A state representative said he is considering legislation that would ban the use of cell phones while driving. Rep. John Holsclaw, R-Elizabethton, said he plans to file legislation that would make it illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving unless drivers use a hands-free device. In a statement, Holsclaw said this is the next step in curbing distracted driving. Texting while driving is already banned in Tennessee. Fourteen states and Washington DC already prohibit talking on a hand-held phone while...

As Gov. Bill Haslam crisscrosses the state trying to build support for a gas tax increase, a new Vanderbilt University poll finds voters are willing to pay more to improve roads and bridges. That’s a contrast to a similar poll in May that found only 25 percent of voters supported an unspecified gas tax increase. For the new survey, conducted in November, pollsters asked about specific increases. This poll found 66 percent of Tennessee voters were willing to pay 2 cents more per gallon and 54 percent were willing to pay 8 cents more. Poll Co-Director John Geer said...

A Georgia man faces a number of charges after a traffic stop on Dec. 3. According to warrants obtained by Tennessee Highway Patrolman Jason Boles, Sergio Ramone Willis, 23 of College Park, Georgia was arrested on charges of schedule I, schedule II, schedule VI, 8 counts of identity theft, vandalism and eight counts of criminal simulation. According to the warrants, the man was stopped on Arnold Center Road for a traffic violation. He also had the drugs in his possession and numerous Visa/MasterCard debit cards and altered credit cards. Willis was booked into the Coffee County Jail under a...

A Florida man is being held in the Coffee County Jail under a bond of $502,000 following a traffic stop by Trooper Donnie Clark on Dec. 3. James Arnold Wilder, 53, of Cauburndale, Florida was charged with being a fugitive from justice, simple possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. According to warrants obtained by the trooper, Wilder was in possession of five grams of marijuana and rolling papers. A check revealed that he was wanted in Florida for parole violation on charges of possession of a firearm and two counts of habitual violent offender....

Last Thursday detectives with the Fayetteville Police Department charged 3 individuals they believe to be responsible for making at least one bomb threat at Goodman Manufacturing in Fayetteville. Corey Cozad, an employee of Goodman at the time of the threat, Zachary Posey and Tyler Petty have all been charged with making a false report and criminal conspiracy. Cozad has a $65,000 bond. Posey and Petty have $70,000 bonds. At this time investigations continue into the other threats made at Goodman. Also Posey and Petty along with Amberly Coats have been charged with theft under $500 and burglary. These charges...

Thousands of Tennesseans face penalties in 2016 if they don’t have health coverage, and the deadline to apply at HealthCare.gov is Dec. 15. While some lament the $695 or more fine for those who don’t secure coverage, Michele Johnson, executive director of the Tennessee Justice Center, says it’s important to remember the fine is in place to make sure we all don’t end up paying the price when the uninsured get sick. “Health insurance is for all of us,” she points out. “It stabilizes our health care infrastructure and it’s a fair thing. It’s must cheaper for all of...