A Bedford County resident is behind bars after an ongoing investigation of child sex abuse. As a result of investigation conducted by the Bedford County Sheriff’s Department criminal investigation division, Christ Christopher has been charged with two counts of rape of a child. He is being held in Bedford County Jail on $300,000 bond. No other information was readily available. Christ...

Manchester’s annual One Day of Hope will return to the Coffee County Fairgrounds on Oct. 1. The event was not held the past two years due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The will mark the 9th event – which has regularly assisted upward of 3,000 people. The event is free for families in need. On hand will be free groceries, hair cuts, clothing, prayer, job and career services, lunches, free family portraits, medical and dental screenings, community services and a kids zone. The event will be from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Coffee County Fairgrounds – 99 Lakeview...

Manchester Fire and Rescue crews responded to a structure fire at 407 S. Spring Street at approximately 8:45 p.m. Monday. The building is The Bible Church. According to MFD officials, when crews arrived on scene they were met with heavy black smoke in the rear of the church. Crews began attacking the fire in the classroom area of the building. Crews were able to knockdown the fire inside the classroom area. Fire crews were able to help a resident of the second floor apartment obtain necessary items from upstairs. Serv Pro was contacted to board up the damaged area...

On Monday, Aug. 15, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Statistical Analysis Center released its annual publication detailing the volume and nature of crimes directed toward the state’s law enforcement officers. The report, ‘Law Enforcement Officers Killed or Assaulted 2021,’ draws upon data submitted to the TBI from the Tennessee Incident Based Reporting System (TIBRS). There were a total of 2,586 reported incidents in 2021, an increase of about 10% from 2020 numbers. There was a notable increase in crimes classified as simple or aggravated assault, up 10.75% and 11.33%, respectively. Of these, 1,042 were reported to be aggravated assaults, 1,442...

Decherd Mayor Michael Gillespie resigned from his position Friday morning (Aug. 12), according to Thunder Radio partner WCDT News. The news comes days after a Monday, Aug. 8 meeting of the Decherd Board of Mayor and Aldermen where allegations were made against Gillespie that he misused his authority as mayor to single out black Decherd small business owner Sonny Elliot, who is the owner of the restaurant Sonny’s on Main Street. Elliot allegedly told WCDT News that several lawsuits were pending against the city. The Decherd Board of Mayor and Alderman voted during Friday afternoon’s special called meeting to...

Tennessee gas prices dropped another 12 cents, on average, last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.50 which is nearly 69 cents less expensive than one month ago but still 62 cents more than one year ago.  Gas prices in Coffee County are slightly below the state average at $3.46 per gallon, according to AAA. Prices in neighboring Rutherford County come in at $3.27 and $3.26 in Bedford County. At the current rate of $3.50 per gallon, only Arkansas ($3.47) and Texas ($3.45) have a lower average in the state than Tennessee.   “This week, Tennessee moved up to the third least expensive state in the country...

Manchester Police are asking for your help and a local business is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of an alleged thief. According to ownership with Custom Auto and Rod Shop in Manchester, a white male subject visited their store and purchased a t-shirt with cash. However, the subject then allegedly took a Memphis Amplifier and tried to hide it as he exited the store. The amplifier is worth approximately $1,500. The person in question is a white male with what appears to be a grey haired goatee. He was wearing sunglasses and a chain....

We are less than three weeks away from the opening ceremonies of the 165th annual Coffee County Fair. Remember, the fair is earlier this year than in recent history when it has been held in late September. This year, the fair will hold opening ceremonies and beauty pageants on Saturday, Sept. 3. Midway rides and entertainment roll into town on Monday, Sept. 5. The final day of the Fair is Saturday, Sept. 10. A few changes at this year’s fair include credit and debit cards being accepted at the ticket booths. Also, you can pre-purchase ride wristbands for a...