Category: News

Talk of the State Fair coming to Manchester back in the News

The famous funnel cake at the Tennessee State Fair.

There was a lot of talk a few years ago about the possibility of the Tennessee State Fair moving to the Bonnaroo grounds in Manchester. According to a report on WTVF-TV Newschannel5, Tennessee State Fair officials have been looking for a new location for the annual event, and the Bonnaroo farm could be one of them.
A study released Thursday shows the current location in Nashville, which has been in use for many years is no longer the best location for the state fair for a variety of reasons.
The plan would include constructing buildings for the state. Officials were still looking into whether or not the Manchester area would be able to supply enough workers and other needs for the fair. We will continue to follow this possibility or if it is just talk as it turned out to be a few years ago.

Another Utility Trailer Stolen in the Area

Investigator George Dyer of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is currently working a theft case. On June 25th or June 26th someone stole a red 6×8 foot utility trailer from the Carson Lane area in the Broadview Community of Franklin County. The trailer has white wheels, wood floor, and new safety chains. The trailer has been weathered due to age.
Utility trailers have been stolen from many different areas including Coffee County so authorities are asking that residents make sure your utility trailers are secured.
Anyone having information on this crime please contact Investigator Dyer at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 931-962-0123.

Road Construction will Not Slow Motorists this Weekend through Wednesday at 6AM

Road construction will not slow motorists across Tennessee over the Independence Day holiday. TDOT will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes beginning at 12 noon Friday through 6am Wednesday, July 5th to provide maximum roadway capacity for holiday travelers.
Motorists will still encounter some long term lane closures on construction projects.
AAA projects a record breaking 44.2 million Americans will travel this Independence Day weekend. In Tennessee, AAA estimates over 872,000 will travel during the holiday, with over 782,000 driving to their destinations.

Funny Girls starts July 7 at the Manchester Arts Center

Fanny Brice

In a world of beauty, one girl knows that funny is always in style! The Broadway musical Funny Girl was made famous in the 60s by Barbra Streisand’s performance on stage in 1964 and in the 1969 film. This July, the role of Fanny Brice is played by Kerri Kairdolf, one of the hottest new additions to the Ultimate Oldies group, in the Millennium Repertory Company production at the Manchester Arts Center, 128 E. Main St. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm, July 7-15. Tickets for the production are $15 for adults, $13 for students, seniors, and military, and may be purchased online at millenniumrep.org or by leaving a message at 931-570-4489. Audiences are warned that the show contains language and some comical situations that may be unsuitable for some audiences.

Man charged with Criminal Homicide in Death of 4-Year-Old Boy in Tullahoma

Charles Eugene Anderson… Intake photo provided by the CCSD.


Tullahoma Police Investigator Harry Conway has charged Charles Eugene Anderson, 32, of North 10th Avenue, Decherd, in connection with the death of a 4-year-old boy.
Officials with Tullahoma police said officers were called to the Tennova Harton Emergency Room at 6 a.m. Wednesday after a 4-year-old died.
He has been charged with criminal homicide, failure to report, aggravated child abuse (Hailey’s Law) and unlawful carrying/possession of a weapon. Anderson was booked at the Coffee County jail under a bond of $575,000 and his first court appearance on July 16.
The investigation is continuing and other charges are possible.
We will have more details as soon as they are released.

Update on Deputies Shot at the Coffee County Justice Center

Wade Bassett (left) with Wendell Bowen (right) got to visit with each other recently while they recover. Photo from Facebook.

On Monday June 19, 2017 there was shooting inside Coffee County Justice Center. An inmate, 37-year-old Michael Eugene Bell was in the courthouse for a hearing on charges of domestic-related kidnapping, evading arrest and other charges.
Bell attacked Coffee County Deputy Wade Bassett as the deputy was escorting the inmate to a transport van. The two engaged in a significant struggle with Bell gaining control of the deputy’s weapon after severely biting Bassett’s hand, and then shot the deputy, but his bullet proof vest protected him. Bassett received surgery to his hand and was released from the hospital over the weekend.
After making his way downstairs of the justice center Bell then shot Deputy Wendell Bowen in the stomach, causing a severe injury. (Bell later died from a self-inflected gunshot wound) Bowen went through several hours of surgery to repair the damage to his body. Bowen is recuperating at home after being released from Erlanger Hospital earlier this week.
On Sunday, Bassett surprised Bowen with a visit at the hospital. The two now share a bond that they didn’t ask for, but are dealing with in a brotherly way.
Coffee County Sheriff Steve Graves said he was extremely touched by the outpouring of love, support and many, many prayers that our community and communities across the state including the law enforcement community have shown for Wade and Wendell.
Thank you for serving our community Mr Bassett and Mr Bowen.

