January

Two week manhunt leads to arrest Authorities arrested Timothy David Knight, for aggravated assault, three counts of evading arrest and theft over $5000 after Knight had evaded arrest for approximately two weeks.

Job discrimination lawsuit filed against school system-Sandi Cadle, a teacher at Macon County High School filed a lawsuit against the superintendent of schools, the Macon County School Board, and the supervisor of special education for a total of $1 million dollars.

Kara Day, 2002 Macon County Fairest of the Fair, competed for the State Fairest of the Fair.

Boles named RBSHS football coach-Tony Boles was hired as the new Red Boiling Springs football coach by Director of Schools, Mike Prock.

Former City Councilman, deputy Gene Patterson passes away- Former Lafayette City Councilman Gene Patterson passed away. He served on the council from 1980 to 1984.

February

Steven Smith case set for trial- Steven Smith, former seventh district county commissioner was ordered during the first day of Macon County Criminal Court to appear for a special trial in June in regards to alleged child rape.

Discovery of meth lab leads to arrest-A large quantity of liquid meth amphetamine and components of a meth lab were found at the residence of Pagean Ann Goad, Garden Drive.

RBSHS Bulldogs win Tri-Lake Conference Championship-The Red Boiling Springs claimed the Tri-Lake Conference Championship for the first time in school history.

Capitol Cash clerk held at gunpoint-A Capitol Cash clerk was held at gun point just a few short blocks from the Lafayette Police Station. The burglary took an undisclosed amount of money.

March

Fleetwood closes Westmoreland Plant-Fleetwood of Westmoreland announced they would be closing as a result of excess production capacity in Tennessee brought on by a continuing decline in the manufactured housing industry.

Tigerettes take 3rd in District 8AA tournament-The Macon County High School Tigerettes hosted Station Camp during the opening round in the District 8AA tournament. The Tigerettes easily handled the game by a final of 77-29 on Monday night.

Babe Ruth Stadium to be named Roland Kirby Stadium-The Lafayette City Council announced that the Babe Ruth stadium will be named the Roland Kirby Stadium.

THP Lt. Marvin Rickets joined Macon County-Tennessee Highway Patrol Lt. Marvin Ricketts announced that he would be coming to Macon County bringing over 30 years of experience. Lt. Ricketts filled the vacancy left by Lt. Vic Donoho.

April

Training session held for smallpox clinic-Local residents answered the call for a smallpox clinic training. Volunteers sat though a training session that discussed different parts of the smallpox vaccine.

City to pay $7500 for 1997 sewer violations-The City of Lafayette was required to pay a total of 493,000 if certain requirements to update the plant were not met by a certain date. These requirements were met; therefore, causing the city to pay only $7500.

Macon County High School announced 2003 honor students-Mary Alison Brown and Megan Ashley Swann were announced the Valedictorian and Salutatorian.

First fatality of year results from auto accident first fatality of the year occurred on the Galen Road resulting in the death of Linda Sutton, age 53.

May

Local Army Ranger returns safely from Iraq-Pvt. Lee Craighead returned safely from Iraq. Pvt. Craighead is a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment's 3rd Battalion, stationed in Fort Benning, Ga.

Jett Williams Beauty Pageant held-The Macon County Jett Williams Beauty Pageant was held. The 2003 Miss Jett Queen of Beauty was Rachel Briley, 1st runner up Kara Day, 2nd runner up DesiRae Harper, and 3rd runner up Kristen Stewart. Most Photogenic was Ashley Brewington.

OK Market clerk robbed at knife point-Jospeh Carter, 22, was arrested for aggravated robbery of the OK Market. Reportedly Carter held the clerk at knife point while requesting money from the cash drawer.

Teacher of the Year Awarded-Tonia Powell from Fairlane Elementary School was named "Teacher of Year" by Wal-mart at the Teacher Appreciation Day.

Fugitive arrested by US Marshals in Oklahoma-Scottie Key was apprehended west of Oklahoma City just three days after the alleged shooting incident of a deputy in Monroe County.

June

Seven Added to Macon County Sports Hall of Fame-The Macon County Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2003 were inducted. The new inductees were Carolyn Hix Blankenship, Joyce Wright (who accepted on behalf of her husband, Gary Wright), Gary Carter, Doyle Gaines, Collier Hawkins, Bobby "Goosey" Gann, Roland Kirby, and Terry Wright ( who accepted on behalf of his brother, Gary Wright).

Third Annual Dr. C.C. Chitwood, Jr., Memorial Walking Horse Show was held-The 3rd Annual Dr. C.C. Chitwood, Jr., Memorial Walking Horse show, sponsored by the MCHS Tiger Basketball team was held.

