Schools tell Valentine's requirements

Lawrence County florists and school board members met again Thursday night to discuss school system policy regarding Valentine's Day deliveries to schools. Each school compiled a list of its requirements for Valentine gift deliveries that will be made to schools on Friday, February 12th. Schools will submit their lists to florists and parents. The lists are also available on the school system's web site at www.lcss.us and will be printed in the Advocate's Wednesday edition.

Lawrence Jobless rate 16.4% in December

Area counties saw their jobless rates increase in December as compared to November rates. Lawrence County's unemployment climbed from 15 percent in November to 16.4 percent last month. Lewis County's rate increased from 14.5 to 16.8 percent. Maury County saw a hike, from 11.8 to 15.7. Wayne County's went from 13.1 to 15 percent. Giles County's rate saw a jump from 13.9 to 15.1. Overall, the rate increased in 91 counties, decreased in one, and remained the same in three. Lincoln County registered the state's lowest county unemployment rate at 7.1 percent. Lauderdale and Marshall counties had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 18.9 percent.

Alabama woman on TBI most wanted list

The TBI has added an Alabama woman to its top ten most wanted list after she allegedly assaulted and stole money from a man in Lincoln County, Tennessee.

Barbara Faye Scott-Brown, 43, whose last known address was in Toney, Alabama, is wanted by the Fayetteville Police Department for theft and aggravated assault. Authorities say in November that Brown hit a man in the head and stole his wallet in Fayetteville.

Brown has a criminal history in Tennessee, Alabama and Florida for multiple counts of DUI, theft, robbery and public intoxication. Brown is described as a 5’6” white female weighing approximately 128 pounds. She has brown hair and blue eyes. She also has tattoos on her left leg, arms, right shoulder, back and abdomen.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to call the t-b-i at 1-800-TBI-FIND. There is a $1,000 reward for information leading to her arrest.

Drug agents bust tenth meth lab this year
By Sandi Mashburn

Lawrence County Sheriff Kenny Taylor said Monday that drug agents with his department’s Crime Suppression Unit busted a total of ten meth labs within the county during the month of January.

The tenth lab was discovered when drug agents, along with agents with the Saint Joseph Police Department, executed a search warrant at the 80 Five Points Road, Five Points, home of Benjamen Wesley Wayne last week.

When they initially arrived to investigate reports of drug activity at the home, Taylor reports agents detected the distinct odor of chemicals associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine. In addition, agents report discovering numerous components used in the meth manufacturing process lying about the yard and in the trash receptacle located in the carport area.

Agents report they knocked upon the door but that their hails went unanswered. The scene was then secured and a search warrant issued by Circuit Court Judge Robert Holloway.

While executing the search warrant, agents report finding “the largest meth lab seized in 2010.” This brings the total number of meth labs dismantled by the department during January to ten. These ten required cleanup by Drug Enforcement Administration environmental services crews.

Throughout 2009 agents with the unit busted a total of 29 labs that required professional cleanup and another 15 that did not.

Taylor has issued a “thank you” to area residents for their many calls regarding possibly drug activity. He also encourages citizens to continue to report any such suspicious activity.

Officials indicate that as a result of the operation charges are pending against Wayne, however he has not yet been located. Anyone who may have information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact the department at 762-3626.

Taylor reports that at the time of the operation Wayne was on probation in connection with a search conducted at the some address in September of last year.

Winter weather update

Middle Tennessee recovers from mini ice storm Things are getting back to normal weather-wise in Middle Tennessee after a mini ice storm struck the area this weekend. The weather is blamed for four area deaths - three in an accident in Greenhill, Alabama and one when a tree fell on a Culleoka home. At the peak of the storm, 2500 residents in Lawrence County were without power. All but five customers had their power restored by Monday morning. Melting ice made roads slippery and Lawrence County students enjoyed an additional snow day.

Alabama crash claims life of Ethridge resident
By Sandi Mashburn

A crash in the area of Killen, Alabama, claimed the life of an Ethridge resident Monday afternoon.

According to officials with the Alabama Highway Patrol the two vehicle crash occurred around 2:45 p.m. approximately one mile north of Killen, near the Lauderdale 170 intersection.

Michael Wayne Griffin, 51, of 57 Pleasant Valley Road, Ethridge, was northbound on U.S. Highway 43 in a 1996 Buick Grand Sport when it appears he veered into the path of an on-coming 2000 Freightliner tractor-trailer tanker driven by Dohn Jones, age 53, of Birmingham, Alabama. The vehicles impacted in the southbound lane.

Griffin was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene while Jones was said to be uninjured.

The crash currently remains under investigation by the Quad-Cities State Troopers Post.

Body of murdered Wayne mom may have been found
By Sandi Mashburn

Two weeks after she went missing, officials report they may have found parts of the body of a young Wayne County mom who was allegedly murdered by her fiancee’s parents.

Rose Goggins, age 21, was reported missing by her fiancee’s parents on Saturday, January 16. Steven Ray Beersdorf, 46, and wife Sylvia Beersdorf reported that Goggins had gone missing on Thursday, January 14, while en route to attend an EMT class in Lawrenceburg. Her car was found abandoned and burned on a logging road in rural McNairy County.

