The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, a charitable organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the 40 Middle Tennessee counties it serves, announces $1.3 million in grants to 273 nonprofit organizations as part of The Foundation’s annual discretionary grant making process.
Haven of Hope in Tullahoma has received a $4,000 grant to provide case management, licensed counseling and housing assistance services for shelter and outreach clients.

Coffee County Deputy Sheriff Wendell Norton was busy Thursday helping fill boxes to help the needy with their Christmas meals. Each year the sheriff department distributes food and toys to the needy of the county. The sheriff noted that they distribute the items all over the county. Sheriff officials say they will supply toys to over 500 children and supply food to over 250 families. The deputies were busy distributing the items Wednesday afternoon and will continue through Christmas Day.

Manchester firefighters are warning area residents to check smoke detectors and make sure they have batteries. Fire Chief Charlie Taylor noted that it would “be terrible to have a fire here at Christmas time.”
He noted that everyone should make sure the batteries are fresh and working. And everyone should stop and make sure that they replace smoke detectors if they are 10 years old or older. If they are that old they need to be replaced immediately and buying a new smoke detector would be a great gift for you and your family.
In unrelated story A fire on Bull Run Road in Lakewood Park destroyed a home Wednesday night around 6pm. The structure was unoccupied.
All mutual aid responding departments were told to go to their home base because the home was a total loss.

Manchester policeman Jonathan Anthony responded to 502 B Bailey Street on Tuesday on a tip of a meth lab. Officer Anthony found items used to manufacture methamphetamines. Officer Anthony notified Investigator Stuart Colwell, and they found 5 separate one-pot bottles “cooks”. Anthony arrested Tammy Horton and Michael Denny who were at the residence. Horton has a history of convictions for manufacturing methamphetamine. Horton and Denny were charged with initiation of process to manufacture methamphetamine, reckless endangerment, and felony drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $66,000 for Horton and $61,000 for Denny. Horton was also charged with introduction of contraband into a penal institution after officers found syringes hidden on her. Others involved in the bust were Captain Victor Jones, officer Tyler Hickerson, Coffee County Sheriff’s Investigator Billy Marcom and the Drug Task Force. Their court date is set for Jan, 22, 2013.

Authorities in Bedford County are investigating a 2nd threat within a week made against a school in that system. The threat was found written Wednesday morning on the wall of a bathroom at a Pilot truck stop in Lebanon and specifically mentioned a playground in Bedford County. Bedford County Sheriff’s Department says that they learned of the threat shortly after 10 a.m., just as schools were dismissing on holiday break. The school district’s aftercare program was placed under lockdown as a precaution. Police said they are treating it as a serious threat. We reported to you earlier that a Tullahoma man is facing charges after police say he made threats at a school in Shelbyville.

A Tennessee state lawmaker is renewing his bill to allow teachers to carry their weapons in classrooms. Knoxville Republican Senator Stacey Campfield has had similar bills in the past, but he feels there now has been a “wake up call” with the Connecticut shootings. His measure, which has failed in previous attempts to move it through the Tennessee General Assembly, is still being worked on, but Senator Campfield plans for it to allow teachers and staff with handgun carry permits, with proper training, to bring their weapons to school. Similar bills from state Senator Stacey Campfield have failed in past years, and he’ll likely face opposition from leadership in his own party, like Republican Governor Bill Haslam. Opposition is also likely to come from most school districts, teacher groups and various business interests. East Tennessee Senator Frank Nicely is also proposing a similar bill.