Veterans Day was celebrated yesterday on the square in Manchester. The ceremony honored those who have or still serving our country. This year’s ceremony included entertainment by Charlie Allen, Samantha Watters, Macy Tabor, the Westwood Middle School Band, a bag pipe player and more. Commemorative Swords were bestowed upon selected veterans to honor them for their sacrifice and wreaths were placed at memorial stones to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their own life during their time of service to our country. Those receiving swords: Virgil John Owen O.J. McCormick Charles Sartain David Murphy Robert Warren John...

We have an update on the murder of 86-year old Lois Jean Espy in Murfreesboro. The man who allegedly killed the 86-year old woman has been charged with not only her murder, but also with two counts of rape and one count of abuse of a corpse. 60-year old William Russell Brace is being held at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center. He is scheduled to appear in court to file a plea on December 14, 2015. The TBI began investigating the death of Lois Jean Espy on February 23, 2015, the same date deputies from the Bedford County...

Tennessee is one of 10 states that still allows children to be isolated in detention centers through solitary confinement. The fact was highlighted in a recent report by the pro bono program at the law firm Lowenstein Sandler. But Rob Johnson, communications director for the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, says while that might be true on paper, the state has revised its practice. “We’ve changed the way that we interact with the kids,” he explains. “So, when it comes to seclusion, by policy, we now only allow a child to be in seclusion for an extremely limited number...

Motlow College will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday from Thursday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 29, according to college officials. The closing applies to computer labs, libraries and other facilities at all Motlow College campuses, including the Moore County campus and the Fayetteville, McMinnville and Smyrna centers. There will be no classes on Wednesday, Nov. 25, although Motlow facilities will remain open. Classes scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 26 through Saturday, Nov. 28 will also not be meeting. All classes will resume their normal schedules, and all campuses their normal hours, on Monday, Nov....

Johnny Leon Meeks was due in Coffee County General Sessions Court on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Meeks was in a holding cell around 10am when he kicked a door open and escaped. Local law enforcement began searching for the escapee whose last known address was Deans Shop Rd in Estill Springs. Coffee County authorities captured Meeks around 2pm Tuesday afternoon. Investigator James Sherrill said he would like to thank Franklin County officials for their assistance. Meeks was being held on several charges including evading arrest, hit and run of a person, failure to report an accident and others. He is...

Around 10:45pm Monday night Coffee County Deputy Nick Graham was dispatched to 3978 Woodbury Hwy for a house fire. When Deputy Graham arrived he discovered the home was fully engulfed in flames. New Union Fire Department began fighting the blaze and other department firemen were summoned for man power. Graham spoke with the homeowner who said the home was valued at $35,000. The man stated that his grandson was renting the home. The police report says that fire department personnel stated the fire started at the rear right side of the home in the kitchen. They advised the fire...

On Monday, Jerry Gene Van Winkle age 28 of Lebanon was the operator of a vehicle that was stopped westbound near the 110-mile marker of Interstate 24 in Coffee County. Van Winkle and passenger Wrangler Ward West age 24 of Chattanooga were allegedly found to be in possession of approximately 11 grams of an off-white crystal-like substance in two baggies that tested positive for methamphetamine. Also found was a glass container with approximately one-half gram of methamphetamine. Neither individual claimed ownership of the drugs. The two men were also found to be in possession of digital scales, baggies and...

Late Saturday afternoon in Manchester a 3-vehicle crash occurred on Hwy 41 near O’Charley’s Restaurant. When officers arrived they were told by a witness that a man that was involved in the accident had run from the scene. Manchester officers and Coffee County deputies gave chase and were able to overtake James Hubert Nash age 39 of Tullahoma. The arrest warrant indicates the man kept falling down and was unable to perform field sobriety tests. The warrant also says that police found a bottle of whiskey with only a small amount remaining. The report says that Nash allegedly could not stand...