Investigators involved in the investigation of the murder of Tullahoma resident Megan Sharpton conducted a search Monday morning of a residence on Hwy 55.
Investigators would not say what they were looking for, but they were in the residence a couple of hours conducting their search. Before entering the residence, officers read a search warrant to two occupants of the house. Monday’s search followed a search last Friday by cadaver dogs in the area where the young nursing student’s burning body was found off of Awalt Road in northern Franklin County on July 2nd. When asked if the two cadaver dogs found anything that might be useful in their investigation, Franklin County investigators would only say that the dogs uncovered some “very interesting” evidence in the case. The dogs spent a couple of hours going over the area where the body was found. The investigators would only say that they found interesting evidence.

Health care experts say Tennessee’s nursing job market has grown more competitive in recent years. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that the state has added more than 10,000 registered nurses in the last half-decade.
According to the Tennessee Board of Nursing, there were more than 83,000 registered nurses in the state in 2011, and 21 new schools were added between 2000 and 2011. In the Chattanooga area alone, there are four nursing schools, and local hospitals say they have little trouble filling empty nursing spots.
Experts say one factor contributing to the more competitive market is the tough economy, which has prompted many nurses to decide against retirement.
Others have come back into the workforce or are working more hours.

U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais has rejected his Democratic opponent’s call to debate three times over the next month in the 4th Congressional District race.
Last week, Democratic State Sen. Eric Stewart of Belvedere challenged DesJarlais to a trio of debates and asked for a response by today.
DesJarlais emailed Stewart’s campaign Sunday, beating Stewart’s deadline with an unfriendly response. Stewart issued a news release this afternoon, saying he’s “shocked but not surprised” at DesJarlais’ decision.
Franklin County is in the 4th district, Coffee County moved to the 6th.

Tullahoma’s new aldermen were sworn into office Monday night. Sandy Lindeman and Jimmy Blanks were administered the oath of office to serve the city. They take their place to begin serving the citizens of Tullahoma. Also honored were Board of Education newcomer Kim Uselton and returning Chairman Pat Welsh and board member Vickie Shelton. Also at last night’s meeting was Miss Tennessee Chandler Lawson.

Area investigators are continuing to investigate a number of home burglaries in the area. Police urge everyone to be on the lookout for their neighbors, as there have been several burglaries in the area. County investigators and Manchester Police investigators have continued to investigate several burglaries.
Police ask that any time you see something suspicious in the neighborhood to contact the communication center.

Coffee County Juvenile Judge Tim Brock was named recently to the Executive board of the Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. The election came during the group’s meeting recently. Judge Brock will serve on the executive board for a two-year period.

Dove season is coming up, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency looking for land to lease. The standard leased field is one where grain has been harvested. TWRA will pay $75 per acre, up to 40 acres for a maximum of $3,000. Fields must be available for a minimum of three priority hunt dates next month. The fields will be leased by Sept. 1. Landowners who are interested can reach the TWRA at their website.

Middle Tennessee State University has entered into a historic educational partnership with the Army and Marines studying how unmanned aircraft and military robots can work together in order to save lives.
MTSU Aerospace Pro-Pilot student Steve Lawn taught himself how to operate the military robot on loan from the Robotic Systems Joint Project office, which has a satellite office at Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, AL.
Lawn and other MTSU Aerospace students are helping to advance cutting-edge technology by researching how robots on the ground can be used in tandem with unmanned aircrafts in the air.
This is the second partnership MTSU has signed with military officials. Last year the university entered an agreement that would support educational and research efforts of the Army’s Raven unmanned aircraft.