Latest Headlines
TN Groups Sue Feds Over Treatment of Cherokee Forest
Covering more than 650,000 acres, the Cherokee National Forest is one of Tennessee’s many crown jewels for outdoor recreation and scenic vistas. But conservation groups are concerned about the treatment of part of that land. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), on behalf of the Sierra Club Tennessee Chapter and Tennessee Heartwood, filed a lawsuit in federal court late last week, alleging the U.S. Forest Service is illegally endangering Tumbling Creek near the Ocoee River. Sam Evans, SELC national forests and parks program leader, said people should be concerned about a decision to sell 500 acres near Tumbling Creek...
Gov. Haslam wants $30 M for School Safety
Gov. Bill Haslam has proposed $30.2 million to improve school safety. In a news release Tuesday, Haslam’s office says the money includes $25 million in nonrecurring and $5.2 million in recurring school safety grants. Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Larry Martin told a legislative panel that the money would be spread among mental health, law enforcement safety and education. The school safety money would come through Haslam’s amendment for the 2018-2019 proposed budget. The $83.8 million amendment also includes $3 million in nonrecurring money to help school districts buy school buses with...
Former Coffee Co. Coach’s Trial Delayed–Weir Suffered Gunshot Wound on Sunday
The trial of former Coffee County Central High School Red Raider baseball coach Bradley Newton Weir was set to begin on Monday (March 19, 2018) at the Coffee County Courthouse in downtown Manchester. The 47-year-old Weir is accused of having sex with a 15-year-old student in 2015. The trial never started on Monday because Weir’s attorney reported to District Attorney General Craig Northcott that Weir was unable to be in court because Weir had suffered a gunshot wound to his leg on Sunday night at his home in East Ridge, TN. http://www.thunder1320.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Northcott-1.mp3 According to WTVC-TV in Chattanooga, Weir told...
School Officials Hope to Renovate North Coffee Elementary
If the Coffee County Commission approves a proposal by the Coffee County school system, North Coffee Elementary School will be remodeled. The project will renovate the existing space and add about 20,000 square feet of new space. The Coffee County Budget and Finance Committee Members approved $5 million for the project. Now the proposal will go before the Coffee County Commission’s agenda in April. A tax increase will not be necessary to cover the costs, according to the committee. Refinancing a loan from 2008 and some funds from the Rural Debt Service Fund, will allow county officials to borrow...
Update on Officer Involved Shooting in Tullahoma
We have an update on the officer involved shooting in Tullahoma. According to Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott, police responded to a residence on South Franklin Street at approximately 5 p.m. on Friday in response to a reported assault. Upon arrival, officers encountered 47 year-old James Shelton, who allegedly became combative with police outside the home. Northcott said Shelton went inside and returned moments later, allegedly brandishing a large knife. According to the district attorney, officers told Shelton to drop the knife, but he refused. The officers then used their tasers on Shelton, to no effect, Northcott said....
Man Charged with Criminal Homicide in Warren County
A joint investigation into the circumstances of a homicide last week has resulted in the arrest of the victim’s roommate in connection to the crime. TBI Agents joined investigators from the Warren County Sheriff’s Department in investigating the homicide of Stephen Pohl, who died last Tuesday from an apparent gunshot wound at his home in the 400 block of Lewis Road. During the course of the investigation, authorities developed information leading to Pohl’s roommate, 61 year-old Gregory Koller as the individual responsible for the crime. On Thursday evening, TBI Agents arrested the McMinnville man and charged him with one...
Officer Involved Shooting in Tullahoma
At the request of 14th District Attorney General Craig Northcott, TBI Agents continue to investigate the circumstances involving an officer-involved shooting this evening in Tullahoma. Preliminary information indicates the incident occurred when officers from the Tullahoma Police Department attempted to interview 47year-old James Bradford Shelton in connection to an assault investigation in which he was the alleged perpetrator, at his home at 940 South Franklin Street. During the confrontation, the subject reportedly would not cooperate or comply with officers. An officer reportedly deployed a stun gun unsuccessfully in an attempt to subdue Shelton. The situation further escalated and resulted...
Fire Burns Hillsboro Home
On Friday afternoon around 5:30pm the Coffee County Sheriff Department personnel and all county volunteer fire departments were dispatched to the Winchester Highway for structure fire. The house was fully engulfed when Deputy Tim Cooper arrived. The Hillsboro Fire Department arrived at the scene and began to fight the fire. It was unsure at the time if anyone was inside the home. After speaking with the home owner, who was not at home at the time of fire, contact was made with all resident of the home and everyone was accounted for and safe. Red Cross representatives arrived at...
