The increase in fines for seat belt violations will take effect this Friday, January 1st. Officials called the increase an effective additional tool to curb traffic fatalities in the state. As of January 1st, the fine for a first offense will be raised to $25 and the second and every other offense will be $50. Along with announcing the seatbelt fine increase, the state agencies announced a reminder that the THP will be out in force during the New Year’s holiday period to ensure travelers reach their destination...

Tennessee is preparing to launch a $1 million advertising campaign to encourage adults who dropped out of college to go back and get their degrees. The Tennessean reports the ads will promote Tennessee’s Reconnect and Complete initiative. It seeks to reach 110,000 Tennesseans who were more than halfway to a degree when they left college. College representatives meeting this fall got added training on the best ways to work with adult students, who often balance families and jobs with their education. Each state college also has put a staff member in charge of outreach to adults. Reconnect and Complete...

Police are searching for a man wanted on a probation violation warrant in Smyrna and felony warrants out of Coffee County. Police said that 36-year-old David Pryor was last seen in Smyrna on Dec. 20. According to police, Pryor, who is on the Tennessee Sex Offender registry, has relatives who live in the Smyrna-area. Police said he has violent tendencies and should not be approached. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call Smyrna police at 615-459-6644 or the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department at...

County unemployment rates for November show the rates decreased in 12 counties, increased in 59 and remained the same in 24 counties. 1,300 people are unemployed in Coffee County after the unemployment rate went up slightly from 5.1 in October to 5.2 percent in November. Warren County’s unemployment rate experienced a drop from 5.7 percent to 5.3 percent. Grundy County went from 6.9 to 7.0 percent. Cannon County went from 5.2 to 5.4 percent. Bedford County stayed the same at 5.9%. Franklin County’s unemployment rate went up in November from 4.8 to 5 percent and Moore County rose from...

A Christmas tornado was not in a letter to Santa, but that’s what a small area of northeastern Shelbyville received Christmas morning around 7:15 a.m. According to the National Weather Service and Bedford County Emergency Management Agency the tornado had a top wind speed of 90 mph. The EF-1 twister hit the Newell Rubbermaid distribution facility on Railroad Avenue and then the Calsonic complex buildings before lifting. No injuries were...

American City Bank granted $100,000 to local 501(c)3 organizations last week on behalf of the Clayton Family Foundation. Jim Clayton, the founder and president of the Clayton Family Foundation, has dedicated decades in areas of Tennessee serviced by Clayton Bancorp Inc., a billion dollar multi-bank holding company based in Knoxville. His local banks include American City Bank in Coffee County and Franklin County as well as Farmers Bank in Moore County. Of the total funds allocated on Tuesday, $37,500 went to Tullahoma and Moore County organizations, $35,000 went to Manchester organizations and the remaining $27,500 was distributed to nonprofits...

The winter holiday season should be a joyous time of year. Colorful lights and decorations are a large part of celebrating. However, certain types of fires and injuries associated with decorating are all too common and can put a damper on holiday celebrations. “December is the peak month for home candle fires,” Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Julie Mix McPeak said. “Two out of five home decoration fires are started by candles. The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office encourages Tennesseans to consider using flameless candles, which look and smell like real candles. However,...

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department is reaching out once again for the public’s help to fight the war on drugs. Drug use leads to other more serious and violent crimes. There are things that you and your community can do to help assist in this fight. Drug activity can cause problems for any neighborhood. It’s understandable that you would want fight this threat in your neighborhood and there are ways you can do this; one thing you can do is report any suspicious activity. If you live in an area where homes are close together or in an apartment...