Lawrenceburg Now

TPR Federal Mogul Tennessee Inc to establish operations in Lawrenceburg

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 12:07:47 -0500

News from Lawrenceburg Now.com

TPR Federal-Mogul Tennessee, Inc. announced today they will locate a manufacturing plant in Lawrenceburg. The facility, located at 201 Helton Drive, will serve the North American automobile manufacturing industry and create 72 jobs. “TPR is excited about the opportunity to grow its business and invest in Tennessee. We were attracted to the area due to the business friendly climate, skilled workforce and proximity to our customers and suppliers. We have been impressed by the efforts of officials at the state, county and city level. Their coordination and hard work were a major factor in our decision to choose this location.” said Keisuke Miyasaka, President, TPR America, INC. TPR Federal-Mogul Tennessee is the third joint venture between TPR Co. LTD and the Federal-Mogul Corporation in the United States. The group also has operations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The facility will produce cylinder liners for aluminum block engines and will house foundry, machining and warehousing functions. The facility is projected to begin operations in May of 2013. TPR America, Inc., the wholly owned subsidiary of TPR Co. LTD and controlling shareholder of the joint venture, is based in Schaumburg, Illinois and oversees North American operations. TPR manufactures a number of powertrain products for the automotive industry. Major parts include piston rings, cylinder liners, valve seats, and a number of aluminum, alloy, and resin products. Federal-Mogul Corporation (NASDAQ:FDML) designs, engineers, manufactures and distributes technologies to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and enhance vehicle safety. The company serves as the world’s foremost original equipment manufacturers of automotive, commercial, transport and industrial equipment, and the worldwide automotive aftermarket. Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty said, “We are excited to welcome TPR and Federal-Mogul to Tennessee and I thank the companies for the investment they are making in Lawrence County and the jobs they are creating. With Gov. Haslam’s leadership and business background, Tennessee’s reputation as a business-friendly state has only strengthened and encouraged companies like TPR and Federal-Mogul to invest and grow here.” “On behalf of Lawrence County, we are excited to be announcing TFT’s decision to locate here,” Lawrence County Executive J. Mack Chandler, said. “We are a community taking advantage of opportunities for success and are committed to bringing jobs to Lawrence County. The best part of being county executive is being able to help bring new jobs to Lawrence County which will give families the hope they have been looking for, a place to work and raise their family.” “We are delighted TPR Federal-Mogul Tennessee, Inc has chosen Lawrenceburg to create 72 new jobs,” Keith Durham, Lawrenceburg Mayor, said. “This announcement further reinforces our efforts to recruit jobs to our area. There is a team approach to everything we do, especially in recruiting new industry to Lawrenceburg. We are dedicated to creating a competitive community that is going after companies we want here in Lawrenceburg. Once again it has served us well. The city stands ready to assist TFT with any issues during their growth and start-up process.” “The announcement of TFT’s arrival to Lawrence County is not only exciting because of the jobs and their investment in our community, but it is an example of the forward movement our county is experiencing. A special thanks goes to our elected officials with the County and the City of Lawrenceburg and the Lawrenceburg Utility Systems for their continued support to grow jobs for our county. Additionally, I would like to offer a special thanks to the State of Tennessee and TVA Economic Development for making this project come to fruition. We are committed to helping TPR Federal-Mogul Tennessee, Inc. grow in the future,” said Daniel Webb, President, Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Applications for production operators will be accepted at The Career Center, 702 Mahr Ave, Lawrenceburg TN 38464 in the coming months. For those that are interested in a maintenance, production supervisor, engineering, human resources, accounting, or management position, please submit your resumes to humanresources@tprfmtn.com, and indicate in the body of the email the position you are interested in applying for.

Basement of old Armory to be closed

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 11:46:23 -0500

News from Lawrenceburg Now.com

Lawrenceburg leaders have agreed that the basement of the Old Armory should be closed to the public due to safety issues. Members of the Lawrenceburg Board of Mayor and Council discussed the matter during their regular bi-monthly business meeting Thursday morning. City Manager William McLain explained that safety issues were brought to light Tuesday while city buildings were undergoing a safety inspection. Although the basement has seen little use for some years, McLain said that access has been available to the public for use as a shelter. He told council members that there is no lighting in the basement. Since it is rarely used, he said there are many cobwebs and “possibly even a snake.” Another issue discussed is that the steps descending to the basement are extremely narrow. McLain said that at the present time a hasp lock is all that bars access to the basement. Council members agreed that a padlock should be installed and any use be suspended. They indicated that, should it be determined that further use is warranted, the basement would have to be renovated.

