Four people have been arrested and charged in relation to a burglary at Christian Tabernacle Church in Franklin County.
According to Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, during a traffic stop authorities were able to identify objects that were taken in a reported burglary from the church.
Dakota Barber, of Fayetteville, is charged with burglary and theft of property between $1,000-$2,500; Challie Terrill-Cassatt, also of Fayetteville, is also charged with burglary and theft of property between $1,000-$2,500; Thomas Abbey, of Winchester, is charged with accessory after the fact and unlawful carry or possession of a weapon; and Candyce LeFevers, Winchester, is charged with accessory after the fact. All are being held in the Franklin County Jail on $10,000 bond.
Coffee County Young Sportsman Deer Rally is Saturday
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, sponsors and committee members would like to invite all eligible hunters (ages 6-16) who participate in the Statewide Young Sportsman Deer Hunt, to the 2021 Coffee County Young Sportsman Deer Rally. Admission is FREE for all events, including lunch starting at 10 a.m. Eligible hunters will be given one ticket for prize drawings upon registering at the entrance. The event is held at the Coffee County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 9am-1pm
Successful hunters can check in their harvest at the event to be entered into an additional drawing. Vendors will be set up to exhibit the latest in hunting products. This is a non-profit event which all proceeds are used to conduct the Deer Rally.
If you would like more information or would like to support this youth event, please contact:
Tim Hancock 615-332-1944 Mason Russ 931-273-7171
Todd Watkins 931-273-9933 David Cleveland 931-58-7571
Young sportsman deer hunt set for Oct. 30-31
The first of two Tennessee young sportsman deer hunts for the 2021-22 season will be held the weekend of Oct. 30-31. Youth ages 6-16 may participate. Participating youth can use gun, muzzleloader, or archery equipment.
Young sportsmen must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, 21 or older who must remain in position to take immediate control of the hunting device. The adult must also comply with the fluorescent orange regulations as specified for legal hunters. Multiple youth may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult.
Archery season began in the state on Sept. 25 and the first segment ends Oct. 29, the day prior to the opening of the young sportsman hunt. The second segment of archery only season is Monday, Nov. 1 through Friday, Nov. 5. Muzzleloader/archery season starts Nov. 6. In Unit CWD, gun/muzzleloader/archery season begins Nov. 6. The statewide gun/muzzleloader/archery season has the traditional opening date of the Saturday before Thanksgiving which this year is Nov. 20.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency recommends that all hunters obtain a 2021-22 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide. The guide lists license requirements, the counties and bag limits for each of the different deer management units. The guide is available on the TWRA website. www.tnwildlife.org, the TWRA App, and where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.
TBI releases newly designed sex offender registry for Tennessee
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation launched an overhauled Tennessee Sex Offender Registry on Monday, rebuilt to modernize the look, feel, and operation of the public safety resource.
“In thinking about updates to the registry, we’ve worked to listen to feedback from the public and our law enforcement partners,” said Shelly Smitherman, TBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge. “We’ve also looked at surrounding states for ideas we think will make ours easier-to-use and more helpful to the public.”
After more than two years of planning and programming, the new Tennessee Sex Offender Registry features clearer navigation, more robust email notifications, a heightened focus on fugitive offenders, and gives the public valuable resources related to personal and digital safety.
While the TBI serves as the repository for sex offender data, local law enforcement agencies handle responsibilities related to updating offender profiles in accordance to state law. The overhaul of the public-facing registry follows updates, several years ago, to the software systems law enforcement agencies use to update offender data.
To fund the project, TBI secured grant funding totaling more than $180,000 from the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice and contracted a private vendor, Steeple Technologies, to program a majority of the new registry. TBI also worked with the State of Tennessee’s Strategic Technology Solutions group to refresh the mapping portion of the site.
According to the TBI site, there are currently 91 registered sex offenders within the 37355 zip code. Click here to see that list.
• The new Tennessee Sex Offender Registry can be accessed on TBI’s website, www.tn.gov/tbi.
Report Finds TN Kids More Sedentary and Anxious
By Nadia Ramligan, TN Public News Service
Only 20% of kids nationwide are physically active for at least 60 minutes a day, according to a new United Health Foundation report that examines the health of women and children.
The report is based largely on federal data from 2019 leading into the pandemic, and looks at more than 100 measures of health. Dr. Ravi Johar, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare, said that percentage has likely gotten worse over the past year, putting more kids at risk for chronic conditions such as diabetes.
“It is worrisome because weight gain we know earlier in life can have consequences later in life,” he said. “So it’s just something that needs to be looked at closely.”
