Gunman holds up Subway

A gunman held up a Murfreesboro Subway Friday night 12/28. Witnesses report the man had a black handgun and told the employees the put the money in the bag, and then forced them to let him out the back door. He escaped with an unknown amount of cash out of the registers and one employee’s wallet. The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 5 foot 6 inches, 150 pounds and was wearing a hooded black sweatshirt and black mask.

Woman punches police officer

Abbey Lilley, 23 of Midland Trail was charged with assaulting  police Officer Rico Holobaugh. Holobaugh was responding to a domestic call on Second Avenue when he saw Lilley running down the street with a small child; she had apparently been in an arguement with her boyfriend. The officer grabbed her and asked her to put the child down, which she did. Lilley then allegedly preceded to punch and fight with the officer. Holobaugh arrested and charged Lilley with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, evading arrest and possession of drugs.

Contractors in TN not passing the TEST

A large number of contractors in Tennessee have failed required licensing test but despite the infraction, they have continued to practice construction. The contractors have continued business as usual due to what has been called an oversight by the Tennessee Board of Licensing for contractors. 

Most of the 60-plus contractors on the states list have since been interviewed and re-tested after failing the states written test. As a result, most of the contractors licenses have been re-approved.

Here in Murfreesboro, WGNS found that at least one company was named on the states list. M & A Builders allegedly built a home for a relative without a proper license. After the home was built, homebuilder Ahmad Abulaban was fined $1,000. The board is still reviewing this case.

The following contractors have received a license after being interviewed by the State Board of Licensing. This list includes those who originally failed the written exam, that according to the state of Tennessee.

License #: 7945
P. Millard Cohen
Status:  denied; held for additional references-exp 2/26/2007

License #: 22225
Omega General Contractors
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 41664
Randy Sullivan Construction
Status: approved after retesting on 4/4/05

License #: 43817
Willard Lewis
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 44927
Joe Lewis
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 45577
Boaz Home Improvement
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 47983
Imperial Builders, Inc.
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 50528
Light Tech Services, Inc.
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 51290
C & S Construction of Helena, Inc.
Status: held for info/issued 5-5-04

License #: 51650
Dunlap Building & Maintenance
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 51650
Dunlap Building & Maintenance
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 52361
Robertson Contractors, Inc.
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 52558
Hiway Electric
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 52855
Gary Donehew
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 53127
Jerry & Carolyn Singleton
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 53151
MPI Business Solutions
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 53180
Rush Electric Company
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 53193
Ricky Sterling
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 53195
The Honey Do Service, Inc.
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 53235
GCS Group, LLC
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 53238
Eric D. Martin, Sr.
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 53921
Abion Electric
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 54051
Jerry Turnbo dba J & J Const.
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 54135
Sesler Construction
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 54190
Kelly Williamson Construction
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 54214
Sanders Const. & Dev., Inc.
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 54225
Supreme Country Builders LLC
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 54249
Chris Seaborn
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 54387
Price Builders
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 54487
Charles David Mills
Status: denied; held until 09-30-05

License #: 54610
E & J Construction Co.
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 54794
Access Electric
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 54804
Clark Builders
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 54911
Imperial Home Builders
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 55499
Wesley Dubowsky
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 55957
Marlena Russell
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 56047
David Stone
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 56092
Haralson Investment Co., LLC
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 56476
Nosam Construction
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 56480
McGregor Builders
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 56740
Kelly Builders Corp.
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 56756
Maple Construction
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 57033
Robert & Christine Souvannarath
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 57148
Ron Butler
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 57310
Wanda Land Co., LLC
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 57533
Hunter & Hunter Const.
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 57767
Martin Sanz, LLC
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 57898
Tony Armistead
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 57903
Randy Hasse dba RNH Cons.
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 57965
King Family Home Builders
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 58012
Tom Construction, LLC
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 58261
Lyntonio Winston
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 58390
George Robles dba GSR Cons. Co.
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 58472
Anderson Homes & Design
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 58476
Steven & Kristin Blevins
Status: held; approved on 7/24/07

License #: 58580
M & A Builders
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 58847
A-Action Air HVAC, Inc.
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 59173
White Builder’s LLC
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 59184
J & S Home Imp., Inc
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 59203
Aaron’s Heat & Air, Inc
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 59329
William Anderson
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 59399
Voit Electric Co.
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 59774
SASO Contractors, LLC
Status: Approved for License after interview

License #: 59951
Waggoner’s Const. LLC
Status: held; exp. Confirmed insp./issued 11/07

License #: Denied Number
KJ Construction Co. LLC
Status: Denied

Immigration issue, illegal’s to be welcomed?

