Thunder Radio news reported last week that Manchester Police Chief Mark Yother intends to retire at the end of the month.
Now the City of Manchester has released a job description posting for the position with the guidance of Municipal Technical Advisory Service. The official job description is below:
The City of Manchester, Tennessee is seeking a new Police Chief. Manchester is only one hour from the
Nashville International Airport. It offers a great quality of life for its community of 12,212 residents and a
city school system. Is has five exits along Interstate 24 and many great restaurants for its community. It
is also home to the popular four-day festival called Bonnaroo.
The Manchester Police Department is made up of 35 sworn officers and 9 non-sworn staff members.
The Police Chief oversees an annual budget of $3. 2 million and functions under the administrative
direction of the Mayor.
The chosen candidate will hold a high school degree, with a preferred bachelor’s degree in Criminal
Justice or a related area with at least ten years of experience in law enforcement and preferably two
years of supervisory and command experience. The City of Manchester is looking for qualified
candidates who have continued their educational training with an emphasis on leadership. Salary is
$72,828 and is non-negotiable. The city offers an excellent health and retirement benefits package.
Interested applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and professional references by email to
Armintha.Loveday@tennessee.edu Resumes will be accepted until September 5, 2022. All inquiries are
to be directed to armintha.loveday@tennessee.edu. Applications are subject to public disclosure.
EOE/TN Drug Free Workplace.
The hiring of a police chief will be the first big agenda item for the newly elected Board of Mayor and Aldermen, which features 3 new faces out of 6 aldermen positions. Yother leaves after 10 years as chief.
Motlow partners with TN Valley Robotics to train educators in robotics classroom integration
Motlow State Community College partnered with Tennessee Valley Robotics to provide elementary, middle, and high school educators from across middle Tennessee with enhanced robotics training for incorporation into various classroom subjects. The training took place on August 2 at Motlow’s Automation and Robotics Training Center in McMinnville.
This partnership was made possible by the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) Grant Motlow initially received in 2019. Funds from the Grant directly support workforce development efforts.
“Mechatronics and robotics are the core of the GIVE Grant for Motlow,” said Dr. Kaneal Alexander, Motlow’s GIVE Grant Coordinator.
“The mission of Tennessee Valley Robotics is to provide opportunities in STEM and robotics for students across the Tennessee Valley,” said Scott Rosenow, lead robotics coach and trainer for Tennessee Valley Robotics. “Motlow reached out to Tennessee Valley Robotics to collaborate on our shared mission.”
Four school districts in Motlow’s 11-county service area will use the equipment this fall. TVR provided the equipment and, with Motlow, maintains a lending library so different classrooms in the service area can checkout supplies as needed.
Educators were able to get hands-on experience building and programming the robots. They were also shown where to locate pre-developed course material they can use immediately in their classrooms.
“Mr. Rosenow had a tremendous amount of knowledge, experience, and patience. When I first spoke with him about bringing robotics into our district, he has a ‘whatever you need and whatever it takes’ mindset,” said Lea Bartch, coordinator of Science and Social Studies for Murfreesboro City Schools. “The training was well sequenced and paced. He was well prepared and supportive, which was important because we had a vast range of experience in the room. Because of the resources he shared and the instruction from the training, we will be able to get robotics teams started in our schools this year.”
“This curriculum introduces computer programming to students as early as kindergarten and can be used through high school,” said Rosenow, who is also a computer science teacher in Hamilton County.
He said he reminds everyone he instructs on leading the robotics lessons to share what they know and learn with other educators. “If I can create a successful experience, they get excited about sharing that experience with their students.”
“He also trained those who led the Motlow-hosted Summer Youth STEM Camps last month,” explained Alexander. “They were able to replicate what he did because of their own hands-on experience before those events.”
One set of robotics equipment can be used for multiple themes within the curriculum. Robot design changes based on the challenge requirement. The pre-developed STEM lessons promote collaboration, organization, critical thinking, and other soft skills students will use throughout life in addition to the STEM curriculum.
“STEM impacts us daily. It is a component of life from which you can’t separate. When you need to fix anything, cooking, repair, anything, it’s all STEM,” said Rosenow.
Tennessee’s Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient, and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. The system offers associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs, and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tbr.edu or visit Motlow at motlow.edu.
Tullahoma PD needs help identifying driver allegedly involved in theft
Tullahoma Police Department has released an image of a pickup truck they say was involved in the theft of a trailer back on August 1.
