Category: News

A tragedy took place in the waters of Tims Ford Lake in Franklin County on Friday.
Franklin County Rescue Squad divers recovered the body of a 17 year-old teenager who had drown in the lake.
According to Franklin County officials, they say the teen apparently went swimming sometime Friday morning. The boy’s father discovered his son was missing about 11 a.m., and the father searched the immediate area.
The drowning occurred near a residence in the 280 block of Wildwood Circle in the Robinson Hollow Cabin Site neighborhood near Tims Ford State Park. The body was discovered a short distance from a dock area about 8 p.m.
His identity was not immediately available.

In a separate incident, at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Saturday in Grundy County, a father and his two sons were fishing from a boat in a lake on Mountain View Lane in Tracy City. Their boat flipped, and the father and one son made it to the shore. The other son did not make it to the shore and drowned.
As of Sunday afternoon, the teenager’s name had not been released and his body was still being searched for.

Motlow State will administer the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET™) several times throughout the remainder of 2019. Test locations will be on the Fayetteville, Smyrna, and Moore County campuses.
Individuals interested in taking the HiSET ™ must register online at Hiset.ets.org or by calling 855-694-4739. Applicants should contact the Adult Education Center in their community for information on preparation classes and vouchers.
Test-takers must present a government issued picture identification, confirmation of registration, and an Eligibility for Enrollment Form, if applicable. The test is available in both computer and paper-based format.
For more information, visit the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development website tn.gov/workforce/jobs-and-education/ae.html or Motlow’s website mscc.edu/testing.
A high school diploma remains the primary ticket to many entry-level jobs. It is also generally the prerequisite for advancement in employment, occupational training, and postsecondary education. The high school equivalency diploma provides adults with the opportunity to grow, whether it is through further education, enhanced employment, or stature within the community.

The 2019 Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 8 when anyone may fish free without a license in Tennessee’s public waters.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency provides the annual free day in hopes of increasing interest in fishing. Children ages 15 and younger may fish without a license beginning on Free Fishing Day through the following Friday (June 14).
The day and week are annual events in Tennessee and are great opportunities to introduce children to the enjoyment and excitement of a day on the water catching fish.
Free Fishing Day and Week apply to Tennessee’s public waters, TWRA owned and operated lakes and state park facilities.

The latest numbers are out for the Manchester-Coffee County Conference Center and right now the management is asking for nearly $375,000 in the 2019-2020 fiscal year for its deficit.
Coffee County and Manchester City equally cover the center’s operating costs meaning they will have to split the request along with operating costs.
The amount is lower than it was in 2016 and 2017 when the center needed just over $400,000 in ’16 and $500,000 in ‘17.
Just over $80,000 will go for maintenance that’s beyond normal costs that occur each day, such as parking lot maintenance and more.

A McMinnville resident was shot and critically wounded on Memorial Day.
According to Chief Bryan Denton of the McMinnville Police Dept., officers responded Monday to a call of a possible shooting at a residence on Lyndon St. Upon arrival officers located 21 year-old Jessie Palmer who was suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to River Park Hospital and then being airlifted due to the extent of his injuries.
The investigation revealed 32 year-old Lorenzo Brown to be the shooter. A warrant has been issued for his arrest on a charge of attempted homicide. He is still believed to be armed.
Denton adds if you aid Brown there’s potential for criminal charges. If you see Brown, you are asked to immediately call local police.

New Tennessee State Museum

State auditors have found water leaks at Tennessee’s new $160 million state museum.
According to the report released Thursday, nine water leaks were reported between October and March. One leak was found in an electrical closet, while another was found in an exhibition area.
Officials say no artifacts were damaged, but some items were moved to prevent damage and buckets were placed to catch falling water.
Museum management officials say no new leaks have occurred since March 10, adding that they are continuing to work with the Department of General Services and their contracted providers on water issues.
The 137,000-square-foot museum opened at Nashville’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall in early October of last year after previously being housed in the basement of the James K. Polk building for nearly 40 years.

Tennessee State Parks will celebrate National Trails Day with free guided hikes at all 56 state parks on Saturday, June 1.
This will be the third of the state parks’ signature hikes this year, following First Day Hikes in January and Spring Hikes in March. Thus far, 4,787 park visitors have participated in the hikes.
The American Hiking Society designates the first Saturday in June as National Trails Day as a day of public events aimed at advocacy and trail service. Last year, 108,947 people participated in 1,203 events across 50 states.
Tennessee State Parks are offering a variety of ranger-led hikes, night hikes, history hikes, nature hikes or trail clean-up hikes. With more than 1,000 miles of trails, ranging from easy paved trails to rugged backcountry trails to scenic waterways, the state parks have something for everyone.
At Old Stone Fort in Manchester, you’ll meet your Old Stone Fort State Park Ranger at the Museum at 10 AM to participate in this community event. You’ll be hiking from the Museum along the Enclosure Trail. This 1.25-mile unpaved trail is rated easy and is suitable for most individuals. Along the way, they’ll discuss the history of the park, observe the prehistoric Native American mound structures found there, and wonder at the three waterfalls which are found along the river systems which border the park. Please come prepared for this hike by wearing sturdy walking shoes and by bringing a reusable water bottle. Dogs are welcome.