Category: News

On Sunday morning April 27th at approximately 1:00am the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol engaged in a vehicle pursuit in the Estill Springs area stemming from a suspected DUI driver. The pursuit concluded with the driver Robert Troy Whipple, 46 of Morris Ferry Bridge Road Winchester, TN being apprehended by Sergeant Milton Binkley and the Highway Patrol. Sgt. Binkley, in the course of the apprehension, did sustain a knife wound to the right hand and right wrist. Sergeant Binkley was treated and later released from Southern Tennessee Medical Center.

Once Whipple was placed in custody law enforcement discovered a corpse in the passenger’s seat of the vehicle he had been operating. The victim, identified as Bridgette Haley, 46 year old, of Houston Parker Road Morrison, TN. has been transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy due to suspicion of homicide. Whipple is currently in custody in the Franklin County Jail under no bond. There is an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Since Deputy Binkley was injured the TBI is the lead agency investigating this crime.

A Flowertown Road man is being held in the Coffee County jail on a $5,000 bond after allegedly stealing a car.
Terry Lynn Ashley, 41, is accused of taking a 1996 Dodge Intrepid out of a driveway on East Warren Street. According to a report by Tullahoma Police Officer Mickey Blanton, the car was taken on Tuesday April 22, and transported to CFC Recycling where Ashley allegedly attempted to sell it for scrap metal.
The report alleges that Ashley convinced two individuals to transport the vehicle on their trailer to the recycling center.
After taking a report of the stolen vehicle, the officer contacted CFC Recycling and was told that someone was there completing paperwork on the car at that time. Officer Blanton then went to the recycling business and arrested Ashley.
He was charged with theft of property (motor vehicle) and buy/sell/possession of stolen property. He is scheduled to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court June 12.

A resident of Gentry Street reported a radio stolen from his vehicle last week.
James Vann Pearson reported Wednesday, April 23, to Tullahoma Officer Donnie Burnett that someone removed a police scanner from his car.
Pearson stated that his vehicle had been locked and there were no signs of tampering to the car.
Tullahoma Police are investigating the theft of a washing machine.
Johnny Chumley of South Roosevelt Street reported to Tullahoma Police Officer Tim Brandon on Wednesday, April 23, that someone took a Maytag washing machine that was beside his trailer on Roosevelt. He stated that the washer that was beside his front door had white tape on the drain.

Two people were arrested Thursday for the theft of bicycles.
Treal Montreaz (Berry) Wooten, 23 and a juvenile were charged with theft of property for the taking of the bicycles from a residence on Whispering Oaks Circle.
Bille Jo Erskin reported to Tullahoma Officer Chase Sons that the two individuals took the bicycles. The pair were then spotted by Patrolman Tim Brandon near East Lincoln School with the bikes. They admitted to taking the bicycles and were booked into the Coffee County Jail.
A resident of South Franklin Street reported to police that someone entered her residence and took several rings.
Barbara Lowe reported to Officer Rocky Ruehling on Tuesday April 22 that in the last two weeks someone has entered her residence and took seven rings from a wooden chest. The police report states that the chest had some visible marks on it.
The rings were valued at $6,750.
The thieves also took keys to her vehicle.
Detective Rana Pawlowski is investigating the incident.

Pawlowski is also investigating the theft of electronics from a residence on Rickenbacker Drive.
James Douglas McCormick reported to Sgt. Phil Henderson Thursday that someone entered his residence and took a PlayStation 3, a PlayStation 4, two game controllers, a game and an Emerson 35 inch flat screen television.

A Silver Street resident was arrested after she allegedly attacked a police officer.
Leslie Gann, 31, was allegedly observed by Tullahoma Police Officer Tommy Elliott driving at a high rate of speed on East Lincoln Street with no taillights. The officer attempted to stop her but she continued to drive along several streets before parking in the parking lot of Briarwood Apartments on Silver Street and ran into an apartment.
After she ran into the apartment an individual approached the officer and told him that Leslie Gann ran into her apartment and got into bed.
Officer Elliott made contact with the woman and detected a “strong odor of an intoxicant.” He then asked her to stand and she refused. According to the officer’s report, when he attempted to arrest her, she began to resist. She then broke free and allegedly scratched Elliott.
He then was able to subdue her and took her into custody and placed her in his patrol car. She then according to the police report, attempted to kick the officer and kick the windows of the patrol car. Elliott then pepper sprayed Gann to prevent her from damaging the vehicle.
Gann was charged with simple assault, second offense of DUI, violation of implied consent, third offense of driving on suspended or revoked license, and evading arrest. She was booked into the Coffee County Jail under a $10,000 bond and is to appear in General Sessions court on Monday.

