Just three years after being released from prison, former Warren County teacher Pamela Rogers is in trouble again. Rogers, who taught at Centertown School in Warren County ten years ago was released from prison in 2012 after having served more than six years for sexual battery by an authority figure and exploitation of a minor. She was convicted of having a sexual relationship with a 13 year old student. Last month, Rogers and two inmates at the Max Lutrell Correctional Complex in Memphis were indicted for felony introduction of contraband into a state penal facility. The three allegedly worked...

Some Tennessee school administrators will devote a small part of their summer to learning more about education in China. The Confucius Institute at Middle Tennessee State University is leading a delegation of educators on a 10-day excursion to China for a whirlwind sample of Chinese elementary and secondary schools. This is being done to enhance educators’ understanding of each other’s methods. For example, the pupil-teacher ratio is considerably smaller in China because schools hire 20 to 50 percent more faculty. In addition, Chinese teachers spend only 16 to 20 direct contact hours with the students out of their 40-hour...

The annual Tullahoma Kiwanis Club Fireworks show will go on after all this summer, thanks to a partnership between the club, Zaxby’s, and the City of Tullahoma. The Kiwanis Club said earlier this year that the show would not be happening this year due to insufficient funding. Mayor Lane Curlee said the city will cover cost of a stage, lighting, and musical entertainment for the event, estimated to be about $4,500. The mayor also reached out to the Tullahoma Zaxby’s to assist, and the response was yes. The show will take place on Friday, July 3rd at Wilkins Stadium...

The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office in Altamont is searching for an inmate who escaped while attending a worship service, according to their Facebook page. Kenneth Jason Franklin asked to go to the restroom, and the person supervising him allowed Franklin to leave the building unattended. Franklin had been in jail since April 9 on several charges, including violation of community correction charge, felony evading, reckless endangerment and assault with a motor vehicle. He was also being held on possible charges out of Warren County stemming from a pursuit. Franklin is described as: 43 years old White Male 5 feet...

Under a new state law, Tennessee retailers will have to charge smokers at least 15 percent more than the wholesale cost. The surcharge is theirs to keep. That increase follows last year’s law requiring wine to be sold at least 20 percent above cost and another longstanding law requiring a 10 percent markup on milk. Justin Owen, the head of the conservative Beacon Center, calls those markups a “hidden tax increase” – except that the proceeds are funneled to retailers. Republican Gov. Bill Haslam signed the cigarette and wine mark-up bills, though his administration didn’t take an active role...

The EPA is expected to issue its final rules on greenhouse gas limits for power plants in August. According to published reports, the government is targeting a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030. Dian Grueneich, a research scholar in energy efficiency at Stanford University, says based upon her research it isn’t just the environment that wins with cleaner energy. “Addressing and reducing carbon emissions is critical,” she says. “It will help states get on a solid economic and job growth path if the transition from fossil fuels to a cleaner system is done thoughtfully.” Opponents of the...

Tennessee’s annual Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 6 when anyone may fish free without a license in the state’s public waters. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency provides the free day in hopes of increasing interest in fishing. The day allows anyone the opportunity to try this great outdoor sport, especially children. In addition, children ages 15 and younger may fish without a license beginning on Free Fishing Day through the following Friday (June 12). Free Fishing Day and Week apply to Tennessee’s public waters, TWRA owned and operated lakes, and state park facilities. Some privately owned pay lakes...

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has confirmed they have been requested by 12th District Attorney General Michael Taylor to investigate a homicide that occurred on Tuesday in Monteagle, TN. Police in Monteagle responded to a residence on 3rd Street after being notified by a family member that the victim was found deceased inside the home. The victim has been identified as 65-year-old Kenneth Tate. Since the investigation remains active and ongoing, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation cannot speak to any specifics at this...