City Council October Work Session to cover Wage Study, Downtown Sidewalks and price of industrial property.

The October work session of the Crossville City Council will be Tuesday, October 2 at 5 PM in the conference room on the third floor of Crossville City Hall.

Crossville City Hall

Several items relating to city employees are on the agenda including another look at restoring a bridge insurance program for those who retire early as a way to save payroll, a report on TCRS buyback from city manager Greg Wood on his recent meeting with the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System and the possibility of a wage study on city pay and responsibilities.

A true wage study has not been performed in the last 20 years according to information provided with the agenda for the meeting. In addition to wages, the proposed study will put the wages in the context of a job description to compare what the job description includes and if employees are working outside of their job description.

The study cannot be performed by the HR department as it will require a team review matters, interview employees and do a system-wide analysis. The cost of the study is expected to be between $15,000 and $20,000. The study will also look at the issue of increasing starting pay while still being fair to existing employees.

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Council will also hear the recommendation of the Joint Economic and Community Development Board on the sales price of property in the Interchange Business Park where the city and county are working on a building pad for future industrial prospects. The city had previously approved a sales price of $75,000 an acre but the JECDB is recommending a price of $100,000 per acre and a minimum of at least 100 jobs at a wage rate of 10 percent more than the current local average wage.

The contract with the Tennessee Dept of Transportation for the $1.6 million downtown sidewalk project is up for approval. The city's share of the cost of the project is $325,000. The city has been looking at these improvements for many years.

Downtown Crossville Sidewalks

Council will once again discuss pickleball courts and if converting current tennis courts into pickleball courts is the best way to go. Also on the agenda is the purchase of dog park equipment from the grant the city received earlier this year,

The subject of tethering dogs is also up for discussion on the agenda. The somewhat controversial proposal has been discussed a number of times by the council with no changes to local ordinances approved.  

October Events Coming Up at Crossville's Palace Theatre

October 2018

10/06 (Sat)  Traditional Country Music Show 7PM $15.

10/12 (Fri)  T.C. Tahoe (Laughing Matters) 7PM Rows 1-8 $25.00 all other seats $19.50.

10/13 (Sat) Gary West ‘For the Love of Cash’ 7PM $17.50 Reserved Seats.

10/20 (Sat)  Merlin Gene & Friends 7PM  $15 Classic Country, Comedy & Ventriloquism.

10/25(Thurs) Wild & Scenic Film Festival (Environmental Films)  7PM $10
10/26 (Fri) Gene Watson  7 PM  $55 & $45, $5 more day of show.

Tickets for most events may be purchased at the Palace or online by cash, check or credit card. Palace Box Office hours are Tuesday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:30 pm

     Events listed are subject to change.

Order by phone 931-484-6133 or by Internet at www.palacetheatre-crossville.com

Email - palace@crossvilletn.gov

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Crossville Emergency Personnel Recognized for Lifesaving and work in the community

Several Emergency Service Personnel and a caregiver were recognized by the Crossville Police Department with a lifesaving award following efforts to save the life of a Crossville resident in August.

The victim is not identified but was discovered by her caregiver, Christina Smotherman, who called 911 and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Crossville police officers Brandon Griffin and Kenneth Keen arrived and took over chest compression. Crossville firefighters Brian Wyatt and Erick Hickman then arrived and rendered additional aid to the victim until emergency medical service personnel Crystal Dunbar and Preston Adkins arrived and the victim was revived and taken by ambulance with the firefighters to provide additional aid.

The victim's condition was checked on by the police officers' supervisor and she survived and was receiving care in the intensive care until of Cumberland Medical Center in the days following the incident.

All those involved in the incident were recognized with a lifesaving award presented by the Crossville Police Department.  It was also pointed out that this was the second life-saving recognition for Officer Griffin in 2 months.   

Also recognized was Sgt. Dustin Lester who was presented with a letter of merit for going above and beyond the call of duty with K9 Mojo for efforts at the Appreciate Crossville - Cumberland County Expo.

