Category: News

Earlier this year we reported that Robert Hulan allegedly cut a realtor lock off a home in Manchester without permission to enter the residence. According to the arrest warrant, Hulan then entered the house and began living in the home and parking his vehicle in the driveway. The value of the home is approximately $90,000.
Hulan, now 65, of Clayton Lane, Morrison, was arrested on Jan. 9. He was released on a $40,000 bond and was set to appear in court on May 12.
All of the charges that incident have been dismissed. The decision was signed by Timothy R. Brock of Coffee County General Sessions Court and certified on April 17.

Boosted by a record number of participating area nonprofits, The Big Payback’s fifth-annual 24-hour online giving event on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 helped raise a record amount of funds for the organizations.
In the Fifth Third Bank’s Big Reveal, the preliminary final amount totaling $3 million came from 22,071 total gifts.
Tullahoma’s South Jackson Civic Center received the most donations in Coffee County, totaling over $16,000.
In its five-year history, The Big Payback has helped hundreds and hundreds of area nonprofits raise more than $12.5 million in cumulative donations.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a man who they say stole two vehicles and led officers on a high-speed chase Friday afternoon.
The Sheriff’s Department has taken out warrants against Howard Eugene Brown on numerous charges, including driving on revoked, evading arrest, reckless endangerment, aggravated assault, and two counts of theft.
Authorities say Brown is accused of stealing a Dodge Durango out of Maury County. That vehicle was located in Warren County by deputies. Brown then allegedly stole a Honda Accord and led officers on a pursuit on back roads in the northwestern past of the county and on to the Nashville Highway. Officers discontinued the pursuit when it led into the city traffic on West Main. The Honda made a left turn on to High Street, where it passed a vehicle, went around a stopped school bus, drove through two front yards, and continued south on High Street. It was believed to have gone toward Viola.
The driver was able to elude capture but warrants for his arrest were issued Saturday morning.

When passion meets purpose, wonderful things can occur. Billy Hix, director of the Motlow College Foundation STEM Outreach program, is the epitome of that statement.
For over 30 years Hix has dedicated his life’s work to educating youngsters about the wonders of the night sky and space exploration. His efforts have not gone unnoticed.
As a result of his hard work and dedication to educating fourth, fifth and sixth grade students through his planetarium-based school program, Hix has recently received, or will be receiving, multiple awards and recognition.
In January of this year Hix was honored by NASA as a 2018 NASA Solar System Ambassador (SSA). The SSA program works with motivated volunteers across the nation to share the latest science and discoveries of NASA’s space exploration missions through a variety of events that inspire their communities.
For 2018, Hix has been selected as a Tennessee Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Advocate Award winner that will be presented this month at the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network annual meeting. The STEM Advocate Award recognizes a Tennessean who has demonstrated a passion for STEM education through public advocacy and participation in leadership organizations that advance STEM education for students.
Additionally, Hix is one of three nominees for the prestigious American Astronomical Society (AAS) Outreach/Impact Award. To foster and recognize excellence in astronomy, the AAS presents awards and prizes for outstanding contributions to astronomical research, instrumentation, writing, and service. Past winners of this award include Carl Sagan and Edwin Hubble.
Hix will also be the keynote speaker at this year’s national convention of the American Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges (AMATYC), an organization dedicated to the improvement of education in the first two years of college mathematics in the United States and Canada.
His program is 100 percent booked for next year; and this school year Hix has conducted 127 school programs and worked with over 13,000 students and teachers; further evidence of what can happen when passion meets purpose!

As the weather warms up, fishing events are getting underway in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is planning special fishing events for the warmer months.
The TWRA has announced that Tennessee’s 2018 Free Fishing Day has been scheduled for Saturday, June 9.
Children 15 and under will be able to fish without a license beginning on Free Fishing day and ending the following Friday, June 15.
The organization annually stocks fish for events across the state.

All members of the Manchester Board of Education voted to pass a $14.1 million budget on Wednesday night.
With the approval of the budget, there will be School Resource Officers (SRO’s) at all three Manchester City schools. The budget for the 2018-19 school year also includes two Instructional Coaches.
In past reports on WMSR we told you that three SRO’s would cost $126,820 for salaries and the Manchester Police Department would provide patrol cars, training, benefits and related expenses.
Instructional coaches (formerly funded through Teacher Advancement Program money) would divide their time between the school’s three campuses. They help improve the quality of instruction and help with state requirements.

On Wednesday afternoon (May 2, 2018), just before 5pm an 18-wheeler crashed on I-24 near mile-marker 123 westbound. Coffee County Emergency Management along with Manchester Fire Department, Coffee County EMS, THP, Coffee County Sheriff’s Dept, TDOT, and Coffee County Rescue Squad responded to the scene. The truck had a tire blowout and the semi went into a pond on the side of the interstate. While en-route units were notified that this tractor was carrying a mixed load of hazardous corrosives, acids, and oxidizers and that the contents had spilled. Upon arrival all responding agencies worked quickly together to secure initial protective distances by shutting down the interstate in both directions to protect those who were traveling or in the area from exposure to these chemicals.
Coffee County Emergency Management contacted the shipping company and began information gathering to learn as much as possible about the hazardous materials involved and the effects of exposure. Once the chemicals were better understood the interstate was opened back up to 3 lanes until a cleanup company arrived out of Chattanooga.
The property owner where the tractor trailer ended up was kind enough to allow responders to use an access through his field to get to the crash site.
Emergency crews, TDEC, EPA and the cleanup contractors relocated to get off the side of the interstate and began cleanup efforts that continued through about mid-day Thursday.
The driver was uninjured.

The number of students living with autism in Tennessee is on the rise.
According to the Tennessee Dept. of Education, 10,432 students were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in 2016-17, an increase from the 2008-09 school year when 4,595 students were reportedly living with the condition.
The Centers for Disease Control now lists autism as the fastest growing developmental disability affecting more than 3.5 million Americans.
A new report reveals one in 59 children in the U.S. are born with the condition, up from one in 68 children two years ago.
The developmental condition affects one’s ability to communicate and interact with others.

Manchester Fire & Rescue in conjunction with the Manchester Police Department will be having a Child Safety Seat Check day on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at the main fire station (fire station #1) at 1509 Hillsboro Blvd from 10AM to 2PM.
Did you know that 3 out of 4 car seats are installed INCORRECTLY? The event is free to the public to have your seats checked to make sure they are installed properly. If you need one installed there will be technicians on-hand to install seats the correct way to help keep children safe.