News briefs from across Tennessee

2 reported dead in Greene Co. crash GREENEVILLE (AP) — Two people have been killed in a single-car crash southwest of Greeneville. The Greeneville Sun reported the crash occurred this morning, saying the compact car veered off Newport Highway, struck a culvert and overturned. Emergency personnel at the scene said both people in the car were dead. The names of the victims were not being released by authorities, pending notification of their next of kin. —— Information from: The Greeneville Sun, http://www.greenevillesun.com/ Woman waves goodbye, drowns in Melton Hill Lake OAK RIDGE (AP) — Police have identified a woman who drowned after intentionally driving her car into Melton Hill Lake, waved goodbye to witnesses and rebuffed their offers to save her. Oak Ridge police say the woman was 46-year-old Barbara Sue Patterson of the Powell community near Knoxville. Deputy Police Chief Alan Massengill said the vehicle went into the water Tuesday afternoon and the body was recovered soon after. She was the only occupant and she was restrained. Witnesses said the woman opened her car windows, accelerated into the water and rocked back and forth, trying to get the car to submerge. Victoria Medaglia, who was kayaking on the lake, told The Knoxville News Sentinel the woman asked her not to call the police. ——— Information from: WVLT-TV, http://www.volunteertv.com/ Nashville police chief faults schools for truancy NASHVILLE (AP) — Nashville’s police chief gives public school officials low marks for keeping students in classes. Chief Ronal Serpas told Metro Nashville school board members on Tuesday students are skipping school and committing crimes. The Tennessean quoted Serpas as saying the problem could be lessened if teachers consistently called the attendance roll at each class. Serpas said police have caught more than 700 juveniles who were skipping school in this calendar year. School board chairman David Fox said schools also need to keep pupils at school to improve academic performance and graduation rates. ——— Information from: The Tennessean, http://www.tennessean.com Judge reprimanded by judiciary court NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Court of the Judiciary has reprimanded a Bedford County judge for his handling of a juvenile case. The disciplinary court said Tuesday that Judge Charles Rich did not submit findings of fact, delaying an appeal in the case. The court also said Rich recused himself from the case but still signed orders including one in July authorizing an attachment and incarceration for failure to pay child support. Rich did not return a phone call from The Associated Press seeking comment on the reprimand. Fisherman drowns in Caney Fork River COOKEVILLE (AP) — Putnam County officials say a fisherman drowned when he fell into the water, his waders filled up and he was unable to resurface. Roman Grzybowski, 51, of suburban Nashville drowned in the Caney Fork River near the Happy Hollow boat ramp. Officials said he apparently stepped into a deep hole Sunday under the water. His daughter said her dad didn’t know how to swim. Information from: wtvf-tv, http://www.newschannel5.com ——— Information from: Cookeville Herald-Citizen, http://www.herald-citizen.com/ Published in The Messenger 10.15.08

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