ST. CLAIR — A Rogersville man was killed early Sunday morning after the Acura he was driving was split in two as a result of a two-vehicle accident on Route 113 in the St. Clair community in western Hawkins County.

Hawkins County Emergency Management Agency director Gary Murrell, who responded to the accident, said that in his decades of working in public safety he has never seen a wreck like it.

“They (the Tennessee Highway Patrol) called in the reconstructionist this morning and they’re going to call them back, to try to figure out what happened,” Murrell said. “The first vehicle went off the road and hit an embankment twice, then appeared to have been struck by that other vehicle, but I don’t know how. In many years of working wrecks that was probably the worst incident I’ve seen.

“It was pretty bad. One of the vehicles was cut completely in two.”

According to a report filed by Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Jim Lee, the victim, Paul J. Qualls, 43, Rogersville, wasn’t wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. Lee stated in his report that a seat belt “would have made a difference.”

Around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Qualls was driving north on Route 113 in a 1998 Acura.

The accident occurred west of the Bulls Gap/St. Clair Road intersection.

Lee stated in his report the northbound vehicle behind Qualls was a 2004 GMC pickup driving by Cory Vett T. Davenport, 20, of Whitesburg.

According to Lee’s report, Qualls lost control, ran off the roadway and then traveled back onto the roadway and was struck by Davenport’s pickup.

According to the report, Davenport also was not wearing a seat belt. He was transported to Holston Valley Medical Center, where he was treated for injuries and released.

Lee stated in his report that charges are pending.

Route 113 was closed and traffic detoured with the assistance of the Tennessee Department of Transportation until about 6:05 a.m. for cleanup and investigation.

Murrell said Hawkins County rescuers haven’t worked a wreck this vicious in a long time.

“Both pieces of the Acura were sitting in the roadway, the victim was laying in the road and the pickup ended up in the ditch,” Murrell said. “When I say the car was cut in two, you had the front seats and engine area in one place and you had the rear seats and trunk and the rest of it sitting in another place. It was a strange looking accident.

“When I left this (Sunday) morning I spoke to the reconstructionist and he didn’t have any idea how it happened. They were going to wait and talk to Mr. Davenport and see what he said.”

ROGERSVILLE — A trio accused of robbing a Hawkins County market early Monday morning were arrested thanks to a traffic stop prompted by a burned out headlight.

Shortly after 1 a.m. Monday Hawkins County deputies were dispatched to a complaint of a robbery at Lakeview Grocery, 754 Choptack Road, Rogersville. Store clerk Margie McMurray stated that the robbery was committed by a white male approximately 6 feet in height with muscular build, wearing a gray hooded shirt, a scarf over his face, brown shorts and tennis shoes. She said the man entered the store, screamed at her demanding all of the money.

“He took an undisclosed amount of money, checks and bank bags and left the scene running on foot,” Sheriff Ronnie Lawson said said. “No vehicle was observed. About 30 minutes later, Deputy Mark Harrell was traveling on Shephard's Chapel Road, which is about 4 miles from the scene, when he observed a vehicle that had a headlight out. Deputy Harrell conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle which was occupied by three subjects.”

“Upon arrival of other deputies to assist Deputy Harrell, a search of the vehicle was conducted and the deputies recovered all the cash, checks, bank bags and clothing used in the robbery of Lakeview Grocery.”

The three suspects were each charged with robbery, and as of Monday evening remained held in the Hawkins County Jail on $50,000 bond.

The three suspects include: Alice Merrili Wright, 30, 2013 Brown Drive D#128, Rogersville; Larry Shane McGinnis, 22, 2015 Brown Drive Lot #20, Rogersville; and Justin Daniel Ricker, 26, 226 Misty View Circle, Rogersville, who is accused of being the actual robber.

Lawson said no weapon was used in the robbery.

All three were arraigned Monday in Hawkins County Sessions Court.

“Margie McMurray is commended for her assistance in this case, for giving a very accurate description of the Robbery suspect,” Lawson said. “Deputy Mark Harrell is commended for his actions in apprehending these suspects and solving this case.”

The blotter is derived from recent central dispatch records and incident reports of area police agencies.

Hawkins County Sheriff's Office

May 30

Police were called to a domestic disturbance on Simpson Road, learning the argument revolved around vacation plans. A male resident advised his wife had become irate when he stated he, "didn't want to be miserable on vacation," and consequently, "did not want to go anywhere with her." The woman then threw her husband's clothes into the garage, but no assault occurred. The man decided to stay at a family member's the rest of the evening.

