Category: News

Cyber bullying can happen to anyone of any age, according to author Blair London, who heard some of her adult friends share stories of their experiences on social media.
After researching, she realized they were not alone.
She maintains the distance provided by online communication can sometimes make people crueler than in real life.
“So, you get the friend of a friend of a friend, who doesn’t really care who this original person is, and so they don’t care if any harm comes to them,” she points out.
London recently published “Lure to Death,” a novel that centers on the issue of adult cyber bullying.
According to nobulling.com, cyber bullying can play out with harassment, impersonation, or sharing someone’s secrets online. It’s also called trolling.
Former White House intern Monica Lewinsky recently spoke publicly at a TED talk in Vancouver on her experience with bullies who sent cruel messages to her via social media.
In her speech, Lewinsky offered others encouragement as they struggle with cruelty online.
“Anyone who is suffering from shame and public humiliation needs to know one thing,” Lewinsky stressed. “You can survive it. I know it’s hard. It may not be painless, quick or easy, but you can insist on a different ending to your story.”
London says while adult cyber bullying may be a growing problem, online cruelty between young people is nothing new. She says it often starts as tweens friend people for the sake of quantity and not quality.
“Young people, I think that they collect friends,” she explains. “They go on the Internet at that young of an age and put things out there and they think nothing of it. They think they’ve got a friend out there.”
Tennessee has a law that requires every school district to have a policy prohibiting bullying and harassment. Schools must also have procedures for investigating violations of the policy.
The Tennessee Department of Education recommends you document bullying and report problems to school administrators.

 

Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center is hosting its annual fundraiser “A Groovy Party with a Purpose.” This event will take place on Friday, April 10 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Manchester/ Coffee County Conference Center. At 6 p.m., the event kicks off with a silent auction followed by dinner and a live auction at 7:00 p.m. When the live auction concludes, the band “Escape” will take the stage for a night of dancing. Tickets are $50/person and can be reserved by calling the Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center (931) 723-8888.

Gerald Albert Rogers, 64, of Tanglewood Drive, Manchester was arrested last week on sex related charges.
The allegations against Rogers are sexual exploitation of a minor and unlawful photographing.
After receiving a warrant, Manchester Police officers entered Rogers’ residence and confiscated three computers, a thumb drive and several hard drives, several hundred CDs that contained video from a hidden camera showing two females under the age of 18 undressing in his bedroom.
Officers also allege that they found a file that contained proof of a hidden camera in bathrooms of a motel room showing adult females taking bathes.
He is scheduled to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court March 24.
At last reports he was being held in the Coffee County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

On New Year’s Day 2013 a Tullahoma woman was allegedly kidnapped, assaulted, raped and robbed.
Tullahoma resident Billy Joe Nelson, 31, of 1209 East Lauderdale Street, was charged with carjacking, aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault and robbery. His trial begins Monday.
He has been held since his arrest under a bond of $1.25 million.
During a preliminary hearing held in February 2013 the victim testified that she had gotten into her vehicle and went to sleep while her husband finished getting his equipment from where his band had played in Manchester. During the preliminary hearing she testified that when she woke up “there was a stranger driving her vehicle.”
She testified that he then drove the vehicle on Highway 55 toward Tullahoma. The man allegedly sexually assaulted her.
She testified that she attempted to get out but he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back inside the vehicle and bit her on the face.
He then drove to Dossett Apartments in Tullahoma where he took her rings and threatened her to stay in the vehicle. She testified that he told her that he had a gun but never showed it to her. He then got out of the vehicle and went into the apartments. Police later recovered her belongings from a trash can near the apartments.
He went into the apartments and while he was in there she was able to drive away and call 911. She met a Tullahoma officer and was transported to Harton Regional Medical Center for treatment.
A woman described as Nelson’s girlfriend told officers that she dropped him off near where the abduction occurred in Manchester. She also told Manchester Police investigators that Nelson called her around 3 a.m. to come to Dossett Apartments.
Assistant District Attorney Jason Ponder will prosecute the case and Nelson will be defended by Manchester attorney Jeremy Parham.
(Thanks to Wayne Thomas of the Tullahoma News for his help with this story)

A popular lip balm has become part of a viral trend called “beezin.’”
Teens are using Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm on their eyelids in an effort get high.
Those who have taken part in beezin’ say the peppermint oil causes a tingling and burning sensation, which enhances the experience of being drunk or high.
Others have said it helps them stay alert.
WKRN reports that Dr. Mary Romano at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital says beezin’ could lead to health risks like inflammation of the eye, swelling, and other symptoms similar to pink eye.
The doctor recommends using the lip balm for what it’s intended and leaving your eyelids alone.
She also advises parents to keep a close eye on viral trends and make sure their kids are not trying them.
Doctors warn anything not designed for the eyes could be a health hazard.

The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival has released its 2015 day-by-day schedule.
Bonnaroovians can finally decide how they want to allot their precious time over the four-day event. Fans can rest easy knowing they will be able to see Kendrick Lamar on Friday and Mumford & Sons on Saturday and Sunday headliners Billy Joel and Florence and the Machine.
The Manchester, Tenn. music mega-event is scheduled to take place from June 11-14 this year.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased on the Bonnaroo website.

The Manchester Recreation Center held its annual underwater egg hunt on Saturday morning in the indoor pool. The event which is open to the public was sponsored by Coffee County Bank. Swimmers gathered the eggs and were exchanged for goody bags.
The outdoor egg hunt is set for April. 2 to 7 year olds will be held at 1pm and 8 to 12 year olds will be held at 8:00pm at the Babe Ruth Field at Fred Deadman Park. This hunt will take place in the dark so please provide your child with a flashlight!!
All participants must bring their own basket or bag to hold their eggs.