Three out-of-the-area males have been arrested after allegedly attempting to obtain controlled substance using a fraudulent prescription in Winchester.
According to Winchester Police Department, officers were dispatched to Bennett’s Pharmacy on Dinah Shore Blvd about three males attempting to obtain a controlled substance through a fraudulent prescription.
Upon arrival, officers made contact with Bryce Marshall, of Ozone Park, New York. Marshall allegedly fled from officers but was apprehended nearby. Continued investigation led the Decherd Police Department to stop a vehicle with two occupants – Vashawn Evans of Ooltewah, Tennessee and Jumonte Brown of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
All three have been charged and the investigation is ongoing.
Customer stabs cell store worker in Shelbyville
A 34-year old man has been arrested after allegedly stabbing an employee of a cell phone store in neighboring Shelbyville.
According to a report by the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, John Oglesby, age 34, has been charged with aggravated assault after the incident. Oglesby became irate and stabbed a 33-year old worker at the Cricket Wireless on North Main St. in Shelbyville Wednesday. Oglesby allegedly stabbed the victim in the ribs and in the head. He is being held on $50,000 bond .
The victim is reported to be in stable condition.
Tullahoma schools receive $10k grant
Tullahoma City Schools received exciting news as the district was awarded $10,000 in grant funds from TE Connectivity.
“TCS is so thankful for TE Connectivity and the commitment that they have toward supporting our teachers and students through innovative program offerings,” said TCS Director of Schools, Dr. Catherine Stephens. “These funds will ensure that our educators continue to have the resources they need to create unique and meaningful learning opportunities for our students.”
Bel-Aire and Jack T. Farrar elementary schools are the largest beneficiaries, as the campuses combined to receive $4,920 in grant funds. The money that both schools receive will improve the makerspaces at both campuses.
“Makerspaces are learning environments constructed to enable students and members of the community to use various tools, technologies collaboratively, and materials to innovate, invent, engineer and creatively solve real-world problems using a hands-on approach,” said Chelle Daniels, the grant author both Bel-Aire and Farrar elementary schools. “The makerspaces at both schools will re-envision our current media center to become a more flexible and state-of-the-art multi-purpose space. These makerspaces will include multiple technologies, materials, tools and flexible workstations. Students will be able to explore its resources and connect learning across the disciplines of science, math, the arts, reading, writing, technology and engineering.”
West Middle School is the recipient of $1,500 to purchase STEM materials, specifically for eighth-grade students. In the grant request, author Jill Kimzey also noted that electricity and magnetism kits would be purchased as well as chemistry, architectural and physics kits. She also stated that West would buy items that would be beneficial in constructing robotics, including arms and hands.
Tullahoma High School received $3,580 from the grant. The Technology Student Association and Robotics is the recipient $1,080, while the eSports club was allotted $1,000. Angela Pendergraff authored both grants and stated that both clubs would benefit significantly from the money.
“Both eSports and TSA compete against each other as well as other schools and in eSports, from across the nation,” Pedergraff said. “During eSports, students work on hand-eye coordination and visual acuity. For TSA and robotics, students design, construct, code and use machines to perform tasks traditionally done by humans. Students work as teammates to be creative and solve problems. TSA and Robotics lay the groundwork for future careers and interests.”
Additionally, the Tullahoma High School CATSROCK program received $1,500 from the grant. According to Charlie Hickerson, the money the club receives will go toward the purchase of guitars for students to use during PAWS, a student activity period.
“This will allow students to be provided an artistic mode of self-expression through music on a daily basis during the school day during PAWS time,” Hickerson said. “Incorporating arts not only improves a student’s physical and emotional growth, but it improves their emotional and social development as well.”
H&R BLOCK STUDENT OF THE WEEK -Haley Barnard
Join us at Thunder Radio and Rosalyn Partin of the Manchester H&R Block and congratulate our student of the week – Haley Barnard
Haley is a junior at Coffee County Central High School. She was nominated by her teachers and administrators. Haley is the daughter of Amy and Josh Barnard. She is a member of Student Government, is the HOSA secretary and is part of the Beta club. She enjoys learning and crochet.
Upon graduating, Haley plans to pursue a career in the psychology field.
All students of the week are selected for their work ethic and excellent attitudes in and out of the classroom.
Rosalyn Partin, owner of the Manchester H&R Block, has been inspired to recognize great kids in our community all year long. H&R Block gives each Student of the Week a commemorative plaque, a special letter of recognition and two tickets to Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park.
Job well done, Haley!
