The Daily News-Journal du lieu suivant : Murfreesboro, Tennessee • 1

mm cr.iUGGLGD Alleged Oregon murderer lunged at officer, police say La Vergne jumper 'Boro man produces directs 'Fright House' Koger wins state title ST U5W ilVES 33 7TH S. )3 150th Year-No. 350 Sunday, May 24, 1998 MURFREESBORO, TENN. $1 .25 S. -e .1 C7-'- jlliieul.

Group to remain affiliated with fi x- i 1 1 debate, the final vote of 80-55 ensured the Breeders the industry's largest power group will remain with the Murfreesboro- regulator, not tingency plan in effect to begin its own horse show affiliation program and independent judging system if Saturday's vote had been to pull out of the Commission. A split of the industry could have been catastrophic at this time, said walking horse enthusiast Judy Martin of Shelbyville. 'The industry has endured a split affiliation program in the past," said Martin, who has trained horses professionally for more than 30 years with several world champions. "It hurt everyone involved and that is how the concept of the INDUSTRY IN lEOFIIflDY based Walking Horse Owners Association and the Shelbyville-" based Walking Horse Trainers' Association in the Commission that was formed as an industry-unifying agency in 1989, The Breeders already had a con- DNJ photo by J. Intintoli Everything's ducky Sarah McMahan, 4, hugs her duck float at SportsCom's outdoor pool Saturday.

The pool opened for the summer season this weekend. Racinca firm on murmj Eying land for NASCAR track form new show National Horse Show Commission came into being" following the disastrous 1988 show season that was cut in half because the industry was not unified, she "We finally had an organization that provided a voice for all factors of the industry, and now, we're trying to tear it down," added Martin, who voted for the continued affiliation. Walking" horse" historian Bob Womack of Murfreesboro said differences within the industry have been "brewing a long time" between amateur pleasure horse (See Breeders, page 2A) 4 BELSON BUNASKY f. r4i KRUSPE PETERS 12 I i By Dan Whittle Staff writer LEWISBURG The Breeders did not bolt. In a vote Saturday that differed by only 25 votes, the national board of directors of the Lewisburg-based Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders Exhibitors Association decided to stay affiliated with the National Horse Show Commission -regulates the industry that pumps millions of dollars annually into the Middle Tennessee economy.

When the dust had cleared after more than two hours of heated Mower rolls on, kills man Victim found under machine in creek By Lisa Marchesoni Staff writer LASCASSAS A Lascassas man died when his riding lawn mower slid down an embankment and overturned into a creek on top of him Saturday morning, sheriff's deputies said. Berlie Orange Melton, 79, of state Route 96 East (Lascassas Highway), died in the accident about 9:40 Saturday morning outside his home, Sheriffs Deputy Jon Levi said. Melton was mowing the embankment when the riding lawnmower slid down the embankment and overturned into a creek, landing on top of him. "It looked like he was unconscious or deceased when he hit the water," Levi said. "We don't think had a heart attack." Melton head.injurie.sin -the accident.

"It was a pretty steep embankment," Levi said. Melton's wife, Fay, went to look for him after she didn't hear the sound of the lawnmower running. She found him and was trying to stop traffic for help when neighbors came to assist, Levi reported. Sheriffs Sgt. Glenn Morton said authorities didn't know if Melton drowned.

"It was just a tragic accident," Morton said. Also responding to the scene were Emergency Medical, Services paramedics and the Rutherford County Rescue Squad. Inside. Heritage owner in big csr deal Ernest Hodge, owner of Heritage Olds in Murfreesboro, has announced with Tony March the formation of the MarchHodge Holding Company, reportedly the largest minority automotive holding companies ever formed. INDEX Section Classified Section Comics Inside Section Lifestyles Section Opinion Section Sports Section TV Journal 10B eahfs McGlynn said of the new Nashville-area complex, proposed to be a facility housing a super-speedway, a short track, a drag strip and a road course.

"We had hoped to have the site selected two months ago, but it's just taken longer than we thought it would," he said. McGlynn declined to identify" where the four are located, as did Gaylord Entertainment a Nashville company that owns Opryland Hotel and has a small (See Racing, page 3A) GARNER GOODMAN WHITFIELD WILSON By Keith Talley Staff writer A Delaware company that owns Nashville Speedway USA is currently searching for property around Music City where a super-speedway could be built to accommodate a NASCAR Winston Cup stock car race. The search has fueled speculation the new race track could be built somewhere in Rutherfordr Wilson counties. Several Rutherford County property owners have reportedly been approached about selling land for a face track. "They've approached in the area," said Barry Barrett, a Mona Road resident who is building an J8-hole golf course on 178 acres in the north Rutherford County community.

"I have been in contact with them, but they may have lost interest in my property. We've had no formal presentations made to us at this point" Denis McGlynn, president of Dover Downs Entertainment, confirmed his company has narrowed its search to four possible sites for a motorsports complex. Dover Downs hosts two Winston Cup races and two Busch Series races annually at its super-speedway in Dover, Del. "Our goal is to have the facility up and running by the year 2000," V. DIGBY EAST SUETSUGU WEBB va 1 i DNJ photo by J.

Intintoli Fatal accident Rescue personnel view a riding lawn mower in a creek in Lascassas Saturday morning. Berlie Orange Melton, 79, was killed when the mower slid into the creek and landed on top of him, deputies reported. edicfonans Oakland Top seniors finish their high school careers with 4.0 grade point averages By Lori Gray Staff writer Twelve valedictorians will lead graduation ceremonies for Oakland High School's class of 1998 at 7 p.m. Thursday at MTSU's Murphy Center. At the head of the class and each graduating with a 4.0 grade point average are valedictorians Danielle Belson, Kathyrn Bunasky, Deborah Digby, David East, Carrie Garner, Jill Goodman, Megan Kruspe, Kyle Peters, Sachiko Suetsugu, Jaclyn Webb, John Whitfield and Julie Wilson.

Belson, the daughter of Elaine Belson of Murfreesboro, plans to attend Washington University in St. Louis to complete premedical studies. She is a member of the Spectrum Gifted Student program, Youth Leadership Rutherford, Interact and Key Club. Belson has received awards in foreign language, physical science and karate and was voted "Most Intellectual" by the senior class. Belson said she credits her academic success to support from teachers, family, friends and her personal desire to achieve.

Bunasky, the daughter of Judy Carroll of Milton and Don Bunasky of Franklin, plans to attend Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, She is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Epsilon, Mu Alpha Theta, Key Club, Beta Club, Girl Scouts and a National Merit Scholar, Her future plans include "exploring many different areas in college before deciding on a major" and (See Honors, page 2A) i li i.