Area News
Child rape defendant enters plea
A self-confessed and previously convicted child molester from Knoxville who moved into a local motel without notifying local authorities and then sexually assaulted a child from Crossville pleaded guilty in Criminal Court last week and received an 18-year prison sentence to be served at 100 percent.
Richard Henry Brower, 62, who was living at the Village Inn last November when the incident took place, was facing a minimum of 25 years in prison when he agreed to plead guilty and spared the victim the ordeal of going through a public trial.
He was indicted by the grand jury on charges of rape of a child and violation of the sex offender registry law.
As a multiple range II offender, Brower is to serve 18 years in prison at 100 percent.
Fine and community service were waived and he will be given credit for time served since his arrest on Nov. 29, 2008. The second count, violating state law requiring him to register as a sex offender in the county of his residency, was dropped.
The parents of a nine-year-old girl who were living at the Village Inn called Crossville Police after the child reported to them that while she was playing in the parking lot, the man who lived in the unit next door invited her into his room.
Once inside, the child reported the man molested her.
Police and the Department of Children's Services immediately launched an investigation into the claim and learned that Brower was out on bond on a similar charge in Roane County and had been convicted of sexually assaulting a child in Knox County.
Despite having lived at the Village for three weeks, Brower failed to notify Crossville Police that he had taken up residency. State law requires convicted sex offenders to report to local police jurisdictions upon moving into a community within 48 hours.
Brower gave police a statement during their investigation of the incident, which led to his indictment.
By pleading guilty, Brower avoided a trial by jury scheduled for Dec. 16. He faces a trial in Roane County on a charge of solicitation of a minor for Dec. 18.
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Eagle Scout project dedicated to late Crossville preacher
A Crossville Boy Scout saw the completion of an Eagle Scout project as a way to say thanks to a Crossville preacher and his congregation for allowing the Scouts to meet in the church.
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Crash on Chestnut Hill Rd. claims life of county man
Homer L. Matthews, 48, of Chestnut Hill Rd., was found lying in a ditch not far from his 1997 Nissan pickup that crashed on Chestnut Hill Rd. around 10 p.m. Sunday, about a mile off Peavine Rd., according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
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Library in danger of losing state funds
The Art Circle Public Library could lose support from the state if its budget isn't restored to funding levels of 2009-'10 by the county. That means the county needs to add approximately $42,000 to the library's 2010-'11 budget.
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July 31 is Firefighter Appreciation Day
Mayor J.H. Graham III signed a proclamation at the July city council meeting that declared July 31 as Firefighter Appreciation Day. Now the community has an opportunity to support local firefighters.
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Hog heaven
The Jr. Grillers youth team was among five teams competing in the first Crossville Wheels 'n Squeals competitive barbecue cooking contest.
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Suspect charged in vehicle burglary
A Crossville man seen running from the scene of an automobile break-in has been arrested and charged with auto burglary and items taken have been recovered.
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Residents warned of scam
The Crossville Police Department reports several members of the Cumberland Medical Center Wellness Complex have been receiving calls from an individual claiming to represent the complex.
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VEC plans power outage Saturday
Volunteer Energy Cooperative will be preforming maintenance work that will require a planned power outage in Cumberland County beginning at 1 a.m. and lasting until 5 a.m. Saturday.
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BOE approves fees for daycare program
The Cumberland County Board of Education approved a fee schedule for care at the new Tennessee Early Intervention System daycare located on the grounds of the Central Office.
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No decision on county budget
[VIDEO] In spite of a state mandate to fund the school system with a probable tax increase or wheel tax looming over their heads, county commissioners delayed passing the 2010-'11 budget and postponed addressing the subject again until after the upcoming county general election Aug. 5.
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