Today is the second opportunity for extended hours for early voting for the Nov. 8 election. Polls will be open 10 am-8 pm at the Dickson County Election Office in Charlotte and Restoration Church in Dickson. More than 5,300 early and absentee ballots have been cast so far. Lines up to 30 minutes were reported throughout the day Wednesday when early voting resumed at the Dickson satellite location. Election officials report early voting has been steady and on a record pace since it opened last week. There were 8,711 early and absentee ballots cast in the November 2012 election. Early voting continues 8 am-4 pm Friday and 9 am-noon Saturday at both locations. The deadline to submit an application to vote absentee by mail is Nov. 1. Early voting ends Nov. 3. Polls will be open 7 am-7 pm on Nov. 8. For more information on early or absentee voting, call the Dickson County Election Office at 615-671-1146 or visit dicksoncountyelection.com. The Dickson County ballot includes the elections for President, U.S. House of Representatives in the 5^th District and Tennessee House of Representatives in the 69^th or 78^th district. White Bluff, Burns, Vanleer and Slayden are holding municipal elections and Charlotte has a liquor-by-the-drink referendum.

Brandon Lee Odom

A Dickson man has been charged with second-degree murder for allegedly selling drugs to a Charlotte man who died from an overdose. The Dickson County Grand Jury indicted 30-year-old Brandon Lee Odom of Cherry Street last week. Odom is charged with killing Kenneth James Porter of Charlotte resulting from the “unlawful distribution” of methamphetamine and heroin. Porter died at Horizon Medical Center from a drug overdose on July 3, the day after his 33^rd birthday. Dickson County Sheriff’s Office Det. Mark Bausell said he could not comment on the evidence of the pending case but said the allegations are that Odom sold the drugs to Porter and was present when he used them. The detective would not comment on how the drugs were ingested by Porter or any of the events leading to his death. The indictment charges “the drugs were the proximate cause of the death” of Porter. Odom was arrested on the second-degree murder charge Tuesday morning. He also faces two failure to appear charges and is being held on $85,000 bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Dickson County Circuit Court Nov. 15. Second-degree murder is a class A felony in Tennessee with a potential sentence of 15-60 years in prison and up to a $50,000 fine. Tennessee statutes define second-degree murder as knowingly killing another person or killing another person by the unlawful sale of drugs. It does not require proof of premeditation or intent to kill that first-degree murder does.

A Dickson County man was tied up and robbed by three masked and armed intruders in his home Monday afternoon. The Dickson County Sheriff’s Office reports the victim returned to his home in the 1500 block area of Highway 48 South in Dickson around 3 pm Monday and discovered three armed men inside. He reported the men were wearing camouflage clothing, masks and gloves. The statement from the sheriff’s office says the men had burglarized the home and armed themselves with the victim’s weapons. The report says the men held him at gunpoint while they covered his head with a sweater and tied him up. Three long guns and five pistols were stolen from the residence. The report says the intruders took the victim’s white 2002 Ford F-150 pickup when they left. Shortly before 8 pm Monday, there was a report of a vehicle on fire on West Tennessee City Road. When deputies arrived the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames and was destroyed. However, the vehicle was identified as the pickup taken in the burglary and robbery. Witnesses saw a vehicle in the area and described it as a 1990s model, tan Jeep Cherokee with large tires and black wheels with a small lift. Anyone with information about the crimes or a vehicle matching the description is asked to call Det. Russell Morgan at the Dickson County Sheriff’s Office at 615-740-4863 or the anonymous tipline at 615-441-9555.

