Casey Barnes who is an inmate in the Coffee County Jail has gone missing. Barnes a male in his Mid-30’s has a thin build and brown hair. He left a a work detail near Butler Circle in Manchester on Wednesday.

If you know of the whereabouts of Barnes, or have seen him, contact the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department at 931-728-9555.

Tullahoma Police are investigating the theft of over $20,000 from the safe of the Cedar Lane Church of Christ. Officials with the church reported to Tullahoma officer Kevin Smith that thieves entered the church building and took $20,491 in cash and checks from the church safe. They also took a Black and Decker drill. Police also found windows broken out. Detective Ty Brazier is investigating the incident.

A Manchester teenager was injured in a single vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon on Highway 55 near Willowbrook Golf Course. According to Tennessee Highway Patrolman Duane Stevens, Tyler Clayborne, 19, of Manchester looked down at something in the floor, and when he looked up he saw brake lights of a turning vehicle.  He overcorrected and lost control. He then went into the median and overturned. Clayborne’s parents transported him to a Manchester area hospital for treatment.

Dr. Dan Lawson says he will leave as director of the Tullahoma City Schools. Lawson said in a letter that that he will not seek an extension to his contract when it comes to an end on June 30, 2013.
The letter was written to board chairman Pat Welsh.  Lawson wrote that he did not anticipate or expect a contract extension. He added he would be happy to step away and serve in a capacity more behind the scenes.   Lawson has served as the director for 15 years.

Last weekend’s collection of unused and outdated drugs is being considered a huge success. According to Tullahoma Police, 40 pounds of unwanted or outdated pills, prescription and non-prescription were collected during the drive that was held at Northgate Mall. The collection held at the Coffee County Sheriff’s department also received 55 pounds of pills. The federal drug enforcement agency will destroy the drugs.

The theft of new golf clubs was solved Tuesday when Sgt. Danny Ferrell and Investigator Billy Marcum of the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department recovered them in Murfreesboro. According to Sgt. Ferrell the clubs are valued at $1,000. The investigation into the theft is continuing, and an arrest is expected soon.

A 12-year-old Winchester girl sparked a frantic 12-hour search after she went missing Monday night. A relative saw her walking near her home Tuesday morning and took her home to her emotionally distraught parents.
The girl told police she was abducted shortly coming home from school. The girl told police she was picked up by two men, one got out of the car, grabbed her, threw her into the car, and hit the child lock. At that point she told police they took her to a motel. That’s where a rape supposedly happened.
The story was a lie. According to police, it was a cover to conceal where she really was during the night. Police say she admitted to spending the night at a motel with a 19-year-old man. She told police she was afraid she would be in trouble with her parents.
When police began to question the girl at the police department, they noticed quite a few inconsistencies in her story. When pressed further, the girl admitted she had made up the story to cover her whereabouts.
It was a costly lie for police and the girl. Seven police personnel were involved in the search and investigation, including three criminal investigators and two criminal investigators with the Department of Child Services.
Police say the girl faces felony charges. She will be charged with filing a false police report.
Police are still looking for the 19-year-old. When he is found, he faces felony charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The girl is now in the custody of her parents.

A Warren County woman is charged with TennCare fraud for selling prescription drugs paid for by the TennCare program.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Lillian Nichole Ward, 39, of McMinnville, after a joint investigation with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

Ward is charged with one count of TennCare fraud, one count of delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance, and one count of delivery of a Schedule III controlled substance. She is accused of obtaining TennCare benefits by means of fraud, and of twice selling portions of prescriptions for pain medications that were paid for by TennCare. The drugs involved were Hydrocodone and Oxycodone.

Delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance charge is a Class C felony, carrying a possible sentence of three to six years, while delivery of a Schedule III controlled substance is a Class D felony, punishable by two to four years in prison. TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $173 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures. To date, over 1,600 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to tn.gov/tnoig and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.

You’re invited to join the family of George Orr and Tullahoma Pride Foundation, Inc. members at the official dedication of a memorial tree to George C. Orr on Monday, May 7, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at History Park on South Atlantic Street.  Mr. Orr was Mayor of Tullahoma from 1982-1986.  After his recent death, Tullahoma Pride Foundation members wanted to acknowledge his service to Tullahoma with a lasting memorial.  They raised the funds to purchase a large Norway spruce that was planted by the City of Tullahoma at History Park on Atlantic Street by the caboose.