Bradley County Sheriff’s Office announces new public information officer

Community, Police & Government, Press Release
BCSO ANNOUNCES NEW PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
Deputy Paul Allen has recently been assigned as our new Public Information Officer. Allen brings a wealth of experience and continued education in his new role. Deputy Allen is a 13-year veteran of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office and holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Bryan College in Dayton, TN.
Deputy Allen began his law enforcement career in 2000 with the Charleston Police Department and then the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force prior to enlisting with the United States Coast Guard, where he served active duty for five years. During his time with the Coast Guard, Allen’s role consisted of being a Law Enforcement Boarding Team member during drug and migrant patrols in the Caribbean Sea. He later became a flight mechanic on the Coast Guard’s HU-25 Falcon jet airframe, while stationed in Mobile, Alabama.
Deputy Paul Allen has served the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy, boating safety officer, and more recently, the long-time school resource officer at North Lee Elementary School. Allen is a good communicator who possesses a positive, enthusiastic spirit with a desire to inspire those who work with him at the Sheriff’s Office.
Allen plans to reinforce the strong relationship the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office has with our community. Please join us in welcoming Deputy Paul Allen as the Public Information Officer for the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office.
NOTE: Although Deputy Allen will be responsible for posting messages on our Facebook page, he did not type this one.

Lee Visits Leaders to Discuss State’s Progress in Serving Disability Community

News, Press Release
Lee disability community

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Gov. Lee met with leaders in the disability community to discuss how Tennessee is leading in providing supports to individuals with disabilities. The visits included discussion around landmark technology being used in Tennessee to support adults seeking greater independence and an update on Tennessee’s strides in providing employment opportunities to those with disabilities.

The Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and TennCare are working with Core Services in the Tri-Cities area to utilize Enabling Technology to support those with disabilities in reaching their independence goals, leading to less reliance on paid-supports and overall greater quality of life.

Tennessee’s Employment First Task Force also presented the 2021 “Expect Employment” Report at Access ETSU’s inclusive higher education program which details the progress made in providing high-quality employment opportunities to individuals with disability. ETSU is one of six higher education institutions across the state with an inclusive post-secondary program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. More than 80 percent of graduates from these programs are successfully employed.

“Now more than ever, there is a high demand to recruit, hire and retain quality employees across the state,” said Lee. “People of all abilities are needed in our workforce as we continue to see our economy grow. I’m proud of the work our state agencies and private partners are doing to prepare people with disabilities for employment and engage businesses across the state.”

The Employment First Task Force developed a goal in 2018 to reduce the statewide employment gap between people with and without disabilities by 5 percent by 2023.  Highlights of the progress detailed in the 2021 report include:

  • Reducing the employment gap between people with and without disabilities by 1.7 percent
  • Passage of State as a Model Employer (SAME) Legislation, which seeks to make Tennessee State Government a model employer of people with disabilities
  • Creation of the Tennessee Believes Program, which will increase access to inclusive higher education opportunities at colleges and universities across the state
  • Utilizing virtual reality to deliver pre-employment services to Tennesseans with disabilities throughout the pandemic

“There is dignity in a paycheck, and we know thousands of people with disabilities are ready to go to work today,” said Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) Commissioner Brad Turner.  “We are engaging with more employers than ever about this largely untapped pool of talent, and my team and our community partners are working tirelessly to help connect potential employees and employers in all corners of the state.”

Recognizing the vital role the disability community plays in the Tennessee workforce, families and communities, Gov. Lee has prioritized services for those with disabilities in many ways. Key highlights include:

  • Making Tennessee the first state in the nation to prioritize people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Phase 1a1 of its vaccination plan leading to an early and drastic decrease in COVID infections among the disability community.
  • Launching five Tennessee START Assessment and Stabilization Teams (TN START AST) statewide to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have complex behavioral or mental health needs.
  • Expanding the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) program to record-breaking levels in order to serve children from birth until their third birthday with developmental delays and disabilities.
  • Enrolling more than 1000 children in the Katie Beckett Program for children with disabilities and/or complex medical needs who are not currently Medicaid eligible because of their parent’s income or assets since it opened for applications in late November 2020.

 

BCSO promotes “slow down Tennessee” to reduce speed related crashed

News, Press Release

CLEVELAND, TN. (October 11, 2021) — The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) to promote “Slow Down Tennessee.” During October 15 – 29, BCSO will increase education and enforcement efforts to help reduce speeding-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities statewide. The public is encouraged to participate by using #SlowDownTN on social media to help spread awareness.