Manchester Police asking for the Public’s Help

Subject photo

The Manchester Police Department is investigating a theft that occurred around 7:30 PM on the night June 23, 2017. An unknown male subject with male juvenile entered Walmart on the Hillsboro Hwy and proceeded to the electronics area. The subject removed security wire and placed a barcode of another item on it.

Photo of the vehicle the subject was traveling in.

The subject’s vehicle is a red Ford Mustang with black racing stripes.
If you can identify the subject or vehicle, please contact Officer Trey Adcock at 931-728-2099.
Manchester Police reminds everyone that pictured persons are innocent until proven guilty.

More than 130 New Laws begin July 1 in Tennessee

Tennessee State Capital

More than 130 new laws in Tennessee will go into effect on July 1.
The biggest is Gov. Bill Haslam’s IMPROVE Act, which will cut taxes on food and raises the gas tax.
The tax on a gallon of gas is going up by 4 cents on July 1, and then 1 cent each of the following two years, adding up to 6 cents total.
The tax on diesel fuel is going up by a total of 10 cents over the next three years.
There’s also a $5 increase in the cost to register your car.
The gas tax increases are offset by several other tax cuts, the most notable of which is on groceries. The tax will drop from 5 percent to 4 percent.
Harsher penalties will also be implemented for those who target police or military.
After July 1, abortion after 20 weeks will now be a felony.
Firearm silencers will be legal in an effort to protect sportsmen’s ears.
Blocking a public street will be a crime, which could come into play if protesters take to the streets and block the path of emergency vehicles.

Inmate Shoots Robertson County Deputy and the Inmate Later Dies after being Shot

It has happened again, this time it was not in Coffee County but in Nashville. A Robertson County inmate died Wednesday afternoon and a deputy was hurt after a shooting at Vanderbilt’s 100 Oaks campus.
Authorities say the inmate was being transported to the Thompson Lane clinic for a medical appointment when he grabbed Deputy Josh Wiley’s gun during a confrontation and fired.
Another deputy was helping with the transport and was able to return fire, striking the inmate. The prisoner was pronounced dead at the scene.
Deputy Wiley was hit at least one time and taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he was last listed in critical condition.

AEDC Prepares for Possible Strike

The commander of the Arnold Engineering Development Complex headquartered at Arnold AFB has directed the reconfiguration of gates and installation of barriers in preparation for a possible labor dispute.
The Air Engineering Metal Trades Council, and the National Aerospace Solutions, LLC, the test, operations and sustainment contractor at Arnold AFB, have not agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement which would replace the current bridge agreement set to expire June 30.
The AEMTC represents approximately 625 employees from 11 trade unions. The two parties have been negotiating the new CBA since February. Should the current agreement lapse, the AEMTC members may choose to strike and possibly picket their employer.
During any labor disputes among the contractor workforce, the Air Force maintains strict neutrality, but must maintain safety of personnel and equipment, security of data and information and ensure mission
continuation. NAS has developed a plan which will allow them to meet their contractual obligations to the Air Force during a strike on an adjusted schedule.
To prepare for a possible strike and picketing, the commander has pre-designated Gate 2, which is normally the commercial delivery gate, as the reserve gate at which the AEMTC members may peacefully exercise their constitutional rights. If a strike occurs, all NAS employees, vendors, suppliers and subcontractors of NAS must only use Gate 2 to enter and exit the base.
Additionally, all other DOD contractors, vendors, deliveries and subcontractors not affiliated with NAS must use Gate 1, next to the fitness center, to enter the base, and must exit through the Main Gate.
DOD employees, retirees, dependents and visitors not affiliated with NAS must use the Main Gate only.
Should a strike begin, normal traffic patterns and flows on Wattendorf Memorial Highway may be altered, which may result in delays. Until such time, as they return to normal gate operations, everyone using Wattendorf Hwy should use caution in the areas around the Arnold AFB gates.