MONDAY 162nd YEAR • No. 198 DECEMBER 19, 2016 CLEVELAND, TN 18 PAGES • 50¢ Solomon Family Solutions bringing lots of local love By CHRISTY ARMSTRONG Banner Staff Writer “It’s such a good organization for kids Solomon Family Solutions, a Cleveland organi- zation which assists families with everything from and for families. They try to bring art therapy to adoption placement, is among the families back together.” groups which have helped spread holiday cheer. — Steve Watson Its first “Deck the Halls” fundraiser was held at the Museum Center at Five Points. The holiday- themed event celebrated the season while also tion, mediation, home studies, expert witness bringing to the forefront the needs of local fami- investigation and drug testing. lies. Chase said these services are often needed by “We offer a variety of services to help families, families going through things like divorce and and they are all income-based,” said co-founder domestic violence. Some, like parent coordina- Andrea Chase. tion, have the organization’s staff working as a Founded in the autumn of 2015, Solomon go-between to handle the children’s affairs for Family Solutions was started after Chase and co- one or both parents. founder Samantha Young saw the need for The organization also offers art therapy servic- “affordable” family services. Having both worked es, under the direction of art therapist Blythe with families in the local nonprofit sector, they Mayfield. The practice involves taking part in art realized services needed by some families could projects while addressing emotional issues. While be costly. families can schedule stand-alone art therapy Banner photo, CHRISTY ARMSTRONG The organization offers a variety of services sessions, they can also be combined with things SOLOMON FAMILY SOLUTIONS leaders stand in front of a festive tree displayed at their organiza- related to court disputes, including supervised tion’s “Deck the Halls” fundraising event. From left are Andrea Chase, Samantha Young, Blythe Mayfield visitation and safe exchange, parent coordina- See SOLOMON, Page 10 and Yattie Westfield. Inside Today Year’s top A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS stories set for review in launch of series Writers weigh in; what about you? By RICK NORTON Associate Editor Depending upon individual per- spective or maybe family circum- Titans win fourth stance, 2016 was a good year, a bad year or maybe just one of those game in a row so-so years, caught up somewhere Tennessee Titans placekicker in the great divide between ordinary Ryan Succop booted a 53-yard and extraordinary. field goal as time ran out to give Looking back at the past 11 the Titans a win over Kansas City. months and 19 days, what was it The Atlanta Falcons beat up on like for you, a typical Cleveland and the San Francisco 49ers. The Bradley County resident? Was it Cleveland Blue Raiders finished the best of times or the worst of up a successful tournament times? appearance at Science Hill High For most, it included a little bit of School. The Tennessee Lady Banner photo, ALLEN MINCEY everything. Volunteers pulled off a win over THE GREENE FAMILY was joined by Santa and Mrs. Claus, and members of the Cleveland Fire Department and Bradley County As we wrote last year ... No. 10 Stanford. See Sports, Emergency Medical Service with toys and furniture for Christmas. From left are Jonathan Carroll of the Cleveland Fire Department, It has been a year of sadness; it Pages 11-15. Santa Claus, Alisa Greene, Mrs. Claus, Ivy Greene, EMT Ashton Hughes, paramedic Josh VanDusen and Holly Greene. The Greenes has been a year of joy. lost their belongings in a fire Nov. 23, in which Holly’s husband and Alisa and Ivy’s grandfather, Paul Greene, died. It has been a year of celebration; it has been a year of disappoint- Forecast ment. It has been a year of discovery; it Mostly sunny today with a high has been a year of retrospective. near 42. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Christmas in a time of loss It has been a year of reunion; it Tonight, the low will dip to 28 with has been a year of painful separa- wind about 5 mph. tion. On Tuesday, skies will be partly Emergency responders come to aid of local family It has been a year of life; it has sunny with a high near 48 and calm been a year of tragic death. It has been a year of growth; it winds. Watch for a low of about 31 aunt reported the fire and we responded By ALLEN MINCEY has been a year of cutting back. ... it occurred on Blythe Ferry Road.” Tuesday night. Banner Staff Writer It has been a year of looking “It was such a special time to The fire was worked by both the CFD Sunny skies continue into ahead; it has been a year of glanc- Still