Category: News

Special Agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, working with investigators from the Whitwell Police Department and Marion County Sheriff’s Office, have obtained indictments for a woman accused of robbing a pawn shop, killing its owner, and setting fire to the business in an effort to cover up the crime.
At the request of 12th District Attorney General J. Michael Taylor, TBI Special Agents joined the investigation into a fire at Valley Pawn Brokers on Highway 28 in Whitwell on May 17th, shortly after authorities discovered the body of a man later identified as 72-year-old Jerry Don Ridge, who owned the business. During the course of the case, investigators developed information that led to Angela Denise Kilgore as the individual responsible for Ridge’s death during a robbery at the pawn shop. The investigation further revealed she was additionally responsible for the fire at the business, set in an effort to destroy potential evidence in the case.
On Monday, the Marion County Grand Jury returned indictments, charging the 51-year-old woman with one count of First Degree Murder, one count of Felony Murder, one count of Especially Aggravated Robbery, one count of Employing a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, one count of Aggravated Arson, one count of Theft, and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. She was booked in at the Marion County Jail.

Does your home have a smoke alarm? According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the answer is likely yes: NFPA research shows that most American homes have at least one. But do you know how old your smoke alarms are? If you’re like most people, you’re probably not so sure.
A recent survey conducted by NFPA revealed that only a small percentage of people know how old their smoke alarms are, or how often they need to be replaced. That lack of awareness is a concern for Manchester Fire-Rescue and NFPA, along with fire departments throughout the country, because smoke alarms don’t last forever.
“Time and again, I’ve seen the life-saving impact smoke alarms can have in a home fire, but I’ve also seen the tragedy that can result when smoke alarms aren’t working properly,” says George Chambers, Chief of the Manchester Fire-Rescue. “That’s why we’re making a concerted effort to educate Manchester residents about the overall importance of smoke alarms, and that they do have a life limit.”
NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code®, requires smoke alarms be replaced at least every 10 years, but because the public is generally unaware of this requirement, many homes have smoke alarms past their expiration date, putting people at increased risk.
As the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years, NFPA is promoting this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, October 9-15, 2016 “Don’t Wait – Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years.
Manchester Fire-Rescue has teamed with the State Fire Marshalls (Get Alarmed Program) office to provide FREE smoke alarms for residents in Manchester. Contact someone on their team to schedule to have FREE smoke alarms installed in your home. Contact Manchester Fire-Rescue at 931-728-2999 to schedule an appointment.
To find out how old your smoke alarm is and its expiration date, simply look on the back of the alarm where the date of manufacture is marked. The smoke alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date (not the date of purchase).
Manchester Fire-Rescue also says smoke alarms should be tested monthly, and that batteries should be replaced once a year or when they begin to chirp, signaling that they’re running low.
For more information on smoke alarms and this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Don’t Wait: Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years”, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.

October 21st is going to be the 6th Annual Team Up to Tackle Breast Cancer event at the Coffee County home football game versus Blackman at 7 p.m. Farm Bureau Insurance is sponsoring the event that night by purchasing pink jerseys for the football team to wear during the game. All other participants of the night such as the cheerleaders, dance team members, and band members will also be sporting pink for the night. Fans are encouraged to participate by purchasing the t-shirt designed for the event. Anyone wishing to purchase a shirt can contact any Coffee County CHS FBLA member or contact the high school at 931.723.5159. Shirts are on sale now. The shirts are long-sleeved costing $15 and $18 for extended sizes. All proceeds from the shirts will be donated to the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition to assist breast cancer patients in Coffee County. Let’s all team up with Coffee County CHS and FBLA to tackle breast cancer.

Old Timers Day begins Friday night in Manchester and will run throughout the day on Saturday. The theme of this year’s event is “Honoring Our Hometown Heroes”.
Being honored this year will be Manchester Police Department Captain Dwight Vandergriff, Manchester Fire Department, Emmett “Casey” Wright, Coffee County Sheriff’s Department Pam Freeman, 911 Communication Center director Dianne Argraves, Coffee County Rescue Squad’s Neal Simmons, Coffee County Ambulance Service’s Tommy Grey, New Union Volunteer Fire Department’s Jeff Tomes, Hickerson Station Volunteer Fire Department’s Gene Nickles, Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department’s Keith James, a member of Summitville Volunteer Fire Department and North Coffee Volunteer Fire Department’s James Teal.
Manchester’s Old Timers Day parade Grand Marshall is local personality Sally Berryman. The parade begins at 10am Saturday. All activates are on the square.

