T H U R S D A Y 161st YEAR • NO. 54 JULY 2, 2015 CLEVELAND, TN 16 PAGES • 50¢ Fireworks to light the skies on July 4 Highway 64 show set Mount Olive Ministries for 28th performance show set for north end By BRIAN GRAVES By JOYANNA LOVE Banner Staff Writer Banner Senior Staff Writer It has been 28 years since Bradley County Commissioner Howard A local tradition continues this year as Mount Olive Ministries Thompson and his family decided to shoot off some fireworks near will once again coordinate a Fourth of July fireworks show for the his flea market on Highway 64. community. Last year, an estimated 15,000-plus lined the highway to watch The festivity, designed by Pyro Shows, will begin at 9:30 p.m. as what has become a Bradley County staple for Independence Day. fireworks are shot off the hill of the T.L. Lowery Global “We never thought it would get this big,” Thompson said. Foundation. The Bradley Square Mall parking lot offers an opti- And, big it will be this year. mum viewing site as the exploding colors fill the night sky. Thompson said the show will go on as usual Saturday night, pre- “We met with the mall and the City Police Department as well as ceded by an afternoon of Americana filled with food and music. City Fire Department to plan it,” said Pastor James Sears of The commissioner spoke of the upcoming event in a trailer full of Mount Olive Ministries. boxes of fireworks with each one marked “show.” Sears said Larry Hill Ford and Larry Hill Imports would again be To give some idea of the size of the planned program, the red- Banner file photo sponsoring the event. The businesses have been a partner for white-and blue fireworks that will accompany the National Anthem FIREWORKS are planned for Saturday at the T.L. Lowery Global seven of the past eight years. Foundation, making the mall a good viewing spot. The show is spon- See HIGHWAY 64, Page 6 sored by Larry Hill Ford and Mount Olive Ministries. See SHOW, Page 6 Inside Today Ledford reports lawsuit settled Case involves Tiffany Isaza By TONY EUBANK New Vols now Banner Staff Writer Kim Ledford, whose son Dustin have a new look died five years ago in a two-vehi- The Tennessee Volunteers cle crash involving an impaired unveiled their new uniforms, which motorist, on were designed by Nike. All the W e d n e s d a y Tennessee athletic teams were on announced the hand to show off the new ensem- settlement of a Banner photo, LARRY C. BOWERS wrongful-death bles. The Atlanta Braves broke THE NEWLY FORMED Christian Classics Choir, under the direction of Dan Petty, entertained at Westwood Baptist’s military appre- their losing streak with a rare victo- l a w s u i t ry over the Washington Nationals. ciation luncheon Wednesday. Soloist Joe Hodo, with his hand raised, was acknowledging his service in the U.S. Army during the choir’s b r o u g h t See Sports, Pages 11-13. medley to different branches of the military. against the convenience Practice safety store where an allegedly intox- with fireworks icated Tiffany ‘Thank you, local veterans!’ Ledford Please pardon the pun, but the Isaza reported- Fourth of July holiday promises to ly purchased be an explosive weekend for fam- alcohol just ily, food and fun thanks to all before the acci- Westwood Baptist offers July 4th tribute dent. those fireworks. But, keeping it L e d f o r d ’ s fun also means keeping it safe. Center and School at Fort Jackson, Ky. See the editorial on Page 14 of By LARRY C, BOWERS d i s c l o s u r e Banner Staff Writer Previous assignments included service at today’s edition. came through the Pentagon as command chaplain, and her legal coun- Westwood Baptist Church, and its as a director for the Army Chief of sel, Cleveland members, paid tribute to veterans from Chaplains. Forecast a t t o r n e y Isaza the community Wednesday at the Other locations of service were Fort Jimmy Logan. church’s 15th annual Military McPherson, Ga.; U.S. Army Europe; The In the announcement, made at Today’s outlook is for continued Appreciation Luncheon. cloudiness and a 90 percent chance 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, Logan’s downtown office, it was More than 300 people enjoyed the N.C.; Fort Gordon, Ga.; Gelnhausen, confirmed Danny and Kim of showers or thunderstorms, with a home-cooked food, and a keynote Germany; and Fort Stewart, Ga. high near 81. South winds of 5 to Ledford had filed suit earlier address by retired U.S. Army Col. David He is the recipient of a number of mili- against the owner of Dalton Pike 15 mph could gust as high as 20 W. Smartt, brother of Westwood Pastor tary ribbons and medals, including the Market after it was learned its mph. An 80 percent chance of rain Steve Smartt. Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service proprietor had allegedly sold is in the forecast tonight, with a low Also in attendance were local and Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, alcohol to Isaza, who reportedly around 68. Friday should remain state officials, headlined by Cleveland the Army Achievement Medal, the was already heavily intoxicated. cloudy, with a 70 percent chance of Mayor Tom Rowland. State Sens. Mike Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Staff Shortly after the purchase, rain and a high near 81. Friday Bell and Todd Gardenhire were present, Identification Badge; and the Parachutist Isaza was involved in a head-on but state Reps. Kevin Brooks and Dan Badge. crash with Dustin Ledford on night calls for mostly cloudy skies Howell were unable to make the lunch- and a 50 percent chance of rain, Banner photo, LARRY C. BOWERS He is a graduate of Lee University, The APD 40, a tragic accident that eon, being called to Nashville for a spe- RETIRED U.S. Army Col. David Smartt Pentecostal Theological Seminary, cost the young Ledford his life. with a low around 68. cial session of the House. Syracuse University, and the Army War Sunset: 8:59 p.m. was the guest speaker at Wednesday’s Although the accident took Westwood’s newly formed Christian military appreciation luncheon at College. place on July 10, 2010, the litiga- Sunrise: 6:31 a.m. Classics Choir, under the direction of Westwood Baptist Church. Smartt and his wife Merial, now live in tion began in 2011, and is just Dan Petty and featuring soloist Joe Cleveland. now wrapping up, five years later, Index Hodo, provided entertainment, and the The much-decorated former officer now a full-time faculty member at Lee Logan explained. Bradley Central High School ROTC Color also paid tribute to veterans who attend- “The reason that this took from Classified......................................15 Guard, under the guidance of Sgt. Roger University as an assistant professor in ed the luncheon Wednesday. the Business Department. 2011 until now, was that we were Comics...........................................8 Right, presented the colors. not able to identify who sold her Editorials......................................14 The guest speaker is a retired full His final military assignment was com- Horoscope......................................8 colonel with the United States Army, mandant at the U.S. Army Chaplain See VETERANS, Page 6 NASCAR......................................16 See LEDFORD, Page 6 Obituaries.......................................2 Stocks............................................4 Sports......................................11-13 TV Schedule..................................9 Proposed county budget includes 15 nonprofits Weather........................................10 By BRIAN GRAVES n $450,000 to the Bradley County E- welfare and tourism in Bradley County. conservation and beauty of Bradley Around Town Banner Staff Writer 911 Emergency Communications District n $96,218 to the Bradley/Cleveland County. to fund the county’s share of dispatching Community Service Agency to promote n $250,000 to the Cleveland/Bradley Max McCann celebrating his The Bradley County budget for fiscal for emergency services. economic welfare in Bradley County. Chamber of Commerce to promote 20-year anniversary at his place year 2015-16 contains 15 appropriations n $44,000 to Southeast Tennessee n $49,635 to the Soil Conservation tourism development in Bradley County. of work ... Will Tarver packing up designated for local nonprofit charitable Resource Agency to promote public trans- District for the environmental welfare of n $250,000 to be appropriated to the some pizza in case he gets hun- organizations. portation in Bradley County. the residents of Bradley County. Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of gry while away at college ... Holly A total of $1,441,714 will be distributed n $1,500 to be appropriated to n $9,000 to the Fort Hill Cemetery Commerce to promote industrial develop- Tarver unpacking a surprise to the organizations should the Bradley Behavioral Research Institute Association for the maintenance of ment in Bradley County. (Note: The funds pizza ... Steve Bivens excited County Commission pass the budget Incorporated to promote the health and Bradley County’s portion of the Fort Hill for the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of about getting to sit in the front Monday night. welfare in Bradley County. Cemetery to promote the beauty of Commerce are derived from hotel/motel row to see the “one-and-only Although categorized as “nonprofit n $91,361 to the Tennessee Vocational Bradley County. taxes.) Dolly Parton” in concert ... David charitable organizations,” some of the Training Center to promote vocational n $19,000 to MainStreet Cleveland for n $120,000 to be appropriated to the Crane being a huge dog lover. recipients are agencies that in the course rehabilitation in Bradley County.