Rachel Bell

LeaLea Carter

Two athletes from Dickson County will hit the court as teammates for the first time when Vanderbilt hosts Bellarmine University in a women’s basketball exhibition game Sunday. The Commodores have junior Rachel Bell and freshmen LeaLea Carter on their roster. Creek Wood graduate Bell and Dickson County graduate Carter are both expected to see playing time at guard against the Knights from the private Catholic university in Louisville. Bell had 27 starts in her sophomore season and was second on the team in scoring at 9 points per game. She scored a career-high 24 in a win over Drexel. As a freshman, the former Lady Red Hawk had four starts and averaged 7 points. Dickson County’s first McDonald’s All-American and gold medalist with the USA’s under 16 team, Carter was listed as one of the nation’s top 15 recruits by most services. She averaged 16.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists in a senior season that ended in the state quarterfinals. During her four years, the Lady Cougars were 109-19. After finishing the WNBA season as head coach of the Indiana Fever in the first round of the playoffs, Stephanie White takes over the Commodores to replace Melanie Balcomb. White says she expects Bell to see an increased role in the Commodores’ new offensive system and says Carter’s athleticism gives her the potential to be a great player. Vanderbilt faces Bellarmine at 2 pm Sunday at Memorial Gym, then will host Union University in another exhibition at 2 pm Nov. 6. The Commodores open the regular season Nov. 11 hosting Kennesaw State from Georgia.

Dickson County and Creek Wood high schools close out the football regular season on the road tonight with the Red Hawks still alive in the hunt for a playoff spot. After last week’s loss to Kenwood, Creek Wood must beat Northwest and get some help to extend its season. At 1-3, the Red Hawks are in a three-way tie with Hillwood and Montgomery Central for the fourth playoff spot from Region 6-4A. Because of a 36-34 victory over Hillwood, Creek Wood holds the head-to-head tie-breaker over the Toppers. But the Indians get the advantage over the Red Hawks due to a 38-33 victory. Hillwood and Montgomery Central battle tonight in Nashville. A Creek Wood win in Clarksville and a Hillwood victory will send Creek Wood to the playoffs. At 3-1 in the region, Northwest has already secured second place and a home game to open the playoffs. 4-0 Lipscomb Academy locked up the region title and Kenwood’s win over Creek Wood last week means the Knights can take third place with a win over the Mustangs tonight. A Kenwood loss and victories by Creek Wood and Hillwood would leave the teams tied at 2-3 with two playoff spots to be filled. Creek Wood travels to Northwest for a 7 pm kickoff. The game will broadcast on 101.5 The One FM and stream at 1015theone.com and the RFC Sports app. Dickson County is looking to close out its season with back-to-back wins in a trip to West Creek tonight. At 1-5 in Region 7-5A, the Cougars are already eliminated from postseason contention and their 2-7 overall record will not make them bowl eligible. The Coyotes are 0-9 overall and 0-6 in the region as the two teams will be battling to move out of last place in the final standings. Tonight’s game will complete the first season for head coach Randy Murphree and bring an end to the record-setting high school career of his son, Jacob Murphree. The Cougar quarterback enters his final game with 2,930 yards passing, eclipsing the school record he set last year at 2,664, and with just 70 yards tonight will become the first Dickson County player to pass for 3,000 yards in a season. He also has thrown 25 touchdowns. Dickson County and West Creek kick off at 7 pm in Clarksville and will broadcast on WDKN1260AM and stream at wdkn.com and the WDKN app. In Region 7-5A, Centennial and Henry County meet tonight in Paris to battle for first place while Rossview, Brentwood and Northeast are battling for the other two playoff spots.