Connie Sanders King who is indicted for the murder of her fiancé, Thomas Colucci has had her trial delayed again. The murder occurred nearly four years ago (November 2012). This after Circuit Court Judge Vanessa Jackson ruled Tuesday to allow prosecutors to appeal a question to the State Court of Criminal Appeals.
Assistant District Attorney Jason Ponder argued that the testimony of mental health expert Dr. Stephen Montgomery could “confuse the jury.” The reason he argued is that the doctor has consulted her on the lesser charges and that his testimony about those two charges could confuse the jury on the murder charges.
King’s attorney Chris Stanford argued that motions were heard on Sept. 22 from the prosecutors to exclude the expert testimony and that the judge on Sept. 23 denied the motion and “ruled that expert testimony in regards Ms. King’s mental health would be admissible if certain conditions were met.”
The defense attorney argued that King’s right to a speedy trial will be “violated if the State is permitted to seek relief” from the appeals court.
King is accused of taking part in the Nov. 13, 2012 murder of Thomas Colucci at a residence on Maple Springs Road in Manchester that the two shared.
Connie King’s husband, Troy King of Grundy County pled guilty to 2nd degree murder in Coffee County Circuit Court.
Connie King was arrested in July of 2013 in Daytona Beach, Fla., on charges of felony murder and premeditated first-degree murder. She was returned to Coffee County July 18, 2013. She is currently out of jail on bond.

If you are not registered to vote, Coffee County Election Administrator Vernita Davis reminds residents that next Tuesday, October 11th, is the deadline for registering to vote in the November 8th presidential election.
People without a driver’s license will also need more time to obtain a voter ID card.
More information is available at the Coffee County Election Commission in the Coffee County Administrative Plaza on McArthur Dr in Manchester between the hours of 8am-4:30pm M-F or call 931-723-5103. You can also read more information at coffeecountyelectioncommission.com

The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a missing person report. Johnny Waid, 21, from Shelbyville, TN. was last seen on October 1st, 2016. Johnny is 5’6” approximately 150 lbs and was last seen wearing a black North Face jacket, black t-shirt, blue jeans, and white tennis shoes.
He could possibly be in a 1998 red Ford Ranger with a TN tag of F56-05D.
If you have seen Johnny Waid, please contact the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office at 931-684-3232. Johnny could possibly be in the Northern Alabama area.

An open house will be held on Friday at the new Coffee County Communications Center on Jack Welch Drive. The event will take place from 1-3pm. The center is located just off State Route 55 between Manchester and Tullahoma.
WMSR News spoke with a 911 board member and he said dispatchers will be using the latest communication technology to better serve the county.
The old facility was built in 1973 and will continue to be used for offices and meeting rooms.
After the 911 board approved the new building that was funded through 911 fees, it cost around $3 (M) to build and took about one year to complete.

The 10th Anniversary season of fun continues at Grandaddy’s Farm. Come on y’all and run yer legs off! Join Grandaddy’s Farm for the 4th annual Hillbilly 5k trail run on Saturday, October 8th at 8:00 a.m. Come enjoy running through a corn maze, gourd trellis and the beautiful countryside. All runners will receive a pass to Grandaddy’s Farm to keep the fun going all day long. Its guaranteed fun for the whole family (excluding our four-legged family). Though registration is closed online, you can still register on Saturday morning. Just come around 7:00 a.m. to register and you’ll be ready for the race when it begins at 8:00 a.m. The cost of the race is $25/person (discounts available for multiple family members who are running). Grandaddy’s is excited to be able to support North Lake Elementary by donating proceeds of the race to the school.
Grandaddy’s can’t wait to see y’all on the farm! (Overalls not required, but encouraged). While you’re there be sure to check out the market to find perfect fall decorations and delicious treats, like apple cider donuts! You can also enjoy the hayride and find pumpkins for carving or decorating. At Grandaddy’s you’re always invited to come play in the dirt.
For more information, visit the Facebook Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/955456437914200/

Inmates at the Coffee County jail now have the opportunity to work their way towards gaining a better job by taking a High School Equivalency Test.
The classes will be taught by Linda Maddox, who also handles those duties in Bedford County as well.
Nearly 5,000 people ages 18-64 in Coffee County do not have a high school education or the equivalent, according to the Tennessee Division of Adult Education.
Public defender John Nichols is responsible for the classes being offered at the jail.