Josh Peterson

Early voting for the March 3^rd primary begins Wednesday, February 12, and ends on Tuesday, February 25.

Coffee County voters voting in the Republican primary will be selecting a new General Sessions Judge to replace Tim Brock, who passed away late last year.

The primary will also include the presidential primary  for both Republican and Democratic parties.

Early voting hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. until noon on Saturdays in Manchester at the Coffee County Election Commission at 1329 McArthur St. Suite 6; or in Tullahoma at the C.D. Stamps Community Center at 810 South Jackson St. from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

Those who choose to vote on election day will need to do so at their assigned voting precinct.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting a Sobriety Checkpoint in Coffee County at the area of US Highway 41 at Asbury Road at 11 p.m. on Friday, March 13. The scheduled checkpoint is contingent upon manpower and weather conditions.

Murfreesboro Police Detectives are Investigating a robbery and shooting that took place at 1:34PM Monday (2/10/2020) afternoon at MGM Market, Beer and Tobacco Store at 2415 Halls Hill Pike.

The owner of the business was the clerk on duty at the time, and was shot several times in the chest, stomach and arms. Then the shooter stole the injured man’s 2010 black Nissan Rogue and fled (TN license tag 4M7-2B1).

Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services rushed the man to the ER at TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center in Smyrna. The victim was later taken to the Trauma Center at Vanderbilt where he underwent surgery.

Reports indicate that this is not the first robbery at this location. In fact, a couple of weeks ago a man walked-in and demanded money from the cash register.

If you see the 2010 black Nissan Rogue with TN license tag 4M7-2B1, do not attempt to stop the car–phone 615-893-1311 immediately.

Call CrimeStoppers

If you saw or heard anything dealing with this robbery and shooting, you could get a cash reward of up to $1,000 if your tip leads to an arrest and conviction. Phone CrimeStoppers at 615-893-STOP (7867).

-WGNS Radio Report

Severe weather is possible for most of Middle Tennessee Wednesday, including Coffee County. 

National Weather Service storm prediction  has placed Coffee County (and most of the mid state, along with northern Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia) under a slight risk of severe weather Wednesday. 

While timing is not clear, the NWS office in Nashville says between 6 p.m. and midnight appears to be the main time for a round of heavy rain, local flooding and damaging winds. 

The primary threat appears to be damaging straight-line winds and flooding. Tornadoes cannot be ruled out. 

Coffee County District Attorney General Craig Northcott released a statement Monday afternoon with more clarification to Saturday’s incident at the Manchester Walmart that ended in a woman going to the hospital and later passing away.

Thunder Radio News reported to you yesterday that police were dispatched to Walmart Saturday morning regarding a woman behaving erratically. When officers arrived and asked the suspect to walk outside the store, Northcott says the woman escalated the situation and officers were forced to detain her. While attempting to detain the woman, she collapsed. She was taken to Unity Medical Center and later to St. Thomas Hospital where she died.

Northcott confirmed that he has requested that the TBI investigate the situation to provide an independent review. He also confirmed that a significant amount of methamphetamine was found with the woman. Northcott added that, at this point, “it appears that the woman died from a medical issue unrelated to the officer’s conduct. There is no reason to believe that the officer acted inappropriately or in any way contributed to the death of the woman.”

Northcott has requested an autopsy to determine cause of death. He said without any new information, the district attorney’s office will take no action in this case.

Northcott’s office has chosen not to release the name of the deceased.  

Tennessee gas prices have continued their decline for a consecutive 37 days, dropping 21 cents since January 5 when the Tennessee gas price average was $2.39. The Tennessee Gas Price average  is $2.18 which is five cents cheaper than last week, 21 cents less than one month ago, and 14 cents more than one year ago.

In Coffee County, prices are average $2.13 per gallon of regular unleaded. In nearby Rutherford County, gas is close to nudging below the $2 mark – with average prices at $2.05 per gallon of regular unleaded.

“Tennessee motorists are experiencing the cheapest prices at the pump that we’ve seen in 2020,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Cheaper crude and healthy stock levels are helping to push gas price averages across the state lower.”

National Gas Prices

Monday’s national gas price average is $2.44. That is four cents cheaper than last week and 16 cents cheaper than last month. Motorists across the country can find gas for less than $2.25 at 1 in 3 (38%) of all gas stations.

Oil Market Dynamics

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, WTI dropped by 63 cents to settle at $50.32. Crude prices have dropped for the third consecutive week as market concerns continue to increase due to the growing impact of the coronavirus on global travel. If international travel decreases, global crude demand would likely follow suit and result in lower crude consumption worldwide. Prices could decrease again this week if concerns about the virus continue to weigh on the crude oil market.

Tennessee Regional Prices

• Most expensive metro markets –  Morristown ($2.28), Memphis ($2.25), Jackson  ($2.24)
• Least expensive metro markets – Cleveland ($1.99), Chattanooga ($2.08), Clarksville ($2.12)

The Winchester Police Department is requesting assistance in identifying individuals of interest. If you recognize the subjects in these photos, please contact Sergeant Detective Ronnie Durm with the Winchester Police Department at 931-967-3840. Anonymous tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers 931-962-INFO(4636).