T H U R S D A Y 161st YeAR • NO. 257 FeBRUARY 25, 2016 CLeVeLAND, tN 16 PAGeS • 50¢ Longtime popular artist Billie Nipper dies; ‘Miss Billie a treasure’ to city of Cleveland By BETTIE MARLOWE she made to a Banner staff writer was, “I whom is Dale Dotson, president of Banner Staff Writer have had ups and downs in being an artist, Cleveland Creative Arts Guild. and but you get through it with encouragement. “There is so much to love and admire RICK NORTON I enjoy life and being with people who enjoy about ‘our Billie,’” Dotson told the Banner. Associate Editor things I do.” “Her many contributions to the Cleveland The funeral for the popular expressionist, Creative Arts Guild over the years were, A Cleveland native and longtime artist, who was still painting and having her can- indeed, priceless.” Billie Nipper said she didn’t try to learn vasses framed leading into her final days, Dotson called her endearing friend “... how to paint. will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the heart and soul of the Nillie Bipper Arts “I am amazed I can do it,” she once said Ralph Buckner Funeral Home. Festival for 45 years. She was the greatest in an interview with the Cleveland Daily Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial in orchestrating the very best arts festivals Banner. “I thought I'd just be a housewife Gardens. ever.” PAINtING hORSeS was what Billie Nipper was best known for, — I didn’t plan to be an artist, but I worked The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 Dotson said she will never forget a partic- hard.” p.m. Friday at the funeral home. ular trait about Nipper — her smile. but she not only painted horses — she raised them, too. She said The beloved artist died Wednesday morn- Word of Nipper’s passing broke the horses helped her. “Without them, I would be just another artist.” ing at age 86. One of the last statements hearts of friends and fans alike, one of See NIPPER, Page 13 Inside Today Spence Election named hopefuls to chair pick up board petitions for races The heat is on of 911 Qualifying deadline Former Tennessee football player nearing at April 7 Drae Bowles says head football Danny Lawson By ALLEN MINCEY coach Butch Jones called him a trai- Banner Staff Writer tor for helping a woman who was is recognized sexually assaulted. UT women’s Although only six petitions for By ALLEN MINCEY the upcoming city and county basketball coach Holly Warlick says Banner Staff Writer the team will keep fighting. State elections have been turned in, Danny Lawson, who recently several potential hopefuls have champ Joe Munoz is more than just picked up the necessary paper- a wrestler. See Sports, Pages 9-11. retired as director at the Bradley County Emergency Medical work that they will need to even- Services, was honored for his Banner photo, SARALYN NORKUS tually file in order to be placed on Metal and mineral time serving as chairman of the BRYNN CLARK reacts after receiving a kiss on the cheek from Big Al, the University of Alabama a future ballot. Cleveland-Bradley 911 board of mascot. Of those who have picked up imports an issue directors Wednesday. petitions, 14 are incumbents who America’s manufacturers are His replacement will be some- could possibly run for that office one who is well-known in emer- again. growing more and more dependent Two incumbents have turned on imported metals and minerals gency services locally — Troy Spence, direc- in their petitions to the Bradley needed to make many of the prod- Meeting ‘Big Al’ County Election Commission as tor at the ucts used in everyday life. C l e v e l a n d - of Wednesday. These two are Specifically, the United States is B r a d l e y Amanda Kay Lee, 6th District, now completely import-dependent C o u n t y for 19 key minerals, and more than E m e r g e n c y 3-year-old Brynn Clark enjoys a See ELECTION, Page 5 50 percent dependent for another M a n a g e m e n t 24 important minerals. See why this Agency. Candy Carson is becoming a looming issue in the Spence will miracle birthday with special pal guest “Viewpoint” on Page 12 of take over for will visit here Lawson at the today’s edition. By SARALYN NORKUS on Monday Spence end of the Banner Staff Writer month, when By LARRY C. BOWERS Forecast t h e B C E M S An already special third birth- Banner Staff Writer d i r e c t o r ’ s day for Brynn Clark was capped retirement offi- off by a visit from the University A familiar face in this year’s cially begins. of Alabama’s very own mascot Big presidential election campaign Spence will Al this past Saturday. will be stopping in Cleveland on preside over To understand the significance Monday, but it will not be one of the next 911 of this birthday and the visit from the candidates. board of direc- Big Al, you must first journey Lacena “Candy” Carson, wife of tors meeting. back four months to October, presidential Three other when a freak accident left Brynn’s candidate and Today looks to be mostly cloudy, Fairbanks officers for the parents, Mickey and Amy Clark, noted neuro- board were with a high near 45 and a slight wondering if they would ever get surgeon Dr. reappointed at Wednesday’s to see their youngest daughter’s Ben Carson, chance of rain. West winds of 10 to meeting. Cleveland Mayor Tom dimples and dance moves again. will visit Lee 15 mph could gust as high as 20. Rowland will continue as vice On Oct. 11, Brynn took a tum- University on Tonight’s forecast calls for mostly chairman and Troy Maney, ble at the Church at Grace Point, Monday to pro- cloudy skies, with a low around 31. director of the Bradley County where her father is an associate mote her book, Friday should be mostly sunny, with Fire-Rescue, will serve as secre- and student pastor. The little girl “A Doctor in a high near 47. Friday night calls tary. fell about three feet off of a stool the House.” for partly cloudy skies and a low City Manager Janice Casteel in the church’s cafe, landing on She will talk Carson around 31. was reappointed as treasurer of the left side of her head. about “family, the 911 board, though she, too, “When she fell, we had some life, politics and other small top- has announced her retirement at neo-natal nurses there. We had ics.” Index the end of May. She will serve on The event will take place in the See BIG AL, Page 13 BIG AL and Brynn Clark share a hug. Classified................................14-15 See SPENCE, Page 5 See CARSON, Page 5 Comics...........................................6 Editorials......................................12 Horoscope......................................6 Hotel-Motel legislation NASCAR......................................16 Sarah Barnette is eyed Obituaries.......................................2 OK’d by House group Stocks............................................4 Sports........................................9-11 By BRIAN GRAVES members completing their busi- as presidential scholar TV Schedule..................................7 Banner Staff Writer ness with the legislation. Weather..........................................8 State Rep. Dan Howell (R- By LARRY C. BOWERS The private act which will allow Georgetown) has carried the bill Banner Staff Writer the Bradley County Commission for the County Commission Around Town to raise the county’s hotel/motel through the legislative process. Cleveland High School’s Sarah Barnette, president of the tax has passed its final major He received one question at the senior class, has been selected as a candidate for one of the Betty and Harold Ballard cele- hurdle in Nashville. latest hearing from state Rep. most prestigious youth programs in the nation. brating a big day with family and If passed, the County Matthew Hill (R-Jonesborough) She is a candidate for the U.S. Presidential Scholars friends at a local eatery ... Commission will be able to who inquired as to whether the Program. It is described as "one of the nation's highest hon- Milteen Cartwright preparing food increase the hotel/motel tax from act’s passage would be the tool ors for high school students." for the Cold Nite Ministry ... 5 percent to 7 percent. that would increase the tax. Approximately 500 semifinalists are chosen in the prelimi- Tonya Brown and Alicia Maddux The House Finance, Ways and “We are allowing by this vote nary selection, with six to 20 semifinalists from each state. enjoying a nice lunch ... Cristy Means Committee voted unani- the local government to run their In April, the Commission on Presidential Scholars makes Pomeroy enjoying bridal dress mously earlier this week to send own affairs,” Howell responded. the final selection of 121 students. One young man and one shopping with daughter Megan the measure to the House Another bill sponsored by young woman are chosen from each state, the District of McCracken. Calendar and Rules committee, Howell also passed the committee Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and from fami- which will schedule the act for a this week. lies of U.S. citizens living abroad. final vote by the full House. The bill would increase the fee In addition, up to 15 students are chosen at large. The state Senate has already from $26 to $40 that a constable passed the measure up to a final Sarah Barnette See BARNETTE, Page 5 6489076 75112 reading, which is awaiting House See HOTEL, Page 5 2—Cleveland Daily Banner—Thursday, February 25, 2016 www.clevelandbanner.com OBITUARIES CHURCH (USPS 117-700) ACTIVITIES Periodical Postage Paid at Cleveland, TN 37320-3600 Post Office Nell Morton POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to: Banner, P.O.