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Hawkins (TN) deputies look for heavy woman who attacked Bulls Gap restaurant employee with catfish
Kingsport Times News ^ | March 6, 2007 | Jeff Bobo

Posted on 03/06/2007 4:02:08 AM PST by don-o

BULLS GAP - The Hawkins County Sheriff's Office is looking for a "blond heavy frame female" who allegedly attacked a restaurant employee with a catfish Friday evening in Bulls Gap.

HCSO Cpl. David Lafollette responded to Di's Diner, 401 Highway 11-E, Bulls Gap, shortly after the incident occurred around 7 p.m. Friday.

Diner employee Tina Henry and owner Dwight Jenkins told the deputy that a stocky blond female standing 5 feet 5 inches or 5 feet 6 inches tall attempted to stuff a catfish dinner in her purse and then pay her bill without paying for the catfish dinner.

"Tina states that as the suspect was paying, they told her she would have to pay for the dinner in her purse," Lafollette stated in his report. "She (the suspect) then became mad, throwing money at the cash register. The suspect then walked outside, and Tina and Dwight followed.

"The suspect then threw the fish out of her purse at Tina, hitting her in the back."

Henry was not injured in the catfish attack, but the catfish dinner was ruined. The dinner had a price tag of $7.99.

Witnesses said there was a man with the female suspect, but he wasn't involved in the catfish attack or theft. The man did, however, flee with the female suspect in the getaway vehicle, a red and black F-250 pickup.

Witnesses were able to provide deputies with two possible license plate numbers, but one came back not on file and the other matched a green 2001 Suzuki.

The female suspect is potentially facing theft and assault charges.

Anyone with information about the catfish assailant is asked to contact the HCSO at 272-4848.


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To: MinuteGal
Ladies & Gentlemen: We have a

WINNAH!!

FOFLOL!!
41 posted on 03/06/2007 7:50:16 AM PST by don-o (Fight, fight. fight to drive the GOP to the right!!!!)
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To: don-o
What about the five second rule? Which is......?

It's an idea that's out there. The idea is that you can eat something that's fallen on the floor if it's been there for less than five seconds...

Five Second Rule

42 posted on 03/06/2007 8:39:05 AM PST by Aquinasfan (When you find "Sola Scriptura" in the Bible, let me know)
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To: don-o

43 posted on 03/06/2007 8:42:55 AM PST by dfwgator (The University of Florida - Championship U)
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To: don-o

44 posted on 03/06/2007 8:46:54 AM PST by fredhead (Teach a man to fish.......and he'll fish for a lifetime.)
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To: albee; billhilly; don-o

The reporter is with the Kingsport newspaper. Kingsport is a big city, compared to Bulls Gap. Bulls Gap is the home of Hee Haw's Archie Campbell, near Greeneville.

If I had to guess I'd say the population is 400-500 people, if that much. I am familiar with the restaurant where this happened.

Catfish assaults are pretty common here. But the common people here realize that if you took the catfish from the people, only criminals would have catfish.

The second biggest crime that I remember ever happening here (made the local newspaper) was when one guy caught his wife with another man, he forcibly took her false teeth out of her mouth and fled, wouldn't give them back. Guess that was quite embarrassing for a woman in her early 20s.


45 posted on 03/06/2007 8:58:55 AM PST by girlangler (Fish Fear Me)
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To: girlangler

My best friend from college is from Hawkins County. It's a pretty scary place.


46 posted on 03/06/2007 9:03:50 AM PST by RockyTop4GOP
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To: RockyTop4GOP; billhilly; don-o

Oh, Hawkins County is a breeze. Just don't get caught over in Cocke County after dark.

Cocke County's reputation is well deserved.


47 posted on 03/06/2007 9:20:47 AM PST by girlangler (Fish Fear Me)
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To: girlangler
"The second biggest crime that I remember ever happening here (made the local newspaper) was when one guy caught his wife with another man, he forcibly took her false teeth out of her mouth and fled, wouldn't give them back. Guess that was quite embarrassing for a woman in her early 20s."

BwwwwaaaaaaHaHaHa!

Stop it...you are killing me!

They not only play rough in Bulls Gap but they are mean as a Pitbull dog.

48 posted on 03/06/2007 1:43:23 PM PST by albee (The best thing you can do for the poor is.....not be one of them. - Eric Hoffer)
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To: dfwgator

Into the vault goes that 'un. Thanks!


49 posted on 03/06/2007 8:06:05 PM PST by don-o (Fight, fight. fight to drive the GOP to the right!!!!)
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To: Lazamataz

welcome back ping


50 posted on 03/07/2007 3:24:30 AM PST by don-o (Fight, fight. fight to drive the GOP to the right!!!!)
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To: don-o

Actually there was a mistake with this report. This did not happen at Di's Diner, it happened at Sandy's Diner in Bulls Gap, Tn. I live across the street from Di's Diner, it is actually in the community of St. Clair. Although I am friends with Di, and she is also getting alot of publicity form this. I also know of Sandy's Diner ( I eat there often) where this actually occured, they said they have even been contacted by the Jerry Springer show! I guess they want to stage a catfish fight between the two.
Anyhow, whoever said this is common here is not correct, that I know of anyway...this is the 1st fish fight I have heard of. And yes...things are very slow here! Not many people in Bulls Gap, and not any crime to speak of either. Just a nice quiet laid back town!


