Category: News

Tennessee’s unemployment rate for the month of April was 6.0 percent, down three-tenths of a percentage point from the March rate of 6.3. That’s according to Tennessee Labor Commissioner Burns Phillips.
The national unemployment rate for April was 5.4 percent, down slightly from the March rate of 5.5.
Tennessee’s April unemployment rate is the third consecutive decline and is the lowest rate in seven years.
Over the past year, Tennessee’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.5 percent to 6.0 percent, while the national rate declined from 6.2 to 5.4 percent.

For the fifth consecutive evaluation, Tullahoma Utilities Board (TUB) has been awarded the Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) certification from the American Public Power Association (APPA).
TUB is one of 94 of the nation’s more than 2,000 public power utilities to earn the RP3 recognition from APPA for providing consumers with the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service. TUB scored a 97 out of 100 on this evaluation.
The RP3 designation recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement.
TUB had previously earned the award in 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2013. The award is now good for three years, which means that TUB’s newest designation will be valid from May 1st, 2015 to April 30, 2018. APPA is the national organization representing more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community- and state- owned electric utilities.

The Middle Tennessee Association of REALTORS® (MTAR) recently presented college scholarships to seven high school seniors in the 8-county area served by the Association. Two of the scholarships awarded were presented to Coffee County High School graduating seniors at their senior awards ceremony. These students were chosen from 79 applications in the 8-county area.
Receiving MTAR Scholarship Awards at Coffee County High School were Sierra Coffee and Abigail Rigsby. Sierra plans to attend Motlow State Community College in the fall. Abigail will attend Middle Tennessee State University.

Graduation was held Friday night for Coffee County High School seniors. A crowd estimated to be over 5,000 saw 373 graduates accept their diplomas. The seniors took their next step toward a future full of expectations as they heard from fellow classmates and Principal Dr Joey Vaughn.
Many of the grads will take a break from school for a short period before heading off the college and others will jump right into the workforce.
The 2015-2016 school year begins in just over 2 months.

A Coffee County woman facing 10 counts of animal cruelty was in court on Thursday in Coffee County. Carolyn Irby was charged earlier this year after nearly 100 small to medium dogs and several cats were found suffering and dying on her property on Hickory Grove Road.
In testimony Thursday, Coffee County Sheriff Sergeant Danny Ferrell said Irby admitted to him as being a hoarder, but was afraid to ask for help.
The animals were found in cages rusted shut and covered with cobwebs, some matted to the wire and unable to move.
Local authorities found they were living in “extremely neglectful conditions. Ferrell said on the night the animals were found, “It was immediately obvious that we were going to need assistance in removing this large number of animals and getting them to safety as quickly as possible.” He added, “Animal Rescue Corps was the only organization who could help us both document the scene and safely remove the animals.”
Irby’s case was bound over on Thursday to the Coffee County Grand Jury. She remains free on bond.

A report from the nonprofit transportation research group TRIP shows Tennessee is among the 20 worst states when it comes to rural non-Interstate traffic deaths.
Citing U.S. Census Bureau and Federal Highway Administration data, Tennessee reported 459 non-Interstate traffic deaths in 2013, twelfth-most in the nation. Kentucky followed close behind with 449 deaths reported.
Both states also ranked among the Top 20 for the highest rate of rural road fatalities per 100 million miles of vehicle travel. Tennessee averaged 2.38 fatalities.
Tennessee tied Arizona with the tenth-highest fatality rate per 100 million miles of vehicle travel on ALL roadways with an average of 1.40 deaths.
The report cites a growing population which has led to more drivers on rural roads that lack “desirable safety features” and can lead to longer emergency response times because of their rural locations. A tendency for drivers to travel at higher speeds, narrow lanes, sharp curves, inconsistent design, limited shoulders and limited visibility are also to blame according to the report. (WZTV)

Tennessee has spent $46,000 for the design of a new logo featuring the white letters TN on colors patterned on the state flag.
WSMV-TV reports that the state hired advertising and marketing company GS&F to design the new logo.
A spokesman for Gov. Bill Haslam said the new logo is needed to give the state a more unified look on signs and letterhead.
The governor’s office said the new logo will be gradually introduced as current stationary runs out.
The new state branding follows a decision by the Tennessee Department of Transportation to replace a green-themed symbol introduced by Haslam’s Democratic predecessor Phil Bredesen. The department in 2011 introduced a new logo featuring the TDOT acronym on a red field in the shape of the state.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and FBI have executed search warrants at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and the sheriff’s home.
TBI spokesman Josh DeVine said in a statement on Thursday that the warrants are part of an ongoing investigation into possible public corruption involving multiple targets within the sheriff’s department.
DeVine said he couldn’t discuss specifics because of the continuing investigation.
Last month, the TBI confirmed it was looking into connections between Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold and his family members who own companies that sell electronic cigarettes and snacks to inmates at the county jail.
The FBI says that it is too early to determine if any charges would be filed at this point.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has announced the appointments of 201 Tennesseans to 87 boards and commissions.
“Tennessee will be well represented by these men and women from across the state, and we appreciate their time and effort in serving the state on these boards and commissions,” Haslam said. The governor continues to evaluate the state’s complete range of boards and commissions to ensure Tennesseans have a government that is responsive, effective and efficient. Appointment terms are varied due to differing statutory requirements or term limits determined by specific qualifications.
Manchester Mayor Lonnie Norman was selected to serve on the Tennessee Duck River Development Agency and Sandra Ennis of Tullahoma was picked to be on the Keep Tennessee Beautiful Advisory Council.