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Archives
02-02-2000 News
Overton
County Justice Center In Construction
Overton County Justice Center In Construction By April D. Blevins
Cold snowy weather temporarily halted construction of the new 40,902 square foot Overton County Justice Center and renovation of the old National Guard armory building. The project is expected to be complete in spring 2001. (photo by Dewain E. Peek)
Construction on the Overton County Justice center is expected to be complete in early 2001, according to County Executive Richard (Ossie) Mitchell. "This is the biggest project the county has ever taken on. We built a $3 million school, but that doesn't even compare to this project," Mitchell said. Construction of the project is taking place on five acres off of the Livingston Bypass, the previous location for the National Guard Armory. The main building will house the Circuit Court Clerk office, Emergency 911 service, two courtrooms and a 144-bed jail. The Emergency Medical Service will be housed in a separate 7,380 square foot building on the grounds. The complex comes at a cost of $5,488,979 and is being funded by a surplus in the county debt fund. When the new armory was built, the county was given the old building plus five acres. Since the county already owned land for the project, at least $1 million was saved, according to Mark Rodgers, the architect for the project. Mitchell said, "I wanted to get this project under way when I was in office eight years ago, but the county didn't have the money for it then. Now, the timing is right." The new 33,522 square foot jail will meet the staffing and facility standards required for state certification which will bring $35 per day for each state prisoner being held. The current facility is not certified, thus the county receives only $18 per day per state prisoner. This money will be used to staff the jail, according to Mitchell. A jailer at the Overton County Jail said, "This new jail has been needed for a long time. It was needed yesterday." Construction on the complex began in September 1999 with W&O Construction Co. as general contractor. Rickman Man Dies
In One-Vehicle Crash A Rickman man died Monday morning in a one-vehicle crash on Old Highway 42. According to reports, Richard E. Fish, 42, of Old Oak Hill Road, was driving a 1993 2-door Pontiac Grand Am south on Old Highway 42 around 5:30 a.m. when he apparently lost control of the vehicle. The car crossed the centerline, left the road, and hit the building housing Medlin Radio Sales. Fish, who apparently was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected and the car rolled over him. He died at the scene. According to the report and tests, alcohol was involved. THP James Sells investigated the crash.
Charles Parrott Announces Candidacy "I want to take this opportunity to announce my candidacy for the office of Road Superintendent of Overton County in the upcoming Democratic and Republican Primary. "I appreciate the encouragement from many of you, the voters of our county, to seek this office."
Larry King Announces Candidacy "I, Larry King, would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for letting me serve as your Assessor of Property. I have enjoyed serving the people of Overton County. I take great pride in having performed that service in what I consider to be a fair, honest, impartial, and courteous manner. "I am married to the former Joyce Conatser, daughter of Louise Conatser of Livingston, and the late Cledith Conatser. We have one son, Corey, who is 16 years old. I am the son of Bonnie King of Jamestown and the late Allard King. "Even though I am running unopposed, your vote and influence will be greatly appreciated."
Rescue Squad Member Owns Special Canines By Dewain E. Peek Jacob Boswell of Livingston recently took ownership of two special canines, a search and rescue dog and a weapons detection dog. Boswell just completed a 2-week handling course in Colorado and returned with the dogs on Saturday, Jan. 29. A member of the Overton County Rescue Squad, Boswell said he got the search and rescue dog because the squad doesn't have one. "I decided to get the weapons dog because of what's going on with schools, what you see in the news." According to Boswell, the search and rescue dog, Raiden, does air scenting, she also does tracking, but does most of her searching through the air. She also does cadaver work. "She'll do drowned victim, but she won't do deep water. I haven't transferred her into it yet," Boswell said. "I've got to break her into riding on a boat." The weapons dog, Scooby, zones in on black powder. "He'll find guns, ammunition, and he can find black powder bombs."
Overton County News |