June 1

Employees of a Bulls Gap bank reported a woman had attempted to make a withdrawal, but was refused because her name was not on the account. As she exited she reportedly kicked a door, breaking out a pane of glass.

June 4

A county woman claimed her husband became enraged when she refused to go buy him beer, prompting him to attack her with a choke and head butt. Police observed injuries consistent with her statements and arrested the man for assault. Twenty three pills and a plastic straw with powder residue were located in the man's pocket, prompting additional charges of possession of drugs and paraphernalia.

June 5

Police were called to the Quarryville Boat Dock where a woman reported being assaulted by her girlfriend. She stated the suspect stuck a finger in her eye, so she grabbed her around the throat with one hand and choked her, "until she let go of my eye." Police say both women had visible injuries of an altercation, each were arrested for domestic assault.

Sullivan County Sheriff's Office

June 3

A county woman requested to speak with an officer due to her daughter, 14, dating a 24-year-old man.

June 4

A man with "no shirt and a cane" was allegedly hitting the side of a house on Wampler Road and making threats.

June 6

A caller from Vance Tank Road advised a male and female were on a mower in the roadway, and in danger of being struck by a vehicle.

Kingsport Police Department

May 31

A caller advised a pickup truck had been stolen from Sullivan Gardens Parkway. Four minutes later dispatch learned a wrecker service had towed the wrong vehicle.

A woman was reportedly trespassing at a residence on Poplar Street. It was noted that the suspect, "has a history of attacking other people" — including a recent incident in which she tried to stab someone with a fork.

June 2

Police were called to a residence on Cumberland Street and located a man "pouring blood" from his head. An investigation revealed he and his sister had began to argue after their TV was "knocked over." When the siblings' mother stepped in she was allegedly pushed — prompting the mother's boyfriend to retrieve a "pole." He then struck his girlfriend's son with the weapon, causing his head injuries and hospitalization. The suspect was arrested and charged with assault.

June 5

A "bomb threat" was found carved into a men's bathroom stall at McDonald's on East Stone Drive.

Read the expanded blotter in each Tuesday and Friday's print or electronic edition of the Times-News.

ROGERSVILLE — A robbery accomplice of convicted child killer Amber Beth Gibson was sentenced to 20 years Monday after pleading to a charge related to the 2010 beating and robbery of an elderly Rogersville man.

Robert “Brian” Hodge, 34, 3087 Route 66-S, Rogersville, entered an Alford plea to one count of facilitation of especially aggravated robbery Monday before Judge John Dugger, although there was a moment when it appeared Hodge was toying with the idea of a jury trial.

Guilty/Alford pleas last about 10 minutes as the judge asks the defendant a number of questions. Toward the end of Hodge’s plea he began to waver.
His attorney, Daniel Boyd, told the judge Hodge was having trouble agreeing to the 20 year sentence. Because of Hodge’s previous two felony convictions for manufacturing meth in 2004 and 2007, the 20 year sentence must be served with a minimum 35 percent release eligibility.

Hodge was originally charged with especially aggravated robbery in connection with the June 8, 2010, beating and robbery of retired Rogersville service station owner John D. McBride.

Dugger informed Hodge that due to his two previous felony convictions his sentencing range for especially aggravated robbery, a Class A felony, would be 25-40 years at 100 percent.

After a short recess in which Hodge consulted with Boyd, he accepted the 20-year sentence at 35 percent and completed the Alford plea to facilitation of especially aggravated robbery, a Class B felony.

In an Alford plea the defendant doesn’t admit guilt, but does agree that there’s a probability they would be convicted by a jury and the plea is in their best interest.

The two other defendants in that case, Michael Darren Knight, 24, and Gibson, 25, have already been sentenced. Both received sentences of 15 years at 100 percent and Gibson’s sentence was consecutive to an additional 59 years related to another robbery and the 2011 murder of 3-year-old Emily Madison Barnard.

Police said that although Knight and Gibson perpetrated the actual robbery, the robbery was planned by Hodge who urged on the other two when Knight initially lost his nerve.

Knight and Gibson allegedly approached McBride under the pretense of buying a tire, and police say Gibson struck McBride in the head with a tire iron. Hodge was in the getaway car while the robbery took place. Later they bought drugs with the loot and Hodge, Gibson and Knight went their separate ways.

