Josh Peterson

Manchester Police Department officers were looking for a suspect in a traffic incident Wednesday evening when they stumbled upon what appears to be a human skull. 

Coffee County District Attorney General Craig Northcott did not release the location of the discovery Wednesday night in an effort to not compromise the crime scene, but told Thunder Radio News Thursday that the discovery was made in a wooded area behind the old Pappy’s Restaurant (formerly Shoney’s).

“They did find what appears to be a human skull,” Northcott told Thunder Radio News.

Northcott confirmed that the discovery was made after dark Wednesday, making it hard to search the scene thoroughly. 

“They were on a separate call and in their efforts on that call they came across these remains,” explained Northcott. “It was after dark, so they secured the scene and we are waiting on morning light to continue with the investigation.” 

The discovery was not in relation to the original call the police were responding to. Northcott said as officers were returning to patrol cars in the wooded area, someone stumbled upon the skull.

Northcott explained that the state medical examiner’s office will be on site Thursday morning along with an anthropology team to support the Manchester Police Department. MPD will be the primary agency handling the investigation.

Coffee County School Board member – Dr. Shannon Duncan – has been named a 2019 All Tennessee School Board Member by the Tennessee School Board Association.

Duncan received the award at the TSBA annual Fall Conference last weekend. TSBA awards this to five to seven board members.

On Tuesday, November 19, at approximately 9 p.m., Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigators, in conjunction with Winchester Police Department investigators, initiated an investigation concerning a video that had been released on social media.

The investigation revealed that a person, who will remain anonymous according to FCSD, had posted a video on social media relating to bullying in the school system in Franklin County. Further investigation showed that another party had taken approximately 30 seconds of a 4-minute video and posted it to social media. The short clip was a “total misrepresentation of the intent of the original video,” according to Franklin County Sheriff’s Department. Investigators determined that at no time were there any direct threats made to the schools or students and staff.

“The matter is classified as closed and law enforcement would ask that everyone return to business as usual and law enforcement will stay vigilant in providing the safest environment possible for the citizens of Franklin County,” the department said in a release.

For the third year in a row, Tennessee has been recognized as the #1 state in the country for its collaborative work to address human trafficking.

Tennessee, the highest-ranking state since 2017, again earned the top grade in 2019. It extended civil statutes of limitations and removed criminal statutes of limitations, allowing survivors time to recognize their victimization before seeking justice through the court system. 

Manchester Police Department officers were looking for a suspect in a traffic incident Wednesday evening when they stumbled upon what appears to be a human skull. 

Information is limited at this time. 

Coffee County District Attorney General Craig Northcott did not want to release the location of the discovery in an effort to not compromise the crime scene.

“They did find what appears to be a human skull,” Northcott told Thunder Radio News. “We don’t want to disclose the location because it is a secure location at this time and we are waiting on forensic investigators to arrive in the morning.” 

Northcott confirmed that the discovery was made after dark Wednesday, making it hard to search the scene thoroughly. 

“They were on a separate call and in their efforts on that call they came across these remains,” explained Northcott. “It was after dark, so they secured the scene and we are waiting on morning light to continue with the investigation.” 

Northcott explained that the state medical examiner’s office will be on site Thursday morning along with an anthropology team to support the Manchester Police Department. MPD will be the primary agency handling the investigation.

Thunder Radio News will report more information as it becomes available.

There will be no charges filed by Coffee County District Attorney General Craig Northcott in the death of Central High School student Channing Smith. 

Northcott released a statement with the decision Tuesday afternoon. It reads, in full:

“Upon the completion of the full investigation into the circumstances of Channing Smith’s death by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department and this office and after a review of the criminal statutes of this State, I have determined that there is not probable cause to believe that any crimes have been committed in this tragic situation. Thus, no criminal charges or juvenile petitions will be sought by this office. The family remains in my prayers and I hope that all of Channing’s friends and family can find peace in this difficult time. “

You may remember the suicide death of Smith garnered national attention. Smith, a 16-year old student at CHS, took his life on Sunday, Sept. 22, allegedly after other students turned personal screen shot messages over to social media that outed Channing’s gay sexual orientation. 

Manchester Parks and Recreation Director Bonnie Gamble received an award yesterday – she was a recipient of the 2019 Fellow Award for Outstanding Service and Communication in the Parks and Recreation Field. This is the highest awards that TRPA gives to professional members who have made outstanding contributions to the parks and recreation field throughout their careers. Join us at Thunder Radio in saying congratulations to Bonnie Gamble. 

Volunteer firefighters were dispatched to 258 Dean Ln. Tuesday to reports of a structure fire that destroyed one building before firefighters were able to get it under control. Hickerson Volunteer Fire Department responded, along with other volunteer agencies. No injuries were reported in the fire.