Category: News

The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) wishes to respond to the recent report through Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on “Trends in State Suicide Rates – United States, 1999-2016 and Circumstances Contributing to Suicide”
In any given day, three people in Tennessee die by suicide. In 2016, the number of suicides increased in young people (ages 10-18) in Tennessee, with one person in this age group lost to suicide every week. We lose one person between the ages of 10-24 every four days, and every day we lose at least one person over the age of 45, with adults in midlife and older adults remaining at higher risk. While suicide rates in Tennessee went up only slightly in 2016 from 2015, the new figures are the highest recorded in Tennessee in more than 35 years of record-keeping. However, with all of this information, TSPN wishes to praise efforts happening in Tennessee toward suicide prevention.
Suicide is a complex concern that is determined by multiple factors, including mental illness and prior suicide attempts, access to lethal means, poor coping and problem-solving skills, as well as social and economic problems.
If you need help, please call the suicide prevention hotline at 800-273-TALK (8255).

Motlow State Community College is offering the Accuplacer Assessment Test at all Motlow campuses multiple times through the 2018 calendar year. The Accuplacer replaced the Compass test. Students planning to enroll at Motlow for the summer and fall semester who need to take the Accuplacer, which is used to assess a student’s readiness for college-level work, should do so as soon as possible.
Students who are 21 years of age or older must take all three portions (reading, sentence skills and math) unless they have valid ACT scores on file or collegiate credit from an accredited college or university.
The Accuplacer test is a computer testing system that helps determine student academic readiness in reading, sentence skills and mathematics for college level work. Test results determine which courses are best suited to the student’s level of readiness.
Before taking the test, students must have the following on file in Motlow’s admissions office: a completed admission application, official high school and/or college transcripts, and if applicable, official test scores. Special test accommodations are available for students who require other than standard conditions for taking the test.
The initial test is provided free of charge. Students who take the Accuplacer test and feel their test results have placed them incorrectly, may challenge their initial placement score and retake the test, or portions of the test. The college charges a $10 challenge fee for each portion of the test, or $20 to challenge the entire test.
For the next available test dates and registration, please visit the Motlow State testing website mscc.edu/testing, or call 931-393-1763 or 1-800-654-4877 ext. 1763.

A motorcycle driven by Coffee County resident Jerry Bartlett crashed yesterday in Georgia, taking the man’s life. Limited information is available at this time as we are waiting for police in that area to return our call.
Bartlett is the former pharmacy director at Unity Medical Center (former Medical Center of Manchester).
Linda Hershman was on the motorcycle when the crash took place and was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
When more information is available we will update you here and on air.

At approximately 10:30 A.M. central time on Friday the Coffee County, TN Sheriff’s Department was summoned to the Bonnaroo campground for a medical issue. When deputies and investigators arrived at the scene a male victim was deceased inside a vehicle.
The man has been identified as Michael Donivan Craddock, Jr age 32 of Mount Juliet, TN.
Coffee County Sheriff Steve Graves said no foul play is suspected at this time. The sheriff added that Craddock’s body has been sent to the medical examiner office in Nashville, TN for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

On Saturday (June 9th, 2018) Tennessee Highway Patrolman Adam Malone responded to a two-vehicle accident on Interstate 24 near mile-marker 119. Upon arrival it was discovered that Robert Lauren Burdick, III age 25 of Nashville had allegedly struck a vehicle from behind causing it to overturn and entrap four victims, 2 adults and two children, all of who were transported to hospitals with injuries.
Upon speaking with Burdick, Trooper Malone noted a strong smell of intoxicant coming from his person, slurred speech and blood shot eyes. The man was allegedly unsteady on his feet and admitted to drinking some beer. He was given four field sobriety tests doing poorly on all four. He consented and was taken to unity medical for blood tests with results pending.
Burdick was charged with DUI and assault. Bond was set at $7,500 and he is to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court on August 14, 2018.