Knight was arrested driving the getaway car later that day, and a bloody tire iron was recovered from the vehicle. For a time afte rhis arrest, however, Knight refused to name any accomplices. Hodge and Gibson were immediately suspects, but weren’t charged until Knight agreed to testify against them nearly a year after the robbery.

Hodge was also ordered Monday to pay $100 restitution to McBride, which is his share of the $300 that was stolen.

A Bristol, Va., woman has been arrested after allegedly leaving her two young daughters in a car for nearly four hours while she fished at a Piney Flats park — telling police she did so because they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The children were reportedly sweating profusely when located by an officer, with one strapped in a car seat. Despite temperatures above 80 degrees they were unharmed.

Heather Royston, 26, of 1721 Pitts Town Road, was arrested Saturday night by the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office and charged with child abuse and neglect. Police were advised Royston and another woman were fishing at a dock, located at 335 Sunset Road, and left two children in the car for several hours. The complainant, according to an arrest report on the incident, says this had occurred "on several occasions."

Shortly before 9 p.m. a deputy located the car with the two young girls inside, and windows half way down. The officer says Royston and the other woman were fishing on a dock approximately 40 feet away, and did not acknowledge the police presence for "several minutes."

It was not until the officer walked down to the women that Royston took notice. According to the arrest report Royston claimed her children had been inside the vehicle for "only" an hour. Witnesses reported the girls had been left approximately four hours.

Royston allegedly stated she had left her daughters in the car because, "they have ADHD." Police made a referral on the incident to the Department of Children's Services.

Royston was arrested and charged with child abuse and neglect. She has since been released from the Sullivan County jail on $5,000 bond.

SURGOINSVILLE — Town leaders are hoping to avoid a property tax increase this year, but as of Monday evening there was still a $22,000 deficit on the proposed 2012-13 budget.

The budget was on the agenda for final approval Monday, but due to a clerical error proper public notice of the required public hearing that accompanies the final reading was not made.

As a result, the BMA tabled consideration of the final reading of the budget until June 19 at 7 p.m. Monday’s meeting was recessed and will reconvene at that time.

Mayor Johnny Greer said it was just as well that the clerical error occurred because the delay gives the board more time to tackle the current $22,000 deficit.

A budget workshop was scheduled for June 18 at 6 p.m.

Alderman Joe McLain said the current budget proposal has been cut to “bare bones” and he and other board members are stumped as to what else they can cut. In recent years the BMA has been overcoming minor budget deficits with the use of savings, but with the savings down to slightly more than $200,000, board members are reluctant to dip into it again.

“The state recommends that you maintain enough in retained earnings to pay the bills for one quarter,” McLain said. “Our budget is slightly more than $800,000, which means we need at least $250,000 in savings, and we’ve already dropped below that mark. I don’t want a property tax increase, but I don’t want to see our savings depleted any further either.”

Greer noted that the only places left to make cuts are in personnel. One aspect of the proposed budget that might receive a second look is a 3 percent salary increase for town employees, which will cost about $7,200 annually.

Surgoinsville’s current property tax rate is 98 cents per $100 of assessed property value.

Every penny on the town’s tax rolls generates approximately $2,700 in revenue, which means if no more budget cuts take place a tax increase of slightly more than 8 cents would be required to balance the budget.

When budget talks began the town was looking at a $60,000 deficit.

“I hate to do that, especially when we’ve gotten so close by cutting it (the deficit) down to $22,000,” Greer said. “At the same time, we can’t keep using our savings. Ideally you want to see the savings go up, not down.

“Hopefully we can come up with something at the workshop.”

Greer noted that there hasn’t been a property tax increase in Surgoinsville in the six years that he’s been mayor.

In other business Monday the BMA:

•Heard a report from Vice Mayor Merrill Graham, who is also the Riverfront Festival Committee chairman, that the next fund-raising event for the annual festival will be a “Fireman’s Ice Cream Supper” to be held at Riverfront Park on June 30 from 4-9 p.m. Graham said the event will include live music, food, games for the children and a lot of ice cream.

All proceeds from the Fireman’s Ice Cream Supper will benefit Surgoinsville’s annual Riverfront Festival, which takes place in September.

•Approved the first reading of an ordinance that authorizes all appeals of building inspector decisions to be made to Chancery Court instead of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

•Approved the first reading of an ordinance that regulates “driveway cuts” into town roads on all future new construction. Greer said the regulations were needed due to town roads being damaged and repaired at taxpayers expense by construction of driveways.

