The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Statistical Analysis Center released two new publications, one detailing the volume and nature of hate crime in Tennessee, and the other detailing violence directed toward the state’s law enforcement officers.
Among the findings of ‘Tennessee Hate Crime 2020’:
- The number of offenses categories with a known bias motivation increased from 113 in 2019 to 118 in 2020, but decreased from 2018’s total of 168.
- Bias-motivated offenses categorized as Crimes Against Persons accounted for 80% of all hate crimes in 2020.
- Race/Ethnicity/Ancestry Bias accounted for 67.5% of reportable known bias motivation categories, while the second most frequently reported bias was Sexual Orientation Bias, accounting for 20%.
Among the findings of ‘Law Enforcement Officers Killed or Assaulted (LEOKA) 2020’:
- The total number of reported LEOKA incidents decreased by 4.3% from 2019 to 2020.
- The offense of Simple Assault continues to be the highest reported LEOKA offense, with a total of 1,293 in 2020.
- Zero LEOKA murders were reported in 2020.
TBI Director David Rausch said, “I am very proud of the efforts of all participating law enforcement agencies, to provide the data necessary to produce these reports. Our combined efforts have resulted in a successful program that continues to give our state helpful insight on the volume and nature of crime.”
Both reports can be viewed and downloaded on the TBI’s website: https://www.tn.gov/tbi/divisions/cjis-division/recent-publications.html.
-WMSR news partner WGNS Radio contributed to this report.
Tullahoma police need help locating subject
The Tullahoma Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance to identify a female subject who is wanted for questioning in an incident that occurred on Saturday, Sept. 25 at an area business.
See a photo of the individual below. If you have any information, contact detective Cody Lendley at 931-455-0530 or clendley@tullahomatn.gov.
Historical society invites community to celebrates 150th anniversary of Coffee County Courthouse
Coffee County Courthouse, the centerpiece aesthetic in downtown Manchester, is celebrating its 150th anniversary.
The courthouse will be open to tours on Saturday after a ceremony that will be held prior to Old Timers Day Parade.
“Please join the celebration to recognize the 150th anniversary of the Coffee County Courthouse,” the Coffee County Historical Society said in a release. “The event will take place during the Old Timer’s Day Celebration on Oct. 2, 2021, beginning at 9 a.m. on the courthouse square with opening ceremonies. After the ceremony, visitors may tour the courthouse and the Joanna Lewis Museum of Coffee County History. The courthouse will be open for 2 hours for the public to tour. The courthouse on the square was completed in December of 1871 and is currently the home of the Coffee County Historical Society, the Joanna Lewis Museum of Coffee County and there is an upstairs courtroom that is occasionally used for court proceedings.”
Shelbyville police asking for help locating suspect
In nearby Shelbyville, Tennessee, a man accused of being involved in an Aggravated Assault case has been identified.
On Monday night (Sept. 20, 2021), Shelbyville Police say that the subject in question drove into the side of another vehicle. Previous to the incident, the culprit in question was believed to have visited the local Walmart. It was there that the subject was caught on camera and that footage was obtained by detectives.
Now that the man has been identified, police are trying to locate him. However, authorities have not been able to find the subject, despite officers going to his home.
Police in Shelbyville report that the suspect has been identified as Kenneth David Hurt, who is in his early 30’s. He is facing two counts of aggravated assault charges. Warrants have been obtained for what has been described as a road rage incident.
The suspect, along with another male who was believed to have been with him on the night of the incident, were believed to have been driving in a white Chevrolet long bed – single cab pickup truck with black wheels.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of these individuals, please contact Shelbyville Detective Nathan Everhart at 931-684-5811.
-WGNS Radio contributed to this report
Motlow integrating more short-term industry credentials
Motlow State Community College is integrating more and more short-term industry-recognized credentials into its traditional degree plan. One of these programs is Mechatronics, which offers valuable certifications and short-term credential training embedded into courses.
These added credentials ensure employers that the College has a robust, market-responsive curriculum that develops a student’s subject matter knowledge, as well as specific high-demand skillsets. These certifications, known as micro-credentials, are value-added evidence of competencies that help Motlow graduates maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace and help the College develop strong partnerships with growing industries.
