Macon County Sheriff’s Department K-9 ‘Gordy,’ took down his first suspect, 36-year-old Jeffery Wayne King, of Lafayette, on Monday, October 29.

Shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Friday night, October 26^th, Peggy’s Market was robbed at gunpoint by two male individuals dressed in black, after a young white male came in first and cased the premises, located at 10329 Highway 52 West, in Macon County.

Sheriff Mark Gammons says that the first individual who entered the convenience store was around five foot eleven, of average bill and wore a hoodie and blue jeans. He was looking around and the employees didn’t realize at the time that he was obviously checking out the store, however he did purchase a candy bar. When he went back to the vehicle to leave, two other gentlemen exited the SUV wearing hoodies with bandanas over their faces.

“They were both armed with pistols,” said Sheriff Gammons, “and they advised the gentlemen working at the store to turn over the money.”

The Sheriffs says at that time they did give the two gentlemen an undisclosed amount of money, and they immediately left the store, got back in the black SUV and exited toward Lafayette as they pulled out of the parking lot in a fast get-away.

“At this time we are still working the case along with other departments in different counties,” noted the sheriff, “who have also been experiencing armed robberies. We don’t know at this time yet if they are connected. This could possibly be an in county robbery with individuals in Macon County committing this crime.”

Sheriff Gammons says they are looking at this situation from all angles with Detectives Satterfield, Taylor and Crawford are working the case as well as Deputy Phil Harper, who responded to the initial call within a matter of minutes.

“The get away car has been described possibly as a Tahoe, which we can not verify at this time, but all we know for sure is that it is a large black SUV,” explained Sheriff Gammons.

The officers remain at the scene until midnight and around 3:00 a.m. the sheriff and deputies returned to the store to make sure the employees got into the building safely. “We advised them to lock the doors behind them,” he said.

Gammons said the Lafayette Police Department officers helped look for the vehicle inside the city limits in case it came that way

All surrounding agencies were notified by Sheriff Gammons about the robbery and they were put on alert to keep their eyes open for the suspect vehicle.

“I would like to thank Macon Bank’s Sammy Peterson for coming in to let us look at the footage from their surveillance cameras located next door to the convenience store,” said Gammons.

The Sheriffs Department is encouraging anyone that has any information pertaining to this case to please notify them at 615-666-3325. You will remain anonymous.

Early Monday morning, October 29^th, a Westmoreland teenager was operating a 1994 Ford Ranger when he apparently pulled directly into the path of a 1997 Peterbilt tractor-trailer, loaded with soybeans, at the intersection near Westside Elementary.

Owned by Roger Williamson, the semi broadsided the truck, swerved and overturned, scattering the cargo everywhere, which closed the road for several hours. Fifty-year-old Jimmy Love, of Hartsville, was driving the big rig that was headed to Franklin, Kentucky.

Investigating officer THP Trooper Gerald Carter, said that the accident occurred approximately around 7:15 a.m. and it took several hours to remove the soybeans from the road. “The teenage driver said he didn’t see the approaching tractor-trailer when he pulled out onto Highway 52 West,” said the Trooper. “However, charges are pending.”
No injuries were reported. We are not printing the name of the teenage driver.

Responding agencies included the Macon County Sheriffs Department, Macon County EMS, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and Rescue Squad. The Macon County Chronicle also reported to the crash site.

The Eastern Star Chapter #379 is hosting a Spaghetti Supper fundraiser at Lafayette Elementary School, 401 Meador Drive, on Friday night, October 26, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with all proceeds going toward the building fund for the Masonic Lodge #543 and Eastern Star.

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 2^nd flames lit up the sky as a ferocious fire engulfed the building at 122 Main Street that housed the Lafayette Laundry and Lafayette Masonic Lodge & Eastern Star. The laundry was completely destroyed and the Lodge was heavily damaged.

Disheartened, the members searched through the debris and salvaged what little they could. There was so much damage to the structure, that after looking at every available option they decided to rebuild the Lodge at another location. With some advice from experts, careful planning and land donated by the county, the building project is underway on Mag-a-Mor Drive, directly behind the Macon County Health Department on Highway 52 By Pass East. The Lodge members don’t have enough insurance to completely cover the cost of rebuilding, so this spaghetti fundraiser is very important to the future of the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star charitable organizations.

There is a lot of amazing history surrounding these two groups of dedicated men and women. The Lafayette Masonic Lodge was granted a charter in 1890 and they met in the building located at 114 Main Street. The current membership is 122, and in order to be a member you must be 21 years old, having a belief in a Supreme Being and of good moral character. A very interesting aspect of the Masonic Lodge that I didn’t know myself, is the fact that anyone wanting to join will not be invited. They must come in of their own free will and asked a standing Mason for a petition.

The Lafayette Chapter #33 Order of the Eastern Star was originally organized in 1905 but lack of interest led to the organization dissolving. It was re-organized in 1939 and later renamed Chapter #379. The Eastern Star must have at least two Masons in the group to keep their charter. The current membership is 140.

These two organizations, whose focus is on charitable work, are very secretive in providing help to those in need and they graciously donate their time, money and effort. However, they do not publicize their actions.

The Masons and Eastern Star members would like to thank the Red Boiling Springs Masons for allowing them to use their facility for their regular meetings.

The projected completion date for the new Lafayette Lodge is spring of 2013. Everyone please remember to come out this Friday night and support the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star Chapter.

They will also be serving salad, dessert and drinks. The price is $8.00 for adults and children 7 and young can eat for $5.00.