Downtown Dickson and the historic Courthouse Square in Charlotte will be filled with costumed trick-or-treaters Saturday in annual Halloween celebrations. The downtown Dickson merchants are hosting their annual BooFest with trick-or-treating and a costume contest and the Dickson Parks and Recreation Department is joining in with treats in Tom H. Waychoff Memorial Park. BooFest will feature trick-or-treating on Main Street 5-5:30 pm Saturday. The costume contest and parade will be in Holland Park at 5:45. House Blend has donated prizes for winners in babies-K and 1st-6^th grades while Zander’s Wood-fired Pizza has donated a prize for best family costume. Concessions also will be available in Holland Park. With participation declining in its annual Spooks in the Park, the Dickson Parks and Recreation Department has joined with the downtown businesses for BooFest Saturday night. Businesses will have booths and treats set up in Waychoff Park at the corner of College and Main streets during the celebration. The Clement Railroad Hotel Museum is adding to the fun with its first Halloween Train and Treat. The museum next door to Holland Park will have a motorized train offering rides around downtown 4-8 pm Saturday. Tickets are $5 for one, $8 for two or $10 for three. The museum also will be handing out treats. Walnut Street Church of Christ will be hosting its annual Trunk or Treat 6-8 pm Saturday in the parking lot at the corner of Walnut Street and Center Avenue, just one block from Holland Park. The town of Charlotte will be hosting its second annual Scare on the Square around the historic Dickson County Courthouse. The free event 6-8 pm Saturday will have local businesses and individuals with booths and trunks featuring treats and games. There is a $50 prize for the best decorated entry. Montgomery Bell State Park is hosting its annual Haunted Group Camp 6-8 pm Saturday. The event features a child-friendly treat trail and a scarier haunted trail through the group camp area. Tickets are $5 per carload and can be purchased at the park office/visitors center, White Bluff Car Care and Dickson County Chamber of Commerce. Other Halloween events taking place Saturday include a Trunk or Treat 3-5 pm at First Baptist Church in Dickson, a Trunk or Treat 3-5 pm at Parkers Creek Baptist Church and a Trunk or Treat 5-8 pm at New Adventures Academy in Burns. Fright in the Furnace features a haunted house at the Iron Masonic Lodge at 6400 Highway 48 N. It will be open dark to midnight with tickets $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Sensing Brothers Post 4641 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will have its indoor Haunted Maze 6-10 pm Saturday and Sunday at the post at 215 Marshall Stuart Drive. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children 10 and under. Also on Sunday, United Freewill Baptist Church on Highway 46 in Dickson will host a Trunk or Treat 5-6:30 pm.

Halfway through the 14-day early voting period Dickson County remains on pace to set a record for turnout. At the conclusion of Wednesday’s early voting in Dickson and Charlotte, there had been 5,366 early and absentee ballots cast. The county saw its biggest early voting turnout with the second day of extended voting hours on Thursday as 1,336 ballots were cast, pushing the county’s overall total to 6,702. Dickson County’s record for early voting is 8,711 set in the November 2012 election when Pres. Obama earned his second term by beating Mitt Romney. In addition to last Thursday’s turnout of 1,142, Wednesday also reached four digits with 1,005 ballots cast. Early voting continues 8 am-4 pm Friday and 9 am-noon Saturday at the Dickson County Election Office in Charlotte and Restoration Church in Dickson. Early voting ends Nov. 3. The deadline to turn in an application to vote absentee by mail is Tuesday. Dickson County’s 1^st, 9^th and 10^th districts have seen the largest voter turnout through the first seven days. The 10^th District has seen 699 ballots through Wednesday while the 1^st District has 577 and the 9^th has 550. The 8^th District has seen the fewest early and absentee votes at 325. For more information on early or absentee voting, contact the Dickson County Election Office at 615-671-1146 or visit dicksoncountyelection.com.

State forestry officials are reminding residents that a permit is required for any outdoor burning after a brush fire burned more than 30 acres in western Dickson County Wednesday. The permits are free but are issued only when the Tennessee Division of Forestry determines that conditions are safe for burning. The Tennessee City Volunteer Fire Department and forestry officials fought a brush fire Wednesday evening in the Coon Creek and Eno roads area. The fire was reported about 5:30 pm when windy conditions caused a small debris fire to get out of control. Firefighters contained the fire after about two hours by plowing a fire break around it. Nobody was injured and no structures damaged in the fire. From Oct. 15-May 15, anyone starting an open-air fire within 500 feet of a forest, grassland or woodland must by law secure a burning permit from the Division of Forestry. Permits are not required for burning in containers such as a metal barrel with a half-inch mesh screen cover. Anyone needing to burn within an incorporated municipality should contact the local fire department about burning ordinances and requirements. Many towns and cities have their own burning regulations that supersede the Division of Forestry’s burning permit program. Everyone living in a municipality without burning regulations or in unincorporated areas of Tennessee must obtain a burn permit. The permits are free but allow the Division of Forestry to control outdoor burning when conditions are too dry, windy or otherwise dangerous. Permits can be obtained by phone or online. In Dickson County, call 877-350-BURN (2876) 8 am-4:30 pm Monday-Friday. Permits can be obtained online only for outdoor burning of leaf or bush piles up to 8 feet by 8 feet in size. They can be obtained seven days a week at BurnSafeTN.org. Permits are valid only for the day they are issued. The Division of Forestry urges everyone who is doing permitted outdoor burning to make sure the area has 5-foot wide control lines stripped down to the soil around burn piles, keep fire containment equipment such as a rake, shovel and water supply on hand and stay with the fire until it is completely out. Anyone caught burning without a permit can face a criminal charge and a fine.