Credentials Companies Want Employees to Have
In addition to embedding these high-demand credentials into degree plans, Motlow also teaches some of these certifications as multi-day courses for those already working in the mechatronics field, but who are not Motlow students.
“Companies often send individuals to get certified, and either the individual will pay for it out of their own pocket or the company will pay for the course. Motlow students will already have these highly-desired certifications, graduating with about $4,000 worth of credentials,” explained Larry Flatt, executive director of Motlow’s Automation and Robotics Training Center.
Many of these micro-credentials are stackable, meaning students can earn multiple micro-credentials that they can roll into a major certification after graduation. These credentials quickly pay off when students want to find a job, get a raise, or even when seeking a promotion.
In addition to Motlow’s traditional degree-seeking students, “people come from all over the country to attend these classes and get certifications that our students will already have. It benefits them because they don’t have to come back and get certified and it benefits companies because they don’t have to pay to send them here,” said Flatt.
“It always helps us, as employers, when graduates already have the same certifications that we are sending our own current employees to obtain. It gives us a common technical knowledge base to build on” said Shane Buchanan, general manager of Corporate Production Engineering at Kasai North America. Buchanan formerly taught mechatronics courses at Motlow’s McMinnville and Smyrna campuses from 2012-17 and served as the director of mechatronics for 2016-17.
Benefits of micro-credentials:
- Time-saver; the flexibility to choose what you learn and how you learn it
- Set yourself apart by matching workplace needs and showcasing achievements
- Personalized learning, tailored to career goals and responsibilities
- Students can show exactly what skills and knowledge they bring to a new position or project
Motlow State is an authorized trainer for multiple companies
Through Yaskawa, a global manufacturer of industrial robots, students can obtain certifications in Robotics Safety Principles, Intro to Robotics, Basic Operator Training, and Basic Programming with Material Handling. The first three are completed as part of the Intro to Robotics course that all Mechatronics students must complete. The fourth is completed only by those seeking to attain an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) with a robotics concentration during the Robotics Safety and Operation course. These courses are available to both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students. It is available for the non-degree seeker as short-term training, usually funded by the company where the individual currently works.
“The certifications are built into the courses at Motlow so that students can complete any necessary exams as part of their classes and have a certification to add to their resumes,” added Flatt. “This is validation for the students that shows that someone outside of Motlow affirms they can perform what Motlow taught.”
Beginning in Fall 2021, Motlow is now offering additional micro-credentials through the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA). These credentials are stackable skill standards that allow students to meet Industry 4.0 standards towards additional SACA certifications, such as C-101 Basic Operations, C-102 Advanced Operations, and C-103 Robot System Operations.
“SACA is a fast-growing non-profit industry certification company whose goal is to develop accessible and affordable certifications,” said Rick Rogers, mechatronics instructor at Motlow. He is also the Dual Enrollment Representative for the College’s Fayetteville campus.
“We hope that by the end of their time at Motlow, students have completed enough of the micro-credentials to be able to obtain their full industry certification,” said Flatt.
Over the summer, Motlow’s mechatronics instructors were enrolled as students with SACA in order to best determine which micro-credentials can be embedded and the best way for it to be embedded. Motlow instructors teach the material, then students utilize a learning management platform to complete tests through SACA and obtain credentials.
Standardized Training Throughout Motlow’s Programs
The certifications and credentials offered are standard across Motlow campuses and include dual enrollment students still in high school.
“Anything we teach on a Motlow campus, we also include in the high school dual enrollment training. Those students learn the same things and earn the same certifications,” said Mechatronics Instructor Melissa Paz.
“The SACA certifications demonstrate the students’ knowledge of the courses in the Mechatronics program. Industry needs are becoming more specialized. Workers must be lifelong learners and continue to add to their skillsets. SACA certifications are free to the student and enable them to build a portfolio that documents their education and experience they can share with a potential employer,” explained Rogers.
