Tullahoma Police block the entrance to Walmart… Photo by Barry West

A suspicious package was found outside on the Jackson Street side of Walmart in Tullahoma, near the lawn and garden department on Saturday. Walmart was evacuated and the Commerce Shopping Center was closed while emergency crews were on the scene. Stores were reopened after about 3 ½ hours.
Tullahoma Fire Department , Tullahoma Police Department , Coffee County EMS, and Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations responded and helped to ensure the safety for all citizens and employees of Walmart and area stores.
The bomb squad was able to destroy the device with using a water method. Coffee County Emergency Management Director Allen Lendley said, “This is a prime example of City, County and State working together, just like we have trained to do”.
The suspicious package investigation is continuing.

Kristen M Monroe age 30 of Manchester was driving her 1997 Honda Accord westbound on US Hwy 64 in Franklin County on Thursday. Monroe’s vehicle and a Kia driven by Sarah A Schabloski age 28 of Winchester collided. Schabloski was traveling eastbound on US Hwy 64. According to a Tennessee Highway Patrol report, Monroe turned left onto state Hwy 97 turning into the path of Schabloski. The Kia collided with the Honda on the passenger’s side door. Schabloski’s vehicle came to rest in the roadway at the intersection of US Hwy 64 and state Hwy 97. Monroe’s Honda Accord came to rest in the parking lot of a gas station at the same intersection.
Monroe died as a result of her injuries. Schabloski was transported from the scene with unknown injuries.

A multi-million dollar out-of-court settlement was approved Thursday by Shelbyville City Council, ending more than 10 years of controversy concerning a rock quarry.
The city will pay Wright Paving $2 million within 30 days, followed by $500,000 in March 2016, then beginning in 2017 pay $100,000 or more for five years, with that total amount not to exceed $500,000.
“I feel that all parties felt that a financial settlement was in everyone’s best interest,” said Shelbyville City Manager Jay Johnson.
Another point in the agreement is that the permit for the quarry will be issued on today (August 11).
Wright Paving has been attempting to build a quarry at their Hillsboro land in Coffee County for several years. Company owners say they will continue to ask for approval from county leaders to open here.
Portions of this story provided by the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.

Motlow College has scheduled dates for the ACT test preparation course for high school students. The course is being offered on the Moore County campus and at the McMinnville Center. Registration forms can be obtained from the Motlow website. Separate forms are available for each testing location. Completed forms can be mailed or faxed to the address indicated on the registration form. However, registration is not complete until payment has been received. The cost is $60, plus $30.95 for a textbook, with each to be paid separately. Registrants should write a check for the registration fee to Motlow College. For a textbook, checks should be written to the Motlow College Bookstore. Textbooks will be available only on the first night of class. Those wishing to purchase a book with cash are asked to have the exact amount. For more information, call Motlow’s Office of Extended Services at 931-393-1760 or 1-800-654-4877, ext. 1760. The ACT prep class focuses on four areas of the ACT: English, mathematics, reading and science. Emphasis will be on test-taking skills, logical analysis and pacing oneself. Practice tests in each of the four areas will be administered during and at the conclusion of each course. Classes are scheduled as follows. Moore County Campus: Classes, taught by Sheila Gann, will meet from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays – Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29 and Oct. 6. The registration deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 3. The course is limited to 35 students. McMinnville Center: Classes will meet from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays – Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30 and Oct. 7. Students must register by 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 5. Sheila Gann is the instructor and the course is limited to 30 students. The ACT prep classes are designed to prepare students for the national ACT on Oct. 25, but taking the prep class does NOT register a student to sit for the actual ACT. Students must register separately with ACT to take the national exam. For more Information, visit www.ACT.org.