Josh Peterson

John Michael Poss, a 33 year old white male who was on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list for First Degree murder out of Cumberland County, has been captured in Warren County, according to authorities.

TBI announced on Monday that Poss had been captured in Warren County and thanked law enforcement partners from the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, 12th Judicial Drug Task Force, Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department, the Nashville US Marshals, Chattanooga US Marshals and McMinnville Police Department.

The Manchester VFW post 10904 has announced it has scheduled Vietnam-Era Veterans Honors events for May 13 and 15.

On May 13 at 6 p.m. there will be a veterans and family honors dinner at 6 p.m. at the Coffee County Veterans Building at 130 Shelton Rd. in Manchester. This is a free event with special guest speaker Captain William Robinson with the US Air Force. You need to register for this event by contacting Kimberly King at 251-554-8836 or by emailing flygal46@yahoo.com. This is limited to the first 100 registrants.

On May 15 at the Coffee County Fairgounds will be a Vietnam-Era Veterans Honors day and Fair. This event will include food vendors and entertainment. This event is open to the public with free entry and free parking. Learn more at www.vfwpost10904.com

Last week, the Tennessee Department of Education announced the 18 schools selected to participate in the first cohort of the Teaching All Students (TAS) Initiative to serve students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Through a five-year, $5.5 million State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG), the first cohort of this initiative will strengthen instructional practices in schools across the state to better support students with significant cognitive disabilities.

The TAS Initiative will fund training, coaching, and tools to help high school teachers and staff build an accessible learning environment for all students, with the goals of reducing the achievement gap and increasing the graduation rate and enrollment in postsecondary education through inclusive higher education, technical colleges, community colleges and competitive integrated employment for students with complex needs.

“Through this grant, the department is able to launch the Teaching All Students Initiative to provide an opportunity for schools across the state to focus on supports for our students with complex needs to help them reach their fullest potential,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “All students deserve access to a high-quality education and this grant provides highly-requested technical assistance to support our teachers as they provide instruction to students with disabilities.”

From across the state, high school teams, composed of a school administrator, general education teacher, special education teacher, and district special education director submitted applications for the opportunity to participate in TAS trainings, coaching, and technical assistance.

The following schools were selected to participate in the TAS Initiative:
• Cascade High School, Bedford County Schools
• East Hamilton High School, Hamilton County Schools
• Hillwood High School, Metro Nashville Public Schools
• Hixson High School, Hamilton County Schools
• Houston High School, Germantown Municipal School District
• KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School, Metro Nashville Public Schools/KIPP Nashville Schools
• Lookout Valley High School, Hamilton County Schools
• Martin Luther King Jr. College Prep High School, Frayser Community Schools—Achievement School District
• Maryville City High School, Maryville City Schools
• McMinn County High School, McMinn County Schools
• Sequatchie County High School, Sequatchie County Schools
• South Fulton Middle and High School, Obion County Schools
• South Greene High School, Greene County Schools
• Tullahoma High School, Tullahoma City Schools
• Volunteer High Schools, Hawkins County Schools
• Westview High School, Weakley County Schools
• White County High School, White County Schools
• White House Heritage High School, Robertson County Schools

Additionally, selected schools will receive mini-grants for implementation of the TAS Initiative. Through a competitive procurement process, additional partners will be selected to help schools implement this work.

Administered through the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) within the U.S. Department of Education, the State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG) program assists state education agencies and their partners to improve results for children with disabilities through systems of professional development and dissemination of knowledge about best practices to educators and families.

This grant builds on the department’s previous SPDG and supports teachers in providing students with disabilities with meaningful access to and participation in standards-aligned instruction.

2nd Lt. Michael Hareld transferred from the
U.S. Air Force to the U.S. Space Force, becoming the first full-time member
of the U.S. Space Force on Arnold Air Force Base.

While visiting Arnold AFB on Feb. 5, Gen. David Thompson, vice chief of
space operations for the U.S. Space Force, administered the U.S. Space Force
Oath of Office to Hareld.

Hareld said the chance to become a part of the U.S. Space Force is special
to him and isn’t an opportunity he takes lightly.

“I am excited about becoming a pioneer in the newest branch of the U.S.
military,” he said. “The opportunity to contribute in the very beginning
stages of development is once in a lifetime, and I did not want to miss it.
I am also excited to create a unique, but familiar, military culture within
the U.S. Space Force. The feeling of exclusivity and special-mission focus
is humbling and intense to say the least.”

Hareld said he first started the process for transferring by filling out an
application.

“My job in the Air Force was one of the few selected to have the option to
switch to the U.S. Space Force,” he said. “I submitted an application to
transfer, which was accepted after review of my records, such as performance
history, experience and recommendations.”

Over his last 11 years in the Air Force, Hareld has been a computer
technician as an airman, a Department of Defense courier as staff sergeant,
a high frequency radio operator as tech sergeant, and now a test manager in
the arc heater test facility as second lieutenant at Arnold.

“I will promote to first lieutenant in September of this year, and once I
depart this base in the fall of 2022, I will head to a space-centric
assignment where, as far as I know, I will be performing my core duty as an
acquisitions manager,” he said.

Hareld added that he would not be as confident in going after new
opportunities if it wasn’t for the support of his friends and family.

“All of my friends and my family have been so extremely supportive of my
career choices,” he said. “The transition to the Space Force is a pivotal
move in my career, and they are eager to become part of it right alongside
me. Everyone is ready to sport the U.S. Space Force apparel and proud to say
they know a Guardian first-hand.

“I would like to recognize each and every person who has supported, believed
in and guided me along the way. Without their encouragement, I would not
have had so many amazing opportunities. Each of them have contributed in
landing me smack dab in the middle of making U.S. military history.”

But no matter which uniform he is wearing, Hareld mentioned that serving his
country is his number one priority.

“The opportunity to serve our country is a blessing. Airman or Guardian, I
am proud to represent, support and defend this great country. I am a patriot
through and through, and serving in the military is a both a privilege and
an honor.”

PICTURED ABOVE: Gen. David Thompson, left, vice chief
of Space Operations, United States Space Force, swears in 2nd Lt. Michael
Hareld to the Space Force during a ceremony at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn.,
headquarters of Arnold Engineering Development Complex, Feb. 5, 2021. Hareld
transferred from the Air Force to the Space Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by
Jill Pickett)