COFFEEN MAN FOUND DECEASED SOUTHWEST OF COFFEEN
A 911 call Wednesday, February 15, at 4:35 p.m., alerted Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies to the location of a deceased person. According to a press release from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, the body of Howard P. Beard, age 73, of Coffeen, was found in a wooded area south of Mentors Lane, approximately two and a half miles southwest of Coffeen. Beard had been missing since January 16, when his family filed a missing person report. Montgomery County Coroner Rick Broaddus pronounced Beard deceased at the scene. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, no foul play is suspected at this time and the Sheriff’s Department and the Coroner’s Office are continuing the investigation.
MUNICIPALLY-OWNED FIBER OPTIC NETWORK DISCUSSED BY GREENVILLE CITY COUNCIL
In the Greenville City Council meeting Tuesday night, the council discussed a fiber optics engineering feasibility study. A “proof of concept” letter was received indicating a municipally-owned fiber optic network could be a financially viable project. A $33,000.00 feasibility study is necessary to take the idea to the next stage.
There was a good deal of discussion on the pros and cons of the city entering into management of this utility. Councilman John Gillard said the risks of such an action are formidable and a $33,000.00 feasibility study seems to be a lot of money given other challenges and expenses the city is facing. Councilman Kenny Hampton agreed the risks are certainly an issue but felt there is an ever-increasing need for bandwidth by both individual homes and businesses and not finding out more might be a mistake and might limit actions by future councils to keep the city competitive. The council agreed to secure more information and contact communities pursuing municipally-owned fiber optics.
SEVENTH GRADE STUDENT WINS GREENVILLE SPELLING BEE
Gloria Wilson, seventh grade daughter of Jeffry and Pamela Wilson of Greenville, won the recent annual Scripps National Spelling Bee school competition. The runner-up was eighth grader Josh Pierce, son of Jason and Laura Pierce of Greenville. Gloria correctly spelled “choreographer,” which Josh misspelled, then correctly spelled “cauliflower” for the win. Gloria will participate in the Bond-Fayette-Effingham Spelling Bee Thursday, February 23 at the Mulberry Grove Elementary School. Winners will advance to the regional spelling bee in Decatur in March.
