Alfonzo Leonardo Domingo Sebastian
If you know his whereabouts please call the Shelbyville Police Department at 931-684-5811 or Crimestoppers at 931-685-4300.
Category: News
Shelbyville Police Needs Your Help
If you know his whereabouts please call the Shelbyville Police Department at 931-684-5811 or Crimestoppers at 931-685-4300.
Martin Methodist College signs Articulation Agreement with Motlow College
Motlow State Community College president Dr. Anthony Kinkel (sitting, center left), Martin Methodist interim president Dr. Robby Shelton (sitting, center right) and other representatives from the colleges unveiled a $10,000 scholarship for matriculating Motlow State graduates, during an articulation agreement signing on April 25.
The articulation agreement strengthens ties between both colleges, allowing Motlow State graduates to use their credits toward a bachelor’s degree at Martin Methodist. MSCC graduates will be eligible for a $10,000 scholarship to use toward tuition and other fees at Martin Methodist, making a bachelor’s degree close to home more accessible and affordable.
The announcement comes as Martin Methodist responds to Haslam’s proposal to expand Tennessee Promise scholarships to all Tennessee adults. Under the program, Tennessee high school graduates can attend community college free.
Haslam has been increasing higher-education access as part of his Drive to 55, which calls for 55 percent of Tennesseans to obtain a college degree or certificate by 2025.
Local LEGO teams place in the East Tennessee FIRST® LEGO® League Championships
Six of the 24 FIRST® LEGO® League teams sponsored by the AEDC Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Outreach Program placed in their division at the East Tennessee FIRST® LEGO® League Championships.
At the East Tennessee Championship competition held at Tennessee Tech University the Red Robo Raiders from Coffee County Middle School in Manchester placed third in one category. The Black Robo Raiders, also from Coffee County Middle School in Manchester placed third in the FLL Inspiration category.
FLL teams, which are made up of students and guided by adult coaches, research a real-world problem such as food safety, recycling or energy, and are challenged to develop a solution and present their results. They also must design, build and program a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS® technology, then compete on a table-top playing field.
Wanted Man Captured
Billy S Dykes
Dykes, 32, allegedly kidnapped an ex-girlfriend and her children from Bedford Manor Apartments in Bedford County on April 3. He allegedly pointed a gun at her and told her that she was going to take him to Manchester. After driving the woman was able to divert his attention and stopped at a convenience store and she and the children ran in and told people there to call the police. Dykes apparently got out of the vehicle and ran. He had been on the run since then.
When the incident began the woman told Shelbyville Police that Dykes was in her apartment when she returned home. She had not seen him in two months and has an active order of protection against him.
Coffee County deputies and investigators spotted Dykes in the Fredonia community and gave pursuit. They chased him for a while on foot before apprehending him.
He was transported to Bedford County where is facing charges there for aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary and violation of an order of protection. He’ll later face an evading arrest charge in Coffee County.
Three Local Schools to receive Read to be Ready Summer Grant Money
Dr Candice McQueen
This spring, the department received applications from nearly three-quarters of school districts across Tennessee for summer grant funding. The Tennessee Departments of Education and Human Services, with support from First Lady Crissy Haslam, have partnered to expand the Read to Be Ready Summer Grant program through an investment of $30 million over the next three years.
New Union, Hickerson and Hillsboro Elementary are the 2017 Read to be Ready summer grant recipients from Coffee County Schools.
Haslam’s Improve Act Signed into Law
Gov. Bill Haslam
On Wednesday, the governor signed the bill that includes Tennessee’s first gas tax increase since 1989. The changes take effect July 1.
Both chambers passed the bill last week. In a final vote Monday, the House agreed to include disabled veterans property tax relief and sent the bill to Haslam’s desk.
The bill also cuts sales tax on groceries, corporate taxes on manufacturers and tax on earnings from stocks and bonds.
The gas and diesel tax increases are phased in over three years.
The bill aims to start addressing a $10 billion backlog in Tennessee road and bridge projects.
High School Student looking to become Tullahoma’s Youngest Alderman
A Tullahoma High School senior could become the youngest person ever elected to serve on the city’s board of alderman.
18 year-old Michael Celiberti earlier this week was able to talk the current aldermen and mayor to vote to change the city’s charter, lowering the minimum age to run for office from 21 to 18. The charter amendment still has to go before the state legislature before Celiberti can be on the ballot.
The Tullahoma election is Aug. 3.
April’s Hometown Hero
Deputy McKelvey and Yoshi
Our hero this month is Coffee County Deputy Larry McKelvey. He has been a corrections officer with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department since 3/17/16. In October, 2016 Larry became a Canine Officer in the jail when the department acquired K-9 Yoshi. He and Yoshi were trained in drug search, apprehension and tracking. Yoshi is level 2 patrol certified.
