The United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) declared Franklin and Lincoln Counties eligible to receive pasture assistance payments due to drought. According to Rhonda Scharer of the Franklin County FSA office, “Franklin County farmers are eligible to receive a disaster payment based on their acres of pasture and the number of animals they have grazing. Producers can utilize the payment at their discretion to assist them in dealing with drought conditions. Currently the drought assistance program covers pastures only and does not include hay.” For information call the Franklin County FSA office during regular business hours...

Getting a college education for working adults just got easier at Motlow State Community College, thanks to the Adult College Express (ACE) program now being offered online. Through the ACE online program, college courses can be completed in an accelerated five-week format, with students only needing to hit a weekly deadline. Credibility is at the forefront of reasons why students are attracted to the Motlow ACE program, in that all online classes are taught by full-time Motlow faculty with experience in web course design and online instruction. Motlow does not contract out ACE online courses. For more information about...

An inmate of the Tennessee Department of Correction, who walked from a work detail, has been captured, several hours after being placed on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s ‘Top 10 Most Wanted’ list. 34 year-old Quinton Stewart was wanted by the Tennessee Department of Correction and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for an escape from a work detail originating from Riverbend Maximum Security Prison in Davidson County on Thursday. The Coffee Co. Sheriff’s Department joined TBI and Tennessee Department of Correction agents, US Marshalls and other officials in the search for Stewart overnight Thursday into Friday. The TBI announced...

This past Thursday Coffee County deputies responded to Fire Lake boat ramp in reference to a possible hit and run. Upon arrival Deputy Eric Clem found a man crashed into a parked car in the parking lot sitting in the driver’s seat of his vehicle. Upon approaching the vehicle Clem noticed the subject attempting to find something in the passenger floor board. According to the arrest warrant, the deputy asked the man to show him his hands and then he noted the man was attempting to gain control of a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. The officer began attempting to...

An accident on Interstate 24 on Thursday around 2pm tied traffic up for around 12 hours. This was a one vehicle crash at the Exit 105 on ramp eastbound. The 18-wheeler was driven by 63-year-old Jack Vanankum, from Ontario, Canada. The accident was not completely cleared until early Friday morning. According to a spokesman with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Vanankum was injured in the accident and taken to a hospital for treatment. The extent of his injuries are...

All Motlow State Community College campuses will be closed part of the day Aug. 18 to permit faculty and staff to attend fall convocation. All campuses will open at 2:30 that afternoon. Faculty and staff from all Motlow campuses will meet on Motlow’s Moore County campus for the annual assembly, during which preparations are made for the fall semester. The convocation agenda includes the introduction of new employees, a “State of the College” address by Dr. Anthony Kinkel, Motlow president, faculty and staff training, recognition of faculty and staff accomplishments, presentation of service awards, and faculty discipline meetings. Faculty...

The Pokemon GO mobile game craze sweeping the nation has now raised public safety concerns and produced warnings from law enforcement and utilities. Players have been involved in minor mishaps such as tripping, running into walls or trees, and falling off bikes and skateboards due to inattention while focusing on the reality game. Auto wrecks and other serious accidents have been recorded, including dangerous trespassing at high-voltage facilities like power plants and substations. Posted facilities on the Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) system are off-limits to the public. Gamers should never attempt to enter a substation or approach...