Chief Chris Kendrick and Officers Griffin and Keen

Chief Kendrick and Firefighters Wyatt and Hickman

Chief Kendrick and EMS Dunbar and Adkins

Chief Kendrick and Caregiver Smotherman

Lifesaving pin given to uniformed personnel

Chief Kendrick and Sgt. Lester

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A New Crossville Police Chief could be selected by Early October

The search for a new Crossville Police Chief has been whittled down from an original list of 17 to 8 that will be interviewed and an offer could come as soon the end of next week according to Crossville Human Resources Director Leah Crockett.

Crossville Police Headquarters

Once a selection is made, salary negotiations and background checks will follow. The list of finalists include:

JESSIE BROOKS from Kingston, currently a Captain with the THP.

TONY DAVIS, JR. a Lieutenant with the Crossville Police Department.

JON MARK FEHLMAN a resident of Murfreesboro and previously served with the Santa Rosa, California Police Department and as the Bainbridge Island Washington Police Chief.

RICHARD HOLT currently a Crossville resident, formerly with the Cookeville Police Department.

CHRIS KENDRICK who serves as the Interim Police Chief for the Crossville Police Department.

CRAIG MOATES now serving as the Chief of Police of the McKenzie TN Police Department.

BRIAN TILLEY, longtime Crossville police officer, now a lieutenant with the Department.

JONATHAN WILLIS, is a former Athens TN Police Department chief detective and former special agent with the bomb and arson squad.

Several other Crossville officers and two former Crossville Interim police chiefs were not chosen to be interviewed.   

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Crossville Airport Hosts Fly-In and Open House Saturday September 29

The annual Crossville Memorial Airport Open House and Fly-In will be Saturday, September 29 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the airport on Sparta Highway.

A number of private and experimental planes are expected to be on display along with warbirds such as a P51 Mustang and an FG-1D Corsair. In addition, 3 helicopters will be offering rides along with small plane rides too. Additional aircraft and a hot air balloon are expected to be on display. Bring the kids to see the aircraft and watch planes take off and land.

Visitors will be able to take a plane ride.

(Photo from 2017 Fly-In)

Weather and other conditions may affect the aircraft lineup. There will be food and refreshments available, inflatables for the kids and other exhibits.

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Deadline to Register to Vote for November 6 Election October 9--Early voting starts October 17

The last day to register to vote to be eligible for casting a ballot in the upcoming November 6, 2018 election is October 9.

Unregistered voters or residents who need to change their address or other information can register at the Cumberland Co. Election Commission offices in the Milo Lemmert Courthouse Annex directly across Main Street from the Cumberland County. Courthouse.

You can also register online at the official Tennessee website. https://ovr.govote.tn.gov/

Early voting gets underway on October 17 and continues through November 1, 2018.

October 30 is the last day to request an absentee ballot

Election Day is November 6.

Elections on the November ballot include both Tennessee and Federal General Elections as well as local municipal elections including Mayor and council races for the City of Crossville and Pleasant Hill along with 2 aldermen for Crab Orchard.

In addition to the major party candidates Democrat Karl Dean and Republican Bill Lee, there are 26 additional independent candidates on the gubernatorial ballot.

You can download a complete sample ballot PDF file from the Cumberland County Election Commission webpage at this link: Download Sample Ballot

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For US Senator candidates include Democrat Phil Bredesen and Republican Marsha Blackburn there are 6 additional independent candidates for the US Senate seat.

For the Sixth District US House of Representative seat candidates include Democrat Dawn Barlow and Republican John Rose along with 2 independent candidates.

For the Tennessee Senate 15th district race, incumbent Republican Paul Bailey is challenged by Democrat Angela Hedgcough while in the State House of Representative race for the 25th district seat pits Democratic challenger Anne Quillen against incumbent Republican Cameron Sexton.

In Municipal races, the City of Crossville Mayor's race puts incumbent James Mayberry against outgoing city councilman Danny Wyatt. Mayberry is completing his first term as Crossville Mayor and Danny Wyatt unsuccessfully ran for Cumberland Co. Mayor in the May Primary.

