Josh Peterson

Diane Argraves, who is the director of the Coffee County 911 Communications Center, has filed a complaint against Coffee County Sheriff Chad Partin recently, claiming that she has been bullied and discriminated against by the sheriff.

Among many accusations, Argraves claims that Partin has created a hostile work environment. She also claims that Partin treats her differently because she is female. She claims that she believes “it is a personal matter that Sheriff Partin has against me and other women in authority in county government. “

Thunder Radio News reached out to Partin to address these claims, and he sent back the following comment:

“The Coffee County Communications Board has no comment as to the current director’s state of mind,” Partin said. 

Argraves also claims that Partin has made derogatory remarks about her age.

See the complete letter sent by Argraves below: 

Winchester Police Department officials are asking for the public’s help to identify two people who broke into Bennett’s Pharmacy on Dinah Shore Blvd.

According to Winchester Police, officers responded to the location at 10:30 p.m. on January 25 to burglar alarm.

When officers arrived they found the front window shattered and further investigation revealed that property was taken. Surveillance video shows two suspects dressed in black committing the burglary. Authorities believe that a Toyota Rav4 (2017-2020 model) is also involved. From a video provided, the vehicle appears to be blue or gray.

Anyone with information about who may have committed this crime is urged to contact Sgt. Detective Ronnie Durm at 931-967-3840 or call Crimestoppers anonymously at 931-962-INFO.

(Suspects are pictured above, dressed in all black)

By Nadia Ramligan, Tennessee Public News Service

Some 77% of Tennessee households with college plans say those plans have changed due to the pandemic, according to a new report.

The data show plans were more likely to change in households with members planning to work toward a certificate or associate degree.

Megan Fasules, assistant research professor at Georgetown University Center for Education and the Workforce, said she’s particularly worried about low-income students.

“There’s definitely a concern that this is going to be a profound change, because any time you interrupt college-going, you are less likely to complete,” Fasules explained. “That probably means a lot of these students aren’t going to complete their credentials, where they might have in a regular economy or pre-pandemic.”

Having at least some postsecondary education increases a person’s odds of finding a good job and earning more in their lifetime.

Fasules noted lower-income households are more likely to include people who completely canceled their plans to take classes, while higher-income household members went virtual.

To prevent further widening of the college attainment gap, Fasules suggested colleges need creative solutions to help low-income students stay enrolled.

She pointed out many workplace training and technical programs don’t translate well to an online or at-home format.

“We need to be able to [adapt such courses], and that’s something colleges and even beyond colleges could do to help low-income households,” Fasules urged.

Only 26% of households with a student planning to take occupational training reported they continued taking classes in a different format, and more than half said the student cancelled their plans.

Fasules added the unique nature of the coronavirus recession makes predicting education trends trickier, but she stressed more is at stake for low-income students, who are more likely to gain economic mobility with a degree.

“Usually, students substitute more education during recessions, so they’re entering during the bad labor economy,” Fasules outlined. “But with the health concerns and schools moving online, we’ve seen the opposite during this recession.”

Nationwide, the report found college plans have changed for 75% of households with students.

Those who didn’t cancel altogether changed the number of classes they took, enrolled in a different program or institution, or took classes in a different format.

Authorities with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department are seeking the public’s help to locate three individuals who have felony warrants for violation of sex offender rules.

The three men are identified as David Donaldson, Jared Stewart and Mikell Moore. Anyone with information regarding the location of any of these individuals is asked to contact Franklin County Sheriff’s Department at 931-962-0123.

Coffee County Central High School students may go to school on Fridays from 8-11 a.m. to receive tutoring, to get help with missing assignments from third quarter, or to complete tests or quizzes. Help is offered on the following schedule:

8:00-9:30 a.m. – Science, English, Social Studies, Special Education
9:30-11:00 a.m. – Math, Foreign Language, Fine Arts, Health, PE, AFJROTC, Drivers Education, Career and Technical Education

Students should talk with teachers to make arrangements to come to school for help on Distance Learning Fridays.