51 posted on 03/09/2007 9:12:01 AM PST by bealtaine
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To: Born Conservative
The House and Senate need to pass a comprehensive bill banning all assault catfish...

For the "Chilrun," of course! :0)

52 posted on 03/09/2007 9:20:36 AM PST by Cowboy Bob (Liberalism is the most extreme form of dementia.)
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To: MinuteGal

The story is just off the scale.

She probably did it just for the halibut.

I predict she'll just clam up and then skate.


53 posted on 03/09/2007 9:27:24 AM PST by ladyjane
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To: Hardastarboard; TigerLikesRooster; albee; mtbopfuyn; Born Conservative; Roccus; Frankss; ...
UPDATE

Off the hook: Diner owner won't press charges in alleged catfish attack

Published 03/08/2007 By JEFF BOBO

BULLS GAP - A Hawkins County woman accused of attacking a restaurant worker in Bulls Gap with a catfish last week could not escape a police dragnet, but the victims have opted to catch and release.

Thanks to a telephone tipster, the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office on Thursday identified the woman who allegedly attempted to leave the all-you-can eat catfish supper at Sandy's Diner in Bulls Gap last Friday evening with a fried catfish in her purse.

The restaurant owner has opted not to press charges, however.

The incident happened last Friday at Sandy's Diner, 401 Highway 11-E, Bulls Gap, when diner employees allegedly witnessed the woman stuff her purse with catfish. When she went to pay her bill, she was told she would have to pay for the catfish in her purse as well.

The woman then reportedly became angry, threw money at the cash register, and stormed out.

When restaurant employee Tina Henry and owner Dwight Jenkins confronted the woman in the parking lot, the woman allegedly hit Henry in the back with a catfish that had been inside her purse and fled the scene with a male companion.

The 45-year-old female suspect was apparently overheard discussing the catfish incident by a person who later provided the HCSO with her name. Henry and Jenkins. Deputies hadn't spoken to the woman as of Thursday evening, but Christian said they did leave a card on her door asking her to call the sheriff's office.

This catfish attack story, which initially appeared in the Times-News Tuesday, has been retold by news agencies across the region, state and country. The woman, who lives in the Hawkins County section of the Whitesburg community, could have faced charges including misdemeanor theft and simple assault.

Jenkins said Thursday he decided not to press charges, at least for now, but the woman will be banned from Sandy's Diner. Jenkins said the incident has brought him and the business so much media attention that he'd prefer it be forgotten.

"We've had so much publicity over this stuff, they've called us from everywhere," Jenkins told the Times-News Thursday afternoon. "Louisiana, California, ‘The "Jerry Springer Show' - and Channel 5 sat up here for eight hours the other day. It's all over the Internet everywhere.

"We just told them (the sheriff's office) to tell her she wasn't welcome anymore. It's all you can eat, not all you can carry."

Despite the overwhelming publicity, Jenkins has maintained his sense of humor about the incident. He joked that he might need extra security on hand for today's regular Friday all-you-can eat catfish dinner.

"Somebody already made a sign and put it the window saying, ‘Flying Catfish Dinner, All you can Eat and Carry,' but they crossed the ‘carry' out," Jenkins said. "There's a fellow supposed to bring me a big catfish pillow, and we'll probably hang that in here. We might get some T-shirts made up."

54 posted on 03/09/2007 6:17:16 PM PST by don-o (Fight, fight. fight to drive the GOP to the right!!!!)
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To: don-o
A reader comments: "This part of the country is a great place to live, yet we hardly ever see this mentioned in the media. What does it take to get local, national and even international pubicity? A fat redneck woman stealing a catfish."

Well, there we have it.

55 posted on 03/09/2007 6:19:00 PM PST by don-o (Fight, fight. fight to drive the GOP to the right!!!!)
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To: don-o; billhilly

As I said earlier in a thread about this, Archie Campbell was from this little community. They have a sign on Hwy. 11-E, as you enter the community (calling it a town is a stretch) "Home of Archie Campbell." It was the most famous claim to fame but this might replace that.

Does anyone have any doubt where Archie got his material for his performances over the years?


56 posted on 03/09/2007 7:01:52 PM PST by girlangler (Fish Fear Me)
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To: bealtaine

Spent many years living in Greeneville, and it is one of the finest places on earth. My ancestors settled there in the 1790s.

Rogersville is also a great place. People who love this nation's history will find this is among the most historically significant areas in the country.

Maybe all this publicity will bring attention to all the wonderful historic sites nearby. Greeneville is experiencing a lot of growth and changes, hope it never changes too much.


57 posted on 03/09/2007 7:15:23 PM PST by girlangler (Fish Fear Me)
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To: albee

LOL. Stranger things have happened in these parts.

If you like these kinds of stories, be sure to check out www.theoutdoorpressroom.com. These stories are all outdoor related, but the website owner specializes in hilarious (and true) stories like this.


58 posted on 03/09/2007 7:23:19 PM PST by girlangler (Fish Fear Me)
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To: don-o
Jenkins said Thursday he decided not to press charges...

She's lucky, she could have fried over this.

59 posted on 03/09/2007 8:20:14 PM PST by MrBambaLaMamba (Buy 'Allah' brand urinal cakes - If you can't kill the enemy at least you can piss on their god)
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To: don-o

This is just too funny. He'll get more income from the increased business than he would have charging her.


60 posted on 03/10/2007 6:51:17 AM PST by mtbopfuyn (I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
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