According to one well known MTSU professor, politicians who are injecting the immigration issue into the 2008 presidential campaign are overlooking immigrants’ contribution to the national economy. That’s the argument made by Dr. Bill Ford, holder of the Weatherford Chair of Finance at MTSU.

immigrationomics1.mp3 :18 OC: “about four percent”

In a paper written for the Economic Education Bulletin, Ford warns of the dire economic consequences that could result from knee-jerk reactions to the number of undocumented aliens in the country. He suggests that immigration laws should be reformed to allow workers into the country according to their talents and experience and the extent to which American employers need their skills.

Motivational program for LOCAL troubled youth

Sometimes it takes someone on the outside looking in to help make a change. That’s exactly what may be working behind the scene’s in Murfreesboro.

Former Murfreesboro resident Bobby Glanton Smith who now lives in Los Angeles made a stop into town to discuss self determination classes for our youth. Smith is with the Amer-I-Can program that was established 20-years ago by NFL Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown (pictured). 

Smith says he is interested in developing the program to combat youth violence and a growing problem of drugs in our community. Oakland High School and Patterson Park Community Center are being eyed as key locations for the program to take place.

Fire in Nashville

An apartment fire in Antioch Sunday night left one man dead. The fire took place at Bavira Apartments near the Haywood Lane exit of I-24. The man who perished in the blaze was entrapped by flames in a bathroom. The fire only damaged one apartment unit.

Smoking in the restaurant

The smoking ban in restaurants across the state may be nice for non smokers, but the ban is smothering business for some restaurants. In fact, several restaurants have reportedly closed their doors to business due to a lack of business in some parts of Middle Tennessee. The Tennessee Restaurant Association is pushing for the 21 and up clause to be dropped. Currently, restaurants and bars are allowed to be a smoking environment IF they make their establishment a 21 and up restaurant. When the clause was signed into law in 2007, it also meant that waitresses had to be age 21-or up if they worked in an established smoking restaurant. Reports indicate the restaurant association is pushing for a smoking change to bring lost business back to the table.

The question now is… what kind of change will be made? Will we once again see smoking sections in our favorite eateries. If the smoking law is reversed, then who will keep their restaurant smoke free?

Bizarre NEWS of the day

Ari Derfel is trash. The 35-year-old Berkeley, California man claims he has saved every piece of garbage he produced this year in order to demonstrate how much waste one person creates. Derfel said he initially decided to conduct the experiment to see how much garbage he alone is responsible for, but, according to the Associated Press, it soon changed into a commentary, quote, “about consumerism and the environment.” Derfel said, quote, “When we throw something away, what does ‘away’ mean? There’s no such thing as ‘away.’”

The garbage sits in bins around Darfel’s kitchen and living room. He says he’d like to donate it someday to sculptor.

State Farm Donates $2,500 To LaVergne FD

State Farm Agent Tom Clark donated $2,500 to the LaVergne Fire Department.  Clark commented, “State Farm strongly believes in being a good neighbor.  Helping our local firefighters is important to our company.”  LaVergne Fire Chief James Gafford noted that the money will enable them to purchase an electric hose test machine.  Gafford said, “We are required to test our hoses once a year.  In the past, that required taking a fire truck out of service for several days.  Now that will not be necessary.”   (Photo ID L-R:  LaVergne Fire Chief James Gafford, State Farm’s Tom Clark and LaVergne Mayor Ronnie Erwin)

Exploding Christmas Decoration

Murfreesboro Police need your help in finding those who exploded a Christmas ornament.  It happened in the 27-hundred block of Tower Drive around 4:30 Friday morning.  Neighbors told police they hard a loud bang and saw the inflatable decoration had been blown up with some type of explosive device.  If you have any information on this crime, you can call M-P-D at 893-1311 or call CrimeStoppers at 893-STOP.

