Joseph Todd Neill

A Shelbyville youth pastor is facing statutory rape and sexual battery charges. Police said that Joseph Todd Neill had inappropriate contact with a 17-year-old girl last week, according to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette. The teenager apparently was a member of his youth group. Neill was arrested Thursday after the girl’s parents called police. Detective Sgt. Brian Crews of the Shelbyville Police Department said, “She was the only victim to my knowledge.

The national average for regular retail gasoline on January 1, held the record for the highest average in history. The national average on New Year’s Day was $3.29, 1 cent more than the daily average on January 1, 2012, which held the previous record. In Coffee County gas prices were again over the $3.00 mark. In fact, this week there are only a couple of discounters offering $3.06 per gallon prices on regular gas…most are in the $3.15 range here in Manchester with the highest at $3.31. In Tullahoma $3.06 was the lowest and highest $3.20. Although the average for the start of January was the highest on record, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts the annual average this year will be less than 2012′s annual average of $3.60. A barrel of oil closed Friday at $93.09 on the New York Mercantile Exchange—$2.29 more than the week prior. The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.30, 1 cent more than last week. Tennessee’s average of $3.18 increased 6 cents from last week.

The president of the Tennessee Education Association says she expects her board to take an official position against proposals that would allow teachers to carry guns. The Tennessean reports the measures are among proposals state lawmakers are considering this legislative session in the wake of last month’s massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Several Tennessee lawmakers have drafted legislation that would encourage school districts to place at least one armed police officer in every school and would allow teachers who have undergone special training to bring their personal handguns into schools. However, TEA president Gera Summerford says teachers should be focused on teaching and not have to worry about trying to stop an intruder.

Manchester City Hall... Photo by Barry West

At 6:30pm on January 10th (Thursday) at Manchester City Hall there will be a Town Hall style meeting to discuss flooding and draining issues across the city. Vice Mayor Ryan French says, “This is quite possibly the most important step in what I hope will lead to Manchester obtaining a block grant from the state to address water mitigation issues. French added, “We need folks to come out, tell stories, show photos, bring letters, and anything else that would help us show the state our need for this grant.” The meeting will take place in the upstairs board room at City Hall in downtown Manchester, everyone across the community is encouraged to attend.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is accepting applications for its Citizen’s Academy. The TBI says the academy is designed to develop a better understanding and awareness of the agency in the community. It offers citizens a close look at the TBI’s work investigating crime scenes and cyber crime, tracking terrorism information, and doing forensics examinations. The academy runs from May 7 through May 28 at TBI headquarters in Nashville. It is limited to only 15 citizens. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and be physically able to meet training and scheduling requirements. Those interested should fill out the application located on the TBI website at www.tbi.tn.gov and submit it by February 28 to Assistant Director Richard Moore at the address listed on the application.