Category: News

Tennessee ranks fourth among the states for the percentage of abortions provided to out-of-state residents, according to an analysis of data by the Associated Press. More than 28,000 women have traveled to Tennessee since 2009 to end a pregnancy.

Francie Hunt, executive director of Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood, said she sees it as proof that, regardless of where they live, women need access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care. 

“We know that reducing unintended pregnancies requires access to birth control,” she said. “Once we equip people with medically accurate, age-appropriate information about their health, we find science shows that people make better health decisions.”

The analysis indicated that the majority of women seeking abortion services traveled from Arkansas, Kentucky and Mississippi, three states where legislators have passed tough new abortion restrictions in the past decade. The AP research found that, nationwide, at least 276,000 women traveled to another state to end their pregnancies between 2012 and 2017.

Last month, the Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee discussed a proposed measure that would ban abortion as soon as a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Hunt said it’s unclear how Senate Bill 1236, introduced by Sen. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, would be enforced.

“This bill became an extreme measure,” she said, “that could interfere with personal, private medical decisions about birth control, access to fertility treatment, management of a miscarriage and access to safe and legal abortion.”

The bill stalled during the last legislative session, but could be voted on early next year.

The AP analysis is online at apnews.com, and details of SB 1236 are at wapp.capitol.tn.gov.

Thursday is 2 for 1 ride day at the Coffee County Fair from 6 p.m. to closing. First person pays full price, second rides free – tickets only. Also on Thursday, the Nick’s Kids show will be at 5 p.m.. Nick Dattilo will perform at the grandstands at 7 p.m. and Zach Donegan at 8:30 p.m. 

The Junior Dairy Cattle Show will be at 6 p.m.

(EDITOR’S NOTE – Some details in this story may be disturbing to some readers.)

Thunder Radio News has learned that two Coffee County parents have been arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse or neglect after Coffee County Sheriff’s Department (CCSD) investigators found eight children living in deplorable conditions.

Andrea Lynn Arthur

Arrested on Tuesday night, Sept. 17 were Andrea Lynn Arthur, 31, and Alonso Dewite Maxin, 35. Both charged with aggravated child abuse or neglect and more charges are expected, according to CCSD.

Investigators found the children after a call for a welfare check on Aug. 20 to a trailer park at 1483 Riddle Rd. The caller advised police that a small female child was running around the park, going through trash cans for food and water.

When sheriff’s investigators James Sherrill and Stephen Sharketti arrived and attempted to speak to the child, she ran up a mattress that was leaned against a trailer and went through an open window, according to Sherrill’s report.

Upon making entry to the residence, investigators discovered disturbing conditions.

According to Sherrill’s report, the two-bedroom, one-bath, single-wide mobile home smelled of urine. Sherrill and Sharketti discovered a bedroom that was “almost completely empty.” The report states that there was no mattress for the children to sleep on and there was feces on the floor and the walls of the bedroom. One child was discovered in the bedroom and appeared to be very scared, according to Sherrill.

Alonso Dewite Maxin

On the floor of the master bedroom was a mattress, along with various clutter. In the living room, investigators discovered seven children, ranging from age one to 10. All of the children’s ages are as follows: 10, 9, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1. Also in the living room investigators discovered roaches “all over the floor,” cat and dog feces and urine, food and a lot of trash. The report states that the children appeared dirty, very malnourished, clothing did not fit and it appeared that they had lice.

The report also states that the children do not attend school. Arthur stated that she home-schooled the children, however, Investigator Laura Nettles stated in the report that the home school does not appear to be legitimate.

The children told investigators that they get locked in the bed room at night and when they get in trouble. The report states that boxes of food are rationed to the children.

All eight children were immediately removed from the home by the department of children’s service. Sheriff’s Department officials had Vanderbilt conduct an examination on the children before arresting the parents. More charges are expected to be filed. Maxin and Arthur claimed to be the parents to all of the children.

Arthur and Maxin were arrested Tuesday night and are each being held on $80,000 bond. More details to this story will be released as they are available.