Deputy McKelvey donated his time and materials to build the kennel needed for housing Yoshi. He is always available if Yoshi is needed in searching the jail for contraband and donates his time for training.
McKelvey and Yoshi do perimeter checks at the jail and help out patrol when needed. Deputy McKelvey goes above and beyond in his job and he’s dedicated to his church, family, the community and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff Graves stated that this addition to the department is probably the best thing that the department has done for the jail.
We are continuing to ask for the public’s help for more hometown heroes. Go to our Facebook page or the Al White Ford Lincoln Mercury Facebook page to nominate a law enforcement official. Tell us why you think someone that serves Coffee County in law enforcement deserves to be chosen as a “Hometown Hero”. The man or woman that is selected each month will be recognized on WMSRradio.com and receive a nice surprise from Al White Motors.
Thank you to all that serve and protect us, our Hometown Heroes.
Herb Horton Steps Down as CHS Lady Raider Basketball Coach
Herb Horton(file photo)
The Coffee County Central High School Lady Raider basketball team will be looking for a new head coach for next season. Herb Horton, the Lady Raiders coach for the last 4 years, has resigned his position effective immediately. Horton met with his team on Wednesday afternoon to inform them of his decision.
Horton, who was named the District 8AAA Coach of the Year last season, led Coffee County to a 21 and 8 record and a berth in the Region 4AAA Tournament this year. Horton was hired in April of 2013 and came to Coffee County after spending the previous 24 years as head coach at Gilmer High School in Ellijay, GA.
Dr. Joey Vaughn, Coffee County Central High School principal, had nothing but praise for Coach Horton when contacted by Thunder Radio on Wednesday afternoon. “ I appreciate Coach Horton and the work he has done at Coffee County Central High School and with our student athletes” said Vaughn. He went on to say “I am confident that he leaves our program in a better state than he inherited it 4 years ago and I believe Lady Raider basketball will continue to build on the foundation he has laid here.”
The resignation was announced to the public via a press release from Ryan Sulkowski, Coffee County athletic director. In the release, Sulkowski had this to say: “On Wednesday April 26, 2017, Coffee County Central Principal Dr. Joey Vaughn and I received and accepted the letter of resignation of Lady Raiders Girls Basketball Coach, Herbert Horton. The Coffee County School District, Coffee County Central High School, and our Athletic Department would like to thank Coach Horton for everything he has done for the young ladies at CCCHS and wish him and his family nothing but the best of luck in their future endeavors. A search for his replacement will begin immediately.”
Coach Horton released a statement, via an open letter to the Community of Manchester and Coffee County, early Wednesday evening.
“It has been an honor, a blessing, and a privilege to have been the coach for the Lady Raiders Basketball Team for the past 4 years. During this time I can honestly say that I have put my heart into our team, my players, and our program. I have enjoyed getting to know many of you and having you support our team and our school. After much thought, much prayer, and much discussion with my family, I have decided to step down as your Lady Raiders’ Basketball Coach. I only wish the best for this community, our school, and all of our students and teachers. The time spent with the Lady Raiders Basketball Team over the last 4 years has been very special to me. I have seen our players and our program grow and gain much respect in the district and surrounding area. In sports, as well as in life, there seems to be constant construction. I have tried to encourage my students and my players to always give their best effort in the classroom, on the basketball court, but more importantly in life. For me teaching and coaching has always been about developing relationships with my students, as well as my players. Teaching these kids the importance of being a person with high morals and character is the most important legacy that we can leave with our kids. I wish only the very best for them and for the citizens of Coffee County. May God always bless each of you and your families!
Sincerely,
Herb Horton”
ERPUD will Raise Rates beginning May 1
Elk River Public Utilities District (ERPUD) will begin a rate increase beginning May 1.
The customer charge, is a flat fee that helps pay for the infrastructure costs of delivering gas safely to customers and is not based on usage.
A rate increase implemented last year to bolster Elk River Public Utility District (ERPUD) against a potential budget shortfall in FY2017 proved to be too little to protect the company from flagging sales due to warm temperatures and the loss of two of its biggest customers, according to ERPUD officials.
Since the July 1, 2016 start of the fiscal year, recorded temperatures for the year have been 31 percent warmer than average, with the effect that customers have purchased less gas to heat their homes and businesses.
Residential customers with year-round service will see a $1.50 increase from $9.25 to $10.75.
Residential customers with heat-only service will see a $1.75 increase from $12.25 to $14.
Customers the utility classifies as “small commercial” will see their monthly charge bump from $14.75 to $17.
“Large commercial” customers will see the charge move from $55 to $60.
For “industrial processing” and “interruptible” customers, the charge will bump from $225 to $250. (Tullahoma News)