Crossville Mayor James Mayberry

Challenger Danny Wyatt

Two council seats are expiring. In addition to Wyatt, two-term council member Pamala Harris is not seeking re-election and the candidates for the two open seats include Art Gernt, Rob Harrison, Sadie Hoover, Jesse Kerley Ralph Reagan and Virgil Thompson.

Pleasant Hill will elect a mayor between incumbent Diane Savage and challenger Lisa Patrick. There are two seats open on the council but only one candidate qualified so Peggy Happy should gain a seat and the council will have to appoint an additional member.

Two alderman seats are open on the Crab Orchard board and two candidates have qualified meaning unless something changes, Kenny Alley and Mike Findley will be elected.   

Multi-Agency Investigation Results in Charges Against Former Putnam Co. Senior Home Care Operator

Elder Abuse and Conspiracy to Obtain Controlled Substances Charges Result from District Attorney Investigation

In February of 2018, Criminal Investigators with the 13th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office opened an investigation into allegation claiming that the operator of the former facility known as Senior Lifestyles, an adult mental health group home located in Putnam County, was exploiting residents of the facility.   Multiple reports of criminal behavior had been received.  As the investigation progressed, Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation joined the investigation, evidence was obtained that not only indicated elder abuse was occurring but also evidence was discovered indicating that controlled substances were being diverted.  

Many agencies assisted in the investigation as it progressed and assisted in the execution of search warrants including, the District Attorney Generals Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Cookeville Police Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Comptrollers Office, the TN Department of Mental Health and the Social Security Administration.  

Evidence was submitted to the Putnam County Grand Jury seeking indictments in the investigation.
On Wednesday, September 19, 2018, the Putnam County Grand Jury found probable cause that criminal offenses had been committed by both Stephanie Lee Butler, the former operator of the Senior Lifestyles facility and Brian Fitzhugh Richey, FNP, a licensed nurse practitioner, who medically treated residents of the facility.

The Putnam County Grand Jury issued indictments as follows:
Stephanie Lee Butler was charged with:
*Conspiracy to obtain controlled substances by fraud;
*Obtaining controlled substances by fraud;
*Conspiracy to commit financial exploitation of an elderly/vulnerable adult;
*Financial exploitation of an elderly/vulnerable adult;
*Financial Exploitation (11 counts);
*felony theft;
*Identity Theft (4 counts);
*Money Laundering (6 counts)

Brian Fitzhugh Richey, FNP was charged with:
*Conspiracy to obtain controlled substances by fraud;
*Obtaining controlled substances by fraud;
*Conspiracy to commit financial exploitation of an elderly/vulnerable adult;
*Financial exploitation of an elderly/vulnerable adult;
The victims of the charged offenses were elderly and/or vulnerable adult residents of the former Senior Lifestyles, adult mental health group home. 
Stephanie Lee Butler was taken into custody and booked in the Putnam County jail on September 19, 2018.  Butler was held under $150,000 bond. Brian Richey turned himself into the Putnam County Jail September 20, 2018.  Richey is under $40,000 bond. 

The exploitation of elderly and vulnerable adults is a growing problem that this office takes very seriously. We would like to remind the public that the law makes it mandatory to report allegations of elder abuse.

Upcoming Events at Crossville's Palace Theatre through late October...

September 2018

9/25 (Tues)  Open Mic 6 PM    No Charge

9/28 (Fri)     Crossville’s Got Talent 7 PM
9/29 (Sat)     Tenn. Sweetheart Pageant 1 PM

October 2018

10/06 (Sat)  Traditional Country Music Show 7PM $15

10/12 (Fri)  T.C. Tahoe (Laughing Matters) 7PM Rows 1-8 $25.00 all other seats $19.50

10/13 (Sat) Gary West ‘For the Love of Cash’ 7PM $17.50 Reserved Seats

10/20 (Sat)  Merlyn Gene 7PM

10/25(Thurs) Wild & Scenic Film Festival (Environmental Films)  7PM $10

Tickets for most events may be purchased at the Palace or online by cash, check or credit card.

Palace Box Office hours are Tuesday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
     Events listed are subject to change.

