(1) LAFAYETTE HILL ACCIDENT

The Lafayette Hill on Hwy. 10-south was the site of yet another wreck on Wednesday evening, November 21, 2007.

According to THP Trooper Neil Ferguson's Traffic Crash Report, a 2005 Ford Ranger driven by Walter L. Buckingham, Jr., 59, 709 Freeman Street, Lafayette was traveling north on Hwy. 10 at 5:30 p.m.

"As the vehicle came around the curve and started up the hill, the driver lost control and the vehicle went off the right shoulder and down an embankment."

The front end of the truck struck the ground at the bottom of the ravine and flipped over onto its top, then came to a rest on its right side.

Rescue Squad and EMS personnel had to rappel down the embankment to bring Mr. Buckingham's wife, Jamie Buckingham, up to a waiting ambulance. She was transported to Macon County General Hospital by the Macon County EMS.

Heavy holiday traffic traveling both north and south was delayed at the top and bottom of the Lafayette Hill as emergency crews worked first to remove the injured woman, and then to remove the wrecked truck from the ravine.

The Wednesday night, 5:30 p.m. Hwy. 10-south accident slowed or blocked traffic on the heavily traveled roadway for more than an hour.

Several other property damage wrecks marred Thanksgiving Eve for Macon County motorists, with a two vehicle accident occurring at the intersection of Hwy. 52-east and  Browns Road at about 6 p.m. No one was injured, according to Macon County Sheriff's Department reports.

In spite of the severity of the accident, Ms. Jamie Buckingham was apparently not seriously injured in the Lafayette Hill incident.

(2) MACON HELPS-PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

By: Lisa Spivey

Macon Helps is truly a leader when it comes to helping the community and they have a goal to constantly improve. Valerie Reid (Macon Helps- Manager) and Della Forum (Employee and former board member) spoke about a new initiative to be a provider of assistance to terminally ill persons.

First, the funding must be available and so they request that you consider this an option for giving both now at the holidays, perhaps in someone's memory or honor, and also throughout the year. Donations can be made at Macon Helps. Cards will also be placed at the local funeral homes where you may elect, throughout the year, to have a memorial gift go to the this specific fund for use just for Macon County terminally ill applicants that meet the restrictions. Deciding factors will be poverty guidelines, doctor's statements, proof of residence, and of course availability of funds. Like all assistance goes, it must first be funded to be available. There is much enthusiasm about this program. Many times patients are in their last stages of life, funds are all spent, and medical bills are enormous. With assistance on utility bills, food and prescriptions the quality of life can be improved for those suffering the most. Macon Helps assures you that funding for terminal illness assistance will be used only for that cause. Please consider this as a holiday donation and continue to remember them throughout the year. Your contributions are tax deductible.

For more informaton go by Macon Helps- 111 Main St., Lafayette,TN.