The Coffee County School Board voted to enter into contract negotiations with Dr. Charles Lawson to be the system’s next Director of Schools during a special called meeting Monday, July 1.  Lawson is currently the principal at East Middle School in Tullahoma. The vote means the board will enter into negotiation and discuss during a work session Monday, July 8 at 3 p.m.  If a contract is finalized, he would replace Dr. LaDonna McFall, who left the director position in early June to take a director’s position in Roane County.  There were 16 candidates who applied for the director...

We have an update to a story we first brought to you last week. Terry Barber, 68, was found dead inside his Rutherford County home Wednesday by a friend, according to investigators.  On Sunday, June 30, three people were arrested in connection with his death and all three are facing charges of first degree murder, aggravated kidnapping and especially aggravated robbery.  Arrested by Rutherford County sheriffs’ deputies were Devan Jacob Gailey, 20, Brent Donavan Ross, 21 and Vernice Darlene Farrar, 39. All are Murfreesboro residents, according to the Daily News Journal.  According to affidavits, the three suspects allegedly drove...

A Franklin County man is dead after a case of domestic violence spun out of control Sunday night, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department.  According to Sgt. Chris Guess, 56-year old Tony Dale Gilliam was shot in the head, allegedly by his wife, 55-year old Patricia Renee Gilliam. Deputies responded at 9 p.m. Sunday night. Deputies performed CPR on Tony Gilliam, he was transported to Southern Regional Health System hospital where he was pronounced dead. Patricia Gilliam provided a statement and no charges have been filed at this time, according to the Herald...

A Grundy County School Board member is in trouble after being arrested for aggravated domestic violence. According to the Grundy County Herald, Mike Yates was arrested on Sunday. According to the first deputy on the scene, the officer spoke with the alleged victim, who stated that she was arguing with her husband when he hit her and kicked her in the face. According to the deputy, the victim had swelling of her left eye. She stated that she wanted to press charges. Mike Yates claims he and his wife were arguing when she struck him on top of the...

Gas prices are rising across the country ahead of Independence Day. After last week, a gallon of regular unleaded is, on average, a nickel more expensive with 25 states seeing an increase since last Monday, according to AAA.  As of Monday, the national average is $2.71 per gallon. While that is a nickel more than last week, it’s 11 cents less than last month at this time and 14 cents cheaper than the same time in 2018.  Despite the slight increases, Tennessee remains in the top 10 for lowest gas prices in the nation. Tennessee is sixth with an...

If you are on your cell phone while driving today, you’d better be using a hands free device. Otherwise, you could face a fine. Beginning today, drivers across the state of Tennessee are prohibited from holding or physically supporting a phone while driving. Hands free devices such as earpieces, headphone devices or devices worn on a wrist to conduct a voice-based communication are allowed, as well as dashboard mounts. Tennessee is the 19th state to pass such a bill. A first violation will result in a $50 fine. The third violation, or a violation resulting in a crash, will...

The Manchester Parks and Recreation Department’s Independence Day Spectacular event is set for this Thursday, July 4 – make plans to attend an evening of music, fun and, of course, fireworks! The fireworks will be visible from multiple locations near the recreation center, but the prime viewing experience will be at Rotary Park adjacent to the rec center, located at 557 N. Woodland Street. Parking will be limited, parking is also available at Fred Deadman Park and patrons can walk the Little Duck River Greenway to the Rotary Park area. Music begins at 7 p.m. with cover band Burning...

The state of Tennessee is introducing The Safe At Home Address Confidentiality Program, the Department of State’s newest program aimed at supporting victims of domestic violence, sexual offenses, stalking, and human trafficking in their efforts to escape their abusers. Through the program, participants will be able to ensure that their residential address, which will be made confidential, will not be subject to public records request disclosure by state and local government agencies and officials.  Under Tennessee law, all state or local government records are considered public and available for public review. These records include identifying documents such as voter...