Motlow State Community College has named the finalist for president of the school. A meet and greet with the candidates will be held on Tuesday, April 21 and Wednesday, April 22 at the Moore County Campus, Marcum Technology Center Room 105.
Dr. Anthony Kinkel, Tuesday, April 21 from 5:00-5:45pm, also on Tuesday will be Dr. Shanna Jackson 6:00-6:45pm. On Wednesday, April 22 from 5:00-5:45pm you can meet Dr. Michael Torrence and from 6:00-6:45pm Dr. Cynthia Kelley will be the final candidate.
Motlow State Community College President MaryLou Apple will retire effective June 30, 2015.
Category: News
Meet the Finalist For President of Motlow College Tuesday and Wednesday
State Troopers Make Drug Bust On I-24
Members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s (THP) West Bureau Interdiction Plus team discovered approximately one and a half pounds of crystal methamphetamine on a routine traffic stop last week in Coffee County.
Trooper Jeremy Miller initiated a traffic stop on a 2008 Honda Accord for speeding in a construction zone near mile marker 124 on Interstate 24 westbound at approximately 10:36 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
Trooper Miller noticed marijuana residue on the floor mat on the passenger side of the vehicle. The investigating trooper asked the driver to exit the vehicle, when she began to roll up the windows and lock the doors. She also attempted to call someone on her cell phone. However, after additional dialogue with the trooper, the driver exited the vehicle without incident.
Trooper Miller then requested THP Sgt. Wayne Dunkleman and his drug detector canine to respond to the scene to assist. During the deployment of the K-9, the driver of the vehicle became nervous and agitated. The K-9 eventually gave a positive alert to drugs on the vehicle.
The troopers uncovered a box of diapers in the back seat and found that the box flaps had been glued down and taped. A search of the diapers revealed approximately one and a half pounds of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) within two sleeves of pampers.
Ashton Jones, 27, of Atlanta, Ga., was arrested and charged with possession of schedule II drugs with intent to sell and deliver, simple possession of schedule VI drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding. She was taken to the Coffee County Jail.
Local Business To Grow At Tullahoma Airport
Tullahoma Airport
Sarasota Avionics will be teaming up with XP Services in providing Garmin equipment for aircraft. XP Services is located in the northwest section of the airport property.
The Florida company is known worldwide for installing flight equipment on airplanes.
“We will be a full-fledged Garmin dealer and sell avionics equipment,” Armstrong said.
He said at least six to eight new jobs will be created and that the business will be operating out of an existing hangar that XP Services has at the airport.
Airport manager Jon Glass informed the authority that the state Department of Transportation is scheduled to start construction of a road into the area where XP Services is located in July or August.
Large Drug Bust In Winchester
Late last week Winchester Police executed a search warrant in a joint operation with the FBI and other special agents at a residence located at 815 North High Street in Winchester. The residence has become known as a dispensary of Mexican ICE (methamphetamine). The search produced multiple ounces of crystal methamphetamine (ICE), powder cocaine, marijuana, and a firearm. Suspect, Michael L. Thompkins, of Norcross, Georgia was arrested on scene in possession of a semi-automatic handgun. Thompkins was a convicted armed robber, a violent felon, whom was recently released from a George State Penitentiary. The drugs in the residence were believed to come from MS-13 Gangs associated with Mexican Cartels. Thompkins was arrested on multiple narcotics charges and convicted felon with a firearm and being held on a $100,000.00 bond in Franklin County Jail.
1st National Bank of Manchester Receives Grant
Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips have awarded $15,014 in Incumbent Worker Training Grants to First National Bank of Manchester. Incumbent Worker Training Grants assist employers with upgrading skills to avoid layoffs of their employees.
“We have to make sure that we have the trained workforce to fill the jobs companies want to create in Tennessee, and these grants are a part of the effort to meet the demands of a very competitive marketplace,” said Governor Haslam.
“So far this year, we have awarded more than $546,000 in Incumbent Worker Grants to 25 Tennessee businesses benefiting 537 workers,” said Commissioner Phillips. “Since the program’s inception,
Incumbent Worker Grants have assisted 675 businesses by providing nearly $16 million to train approximately 53,000 employees.”