Goggins had resided at the home in the Beech Creek Community with her fiancee, Steven Beersdorf, Jr., and their eleven-month-old child. The younger Beersdorf had been stationed at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in preparation for deployment to Iraq on February 6.

The elder Beersdorfs were arrested a week ago after allegedly admitting to authorities that Goggins was deceased. Authorities had been focusing recovery efforts along a stretch of the Tennessee River where they had believed the body had been dumped.

Wednesday afternoon Wayne County Sheriff’s officials, assisted by officials with the TBI and FBI, were reportedly investigating a burn site on the Beersdorf’s property near Clifton. Officials have reported finding bone fragments at the scene. In addition, they indicate a piece of flesh was dispatched for DNA analysis.

Investigation at the scene was continuing at press time Thursday, and no positive identification had yet been made.

The Beersdorfs currently remain incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail.

Giles fire call turns into homicide investigation

A Giles County fire investigation has turned into a search for a killer.

Emergency personnel were called to 472 Hicks Cut Road around eleven Tuesday morning to battle a house fire. Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours. The house was a total loss.

Family members told firemen that Brenda Wilburn lived in the house alone and both her vehicles were in the driveway. Firefighters later located a body inside the burnt structure. Authorities are investigating the case as a homicide. The body has been sent to the state medical examiner's office for autopsy and identification.

State Bomb and Arson agents and the TBI are assisting in the investigation.

Mom and daughter sustain injuries in Friday night assault
By Sandi Mashburn

A St. Joseph mother and daughter sustained injuries late Friday when they were awakened overnight by the daughter’s irate boyfriend.

The daughter, age 29, was transported by ambulance to Crockett Hospital. Deputies with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department report she had been beaten and was bleeding badly from the head. Her mother was transported by private vehicle to the hospital after having sustained numerous strikes and possibly a broken leg.

While interviewing the daughter at the hospital, she reported to deputies that she and her mother had been sleeping when her boyfriend “came home drunk and started beating them with a stick.”

The boyfriend was reportedly irate because he could not locate his cell phone. The daughter reported he began beating her with a long stick that bore tape on one end. Her mother, she reported, attempted to intervene and he turned his rage upon her, beating her as well.

The daughter told deputies after her mother ran from the house she was able to flee into a bedroom and lock the door. She said he busted through the door and began beating her on the bed. She reported she was eventually able to escape and ran to a neighbor’s home for help.

Neighbors reported they had heard screams and looked out to find the mother running toward their home, naked, and clutching her nightgown to her breast. They reported she told them her attacker had ripped her clothes off during the assault. Once the daughter escaped, they report she came to their home, as well.

Deputies reported finding the stick/mop handle lying in the living room, covered with blood. The home was reported to be in a complete state of disarray. Blood was found on the couch and floor in the living room as well as on a bed in one bedroom.

Reports indicate that both women sustained numerous injuries as a result of the beating.

The boyfriend, Jayson Lyvain Bechtold, of 1600 Highway 43 South, Apartment 17, Loretto, was taken into custody and transported to the Lawrence County Jail. Bechtold was booked on two counts of aggravated assault, vandalism, and resisting arrest.

Bechtold is slated to answer the charges through Lawrence County General Sessions Court on March 8, 2010. At last word he remained incarcerated under a bond of $53,000.

Benefit Will Be Held Saturday For Long Time Deputy
By Sandi Mashburn

Friends and family members of a long-time deputy with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department will host a benefit Saturday in order to raise funds to assist with medical expenses.

Sergeant David Ellis, a 1972 graduate of Loretto High School, was employed for nineteen years at Murray Ohio Manufacturing.

During that time he served as a Reserve Officer for the Lawrenceburg Police Department, while simultaneously working part time for both the Loretto and Saint Joseph Police Departments.

In 1991 Ellis left Murray to work as a full time sheriff’s deputy. After a short time he became employed through the Loretto Police Department, but soon returned to the sheriff’s department. He has since served that department at the rank of Sergeant.

Ellis has had a bout with cancer approximately four years ago, and has embarked upon a second such battle with cancer in past months. Officials with the sheriff’s department indicate that his sick/comp time will run out at the end of January, and they have joined forces to offer assistance with Ellis’ continuing medical expenses.

They have planned a benefit, to get underway this Saturday, January 30, at 11:00 a.m. inside the cafeteria and gymnasium at Loretto High School. An auction will be held for items donated by area businesses and individuals.

Numerous activities will be available, including hoop shoots and a cake walk for the youngsters. From 3:00 p.m. on, Southern Strangers & the Weathers Family will be entertaining you with great music.

Plate lunches will be available at a cost of $10 for adults and $5 for children. You will be able to choose from barbecue, hamburgers and hot dogs, with all the fixings.

For those who are unable to attend, you may also make contributions to the David Ellis Fund at either the Lawrenceburg or Loretto branches of First Farmers and Merchants Bank.

For additional information, or to donate cakes or other items, contact Carolyn Gist at 242-6165.