Grand jury returns indictment in child rape case

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 11:45:14 -0500

News from Lawrenceburg Now.com

A Lawrence County Grand Jury has issued indictments against a Lawrenceburg man on several charges, including rape of a child. Robert Steven Bumpas, Jr., 37, of 405 Oak Street, was served with the indictments Wednesday while incarcerated at the Lawrence County Detention Center. He was indicted on charges that include aggravated sexual battery and two counts of rape of a child. Bumpas was arrested on April 10, 2012 after a resident of Sixth Street allegedly noticed him molesting a young girl in his vehicle. At the time Bumpas’ van was parked in an alley that ran behind the resident’s home. The resident drove his SUV into the alley, calling to others for help as he went. He told officers he blocked the alley, but that Bumpas began to back away at a high rate of speed. He said he rammed Bumpas’ vehicle in order to halt his escape. Witnesses said that Bumpas exited his vehicle attempting to pull up his pants, and pulled out a razor blade knife. They were able to disarm him, and then detained him on the hood of his van until police officers arrived on the scene. While being placed under arrest, Bumpas reportedly asked an officer to button his pants. The girl received medical evaluation and was subsequently transported to a safe location by the Department of Children’s Service. Bumpas, who remains incarcerated, is scheduled for an initial appearance in Lawrence County Circuit Court on Monday, August 6, 2012.

Neighbors report several dogs stolen

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 10:36:09 -0500

News from Lawrenceburg Now.com

Residents in the Loretto area reported to law enforcement officers last weekend that someone had stolen several dogs from different properties. Deputies with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to a home on Meadow Drive shortly before 8:00 p.m. Sunday. One resident reported that two fawn colored boxers had gone missing around a week before. He said that just three days before, a third boxer was taken from his property. A neighbor reported to deputies that someone had stolen a brindle color boxer from his home on Littrell Road. At this time idnvestigation into the thefts is on-going through the department’s Criminal Investigation Division.

Large quantity of metal stolen from Iron City business

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 10:34:59 -0500

News from Lawrenceburg Now.com

Officials with an Iron City business reported to authorities last week that a large amount of metal had been stolen from the premises. Deputies went to Iron City Stamping at 3 Holly Creek Road. Officials reported that an employee making her way to work had noticed pieces of scrap metal near the Shoal Creek bridge. She told deputies that when she arrived at the business, she discovered several hundred pounds of metal was missing. An employee retrieved the pieces from the bridge area. There, the employee reported finding miscellaneous papers from his employers’ truck scattered about.

Loretto man perishes in four wheeler crash

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 10:33:44 -0500

News from Lawrenceburg Now.com

A local man perished after crashing his four wheeler while riding in the Loretto area late Tuesday. Reports filed through the Tennessee Highway Patrol indicate that William Matthew Killen, age 28, of Loretto, died in the crash on Beartown Road. Killen was reportedly traveling eastbound along the roadway around 10:00 p.m. when he ran off the side of the road, impacted a culvert, and was thrown from the ATV. The crash was investigated by Troopers Josh Culp and Daniel Thompson.

Two perish in Iron City crash

Thu, 7 Jun 2012 09:32:07 -0500

News from Lawrenceburg Now.com

A single vehicle crash in the Iron City area Wednesday afternoon resulted in the death of two individuals. Reports filed through the Tennessee Highway Patrol show that the accident occurred on State Highway 227 (Iron City Road). Iron City resident Stacey Short, age 38, was reportedly traveling eastbound in a 1995 Ford F150, attempting to negotiate a curve. He reportedly lost control of the vehicle, went off the westbound side of the roadway, and struck a railroad trestle. Short perished in the crash, as did his passenger, Jayson Bechtold, 36, of Killen, Alabama.

Cavalcade of antique cars Saturday

Thu, 7 Jun 2012 09:31:19 -0500

News from Lawrenceburg Now.com

The Lawrence County Classic Car Club and the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce presents the 8th Annual “Cavalcade of Antique Cars”, Saturday, June 9, 2012 in Lawrence County Tennessee. A county-long parade will begin at Tietgens Superama at the north end of Lawrence County and finalize in the South end at the St Joseph Civic Center, a distance of 30 miles. When the parade begins in Summertown, it will be a non-stop parade until it reaches St Joseph. Cruise in at one of the designated locations and join in the fun. Or, if you have no interest in parading, just park along the parade route to display your vehicle. Model must be 1981 or older to parade, street rods are welcome. RAIN OR SHINE We encourage all Lawrence County residents to come out and enjoy the parade. If you live along the parade route you will have the best seats in the house – on your front porch, under a shade tree in your front yard or along the roadside. Trophies will be given at the end of the parade in St Joseph for the oldest car, longest distance driven, car club with most participants and roughest thang running (must be road worthy). There were over 150 antique cars in this parade last year and we expect many more this coming year.