•Approved the first reading of an ordinance that states that porches and steps are not counted with regards to measuring setbacks from public right-of-way. Alderman Larry Dykes said this ordinance was needed for clarification in light of an ordinance approved last month that created a new “medium density residential” zone that reduced the minimum size of a residential lot receiving sewer service from 9,000 square feet to 6,500 square feet.

•Heard a report from Greer that there will be a meeting Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall with representatives from the First Tennessee Development District and engineer Gary Tysinger regarding the town’s proposed sewer system and sewer grants.

A man accused of shooting to death a local lawyer and insurance agent visiting the attorney’s office in 1999 will likely never stand trial for the deaths because he is not competent, and he was committed to a mental institution.

The ruling on Walter Shell’s future came Monday at a hearing in Washington County Criminal Court. Judge Jerry Beck ordered Shell be sent to Moccasin Bend, a facility in Chattanooga, until he become competent or until his death.

Dr. Steven R. Lawhon testified briefly Monday about his evaluation of Shell and told Beck that it’s unlikely Shell will ever be able to stand trial.

Read the full story on the Johnson City Press website.

ROGERSVILLE — Rogersville police are still investigating the stabbing of a 27-year-old man that occurred early Sunday morning at “The Cades” apartments, but as of Monday no arrests had been made.

Rogersville Police Department Chief Doug Nelson said witnesses indicated that the stabbing victim was the aggressor and entered the apartment of the man who allegedly did the stabbing.

Alcohol and drug use is believed to have fueled the confrontation leading to the stabbing, police said.

Nelson said the stabber, who resides in the apartment where the stabbing occurred, is cooperating with police.

Police requested that no names be used by the media while the investigation is ongoing.

Around 4 a.m. Sunday, the RPD was called to a stabbing complaint at The Cades, 2300 E. Main St., where they reportedly found the victim lying in the grass beside the roadway.

Police said the victim had suffered a cut to his abdomen and part of his intestines was hanging out.

The victim, who doesn’t live at The Cades, told police he’d gotten into an argument about his girlfriend with another male who resides at The Cades over “the other male giving her drugs and trying to take advantage of her.”

The resident and the girlfriend told police they were both attacked by the man who was stabbed.

The male who resides at The Cades stated he was in his apartment with the victim and victim’s girlfriend when the argument occurred.

“(The resident) stated he was in his bedroom when he heard (the victim) and (the girlfriend) fussing in the kitchen,” RPD Detective Joey Maddox said in a report. “When he got up he observed (the victim) strike (the girlfriend) several times, and at that point he told (the victim) he had to leave.”

At that point the victim reportedly gathered some belongings and started to leave, but suddenly dropped his belongings at the doorway, picked up a chair, and swung it at the resident.

“(The resident) stated he ducked to the left and stuck (the victim) in the gut with a knife he had in his hand,” Maddox stated in his report.

Maddox said in his report that when he interviewed the girlfriend she gave an identical account of the circumstances leading to the stabbing.

Maddox added that he observed a knot on the girlfriend’s head and swelling to her jaw, which was attributed to the victim beating her in the kitchen.

The victim was transported via Hawkins EMS to Holston Valley Medical Center, where he was listed in serious but stable condition following surgery.

Nelson said the victim was probably going to be interviewed some time Monday at the hospital.

BLOUNTVILLE — A Kingsport man accused of the attempted first-degree murder of a first cousin during an alleged Oct. 18, 2008, home invasion and robbery is now set for an Aug. 20 retrial.

Steven Anthony Ruth, 43, 120 Rock Springs Drive, Kingsport, was previously scheduled to be retried this week on attempted first-degree murder, especially aggravated burglary, especially aggravated robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.

The trial date was postponed earlier this month, with the defense requesting a continuance due to difficulty in locating a witness, and the new trial date was picked on Monday.

Ruth was first tried in December 2010. At the end of that trial, during which Ruth was represented by attorney Gene Scott, the jury foreman advised they could not collectively agree whether to convict Ruth of any of the original charges or any lesser included offenses, and a mistrial was declared. Ruth is represented by attorney Matthew King.

BLOUNTVILLE — A Kingsport man accused of the attempted first-degree murder of a first cousin during an alleged Oct. 18, 2008, home invasion and robbery is now set for an Aug. 20 retrial.

Steven Anthony Ruth, 43, 120 Rock Springs Drive, Kingsport, was previously scheduled to be retried this week on attempted first-degree murder, especially aggravated burglary, especially aggravated robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.

