Category: News

On Monday an early morning caller scammed a Shelbyville fast food restaurant of more than $2,000.
An employee said she received a phone call around 3 a.m. from the man claiming to represent the restaurant’s corporate headquarters. The scammer told the employee that the general manager of the eatery was secretly under corporate investigation and surveillance.
In a report in the Shelbyville Times-Gazette it states that the employee was told by the caller to get the code to the safe and call him back. She was then instructed to enter the safe, count the money inside the money bags and cash drawers and report back to him.
At that point, the employee told police, the caller said a corporate representative was coming to the restaurant to conduct an audit and the facility would be closed if the money was not deposited. The caller ordered her to send him the money and he would make the deposit.
The employee was unable to leave because she doesn’t have a driver’s license. She was told to get help from a co-worker, who told them to use the money to buy four $500 gift cards immediately in separate transactions and make cellphone photos of the front and back of the cards and the receipts.
After she purchased the cards she was told to give the caller the card numbers, expiration dates and PINs. She did so and was ordered to return to the store, buy scissors, cut up the cards, send him a photo of the remains and dispose of them.
The cards were not thrown away and the employee who drove to the store had them when police arrived.
An investigation is being conducted by Shelbyville Police.

With campaign signs dotting the landscape across the state, it’s no secret that the midterms are around the corner. But a new poll from AARP indicates there’s something missing in the campaign rhetoric.
The survey found 91 percent of Tennessee voters age 50 and older think Medicare is very important for people’s health in retirement, and almost as many prioritize Social Security benefits. While most people have a clear position on these programs, Rebecca Kelly, director of AARP Tennessee, said the state’s candidates for governor and U.S. Senate haven’t made their plans known for either program.
“None of the candidates right now for U.S. Senate or gubernatorial race are talking about the issues that people over 50 care most about,” she said, “and that is lowering health-care costs and strengthening and reforming Social Security.”
Phil Bredesen, the Democratic candidate for the open U.S. Senate seat, said he believes cost savings can be found in Medicare and Medicaid if the programs were made more efficient. Republican candidate Marsha Blackburn has said she’ll support President Donald Trump’s agenda, which in the past has proposed cutting the Medicare budget. The positions of the state’s candidates for governor are unclear.
Other priorities identified in the poll include continued protections for people with pre-existing health conditions, protecting older Americans from paying much higher prices for health coverage, and supporting an income-tax credit for family caregivers. Kelly noted that many of the issues raised in the poll affect people of all ages.
“These issues are not only important to people over 50, but multi-generations,” she said, “because many of us are caring for people older and younger than us, and health care is across the board. Prescription drug issues are across the board.”
On Oct. 15, Republican gubernatorial candidate Karl Dean and a representative from Bill Lee’s campaign will discuss aging issues with FiftyForward and the Nashville Council on Aging at the Patricia Hart Building in Nashville.
The AARP state report is online at aarp.org.

It’s time once again for Old Timers Day in downtown Manchester.
The 50th Old Timers Day has big events that begin Oct. 5, Friday evening at 7 p.m. featuring a free concert by the group “Silver Creek.”
Saturday’s activities begin with at 10 am with the Old Timers Day Parade, featuring Grand Marshal BB Brown.
There will also be giveaways, like a $50 bill every hour, plus there will be a 50in TV given away.
Come on out to Old Timers Day for games and activities, a petting zoo, free train rides, musical groups like “By Faith” and more. Don’t miss the 50th Old Timers Day Friday and Saturday in downtown Manchester.

The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has found several questionable financial transactions and discrepancies within the Coffee County Emergency Communications District.
An investigation has determined the district made a payment of $15,000 to former director Steve DeFord for services he provided related to the district’s new building. The Board approved this questionable payment, which was above the director’s normal salary, ten months after the completion of the building project, and two months after the director announced his retirement.
The $15,000 payment was processed through the district’s bank account with no payroll deductions withheld.
Comptroller investigators also identified multiple payments totaling $3,400 to three employees’ relatives. These payments appear to be in conflict with the county’s nepotism policy.
Additionally, investigators have questioned food purchases totaling $891.76. Some of these purchases were not adequately supported with itemized receipts. The regular and general purchase of food without proper documentation could lead to fraud and abuse.
Finally, the district did not always follow its adopted bylaws and the county’s travel policy. Hotel room charges exceeded the allowable rate and travel claims were not submitted within a reasonable time. Comptroller investigators also recommend the district should not pay travel-related expenses in advance unless extraordinary circumstances exist.
Comptroller investigators have reviewed their findings and recommendations with the district attorney general for the Fourteenth Judicial District.
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.
911 Board Chairman Joe Hench says he will update the board on these findings during the their meeting later this month. A statement will be released sometime after that meeting.