Owens to serve 20 years on murder conviction

Thu, 7 Jun 2012 09:29:08 -0500

News from Lawrenceburg Now.com

A Lawrenceburg man, convicted in April of murdering his wife, has been sentenced to serve twenty years imprisoned for that crime. On April 13, a jury pronounced Danny Owens, age 60, guilty of one count of second degree murder in connection with the 2009 shooting death of his wife, Vicki Owens, 57. Owens was accused of killing his wife inside their home on February 8, 2009. He summoned emergency personnel to the home around 11:00 a.m., saying that his wife had committed suicide. He told authorities that he was inside the garage at the time he heard the shot. Vicki Owens perished from a single gunshot wound to the head. Owens was later arrested after being indicted on a count of first degree murder. During trial, investigators testified that the victim had been shot with a Smith and Wesson .357 magnum revolver that was found on the floor near her body. They testified that the gun was lying in an odd spot to have fallen from her hand, that it was not in contact with her cheek when fired, and that the wound was at a sharp downward angle. Key testimony was given by lead investigator Parker Hardy and investigator Patrick Daniels. They testified that when the chamber of the revolver was initially opened the sole spent round was situated just to the left of the hammer. Had Vicki Owens fired the fatal round, Hardy, and firearms experts, said the round aligned with the hammer would have been the spent round. They explained that the only way to change the position of the spent round was through further human manipulation. The second degree murder conviction carries a sentencing range of between 15 and 25 years. During a sentencing hearing Monday, Owens received a twenty-year sentence. He will be required to serve 100% of that sentence incarcerated through the Tennessee Department of Corrections.

Young child bitten by neighbor's dog

Mon, 21 May 2012 22:45:58 -0500

News from Lawrenceburg Now.com

An Ethridge toddler was said to have sustained only minor injuries during the weekend when he was bitten in the face by a neighbor’s dog. Deputies with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department were summoned to the emergency room at Crockett Hospital just after noon on Friday. The mother of the three-year-old boy reported he had been bitten while in their yard on Alexander Lane. The mother told deputies that dogs belonging to two different neighbors had been in her yard. She said that neither neighbor was home, and that the dogs were panting and appeared to need water. She said that she and her young son took a bowl of water outside for the dogs. When he attempted to pet one of the Chihuahuas, she said the dog bit his nose. Reports show that the youngster sustained only minor injuries. At the time reports were filed the reporting officer had been unable to make contact with the dog’s owner to determine whether it had been vaccinated.

Lawrenceburg man charged with TennCare fraud

Mon, 21 May 2012 22:44:59 -0500

News from Lawrenceburg Now.com

Charges of TennCare fraud have been issued against a Lawrenceburg man accused of illegally selling his prescription medication in Giles County. Mitchell Looney, 30, is charged in Giles County with having obtained a prescription for Hydrocodone, then selling a portion of the pills to another individual. The medication, officials said, was obtained through TennCare coverage. Looney, who had been incarcerated at the Lawrence County Detention Center on unrelated charges, was subsequently transported to the Giles County Jail where he was incarcerated under the TennCare fraud charge.

Fire claims Busby Road home

Mon, 21 May 2012 22:44:07 -0500

News from Lawrenceburg Now.com

A Busby Road home was deemed a total loss late last week after a blaze ignited in the attic area. Reports indicate that emergency personnel were dispatched to the 722 Busby Road home of Timothy and Tammy Byrd around 9:00 p.m. Friday. The victims reported to deputies with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department that they had been sitting on their front porch when they heard a “loud popping” sound. The victims told deputies that they had recently been having problems with squirrels nesting inside their attic. They said that they went inside to check and discovered smoke emanating from the attic. They then placed a 911 call to summon assistance. Firefighters with the West Point, Leoma, Gandy and Iron City Fire Departments responded to battle the blaze. Their efforts, however, proved unsuccessful. The home, valued at $30,000, was said to be a complete loss.

