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Update–Questionable Activity Found at Coffee County 911 District
Coffee County 911 Center.. Photo provided.
An investigation has determined the district made a payment of $15,000 to former director Steve DeFord for services he provided related to the district’s new building. The Board approved this questionable payment, which was above the director’s normal salary, ten months after the completion of the building project, and two months after the director announced his retirement.
The $15,000 payment was processed through the district’s bank account with no payroll deductions withheld.
Comptroller investigators also identified multiple payments totaling $3,400 to three employees’ relatives. These payments appear to be in conflict with the county’s nepotism policy.
Additionally, investigators have questioned food purchases totaling $891.76. Some of these purchases were not adequately supported with itemized receipts. The regular and general purchase of food without proper documentation could lead to fraud and abuse.
Finally, the district did not always follow its adopted bylaws and the county’s travel policy. Hotel room charges exceeded the allowable rate and travel claims were not submitted within a reasonable time. Comptroller investigators also recommend the district should not pay travel-related expenses in advance unless extraordinary circumstances exist.
Comptroller investigators have reviewed their findings and recommendations with the district attorney general for the Fourteenth Judicial District.
If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at (800) 232-5454, or file a report online at www.comptroller.tn.gov/hotline.
911 Board Chairman Joe Hench says he will update the board on these findings during the their meeting later this month. A statement will be released sometime after that meeting.
Items Stolen from Home Under Construction near Winchester
On Friday, (September 28th, 2018) Franklin County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded to 3105 Gourdneck Rd. NW in reference to a theft from a home under construction.
Upon arrival, contact was made with workers, who advised this was the 3rd time in approximately 6 months a theft had occurred at the residence. It is believed the most recent theft occurred between Thursday, September 27th at approximately 6:25 pm and Friday, September 28th at approximately 7:45 am.
After speaking to the construction owner and the homeowner, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigators were able to compile a list of the items stolen in the latest theft. The total value of the stolen items is approximately $5,000.
If anyone has any knowledge of this incident or the location of any of the below-listed items, please contact Investigator George Dyer at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 931-962-0123 or 931-308-9420.
The stolen items are as follows:
1. Handle Freestanding Floor Mount Roman Tub Faucet Bathtub
2. Kids Crystal Drum Chandelier Hardwire
3. White Single Sink Vanity
4. Wagner Control Spray 250 Handheld Paint Sprayer
5. Wall Mount Stainless Steel Range Hood/Black Push Button Baffle Filters Stove
6. Project Source Toilet
7. Framing Guns- Coil Nailers (Senco)
8. Trim Guns (Senco)
9. Air Hoses (Green in color)
10. Extension Cords (1 orange, 1 yellow with black stripes)
11. 7 ¼” Skill Saw (Rigid)
12, Roofing Coil Nailers (Senco)
13. Trim Staplers (Senco)
14. 2 Reciprocating Saws (Makita)
15. Kobalt Impact Wrench
16. Makita Skill Saw
17. Vinyl Siding Nailer
18. Makita Hammer Drill
19. Hitachi Hammer Drill
20. 2 Dewalt Impact Drivers
21. Metal Shears
22. Black and Decker Drill
23. Black and Decker Grinder
24. Diamond Tile Blade for Grinder
Two People Arrested after Car is Stolen from Church in Franklin County
Recently, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded to 6370 Chestnut Ridge Rd. (Union Grove Baptist Church) in reference to a vehicle burglary.
A report filed by Deputy Troy Parsons stated that Sunday, September 16th at approximately 11:46 am one unidentified male and one unidentified female gained access to the vehicle parked at Union Grove Baptist Church. Allegedly the thieves broke the rear passenger side window to get inside.
On Saturday, September 29th Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Investigators were able to locate the vehicle when the two suspects were driving near Adventure Mountain in Winchester, TN. Investigators were able to initiate a traffic stop and place the two suspects in custody. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a small amount of what is believed to be marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The two suspects had also apparently removed the victim’s purse and other items including checks and a cell phone.
The suspects are Cristina Lynn Boatwright, and Reza H. Sotoodeh, both of Winchester, TN. Sotoodeh was also found to have outstanding warrants in the state of California for Obstructing Police Officers and Failure to Appear. The suspects were transported to the Franklin County Jail where Boatwright was charged with Burglary, Possession of Schedule VI with Intent and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Sotoodeh was charged with Burglary, Possession of Schedule VI with Intent and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia as well as Fugitive from Justice. At last report, both suspects are currently being held under a $25,000 bond and have a court date set for Monday, December 3rd, 2018 in Franklin County General Sessions Court.