The report ranked Tennessee 32nd in the nation for kids’ physical activity. Johar added that children’s mental health also is a cause for concern, noting that anxiety among kids is widespread and on the rise. Nationwide, teen suicide has jumped 26% since 2014. The report found more than 7,000 kids ages 15 to 19 ended their lives in the two years before the pandemic began.
Tennessee ranks 34th in the nation for families’ access to well-child visits and 22nd for developmental screenings. Johar said a nationwide shortage of doctors is contributing to the dip in the number of kids in waiting rooms.
“We know there’s decreased access to pediatricians and to women’s health-care professionals,” he said. “So, maybe telehealth will be able to help with some of those things.”
Jason Rensendez, a member of the Consumers for Quality Care board, said Tennessee kids continue to fall short when it comes to health coverage. He encouraged parents and caregivers to research plans to ensure their children can get preventive care.
“As vaccines are starting to become more readily available to children,” he said, “understanding what those COVID coverage plans are in your insurance plan.”
The United Health Foundation report ranked Tennessee 26th in the nation for the number of uninsured kids and 44th in the nation for kids’ access to preventive dental care.
AAA urges Tennesseans to make holiday travel plans now
Tennesseans have begun making their travel plans for the holiday season. According to a new AAA Travel survey, over one-third (36%) of residents book their holiday trips by the end of October.
“Time is of the essence for people who plan to take a flight this holiday season,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “As we get closer to the holidays, airfares often rise as availability shrinks. We recommend you book by Halloween, for the best chance of finding the flight you want at a favorable rate.”
AAA will release its full Thanksgiving Travel Forecast November 9th.
“We’ve recently seen numerous flight delays and cancellations, and even more are possible during the holidays,” Haas continued. “So if you’re planning a flight, you may want to consider travel insurance. If your flight is cancelled, there are various policies that would help offset unexpected expenses like a hotel, transportation and food. You may also receive compensation for lost luggage, or if your flight is delayed for as little as 3 hours.”
VACCINE PROVIDING CONFIDENCE FOR HOLIDAY TRAVELERS
Nearly one-third (32%) of Tennesseans plan to take a vacation of 3 days or more during the 2021 holiday season. Meanwhile, sixteen percent have not yet decided. Fewer than half (40%) of Tennesseans without holiday travel plans are staying home for fear of contracting or spreading COVID-19.
Compared to last year, when a vaccine wasn’t available, 22% of Tennesseans are more comfortable traveling this holiday season. Meanwhile, nearly half (47%) feel the same as last year.
Manchester Chamber introduces ‘Manchester Gift Card’ for holiday shopping
Manchester Chamber of Commerce is introducing a “Manchester Gift Card” just in time for holiday shopping.
The card, which works much like a regular gift card, can be used at multiple Manchester area businesses for your holiday shopping.
Currently, businesses signed up to participate are Detention at the Elementary, Hillsboro 41 Market, Marcrom’s Pharmacy, Mercantile Cafe Bakery & Gift Shop, Owen’s Provisions & Apparel and Southern Diva Boutique. It is not too late to participate for area businesses – call the chamber at 931-728-7635.
Anyone with the card can use it at any of these locations so long as the card has a balance. Click here to inquire about getting a card or registering as a participating business.
Juvenile arrested after threats against Bedford County schools
A juvenile has been arrested by Bedford County authorities after alleged threats against schools in that jurisdiction.
According to Bedford County Sheriff’s Department, authorities conducted a thorough investigation into threats made through a social media post regarding students and faculty and Shelbyville Central High School and Harris Middle School. This investigation led to the arrest of one juvenile, who is in custody.
The threat was allegedly made through Snapchat, according to BCSD.
Estill Springs traffic stop nets cocaine, prescription meds
A traffic stop by Franklin County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Spring Creek Rd. in Estill Springs Sunday, Oct. 24, resulted in the recovery of multiple drugs and an arrest.
Deputies seized 28.49 grams of what is believed to be cocaine, various prescription medications and .5 grams of what is believed to be marijuana, baggies and other drug paraphernalia.
Arrested was Tyrie P. Jones, of Decherd. He is charged with possession of schedule II with intent to sell, simple possession of schedule VI, simple possession of schedule V, simple possession of schedule III, possession of Drug Paraphernalia and speeding. He is being held in Franklin County jail.
Authorities investigating Sunday shooting death in Warren County
Authorities have identified a 36-year old man who was shot and killed Sunday, Oct. 24, on Sparta Highway in Warren County.
He has been identified as Christopher Hollis, of McMinnville. A suspect has yet to be named by authorities.
The investigation in this case remains open, with Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Warren County Sheriff’s Department investigating. More details were not available.
