Thursday, April 13, 2023 A PUBLICATION OF LIBERTY PRESS INC.

Vol. 47, No. 43 (#2,434) • 34 Pages

© 2023 Liberty Press, Inc. • All rights reserved

indherald.com/subscriptions

SCOCOTHISWEEK WEATHER

COMMUNITY CALENDAR PRESENTED BY CITIZENS GAS UTILITY DISTRICT SENIOR CITIZENS CENTERAPR WEDNESDAY

MISSION HOUSE

12

The Scott County Senior Citizens Center (Main Street, Oneida) will serve lunch from 11:30am until 1pm. The menu is chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, rolls and dessert. The cost is $7 for dine-in or carry-out. Phone: (423) 569-5972.

THURSDAY

FOOD PANTRY

10

The Scott County Senior Citizens Center (Main Street, Oneida) will serve lunch from 11:30am until 1pm. The menu is potato soup, ham and cheese sandwich, and dessert. The cost is $7 for dine-in or carry-out. Phone: (423) 569-5972.

R

TUESDAY

Pinnacle Resource Center’s food pantry (1513 Jeffers Road, Huntsville) will be open beginning at 10 a.m. There are no income guidelines; however, a photo ID and a piece of mail with a Scott County address are required.

R

AMERICAN LEGION UPCOMING

CELEBRATE RECOVERY

AP

R

15

SUNDAY

Third Saturday night worship services will be held at Lone Mountain Baptist Church (6pm), Capital Hill Missionary Baptist Church (6:30 pm), High Point United Baptist Church (7 pm), and House of the Lord (7 pm).

AP

18

CHURCH SERVICES SATURDAY

The Gerry McDonald Mission House, located on Church Avenue, directly behind First United Methodist Church, is open from 9am until 12pm Thursday mornings, except on the first Thursday, hours are from 6pm until 8pm. You are eligible to receive food once per month. For more information or requirements, call the church office at 569-8828.

SENIOR CITIZENS CENTERAPR MONDAY

AP

13

AP

Celebrate Recovery, a 12-step program designed to help with addiction, co-dependency and domestic abuse, will be hosted by Fire & Purpose Ministries from 5pm until 8pm at 27192 Scott Highway in Winfield. There will be food, fellowship, praise and worship. Childcare is provided.

SHS CLASS OF ‘83

AP

20

R

The monthly American Legion Bluegrass & Dinner fundraiser will be Thursday, April 20, beginning at 5pm at the Scott County War Memorial Building on Alberta Street in Oneida. The public is invited. This month’s menu is sponsored by the Scott County Senior Citizens Center, and they will receive all proceeds. Admission is free; dinner is $7.

The Community Calendar provides free event listings for non-profits and other community organizations. To submit an event, email [email protected], or visit ihoneida.com/community-calendar-2

UPCOMING

AP

22

The Scott High School Class of 1983 will hold its 40-year reunion on Saturday, April 22, at the War Memorial Building located at 19175 Alberta Avenue in Oneida from 1pm until 5pm. Teachers and administration are welcome, as well. The menu will be hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, slaw, chips and assorted desserts. If you would like, please bring a dessert to share. Donations are not required but appreciated. Any money over the cost of food and supplies will be donated to the War Memorial Building Fund. A group photo will be taken at 3pm. Feel free to bring your yearbooks, photos or other memorabilia.

Citizens Gas Utility District’s pipelines reliably distribute natural gas to our customers a cross our service area in Scott and Morgan Counties. www.citizensgas.org | 423-569-4457 2

APRIL 13, 2023 • INDEPENDENT HERALD

R

16



R

Cumberlands Portfolio Melinda Watters snapped this photo of a red newt at Honey Creek Falls on the Honey Creek Loop Trail in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.

PO Box 4974 • Oneida, TN 37841 | (423) 569-6343 | Fax: (888) 494-1405 | Email: [email protected]

About the IH

The Independent Herald was founded in 1976 by Paul Roy, Jack M. Lay, Bill R. Duncan and Jan Jeffers. Paul Roy served as the newspaper’s editor from 1976 to 2004, and as its publisher from 1976 until his death in 2015. His wife, Deborah Roy, served as the news editor from 1976 until her retirement in 2018. Ben Garrett has served as the newspaper’s editor since 2004. In 2018, he and his wife purchased the IH. The IH ceased print production and switched to an all-digital news format in August 11021.

Guest Submission Policy

The Independent Herald welcomes Letters to the Editor and guest perspectives. All signed letters which represent a responsible point-of-view will be printed. Send letters to The Edtior, PO Box 4974, Oneida, TN 37841 or email letters to [email protected] (please include phone number and street address for verification purposes). Send guest columns to The Editor, PO Box 4974, Oneida, TN 37841 or email columns to [email protected].

IH SOCIAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO facebook.com/independent.herald facebook.com/ihsports

twitter.com/indherald twitter.com/ihvarsity

instagram.com/indherald instagram.com/ihsports

youtube.com/c/independentherald youtube.com/c/ihsportsnetwork

indherald.com • April 13, 2023



3

Obituaries Jones & Son

presented by

Funeral Home (423) 569-6353

OBAL CARSON, 75

West-Murley

Funeral Home (423) 569-8534

PATRICIA CHRISTEN, 82

JAMES LAWSON, 90

Knoxville, Tenn. May 16, 1947 – April 5, 2023

Robbins October 27, 1940 – April 7, 2023

Huntsville September 30, 1932 – April 2, 2023

Obal Lee Carson, of Knoxville, Tenn., passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville. He was 75.

Patricia Carol Storey Christen, of Robbins, passed away on Friday, April 7, 2023 at North Knoxville Medical Center in Powell, Tenn. She was 82.

James Robert Sexton, of Huntsville, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, April 2, 2023. He was 90.

Life

Life

Life

Preceded in Death

Preceded in Death

Born May 16, 1947 to Bailey and Orpha Carson, Obal was a loving husband and father. He was a member of the Third Creek Baptist Church and retired from the TN Dept. of Transportation. In addition to his parents: • Wife of 36 years: Atris Ann Carson; • Brothers: James, Kenneth, Walter, Marshall and William Carson; • Sisters: Patricia Ballard and Joyce Chambers; • Brothers-in-law: Kenneth Dean Chambers and James Robert Lawson.

Survivors

• Sons: Darrell Carson, and Richard Carson and wife Jill; • Sister: Sarah Lawson; • Sisters-in-law: Myrtle “Midge” Carson, Nancy Terry, Irene Chambers, Naomi Chambers and husband Steve, and Joan Suddith; • Aunt: Donna Chambers; • Several nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Services

• Visitation: Monday, April 10, 2023 from 12pm until 1pm in the chapel of Four Oaks Funeral Home in Huntsville. • Funeral: To follow with Mike Chambers and Curtis Carson officiating. Music will be provided by Curt and Mary Lyn Carson. • Graveside Service: To follow at Carson Family Cemetery in the Ditney Trail community. Arrangements by Four Oaks Funeral Home. 4

Born in Scott County on Oct. 27, 1940, Patricia was the daughter of Lloyd and Ollie Goad Storey. She was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church and an avid Chicago Bears fan. In addition to her parents: • Sisters: Rheba Storey Kellenbaugh, Roxie Julie Storey Hamby, Verlie Mae Storey and Francis Storey Anderson; • Brothers: Lloyd Virgil Storey Jr. and Jackie Lawrence Storey.

Survivors

• Husband: Russell Christen; • Son: Scott Allen and wife Nikki; • Sisters: Marjorie Storey Bunn and Phyllis Storey Winslow; • Brothers: Larry “Henry” Storey, Frank “Louie” Storey and Walter “Wayne” Storey; • Many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and other relatives and friends.

Services

• Visitation: Monday, April 10, 2023 from 6pm until 7pm in the chapel of West-Murley Funeral Home in Oneida. • Funeral: To follow with Bro. Phillip Kidd officiating. Music will be provided by the Kidd family. • Committal Service: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Black Creek Crossroads Cemetery in Robbins, beginning at 11am. Arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.

April 13, 2023 • Independent Herald

Born on Sept. 30, 1932, James was the son of Starling Lawson and Artie Mae Lloyd Lawson of Norma. He was blessed with a long life of 90-plus years. He was an entrepreneur, great husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Having a sixth-grade education, he successfully ran, along with his loving wife of 59 years, Sarah, two businesses providing for their family. He loved family gatherings, fishing and working in wood. He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was a member of Norma Baptist Church.

Preceded in Death

In addition to his parents: • First wife, Betty Rose Lloyd Lawson; • Son: Bobby Ray Lawson; • Daughter: Judy Rose Lawson; • Sisters: Loudina Lawson, Doris Ann Lawson, Artie Louise Lawson, Shelma Ruth Byrd Ward, Imogene Lawson Duncan Perkins, and Rosa Lee Lawson Burress; • Brother: Charles David Lawson.

Survivors

• Wife: Sarah Carson Lawson; • Son: Benny Joe Lawson and wife Barbara Ann; • Daughters: Carrie Lou Kirby and husband Terry, Karen Diane Lawson Hammock and husband Claude Dean, and Sarah Jane Lawson Carson and husband Carl; • Grandchildren: Tracy Lawson, Eric Lawson, Joann Lawson Foster, Betty Jo Lawson Reed, Josette Lawson, Bobbie Jo Lawson Rose, Robert Wade Carson, Elisha

Rose Carson, James Aaron Ross, Carlissa Renee Carson, Jessica Elaine Carson Duncan, Meagan Jane Carson Beets, Jonathon Dean Hammock, and Katrina Diane Hammock; • Several great- and great-great-grandchildren; • Siblings: James William Lawson and wife Melissa, Anna Joyce Lowe, Marilyn Kay Anderson, Killy Mae Lowe and husband Moses, and Frances Faye Harness and husband Curtis; • Several nieces, nephews, and others who loved him.