Trotter to return to his roots

Mon, 21 May 2012 22:43:12 -0500

News from Lawrenceburg Now.com
Scott Franks After 14 years at the helm of the successful Summertown Eagles basketball program, Head Coach Les Trotter is leaving the school to return to his Alma Mater as the Head Coach at Waverly. Trotter announced the decision to his team on Friday. The search for a replacement will begin immediately, as the successor will need the valuable summer camp season to assess the team. When Trotter first came to the Eagles in the Summer of 1998, he was a?young coach filling some very big shoes. He took the reigns of the program from longtime & legendary Eagles Coach Gene McBee. McBee had been the Eagles coach from the early 1980s until Phil Willard took over in the early 1990s, then McBee had returned for one final season in 1997-1998 before retiring from teaching. In making the announcement of his departure, Coach Trotter shared, "This opportunity really just materialized over the past 10 days or so and was really unexpected. If I am ever going to return home, this will likely be my last chance. It has truly been a struggle to reach this decision. As everyone knows, I love Summertown - the kids, the fans and the community and they have all been very supportive of me over my 14 years here. I would not be leaving unless it was this opportunity to go home. Trotter's father, Gene Trotter, was a longtime coach of both boys and girls basketball at Waverly and was later Principal and Director of Schools in Humphreys County before his retirement. Les played basketball for his Dad, then continued his playing career at Aquinas Junior College in Nashville (under legendary Coach Charlie Anderson), then went on to play at Athens State University in Athens, AL. In addition to the younger Trotter returning to his Alma Mater, Gene Trotter is also dusting off his playboard and donning his whistle once again, as he will be serving as an Assistant Coach to his son. (That could get interesting ? Ha !)Trotter came to Summertown in 1998 after having served as a Middle School Coach at Dickson. Over the past 14 years, Trotter's squads racked up 310 wins against less than 150 losses for an average of over 22 wins per season. During that timeframe, the Eagles went to 4 State Tournaments, made 6 Sub-State/Sectional appearances and won numerous Region and District titles. On behalf of a grateful Eagle Nation, Thank You Les, for your many years of dedication and work and we wish you the best in your new position.

Thursday crash claims one life

Mon, 21 May 2012 22:41:03 -0500

News from Lawrenceburg Now.com

A single vehicle crash that occurred on Buffalo Road Thursday morning claimed the life of a local resident. Andrew K. Adkins, 23, of 3925 U.S. Highway 43 perished as the result of injuries he sustained in the crash. According to reports filed through the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Adkins was driving northbound, north of Buffalo Road Market. As he attempted to negotiate a curve to the right, his 2008 Dodge truck went off the left side of the roadway, spun around, went off the opposite side of the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned. Trooper Brian Rose was the investigating officer.

Former Lawrence resident charged in wife's homicide

Tue, 8 May 2012 10:49:41 -0500

News from Lawrenceburg Now.com

A former Lawrence County resident was arrested Monday in Lincoln County in connection with the murder of his wife. Fayetteville police report that officers were dispatched to Taylor Way Apartments on Wilson Parkway Monday morning in response to a call regarding an armed subject who was threatening suicide. When they arrived, officers report finding resident Courtney McKinney, 23, formerly of Summertown, had died after sustaining several gunshot wounds. Her husband, Charles McKinney, age 23, was inside the apartment, armed with a gun. The couple’s three-year-old child was reportedly present at the time of the shooting. Charles McKinney was arrested on charges of criminal homicide and booked through the Lincoln County Jail. He is currently being held under a bond of $950,000.

Nine thousand students educated through special meth program

Tue, 8 May 2012 10:48:54 -0500

News from Lawrenceburg Now.com

District Attorney General Mike Bottoms announced this week that nine thousand students within the 22nd Judicial District participated in a special methamphetamine education program offered during the month of April. In conjunction with the “Meth Destroys” Campaign, speaker David Parnell brought his “Facing the Dragon” presentation to students in Lawrence, Giles, Maury and Wayne Counties within a three day period. Parnell began his speaking tour at Lawrence County High School on April 16, ending in Wayne County on April 19. Bottoms said the program, offered through the District Attorney’s office, was presented through the assistance of Sheriffs Jimmy Brown, Kyle Helton, Enoch George and Ric Wilson as well as Directors of Schools Dr. Bill Heath, Eddie Hickman, Gailand Grinder, and Tee Jackson. “They are to be commended,” said Bottoms, “for their forward-thinking in educating today’s youth about the deadly methamphetamine drug. The School Directors welcome insightful programs into their schools and this is a major step forward in combating meth. “The “Meth Destroys” Campaign is an important tool in educating entire communities about the dangers of the deadly drug, as well. Even though 9,000 school students were able to attend these programs, many individuals have not had that opportunity.” Any person or organization interested in obtaining a DVD copy of “Meth Destroys” is encouraged to contact Bottoms’ office at 762-7777, or the office of Assistant District Attorney Brent Cooper at 931-380-2536.