Ensuring Students Graduate with the Right Skills
According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2018, two-thirds of Americans believe students aren’t getting the skills they need for the workplace. Motlow is making sure its students have the necessary skills and certifications employers want.
“Having a diploma is a first step in landing a career. Next, is having these credentials that show Motlow’s graduates have the ability to do the work that is required and that it was verified by industry professionals,” said Paz. “When students graduate from Motlow they can go to work making at least $20 an hour, and these credentials help them do that, setting them apart from the competition.”
There is a growing industry call for educators to speed up the process of embedding certifications into degrees. Motlow has been offering robotic company certifications since 2019 and is working to expand on what it can offer mechatronics students.
Paz is currently working to incorporate two additional SACA standard credentials for the robotics concentration students this semester. Both are Industry 4.0 Certifications: Robotic Operations 1 and Robotic Systems 1.
“Micro-credentials and certifications are important milestones in our degree programs. As a student progresses through mechatronics, earning the micro-credentials and certifications can be short-term goals that hopefully will encourage them to persevere and complete their education,” said Rogers. “We aim to guarantee success for our students in education and future employment.”
For more information about Motlow’s mechatronics and robotics programs, contact mechatronics@mscc.edu.
Tennessee’s Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient, and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. The system offers associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs, and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tbr.edu or visit Motlow at mscc.edu.
Gas prices hold steady in Tennessee
Gas prices in the Volunteer State have remained stagnant over the past week, averaging $2.89/gal today, according to AAA. Gas prices in Coffee County are averaging $2.87 per gallon – 2 cents below the state average.
Meanwhile, the national gas price average sits at $3.18.
Tennesseans Encouraged to Register to Vote on National Voter Registration Day
To celebrate National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, Sept. 28, Secretary of State Tre Hargett encourages Tennesseans to register to vote, check their voter registration status and show friends, coworkers and neighbors how to register online in minutes.
“It’s never been easier to register to vote in Tennessee and our office is excited to lead the effort to help all eligible voters in our great state get registered,” said Secretary Hargett. “We are doing this with college voter registration tailgates and by working with businesses, non-profits and civic organizations across the state through our Your Vote Matters program.”
This month, the Secretary of State’s office is working with student volunteers, university and athletic department staff, student government associations, campus organizations and local county election commissions at Tennessee’s nine Division I Public Universities conducting voter registration drives on campus.
Through the Your Vote Matters program, the Secretary of State’s office is providing participating businesses, non-profits and civic organizations across the state with tools they can use to promote voter registration and civic engagement to their employees, customers and community. As part of the Your Vote Matters program, Secretary Hargett is also speaking with corporate and community organizations in person and virtually about increasing civic engagement.
“The first step to making your voice heard on Election Day is registering to vote. If you are not registered, don’t wait. Now is the time to get ready to cast your ballot by registering to vote,” said Secretary Hargett. “If you’re already registered, you can participate by helping us spread the word about National Voter Registration Day and encouraging everyone in your spheres of influence to get registered.”
It has never been easier to register to vote in Tennessee. Registering to vote, updating or checking your registration status is fast, easy and secure with the Secretary of State’s online voter registration system, GoVoteTN.gov (https://t.e2ma.net/click/yrtrtob/yvgckg/q52t9ao).
Using a computer, phone or tablet, any U.S. citizen with a driver’s license or a photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security can register in minutes at GoVoteTN.gov (https://t.e2ma.net/click/yrtrtob/yvgckg/6x3t9ao). Each submission is checked against the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s database. A paper voter registration application is also available to download at GoVoteTN.gov (https://t.e2ma.net/click/yrtrtob/yvgckg/mq4t9ao).
National Voter Registration Day and National Voter Registration Month are nonpartisan, nationwide efforts to encourage all eligible voters to register and participate in the electoral process.
For details about the Secretary of State’s upcoming voter registration activities, follow their social media channels Twitter: @SecTreHargett (https://t.e2ma.net/click/yrtrtob/yvgckg/2i5t9ao), Facebook: Tennessee Secretary of State (https://t.e2ma.net/click/yrtrtob/yvgckg/ib6t9ao) and Instagram: @tnsecofstate (https://t.e2ma.net/click/yrtrtob/yvgckg/y36t9ao).