Services

• Visitation: Wednesday, April 5, 2023 from 1pm until 2pm in the chapel of West-Murley Funeral Home in Oneida. • Funeral: To follow with Bro. Carlie Duncan and Bro. Carl Carson officiating. Music will be provided by Carlie Duncan and singers. • Committal Service: To follow at Lawson Family Cemetery in Fairview. Arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.

BARBARA MASON, 54

LOLA SEXTON

April 20, 1968 – April 5, 2023

Robbins January 19, 1948 – April 2, 2023

Barbara Jane Mason departed this life on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at Fort Sanders Hospital in Knoxville, Tenn., after a battle with cancer. She was 54.

Life

Barbara was of the Baptist faith. She had a love for life and always tried to find joy in everything. She loved to make everyone around her laugh. She loved her family and friends. Her greatest blessings in life were her two kids and her grandchildren that she loved deeply. In her words, “I’m fine, it’s going to be fine, everything is going to be okay.”

Preceded in Death

• Father: Francis Jack Terry; • Brother: Randall Terry; • Special partner: Tracy Adkins; • Nephews: Corey Terry and Jeff Maney.

Survivors

• Parents: Geneva and Ozy Terry; • Husband: Mark Mason; • Son: Trevor Guffey; • Daughter: Layla Bell and husband Joe; • Grandchildren: Shay Bell, Hayden Bell, Patience Ellis, Willow Ellis and Aryson Jeffers; • Sisters: Karen Terry and Penny Butler; • Brothers: Jackie Terry and Michael Schrock; • Special nieces: Ashley Ellis, Amber McGhee, Renea Privett and Hayli Terry; • Special nephews: Kody Terry, Steven Terry, Devin Maney and Brad Maney; • Special friends: Judy Maney, Nolan Maney, Brittany Dayson, Merissa Brooks, Ronnie Phillips, Donna Neal and Kenny Adkins; • Many other relatives and friends.

Services

• Visitation: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 from 5pm until 7pm in the chapel of Four Oaks Funeral Home in Oneida. • Funeral: Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 1pm in the chapel of Four Oaks Funeral Home in Oneida. • Graveside Service: To follow at Adkins-Maney Cemetery in Winfield.

Lola Mae Sexton, of Robbins, died Sunday, April 2, 2023. She was 75.

Life

Lola entered this world on Jan. 19, 1948 in the Brimstone community of Scott County, to John Ramsey Byrd and Rhoda Hutson Byrd. She worked as a caregiver for many years and loved caring for people. She loved her family and spending time with each of them, especially her grandchildren. She also loved to sing for the Lord. She wanted everyone to know of the Lord’s love and to come to know him.

Preceded in Death

In addition to her parents: • Infant son: Darrell Sexton; • Husband: Bobby Sexton; • Siblings: Fred Byrd, Elizabeth Byrd, Arvil Lee and Mary Helen Byrd, Hazel and George Daugherty, Opal Byrd, Roger Byrd, and Lonzo and Nora Byrd; • Brothers-in-law: Edd Foster and James West; • Nephews: Kent West and Stevie Byrd; • Niece: Evangeline West; • Grandparents: Oliver and Manerva Byrd, and John and Delilah Hutson.

Survivors

• Sons: Dwayne Sexton, Darren Sexton and wife Christina, and Chris Sexton and wife Christy; • Daughter: Regina Sexton and fiancé Justin Lowe; • Grandchildren: Joshua Sexton, Zack Sexton and wife Felicia, Hunter Sexton and wife Hannah, Chase Sexton and Megan Stewart, Gage Sexton, Shaylee Paul and husband John, Keeley Sexton, and Maleeke and Malachi Lowe; • Great-grandsons: Jeff Sexton and Noah Sexton; • Special sister: Hattie Foster; • Brother: Frank Byrd;

indherald.com • April 13, 2023



5

• Nieces: Rosetta Trice and Pauletta Jeffers, Crystal and Herman Heflin, Bridget and Headrick Mason, Rhonda Foster, Sharon Byrd and Crystal Byrd, Angie Brown, Patsy Hicks, Geraldine Walker, Teressa and Jerry Jeffers, Kim Stroder, and Loraine Rimes; • Nephew: Arnold and Diane Byrd; • Many other nieces and nephews, and other family members and friends.

Services

• Visitation: Wednesday, April 5, 2023 from 2pm until 4pm in the chapel of Jones & Son Funeral Home in Oneida. • Funeral: To follow with Bro. Guy Ainsworth officiating. Music will be provided by the Mason family. • Committal Service: To follow at Black Creek Crossroads Cemetery in Robbins. Arrangements by Jones & Son Funeral Home.

SHARION STONE, 75

WENDY WOODWARD, 42

Fairborn, Oh. April 4, 1947 – April 3, 2023

October 10, 1980 – April 6, 2023

Sharion Ann Lowe Stone, of Fairborn, Oh., departed this life on Monday, April 3, 2023. She was 75.

Life

Born in Smokey Junction on April 4, 1947, Sharion was the daughter of Ewell and Nancy Byrd Lowe.

Preceded in Death

In addition to her parents: • Husband: U.S. Air Force Sgt. Gerald Michael “Jerry” Stone; • Son: Michael G. Stone; • In-laws: Owen and Alice Frances Stone; • Sister-in-law: Consuela Parra “Connie” Villaverde Stone.

Survivors

• Brother: Keith Royce Lowe; • Special friend: Hazel Ayers; • Many other relatives and friends.

Services

Wendy Lynn Woodward departed this life on Thursday, April 6, 2023. She was 42.

Life

Born Oct. 10, 1980, Wendy was the daughter of John Dennis Woodward and Neva Keever.

Preceded in Death

In addition to her father: • Uncle: Bud Harness; • Grandparents: Alonzo Harness, Cordelia Harness, Johnny Woodward and Florence Woodward.

Survivors

In addition to her mother: • Son: Kyden Higgs; • Sister: Emily Beth Polis and husband Jonathon; • Special nieces: Gabriella, Penelope and Scarlett Polis; • Many other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

• Visitation: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 from 11am until 12pm in the chapel of Four Oaks Funeral Home in Huntsville. • Funeral: To follow with Bro. Thomas Beverly officiating. Music will be provided by the Mason family. • Burial: To follow at River View Cemetery.

Services

Arrangements by Four Oaks Funeral Home.

Arrangements by Four Oaks Funeral Home.

Graveside service will be Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Woodward Family Cemetery in the Capital Hill community, beginning at 4:30pm with Bro. Dilbert Terry officiating. Procession will leave Four Oaks Funeral Home in Huntsville at 4pm.

That we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.

It’s so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if it had never shone.

HELEN KELLER

JOHN STEINBECK

SCOTT COUNTY’S MISSING

JUSTIN LOWE, 41 Missing since: May 5, 2022 Last seen: Widows Lane, Pioneer

DOWELL PHILLIPS, 57 Missing since: December 5, 2012 Last seen: Helenwood

CHRISTINA BUSSELL, 26 Missing since: September 30, 2011 Last seen: Winfield

WILLIAM CROSS, 29 Missing since: May 18, 2018 Last seen: Whitley City, Ky.

CATCH THE NEWS

AS IT HAPPENS Subscribe. For as little as $17/year, you can get complete access to all content on ihoneida.com. But hurry! This price won’t last long.

**WANTED** CURTIS LOWE Missing since: February 6, 2022 Last seen: Pioneer

PHILIP BOWLING, 43 Missing since: July 5, 2021 Last seen: Robbins

DARLENE CHITWOOD Missing since: June 18, 2022 Last seen: Stearns, Ky.

ihoneida.com/subscriptions

THE CHURCH DIRECTORY “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)

NEW HAVEN: New Haven Baptist Church is located on Coopertown Road in Oneida. The pastor is James Roberts. Service times include Sunday school at 10am, Sunday morning worship at 11am, Sunday evening service at 6pm, and Wednesday service at 7pm.

CHURCH NEWS Trinity Trinity Baptist Church and Pastor Dilbert Terry offer pastoral and biblical counseling. Dealing with anxiety? Struggling in your marriage? Burdened with depression? Battling addiction? Confused as a parent? All questions, no answers? Call (423) 627-1611 for an appointment.

Presented by

TENNIER INDUSTRIES, INC.