LaVergne Woman Charged with TennCare Fraud

A LaVergne woman has been charged with using TennCare to pay for a fraudulent prescription drug in nearby Maury County.  The  Office of Inspector General announced the arrest of 26-year old Rebecca J. Greenfield-Henson.  This arrest is the result of a joint effort with the LaVergne Police Department.  Greenfield-Henson is accused of presenting an altered prescription to a pharmacy in Columbia and using a TennCare card to pay for the prescription. Greenfield-Henson faces one count of TennCare fraud and one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.  TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison, and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud is a Class D felony, punishable by two to four years in prison.

UPDATE Where is Marcie Smith?

Still no new leads in the case of a missing 69-year old Murfreesboro woman. Police say that Marcie Smith was reported missing by her husband on December 7^th. An unknown white male was later seen on a Wal-Mart surveillance video camera parking her Lincoln Navigator and then leaving the area on a bicycle. Smith’s cell phone was found on December 11^th along Barfield Crescent Road, about a mile from her home. Smith’s family has since offered a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to her whereabouts.

Man charged with murder UPDATE

The man charged with the murder of a 36-year-old Grassland Drive woman says he is innocent.  38-year old Larry Scott Reynolds was in court Thursday (12/27/07) and was ordered to be held without bond.  Reynolds has been accused of murdering 36-year old Melissa Atkin at her home near Florence Road about two weeks ago. Reynolds mother claims he was out of town when the murder took place. Authorities say Reynolds shot Atkin to death. Reynold’s 5-year old son lived with Atkin. The Smyrna man will face the courts on January 15^th.

Photos: Reynolds – left, Atkin – right

Restaurant robbed

The Subway restaurant on Memorial Blvd. was robbed by a masked  man on Wednesday. Witnesses say the masked man was armed with a small handgun. During the robbery, the culprit asked one of the store employees to give up his car keys. The bandit then left the scene in the newly stolen Honda Civic. The car was later recovered at Siegel Elementary School in Murfreesboro near the site of the Subway Restaurant robbery.

Vehicles being broken into

Auto burglaries appear to be on the increase this week in Murfreesboro. Over the past several days, auto burglaries have been reported in the area of Stones River Mall, Medical Center Parkway, Broad Street and River Rock Blvd. In nearly all of the cases, the culprits broke out the vehicles window to gain access to the interior of the car or truck. So far, no one has been caught.

Man who gives teen a ride assaulted

An 18-year old student from an alternative learning school in Murfreesboro was arrested after hitching a ride from a taxi driver. Alex J. Green who goes by the nickname “A.J.,” allegedly sprayed the driver of the cab in the face with some type of body spray and then demanded he hand over his money.

“A.J.” was armed with a hammer according to the man who gave him a ride to Rose’s Department Store on Mercury Blvd. Police caught Green after he fled the victims taxi cab on foot. Police say they found Green running towards Broad Street. He was captured and charged with aggravated robbery. A court date has been set for February 21^st.

Theft at a Murfreesboro hotel

A 36-year old Murfreesboro man was arrested after accidentally stealing a laptop, according to the suspect. Evidently, the victim of the theft pointed authorities to the hotel room of the culprit. When officers questioned Reggie J. McCollum, he told police he accidentally grabbed the laptop when he picked up his jacket off the complainants couch. Marijuana was also found in McCollum’s hotel room. He was arrested and charged with theft, simple possession of a schedule 6 drug and possession of drug paraphernalia. McCollum will appear in court on February the 28^th.

3.9% Jobless In November

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development released its November, 2007 unemployment data and Rutherford County scored about the same as it did one year ago.  This year only 3.9 per cent of the local labor pool was without jobs, compared to 3.8 per cent last year.  Williamson County scored 3.6 per cent, again giving our neighboring county the best employment picture in the Volunteer State.  Ironically, the county with this state’s worst job picture is also contiguous to Rutherford County.  Marshall County ranked number 95 with 8.9 per cent of its workforce without jobs.  Of Tennessee’s ten Metro Statistical Areas, the Nashville-Murfreesboro MSA tied for second with Kingsport-Bristol, both with 4.2 per cent unemployed. As far as Metro Statistical Areas, the Knoxville MSA had the brightest November job picture with only 3.9 per cent of its workforce without jobs.  One observation, if you pull Rutherford County from the 8-county Nashville-Murfreesboro MSA, we have 3.9 per cent figure as well.  

Survey Says: We had a stressful holiday

Rasmussen Reports recently conducted a survey of more than one thousand adults, asking how they would describe the Christmas and New Year season. Here’s what they said:

47% — joyous
44% — stressful
9% — undecided/no opinion

Wow, almost half labeled their holiday as stressful.

