FRIDAY 161st YEAR • NO. 199 DECEMBER 18, 2015 CLEVELAND, TN 22 PAGES • 50¢ Homicides take No. 9 in Top 10 Newsmakers list By ALLEN MINCEY end of the calendar year. According to reports, the two were in ers and even belligerent to the judge Banner Staff Writer The most recent homicide involved the midst of a divorce which apparently and court officers. He has yet to go to the death of a mom and her 5-year-old TOP 10 led to the incident. Authorities said trial on the murder charge levied A string of homicides in 2015 were earlier this month. Rachael Johnson that no previous conflicts were reported against him. the alleged result of relationships and her son Colton were found at a EWSMAKERS at the Cedar Lake Road home. In May, Vincente Ramirez Fernandez between the reported murderers and Hillview Drive, victims of what police N Another murder reportedly spurred was arrested for the stabbing of the victims. are calling wounds consistent with by a relationship occurred in July when mother of his child, her mother and a Collectively, the violent acts — each gunshots. Ross Anderson, who has NO. 9 Marla Sharp, owner of the Little Diner neighbor. While the incident was the of which dominated news media atten- been classified as Johnson’s boyfriend, on First Street, was shot to death. result of problems in the relations tion, and in some cases still do — have was charged with two counts of first- Cleveland resident Donald Lee Abbott between the assailant and victims, been voted No. 9 in the Top 10 degree murder in the deaths. He is In November, an impending divorce was charged with the crime. Cleveland led to a murder-suicide in the none of those who was stabbed died Newsmakers list for the year, as voted presently being evaluated at a Nashville Police reported that the two were in a from the inflicted injuries. by Cleveland Daily Banner staff writers mental health facility, according to McDonald community, the Bradley romantic relationship when the inci- County Sheriff’s Office reported. Ricky Several other homicides also took and editors. reports, after being apprehended in dent occurred. Abbott has gone place in the Bradley County area and The series of news-story reviews will Murfreesboro, then brought back to Randolph allegedly killed his wife, through the local court system, but has Gloria, and then took his own life. continue in the Banner through the East Tennessee for evaluation. been uncooperative with public defend- See TOP 10, Page 11 Opaso court hearing "#%%#&%%(!*+ "*#+,&++$,-')*(.#+ ,"(+#''#',"(&&-'#,1 delayed /#," ((+,)%+ (*,""(%#1+ " -'/"#"#+ #+ .(%-',*+-))(*, (*, again (&(0+*0), ,(!#.'(-,,"#+1* (',#('+&1&#%,(#*+, Newest appearance ''++'$(0 %.%' (* scheduled for Jan. 5 *())( ,#*+,''++ By ALLEN MINCEY '$, #,", Banner Staff Writer The case against Olayinka Inside Today Opaso, the suspended Lee University student accused of posting a threatening message on Flames split at a national web- site, has been North Alabama Banner photo, CHRISTY ARMSTRONG delayed once The Lee Lady Flames earned a STUDENTS from North Lee Elementary School meet residents of Brookdale of Cleveland during a recent visit they made to sing again while GSC road victory Thursday at Christmas songs and give gifts to local veterans. a t t o r n e y s North Alabama. The Flames fell attempt to to the Lions in the closer. The reach an agree- Cleveland Blue Raiders and ment on the Walker Valley Mustangs were at it disposition of on the mat against Ooltewah, the young man. Rhea County and McMinn County Kids ‘gift’ local veterans On Oct. 9, in Ooltewah. The Braves have Opaso, 18, Opaso hired Chipper Jones as a special reportedly post- consultant. See Sports, Pages North Lee brings Christmas to nursing homes ed a threat on the social media 13-15. website Yik Yak, claiming that By CHRISTY ARMSTRONG terrorist attacks which took place on that there would be a shooting at Lee Forecast Banner Staff Writer day in 2001. University and 53 students would “It’s been very fun to go As students listened to the stories, they die and 59 would be injured. Partly sunny is forecast today Students at one local school recently got around to sing and make these learned about the sacrifices people in the Opaso, a native of Nigeria, con- with a high near 44 and northwest to spread holiday cheer to residents of people feel better.” military have made to keep the United fessed to Lee University security wind at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight, skies local nursing homes in a new way. — Tatum Young States safe from such threats. that he had made the statement will be mostly clear with a low The entire fifth-grade class at North Lee That realization planted a seed in some “to get a reaction and as a joke,” Elementary School visited six facilities in Lee’s students and families championed students’ minds, and a parent later pro- according to Cleveland Police. around 26. Wind will be calm at Opaso wrote an