8

April 13, 2023 • Independent Herald

THE CHURCH DIRECTORY Changes at your church? If you have a new pastor, new service times, or other changes, please make us aware of it so we can correct our database. Email [email protected]. BAPTIST Annadell Baptist Church 194 Annadell Church Road, Oneida Pastor: Dwight Stanley S: 10a, 7p • W: 7 p Anointed Church of the Living God 231 Letner Road, Helenwood Pastor: John Johnson S: 10a, 11a • T: 7p • W: 7p Antioch Baptist Church 5126 Norma Road, Huntsville Pastor: Carlie Duncan S: 10a, 6p • W: 7p Bethalonia United Baptist Church Station Camp Road, Oneida Bethlehem Baptist Church 19360 Alberta Street, Oneida S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p Bible Believers Baptist Church 120 Cooper Lake Road, Oneida Pastor: Joey Zachary S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p

Buffalo Bridge Missionary Baptist Jeffers Road, Pioneer Pastor: Don Hughett S: 10a, 6:30p

Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church 199 Emmanuel Church Lane, Pioneer Pastor: Ricky Sharpe S: 10a, 6:30p

Buffalo United Baptist Church River Road, Huntsville

Fairview Missionary Baptist Church 8939 Baker Highway, Huntsville Pastor: Charles Lowe S: 10a, 6:30p

Bull Creek United Baptist Church 1974 Bull Creek Road, Huntsville Pastor: J.R. Massengale Byrges Creek Baptist Church 174 Byrges Creek Road, Huntsville Pastor: Dudley Harness Calvary Missionary Baptist Church 1467 Annadell Road, Pioneer Pastor: Bobby Williams S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p Capital Hill Missionary Baptist Jeffers Road, Huntsville Pastor: Dewayne Lawson S: 10a, 6p • 1st Sat: 6p

Big Ridge Missionary Baptist Church 237 Big Ridge Road, Oneida

Clay Hill Missionary Baptist Church 446 Alderville Road, Winfield Pastor: Mark Smith S: 10a, 6p • W: 7p

Black Creek Crossroads Baptist Mountain View Road, Robbins Pastor: Jerry Byrge

Concord Independent Baptist Church Concord Road, Robbins S: 10a, 6p • Th: 6:30p

Black Creek United Baptist Church 141 Grassy Knob Road, Robbins Pastor: Michael Carroll S: 10a, 11a, 7p • W: 7p • 2nd Sat.: 7p

Concord Missionary Baptist Church 304 Concord Road, Robbins Pastor: Randall Kimbrell S: 10a, 7p • W: 7p

Black Oak Baptist Church 4911 Coopertown Road, Oneida Pastor: Kyle Keeton S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p

East Robbins Missionary Baptist 1258 East Robbins Road, Robbins Pastor: David Brewster S: 6p • W: 6p • 1st Sat: 6p

First Baptist Church of Huntsville 3281 Baker Highway, Huntsville Pastor: Kevin Terry S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p First Baptist Church of Oneida 201 N. Main Street, Oneida Pastor: Sean Lee S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 6:30p First Baptist Church of Robbins 251 Sims Road, Robbins Pastor: Mike Smithers S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p Five Black Gums United Baptist Church Road, Huntsville Pastor: Marty Lowe S: 10a, 6p • W: 7p Foster Crossroads United Baptist 523 Foster Cross Road, Oneida Pastor: David GIbson S: 10a, 11:15a, Sat: 7p Glenmary Missionary Baptist Church U.S. Hwy. 27, Robbins Grave Hill United Baptist Church 2674 Grave Hill Road, Oneida Pastor: Don Kidd S: 10a, 6p

indherald.com • April 13, 2023



9

THE CHURCH DIRECTORY Gum Fork Community Baptist Church Gum Fork Road, Winfield

Morning Star Baptist Church Morning Star Road, Huntsville

Helenwood Baptist Church 235 Main Street, Helenwood Pastor: Dave Barnhouse S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p

Mountain View Missionary Baptist Mountain View Road, Robbins Pastor: Phillip Kidd S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p

High Point United Baptist 155 Point Ave, Oneida Pastor: Jamie Byrd S: 10a, 7p • W: 7p • 3rd Sat: 7p

Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist 4840 Low Gap Road, Robbins Pastor: Tim Russell S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p

Highway Baptist Church 100 Poplar Lane, Oneida Pastor: Doug Stanley S: 10a, 6p • W: 7p

Mt. Zion United Baptist Church 7174 Buffalo Road, Oneida S: 10a

Jake’s Branch United Baptist Church Jake’s Branch Road, Pioneer Pastor: Johnny Adkins S: 10a, 6:30p • W: 7p • 2nd Sat: 6:30p Landmark Baptist Church 260 Landmark Road, Oneida Pastor: Chad Hutson S: 10a, 11a Leatherwood Baptist Church Leatherwood Road, Oneida Pastor: Bradley Kidd Liberty Baptist Church 466 Annadell Road, Huntsville Pastor: Tracy Keeton Lone Mountain Baptist Church 11453 Brimstone Road, Robbins Pastor: David Webb Low Gap Missionary Baptist Church 502 Low Gap Road, Helenwood Pastor: James Taylor S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p Mill Branch Baptist Church 950 Mill Branch Road, Huntsville

New Haven Baptist Church 3301 Coopertown Road, Oneida Pastor: James Roberts S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p New Light United Baptist Church 1000 New Light Circle, Winfield Pastor: Larry Fults S: 10a, 11a, 7p • W: 7p New River Missionary Baptist 9443 Scott Highway, Helenwood Pastor: David Walker S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 6p New Salem United Baptist Church 1841 Smith Creek Road, Oneida Pastor: Wayne King S: 10a, 6p Norma Missionary Baptist Church 127 Norma Church Road, Huntsville Pastor: James C. Pennington Sr. S: 10a, 6p • W: 6p Old Gum Fork United Baptist Church Gum Fork Road, Winfield Pastor: George Gregory S: 10a, 6p • Th: 7p

TENNIER INDUSTRIES, INC. 441 E. Monticello Pike, Huntsville, Tennessee tennierindustries.com (423) 6633494 10 

April 13, 2023 • Independent Herald

Paint Rock Baptist Church 4970 Paint Rock Road, Oneida Pastor: Dean Barnes S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p Pentecost Baptist Church 241 Pentecost Street, Oneida Pastor: Timothy Hicks S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p Pine Creek United Baptist Church 664 Pine Creek Road, Oneida Pastor: Keith Marcum S: 10a, 11a, 7p • W: 7p Pine Grove Baptist Church 1426 Pine Grove Road, Winfield Pastor: Payton Slaven S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p Pine Hill United Baptist Church 2328 Buffalo Road, Oneida Pastor: Dennis Blevins S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Pleasant Grove Road, Winfield River View Missionary Baptist Church 143 Smoky Junction Road, Huntsville Pastor: Buster Massengale S: 10a, 6p Salem Baptist Church 5093 Buffalo Road, Oneida Pastor: Josh Lay S: 10a, 6p • W: 7p Second Bethlehem Baptist Church Pine Grove Road, Winfield Slick Rock Missionary Baptist Church 7914 Brimstone Road, Robbins Pastor: Michael Massengale S: 10a, 6p • 1st, 3rd, 5th Sat: 6p

THE CHURCH DIRECTORY Smokey Creek Baptist Church Smokey Creek Road, Huntsville Pastor: Roger Lloyd Straight Fork Baptist Church 335 Straight Fork Ch Road, Huntsville Pastor: Wayne Sexton S: 10a, 6p • 4th Sat: 7p Sugar Grove Missionary Baptist 2920 Sugar Grove Road, Huntsville Pastor: Michael Chambers S: 10a, 6p Trinity Baptist Church 1611 Glass House Road, Helenwood Pastor: Dilbert Terry S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p Tunnel Hill Baptist Church 560 Tunnel Hill Road, Oneida Pastor: Ronnie Joe Silcox S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p Upper Jellico Creek United Baptist Upper Jellico Creek Road, Winfield West Oneida United Baptist Church 100 Anderson Street, Oneida Pastor: Larry Ellis S: 10a, 6:30p • W: 6:30p West Robbins Baptist Church 1771 West Robbins Road, Robbins Pastor: Brian Strunk S: 10a, 6p • W: 7p White Pine United Baptist Church Leatherwood Road, Oneida Pastor: Lawrence Blevins S: 10:30a, 5:45p White Rock Baptist Church 2703 Baker Highway, Huntsville Pastor: Jim West S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p

Oneida Church of Christ 100 S. Cross Street, Oneida Preacher: Johnny Polk S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p

New Life Tabernacle 5045 Baker Highway, Huntsville Pastor: Bob Gray S: 10:30a, 6p • W: 7p

CHURCH OF GOD Little Charity Ministries 220 Oak Avenue, Oneida Pastor: Daniel Woods S: 10a, 6p • W: 7p

Outreach Church 104 East 2nd Avenue, Oneida Pastor: Joe West S: 10a, 6p • W: 7p

Oneida Church of God 1100 Paint Rock Road, Oneida Pastor: Chuck Jeffers S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p METHODIST First United Methodist of Oneida 234 N. Main Street Pastor: David Gass S: 10a, 11a Rugby Road Methodist Church 237 Young Road, Elgin Pastor: David Gass NON-DENOMINATIONAL/OTHER Amazing Grace Church 2131 Cherry Fork Road, Helenwood Pastor: Jody Harness S: 11a, 12:30p • W: 7p Barton Chapel Congregational Church 5760 Scott Highway, Robbins Community Church Rugby Highway, Elgin Faith of God Church 1435 Tunnel Hill Road, Helenwood Pastor: Shane R. Phillips S: 10a, 6p

Grace Fellowship Church Jeffers Road, Huntsville Pastor: Randy Bates S: 11a, • Th: 7p

Zion Baptist Church Gum Fork Road, Winfield

House of the Lord 2025 Niggs Creek Road, Oneida Pastor: Donnie Griffith S: 10a, 11a, 6:30p • W: 7p • 3rd Sat: 7p

CHURCH OF CHRIST Elgin Church of Christ 130 Rugby Highway, Robbins S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 6p

Thrive Church 130 Choate Road, Oneida Pastor: Sean Anderson S: 11a • W: 7p Upper Room Ministries Alberta Street, Oneida Pastor: Shernie Stephens S: 10a • W: 7p Word of God Ministries 317 Troxel Drive, Oneida Pastor: Jerry Foster S: 10a, 6p • W: 7p PENTACOSTAL Abundant Life United Pentacostal 26790 Scott Highway, Winfield Pastor: Virgil Gibson S: 10a, 6p • W: 7p PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville 185 Woodland Place, Huntsville Pastor: Dr. Dennis Falasco S: 9:45a, 11a