Man charged with murder! UPDATE

Detectives have charged the boyfriend with murder in connection with the death of a 36-year-old Grassland Drive woman.  38-year old Larry Scott Reynolds was in court Thursday (12/27/07) and was ordered held without bond.  The Smyrna man’s next hearing before the judge will be at 1:00 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, January 15th in General Sessions Court.   As you recall, the body of Melissa Atkin was discovered Sunday afternoon on the 16th of December in her Grassland Drive home.  Her dead body was discovered by relatives who went to her home near Florence Road after not getting any answers on the telephone.  was murdered by a former boyfriend.   By the way, Melissa Atkin is the divorced mother of the suspect’s 5-year old son.  Again, 38-year old Larry Scott Reynolds of 209 Cumberland Drive in Smyrna is being held without bond at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center.  He was arrested the day after Christmas, and charged with the first-degree murder of Melissa Atkin.  Reynolds’ next court date is January 15th.

Somali move to Shelbyville

In nearby Shelbyville, the once thriving Hispanic community is slowly making way for a new international segment of residents. The mostly Muslim Somali population is on the increase in Bedford County and has been for several years now. A recent article in the Shelbyville Times Gazette indicates the Tyson Foods company helped many of the Somali natives with their move to Shelbyville. One man told a reporter that Tyson Foods even helped his family with housing adjustments.

Metro Nashville Police increase DUI arrests

In Nashville, DUI arrests are up. In fact, DUI arrests are up 161% when compared to last year. So far, 1,743 suspected drunk drivers have been arrested in the Davidson County area. Just last week, one pedestrian was killed by a DUI offender. Over the Christmas Holiday, 42-people have been charged with DUI. Those arrests were made on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Wife Hospitalized…Husband Jailed In Stabbing

A Murfreesboro woman is hospitalized after an alleged domestic quarrel Christmas eve.  Laurne Love with WGNS has more…

www.1450wgns.com/AUDIO/12-26knifeattack.mp3 38-year old Troy Lynnwood Hancock was charged with aggravated domestic assault.  The 2810 Meadowhill Drive male was taken to the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center where his hearing before a judge is set for January 7th. 

The couple’s daughter told police that her parents had been fighting and the father reportedly held the woman down.  Reports indicate that Hancock made no comments to police.      

RCSO On A Roll…Another Murder Charge

Detectives with the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office have charged the former boyfriend of the murdered Grassland Drive woman. 38-year old Larry Scott Reynolds of Smyrna is being held without bond on charges of first-degree murder. Melissa Atkin was the mother of Reynolds’ 5-year old son. The 209 Cumberland Drive resident has his preliminary hearing set for January 14^th. As you recall, the body of 36-year old Atkin was found by relatives at her home on the afternoon of December 16^th. Lead detectives Ralph Mayercik and Troy Hooker worked non-stop for days on the case with considerable assistance from other sheriff’s investigators as well as the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Mobile Crime Laboratory’s technicians and agents. Reynolds was arrested at about 3:00 o’clock Wednesday (12/26/07) afternoon.

Local investigators arrest several suspects in recent violent crimes and send strong message to criminals…CRIME NOT TOLERATED HERE!

The criminal investigations division of the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office has closed three pre-meditated murders this month, and Reynolds is the fifth person charged in December with first-degree murder by county detectives.

Three people were charged this month with the January, 1982 murder of Lynn Orrand. Orrand’s wife at the time of the murder, Candace Bush, her husband, Gary Bush, and her brother, Kevin Patterson have all been charged.

Tina Gail Williamson was charged December 4^th with the September 1^st murder of former law enforcement officer General “Jack” Rains at his McFarlin Road home.

Also this month deputies charged four people in connection with two separate attempted first-degree murders.

Michelle Roderick was charged with attempted murder stemming from a December 2^nd knife attack on two deputies which resulted in her being shot.

In the second attempted murder, a La Vergne woman was shot multiple times and left for dead. Robert Adams, Kesha Adams and Kristi Michelle Ray were all charged in that incident.

A nationwide BOLO (Be On Lookout) is still active for 24-year-old Bryant C. Overton of 1115 Southeast Broad Street here in Murfreesboro. Warrants alleging attempted first-degree murder and especially aggravated robbery have been obtained against him.

