Category: News

The Tullahoma Board of Education is leaning toward preferring director of schools candidates have a doctorate degree, plus requiring administrative level experience in filling Dr. Dan Lawson’s position. He announced earlier this year that he would not be seeking an extension to his contract which expires June 30, 2013. The board has agreed to have a replacement in place before then with a May 1, 2013, deadline. The board will vote at its next regular meeting on Oct. 20 on the doctorate and administrative level experience issues. Board chairman Pat Welsh recommended the board state that a doctorate degree would be “preferred.” He also said that some form of managerial experience with school systems should be required. Some teachers have said they want the board to convince Lawson to stay on in his position.

At 10:00AM Saturday morning (Oct. 6, 2012), a Chevy van was heading South on Prairie Plaines Road in Hillsboro en route to a Clay Busters event. The small red car allegedly pulled out of Betsy Willis Road into the path of the van. The woman and child in the van were unhurt, but the male driver of the car was unresponsive and breathing. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment. Coffee County Sheriff’s Deputies
kept traffic at bay while the Tennessee Highway Patrol worked the scene.

18 of Tullahoma’s small businesses have taken advantage of the city’s small business loan program that has paid $238,000 since its launch in late 2008. According to Tullahoma’s finance director, these are low variable rate interest loans, currently at one percent APR.
The city partnered with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the loan program that currently has $100,000 available to lend to eligible small businesses. Up to $15,000 can be loaned to small businesses for start-up fees, expansions and improvements. Tullahoma Mayor Lane Curlee, the program has been a success.

Data from police, drug treatment centers and hospitals shows an apparent decline in synthetic drugs in Tennessee after a law was passed banning most of the substances.
Tennessee Poison Center director Dr. John Benitez says cases are still being reported in emergency rooms across the state, but the number this year has dropped substantially.
Rep. Mike Sparks, R-Smyrna, told The Tennessean that the law has worked, “but we can’t let our guard down.”
Synthetic drugs began showing up in 2010. They were sold in small packets and labeled “not for human consumption,” but people ingested them anyway. Many users ended up in emergency rooms.
Tennessee lawmakers responded by passing legislation that not only banned the substances, but allowed local authorities to shut down businesses selling the packets.

In order to take part in early voting – which runs from Oct. 17 through Nov. 1 – or to vote on Election Day, Nov. 6, voters must complete the registration process no later than Monday, Oct. 8. In order to register, prospective voters must be U.S. citizens and residents of Tennessee who will be at least 18 years of age or older by Election Day. Registration can be done in person at the Coffee County Election Commission office, Manchester, on weekdays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Registration services are also available at motor vehicle offices, the Department of Human Services, the departments of health in Manchester and Tullahoma, at local libraries, at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and at the Tennessee Rehabilitation and Vocational Center. Election commission officials reminded prospective voters to keep in mind that Oct. 8 is Columbus Day. The commission office will be open on its regular schedule that day, but it is a postal holiday. Anyone planning to register to vote by mail must have the application postmarked by Oct. 6 at the latest.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced Thursday that people on unemployment, who refuse to accept a suitable offer of employment, will be disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits. Recent changes to Employment Security Law redefine what is considered suitable and revise the standard based on the length of time unemployment benefits are received. If the Agency finds a claimant has refused otherwise suitable work based solely upon the rate of pay, then his claim is stopped for refusing such work. Previously, to be considered suitable employment, the proposed job had to be approximately the same rate of pay and hours as the claimant’s most recent work. Under the new law, claimants must decrease salary and wage demands the longer they receive unemployment insurance benefits. A job offer is considered suitable according to the following criteria: – During the first 13 weeks of unemployment, an offer of 100% of the wages of the most recent work – During the 14th through the 25th week of unemployment, an offer of 75% of the wages of the most recent work – During the 26th through the 38th week of unemployment, an offer of 70% of the wages of the most recent work – After the 38th week of unemployment, 65% of the wages of the most recent work Other considerations of suitable work include previous wage and skill levels. Suitable work also entails having hours and days that are standard to the industry and commuting distance must be reasonably the same as previous work experience. A claimant will not be required to accept employment below the federal minimum wage. An offer of employment is not bona fide if only a possibility of employment exists. Employers are encouraged to notify the Agency if they feel a claimant refuses a suitable offer of employment. They should contact the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Benefit Payment Control Unit at (615) 741-2606.

According to estimates from Tullahoma Police Chief Paul Blackwell, crowds were roughly 5,500 for the weekend, with 2,000 on Friday night and 3,500 on Saturday night at the 41-A Music Festival. The Kiwanis Club says net proceeds of this year’s event will exceed $20,000, nearly three times as much as last year, and will be distributed to local children’s charities including Tullahoma Day Care, Karing for Kids, 5Loaves4Kids, Horseplay, and Coffee County Cares for Families.

A Warren County woman accused of operating a puppy mill has been placed on probation. In court this week, Wilma Jones entered a best interest plea to animal cruelty charges. As part of her sentence, she is banned from having more than four dogs or cats. Last year, Jones was charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty and five counts of possession of controlled substances after officers and an animal rescue group seized more than 120 dogs from Jones’ property near Centertown. They reportedly found most of the animal suffering from infections, dehydration and malnourishment.

The Tullahoma Animal Shelter will hold its ninth annual Bark in the Park fundraiser on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Waggoner Park.

This family-friendly event will include $10 microchips for family dogs, a $10 rabies clinic by Dr. Kim Hambrick, a silent auction, portraits available, adoptable shelter dogs, a moonwalk and much more.

Bark in the Park will also feature a variety of dog games and contests. The contests begin at 11:30 a.m. including Mr. and Miss Tullahoma Canine who will participate in the Tullahoma Christmas Parade and to be available to appear at other local functions representing Bark and the Park and the Tullahoma Animal Shelter. For more information, contact Teresa Holt at 454-9580.

 

The former treasurer for the Coffee County Fair board was sentenced in circuit court this week on charges of theft over $60,000.
Coffee County Circuit Court Judge Craig Johnson sentenced Kimberly Ann Mullins, 37, to an eight-year sentence.  Mullins will serve six months under house arrest.  Afterward Judge Johnson will reevaluate the case, and Mullins could face time in jail. Mullins is also to make restitution of $650 a month.