A federal indictment unsealed Friday charged 27 individuals with a host of federal crimes relating to a large scale conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Mary Jane Stewart for the Middle District of Tennessee. Eight others were charged in separate indictments last week and two other individuals had previously been charged. The conspiracy has been ongoing since as early as 2018 and was orchestrated from within the Tennessee State Prison system by Humberto Morales, aka Pelon, 29, of Columbia, Tennessee, who has been incarcerated since 2014. Other charges resulting from this investigation include...

A 19-year-old man is in the Bedford County Jail and facing charges of vehicular homicide after a crash that took the life of a young child last week. Cristian Ruiz, age 19, has been booked into the Bedford County Jail aand is facing one count of vehicular homicide and two counts of aggravated assault. His bond has been set a $1 million He was arrested on Tuesday, March 30, one week after the date of the accident. On Tuesday, March 23, Ruiz’s SUV was traveling westbound on Highway 64 when he attempted to pass another vehicle, according to a...

Written By Elena Cawley Child abuse plagues Coffee County, according to those who witness the effects and battle child abuse daily: Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center Director Joyce Prusak, the Child Protective Investigative Team, Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott and Youth Services Director Leanne Eaton. With the confidential nature of child abuse cases, lack of awareness is the biggest challenge related to fighting the problem. Stigma, misconception that child abuse doesn’t exist, and lack of faith in victims lead to the cycle repeating over and over. But the community can smash child abuse, according to local agencies fighting...

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival on Wednesday officially released its lineup for this year’s festival – which will be held Sept. 2-5 at The Farm in Manchester. Headlining for this year’s event includes Foo Fighters, Lizzo and Tyler, The Creator. Also high on the list are Megan Thee Stallion, Grand Ole Opry Featuring Special Guests, Tame Impala, My Morning Jacket, Lana Del Ray and Incubus, among dozens more. This will be the 19th festival after last year’s was cancelled. Organizers are overlooking that, though, dubbing this year’s festival as “Celebrating 20 Years of Magic on the Farm.” Last year’s...

Unity Medical Center is proud to announce partnership with Blood Assurance for a blood drive in April. Anyone wishing to donate blood can do so between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday, April 12 at Unity Medical Center in the Bloodmobile – which will be located at 481 Interstate Drive. “As always, we are proud to partner with Blood Assurance for this event to ensure the community has an opportunity to make a difference in the life of someone in need at a critical time,” said Unity CEO Martha McCormick. Anyone wishing to donate is encouraged to eat...

Shelbyville Police Department is asking for the public’s help solving a recent burglary of McGee’s Pharmacy, which occurred on March 24. The suspect, or suspects, broke a window, gained access to the building and managed to steal a large quantity of Oxycodone. Anyone with information regarding this burglary is encouraged to contact Shelbyville Police Department Sgt. Sam Jacobs at 931-684-5811 or Crimestoppers at...

The Tennessee House has passed a permit-less carry law for handguns – dubbed “constitutional carry” by state lawmakers. The bill now awaits Governor Bill Lee’s signature – which is expected. House Bill 786 will allow citizens who are legally eligible to carry handguns without first obtaining a permit. The bill also sets out to strengthen penalties for anyone who steals a firearm, felons in possession of a firearm and dangerous stalkers. Currently, concealed carry permit holders have the right to carry a handgun, except in restricted areas. Republican lawmakers state that this bill will “extend that same constitutional right...

Both Tennessee House and Senate chambers on Monday gave unanimous approval to legislation further strengthening Tennessee’s human trafficking laws. House Bill 116 bars anyone convicted of human trafficking from getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Tennessee for life. The bill mirrors the No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act of 2018 signed by President Donald Trump but is stronger because it does not only apply to perpetrators who commit human trafficking crimes while using a commercial vehicle. House Bill 116 strongly supports a national effort to eradicate the appalling and heinous crime of human and sex trafficking by...