Hearing Impaired Services now available

The League for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, a non-profit agency out of Nashville, has opened up their fourth satellite office in Murfreesboro. This means, a walk-in office with onsite interpreting services to help those who are deaf or hard of hearing. The office is located at the Linebaugh Public Library in the Second Floor Board Room at 105 West Vine St. The service will be offered from 3:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. each Wednesday, and is available for any person who is deaf or hard of hearing in the Rutherford County area; no appointment is necessary.

Woman attacked by her husband Christmas Eve

A Murfreesboro woman was attacked by her husband on Christmas Eve. WGNS’ Lauren Love has more on this story…

 

www.1450wgns.com/AUDIO/12-26knifeattack.mp3

Bible Theme Park Progress Report

The Bible Theme Park in the Blackman community is still on track to eventually make it before the County Commission for approval.  County Mayor Ernest Burgess tells WGNS News the group is currently working with the state on ideas to ease traffic concerns…

(((AUDIO))) Burgess on Bible Theme Park Traffic

Burgess says he’s not certain when the proposal will come before the commission.

Man finds marijuana on porch

A man living in a home on 4th Avenue in Murfreesboro called police after finding a bag containing several smaller baggies of marijuana on his rear porch. The incident was recorded by the police department and the marijuana was sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations lab in Nashville.

Picture: Excerpt of police report

Who is working this week?

Most American workers didn’t work on Christmas Day, but a new survey shows OVER half of them were back at their desk the very next day.

Percentage of Americans working on:

December 24 — 51 percent
December 26 — 72 percent
December 27 — 87 percent
December 28 — 87 percent
December 31 — 67 percent
January 1 — 21 percent – New Year’s Day

Survey by: The Regus Group, a provider of furnished offices, conducted the survey of 1,635 people.

GREEN in 2008

Americans are resolving to go “green” in 2008, at least according to poll conducted by consulting agency Tiller, LLC.

Forty-nine percent of those surveyed claim they’ll make a resolution to do something next year to benefit the environment.

Topping the list of “green” resolutions is recycling more, followed by reducing the use of harmful household chemicals, using fabric bags at the market and leaving less of a “carbon footprint.”

Tiller, LLC CEO ROB DENSEN is encouraged by what seems to be a new “greening of America” but also understands human nature and people’s propensity for breaking resolutions. Densen says, quote, “let’s hope that Americans are more successful at reducing waste and energy consumption than we are at reducing our waistlines.”

The poll results are in synch with past surveys that show Americans realizing the importance of taking action in their personal lives even if many fail to actually do so, says Tiller principal TRACI AYER.
Since Tiller consults businesses in ways they can help the environment, Ayers says that part of that mission is to, quote, “make it easier for individuals to act on their good intentions.”

Former FBI director wanted to jail non-loyal Americans

J. EDGAR HOOVER never believed in doing things halfway.
After compiling his infamous “enemies” list for years, the former director of the FBI wanted then-President HARRY TRUMAN in July 1950 to approve his plan to incarcerate 12 thousand Americans he suspected of being disloyal to the U.S.

The New York Times, which reported the story, says that Hoover wanted to throw thousands of people in military and federal prisons in an effort to, quote, “protect the country against treason, espionage and sabotage.”

Like the enemy combatants held today at a U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, those arrested wouldn’t have been charged with any specific crime. Hoover said they could be entitled to a hearing but that the courts wouldn’t be bound to rules of evidence.

In other words, Hoover wanted the writ of Habeas Corpus suspended, denying the incarcerated the right to be formally charged in court.

There’s no documentation that Truman, or the other presidents who followed him until Hoover died in 1972, ever approved any part of the FBI chief’s scheme.

Shopping that did not pan out as anticipated

They shopped ’til they dropped in the days before Christmas but they didn’t drop enough bucks to keep it from becoming the slowest holiday spending season since 2002.

Sales growth from Black Friday through Christmas Eve was 3.6 percent, according to MasterCard, the lowest growth in five years. While major discounters and department stores reported a huge surge in business in the long weekend leading up to Christmas, it wasn’t enough to rescue retailers.

What happened was shoppers simply stopped spending after Thanksgiving weekend and waited for stores to slash already low, low prices even lower.

The reason for the waiting game: consumers were getting socked with higher prices at the pump and at the supermarket, which meant they had less to spend for holiday gifts.

