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Fire Damages Manchester Home

Fire scene photo by Barry West

Manchester Fire and Rescue responded to a call of a structural fire at 115 Rigney Road early Wednesday night. When fire crews arrived, the back side of the mobile home was heavily involved in fire. Crews made an aggressive attack on the fire, but were met with high heat and fire. Two animals lost their lives in the fire.

Fire crews on the scene of Wednesday night’s fire… Photo provided.


Fire Chief George Chambers said firemen did an excellent job in combating the fire. He also thanked the Manchester Police Department, Coffee County EMS and Coffee County 911 Center for their assistance.

Three Coffee Countians Named to State Boards

Gov. Bill Haslam

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam earlier this week announced the appointments of 217 Tennesseans to 93 boards and commissions. Three people from Coffee County have been appointed to serve. Coffee County Commissioner and Alternative School Principal Major Shelton of Manchester has been appointed to the Advisory Council for Alternative Education; Christine Hopkins of Tullahoma will serve on the State Workforce Development Board and Tullahoma Mayor Lane Curlee has been appointed to the Tennessee Duck River Development Agency.
Haslam said, “By serving on our state boards and commissions, these Tennesseans are helping us provide responsive, effective and efficient service to their fellow citizens,” Haslam said. “I am grateful for their service and know they will well represent the people of Tennessee.”
Appointment terms are varied due to differing statutory requirements or term limits determined by specific qualifications.

National Socialist Movement events still Planned for Oct 28

Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland… Photo from WGNS.

In a press release from the National Socialist Movement, the Detroit, Michigan-based group stated that the organization’s winter “street action” event will be on October 28th in Murfreesboro as well as Shelbyville.
The release went on to say they’ll be joined by other member organizations of the Nationalist Front, including League of the South and the Traditionalist Workers Party.
Reports indicate the group does not have to have a permit from Murfreesboro to voice their freedom of speech. Constitutionally speaking, the group cannot be banned from meeting on the Murfreesboro square.
However, a group known as The League of the South, based in Alabama, did apply for a permit to hold an assembly on the square. The application was filed by Robert Baker, but not approved by the City of Murfreesboro, as of October 19th.
Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland had this to say at a recent city council meeting.
Some local law enforcement officers will be assisting with the event planned in Shelbyville.(Thanks to WGNS Radio)

TWRA Offering New Phone App

Nearly a quarter-million users of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s ‘On The Go 2.0’ smartphone app, finding a place in Tennessee to hunt, fish, boat, and view wildlife has become easier than ever.
The upgrade is easier to navigate. Users can buy a license, check big game while in the field, view interactive maps, apply for quota hunts, and visit the TWRA website. One new feature includes a “Stay Connected Page.” It provides easy access to TWRA’s social media, Tennessee WildCast podcast, newsroom, outdoors and event calendar, and more.
Smartphone users should visit TWRA’s website to install the app. If the current version is already installed, Apple users can easily upgrade via their app, while Android users will need to uninstall their current app before uploading the new one.
Hunters will have the opportunity to report big game harvests while in the field. There is also an interactive map to find TWRA wildlife management areas (WMAs), physical check station locations, and duck blind locations.
Another special feature is the “Hunter’s Backpack” where hunter education courses, a summary of hunting seasons, and full versions of the agency hunting guides are available.
For anglers, “Fisherman’s Tacklebox” includes, fish identification, interactive maps to find a boat ramp and fish access information, trout stocking locations, trout stocking schedules and more.
On the app’s boating page, the “Boating Locker” includes boat regulations, safety checklists, boating education information, navigational aids, and recommended boating equipment.
For wildlife watchers, there is information about where to view watchable wildlife across the state.