Stephen C. Wallick

An accountant from White Bluff has been charged with stealing more than $60,000 from his former employer. The Dickson County Grand Jury indicted 47-year-old Stephen C. Wallick of Richardson Cemetery Road last week on a single charge of theft greater than $60,000, which is a class B felony. The indictment charges that between Aug. 6, 2014, and March 1, 2016, Wallick stole a total of $60,765.45 from Brentwood-based Blankenship CPA Group. The company has an office at 308 East College St. in Dickson. The indictment follows an investigation by the district attorney’s office for the 23^rd Judicial District. Wallick and his wife operate an accounting firm at 102 Highway 70 East in the Olde Towne Condos. According to his website, Wallick received a degree in accounting from Philadelphia University in 1995 and completed coursework for his Master’s degree in Taxation at William Howard Taft University. He has 20 years experience in accounting, including previous employment with international accounting firms PricewaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte and Touche. Wallick was arrested Oct. 19 and released on $5,000 bond. He is scheduled for an arraignment in Dickson County Circuit Court Nov. 15. If convicted, he faces 8-30 years in prison and a fine up to $25,000.

Charles Levi Traughber

A Dickson man has been indicted for having sexual contact with a child. The Dickson County Grand Jury indicted 49-year-old Charles Levi Traughber of Applegate Lane on a single count of aggravated sexual battery last week. The indictment charges that between March 15 and March 30 Traughber had unlawful sexual contact with a child under the age of 13, which is a class B felony. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of 8-30 years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine as well as being required to register and comply with the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry. Traughber was arrested Oct. 19 and released on $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear for an arraignment in Dickson County Circuit Court Nov. 15.

Creek Wood High School got the help it needed but failed to complete its part of the equation as a 33-24 loss to Northwest Friday night ended the Red Hawks’ season. Hillwood rallied to beat Montgomery Central 24-21 Friday, which meant Creek Wood could slip into the playoffs with a win over the Vikings in Clarksville. But Northwest, which had already secured second place in Region 6-4A, did not pull back on the reins in securing a winning season at 6-4 overall. The Red Hawks finish 4-6 and in last place in Region 6-4A at 1-4 with back-to-back losses to playoff-bound Kenwood and Northwest to end the season. Creek Wood was forced to play at a disadvantage after missing the extra point on its first touchdown. The Red Hawks failed on two-point conversions after their three following touchdowns, a problem that has haunted the team all season. A bad snap on a punt set Northwest up with a short field but the Creek Wood defense held. The Red Hawks marched 86 yards for the first score on a 16-yard pass from Devon Higgins to Brent Harris to lead 6-0 after the conversion was no good. Northwest responded with a 34-yard touchdown from Hunter Silverstrim to Shatar McClay and the conversion put the Vikings ahead 7-6. After a Northwest punt return for a score was wiped out by a penalty, the Vikings marched down the field to score on a 28-yard Silverstrim strike to Dorian Bell to lead 14-6. The Red Hawks fought back in the closing minutes of the half and Higgins connected with Hayden Boone from one yard out with 19.8 seconds remaining. The two-point try failed and Northwest led 14-12 at the break after Zack Harris picked off a Viking pass. After another punt return score was negated by a penalty, the Vikings needed just three plays to find the end zone on a 28-yard run by LaQualin Nickleson for a 21-12 lead. Creek Wood responded when Quinton Poole broke free for a 58-yard score on the first play following the kickoff. The two-point try failed again and the Red Hawks trailed 21-18. Northwest took over on downs deep in Creek Wood territory and scored on a two-yard run by Ralph Satterthwaite to lead 27-18 after the extra point failed. Following an interception, the Vikings put the game away with a 13-play, 8-minute drive capped by a 2-yard pass from Silverstrim to Lajavier Gamble to go ahead 33-18 after the extra point was blocked. The Red Hawks responded with a 33-yard score from Higgins to Zeke Lecomte to make it 33-24 after another conversion failed. But Northwest recovered the onside kick and despite Creek Wood’s defense forcing a punt, the Vikings iced the win with a Desmond Ruffin interception. Northwest (6-4) gets to host Macon County (8-2) to open the playoffs Friday. Region 6-4A champion Lipscomb Academy (7-2) hosts Springfield (5-5). With its win over Montgomery Central, Hillwood (4-6) finishes third and travels to Maplewood (7-3). With its wins over Montgomery Central and Creek Wood, Kenwood (3-7) travels to Pearl-Cohn (9-1).