Order by phone 931-484-6133 

or by Internet at www.palacetheatre-crossville.com

Email - palace@crossvilletn.gov

Shooting Victim Joy Nostrom had taken out two orders of protection in the last 6 months

At least two orders of protection requests were filed by Joy Nostrom, one of the victims of Friday's shooting, against her husband, who now faces first-degree murder charges in her death. 

Shooting victim

Joy Nostrom

Warren Nostrom

Charged with

2 counts of

First degree 

Murder

The statements outline threats made by Warren Nostrom against his wife of 32 years and incidents where she claims he pointed a shotgun at her in front of their home and pulled the trigger.  It also said the couple had been having trouble for two or three years.

In both cases, one in April and one in June this year, ex parte (temporary) protection orders were issued but on the court date, Joy Nostrom asked that the protection orders be dismissed.  In the April case the reason given was 32 years of marriage and in the June case, Mrs. Nostrom said that they were trying to sell their house and Mr. Nostrom could not do it by himself.

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The request for the order indicates Warren Nostrom owned 2 pistols and 1 shotgun in his closet.  One of the pistols he reportedly kept in his van.

In the statements with both request for orders, Joy Nostrom says that Warren threatened to burn the house down with her in it, that if she was with someone else he would take care of the situation and he was not afraid of going to jail. 

According to the wife's petition, Warren Nostrom had "bruised me in the past, had pulled my hair and tossed me across the rooms and outside."  She continued, "He has threatened me all the time.  He has used mind abuse for the past 2 or 3 years using male priveledge and said he will see that I have nothing and don't care if I live on the street."

Current and former Crossville Police Officers among the 17 applications for Police Chief.

The City of Crossville is looking for a new Police Chief and 17 applications for the position were received by the deadline of September 14.

Crossville Police Department Headquarters

(Photo by Jim Young)

The next steps are to set up a team to interview the candidates and the hiring decision will be made by City Manager Greg Wood.

Applicants include current interim Police Chief Christopher Kendrick, former interim chief Mark Rosser, former interim chief Rodney Shoap, and current and former Crossville police officers Brian Tilley, Tony Davis and Mark Steinmann.

Other applicants include Jon Fehlman, Heath Willis, Daniel Wright, Jessie Brooks, Richard Holt, Roberts Edwards, James Phelps, Gregory Purden, William Kain, Craig Moats, and Thomas Lay.

No timeline for a hiring decision has been established yet. 

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Cumberland County School Fourth Graders Touring Historic Downtown Crossville during September

Cumberland County Fourth Graders are learning about the history of Crossville and the historic Downtown area with tours that take place during September on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Please drive carefully when in the downtown areas, especially when you see groups of children.  

The program is sponsored by Downtwon Crossville, Inc. and tours are given by volunteers and kids get to visit the Courthouse, Palace Theatre, Depot, and other buildings.  They also visit the Memorial Park and other areas too. The children get a chance to met both city and county officials during their visit. 

The children in these photos were from Martin Elementary School. 

Kids learn about the Mural on Fifth St. and the

local history it represents.

A volunteer from the local Vietnam War Veterans shared

about the various monuments honoring those who

died in service to their country.

Kids learn about the wars in the Middle East and those from the area

who lost their lives in that endeavor.

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Making a visit to the Milo Lemmert Courthouse

Annex that was once the main Crossville post office

Kids will be crossing the streets during the tours, 

so please drive safely!

Following through Investigation, Sheriff's Department Says Reported Child Abduction Appears Unfounded

Cumberland Co. Sheriff's Dept. PRESS RELEASE by Sgt. Gary Howard Public Information Officer

September 15, 2018

On September 15, 2018, at approximately 1:26 pm Cumberland County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to South Cumberland Elementary School on a report of an abducted child where parents and students had gathered for a Jr. Jets and Jr. Panthers football game.   Conflicting reports from minors stated they saw a man grab a child and run into the wooded area behind the school.    Immediately a search was implemented on the ground and a Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter later joined the search looking for any evidence that would suggest an abduction had occurred. Cumberland County Sheriff’s Investigators interviewed several people that were present at the event as well as reviewed the school surveillance video.

