Last week we reported that the merger of the two Manchester hospitals is complete and operation of the one combined hospital will start July 1. The combination of the two hospitals is intended to unite Manchester’s medical community so the new name of the hospital on Interstate Drive will be renamed Unity Medical Center. On Wednesday, almost all medical services will take place at the former Medical Center of Manchester with just a few diagnostic services to remain at the former United Regional Medical Center on McArthur Drive until the hospital receives regulatory approval to move those as well....

A body was found this past Friday morning in a field off North Vine Street in Winchester. Winchester Police Chief Dennis Young confirmed that authorities believe the victim is Marc Castle, a suspect in a shooting that took place in January, just two blocks from where the body was found. A man was using a rotary mower to cut brush when he ran over the skeletal remains. The remains are being sent to the University of Tennessee for further identification. Castle was the suspect in a Jan. 21 shooting after police say he shot more than 20 rounds from...

64-year-old Jerry Woodard of Estill Springs died last week in an accident on Tims Ford Lake when his small fishing boat apparently hit a stump, causing him to lose control and fall into the water. Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency personnel are investigating the incident after authorities were notified of a boating related accident on Tims Ford Lake near Estill Springs City Park. Woodard was found in a shallow area near Estill Springs City Park submerged in about 8 feet of water. He was pronounced dead at Southern Tennessee Medical Center in...

Students from Westwood Middle School attended the National Junior Beta Club Convention at the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center. The convention brings together Junior Beta Clubs from across the country for four days of competition, learning, leadership development, and fellowship. At the Tennessee Junior Beta Club Convention held back in November of 2014, Westwood Middle School 7th grader Austin (Auggie) Burch was elected State President. This qualified Austin to run for national office and on Monday Auggie was elected National Junior Beta Club President. He will attend a leadership camp next month and as national president he will attend...

Tullahoma Director of Public Works, Wayne Limbaugh, has been notified by CSX that construction of the road crossings over the railroad tracks will be closed according to the following schedule: July 1 & 2: Warren Street and Lauderdale Street July 8 & 9: Grundy Street and Wiseman Road July 12, 13 & 14: Hogan Street and Brown Street July 15 & 16: Lincoln Street and Parham Boulevard CSX indicated that these dates are estimates and could vary some. The work will replace the wood ties and asphalt. During this construction, expect delays and seek alternative routes in Tullahoma. Motorists...

Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell is working to raise awareness of the danger of leaving a child unattended in a vehicle. A recent report shows Tennessee is among the top 10 states for death of children due to hot vehicles, claiming 23 deaths from 1998 to 2014. Speaker Harwell has recorded a PSA to address the issue. Last year, lawmakers passed legislation that protects individuals from the cost of damages if they have to force their way into a hot car to save a child. Tennessee law requires Good Samaritans to first call 911, and then see if any...

A new law that goes into effect July 1 means drivers in Tennessee caught without insurance could have their car towed. House Bill 606, which was approved earlier this year and is now law, is aimed at getting uninsured drivers off the roads. Starting in July, law enforcement will be authorized to have someone’s vehicle towed if they’re caught driving without insurance. The law also triples the fine from $100 to $300. The move also aims to make it easier for law enforcement and DMV clerks to determine if a driver has insurance, whether they have proof or not....