charges following a raid of a Mitchell Hill Road residence Monday night.
The Alcorn County Sheriff's Department executed a search warrant at 379 County Road 515 (Mitchell Hill Road) with the assistance of the Corinth Police Department and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.
Those arrested were identified as homeowner Timothy Darrell Gilley, 42; Terrell Edward Gilley, 47; Summer Ann Shadburn, 31; Debbie Denise Gamison, 42; and Anthony Wayne Bailey, 42. All are charged with possession of two or more precursors with the intent to manufacture and possession of methamphetamine.
Bonds had not been set and Narcotics Investigator Reggie Anderson said more arrests may be forthcoming in the case.
Anderson and Narcotics Investigator Darrell Hopkins found approximately 5 grams of methamphetamine during the search, in addition to several precursor chemicals used in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine.
The sheriff's department also seized three vehicles -- a 1990 Chevrolet Astro van, a 1983 Chevrolet Silverado pickup and a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix -- as well as a Springfield handgun.
Anderson said the suspects were using the one pot or "shake and bake" method of manufacture.
"This is the most dangerous method," he said.
Hopkins said meth activity continues to increase in the area. The investigators encourage tips from the public to report suspected drug activity.
Sheriff Charles Rinehart said the local drug stores have been providing updates on the pseudoephedrine logs.
"This is a great tool to look at and receive information," he said.
The department encourages confidential tips by phoning 286-5521
The Alcorn County Sheriff's Department executed a search warrant at 379 County Road 515 (Mitchell Hill Road) with the assistance of the Corinth Police Department and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.
Those arrested were identified as homeowner Timothy Darrell Gilley, 42; Terrell Edward Gilley, 47; Summer Ann Shadburn, 31; Debbie Denise Gamison, 42; and Anthony Wayne Bailey, 42. All are charged with possession of two or more precursors with the intent to manufacture and possession of methamphetamine.
Bonds had not been set and Narcotics Investigator Reggie Anderson said more arrests may be forthcoming in the case.
Anderson and Narcotics Investigator Darrell Hopkins found approximately 5 grams of methamphetamine during the search, in addition to several precursor chemicals used in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine.
The sheriff's department also seized three vehicles -- a 1990 Chevrolet Astro van, a 1983 Chevrolet Silverado pickup and a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix -- as well as a Springfield handgun.
Anderson said the suspects were using the one pot or "shake and bake" method of manufacture.
"This is the most dangerous method," he said.
Hopkins said meth activity continues to increase in the area. The investigators encourage tips from the public to report suspected drug activity.
Sheriff Charles Rinehart said the local drug stores have been providing updates on the pseudoephedrine logs.
"This is a great tool to look at and receive information," he said.
The department encourages confidential tips by phoning 286-5521
Thursday, January 8, 2009
6Lbs of Marijuana More on the Drug Bust
The Alcorn County Sheriff's Office released more details Wednesday regarding the New Year's Eve drug bust in which local law enforcement seized marijuana, cash and arrested two Baldwyn men.
Alcorn County Deputies seized six pounds of marijuana -- twice the amount originally reported by Prentiss County officials -- over $1,700 cash, and a 1990 GMC pick-up truck, according to the updated report. Officials also arrested Cartavia Cancaez Barnes, 23, and Fulton O'Brian Pierce, 25, both of Baldwyn.
The two men were charged with possession of a controlled substance. Justice Court Judge Steve Little set bonds for both at $50,000 cash. The Mississippi Department of Corrections placed a hold on Barnes, according to the report.
Alcorn County Sheriff Charles Rinehart said the investigation came about with newly purchased cell phone monitoring equipment.
"This will be a great tool to use to fight the war on drugs," said Rinehart. Alcorn County Narcotics Investigators Darrell Hopkins and Reggie Anderson led the investigation, along with the Alcorn County Sheriff's Office. Local officials contacted the Prentiss County Sheriff's Department with information they had gained. This information reportedly helped Prentiss County and Baldwyn law enforcement officials obtain a search warrant that led to the discovery of approximately 13 additional pounds of marijuana and another arrest.
Alcorn County officials who helped in the investigation where M. Sexton, J. Mayhall, D. Derrick, G. Walker, D. Smith, D. Harrison, S. Brown, S. Dalton, M. Billingsley, S. Crowe, J. Mills, Corinth Police Officers Fred Gooch and Pete Smith, and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.
"I just want to take this time to thank my Narcotics Investigators for the great job they are doing in the fight on drugs in Alcorn County," said Sheriff Rinehart.
The case is still under investigation and, after speaking to both Pierce and Barnes, officials say more arrests are expected to be made.
In other, unrelated drug arrests, Investigator Anderson recently arrested and charged Valintino Perez, 41, with sale of a controlled substance (cocaine). Bond has not been set. Investigators Anderson and Hopkins also recently arrested Christopher Michael Mann, 22, with felony possession of marijuana. Hopkins is in charge of the case. A hold hasbeen reportedly placed on Mann by the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
The narcotics investigators ask that anyone with any information regarding drugs to call the Alcorn County Sheriff's Office at 662-286-5521.
Alcorn County Deputies seized six pounds of marijuana -- twice the amount originally reported by Prentiss County officials -- over $1,700 cash, and a 1990 GMC pick-up truck, according to the updated report. Officials also arrested Cartavia Cancaez Barnes, 23, and Fulton O'Brian Pierce, 25, both of Baldwyn.
The two men were charged with possession of a controlled substance. Justice Court Judge Steve Little set bonds for both at $50,000 cash. The Mississippi Department of Corrections placed a hold on Barnes, according to the report.
Alcorn County Sheriff Charles Rinehart said the investigation came about with newly purchased cell phone monitoring equipment.
"This will be a great tool to use to fight the war on drugs," said Rinehart. Alcorn County Narcotics Investigators Darrell Hopkins and Reggie Anderson led the investigation, along with the Alcorn County Sheriff's Office. Local officials contacted the Prentiss County Sheriff's Department with information they had gained. This information reportedly helped Prentiss County and Baldwyn law enforcement officials obtain a search warrant that led to the discovery of approximately 13 additional pounds of marijuana and another arrest.
Alcorn County officials who helped in the investigation where M. Sexton, J. Mayhall, D. Derrick, G. Walker, D. Smith, D. Harrison, S. Brown, S. Dalton, M. Billingsley, S. Crowe, J. Mills, Corinth Police Officers Fred Gooch and Pete Smith, and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.
"I just want to take this time to thank my Narcotics Investigators for the great job they are doing in the fight on drugs in Alcorn County," said Sheriff Rinehart.
The case is still under investigation and, after speaking to both Pierce and Barnes, officials say more arrests are expected to be made.
In other, unrelated drug arrests, Investigator Anderson recently arrested and charged Valintino Perez, 41, with sale of a controlled substance (cocaine). Bond has not been set. Investigators Anderson and Hopkins also recently arrested Christopher Michael Mann, 22, with felony possession of marijuana. Hopkins is in charge of the case. A hold hasbeen reportedly placed on Mann by the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
The narcotics investigators ask that anyone with any information regarding drugs to call the Alcorn County Sheriff's Office at 662-286-5521.
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