Tennesseans are encouraged to use #GoVoteTN and #YourVoteMattersTN on social media posts promoting voter registration during National Voter Registration Month and throughout the year.
For more information about registering to vote in Tennessee, go to GoVoteTN.gov (https://t.e2ma.net/click/yrtrtob/yvgckg/ew7t9ao) or call the Division of Elections toll-free at 1-877-850-4959.
TAX TIPS TUESDAY: Do you have a home office?
H&R Block Presents – DO YOU HAVE A HOME OFFICE?
For self-employed taxpayers a home office can be a great tax deduction. However, there are strict rules that must be followed to qualify to claim office-in-home expenses. The area in your home you use for a home office must be your principal place of business, a place where you meet clients, or a structure used for your business that is not connected to your house. Furthermore, the area must be used exclusively and regularly for your business.
Exclusive use means the area is used only for your business. Any personal use of the area disqualifies it as a home office for tax purposes, however there is an exception to this rule for in-home daycares.
You must use the area in your home on a regular and continuing basis to meet the regular use test for a home office. Occasional use of the area will not qualify.
Deductions for home office expenses can be taken using the Actual Expense or the Simplified Method. To deduct actual expenses, you are allowed a deduction of home related expenses equal to the percentage of the home used for the office based on square footage. Deductible expenses include expenses such as insurance, utilities, real estate tax, general home repairs, and mortgage interest or rent. The simplified method is an alternative to calculating and substantiating actual expenses. In most cases, the deduction is figured by multiplying the square footage used for your home office by $5. The maximum deduction using the simplified method is $1,500.
Having a qualified home office can reduce your net income from your business by the amount of the deduction thereby saving income tax and potentially self-employment tax. A qualified home office is also beneficial because it makes business miles beginning from the home allowable which would otherwise be nondeductible commuting miles.
For more information about the office-in-home deduction, please call your local H&R Block office. In Manchester TN call 931-728-9462. H&R Block Has Your Back!
Coffee County sees more child abuse cases compared to other counties
By Joyce Prusak, Director of Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center
Coffee County sees more cases of child abuse compared to other counties in Tennessee.
The average rate of substantiated child abuse/neglect cases in Coffee County is significantly higher compared to the average rate of substantiated child abuse/neglect cases in Tennessee. Substantiated cases are unduplicated counts of child abuse and neglect cases for which sufficient evidence exists. For the period 1998-2020, the average rate for Tennessee is 6.6 percent, and the average rate for Coffee County is 9.8 percent, according to data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Center.
Rate is per 1,000 child population younger than age 18.
In Coffee County, every year, numbers of reported child abuse cases exceed 800. For 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, there were 896, 885, 859, 879 and 820 reported cases of child abuse, respectively. One case may reflect more than one child. So, 896 could mean over 1,000 children.
When children endure abuse, they often think, “I must be nothing if someone is doing that to me.” And that thought may stay with them all their life, if no one intervenes. Intervention is necessary to stop abuse and to provide therapy services, which help begin the healing process.
We must intervene.
While the high number of confirmed cases of child abuse in Coffee County is extremely concerning, the high number of reported cases is not necessarily and a negative.
Learn the red flags and report suspicions of child abuse. Often, children who disclose abuse are not believed and that may cause trauma that’s just as severe as the abuse itself. If a child reveals a traumatic experience, listen and assure that child that you believe him or her. Your support will show children they are more than “nothing,” they are our future – they are everything.
If you suspect abuse, call 1-877-237-0004. For more information, visit www.coffeecountycac.org.
Tullahoma police ask for help identifying subjects
Tullahoma Police Department is seeking public assistance in identifying two subjects who were allegedly involved in an incident that occurred on Sept. 17 around the Short Springs Natural Area.
Anyone with information related to their identity is encouraged to contact TPD detective Karl Pyrdom at kpyrdom@tullahomatn.gov or 931-455-0530. See photos below.
