William Campbell

Hannah Fryman

Josh Cox

Rachel Irving

Four runaway juveniles from Manchester were taken into custody around 2pm Tuesday afternoon. The four teenagers allegedly ran away from Coffee County High School on Monday when they were seen entering a cornfield. Coffee County Rescue Squad and Coffee County tracking dog, Deputy Griff, entered the field just before dark Monday and then searched. The teens were identified as William Campbell, Josh Cox, Hannah Fryman and Rachel Irving. They were spotted in the Pelham area Tuesday morning by a couple of individuals. Deputies were notified and converged on the area. After leading law enforcement in Coffee and Franklin Counties around the area of Pelham and Roarks Cove area of Franklin County, they ended up on Dean’s Shop Road in Franklin County and then back into Coffee County where they were taken into custody. They were transported to the Coffee County Jail.

Thomas “Tommy” Allen... Photo from the Tullahoma News

Graphic testimony was presented during a preliminary hearing for Thomas “Tommy” Allen who is accused of murdering Meagan McGuinn March 8, 2012, at her Harton Boulevard apartment in Tullahoma. Tullahoma Investigator Ty Brazier testified in Coffee County General Sessions Court that an autopsy of McGuinn revealed she was stabbed in the head, neck, jugular, trachea, liver, lungs, 5 to the legs and hands. The cause of death was listed as sharp force trauma. After listening to the testimony, General Sessions Court Judge Jere Ledsinger bound the case to the October term of the grand jury. After the hearing, Allen was returned to a cell in the Warren County Jail where he is being held for safety reasons.

Emergency crews working the scene... By Barry West

Truck receives heavy damage... By Barry West

Just after 6:00pm Monday afternoon, a red Toyota pickup was traveling south on Murfreesboro Hwy. The Manchester man attempted a left turn into Hill Top Gas Station and lost control jumping the curb. The small pickup became wedged on the curb and a light pole. The driver and the passenger were checked out by EMS and both refused to be transported. Manchester PD worked the scene.

It’s not exactly the news people want to hear days before a holiday weekend, but gas prices have gone up. In Tullahoma the average price per gallon of gasoline yesterday was $3.49 a gallon, while in Manchester it is $3.50….But that’s 23 cents lower than the national average, with is sitting at $3.73 per gallon. With soon-to-be hurricane Issac heading towards the coast, prices could even spike even higher in the coming days. In anticipation of the storm, oil companies are evacuating their rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Experts’ estimate 75 percent to 90 percent of gulf oil production could be shut down.

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a fire that damaged a vacant house located on General Lee Drive in Lakewood Park in the northern section of Coffee County Sunday night. According to sheriff’s Fire Investigator Jeff McCullough, the fire appeared to have started in the living room and was basically confined to the room. The rest of the house suffered smoke damage. The investigator stated that the fire was of a suspicious nature.

Beginning on September 1, anyone claiming unemployment benefits will have to show that they are actively looking for work, including keeping a work search log.
According to a news release from the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development, claimants will be required to conduct three work searches each week. Labor and Workforce Development officials will conduct random audits of 1,000 claimants’ work search documentation each week to verify work search activity. If work search claims are found to be fraudulent, the department will stop a claimant’s benefits immediately and can suspend payments for eight weeks. Notices will be mailed next week about the new requirements.

Funeral procession passes the fire hall where Ballard worked... By Barry West

Longtime Manchester fireman Rod Ballard, who was serving as assistant fire chief, was laid to rest yesterday afternoon in the Manchester City Cemetery. Ballard, who passed away on Friday, became a full-time member of the Manchester Fire Department in 1981. Ballard, 67, was battling stag-four lung cancer. Firemen came from many different cities to honor the dedicated firefighter. Citizens of Manchester lined Hillsboro Boulevard to pay tribute to Ballard as the funeral procession passed by.

Tullahoma firemen help out in funeral... By Barry West