The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office has increased routine speed reductions, especially in school zones, and prioritized DUI enforcement, in order to lower the number of serious injury crashes in Bradley County. The deputies utilize speed trailers, radar, and observation techniques in problem areas. BCSO will also be monitoring highly traveled roadways in Bradley County, in order to combat speeding, reckless driving, and all other traffic offenses.

The State of Tennessee requires motorists to always exercise due care and maintain a safe speed while driving. Speed limits may vary depending on the county and road conditions; therefore, drivers must always pay attention and adhere to posted speed limits to ensure the safety of all roadway users.

For more information and resources about speeding, visit www.tntrafficsafety.org/speeding

BCSO 400 shifts ends burglary in progress with foot pursuit

News, Press Release
Dillard Newsom 400 burglary
CLEVELAND, TN. (September 7, 2021) — On September 3, 2021, Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Deputies of the 400 shift were called to a burglary in progress on Keith Valley Rd.
Upon their arrival, they detained a male who was waiting outside of the residence in a vehicle. While searching for the second suspect, deputies noticed the back door of the residence, that had been closed, was opened and observed a male standing to the side of it. The male then ran from deputies in an attempt to flee the scene, but was quickly chased down on foot and detained.
The two men were identified as Nathan Price and Dillard Newsom.
Nathan Price

Nathan Price

Upon further investigation from Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Detectives, it was determined that several items were taken from the residence, as well as an outbuilding beside the residence. The property owner also responded to the scene and identified the stolen items before they were returned to him.
While being questioned, Mr. Price admitted to entering both the residence and outbuilding. At that time, Price and Newsom were taken into custody and transported to The Bradley County Jail.
Nathan Price was charged with Aggravated Burglary and Theft Over $2,500. Dillard Newsom was charged with Aggravated Burglary, Possession of Burglary Tools, Theft Over $2,500, and Evading Arrest.
Sheriff Steve Lawson stated “Congratulations on a job well done to the Sheriff Deputies of the 400 Shift and BCSO Criminal Investigations Division Detectives, for their immediate response and teamwork in apprehending these thieves. The collaboration from both divisions is ultimately what leads to these great burglary arrests and the consistent work you do is very much appreciated”.

FDA fully approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Featured News, Featured Stories, News, Press Release
pfizer

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.

“The FDA’s approval of this vaccine is a milestone as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. While this and other vaccines have met the FDA’s rigorous, scientific standards for emergency use authorization, as the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, the public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. “While millions of people have already safely received COVID-19 vaccines, we recognize that for some, the FDA approval of a vaccine may now instill additional confidence to get vaccinated. Today’s milestone puts us one step closer to altering the course of this pandemic in the U.S.” 

Since Dec. 11, 2020, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has been available under EUA in individuals 16 years of age and older, and the authorization was expanded to include those 12 through 15 years of age on May 10, 2021. EUAs can be used by the FDA during public health emergencies to provide access to medical products that may be effective in preventing, diagnosing, or treating a disease, provided that the FDA determines that the known and potential benefits of a product, when used to prevent, diagnose, or treat the disease, outweigh the known and potential risks of the product.

FDA-approved vaccines undergo the agency’s standard process for reviewing the quality, safety and effectiveness of medical products. For all vaccines, the FDA evaluates data and information included in the manufacturer’s submission of a biologics license application (BLA). A BLA is a comprehensive document that is submitted to the agency providing very specific requirements. For Comirnaty, the BLA builds on the extensive data and information previously submitted that supported the EUA, such as preclinical and clinical data and information, as well as details of the manufacturing process, vaccine testing results to ensure vaccine quality, and inspections of the sites where the vaccine is made. The agency conducts its own analyses of the information in the BLA to make sure the vaccine is safe and effective and meets the FDA’s standards for approval.

Comirnaty contains messenger RNA (mRNA), a kind of genetic material. The mRNA is used by the body to make a mimic of one of the proteins in the virus that causes COVID-19. The result of a person receiving this vaccine is that their immune system will ultimately react defensively to the virus that causes COVID-19. The mRNA in Comirnaty is only present in the body for a short time and is not incorporated into – nor does it alter – an individual’s genetic material. Comirnaty has the same formulation as the EUA vaccine and is administered as a series of two doses, three weeks apart.