Grace Creation Church 21312 Alberta Street, Oneida S: 10:30a, W: 7p

Winfield Baptist Church 180 New Light Road, Winfield S: 10a, 11a, 6p • W: 7p Sun break: 9:30a

CATHOLIC St. Jude Parish 13067 Scott Highway, Helenwood

Set Free Church Pastor: Ed King 130 Dean Hill Road, Oneida

Macedonia Christian Center 21470 Alberta Street, Oneida Pastor: Randall Duncan S: 10a, 6p • 1st/3rd W: 7p, 2nd/4th W: 6p New Charity Church 5313 Scott Highway, Robbins S: 10a, 11a, 6p indherald.com • April 13, 2023



11

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

President Joe Biden The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20500 (202) 456-1111 [email protected]

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn 357 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-3344 blackburn.senate.gov

U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty B11 Russell Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-4944 hagerty.senate.gov

U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann 462 Cannon HOB Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 225-3271 fleischmann.house.gov

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee 1st Floor, State Capitol Nashville, TN 37243 (615) 741-2001 tn.gov/governor

State Sen. Ken Yager 10A Legislative Plaza Nashville, TN 37243 (615) 741-1449 [email protected]

State Rep. Kelly Keisling 456 Rep. John Lewis Way N. Nashville, TN 37243 (615) 741-6852 [email protected]

12 6  April April13, 13,2023 2023• •Independent IndependentHerald Herald

U.S. Rep. John Rose 1124 Longworth HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-4231 johnrose.house.gov

Scott County Mayor Jerried Jeffers (423) 663-6900

[email protected]

Scott County Sheriff Brian Keeton (423) 663-3111

County Clerk Felicia Bilbrey (423) 663-2588

[email protected]

County Trustee Rena Erwin (423) 663-2598

[email protected]

Register of Deeds Ashley N. Riseden (423) 663-3075

[email protected]

Assessor of Property Tiffany Jeffers (423) 663-2420

1st District Commissioners: David Jeffers David “Blue” Day

2nd District Commissioners: Joyce Keeton Taylor Stephens

3rd District Commissioners: Sheila Buttram Amy Jeffers

4th District Commissioners: Kenny Chadwell Shonda Gray

5th District Commissioners: Kelly Chitwood Robyn McBroom

6th District Commissioners: Colby Burke Shon Terry

7th District Commissioners: Jared Burke Tom Payne

School Board: Tommy Silcox

School Board: Carlene Terry

School Board: Linda Sharp

School Board: Kimberly Kidd

School Board: Angela King

School Board: Llew Stanley

School Board: Tressa Murphy

Scott County School System: Director Bill Hall | (423) 663-2159 | [email protected] Oneida Special School District: Director Dr. Jeanny Phillips | (423) 569-8912 • Board: Dr. Nancy Williamson, Kevin Byrd, Dr. Danny Cross, Mark Matthews, Dorothy Watson

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEETINGS Scott County Commission Work Session: 1st Monday at 5 pm Regular Session: 3rd Monday at 6 pm Scott County Office Building, Huntsville

Scott County Board of Education Workshop: Tuesday of week preceding regular meeting Regular Session: 2nd Thursday at 4:30 pm Scott County Central Office, Huntsville

Town of Huntsville Board of Mayor & Aldermen Regular Session: 3rd Thursday at 6 pm

Oneida Special School District Board of Education Work Session: Varies Regular Session: 1st Thursday at 6 pm OSSD Training Center, Oneida

Town of Oneida Board of Mayor & Aldermen Regular Session: 3rd Thursday at 6 pm Town of Winfield Board of Mayor & Aldermen Regular Session: 2nd Tuesday at 4:30 pm

Industrial Development Board of Scott County 1st Thursday at 6 pm Scott County Visitor Center, Helenwood

Scott County Finance Committee 2nd Monday at 5 pm Scott County Office Building, Huntsville Scott County Airport Authority 4th Monday at 5 pm Scott County Airport, Oneida As a citizen of Scott County, you have a RIGHT to attend government meetings and be heard. As elected officials, government has a DUTY to listen.

indherald.com indherald.com• •April April13, 13,2023 2023 13 7

Viewpoints Politics’ race to the gutter hits home in Tennessee There were no winners in last week’s expulsion fracas in Nashville. Not the Republicans, not the Democrats, and certainly not the news media. By BEN GARRETT [email protected]

H

ypocrisy and politics have always been strange bedfellows. Democrats who full-throatedly endorsed impeachment and arrest of former President Donald Trump for his roll in the January 6 riot in our nation’s capitol were the first to howl foul on Thursday when Tennessee’s Republican lawmakers ousted two Democratic members of the legislature who disrupted proceedings on March 30. Meanwhile, Republicans who so vehemently defended Trump and the MAGA allies who stormed the U.S. Capitol were anxious to defend Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and the Republican-led House for ousting Justin Jones, D-Nashville and Justin Pearson, D-Memphis for a non-violent disruption of the legislative session on March 30. For those who weren’t following along, hundreds of protestors stormed the state capitol building on March 30 in support of new gun laws following the school shooting in Nashville that left six people dead, including three nine-year-olds. When the protestors entered the gallery of the House of Representatives, Jones and Pearson entered the well and used a bullhorn to lead chants. Legislative proceedings were disrupted, and a recess was called. Angry Republicans promised consequences, and on Thursday voted to expel Jones and Pearson. A third legislator, Democrat Gloria 14 

Views expressed in the IH Viewpoints section are the opinions of their authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Independent Herald. Your viewpoint is welcome! If you’d like to share a viewpoint to be published here, email it to bgarrett@ ihoneida.com. Diverse, responsible opinions are welcomed.

Johnson of Knoxville, stood with the men on March 30 and also faced expulsion. The measure failed by a single vote. She was, however, stripped of her committee assignments. The two instances — January 6 in Washington and March 30 in Nashville — aren’t the same in almost any aspect. The statement by Sexton, the Speaker of the House, that what happened in Nashville was “maybe worse” than what happened at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 is a laughable claim at best. Both incidents, however, represent what has rapidly become the new reality of American politics: an abandonment of norms and civility and a whole-hearted embrace of extremism by both conservatives and liberals … and, increasingly, a willingness by traditional news media to choose sides in the fight and advocate rather than inform. Volumes could be written about how we got to this place, but suffice to say that both parties are to blame. We’re locked in a constant battle of oneupsmanship between Democrats and Republicans. It’s not much of a stretch to suggest that if the madefor-TV Jan. 6 hearings don’t happen, what

April 13, 2023 • Independent Herald

played out in Nashville last week doesn’t happen, either. There were no winners in the fracas that unfolded in our state’s capitol. What happened was unprecedented — on both sides. The so-called “Tennessee Three,” as Jones, Pearson and Johnson have been dubbed, are hardly heroes. Whether one agrees or disagrees with their call for gun control, they displayed a shocking lack of decorum and a clear disregard for House rules — which is why their own party’s leadership engaged in heated arguments with them as the House’s business was disrupted. Lest it be forgotten, Jones — then an activist, not a lawmaker — was arrested and charged with assault in 2019 when he threw a cup of coffee at then-House Speaker Glen Casada during a protest. Nor are the Republicans who ousted Jones and Pearson heroes. However out of order the two men may have been, expulsion was completely unnecessary when censure or some lesser consequence would’ve worked just fine. Jones, Pearson and Johnson wouldn’t have gone to the well with a bullhorn on March 30 if they hadn’t intended to generate controversy and attention, and the Tennessee GOP played right into their hands. Not only does the move by House Republicans set a dangerous precedent, but it accomplished what the GOP had no intention of accomplishing: making the two men heroes in the eyes of their constituents. Democrats controlled Tennessee’s legislature for generations after Reconstruction. The Republican supermajority

 See OPINION, page 15

Opinion

Continued from page 14 that’s currently in control in Nashville is relatively new, and won’t last forever. From their recent actions, it seems the GOP is determined to accelerate the speed with which the political pendulum swings and the Democrats regain control of the state legislature. When that happens, Republicans will pine for the days of Jimmy Naifeh and John Wilder. Lastly, Thursday certainly wasn’t a win for the mainstream news media, which breathlessly implied that Republicans ousted Jones and Pearson because they’re black and out of retaliation because the men participated in an anti-gun protest. In a stunningly slanted article on Saturday, presented as straight news, the Associated Press claimed that “Tennessee has become a new front in the battle for the future

of American democracy,” and added: “The removal of the lawmakers, who were only recently elected, reflects a trend in dozens of states where Republicans are trying to make it harder to cast ballots and challenging the integrity of the election process.” It’s little wonder that many conservatives place so little trust in the news they see on their smartphones and their TVs — which in and of itself is a consequential threat to democracy. As for the claims of racism that the media was so anxious to promote, the three votes to expel went like this: 69-26 to oust Pearson, 65-30 to oust Johnson, and 72-25 to oust Jones, in that order. The only legislators who voted against expelling Johnson who didn’t also vote against expelling Jones and Pearson were Jody Barrett (R-Dickson), Rush Bricken (R-Tullahoma), Lowell Russell (R-Vonore), Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna) and Sam Whitson (R-Franklin). John Gillespie (R-Memphis) voted against expelling Pearson — who is also from Memphis — but not the oth-

er two. Bryan Richey (R-Maryville) voted against expelling both Pearson and Johnson, but not Jones. In other words, there are 75 Republicans in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Five of the 75 voted to expel the two black men but not the white woman. The remainder were uniform in their expulsion votes. It might be fair to angle questions of whether race motivated the vote of those five lawmakers, but efforts to label the entire body as racist based on those numbers is disingenuous at best. It’s called propaganda, and it’s something you expect from pundits on the left and on the right, but something you certainly shouldn’t expect from the news media. What we’ve seen play out in Nashville over the past couple of weeks is sad, more than anything else. It seems everyone involved can do better: the Republicans, the Democrats, and certainly the news media. It’s a microcosm of the greater American political scene: a race to the gutter, with either side trying its best to one-up the other. indherald.com • April 13, 2023