The pickup appears to be a white, long-bed Chevrolet single cab. The alleged theft occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Aug. 1. (see photo below)
Anyone with information should call detective Kyle Pyrdom at 931-455-0530 ext. 112 or email kpyrdom@tullahomatn.gov.
Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen to swear in new board members at special called meeting Aug. 18
City of Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen have announced a special called meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18 to swear in the recently elected aldermen and mayor.
Three new aldermen were elected Aug. 4 – Joey Hobbs and Donny Parsley to 4-year terms and Julie Anderson to a 2-year term. Alderman Mark Messick was re-elected to a 4-year term. Also, Mayor Marilyn Howard ran unopposed and was elected to a 2-year term as city mayor. All will be sworn in on Aug. 18, along with three re-elected city school board members.
The meeting is open to the public at City Hall – 200 W. Fort. St. Manchester. TN. 37355.
AGENDA:
Pursuant to a call by Mayor Marilyn Howard, there will be a Special Called Board of
Mayor and Alderman Board Meeting on Thursday, August 18, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. for
the following:
New Business:
a) Newly Elected City of Manchester Board of Mayor and Alderman Oath of
Office Ceremony
Mayor (2-year term)
3 Alderman (4-year term)
1 Alderman (2-year term)
b) Newly Elected City of Manchester School Board Oath of Office Ceremony
3 School Board (4-year term)
Adjournment:
Three sentenced in million dollar theft ring that included Manchester
PRESS RELEASE
In August 2018, Manchester Police responded to Tri-Green Equipment on Interstate
Drive, in regards to a burglary to their business. It was reported that one of their trucks had been
used to break through the gate and used to move a barricade. It was also determined that a John
Deere Gator, Zero Turn Mower and an 18’ Lawrimore trailer was stolen.
In November of 2018, Manchester Police Department Investigators learned that similar
thefts had happened in Murfreesboro, TN. Manchester Police and Murfreesboro Police worked
together to identify suspect(s) that were responsible for crimes in both jurisdictions. As the
investigation continued, and it became obvious that crimes were committed throughout the
Southeast and Eastern United States. Both agencies teamed up with the FBI to continue the
investigation.
Investigators followed leads which led them to two suspects, Donald White and Miranda
Skye Jones from McMinnville, TN. During extensive interviews with the Manchester Police
Department and the FBI, the case grew into a multi-state, million dollar theft ring involving
Christopher Daniel Gay – AKA Little Houdini (Leader of Theft-Ring). Donald White and
Miranda Skye Jones were determined to be acting as accomplices. The three conspired and
carried out a multi-state theft ring, stealing approximately $1.7 million dollars’ worth of
property. The property stolen included: Class A Motorhomes, car haulers, heavy equipment,
travel trailers, lawn care equipment, vehicles and tools. It was reported that Gay would wear a
police shirt and an exposed firearm while canvasing heavy equipment dealerships, gaining his
own intelligence. Gay would then use the intelligence gained and return to commit his crimes.
The involved individuals sold the stolen equipment using social media pages including Facebook
and Craigslist.
All 3 suspects entered guilty pleas in Federal Court on charges of Conspiracy to Commit
Wire Fraud and Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property. Gay was sentenced to 84 months in
Federal Prison, to run consecutive to other State Felonies. White was sentenced to 74 months and
Jones was sentenced to 36 months. Both were ordered to pay restitution to the victims. Gay has
an extensive criminal history and received his nickname after numerous escapes from
jails/guards. He is most known after a 2007 escape and theft of country music singer Crystal
Gayle’s tour bus in Nashville, TN.
All involved agencies worked tirelessly throughout this investigation. Manchester Police
is grateful for the time and work that was dedicated to this case by the FBI and the Murfreesboro
Police Department. A majority of the property was able to be recovered and returned to the victims.
Kentucky flood victim collections continue in Manchester
Manchester residents have teamed up to begin a collection of items for victims of recent floods in Eastern Kentucky.
A trailer was dropped off Monday, Aug. 8 in the Southern Family Market parking lot to be filled. The items will be driven to the Sycamore Volunteer Fire Department for distribution. The trailer remains as there is room for more donations.
