Local News Articles

33 year old Karen Lynn Lovell is scheduled to get out of prison Wednesday

According to the Tennessee Department of Corrections website, Lovell's sentence, which began on February 22nd, 2004, is scheduled to end on January 21st. She has been incarcerated at the Tennessee Prison for Women in Nashville.

The woman who escaped from the DeKalb County Jail in May, 2003 and was later shot by Captain Mark Collins of the Sheriff's Department, received a six year prison sentence after pleading guilty in Criminal Court to three of the five charges against her.

Lovell appeared before Circuit Court Judge John Maddux in October, 2003 and pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, escape, and intentional killing of an animal.

Lovell received a six year sentence on the assault charge, 11 months and 29 days for escape, 11 months and 29 days and for the killing of the animal. All the sentences were to run concurrently or together for one six year sentence. The sentence however was to run consecutive to the conviction for which she was incarcerated when she escaped. She was in jail serving three concurrent 11 month-29 day sentences on charges of telephone harassment and stalking.

Other charges of attempted first degree murder and aggravated kidnaping were dismissed under the plea bargain agreement.

The story began around midnight on Friday, May 7, 2003 during the previous sheriff's administration when Lovell reportedly faked an illness at the jail and was taken to the local hospital. When she was returned to the jail authorities were conducting a marijuana search when Lovell grabbed a service revolver and the keys to a patrol car and escaped.

Lovell drove to the home of her sister, Cathy Lester, on King Ridge Road, where Lester has legal custody of Lovell's son Kaden, who was three years old at the time. Lovell shot the Lester family dog, a doberman, took the child at gun point, and then drove away with her son.

Deputy David Ward saw Lovell traveling southwest on New Home Road. Ward exited his vehicle and stood near the driver's side door when Lovell drove toward him. Ward was thrown onto the hood of his car and Lovell, after also striking the driver's side door, proceeded in the same direction before spinning out a short distance away. She then abandoned the stolen patrol car and fled on foot. A quick investigation of the scene indicated Lovell fired at deputy Ward, who was not seriously injured. Two spent shell casings from the stolen .40 Glock were found in the car and there was a bullet hole in the windshield.

Knowing Lovell had taken the child and spent only three of a possible 13 rounds in the stolen weapon, authorities began a massive search throughout the pre-dawn hours until almost noon using a tracking dog and air support with a TBI plane equipped with heat-sensing technology and a THP helicopter

Lovell then showed up around 11:00 a.m. at the home of Bill Ferrell at the intersection of New Home Road and King Ridge Road. She stood near the back door of the Ferrell residence holding her son in one arm and the gun in the other hand.

Captain Collins pleaded with Lovell to put the gun down but she continued to wave and point it at her child's head, threatening to kill him. Collins then fired a shot from his revolver, striking Lovell in the temple area of her head. Collins then rushed to rescue the boy, who was not seriously injured.

Lovell was airlifted to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga where she underwent surgery and returned to the jail two weeks later. She lost sight in one of her eyes.

A parole hearing was held for Lovell in December, 2004 but she was denied early release at that time.

A DeKalb County woman has been charged with child abuse.

Sheriff Patrick Ray says deputies arrested 34 year old Lori Ann Keith of King's Court Trailer Court on Wednesday. Keith allegedly assaulted her 15 year old child causing scratches and marks to the child's arm and neck area. Keith's bond was set at $1,000 and she will appear in court on January 22nd.

Meanwhile, on Saturday after receiving a complaint about a vehicle driving erratic, Deputies arrested 47 year old Dolores Castorena of Walker Street, McMinnville. Deputies spotted Castorena's vehicle on Highway 146 swerving all over the road. After stopping the vehicle, officers asked Castorena to perform field sobriety tasks which he failed. Deputies also discovered that Castorena did not have insurance for his vehicle and did not possess a valid driver's license. Castorena was arrested for no driver's license and driving under the influence. He was also issued citations for violation of the implied consent law and no insurance. His bond was set at $2,000 and he will appear in court on January 29th.

The DeKalb County High School Basketball Cheerleaders have been recognized by state lawmakers for winning the 2008 TSSAA State Cheerleading Championship in the non-building last month at MTSU in Murfreesboro. DCHS Basketball Cheerleading Coach Walteen Parker was also honored for receiving the Coaches Achievement Award.

