Family and friends gathered to say goodbye to 39 members of the 1175 Transportation Company of the Tennessee National Guard Saturday. The guardsmen traveled to Camp Shelby, Miss. They will then undergo training and will then travel to Bahrain, which is located near the western shores of the Persian Gulf comprised of 33 small islands west of Saudi Arabia for nine months. The 39 soldiers are from three detachments, Tullahoma, Brownsville and Jacksboro. For many of the soldiers this will be their second or third deployment to the Middle East. Among those in attendance at the new National Guard Armory on Highway 55 was Brig. General Terry Ethridge, who is joint chief of staff of the Tennessee National Guard. Mayor Lane Curlee wished the guardsmen the best of luck. The guardsmen gathered in an area at the rear of the armory with their family and loved ones to say goodbye. Second Lt. Jessica Vallely, who will lead the 39 soldiers while in Bahrain, gave them their orders and then dismissed them to board a waiting bus. The bus left the armory led by a patrol car from the Tullahoma Police Department, along with Fire Chief Richard Shasteen and Mayor Lane Curlee.

K-9 works the area where body was found

Franklin County Sheriff’s Investigators who are investigating the murder of Tullahoma resident Megan Sharpton say they found what they call interesting evidence Friday in the case. The find came after cadaver dogs searched the area where the young nursing student’s partially burned body was found on July 2nd. Investigators would not say what the dogs found, only that it was interesting. The investigators have been following up on leads in the case since the murder and have received numerous comments from the public. The family is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of the persons involved in the murder of the 24-year-old nursing student.

Raynita Aud being loaded to chopper... Photo by Barry West

Emergency personnel transported Raynita Aud, age 64 of Carmi, Illinois, to a waiting LifeFlight helicopter Saturday around noon on I-24 and flown to Vanderbilt. According to Tennessee Highway Patrolman Carl Seagroves, the woman was a passenger in a Toyota operated by her husband David Aud, 68, who told the trooper he fell asleep. The vehicle left the roadway into the median, hit the guardrail and flipped, and then came to rest on all four wheels. David Aud was transported to a Manchester hospital. Sergio Lopez, 10, their grandson, was not injured in the crash.

Police on the scene of I-24 crash... By Barry West

No one was injured Saturday when a car left Power’s Bridge Road and struck a house. According to a report by Tennessee State Trooper Carl Seagroves, 23-year-old Timothy Joseph Jones failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway and struck two vehicles which both hit the house of Charles and Mary Burt. No one was injured but the house suffered damage. Trooper Ronnie Swafford assisted Trooper Seagroves along with deputies of the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department.

Paul Blackwell

The owners of three major parking lots have complained that their property is being abused by motorists gathering after hours and leaving the property in a mess. The Tullahoma Board of Aldermen is getting ready to do something about it. Police Chief Paul Blackwell said complaints have been received about trash and alcoholic beverage bottles being left in the Food Lion’s parking lot, the Tullahoma High School parking and Northgate Mall parking. The chief is recommending the city consider revising its parking ordinance to correct the problem. The issue will be discussed during the board’s study session tonight. Blackwell said the current ordinance allows gathering an hour before and after businesses close. The proposed ordinance would allow police to cite violators for loitering which carries a $165 penalty, included a $50 fine and $115 in court costs.

Great classics on display... By Barry West

Beautiful cars and trucks... Photo by Barry West

On Saturday the City of Manchester held its final Cruise-In Downtown Style. City leaders have announced that the monthly event would end with the August event. No word if the cruise-in’s will be held in the future.

Great weather with temperatures in the 80’s brought several cars, trucks and visitors to the downtown square.