Category: News

Coffee County judicial officials’ first ever Bonnaroo docket day has resulted in 277 criminal cases stemming from the four-day music and arts festival.
The Tennessean reports two judges spent the day Friday working through a 43 page docket made up of defendants from across the country cited for drug-related charges during June’s festival.
The newspaper says judges have usually spread Bonnaroo-related cases throughout the summer. But this year, they decided to hear them all on the same day.
Judges issued arrest warrants for defendants who did not attend. Court officials said about 60 percent of the cases were heard.

A fatal motorcycle accident occurred around 9:45 Saturday night in Murfreesboro.
Murfreesboro Police were dispatched to the area of Veterans Parkway, near the New Salem Highway where the crash occurred and quickly learned it was a single vehicle accident.
38 Year old Heath M. Emslie of Shelbyville was traveling South on Veterans Parkway from Franklin Road (Hwy 96) and wrecked after negotiating a curve. Police say it appears as if Emslie lost control of his motorcycle and ran off the roadway.
Emslie was taken to St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital and then to Vanderbilt Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. (WGNS Radio)

A 46 year-old man from Tullahoma drowned last week in Tims Ford Lake. He was apparently near the Elk River Dam when the drowning took place.
The victim was identified by authorities as Michael W. Rolling of Tullahoma.
A 9-1-1 call reporting the incident was placed shortly after 2 a.m. last Wednesday. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, EMS and Rescue Squad all responded to the scene.
Services were held for the man on Sunday.

Area high school students planning to take the ACT can prepare for the test by enrolling in an ACT preparation class at Motlow State Community College’s Moore County campus. Classes will meet each Monday on Sept. 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3, and 10, from 6-8:30 p.m. in Simon Hall, room 132.
The registration deadline is Sept. 7, and the course is limited to 35 students. Registration forms can be obtained on Motlow’s web site (mscc.edu/wdes). Completed forms can be mailed or faxed to the address indicated on the form. However, registration is not complete until payment is received.
The cost is $60, plus $34.95 for a textbook, with each to be paid separately. Registrants should write a check for the registration fee to Motlow State Community College. For a textbook, checks should be written to the Motlow Bookstore. Textbooks will be available only on the first night of class. Those wishing to purchase a book with cash are asked to have the exact amount.
The ACT prep class focuses on four areas of the ACT: English, mathematics, reading and science. Emphasis will be on test-taking skills, logical analysis and pacing oneself. Practice tests in each of the four areas will be administered during and at the conclusion of each course.
The ACT prep classes are designed to prepare students for the national ACT on Oct. 22, but taking the prep class does NOT register a student to sit for the actual ACT. Students must register separately with ACT to take a national exam; the registration deadline is Sept. 16. For more information about ACT registration, visit ACT.org.
For more information about the prep course, call Motlow’s Office of Extended Services at 931-393-1760 or 1-800-654-4877, ext. 1760.

There are 60 municipal power companies in Tennessee, but that number could decrease as power boards look to survive in a changing marketplace.
This month the Johnson City Power Board presented at a public meeting reasons for separating from the city.
Jeff Dykes, the JCPB’s executive director, cites changing rate structures from the Tennessee Valley Authority and the inability to form public and private partnerships because of state laws as reasons for the change.
“There are additional ones in the state that are looking at it now, and for the same reasons – the opportunity to do ventures with other folks and really to diversify their companies,” he states.
If the Johnson City Power Board becomes its own entity, Dykes says it then could pursue solar farm partnerships, and even look at offering Internet and other services to customers.
If approved, the Power Board would remain publicly owned.
Opponents of privatization say it could raise electric rates and limit public access to information.
Consultant Joel Yudken, who has studied the ramifications of privatizing utilities, says it’s important for any city to understand the full picture of what separating from a utility will mean for customers.
“There’s a number of questions,” he points out. “Economic and workforce questions and financial questions that I think really are fairly complex and I would imagine they would have to do some kind of analysis.”
Other municipal boards, including the Tullahoma Utilities Board, are considering similar separations.
Dykes says it’s indicative of a trend across the state.
“We are in a very changing marketplace,” he explains. “So, this really is an opportunity for us to go out there and do some things that will bring benefit to the customer and really look to stabilize rates.”
Dykes says even though the utility would be separated from the city, it would be subject to the same oversight as it has now, with current board members transferring over to the private utility, if city leaders approve the separation.

The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) has proclaimed Saturday as National Model Aviation Day, and over 200 organizations across the country, including the Coffee Airfoilers Model R/C Club in Tullahoma, are having special events to celebrate the day.
This year the proceeds from the event in Tullahoma will benefit the Disabled American Veterans organization.
The public is invited to attend the Coffee Airfoilers’ event, which will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, and will include flight demonstrations, free flight lessons, concessions and a raffle. The flying field is located on Wattendorf Highway next to the Arnold Golf Course.
Those attending will learn more about a hobby thousands of people share, according to organizers, and will benefit the men and women who are served by the Disabled American Veterans. It is suggested that those attending bring a lawn chair.

About a year and half ago the new Coffee County jail opened in Manchester. The county borrowed $22 million from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in August 2014 to build the needed jail. It now looks like the county will save $2.8 million by refinancing the debt. The Coffee County Budget and Finance Committee recently voted to approve the plan. The refinancing of the debt is expected to save the $2.8 million, according to C.L. Overman of Cumberland Securities.
Refinancing of the debt is subject to approval by members of the Coffee County Full Commission, who will meet on Sept. 13.

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help once again. Authorities are searching for 30 year-old Candace Marie Walker, last known address Goosepond Rd Manchester. Walker is wanted for aggravated burglary, theft of property over $1,000, forgery under $500 and failure to appear.
If you have seen Candace Marie Walker or know her whereabouts please call the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department at 931-570-4011. She is known to frequent Tullahoma and Decherd. They ask you to leave a detailed message if no one answers because investigators are working other cases.
As always the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department thanks the public for its help and support.

On Tuesday Manchester Police responded to a complaint about a man asking others to buy cold medicine for him. Officers went to the man’s room at the Scottish Inn and he refused to come to the door. Officers noted a strong chemical smell coming from the room and that’s when they secured the room and waited for a search warrant from investigators. Upon gaining access to the room officers allegedly located several components used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine in including Drano, coffee filters, fuel and batteries. Officers also allegedly located 5 grams of liquid methamphetamine and 25 syringes and uncapped syringes.
Manchester Officer Dale Robertson arrested Courtney Wayne Sircloumb age 43 of Scottish Inn Manchester for intent to manufacture methamphetamine, schedule II drug violation and unlawful drug paraphernalia uses and activities. His bond was set at $31,500 and his court date is Sept. 19, 2016.