Grundy County Sheriff Clint Shrum says that laboratory reports are still pending in the death of 26-year-old Grundy County, mother Samantha Kathleen Chandler. Although authorities in May had “a strong lead,” Shrum said there have been no new developments or new details to release. No charges have been filed. Chandler’s body was found May 1 about 150 feet off a remote, rural road in an isolated area south of the town of Gruetli-Laager. Some ATV riders spotted Chandler’s body near the area where Ross Creek Road becomes Burkett’s Chapel Road, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The area — consisting of heavily wooded terrain that is crisscrossed with trails and fire roads — is frequented by off-roaders and outdoor enthusiasts. According to a spokesperson for the TBI, agents searched Chandler’s home in late May, but the TBI couldn’t discuss “potential suspects or specific evidence at this state in the investigation.” According to the spokesperson officials are continuing to evaluate the evidence collected from the Chandler home.

The future of the Texas-based Hastings Entertainment chain, which has a store in Tullahoma, is uncertain, but this much is known: if you have a Hastings gift card you only until the end of today to redeem it. All Hastings gift cards expire Wednesday, this is one month after the multimedia entertainment retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.  Hastings President and COO said last month that the additional financial support of the Chapter 11 process would help the business to continue operation while a buyer was sought. Usually, a chapter 11 is filed for the intent of the owner(s) of said business to pay a business back again over time in order to keep the business afloat. However, one can file it to use standard bankruptcy practices and negate most debt.

The Manchester Times and Thunder Radio will be hosting a political forum. The event will be held from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, July 14 at the Manchester-Coffee County Conference Center, 147 Hospitality Blvd.
Candidates for Manchester School Board, Alderman, Mayor, Tennessee State Representative and State Senate will field questions from moderators about their respective races.
The forum will also be broadcast live on 107.9 FM, 1320 AM WMSRradio.com.
The schedule for the evening is as follows:
5-5:20pm Manchester school board candidates
5:25-5:45 Senate 16th District Democratic primary
5:50-5:55 Senate 16th Republican primary
6:05-7:05 Manchester Aldermen candidates
7:10-7:35 State Rep 47th District race
7:40-8:10pm Manchester Mayor’s race

On Sunday Coffee County Sheriff’s deputies received information that a man was creating a disturbance at 1404 Kingsway Lane. When Deputy Kevin Smith arrived he says in an arrest warrant, the man had the odor of an intoxicant about his person, his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet and combative.
The man would not advise who he was, had no identification, no social security number and could not advise where he lived or worked. The subject allegedly physically resisted arrest by trying to hit the deputy. The man also apparently refused to comply with directives, trying to get away and resisted arrest to the point where Deputy Smith had to take the subject to the ground to complete the arrest.
It was later discovered that man’s name is Hermenegildo Penaloza Vega age 38 of Manchester. He was charged with public intoxication and resisting stop-halt-frisk-arrest or search. His bond was set at $100,000 and he’ll be in court on July 25, 2016.

As work continues on the new exit ramp on the eastbound side of Exit 111, Civil Constructers who have been working on the new ramp since January will be closing a lane of traffic on Wednesday. The right lane of Interstate 24 on the eastbound side will be closed most of the day between exits 110-111. Civil Constructers is asking the public to avoid the area on Wednesday.
At the completion of the work all eastbound traffic wanting to go to Tullahoma will take the new ramp. This work is being done so traffic will not have to cross over Hwy 55 in order to turn toward Tullahoma.

Gas prices have fallen for more than a month and the discount at the pump doesn’t show any signs of letting up. Sunday’s pump prices declined for the 32nd consecutive day in Tennessee. During this time, gas prices declined 17 cents in Tennessee. These current streaks of declines are the longest since last fall when prices dropped for 37 straight days beginning in August.
“Gas prices keep moving lower thanks to increased gasoline supply and low oil prices,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Oil prices hit their lowest level since early May, making it cheaper to produce gasoline; and refineries have ramped-up gasoline production to levels that continue to satisfy record-high demand.
Compared to this same date last year, gas prices are down 49 cents in Tennessee. Compared to two years ago, pump prices are down $1.39 in Tennessee. The average price in Tennessee this week is down 4-cents from last week to $2.02 per gallon.
In Coffee County the low price is $1.85 in Tullahoma and $1.88 in Manchester.