In their application for the grant, First National Bank of Manchester stated this grant would upgrade skills while cross-training employees on necessary computer applications, allowing the company to be more competitive and helping to maintain the current workforce.
Workforce Solutions played a key role in awarding the grant to First National Bank of Manchester.
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development administers the Incumbent Worker Training program. The program has been structured to be flexible to meet the business’s training objectives. The business may use public, private, or its own in-house training provider based on the nature of the training.
Plane Crash In Winchester
Downed plane in Winchester
Officials said the Mooney 21 aircraft had 5 people on board. All 5 suffered injuries and were taken to nearby Southern Tennessee Medical Center for treatment. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said they were expected to survive. The names of those injured have not been released.
Authorities said the plane initially made impact in the ground, skidded across Williams Cove Road, and spun around, stopping partially on the road.
The investigation will be conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Jail Workhouse Program Will Remain Open
Inside new county jail.. Photo by Samantha Watters
The workhouse will be run out of the current jail annex used for housing low-risk inmates. These inmates are known as “trustees,” and by law must be housed at a separate location of the actual jail. Sheriff Steve Graves says this will help keep contraband out of the new 400-bed facility located on the Hillsboro Highway.
Regular inmates will begin to be moved from the current jail to the new facility beginning May 4.
The costs to keep the workhouse open is currently estimated at $90,000 for renovation and $600,000 per year to operate, including utilities.
The existing workhouse holds 48 inmates, but is expected to be certified for up to 64 after renovation.
The workhouse is currently under the charge of the sheriff, but by 2017 the program will be run by the Coffee County mayor.
An open house for the public will be held at the new jail on Hillsboro Highway from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, April 25.
Drug Take-Back Program Working In Coffee County
The Coffee County Anti-Drug Coalition is proud to work with the Coffee County Sheriff’s, Manchester City Police and the Tullahoma City Police Departments on the stand out and nationally recognized Prescription Drug Permanent Disposal Program. Since its inception in April 2011, the Departments have partnered with the Coalition to bring an essential proactive tool to community members throughout Coffee County. This program greatly reduces access to prescription drugs amongst youth in our community while also offering a safe and environmentally friendly prescription drug disposal option located in the lobby of all three departments. During the last 4 years the program had collected 1,157 pounds of pills. This weight does not include bottles or liquids, only pills. An average pill weighs between .2 and .5 grams. Many of the prescription drugs collected are highly sought after by people struggling with addiction or selling drugs illegally, i.e. narcotics. The departments have successfully kept approximately $77,190 worth of prescription drugs off our community streets in addition to reducing prescription drug abuse amongst those in which the drug was not originally prescribed.
This program is incredibly cost effective as well. The Coalition paid for the drop boxes, signage, and HIPPA-certified destruction of all prescription drug bottles for a total $709 per year. Including the valuable time department employees spend managing the drop box, the average cost per month is $83.40 per department. For less than $1,000 a year per area a community-wide service is being provided. The marketing and implementation of the program has shown a marked decreased in youth misuse, access, and an increase in perception of harm concerning prescription drugs when coupled with the continuing prevention efforts done by the Coalition. Due to the great success of the program, communities across Tennessee have used our local departments as a model. In 2015 Coffee County was recognized in Washington D.C. with a national “Got Outcomes” award for efforts around prescription drug abuse prevention including the take back program.
Woodbury Police Chief Facing TBI Investigation
Woodbury Police Chief Kevin Mooneyham is facing questions concerning an audit conducted by the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Officials are questioning about how grant money from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety was spent.
The money from the grant was to go toward helping DUI enforcement. The investigation has spread to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and is expected to take two to three weeks to complete.
Chief Mooneyham has been placed on administrative leave without pay. Lowell Womack is the acting police chief in Mooneyham’s absence.
Rutherford County Sheriff Under Investigation
Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold… Photo from WGNS Radio
District Attorney Jennings Jones said he asked the TBI to join the investigation into Arnold. Jones said the TBI will work in conjunction with the state comptroller’s office.
Arnold has come under fire after a WSMV report uncovered the sheriff’s family and chief deputy were tied to a company selling electronic cigarettes to inmates in the Rutherford County Jail.
The WSMV report uncovered an invoice that showed Arnold entered into contracts that Rutherford County leaders knew nothing about.
County officials confirmed the comptroller’s office is already investigating the case.
