Friday, December 22nd

From the Tennova Healthcare Cleveland News Desk, here is your news for Friday, December 22nd, on Mix 104-1 and Talk 101-3 The Buzz.

Topping our news today, from the Chattanooga Times Free Press…

A judge has turned down a request to dismiss 12 felony charges against Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson, and Watson’s defense attorney said he could go to trial in January.

Watson faces charges having or using forged vehicle titles related to cars he bought in Florida and sold in Bradley County in 2016. Each charge is a Class E felony punishable by one to six years in prison and a fine of up to $3,000 upon conviction.

In a hearing last week Watson’s attorney, James F. Logan Jr., asked Special Judge Don Ash to dismiss the charges. He said the state law under which the sheriff was charged, T.C.A. 55-5-116(3), is unconstitutionally vague or fails to include a required element of the crime.

The statute’s first two paragraphs say it’s a crime to possess or use, with fraudulent intent, a certificate of title or registration issued by the state Department of Motor Vehicles or a county clerk that has been forged.

The third paragraph says only that no one may “hold or use the document or plate, knowing the document or plate to have been altered, forged or falsified.”

In his motion, Logan argued that there’s no definition in that paragraph of “the document,” and no requirement of fraudulent intent. He said there’s no evidence Watson defrauded anyone — he said each buyer received clear titles to the cars they bought.

Judge Ash, of Murfreesboro, rejected those arguments.

He did grant another motion by Logan to limit planned testimony by Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent Barry Carrier in the case.

Carrier was assigned in 2016 to investigate allegations against Watson including financial wrongdoing and using his authority to help get a woman with whom he had a personal relationship out of jail, among other things. He is scheduled to be a witness at the trial.

Logan filed a motion to stop Carrier from testifying to other allegations of misconduct from that investigation, and Ash granted it.

Logan said the trial date now is set for Jan. 22nd.

From the Cleveland Daily Banner…

Development of the additional 7 1/2 acres given to Taylor Elementary School has received the first pieces that will be used to begin the utilization of the property.

The school took possession of tile recently which will be used to create a new two-lane entrance road. The materials were donated by local citizens and a local business.

Fourth District commissioners Howard Thompson and Charlotte Peak were joined by state Rep. Dan Howell in making contributions. Steve Hicks, owner of Bradley Tile and Pipe, also aided in getting the tiles to the school.

Principal Elizabeth Kaylor said once completed, the new roadway will make a major difference in how traffic is routed to the school.

She said it will create better sight lines for those driving on the campus.

The principal said the next step will be to get a fence installed around the property, with the hope that construction of the remainder of the project can begin sometime in July.

From WRCB Channel 3…

There are 16 new laws going into place in Tennessee on January 1st. Here are some that may affect you the most:

• No cell phone calls in school zones: Using a cell phone will be a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to a $50 fine if a driver uses a handheld phone while driving through an active school zone. You can use a hands-free device.
• Alarm systems: Allows a homeowner to cancel an alarm services contract for a period longer than 2 years by giving 30 days written notice.
• Handgun permits: creates an exemption to the firing range component of the training that is required in order to obtain a handgun carry permit for applicants who submit proof to the department of safety that they have successfully passed small arms qualification training or combat pistol training in any branch of the United States armed forces.
• School transportation supervisor program: This requires new school bus drivers to complete a training program prior to transporting students. Drivers have to be at least 25 years of age to receive an initial school bus driver license endorsement.
• Headlights: it will be illegal for anyone to have lights on the front of the car that is any color other than white or amber. This is regardless if it is steady burning or flashing. Every vehicle must have at least two and not more than four headlights.

This has been your local and state news. You can get news anytime by visiting our website, mymix1041.com. From the Tennova Healthcare Cleveland News Desk, this is Jeremy Gault reporting.