“Our scientific and medical experts conducted an incredibly thorough and thoughtful evaluation of this vaccine. We evaluated scientific data and information included in hundreds of thousands of pages, conducted our own analyses of Comirnaty’s safety and effectiveness, and performed a detailed assessment of the manufacturing processes, including inspections of the manufacturing facilities,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “We have not lost sight that the COVID-19 public health crisis continues in the U.S. and that the public is counting on safe and effective vaccines. The public and medical community can be confident that although we approved this vaccine expeditiously, it was fully in keeping with our existing high standards for vaccines in the U.S.”

FDA Evaluation of Safety and Effectiveness Data for Approval for 16 Years of Age and Older

The first EUA, issued Dec. 11, for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for individuals 16 years of age and older was based on safety and effectiveness data from a randomized, controlled, blinded ongoing clinical trial of thousands of individuals.

To support the FDA’s approval decision today, the FDA reviewed updated data from the clinical trial which supported the EUA and included a longer duration of follow-up in a larger clinical trial population.

Specifically, in the FDA’s review for approval, the agency analyzed effectiveness data from approximately 20,000 vaccine and 20,000 placebo recipients ages 16 and older who did not have evidence of the COVID-19 virus infection within a week of receiving the second dose. The safety of Comirnaty was evaluated in approximately 22,000 people who received the vaccine and 22,000 people who received a placebo 16 years of age and older.

Based on results from the clinical trial, the Pfizer vaccine was 91% effective in preventing COVID-19 disease.

More than half of the clinical trial participants were followed for safety outcomes for at least four months after the second dose. Overall, approximately 12,000 recipients have been followed for at least 6 months.

The most commonly reported side effects by those clinical trial participants who received Comirnaty were pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, chills, and fever. The vaccine is effective in preventing COVID-19 and potentially serious outcomes including hospitalization and death.

Additionally, the FDA conducted a rigorous evaluation of the post-authorization safety surveillance data pertaining to myocarditis and pericarditis following administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and has determined that the data demonstrate increased risks, particularly within the seven days following the second dose. The observed risk is higher among males under 40 years of age compared to females and older males. The observed risk is highest in males 12 through 17 years of age. Available data from short-term follow-up suggest that most individuals have had resolution of symptoms. However, some individuals required intensive care support. Information is not yet available about potential long-term health outcomes. The Comirnaty Prescribing Information includes a warning about these risks.

Ongoing Safety Monitoring

The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have monitoring systems in place to ensure that any safety concerns continue to be identified and evaluated in a timely manner. In addition, the FDA is requiring the company to conduct postmarketing studies to further assess the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis following vaccination with Comirnaty. These studies will include an evaluation of long-term outcomes among individuals who develop myocarditis following vaccination with Comirnaty. In addition, although not FDA requirements, the company has committed to additional post-marketing safety studies, including conducting a pregnancy registry study to evaluate pregnancy and infant outcomes after receipt of Comirnaty during pregnancy.

The FDA granted this application Priority Review. The approval was granted to BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH.

Related Information

Career criminal arrested for crime spree in Bradley County

News, Press Release
crime spree

CLEVELAND, TN. (August 19, 2021) — Beginning on July 14, 2021, the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office began having a rash of thefts and auto thefts reported across the county. Investigators were able to identify Richard Devin Waddle as a suspect in multiple cases. It was determined that he had recently moved to this area from Georgia after being released from prison. It was also discovered that he was a convicted sex offender in Georgia and had not reported his move to Tennessee. During multiple attempts to arrest Mr. Waddle, he evaded arrest on foot and he once attempted to hit a deputy with a stolen vehicle.

On August 19, 2021, Bradley County patrol deputies responded to an auto theft report in the 64 Highway area. While on scene, they were able to identify Richard Waddle as the suspect in that case.

Within an hour of the report, detectives located the vehicle at a residence inside of the city limits. At that time, Officers from the Cleveland Police Department Patrol Division, the Cleveland Police Department Crime Suppression Unit, the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Patrol, and the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, responded to the location and had all other occupants of the house come outside.

Waddle refused to come outside and was taken into custody with the assistance of a Cleveland Police Department K9. He was arrested on outstanding warrants for the following charges listed below and additional new charges of Aggravated Assault on an Officer, Felony Evading, and Felony Vandalism, are pending.

