“But things have a way of hopefully getting better,” he said optimis-tically, “and maybe the body will heal itself.”

Dustin’s days at the Shepherd Center consist of focusing on his reha-bilitation and learning to take care of himself, and the family predicts to be returning home some-time near the end of July.

“We’re devastated, and it’s heartbreaking,” Chris said. “But we have a deep faith that God will provide for us and noth-ing will be placed on us that we can’t handle. Something good may come out of this, I really do believe that.”

Chris added it has helped to see Dustin in positive, upbeat spirits despite this life-changing ordeal.

“He has certainly not mentally succumb to this at all,” stated Chris. “His

mind has nothing but good days, mentally and spiritually.”

The community has rallied around Dustin’s story, sending well wish-es and prayers his way and hosting fundraisers for the family. Haywood Park recently held a cook-out fundraiser where they raised over a $1,000 for the Milton family. A benefit concert, “commu-nity singing” will be held at 7 p.m. tonight (June 17) at the Brownsville Baptist Church.

Page A2 — The Brownsville States-Graphic, Thursday, June 17, 2010

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1169 S. DUPREE AVENUE • BROWNSVILLE, TN 38012(731) 772-1616 • FAX (731) 772-1898 • WWW.SUGARCREEKSENIOR.COM

Happy Father's Day From All of Us at Sugar Creek Senior Living Community!

Freddie, who is also known as “Buddy” was last seen at approximate-ly 6 a.m. at his residence on Cherry street. He was last seen between 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. standing alongside the road in the vicinity of Charles-ton Road and Highway 179, about mile from his home.

Born on January, 1, 1932, his height was de-scribed as 73 inches and his weight at 195 lbs. He has hazel eyes and gray

hair.Identifying marks on

him included a scar on his upper lip, scar on his right eyebrow, a large dark mole in hair, numer-ous dark skin tag moles, missing fingertips on his left hand, missing nu-merous teeth.

He was last seen wear-ing a white short sleeve button down shirt, black pants, socks with ripped tops, gray Velcro athletic shoes, a red or beige cap with ducks on it, a walk-ing cane, black belt with silver buckle, billfold, and carrying two medi-cine bottles.

Whittiemore was

known to suffer from some medical conditions, including dementia.

While there have been no concrete answers yet from Whittiemore’s dis-appearance, it will never stop his family from try-ing to find him.

“We keep hoping. We’re still trying,” Tittle said.

If you have any infor-mation on Whittiemore’s disappearance, contact the Haywood County Sheriff’s Department at 772-2412, or the Na-tional Center for Missing Adults at 602-749-2000 or their hotline at 800-609-FIND.

mIssIngContinued from Page A1

MARTIN, Tenn., June 15, 2010 – MAKE-A-DIFFERENCE AWARD – Franklin Smith, left, of Brownsville, received the 10th Jimmy Daniel Make-A-Difference WestStar Leadership Alumni Award at the recent WestStar Leadership Graduation Banquet. The award is presented each year to a WestStar alumnus in memory of Daniel, WestStar Class of 1990, who served as West Tennessee field representative for Gov. Don Sundquist. Making the presentation is Charley Deal, WestStar director.

The award recipient has made a positive impact in his or her city or county; has a strong record of leadership during the past five years in West Tennessee; has been an active participant in WestStar, alumni, seminar and regular leadership programs; and embraces the importance of and provides effective leadership to the concept and practice of regionalism

in West Tennessee. Smith is mayor of Haywood County.

The county was recently awarded the state Rural Development Award for outstanding local programs for 2009 under the direction of Smith. He also played an active role in acquisition of the Haywood County megasite in 2010. He is chairman of the Association of County Mayors; member of Brownsville Rotary Club; chairman of the West Tennessee River Basin Authority; board member of the Tennessee County Services Association; part chairman of the Southwest Tennessee Development District Board; board member of the Southwest Human Resource Agency; member of the Advantage Board and the Tennessee Seismic Safety Commission

The University of Tennessee at Martin sponsors WestStar. Celebrating its 21st anniversary, WestStar is the state’s oldest and largest regional leadership program.

Franklin Smith wins Make-A-Difference Award

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Haywood County was transitioned to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) on Monday, June 14.

Its hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opened temporary recovery centers soon after counties were declared eligible for individual assistance in response to the severe storms and flooding that occurred between April 30 and May 18, 2010.

TEMA and FEMA established a total of 66 separate Disaster Recovery Center operations to speed recovery in the 45 counties declared for Individual Assistance.

In Haywood County, FEMA has managed to recieve 804

applications. They have awarded $1,862,682.04 in Individual and Household Assistance Grants.

As of June 14, the SBA has received 37,062 loan appl ica t ions—home, business and EIDL—and approved 1,588 so far in Tennessee. There has been a total of $760,798,800 in funds, approved so far.

Disaster officials suggest that before visiting the centers, people first register online anytime at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Help in all languages is available.

To be eligible for FEMA or SBA assistance, you must register by July 6, 2010.

“Assisting individuals and business owners to recover from a disaster is our primary mission,” said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA Field Operations Center East. “We are encouraging

people affected by this disaster to visit a Disaster Recovery Center or Disaster Loan Outreach Center to obtain individual assistance with completing their loan applications from our representatives.”

Numerous residents and business owners who have registered with FEMA for assistance have already received an SBA loan application in the mail.

For many renters and homeowners, completing and returning the loan application is crucial to accessing the full range of available disaster recovery assistance. Renters and homeowners not approved by the SBA for a disaster loan may be referred to FEMA to be considered for several types of grants that are available only for applicants ineligible for SBA disaster loans.

The following DRCs remain open. Their hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Brownsville Disaster Recovery Center transitions into disaster

loan outreach center

Haywood Park Hospital held a cookout benefit lunch last week for the Milton family where they raised $1,200. Lending a helping hand on the server line are Haywood Park employees Janice Webb, Christy Cone, Steve Collins, and Terry Hammons.