An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in two former corrections officers with the Warren County Jail being charged with tampering with governmental records.

At the request of 31st District Attorney General Lisa Zavogiannis, on January 14th, TBI Agents joined investigators with the DA’s office in investigating an inmate death that had occurred on that date in the Warren County Jail. During the course of the death investigation, Agents developed information that two corrections officers, Zechariah Clark and Steven Mason, did not conduct the required jail walk-through, and jail logs were altered at some point to reflect that the walk-through had been completed. Neither man is still employed at the jail.

On September 6th, the Warren County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Zechariah Jacob Clark (DOB 10/26/1996) and Steven Thomas Mason (DOB 02/20/1991) each with one count of Destruction of and Tampering with Governmental Records. On Monday, Clark and Mason were arrested and booked into the Warren County Jail.

On the week, the national gas price average held steady at $2.56, but motorists can expect some volatility at the pump in the coming days and weeks. Over the weekend, Saudi Arabia experienced drone attacks on two major oil facilities – including the world’s largest, Abqaiq. The attacks have taken 5.7 million (crude) barrels per day off the market, accounting for about 6% of the global supply.

Prior to the attacks, global crude oil supply was very healthy, in fact sitting on a global glut of stocks. Regardless, initial market reaction to the attacks spiked crude oil prices.  At the start of the work week, crude oil (West Texas Intermediate, WTI) is trading for $5/bbl more than on Friday’s closing, up to $61/bbl – a price point for crude not seen since May.

“Americans can expect local pump prices to start to increase this week. The jump could end up being as much as a quarter per gallon throughout this month,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “Whether this is a short or long term trend will be determined by the price of crude oil prices and how quickly the facilities in Saudi Arabia can recover and get back online.”

According to AAA, Tennessee saw a 5 cent average jump overnight from Monday to Tuesday. In Manchester, gas was hovering around $2.31 a gallon for regular unleaded as of  midday Tuesday. 

Wednesday is a busy day at the Coffee County Fair! As far as midway rides are concerned, it is dollar day from 6 p.m. until closing, so $1 for all rides. But there are plenty of other activities. Senior Citizen’s Program begins a 9 a.m. at the grandstands, the Antique Tractor Parade is at 10:30 a.m., the Antique Tractor Races will be at 1 p.m., the Nick’s Kids Show at 5, 7 and 8:30 p.m., and Refuge will play the grandstands at 7 p.m. and By Faith will play at 8 p.m. Go enjoy the 162nd annual fair – it’s only here until Saturday. 

The Tullahoma City Schools accepted the resignation of director of schools John Carver Monday (Sept. 16) night, just about a year after the system decided to hire him.

The board unanimously voted to accept Carver’s resignation. School Board Chairman Pat Welsh made a sudden announcement Friday (Sept. 13) that the board was working to reach a separation agreement with Carver.

As part of his severance, Carver will receive his salary and benefits through the end of September, in addition to six months salary.

East Lincoln principal Scott Hargrove will take over as interim director of schools beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17 while the board works to find a full-time replacement.

Carver’s tenure with Tullahoma schools was brief. The school board announced the intent to hire him in August of 2018, and he took over from outgoing director Dan Lawson in November of 2018.

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s help to identify a suspect who is wanted for questioning in relation to burglaries in the northern part of Coffee County. 

Surveillance photos show the subject driving a 2000 model Nissan Xterra. According to the sheriff’s department, the driver appears to have a tattoo on his left hand and is possibly from the Murfreesboro area. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact CCSD Inv. Brandon Reed at 931-570-4191.

The Coffee County Fair continues Tuesday night! If you plan on riding some rides, it is $20 handstamp day from 6 p.m. until closing. Also on Tuesday night will be the Nick’s Kids Show at 5, 7 and 8:30 p.m. the Wool and Wollies Show at 5 p.m., the Junior Sheep Show is at 6 p.m. and there are some more beauty pageants.

The Junior Miss Coffee County for 6-8 year olds Contest will be at 6 p.m. and the Junior Miss Coffee County for ages 9-12 will be at 7:30 p.m.