The trial date was postponed earlier this month, with the defense requesting a continuance due to difficulty in locating a witness, and the new trial date was picked on Monday. Ruth was first tried in December 2010.

At the end of that trial, during which Ruth was represented by attorney Gene Scott, the jury foreman advised they could not collectively agree whether to convict Ruth of any of the original charges or any lesser included offenses, and a mistrial was declared. Ruth is represented by attorney Matthew King.

ROGERSVILLE — Downtown Rogersville apartment dwellers and courthouse employees will soon have to find a place for long-term parking other than three streets that local merchants want reserved for short-term customer parking.

The Rogersville Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a resolution Tuesday evening setting a two-hour limit for parking on Main Street, as well as sections of Church Street and Depot Street between Main and Washington streets.

Mayor Jim Sells said some local merchants had contacted him with concerns about street parking around their businesses being taken up for long periods of time by apartment residents and courthouse employees.

“We’ve got people living in apartments who are parking on Main Street when they’ve got available parking behind (their building) and they should be parking where they belong,” Sells said.

Chamber of Commerce Director Nancy Barker said she too has received complaints about at least two vehicles that stay parked on Main Street 24 hours a day and another on Church Street with expired tags that hasn’t moved for about a month.

Barker said the parked cars also proved to be an impediment during last week’s monthly Main Street “Cruise-In” event.

“We’re also having an issue with county office (employees) parking either on Main Street or Depot Street. One of the issues that presents, especially for U.S. Bank, is their front entrance is their handicapped entrance, and people can’t park there because parking places are already taken up by 8 a.m. before they even open their business.”

Sells said signs will be ordered displaying the new time limit, and as soon as the signs arrive the city will issue public notices as to when the parking time limit takes effect.

The fine will be covered under the city’s existing parking ordinance and will be $10 per offense.

“It won’t do any good if it’s not enforced,” Alderman Philip Beal said.

“It will be enforced,” Sells replied.

In other business Tuesday the BMA:

•Received a petition from Hill Street resident Bob McCracken asking for speed tables to be placed on his street to impede speeders. McCracken said Hill Street has substantial pedestrian traffic, as well as children playing, and cars routinely exceed the posted 20 mph speed limit.

Alderman Wayne Slater who oversee the street department said he will investigate the situation with Police Chief Doug Nelson and come up with a solution that may include speed tables.

•Approved the second of three required readings of the 2012-13 fiscal year budget ordinance, as well as an ordinance maintaining the current property tax rate of $1.67 per $100 of assessed property value. The third and final reading and a public hearing are scheduled for June 28 at 5 p.m.

•Approved the closing of downtown Main Street to traffic on July 6 at 4 p.m. for the next monthly “Cruise-In” car show event.

The case against a man accused of shooting a local television weatherman with a crossbow in a home invasion last week was sent to a Washington County grand jury this morning.

In Washington County Sessions Court, Judge James Nidiffer bound over Gerald D. Taylor, 53, on an attempted murder charge for the June 4 shooting of Robert William Batot, 43, at a lakefront residence the men had shared.

Taylor was accused of shooting Batot with a crossbow bolt and firing a 9mm pistol at him around 4 a.m.

Batot, known professionally as Rob Williams in his job as a meteorologist at WJHL-TV, was struck in the chest with the bolt. Williams was not hit by any bullets.

Read the full story on the Johnson City Press Web site.

A Kingsport man who allegedly threatened police with a screwdriver and insisted officers would have to shoot him has been indicted on two counts of aggravated assault and other charges.

A Sullivan County grand jury on Tuesday indicted Benny C. Fields, 33, 209 Darlington Drive, Kingsport, on two counts of aggravated assault and public intoxication, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

According to court records, police responding to a Jan. 26 report of a domestic assault in the area of Bloomingdale Road and Cedar Grove School encountered Fields, identified as the suspect, on Bloomingdale near the intersection of Forest View Road.

Police said Fields denied being involved in a disturbance on Darlington Drive and refused to give his name. Police said Fields appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

After reportedly admitting he was coming from Darlington Drive, Fields allegedly told the officer he was “going to have to shoot” him and withdrew a red screwdriver from his coat pocket. He allegedly pointed the screwdriver at first one officer then another, repeatedly telling them to shoot him.

Fields reportedly eventually dropped the screwdriver but continued to resist arrest, refusing to obey commands to get on the ground and put his hands behind his back. Police report using the least amount of force necessary to arrest him.

