Kirkland Cancer Center Offers Free Colorectal Screening

(March 5, 2013….Jackson, Tennessee….)

Colorectal cancer is the third cause of cancer death in the U.S. and more than 150,000 people are diagnosed each year.  Regular colorectal cancer screening or testing is one of the most powerful weapons for preventing colorectal cancer. 

The Kirkland Cancer Center at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, along with the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation, are offering a free colorectal cancer screening at participating pharmacies in the area. Free hemoccult kits will be available for pick up at the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital pharmacy as well as many other pharmacies in surrounding towns through March 15.

Most people should begin screening for colorectal cancer at the age of 50, unless you have a family history or other risk factors that may warrant a screening at an earlier age.

The hemoccult kits with stool samples must be mailed back to the Medical Center Lab by March 31. Results will be mailed back to the sender.

For more information about this free colorectal screening that could save your life, contact the Kirkland Cancer Center at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital at 731-541-5087 or go to www.kirklandcancercenter.org.

For more information about the warning signs of colorectal cancer or prevention you may visit the American Cancer Society web page at www.cancer.org or visit Colon Cancer Alliance at www.ccalliance.org.

Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards Honor Roy Heatherly

Jackson, TN - Roy Heatherly, Editor & Publisher of the Jackson Sun, was honored as the Madison County Volunteer of the Year at the Fifth Annual Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards Monday night in Franklin, TN. 

Roy HeatherlyWith an estimated 1.3 Million volunteers statewide, Volunteer Tennessee set forth under direction of the Governor’s Office to create an initiative by which the finest of these volunteers would be honored annually.  This initiative seeks to recognize a volunteer from each County in Tennessee that has displayed tremendous dedication to serving their community, worked to strengthen their community in various areas to meet compelling needs, and been a voice for those in need promoting the message that volunteering is rewarding and part of what it means to be a Tennessean.      

Mr. Heatherly was selected as the honoree for Madison County based on his many years of outstanding service, volunteerism, and dedication to the County.  His leadership and time as a volunteer has benefited numerous local organizations including United Way of West TN (current board chair), STAR Center, Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Jackson, West TN Healthcare Foundation, Jackson Symphony, Tennessee Technology Center Advisory Board, and Jackson Downtown Development.

Eddie Lee Herndon, President & CEO of the United Way of West Tennessee, nominated Mr. Heatherly for the award. Commenting on the nomination and selection of Mr. Heatherly as the Honoree for Madison County Mr. Herndon said, “Roy has tirelessly volunteered and led in many areas of our community. He is a true advocate for the people of Madison County. Not only has Mr. Heatherly volunteered for many groups, he has as the Publisher of the largest regional paper promoted the coverage of local stories of volunteerism, the difference a small donation or time  can make to the community, and the direct impact local nonprofits make in our quality of life in West Tennessee.”

Gaddis Leaves Peabody In A Pivotal Position

Gaddis Leaves Peabody In A Pivotal Position

Veronica Minton

(03-05-2013) Trenton TN The news of Coach Joe Gaddis leaving Peabody High School spread quickly on Tuesday. Gaddis came to Peabody just last year when he implemented a progressive football program for the school. Principal Tim Haney is wasting no time in searching for a new head coach. “We are looking to get this done as quickly as possible,” Haney says.

Next year’s seniors will face having their third coach in three years after Gaddis replaced Kent Scott. Junior football players Ryan White and Tae Tae Nesbitt have high hopes for their team next year.

“We have been down this road before, and we know how to handle the challenges of working with new coaches,” says Nesbitt.

White stated, “We just have to look to our long term goal and work towards it as a team.”

“We have three good groups in our football program right now, and if we can get the right man in here to do the job, our program could be branded for the next several years,” Haney said.

Gaddis was selected from over 50 applicants to lead the Tide this past season. Haney hopes the open position will draw the same response again.

Lutter Indicted on Multiple Charges Related to Best Buy Shooting

March 4, 2013, Jackson TN - Jackson investigators presented charges to the Madison County grand jury in connection with a man shooting his fiancée inside Best Buy.

Will LutterWill Lutter, of Jackson, was indicted for attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and especially aggravated kidnapping of Turkessa Brooks. He was also indicted for aggravated assault on a Best Buy employee.

During the investigation, police uncovered another incident that occurred on the evening before the Best Buy shooting. Around 5 p.m. on Sept. 4, Lutter, 62, pointed a gun at Brooks, 35, and her 12- year-old son at their apartment on the 700 block of Walker Road. The incident was not reported to the police at the time.

Investigators presented those facts, and the grand jury additionally indicted Lutter for two counts of aggravated assault.

Lutter is being held at the Madison County Jail on $300,000 bond. His formal arraignment is scheduled for next Monday in Madison County Circuit Court.

At 10: 45 a.m. on Sept. 5, police were called about the shooting inside Best Buy, 1170 Vann Drive.

As the first responding officer arrived on the scene, witnesses identified a man walking on the parking lot as the person who was shooting. The officer drew his gun on the man who was later identified as Lutter. A woman ran away from Lutter and toward the officer. She was identified as the shooting victim and Lutter's fiancée, Brooks, of Jackson. Following a brief stand-off, police disarmed Lutter by shooting him with a taser. His gun was recovered.

The investigation has shown that Lutter went to Best Buy to confront Brooks about their relationship.

Brooks was not a Best Buy employee but was there working for a merchandising company thatdistributes products inside Best Buy. As Brooks tried to walk away from Lutter, he grabbed her by the shoulder and shot her in the back of the head. She fell to the ground and he shot her at least two more times. A Best Buy employee, Christopher Vance, heard the shots and came to help. As Vance approached Lutter, he pointed the gun in Vance's direction placing him in fear.

Lutter was still armed with the gun as he left Best Buy with Brooks, before being taken into custody on the parking lot.

Brooks was transported to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and then airlifted to the Regional Medical Center in Memphis. She later recovered from her injuries and was discharged