William Patrick Roberson, 35, pleaded guilty to murdering his aunt and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in Carroll County Circuit Court on March 18.

Robertson was reared by his aunt, Irene Price, since he was a baby and was living with her at her McLemoresville home at the time of the crime.

Vivian Lykes of Atwood found her 72-year-old mother beaten and stabbed to death at Mrs. Price's home on Terry Road Friday, September 7, 2001, when she went to check on her. Roberson was arrested in connection with the crime shortly thereafter and signed a confession at that time, according to Carroll County Sheriff Bendell Bartholomew.

Roberson was transferred Monday from Carroll County Jail, where he had been incarcerated since his arrest, to the state penitentiary in Nashville, according to a spokesperson at Carroll County Sheriff's Department.

Roberson escaped the possibility of being sentenced to death by taking a plea agreement and pleading guilty prior to trial.

Price was well respected in the community as a "good Christian woman," according to sources quoted at the time of her death. She had reared several foster children and was an active member of New Reedy Creek Baptist Church.
   

Unemployment in Carroll County rose as expected in February to 11.6 percent, up from 10.4 percent in January, as the workforce at Murray, Inc., McKenzie division continued its decline.

Christy Coonts, Human Resources Compensation and H.R.I.S. Manager at Murray's headquarters in Brentwood, confirmed Monday that Thursday, March 28 was the last day of production for Murray's employees.

""We still have a few maintenance and human resources people cleaning up and doing last minute things, but the vast majority of employees are gone," said Ms. Coonts.

Employment in Carroll County dropped 180 from the January to February reporting period, according statistics released this week from the state. From an available labor force of 12,280 in February, a total of 10,860 were employed, leaving 1,420 jobless.

However, when compared to one year ago, Carroll's jobless rate is only nine-tenths of a percentage point higher than the 10.7 percent reported in February, 2001.

Judith Bradberry, Labor Market Analyst with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, said decreases in metals and machinery is expected to be reflected in Carroll County unemployment figures through the month of March.

Henry and Weakly counties each reported slight decreases in unemployment for the February reporting period. Henry County experienced decreases in non-durable goods, while Weakley County has no significant changes in any one area of employment, according to Mrs. Bradberry.

Henry County's jobless rate for February was 7.2 percent, down from January's rate of 8.4 percent. From an available labor force of 14,990, a total of 13,910 were employed, leaving 1,080 without jobs.

Weakley County's unemployment rate fell from 6.1 percent in January to 5.7 percent for February. From a labor force of 17,500 in that county, a total of 1,000 were jobless.

Tennessee's unemployment rate for the month of February is 5.4 percent, the same as January, according to Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development Michael E. Magill. The state rate remains below the February national rate of 5.5 percent.

"Tennessee's employment picture was fairly typical of February," Magill said. "Seasonal increases in construction, services, and educational services were partially offset by seasonal declines in retail trade and transportation.

January to February figures showed employment increased in services by 3,600 because of increases in hotels, personal services, and amusement/recreational services. Construction jobs were also on the increase in February, up by 1,200 jobs. Retail trade declined by 3,000 jobs, and transportation declined by 1,100 jobs. Manufacturing lost 1,200 due to declines in primary metals, electronic equipment, apparel and printing/publishing. Federal government increased 1,300 with increases due to the tax season (IRS), and state and local government educational services recorded seasonal increases in student workers and substitute teachers.

>From February 2001 to February 2002, services grew by 20,500; local government added 3,300 jobs; and finance, insurance, and real estate increased by 1,900. Major decreases took place in manufacturing, down by 20,800 jobs, with losses of 13,700 in durable goods and 7,100 in nondurable goods manufacturing. Transportation declined by 5,500, construction lost 2,300 jobs, and the durable goods sector of wholesale trade lost 2,700.
   

Steve Bates, Vice President of Sentinel Trust Company of Nashville, addressed McKenzie City Council members on Thursday, March 28 regarding the possibility of refunding $800,000 in general obligations bonds the City is presently paying to fund the construction of the Municipal Services Center. Refinancing the debt at a lower interest rate is expected to save the city some $70,000. $746,,,,000 is outstanding of the original $800,000 Farmers Home Administration note at 5.75% interest. The bonds can be reissued for an amount not to exceed $800,000 at around 4.67% through the Sentinel Trust Company. "We can price the bonds and if the market falls off we don't have to move forward," advised Mr. Bates. City Clerk Dana Deem noted the City already has State Approval to proceed with the refinancing. The resolution for the refinancing passed unanimously.

BALL PARK LIGHTING REPAIRS INCOMPLETE

"If we don't get this done we can't allow ball players on the ball field. We've got to get something done immediately because ball season is here," admonished Vice Mayor Gene Hale in the March 28 meeting. Hale presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Patty Edwards, who was ill.

Of primary concern are two light poles at the Babe Ruth field that Hale says are dangerously in need of replacement. The poles, light fixtures and wiring of the lighting systems in the City Recreational Park on Como Road and the Mulberry Street parks have been a subject of concern in city council meetings over the past six months.

In the March 14 meeting of the Council, two bids were opened for repairs to lighting in "the park", according to the minutes of that meeting. Shelby Electric bid $6,924.00 for the job while Glyn Jones Electric bid $9,200.00. According to information provided by Glyn Jones in the meeting, the cost included the installation of two new steel poles and a cost of $300 per light fixture to make needed repairs. Jones had suggested the City purchase the needed number of new light fixtures under a state contract in order to keep costs down.