Dickson County High School finished its football season with a two-game winning streak by shutting out West Creek 31-0 in Clarksville Friday night. Cougar quarterback Jacob Murphree set new school records for passing yards and passing touchdowns in a season as he connected with Jack Sensing for three scores against the Coyotes. The Cougars end the season 3-7 overall and 2-5 for sixth place in Region 7-5A, ahead of 1-6 Clarksville and 0-7 West Creek. Riddled all year for more than 45 points per game, the Cougar defense pitched its only shutout of the season with three goal-line stands, including an interception in the end zone on the game’s final play. After a 36-yard field goal by Noah Dawson on the game’s opening drive, the Cougar defense held West Creek on downs after an offensive pass interference penalty negated a touchdown. Murphree and Sensing connected for their first score on a six-yard pass to make it 10-0. After a bad snap set West Creek up at the Cougar 9-yard line, the defense again held and stopped the Coyotes at the goal line to preserve the 10-0 lead at halftime. With West Creek selling out to put pressure on Murphree, the Cougars turned to their running game with Darian Burns, Demontez Coleman and Andrew Stanford to move the ball in the second half. Then off play action Murphree connected with Sensing for a 28-yard score to go up 17-0. After recovering a Coyote fumble, the Cougars again used the ground game to set up Murphree’s final touchdown pass to Sensing from 25 yards out for a 24-0 lead. Burns capped the scoring when he returned a West Creek fumble 40 yards for a touchdown. West Creek tried to avoid the shutout in the closing minutes but Tristen Corlew intercepted a pass in the end zone on the last play. Murphree finished with 263 yards passing and three touchdowns, giving him just under 3,200 yards for the season and 28 touchdowns, beating the records he set last year of 2,664 yards and 27 touchdowns. Despite one of the highest-scoring offenses in the state, averaging 37.5 points per game, the Cougars finished three games out of the playoffs. Centennial took the Region 7-5A title at 9-1 overall and 7-0 in the region by beating Henry County 34-7 Friday. Brentwood, Henry County and Rossview made the playoffs with 5-2 region records. In Friday night’s first round of the playoffs, Centennial (9-1) hosts Bolton (5-5), Brentwood (6-4) hosts Kirby (4-6), Henry County (5-4) visits Brighton (7-3) and Rossview (5-5) visits Memphis Central (9-1).