UPDATE: suspect who allegedly stole two vehicles and led officers on two pursuits was on probation for theft
UPDATE
Authorities arrested Richard Lightburn, 42, on Tuesday, Feb. 8 after he allegedly stole two vehicles over a two day period and led authorities on two high-speed pursuits.
Thunder Radio News has learned that Lightburn was on probation in Murfreesboro for, of all things, theft charges.
According to Thunder Radio news partner WGNS Radio, Lightburn allegedly stole a F-250 pickup from a contractor working on a project along Old Lascassas Pike. The contractor noted that he heard the sound of his struck being started and at that point, he looked and saw his F-250 driving away and identified Lightburn as the driver. Apparently, Lightburn had been hired by the contractor and had been on the job for 2 days before allegedly taking the truck. He faces charges in Rutherford County in addition to his current probation.
Lightburn also faces fresh charges in Coffee County after this week’s incident. In Coffee County, he is facing two charges of theft of a motor vehicle, two for felony evading arrest, one for evading arrest on foot, felon in possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon during a dangerous felony, two counts of driving on revoked and reckless driving.
ORIGINAL STORY, POSTED FEBRUARY 9, 2022
A suspect is in custody after allegedly stealing two vehicles and leading Coffee County authorities on – not one – but two high-speed pursuits.
According to Coffee County Sheriff’s Department investigator Brandon Gullett, a vehicle was stolen at about 1:30 a.m. Monday morning, Feb. 7 from Love’s Truck Stop near Interstate-24 exit 117. That vehicle was located by authorities near Anderson St. in Tullahoma. A pursuit was initiated, at which point the suspect turned onto Joint Park Blvd. Authorities say the suspect ditched the vehicle and bailed on foot.
“Manchester Police Department canine units tracked him until about 10 p.m. Monday night to no avail,” Gullett told Thunder Radio News. “Today (Tuesday), about 10 a.m., I received a tip that the suspect was seen walking near Joint Park Blvd.”
At this point, the suspect allegedly stole another vehicle that was later located by authorities near the intersection of Highway 41 and 53. A second pursuit followed, that went down Old Tullahoma Highway. It finally ended near the Fraternal Order of Police building when the suspect attempted to avoid spike strips and crashed into a field. He was taken into custody at that point.
The suspect has been identified by authorities as Richard Lightburn, age 42. He is facing two charges of theft of a motor vehicle, two for felony evading arrest, one for evading arrest on foot, felon in possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon during a dangerous felony, two counts of driving on revoked and reckless driving.
Franklin County authorities need help identifying thieves, vandals
Franklin County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating an incident involving individuals in SXS and other ATVs who allegedly trespassed on private property in the Keith Springs Mountain area.
The owner of the property alleges in a report that over $2,000 in thefts and vandalism occurred. This incident allegedly happened on Saturday, Feb. 5.
You can see photos of the suspects’ vehicles below. Anyone who can help identify these individuals is encouraged to contact the FCSD at 931-962-0123.
REPORT: Dentist shortage in Tennessee
Story by Tennessee Public News Service
More than 1 million adults in Tennessee have no access to dental coverage, and only about half of kids enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program receive dental care, according to a new report.
Report author Kinika Young, senior director of health policy and advocacy at the Tennessee Justice Center, said Tennessee is one of three states that don’t provide dental care to Medicaid recipients. That’s on top of a chronic shortage of dental-health professionals, especially in rural areas.
“We know that having a health insurance card or dental-care insurance is not the ‘end all, be all’ if you can’t find a provider who is close by, who accepts your insurance,” she said.
While some health departments offer dental services on a sliding-fee scale based on income, she said, capacity is limited due to funding. Out of the 47 health departments across Tennessee providing emergency oral care to uninsured adults, only 27 were staffed and regularly open in 2020, according to the report. Beginning in April, the state’s Medicaid program TennCare will provide dental benefits to pregnant and postpartum moms.
Young also pointed to the lucrative business of cosmetic dentistry, which tends to cluster practices in higher-income areas. She said she thinks the state should focus on strengthening the dental-care workforce in low-income and rural communities.
“And so, things like increasing provider reimbursement rates,” she said, “which that is included in the proposed budget that Gov. (Bill) Lee recently announced.”
Young added that having a healthy smile shouldn’t be a luxury.
“It’s really a necessity,” she said, “and it’s really important for overall health that people maintain their oral health.”
A list of clinics and nonprofits across the state that offer low-cost and emergency dental services to people who are uninsured is on the Tennessee Justice Center’s website.
Suspect in custody after leading Coffee County authorities on two pursuits
A suspect is in custody after allegedly stealing two vehicles and leading Coffee County authorities on – not one – but two high-speed pursuits.
