Category: News

A body was found on the side of a highway in Moore County on Tuesday afternoon.
Officials with the Tennessee Highway Patrol said the person was killed in a hit and run crash on Lynchburg Highway.
The body was found in the area of Lynchburg Highway at the intersection of Louse Creek Road.
Investigators are seeking help with finding the vehicle involved in this crash. The suspect’s vehicle is a silver or gray 1998-2002 Lincoln Town Car. The vehicle should have damage to the front passenger side and possibly the windshield.
The car was last seen near the area of the crash around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29. The victim was discovered by police around 3 p.m. that same day.
If you have any information, please contact the Tennessee Highway Patrol at 615-741-2060, ask for Trooper Jacob Edwards or Trooper Jamison Benefield.

As hemp cultivation continues to grow in Tennessee, a new bill seeks to protect those in possession of industrial hemp products from being searched or their property seized by law enforcement due to the smell of cannabis.
HB274/SB279 has been proposed by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) and Representative Jay D. Reedy (R-Erin). Under the bill, those in possession of industrial hemp or it’s isolates which do not contain more than 0.3% THC would not be subject to search and seizure based solely on their composition.
Police would also not be able to subject a person to search based solely on the detection of the odor of the cannabis plant.

With most of the Volunteer State experiencing frigid temperatures this week, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is reminding residents that decreasing temperatures bring an increased risk for fires and fire deaths.
When temperatures drop below 15°F, structure fires are twice as likely to occur than when temperatures remain above 32°F, according to state fire data and information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). For this reason, January and February are consistently the deadliest months of the year for accidental residential structure fire deaths in Tennessee.
“Fire safety isn’t seasonal, but winter brings its own hazards and safety concerns,” said Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Julie Mix McPeak.
“By taking a few simple precautions now such as checking your smoke alarms to ensure they’re working and having a fire escape plan, Tennesseans can help keep their families be fire-safe all winter.”
To help combat fire dangers associated with winter weather, the SFMO shares the following tips:

Give Space Heaters Space:
• Keep anything that can burn at least three-feet away from heating equipment, like fireplaces, wood stoves, and portable space heaters.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Turn off portable heaters before leaving home or going to bed.

If you use a wood-burning stove:
• Make sure your stove is listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
• Burn only dry, seasoned hardwood.
• Place stoves on a non-combustible, fire-resistant base.
• Remove ashes regularly. Let them cool before disposing of them in a metal container that is kept at least 10 feet away from buildings or vehicles.
• Check for damage or cracks in the stove’s exterior masonry, glass, metal, or flue.

Smoking:
• If you smoke, smoke outside. Most fire deaths caused by cigarettes start in the living room, family room, or bedroom after people fall asleep while smoking.
• Keep cigarettes, lighters, and matches out of reach of children.
• Do not discard cigarettes in combustible materials like mulch, potted plants or landscaping, a trash can, or other things that can ignite easily.
• NEVER smoke where medical oxygen is present. Medical oxygen can cause materials to ignite more easily and make fires burn hotter and faster.
• Never run electricity or extension cords from one structure to another.

Tips about Flues:
• Never modify a building to fit a flue or exhaust pipe.
• As a reminder, it is against state law to modify a ready removable structure for use as a residential, recreational, or emergency housing in Tennessee.

Smoke Alarms:
• Ensure you have working smoke alarms inside each sleeping area, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home.
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years old or older.
• Many Tennessee fire departments offer free smoke alarms and installations. Contact your local fire department today to request a free alarm installation.

Escape:
• Don’t forget to have and practice a home fire escape plan. You can download a free grid on the SFMO’s website.
• Close your bedroom door at night before going to bed. In the event of a fire, a closed door can slow the spread of flames and toxic smoke.
For more tips on keeping you and your family fire safe, visit tn.gov/fire.

Gas prices in Tennessee are drifting lower again, after rising 6 cents last week. Sunday’s state average of $2.06 per gallon is down 1-cent from Friday, but remains 5 cents more than this time last week, and 2 cents more than a month ago.
The average driver in Tennessee is still paying about 34 cents per gallon less than they did this time last year.
AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said gas prices are slipping lower due to an oversupply of gasoline. He said gasoline supplies are at record highs because refineries had been running hard to meet seasonal demand for both heating oil and exports.
The national average price for gasoline rose 3 cents last week, but prices are moving lower. Sunday’s average price of $2.26 per gallon was one cent less than Friday.
Gas prices have been dropping in Coffee County with the low price being in Tullahoma at $1.95 and in Manchester the low price per gallon was a $1.96 as of Tuesday afternoon.

A joint resolution in the Tennessee State Senate seeks to legalize Bingo games in the state.
Senate Joint Resolution 97 was filed on Friday by Senator Frank S. Niceley (R-District 8).
SJR97 would change language in Article XI, Section 5 of the Tennessee Constitution which currently prohibits all other forms of lottery games not already in practice unless each house in the General Assembly gets a 2/3rds vote.
The new legislation would amend the section to allow the legislature to authorize Bingo games as long as revenues from the games are used for public and private school benefit.

On January 13th Coffee County resident Cherrie Fletcher lost her home, two pets, and all of her belongings due to a house fire. This was her home for 28 years and was paid for. Her pets were like her children. She is disabled from a stroke in 2013 leaving her on a small fixed income. Due to the age of her doublewide mobile home no one would insure it, leaving her with a total loss.
Fletcher’s beloved Rottweiler, who made it out of the fire, Hopi Grace, started barking in her face which woke her up to the smoke.
Fletcher said, “Without Hopi, I don’t think I would have made it, I could have had a heart attack and died in there.”
Fletcher was able to get in her wheelchair and attached Hopi’s collar to a leash.
“She just jerked me out and knocked the door open with her nose, and out on the porch we went.”
All donations are greatly appreciated that would help her get back on her feet and in a home. There is a benefit account set up for her at FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF MANCHESTER under her daughter’s name, Sherry Rosales. There is also a Go Fund Me account set up in Cherrie Fletcher’s name. Her clothing sizes are 8 in pants, 8-10 mediums in shirts, and shoe size is a 7.

When bad weather is predicted in Coffee County, you will see grocery stores selling lots of bread and milk, schools possibly closing, other delays and cancellations, but most of all people are worried about road conditions.
On Monday afternoon Coffee County Highway Superintendent Benton Bartlett had his crew ready to face whatever problems might occur on our roadways. Bartlett explains:

Manchester and Tullahoma street departments are responsible for city streets and the Tennessee Department of Transportation handles most state highways and interstates.