SPORTS: Howard, Hughes named to All-State team: Page 11 Rhyne Howard Halle Hughes Character Education inside today Design work continues on library’s History brancH for bcPef relocation: Page 8 162nd YEAR • No. 284 30 PAGES • 50¢ CLEVELAND, TN 37311 THE CITY WITH SPIRIT THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017 Fishy teaching at WVHS Suspect in Creek murder arrested Trout Unlimited in Fort Payne swims into Sean Scott Hale nabbed at a convenience store classroom By ALLEN MINCEY location or any connection with [email protected] the homicide. By CHRISTY ARMSTRONG Creek’s body was reported [email protected] The suspect accused in the dumped in a ravine in the death of a Cleveland man remote area. Police did not Students at Walker Valley whose body was dumped in a explain the process of finding High School have been taking ravine in Polk County was the body there, but further part in some pretty fishy activi- apprehended Wednesday information on that will be ties. evening in Alabama. forthcoming as Hale is Thanks to Trout Unlimited’s Sean Scott Hale, 26, was arraigned on the murder Trout in the Classroom pro- located at a convenience store charge. Cleveland Police issued gram, some have gotten to raise in Fort Payne and taken into a warrant for first-degree mur- trout from eggs, in part to learn custody by the Fort Payne der on the about fish life cycles. Police Department. He suspect. “It’s been a great experience Banner photo, CHRISTY ARMSTRONG remained there this morning Gibson for the students, I think,” social THESE TROUT have been raised from eggs and have been cared for by students at Walker pending extradition back to said that the studies teacher Joe Shamblin Valley High School. Since September, students have been caring for them as part of the Trout in Cleveland. homicide was said. “They have been learning the Classroom project sponsored by Trout Unlimited. Cleveland Police detectives “not a ran- about the science of raising the were called to Fort Payne and dom act of fish. There’s actually a lot that interviewed Hale at the police violence,” goes into it.” Shamblin and chemistry involved with this,” student an extremely close eye on the department there. It was not leading to the Trout Unlimited is a national teacher Eric Swafford partnered Kaylee Carrick said. “Plus, it’s water’s chemical levels. confirmed early this morning if murder environmental conservation to have their students raise the cool to be doing something for a Swafford said his chemistry Hale was taken into custody charge. organization with a focus on trout. park around Cleveland.” students have been carefully due to a bulletin being issued An autopsy Hale areas which include trout habi- In September, the teachers Though the trout are still measuring the aquarium’s pH, by the Cleveland Police on Creek was tats. It sponsors a variety of purchased rainbow trout eggs quite small — most about 2 ammonia and oxygen levels to Department, or if he turned to be per- programs like Trout in the from the Erwin National Fish inches long — they will soon help provide the ideal balance himself in to authorities in that formed to Classroom, which does exactly Hatchery, in Erwin. become first-time residents of for the trout. city. pinpoint the what the name implies, raising Students helped set up the the Hiwassee River. The teach- “Trout are some of the needi- Cleveland Police Chief Mark cause of awareness. aquarium which houses the fish ers are planning a field trip to est fish when it comes to oxy- Gibson said Tuesday that his death. Curious about the program, and kept a close eye on things Reliance to release them into gen,” Swafford explained. department received a missing Gibson said Shamblin contacted Don as the fish began to hatch. that town’s portion of the river. Shamblin noted the water person call on Thomas Creek in a press Denney of the organization’s Since then, they have contin- Until then, students are also has had to be kept at a Jr., 34, of Cleveland. Creek was conference Hiwassee Chapter. This led to ued to be involved in the care keeping a close eye on the fish constantly cold temperature, last seen on March 14, accord- Tuesday that Walker Valley receiving some and keeping of the fish, doing and their daily progress. which requires the aquarium to ing to witnesses, and the miss- it appears the whatever is needed to ensure This has involved things like be equipped with a specialized $1,000 worth of equipment to ing person’s report was filed by victim sus- their survival. feeding the fish and cleaning begin raising trout in class- a family member, which was tained a gun- Creek “It was really cool to be their aquarium, while keeping rooms. See FISHY, Page 8 issued last Thursday. shot wound, Investigation