Category: News

Haslam Not Ruling Out Run for U.S. Senate

Gov. Bill Haslam

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam isn’t ruling out a future run for U.S. Senate. The governor’s comments came in response to a question at a Tennessee Press Association luncheon Wednesday. He also told reporters that a possible Senate bid isn’t something he’s been spending a lot of time thinking about. Haslam, who cannot seek re-election in 2018 due to term limits, said he really doesn’t know what he’s going to do next. He said governor and U.S. senator are two really different jobs. Haslam said at this point, he’s “kind of in love” with what he’s doing as governor. The comments could further fuel speculation that Sen. Bob Corker could run for governor next year, or Sen. Lamar Alexander could retire after his term ends in 2020.

February’s Hometown Hero

Coffee County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Sharketti.

Al White Motors and WMSR (Thunder Radio) are teaming up to honor those who serve that thin blue line, our local law enforcement. Each month someone in law enforcement will be honored as a Hometown Hero.
Our hero this month is Coffee County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Sharketti. He has been an employee with the sheriff’s department since January of 2012 as a corrections officer. He became a certified deputy in 2012, only 6 months after his hire date then became a corporal with the department Feb, 2015.
“Shark”, as he is known by many, served our country in the Air Force for 22 years. Sharketti is married with two daughters.
Sheriff Steve Graves says that “Shark” is very respectful, fair and willing to help his community and is a great mentor to young people in the community and in the department. He believes in doing what is right and his patriotism for his country is always evident in his actions and demeanor.
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.

Fundraiser for Jason Creek is Saturday

Jason Creek

Come out and run/walk to help the family of Jason Creek. Any amount donated will be accepted and appreciated! This is an untimed event to raise money to support Jason Creek and his family during their time of need. A 5K Benefit Fun Run has been set up for Saturday, Feb. 25 beginning at the Manchester Recreation Center.
On Monday, January 2, 2017, Jason was driving to referee a college basketball game when an impaired driver crossed over the median on Interstate 75 north of Atlanta and struck Jason’s vehicle head-on. Jason suffered significant injuries in the accident. Jason spent several weeks in a Georgia hospital, but the good news is that he just recently came home.
Jason is an assistant principal at Coffee County Middle School, and his wife, Lana, is also an educator. They have two young sons.
This fundraiser has been set up to assist the family with medical expenses and associated costs throughout Jason’s recovery.
The event, hosted by the Mach Tenn Running Club begins at 8am.

Traffic Stop leads to Multiple Charges

Tommy Lee Harmon III… Photo provided by the CCSD.

Earlier this week Coffee County Sheriff’s Department Investigator James Sherrill stopped a vehicle on East Lincoln St. in Tullahoma. Sherrill says he had prior knowledge the driver was not to be operating a motor vehicle. A check of the subject’s driver’s license showed that it was suspended for failure to satisfy citations.
The arrest warrant states that Tommy Lee Harmon III age 24 of Bryan Blvd Manchester gave consent to search the vehicle. In a brown bag, allegedly digital scales, baggies and a plastic baggie that contained a white crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine weighing approximately 1gram was found. Also Harmon allegedly admitted that the items belonged to him.
Harmon was charged with driving on revoked/suspended license, manufacturing/delivering/selling/possession of a controlled substance and unlawful drug paraphernalia uses and activities. His bond was set at $52,500 and his court date is March 27, 2017.

Warning! New Phone Scam

We have a new phone scam alert:
The Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association (TSA) does NOT solicit money over the phone. Coffee County Sheriff Steve Graves says to always be cautious of solicitors and if you receive a phone call from someone claiming to represent the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association, please hang up, this is a scam.
Mailers have been sent out to prospective and current Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association members and this will the only method of solicitation.

Shelbyville Man is Missing

Cecil D. Holland

The Shelbyville Police Department needs your assistance locating Cecil D. Holland, of Shelbyville. Holland is 5’6″ and weighs approximately 150lbs.
According to his family, Holland is homeless and suffers from unknown mental illnesses. His last reported sighting was on January 18, 2017.
If you see Mr. Holland or have seen him since January 18, please call the Shelbyville Police Department at 931-684-5811.

