Category: News

What’s being said is the largest event of this type was busted by police in Bedford County on Saturday.
Police initially responded to a farm on Railroad Road in Wartrace around midnight after they received a call about a “rowdy” crowd. Police found a well-lit ring inside the barn, as well as cockfighting paraphernalia and several dead birds in garbage cans.
Most of the people took off running through the woods. However, 7 people were arrested for cockfighting including: Luis Cervantes, 32, of Shelbyville; Bravo Mojica, 41, of Shelbyville; Christian Sarabia, 37, of South Jackson Street, Tullahoma; Gustavo Moreno, 41, of Shelbyville; Elias Najera, 58, of McMinnville; Jeffrey Ryan, 32, of Quebeck, Tennessee; Walter Conrad, 51, of Nashville; and Giyemlo Savino, 39, of Baxter.
Officials said more than 500 various types and game birds and chickens were on the farm.
The property is quarantined, and all chickens will remain there until the Tennessee Department of Agriculture can do some testing for disease.
More arrests are expected.
More arrests are expected.

Two people were taken to hospitals after a reported stabbing incident Wednesday afternoon in Estill Springs. Estill Springs Police and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded to Tanglewood Trail in Estill Springs about 2:15 p.m. A female had apparently been stabbed twice, once each in the stomach and in the left hand. She was taken to the hospital in Winchester for treatment.
A male suspect allegedly attempted to commit suicide was taken to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga.
No other information was available at news time.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry is accepting grant applications for the 2018-19 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) program from now until Sept. 14, 2018.
Volunteer fire departments (VFDs) serving communities with populations of 10,000 or less are eligible for this 50% reimbursement grant. Grants will be awarded for qualifying purchases up to $6,000. Last year, 115 VFDs received grants for a total amount of $264,368.
Examples of qualifying purchases include personal protective equipment, firefighting hand tools, communications equipment, parts and supplies for engines, and training materials.
“All areas in Tennessee are prone to wildland fire,” State Forester David Arnold said. “We are proud to be able to support these firefighters who serve the rural areas that rely on volunteers for fire assistance.”
Applications must be submitted to the area’s Assistant District Forester. To qualify to apply, volunteer fire departments must have a current memorandum of understanding with the Division of Forestry.
In addition to this grant, 575 VFD firefighters received wildland fire training through the VFA program in 2017. For more information about the program and examples of items that can be purchased using VFA grant funds, please contact Robin Bible at 615-837-5537.

The Coffee County Election Commission will meet on Thursday, August 16, 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 the August 2, 2018 elections.
For more information contact Vernita Davis, Administrator Coffee County Election Commission at 931-723-5103.

On Sunday, (August 5th, 2018) Manchester Police Officer Daniel Ray was on patrol on Hwy 53 when he attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation. The arrest warrant sates that the driver began to drive erratically, allegedly attempting to evade the officer. The male driver turned onto Mayfield Street and turned quickly into a drive way striking the home with the vehicle. The man jumped from the vehicle and refused orders from the officer to stop.
Officers checked on the man’s passenger and then began a foot chase for the subject. The man ran for several minutes before Officer Ray caught up with him. The warrant says that the man allegedly attempted to tackle the officer and knock him to the ground. Ray wrestled with the subject before finally getting the man in custody.
Ray then found lying next to the man, a bottle of a white crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine weighing approximately 4 grams.
The vehicle that the man identified as Brian Lee Cleckler age 39 of J.D. Road, Hillsboro was driving was reported stolen out of Chattanooga. A 12-gauge shotgun was also found in the vehicle, Cleckler is a convicted felon.
Officer Ray charged Cleckler with Illegal possession of a weapon, Schedule II drug violation, Assault, Resisting Arrest, Evading Arrest, Reckless Endangerment, Reckless Driving and Resisting Stop, Halt, Frisk. His bond was set at $75,000 and his court date is August 28, 2018.

Manchester Police are asking for your help identifying a female subject. She is wanted for questioning in regards to a theft of a laptop from KK’s Pawnshop in Manchester. If you can identify the female, please contact Manchester Police Investigator Bryan Eldridge at 931-728-2099.
Please help identify if at all possible so that Manchester Police can close this case.
** Subject(s) pictured are innocent until proven guilty **

Tennesseans love their farmers markets, and the proof is in their growth.
In 2000, fewer than 50 farmers markets were listed with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Pick Tennessee Products program. By 2014, Tennessee had 154 farmers markets, ranking first in the nation in growth of farmers markets, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
With 168 active farmers markets listed on Pick Tennessee’s website and mobile app in 2018, it is easy to find local events celebrating this week’s National Farmers Market Week.
Every farmers market is unique, with its own range of farmers, customer preferences, and products, representing its community in an especially nimble way. The modern farmers market has essentially become a community hub. Larger markets often host family-focused seasonal festivals, and even hip night markets complete with wine or beer tastings.
Whatever your market’s size, providing fresh, locally produced foods and other farm-direct products is its core purpose.
A list of tips for getting the most out of your local market, as well as a farm-measures-to-kitchen conversion calculator, are available at www.picktnproducts.org.
Pick Tennessee is the free service of Tennessee Department of Agriculture developed to connect consumers to Tennessee farmers, farmers markets, farm products, and activities, plus food and farm products grown or made in Tennessee.
Coffee County
Coffee County Farmers Market, 1331 McArthur Street, Manchester, TN, 37355
Community Market, Coffee County Courthouse Lawn, Manchester, TN, 37355
Manchester Locally Grown, 251 Interstate Drive, Manchester, TN, 37355
Tullahoma Farmers Market, 201 W. Grundy Street, Tullahoma, TN, 37388
Tullahoma Locally Grown (TLG), 1407 N. Jackson Street, Tullahoma, TN, 37388