The Jackson Sun from Jackson, Tennessee • 3

LOCAL CALL US Coach admits he molested players McMinnville coach Bobby George admits in court that he molested 10 boys on his basketball team and gets one year in jail. Page12A MORE Questions, comments? Please call: MetroRegion Editor Christine Rook, 425-9668. Assistant City Editor Melissa Birks, Across West Tennessee Deaths Nation I A88l8tan1 CttV Editor fimnn PnrVnr mJ Edison December 1995 PAGE3A 4A 6A 7A" county, i-8oo-372-3922. Wednesday, 20, Opinion 11A mm as (jw school pta Patrick RICE IN OTHER ACTION the hospital's duties. "Things of this nature should be funded through the tax structure of the city and county," he said.

"I don't feel like JJPMn if A Jfr I Um existing building and property in Greenfield to continue operating a primary care medical clinic there. The property, located at 230 North Front was being rented by the hospital for $1,500 a month. The board will acquire it for $155,500. The board will also spend up to $85,000 renovating the property. The hospital board also: Dedicated its new "City-County Memorial Conference Room" to honor past and present government officials.

The room, which was part of the Emergency Room expansion, will be a meeting area for the hospital board and other public agencies. Agreed to purchase an the sick people ought to be paying for expenditures of this nature." But board Chairman Shirlene Mercer said that funding Moss Danley Jackson General CEO Jim Moss calls $178,600 donation for building study 'a community By CHRIS POYNTER The Jackson Sun The Jackson-Madison County General Hospital has agreed to pay for a $178,600 long-range facility plan for local public schools. At Tuesday's monthly meeting, the board voted 4-1 to fund the plan, which will assess the district's buildings and make recommendations for what needs upgrading. Donald Deaton cast the dissenting vote, saying the action was outside of Jackson-Madison County Schools Superintendent Elzie Danley approached the board in November and asked for funding of the project Although the hospital is interested in buying Highland Park Elementary, Mercer and Moss said that was never an issue in agreeing to pay for the study. The school is located adjacent to the school.

Mercer tT hin th to help the schools and the community. Jim Moss, the hospital's president and chief executive officer, echoed Mercer. "It's simply a community service," he said. "It's an area we were asked to help." Once it's completed, the 10-year plan will be presented to the school board and community. Then, Danley said, the board will approach the Madison County Commission to fund the project, which is expected to cost millions.

"It was never discussed, nowhere at no time," Moss said. The Pickering Firm, a architectural and planning company based in Memphis, will conduct the study. It will begin in January and be completed in September, Danley said. Despite escape, workers call courthouse safe Laid-off mother could use beds for her family mo firearm i- BEYOND THIS Courthouse employees, who work below the jail, recognize potential for problems but feel safe overall. By DIANA BRANUM The Jackson Sun Lula Scarborough works as the deputy county clerk in the the Madison County Courthouse.

Sometimes, she sees as a whole is slower than nor- mal," Laundry Unlimited i' owner Chris Doyle said. "She's a good worker; definitely she's coming back to work. She just; happened to have some time than some of the others." Food stamps and help from; Area Relief Ministries ensure that the family, has enough to eat, but, the household is in disarray because all of; Hollis SI I prisoners being taken by elevator up to the jail on the courthouse roof. And sometimes, that worries her. "I'm nlwnvs A predictable time of year Christmas shopping is over, I'm flat broke, it's too cold to golf, and the bowl games haven't started yet That can only mean that it's time to make PREDICTIONS ABOUT First, a couple words about predictions I made a year ago about 1995's big stories.

As prognosticators go, I blew beets. I predicted the Madison County Commission's efforts to build a new jail would be a hot issue and by golly I was right! (I'm also nearly perfect at predicting the sun will rise every morning.) But I also predicted the mayoral elections would be a big story. Didn't happen. Incumbent Mayor Charles Farmer crushed all comers. And, I predicted there'd be a big fight over funding for school maintenance and construction.

Also didn't happen. The schools lacked an advocate, and county commissioners most of whom haven't set foot inside a school for years obviously couldn't care less about their condition. Looking ahead Last year's poor performance aside, here are my predictions for 1996: PREDICTION NO. 1: THE COUNTY COMMISSION WILL CONTINUE TO FLUB THE EFFORT TO BUILD A NEW JAIL Yeah, I know it's a no-brainer, but if Fearless can pad his win-loss record, so can I. PREDICTION NO.