Thursday Night Sports Doubleheader on Thunder Radio
The Lady Raider volleyball team will square off against Columbia on Thursday in the District 8AAA semifinals at Shelbyville Central High School. A win there would advance the Lady Raiders to their 6th straight district finals. The district final is scheduled for 7:30 on Thursday at Shelbyville against the winner of the 5 PM game. Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you the broadcast of the district tournament semifinal match as part of the First National Bank Hometown Sports Series.
Following the volleyball semifinal, Thunder Radio will bring you Nashville Predators hockey as part of the Fifth Third Bank/Nashville Predators Radio Network. Predators radio broadcasts are brought to you locally by the law offices of Burch and Lockhart.
If the Lady Raiders advance to the district tournament finals, Thunder Radio’s coverage of the volleyball final will be available on the Thunder Radio App and streaming at WMSRradio.com.
Elementary Basketball League Schedule Released
Coffee County’s Elementary Basketball League is set to begin its 46th season later this month. The 8 team league, originally contested among Coffee County School System teams began in 1972 with 6 teams. With the addition of the Manchester City School System elementary teams, the league features 8 boys’ teams and 7 girls’ team representing the 8 schools. The league is hosted by the Coffee County Central High School basketball teams and games are played at the Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym. This year’s games begin on Saturday, October 13th at 9 AM. The regular season will end on December 1st. This year’s postseason will be completed prior to Christmas as the championship games are scheduled for December 15th.
Titans QB Marcus Mariota Named AFC Offensive Player of the Week
Marcus Mariota [Photo by Getty Images]
It’s the fourth Player of the Week award for Mariota in his career, tying Steve McNair for the second-most by a quarterback in franchise history behind Hall of Famer Warren Moon (6).
With the Titans trailing in overtime against the defending Super Bowl champs, Mariota engineered a game-winning drive that was capped off with a 10-yard touchdown pass to receiver Corey Davis on the final play of the game in a 26-23 overtime win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mariota completed 30-of-43 passes for 344 yards and two touchdowns in the game, and he ran for 46 more yards, including a two-yard touchdown run. Mariota’s touchdown pass to Davis came on third down, with just five seconds left.
Mariota engineered a 16-play, 75-yard drive in 6:14 in overtime, and he found Davis on a third-and-goal play from the 10. The Titans converted three fourth downs on the drive, as Mariota and the Titans didn’t flinch.
“It is hard to describe,” Mariota said after the game. “I don’t think there is a feeling in the world similar to it. … Countless guys made big plays today, and that’s why we were able to win.”
It was the 11th game-winning drive of Mariota’s career.
The 390 combined yards for Mariota topped his previous career high of 380 yards (268 passing, 112 rushing) against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 6, 2015.
In addition to the touchdown pass to Davis, Mariota also threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to receiver Tajaé Sharpe in his sixth career 300-yard game. His passing yardage total against the Eagles ranked third in his career, while his completion total topped his previous career high of 28 completions at New Orleans on Nov. 8, 2015.
Mariota didn’t throw an incomplete pass in the third or fourth quarter, and his string of 15 consecutive completions was broken in overtime. In the second half and overtime combined, he was 19-of-25 passing for 198 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 125.1.
In the contest, Mariota went past the 10,000-yard passing mark (10,023) and the 1,000-yard rushing mark (1,025) in the game. He joined Warren Moon (33,685 passing yards and 1,541 rushing yards) and Steve McNair (27,141 passing and 3,439 rushing) as the only players in franchise history to accomplish the feat.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel said Mariota’s play against the Eagles was “phenomenal.”
“I’m just proud of him to execute in the most critical situation in the game,” Vrabel said.
Mariota credited the “Aloha Spirit” for his poise.
“I probably have to credit where I come from,” Mariota explained. “Back home in Hawaii, there are so many ups and downs, you just kind of go with it. They call it the ‘Aloha Spirit’, and I think that is something that has been a part of me since I was a kid, and it’s why in certain situations I handle it that way.”
The Titans face the Bills on Sunday in Buffalo. You will be able to hear that broadcast here on Thunder Radio as we celebrate our 20th year as a member of the Titans Radio Network. Live coverage will begin at Noon.
St. Thomas Health being Sued by Former Employee
A former employee of an area hospital is suing his former employer. The suit says that St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital forced him to take a flu shot even though it contradicted the worker’s religious beliefs.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the lawsuit September 28, 2018.
WTVF-TV reports that the suit claims St. Thomas Health (STH) required all workers at the hospital to have an annual flu shot, including employees of TouchPoint Support Services, which provides food and environmental services at the hospital.
