Category: News

Former Coffee County Sheriff Steve Graves and the Coffee County Rescue Squad have teamed up to make Christmas a whole lot merrier for families around the area.
The program began several years ago through Graves’ charity program at the sheriff’s department. This year, with the help of many volunteers, members of the rescue squad and churches, over 300 families have received toys and more during this special time of year.
Graves, volunteers and the Coffee County Rescue Squad will have one more distribution day on Saturday December 22, 2018 beginning at 9am in the Coffee County Rescue Squad building on Murfreesboro Hwy. This is the 20th year for Graves’ charity program.

For scammers, the season of holiday giving is the season of taking, and Tennesseans’ hard-earned money again tops scammers’ wish lists. Unfortunately, Tennessee consumers are falling for scammers’ ploys when it comes to gift card swindles in increasing numbers. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s Consumer Sentinel Network reports Tennesseans lost nearly $1 million – over $943,000 – through prepaid gift card scams in 2018, which is a 44 % increase compared to 2017 when scammers stole $653,709 from consumers.
While family, friends, and co-workers may use gift (or ‘reload’) cards to express holiday appreciation, scammers want the cards’ PIN numbers for fast cash, and they’re willing to do and say anything to get those numbers from consumers.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s Division of Consumer Affairs (TDCI) is warning consumers of a new and increasingly common scam where callers pretending to represent a federal or state agency contact consumers about a fictitious debt and demand payment in the form of a prepaid gift card or risk punishment. Consumers should remember that no government agency will ever demand payment in the form of a reloadable gift card.
To help consumers avoid prepaid gift card and other holiday scams, TDCI offers the following tips:
GIFT CARD SCAMS:
• Always remember that a government agency will never ask for payment in the form of a prepaid gift card. If you receive a call from someone portraying him or herself as a government official, but they ask for a gift card as payment, hang up the phone.
• Never read or text someone the PIN number on the back of a gift card. The number is as good as cash in the scammers’ pocket.
• Reputable businesses, like technology support companies and shop-at-home services, don’t ask for gift cards as payment. If you’re being asked by a caller to pay for a product or service with a gift card, proceed with caution because it is likely a scam.
• If you’re buying gift cards as gifts, make sure to buy them from a reputable and known source.
• Always treat gift cards like cash and protect them as you would your wallet.
HOLIDAY SCAMS:
• Be suspicious of apps, online advertisements, or websites offering prices that seem suspiciously lower than retail prices at trusted retailers.
• Consider paying with a credit card that offers fraud protection when possible.
• Only shop on secure websites. Look for https in the address (the extra “s” is for “secure”) and for a lock symbol.
• Some retailers and delivery services need extra help at the holidays but beware of solicitations that require you to share personal information online or pay for a job lead. Apply in person or go to retailers’ main websites to find out who is hiring.
• Several trusted companies offer charming and personalized letters from Santa, but scammers mimic them to get personal information from unsuspecting parents. Check with https://www.bbb.org/to find out which ones are legitimate.
• Be cautious if you get a call or email from a family member or friend claiming to be in an accident, arrested, or hospitalized while traveling in another country. Never send money unless you confirm with another family member that it’s true.
CHARITABLE GIVING SCAMS:
• Don’t assume that charity recommendations on social media platforms or blogs have already been vetted. Research the charity yourself.
• Find out what percentage of your donation will go to the charity and whether you will be charged any fees for making a donation through a fundraising platform website.
• Check to see if the charity is registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State.
• Websites posing as charities can sometimes look identical to the real organization. These fraudulent websites will often ask for personal or financial information over an unsecure connection or may download harmful malware into your computer. Look for a padlock symbol or “https” before the web address indicating that it is secure.
• Avoid being pressured to make an immediate donation. Don’t hesitate to ask questions to get more information.
• If you didn’t initiate contact, avoid giving personal or financial information over the phone.
• Never write out a check or give cash to an individual solicitor. Write out checks to the name of the organization or use a credit card.
If you’ve been the victim of a gift card or other holiday scam, report it to the FTC.
For more information on being a savvy consumer, visit tn.gov/consumer. You can also check what scams are being reported in your area, the state, and across the country by accessing the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker.

The holiday season is ramping up, and while most people look forward to festivities with friends and family, for others this time of year can worsen stress, sadness and depression.
Some people have increased anxiety due to travel obligations, or the expenses of gift-giving. Others neglect self-care trying to make the holidays special for family or loved ones.
There is no evidence that the suicide rate spikes at Christmas, but suicides have dramatically increased in the U.S. in recent years. And Dennis Gillan, who lost two brothers to suicide, said each person needs coping mechanisms to help maintain their holiday equilibrium.
“Let’s get comfortable talking about mental health so we don’t have this increase,” Gillan said. “And then, too, if you’ve been down this road, take care of yourself. Self-care is not selfish.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is now the 10th-leading cause of death nationwide, and the second-leading cause for people ages 15-34. A report by Blue Cross Blue Shield showed Tennessee ranks among the highest states for depression rates among teens.
Temple University sociology professor Matt Wray has studied why suicide rates are higher in the American West than other parts of the United States. He said people thrive on strong friendships and family relationships, and too much solitude at any time of year can bring on feelings of despair.
“Social isolation; and I’m not talking here about loneliness, although loneliness can be a factor in suicide, but more about geographic and social disconnectedness,” Wray said.
Mental health experts say for people who struggle during the holidays, this is not the time to cancel therapy sessions. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

A state government group says Tennessee should still keep a paper trail of voters’ ballots roughly 10 years after coming out with a similar recommendation that resulted in little change.
According to the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, just 14 of the state’s 95 counties produce some sort of a paper record for independent recounts and audits. The group first urged changes to the state’s election system in 2007, when it found only two counties had such requirements.
All the other counties use direct recording electronic voting machines with touch screens that do not produce a paper record that can be recounted and audited independent of the voting machine’s software.
Tennessee is one of 14 states with no statutory requirement of a paper record of all votes.

