Two males are in the Coffee County Jail after an alleged aggravated robbery involving a machete Saturday morning just outside of Manchester.
According to Coffee County Sheriff’s Department investigator James Sherrill, two black males from Huntsville, Alabama walked into a trailer on Bryan Blvd. and asked for gas, according to the female resident who lives there.
According to Sherrill, the resident was going to give the males and a female who was with them a ride to the store for gas. At that point, one of the males allegedly sexually assaulted the female resident. At that point a machete was pulled by one of the assailants and the suspects took the woman’s purse, keys and cell phone.
Authorities were able to catch up to the suspects at a convenience store in Winchester on Highway 130 and take them into custody.
Arrested were Darius Lankford, age 38, and Leo Anthony Sewell, age 44. A female with the two was not arrested and was taken back to Huntsville.
Sherrill said investigation is ongoing as to why this particular home may have been selected.
Some of the stolen property was recovered but authorities are still searching for the cell phone that was taken – a Samsung s21. Sherrill believes someone may have picked up the phone and is using it. He encourages anyone who may have seen the phone along Highway 55 or Highway 130 to return it to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department.
Both suspects were charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated assault and especially aggravated robbery. Sewell was also charged with sexual battery. Both are being held in the Coffee County Jail.
Warren County family loses home to fire, donations sought
A house near the Warren County fairgounds was completely destroyed by fire Friday morning.
The house at 51 Kayla Lane was owned by Edwin and Pam Myers. They were not home and no injuries were reported, according to a news report by WOWC. Fire officials say an alternate heating source was likely the cause of the fire but investigation continues.
According to WOWC, the family did not have insurance and are in need of donations from household goods to clothes.
Pam Myers wears size 1 and 2 pants, small shirts and size 6.5 shoes. Edwin Myers wears size 36 pants, 1XL or 2XL shirts and size 12 shoes. You can call 931-414-9526 for more information on dropoff locations and hours.
Murfreesboro police searching for bank robber; reward offered
Police searching for the man who robbed Murfreesboro Fifth Third Bank around 11:17AM Friday morning (1/7/2022). The bank is located at 2437 Old Fort Parkway, near Cason Lane and in front of the Kroger grocery store.
PIO Larry Flowers noted, “He did not display a gun but handed a teller a note demanding money. He got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.”
Bank surveillance photos show a man dressed in a black hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, black shoes, gray gloves, a tan hat, and a surgical mask.
The bank robber parked his getaway car next door at the Waffle House (between the bank and Walgreens).
Surveillance video shows the man getting into the car at the Waffle House and driving on the Old Fort Parkway toward Interstate 24. Police describe the vehicle as a dark-colored 2015-2019 Honda Accord.
The robber fits the description of the man who robbed the First Horizon Bank at 154 Cason Lane, on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. In that robbery he used the same getaway car. Both banks are in the same parking lot near Kroger’s and are only a few hundred feet apart.
Anyone with information about either bank robbery should call Murfreesboro Police Criminal Investigations Division and talk with Detective Julie Cox (phone 629-201-5514).
You can also submit tips anonymously to CrimeStoppers by downloading the P3 Intel app or calling 615-893 STOP (7867). If your tip leads to an arrest and conviction, you’ll be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
– Our news partners at WGNS radio provided this story.
January is human trafficking prevention and awareness month
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Human trafficking continues to be a public health concern in Tennessee. Through mid-December 2021, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Human Trafficking Hotline had received 1,185 tips or leads related to human trafficking concerns. This January, which is recognized as National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Tennessee Department of Health encourages Tennesseans to learn risk factors, red flags, and resources for human trafficking that could help save a life.
“Human trafficking continues to affect every corner of our state,” said Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “It is important we take every opportunity to raise awareness of human trafficking and identify victims and perpetrators quickly. Human trafficking happens in all communities, rural and urban, and often in ways many of us would not suspect. I am proud of the work our health department and leaders across Tennessee State Government have done to combat this growing crisis.”
The following signs may indicate that a person is the victim of human trafficking:
• *Unable to leave or come and go as desired
• *Unpaid or paid very little or only through tips for his/her work
• *Excessively long and/or unusual work hours
• * Not allowed breaks or subjected to unusual restrictions at work
• *Few or no personal possessions and/or identification documents
• *Lack of control of his/her own money
• *Not allowed to speak for him/herself
• *Numerous inconsistencies in his/her stories
• *Fear, anxiety, nervousness, depression, paranoia, submissive behaviors
• *Signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture
If you think you may know someone who needs help or have met a potential victim of human trafficking, please contact the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-558-6484 or text “BeFree” to 233722. For more information on human trafficking, please visit https://www.acf.hhs.gov/otip/about/what-is-human-trafficking.
Tennessee continues to take a proactive approach to address this public health issue. New laws have been passed every year since 2011 to assist victims of human trafficking and increase punitive action against traffickers. Learn more about these laws at https://ithastostop.com/.