15

Focus On

HEALTH

A closer look at issues near and dear to the hearts of Scott Countians

The risks of alcohol

Millions of Americans — including many Scott Countians — enjoy a drink with their meal, or when socializing with friends and family. And experts are pretty resolved in their stance that moderate drinking won’t hurt most people (though recent research shows that “drinking in moderation” doesn’t have the health benefits it’s been sometimes claimed to have). But for a growing number of Americans, the amount of alcohol being consumed is excessive, and that can have negative influences on your health. According to a recent survey of more than 34,000 U.S. adults, researchers found that 40% American adults consume excessive amounts of alcohol. That’s up almost 10% from 2014 data, and it’s a startling high number.

16 

Why it matters

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism, drinking too much — whether it’s a single binge-drinking episode, or drinking excessive amounts of alcohol over time — can take a serious toll on your health, and in many ways. Consider… Brain: Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways, causing changes in mood and behavior, and making it harder to think clearly and move with coordination. Heart: Drinking a lot over a long time, or even too much on a single occasion, can damage the heart, including cardiomyopathy (stretching of the heart muscle), arrhythmias (irregular heart beat), stroke, and high blood pressure. Liver: Heavy drinking takes a major toll on the liver, causing steatosis (fatty

April 13, 2023 • Independent Herald

liver), hepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. Pancreas: Drinking alcohol causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances that can lead to pancreatitis, a dangerous inflammation of the pancreas that disrupts digestion and can even be fatal. Cancer: The National Cancer Institute says there is a “strong scientific consensus” that alcohol drinking causes several types of cancer, and the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services lists consumption of alcoholic beverages as a known human carcinogen. It is estimated that nearly 20,000 cancer deaths in the U.S. each year are linked to alcohol, and they include cancer of the head and neck, esophageal cancer, liver cancer,

 See HEALTH, page 17

Health

Continued from page 16 breast cancer and colon cancer. Immune System: Drinking too much can weaken your immune system, which

makes your body more susceptible to infection and disease. Chronic drinkers are more likely to contract diseases like pneumonia.

Recognize the problem

There is a medical term for people with what we might commonly refer to as a “drinking problem.” It’s called alco-

hol use disorder, or AUD. According to the National Institutes for Health, there are several warning signs for AUD. Among them: • You drink more, or longer, than you intended.  See ALCOHOL, page 18

indherald.com • April 13, 2023



17

Alcohol

Continued from page 17 • You want to cut down or stop drinking, but can’t. • You spend a lot of time drinking, being sick from drinking, or getting over the after-effects of drinking. • You occasionally want a drink so badly that you can’t think of anything else. • Drinking, or being sick from drinking, interferes with taking care of your home or family, or with your job (or school). • You continue to drink even though it causes problems with your family and friends. • You have given up or cut back on activities that were important to you in order to drink. • You’ve more than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt (such as driving, swimming, using machinery, or engaging in unsafe sexual behavior). • You continue to drink even though it makes you depressed or anxious, or after having an alcohol-related memory blackout. • You have to drink more than you once did to get the effect you want, or you find that your usual number of drinks has less effect than before. • You have withdrawal symptoms — such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, dysphoria, malaise, feeling low or seizure — when the effects of alcohol are laying off. According to the NIH, the presence of two or three of these symptoms can

18 

signal mild AUD. The presence of six or more is indicative of severe AUD. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor.

Consequences of the issue

According to the NIH, alcohol is a factor in 30% of this nation’s suicides, 40% of fatal burn injuries, 50% of drownings and homicides, and 65% of fatal falls. Additionally, almost 30% of all motor-vehicle deaths involve alcohol, as do a significant number of sexual assaults. That’s in addition to the health problems listed above. And there’s more. According to the NIH, half of liver disease deaths in the U.S. are now caused by alcohol, and the incidence is increasing, particularly among women and younger people. Recent research has shown that for each 10 grams of alcohol consumed on a daily basis — which is less than one standard drink — a woman’s risk of postmenopausal breast cancer increases by about 9%. If you suffer from AUD, you could lose your job, your friends, your family, your freedom … even your life.

Alcohol issues and young people

According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use & Health, almost one in five American adolescents reported drinking alcohol within the past month. That’s almost three times the number who reported using tobacco. Alcoholism is especially dangerous for our youth. In addition to the health risks it poses and the propensity for accidents (a significant percentage of deaths of people under the age of 21 involve alcohol), alcohol use among teens can cause other problems. Alcohol impairs judgment, which can

April 13, 2023 • Independent Herald

lead to poor decisions about taking risks, including unsafe sexual behavior and aggressive or violent behavior. It increases the risk of physical and sexual assault — especially underage binge drinking — and it can lead to other problems, such as performing poorly at school. Additionally, research has shown that people who start drinking before the age of 15 are at a significantly higher risk of developing AUD later in life. Using alcohol at a young age can also stunt brain development.

Take action

Fortunately, there is plenty of help available for those who want to stop drinking and need it — and you don’t have to wait for a crisis or to “hit bottom.” Start by talking to your doctor. Your family physician can help you avoid withdrawal symptoms with medication if you’re a heavy drinker, and can also provide you with general health information. You can also seek therapy from a professional. Or you might try a support group. In Scott County, Alcoholics Anonymous meet each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7pm at the Highway 27 Unity Club in Oneida. You can find more information at highway27unityclub.com. If you’re worried about the drinking habits of someone close to you, reach out to them. Experts recommend keeping the conversation positive, offer support, be available — whether it’s as someone they can confide in or perhaps even someone to accompany them to a doctor or support group, and make a plan with your loved one to help them achieve whatever goals they decide to set. For more information, visit alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov.

Police arrest six in Armstrong thefts ONEIDA | A total of six people were charged in two separate burglary cases involving the former Armstrong property last week. The property, which is currently owned by the Industrial Development Board of Scott County, has been repeatedly victimized by thieves, and is now being patrolled regularly by the Oneida Police Department. In one instance last week, police arrested two suspected burglars when they were found asleep inside a vehicle parked at the property, and a third suspect was arrested when he showed up at City Hall to claim the vehicle. According to warrants filed by Oneida Police Department’s Silas Robbins, the people charged in the case were Damon Levi Breeding, 23, of Crossville; Gina Lee Gentry, 24, of Crossville; and Bradley Price, age not given, of Crossville. Allegedly, Robbins was patrol in the area of the Armstrong property when he saw a Ford F-150 pickup truck parked behind

some tanks at the old chemical plant on the property. A check of the vehicle allegedly revealed copper wires and wire cutters in the truck bed — and Price and Gentry asleep in the cab. Price allegedly denied that the copper wire in the back of the truck had come from the Armstrong property. However, representatives of the property owner allegedly identified the wire and six crane hooks as being taken from the building. Robbins, along with Oneida Chief of Police Darryl Laxton and officer Austin Thompson, investigated and allegedly found that a lock had been cut off the front door of the building, and found where copper wire had been cut from a machine. Price was charged with felony theft, vandalism, burglary, criminal trespassing and possession of burglary tools. Gentry was also charged with criminal trespassing and aggravated burglary. According to the warrants, Breeding showed up at the Oneida Municipal Services

Building after the fact to pick up his truck. While being interviewed by Robbins, he allegedly said that he was outside the gate to the Armstrong property while Price and Gentry were inside. He had a two-way radio in his pocket that allegedly matched a radio that was found in the truck. When Breeding was asked if he was positioned outside the gate to be a look-out for police, he allegedly said he was there to tell them if anyone was coming. Breeding was charged with felony theft, aggravated burglary, vandalism, criminal trespassing and possession of burglary tools. In a separate incident, police arrested three people on Monday, April 3, following an alleged theft at the industrial property. Charged were Jordan R. Burke, 26, of Oneida; Destiny Marie Lackey, 20, of Winfield; and Sierra Nichole Caldwell, 30, of Oneida.  See OPD, page 21

indherald.com • April 13, 2023



19

20 

April 13, 2023 • Independent Herald

TDOT’s Oak Grove project set to begin Signs placed, work ready to start on turn lane project ONEIDA | The TN Dept. of Transportation project to install a right-turn lane on Alberta Street near the Oak Grove intersection is about to get underway. Signage has been installed and construction barrels delivered to the site of the

