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Theft at Walmart in Winchester
The Winchester Police Department is requesting assistance in identifying two male suspects. Both suspects were allegedly involved in theft incidents that occurred at Wal Mart in Winchester. 
If you or someone you know can identify the suspect(s) please contact Detective Brian Wilder at the Winchester Police Department 931-967-3840 or Crimestoppers 931-962-INFO (4636).
Gas Prices Still Falling
Prices at the gas pump are off to their lowest start to the month of January since 2016. Gas prices in Tennessee dropped another 3.5 cents last week. The state average has now declined a total of 71 cents since October.
Tennessee motorists are now paying an average price of $1.98 per gallon-the lowest daily average since December 2016. Compared to last Memorial Day, when the state average peaked at $2.73 per gallon, Tennessee motorists are now saving more than $11 on a full 15-gallon tank of gasoline.
The national average price for gasoline is $2.24 per gallon.
The low price in Manchester as of Monday evening was $1.84 and in Tullahoma the low price per gallon was $1.83.
New Tennessee Law Creates Statewide Program to Identify Causes of Suicides
Tennessee State Capital
But legislative action has already begun to continue to raise awareness of the growing problem for the upcoming session. Representative Rick Staples has filed a resolution recognizing teen suicide as a “crisis” across the state.
The rate of people taking their own lives has increased every year for the past three, up to 1,163 in 2017.
Staples said the new 2019 law will help quantify the causes behind people taking their own lives.
He says raising awareness and reducing the stigma that surrounds mental health can make a huge difference for people of all ages.
You may recall in 2018, “The Suicide Prevention Act of 2018” authorized the Commissioner of Health to create the Tennessee suicide prevention program. This team appointed by the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health will further address the growing number of adult suicides in Tennessee.
The suicide prevention lifeline number is 1-800-273-TALK. You can also text the letters “TN” to 741741.
Coffee County Government meetings
MEETINGS THE WEEK OF JANUARY 7, 2019
Monday, January 7
4:30 p.m. – Beer Board
Caucus Meeting
5:00 p.m. – Rural Caucus at CCAP Conf. Rm #1
5:00 p.m. – Manchester Caucus at CCAP Conf. Rm #2
6:00 p.m. – Tullahoma Caucus at the Marcum Bldg.
Tuesday, January 8
4:00 p.m. – Industrial Board at CCAP Conf. Rm #1
6:00 p.m. – Full Commission Meeting
Thursday, January 10
4:30 p.m. – Law Enforcement
January 8 2019 Coffee County Commission meeting agenda
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
COFFEE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE PLAZA
January 8, 2019 @ 6:00 p.m.
A G E N D A
1.Sheriff Proclaims Commission Open for Business
2.Invocation
3.Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
4.Roll Call
5.Approve agenda.
6.Review and approval of the minutes of previous meeting.
7.Resolution of Memorial, Sympathy and Commendation
a.Resolution 2019-01 – Charles Elmer Wells (deceased)
b.Other
8.Elections, Appointments and Confirmations
a.Notaries
b.Purchasing
c.Beer Board
d.Audit Committee
e.Coroner
f.Rural Roads & Bridges
g.Veteran’s Service Officer
h.Board of Zoning Appeals
i.Consolidated Industrial Board
j.Emergency Management Agency Board
k.Public Building Authority
l.Planning Commission
m.Board of Health
n. Other
9.Unfinished Business
10.New Business
a. Resolution 2019-02 – Resolution to Support State Legislation Repealing the
provision that reduces the commission retained by the County Register of Deeds.
b.Budget Amendments
c.Proposed 2020 Fiscal Budget Calendar
d.Other
*Report of standing committee and action thereon by the commission.
*Report of special committees and action thereon by the commission.
11.Statements & Announcements
12.Public Comments
13.Adjournment
1/9/19 — James Walter Graham
Reverend James Walter “J.W.” Graham, aka “Jay”,
age
88, passed peacefully from this world on the morning of January 5, 2019 at
Bailey Manor Assisted Living Facility in Manchester, Tennessee. Born May
18, 1930 in Tracy City, Tennessee, to Homer and Renice Graham, he was the
third of eight children. Jay grew up with a love for gospel music and
strong Christian values passed down through generations. He loved to sing
and play the piano. He had a strong work ethic and in his early adult
life worked as a grocer, a coal miner, upholsterer, a shirt factory
cutting-room foreman, and furniture builder.