On Thursday the Special Olympics Area 13 Summer Games took place at the Tullahoma High School Football Field. Athletes from 5 area counties including Bedford County, Coffee County, Franklin County, Lincoln County, & Moore County were in attendance. Summer Games is one of many Area 13 Special Olympics events held between January and November of each year. Activities during last week’s Summer Games included Bocce, the Running Long Jump, The Standing Long Jump, Softball Throws, The Wheelchair Race, 50 Meter Run, 400 Meter Run, & much more. With over 400 athletes and some 300 volunteers, Thursday’s 35th Annual Special Olympics Area 13 Summer Games brought joy to not only the athletes but to everyone involved. Catch a glimpse of the 35th Annual Area 13 Summer Games online during the all new Thunder TV News Video at www.WMSRRadio.com. See more pictures below.

As we told you earlier in the week early voting continues for the May primary, another list of candidates have qualified in non-partisan elections to be held locally on August 7 for the City of Manchester now we have information on Tullahoma. Two aldermen will be elected for 3 year terms. Voters can cast a ballot for up to 2 of the 3 candidates. Those running for Tullahoma aldermen; Tina D Holman, Jerry R Mathis and Mike Stanton. Two men are running for mayor that will serve 3 years. Incumbent Lane Curlee and former mayor Troy Bisby. The roles were reversed for these two candidates three years ago. Three people are running for Tullahoma School board positions; Amy M Johnson, Steve R Lynn and Brac Thoma. Lynn is running for both alderman and school board. School board terms are 4 years.
The deadline to register to vote in the August 7 elections is Tuesday, July 8. Early voting will be July 18 through Aug. 2.
The May 6th early voting continues through May 1.

Tennessee’s Department of Environment and Conservation’s mobile household hazardous waste collection service will be in Coffee county Saturday.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2180 Murfreesboro Hwy., Manchester. The local contact for this HHW collection event is Wannella Ingleburger at (931) 723-5139.
Typical items to dispose of include cleaning fluids, pesticides, mercury thermometers, thermostats, fluorescent bulbs, lithium and button batteries, aerosols, adhesives, medications, brake fluid, swimming pool chemicals and paint thinner. Items not accepted include ammunition, explosives, alkaline batteries, paint, electronics and medical waste.
For more information on the household hazardous waste mobile collection service, please call 1-800-287-9013.

The Tullahoma Police Department has taken another step in improving the services to the citizens and visitors of their community. Four officers assigned to the Patrol division have received certification from the Police Mountain Bike Association. The officers recently completed a weeklong training program at the Franklin Police Department, Franklin, TN. As part of the training the officers were required to complete progressively longer and demanding bike courses. Also included was training on maintenance of the bicycles and techniques to navigate obstacles and tactically dismount from the bicycle. The assignment to the bike patrol is in addition to their daily duties as a member of the Patrol division. The department will deploy the bike patrol at public events where the use of a vehicle is not practical; to provide traffic control at activities such as fun runs, walks, community bike rides and greenway patrol. The officers will also utilize the bicycles to patrol areas that might have incidents that can be detected more easily by officers on bicycles or foot. An additional advantage of the bike patrol is the interaction with the community. The bike patrol is primarily a Community Oriented Policing practice that provides for interaction with the community and partnership building with our citizens and visitors. The department’s mission statement focuses on enhancing the quality of life for our citizens and visitors; we believe this is another step to provide for the type of community we desire and deserve. Those assigned to the bike patrol are: Officer Derrick Derlien, Officer Chase Sons, Officer Matt Watson, and Officer Daryn Gadeken. Any questions about the bike patrol can be directed to Lieutenant Ray Higginbotham at (931) 455-0530 or Chief Paul Blackwell at (931) 455-0530, or pblackwell@tullahomatn.gov.

A very unique event is planned for Saturday in Tullahoma. You’ll need to look up to see what’s happening.
Members of the Tennessee Skydiver’s Club headquartered at the Tullahoma Regional Airport will be trying for a state record when they attempt a 33- person hookup over the airport.
They will jump from about 14,000 feet, join up together and remain in formation until reaching 5,500 feet and the break off.
The jumpers will board planes around 8:45 a.m. and jump around 9:15 a.m.
In addition to club members, jumpers participating will be from Alabama, Canada and Argentina.