into the disap- but would not confirm if that pearance of Creek led the was the cause of Creek’s death. CPD’s Criminal Investigations Police did not reveal any con- Division to information that nection between Creek and City Council extends timelines for insurance Creek might be the victim of Hale that might have led to the foul play, and also led them to alleged murder. a remote area of the Cherokee Gibson was to hold a press National Forest, in the Sylco conference detailing more on use of tents in response to recent hailstorm area of Polk County. A suspect the case early this morning. in the case was identified as Information from that press The business owners, and marathon By LARRY C. BOWERS State Farm Insurance company, Hale, who had apparently made conference will be included in sponsors, said the running event is getting [email protected] and other insurance interests, had contact with the police depart- a number of out-of-town entries, and will inquired about the possibility of ment but did not reveal his See SUSPECT, Page 4 The Cleveland City Council has taken amending the city ordinance relat- be a huge showcase for the local commu- steps to assist local businesses swamped ing to tent facilities on business nity. City staff member Bryan Moran is by an increased workload from hailstorms property. Several of these business- helping with publicity and information which swept through the community last es use tents when estimating dam- about the event. week, heavily damaging hundreds of vehi- age for policy holders. The start and finish of the marathon Skeletal remains found cles. will be near the downtown courthouse and State Farm Insurance company, and Johnston Park. other insurance interests, had inquired “We have several charity partners, and just off Peerless Road about the possibility of amending the city be increased for additional time, if there is so far entries are from 11 different states,” ordinance relating to tent facilities on a need. said Brittney Durkin. “About 48 percent of By ALLEN MINCEY Cleveland Police Chief Mark business property. Several of these busi- Council members also approved another the early entrants are from outside of [email protected] Gibson this morning. He said nesses use tents when estimating damage a request from the Parks and Recreation Cleveland.” an autopsy will be performed for policy holders. Department, which will benefit the Boys & She said they are expecting around 400 Authorities are trying to on the remains to determine With preparation of an amendment to Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region. participants, and about 150 volunteers determine the identity of a body the cause of death, but did not the ordinance by City Attorney John Some surplus recreation (playground) will be involved in the Saturday morning discovered in a residential area see any evidence that foul play Kimball, Council members amended the equipment from the Blythe/Oldfield Park, competition, with plaques going to the of Cleveland on Wednesday. was involved. ordinance at Monday’s meeting, extending which is managed by the city, will be winners. The skeletal remains were “We have an idea who this the time allowed for tent facilities from 10 donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs. Organizers are working with the located just off Peerless Road, might be, but are not going to to 30 days. Brittney Durkin and her husband, of Cleveland Police Department to develop a on Wesdell Lane. There are release that information until It was specified that this amendment Cleveland’s Terra Running Company, visit- traffic control plan, and there will be four wooded areas in that portion of we have a positive identifica- will only be for insurance agencies han- ed Monday’s Council meeting to bring aid stations situated along the marathon the city. tion,” Gibson said. dling customer policies for hail damage to members up to date on plans for the route. Bradley County’s Emergency “A resident in that area’s dog An official release on the dis- vehicles. Cleveland Half Marathon and 5-kilometer Medical Service personnel will also assist. brought bones to their home, covery of the remains was to be Following an inquiry from the audience, races, scheduled from 7 to 11 a.m. on which were later identified as Kimball said the extension could possibly Saturday, May 13. See HAILSTORM, Page 8 being human remains,” said See SKELETAL, Page 4 AROUND TOWN WEATHER INDEX Tamera Frazier proving she’s Today looks to be mostly cloudy, with a 30 percent Classified......................16-17 Opinion...............................14 “both a hero and a survivor” ... chance of rain and a high near 79. South winds could Grant Currin recently being home gust as high as 25 mph.