Josh Peterson

An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the arrest of a former employee at the Cannon County Sheriff’s Department.

Tony Barrett

At the request of 16th District Attorney General Jennings Jones, on June 11th, TBI Agents began investigating a report of theft from the evidence room at the Cannon County Sheriff’s Department. During the course of the investigation, Agents developed information that identified Tony Barrett, a civilian employee of the Sheriff’s Department at that time, as the individual responsible for the theft. Barrett is no longer employed by the Sheriff’s Department.

On September 20th, the Cannon County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Tony Barrett (DOB 02/20/1966) with one count of Theft under $1,000 and two counts of Official Misconduct. Barrett was arrested today and booked into the Cannon County Jail. His bond was set at $10,000.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce is warning consumers about a student-loan scam where the victim thought she was paying the company to help her erase her student loan debt – only to find out after three years’ of payment – that the loans wouldn’t be forgiven and her original loans were in default.

If you have student loans, how can you avoid student loan repayment scams?

Here are a few tips from Department of Commerce

-There is nothing that a company can offer that you cannot do for yourself for free.

-Avoid any offer that promises quick loan forgiveness, especially if the person contacting you really has no idea as to the specifics of your debt situation. Many scammers will promise to get rid of your debt fast, but in reality, they can’t help you.

-Never pay an upfront fee. In this situation, the FTC says it is illegal for companies to charge you a fee for a service in advance.

-Neither a logo nor an official-looking website means that the company is real or trustworthy. Many scammers will use lookalike logos or even use a real Department of Education seal to make their companies look more legitimate.

We have an update for you to a story that Thunder Radio first brought to you last week.

John Lewis Rippey

Shelbyville police were looking for Julius Dominick Guinn and John Lewis Rippey for their alleged involvement in an armed home invasion last week in Bedford County. Guinn was taken into custody Wednesday and is now in the Bedford County Jail under a bond of $350,000.

However, Rippey, a white male, is still at large. Anyone with information regarding Rippey’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Shelbyville Police Department at  (931) 684-5811 immediately.

Friday is Fair Day! Students are out of school, and today (Sept. 20) is free admission to the Coffee County Fair from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Also during the day is $20 hand stamp day for rides on the midway; tickets only after 6. The midway will close down from 5-6 p.m. in the afternoon.

Also on Friday – the youth field day events begin at 11 a.m. – they are free to enter. The Outlaw & Mini Rod Tractor Pull is at 7 p.m. and The Sound Dawgs will hit the stage at 7.

Looking ahead to Saturday, rides are 2 for $22 hand stamps. Saturday is also full of other events, including the dog and pet show at 10 a.m., the pedal pull at 2 p.m., the mule races at 5 p.m. and the MTPA Truck & Tractor Pull at 7 p.m. Go enjoy the 162nd annual Coffee County Fair.

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department held ceremonies Thursday to swear-in students into its Cadet Safety Patrol program. 

A total of 32 students at Deerfield Elementary, Hickerson and East Coffee Elementary were sworn in.

The cadets are selected by teachers at each elementary school and will have duties of helping with special events at the school and other duties through the year. The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department will also use the students for special tasks through the year. They will also have an opportunity to attend the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department cadet camp at the end of the school year. 

East Coffee Elementary Cadets

Hickerson Elementary Cadets

Deerfield Cadets

September is Basic Education & Literacy Month for Rotary International. A longstanding project, in memory of Rotarian Jerry Bartlett, Manchester Rotary Club delivers dictionaries to all third grade students in Manchester City and Coffee County Schools each year. This year’s deliveries were made last week. 

“The Dictionary Project’s goal is to assist all students in becoming good writers, active readers, creative thinkers, and resourceful learners by providing them with their own personal dictionary,” said Taylor Rayfield, President of Manchester Rotary Club.