Items needed include:
Water
Tooth paste
Tooth Brush
Deoderant
Feminine products
Diapers
Baby Formula
Soap
Shampoo
Razors
Towels
Shaving Cream
Pet Food
Cleaning supplies (trash bags, gloves, brooms, brushes)
No clothing is being accepted at this time.
In addition to collection items, anyone wishing to make monetary donations to cover fuel expenses of the trip can be made at 1873 Hillsboro Blvd. in Manchester (Imhoff Landscape). Additional funds over fuel costs will be used for gift cards for more supplies.
Southern Family Markets parking lot is located at 2050 Hillsboro Blvd. next to Al White Ford Lincoln.
Flood waters ravaged the eastern part of Kentucky in late July, leaving at least 37 people dead.
Woodbury man sentenced to 3 months for Jan. 6 actions
A Woodbury man has been sentenced to three months in prison for his role January 6th in Washington DC.
Matthew Baggott pleaded guilty in April to a count of disorderly and disruptive conduct.
Baggott has been sentenced to 3 months incarceration, 1 year of supervised release, 60-hours of community service and $500 in restitution.
A total of 25 Tennesseans have been arrested in relation to January 6.
Motlow Celebrates 14 New Paramedic Graduates
Motlow State Community College recognized 14 new paramedics during a graduation ceremony held August 8 in Powers Auditorium on the College’s Moore County campus.
“This graduating class has put in a lot of time and effort and proven themselves to take their place among their colleagues in the field,” said Houston Austin, EMS Director at Motlow. “I am very proud of all of their accomplishments. Motlow strives for excellence, and they have definitely achieved that.”
Time management is essential for successfully completing the Paramedic program. From the time they started the program to when it was finished, they completed 1200 hours of class time and more than 600+ hours of clinical time to achieve their goals. The graduates can appreciate what they have accomplished as they prepare for their careers as valuable, highly-competent paramedics.
“This has been the hardest and most rewarding year I’ve experienced,” said Hayley Corn, from Winchester. She plans to work for the Rutherford County EMS.
Most of the graduates completed Paramedic Certificates at Motlow, however, Taylor Mitchell and Jacob Wrisner also achieved their Paramedic Associate of Applied Science degrees. A paramedic is the highest level of EMT. In the field, paramedics can provide a higher level of emergency care, such as inserting an IV, administering drugs, and helping with pacemakers.
Several Motlow graduates were also recognized with additional awards of achievement, including:
Excellence in Academic Performance
- -Katrina Cherry
Excellence in Clinical Performance
- -Jamie Lamb
Excellence in Skills Performance
- -Jessica Quirk
- -Jacob Wrisner
- -Ashley Welcome
For more information about Motlow’s EMS programs, contact emseducation@mscc.edu. Fall classes start August 22.
2022 Graduating Class
- -Ramina Askander
- -Katrina Cherry
- -Levi Coles
- -Hayley Corn
- -Gabriel Garcia (US Air Force veteran)
- -Cameron Hawkins
- -Dustin Horton
- -Jamie Lamb
- -Taylor Mitchell (US Navy veteran)
- -Jessica Quirk (US Army veteran)
- -James Richard (US Marine Corps veteran)
- -Alex Smith (US Army veteran)
- -Ashley Welcome
- -Jacob Wrisner
Tennessee’s Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient, and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. The system offers associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs, and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tbr.edu or visit Motlow at motlow.edu.
Raz’n Kids Consignment Sale is Wednesday through Friday in Manchester
The Raz’n Kids Fall/Winter Consignment Sale is slated for Aug. 10-12 at the Coffee County Fairgrounds in Manchester.
Hours are 4:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10 and 8 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11 and 12. There will be a public half price sale from 7:30 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Aug. 13.
The sale will feature kids clothes, junior girls and women’s clothing, young men’s clothes, bicycles, shoes for all ages, sports cleats, infant toys, baths and pack and plays. There will also be home decor, movies, board games, books, purses, backpacks and Halloween costumes.
The Coffee County Fairgrounds can be found at 99 Lakeview Dr. in Manchester. Learn more at raznkids.com.
Bonnaroo announces 2023 dates
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will return yet again in 2023.
The festival announced Monday that next year’s event will be held June 15-18.
The festival has been held every summer since 2002, except 2020 and 2021, which were cancelled for COVID-19 and weather, respectively.
Thunder Radio is your source for local Bonnaroo ticket information and discount for next year’s festival. A date for ticket sales has not yet been announced.
