At approximately 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 12, 2008, a report was received by Van Buren County E-911 of a single motorcycle accident on Highway 30 east. Jeffery Judd, 34, of Cookeville was traveling on a 1981 Honda motorcycle when he left the roadway and crashed in the side of the bank.

Upon arrival, medical personnel asked for emergency air transportation for Judd. He was airlifted from a vacant field across from the Fall Creek Falls Fire Department. No charges were filed by Van Buren County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Turpin who investigated the accident. Also responding with members of the Fall Creek Falls Fire Department were members of the Van Buren County Ambulance Service, Spencer Fire and Rescue and Spencer Junior Fire and Rescue.

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I-40 was closed for more than 36 hours after a crash involving hazardous chemicals on Saturday, which were being transported by a tanker truck. The trouble started around 3:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon at mile 329 on Interstate 40 when there was an accident involving a tractor trailer and three cars. Officials said one vehicle hydroplaned. Several people were transported to the hospital, but according to reports, none of those injuries were life threatening.
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The 19 th Annual Mountain Homecoming was held on Saturday, July 12, 2008, in Spencer. Vendors, crafters and more were set up all around the Van Buren County Courthouse lawn and onto Spring and Sparta Streets. The excitement lasted all day and into the night as folks participated in games, contests, drawings and much more. Food booths provided an array of taste bud tempting foods including bar-b-que, snow cones, Polish Sausage, funnel cakes and much more.
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Just prior to noon on Saturday, July 12, 2008, a thunderstorm rolled across Van Buren County, bringing strong winds and lightening. Although it did not last long and the sun returned, the lightning caused a heart stopping incident at one home on Banks Road.

A tree in the yard beside the 171 Banks Road home of Melissa Seibers was struck by lightning, then ran into the house. Thankfully there were no injuries and the house did not actually catch on fire. However, the firefighters did have to tear into the insulation under the roof to confirm there was only heat, not an actual flame or fire.
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On Monday, July 7, 2008, a man drove into the driveway of Bone Cave resident Bob Kent and believing no one was at home, he proceeded to back up a blue green pick up to a 12’ black trailer with a lift up ramp and hook it to his truck. The thief drove away with the trailer and a new 2-tonGibson heat pump and pad. It appeared the same vehicle then visited another resident in the area, Jerry Ware just before 11:30 a.m. There a zero turn riding lawn mower was stolen.
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