The lawsuit says that STH allowed a TouchPoint employee, because of his religious beliefs, to wear a protective mask instead of having a flu shot in 2013 and 2014. When this employee asked again in 2015 not to have a flu shot, the request was denied. When this employee refused to take a flu shot, he was told he could no longer work at the hospital.
The EEOC argues in the suit that STH’s actions violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Coffee County Volleyball and Soccer to Begin District Tournament
With the regular season ended for the volleyball and soccer teams at Coffee County Central High School, first round pairings for the upcoming District 8AAA tournaments have been announced. The Lady Raider volleyball team opens district tournament play on Thursday night at Shelbyville. The Lady Raider soccer team will open play on Tuesday also in Shelbyville.
The Lady Raider soccer team will open against the Eaglettes of Shelbyville on Tuesday night. That match will get underway at 6:30 PM on the Eaglettes home pitch. A win on Tuesday would advance Coffee County to Thursday night’s semifinals.
The Lady Raider volleyball team will square off against Columbia on Thursday in the District 8AAA semifinals. A win there would advance the Lady Raiders to their 6th straight district finals. The district final is scheduled for 7:30 on Thursday against the winner of the 5 PM game. Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you the broadcast of district tournament action as part of the First National Bank Hometown Sports Series broadcast.
Preds Acquire Forward Nick Baptiste from Buffalo
Nick Baptiste[Photo courtesy of NHL.com]
Baptiste, 23 (8/4/95), split the 2017-18 season between the Sabres and the American Hockey League’s Rochester Americans. He had four goals and six points in 33 games with the Sabres – his second NHL season – and an additional 18 points (7g-11a) in 36 contests with the Americans. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound right wing has suited up in 47 NHL games and has posted 10 points (7g-3a) since making his League debut on Oct. 18, 2016. In 157 career AHL games – all with Rochester – Baptiste has tallied 45 goals and 87 points, including a career-best 41 (25g-16a) in 2015-16.
Originally drafted in the third round (69th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Sabres, Baptiste played four seasons of junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League, appearing in 248 contests with Sudbury and Erie. He led Sudbury in scoring in 2013-14 with 89 points (45g-44a) and captained the team the next season until he was traded to Erie where he helped the Otters to the OHL Final. The Ottawa, Ont., native won a gold medal with Canada at the 2013 IIHF U-18 World Championship, recording eight points (3g-5a) in seven games.
The Nashville Predators games can be heard on Thunder Radio as part of the Fifth Third Bank/Nashville Predators Radio Network. Predators radio broadcasts are brought to you locally by the law offices of Burch and Lockhart.
Pete Weber’s Predators Report
Lady Bucks Soccer Remains Unbeaten in Conference Play
The Motlow State Community College women’s soccer team took another step towards the first TCCAA/Region VII regular season championship with a dominating 5-0 victory over Dyersburg State Saturday in Dyersburg.
Motlow (3-0, 7-2-2) has now won four consecutive games and has not lost in its previous seven contests. The Lady Bucks host a rematch with Dyersburg State Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. at Smyrna High School, then welcome non-conference opponent Gordon State Monday at 4 p.m. at Shelbyville Central High School.
The TCCAA/Region VII Tournament will be held Oct. 26-27 at St. Benedict High School in Memphis. The tournament winner will advance to the NJCAA Central District tournament, scheduled for Nov. 1-2 at the home field of the Region 24 champion.
Sophomore Tyler Feaster got the scoring started for the Lady Bucks as they built a 3-0 halftime lead against Dyersburg. Feaster scored at the 12-minute mark on an assist from Keely Smith, assisted Emily Vallejo on a goal two minutes later, and then scored her second goal at the 18-minute mark. Paige Loveless assisted on both second half goals, including one by Smith with two minutes remaining.
Motlow was dominant in all phases of the contest, out-shooting the Lady Eagles 21-6 and holding an 11-0 edge in corner kicks. Emily Bryant and Ashley Woods split time as goal keeper, with each playing a half and only needing to make one save apiece thanks to Motlow’s smothering defense.
Vallejo, a freshman from Nashville, is currently second in the TCCAA with seven goals and 16 points on the season, while Feaster is third in both with six and 15 respectively. Motlow’s April Gillespie leads the league with six assists, and Woods is the top goal keeper with a 0.96 goals-against average and a .857 save percentage.
As a team the Lady Bucks are dominating the conference statistics. Motlow has 33 goals with the next closest at 19, 95 points with the runner up at 52, and the Lady Bucks have outscored their conference opponents 10-1 in their three TCCAA wins.