Category: News

Gov. Bill Haslam has signed legislation into law to ban abortions in Tennessee after 20 weeks if a doctor determines the fetus is viable through required tests.
The legislation that subjects doctors to felony penalties doesn’t apply if the mother faces risks of death or serious damage to a major bodily function.
State Attorney General Herbert Slatery has said his office would defend the measure in court despite previously calling it “constitutionally suspect.”
Supporters of the bill contended it can withstand a constitutional challenge, comparing it to 20 laws in other states. They said the bill protects unborn children.
Some Democrats argued that the bill remains vulnerable to a court challenge and say it bucks established medical standards while interfering with a woman’s ability to make a deeply personal decision.

A Winchester man is facing charges in Franklin County and Coffee County following a high speed pursuit that started in Estill Springs Wednesday afternoon.
According to Estill Springs Police Chief Allen Rhodes, Lt. Matt Baker attempted to stop a vehicle and the driver “took off.” Sgt. Rocky Thomas then joined the pursuit as did Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Martin Tyler.
According to Franklin County Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Guess, the pursuit was on Highway 41A from Estill Springs to Tullahoma. Once inside Tullahoma the driver, Jerry Ayers, 24, of Cherry Lane, Winchester, turned onto Vocational Lane and drove to Rock Creek Rood with officers in pursuit. Once on Rock Creek he turned onto property owned by the Tennessee Department of Corrections and drove around and back onto Rock Creek Road and back to Highway 41A headed back toward Estill Springs. At Wiseman Road Ayers turned onto Wiseman Road and crossed over to the Old Estill Springs Road with law enforcement in pursuit.
“Once at the Old Estill Springs Road, Ayers turned and headed toward Tullahoma,” Guess said. When they reached Harton Boulevard and Mitchell Boulevard, Deputy Martin bumped Ayers car causing it to flip over. He was taken into custody by Coffee County Investigator James Sherrill. Ayers was transported to Tennova—Harton Hospital where he was treated and released. He was then turned over to authorities and booked into the Franklin County Jail.
“During the chase, he nearly hit two young children,” Guess said.
Ayers has charges pending in Coffee County.
Franklin County Deputy Tyler charged him with second offense of driving on suspended license, reckless endangerment, speeding, failure to yield, DUI, reckless driving, financial responsibility, failure to maintain control of his vehicle, failure to obey traffic control and felony evading arrest. His bond was set at $150,000 and he is to appear in Franklin County General Sessions Court on Aug. 17.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated the accident.

The winter months were unusually mild this year and health officials say that means we could have a bad tick season.
That’s causing many people to worry about tick-borne illnesses.
The concern is all of the illnesses ticks can carry such as Lyme disease.
If you’re going to spend time outdoors, experts suggest wearing long sleeves and pants if possible.
It’s also a good idea to wear insect repellent and always check your body for ticks when you come inside.

The Tennessee State Board of Education has reinstated the teaching license of a former teacher who pleaded guilty to the statutory rape of a student in 2007.
The Tennessean reports former Moore County physical education teacher William S. Haynes had his criminal record expunged after serving four years of probation.
The state board denied a reinstatement of his license in 2012. He took his case to court and a judge ruled the details of the statutory rape case didn’t meet the criteria to deny a license, and ordered the board to take another vote.
The board voted 7-2 in favor of reinstatement April 21, although each member expressed regret. State board member Mike Edwards said they would be in contempt of court if they denied the license again.