The bond for Donnie Jones was lowered from $500,000 to $100,000 Friday morning by Coffee County General session Judge Tim Brock. The lowering came after testimony was presented by Franklin County sheriff’s investigator Todd Hindman about finding a rifle in Jones possession during a recent search of Jones residence. Jones is a possible suspect in the murder 24-year-old nursing student Meagan Shapton of Tullahoma. Her body was found in the early morning hours of July 2 on the side of Awalt Road in Franklin County. Her vehicle was found later that day sitting in the middle of Three Forks...

“Old Timers Day” returned to Manchester over the weekend. This was the first time the event has been held since 2008, when it was stopped due to a lack of funding. A group of people met in August of 2011 interested in bringing back “Old Timers Day”. After several fundraising events the group was ready for the return of “Old Timers Day” which turned into two days of fun October 5 and 6, 2012. Roger Steele, who is one of the members of the group, said they had over 60 entries in this year’s parade. A gospel concert from...

Enrollment at Tennessee Board of Regents colleges has dropped an average of 4.4 percent this fall. WMOT-FM in Murfreesboro reported the figure is averaged over the six universities and 13 colleges including Motlow under the Regents supervision. The state’s other public university system, the University of Tennessee, has not yet released enrollment figures. At Middle Tennessee State University, the drop was 4.5 percent among fulltime students. University spokesman Andrew Oppmann said several factors contributed to the decline, but he noted steadily rising tuition costs are a factor. TBR Chancellor John Morgan said it isn’t yet clear whether the declines...

The Tullahoma Board of Education is leaning toward preferring director of schools candidates have a doctorate degree, plus requiring administrative level experience in filling Dr. Dan Lawson’s position. He announced earlier this year that he would not be seeking an extension to his contract which expires June 30, 2013. The board has agreed to have a replacement in place before then with a May 1, 2013, deadline. The board will vote at its next regular meeting on Oct. 20 on the doctorate and administrative level experience issues. Board chairman Pat Welsh recommended the board state that a doctorate degree...

At 10:00AM Saturday morning (Oct. 6, 2012), a Chevy van was heading South on Prairie Plaines Road in Hillsboro en route to a Clay Busters event. The small red car allegedly pulled out of Betsy Willis Road into the path of the van. The woman and child in the van were unhurt, but the male driver of the car was unresponsive and breathing. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment. Coffee County Sheriff’s Deputies kept traffic at bay while the Tennessee Highway Patrol worked the...

18 of Tullahoma’s small businesses have taken advantage of the city’s small business loan program that has paid $238,000 since its launch in late 2008. According to Tullahoma’s finance director, these are low variable rate interest loans, currently at one percent APR. The city partnered with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the loan program that currently has $100,000 available to lend to eligible small businesses. Up to $15,000 can be loaned to small businesses for start-up fees, expansions and improvements. Tullahoma Mayor Lane Curlee, the program has been a...

Data from police, drug treatment centers and hospitals shows an apparent decline in synthetic drugs in Tennessee after a law was passed banning most of the substances. Tennessee Poison Center director Dr. John Benitez says cases are still being reported in emergency rooms across the state, but the number this year has dropped substantially. Rep. Mike Sparks, R-Smyrna, told The Tennessean that the law has worked, “but we can’t let our guard down.” Synthetic drugs began showing up in 2010. They were sold in small packets and labeled “not for human consumption,” but people ingested them anyway. Many users...

In order to take part in early voting – which runs from Oct. 17 through Nov. 1 – or to vote on Election Day, Nov. 6, voters must complete the registration process no later than Monday, Oct. 8. In order to register, prospective voters must be U.S. citizens and residents of Tennessee who will be at least 18 years of age or older by Election Day. Registration can be done in person at the Coffee County Election Commission office, Manchester, on weekdays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Registration services are also available at motor vehicle...