Dickson County High School will host its 2^nd annual Haunting on the Hill to celebrate Halloween tonight. The family friendly celebration will be 5-8 pm and admission is $1 or a canned food donation per person to benefit the Dickson County Help Center. In addition to Halloween treats, the evening includes games, basketball, crafts, a dance party, Halloween movies, costume contest, nail art, temporary tattoos, story time, photo booth, face painting, inflatable obstacle course, hay ride, spooky science and more. For an additional $1, participants can experience the Haunted Hallway and concessions such as bottled water, sno cones, popcorn and baked goods will be available. Haunting on the Hill is presented as a joint effort by various clubs and organizations at DCHS. In addition to the Haunting on the Hill at the high school, several Halloween activities are being held Monday. Morrison and Fuson Insurance on Henslee Drive is hosting trick-or-treating 8:30 am-4:30 pm. White Bluff Building Supply on Highway 70 East is having a costume contest, games, treats and concessions 1-4 pm. Crossroads Church on Claylick Road in White Bluff is hosting a Trunk or Treat 6-7 pm. First United Methodist Church on Main Street in Dickson is hosting a Trunk or Treat 6-8 pm. Burns Church of Christ is hosting a Trunk or Treat for special needs children 6-8 pm. The Cumberland Furnace Community Center is hosting a Trunk or Treat 5-7 pm. The final night for the indoor Haunted Maze at Sensing Brothers Post 4641 of the VFW at 215 Marshall Stuart Drive is 6-10 pm with admission $5 for adults and $2 for children.

Robert Edward Huse

The trial of a Dickson County man for the 2012 death of his infant son has been postponed. Jury selection was scheduled to begin today in Charlotte for the trial of 33-year-old Robert Edward Huse on charges of felony murder and aggravated child abuse. But potential jurors were notified they are not needed to report for duty Monday. Dickson County Circuit Court Clerk Pam Lewis said she was notified Sunday the trial is being continued. Judge Larry Wallace has not announced a reason for the delay and scheduled motions for the case to be heard Friday, at which time a new trial date could be set likely sometime next year. Huse was transferred to the Dickson County Jail last week in preparation for his trial. He has been held in the Montgomery County Jail on $500,000 bond since his arrest and with his trial postponed was returned to Clarksville. Huse originally was indicted in April 2013 for second-degree murder and aggravated child abuse for the Sept. 24, 2012, death of his two-month-old son, identified in the indictment as Grayson Michael Sanders and on his headstone as Grayson Michael Bowker-Huse. A February 2015 superseding indictment increased the charge to felony murder for a death that occurred during the commission of the felony of aggravated child abuse. A class A felony, second-degree murder carries a potential sentence of 15-60 years in prison, while felony murder is classified the same as first-degree murder and carries potential sentences of life, life without parole or the death penalty. Prosecutors say the child was in Huse’s care when he took him to the emergency room after he stopped breathing. The death was at first attributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome until the medical examiner’s autopsy ruled the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of death as homicide. The Dickson Police Department opened an investigation when the child’s mother presented a copy of the autopsy report in January 2013. Huse previously pleaded guilty to accessory to child abuse after the fact and served probation for a 2008 incident in which an older child of Huse’s by a different mother was found to have suffered blunt force trauma to the head while in Huse’s care. That child suffered a brain bleed and fractured bone in the back of his skull but survived and the boy’s mother was placed on probation for child abuse by failure to protect. The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services removed two children from Huse and their mother, but after completing his probation Huse regained custody of his older children. Two-month-old Grayson had been hospitalized for four days with vomiting and no appetite before being sent home Sept. 24, 2012. His mother, Brittany Sanders, has previously testified she was at work when Huse called her on the way to the emergency room, saying Grayson had stopped breathing just hours after his release. Both mothers have testified in previous hearings that Huse was controlling, physically abusive and denied he was the father of the children until it was confirmed by paternity tests in both cases.