Fried Pie Contest Winners announced-The Fried Pie contest winners were announced. 2nd place in the Variety Division, Betty Burgett; 3rd place in the Apple Division and 3rd place in the Variety Division, Joyce Hackett; 1st place in the Apple Division and Overall Pie winner Lillie Pruitt.

July

ATV accident claims life of county employee-A 4-wheeler accident claimed the life of Macon County Correctional Officer Steven "Bucky" Francis.

Tallent lodged in Macon County Jail-Fallon Tallent, age 21, arrived in Macon County from Wilson County. Tallent remained lodged in the jail until she appeared before Judge John Wooten, Jr. in court. Tallent is accused of killing two Wilson County officers.

Gerald Wilder still at large-Gerald Wilder, age 47, remained at large for several weeks. Wilder was wanted in connection with the stabbing death of his wife Sharon Wilder.

Woman dies in house fire-Christy Hudgens, age 35, reportedly succumbed to injuries sustained in a tragic house fire that occurred on Old Highway 52.

August

Motorcycle accident calls for LifeForce-Mark Shrum, a teacher and an assistant football coach at Macon County High School, a TBI agent, and Shrum's daughter were injured in a motorcycle accident on the Pleasant Shade Highway.

Suicide attempt closes Highway 10 for several hours-Lawrence Edward McNew, 25, reportedly attempted suicide and caused a power outage on Highway 10 for several hours.

Local man saves family from fire-Caleb Harper saved a family from a burning home. Harper was driving on the Galen Road when he spotted flames and smoke coming from a home at the intersection of Sneed Blvd. and Galen Road., he knocked on the door and then proceeded to help get the family out.

29 arrested in drug operation-A total of 29 were arrested in a drug round up. Thirty two indictments were reviewed in a special session of the Grand Jury in July that led to the arrest.

September

Lafayette teen helps science by collecting lightening bugs-Ronna Moran, age 11, collected fireflies for the Firefly Project as a way to help scientist with genetic therapy.

Gerald Wilder arrested in Florida-One of the Tennessee's Most Wanted, Gerald Wilder, age 47, was arrested in September in Pensacola, Florida. Wilder was wanted in connection with the stabbing death of his wife.

Lafayette Firefighter loses battle with cancer-Terry "Jackhammer" Driver, assistant chief of the City of Lafayette Fire Department, passed away after a nine month battle with Leukemia.

October

The 2003 Macon County High School Homecoming Court was announced. Freshman attendant, Casey Russell; Sophomore attendant, Stephanie Blankenship; Junior attendant, Summer Freeman; Senior attendant, Stephanie Walker; Football Sweetheart, Elizabeth Yokely; and MCHS Queen Lilly Watson.

Macon County Trustee arrested-Donnie Morgan, Macon County Trustee, was arrested and charged with assault for an alleged altercation.

Kayla Day competed in Miss Tennessee Teen USA pageant-Kayla Nikole Day, a freshman at Macon county High, was accepted as a delegate for the 2004 Miss Tennessee Teen USA pageant.

Macon County to receive half million dollar grant for new water lines-Macon County will receive a half million dollar community development block grant from the State of Tennessee to put in new water lines. Approximately 1400 homes within the city limits are still without city water.

November

Tigers head for playoff after Friday night's win-The Macon County High School Football team headed to the playoffs against Howard of Chattanooga after a very successful season.

Another lawsuit against Macon County-An inmate at the Macon County Justice Center filed a law suit against the county and Sheriff Joe Ferguson. The inmate Robert E. Bergdorff claimed that he was prevent from receiving necessary medical treatment while in custody at the jail.

Coach Dyer injured in automobile accident-MCHS head football coach Pat Dyer hit an animal, perhaps a deer, a half mile from his home in Smith County. He suffered minor injuries.

Smth kicks Tigers into history field gold beats Grundy County 17-15-MCHS senior Kittrell Smith kicked a 38 yard field goal to win the ball game for Macon County.

December

Macon Bank & Trust Westside office robbed-A nineteen year old male identified as Anthony Minix was arrested for allegedly robbing the Westside Macon Bank & Trust. He allegedly held the tellers at gunpoint.

Cordell Hull relinquishes Head Start program-Cordell Hull Economic Opportunity Corporation closed down seven centers as a result of overspending between $280,000 and $360,000.

Couple arrested for third meth lab in a month-A Lafayette couple was arrested after authorities uncovered a meth lab belonging to Derrick and Nicole Saddler of Tucker Road.

Flu vaccine in county looks bleak-Macon County was no exception when it came to a shortage of the flu shots.

Community Corrections Program discontinued-The 15th Judicial District Community Corrections Program announced it would close.