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Murder In Coffee County.. Parental Guidance Encouraged Before Reading
Murder suspect Gregory Scott Hale. Photo from Facebook
Late Sunday night (June 8) information was received that Gregory Scott Hale, age 37, had murdered a female at his residence on Pete Sain Road in Coffee County and was attempting to get help disposing of her body. An investigation revealed the body of a white female at his residence.
Hale was taken into custody and charged with 1st degree murder and abuse of a corpse. His bond is set at $1.5 million, and he is scheduled to be in court on June 16, 2014.
The victim according to the arrest warrant was beheaded and the rest of her body was dismembered. The warrant states that Hale buried the torso of the body in a burn pile at the residence. According to the warrant Hale allegedly admitted to cannibalizing part of the victim. Her body was sent to Nashville for an autopsy.
Gregory Scott Hale jail intake photo
Sheriff Graves commended all parties involved for a quick response and resolution leading to this arrest, including sheriff’s department deputies and investigators as well as the Manchester Police Department.
The sheriff said they will continue to investigate in preparation for a preliminary hearing and ensuing trial.
Hale is currently represented by the public defender’s office.
The victim’s name will be released at later time.
Tullahoma Police Asking For The Public’s Help
With the coming of summer and the warmer weather Tullahoma has seen an increase in car burglaries across the City. The Tullahoma Police Department needs the public’s assistance to apprehend the people responsible for these incidents and attempt to return the property to the rightful owner. The burglaries are occurring in various parts of the city and during the early morning hours. In some cases the vehicles are unlocked and provide easy access, in others a window is being broken to gain entry.
The police reports are including property stolen to include firearms, purses, wallets, and cash. As the Tullahoma Police Department investigates these incidents, officers are being told of people seeing someone suspicious, hearing noises, or area dogs barking excessively; but not paying much attention to it. The police encourage anyone that sees or hears something that is out of the ordinary to immediately call the non-emergency dispatch number at 455-3411, or if an emergency – 911.
The department encourages citizens to take some basic precautions: leave exterior lights turned on, remove any valuables from the vehicle, lock the vehicle, park your vehicle(s) in a well-lit area, and maintain the serial numbers of valuable items. The department encourages citizens to take an active role in reporting suspicious activity; get to know your neighbors; recognize what seems out of place in your neighborhood; and promptly notify the police so they can respond.
If you have any information about these cases or other criminal activity, please call the crime stoppers line at 461-8888, by email to tpd@tullahomatn.gov, or calling the department at 455-0530. Should you have questions about other police operations, please contact Chief Paul Blackwell at (931) 455-0530 or pblackwell@tullahomatn.gov.
New Report: Dying At a Concert, It’s Easier Than You Think
IMAGE: Nearly 60 deaths at concerts in the U.S. and Canada were documented from 2010 to 2013. Image credit: ClickitTicket
A new analysis from ClickitTicket reviewed more than 200 fatalities at concerts since 1969 and about three dozen were drug-related.
CEO Jason OConnor says the drugs used at concerts include cocaine, heroin, bath salts, meth and one of the most mentioned – MDMA, also known as ecstasy or Molly, which can lead to hyperthermia.
“Often times, people become very dehydrated and they don’t realize what they’re doing to their body, because let’s say they’re at a concert and they’re dancing around and they’re taking this,” he says. “They don’t notice that they’re thirsty. They don’t notice anything. And that’s when you start to get into problems.”
OConnor also notes that there have been stories of bad batches of MDMA, laced with dangerous chemicals.
In addition to the drug-related deaths, the other leading causes of fatalities at concerts are stampedes, structural failures and violence.
While overdoses or deaths can happen at any music venue, OConnor points to festivals such as Bonnaroo, where there have been 10 fatalities over the past decade, at least half drug-related.
“And Phish shows do seem to have quite a bit of drugs there,” he adds. “That’s sort of an extension of the Grateful Dead and there were a lot of drugs in that culture.
“And then the other real big one that we talked about was EDM or electronic dance music.”