Judge Robert Burch

A funeral will be held Wednesday for retired Judge Robert E. Burch, who died Friday at the age of 69 from an apparent heart attack. Judge Burch served on the bench in the judicial district that includes Dickson County for 34 years before retiring in 2014. In June he returned to the bench as a special judge to preside over the cases from an indictment of 100 defendants in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy investigation called Operation Pop Smoke. He was the founding and presiding judge over the 23^rd Judicial District’s Drug Court for 14 years, for which he was presented the Outstanding Service Award by the Tennessee Association of Drug Court Professionals. He also was named Tennessee Trial Judge of the Year in 2002. Judge Burch received his Bachelor of Science degree from The Citadel in 1969 and his law degree from Vanderbilt University in 1972. Prior to becoming an attorney, he worked as a pilot for Capitol Airways. He practiced law in Dickson with the firm White, Regen, Burch and Beasley and served as a referee in Dickson County Juvenile Court 1975-80. He was elected to the bench in what was then the 21^st Judicial District in 1980 and served until his retirement in 2014 as one of three judges for the 23^rd Judicial District, which includes Dickson, Cheatham, Stewart, Humphreys and Houston counties. He presided over circuit and chancery courts in all five counties, hearing civil lawsuits, criminal trials, divorces, adoptions and many other cases. Judge Burch authored a handbook for jurors and passionately explained the importance of jury service in the American justice system before each jury pool. After a Dickson County grand jury returned what is called locally the “Century Indictment” against 100 people from a multi-state drug investigation, the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts appointed Judge Burch to preside as special judge for one year over the cases due to the caseload and potential conflicts with the three current judges. He returned to the bench to rule on motions, accept pleas and preside over any trials that resulted from the indictment. Judges Suzanne Lockert-Mash and Larry Wallace will decide whether to ask the AOC to appoint another special judge for the remaining cases after Judge David Wolfe recused himself. A long-time Dickson resident, Judge Burch and his wife, Frieda, purchased the former Hickerson Hotel on the Historic Courthouse Square in Charlotte and remodeled it before moving in during the summer. Visitation for Judge Robert E. “Bob” Burch will be 1-4 pm and 6-8 pm Tuesday at Taylor Funeral Home. Visitation will continue 11 am until the service Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Dickson. A funeral service for Judge Burch will be at 1 pm Wednesday at First Baptist Church.

Rachel Bell (left) battles for a loose ball against Bellarmine. (photo by Joe Howell)

LeaLea Carter (30) goes after a rebound against Bellarmine. (photo by Joe Howell)

While it was just the first exhibition game, Creek Wood graduate Rachel Bell and Dickson County graduate LeaLea Carter were in the starting lineup for Vanderbilt’s 97-63 win over Bellarmine at Memorial Gym Sunday. A junior from Cumberland Furnace, Bell scored 16 points and was one of five Commodores in double figures against the Division II Knights from Louisville. A freshman, Carter started in a four-guard lineup for the up-tempo style of new head coach Stephanie White. Carter did not score in her 21 minutes of playing time but grabbed five rebounds, including three at the offensive end. Freshman Cierra Walker led Vandy with 18 points and senior Marqu’es Webb had a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Vanderbilt blew Bellarmine away with a 59-point second half. Bell made 27 starts as a sophomore and White says she will see an increased role in the new system. She hit 6 of 11 from the floor, including 1 of 2 three-pointers, while sinking 3 of 4 free throws. Bell added 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocked shots in 22 minutes. In her first college action, Carter was 0-5 shooting with 5 rebounds and 2 assists. Vanderbilt will play another exhibition game against Union University at 2 pm Sunday in Memorial Gym. The Commodores open the regular season Nov. 11 hosting Kennesaw State.

As part of the preparation of a master plan for J. Dan Buckner Park, the city’s consultant is conducting an online survey of what residents would like to see added or enhanced at the facility. With the recent addition of 80 acres to double the size of the park, the Dickson Parks and Recreation Department is working with consultant Kimley-Horn and Associates to create a new master plan that not only develops the new property but includes ways to improve the existing facilities. Kimley-Horn is conducting an online poll through surveymonkey.com. Survey responses will be accepted through Friday. The survey allows participants to check amenities they would like to see included in the new plan, such as more baseball and soccer fields, a pavilion near the fishing lake, more concessions and bathrooms, an indoor ice arena, indoor aquatics center, indoor sports areas such as futsal, basektball and others, a skate park, dog park, camping areas, more walking trails and others. The survey asks what facilities residents currently use and provides an opportunity to voice any concerns, needs or additional opportunities at the park. The park survey can be accessed directly at surveymonkey.com/r/BucknerPark or by a link on the Dickson Parks and Recreation Department’s page on Facebook. Survey results will be incorporated into a master plan that will be presented for public comment and to the Dickson City Council for consideration.

