Rankin Ledger from Brandon, Mississippi • Page A1

INSIDE PLAN TO ATTENDGET OUT FOR RANKIN LEDGER VOLUME 20 RANDON FLORENCE FLOWOOD PEARL PELAHATCHIE RESERVOIR RICHLAND Have a news tip? Contact us at 601) 853-8783. DELIVERY QUESTIONS? CALL 1-877-850-5343 From the front 3A Around the county 3A Academic Signing Day 2A Kara Kimbrough 4A Dragon Boat Regatta, Saturday, May 21, 9 a.m., Old Trace Park, oss Barnett Reservoir, Ridgeland The Dinner Theater, Thursday, May 19, 7-9 p.m., ost Pizza Company, Brandon Rankin County deputy Tyson Burleson can still remember all the details of the wreck in which he met Tavion Grau. Tavion, 15, was one of two teens injured when their ATV was hit by a truck last May. Burleson, a Marine with two tours in Iraq, acted quickly when he saw how badly injured Tavion was, and put a tourniquet on his leg, which was nearly amputate at the time. Tavion, who was rapidly losing blood and in shock at the scene, ended up losing his right leg, but not his life.

Burleson watched AirCare take Tavion away. At the hospital, he eventually met with mother Kelli Grau, who told him her fear that her son, a gifted basketball player, would never take the court again. The two prayed together, then the deputy went on his way. He know if he would ever see either of them again. Recently, Burleson responded to a call and happened across four teenagers playing basketball in the road.

He had known hat Tavion lived in that neighborhood, because at the time of the accident someone had given his address. He had even looked for him there from time to time. As I drove by, something caught my Burleson said in a Facebook post. One of them walked out of the way with a small limp. I looked at him to see if he was urt and I noticed his prosthetic leg.

That was when I looked at his face and realized who it Burleson said he hit the brakes imme- iately. Throwing his door open, he got out of his cruiser with a big smile on his face. They kinda looked at me like, what did we Burleson said with a laugh. I think he kinda knew I was there when it happened. I said, name as to be Tavion.

Man, you know how happy this makes me. God has truly been ooking out for mother, Kelli Grau, came upon her son and the deputy talking. She said her son did in fact recognize Burleson hen he first saw him. Seeing them together, that was the est Grau said. Medics told Grau that quick thinking last May 23 essentially saved life.

owe that man Grau aid, her voice becoming emotional. eally do. He is just the best. I think lose touch Burleson said he was amazed not only to see Tavion up and about, but that he was playing basketball. He is really, really good.

shoot hat ball and it would be nothing but rau and her 20-year-old son Toraz Westbrook took care of Tavion while he recovered. Grau, who works at Waffle House on Pearson Road, took off for as long as she could, and then Westbrook stepped up to watch out for his brother. Her son still plays on the Florence High basketball team. months ago we would have never thought that he would be doing like doing. been nonstop.

He did therapy for two months, and ever since the accident been exercising, lifting eights, doing Grau said. he said the accident stop her belief in his dreams. His confidence, you have no idea. This boy, he thinks he can conquer the world, and I do she said. dad ant him to play basketball, but I said not stealing his dream.

going to take that from Contact Therese Apel at gannett.com. Rankin deputy reunited with teen he saved THERESE APEL THE RANKIN LEDGER TYSON BURLESON FACEBOOK Rankin County Deputy Tyson Burleson and Tavion Grau, who he first met when the quick thinking saved the teen's life after an ATV wreck. aura Leigh Burnham, vocalist for the Brandon-based country music roup Burnham Road, knew what she wanted to do in her life as far back as age 5. was staying with my aunt and grandparents in Florida one summer and my aunt was trying to help me sing by the Beach Boys a nd I wanted to sing it by said Laura Leigh, who graduated from Brandon igh School in 2002. urnham Road, which includes T.J.

Burnham (Laura younger brother) is one of four musical acts that will play at this Flowood Family Festival at Liberty Park. The gates open at 4 p.m., and admission is free. come from a very musical Laura Leigh said. was given his irst guitar for Christmas at age nine, started guitar lessons at 13. He played in a hristian rock band at our church and realized he wanted to make music and trav- one day.

He started writing poems in high school for class and realized he was good at them, and where the songwriting Burnham Road plays shows all over Mississippi and travels to gigs in neighboring states as well. The band just recorded an EP (extended play, typically with our songs) which Laura Leigh hopes will be available soon on iTunes. We want everyone to be able to relate to our she said. are slow, a bout people loved; some are about break-ups; some are upbeat, about our everyday lives and having great times with friends. T.J.

was influenced by Eric Church, Alan Jackson and Brantley Gilbert. We both grew up on old country music Chet Atkins, Ricky Scaggs, Patsy Burnham Road will follow Cassie Means the opening act at this festival. Nationally-known country artist and Columbia, Mississippi, native Jeff Bates will then perform an acoustic set before this headliner. Josh Turner takes the stage after 8 p.m. Fireworks will follow performance.

Turner is probably one of the most humble and down-to-earth entertainers said Greg Wilcox, programs and events coordinator for Flowood Parks and Recreation. look at a lot of different things (when booking a major recording artist). One of the main things is making sure family-oriented entertainers. Josh has all the A major star, Turner is known far and wide for chart-topping singles like lack and We Just you usually have to pay for everything you go Wilcox said, ery few times can you go and see a Nashville hit entertainer absolutely free. The icing on the cake is that if you have children, they are entertained for free (with) space jumps, slides, train rides, petting zoo and kid karaoke.

have fair-type ood for sale: barbecue, chicken on a stick, slushes, funnel cakes, hot dogs and Anew attraction at the Flowood Family Festival is an arts and crafts fair, which will be held on ball field number six. Wilcox and his team have moved the arts and J.B. TO RANKIN LEDGER Laura Leigh Burnham and T.J. Burnham of the Brandon-based country music group Burnham Road will be performing at the Flowood Family Festival. ALL ABOUT FAMILY JOE LEE RANKIN LEDGER CORRESPONDENT SUSAN TO RANKIN LEDGER Crowds at the Flowood Family Festival will be entertained for free by Nashville hit entertainer Josh Turner.

Children can enjoy space jumps, lides, train rides, a petting zoo and kid karaoke. Even performers are family at Flowood Family Festival SeeFestival, Page3A.