Sullivan County EMS was subsequently called to the scene because Fields complained of difficulty breathing. He was transported to Indian Path Medical Center, then transferred to Johnson City Medical Center for further treatment.

Others indicted Tuesday and their charges include:

• Jerry Aaron Gregg, 23, 3512 Forest View Road, Lot 9, Kingsport, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and evading arrest.

• Charles David Richardson, 27, 700 W. Carters Valley Road, Kingsport, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and vandalism $1,000 or more.

• Derrick Lamar Lewis, 33, 1002 Maple St. Kingsport, and Mark A. Harold, 37, 3816 Claudis Road, Apt. 261, Kingsport, theft over $1,000.

• Chester Junior Chaffin Jr., 54, Route 4, Bluff City, aggravated assault.

• Robert Wayne Shanks, 39, 603 Gravely Road, Kingsport, child abuse.

• Lopel Griffin, 21, 1537 Garden Drive, Kingsport, aggravated assault and domestic assault.

• Thomas Wayne Meadows, 36, 115 Ramsey Private Drive, Blountville, assault.

• Benny O. Rush, 39, 391 Sand Bar Road, Bristol, Tenn., promotion of methamphetamine manufacture, initiation of process intended to result in the manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of over 1/2-gram of methamphetamine for delivery or sale, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of order of protection.

• Tesla Jade Robinson, 19, 326 Historic Hills Road, Kingsport, possession of drug paraphernalia and promotion of methamphetamine production.

• Ernest E. Brewer, 32, 2676 Timbers Edge Trace, Kingsport, domestic assault, assault, possession of drug paraphernalia (two counts) and resisting arrest.

• Willie D. Johnson, 43, 1233 Riverside Ave., Kingsport, aggravated burglary and aggravated criminal trespass.

• Sabra L. Kerznar, 42, 3309 Ketron Drive, Kingsport, evading arrest.

• Jamie Randall Burton, 35, 129 Lark St., Bristol, Tenn., reckless endangerment and aggravated assault.

• Benjamin Brad Roberts, 32, 211 Pink Dogwood Circle, Bristol, Tenn., identity theft.

• Shane Stallard, 32, 1207 Camelia Ave., Kingsport, aggravated burglary, theft $1,000 or more, aggravated burglary and theft $1,000 or more.

The investigation into a Johnson City man’s death five days after he fell inside the Washington County Detention Center earlier this year is over.

District Attorney General Tony Clark said he received a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation report about two weeks ago and also presented the information to a grand jury. He said the TBI and grand jury panel both determined there was no wrongdoing on the part of Washington County detention officers or the Johnson City police officer who arrested Charles Williams.

Williams, 55, died Jan. 11 at the Johnson City Medical Center from a head injury. Clark said it’s his policy to always ask the TBI to investigate an inmate death to ensure there were no issues.

Read the expanded version of this report at the Johnson City Press.

WISE — There was no drama involved in Tuesday’s primary elections in Virginia.

As expected, Republican George Allen will square off against Democrat Tim Kaine for Virginia’s U.S. Senate seat in November, a contest that actually shaped up last year when Sen. Jim Webb announced he would not seek re-election after serving just one term.

Allen and Kaine are both former governors of Virginia, and Allen served a term in the U.S. Senate before getting bounced by Webb.

Few Virginia voters bothered with the primaries, with very low turnout reported statewide and regionally.

As for the Republican results, with more than 98 percent of all precincts statewide reporting in before 9:30 p.m., Allen coasted to a comfortable affirmation of his GOP Senate candidacy with 65.28 percent of the vote.

Jamie L. Radtke was creeping toward a distant second place finish behind Allen with a slightly more than 23 percent of the vote, followed by R.G. “Bob” Marshall with 6.76 percent and E.W. Jackson with 4.76 percent. Total voter turnout in the GOP primary was listed at a just over 4.8 percent.

Locally, the GOP primary attracted a 1.479 percent turnout (350 out of a total of 23,658 voters) in Wise County. Radtke collected nine votes (2.57 percent), Allen 278 votes (79.42 percent), Jackson 45 (12.85 percent) and Marshall 18 (5.14 percent).

Turnout numbers were also low in Lee County (1.978 percent of registered voters, or just 350 voters of a total 16,429) where Radtke collected seven votes (2.14 percent), Allen 296 (91.07 percent), Marshall 13 (4 percent) and Jackson nine votes (2.76 percent).

