Gathering Saturday (May 10) to open the new Jackson County Detention Center and Sheriff's Office were, from left, county Commissioner Brian McMahan, former Commissioners Franz Whitmire and Conrad Burrell, Sheriff Jimmy Ashe, Commission Chairman Stacy Buchanan, Commissioner Joe Cowan (background), former sheriffs Fred Holcombe, Bob Allen and Jim Cruzan, and Commission Vice Chairman Roberta Crawford. The citizens of Jackson County can be proud of the new center, Ashe said. "This facility belongs to you. While it might be the headquarters of your Sheriff's Office, it shall also be the sanctuary that will give rise to a new era of police-community partnership," he said. After reviewing the history of the jail project, including the first condemnation report in 1968 of the current jail, Buchanan said the $5 million, 72-bed facility should generate revenue by maintaining a "No Vacancy" status. Also Saturday, Buchanan signed a proclamation calling upon citizens "to honor and show sincere appreciation for police officers" during Police Week May 12-17. - Herald photo by Lisa Majors-Duff
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