The state proclamation, signed by Lieutenant Governor Rom Ramsey, State Senator Mae Beavers, and State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver, was presented to Coach Parker and the squad Friday night during halftime of the girls basketball game.

School Board Chairman Charles Robinson presented the proclamation on behalf of State Senator Mae Beavers, who could not attend. The proclamation was read by Dennis Stanley.

The proclamation states that "Whereas, the General Assembly is pleased to specially honor and commend those successful high school teams that, through their magnificent exploits, bring honor to Tennessee and serve as exceptional ambassadors of this state; and

Whereas, the DeKalb County High School Basketball Cheerleading squad is renowned for its perennial nature as a bastion of extraordinary athletic facility in the world of competitive cheering; and

Whereas, the DeKalb County High School cheerleaders achieved an unsurpassed level of success during the 2008 season, winning the TSSAA State Cheer Championship in the Non-Building Division for the second year in a row and the third time in the last four years; and

Whereas, during the TSSAA State Championship competition held at Murphy Center at Middle Tennessee State University on December 6th, 2008, these remarkable cheerleaders awed the crowds with their strength and grace, while duly impressing the judges as they showcased their talents, which have been developed through many hours of strenuous practice; and

Whereas, DeKalb County's championship would not have been possible without the supreme knowledge and astute leadership of Cheer Coach Walteen Parker, who was also specially recognized with the Coaches' Achievement Award; and

Whereas, this very impressive cheerleading team enjoys the leadership and dedication of three tremendous team captains, Rosemary Apple, Jessica Cook, and Alison Curtis, each of whom have been members of the cheer squad on all three state championship teams; and

Whereas, the DeKalb County High School Basketball Cheerleaders are Caroline Carter, Kendra Foutch, Amanda Ours, Perri Carter, Camry White, Tiffani Hendrixson, Allyson Judkins, Cora Beth Rhody, Sydney Robinson, Ashlee Whitehead, Rosemary Apple, Jessica Cook, and Alison Curtis; and

Whereas, the members of the DeKalb County High School basketball cheerleading team epitomize all that is good in today's student-athlete, as they have achieved a premier level of success in competition while exhibiting the highest degree of character in all aspects of life; and

Whereas, the perseverance, determination, work ethic, and talent of this group of young women not only made possible a championship season, but also surely bode well for their success in every future enterprise; and

Whereas, this General Assembly finds it appropriate to acknowledge and applaud the members of the DeKalb County High School cheerleading team for their outstanding performance and for serving as examples of the exceptional quality of the youth of Tennessee; now therefore.

I, Ron Ramsey, Speaker of the Senate of the One Hundred Fifth General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, at the request of and in conjunction with Senator Mae Beavers and Representative Terri Lynn Weaver, do hereby proclaim that we honor and congratulate Coach Walteen Parker and the DeKalb County High School Basketball Cheerleaders on their exceptional legacy, their individual and collective resolve, and their triumph as the 2008 TSSAA State Cheer Champions in the Non-Building Division."

State Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) has been re-appointed Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The announcement was made by Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey as the 106th General Assembly concluded their organizational session in Nashville this week.

“I appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve as Judiciary Committee Chairman” said Sen. Beavers. “We have critical issues before us this year dealing with our courts, DUI laws, and public safety. I look forward to a challenging year with these issues, given the state’s current financial problems.”

The Judiciary Committee is responsible for hearing all bills dealing with civil laws, criminal laws, judicial proceedings, apportionment of elected officials and governing bodies, and all matters relating to the courts, as well as law enforcement. Beavers was also appointed to the Commerce, Labor and Agriculture Committee and the Transportation Committee. The Transportation Committee is also expected to hear legislation of critical importance to Tennessee’s road program this year.

Sen. Beavers is currently serving her second term in the State Senate, after serving four terms in the House of Representatives. Prior to being elected to the legislature, Sen. Beavers worked as a paralegal and a court reporter.

“Senator Beavers did an outstanding job as our Judiciary Committee Chairman during her first term,” said Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey. “I am very pleased that she agreed to take on this huge responsibility again for our 2009 and 2010 sessions and am confident she will carry out her duties as chairman again with the same dedication and professionalism.”