Category: News

Manchester Police is looking for a wanted man by the name of Randall “Randy” Patrick Curtis. Curtis has numerous warrants for burglary and theft of property. Curtis could possibly be armed so do not approach if you see him. The vehicle shown in the picture is what Curtis might be driving.
If you have any information that could help Manchester Police locate Randall “Randy” Patrick Curtis please contact Investigator Trey Adcock at the Manchester Police Department a 931-728-2099 or Coffee County Communications at 931-728-9555.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has officially asked President Donald Trump to make a Major Disaster Declaration so that 58 counties, including several in our area, can get federal help after last month’s severe storms & flooding.
On February 6, heavy rain, major flooding, and severe storms began in the state. According to Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), 83 of Tennessee’s 95 counties have reported some level of flood damage and severe weather impact.
Governor Lee’s request specifically calls for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make the Public Assistance (PA) program available to 58 counties impacted, including area counties: Coffee, Franklin, Bedford, and Moore.

Only 12 of the 90 Tennessee counties audited by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office received a clean audit report in fiscal year 2018. The 12 counties included Coffee County. Other counties listed as clean were, Blount, Fayette, Franklin, Gibson, Lincoln, Loudon, Marshall, Meigs, Putnam, Roane, and Sevier.
These annual audits were completed without any findings. Auditors did not report any weaknesses or deficiencies in government operations.
These audits each revealed a strong system that allows for accurate financial reporting and clear checks and balances that help protect taxpayer money. The residents of these counties should be encouraged that county leaders and elected officials are taking their responsibilities seriously.
If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800.232.5454, or file a report online at www.comptroller.tn.gov/hotline.

The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office reports vehicle burglaries recently occurred at Curl Construction. As a result, the Criminal Investigations Division was able to identify John Pickelsimer as the person responsible. Pickelsimer is currently in custody in another jail and will be charged with 4 counts of burglary and two counts of theft of property over $1,000.
The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Wartrace Police Department for their assistance in this case.

The new dog park opened in Manchester on Saturday. It was a beautiful day for dogs and people to celebrate the officially named Bark-aroo Dog Park. The Manchester Recreation Department says the park, which is fenced in, is located on Waite St near the new soccer complex. The park is open from dawn to dusk seven days a week. The rec department asks that users be respectful of each other and only dogs that are used to socializing with other dogs come to Bark-aroo Dog Park. A complete set of rules can be seen on a sign at the park.
Bark-aroo Dog Park was funded by a $25,000 grant through the Boyd Foundation.

Overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning there was a home invasion and at least 3 car break-ins in the Bob Meadows/Harpo Road area of Coffee County. Sheriff Chad Partin told WMSR News that one suspect, Tyler Uselton, was brought into custody by deputies and the second suspect is now in a secure location.

The sheriff went on to tell us how the arrest of Uselton took place:

Sheriff Partin says that the area is now deemed safe and thanks to everyone for their help.

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairwoman Mary Mancini has apologized for calling the state racist recently while promoting less conventional candidates.
Mancini made the comment while speaking with the Coffee County Democratic Party earlier this month. Mancini is quoted as saying, “We have a little bit of a problem in this state, I’m just going to say it outright. This is a racist state.”
The Tennessean reports Mancini’s comment came while she was saying the state party should continue to promote minority, millennial and LGBTQ candidates.
In a statement to the USA Today Network-Tennessee, Mancini said “In the heat and the frustration of seeing and hearing the constant drumbeat of bigotry, misogyny and homophobia coming from the Republicans at the state legislature, I used a poor choice of words and vented my frustration and I apologize.”
Mancini said her words didn’t represent how she or other members of the state Democratic Party view Tennessee residents.