Category: News

A Beechgrove man was arrested March 18 after he allegedly dislocated his 91-year-old mother’s arm. Rondal Ray Teroy, 56, of Oak Drive Beechgrove was charged with aggravated assault and physical abuse or gross negligence.
According to warrants obtained by Coffee County Sheriff’s Deputy Antonio Frost, Teroy assaulted the woman after opening some mail. He became irate and grabbed the woman’s arm and twisted after opening his mail and finding that the state had issued him a learner’s permit instead of a regular driver license.
The warrant alleges that the woman’s arm was twisted and dislocated.
Unity Hospital Xrays showed that her elbow was dislocated.
Teroy was booked into the Coffee County Jail under a $30,000 bond. He is to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court April 21.

A drug developed in the 1970s and never approved for human use by the FDA is emerging as a street-level drug now linked to multiple deadly overdoses across the country.
The drug, U-47700, also called “Pink” due to its color, is an opioid more potent than heroin.
“The drug was manufactured in the 1970s by Upjohn Company,” Dr. Donna Seger, Executive Director of the Tennessee Poison Center said. “It decreases your respiration, it decreases your heart rate and it causes you to become unconscious.”
Dr. Seger said the drug is manufactured and used in other countries and it is usually purchased by people in the United States via the internet.
The DEA added U-47700 to its Schedule I narcotic list in 2016 after multiple drug overdoses.
Pink can be combined with heroin or any number of drugs. It can be inhaled, injected or pressed into pills that are almost indistinguishable from traditional medications, according to the Tennessee Poison Center question of the week on March 9.
Like Fentanyl, use of Pink on the street often means the dosage is unknown and the person taking the drug does not have access to medical instruments to help with breathing and heart function.
Drugs like this are also called designer drugs, and they hit the streets faster than legislators can outlaw them.
Dr. Seger said the Tennessee Poison Center has received one call about Pink, but the drug has been linked to overdoses in Kentucky. (WKRN-TV)

The City Clean Up day is Saturday, April 1 from 8:00 am until Noon in Tullahoma. Volunteers are asked to report to Public Works for tools and assignments.
“Getting litter picked-up is critical to the vibrancy of our City,” said Director of Public Works, Wayne Limbaugh. “We ask residents to not litter. With your help, we can go a long way in keeping Tullahoma clean and beautiful. It is simple to keep the garbage with you and throw it away and recycle it at home or a gas station.”
“We want Tullahomans to care enough to help us keep our roadways free of litter,” said Director of Community Development, Winston Brooks. “
Concerned citizens can take action by reporting litter when you witness littering from vehicles on the state’s roadways to 1-877-8-LITTER. If you get the license plate, they’ll hear from the state. The letter will include information about how to contain their litter and inform them that litterers can be fined up to $1,500. Residents can also report hot spots to Public Works at 454-1768.
“I am convinced 99.5% of Tullahoma citizens want to live in a clean and attractive community,” said Mayor Lane Curlee. “I know 100% of the people want to invest in Tullahoma want to invest in a clean and attractive community.”
To report an area needing to be cleaned, call Public Works prior to the event.
“Organize your church group, business, or even family and join me in making a difference by helping to clean up Tullahoma. Although the official day is Saturday, April 1, if another day works better for you and your team, go for it,” said Mayor Curlee.
Please don’t make an excuse. Public works will supply the bags and grabbers to pick up the trash.
If you want to be officially counted for service hours, Volunteers should call Public Works at 931-454-1768 to sign up and then meet between 8:00-9:00 a.m. at the Tullahoma Public Works Department, 942 Maplewood Avenue for supplies and assignments the day of the event.

Effective the first of this year, the Tennessee Legislature enacted legislation requiring that each judicial district in the state establish a Vulnerable Adult Protection Investigative Team (VAPIT) for the purposes of investigation, prosecution and prevention of elder and vulnerable adult abuse.
On March 17, 2017, the VAPIT team for Coffee County and the 14th Judicial District met at the offices of the Department of Human Services, in Manchester. The VAPIT team was established through the office of District Attorney General, Craig Northcott. Assistant District Attorney, Jeff Ridner, is the District Attorney’s office representative on the team. Ridner stated: “The focus of the law and our meetings is to coordinate investigation of suspected instances of abuse, neglect or exploitation of adults that are vulnerable either due to age or some type of mental or physical challenges. Unfortunately, given the amount of thefts and forgeries we prosecute, crimes against our most vulnerable citizens are most certain to become more prevalent in the future. The focus of this team is prevention of these crimes, where possible and zealous prosecution, when necessary.”
The law requires that each judicial district establish a team to review the information regarding these potential instances of abuse, neglect or exploitation and periodically meet to review that information. The team for Coffee County is comprised of: Michele Mathes, Adult Protective Services; Butch Stewart, Manchester Police Department; Rana Pawlowski, Tullahoma Police Department; and Jason Dendy, Coffee County Sheriff’s Department.
If anyone has information relative to the abuse of a vulnerable adult, please do not hesitate to contact Adult Protective Services, local law enforcement or the office of the District Attorney.

On Saturday, Tullahoma Police officers were conducting a welfare check at 304 Adair Street after receiving an anonymous tip about a man being on site without permission.
Upon arrival, a female led officers to where they found Richard Lee Rose age 34 of Summitville Rd Manchester in the bedroom of the home. The man has been apparently been banned from the home by the landlord. Rose was asked to step outside and when he left the room he allegedly became violent with officers and resisted arrest.
According to the arrest, warrant Rose allegedly fought with officers, throwing punches and apparently kicking one officer in his face and throat. The man was finally restrained and placed in custody.
Rose was charged by Officer Matthew Pruitt with resisting arrest, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and assault. His bond was set at $31,000 and he’ll appear in court on April 21, 2017.

Multiple persons were charged by Bedford County Sheriff’s Office detectives last week for their involvement in a burglary of an area business.
During the course of investigating a burglary that occurred at M&L Greenhouse, detectives with the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office received some information from Shelbyville Police Department detectives about a possible location on some stolen property taken from M&L. As a result of following leads and more information that was uncovered due to the tip, Joshua Nathan Brown, Beverly Denise Blackmon, Brittney Lee Forman, and Joseph Camaron Perez were charged for their involvement in the burglary that occurred at M&L Greenhouse.

The City of Tullahoma and the Tullahoma Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) are pleased to announce they have joined with the Veterans Administration and the Department of Defense as a commemorative partner to honor the nation’s Vietnam War veterans.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017 has been designated as a day to express gratitude and support to Vietnam War veterans across the nation. It was the last day American troops were on the ground in Vietnam. At 2 p.m. at City Hall, Tullahoma Mayor Lane Curlee will read a proclamation honoring Vietnam Veterans, and DAR Regent Mary Ann Scott will host a flag raising ceremony. A Vietnam Commemorative flag will be raised by the color guard and fly over City Hall for three days. The flag reads, “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You.”
The objectives of the commemoration are to thank and honor Vietnam Veterans and their families; to highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War; and to pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States.
The public is invited to the event, especially Vietnam War veterans and their families. For more information contact Sandy Sebren at 455-3572.