2: LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SEARCH UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR WHOEVER BURGLARIZED THE DRUG TASK FORCE OFFICE. Supposedly, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is continuing its effort to figure out who broke into the 26th Judicial District Drug Task Force office in December 1994. The break-in at the Madison County Sheriffs Department was an obvious inside job. Don't expect an arrest to ever be made. PREDICTION NO.

3: SEN. FRED THOMPSON WILL ACTUALLY GET STIFF COMPETITION IN HIS REELECTION BID. A year ago, everyone predicted Thompson had a lock on the job he won in 1994. But he's in awfully deep with the Republicans' floundering Contract with America, which seems to be more of a Contract on America. That could spell big trouble for Thompson, if a Democrat can muster the cash needed to make a race of it.

PREDICTION NO. 4: BILL CLINTON WILL WIN REELECTION. The problem with the Republicans is they eat their own. By the time Bob Dole wins the Republican nomination, he'll be about as popular as the Jackson Sun at Mayor Farmer's Christmas party. Patrick Rice is The Sun's managing editor.

He can be reached at 745-9708. By DIANA BRANUM The Jackson Sun Judy Hollis' dream for Christmas is clean, usable mattresses for herself and her children. "I'm telling you, we slept on the floor the whole summer," Hollis said, pointing to the old, beat-up mattresses on the floors of two bedrooms in the small house she rents on Phillips Street. "I'm not even talking about new. Just something decent" Hollis' family is a case for The Jackson Sun's Brighter Christmas Fund, a non-profit organization designed to help the needy with food, clothes, money and toys during the holiday season.

Hollis was referred to the fund by Area Relief Ministries. To help, call Chanda Freeman at 423-9257 during business hours. Hollis sleeps on a beat-up couch in the living room, so her children, Lakeshia, 12, Elizabeth, 3, and Tony, 19 months, can have beds. Another son, Phil, 5, lives with Hollis' mother because of the crowding at her house. Hollis hoped she would make that leap from depending on government help to making it on her own.

But then she was laid off from her job as a garment packer for a local company, where she makes about $150 a week. The current layoff may last the entire month of December, she said. "The whole garment industry lit; MJkfv monev Soes brighter t0 pay for CfiristmOS high utility bills. Though beds are her biggest concern, Hollis said window curtains and any kind of furni-' ture would help make the house a home. Anyone who could stop a toilet from running, or fix a torn screen door would be appreciated, too.

As for the kids' Christmas, all the children could use clothing, Hollis said. The girls enjoy dolls and the boys would like trucks or balls. Clothing sizes are: Lakeshia wears size 14 clothes and a 9- and-a-half shoe; Elizabeth wears 3T or 4T and a 6-and-a- half shoe; Phil wears size and Tony wears 24 month clothes and a size 3 shoe. How to contribute, 6A. LARRY ATHERTONThe Jackson Sun Madison County Deputy Roy Spencer escorts penal farm prisoner Onnie Cortez Coman through the basement of the county courthouse.

To the right of Coman is the elevator to the jail, located on the courthouse top floor. WHAT'S NEXT facility as safe as reasonably possible." Woolfork pointed out that the number of violent offenders he has in the county jail is at unprecedented levels. Those charged with lesser offenses are being held at the Madison County Penal Farm because of a lack of space in the 58-bed jail. Scarborough concerned when I'm in the basement and they're bringing prisoners in and out that they might try to break away and take hostages." Monday's escape of two prisoners makes that concern more relevant, Scarborough said Tuesday, but she's confident the sheriffs department will address any security concerns. Other courthouse workers agreed.

Eric Lamont Henning and Robert Lewis Clark both 19, are accused of escaping at 6:40 a.m. Monday by jumping on two sheriffs deputies, overpowering them and taking their keys. The men's escape route led down the jail elevator and out through the east door. They escaped before business hours, passing through a basement area that's often filled with people waiting for General Sessions Court and workers. "I was not unreasonably alarmed and I was not at all surprised," said Register of Deeds Curtis White.

