31-year-old Billy Joe Nelson of old Tullahoma/Manchester Highway, Tullahoma, was arrested yesterday afternoon by Manchester Police Chief Investigator Billy Butler on charges of carjacking. The charges follow an extensive investigation of a kidnapping of a Tullahoma woman New Year’s Day morning from an out of business gas station on the Hillsboro Blvd. in Manchester. Police say Nelson assaulted the woman after kidnapping her. Tullahoma Police say that Nelson robbed the victim of jewelry and other valuables. Investigator Butler noted that police are continuing their investigation into the abduction/kidnapping and additional charges are possible. Nelson is being held under a...

A public hearing has been scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Coffee County Administrative Plaza to discuss zoning issues that would allow a second rock quarry to open in Hillsboro. The Coffee County Commission will meet at 6 p.m. with an agenda that includes a resolution to change the zoning of property owned by Wright Paving Contractors LLC to a high-impact industrial zoning so that the company can begin operations. A second resolution on the agenda would increase the price for reclamation bonding of all new mining operations from $2,500 per acre, not to exceed $95,000...

A trial date of Feb. 19 has been set in Coffee County Circuit Court for Beech Grove resident Tracy Carmon-Thacker. She is accused locking her mentally challenged sister in a shed adjacent to her residence. The sister had no running water in the shed. Thacker was charged with willful abuse, neglect or exploitation of adults and two counts of aggravated kidnapping. Winchester attorney Floyd Don Davis represents Carmon Thacker. Jeff Ridner will be prosecuting the...

About 7% of Tennesseans previously receiving jobless benefits have been dropped for failing to verify that they were searching for work. That’s according to an audit by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development reported in the Chattanooga Times Free Press. New rules that went into effect on Sept. 1 require Tennesseans receiving jobless benefits to document at least three job searches a week. State Sen. Jack Johnson was a sponsor of the bill. The Franklin Republican said the requirements already have saved the state. Tennessee pays a maximum of $275 a week for those who lost a...

Doctors who treat TennCare patients are getting a New Year’s pay raise. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports practitioners in family medicine, general internal medicine, pediatrics or a related subspecialty will start to be reimbursed at Medicare rates. On average, that is more than 25 percent above what they are paid now. TennCare officials say that the boost will give qualifying Tennessee doctors an extra $55 million over the next two years. Providing doctors an incentive to treat TennCare patients is important, because health experts expect the rolls to expand a lot next year. That’s when the requirement that...

State Sen. Jim Tracy has officially announced that he will run for the congressional seat held by embattled fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais. Tracy, of Shelbyville, made the announcement on Wednesday in Murfreesboro. DesJarlais, a Jasper physician, won a second term in Congress in November despite revelations he had sexual relationships with patients and once urged 1 of them to seek an abortion. DesJarlais has rejected calls for his resignation. Tracy, who considered a congressional bid last year, has long expressed his concerns over the allegations against DesJarlais, saying Washington “requires someone of integrity and character.” Tracy also...

Motlow College alumni gave the college A’s in their responses to several top questions in an alumni survey according to Dr. MaryLou Apple, president of the college. More than 95 percent of the Motlow College alumni surveyed are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the educational experience they received at the college, and the same percentage said they ‘definitely” or ‘probably yes” would recommend the college to others. Also, more than 93 percent answered the question, “If you could start college again, would you enroll at MSCC?” with “definitely” or “probably yes.” “This is wonderful news,” Apple said. Motlow College...

Jan. Children removed from a home 1805 Kefauver St in Manchester. Jeremy and Pamela Neal were charged with child abuse, neglect and endangerment. Human and animal waste along with garbage and various debris was found throughout the Manchester home. Manchester Investigator Butch Stewart told WMSR News that this was worse condition he and the other officers had ever seen. Demolition crew set a charge Jan. 30th that took down the old Duck River Bridge on Hwy 41. The “Big Green Bridge” is no more. The new bridge is call Veterans Bridge Feb. Bonnaroo announced the reunited Beach Boys were...