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Archives News
Christmas
Lights On In Livingston
Christmas Lights On In Livingston
Meth Lab Found In
Livingston A routine traffic stop led to the discovery of a methamphetamine laboratory three blocks from the Livingston square. According to the Overton County Sheriff's Department, Deputy Richard Harris made a routine traffic stop of a Chrysler on West Main Street around 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 18. The driver, Corey M. Smith, 21, was charged with DUI and possession of a controlled substance and was taken to jail. The car apparently belonged to Smith's girlfriend's mother. Reportedly, Sheriff's Dept. personnel went to Apartment No. 11 in Railroad Street Apartments seeking Smith's girlfriend to check if the car had been stolen. A note found on the door said, "Corey, the 3 of us have gone to use the phone.Ó Captain James Harris of the Sheriff's Dept. stopped a GMC van on Evans Street with the three people referred to in the note inside. Harris reportedly asked for a consent to search the vehicle. A small amount of drugs and paraphernalia were allegedly found. Chief Deputy Craig Story and Dep. Richard Harris went to the Evans Street traffic stop, then went back to the apartment. Two of those in the van gave Capt. James Harris consent to search the apartment, according to the Sheriff's Dept. One of the persons in the van allegedly told the officers there was a small quantity of marijuana in the apartment. Further investigation revealed items normally used for bagging methamphetamine and cocaine. Empty syringes were also allegedly found along with two syringes full of fluid. In a closet off the kitchen, a grocery bag was allegedly found with a canning jar containing a material that, when separated, according to a DEA official, would equal approximately seven ounces of methamphetamine. Another bag contained items normally used in laboratory production. Because by-products of lab production of methamphetamine are sometimes flammable and explosive, the Sheriff's Dept. called in the Livingston Police Department and the Livingston Fire Department. Four or five apartments were vacated, with only one couple being home at the time. DEA officials and the 13th Judicial District Task Force were notified. No arrests other than Smith have been made. According to the Sheriff's Dept., the case will be taken to the Overton County Grand Jury next week. Church Burglar Sentenced
To 10 Years An Overton County man, charged with burglarizing local churches, businesses, motor vehicles, and the Rickman School, was sentenced to 10 years in prison last week in Overton County Criminal Court, Judge Leon Burns presiding. Michael W. Huffer, 20, received the 10-year sentence as part of a plea agreement arranged by Huffer's attorney, Daryl Colson, and Assistant District Attorney Owen Burnett. According to the terms of the agreement, Huffer's parents will pay complete restitution of more than $8,000 within 30 days and make monthly payments on court costs. Huffer pled guilty to burglarizing a number of churches, including Allons Baptist Church, Walnut Grove Church, Popular Springs Church, Swallows Chapel, Freewill Baptist, and the West End Church of Christ. The burglaries occurred January 7 and 8, 1997. Huffer also pled guilty to burglarizing a jewelry store, a thrift shop, a day care center, a block company, a trucking company, motor vehicles in a nursing home parking lot, and the Rickman School. The Rickman School offense occurred September 14, 1998. Huffer pled guilty to 16 separate counts of burglary. All lesser and included charges and 3 counts of burglary, 3 counts of vandalism of less than $500, and 3 counts of theft of less than $500 were dismissed. Without prior convictions, Huffer was sentenced as a Range 1 offender. Judge Burns told Huffer if he was convicted of committing another crime, he'd be sentenced as a habitual offender. After accepting the plea agreement, Judge Burns asked Huffer if he had an alcohol problem when he committed the burglaries. "No," Huffer replied. "Did you have a drug problem?" Judge Burns asked. "Yes," Huffer said. "Cocaine." After sentencing, Huffer was transported back to the Overton County Jail, where he'll await transport to a Tennessee Department of Corrections prison.
Overton County News |
The
Livingston Square now glows at night since Christmas lights have
been put up. Livingston will be celebrating Christmas in the Country
beginning Friday, Nov. 26 with many stores offering special prices
for Christmas shoppers. The project of adding lights and decorations
to accent the celebration of the season was brought about through
the help of the Livingston-Overton County Chamber of Commerce, Merchants
Association, Exchange Club, Civic & Garden Club, City of Livingston,
Overton County Cable TV, Explorers, Arney's Tree Farm, Livingston
Jaycees, Rental Source/Electrotech, West End BP, and banner contributors
and financial contributors. Livingston-Overton County afghans and
Livingston-Overton County ornaments are now on sale to help fund
the Christmas lighting and decoration project in Livingston. The
afghans and ornaments are available at The Emporium and the Livingston-Overton
County Chamber of Commerce. All proceeds are to go to decorating
Livingston for Christmas.