Latest Headlines
Two People Hurt in Multi-Vehicle Crash
Two people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Morrison during the Monday afternoon rush hour. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Christopher Walpole of Nashville was traveling toward McMinnville on Highway 55 in a 2004 Ford Taurus when he ran the red light in front of Hullett’s Service Center in Morrison and struck four other vehicles before coming to rest in a ditch. Authorities say the Taurus was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of the crash. Walpole was airlifted from the scene to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga. Also airlifted was Kimberly Sherrell...
TVA’s Economic Impact is $11.9 Billion
A new study estimates the Tennessee Valley Authority’s managed river system created an $11.9 billion economic impact in the Tennessee Valley last year. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture’s study examines the total effect from the recreational and visitor uses of TVA’s 49 reservoirs, including Normandy Lake. TVA is the nation’s largest public utility and provides electricity to about 9 million people in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. The study finds investments yielded more than $1 million per shoreline mile and supported an estimated 130,000 jobs. Surveys...
Tennessee proposal would give Cities and Counties an Ultimatum
A Tennessee proposal would give cities and counties an ultimatum: buy metal detectors, hire security guards and check bags at many public buildings, parks and buses, or let handgun permit holders bring in their guns. The bill is drawing support from many Republican lawmakers and the NRA, which said it would hold local governments responsible for keeping citizens safe. Gun control advocates and some cities think the bill would burden local officials with bad choices. The legislation also expands protections for gun-rights groups to sue on behalf of individuals who feel slighted by local gun restrictions. A vote could...
Juvenile Sexting Bill Moves Forward
The Tennessee Legislature has passed a bill that would allow minors who send sexually explicit photos of themselves to others to face far less serious consequences than they do now. Under current law, juveniles who email or text explicit photos can be charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, even if the pictures are consensual. Williamson County District Attorney Kim Helper said that’s the equivalent of child pornography and some prosecutors don’t want to bring such serious charges in most cases. Under the measure, minors could be charged with an unruly offense in juvenile court. The House passed the...
Utility Construction will continue to close portion of Oak Dr through May 11
A portion of Oak Drive in Manchester, near the intersection of McArthur Street (TN Highway 55), extending to Belmont Drive, will be temporarily closed due to utility construction near the new Speedway Market until May 11. The work was scheduled to run April 24-May 6, 2017, but an extension is needed to complete the work. A detour bypassing this section of Oak Drive will continue to be...
Three People Charged after Drugs and Weapon allegedly found in their Vehicle
Three people were arrested on drugs and weapons charges on April 30. According to warrants, Summer Marisa Havner, 20, of Sewanee, Jeffery William Matts, 30, of Estill Springs and Tabitha Jane Delaney of Morrison were arrested and charged with manufacture/delivery/sale of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of a weapon. The car that the three were riding in was stopped after they allegedly pulled in and out of the Coffee County Jail parking lot numerous times. The BMW they were riding in was stopped and the license tag on the car was for a...
State Representative Judd Matheny is Honored
State Representative Judd Matheny (R–Tullahoma) officially received the 2017 President’s Award from the Tennessee Association for Home Care — an organization dedicated to improving, standardizing, and lobbying for changes to help Tennesseans remain in their homes for both short and long term healthcare and support. This year, Representative Matheny took the lead in presenting House Bill 51 in the legislature, a first-of-its-kind piece of legislation designed to place guardrails on managed homecare and to address problems home healthcare companies encounter in getting paid for their services. Home-based health companies provide an alternative to the current nursing home model by...
Gas Prices Falling
Tennessee gas prices declined for the 10th consecutive day on Sunday. The state average dropped 2 cents last week, and motorists should see another round of falling prices this week. AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said gas prices were knocked off their seasonal upward trend, when new data revealed record-high refinery activity, setting off market concerns of a gasoline glut. When refineries finished spring maintenance season, they accelerated production to levels that have outpaced demand. Jenkins said retail prices should fall a few more cents this week. The Tennessee average retail price is $2.15. The national average price is $2.38....
