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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2004
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Escaped Murderer Captured - Local Family Members
Relieved |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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The family of murder victim Madelyn (Pat) Bomar and
residents of McKenzie were relieved to learn Sunday
evening that her convicted killer, Tracy Lynn Harris,
26, was back in custody following his escape from
Hardeman County Correctional Facility (HCCF) in
Whiteville Saturday morning, August 7.
Harris pleaded guilty to felony murder and aggravated
rape in the death of 81-year-old Bomar and was serving
a life sentence without the possibility of parole. He
began serving the sentence on October 21, 1999.
Bomar was killed at her home at 50 Newsome Street on
October 29, 1998. She died as a result of multiple
injuries, including blunt trauma to her head,
according to an autopsy report.
He received life without parole on the felony murder
charge and a 20-year sentence on the rape charge.
"I'm glad they caught him before he could do harm to
anyone else," said Mrs. Bomar's daughter, Susie Reid
of McKenzie.
Reid's daughter, Lindsey added, "I'm glad that he is
back where he is supposed to be. I'm just glad our
prayers have been answered."
Reid said the family learned of the escape at
approximately 3:00 p.m. Saturday when Lt. Tim Nanney
phoned to alert family members so they wouldn't learn
it on a news broadcast. He called Mrs. Bomar's son,
Steve Bomar of McKenzie, who notified the remainder of
the family. Mrs. Bomar's other children include June
Lampkins of Gleason, Jerry Bomar of Bruceton and Norma
Joe Ashburn of Imboden, Arkansas.
Lt. Nanney said he made the call from McKenzie Police
Department, where he had gone to assist TBI Special
Agent Joe Walker in questioning members of the
escapee's family, who also reside in McKenzie.
HCCF Assistant Warden Joe Patterson told the Banner
that the prison is surrounded by two security fences,
located 10 feet apart, with two strands of razor wire
at the top and bottom of the outside containment
fence. Harris cut a hole in the bottom of both fences
with wire cutters he stole from the vocational class
for building maintenance, where he had served as a
teacher's aide for the past two years.
Warden Patterson said in his escape plan, Harris
fabricated cutters from wood that looked very similar
to the real cutters. Harris removed the real ones off
a shadow board where the class is held and replaced
them with the fabricated ones.
"When anyone looked, the tool was there," he said.
The warden said that inmate Harris was called out to
recreation at 7:00 a.m. Saturday and by 9 a.m. had
made his escape. Officials discovered the hole in the
fence at 9:30 a.m.
Prison officials immediately implemented the
governor's escape plan, which includes notifying local
law officials, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation,
Tennessee Highway Patrol, as well as implementing an
immediate recall of all correctional staff.
Whiteville Police Chief John Doolan, who was part of
the team who recaptured Harris, told the Banner that
the escapee was located at the Hardeman County
Landfill in Bolivar. Harris was taken into custody
without incident at 10:22 p.m. Sunday.
A TBI representative said numerous sightings had been
reported in the area of the landfill prior to the
capture.
"We received information that a white male was seen
walking from the weight scales at the landfill toward
the back of the facility," said Chief Doolan.
He, along with Capt. Kevin Scott, Sgt. Robert Collett,
Officer Chris Garrett, Officer Debbie Burkeen and
Hardeman County Solid Waste Control and Animal Control
Officer Keith Spencer, responded to the scene and
searched the landfill with ATVs (All Terrain
Vehicles).
Also summoned to the scene was a TBI helicopter,
equipped with a Fleer system (an infrared light that
detects body heat).
"The helicopter led us straight to him," said Chief
Doolan, who noted the inmate was hiding in a wood line
behind an equipment shed at the landfill. "We had him
in custody at 10:22 p.m.," he added.
"He was glad when he was caught," said the chief, who
noted that Harris was covered with scratch marks.
A TBI representative also confirmed that statement by
saying, "He was tired of running."
Harris, who was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans
when he escaped, had changed into khaki military-type
pants and a blue T-shirt. He was wearing socks, but no
shoes, the chief said.
Warden Patterson speculated that Harris may have
obtained the clothing at the landfill. Neither Warden
Patterson nor Chief Doolan believed that Harris had
received any assistance in his escape.
"We think he did the planning and escape on his own,"
said Patterson.
The capture took place six miles due west of the
prison facility, officials said.
Chief Doolan said Harris was returned to the Hardeman
County prison, where he was to undergo questioning by
TBI agents.
Escapee Moved to Maximum Security Facility
Assistant Warden Patterson told the Banner Monday that
Harris "is in the process of being relocated to a
maximum security prison as we speak."
On Tuesday morning, he confirmed that Harris was
transferred to River Bend Maximum Security Institution
in Nashville. He noted however, that the Tennessee
Department of Corrections could still relocate him to
yet another facility. Other maximum security prisons
in Tennessee include West Tennessee State Prison and
Brushy Mountain Prison.
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Low Voter Turnout, Close Elections |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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How much is a vote worth? Ask Brad and Brad, that's
Brad Hurley and Brad Davis. Both were at the Election
Commission office as election returns were being
announced as various precincts reported.