OPD

Continued from page 19 According to warrants, OPD’s Kyler King was responding to a complaint of theft on the property and encountered the three suspects. Allegedly, Burke was holding a knife in his hand and, when advised to put it down, told police he might have another knife in his pocket. While patting down Burke for weapons, King allegedly discovered a meth pipe and a small bag containing 0.71 gram of crystal meth. Burke was charged with theft of property, possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lackey and Caldwell were charged with criminal trespassing. In separate charges filed by OPD last week: • Melissa Sue Martin, 52, of Winfield,

project, which will be from Litton Road to just north of Sheppard Road. Locally-based Twin K Construction won the contract for the project, which carries a price tag of $573,000. The project will see the right-hand south-bound lane of Alberta Street extended from where it previously ends just north of the former Independent Herald office to the Litton Road intersection as a right-turn-only lane for Sheppard Road and Litton Road. Once the project is completed,

southbound vehicles that are turning right at the Oak Grove intersection will not have to merge with the rest of the southbound traffic. The goal of the project is to help alleviate the bottleneck at the intersection that ties up traffic during the busiest times of day. For the most part, existing properties will not be impacted by the project, though TDOT did purchase the former King Donuts building at the corner of the intersection to make way for the project.

was charged with possession of meth and driving on a revoked license on Tuesday, April 4. The arrest took place during a traffic stop as officers responded to a complaint of a domestic disturbance. • Tiffany Renee Perkins, 30, of Stearns, Ky., was arrested after an alleged shoplifting incident at the Oneida Walmart on Sunday, April 2. According to a warrant, loss prevention personnel at Walmart accused Perkins of taking a cell phone and a pair of shoes without paying for them. According to a warrant filed by OPD’s Dennis Chambers, surveillance video showed Perkins wearing the shoes as she ran from the store. • Aaron T. Monhollen, 46, of Oneida, was arrested and charged with harassment on Wednesday, April 5. According to a warrant filed by OPD’s Tony Jones, he was assisting the TN Dept. of Children’s Services with a “walk-thru” at a home when he was informed of Monhollen sending threatening

statements to a woman and her mother. Allegedly, Monhollen sent a text saying, “If I have to then I will stop through all your (expletive) guts.” When advised by Jones, the woman texted Monhollen to tell him not to contact her anymore. However, Monhollen allegedly continued to text more than 20 times as well as call the woman. • Colby E. Shelton, 29, was charged on Thursday following an alleged shoplifting incident at the Oneida Walmart. According to a warrant filed by Jones, an argument began in the parking lot between Shelton and the store’s loss prevention personnel, with Shelton contending that he had paid for the items in his cart using “scan and go,” and Walmart employees contending that he had not paid for all the items. The ensuing investigation allegedly revealed unpaid merchandise in Shelton’s cart amounting to $406.95. He was cited into General Sessions Court on a misdemeanor theft charge.

indherald.com • April 13, 2023



21

Scott County law enforcement officer charged with rape HUNTSVILLE | Special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have charged a Scott County Sheriff’s Office employee with rape. Tommy Duncan, 38, of Oneida, was arrested by TBI agents Monday (April 3), the agency said. His arrest followed an investigation that was initiated at the request of

8th Judicial District Attorney General Jared Effler. Although the TBI did not say so, it would be standard procedure for the D.A.’s office to request the TBI’s involvement with the investigation because of Duncan’s connection to law enforcement. He was a past employee of the TN Dept. of Corrections.

Duncan is charged with four counts of rape; TBI agents allege that he raped a female victim on at least four different occasions. Duncan was arrested by TBI agents Monday evening. He is being held at the Campbell County Jail in Jacksboro, Tenn. Again, that would be standard procedure. Bond has been set at $150,000.

THP concludes investigation of fatal crash HUNTSVILLE | The Tennessee Highway Patrol has concluded its investigation into a fatal traffic accident that occurred in the New River community south of here Saturday evening, and no charges will be filed. According to a preliminary report released by THP late Tuesday, no charges are pending as a result of the wreck, which claimed the life of a 75-year-old Robbins woman, confirming that the collision was the result of a tragic accident. Lola Sexton, of Robbins, was killed when the vehicle she was driving was struck by an errant SUV that had come loose from an RV that was towing it.

22 

THP’s report confirms what the Independent Herald had previously reported, citing witnesses who were on the scene Saturday night: the accident occurred when a Jeep came loose from an RV that was being driven by an out-of-state driver passing through Scott County. The driver of the Baystar RV was Ricky Flick, 68, of Kentucky. According to the THP’s report, the RV was towing a 2013 Jeep Wrangler and was northbound on U.S. Highway 27 near Company Circle when the Jeep came loose and crossed the center line, striking Sexton’s 2020 Nissan Versa head-on. The Jeep came

April 13, 2023 • Independent Herald

to rest in the southbound lane of U.S. 27, while the Versa came to rest in the center of the highway. Apparently, the driver of the RV did not immediately realize that the Jeep had come loose. However, the THP report states that when Flick realized the Jeep had come loose, he returned to the scene of the accident. Funeral services for Sexton will be held Wednesday afternoon at Jones & Son Funeral Home in Oneida, beginning at 4pm with Guy Ainsworth officiating. Burial will follow at Black Creek Crossroads Cemetery. Visitation begins at 2pm.

April 10, 2023 Posting Date

1. TELEVISION: What is the name of the president in the drama “West Wing”? 2. GEOGRAPHY: Which U.S. state shares the same name as one of the Great Lakes? 3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: What are the ZIP codes assigned to the president and first lady? 4. LANGUAGE: What is cryptophasia? 5. MOVIES: What is the number on top of the bus in the movie “Speed”? 6. LITERATURE: What is the setting for Dashiell Hammett’s novel “The Maltese Falcon”? 7. ANATOMY: Which two parts of the human body contain the most bones? 8. U.S. STATES: In which state would you find the Grand Teton National Park? 9. AD SLOGANS: Which popular product uses the slogan, “Is it in you?”? 10. FOOD & DRINK: What is the primary ingredient of baba ganoush? © 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

indherald.com • April 13, 2023



23

Trivia Test Answerst 1. Josiah “Jed” Bartlet.; 2. Michigan.; 3. 20500-0001 and 20500-0002.; 4. A language developed by twins that only the two children can understand.; 5. 2525.; 6. San Francisco.; 7. More than half the bones are in the hands and feet, 27 in each hand and 26 in each foot.; 8. Wyoming.; 9. Gatorade.; 10. Eggplant.

THE SCOTT COUNTY CEMETERY PROJECT

BEN GARRETT/INDEPENDENT HERALD

The grave of Angeline Moore, a 15-year-old “orphan girl” who was found brutally beaten to death in 1872, at Chimney Rocks Cemetery.in the Big South Fork National River & REcreation Area.

Chimney Rocks Cemetery Editor’s Note — Chimney Rocks Cemetery has been the subject of past stories in the Independent Herald. However, as part of the “Sacred Ground” series, we are revisiting every cemetery in Scott County. *** Two murder victims who died in 1872 formed the beginnings of the Chimney Rocks Cemetery in what we now know as the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. There are a total of 58 cemeteries within the boundaries of the national park. Most of them are small, consisting of only a single grave, or a handful of graves. But some — like Terry Cemetery, Katie Blevins Cemetery and Hattie Blevins Cemetery — are larger. More than simply family cemeteries, they were community burial grounds in the era of human settlement along the Big South Fork River and its tributaries. Chimney Rocks Cemetery certainly falls among those larger community burial grounds. But, of them all, it is perhaps the most unkempt. Like the Katie Blevins Cemetery near Bandy Creek, and the Terry Cemetery near No Business, Chimney Rocks Cemetery is privately-owned. But, unlike those other two, it is rarely maintained, though descendants of those buried there 24 

visit frequently and decorate the graves of their ancestors. Chimney Rocks Cemetery is also known as Slaven Cemetery, and for good reason. There are at least eight Slavens buried here (several dozen graves are marked with uninscribed field stone and cannot be identified, or are not marked at all), more than any other family except for the Smiths who lived nearby. There are eight Smiths buried here, too. The two families make up exactly half of the verifiable graves at Chimney Rocks. The Chimney Rocks Cemetery is frequently visited, as evidenced by the worn footpath that winds between the graves. These are mostly visitors to the Big South Fork NRRA, the curious who see the cemetery as a spectacle as much as anything else. And there’s nothing wrong with that. For the stones and epitaphs contained within it help tell the story of the people who defined this land before it was ever a tourist destination.

Angeline Moore

The story of young Orphan Girl Angeline Moore has been told over and over through the years. It’s a shocking story … and a sad one. Young Angeline was just 15 when she died in early 1872. She was found beaten to death on Huckleberry Ridge on Jan. 6, 1872.

April 13, 2023 • Independent Herald

If you look today, you won’t find Huckleberry Ridge on any map. But it would’ve been nearby, because her body was discovered on the old Monticello Road, which snaked through the Big South Fork between Huntsville and Kentucky, traveling through the No Business community. The best-guess estimate, based on writings from over the years, would place Huckleberry Ridge just outside the current boundaries of the Big South Fork NRRA, near Station Camp Road. While the commercial headstone that was placed at Chimney Rocks Cemetery long after Angeline Moore’s death calls her an “Orphan Girl,” newspaper reports from the day indicate that her mother was very much alive and well, living in Kentucky. Some accounts said that the girl was indentured to a family in Huntsville. The finding of Angeline’s body was sensationalized by newspapers across the region, as was commonplace in that day. One called it “a mountain horror.” Another asked, “Murdered or starved, which? Sad fate of a beautiful girl.” The Knoxville Daily Chronicle described the discovery of her body like this: “The body bore evidences of brutality and inhumanity at the contempla-

 See CEMETERY on Page 25

BEN GARRETT/INDEPENDENT HERALD

Anderson and Sally Smith were the patriarch and matriarch of the prominent Smith family at Station Camp. They died in the late 1800s and are buried at Chimney Rocks Cemetery.

