WMUF/WLZK News

From Weekend News Director Micah Snow

Saturday, July 4th

The Fourth of July weekend is off to a dangerous start already, as two separate water-related accidents have claimed the lives of two individuals. At 5:58 Thursday evening 911 received a call of a boating accident that had occurred near Pace Point at the TN River mile number 68. According to information from TWRA Officer Clay Riley, a Skeeter Bass Boat driven by David Phelps, age 37 of Woodlawn, TN, was going north on Kentucky Lake when it collided with a pontoon boat owned by Jeffrey Adams, age 47 of Murfreesboro.

Adams’ pontoon, which contained seven occupants total, all family members, was going east to west at Pace Point. Adams’ wife, Sandra Renae Adams, age 47, was killed, while her 16 year old daughter was airlifted to a regional hospital. As of air-time, Officer Riley said that the girl’s condition is improving, and that her injuries are not as severe as originally thought. David Phelps was arrested, charged with boating under the influence. Officer Riley said other charges will be brought against Phelps pending further investigation.

In a second, unrelated incident, Officer Riley said that a 42 year old Milan man drowned early Friday morning at Cypress Bay Resort. According to Riley’s report, Tommy Betts Jr., age 42 of Milan, TN, fell off the Cypress Bay Boat Dock around 1 AM Friday morning. Betts’ body was recovered just before 4 AM Friday. No further information was available on the incident as of press time.

A report at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office said that Natalie N. Davis, age 30 of 745 Tucker St. in Dyersburg, was arrested Thursday on Hwy 54 for driving on a revoked license, being in violation of the light law, and for financial responsibility. Davis was pulled over by Officer Rodney Littleton, and couldn’t provide a driver’s license or proof of insurance. A computer check revealed her license to be revoked for a prior DUI offense.

Don’t forget about 4th of July celebrations taking place today at Cottage Grove and at Paris Landing. Both will culminate with fireworks displays at 9:00 this evening.

Friday July 3rd

As mentioned on Wednesday’s newscast, one of the new state laws that went into effect July 1st was Senate Bill 393, a new ruling that prohibits one from sending or reading text messages while operating a motor vehicle. If one is caught for texting while driving, they’ll be charged a $50 fine. The action, however, will be considered a non-moving traffic violation, meaning no points will be added to the motorists’ driving record.

The law does provide for certain exceptions, though, as officers of the state, campus police officers and emergency medical personnel can still text while driving. Opponents of the law say that it may be hard to enforce, while others say they’re glad something’s being done. In the end though, texting while driving can and has been proven to be dangerous. Officials advise to heed the law – keep your eye on the road, not your cell phone.

In other news, President Obama said in an interview on Wednesday that his plans to reform healthcare would be good for Tennessee, and that those healthcare companies and their employees already stationed in TN have nothing to fear. Speaking to nine regional reporters, including the Tennessean’s Washington Bureau, President Obama said that he doesn’t think that “outstanding businesses in Tennessee will be disadvantaged, but rather be advantaged. If they're providing more efficient care, better quality care for a better price, they're going to have more customers, not fewer."

The article from the Tennessean stated that the President wants to create a national health exchange where private providers and insurers are listed. President Obama said that “families and small businesses can choose, apples to apples, what plans are going to work best for them, and people are going to be able to compete for patients on the basis of who's providing the best quality care.”

Ridgeway Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Elnora Vaneta Dickson, age 92 of Michigan, formerly of Henry County.

Paris Landing’s 4th of July Celebration begins at 7 PM tomorrow night with music from Party Zone and Kick-inda-Brass. Fireworks will follow at 9 o’clock. Fun begins at Cottage Grove’s Freedom Fest tomorrow morning at 9 AM with a turkey/trap shoot and the grand parade at 10 AM. Events will take place all through the day, finishing up with fireworks at 9 tomorrow evening.

The staff of WMUF and WLZK would like to wish you a safe and happy Independence Day weekend.