Tennessee Department of Transportation and our partners at the Department of Safety and Homeland Security are teaming up to raise public awareness of the alarming fatality crash rate on Tennessee’s roadways. It’s not OK for the number of deadly crashes to be at an all-time high in a year where traffic was at an all-time low.

“In 2020, fatalities increased nearly 7%, while traffic was down approximately 13% in Tennessee,” said TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright. “This number is staggering and it’s not OK. We want motorists to take notice and work with us in making a change.”

“Last year, we saw 1,211 fatalities on state highways,” Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long said. “The loss of life is never easy, especially when it could have been avoided. We encourage the public to make safe choices when traveling. Obey the speed limit, stay off your phone, don’t drive distracted or impaired and please wear your seat belt. Those simple choices will greatly cut down the chances of you dying in a crash.”

Of the 1,211 fatalities in 2020, 396 were unrestrained; that is 32% more than 2019. The urban and rural areas of our state were up 56% and 44% in fatalities. Shelby County leads the way with a total of 244 roadway fatalities in 2020; that’s 20% of the total deaths.

Throughout this week on social media, TDOT will be posting information to raise awareness of the importance of driving safe.

In addition to social media, Safety messages are being displayed on TDOT’s overheard Dynamic Message Signs on interstates in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville

Motlow State’s Automation & Robotics Training Center (ARTC) achieved a significant milestone recently, becoming a FANUC Authorized Satellite Training (FAST) Program.

Achieving FAST school status qualifies Motlow’s students who successfully complete the authorized course work to be on par with those attending FANUC provided training. FANUC recognizes FAST certified students as eligible for advanced training.

What this Means for FANUC Manufacturers

“By the end of March, companies will find Motlow listed on FANUC’s training website with a link for enrolling in classes at the ARTC,” said Larry Flatt, executive director of the ARTC. “Motlow is now one of less than 10 such facilities in the U.S. For industries across the country, they now have an alternative to complete FANUC authorized training.”
Reasons its better to learn from Motlow than FANUC, Ohio.

Motlow Senior Robotics Trainer Charlie King is a FANUC Certified Education Robot Training (CERT) Program instructor. This certification includes FANUC Handling Tool Operations and Programming. With the FAST endorsement, Motlow will elevate its program by offering the FANUC CERT program to students, local industry, professionals, integrators, and end users.

“In many cases this means there is a monetary savings in travel-related expenses, especially for companies within driving distance of the ARTC,” continued Flatt.

King has over 35 years of experience with robotics and automation in the manufacturing industry. FANUC America, a world-leader in manufacturing industrial robots, provides the necessary training for instructors in both Industry as well as educational classes. FANUC’s curriculum introduces students to robot applications, including integrated vision systems (iRVision), programming a robotic logic controller, and using ROBOGUIDE simulation software.

“Charlie’s certification as a FAST instructor is the culmination of a two-year process that puts him and Motlow in a unique position,” added Flatt. “He has achieved the recognition from FANUC to teach and credential his students with the same credentials as if they went to a FANUC corporate facility.”

How Motlow Qualifies as FAST

Obtaining the CERT certification qualified Motlow to be a FANUC FAST program. Motlow’s advancing of the CERT Education program to FAST endorsement further elevates the college to an elite group of industry-recognized institutions relied upon to help provide a highly skilled workforce to local industry, meeting the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s manufacturing businesses.

About Motlow’s Training Facility

The 12,500-square-feet ARTC is located on 4.5 acres of land, donated by the Warren County Commission, adjacent to the Motlow State and Tennessee College of Applied Technology campus in McMinnville. The ARTC offers automation training, including digital systems, sensors, electronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, programming, and alarm management. Robotic training can be realized through two distinctive pathways: training for industry and job seekers and college credit instruction.

Tennessee’s Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associates degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.