Category: News

An Estill Springs woman was arrested Saturday on charges of theft of property—shoplifting from Wal-Mart.
Loss prevention employee Antonio Frost alleged that Jeannie K. Sons, 26, of Fairview Street in Estill Springs took T-shirts, shorts, tank tops and sleepwear totaling $181.62 in value from the store and left without paying. She was found in the parking lot.
Tullahoma Officer Mickey Blanton transported Sons to the Coffee County Jail. She is scheduled to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court May 22.

A Warren County woman is charged for a second time with doctor shopping for controlled substances, using TennCare benefits as payment.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) announces the arrest of 28-year old Amber L. Briggs, of McMinnville. She is charged in a Unicoi County indictment with fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance by doctor shopping for prescription drugs, using TennCare to access healthcare benefits.
Briggs was arrested earlier this month after an indictment in Rutherford County charged her with two counts of doctor shopping for prescription drugs, using TennCare as payment.
“Prescription drug abuse is a target of communities large and small across Tennessee,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said.  “With the help of medical providers and local law enforcement, the Office of Inspector General is sending a message that abusing TennCare will have serious repercussions.”
TennCare fraud is a Class E felony, carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison. District Attorney General Tony Clark is prosecuting.
The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $173 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures.  To date, 2,089 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.
Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions.  Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”

Gas prices are beginning to stabilize after going on a streak of more than 20 days of increases. Here in Coffee County prices have stayed the same at most places. In Manchester the low price for regular unleaded is $3.43 down one-cent from last week. In Tullahoma the low price is $3.42 down two-cents
“During the past week, gas price increases slowed until they finally stopped over the weekend,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, The Auto Club Group, AAA.
Sunday’s national average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $3.67, 3 cents more than last week. Tennessee’s average of $3.49 is up one-cent from last week.

Early voting in continuing in Coffee County. In Manchester you can vote early at the election commission office in the Coffee County Administrative Plaza from 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri and Saturdays from 8:30am-Noon. In Tullahoma voting can be done at the C.D. Stamps Community Center Mon.-Fri. 9am-4:30pm and Saturdays from 9am-Noon. Early voting runs through May 1 and Election Day is May 6.
If you would like to read a copy of the sample ballot that is clean and simple to read go to www.theticketradio.com and click on the election central link. The Democrat and Republican ballots are available. On that page you’ll also be able to download and listen to the interviews we conducted with local candidates.
Vernita Davis, Administrator of Election reports to us that over 800 people have already cast ballots in Coffee County.

GOT DRUGS? The Coffee County Anti-Drug Coalition in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Take Back Initiative, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, Manchester City Police Department and the Tullahoma City Police Department present Drug Take Back Day.
Bring in your unused or expired prescription, over-the-counter, and/or veterinary medications for proper disposal. The event will be held Saturday, April 26, 2014 from10 am to 2 pm at First Vision Bank 2134 Hillsboro Blvd in Manchester and Southern Community Bank 1400 N. Jackson St. in Tullahoma.

On Saturday, April 26, the City of Tullahoma is coordinating the 1st Rock Creek Spring Clean. Visionaries are needed to help protect this natural resource, have fun, enjoy great food and win cool prizes.
“We are excited that the Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) of Tennessee, Courtney Miller has partnered with us to help promote this fun spring clean,” said event organizer, Chad Marcum. “She will be a great asset to our team.”
The DYW program national competition will be held in Mobile, Alabama, June 26, 27, 28. Miller will represent Tennessee.
Miller will be graduating in May from Tullahoma High School and then will go to Motlow for general studies before transferring to MTSU where she will complete a degree in Business with a minor in Sports Management/Business.
“The Rock Creek Spring Clean is important to me because it gives me the opportunity to give back to my community while also making a positive impact on our local environment,” said Distinguished Young Woman of Tennessee, Courtney Miller.
To join the event, all you need to do is volunteer to remove trash and other debris from the creek. Participants will meet at 8am at the pavilion at Frazier McEwen Park to pick up supplies, receive instructions and join the games.
“I’ve seen the leadership she brings to the young people so having her involved with this project will only increase its success and visibility,” said Tullahoma Community Coordinator, Winston Brooks.
Other organizations helping to coordinate this event include Keep Coffee County Beautiful, Tullahoma Pride Foundation, Inter-Local Solid Waste Association, Parks and Recreation and Tullahoma Public Works.
After the cleanup, they will have a trash tally, prizes and picnic. Lunch will be provided to all who participate, and the Tullahoma Animal Shelter will have adoptable dogs available. Volunteers are encouraged to dress appropriately; bring your sun screen, bug spray, boots and waders if you have them.
Prizes to be given away include: a New Kayak, Google Chrome Casts, Professional Teeth Whitening kit from Glick and Woods Dentistry, Woodard’s Jewelers gift certificate, free car detail from Stan McNabb Automotive, and much more.
This event is great for families, church groups, scouts, school groups and anyone who wants to be a good steward of our environment and clean water.

Motlow College will administer the complete Residual ACT Assessment test on May 15, May 21 and June 12. The test will be given from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on May 21 and June 12, and on May 15 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The test will be administered in room 1046 of the Crouch Center on the Moore County campus. Applicants under 21 years of age planning to attend Motlow State Community College should register for the ACT Assessment. All applicants taking the ACT Assessment must have an admissions application on file prior to taking the test. Applicants are required to complete an application as soon as possible to be eligible for the test. Applicants must complete the ACT application and enclose a check/money order for $34.00 to be eligible. Picture identification is required on the day of the test. Any students who plan on attending another college must take the national ACT test or take the test on the campus of the prospective college, as scores for the Residual ACT Assessment test cannot be transferred to another college or university. For more information regarding the test or for a printable application, visit mscc.edu/testing or call 931-393-1763 or 1-800-654-4877 ext. 1763.

The Coffee County Budget and Finance Committee has decided to advise the Coffee County Commission to place a wheel tax referendum on the August ballot. How the referendum would be worded is still up in the air.
The Budget and Finance Committee, had asked Vernita Davis head of the election commission if the voters could choose between a wheel tax versus a property tax on the referendum, but Davis said this choice was not an option. She said you could give a choice between a $25 wheel tax versus a $50 tax for example.
The concern of the Budget and Finance Committee is how to raise the extra money needed to operate the new county jail and workhouse, as well the new county middle school. Some officials say a property tax increase as high as 37 cents could be required if a wheel tax referendum fails to pass.

The 108th Tennessee General Assembly has adjourned after a session that included the passing of a $32.4 billion spending plan that does not give pay raises to state employees or teachers.
Gov. Haslam had planned to give a one percent pay increase to state employees and a two percent raise to teachers, but later said he wouldn’t be able to because of poor revenue collections. The budget is expected to have a shortfall of about $277 million.
Legislation that passed included measures to allow wine sales in grocery stores, fight meth production and give high school graduates free tuition at community colleges.

Tennessee’s unemployment rate for the month of March was 6.7 percent, which is two-tenths of one percentage point lower than the 6.9 percent rate in February. That’s according to Tennessee Labor Commissioner Burns Phillips.
The Tennessee rate is equal to the national unemployment rate, which remained unchanged at 6.7 percent.
Over the past year, Tennessee’s unemployment rate decreased from 8.3 percent to 6.7 percent. The number of unemployed persons is the lowest since June 2008.