Drug bust turns up $400,000 worth of meth and marijuana Sheriff’s Department gearing up for “Stocking Full of Love” toy drive
The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force just had the largest drug bust since January, with more than $400,000 worth of ICE methamphetamine and marijuana being seized in Rossville last week.
According to Task Force Cmdr. Pat Doyle, on Nov. 14 around noon the drug task force searched a residence on 508 James St.
Doyle said this was a short investigation in which authorities had to act quickly.
Investigators found eight pounds of uncut ICE meth with a street value of $365,000, plus five pounds of highgrade marijuana.
Arrested at the scene were 39-year-old Danyale Renee Cooper and 39-year-old Todd Lee Harmon.
Two firearms were also seized as well.
Doyle said ICE meth sells for $80 to $100 per gram. The ICE meth confiscated was well over 3,000 grams, Doyle said. The uncut ICE meth is typically cut and then other ingredients like MSM, a horse vitamin supplement, is added. This amount of drugs came from a socalled “super lab,” which is common in Mexico, Doyle said.
Doyle said this was the largest drug bust since January in Catoosa County.
The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Department’s annual “Stocking Full of Love” toy drive is nearing, an event sponsored by the agency to help give area children a better Christmas season.
For more than two decades, the Sheriff’s Department has sponsored the event, and each year the agency accepts names of needy children from county schools, civic organizations, and state agencies and provides toys for these children at Christmas.
“Last year approximately 1,200 children received assistance from the Stocking Full of Love program because of generous donations,” Sheriff Gary Sisk said in statement regarding the event. “This year, beginning November 27, the Sheriff’s Office will begin collecting names of those children (ages 12 months to 14 years) who would benefit from the program. Anyone needing assistance with Christmas should call either 706965-7138 or 706965-7139 for an appointment.” Those looking to nominate a child or children should leave a message if necessary and the call will be returned.
Names will only be accepted Nov. 27 through Dec. 8 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. After that date,
Principal Vince Phillips devised a creative plan to surprise Ty Cook with the announcement that he had been chosen as Catoosa County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Mr. Phillips asked Mr. Cook to come to the office for a meeting. While Mr. Cook was in the office, students lined the 7th grade hall, the band was positioned, and Superintendent Denia Reese and Mr. Cook’s parents, Chris and Teri Sullivan, were hidden at the end of the hall. When Mr. Phillips led Mr. Cook down the hall, the band was playing and the students were cheering, “Mr. Cook! Mr. Cook!”
Superintendent Reese said, “Needless to say, Mr. Cook was totally surprised. His face was priceless when I told him he has been selected as Catoosa County’s Teacher of the Year. This is a great honor for a very deserving teacher.”
According to Principal Phillips, “Mr. Cook makes the classroom come alive for his students by creating and implementing lessons that not only engage his students in the learning process, but he also makes learning fun. He is a great teacher, and he also plays an important leadership role at Lakeview Middle School. He helped lead the implementation of the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) program in our school that has really changed our school culture. He also sponsors the Garden Club each year. Mr. Cook achieves his goal to make a positive difference in the lives of students everyday. He is loved and appreciated by everyone at Lakeview Middle School.”
Superintendent Reese said, “You can tell from reading Mr. Cook’s application that he has a passion for teaching and student learning. Mr. Cook’s application will be submitted to the Department of Education to be considered for the Georgia Teacher of the Year honor, and I’m confident he will impress their committee as well. Mr. Cook is a great example of an excellent teacher. I am confident that he will represent Catoosa County well at the state level.” donated toys will be sorted and more toys will be purchased with the money donated to bring the joy of Christmas to hundreds of area children.
Anyone wishing to donate new toys can bring them to the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Department or contact the Sheriff’s Department to have the toys picked up at a residence or business when convenient.
Sheriff Sisk stresses that the list of names continues to grow and the program is in great need of toy donations and monetary donations for the 2017 program.
All checks should be made payable to the Catoosa County Stocking Full of Love and may be mailed to the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Department at P.O. Box 909, Ringgold, Ga. 30736.