On the upside, more people than ever before shopped online while sales of gift cards, which retailers are counting on to be used between now and New Year’s, went through the roof.

But the sluggish 3.6 percent overall sales growth hurts. Last year, shoppers spent 6.6 percent more than the year before, while holiday sales in 2005 were up eight percent compared to the same period in 2004.

2007 Celeb’ scandals in review from WGNS

DUI arrests, jail sentences, racial slurs…just another typical year for Hollywood in 2007. Here’s a rundown of the biggest celebrity scandals of the last 12 months:

LINDSAY LOHAN: THE MOST TROUBLED CELEBRITY IN 2007 NOT NAMED BRITNEY SPEARS
Just weeks into the New Year, LINDSAY LOHAN confirmed she had checked into rehab — the first of three stints she served in 2007. Who knew that the worst was yet to come? In May, she was arrested on suspicion of DUI after her vehicle crashed into a curb in Beverly Hills. Police said the movie star had cocaine in her possession. That incident prompted Lohan to enter a Malibu rehab center.

Lohan clearly had not overcome her personal issues by the time she left the facility, because she was arrested again in July on suspicion of DUI and cocaine possession, after the mother of her former personal assistant reported that she was being chased by the actress’ vehicle. About two weeks later, Lohan began a residency at a Utah rehab center.

The Mean Girls star ultimately reached a plea deal in connection with the two arrests, under which she received one day in jail, community service and fines. She reported to serve her jail sentence in November, but was released after just 84 minutes for reasons that included overcrowding.

PARIS HILTON: FROM JAIL TO HOME AND BACK
PARIS HILTON was the most famous jailbird of 2007, but unlike Lindsay Lohan, she actually spent more than two hours behind bars. The heiress received 45 days in jail last May for violating probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case, a sentence that was later reduced to 23 days. Following a June appearance at the MTV Movie Awards, she turned herself in, only to be released after three days for undisclosed medical reasons, widely rumored to be a major freak-out. She was placed under house arrest, but much to her dismay, she was sent back to jail the next day. Hilton became a free woman again on June 26th, in front of a large crowd of photographers at a Lynwood, California facility, and later vowed to use her celebrity status for good. The world still waits.

OTHER NOTABLE ARRESTS AND JAIL SENTENCES
NICOLE RICHIE — Paris Hilton’s Simple Life co-star pleaded guilty in July to driving under the influence of drugs in connection with an arrest the previous December, in which witnesses reported seeing her car traveling in the wrong direction on a freeway. She was sentenced to 90 hours in jail under a plea agreement, but spent just 82 minutes in the same all-women county jail where Hilton spent much of her sentence.

KIEFER SUTHERLAND — Already on probation for a 2004 DUI case, Sutherland was arrested in September in Los Angeles on suspicion of DUI after he was stopped for making an illegal U-turn. He pleaded no contest to a single count of driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit, while a second misdemeanor charge was dropped. The 24 star was sentenced on December 5th to 48 days behind bars — 30 days for the aforementioned charge, plus another 18 days for violating probation — and reported to jail just hours later.

O.J. SIMPSON — The ex-football star is headed for another “trial of the century” following his arrest last September for an alleged robbery in a Las Vegas hotel room, though Simpson claims he was trying to retrieve stolen memorabilia with the help of other men. Simpson — who was famously acquitted in 1995 of the murders of his ex-wife and her friend — and two co-defendants pleaded not guilty to armed robbery and kidnapping charges in the case. Simpson faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted of all charges.

LANE GARRISON — The former Prison Break actor pleaded guilty in May to DUI and vehicular manslaughter in connection with a car crash the previous December that killed a teen passenger. He also pleaded guilty to providing alcohol to a minor. Garrison was sentenced in October to three years and four months in prison in the case.

RYAN O’NEAL — O’Neal was arrested in February for investigation of assault with a deadly weapon and negligent discharge of a firearm following a fight with his adult son, GRIFFIN. The actor maintained to the Los Angeles Times that he fired a handgun in self-defense during the scuffle, in which Griffin’s pregnant girlfriend suffered minor injuries. Prosecutors chose not to charge O’Neal a few months later, citing insufficient evidence.

TOM SIZEMORE — While on probation for a previous drug conviction, the Saving Private Ryan star was busted in May for methamphetamine possession and related charges. He was sentenced to 16 months in state prison for violating his probation, although the sentence was later reduced by nearly half.
Among the other celebrities who added a DUI case to their credits in 2007: TY PENNINGTON, host of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition; TV personality GARY COLLINS; actress VIVICA A. FOX; and Lost actor DANIEL DAE KIM.

