The theft of credit card and debit card numbers is being investigated by Coffee County Sheriff’s investigators. According to Sgt. Danny Ferrell, so far as many as 10 people have had their numbers stolen in the last week. “They have been making purchases at Wal-Mart in New York, Georgia and Missouri,” Ferrell stated. He said that the thieves have obtained the numbers and have been making purchases for approximately $300. Ferrell stated that he has been working with authorities in New York. The investigator stated that New York officials are obtaining security video from the Wal-Mart in their town and checking it to try and get a picture of the people using the numbers.

Due to what is being called an outdated salary and pay schedule for Coffee County employees, the Budget and Finance Committee is preparing a request for proposals for a professional compensation analysis to make the county’s wages and salaries more competitive, this in spite of the commission rejecting such a plan in the past. Pay has been cited as the reason for a high turnover in the sheriff’s department and ambulance service.

Highland Baptist Church in Tullahoma

Tullahoma Police are investigating the theft of $800 from Highland Baptist Church located on Hickory Street. Pastor Louis Wester reported to Tullahoma Police Officer Jim Tate Tuesday morning that $200 was missing from the cash box and $600 from the offering tray. According to the police report, the money was kept in a filing cabinet in the church office. The envelopes in the offering tray had been opened and the cash removed, but the checks were not. Wester told the officer that the theft apparently occurred between 3 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m. Tuesday. The preacher told the officer that the church’s annual Labor Day fish fry was held Monday afternoon. There was no sign of forced entry into the building. A ceiling tile had been forced up in the church office. Tullahoma detectives are investigating the incident.

A Stewart Street man reported to Tullahoma Police that he was robbed Monday night around 8:30 p.m. while walking home. According to a police report by Officer Daryn Gadeken, Ronald Reynolds was walking home from the convenience store, and when he took a path between Freeman and Silver Streets, he was attacked and beaten by three black males. Reynolds told the officer that after the three men beat him, they took his wallet and cell phone. He described one of his attackers as being heavy set.  Another was about 6-feet tall with dreadlocks, and the third man he did not get to see well. Detective Ty Brazier is investigating the robbery.

Be wary of a scam that’s being sent by email, targeting those on dialysis. It mentions how those taking certain drugs may be entitled to compensation and suggests clicking on a link. This is a scam to gather your personal information. When you receive an email from someone you don’t know, never click on links and delete the email from your computer to avoid spyware or viruses.

Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank says four Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants totaling $3.2 million to build critical infrastructure, support workforce training programs, and facilitate disaster recovery efforts in Tennessee. According to grantee estimates, the projects will together create 786 jobs and attract $373 million in private investment.

“These $3.2 million in EDA investments in Tennessee are examples of the Obama administration’s commitment to efforts that support long-term economic growth,” said Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Blank. “The grants will help Tennessee build critical infrastructure, support natural disaster recovery, and provide training for American workers, all of which create jobs and boost the state’s economy.”

The investments announced include:

An EDA grant of $222,457 to the South Central Tennessee Development District to fund the creation of a long-term disaster recovery and redevelopment strategy for the 13-county region, including a comprehensive assessment of the impact of recent disasters on the regional economy.

The South Central Tennessee Development District is the counties of:

Bedford County

Coffee County

Franklin County

Giles County

Hickman County

Lawrence County

Lewis County

Lincoln County

Marshall County

Maury County

Moore County

Perry County

Wayne County