Election Commissioner Dennis R. Coleman walked into
the hallway and announced that Davis and Hurley were
each ahead by a single vote. Hurley, seeking the seat
on the Hollow Rock-Bruceton School Board, and Davis,
seeking a seat on the McKenzie School Board, waited in
anticipation. Hurley's final vote count provided a
one-vote margin, 95-94, over Joey Hedge. Davis' final
vote count provided a margin of 12 votes, assuring him
the third seat on the McKenzie board. Seven candidates
competed for the three positions.
"I'm humbled by the support that the community has
shown. I'm eager and ready to serve," said Davis.
"I appreciate everyone that took time to come out and
vote. I think this election proved without a shadow of
a doubt the importance of every vote," said Hurley.
A paltry number of voters cast their ballot during the
August 5 elections, which included party primaries,
school board elections, one county commission seat,
and questions of whether or not to retain two judges.
A total of 2,023 of the 18,515 registered voters
participated.
McKenzie Special School District will have one new
member when Brad Davis takes the oath of office in
September. John Austin and Jill Holland with votes of
270 and 253 respectively won the other two seats on
the board. Other candidates included Daphne Brown, 104
votes, Gary Gilmore, 95, Kyle Manns, 190, and Spiro
Roditis, 194. Roditis and Austin had both been
appointed to the board in February when Clay Kirk and
Jackie Hall resigned from the board after moving from
the district.
Huntingdon Special School District will also have one
new member. Paul L. Ward, Jr. won a seat with 215
votes along with incumbent Jerry Morris with 319
votes. Other candidates included Steven W. McClain
with 193 votes, Monte P. Smith with 72, and Paul E.
Stokes with 149 votes. Ward will replace Dr. Lee
Butler, who did not seek re-election.
South Carroll Special School District -Marty McKnight
won Concord seat with 37 votes over Steve Stokes with
28. Ronnie Breeden received 19 complimentary votes and
Philip Moore received 15 complimentary votes in their
uncontested races for the Yuma and Westport Districts
respectively.
West Carroll Special School District seats were
uncontested with Mike Foster with 127 votes winning
the Old County District seat, Donald Cunningham, with
200 votes, winning the Old Trezevant District seat,
and Sam Inman, with 66 votes, winning the Old Atwood
District.
Hollow Rock-Bruceton School Board -Hollow Rock member
seat was claimed by Tim Runions with 21 votes, Sondra
Kee claimed the Vale seat with 19 votes and Joe
Robinson claimed the Spanish Grove seat with nine
votes. Brad Hurley won the Bruceton member seat.
Carroll County School Board seats were all uncontested
and all won by incumbents. Harold McLain, Jr. claimed
the First District with 350 votes, Amanda McMackins
claimed the Second District with 443 votes, and Janet
Brown claimed the Third District with 350 votes.
County Commission-District 2 seat was won by Bobby E.
Argo with 167 votes over Billy W. Arnold with 161
votes. Argo had been appointed to fill the position in
February by the County Commission after Commissioner
Frank Newsom died. Argo will fill the two remaining
years of the seat.
All state and federal party primaries were
uncontested, except for a write-in campaign for the
Republican Party U.S. House of Representatives seat.
Eighth District U.S. Congressman John Tanner received
911 complimentary votes for the Democratic nomination.
James L. Hart, (R-New Corcord, KY) won the Republican
nomination to face Tanner in the November election.
Hart received 340 votes in Carroll County. Write-in
candidate, Dennis Bertrand, received 23 votes in the
Republican race. In an unusual move, the Republican
Party is urging voters to reject their party's nominee
because of Hart's "favored races" position.
Mark Maddox, (D-Dresden), received 544 complimentary
votes for the Tennessee House of Representatives for
the 76th district. Maddox will not face a challenger
in the November election. Maddox represents Weakley
and a portion of Carroll County.
Chris Crider, (R-Milan), received 162 complimentary
votes for his party's nomination for the Tennessee
House of Representatives for the 79th District. The
freshman incumbent will face Harris Jones, (D-Milan),
who received 75 complimentary votes in the Democratic
primary. Crider represents Gibson and a portion of
Carroll County.
Of the 2,023 votes cast in all balloting, 1,067 voted
Democratic, 685 vote Republican, and 271 did not vote
in the party primaries. Hollow Rock had the lowest
percentage of voters participate at 3.61% and
Trezevant had the largest percentage at 21.71%,
representing 257 who cast ballots. Westview had a
total of 14 cast votes in early and election-day
voting, and Westport had 15 total ballots cast,
slightly higher than the six poll workers stationed at
each precinct.
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Physician Returns Home to Begin Medical Practice |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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Dr. Toby Hampton is happy to be returning to his home
county to begin his medical practice.
A 1994 graduate of Huntingdon High School, Dr. Hampton
has joined the practice of Dr. Dan Sumrok at 22700
Highway 22 in McKenzie. He will be specializing in
family practice, excluding obstetrics. He has
emergency room and active privileges at Baptist
Memorial Hospital in Huntingdon and emergency room and
courtesy privileges at McKenzie Regional Hospital. He
is currently on duty part-time at McKenzie Regional
Hospital emergency room.
