04:35 PM EST on Tuesday, March 30, 2004

By TONY BURBECK / 6NEWS

MOUNT AIRY, N.C. -- The tiny town that was the model for Mayberry in “The Andy Griffith Show” is making headline news again, but not for the reasons it wants to.

"I think we've probably got the best little town in America," said Russell Hiatt, barber.

A TV show turned Mount Airy into "Mayberry" and made it famous for southern charm, innocence and life's lessons.

John Kirk Martin's job as science teacher and head football coach at North Surry High School wove him into the community fabric.

"Teachers are role models," said Sergeant Theresa Hutchins.

But police said what happened teaches a different lesson. A four month investigation of Martin's home put the coach and his wife Lisa behind bars.

Police said drugs, including meth and marijuana, constitute one of Mount Airy's biggest drug busts.

Bryant Gates' daughter attends North Surry High School and said it, “might be possible that people who have kept quiet might have been buying from coach the himself."

Police said the drugs were not in school. Police are not sure whether students or staff knew about them or bought them.

This is a drug case, but it's a trust issue with the community. It was not too long ago that another coach was arrested. Former Mount Airy High School boy’s basketball coach Kemp Phillips recently started a four and a half year prison sentence for indecent liberties with a minor. Two other coaches received probation for playing strip poker with female students.

The two incidents have shaken one of America's best known small towns and makes parents wonder who is teaching and who is coaching their kids.

"During the day, you think your child is ok at school, and here is a teacher alleged to possess drugs, makes you wonder," said Hutchins.

"I guess if you find the real Mayberry, you'd have to go down the road some place," Hiatt said.

Martin is charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver meth and marijuana, maintaining a drug dwelling and possessing drug paraphernalia. His wife Lisa faces the same charges, and an additional drug trafficking charge.