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is recognized each year on January 11. Please join us to raise awareness of human trafficking by taking photos wearing blue and sharing them on social media, using the hashtag #WearBlueDayTN. For more information on the Blue Campaign, please visit https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/wearblueday.
Unity Medical Center warns of scam texts
Unity Medical Center is alerting the public of a text message scam using the hospital’s name in an effort to scam victims out of money.
According to Unity officials, people are receiving text messages that claim to be from the hospital and these texts messages suggest that the intended victim owes a given amount of compensation for medical services.
Unity Medical Center says that it does not contact patients via a text message service. Do not give any payment or information if you receive one of these messages. If you have questions or think you may owe the hospital money, contact the hospital directly and ask for billing at 931-728-6354.
SNOW PATROL: FRIDAY, JAN 7. 2022
SNOW PATROL FOR FRIDAY, JAN 7, 2022.
presented by the bread and milk experts at Spring Street Market – 801 S Spring Street in Manchester
*Bedford County Schools – CLOSED
*Cannon County Schools – CLOSED
*Coffee County Schools – CLOSED
*Franklin County Schools – CLOSED
*Manchester City Schools – CLOSED. No extended care
*Temple Baptist Christian School – CLOSED
*Tullahoma City Schools – CLOSED
*Coffee County Government offices – CLOSED
*** this post will be updated if/when other school districts decide to close or make schedule changes. If you do not see your school district, assume it is on normal schedule.***
Coffee County Sheriff Chad Partin receives state award
Coffee County Sheriff Chad Partin has been recognized by the Tennessee Peace Officers Training Commission (POST). He received the Dr. Jay P. Sellick award for outstanding service to the law enforcement profession in Tennessee.
Over the past few years, Partin has served as vice chairman and now serves as Chairman of the Tennessee POST Commission.
The Tennessee POST Commission currently oversees 19,000 law enforcement officers throughout the state and is responsible for developing and enforcing standards and training for all local officers.
The P.O.S.T. Commission is comprised of 15 members that include local law enforcement, legislators, and Tennessee Citizens who are not connected with law enforcement.
Marchesoni announces bid for re-election as Trustee
PRESS RELEASE
Coffee County Trustee John H. Marchesoni is seeking re-election in the May 3, 2022 primary.
Marchesoni has served as trustee since 2014.
“Our team is committed and dedicated to the Coffee County residents who put their trust in us to handle their money carefully,” Marchesoni said. “I have worked with local banks to obtain the best interest rates in investments for the return of your money and make it easier to pay your property taxes.”
The duties of the trustee include:
· Mailing property tax statements.
· Collecting property taxes.
· Receipting county monies.
· Investing county funds.
“We have relationships with local banks that allows us to secure an investment at a higher rate of return,” Marchesoni said. “Our local banks offer us the most competitive interest rates on the market during this unprecedented economic time for an increased return on the county’s funds.”
When interest rates were higher, local banks extended the investment times from 12 months to 18 months to secure the best interest rates for the county’s funds.
By dealing with local banks, the money remains in Coffee County to build the economy here.
Marchesoni and his team assist disabled veterans and senior citizens who qualify for tax relief provided by the state.
“Although the responsibilities and duties demand accountability and require the utmost integrity, the dedication to provide service is a daily practice,” Marchesoni said. “We strive each day to serve our residents.”
His team includes Viki Blondin, Jamie Cartwright, Amy Godwin and Certified Public Accountant Karen Johnson who provide services to meet the resident’s individual needs.
Other services include answering property tax questions and providing reports and financial information to the county.
As trustee, Marchesoni expanded the way county residents could pay their property taxes safely at the window office or drop box, by telephone, by mail and online at web site tntrustee.com.
Middle Tennessee trustees honored Marchesoni as “Trustee of the Year” for Middle Tennessee in 2017 for outstanding service and commitment to Coffee County. He served as president of the Middle Tennessee Trustee Association.
Marchesoni earned the Certified Public Administrator designation through the University of Tennessee’s County Technical Advisory Services. The training instructs officeholders how to adopt the best standard practices for the Trustee’s Office.
He is married to Beth Marcrom Marchesoni and they have one grown son, Denton.
SNOW PATROL: THURSDAY, JAN. 6, 2022
SNOW PATROL FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022.
presented by the bread and milk experts at Spring Street Market – 801 S Spring Street in Manchester
*Bedford County Schools – CLOSED
*Cannon County Schools – CLOSED
*Coffee County Schools – CLOSED
*Manchester City Schools – CLOSED. No extended care
*Temple Baptist Christian – CLOSED
*Tullahoma City Schools – CLOSED
*Warren County Schools – CLOSED
*** this post will be updated if/when other school districts decide to close or make schedule changes. If you do not see your school district, assume it is on normal schedule.***
Window remains open for candidates to pick up petitions for May 3 primary
Over the past 15 or so days, there have been approximately 40 candidates pick up petitions for various elected offices across Coffee County.
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.