  • Failure to Appear on Schedule 1 for Resale
  • Burglary
  • Theft over $60,000
  • 2 counts of Theft over $10,000
  • 3 counts of Theft over $2,500
  • 1 count of Theft over $1,000
  • 2 counts of Theft under $1,000
  • 2 counts of Vandalism
  • 2 counts of Resisting Arrest
  • Cruelty to Animals
  • Criminal Impersonation
  • Alteration of VIN

Sheriff Steve Lawson stated “It is apparent Mr. Waddle came here with an intent to commit crimes against our citizens. As I have previously stated, Bradley County has zero tolerance for thieves. The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office and Cleveland Police Department, along with detectives from both departments, did a phenomenal job of apprehending Mr. Waddle, as he absolutely needed to be held accountable for his actions.”

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Body found near Lower River Rd in Charleston, Tennessee

News, Press Release
body found
CHARLESTON, Tn. (August 9, 2021) — On August 5, 2021, at approximately 11:50 am, it was reported that a body was discovered in a field near the 2000 block of Lower River Rd in Charleston, Tennessee. Due to the conditions of the remains at the time of discovery, the age and sex could not be confirmed.
On August 9, 2021, the completion of an autopsy and examination of other forensic evidence confirmed the identity of the deceased to be Carissa Diane Hamby, 32 years old, of Cleveland, TN.
At this time, the cause of death is under investigation by the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, along with assistance from the Bradley County Medical Examiner and the 10th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office. No further details are available to be released at this time.
Anyone with information related to this investigation please contact the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 728-7337.

Bradley Sheriff’s Office increasing Safety Protocols due to rising COVID-19 cases

News, Press Release
safety protocols

Sheriff Steve Lawson is increasing safety measures once again at the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office due to the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases.

Sheriff Lawson is requiring facemasks to be worn inside the jail facility by staff members, visiting law enforcement officers, deputies, and members of the public. He is also requesting that everyone continue to practice social distancing and encourages everyone to wash their hands often.

Additionally, to avoid crowding in the jail facility, all Jail Programs will be suspended for two weeks. The decision will be re-evaluated every two weeks. The public visitation lobby will remain open, but masks will be required.
Sheriff Lawson has also arranged a second offering of vaccinations for any inmate who wishes to receive the shot.

Those shots will be administered sometime late next week.

Bradley County vehicle crash injures three, driver arrested for DUI

News, Press Release
car crash

CLEVELAND, Tn. (August 03, 2021) — On August 03, 2021, Bradley County emergency personnel responded to the 5600 block of Dalton Pike to the report of a head-on collision resulting in injuries to three people including a child.

The driver of a black Ford truck was traveling south when it crossed over the center line into the northbound lane striking a red Ford truck. Three vehicle occupants were treated for injuries sustained in the crash including a child, who was flown via Life Force to Children’s Hospital at Erlanger.

Ernesto Perez, 27, of Calhoun, GA, was administered field sobriety tests by Bradley County Sheriff’s Office traffic investigators and arrested as a result. Perez was charged with Vehicular Assault, Driving under the Influence, two counts of Felony Reckless Endangerment, Failure to Exercise Due Care and Improper Passing.

Responding agencies who assisted include Bradley County Fire and Rescue, Bradley County EMS, Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol SERT team. The investigation is on-going.

Two charged with kidnapping and aggravated child abuse

News, Press Release

CLEVELAND, Tn. (August 3, 2021) — Sheriff’s Deputies were called to a child assault in progress at the ball fields located on the property of Bradley Central High School at approximately 6:00 pm on Tuesday. Witnesses reported that they observed two men assaulting a handcuffed juvenile by throwing him to the ground, smacking him, making him run laps, flip tires, and cursing at the child as he was observed crying.

Upon investigation, the juvenile (age 13) reported that he had been handcuffed, taken from his home, and forced into a vehicle by two men. He was then driven to the ball fields at Bradley Central High School and forced to perform physical exercise in the heat of the day without water. He further reported that when he refused he was threatened with a taser by one of the men and the other man unsnapped a holstered handgun putting him in fear.

The investigation also revealed that the two men were dressed in military-style BDU’s wearing badges and police-style duty belts complete with handguns. They were later identified to work for a fugitive recovery company. When witnesses attempted to intervene, the two men again handcuffed the juvenile and placed him inside a vehicle.

The two men were identified as Tristan Palmer (23) of Madisonville, Tn, and Gabriel Black (27) of Cleveland, Tn. Both men stated that they were sent by their boss with the fugitive recovery company to “work this kid and give him a boot camp”.

Courtesy of Bradley County Sheriff Office

After investigation and discussion of the circumstances with the District Attorney General’s Office, both men were charged with Kidnapping and Aggravated Child Abuse. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are being considered.

