Category: News

Deer hunting season is nearing its conclusion in Tennessee. The gun season for deer concludes on Jan. 8 while the second Young Sportsman Hunt for 2016-17 is Jan. 14-15.
For the Young Sportsman Hunt, youth, 6-16 years of age are allowed to participate. The young sportsmen must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult at least 21 years of age who must remain in a position to take control of the hunting device.
The accompanying adult must comply with fluorescent orange regulations, as specified for legal hunters. Multiple youth may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult.
The first youth hunt of the season was held Oct. 29-30. The gun season for deer for everyone across the state began Nov. 19. Archery and muzzleloader equipment are also legal during gun season.
In addition, in Unit L counties like Coffee County, on private lands only, antler-less deer can be hunted Jan. 9-13.
A final harvest tally for 2016-17 will be completed a few weeks following the completion of the Young Sportsman Hunt. (WGNS Radio)

Rebecca French, general manager of the Manchester-Coffee County Conference Center is asking the county for insurance for some of her employees.
French is requesting benefits for all full-time employees of the center. 32 people work at the Manchester-Coffee County Conference Center, seven of which are full-time, with only four of them receiving benefits. Offering benefits to all full-time employees would mean an increase in the amount paid by the county and City of Manchester because the two share the cost of operating the center. If approved this would mean an extra $24,000 needed for the benefits.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue is launching a new insurance verification system in early 2017 to promote compliance with the state’s Financial Responsibility Law.
Ahead of the program’s launch next month, the Department of Revenue is encouraging motorists to ensure that proper insurance coverage or other financial responsibility is in effect for their vehicles. In particular, motorists should make sure that their Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, is correct on registration and insurance documents.
The James Lee Atwood, Jr. Law was passed during the 2015 legislative session in order to help reduce the overall number of uninsured drivers on Tennessee roadways. As part of this law, the Tennessee Department of Revenue developed an insurance verification program which will be implemented in January 2017.
Under the program, all insurance carriers registered to write personal automobile liability policies in Tennessee must register with the Department and provide required policy information. The state’s new insurance verification system will check the policies provided by the insurance companies against all currently registered VINs in Tennessee. Rather than checking for insurance coverage at the time of registration renewal, the system will verify insurance coverage on a continual basis throughout the year.
If the system is unable to confirm insurance coverage for a vehicle, a notice will be sent to that owner directing him or her to a website where he or she can provide proof of minimum liability insurance or other means of financial responsibility. If a customer does not respond to the initial notice, other notices will follow. Failure to comply with the notices could result in fines and eventual vehicle registration suspension.
For more information about the Department’s new program, please visit www.DriveInsuredTN.com.

Tullahoma Police are investigating the cashing of four counterfeit checks at Wal-Mart on North Jackson Street.
According to a report by Officer Derrick Derlien, a check for $498.64 was cashed by a female on Dec. 4.
In a report by Officer Josh Leverette, a second check for $498.64 was cashed on Dec. 17. The check was from a business in Dalton, Georgia. The business does not exist. The woman who cashed the check left the store in a maroon and tan Expedition.
A check in the amount of $499.26 was cashed at the store on Dec. 17. The check was drawn on the same Dalton, Georgia business. The individual was seen leaving the store in a blue van.
According to the police reports, the store has security video of the individuals passing the counterfeit checks.
Another check was cashed Dec. 17 in the amount of $499.76. The check was drawn on the same Dalton Georgia business that does not exist. The person passing the fake check was seen leaving the store in a 2001 white Toyota Camry.
Detective Johnny Gore is using store security video to investigate the incidents.

U.S. Army Sgt. Franz Ulrich Walkup was born in Germany on September 12, 1988 and moved to the United States in 2001. Today, Walkup lives in Woodbury, Tennessee. In fact, he is doing more than living in recent days, he is thriving.
The death of his older brother, 1st Lt. Frank Bland Walkup, who was killed in action in 2007 while serving in Iraq, inspired Franz to join the military and serve his country. He was deployed to Iraq for Operation New Dawn in 2010 with Bravo Company 1st Battalion 7th Field Artillery Regiment.
In 2012, after his first deployment, Franz married his wife Shannon Dawn Walkup, and was then assigned to the 3rd Platoon Destined Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, and 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team where he performed the duties of a Forward Observer. On September 29th, 2012 while deployed to Afghanistan, Franz sustained five gunshot wounds from Afghan National Army soldiers. He suffered injuries including major nerve damage to his legs and severe abdominal injuries.
On Thursday, Walkup received a brand new SPECIALLY ADAPTED SMART HOUSE built in Woodbury, thanks to actor Gary Sinise’s Foundation R.I.S.E. program, along with other donors.
Bank of America, FedEx, Semper Fi Fund, The Home Depot Foundation, Phoenix Patriot Foundation, Honoring the Sacrifice and Boot Campaign, as well as our building partners, Shubert Design Furniture, CORE Brands, National Wood Flooring Association, National Tile Contractors Association, GE, Benjamin Moore, North American Van Lines, Sunbelt Rentals, NAHB, Crossville Tile, BrightView Landscapes, MAPEI and American Airlines.

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 Manchester Officer Daniel Ray. Ray is a Coffee County native and attended Coffee County High School.
After high school, Daniel joined the Army and served 8 years from 1998 to 2006.
He began his law enforcement career with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department.
Ray attended Tn. Law Enforcement Training Academy basic police school in 2008. He served with the sheriff’s department as a deputy until 2014 when Officer Ray was hired by the Manchester Police Department.
He has served for numerous years as an adjunct instructor for the Tn. Law Enforcement Training Academy as a POST certified PPCT Defensive Tactics Instructor.
He has also completed STOPS instructor certification, force on force instructor, ALERRT Active Shooter Instructor, breaching and tactical team leader training.
Officer Ray is very active in the community and volunteers to teach defensive tactics classes and other situational awareness classes and a team leader for Manchester PD tactical team.
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.

In response to Coffee County Schools initiative to eliminate barriers that may hinder student academic success, Coffee County Bank donated a washer and dryer to Hillsboro Elementary School. “We appreciate our community partners who continue to help us address the needs of our students and families,” said Taylor Rayfield, Coffee County Schools Family Resource Coordinator. If you or your organization would like to know more or donate, please contact Taylor Rayfield at rayfieldt@k12coffee.net or (931) 222-1066