Motlow on Top when it comes to Enrollment

Since August 2015 when the fall semester began, through now when enrollment numbers are still unofficial, Motlow State Community College has consistently been the fastest growing college in Tennessee.
This includes all four-year state universities and two-year community colleges, and the percentage of growth by Motlow over the two-year span is not just the largest in the state, it is larger by a significant amount.
In the fall of 2014, Motlow’s total student headcount was 4,758. By the fall of 2015 that number had grown to 5,256, an increase of 10.5 percent. By comparison, the closest school to Motlow in growth was Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, with an increase of 5.3 percent.
However, it is FTE, or full-time equivalency, that is often used to better measure how many class hours are being taken at a college as opposed to pure headcount, which doesn’t take into account those that are part-time, only seeking certificates, etc. In FTE, Motlow jumped an amazing 21.9 percent from fall 2014 to fall 2015. Volunteer State was again second with 14.1 percent.
The numbers are equally impressive when comparing fall 2015 to fall 2016. In 2015, Motlow’s headcount was 5,256 and FTE 3,533. By fall 2016 those number had jumped to 5,838 headcount, an increase of 11.1 percent, and 4,081 FTE, which was an increase of 15.5 percent.
Motlow’s retention rate, or the number of students who stay from fall semester to spring semester, has risen at an equally impressive rate. In spring 2015, the headcount was 4,288 and FTE 2,600. By spring 2016, those numbers had risen to 4,670 for headcount, an increase of 8.9 percent, and an FTE of 3,095, increasing by 19 percent from the previous spring.
A glance at spring 2017 numbers, which are not official yet, shows the trend continuing as the headcount has jumped to 5,144, a 10.2 percent increase from spring 2016, and the FTE continues to rise at 3,494, an increase of 13.1 percent over 2016.

Coffee County Sheriff’s Department asking for the Public’s Help

On Sunday night around 8pm, Coffee County deputies received a call from a Hillsboro resident about an aggravated burglary. The victims told deputies that an unknown man in a ski mask forced his way into their home and robbed them at gun point.
One victim stated he was able to see the man’s face and stated he seemed young having dark brown almost black hair with dark facial hair appearing to be around six foot tall and weighing around two hundred pounds.
If anyone has information that could help identify the person involved in this crime, call Investigator Kelly Smith at 931-570-4425.

Former Manchester-Coffee County Conference Center Manager Facing Serious Charges

Alyce Faith Heifner… Photo provided by the CCSD.

Alyce Heifner, former manager of Manchester-Coffee County Conference Center has been arrested in New Mexico on charges brought by the District Attorney’s office. The charges are based on an investigation conducted by the Tennessee Comptroller of Treasury. Heifner is facing three to six years in jail for allegedly stealing more than $30,000 from the conference center for personal use while working there, according to District Attorney Craig Northcott.
Heifner is charged with theft over $10,000 and two counts of official misconduct.

Domestic Violence Victim Witness Coordinators Receive Training

Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott

Tennessee’s 15 newest domestic violence victim witness coordinators, who will work with domestic violence victims across the state, recently completed training focused on ways to recognize the signs of domestic violence, how domestic violence cases are prosecuted and how to keep victims safe.
“Victims of domestic violence are often ashamed or frightened to come forward,” said 14th District Attorney General Craig Northcott of Coffee County. “Our hope is that, as our communities see what is being done to strengthen Tennessee’s support systems for domestic abuse victims, those victims will be more confident in making their voices heard.”
The training, hosted by the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference, was also completed by seven Assistant District Attorneys who prosecute domestic violence cases, and included a panel discussion led by 16th District Assistant District Attorney Sarah Davis (serving Cannon and Rutherford counties).
“The training this group received is a newly designed model,” General Northcott said. “It was created specifically for incoming coordinators who will be working with domestic abuse victims. This group was the first to receive the training, and I’m proud to say that Jennifer Craighead and Amanda Wiser, who serve us here in the 14th District, participated.”
The coordinators and the training are funded by a grant from the Office of Criminal Justice programs. The goal of the new victim witness coordinators and the training is to ensure that, as domestic violence victims come forward, they are quickly connected with a professional who is able to offer the necessary support.
If you know a victim of domestic violence, please visit http://tndagc.org/ to find the best contact in your local district.