DAYTON, Tenn.
Funeral home fire blamed on wiring
A Tuesday evening fire that damaged the Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home in Dayton was caused by faulty wiring, a co-owner of the business said Thursday.
Barbara Garrison, co-owner with her sister Jane Murphy, said they don’t know how much repairs will cost. She said she was told by a fire inspector that faulty wiring caused the blaze.
Dayton Fire Chief Charles Suttles said the fire started in a closet on the second floor and traveled toward the attic. There was “very, very minimal damage” to the building, including from smoke and water, he said.
The funeral home, built in 1922, has been family owned since 1965, Garrison said.
She said they are looking into using space in area churches for services.
ABINGDON, Va.
Couple charged in thefts from cars
A Virginia couple has been charged with stealing catalytic converters from about 50 cars in three states.
The Bristol Herald Courier reported that Washington County authorities arrested James Edward Eskridge, 31, and Jessica Lynn Lampkins, 29, of Lebanon, Va., Monday. The couple is charged with grand larceny and several other counts.
They face similar charges in Bristol, Russell County, Smyth County, Abingdon, Marion and Lebanon in Virginia; Johnson County, Mountain City and Kingsport in Tennessee; and Boone in North Carolina.
Eskridge and Lampkins are being held without bond at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Abingdon. An officer at the jail didn’t know whether either had a lawyer.
GUNTERSVILLE, Ala.
Man faces illegal hunting charges
Marshall County Sheriff Scott Walls said a deputy arrested a 22-year-old Union Grove man he spotted hunting illegally with his truck.
Walls said the deputy saw Jeremy Stewart flashing his headlights at a group of deer Tuesday night. The deputy said Stewart shot at the deer, killing one, and the deputy approached Stewart to arrest him for illegal hunting.
Walls said Stewart got in his vehicle and fled and the deputy chased Stewart, who lost control of the truck and wrecked.
Stewart is charged with DUI, illegal night hunting, hunting by aid of a motor vehicle and related charges, Walls said.
ATHENS, Tenn.
Society to hear about Sevier
The McMinn County Historical Society’s first 2011 meeting will be Sunday.
Guest speaker Randy Ayers’ subject will be John Sevier, first governor of Tennessee and leader of the Battle of Kings Mountain during the American Revolution.
The meeting is set for 2 p.m. in the Blue Room of the McMinn County Courthouse.