OConnor says concert and festival promoters and organizers can’t ensure that all attendees are drug free, but they can take simple steps to make their events as safe as possible for young people, including education, parent involvement and policing.
Sky Lanterns Are Illegal
As summer draws closer, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding the public of laws concerning sky lanterns.
The sky lanterns, also known as Chinese lanterns, are unmanned airborne paper lanterns fueled by a flame that resemble a small hot air balloons.
Fire officials say the sky lanterns can be dangerous to property and life.
Tennessee lawmakers in 2011 passed legislation stating the lanterns are special fireworks, and can be purchased and used only by individuals with a professional license. These include a certified flame effect operator, certified outdoor display operator or certified pyrotechnic operator.
The sky lanterns are also banned at Bonnaroo this year, which kicks off this week in Manchester, Tennessee.
More Women Getting Handgun Carry Permits
The number of women issued handgun carry permits in Tennessee is on the rise.
According to the Daily News Journal of Murfreesboro, the number of permits issued to women by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security more than doubled between 2011 and 2013.
The highest number of total handgun permits issued in the state are in Shelby, Knox, Davidson, Hamilton and Rutherford Counties.
The largest percentage of permits for women were issued to women aged 46-50.
6/8/14 —– Dr. Paul Rupert Widick
Dr. Paul Rupert Widick, of Tullahoma, passed this life on Sunday, June 8th, 2014 at NHC Healthcare in Tullahoma at the age of 80.
Dr. Widick was born in Ury, West Virginia to the late Joe and Rebecca Short Widick.
He served our county in the United States Air Force during both Korea and the Vietnam Era. He went on to become a Professor at West Chester University and later a Geology, Physics and Chemistry Professor at MTSU.
In addition to his parents, Dr. Widick is preceded in death by his wife of 18 years, Billie Jean Walker-Widick; one brother, Bobie Widick; and three sisters, Irene Walker, Dorothy Centerbery, and June Payne.
He is survived by one son, Andy Widick and his wife Mary of Wilmington, Deleware; one daughter, Nancy Wolfstayer of West Chester, Pennsylvania; one sister, Betty Leslie of Alameda, California; and one grandchild, Kinzua Wolfstayer of West Chester, Pennsylvania.
No services are currently planned at this time.
For those who wish, donations may be made to the Special Olympics Tennessee at 1900 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203.
Kilgore Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
6/11/14 —- Charlie Martin Tinsley
Charlie Martin Tinsley, of Tullahoma, passed this life on Sunday, June 8th, 2014 at his residence at the age of 77.
Mr. Tinsley was born in Montgomery County, Tennessee to the late Clarence Ezra and Evie Mae Groves Tinsley.
During his life he worked in the construction and paving industry with Tinsley Bro. Paving and was a member of Forest Mill Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Tinsley is preceded in death by two sisters, Hattie May Sessler, and Elaine Adams.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Carole Tinsley of Tullahoma; two sons, Christopher Scott Tinsley of Estill Springs, and Jeffery Brian Tinsley and his wife Carrie of Conway, Arkansas; two daughters, Sandra Lynn Hatfield and her husband Ed of Estill Springs and Jeannie Arlene Johnson of Tullahoma; three brothers, Eddie Tinsley and his wife Anita of Estill Springs, Freddie Tinsley of Tullahoma, and Felix Tinsley and his wife Birdie Mae of Elkhart, Indiana; two sisters, Susie Tinsley of Tullahoma, and Sarah Welker and her husband King of Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee; and four grandchildren, Tyler Tinsley, Megan Brandon, Sarah Tate, and Sawyer Tinsley.
Visitation for Mr. Tinsley will be held on Tuesday, June 10th, 2014 from 6:00-9:00 pm at Kilgore Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 at 1:00 pm in the Kilgore Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Donald Gregory and Bro. John Daniel officiating.
Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.