Shelbyville police have arrested 26-year-old Robert J. Bransford, a man wanted for questioning regarding two attempted child abductions.
Bransford was arrested Saturday night and charged with one count of attempted kidnapping, according to police. He was taken to the Bedford County Jail and booked in.
No other details were immediately available.
(Courtesy of WKRN-TV)

Tennessee judges are praising two new state laws they say will help protect domestic violence victims.
According to a state Supreme Court news release Thursday, one law lets judges order cellphone providers to grant domestic violence victims control over their cellphone numbers if they are on an account held by an alleged abuser.
The second law says a judge will issue a “no contact order” if a court finds probable cause that an alleged perpetrator caused serious bodily injury or used or displayed a weapon. The “no contact order” will be a mandatory condition of the perpetrator’s bond and is in addition to restraining orders.
Judge J.B. Bennett in the 11th District Circuit Court says he’s hopeful the laws will help victims better maintain independence in the face of abuse.

The race for a key U.S. Senate seat is taking shape in Tennessee, where Republican Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn continues to tout a recent visit by President Donald Trump on her behalf and former Democratic Governor Phil Bredesen is opposing Trump’s moves on tariffs. Bredesen instead has aligned himself with the Republican he wants to replace, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, who has endorsed Blackburn but says he won’t campaign against Bredesen.

MANCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING

ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING – BOARD ROOM
JUNE 11, 2018 – 5:00 P. M.

1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
1.1 Recognition of Visitors
1.2 Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
2. APPROVAL OF CONSENT ITEMS
2.1 April 30 and May 2 Minutes
2.2 Additions/Deletions and Acceptance of Agenda
2.3 Tennessee Risk Management Trust
The purpose of the Trust is to provide self-insurance and risk management products of various kinds, including but not limited to casualty and property indemnification and to administer some
or all insurance coverage and self- insurance protections.
2.4 Contractual Agreement with Manchester City Schools and Certified Occupational Therapist, Cindy Houck
2.5 Contractual Agreement with Manchester City Schools and Certified Physical Therapist, Clay Dyer
2.6 Contractual Agreement with Manchester City Schools and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, TOP Rehab Services
2.7 Contractual Agreement with Manchester City Schools and Certified Physical Therapy Assistant, TOP Rehab Services
2.8 Contractual Agreement with Manchester City Schools and Spanish Translator, Allen Kittinger
2.9 Contractual Agreement with Manchester City Schools and School Speech-Language Pathologist
2.10 Consolidated Application Approval for IDEA/ESES SY 2018-19
Consolidated Federal Project begins July 1, 2018 and ends June 20, 2019.
2.11 Memorandum of Agreement between WCI Management Services and Manchester Board of Education
2.12 Declaration of Surplus
3. COMMUNICATION TO THE BOARD
MEA
Finance
Administrators
Principals
4. BOARD/DIRECTOR DISCUSSION
4.1 Approval of CEO Credit for the Director of Schools
4.2 Approval of Tuition Fees for the 2018-2019 SY
4.3 Approval of Chromebook Lease
4.4 Approval of Work Related Contracts
4.5 Approval on Second and Final Reading – Descriptor Code: 5.1021 Employment Levels of
Classified Personnel
4.6 Approval of Policy Revision – Descriptor Code: 3.400 Student Transportation Management on
First Reading
4.7 Approval of Job Description for Instructional Coach
5. PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS
6. OLD BUSINESS
6.1 School Board Meeting Time
6.2 Filing of Police Report
6.3 SRO MOU
7. FUTURE MEETING
The next Board meeting will be scheduled for July 9, 2018.
8. ADJOURNMENT

Coffee County Director of Schools Dr Ladonna McFall has announced that Jeff Johnson has been hired as the new Principal of the Koss Center.
Johnson began his career in Coffee County and is coming back from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Center in McMinnville where he served as the Supervisor of Student Services.
Johnson has several years in school administration including a period of time in the Manchester City School system. “He has an exciting vision for our alternative education program,” said Dr. McFall.
Johnson replaces retiring Koss Center Alternative School Principal Major Shelton.