apology letter to one day to sing Christmas carols and the idea of giving tangible gifts. posed students do something to honor about 5 mph. the students of the university for On Saturday, look for plenty of deliver special gifts to elderly veterans they “Our students are already great kids, local veterans. The idea later became reali- “adopted.” but we wanted them to know what it’s like posting the threat. sun, but temperatures won’t rise ty when school faculty began planning Opaso was charged with For several years, students have carried to feel the joy of giving,” fifth-grade teacher their holiday festivities. above 51. Wind again will be calm, on the tradition of caroling for people Kristi Schalk said. Commission of an Act of Terrorism and Saturday night looks to be cold After Schalk inquired which nursing and taken into custody. He unable to get out and attend holiday fes- On Sept. 11, Schalk invited several local homes had veterans, Brookdale of again at 29. Look for more sun on tivities. guests to speak to her class about what it appeared in Bradley County Sunday with temperatures near 57; However, this year’s event grew as North was like to receive news of the infamous See VETERANS, Page 12 however, skies will turn mostly See OPASO Page 12 cloudy Sunday night with a 40 per- cent chance of showers moving in Monday. Rain will continue into Commission Monday night at 60 percent. to decide fate On the extended outlook, rain WVHS twins selected chances will hit 60 to 70 percent of business Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. for the QuestBridge By BRIAN GRAVES Banner Staff Writer Index By CHRISTY ARMSTRONG The Bradley County Church........................................8-9 Banner Staff Writer Commission is set to decide Monday whether to overturn a Classified................................20-21 Twin brothers at Walker Valley High School have both accom- recommendation by the Regional plished something which may be considered rare for even one per- Comics.........................................17 Planning Commission concerning son to do. Editorials......................................16 a rezoning request to allow a dol- Seniors Kameron and Kendall Mehling have both been selected Horoscope....................................17 lar-type store to be located on for the QuestBridge National College Match program and been Movies..........................................18 Harrison Pike. granted full-ride college scholarships. Obituaries.......................................2 The county planners last The 16-year-olds are making plans to attend the University of month accepted the recommen- Stocks............................................4 Chicago next fall. dation of planning director Sports......................................13-15 “We were actually in disbelief when we found out,” Kendall said. Bentley Thomas to deny the TV Schedule...........................18-19 “The odds that both of us would be accepted — and to the same request of The Broadway Group Weather........................................11 school — were astronomical.” LLC that would rezone the prop- The QuestBridge National College Match program “matches” stu- erty located a half mile west of Around Town Prospect Elementary School on See TWINS, Page 12 Kameron Mehling Kendall Mehling Billy West receiving a unique Christmas gift for his office ... See COMMISSION, Page 12 Jimmy Strickland sending a photo of his “sock of the day” ... David Crane enjoying hearing Cash introduces ‘Read 20’ to county leaders some Rolling Stones music recently — while in the emer- By BRIAN GRAVES Cash said. ing proficiency in third grade,” Cash said. below grade level potentially earns $12,000 gency room ... Mike Smith send- Banner Staff Writer She said there are students who are not “If by the end of third grade we don't have less per year than a high school graduate. ing along some special treats to reading at their grade level when they them on grade level, we're fighting a battle “The one that gets my soul is 70 percent a group of hard-working public A new initiative to help county students reach the third grade. for ever to get them to graduate and to be of prison inmates and 80 percent in the servants ... Sandra Rowland talk- excel in reading skills will have an official “We want to fix that,” Cash said. “We productive citizens. We are on a mission to juvenile justice system are functionally ing about the successes of a pro- kickoff next month. want them to grow socially and economi- make that happen.” illiterate,” Cash said. “The cost using gram and the cooperation need- Director of Schools Dr. Linda Cash told ed to make it happen ... Dan Bradley County commissioners this week cally and be a part of our society and not a Cash also said students who are not at national numbers is $25,000 per year per Rawls offering some thoughtful the “Read 20” initiative will have its unveil- strain on our society.