Kilgore Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Motlow Baseball Players Sign With Lee University
Ben Holland.. All photos and information provided by Scott Shasteen Motlow College Sports Information
After helping lead the Motlow Bucks to their most successful baseball season in a decade, three members of the 2014 squad will continue their student-athlete careers at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn.
Luke Toms
Ben Holland, Luke Toms and Chris Adams all played two years at Motlow and helped guide the Bucks to a 40-24 record during the past season and 67 wins over the past two years. Motlow finished runner-up in the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) tournament and advanced to the East Central District Tournament in Covington, Ga. last season.
Motlow had not advanced to the East Central tournament since 2000, when they won it and advanced to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series.
Chris Adams
Lee completed a 37-19 season last year and advanced to the NCCAA World Series in Mason, Ohio. After losing their tournament opener, the Flames fought through the elimination bracket to reach the national championship game, where they fell to Fresno Pacific University from California 5-1.
The Flames moved into the NCCAA and up to Division II after previous seasons as an NAIA school, where they won over 50 games for seven straight seasons and advanced to the NAIA World Series each of those seasons. Now part of the Gulf South Conference, the Flames play bigger schools and a much tougher schedule.
Lee University has consistently had players drafted in the major league baseball draft, including five following the 2012 season and five more after the 2013 campaign.
6/10/14 —- ZINA “RAM” CRAIG WOMACK
ZINA “RAM” CRAIG WOMACK, age 57, of Decherd, Tenn. departed this life on Sunday, June 8, 2014 at her residence following an extended illness.
She was born in Chattanooga, Tenn. to the late Mary Sue and James Craig.
She attended the Decherd Church of God. Mrs. Womack loved gardening, Cooking, quilting, and crocheting. She was a loving and devoted wife, sister, mother and grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Tammy Davis and brother, Timothy Craig.
She is survived by her husband, Randy Womack of Decherd, sons; Dennis (Sheila) Womack of Estill Springs, Don (Linda) Womack of Decherd, Joshua (Kristi) Womack of Winchester, grandchildren; Dustin Frame, Zachary Womack, Hannah Loudermilk Paige Womack, Tyler Womack, Jordan Womack Destiny Pence and Katlyn Womack, step-grandsons, Randall Stephens and Blake Moore and step-grandbaby, Wyatt Stephens, sisters; Clemmie Sue (Junior) Conn of Estill Springs, Gail (Terry) Gipson, Lucy (Danny) Bennett all of Winchester, brothers; Stanley Sanson, Ronald (Peggy) Sanson all of Decherd and Gary Sanson of Estill Springs.
Visitation for Mrs. Womack will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. Monday Evening, June 9, 2014, at the Decherd Church of God.
Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at the Church with Bro. Johnny Carr, officiating.
Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Gardens in Winchester.
Grant Funeral Services in charge of the arrangements.
6/10/14 —- EMILY TREXLER ABBOTT
EMILY TREXLER ABBOTT, age 56, of Tullahoma, departed this life on Friday, June 6, 2014, at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., following an extended illness.
Mrs. Abbott was a Registered Nurse for approximately 35 years working in the health care field in different locations in Tennessee and Georgia. She currently attended the Christ Community Church in Tullahoma.
Mrs. Abbott was preceded in death by her parents Frank Trexler and Goldie Miller Trexler a brother, Frank Trexler, Jr., sister, Kate Trexler.
She is survived by her husband, Steven Abbott, Sr. of Tullahoma, Daughter, Dr. Abbie (Greg) Byrom of Piscataway, NJ, Son, Scott (Michelle) Abbott of Portsmouth, Va., Step-son, Steven Abbott, Jr. of Chattanooga, Tenn., 2-grandchildren, brothers; Tom (Leann) Trexler of Allentwon, Pa., Brian Trexler, and a sister, Marge Trexler all of Pennsylvania.
Visitation with the family will be held from 5:00-7:00 P.M. Tuesday evening in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services with a Celebration of Mrs. Abbott’s life Service will follow at 7:00 P.M. with Bro. Tom Prather, officiating.
Grant Funeral Services in charge of arrangements.