On Friday, (September 28th, 2018) Franklin County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded to 3105 Gourdneck Rd. NW in reference to a theft from a home under construction.
Upon arrival, contact was made with workers, who advised this was the 3rd time in approximately 6 months a theft had occurred at the residence. It is believed the most recent theft occurred between Thursday, September 27th at approximately 6:25 pm and Friday, September 28th at approximately 7:45 am.
After speaking to the construction owner and the homeowner, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigators were able to compile a list of the items stolen in the latest theft. The total value of the stolen items is approximately $5,000.
If anyone has any knowledge of this incident or the location of any of the below-listed items, please contact Investigator George Dyer at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 931-962-0123 or 931-308-9420.
The stolen items are as follows:
1. Handle Freestanding Floor Mount Roman Tub Faucet Bathtub
2. Kids Crystal Drum Chandelier Hardwire
3. White Single Sink Vanity
4. Wagner Control Spray 250 Handheld Paint Sprayer
5. Wall Mount Stainless Steel Range Hood/Black Push Button Baffle Filters Stove
6. Project Source Toilet
7. Framing Guns- Coil Nailers (Senco)
8. Trim Guns (Senco)
9. Air Hoses (Green in color)
10. Extension Cords (1 orange, 1 yellow with black stripes)
11. 7 ¼” Skill Saw (Rigid)
12, Roofing Coil Nailers (Senco)
13. Trim Staplers (Senco)
14. 2 Reciprocating Saws (Makita)
15. Kobalt Impact Wrench
16. Makita Skill Saw
17. Vinyl Siding Nailer
18. Makita Hammer Drill
19. Hitachi Hammer Drill
20. 2 Dewalt Impact Drivers
21. Metal Shears
22. Black and Decker Drill
23. Black and Decker Grinder
24. Diamond Tile Blade for Grinder

Recently, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded to 6370 Chestnut Ridge Rd. (Union Grove Baptist Church) in reference to a vehicle burglary.
A report filed by Deputy Troy Parsons stated that Sunday, September 16th at approximately 11:46 am one unidentified male and one unidentified female gained access to the vehicle parked at Union Grove Baptist Church. Allegedly the thieves broke the rear passenger side window to get inside.
On Saturday, September 29th Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Investigators were able to locate the vehicle when the two suspects were driving near Adventure Mountain in Winchester, TN. Investigators were able to initiate a traffic stop and place the two suspects in custody. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a small amount of what is believed to be marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The two suspects had also apparently removed the victim’s purse and other items including checks and a cell phone.
The suspects are Cristina Lynn Boatwright, and Reza H. Sotoodeh, both of Winchester, TN. Sotoodeh was also found to have outstanding warrants in the state of California for Obstructing Police Officers and Failure to Appear. The suspects were transported to the Franklin County Jail where Boatwright was charged with Burglary, Possession of Schedule VI with Intent and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Sotoodeh was charged with Burglary, Possession of Schedule VI with Intent and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia as well as Fugitive from Justice. At last report, both suspects are currently being held under a $25,000 bond and have a court date set for Monday, December 3rd, 2018 in Franklin County General Sessions Court.

A former employee of an area hospital is suing his former employer. The suit says that St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital forced him to take a flu shot even though it contradicted the worker’s religious beliefs.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the lawsuit September 28, 2018.
WTVF-TV reports that the suit claims St. Thomas Health (STH) required all workers at the hospital to have an annual flu shot, including employees of TouchPoint Support Services, which provides food and environmental services at the hospital.
The lawsuit says that STH allowed a TouchPoint employee, because of his religious beliefs, to wear a protective mask instead of having a flu shot in 2013 and 2014. When this employee asked again in 2015 not to have a flu shot, the request was denied. When this employee refused to take a flu shot, he was told he could no longer work at the hospital.
The EEOC argues in the suit that STH’s actions violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

On Monday morning, (October 1st, 2018) at approximately 7:45 am Franklin County Sheriff’s Office personnel were in the process of responding to a stolen vehicle, via OnStar around the 6000 block of Buncombe Rd when the vehicle in question was identified by Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller at Speedway Market in Winchester. Sheriff Fuller and a Winchester Police Motor Unit attempted to block the vehicle in by the gas pumps of Speedway Market, but the driver of the stolen vehicle avoided law enforcement and fled the area traveling toward the square.
A pursuit ensued, with the vehicle coming to rest at a residence on N. Cedar St. Winchester. The suspects then exited the vehicle and fled on foot and were eventually located at a residence on North Vine St. in Winchester. A loaded handgun was recovered from the vehicle prior to locating the suspects.
Both suspects were taken into custody and transported to Franklin County Juvenile Court. Both juveniles were identified as runaways from a Group Home located in Putnam County. The reported stolen vehicle was also determined to be from Putnam County. The juveniles will be held until a hearing can be conducted and their placement determined.

Coffee County Election Commission
1329 Mc Arthur Street, Suite 6
Manchester, Tn 37355
931-723-5103

October 1, 2018

PRESS RELEASE:
The Coffee County Election Commission will meet on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 4:00 PM in the Election Commission office, Administrative Plaza, 1329 McArthur Street, Suite 6 in Manchester.
The purpose of the meeting will be to certify early voting machines for the November 6, 2018 election, audit registration forms and recruit a new employee to serve as the Administrator of Elections upon the retirement of the current Administrator.

Last day to register to vote is October 9, 2018. Early voting starts
October 17 and goes thru November 1 at the Coffee County Election
Commission and at the CD Stamps Center in Tullahoma, All voters must bring
a Federal or State photo ID to vote.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Vernita Davis, Administrator
Coffee County Election Commission

The hemp industry is booming in Tennessee.
Right now, Tennessee is seeing dozens of applications to start industrial hemp farms. The plant is used to create CBD oils and other products, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
CBD oil has been touted for its health benefits. Proponents say CBD is different from marijuana, in that it doesn’t have THC in it. THC gives marijuana its psychoactive property.
In other words, you can’t “get high” from taking CBD.
At least 35 states have passed legislation regarding industrial hemp. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture regulates the industry and anyone that wishes to work with the product must first obtain the proper permit.
At least three retail locations are selling hemp products in Coffee County.