At this meeting, one councilman suggested rebidding the project due to the dissimilarity between the two bids received. Vice Mayor Hale appointed Council members James Knolton, Darra Adkins, and Willie Huffman along with Parks and Recreation Director Ricky French and City Clerk Dana Deem to serve on a committee to examine the bids.

During the current session, Vice Mayor Hale asked Councilmember Knolton for a report from the committee. Knolton stated that as one bid was incomplete, the committee was recommending the bid of $9,200 be accepted. In addition to replacing the two damaged poles and reconditioning the fixtures on those poles, the bid included the reconditioning of fixtures on other poles on a "per each fixture" basis, according to Glyn Jones, who was in the audience.

Councilmember Knolton moved to accept the bid, however, proceedings were interrupted when Councilmember Darra Adkins stated to Vice Mayor Hale that while she had been appointed to serve on the committee, she had not received notice of the meeting. Councilmember Huffman mentioned he had received short notice and had apparently been unable to attend.

Addressing Ms. Adkins, Knolton declared, "You were there. In the mayor's office; you ate pizza just like I did."

"Oh, I thought that was on something else," Councilmember Adkins replied.

With the lack of a second on the motion, the bid was rejected. Later in the meeting, Vice Mayor Hale advised the Council, "Since we let the bids go on repairs to the ball field lights I think it might be proper tonight to readvertise for bids."

While the readvertising of the bids was approved, the fate of the lighting systems at the Mulberry Street parks remained unclear.

Councilmember Willie Huffman requested information regarding why the lights at the Mulberry Park had been turned off. Parks and Recreation Director Ricky French replied that the County had cut power to the switches as the wiring was "totally out of code."

Recalling discussions about the lighting systems from former meetings, Huffman stated he thought those lights were also in line for refurbishing. "We're talking about major money there," French replied.

"We need those fields," stated Huffman. "We can't do without them; we need to look at those, too."

City Clerk Dana Deem stated his understanding was that city officials were going to talk to other companies about those lights. French replied, "What he wanted to do wasn't what we wanted to do." The meeting ended without clarity regarding the Mulberry Park lighting.

During the January 24 meeting of the City Council when the letting of bids was approved for the project, discussion indicated that bids would be sought for replacing two light poles at the Junior Babe Ruth field and for refurbishing of light fixtures at all four ball fields at McKenzie's two recreational parks: the City Park located on Como Road and the park located along Mulberry Street. It was contemplated that the project would involve bringing down each of 75 light fixtures, cleaning and inspecting them, replacing plugs and wiring where needed and reinstalling the fixtures atop the poles.

At that time, French indicated parts for the project could be solicited by phone bids with total costs of the parts expected to be no greater than $2500.00.

Discussion surrounding the lighting systems began with the meeting of the City Council held September 27, 2001. At that time, council members considered the complete replacement of poles and lights at the Junior Babe Ruth field, with the old lights to be moved to Mulberry Park. Councilmember James Knolton was appointed to report on estimates of replacing the lights at the meeting to be held on October 11.

On October 11, Councilmember Knolton advised he was looking into specifications for 65 feet steel poles. At that time, council members voted to advertise for bids for the replacement of ball field lighting, however, at the October 25 meeting French approached the council with his recommendation to postpone the advertising for bids, saying that Shannon Danner, grant writer for the city, suggested instead that lights be tuned up at every ballpark in McKenzie, including those at Mulberry Park. In the meantime, Danner would seek a grant for replacement lighting to be accomplished in the year 2003.

At that time, French advised replacing two rotting poles at the Junior Babe Ruth field with wooden poles already owned by the city and the replacement of frayed wires on all lights. He advised the biggest expense would be the labor of a certified electrician, with plans to offset costs by using a city park employee as a "runner" for the electrician. Other costs were expected to be "a few" fixtures, bulbs and fuses and the rental of a bucket truck.

TENNIS COURTS REMAIN IN LIMBO

The fate on McKenzie's tennis courts remain in limbo as Park and Recreations Director Ricky French advised council members he had ordered a "bore test" of the courts at a cost of $300.00. The test was suggested after French "had a guy look at the tennis courts; he think he found the problem." The gentleman indicated the concrete sleeve had settled causing breaks and cracks. The test is expected to reveal what needs to be done to correct the problem of cracks in the court's surface.

The tennis courts have been a topic of discussion by the Council since September 27, 2001, at which time it was stated that faults in the underlying foundation were the cause of recurrent cracks in the asphalt surface. The cost of replacing the foundation and resurfacing the courts was estimated by French to be between $80,000 and $100,000 while resurfacing alone would cost $18,000 to $20,000. Street Superintendent Joe Curtis noted at the time that the foundation had been previously repaired, but not replaced, so that when the new surface was applied, cracks returned at the same locations as they had previously been located.

During the next meeting on October 11, Councilmember Knolton and Park and Recreation Director French indicated they had the specifications drawn up for the repair of the courts and bids were let for the project, however, by the November 8 meeting no bids were received.

The issue was brought up once more at the March 14 meeting during which French recommended, "There's big trouble. There is no fixing cracks," suggesting that the city "tear up and start over."   

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