Category: News

A Murfreesboro woman who was part of a human trafficking case managed to escape her captors Thanksgiving Day.
Now police are wondering could there be more victims.
Last week a woman escaped her perpetrators by jumping out of a bathroom window in Murfreesboro and running to the Thornton’s on Old Fort Boulevard where she called her mother and then police.
The 29-year old victim told police she had been sold, traded and swapped for money and drugs in the Bradyville and Readyville areas of Rutherford County, as well as Grundy County, and in Kentucky.
According to a police report, the victim said she was given the drug ketamine, which induces a trance-like state, to make her sleep at night. Her captors also forced her to use cocaine during the day, she reported.
One of the two men who held the victim against her will told her he was part of a cartel.
Murfreesboro police detectives are investigating and working to determine if there are other victims.
If you are a victim of Human Trafficking or know someone who may be call 1-800-TBI-FIND. Victims can also text HELP to BE FREE (233733).

County health departments across the state of Tennessee are giving out free flu shots on Dec. 5.
The state health department says the annual flu epidemic is expected to last many more weeks. Flu can be deadly, and the annual vaccination is still the best protection against it.
Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner (DRYZ’-nur) says in a news release that the vaccine can keep you from becoming ill. He says it can also protect those around you who could catch the disease from you.
No appointments are needed during the free flu shot event. Shots are available at all county health departments, but locations and plans vary by county. In Manchester call, 931-723-5134 and the Tullahoma location can be reached at 931-455-9369.

Medical oxygen is a necessity for those suffering from respiratory illnesses, but, tragically, medical oxygen has been present in several home fires that resulted in the deaths of Tennesseans in 2018.
State fire data shows medical oxygen was present in 9% of the fatal fires that have occurred so far in 2018 (eight out of 89 total fatalities). In October 2018 alone, medical oxygen was present in one-third of fatal home fires (two out of six fire fatalities). As winter approaches and people spend more time indoors, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) urges consumers using medical oxygen to renew their commitment to taking fire-safety precautions in order to prevent fires and burns from occurring.
Why is medical oxygen so prevalent in home fire deaths? Fire needs three things to grow: Heat, fuel, and oxygen. Where medical oxygen is present, the surrounding air’s oxygen saturation is increased. This allows fires to start easier and burn hotter and faster, making escape more difficult.
The SFMO encourages Tennesseans to remember the following tips to avoid fire hazards associated with the presence of medical oxygen:
• There is no safe way to smoke in a home when medical oxygen is in use. A person utilizing medical oxygen should never smoke.
• Candles, matches, wood stoves, and even sparking toys can be ignition sources and should not be used in a home where medical oxygen is present.
• Keep oxygen cylinders at least five feet from heat sources, open flames, or electrical devices.
• Items containing oil or grease, like hand lotion, can easily ignite. Keep oil and grease away from where medical oxygen is being used.
• Never use aerosol sprays, especially those that indicate flammable contents, near the oxygen.
• Post “No Smoking” and “No Open Flames” signs inside and outside the home to remind people that medical oxygen is present.
• Ensure smoke alarms are working by testing them monthly. Replace the unit if it is more than 10 years old.
• Create a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room and a designated meeting place outside. Practice the plan with every member of the household.
For more information on keeping you and your family fire safe, visit tn.gov/fire.

The 20th annual Manchester Rotary Club Christmas choir concert is this Friday and Saturday, November 30 and December 1st in the sanctuary of Trinity Baptist Church, located at 1513 McArthur Street in Manchester.
Dana M. Brooks, Minister of music at Manchester First United Methodist Church is the director of the production. Longtime director Evans Baird is retiring. Brooks tells us about this year’s production:
“It is my esteemed honor to direct the 40-voice choir this year and I’m privileged to be a part of this Manchester tradition!
The choir will be singing many of your traditional favorite songs as well as a few well selected more recent selections! We will also be featuring several very gifted soloists.”
And the best part? It’s all free!
The Manchester Rotary Club Christmas choir takes place this Friday and Saturday at 7 pm each night in the sanctuary of Trinity Baptist Church, 1513 McArthur Street in Manchester.

Coffee County commissioners voted to make a settlement offer to a former employee who said she was wrongfully terminated from her job in 2010. She took the county to court over her losing her job and now a financial settlement is in the works.
On May 27, 2010, Melinda Keeling was fired from the Coffee County codes department. At that time, Glenn Darden was the department director and David Pennington served as a county mayor.
According to County Attorney Bob Huskey, Keeling was laid off because there was not enough work to justify keeping her position.
After a trial and an appeal by the county, an opinion was issued by the Tennessee Court of Appeals affirming the judgment of the trial court in the case of Melinda Keeling v. Coffee County.
Monday county commissioners voted to approve a settlement with Keeling for $985,000.
Coffee County Mayor Cordell who was not the mayor at the time of Keeling’s termination but is the leader of the county now explains how this will or will not affect taxpayers.

On Thursday (Sept. 13, 2018) almost 7 years after being arrested Shannon Eugene Amos, now 46, was convicted for having sex with the teenager who worked in his Tullahoma business. Amos was found guilty after a 7-day trial. That’s when this case began to change. According to Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott, Amos was convicted by a jury for Aggravated Statutory Rape, Statutory Rape by Authority Figure, and Sexual Battery by Authority Figure.
Judge Venessa Jackson denied the prosecution’s request to revoke bond pending sentencing, but the D.A.’s office filed a written motion for her to reconsider. Instead of revoking Amos’ bond, Judge Jackson decided to set aside the jury’s verdict and grant the defendant a new trial. According to Assistant District Attorney Jason Ponder, the entire case will have to be re-tried with a new jury and a new judge.
A status hearing concerning the rape case will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 9 a.m.

A preliminary date has been set for 66 year-old Charles Bean of Overton Co. for Dec. 11 in Warren County. Bean appeared in General Sessions Court Tuesday and told Judge Bill Locke he has retained the services of attorney Brett Knight from Cookeville. Bean is being charged with 2 counts of attempted criminal homicide, 2 counts for aggravated assault and one count of evading arrest from an incident that occurred on Nov. 19 when he reportedly burned down his own barn and garage in Overton Co. and had threatened to kill his son-in-law, who lived in Warren County. When the man was enroute to his son-in-law’s house, he was pursued by officers and began firing at them. He is currently at the Warren Co. Jail under a $1,000,075 million bond.
He will appear at the preliminary hearing in General Sessions Court on Dec. 11.