Cemetery

Continued from page 24 tion of which a demon might shudder…her collar bone and one rib were broken. The left eye was smashed in, apparently by a severe blow, and the entire body, most horribly mutilated, bore witness to refined cruelty, which is at once sickening and a burning shame to advanced civilization.” Angeline Moore’s body was originally buried, then exhumed for an inquest, then buried again at Chimney Rocks. What became of her original headstone after the commercial headstone was placed years later isn’t clear, but it is no longer at the cemetery. There was never justice for young Angeline. The woman to whom she had supposedly been indentured, Keziah Thompson of Huntsville, was indicted in connection to her death, as was Thompson’s daughter, Sallie Thompson. However, they were acquitted at trial. (Angeline Moore’s death was the subject of a chapter of “Murders in the Heartland.”)

Dan Pennington

Just six months after Orphan Girl Angeline Moore was found dead and buried at Chimney Rocks Cemetery, another resident of the Station Camp area was murdered and buried there: Daniel Pennington. Dan Pennington was 26 when he was killed by his brother-in-law on July 10, 1872. He was the husband of Susanna Slaven, who was five months pregnant with their first child. For reasons that aren’t clear, Pennington

wound up in a fight with Susanna’s brother, Elias Meshack Slaven, known to his friends as Shack. Amid the fight, Slaven fired a gun at Pennington. Pennington returned fire, striking Slaven in the shoulder. Perhaps fearing retribution, and rightfully so, Pennington left his home and hid in the underbrush nearby. It wasn’t long before another of his wife’s brothers, Stuard Riley Slaven, approached Pennington and shot him. Susanna later testified in court that her husband told her before he died that he saw Stuard Slaven running away after shooting him. Reports from the time indicated that Steward told others, as he packed up his belongings and prepared to flee the Big South Fork region, that there was no need for the law to go after Shack because it was he who had killed Dan Pennington. Both Meshack and Stuard Slaven were indicted for Pennington’s death, but neither ever stood trial. Another man, Anderson Lewallen, did stand trial, but was acquitted. Meshack, Steward and Susanna were the children of Absalom Slaven, the grandchildren of Richard Harve Slaven, the first white settler on No Business Creek a few miles down-river from Station Camp. Richard Harve Slaven is buried at Nancy Smith Cemetery. His descendants can also be found at Katie Blevins Cemetery and Hattie Blevins Cemetery. Four months after Dan Pennington’s death, his son, William Marion Pennington, was born. William left the Big South Fork for Missouri and later settled in California. Stuard Slaven never returned and eventually died in California, while Meshack also left and later died in Missouri. Susanna Slaven remarried to William Owens, whose family will be featured in a

future segment of “Sacred Ground.” When he died, she left the Big South Fork for Mt. Pisgah, Ky., where she died in 1935. Within just a few years of Dan Pennington’s death, all of the players in the saga had left Station Camp.

The Slaven family

Absalom Slaven, the father of Susanna Pennington Owens, Meshack Slaven, and Steward Slaven, was buried at Chimney Rocks when he did in 1877, at the age of 67. He was the third person buried there; the first to be buried there after Angeline Moore and his son-in-law, Dan Pennington, in 1872. His wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Wood Slaven, died in 1903 and is buried at Chimney Rocks, as well. Absalom and Betty had at least 11 children. Other members of the Slaven family buried at Chimney Rocks include Absalom’s son John Wesley Slaven (1838-1878) and his wife Mary “Polly” Blevins Slaven (1838-1918), the daughter of Jacob and Catie Blevins who are the namesakes of the Katie Blevins Cemetery at Bandy Creek. There’s also 10-year-old John William Slaven, who died in October 1884; P.A. (or Pa) Slaven, who died in 1887; and Onva Slaven, who died in 1927. Ruth Slaven, who died in 1888 at age 20, was transcribed among the graves at Chimney Rock by Robert Bailey in his 1994 book, “Cemeteries of Scott County, Tennessee.” However, Tim West and Sue Posey were unable to locate her stone when transcribing the cemetery in 2012, and the Independent Herald was unable to locate it more recently.

 See CHIMNEY ROCKS on Page 26 indherald.com • April 13, 2023



25

Chimney Rocks Continued from page 25

Findagrave lists John “Moccasin” Slaven and his wife, Elizabeth Smith Slaven, as being buried at Chimney Rocks. However, their graves were not transcribed by either Bailey in 1994 or West in 2012, and also have not been located by the IH. Finally, Bell More Slaven, who died in 1916 at age 28, is believed to be buried at Chimney Rocks. However, a stone cannot be located.

The Smith family

The Smith family was one of the more prominent families to settle the Station Camp area in the 19th century. The patriarch of the family was Anderson Smith (18001890), who is buried at Chimney Rocks. Both he and his wife, Sarah “Sally” Slaven (17961888), who is also buried at Chimney Rocks, lived long and fruitful lives. Sally Slaven was a daughter of Richard Harve Slaven. They established a farm on Laurel Fork Creek near where it empties into Station Camp Creek a couple of miles west of Chimney Rocks. Among the members of the Smith family buried in the cemetery with Anderson and Sarah Smith are their sons, Absolom “Ab” Smith (1834-1899) and William Smith (18311892). Also buried at Chimney Rocks is another of Anderson and Sarah’s children, Civil War veteran David Smith (1846-1891) and his wife, Amanda “Mandy” Litton Smith (1853-1932), the daughter of Littleton and Polly Coile Litton. Their son, Preston Smith (1894-1931) is buried there, as well. Preston married Bettie Smith, the daughter of John J. “Hawk” Smith and Polly Ann Blevins, who lived up-river a few miles near Angel Falls. Her brother was Alford Smith, for whom Alford Smith Road to Angel Falls Overlook trailhead is named. (Bettie survived Preston by many years, dying in 1984, and is buried at Hazel Valley Cemetery in Oneida.) Preston and Bettie’s oldest son, Floyd, was killed in 1933 at age 17 and is buried at Chimney Rocks. According to his death certificate, he was shot in the back of the head and died instantly. Another of Anderson and Sally Smith’s children was daughter Catherine Smith Blevins, wife of Jacob Blevins and namesake of the Katie Blevins Cemetery. Polly Blevins Slaven, who is buried at Chimney Rocks, is their granddaughter. Interestingly: The farms of both Anderson Smith and Absolam Slaven, two men buried at Chimney Rocks, were raided by 26 

CHIMNEY ROCKS CEMETERY GPS Coordinates: 36.55685, -84.65884 First burial: 1872 • Last burial: 1936 Burials since Robert Bailey’s 1994 cemetery census? No. Harvey Blevins

1879-1919

Sarah Blevins

1906-1920

Victoria Blevins

1905-1905

Viscal Blevins

1911-1911

Baby Burke

N/A-N/A

Baby Burke

N/A-N/A

Baby Burke

N/A-N/A

Emma S. Burke

1888-1926

Lottie Crabtree

1912-1936

Shirley F. Crabtree

1936-1936

Colorado Hix

1878-1878

Lieuvada Miller

1893-1894

Angeline Moore

1857-1872

Daniel Pennington

1846-1872

Saley Roberds

1884-1897

Absalom Slaven

1810-1877

Bell More Slaven*

1888-1916

Betty Wood Slaven

1812-1903

John W. Slaven

1839-1978

John W. Slaven

1873-1884

Onva Slaven

1906-1927

Pa Slaven

1839-1887

Polly Slaven

1838-1918

Ruth Slaven*

1868-1888

Absolam Smith

1834-1899

Amanda L. Smith

1853-1932

Anderson Smith

1800-1890

David Smith

1846-1891

Floyd Smith

1915-1933

Preston Smith

1894-1932

Sally Smith

1796-1888

William Smith

1831-1892

* These people are believed to be buried at Chimney Rocks, but stones cannot be located. Additionally, there are several graves at Chimney Rocks Cemetery marked with uninscribed field stones.

April 13, 2023 • Independent Herald

BEN GARRETT/INDEPENDENT HERALD

Absalom Slaven, the son of Richard Harve Slaven from No Business, was the patriarch of the Slaven family that settled at Station Camp.

Confederate guerrillas in 1863 as the precursor to the Duck Shoals Skirmish that left several of the Rebels dead. Both men were widely known as Union supporters during the Civil War.

A tale of tragedy

While some of those buried at Chimney Rocks — like Anderson and Sally Smith — lived very long lives, others’ graves tell tales of tragedy — like young Angeline Moore, Dan Pennington and Floyd Smith. There’s also another tragedy that is told by the headstones here, and it’s one that played out on many farmsteads throughout the Big South Fork region and beyond in the 1800s: death by childbirth. Lottie Blevins, the daughter of Harvey and Poppy Litton Blevins, and the granddaughter of John and Elvira Litton who settled the Litton Farm near Bandy Creek, married Claude Crabtree in 1931 at age 19. Five years later, in February 1936, they had their first child: daughter Shirley Faye. But Lottie died just four days later, presumably from complications of childbirth. She was 36. She was buried at Chimney Rocks, and Claude Crabtree was left alone to raise his daughter. But that September, baby Shirley fell sick and died, too. She was buried a few feet away from her mother at Chimney Rocks, a small lamb adorning her headstone. Claude Crabtree remarried in 1939 and left Big South Fork Country for Texas. But he never had another child.  See SACRED on Page 27

BEN GARRETT/INDEPENDENT HERALD

The story of 15-year-old Angeline Moore resonates with visitors to the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, and her grave stone is often adorned with flowers and trinkets.

