Latest Headlines
TBI Report on Hate Crimes and Violence Against Officers
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released its annual reports detailing hate crimes and violence against officers. According to the TBI, hate crimes rose by 1% in Tennessee in 2018 compared to 2017 with 196 victims of known bias and 364 victims of some unknown motivation. Crimes against persons made up 75.1% of all known bias offenses in 2018, with property crimes making up the remaining 24.9%. Of the crimes committed against people, a majority were either intimidation, simple assault or aggravated assault. Most property crimes involved vandalism, and most known offenders of all crimes — nearly 38% — were...
Boat Registration Fee Increases Beginning July 1
Tennessee boaters have the month of June to renew their boat registration before the first fee increase in 12 years goes into effect on July 1st. Any boating vessel operated by a gas engine, electric motor or sail is required to be registered. The current fee for a 16-foot boat and under is $13 for one year, $24 for two and $35 for three. The new fees will be $15, $28 and $41. Vessels with a length over 16-feet to 26 feet will increase from $25 to $29 for a year. Those over 26 feet to 40 feet will...
Real-ID Driver Licenses Beginning July 1st
Tennessee’s Driver Services will start issuing Real-ID driver licenses beginning July 1st. The Real-ID compliant-cards will be needed to fly on airplanes, go into federal buildings or enter military bases effective October 1st, 2020. Those IDs are marked with a gold star at the top of them. The Real ID is designed to make driver’s licenses less susceptible to forgery by requiring proof of U.S. residency. It requires states to retain copies of identification documents, like birth certificates. You do NOT need a REAL ID only a Standard ID to: • Drive • Vote • Purchase alcohol or cigarettes...
Official Investigation begins on Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott
Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott is now under official investigation by the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Board of Professional Responsibility. The Council on American-Islamic Relations provided a copy of a letter sent by the state Supreme Court’s Board of Professional Responsibility confirming its investigation of Northcott. The council filed a complaint after the anti-Islam comments. According to screenshots of Facebook posts, Northcott wrote Islam is “evil, violent and against God’s truth”. He was recorded on video at a religious conference, saying he didn’t believe in gay marriage and added same-sex partners wouldn’t receive protections under domestic violence laws because...
Third Person Arrested in Fatal Warren County Shooting
Local authorities have arrested a third suspect in the fatal shooting of military veteran Dennis Carter from Grundy County earlier this month. Warren County deputies arrested 65 year-old John Cherry of Murfreesboro and charged him with criminal homicide. Also arrested on the same charges were Murfreesboro residents, Kate Prichard and Timothy Wayne Baer. All three are being held at the Warren County Jail. Authorities say Carter was shot during an altercation with a member of the Rebels Motorcycle Club at the club’s building on Pike Hill...
Gas Prices Going Down
Tennessee’s state average gas price is $2.39 per gallon for regular unleaded, making it the seventh-lowest average in the nation. Today’s average is nine cents less than the average a week ago and 19 cents less than one month ago and 24 cents less than a year ago. The national gas price average is $2.74, seven cents less than last week. AAA spokesperson Stephanie Milani said pump prices are falling due to cheaper crude oil and healthy domestic supply keeping up with demand. She said the national average of poised to fall again this week-possibly to $2.70-an indication that...
Saturday is Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Tennessee
As financial scammers continue targeting Tennessee’s vulnerable adults, Governor Bill Lee has proclaimed Saturday, June 15, 2019 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Tennessee. In anticipation of this day, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Securities and Consumer Affairs divisions are joining other Tennessee state agencies to warn seniors and their families in order to help them avoid falling victim to identity theft, financial abuse and scams. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was created by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization of the United Nations in 2006 to bring...
Local Student Wins National Essay Competition
Megan Fibelkorn an 8th grader at Temple Baptist Christian School in Manchester placed first in the nation in the 8th grade division in the Fleet Reserve Association Americanism Essay Contest for 2018-2019 school year. Megan received her award from John Davis, retired U.S. Navy which consisted of a certificate, plaque, and $2500 in award money. Megan had also placed 1st in the district and region. Congratulations to Megan Fibelkorn Temple Baptist Christian...