Tennessee House Democrats Calling for Multi-Year Moratorium on TNReady Scores

Prominent Tennessee House Democrats are calling for a multi-year moratorium on holding students and teachers accountable on the state’s education test.
The call for a 3-year stay on accountability comes after another round of TNReady issues, the state’s standardized assessment. This is the second year in a row that Tennessee House Democrats have called for such a moratorium.
Last week, the state’s education department announced about 9,400 TNReady tests in high school grades were scored incorrectly. Legislative hearings have been called due to the problems.
A spokeswoman said the thousands of tests incorrectly graded represent a small portion of the 1.9 million tests taken during the 2016-17 school year.
Rep. Mike Stewart said taxpayers deserve money back from Questar Assessment after this year’s issues. Rep. Rick Staples added the state needs to get the test right for the future of the state’s children.
And while all questioned the job of Tennessee Education Commissioner Candice McQueen, the group stopped short of calling for her job.

10/19/17 — Birthdays

Birthdays:
Greenlee Woods, 12

Ken Brown, 48

Brandon Lowrey

Janine Daniel, 55

Tom Watson

Tom Watkins, 66

10/20/17–Coy A. Noblitt

Visitation services for Mr. Coy A. Noblitt, age 88 of Manchester, will be conducted on Thursday, October 19, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. for friends. Funeral services will start at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 20, 2017 at Central Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Manchester City Cemetery. Mr. Noblitt passed away Thursday, October 17, 2017 at Unity Medical Center.
Mr. Noblitt was born in Shelbyville, Tennessee to the late Coy and Louise Cobb Noblitt. He enjoyed working as a Security guard at Arnold Air Force Base. He was a member of Main Street Church of Christ. Mr. Noblitt dedicated his life serving his community. He was a member of the Manchester Lions Club, Manchester Rotary, Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Tennessee Army National Guard, Tullahoma Masonic Lodge (262), 32nd Degree Scottish Rite, York Rite and Shrinners. In addition, he served two terms as the Mayor of Manchester and one term as Alderman.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, June Noblitt Petty and son, James Paul Noblitt. Survived by his loving wife Jewell Cooper Noblitt; son, Gary A. Trail (Sharon); granddaughter,Tonya R. Trail; special friends, Doug and Linda Bryan, Carl and Carol Russell, Lonnie Norman, and Amie, Layla, Lynlie Green.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations go to Manchester Lions Club or Diabetic Awareness.

10/18/17 — Birthdays

Birthdays:
Cliff “Fuzzy” Roberts, 62 — Pizza Winner!

Anniversaries:
Randy & Donna Harrell, 32

Sean & Ashley Osmundsen

Manchester Man Facing Serious Charges

Pernell James Rollins… Photo from the CCSD.

Pernell James Rollins age 31 of Murfreesboro Hwy in Manchester was arrested earlier this week by Manchester Police for theft of property, unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon, 2 counts of aggravated assault and aggravated burglary.
According to arrest warrants, on Sunday (October 15, 2017) Rollins allegedly forced his way into a home on Evins St in Manchester. The warrant states that when Rollins entered the home he asked to use the phone. The female in the home handed him a phone and apparently turned away from the woman and then allegedly turned back around pointing a pistol at the victim.
The warrant goes on to say that the lady fell down and Rollins allegedly put the gun to female’s head and said he was going to kill her son. The son of the woman apparently left the scene. Her other son entered the room and allegedly Rollins pointed the pistol at the male victim.
The Mother apparently pleaded with the man to not to shoot her son. Rollins left the home after allegedly taking the phone from the home. The warrant states the woman gave a positive identification of the man.
Manchester Police Investigator Jonathan Anthony arrested Rollins the next day and he booked in at the Coffee County Jail under a bond of $252,500 and his first court date was set for October 26, 2017.

Charged Grundy Co. Students will go on Homebound after Suspension

Grundy County School Board attorney Chuck Cagle told the media on Thursday that Grundy County Director of Schools Jessie Kinsey and a judge have agreed on guidelines for the homebound education for the five students charged with attempted aggravated rape of a fellow student are currently suspended from school. They will be suspended for 10 days after they return from fall break on Monday. After the suspension, the students will receive a “homebound” education while on house arrest.
The five students are on house arrest with GPS monitors and will appear in court again on November 15, 2017.