Category: News

A club meant to unify students of different backgrounds in Franklin County, Tennessee was the focus of a passionate debate Monday – from both supporters and detractors.
Franklin County High School is home to a Gay-Straight Alliance, a club that organizers say is meant to provide a safe space for youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) or may be questioning their sexuality, as well as those who identify as straight and who want to offer support and friendship.
With signs held high and emotions even higher, supporters and those objecting to the club spoke to school board members Monday about why the group should or should not be allowed on campus. Between 200-300 people attended the meeting.
Monday’s meeting ended without any decision on the future of the club. The board said it will be up for discussion at a future meeting in March.

Winchester Police Department Detective Robert Morris obtained warrants for Jonathon Armentrout and Austin Bolden of Huntland, Tennessee for an Armed Robbery of a convenience store, Scott’s Market on Dinah Shore Blvd, in the City of Winchester that occurred on Feb. 4.
Winchester Detectives lead by Sgt Kelly Gass worked around the clock for over 36 hours to obtain evidence leading to the issuance of warrants by Judicial Commissioner Jim Brazelton for the arrest of these suspects.
This afternoon, both suspects have been arrested and charged for Aggravated Robbery and placed in Franklin County Jail under a $100,000 bond each. Armentrout was arrested at the Winchester Inn on South College Street around 1:00 p.m., and Winchester Detectives and Sheriff Investigators followed leads to the Huntland area where Bolden was apprehended on Arnold Lane at a residence.
The armed robbery was the second in a week. On February 1, Speedway Market on Hwy 64 was robbed at gun point. The aforementioned suspects are persons of interest in this robbery as well.

Applying for college can be daunting enough. Add to that the pressures of finding the financial aid available and many students and parents can feel overwhelmed. Experts say those feelings are what scammers and unscrupulous businesses are preying on during this time of year. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to getting money for the majority of students, and while it costs nothing to apply, Mallory Wojciechowski, spokeswoman with the Better Business Bureau, says you should exercise precautions when using online search engines. “A lot of people will go to what they believe is a FAFSA website, and when they go to it a scam artist has actually set up a phony website,” says Wojciechowski. “And to make sure that you are actually on that legitimate website, because you may think you’re doing it on your own and you’re actually not on the correct website.” The federal help center at FAFSA.gov offers free online support. The BBB says when you complete your application, make sure to log out and close the browser when you’re finished. Keep personal documents and receipts in a secure place and don’t share your FAFSA PIN number with anyone. Some financial aid services are asking more than $1,000 to offer assistance in finding money for college. The Better Business Bureau says to beware of companies asking for up-front money, and use caution when entering personal information on websites. Wojciechowski says you have the tools you need at your fingertips. “You should not have to pay for assistance in finding money for college,” she says. “There are so many free websites that you can turn to for guidance.” The BBB says it’s important to note that if an organization is charging fees for financial aid advice or application assistance, they are not committing fraud unless they don’t deliver what is promised. If you suspect you are a victim of fraud or identity theft, experts advise you to contact the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Trade Commission.

Early voting is set to begin Wednesday, February 10, and runs until Tuesday, February 23. Early Voting Hours: Manchester: Coffee County Administrative Plaza 1329 McArthur Street, Suite 6, Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM and Saturday 8:30-12:00 PM. In Tullahoma: C.D. Stamps Community Center 810 South Jackson Street, Monday-Friday 9:00AM-4:30 PM and Saturday 9:00-12:00 PM. Tennesseans must bring valid state or federal photo identification with them to the polls. On the ballot; Presidential preference primary for presidential candidates and the following offices will be on the March County Primary ballot: Public Defender (unexpired six (6) year term), Assessor of Property, Constable – Seat 4 – Dist. 3, 14 & 16 (unexpired two (2) year term), Constable – Seat 7 – Dist. 17, 19 & 20 (unexpired two (2) year term). District Offices are elected by voters living in those areas.
One person qualified Public Defender, John E. Nicoll who is a Republican. For Assessor of Property, Larry McIntosh, Roseanne Carden Riddle and Beverly H. Robertson, all republicans. For Constable – Seat 4 Democrat Danny Davis with no candidate qualified for District 7 Constable. For more information on Coffee County elections call 931-723-5103 or check out their website at www.coffeecountyelectioncommission.com

An Antioch man has been charged with distributing bottles of sizzurp — a modified cough syrup — in Bedford County.
Chance Lyndell Norman, 27, of Antioch was charged with possession and sale of schedule II and III drugs Tuesday by the 17th Judicial District Drug Task Force and Metro Nashville police.
“We have been involved in a joint investigation with Metro Nashville police concerning illegal distribution of sizzurp, also known as lean,” DTF Assistant Director Tim Miller said.
“Sizzurp, also known as ‘Lean’ and ‘Purple Drank,’ is a mixture of cough medicine — often prescription strength, containing codeine — and soft drinks and candy for flavor,” according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse website.
“Bottles go for $125 in this area but if you take them to Atlanta they sell for $1,000 each,” Miller said. “He had four large bottles.”
Metro officers also found marijuana and possible cocaine in Norman’s home, Miller said. (Shelbyville Times Gazette)

In recent days a number of people have expressed concern about a posting of a video on Facebook of military grave markers being found in a ditch.
In the video, which has since been taken down, an unseen narrator alleges that the grave markers had been illegally removed from a Tullahoma cemetery.
However, according to Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller, the tombstones depicted in the video were never installed in any cemetery.
The markers are located on private property located on “Z” Lane in Franklin County which is off of Highway 130, according to Fuller.
“The tombstones/grave markers that were found were actually unwanted or misspelled markers that were never used and needed to be disposed of,” Fuller said Thursday. “There was no malice or negligence involved and these markers were just properly disposed of.”
Fuller also said that his investigators have traced where the grave markers came from and talked with officials with the monument company.
“They came from a local monument company and were properly disposed of and there is nothing sinister about the disposal site,” the sheriff reiterated.
Fuller said it is not uncommon for monument companies to dispose of misspelled or unwanted grave markers.
On Thursday morning, the man posted a new message on his Facebook page apologizing to the property owners and explaining why he decided to take the video down.
“I want to apologize to the family in my recent video. I never expected that video to go viral,” he wrote. “I also never said a name nor said the owners of that property were involved. I have talked to the owner personally. We have both received death threats. I removed the video to do what’s right.”

Authorities say more than 20 people have been arrested on charges related to sex trafficking and online exploitation of children in Tennessee and Georgia.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Friday that law enforcement officers conducted “Operation Watchful Guardians” this week in the two states. Agents conducted operations that investigated and prosecuted people accused of being sex traffickers and online predators.
Agents arrested 16 men attempting to purchase sex from a prostitute and four women who were advertised as prostitutes. Victims of sex trafficking were identified and offered housing, counseling and addiction treatment.
In addition, three men were arrested for attempting to use the Internet to find underage girls for sex.