Throughout his life Jay was active in church as a self-taught pianist and
choir director. He played piano for his family’s quartet known first as
the
Spiritualairs and later as the Singing Victors. He also played for the
Cumberland Boys Quartet. He attended Motlow Community College and Athens
State College in his mid-forties, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree with
a major in religion. After completing divinity course work at Emory
University and Vanderbilt University, he was ordained as a Methodist
minister in 1985. He pastored several churches in the Middle Tennessee
area during his career including Pleasant Hill, Smith’s Chapel, Harris
Chapel, Turkey Creek, Pleasant Grove, Eagleville and Concord United
Methodist. He entertained and touched many lives through his musical
talent and ministry.
Jay is survived by his son Tony Graham (Debi), grandsons Jared Graham and
Chase Graham (Suzie), two great grandchildren, Mary-Michael and Jack
Graham, a
step-son, Arvis Williams (Robyn) and step-grandchildren Amanda and Nicholas
Williams. He is also survived by two sisters, Doris Hughes and Carol Gray,
two brothers, Homer Graham, Jr. and Larry Graham. He was “Uncle Jay” to
numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Delores Beard Graham, his parents,
Renice and Homer Graham, Sr., brother, Robert Craig Graham, two sisters,
Anna Lee Harris and Oma Ruth Ledford, and step-grandson, Christopher
Williams.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at Central Funeral
Home in Manchester, Tennessee at noon. The service will be officiated by
Brother Danny Coffelt. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 8 from 5:00 –
8:00 p.m. and Wednesday, 10:30 a.m – 12:00 noon. Entombment will be at
Sequatchie Memorial Gardens, Jasper, Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Avalon Hospice, 305 1/2 South
Jackson Street, Tullahoma, TN 37388.
www.centralfuneralhome.com
Central Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements
1/7/19 — Verna Sue Yates Green
Funeral services for Verna Sue Yates Green, age 76, Manchester, TN,
will be conducted at 12:00 P. M. on Monday, January, 7, 2019 at Coffee
County Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Forest Mill Cemetery. The
family will receive friends from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM, at the funeral
chapel on Sunday, January 6, 2019. Sue passed from life on Saturday,
January 5th, 2019 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.
Sue was born in Manchester to the late Norma and Vernon Yates. She was
a member of Blanton’s Chapel United Methodist Church and was very
active in her church. She also loved scrap booking and spending time
with her family and friends.
Sue is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Jerry Green,
Manchester, daughter Karen (Ken) Broadwell of Ooltewah, son Dale Green
(Tiffany Gray) of Manchester, grandchildren, Amanda Kilgore of
Ooltewah, Nicole Waggoner of Manchester Braxton Gray of Manchester and
great-grandchildren Emmalee and Jackson Kilgore of Ooltewah and Hunter
Horton of Manchester, brothers Gary (Faye) Yates of Huntsville, AL and
John (Lisa) Yates of Manchester and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Blanton’s
Chapel United Methodist Church.
Coffee County Funeral Chapel in charge of the arrangements
Court Date Delayed for Man Accused of Aggravated Sexual Battery against 12-year-old
Evans Baird jail intake photo.
The court date for a man accused of aggravated sexual battery against a 12-year-old was delayed last week. Thomas Evans Baird was set for a Jan. 3 court date, but his case was continued until Feb. 14 at 1 p.m.
The 79-year-old Baird was Westwood Junior High School’s band director for 30 years. He is the vice chairman of the Manchester Historical Zoning Society and is a member of the Manchester Steering Commission.
Baird, who was released from jail on a $10,000 bond, was ordered by Coffee County Judge Jere Ledsinger to stay away from people under the age of 18 and wear a GPS monitor as a part of his bond agreement.
According to a motion filed by the district attorney office, on December 9, 2018, Baird was found to be present at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Tullahoma where one of his alleged minor victims was present. Further, the State says that Baird knew or should have known that one or more of his victims would be present at the church as they are regular attendees. Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott says the man was confronted by church security. He refused to exit the sanctuary to speak with Tullahoma Police officers who had been called to deal with the situation. Tullahoma officers were forced to enter the sanctuary to confront Baird about being in the presence of children in the worship service.
In a separate incident on the same date (December 9, 2018), Baird allegedly attempted to contact one of the victims’ mothers, and she reported the incident to Manchester Police.
On December 17, Ledsinger ruled that attending church with minors in the audience was not a violation of his bond.
Man Charged with Murder in Winchester
James R Hill jail intake photo.
Hill, age 25 is also charged with one count of aggravated assault, one count of domestic violence and two counts of violation of a protective order.
Hill’s bond was set at $1 million and he is set to appear in Franklin County General Session Court on Jan. 31.
Two Suspects being Sought in Storage Building Burglary
The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying two individuals that were allegedly involved in a burglary at the Riley Creek Storage on December 23, 2018. If you recognize either of these two subjects, please contact Coffee County Sheriff’s Department Investigator James Sherrill at 931-570-4404.
No information has been released at this time about what items were taken in the burglary.
