A Coffee County woman facing 10 counts of animal cruelty was in court on Thursday in Coffee County. Carolyn Irby was charged earlier this year after nearly 100 small to medium dogs and several cats were found suffering and dying on her property on Hickory Grove Road. In testimony Thursday, Coffee County Sheriff Sergeant Danny Ferrell said Irby admitted to him as being a hoarder, but was afraid to ask for help. The animals were found in cages rusted shut and covered with cobwebs, some matted to the wire and unable to move. Local authorities found they were living...

A report from the nonprofit transportation research group TRIP shows Tennessee is among the 20 worst states when it comes to rural non-Interstate traffic deaths. Citing U.S. Census Bureau and Federal Highway Administration data, Tennessee reported 459 non-Interstate traffic deaths in 2013, twelfth-most in the nation. Kentucky followed close behind with 449 deaths reported. Both states also ranked among the Top 20 for the highest rate of rural road fatalities per 100 million miles of vehicle travel. Tennessee averaged 2.38 fatalities. Tennessee tied Arizona with the tenth-highest fatality rate per 100 million miles of vehicle travel on ALL roadways with...

Tennessee has spent $46,000 for the design of a new logo featuring the white letters TN on colors patterned on the state flag. WSMV-TV reports that the state hired advertising and marketing company GS&F to design the new logo. A spokesman for Gov. Bill Haslam said the new logo is needed to give the state a more unified look on signs and letterhead. The governor’s office said the new logo will be gradually introduced as current stationary runs out. The new state branding follows a decision by the Tennessee Department of Transportation to replace a green-themed symbol introduced by...

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and FBI have executed search warrants at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and the sheriff’s home. TBI spokesman Josh DeVine said in a statement on Thursday that the warrants are part of an ongoing investigation into possible public corruption involving multiple targets within the sheriff’s department. DeVine said he couldn’t discuss specifics because of the continuing investigation. Last month, the TBI confirmed it was looking into connections between Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold and his family members who own companies that sell electronic cigarettes and snacks to inmates at the county jail. The FBI...

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has announced the appointments of 201 Tennesseans to 87 boards and commissions. “Tennessee will be well represented by these men and women from across the state, and we appreciate their time and effort in serving the state on these boards and commissions,” Haslam said. The governor continues to evaluate the state’s complete range of boards and commissions to ensure Tennesseans have a government that is responsive, effective and efficient. Appointment terms are varied due to differing statutory requirements or term limits determined by specific qualifications. Manchester Mayor Lonnie Norman was selected to serve on the...

Road construction won’t slow motorists down as they travel Tennessee’s highways this Memorial Day weekend. The Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes beginning at 12:00 noon on Friday, May 22 through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26. This will provide maximum roadway capacity for motorists expected to travel in the state this Memorial Day weekend. Motorists may still encounter some lane closures or restrictions while traveling through long term construction projects.  Drivers should be aware that reduced speed limits will be in effect in work zones. Drivers convicted of speeding through work...

Tennessee is doing something right when it comes to caring for foster children in the state. According to a report released Tuesday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Volunteer State has reduced the percentage of children in custody who are housed in residential settings by nearly half since 2000. Linda O’Neal, executive director with the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, says children have a lot to learn in a family setting. “Tennessee is definitely on the right track, with a great emphasis on placing children in family placements whenever possible,” says O’Neal. “We know how important it...