Category: News

Officials say a new program allowing adults to attend community college or technical schools tuition-free in Tennessee has received thousands more applications than anticipated.
The Tennessean reported Monday that Tennessee Reconnect is in its first year and roughly 31,000 adults have applied. State Higher Education Commission Executive Director Mike Krause says the program has surpassed officials’ expectations as they had hoped for 8,000 to 10,000 applications.
Gov. Bill Haslam had promoted the program that provides grants for students 25 and older to earn an associate degree or technical certificate free of tuition or fees. It was approved by the Legislature last year and the application period opened in February.
Education commission data says around 22,000 women applied for Tennessee Reconnect along with nearly 9,000 men.

Motlow State Community College will receive a $250,000 state grant to help high school students earn two-year degrees in the high-demand field of mechatronics. The two-year grant will support Motlow’s Middle College Mechatronics (MCM) program at Warren County High School (WCHS) in McMinnville and Oakland High School in Murfreesboro.
The funding provided by the MCM grant will go a long way in enabling more students to enroll in this cutting-edge program.”
Because high school students don’t qualify for college scholarship assistance like Tennessee Promise and Hope Scholarships until they earn their high school diplomas, most of the grant will go toward the cost of tuition, fees, textbooks and materials for students who enroll in Motlow’s Middle College Mechatronics program.
The program will help advance Tennessee’s Drive to 55 initiative to equip at least 55 percent of working-age Tennesseans with a college degree or credential by 2025. For Tennessee to remain competitive in recruiting jobs, the state must continue to produce a trained workforce.
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development estimates a deficit of nearly 2,000 mechatronics-qualified workers each year.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has a new addition to the state’s Top Ten Most Wanted list, Brian Lee Cleckler.
Cleckler’s recently known address was J.D. Road, Hillsboro.
Cleckler, age 39 is wanted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for two counts of Aggravated Assault, two counts of Evading Arrest, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
The incident happened on August 23 when Decherd police initiated a traffic stop with a male subject. A pursuit ensued as Cleckler fled on foot into a wood line. Investigators said he discharged a firearm in the direction of police.
Brian Cleckler is a white man, who stands 5’9” and weighs approximately 163 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND (1-800-824-3463). There is a reward of up to $2,500 being offered for information leading to his arrest.
On Sunday, (August 5th, 2018) Manchester Police Officer Daniel Ray arrested Cleckler and charged him with Illegal possession of a weapon, Schedule II drug violation, Assault, Resisting Arrest, Evading Arrest, Reckless Endangerment, Reckless Driving and Resisting Stop, Halt, Frisk. He was released on bond.
Cleckler should be considered armed and dangerous.

Coffee County Investigator Brandon is asking for the public’s input on a case he is working. The person(s) that were being looked for have been located. Thanks to the public for your input on this case.

Nissan has announced it will pump 170-million dollars into its assembly plant in Smyrna and another in Mississippi to produce the new Altima sedan.
The announcement was made last week at the Smyrna facility, which has been making vehicles for the company since opening in June of 1982. Over 13-million vehicles have been manufactured in Smyrna and nearly five-million have been Altimas.
The money will be used to upgrade the facility here and in Canton, Mississippi. In Smyrna, the Altima, Maxima, Pathfinder, LEAF and Rogue are built along with the Infinity QX60. (Story provided by WGNS Radio in Murfreesboro)

Visitors at Tennessee State Parks now have more recycling options thanks to new bins delivered this month to all 56 parks.
“By encouraging recycling within our parks, we are meeting the needs of our visitors and upholding our responsibility to protect Tennessee’s public lands and natural resources,” said Brock Hill, deputy commissioner with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). “We want Tennessee State Parks to be a leader in waste reduction and overall sustainability.”
Over 400 BearSaver recycling bins – heavy-duty, pest proof and ADA-compliant bins – are now available at all Tennessee State Parks for visitor use. The bins are comprised of three adjoined weatherproof, rustproof containers which accept aluminum, plastic and trash. Bins that accept paper and glass are also available for visitors at all parks.
The new exterior bins are part of a broader initiative within Tennessee State Parks known as the ‘Go Green with Us’ program, which promotes the integration of sustainable practices into park management and operations.
Parks will soon feature new interior recycling bins as well as special event recycling stations at select parks.
For more information about the “Go Green with Us” initiative at Tennessee State Parks, visit https://tnstateparks.com/about/go-green-with-us.

The dog days of summer seem an odd time to start planning holiday menus. However, if you want locally produced meats grown and processed just the way you like them gracing your holiday tables, it’s time to track down that rack of lamb, pasture raised turkey, prime beef rib, or heirloom breed pork sausage.
Local farmers are taking reservations now for the poultry, pork, lamb, and beef, as well as specialties like cured hams and local sausages, which are in high demand throughout the holiday season.
A directory of farms that accept holiday meats and poultry reservations is available now through Pick Tennessee Products, the farmer to consumer service provided by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Go to www.picktnproducts.org/tips/meat_2018.html

A new mural has been painted in Manchester and this time it’s not in downtown Manchester. The latest mural makes 3 total in town. The mural is located on the side of the Hershman building next to Hardee’s in Manchester. The building currently houses a law office.
Scott Van Velsor, who took the lead on this project said that it took about 3 months to pull all aspects together for mural, which is a postcard style.
The beautiful art was completed by the artist known as “Mobe Oner” or by his given name of Eric Bass.
Van Velsor helped to raise money for the project. He gave a lot credit to Cater Sain with Coffee County Bank for their generous donation.
Van Velsor said he would love to see more artists featured around the city. He said he and others are working with other property owners for future murals.
Van Velsor added that there is going to be an art fair on Oct 13., 2018 from 3-7pm at Rotary Park next to the Recreation Center. The art fair will feature local artists with legit art.
There will children’s events and a pets Halloween costume contest with prizes.
The event is free to the public.

Lauren Meagan Burns age 27 of Belvidere and Timya Michelle Blair age 19 of Tullahoma were arrested on Thursday by Manchester Officer Daniel Ray.
According to the arrest warrant, Manchester officers were alerted to a possible stolen vehicle. The complaint reported to have seen the vehicle which they knew to be stolen driving on McArthur Street. Officer Ray made contact with the vehicle at the Convenience Center on Highway 55. After conducting a traffic stop the officers verified that the vehicle was in fact reported stolen from Tullahoma on August 22.
A check of the driver’s driving privilege showed Burns’ license was revoked/ suspended 4th offense. Upon placing the Burns under arrest, officers searched the vehicle and allegedly located in the back seat a bag with three syringes with residue and a set of scales. Blair, who was the passenger in the vehicle was then arrested.
Burns was charged with theft of property, driving on revoked/suspended license 4th offense and unlawful drug paraphernalia uses and activities. Her bond was set at $14,000. Blair was charged with theft of property and unlawful drug paraphernalia uses and activities. Her bond was set at $6,000.
Both women are set to appear in court on September 25, 2018.