Category: News

Divers from the Coffee County Rescue Squad took part in a search for the remains of Bobby Smelcer, whose skull was found in the Duck River in Bedford County in April. The skull was identified Monday. The Coffee County divers along with other diver from other counties searched the river bottom, occasionally filling large metal buckets with rocks and debris. Those buckets were carried by a boat occupied by two divers to a makeshift workstation filled with forensics personnel. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation forensics experts and several students from Middle Tennessee State University’s forensics program worked side-by-side inspecting the debris. Bedford County investigators say that there were no remains found.

Three people were killed in a single car collision in Warren County early Wednesday afternoon.
The accident was reported around Noon on Goodbar Road near McMinnville, about 80 miles east of Nashville.
Authorities said Roy Rogers was traveling south on the roadway when his 1999 Cadillac struck an embankment and utility pole before overturning.
Roy Rogers, along with his two passengers George Dodson Jr. and Danny Rogers were killed in the accident.
Officials said none of the victims were wearing seat belts. Alcohol is believed to have played a role in the accident. The investigation is ongoing.

A Warren County man has been indicted in Rutherford County and charged with TennCare fraud for the second time.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office have announced the arrest of Charles Ray Burger, 43, of McMinnville. He was being held in the Warren County Jail on unrelated charges, and was later transported the Rutherford County Jail, where he was served with the indictment.
Burger is accused of obtaining Morphine Sulphate through a local clinic prescription, then later selling the drug to an undercover police officer in Warren County.
If convicted Burger could serve up to two years for the TennCare fraud which is a Class E felony.
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 tn.gov/tnoig and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”

Those of you that travel Belmont Rd in the county, that road that road will be closed Friday but open to people living in that area only. County workers are replacing a collapsed tile the work should be completed by this afternoon. Paving work will resume on Belmont Rd when the tile work is finished.

April 2012 was the driest April since 1915. This past month, rainfall totals were about ONE HALF inch of rain. In 1915, the record was set at ZERO POINT FOUR SEVEN inches – so we were slightly above the record, but not by much. As a comparable, our rainfall average for this area is around four inches of rain. And as another point of interest, in April 1977, the highest April rainfall record was set at TWELVE POINT THREE SIX inches of rain. Duck River Utility Commission (DRUC), where TUB purchases its water, is reporting that we are track right now to have another drought much like we did a few years ago.

Casey Barnes who is an inmate in the Coffee County Jail has gone missing. Barnes a male in his Mid-30’s has a thin build and brown hair. He left a a work detail near Butler Circle in Manchester on Wednesday.

If you know of the whereabouts of Barnes, or have seen him, contact the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department at 931-728-9555.

Tullahoma Police are investigating the theft of over $20,000 from the safe of the Cedar Lane Church of Christ. Officials with the church reported to Tullahoma officer Kevin Smith that thieves entered the church building and took $20,491 in cash and checks from the church safe. They also took a Black and Decker drill. Police also found windows broken out. Detective Ty Brazier is investigating the incident.

A Manchester teenager was injured in a single vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon on Highway 55 near Willowbrook Golf Course. According to Tennessee Highway Patrolman Duane Stevens, Tyler Clayborne, 19, of Manchester looked down at something in the floor, and when he looked up he saw brake lights of a turning vehicle.  He overcorrected and lost control. He then went into the median and overturned. Clayborne’s parents transported him to a Manchester area hospital for treatment.

Dr. Dan Lawson says he will leave as director of the Tullahoma City Schools. Lawson said in a letter that that he will not seek an extension to his contract when it comes to an end on June 30, 2013.
The letter was written to board chairman Pat Welsh.  Lawson wrote that he did not anticipate or expect a contract extension. He added he would be happy to step away and serve in a capacity more behind the scenes.   Lawson has served as the director for 15 years.

Last weekend’s collection of unused and outdated drugs is being considered a huge success. According to Tullahoma Police, 40 pounds of unwanted or outdated pills, prescription and non-prescription were collected during the drive that was held at Northgate Mall. The collection held at the Coffee County Sheriff’s department also received 55 pounds of pills. The federal drug enforcement agency will destroy the drugs.