Latest Headlines
Uniform Bill Passed
The full Senate has approved legislation to enhance penalties against those convicted of intentionally selecting their victim because of his or her status as a uniformed law enforcement officer or member of the armed forces. Senate Bill 1342 was inspired by men and women in uniform who have lost their lives, were injured or targeted simply because of their jobs as protectors of the community. Under the bill, the enhancement factor would be considered by the court at the time of sentencing. The law also applies to members of the Tennessee National Guard. In addition, the State Senate passed...
Lawsuit Filed after Fatal Accident in 2015
A terrible accident occurred on New Year’s Eve, 2015 in Winchester that took the life of three people including twin 7 year-old boys James and John Hill of Hillsboro. Their parents Aaron and Lynetta Hill were also injured. Mary Jane Parks, 83, of Winchester was also killed in the 3-vehicle accident. Aaron and Lynetta Hill, have now filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee alleging Kia Motors and its parent group, Hyundai-Kia Automotive, are responsible for what occurred. They are seeking $35 million in compensatory damages and $60 million in punitive damages. According to the...
Drug Investigation leads to Two Teachers being Suspended in Warren County
Two teachers have been suspended as a result of an investigation into allegations of drug involvement at Hickory Creek School in Warren County. Jordan Underhill and Lisa Miller have reportedly been suspended indefinitely as the Warren County Sheriff’s Department investigation is ongoing. Recently fifth-grade teacher Jason Moore was arrested after allegedly purchasing $225 worth of Percocet from an undercover operative in the Hickory Creek School parking lot. The suspension of Underhill and Miller is in connection with the incident involving Moore, although neither has been charged. The investigation stems from complaints from parents regarding the sale of drugs on...
Shelbyville Police Needs Your Help
The Shelbyville Police Department needs your assistance locating Alfonzo Leonardo Domingo Sebastian. Sebastian was previously arrested for aggravated statutory rape and was released on bond on the condition of his appearance in Circuit Court for trial. Sebastian failed to appear and is believed to now be hiding to avoid prosecution. If you know his whereabouts please call the Shelbyville Police Department at 931-684-5811 or Crimestoppers at...
Martin Methodist College signs Articulation Agreement with Motlow College
Martin Methodist College signed an articulation agreement with Motlow State Community College last week at Motlow State’s campus in Tullahoma. At the event, both schools’ presidents announced an additional $10,000 Victoria Martin Scholarship for Motlow State students continuing their educations at Martin Methodist. The articulation agreement strengthens ties between both colleges, allowing Motlow State graduates to use their credits toward a bachelor’s degree at Martin Methodist. MSCC graduates will be eligible for a $10,000 scholarship to use toward tuition and other fees at Martin Methodist, making a bachelor’s degree close to home more accessible and affordable. The announcement comes...
Local LEGO teams place in the East Tennessee FIRST® LEGO® League Championships
Six of the 24 FIRST® LEGO® League teams sponsored by the AEDC Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Outreach Program placed in their division at the East Tennessee FIRST® LEGO® League Championships. At the East Tennessee Championship competition held at Tennessee Tech University the Red Robo Raiders from Coffee County Middle School in Manchester placed third in one category. The Black Robo Raiders, also from Coffee County Middle School in Manchester placed third in the FLL Inspiration category. FLL teams, which are made up of students and guided by adult coaches, research a real-world problem such as food...
Wanted Man Captured
Billy S. Dykes, a Coffee County man wanted for kidnapping and other charges in Bedford County was arrested Wednesday, April 26, by Coffee County Deputies. Dykes, 32, allegedly kidnapped an ex-girlfriend and her children from Bedford Manor Apartments in Bedford County on April 3. He allegedly pointed a gun at her and told her that she was going to take him to Manchester. After driving the woman was able to divert his attention and stopped at a convenience store and she and the children ran in and told people there to call the police. Dykes apparently got out of...
Three Local Schools to receive Read to be Ready Summer Grant Money
Education Commissioner Candice McQueen announced on Thursday that more than 11,000 students in 107 communities across the state will benefit from the 2017 Read to be Ready Summer Grant program, which funds educational camps that target rising first, second, and third graders who are not on grade level in reading during the critical summer months. In total, the department is awarding more than $8.5 million to 212 grant recipients throughout Tennessee. This spring, the department received applications from nearly three-quarters of school districts across Tennessee for summer grant funding. The Tennessee Departments of Education and Human Services, with support...