Manchester Rotary is a vibrant, active club supporting its community since 1935. For more information about this project or how to join Manchester Rotary Club, contact Taylor Rayfield, President, rayfieldt@k12coffee.net.

The Fall Heritage Festival is a free, annual event held Sept Friday through Sunday  in Cowan, TN.  Organized by the Cowan Railroad Museum, the festival includes  food, music, entertainment, arts & crafts, living history, classic and antique Cruise-In, Corn Hole Competition, and activities for children of all ages. Friday and Saturday evenings will feature Fireworks at 8:30 pm. 

Hours are Friday 5-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

There will be a Smokey & the Bandit Convoy, Beauty Pageant, Cruise in and Fireworks on Friday, a Kids Zone and musical entertainment and fireworks Saturday and a kids zone along with entertainment Sunday, along with tons of arts and crafts available for purchase. The event is free admission and free parking! 

ALL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY RACHELLE LONG PHOTOGRAPHY. CLICK HERE FOR HER WEBSITE. 

2019 Fairest of the Fair and Peoples Choice – Keelie Shea Hillis

2019 Miss Teen Coffee County – Liza Alece Johnson

2019 Miss Teen People’s Choice – Kathryn Lusk

2019 Coffee County Fair Junior Miss (ages 6-8). Junior Miss – Jerzee Shay Ferrell (pictured at center), first runner up – Kendall Huskey, second runner up – MariJo Lee Cassel, third runner up – Daisy Rain Matlock, fourth runner up – Narissa Steverson, peoples choice – Mary Kallie Brooke Lusk.

2019 Coffee County Fair Junior Miss (9-12 years old). Junior Miss – Zoie Alexus Lynne Roberts (center). First runner up – Rileigh Ray Johnson, second runner up – Jaydn Rosado, third runner up – Nevaeh Frazier, fourth runner up – Evalyn Areada Carter, peoples choice – Nevaeh Frazier

2019 Little Miss Coffee County winners. Little Miss Coffee County – Hannah Gail Rhea Robison (center), first runner up – Jozie Elise Roberts, second runner up – Aiyana Leigh Jernigan, third runner up – Krysee Zendaya Barnes, fourth runner up – Lexus Faith Ater, peoples choice – Kennedy Michelle Goodman.

Coffee County Fair 0-6 Month boy winners, from left, Liam Maverick Tyree (third place), Max Robinson (second place), Kolt Montgomery Snow (first place)

2019 Coffee County Fair 0-6 month girls winners are, from left, Evelyn Webb (second place), Samantha Jean Penney (third place), Kinsleigh Faye Bradshaw (first place).

2019 Coffee County Fair 6-12 months girls winners, from left, Brynlee Floyd (third place), Briella Rosalie Colvin (second place), Zuri Amelia Murray (first place).

2019 Coffee County Fair 6-12 month boys winners, from left, Walter Drake Deford (first place), Holton Harwell (second place), Malik Young (third place), Dacoda Seals (fourth place).

2019 Coffee County Fair 12-18 month boys winners, from left, Isaac August Melson (third place), Zachary Rhett Cashion (second place), Kolter Grey Kirk (first place)

2019 Coffee County Fair 12-18 month girls winners, from left, Baylor Lynn Adams (third place), Hannah Grace Partin (second place), Mayleigh Marie Sharrock (first place).

2019 Coffee County Fair 18-24 month winners, from left, Troy A. Boyd (second place), Mason Henley (first place).

2019 Coffee County Fair 18-24 month girl winners, from left, Avery Kate Bess (first place), Harlyn Hilley (second place), Sadie Grace Melton (third place).

2019 Coffee County Fair Toddler Boy winners, from left, Dawson Robert Taylor (third place tie), Kasen Stewart (third place tie), Oliver Oakley (second place), Benjermin E. Penney (first place)

2019 Coffee County Fair Toddler Girl winners, from left, Remi Branch (third place), Clara Melson (second place), Londynn Elise Cummings (first place)