"In the 13 years I've been here, we've had several escapes. I think you have to accept the fact there's a jail nearby." Sheriff David Woolfork wouldn't say Tuesday what changes in jail or courthouse security he has made since the escape, the first from the jail in 11 years. "Certainly we're concerned about security," he said. "We're doing everything we can to continue to make the HOW TO GET HELP Eric Lamont Henning, 19, of 226 MLPinson Road, and Robert Lewis Clark 19, of 3 Bishop Place, face the same set of charges from the escape: aggravated robbery, felony escape, kidnapping, assault, and false imprisonment. Their preliminary hearing in General Sessions Court is set for 9 a.m.

Thursday. The men are being held temporarily in the Jackson City Jail. Sheriff David Woolfork is trying to find someplace other than the jail to house the men. Jo Ann Morris, who has worked in the register's office 23 years, hadn't even known about the escape attempt until a coworker who'd heard it on the radio told her. Morris said she's not too worried about the escape, but she does look Southwest Community Health Agency Stephanie Morris, 426-0773 WRAP, Margaret Cole, 664-9727 or (800) 273-8712.

Southwest Human Resource AgencyElderly Care Management, Barbara Buss, 989-5111. Southwest Human Resource AgencyHeadstart, Carrie Williams, (901) 989- 5111 or (800) 372-6013. The Salvation Army, Bill Craig, 424-1432. Listed below are contact names and telephone numbers of area social service agencies. Center for Adult Reading and Enrichment Louise Walker, 422-6175.

Southwest Human Resource Agency Carolyn Newborn, 427-3055. Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse Janet Grammer, 424-7900 or (800) 273-4747. Area Relief Ministries -Mary Tyler of Chanda Freeman, 423-9257 forward to the mb-w- county is on time with plans to build a new 306-bed jail. Jaye McBride, a deputy clerk for General Sessions Court, said she never gave much thought to the danger of having a jail upstairs before the escape. day when a new jail is built and prisoners no longer housed on top of the courthouse.

That day is supposed to come in early 1998, if the SUN LINE Q. What is the address for talk host Oprah Winfrey? And how can I contact Ted Turner? R.B., Jackson Q. How do I send lyrics and poems to Michael Jackson? G.S., Jackson Three Injured In three-vehicle wreck Three people were Injured in a three-car wreck Tuesday morning on North Highland Avenue. All were transported to Jackson Madison-County General Hospital by ambulance, treated and released. It was the most severe of seven wrecks reported Tuesday on North Highland.

Jackson Police Sgt Al New-bern attributed the accidents not to Tuesday's rainy weather, but to busy holiday shoppers. "It's the Christmas season," he said. Probe continues in police harassment The investigation into a complaint that a white Jackson police officer harassed a black teen last month is continuing, Police Chief Rick Staples said. Officer Jeff Shepard, who has been with the force since 1992, has remained on duty since a 15-year-old Jackson youth said Shepard accused him of being in a gang. The youth was later charged by Shepard with verbal assault and criminal impersonation.

Shepard said Myron McCrary threatened him and gave authorities a false name. Store employee foils armed robbery try A worker at the Exxon station at 1297 E. Chester St wrestled to the ground a 15-year-old teen who tried to rob the service station, police said. The employee, who police officials wouldn't name, was behind the counter when the masked juvenile came into the store about 4:10 p.m. Monday.

The teen flashed a gun and demanded the money from the cash register. 1 The employee lunged around the counter and grabbed the suspect, and two other employees helped him control the teen until Jackson Police arrived and arrested him. A. Contact the "King of Pop" by ing to Michael Jackson, Ranch, Los Olivos, 93441. A.

To contact Oprah Winfrey, write to HARPO Studios (Oprah spelled backward) P.O. Box 909715, Chicago, 111., 60690. Contact mega media man and Mrs. Jane Fonda, Ted Turner, by writing to 1050 Techwood Drive, Atlanta, 30318. Call Sun Line, 425 9656.

or write to Sun Line, P.O. Box 1059, Jackson, Tenn. 38302, Tor action and Information. Include your name, phone number and address; they will be confidential. Consumer questions also may be asked of the State Consumer Affairs Division at (800) 342-8385..