THE STRANGE SAGA OF ANNA NICOLE SMITH
ANNA NICOLE SMITH had already suffered tragedy in 2006, when her 20-year-old son, DANIEL, passed away. Amid uncertainty over the paternity of her baby daughter, DANNIELYNN, the 39-year-old reality TV star died on February 8th in Florida from an accidental overdose of several prescription drugs. Even in death, Smith remained in the spotlight — the burial of her remains was contested in court until she was ultimately laid to rest in the Bahamas, near her son. And with a handful of men claiming to be Dannielynn’s father, DNA results revealed in April that Smith’s ex-boyfriend, LARRY BIRKHEAD, was the daddy. Smith’s partner, HOWARD K. STERN, had been listed as the child’s father on her birth certificate.

AND THE SLURS OF THE YEAR AWARDS GO TO… WOW!
ISAIAH WASHINGTON — A controversy which began in 2006 carried into the New Year when then-Grey’s Anatomy star Washington used the anti-gay “f”-word slur backstage at the Golden Globe Awards in January, 2007. His slip of the tongue occurred as he claimed that he did not call his gay co-star T.R. KNIGHT that word during an on-set argument with PATRICK DEMPSEY the previous fall. Washington apologized and entered counseling, but it wasn’t enough to save his job — he was fired from Grey’s Anatomy in June. He’s since resurfaced on NBC’s ratings-challenged remake of Bionic Woman.

DUANE “DOG” CHAPMAN — The reality TV star bit off more than he can chew when the National Enquirer obtained audio recordings in which he used the “n”-word while advising his son, TUCKER, to dump his black girlfriend. After the audio was posted on the Internet, the A&E cable network, which airs Chapman’s Dog the Bounty Hunter, pulled the series off the air and suspended production of further episodes. Chapman, whose lawyer said that Tucker recorded and sold the tape, later apologized for his language.

DON IMUS — The radio shock jock was canned by CBS Radio last April after he referred to the Rutgers women’s basketball team on the air as, quote, “nappy-headed hos.” Imus started a new gig with Citadel Broadcasting in December.

ALEC BALDWIN — OK, so calling your daughter a “rude, thoughtless little pig” isn’t racially insensitive, but it was enough to get the attention of TMZ.com. The gossip website posted a recording in April of a voicemail in which Baldwin reportedly criticized his daughter, IRELAND, for not answering his call. As a result, the actor’s visitations rights were temporarily suspended. Baldwin’s lawyer claimed that the 30 Rock star’s ex-wife, KIM BASINGER, was responsible for the leak, a charge she denied.

THE REST OF THE YEAR’S JUICIEST SCANDALS
OWEN WILSON — Wilson was hospitalized on August 26th after police responded to a report of an attempted suicide, according to a police log. The actor, who was said to be in good condition the next day, has yet to publicly address the incident. Still, he dropped out of a BEN STILLER-directed comedy titled Tropic Thunder.

DAVID HASSELHOFF — Never before has a hamburger tasted so scandalous. Hasselhoff’s visitation rights with his two daughters were temporarily suspended in May after a videotape was leaked showing the recovering alcoholic lying on the floor, apparently intoxicated, wearing only jeans and munching on a burger as one of his daughters confronts him about his drinking.

ROSIE O’DONNELL — O’Donnell ended her run on ABC’s The View earlier than scheduled after she had a tense argument with co-host ELISABETH HASSELBECK on the show. She criticized Hasselbeck for not defending her over accusations from critics that she once called U.S. troops terrorists. O’Donnell’s nine-month tenure was noted for her controversial comments and, perhaps not coincidentally, the show’s improved ratings.

ELLEN DEGENERES — Last October, we learned the emotional story of Iggy, a dog DeGeneres adopted from an animal rescue agency and later gave to her hairstylist — an apparent violation of her signed agreement with the adoption agency. The agency reclaimed the pooch, leading DeGeneres to tearfully plead on her talk show for the return of Iggy to her hairstylist. Alas, it was not meant to be; Iggy was placed in a new home.

