Category: News

Right now, accessing public records in Tennessee costs nothing more than your time. But that may change as the state considers legislation that would impose a charge. As it stands, records custodians can only charge for making copies. “Citizens want to view public records for a variety of reasons,” says John Dunn, a spokesman for the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office. “They want to understand more about how their government operates. “Perhaps they’re looking into situation involving spending and they want to see how their public officials are spending their money. Those are all situations where they would need to review public records.” The state is holding public hearings in Knoxville, Nashville and Jackson to gather feedback on the issue. Civil rights groups, including the ACLU, oppose the charges, saying they would create a barrier for information that should be readily available. Conversely, preparing records for public review can involve several hours of state employees’ time, and charging for access would help to recoup that expense. Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the ACLU of Tennessee, explains her opposition to the proposal. “A vibrant democracy requires a transparent government,” she states. “When you try to create obstacles to accessing records, you are putting a cloak upon all of what government does and trying to ensure that there is some layer of secrecy.” Dunn says the public comment will allow for a discussion on balancing people’s rights to information with the burden on the state to provide it. “I think the central question here will be balancing the public’s right to know and to view public records with the cost that governments may have when compiling records, redacting records and reviewing records,” he says. Many states don’t allow for the collection of fees to search and review records for public access, but others such as Alabama and North Dakota set hourly rates for those services. The federal Freedom of Information Act allows for agencies to charge for searching for and copying records, but not for redacting the information.

Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd made a brief site visit to the Tullahoma Municipal Airport last week to discuss with airport officials and economic and community development staff the impact of recent legislation affecting Tennessee’s airports and their capital improvement programs.
Airport Authority Chairman Sam Crimm and Authority member Jim Apple briefed the commissioner on the progress that had been made at the Tullahoma airport in the area of economic development and Apple stressed the importance of maintaining a strong facility improvement program for Tennessee’s general aviation airports. Tullahoma Area Economic Development Corporation (TAEDC), Executive Director Thom Robinson gave an overview of aviation and aerospace projects and facilities in Tullahoma.
“We have one of the top 5 general-aviation airports in the state,” said Airport Authority Chairman, Sam Crimm. “It’s a facility we are extremely proud of, and gives the city an edge in recruiting businesses.”
Commissioner Boyd noted the many improvements that had been made in Tullahoma and stated that the Tullahoma Airport Authority was very well prepared.

Apparently three juveniles will be facing charges of vandalism after graffiti was found at multiple places around Wilkins Stadium in Tullahoma on Thursday night.
The juveniles allegedly used spray paint to write double C’s in various places around the Tullahoma field, but the worst part was the vulgar paintings that were also part of the vandalism found by school officials on Friday morning. Tullahoma High School Resource Officer Joe Brown said the three individuals were seen on security in the bleachers at 9:44pm.
Apparently the youths allegedly involved are not part of the football team at Coffee County and two of them may no longer be students at the school.
The damage done in Tullahoma is said to be several thousand dollars’ worth. Tullahoma officials began covering up and cleaning the graffiti on Friday.
The three juveniles were given a petition to appear in court.

Tullahoma Police are searching for a person that is wanted for questioning about a shoplifting incident at Kroger on Friday August 7. The theft occurred around 6:45pm in the evening.
Tullahoma Police say that any information regarding the identity of the female would be greatly appreciated. If you know the identity of this person please contact the Tullahoma Police Department at 931-455-0530 or email Detective Rana Pawlowski at rpawlowski@tullahomatn.gov.

Another collapse has been reported at a large underground pipe in Shelbyville, according to a city official.
Councilman Henry Fieldhaus said a portion of the flume collapsed Sunday morning, between the fire and police stations, likely due to heavy rains over the weekend.
The flume leads the city’s storm water to the Duck River. It’s been in place since 1962. Fieldhaus said work on replacing parts of it was set to begin on Monday.
This work was set to cost the city $1.6 million, according to Fieldhaus. With Sunday’s collapse, the cost can only go up from there. Fieldhaus says he would like to look into the possibility of getting federal help, by having the part of the flume declared a disaster area.
There have been two previous collapses at the flume this year; one in June and one in January. (WSMV-TV)

The City of Tullahoma is pleased to announce the Mach Tenn Running Club’s Couch to 5K (C25K). Mach Tenn is taking the Get Fit! wellness program to the next level with the COUCH to 5K CHALLENGE.
This group training and exercise program does not require any running experience.  It is designed to encourage, motivate and challenge the individual to compete with his/her peers. The Couch to 5K challenge will meet at the Tullahoma High School track around the Coach W.C. “Dub” Cooper Field Mondays starting August 24 at 6:00pm (If a THS activity is taking place, report to Frazier McEwen Park). Good news – the program is low cost and no prior running experience required. Runners are asked to pay the $25 entry fee for the Jack Dash, which is the ultimate 3.1 mile goal of the program.
Coffee County is ranked 72 out of 95 counities in the percentage of adults that report a BMI of 30 or more. The US average is 28% compared to Coffee County at 35.6.
Diabetes impacts many people in Coffee County and it is not a change you can live with, but this event is to encourage people to take the first steps toward a healthier lifestyle.
Tullahoma has partnered and challenges each runner to finish the Jack Dash 5k on October 25, 2015,” said Club President and Director of the C25K program, Kim Childress.
“The C25K wants people who want to complete a 5k and receive education and training from Mach Tenn Running club on topics that include running, nutrition, stretching and other fit choices,” said Mach Tenn Running Club Administrator, Melissa Miller.

A Cookeville man was arrested Aug 19 on his sixth DUI, second offense Habitual Offender and third driving on revoke/suspend license.
Eric Jason McDaniel, 42, was arrested after he was found asleep behind the driver seat with keys in the ignition. According to Deputy Blake Simmons, there was an odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. The officer woke McDaniel and he told the officer that he had consumed approximately a pint of alcohol. After drinking he then said that he drove to the store to get cigarettes.
He then failed three field sobriety tests. He was booked into the Coffee County Jail under a bond of $24,500. He is to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court Oct. 12.