Tennessee State Parks will offer free, guided hikes at 55 state parks as part of the annual First Day Hike program across the state.
The hikes are designed for all ages and abilities. Some hikes are over rugged terrain while others are nice strolls. Each hike is led by an experienced park ranger. The hikes are part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes in all 50 states.
Hikes feature spectacular views and informative guidance by the rangers.
Old Stone Fort is one of the most scenic hiking areas around. Join Park Rangers on a 3.5 mile strenuous/ difficult hike along the Backbone Trail. You’ll begin at the Museum and walk along both the Big and Little Duck Rivers to the Forks of the River before ascending to the top of Backbone Ridge. They suggest dressing appropriately for the weather and wearing sturdy hiking shoes. Bringing a reusable water bottle is also recommended. Dogs are welcome as long as they remain on leash.

Manchester Police Chief Investigator Jackie Matheny has issued a warning about a scam making its way around Manchester and Coffee County. IRS imposters are threatening arrests, lawsuits, and property seizures unless the victim pays up. Law enforcement says they’re investigating alongside several other agencies across the United States. The scammers are spoofing phone numbers that seem to be local. Caller ID spoofing is the practice of causing the telephone network to indicate to the receiver of a call that the originator of the call is from someone or place other than the true originating person or place.
Investigator Matheny stated, “The scammers say they are attempting to collect money on a balance owed on an account.”
The Internal Revenue Service will never demand payment over the telephone. Typical IRS communication comes in the form of U.S. Mail. If you receive a phone call that you suspect is a tax scam, hang up and report it to the US Treasury, Office of Inspector General at 1-800-366-4484. To help avoid becoming the victim of a scam, area law enforcement recommends to never transfer funds through third-party wire or card services.
People in Manchester and Coffee County have fallen for this scam in the past, so please don’t become the next victim.

On Sunday December 9, 2018 around 9:51 p.m. officers of the Winchester Police Department responded to a call of an armed robbery that had taken place at 1018 South College Street also known as Loui’s Bar and Grill. Upon arrival, officers spoke with an employee of Loui’s. The employee stated that an unknown individual came into the establishment wearing all black, wearing a ski mask, and did have a firearm. The individual then demanded money. The individual did obtain an undetermined amount of money and left in an unknown direction. The employee of Loui’s was unharmed in the incident.
The identity of the individual who committed the robbery is unknown at this time and the investigation into the matter is ongoing. Anyone who has any information about the incident or the individual that committed the robbery is encouraged to contact the Winchester Police Department at 931-967-3840 or Crimestoppers at 931-962-INFO (4636).

A Shelbyville check cashing business was robbed late Saturday morning, police said.
Two women at Check Into Cash, on Madison Street in the old Taco Bell building, said a man they could only describe as a “white male” came in and demanded money.
“He never showed a weapon but acted like he had one,” Detective Sgt. Charles Merlo of the Shelbyville Police Department said.
The man grabbed the money and ordered the employees into a bathroom, according to Merlo.
An employee set off an alarm after the man’s demand, Merlo said. The suspect was last seen running behind the nearby Madison Street Station shopping center. (Shelbyville Times Gazette)

The Manchester Tourism and Community Development Commission has partnered with the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce to reward folks for shopping local!
The idea is pretty simple, bring 3 holiday shopping receipts from local stores here in Manchester to the Chamber of Commerce and pick between a festive green or red soft-style “Team Manchester” t-shirt. Alderman Ryan French tells us more: French also mentions how shopping local helps the local economy:
Remember start collecting your receipts now, as the shirts will be available at the Chamber office starting Wednesday December 12th. Sizes and quantities are limited, first come first serve.

On Thursday morning (Dec. 6, 2018) at approximately 7:15am, Coffee County deputies rushed to a scene regarding shots fired at 321 Bush Lane in the vicinity of Deerfield Elementary School. Once Deputy David Young and other officers arrived, they secured the scene. Deputies spoke with alleged shooter 30-year-old Brian Gilley. He advised he did in fact discharge a weapon to intimidate the family of a female friend.
Gilley, who apparently has a relationship with the woman, said he went through her phone several days prior and saw where she was talking to another guy causing an argument.
Once Deputy Young spoke with the female, she stated that Brian went through her phone and saw where she was messaging a guy friend, and he got mad and started assaulting her by choking and punching her in the head and holding her down.
The woman also advised that she sent a text to her family on Thursday morning saying he wouldn’t let her leave and he had her keys.
Later the woman and Brian Gilley’s mother went to drop off children at school. While driving to the school, the family the female reached out to arrived at 321 Bush Lane. The family advised that when they arrived, they began looking for their family member and could not find her, so they started to beat on the door trying to get someone to answer. They told deputies they then heard Brian Gilley say that he had a gun.
Soon after they realized the woman was pulling up in the driveway with Brian’s mother, she jumped out of the vehicle and tried to get in the vehicle with the family who came to aid her.  Brian Gilley aimed the shotgun and fired one shot at the them off the front porch. Brian’s mother called 911 after the shot was fired.
All parties involved gave written statements, and a Mossberg 500 shotgun was seized for evidence.
Gilley was arrested and charged with domestic assault and 4 counts of reckless endangerment. His bond was issued at $12,500, which he made. Gilley’s preliminary hearing was Friday.

The information from this report was taken from the CCSD incident report.