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The game was suspended and several announcements were made to those attending to come forward if they knew of a missing a child and no child was reported missing.   Law enforcement officers remained on the premises until everyone had left to ensure no child was missing.  After a thorough search and investigation, there appeared to be no credible evidence to suggest an abduction had occurred or that any child was in danger.

Crossville Police Department, Cumberland County Emergency Management Director, Tennessee Highway Patrol and Cumberland County Schools Director of Emergency Management and Security all assisted the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation. 

Second Victim of Shooting Identified as Mark Gunter of Durham NC, was Facebook friends with other victim

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) identified the second victim of Friday's shooting at the Cumberland Co. Bus Garage as 54-year-old Mark Gunter of Durham, North Carolina.

Mark Gunter of North Carolina

was the second victim of the 

Crossville bus Garage shooting

On Gunter's Facebook Page his list of

friends included Nostrom.  The two

other accounts listed as Joy Jan and

Joy Janet also appear to belong to

Mrs. Nostrom. At least one other

friend account also includes photos

of Nostrom. 

Another image from Facebook showing shooting victims 

Gunter on the left and Nostrom on the right.

Gunter was found wounded at the scene of the shooting and rushed to Cumberland Medical Center where he was pronounced dead in the emergency room a short time later. After reviewing Gunter's Facebook page it appears Gunter and the other victim, Joy Nostrom had some type of relationship and it appears that Mrs. Nostrom had a number of Facebook accounts under similar names but with photos of her including ones taken inside a school bus. Several of those accounts were friends with Gunter and posted photos and statements indicating there was some type of a relationship.

According to the Cumberland Co. General Sessions docket for June 11, 2018, the Nostroms were due in court that day over some aspect of an order of protection. In addition, the Nostroms owned a house in Tansi that is listed in both their names.   

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One of the Victims of Friday's Bus Garage Shooting identified as a school bus driver

Based on a photo posted to her Facebook page, and now TBI confirmation, one of the victims in the Friday Afternoon Shooting at the Cumberland County School's Bus Garage worked as a school bus driver.

The selfie type photo used as her profile picture appears to have been taken in the driver's seat of a school bus.

In a photo from her Facebook page it

appears Joy Nostrom was a school

bus driver

According to the TBI, Joy J. Nostrom, 58, who also went by J. J. was dead at the scene of the shooting around 2:30 Friday afternoon that took place as buses were heading out for their afternoon run to take school children home. It is unclear what, if any, relationship there was between the Nostroms and the other victim, identified as 54-year-old Mark Gunter.

In an odd coincidence, Joy Nostrom and Mark Gunter both had a July 16 birthday according to the information released by the TBI.

Joy Nostrom was pronounced dead at the scene of the Friday afternoon shooting while the other victim Mark Gunter was taken to Cumberland Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at the Emergency Room.

The alleged shooter, who is believed to have shot himself survived, was flown to Erlanger Hospital by helicopter following the shooting was released and charged with the murderers.

Charged with both their murderers is 74 year old Warren Nostrom who is identified as Joy Nostrom's husband.

Warren Nostrom, identified as

the husband of victim Joy

Nostrom and charged with her

murder

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Warren Nostrom Arrested and Charged with First Degree Murder of his Wife and Another Man at Bus Garage

TBI Press Release by Leslie Earhart

CROSSVILLE – A joint investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Crossville Police Department, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, and the office of the 13^th District Attorney General has resulted in the arrest of a man who is charged in connection to a double homicide that occurred Friday afternoon.

On September 14th, at the request of 13^th District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, TBI Special Agents joined the investigation into the deaths of two people found at the Cumberland County School Bus Garage located along Genesis Road. Just before 2:30 p.m., officers with the Crossville Police Department responded to a reported shooting at that location and found the bodies of Joy J. Nostrom (DOB 7/16/60) and Mark Gunter (DOB 7/16/64). Joy Nostrom’s husband, Warren Nostrom, was also found injured with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was airlifted to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries and released.

Saturday morning, Warren Nostrom (DOB 6/27/44) was arrested and charged with two counts of First Degree Murder. He was booked into the Cumberland County Jail on a $4-million bond. The investigation remains active and ongoing.

Warren Nostrom

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