According to Coffee County Sheriff’s Department investigator Brandon Gullett, a vehicle was stolen at about 1:30 a.m. Monday morning, Feb. 7 from Love’s Truck Stop near Interstate-24 exit 117. That vehicle was located by authorities near Anderson St. in Tullahoma. A pursuit was initiated, at which point the suspect turned onto Joint Park Blvd. Authorities say the suspect ditched the vehicle and bailed on foot.
“Manchester Police Department canine units tracked him until about 10 p.m. Monday night to no avail,” Gullett told Thunder Radio News. “Today (Tuesday), about 10 a.m., I received a tip that the suspect was seen walking near Joint Park Blvd.”
At this point, the suspect allegedly stole another vehicle that was later located by authorities near the intersection of Highway 41 and 53. A second pursuit followed, that went down Old Tullahoma Highway. It finally ended near the Fraternal Order of Police building when the suspect attempted to avoid spike strips and crashed into a field. He was taken into custody at that point.
The suspect has been identified by authorities as Richard Lightburn, age 42. He is facing two charges of theft of a motor vehicle, two for felony evading arrest, one for evading arrest on foot, felon in possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon during a dangerous felony, two counts of driving on revoked and reckless driving.
DA Craig Northcott officially announces bid for re-election
Coffee County 14th Judicial District Attorney General Craig Northcott has officially announced plans to seek re-election in the upcoming 2022 cycle.
Below is a statement submitted by Northcott:
It has been my distinct honor and privilege to serve the 14th Judicial District (Coffee County) as District Attorney since September 1, 2014. I am officially announcing that I have qualified to seek re-election for this position in 2022.
When I first sought this position, I promised to perform my duties based upon the Christian values that I hold and upon which this wonderful Country is founded. I also told you that I would work to ensure the safety of all in this community without sacrificing our God-given, constitutionally protected freedoms. You elected me upon those promises. Over the course of the last 7 years, I have worked hard every day to fulfill those promises.
I have one firm rule that applies to every situation my office encounters: Do the right thing. As a result of this, my office has achieved justice for many victims in cases ranging from theft to rape to 1st degree murder. We have been compassionate but firm in our stance of pursuing a case to the end. When justice requires a maximum sentence, we work tirelessly to achieve that. However, in most cases, mercy is warranted, and we will extend offers in those cases that grant mercy without removing accountability.
I have protected rights of both victims and defendants by greatly improving the efficiency of moving cases from arrest to indictment. Further, I and all those who work for me are available to victims. I instituted procedures to enhance the communication between my office and victims regarding their cases. Additionally, I take seriously my role to stand between the citizens of this State and an overreaching government. I have refused and will continue to refuse to enforce any criminal statute that is unconstitutional in general or as applied to a specific situation.
I have worked in Nashville to fight harmful legislation intended to reduce the accountability of criminals for their conduct. I have fought Governors, State Senators and State Representatives as they seek to reduce the penalty for crimes but in particular for murderers. Similarly, I have worked to promote legislation to protect the rights of crime victims. A strong, uncompromising voice is needed in Nashville to speak for law and order as well as victims as continued efforts are being made by our supposedly conservative Governor and legislators to erode the few rights of victims under their dangerous and ill-conceived “criminal justice reform”.
Although much has been accomplished, there is much left to do. Thus, I am humbly asking that you allow me the opportunity to continue to serve you as District Attorney for another term. I am asking for your support and vote based upon my record over the last 7 years and a promise to continue to build on the progress that has been made. I look forward to discussing that progress in more detail in the coming months.
Deadline to file petitions for May primary is Feb. 17
Candidates who wish to file for the upcoming May 3 primary have just over one week to do so.
Candidates for the upcoming May 3, 2022 State and Coffee County Primary Elections began picking up petition papers on Dec. 20 at the Coffee County Election Commission.
The deadline to have petitions returned is Thursday, Feb. 17 at noon with a withdrawal deadline of Feb. 24.
Anyone wishing to vote in the May 3 primary must be registered by Monday, April 4. You can register by visiting the Coffee County Election Commission on McArthur St. Early voting will be April 13 through April 28. You can also register to vote from your computer – just click here.
There are multiple races up for grabs this election cycle. Just to name a few: Coffee County Sheriff, Coffee County Mayor, Manchester Mayor, Circuit Court Clerk, County Clerk, Register of Deeds, Coffee County Trustee, Road Superintendent, General Sessions Judge, District Attorney General, along with various county commissioners, city aldermen and school board seats.