Plea Set For January In Retired Trooper’s Murder

The plea date for the murder of a retired State Trooper is set for January 7th here in Rutherford County.  39-year old Tina Williamson was charged with murdering General W. “Jack” Rains at his McFarlin Road home here in Murfreesboro.  Circuit Court Judge Don Ash handled the arraignment this week and set the plea date for early in the New Year.  The suspect was not present at the arraignment.  This is the meeting where attorneys receive the charges for the persons accused of crimes.  The next phase is where a the person who is charged, make a plea of “guilty” or “innocent”.  As you recall, on September 1st friends had not heard from the 83-year old retired lawman, and went to his home.   They found Rains shot to death and slumped over the kitchen table.  Family members say that Tina Williamson was an acquaintance of the murdered man.   WGNS News will keep you informed.   

Final Arrests Made In 1982 Murder

Detectives with the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office have charged two more people with the 1982 murder of a Murfreesboro man. Chief Deputy Virgil Gammon and Detectives Mark DiNardo and Jim Tramel arrested Candace and Gary Bush at their home on 6891 Manchester highway around 6:30 Friday night (12/21/07). 54-year old Candace Bush was married to Orrand at the time he was murdered. She and her present husband, 62-year-old Gary Bush, are each charged with first-degree murder and being held without bond. Candace Bush is employed by General Mills and her husband is retired. They face a General Sessions Court hearing on January 28th. As you recall, last Thursday, 43-year-old Kevin Dwight Patterson was also charged with first-degree murder. Patterson is Candace Bush’s brother and was 17 at the time of the murder. Because of his age when he killed Orrand, Patterson is being held as a juvenile and his case is pending transfer to adult court. 32-year old Lynn Orrand was found dead in a wooded area on January 16, 1982. That land off Richland Road in eastern Rutherford County, and was owned by his in-laws. He reportedly had been shot in the back while deer hunting. Detective Sergeant Dan Goodwin with the county’s Cold Case Unit said, “This brings an end to the investigation that began more than nine month ago when new information came in.”

Bookner’s "Patterns Of The Heart"

Local entrepreneur Becci Bookner has written a book that is designed to help persons in their senior years as well as those who love them.   She has developed a successful business that provides assistance to elderly persons with the everyday routines that most people never think about.  The material in Patterns Of The Heart are taken from Bookner’s experiences with Family Staffing Solutions’ clients.

The book can be purchased at Heavenly Ham (Memorial Boulevard, next to Krogers, across from SportsCom).  It can also be purchased over the internet at www.patternsoftheheart.com

Trucker crashes after fight with prostitute

A Nebraska truck driver is being held after a fight with a prostitute ended in a crash. Otis Miles of Omaha picked up a woman at the Travel Centers of America and headed east on I-24. The woman claims Miles tried to rape and attack her; so she grabbed his gun and shot him. Police found Miles on the side of the road suffering with his gunshot wound. He was charged with being a convicted felon with a firearm and possession of marijuana.

New WB&T Office Set To Open With New Year

Wilson Bank & Trust approaches the New Year with the opening of its twenty-second office. It is located across from the Indian Hills subdivision at 2640 South Church Street. Assistant Vice President and Office Manager Tara Head said a week of celebration begins with a ribbon cutting and open house on Sunday afternoon, January 6^th, from 1:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon. Wilson Bank & Trust is the largest independent community bank in Middle Tennessee with assets over $1.3 billion.

(L-R photo ID) front row:  Reba Tobin, assistant branch manager; Tara Head, assistant vice president and branch manager; tellers Misty Whaley and Stacey Jernigan, back row: Jamie Haynes, head teller; Nita Lawson, teller; Crystal Cunningham, loan processor; Michael Hazlett, vice president and commercial lender

Ordinance approved for sexually oriented businesses

The Murfreesboro Planning Commission voted and approved changes to the city’s ordinance regarding sexually oriented businesses Wednesday 12/19. The ordinance includes raising the percentage of materials which could be adult oriented without the business being labeled as an adult bookstore from 20 to 30 percent; and also lift the restriction that stores could carry 200 adult oriented items before being called an adult business. The Murfreesboro City Council will have to set a public hearing before voting three more times to pass the ordinance into law.

Roy Thompson and Senator Tracy Meeting In DC

Murfreesboro dentist Roy Thompson and State Senator Jim Tracy met with U.S. Congressman Bart Gordon in his Washington office. (L-R photo ID): Bart Gordon, Roy Thompson and Jim Tracy).