If you have any information or witnessed the incident, please contact Det. Robby Hair with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 728-7306.

Homeowner interrupts burglary in process

News, Press Release

CLEVELAND, Tn. (July 29, 2021) — On July 27, 2021, a homeowner interrupted a man stealing tools and other items from his storage building near Leadmine Valley Rd in Bradley County, TN in the middle of the afternoon. The homeowner held the man until Bradley County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived to investigate. The man was identified as Robert Pergram of Huntsville, Tn. Patrol Deputies discovered stolen items belonging to the homeowner valued at approximately $620 in the bed of a Red Ford Ranger truck driven by Pergram. The items were returned to the homeowner.

Upon further investigation, Patrol Deputies discovered that Pergram was armed with a handgun and was wanted in Kentucky for Sell/Delivery of Amphetamines. Deputies also found Pergram in possession of a catalytic converter, drugs, drug paraphernalia, and ammunition.

Robert Pergram was arrested and charged with Burglary, Theft Under $1000, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Violation of an Order of Protection, Illegal Possession of a Catalytic Converter, Simple Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misuse of Vehicle Registration, and Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility.

Two people arrested for copper thefts in Northeastern Bradley County

News, Press Release
copper thefts
CLEVELAND, Tn. (July 29, 2021) — On July 27th, 2021, the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office responded to several reports of copper wire and copper pipe being stolen from four separate construction sites in the northeastern part of Bradley County. It was additionally discovered that the thieves caused several thousand dollars worth of damage to the four construction sites while in the process of committing the thefts. Sheriff’s Detectives responded to all four locations to assist the Patrol Division and began an investigation.

Courtesy of Bradley County Sheriff’s Office

On July 28th, 2021, Frances Louise Clark and Rick Darren Sayles who are residents of Cleveland, TN were both arrested and charged with Theft over $10,000, Vandalism over $10,000 and Aggravated Criminal Trespass. Rick Sayles was also charged with Simple Possession of Drugs along with an outstanding warrant issued in Knox County, TN.

Tennessee Corrections Institute issues Bradley jail with second certification

Community, Press Release
tennessee corrections institute
Following an unannounced inspection by the Tennessee Corrections Institute, the Bradley County Jail has received positive results with zero deficiencies found, including an official certification from the TCI Board of Control. This is the second consecutive year that the Bradley County Jail has made this accomplishment.
The Tennessee Corrections Institute’s jail inspection was based on the following categories: sanitation, hygiene, medical services, food services, inmate programs and activities, mail and visitation, supervision of inmates, security, maintenance, admission, records and release, physical plant, administration and management, personnel, discipline and classification. The state’s inspection was conducted on June 10 of 2021, with no deficiencies found.
“The Tennessee Corrections Institute recently inspected the [Bradley County Jail],” says William Wall, TCI Executive Director, in a letter to Sheriff Steve Lawson. “The inspection revealed this facility meets all applicable minimum standards . . . You are to be congratulated for attaining this degree of professionalism in your organization.”
Inspectors also commented to the sheriff that the Bradley County Jail is one of the most clean and well kept correctional facilities they have inspected.
“I am very pleased to see our jail receive the results that it did from the TCI, and am especially proud of receiving the certification from the state’s Board of Control for the second year in a row,” says Sheriff Lawson. “I want to recognize and sincerely thank my corrections staff for their hard work in achieving this great milestone — You all are foundational to the success of our jail’s operations. Over the past three years, a great majority of my focus and energy as sheriff has been directed towards improving the condition and functionality of our jail little by little, day by day. I believe this certification speaks to that and the efforts of our jail’s leadership.”
The Bradley County Jail’s certification was received from the TCI Board of Control on June 10 of 2021 following their review and approval.