Click here for parade entry form

Parade Entry

The Dickson County Veterans Committee presents its annual parade and salute Sunday in honor of Veterans Day. The theme for this year’s parade is “America United.” Veterans committee members Beverly Pounds and David McCutchen said the parade is honoring Dickson County veterans from all conflicts and eras. The parade will be at 2 pm Sunday. Lineup will begin at 12:30 pm on the campus of Dickson County High School. The parade will exit the campus at the east gate on North Charlotte Street and proceed south to McFarland Lane where it will turn left. The route goes to Highway 48 and turns right, heading onto Main Street and into downtown. The parade will turn left onto East College Street at the intersection next to Hodges Jewelers and then heads east to Academy Street where it will end in the parking lot of Dickson Middle School. There is no fee to enter the parade. McCutchen said any group, business, church or other organization is invited to enter the parade to honor Dickson County’s veterans. The deadline to enter is Friday and entry forms are available in recent issues of The Dickson Herald and Dickson Shopper, can be printed from McCutchen’s Facebook page or printed from WDKN’s website. Completed entry forms can be mailed to 239 Pond Rail Road, Dickson, TN 37055 or emailed to gyro28866@gmail.com. For more information on Sunday’s parade, contact McCutchen at 615-390-2228. First Baptist Church will host the annual Salute to Veterans program at 5 pm Sunday. The free event will include guest speakers and musical performances to honor veterans. Several Dickson County businesses will offer special discounts for veterans on Nov.11. TriStar Bank will host its annual Pancake Breakfast 7:30-10 am Saturday, Nov. 12, at the main branch at 719 East College St. The breakfast is free to all active military and veterans and their families. Many Dickson County schools will have special programs honoring local veterans next week as well.

Whitney Weeks

The Clement Railroad Hotel Museum’s lecture series will focus on the growing need for regional cooperation to promote economic growth and development. Whitney Weeks, senior vice president of policy for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, will be the guest speaker Thursday at the museum. There will be a meet and greet at 4:30, the presentation will be 5-6 pm followed by a reception. Weeks will present a just-published report called “Nashville Region’s Vital Signs 2016,” which examines the resources, needs and opportunities for collaboration in core areas of good growth such as education, transportation, workforce development, tourism, recreation and others. Weeks has more than 15 years of experience in developing and executing strategic visions for new and transitioning initiatives in the fields of education, community development and business. The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce leads a collaboration annually to research issues in and around the Middle Tennessee region and compose a report of findings vital to the communities. The chamber believes that regional cooperation is a key element in the economic prosperity and quality of life in all communities. Clement Railroad Hotel Museum Chairman Darrell James said the museum’s last lecture in the series attracted about 100 attendees from nine counties in the region, including county and city officials, business leaders, economic and community development professionals and others. James said he believes this week’s program, “Developing Our Communities: Working Across the County Lines,” will be equally informative. For a registration application for Thursday’s lecture, email execdirector@clementrailroadmuseum.org or call 615-446-0500.

The cause of a fire that destroyed a home at a former campground is under investigation. The fire destroyed the caretaker’s residence at Camp Christian in Burns Saturday night. Burns Fire Department Chief Nathan Stringer says his department was dispatched to the fire and didn’t realize until it arrived at the structure that it was outside the town limits. But Stringer said the department was already committed to the scene so it joined Dickson County Fire and Rescue in battling the flames, which were already coming through the roof. Stringer said he believes the home is occupied by a caretaker for the campground at 2550 Highway 47 East. Camp Christian has been closed for several years and the 68-acre site with several structures including an assembly hall, cabins, pavilion and more is listed for sale online for $585,000. Stringer said the residence was destroyed by the fire. He said the cause of the fire remains undetermined. The chief said nobody was injured battling the blaze.