Category: News

The Tennessee Department of Correction says there have been 32 assaults on correctional officers in the last 28 days, with hospitalization required in three of the attacks.
State officials say the number of assaults are down from last year, but they weren’t immediately able to produce supporting data.
The data comes amid a debate over prison safety concerns.
Prison administrators have said they plan to give current officers a $1,000 bonus before the end of the year as part of an effort to bolster retention among a department that corrections officers say has been severely understaffed.
Officers have said recent changes in pay and scheduling have made the job less desirable, driving officers away and forcing the remaining officers to work more shifts with less help.

Parents needing to receive toys for their children 14 years to 1 year should sign up in person Thursday, December 3 at C.D. Stamps Community Center in Tullahoma from 8:00am – 11:00pm. This is the only sign up time. No late sign-ups will be accepted. Parents registering their children for free Christmas toys must first provide proof of Tullahoma residency, valid ID and show a birth certificate or Social Security card for each child registered. Contact 931-455-0936 for further information.
The Tullahoma Fire Department (TFD) is in immediate need of toys and monetary donations, as they will soon begin assembling packages for local children.
“This program is a message of hope to children. I appreciate the continued community support this program has received over the years,” said Chief Richard Shasteen.
New, unwrapped toys or monetary donations may be dropped off at the C. D. Stamps Community Center on South Jackson St.
Donations are preferred because the TFD can make tax free purchases and negotiate bulk purchase prices. Donations are currently being accepted and will continue to be accepted until December 16. Monetary donation can also be made by mail:
Make check payable to TFD Toys for Tots

TFD Toys for Tots
PO Box 807
Tullahoma, TN 37388

All toys and proceeds remain in the Tullahoma area.
Specifically designed for children who may not receive toys otherwise, the primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive and patriotic citizens.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with just six percent of patients surviving five years after their diagnosis.
November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and those who have been touched by the illness want Tennesseans to recognize the warning signs, since early detection is key to having a better chance at survival.
Lisa Fair, Nashville affiliate chair of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, lost her mother to the illness.
“There’s not an early detection process, and the symptoms are really vague,” she says. “You might have low abdominal pain, or back pain, weight loss, jaundice, loss of appetite, nausea, change in stools and diabetes.”
According to the latest data from the Tennessee Department of Health, pancreatic cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the state, and the Volunteer State has the 12th highest rate of pancreatic cancer in the country. Only 13 percent of cases in the state were diagnosed early.
According to Fair, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a national organization that raises money for research and support for patients dealing with the illness.
“Pancreatic Cancer Action Network does a lot of clinical trials,” she says. “If someone is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, we have what we have call PALS, Patient and Liaison Services, which is a wonderful service for patients who are recently diagnosed. They can find out about all clinical trials in their area.”
While the exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown, experts say risk factors can include smoking, obesity, and people with diets high in red and processed meats. Most patients diagnosed with the cancer are over the age of 60, with a higher rate of men and African Americans receiving the diagnosis.

Missy Marshall, Executive Director of Keep Tennessee Beautiful, was in Tullahoma Thursday as a guest of Mayor Lane Curlee. She was in Tullahoma to promote the benefits of a clean and attractive community.
Thursday afternoon she spoke to attendees at the monthly Planning and Coordinating Committee, visited the four elementary schools, was interviewed for a 30 minute program on Lighttube, and toured the Tullahoma Recycling Center.
During the school visits she introduced to the students the new book Nancy and Sluggo Love Tennessee. Mayor and Mrs. Curlee purchased a copy of the book for each of the four elementary schools, plus Lannom Memorial Library. The book, sponsored by Keep Tennessee Beautiful, tells the story of cartoon characters Nancy and Sluggo and their fun-filled adventure across Tennessee. Along the way, they help to clean up the water, land and air while meeting some wonderful, funny and wise new animal friends.
The book was written and illustrated by Nashville resident and noted cartoonist Jim Gilchrist, who has drawn not only the Nancy comic strip but also Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Muppets and the Pink Panther.
“Evelyn and I were pleased to purchase these books for the elementary school students and our public library. It tells a great story for students about keeping Tennessee beautiful,” said Curlee. “It ties in perfectly with our community effort to make Tullahoma even more clean and attractive. I am convinced 99% of Tullahoma citizens want to live in a clean and attractive community and 100% of the people who want to invest in Tullahoma want to invest in a clean and attractive community.”
“I appreciate Ms. Marshall visiting Tullahoma and helping spread the word about ways to Keep Tennessee and Tullahoma Beautiful.”

On Wednesday evening Coffee County Sheriff’s Department (CCSD) Investigator James Sherrill was at the sheriff’s department when he says he observed a black male pulling on the fence that surrounds the jail complex and began transferring a package with unknown contents to a string line. The string and package were seen being pulled back to the facility by an unknown subject(s). After this occurred Sherrill reported the black male ran to the waiting vehicle.
After receiving a call from Sherrill, Coffee County Deputy Stephen Sharketti observed the Silver Chrysler 4 door and stopped the vehicle at the intersection of Volunteer Parkway and Parktower RD. Investigator Sherrill arrived and clearly identified the subject, Karl Edward Parson Jr. as being the trespasser.
The subject was read and explained Miranda rights and voluntarily provided a verbal statement. According to the deputy’s report, Parson acknowledged he had been on CCSD property and had passed a package containing tobacco through the fence area that was attached to a string line. The man stated the string was tied to a bar of soap and he in turn attached the package to it. Parson was placed into custody and searched and was asked if he was in possession of any weapons or drugs. He said he did not have anything on him. Parson was then transported to the Coffee County Jail. The report goes on to say that before entering the facility he was again asked if he was in possession of any weapons or drugs. He again stated “no”. He was searched again at the jail and a corrections officer was able to find deep in Parson’s front pant pocket, two small brown cigarette ends (roaches) with a green leafy substance inside. After discovering the roaches, Sharketti says he again asked the subject if he had any other drugs and he again stated “no”. As the search continued Parson removed his socks, it was then that a small plastic baggie with a white powdery substance was found. The deputy’s report says the substance weighed at .9 grams and field tested positive as cocaine based.
Karl E Parson, age 28 of Memphis was charged with aggravated criminal trespass and contraband in a penal institution. His bond was set at $35,000 and has a court date of December 14.

We have another bank scam to report. Some customers of Coffee County Bank in Manchester received a text message on Thursday that their bank account number needed to be verified. Coffee County Bank President Rush Bricken says that this is a scam and the bank did not send it.
Please be aware that a “phishing” scam is being texted to many people in our area. Phishing is a means to trick a user into visiting a fraudulent website, usually through a bogus link in an email or text message. The current scam targets users by sending texts that appear to be from various banks (some bogus) such a “Legends Bank of Nashville and others.” Coffee County Bank will never send you a text, email or letter asking for your account numbers, user names, passwords, or Social Security number.
If you have any questions about this scam or the other scam we reported earlier this week please call your personal banking institution.