Carolyn Bell Jones

A woman accused of embezzling more than $60,000 from her employer entered a guilty plea in Coffee County Circuit Court last week. 60-year-old Carolyn Bell Jones of West Doak in Manchester pled from taking the money from Vickers Concrete Reinforcing, Inc. between 2004 and 2011 while she was working as the company’s bookkeeper. She was sentenced to ten years in prison but will be required to serve 365 days in the Coffee County Jail and will remain on probation for 15 years. Jones will also be required to pay $238,000 in restitution to her employer. The TBI investigated the theft. Assistant District Attorney Marla Holloway prosecuted the case and Campbell Smoot represented Jones.

Alex Jacob Dalton

An 18-year-old Manchester man is free on a $39,500 bond after his arrest Friday. Alex Jacob Dalton of Madison Street was arrested after police were called to the Ambassador Inn in Manchester to investigate burglaries involving two vehicles. According to a report by Manchester Police officer Fed Lee, Dalton ran but was caught, and officers found him to be in possession of burglary tools.

General Manager Robert North

Coffee County sheriff’s investigators are still waiting on results of an autopsy of local car dealer Mike Thompson. The 45 year-old Thompson died May 6 in a swimming accident at a home in Coffee County. Apparently Thompson dove into a pool at his residence on Fairview School Road and did not come back up. Meanwhile officials with the business say that they will continue to operate the Ford dealership on Highway 55. Robert North is the General Manager; Thompson’s mother, Brenda Mehring, will be involved in the dealership.

A key figure in the Tennessee Walking Horse scandal aimed at trainers involved in “horse soring” is set to plead guilty in Chattanooga today.
Jackie McConnell is due to appear before Federal Magistrate Court Judge Bill Carter.
According to papers filed in Federal Court, he will plead guilty to one count and all other charges will be dismissed. A 52-count indictment had been issued against him, Jeff Dockery, John Mays and Joseph R. Abernathy. Abernathy and Mays are also set to appear in court today.

The annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be held Monday, May 28th, at 11 AM on the Square in downtown Manchester.
The event pays deserving respect to those who have given their all for the liberties and freedoms we hold dear. Scheduled speakers are State Representative Judd Matheny, representatives from Coffee County, the City of Manchester, Arnold Engineering Development Center, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
This will be a brief but educational and enlightening ceremony. The public is encouraged to attend. Bring your friends, family, children and neighbors. Seating is limited so arrive early, as these ceremonies are almost always standing-room only.
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Coffee County Veterans Building at 130 Shelton Road in Manchester.