recovering from an emotional loss help this family, and we hope that and the Bradley County Emergency Wednesday with a high near 54, ing back. in a November tragedy, a Cleveland family they spend a nice Christmas with Medical Service. but by Wednesday night showers It has been a year of laughing; it will spend Christmas in a special way the toys and furniture, along with The Greenes received aid from family should move in, and they’ll contin- has been a year of crying. thanks to the big hearts of some emer- members not involved in the fire, as well the decorations.” It has been a year of bewilder- ue into Thursday. High gency responders, and anonymous donors. as an anonymous donor and the Local — Jonathan Carroll ment; it has been a year of enlight- Wednesday will be 54, low that The Greene family, who lost their grand- 3748 CFD fire association. enment. night is expected to 41, and highs father in a recent home fire, will be with- “We helped the family with toys for the It has been a year of anger; it has Thursday at about 53. out their beloved family member, but fire. kids and furniture for the family,” Carroll been a year of contentment. they’re not going to be without the love Jonathan Carroll, a Cleveland Fire said. “They lost most everything in the It has been a year of giving back; and support of others, including the very Department firefighter, said the Nov. 23 fire.” it has been a year of giving in. Index firefighters and medical service techni- blaze not only took Greene’s life, it also led Among the items that were donated It has been a year of transgres- cians who fought the blaze in order to to the injury — one severely — of children. were two beds and three dressers, along Classified................................16-17 save lives. “It is our call to help others, and we sion; it has been a year of forgive- Comics...........................................6 Paul “Junior” Greene, 56, died in the tried to help the family,” Carroll said. “The See CHRISTMAS, Page 10 ness. Editorials......................................14 Horoscope......................................6 See NEWSMAKERS Page 8 MINI Pages....................................5 Obituaries.......................................2 Sports......................................11-13 TV Schedule..................................7 Weather..........................................9 Whether it’s Sarah or Brandi, local Around Town Sandra Rowland and Brenda personality to be making a change Lawson taking time for a photo- graph during a very busy By ALLEN MINCEY family, who owned King’s Barbecue. Saturday of bringing Christmas to Banner Staff Writer “We have been married for several a lot of local families ... Don and PERSONALITY years, and it has been great,” she Rubi Porter enjoying a chat with She goes by two names, but most said. “Richie is such a fun guy and we a longtime friend whom they had- will know her as Sarah Jennings — a have so much fun together.” n’t seen in ages ... Brenda Abel WTVC NewsChannel 9 morning PROFILE King is now known by her new last laughing about some old times anchor who will soon be leaving her name. She became Sarah Jennings with a good friend ... Randall position with the station. when she started working in radio and Higgins sending along some col- Others will be familiar with the “Yes, I was known as Brandi Poteet. eventually television. orful photographs from a name Brandi King, which is her real I lived on Poteet Road in south “I began working at US101, and Christmas reading. name and how she was known grow- Bradley County,” she said. they [already] had a Brandi, so we ing up in Bradley County. She eventually became Brandi King changed our name,’ she said. “I decid- Banner photo, ALLEN MINCEY Actually, King is known as Brandi after marrying Richie King. King was ed on Brandi Poteet, and when I got A FAN of Elvis Presley, Sarah Jennings has a Poteet to many, as that is how she well known in the Charleston area, car tag that not only has Elvis on it, but fits as her was known as a young girl and many will also know him from his See JENNINGS, Page 8 last name is “King.” 6489076 75112 2—Cleveland Daily Banner—Monday, December 19, 2016 www.clevelandbanner.com OBITUARIES (USPS 117-700) Periodical Postage Paid at Cleveland, TN 37320-3600 Post Office POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to: Banner, P.O. Box 3600, Cleveland, TN 37320-3600 She leaves behind to cherish Phillips (John) McIntosh; sister, Published at 1505 25th Street, NW (P.O. Box 3600) her memory, her loving son and Anna Christine Brackett in Cleveland, TN 37320-3600, daily except Saturday daughter-in-law, Larry S. and Simpson; nephews: Richard, and Christmas day by Cleveland Newspapers, Inc.