Adam Pewitt

A 28-year old Murfreesboro Police Officer has passed away. Officer Adam Pewitt died at his home on Friday of natural causes. Pewitt lived in Manchester. Adam became a Police Officer with the Murfreesboro Police Department in 2008 and was a United States Marine Veteran from 2002 until 2006, serving one tour of duty in Iraq. Adam earned his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Motlow State Community College and was continuing his education for his Bachelor’s Degree. Adam is survived by his wife, Sarah B. Griffin Pewitt and his four year old son, Connor Pewitt of Manchester.

Motlow College will close for the Christmas and New Year holidays at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 24, and will reopen on Jan. 2, according to college officials. The closing applies to computer labs, libraries and other facilities at all Motlow College sites, which include the Moore County campus and the Fayetteville, McMinnville and Smyrna centers. Spring classes begin on Jan. 17. Students enrolled at Motlow this semester can register now for spring 2013 classes and are encouraged to do so, said Greer Alsup, director of admissions and records at the college. “Registering now will increase students’ chances of getting their preferred classes and schedules,” she said. “We also encourage new and readmit students to submit applications for admission or readmission as soon as possible because they can’t register for classes until admission requirements have been met.” New and readmit students must submit applications for admission or readmission by Jan. 9, with online applications accepted until midnight on that date. Online applications may be accessed from the “Apply Now” button on the college website. Students interested in earning high school and college credits for courses in the Dual Enrollment Program and those enrolling in the ACE Program (Adult College Express) also are required to apply by Jan. 9. For more information, call 1-931-393-1500 or 1-800-654-4877.

Donnie Jones

A court-ordered mental evaluation will delay a prosecution decision on whether to seek the death penalty for Donnie Frank Jones, Jr. in the July kidnapping, rape and slaying of Tullahoma nursing student Megan Sharpton. District Attorney Mike Taylor says that his office still is considering whether or not to filing of a notice that prosecutors will seek the death penalty. The 37-year-old Jones of 1912 Bel-Aire Drive in Tullahoma is charged with first-degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping and aggravated rape. He pleaded not guilty during a Franklin County Circuit Court hearing in November and remains in the Franklin County Jail without bond. Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller says that the evaluation has already started.

Tullahoma Parks and Recreation director Kurt Glick, briefed city leaders recently about the a Frisbee golf course and how city-owned land adjacent to East Middle School could be used to accommodate an 18-hole disc golf course. The recreation director stated that the course would probably cost approximately $35,000 to develop. But he pointed out that much of the work could be done by the Public Works and Parks and Recreation departments, cutting the price in half. Glick said that in recent years interest has grown in disc golf to where more than 3,000 courses have been built in the United States with a limited number in Canada and Mexico. He noted that the sport is played much like real golf. Frisbees are used instead of golf balls. Glick said cement pads would be required where traditional tee boxes would go and be the brunt of the project’s expense. The sport also requires the equivalent of golf cups, but instead would have special type baskets to catch the Frisbees. An 18-hole disc golf course extends about two miles. The city board will review the idea later.

Officials have announced an end to the five-day strike affecting approximately 1,100 workers, including several from Coffee County at the Goodman facility in Fayetteville. According to the Elk Valley Times,
Union members voted on Thursday to approve a negotiated agreement. Passage of the agreement required a simple majority of union members. The strike ended immediately upon ratification, and employees were able to return to their regular scheduled shifts at Goodman starting Thursday night. Union officials and Goodman representatives were able to reach an agreement that offered several equitable benefits, including a combination of wage increases and medical coverage contributions that are favorable to both groups.