In Scott County, Radtke received 13 votes (3.5 percent) to Allen’s 343 (92.45 percent). Marshall had eight votes in Scott County (2.15 percent) and Jackson seven (1.88 percent). Scott County’s turnout for the GOP primary was 371 out of a total of 16,206 registered voters, or 2.289 percent.

Allen took 37 votes in the city of Norton for 92.5 percent of the vote in the city’s GOP gubernatorial primary while Radtke, Marshall and Jackson received a grand total of one vote each (2.5 percent apiece). Turnout was 40 voters in the GOP gubernatorial primary out of a total of 2,526 registered voters, or 1.583 percent of the total number of voters in the city.

ROGERSVILLE — The Hawkins County woman who led Rogersville Police Chief Doug Nelson on a foot chase through downtown Rogersville last week may be placed on probation again if she completes an in-patient drug rehab program.

Ashley Ann Russell, 22, 5985 Route 66-N, Rogersville, was charged with forgery and resisting arrest Wednesday morning after allegedly attempting to cash a check, stolen from her mother, at the downtown Rogersville branch of Capital Bank.

The bank called police, and Nelson arrived as Russell was exiting the bank. Nelson reportedly chased her on foot several blocks around downtown Rogersville before tackling her behind the Hale Springs Inn.

At the time of her arrest, Russell was wanted on a probation violation warrant out of Hawkins County because she hadn’t reported to her probation officer since April.

Russell appeared in court before Judge John Dugger on Monday and told him that around that same time she lost her job, lost her car and lost custody of her 3-year-old child.

Dugger noted that according to records, after being released on probation in October Russell had done well keeping up the requirements of her probation. She was serving two years for forgery and perjury convictions that occurred in June.

Russell told the judge that around April she became addicted to morphine.

“You have to leave all your drug buddies behind,” Dugger told Russell in court. “They’re like an anchor chained to your foot when your trying to swim across the lake.”

Russell told the court she wanted to clean up and get back custody of her child.

“You need to get a handle on this while your child is too young to remember,” Dugger said. “Your child is going to begin school, and you’re not going to be around to see it because you’ll be sitting over here wearing orange. Don’t put him in that situation where he’s going to be teased by the other children because his mother is a druggie locked up in jail.”

Dugger revoked Russell’s probation but also directed the Public Defender’s officer to get Russell signed up for an in-patient rehab program. Dugger said if Russell completes the program she may receive probation again, but she’ll have to wait in jail for an indeterminate amount of time until a rehab bed opens up.

Russell made headlines after a June 3, 2011, criminal court appearance in which she falsely testified before Dugger that she was pregnant.

She had pleaded guilty to two counts of forgery before Dugger and was sentenced to one year in prison. While the judge was considering a motion to grant probation, however, Russell testified that she was seven weeks pregnant.

After being granted probation, Russell was taken back to jail to begin the process of being booked out of jail. During that time, Russell reportedly began bragging to cell mates about lying to the court, and word of that quickly made it to jail management.

A quick check revealed that Russell had been in jail for 11 weeks, making her seven-week pregnancy unlikely. An examination by a jail nurse revealed that she was not pregnant.

Dugger then reversed his decision, and Russell was subsequently sentenced to an extra year in jail for perjury.

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Both Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and state Rep. Jon Lundberg said Tuesday they will endorse Kingsport Republican incumbent Tony Shipley in the 2nd House District GOP primary.

Those endorsements are expected to be made public at a campaign kick-off event Shipley will hold next week.

Shipley is facing a primary challenge from former Kingsport Alderman Ben Mallicote.

The 2nd House District includes part of Kingsport, Colonial Heights, Indian Springs and Sullivan Gardens.

In response to the endorsements, Mallicote said, “I understand politicians are obliged to show public support of an incumbent. Consider the leaders who are not obligated. Individuals like (Sullivan County) Sheriff Wayne Anderson, former (Kingsport) Mayor Jeanette Blazier, (current Kingsport) Mayor Phillips — leaders in the 2nd District who believe I am the candidate to best represent our community.”

Neither Ramsey nor Lundberg face a re-election challenge this year and have begun helping selected GOP candidates in contested primary races.

Ramsey, for instance, was at Monday’s re-election campaign kickoff in Maryville for Republican state Sen. Doug Overbey, an attorney and Dobyns-Bennett High School graduate.

Lundberg, R-Bristol, has endorsed GOP candidate Timothy Hill, brother of Jonesborough GOP state Rep. Matthew Hill, in the 3rd House District primary race.