Sacred

Continued from page 26 Other children buried at Chimney Rocks include three-month old Victoria

Blevins, who died in 1905, 14-year-old Sarah Blevins, who died in 1920, and infant Viscal Blevins, who died in 1911. Victoria and Sarah were the daughters of Newton and Mandy Blevins. Viscal was the son of Harvey Blevins and Poppie Litton Blevins, the brother of Lottie Blevins Crabtree. There are also three baby Burk graves at

the cemetery. Their stones do not contain birth or death dates and it is unclear whether they are the children of Emily “Emma” Burke, who was buried at Chimney Rocks after she died in 1926, at age 37. It seems possible that they were, however; according to some sources, Emma died in childbirth. She was the wife of Diance Burke.

indherald.com • April 13, 2023



27

28 

April 13, 2023 • Independent Herald

SARAH DUNLAP/INDEPENDENT HERALD

Levi James battles for possession during Oneida’s win over Grace Christian Academy. Left: Reice Kennedy passes the ball.

Indians plow through spring break schedule OHS goes 3 for 3 during week off school KINGSTON, Tenn. | A slow start wasn’t too much for Oneida to overcome here Thursday, as the Indians won their third game of spring break with a 3-1 victory over Kingston. “We made the same mistake versus Kingston tonight that we did against Northview Academy (on Tuesday) in the first 10 minutes of the game,” Oneida coach Derek Keeton said of the early 1-0 deficit. But Luke Barna — back after missing the first two games of the break — answered to make it 1-1, and Kingston would not score again. The Indians put two goals on the board in the second half, the first coming

on a direct kick from Sam Bell to Mason Keeton after Kingston attempted an offsides trap that didn’t work. “Mason played it perfectly by stepping back on the defense while they stepped forward, and then released when Sam made contact with the ball,” Keeton said. “We have coached these boys for years on how to play the offside trap when they step and Mason executed it perfectly.” Barna scored his second goal of the night on a penalty kick to make it 3-1. “We had 34 shots on goal but we’re still not completing the percentage we need in order to be a championship team,” Keeton said. “We will get there because this is only the fourth game we have had all of our offensive players on the field together. I told the boys we are still generating plenty of shots and the higher finishing percentage will come as we continue to play together.” Keeton said everything is about pre-

paring for the month of May. “At times we’re still a work in progress on both sides of the ball but we are getting there,” he said. “By the time we get through April we should be ready to go starting with the district tournament.”

Oneida 2, Northview 1

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. | For a second consecutive night, a short-handed Oneida team found a way to sneak away with a road win on Tuesday (April 4). This time, it was at Northview Academy, where the Indians defeated the Cougars 2-1 on an off night offensively. It was Oneida’s second win in a 24hour stretch, and the second road game in as many nights — both to Sevier County.

 See ONEIDA, page 30 indherald.com • April 13, 2023



29

Oneida

Continued from page 29 “It was obvious from the start that last night’s game and the long road trip home did affect us,” Oneida coach Derek Keeton said. The Cougars jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but the Indians answered with Levi James scoring off a deflected shot by Mason Keeton. Five minutes later, James assisted a goal by Nick Gilbert to make it 2-1, and that’s the way things would stand the rest of the way. “Levi played exceptionally well tonight, getting a goal and an assist,” Keeton said. “With the absence of (Luke) Barna, he logged a lot of minutes in the center mid position.” Oneida had 11 shots on goal in the first half and 14 in the second half, but struggled to finish. “We just had a difficult time connecting tonight.” At the keeper position, Gavin Keeton finished with 11 saves. “For the most part, the defense played

30 

really well in front of him,” Keeton said. “Our guys tonight found a way to win on a night that our offense was not clicking and we were down some players,” Keeton said. “We were fighting fatigue and also had many no-calls inside the 18 that would have changed the game. It was very good adversity for our team and they responded well. We are still a work in progress but I like the fight in this team. They will find a way to win.”

Oneida 3, TKA 2

SEYMOUR, Tenn. | Oneida picked up a “huge” win at The King’s Academy here Monday (April 3), scoring a 3-2 win over the private school in the first of three road games during the spring break week. Nick Gilbert scored two goals, while Mason Keeton added a goal and had two assists, as the Indians held on for the narrowest of victories over TKA. It was a 1-1 game at the half, after Keeton scored on an unassisted goal early and TKA answered. The Lions out-shot the Indians 11 to nine in both the first and second halves. Keeton assisted a goal by Gilbert early in the second half to give the Indians a lead that would stand most of the rest of

April 13, 2023 • Independent Herald

the way. However, TKA tied things up in the final five minutes. With two minutes remaining, Keeton again assisted Gilbert, and then Gavin Keeton made a save in the net with 12 seconds remaining to preserve the win. “TKA is a really skilled, talented, high-quality team,” Oneida head coach Derek Keeton said. “Wes Hurst played absolutely amazing. He was everywhere and he needed to be for us to pull off this victory. “That’s not to say our other defensive guys didn’t play well because they did; it was the quality of team we were having to go against,” he added. Gavin Keeton finished with 17 saves. “He had to play at an extremely hard level for us to pull this win out,” Keeton said. “In the last 10 minutes he had two different instances where he was oneon-one with the offensive player and won both of those plays. Guys like Isaac Martin, Levi James, Wyatt Yancey, Reice Kennedy, Sam Bell, Grady Keeton and Ben Gilbert just battled to win balls. In the end, it was the experience and play-making ability of Mason Keeton and Nick Gilbert. Those two are amazing together. They know each other so well.”

LEETTA BOYATT/INDEPENDENT HERALD

Andy Blevins prepares to send the ball ahead during Scott High’s win over Anderson County on Tuesday, April 4.

Highlanders win a district thriller HUNTSVILLE | It was tough to find much separation between Scott High and Anderson County in Tuesday’s (April 4) key district match at John John Yancey Park. The Highlanders were the favored team, playing at home, and AC was forced to play most of the game with only 10 players on the field following a first half red card that was assessed for fighting. Still, the Mavericks managed to tie things up near the end of regulation, and played the Highlanders to two scoreless overtime periods before Scott High finally escaped on penalty kicks, 4-3. It was a 2-2 game at the end of regulation, with Anderson County scoring in the 79th minute to force the extra session. Scott High scored first, when Skye Babb connected on a Hugo Henry corner kick. It was Babb’s first game back from a knee injury, and the junior made an immediate impact to give the Highlanders the 1-0 lead.

However, AC was able to answer later in the first half, and the game was still knotted up at halftime. In the 57th minute, Leivance Weatherford scored off an assist by Conner Stanley — the Highlanders’ first goal in four games that didn’t come off a set piece. That’s the way things stood for nearly 20 minutes, before Anderson County scored with less than two minutes remaining to force overtime. It was a testy match, with numerous yellow cards awarded by the officials — mostly to AC, though the Highlanders received one, as well. Things got especially heated in the first half, when a Maverick player took a swing at Henry and was ejected. The two teams played two golden goal — or sudden death — overtime periods, with neither team scoring in the additional 20 minutes. Scott High dominated both possession and shot attempts in OT, but came up just

short on a number of solid looks at the goal. The game went to penalty kicks, with both goalies making exceptional saves to start things off, and both shots sailing wide and high on the second attempts. After another save by Luke Bowling, Henry connected on his PK to give the Highlanders a 3-2 lead. But AC immediately answered, tying the game at three. Leivance Weatherford was the Highlanders’ fourth shooter, and he put his PK in the back of the net for a 4-3 lead. Anderson County’s last-gasp effort saw the ball sail over the crossbar, giving the Highlanders the district win. With the win, Scott High continues to control its own destiny for a regular season district championship and home field advantage in the postseason. The Highlanders will play at Clinton on April 14 and at Kingston on April 21, two games that will decide the regular season standings. indherald.com • April 13, 2023



31

Brock Ryon is all smiles as he walks off the field during Oneida’s win over Oliver Springs on April 3. (Photo: Megan Shoemaker)

Baseball Indians split series with Oz ONEIDA | Oliver Springs put a run on the board on the final at-bat of the game, but it was too little, too late for the Bobcats, as the Indians scored a 9-6 win in the series opener at Bear Creek Sports Complex Monday (April 3). Moments after the Bobcats scored on a passed ball, Oneida sophomore Gabe Brennan struck out the batter to end the game. Brennan recorded a save, pitching the last 1.1 innings and giving up only one hit. Colten Daugherty got the win, pitching 5.2 innings and striking out 12. Oneida led 9-5 going into the seventh, but things got interesting in the top half

32 

when Oliver Springs managed to get two runners aboard with a one-out single and a hit by pitch. But a ground-out to third was the second out, followed by Brennan’s second K of the night to give the Indians the win. Oneida put up five runs in the third inning to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 6-2 lead. Daugherty and Aiden Frazier each had two RBIs and scored a run. Brennan, Todd Derek Ryon and Brock Ryon each had an RBI as well. In Tuesday’s series finale at Oliver Springs, the Bobcats put two runs on the board in the sixth inning to escape with an

April 13, 2023 • Independent Herald

8-6 win and the series split. Oliver Springs limited Oneida to just three hits in Tuesday’s game. Caden Rector finished with three RBIs and had two of the Indians’ three hits. Colby Tyra had the other hit, an RBI double. Rector’s two-run double tied things up in the top of the fourth, and that’s the way things stood until the bottom of the sixth. Oliver Springs took the lead on a sacrifice fly, then added another run for an 8-6 lead. The Indians’ last chance saw Oneida get the tying run to the plate after Todd Ryon reached base on balls, but Oliver Springs recorded two straight outs to end the game.

indherald.com • April 13, 2023



33

34 

April 13, 2023 • Independent Herald