BCSO warns of scammers known as the Irish Travellers

News, Press Release
Irish Travellers
The BCSO Criminal Investigations Division warn the Bradley County community and surrounding areas of a group known as the “Irish Travellers” who have a history of targeting elderly and vulnerable people in order to financially exploit them. More often than not, it has been reported that this group of perpetrators use aggressive and demanding sales tactics, usually having something to do with home repairs. Residents are urged to report any incidents that fit this profile to local law enforcement.
On May 28 of 2021, the BCSO solicited information from its community that would help criminal investigators in identifying a suspect who had preyed on an elderly resident in the Hopewell area. Citizens of Bradley County provided information that led to the identification of Tommy Sherlock from North Augusta, S.C. Investigators have determined that Sherlock is a member of a group of people known as “Irish Travellers”, who are known for funding their livelihoods through scams involving driveway paving, roofing and other home related repairs. Sherlock has been known to target elderly people who often fall prey to these con-artists.
During this incident, Sherlock targeted an elderly resident of Bradley County in the Hopewell area. Sherlock was reported to have been fast-talking and convincing in telling the elderly resident that his/her driveway needed work. Once a small amount of work had been done, Sherlock became aggressive, demanding payment for the work. The victim reports to have been intimated into driving separately to a local retailer to obtain the maximum cash back from several small purchases. A sticky black film was left on the victim’s driveway, ultimately requiring it to be replaced or re-surfaced entirely.
Please be on the look out for these types of suspicious or aggressive sales tactics and contact your local law enforcement immediately. Thank you to those who provided information relating to this case. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of Tommy Sherlock for Theft, Vandalism and Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Adult.
“Once again, the residents of Bradley County have come together in partnership with our investigators to ensure justice is brought to a perpetrator who would take advantage of the vulnerable,” says Sheriff Lawson. “The actions of this man and this group are inexcusable and it is my intention to keep our county informed and educated on issues like this for their safety.”
If you have any information about Tommy Sherlock, please contact the BCSO’s Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 728-7336 or leave an anonymous tip at https://www.bradleysheriff.com/leave-a-tip.

Man arrested on burglary and theft charges

News, Press Release
On April 12th, 2021 at approximately 4:45 a.m., BCSO deputies responded to a prowler call in the Red Hill Valley Road area. Responding patrol deputies quickly located and detained a suspect, 30-year-old Perry Dale Walker.
Numerous investigators responded to the scene and began a further investigation. Walker was found to have been involved in a burglary to a barn, five auto burglaries and six thefts that occurred overnight from April 11th to April 12th. It was also discovered that Walker had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for violation of state probation for Aggravated Burglary and Theft.
In addition to Violation of Probation, Walker was taken into custody on six charges of Theft Under $1000, five
charges of Auto Burglary and one charge of Burglary.
Walker is currently in custody at the Bradley County Jail.

Gov. Lee Sets Expectation of Student-Centered Investments from Federal Education Funds

News, Press Release

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn and members of the General Assembly urged school districts to ensure federal education funding goes directly toward student achievement. Tennessee has received nearly $4.5 billion in federal COVID-19 relief stimulus funding allocated specifically for K-12 education.

“By using these funds wisely and returning to in-person learning, we have the opportunity to set our students up for decades of success,” said Gov. Lee. “I appreciate the General Assembly passing common-sense provisions that ensure we stay focused on progress, not punishment as teachers, schools and districts get back on their feet after serious disruption.”

This funding should focus on the following priority areas:

  • Early reading, tutoring, and summer programming with a focus on phonics
  • Student readiness supports including ACT preparation
  • Expanding access to advanced coursework
  • CTE equipment and programs
  • Innovative models for K-12 mental health supports
  • Teacher recruitment and retention
  • Deferred maintenance for facilities
  • Technology for devices and high-speed internet
  • Serving special needs and low-income students

This significant funding creates opportunities for districts to invest in the success of Tennessee students to not only combat learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic but also accelerate achievement for all students across the state. Districts are encouraged to specifically focus on literacy and recent learning loss outlined in the legislation passed during the special legislative session focused on education.

“Tennessee K-12 districts and schools are receiving an historic amount of funding from the federal government, and as a result have both an incredible opportunity and responsibility to spend this funding to demonstrate how strong student-centered investments can generate positive outcomes and a growth in academic achievement for all children,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “This funding implores us to invest strategically, implement with fidelity, and report on quantifiable outcomes transparently.”

After three rounds of federal COVID-19 stimulus funding, Tennessee’s K-12 schools will benefit from nearly $4.5 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds.

The Tennessee Department of Education has provided districts with resources and guidance for their planning and implementation to invest in a small number of high-impact items, within a cohesive and aligned strategy, that are most critical for students as they progress through their education and into their careers.

The Department has urged districts to allocate a minimum of one percent of their allocations to fund staffing support for the ongoing reporting, monitoring, and public transparency requirements associated with this funding.

District-level allocations for each round of federal funding are available here: round 1 (ESSER 1.0)round 2 (ESSER 2.0), and round 3 (ESSER 3.0).

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