'Two arrested on drug charges' and more Chattanooga region news

Two arrested on drug charges

JACKSON COUNTY, Ala. - The Jackson County Sheriff's Office said it found three bottles of prescription drugs, a box with more prescription pills, methamphetamine and marijuana inside a car during a routine traffic stop.

Officers charged 26-year-old Alexsis Arcanda Whitley, of Scottsboro, Ala., on Monday with possession of controlled substances, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of alcoholic beverages and four counts of prescription medications.

Derek Lebron Stewart, 23, of Harrison, Tenn., was arrested on the same charges, according to a news release.

Officers also cited Whitley with a traffic violation.


Rummage sale donations sought

DALTON, Ga. - The Whitfield-Murray Historical Society is collecting donations for its annual rummage sale May 3-4.

"We use the proceeds of the sale to go to our operating expenses," historical society Executive Director Jennifer Detweiler said.

The fundraiser aims to convert unwanted items into cash and offers tax receipts for donations. The society is looking for lightly used items such as books, furniture, tools, jewelry, sports equipment, toys, seasonal items and electronics.

Any donations can be dropped off at the Crown Gardens and Archives on Tuesday through Friday between 10 a.m and 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m until 1 p.m.

The sale will be at the archives, at 715 Chattanooga Ave.

Detweiler said the society is working on increasing community development, and members hope that this sale will raise money and community awareness of the nonprofit organization.

The society collects, preserves and interprets the history of Whitfield and Murray counties.

For more information or to arrange for pickup of donations, call 706-278-0217.


Judge: Can't wear photos up front

KNOXVILLE - The families of two young torture killing victims in Knoxville can wear photo buttons of their loved ones or they can sit up front in the courtroom, but not both.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reported Senior Judge Walter Kurtz ruled Monday that if relatives of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom wear the buttons, they must sit two or three rows behind suspect George Thomas and his attorneys. The families had sat directly behind prosecutors and within feet of jurors at previous trials.

Thomas and Vanessa Coleman were granted new trials in the 2007 killings in the wake of a prescription pill scandal involving the previous trial judge. Coleman -- of Lebanon, Ky. -- was reconvicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison.

Thomas will be tried May 13.

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