A Coffee County woman is facing charges after nearly 100 small to medium dogs and several cats were found suffering and dying on her property over the weekend in Coffee County on Hickory Grove Road. The animals were found in cages rusted shut and covered with cobwebs, some matted to the wire and unable to move. Carolyn Irby has been charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty. Local authorities found they were living in “extremely neglectful conditions.” Coffee County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Danny Ferrell said, “It was immediately obvious that we were going to need assistance in removing this...

On Monday morning, April 6, the Tullahoma Police Department began receiving reports of vehicle burglaries in the Colonial Acres, Brookfield Estates, and Macon Manor subdivisions. As the officers began completing the reports and listing the stolen property, information from citizens and businesses started coming in. As a result of the information, suspects were identified and an investigation by the patrol and the investigations division led to the recovery of a large amount of possible stolen property. Detective Tyler Hatfield was assigned as the primary investigator and began notifying victims that some property had been recovered and discussed making arrangements...

Tennessee is the only state in the nation to have two rivers listed as “endangered” by the environmental group American Rivers. The Holston River, in the northeast part of the state, ranks third on the list and the Harpeth River in middle Tennessee is listed ninth out of 10. Erin McCombs, associate conservation director for the organization, explained why it’s important that citizens and municipalities use the information included in their report released this week to protect the rivers. “What I think is unique about having two listings in Tennessee,” she said, “is that right now there is a...

Reporters may soon have to get permission from a judge any time they want to bring a cell phone, laptop or other digital device inside a courtroom. Officials with the Administrative Office of the Courts said Friday those requirements are part of a proposed Tennessee Supreme Court rule that regulates media coverage in the courtroom. AOC officials said permission would be required even if the reporter were not Tweeting or streaming video from the courtroom but simply wanted to use a laptop to take notes or have a silent phone on hand. Reporters would have to make a written...

Nearly 100 small to medium dogs and several cats, suffering and dying in cages rusted shut and covered with cobwebs, some matted to the wire and unable to move were rescued in Coffee County from a home in the Fountain Grove community early Sunday morning. Local authorities found they were living in “extremely neglectful conditions.” The dogs, which were a variety of breeds including Golden Retrievers, Yorkshire Terriers and Border Collies, were found very thin and living in complete darkness. The remains of 10 other dogs, wrapped in sheets were found on the property. The Animal Rescue Corps (ARC)...

Scammers are hard at work in Coffee County. Coffee County Sheriff’s Investigator Jason Dendy contacted WMSR News on Friday to issue a warning about a new scam that is making its rounds in the county. Dendy says that scammers are calling people claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service and say they have money for them. They also ask for the person’s bank account number and their social security number. Some people have provided the criminals with personal information, costing them hundreds of dollars. The investigator warns that the IRS does not do this. People should not give...

A rental home belonging to Ronnie Givins in Hillsboro suffered severe damage on Friday afternoon around 2:45pm. According to Hillsboro Fire Chief Jerry Brown, the cause of the blaze was a possible electrical fire in a bedroom. Three rooms were destroyed and the other rooms in the home at 461 Fred Lusk Road were heavily damaged by smoke and water. The Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department fought the fire with assistants from other volunteer departments. No injuries were...

A fire Saturday morning at 65 Walnut Lane in Manchester caused a small amount of damage. The fire call came in around 5:30am at the home Brent Desalvo. Manchester Fire Department responded to the small fire and contained it to the front porch area of the home. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire. Jeremy Woods, fire investigator for Manchester said Sunday afternoon the fire remains under investigation. He said the bomb and arson unit of the State Fire Marshall’s office and Manchester Police will assist in the investigation this week. Manchester Police and Coffee County...