Ramsey and Lundberg had arrived at a Bristol Chamber of Commerce event to sum up this past legislative session and then confirmed who they’ll endorse in the Shipley-Mallicote race.

“Tony, after four years, has a proven record, and it’s very positive,” said Lundberg, who advocated with Shipley this year to pass legislation outlawing synthetic drugs.

Ramsey, R-Blountville, said: “I will be (endorsing Shipley). I try not to endorse in primaries. Rarely have I ever endorsed in a primary where there is an open seat.”

The Shipley-Mallicote winner will face Democrat Bruce Dotson in the November general election.

Aside from the endorsements, Ramsey and Lundberg recounted legislative successes enacted by the Republican-controlled General Assembly.

Those victories included lowering the state sales tax on groceries.

“Someone joked about it being a quarter of a percent and saving a family five dollars,” Lundberg said of the food tax reduction. “It means $38 million dollars (the bill’s expense to the state). Look at what it does philosophically.”

Ramsey pointed to reforms in hiring state employees and unemployment compensation.

“(State employee) promotions were done strictly by seniority — nothing by performance,” Ramsey said. “The unemployment insurance system was broken, and now you have to be looking for work, going to a career center or checking online ... (and) if you are in jail, your unemployment check is going to stop.”

Both lawmakers agreed the most polarizing issue this year was legislation that didn’t come to a floor vote — the bill that would have allowed employees to store their guns in locked vehicles in company parking lots.

“Business latched on to it as the number one issue. ... It got very personal,” Ramsey said of the bill. “It is not a 2nd Amendment (right to bear arms) issue. It’s property rights versus self-defense. ... I’ve never seen the business community get wrapped up in an issue that is really a non-issue.”

Kingsport police are offering $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects in a 2011 murder, to be paid in addition to the $1,000 reward previously raised by the victim's family and community.

On the afternoon of Aug. 3 two men burst through the backdoor of 937 Dale Street and shot Jarrett Hughes, 24, while his mother slept in another room. The intruders are then believed to have run from the residence, entered a small red vehicle with front-end damage and fled the area.

KPD Det. Cpl. Frank Light says robbery is suspected at a motive in the slaying.

A male and female visitor were also in the home when Hughes was shot in the chest. Approximately three months later the woman, Bredgette Shaw, 22, was charged with tampering with evidence in the case.

Police report that immediately after the murder Shaw was being interviewed at the police department. Detectives reportedly located crack cocaine and prescription medication in her possession, with her admitting to taking the drugs from the home where Hughes was shot. Police say the three month delay in her arrest was due to pending lab results which identified the narcotics.

Neighbors who gathered outside the home immediately following the incident told the media it was tied to a Bristol-based gang. On Wednesday Det. Light said investigators are getting similar information, but nothing has been confirmed.

"We feel like somebody out there knows what happened, and were hoping they'll come forward," Light said.

One suspect is described as a black male between 25 and 28 years old, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, and more than 200 pounds with dreadlocks. The other is described as a black male between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 5 inches tall, more than 100 pounds, with an afro.

Anyone with information on the murder of Hughes is urged to contact KPD detectives at (423) 229-9429.

A light in the hallway outside TV weatherman Rob Williams’ bedroom woke him up around 3:30 a.m. June 4, and it took him a few seconds to realize a man he’d known more than a decade was in the house without permission.

Within a half minute or so Williams — a meteorologist at WJHL-TV — had a crossbow bolt sticking from his chest and was trying to keep Gerald Taylor, who he described as his roommate from getting into the bathroom. Taylor, 53, is charged with attempted first-degree murder, especially aggravated burglary and violation of an order of protection on the TV weatherman.

Williams, whose real name is Robert William Batot, described the attack in a court hearing Tuesday. The charges against Taylor were bound over to a grand jury after General Sessions Judge James Nidiffer listened to the testimony.

Read the expanded version of this report at the Johnson City Press Web site.

A bank robbery case involving a Wise County woman has come full circle within a week's time as she plead guilty Tuesday in Scott County court during her preliminary hearing.

Tabitha Nicole Sullivan, 27, Main Avenue West, Big Stone Gap waived all subsequent hearings and entered the plea through her attorney Richard Kennedy, according to Commonwealth Attorney Marcus McClung.

Sullivan admitted to robbing the BB&T bank at 466 Duff-Patt Road on June 6 of $2,373 using a car she test drove from a Big Stone Gap dealership as her getaway vehicle. She will be sentenced in Scott County General District Court on Nov. 13 and will remain in the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Duffield.