Category: News

The Hickerson Fire Department was called out at 4:00 Saturday afternoon (Oct. 13, 2012) to a structure fire on Kingsway Lane. WMSR reporter Barry West heard the home owner tell police that her twelve-year-old daughter tripped over a curling iron that was plugged in. She stated that sparks flew from the outlet, but she thought it would be OK. She left that room only to return a short time later to find the room laden in heavy smoke. The Fire Department extinguished the fire with minimal damage to the rest of the house. No one was injured in the incident.

The Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma is planning its annual Beech Party 2012 Oct. 17-21 at their museum located at the Tullahoma Regional Airport. According to museum curator Wade McNabb there will be at least 225 people in attendance, 70 planes, 11 Staggerwing planes and seven twin Beechcraft to sign up. Airport manager Jon Glass says they expect to sell at least 7,000 gallons of fuel during the event.

U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., a physician, said Friday he was convinced a woman he had sex with a dozen years ago wasn’t actually pregnant despite her claims he was responsible for impregnating her.
“There was no pregnancy and there was no abortion,” the 4th District representative told the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
A freshman lawmaker from Jasper, Tenn., who touts his opposition to abortion rights, the lawmaker is battling a controversy stemming from a recorded 2000 conversation in which he presses the unnamed woman to get an abortion.
“I was attempting to use strong language to get her to tell me the truth,” said DesJarlais, who added that he didn’t record the conversation and was unaware it was being recorded.

The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers who filed for an income tax filing extension the deadline is today (Oct. 15, 2012). IRS spokesman Dan Boone in Nashville said 170,000 Tennesseans asked for more time to file their taxes. The agency hopes late payers will use the online electronic filing. So far this year, nearly 2.3 million taxpayers in the state have filed online — up about 6 percent from last year at this time. Taxpayers wanting to file electronically can go online to http://www.irs.gov. Electronic versions of standard tax forms are under Forms and Pubs. For incomes under $57,000, the Free File option is under the Hot Topics banner.

The 3rd annual Chili Cook-off put on by the Manchester Fire Department was another huge success on Saturday. The many, many people that attended saw 23 teams compete for $500 in prize money and nice trophies. Attendees paid $5 per spoon to taste all the great flavors of chili. The Manchester Police Department won “Best Overall”. Winning the “People’s Choice” was the Manchester Lions Club. Coming in 1st place in “Best Presentation” was Dr Florence’s Doc Star Superstar Chili booth. Manchester Fire Chief Charlie Taylor told WMSR News that he appreciates the community’s support of the 3rd annual event.

The first ever community outreach program was held on Saturday at the Coffee County Fair Grounds. 2,358 residents were blessed in various ways throughout the 5 hour event. Jamie Harden one the organizers told WMSR that 700 coats were given away along with 300 pairs of shoes and over 1,000 enjoyed the free food. Harden said the group “Convoy of Hope” will help out next year with the anticipation of helping more citizens.

The Centers for Disease Control have confirmed 13 new cases nationwide in the fungal meningitis outbreak. Two of the cases are right here in Tennessee.  Health Officials have also confirmed a person from Indiana has died from the disease. That brings the number of confirmed deaths across the country to 15 with six if those in Tennessee.

The Cannon County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a Woodbury man for allegedly setting fire to a church near the Cannon/Coffee County line.
Ezra Marino is charged with arson to a place of worship.
The Ivy Bluff United Methodist church burned to the ground early Monday morning. Pastor Danny Freeman told WMSR News that a passerby saw the fire and called authorities. Freeman said the near 80 members lost the 64-year-old building but not the church.
Marino is in jail with a 150 thousand dollar bond.

A Manchester man has been arrested on charges of deceptive business practices for a paving scam. Shannon Dean Reek, 40, of Winnie Boyton Road was arrested Tuesday on the charges and released from jail after posting a $500 bond. According to warrants obtained by Manchester Police Officer Derek Jones, Reek approached an 85-year-old resident of Doak Road in Manchester and offered to seal the driveway for a cost of $150 to $200. But when the job was completed, Reek told the victim that it would be $1,100. The man told him that he would give him a check for $500 and $100 in cash. Reek was later arrested based on a description of his truck that was provided by a neighbor of the victim. Reek is to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court Oct 16.

A 71-year-old driver was apparently experiencing chest pains when he ran into a utility pole on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 11, 2012) around 4:15pm. The wreck occurred in Manchester at the intersection of Woodland and Hwy. 41. Coffee County EMS took him to an area hospital for treatment. Manchester Police Department worked the scene.