Dr. Hampton attended the University of Tennessee at
Martin from 1994 to 1998 and James H. Quillen College
of Medicine at East Tennessee State University in
Johnson City from 1998 until 2002. He completed his
accelerated family practice residency at Johnson City
Medical Center from 2002 until 2004. The local
physician graduated in the top half of his medical
class, allowing him to complete his residency in two
years, rather than the usual three years.
Dr. Hampton said he became interested in medicine the
summer after graduation from high school, when his
great uncle, Travis Kirby of Huntingdon, helped get
him a job as a nurse's aide at Baptist Hospital in
Huntingdon. Kirby is a retired employee of the
ambulance service there.
"I had always liked math and science and I liked to
care for the patients, so when I enrolled in college
that fall I decided on pre-med instead of engineering
(his original career choice)," said the doctor.
Dr. Hampton is married to the former Melanee White of
Dresden, a busy stay-at-home mom. The couple has two
sons, four-year-old Noah and six-month-old Jonah.
The family attends Humbles Missionary Baptist Church
on Buena Vista Road in Huntingdon.
A native of Huntingdon, he is the son of Carolyn and
Robert Reynolds of Huntingdon and the late Stanley
Hampton of Buena Vista. He is the grandson of Dorothy
Holladay of Huntingdon and has two half brothers, Dale
and Terry Autry of Clarksburg.
Dr. Hampton will be seeing patients Monday through
Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Appointments are
accepted and walk-ins are welcome. He is participating
in all insurance plans, except OmniCare and Better
Health.
"Our office is equipped to handle urgent care,
including lacerations, foreign body removal, such as
eye or ear obstructions, and minor surgery," said Dr.
Hampton.
"We are happy to be back at home and I look forward to
serving the health needs of the community," he added.
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McKenzie School Board
Remedial Programs Continue in 2004-05 |
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Students in McKenzie will have continued access to
remedial instruction programs following board of
education approval Tuesday, August 3, of the Extended
Contract Program of 2004-05.
Students in grades K-8 will be tutored in deficient
academic skills after school and during the summer.
After school and summer remediation for high school
students will focus on Gateway and ACT skills. A
preschool preparation session will provide instruction
for students deficient in skills required for
kindergarten.
Superintendent James Ward reported 413 students in
grades K-8 participated in remediation session last
year; 16 participated in preschool preparation; and 25
participated in high school remediation sessions.
Teachers involved in the program included nine
elementary teachers, eight middle school teachers and
one high school teacher.
TRANSITION FUNDING HELPS MEET TEACHER SALARIES
As required by the Tennessee Department of Education,
board members approved the transition plan by which
reliance of funding assistance must be reduced by at
least one-seventh per fiscal year. The plan
acknowledged the receipt of state funds in the amount
of $32,900 in lieu of local funds in the first year of
transition to the Basic Education Program salary
schedule for teachers.
In order to meet the requirements of the plan, the
school system proposed a combination of three
alternatives in targeting monies for consideration in
meeting transition funding: (1) savings in salary
dollars as veteran instructors retire and personnel
with less years of experience are hired, (2) funds
generated by natural growth (if any) in local sales
tax or local property assessments, and (3) federal
funds for special programs.
The plan states the McKenzie School System anticipates
the retirement of 45 to 50 teachers over the next five
years.
PERSONNEL CHANGES
Ward announced nine new hires including middle school
principal Doris Blackman.
"I think she's going to make us better," said Ward,
"I'm glad she's with us." He said he was equally glad
about other additions to the staff including three
elementary educational assistants: Jennifer VanDyke,
April Potts and Lisa Roberts; sixth grade social
studies teacher Amanda Oakley; middle school physical
education teacher Mary Bess Driggers; sixth grade
language arts teacher Rebecca Jones; eighth grade
reading teacher Jill Blackburn; and high school math
teacher and girls' basketball coach Joan Albury.
Substitute teachers for 2004-2005 include Emily
Archer, Barbara Boyd, Keitha Chism, Darryl Harris,
Kathryn Hull, Penny McKinney, Jimmy Potts, Joe F.
Williams, Kim Flippin, Nicole Mingle, Melody Watkins,
Jarrod Bailey, Ruth Brashear, Brittany Cobb, Theresa
Hilliard, Jeanette Jones, Betty Merrick, Linda Smith,
Onetta Williams, Gina Green, Patricia Patterson, Kevin
White, Susan Bone, Dianne Carter, Gene Hale, Rena
Hudson, Lydia Mansfield, Martha Peters, Lana Wiggleton,
Lucille Brashear, Christy Hampton, and Jan Rich.
Ward also reported the resignation of three employees:
middle school principal Lynn Watkins, high school
grammar/composition teacher JoAnn Young, and middle
school librarian Susan Davis.
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These stories and more exclusively
in the print edition: |
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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