City and County Mayors along with the Chamber of Commerce Pleased with Industrial Site Designation

Joint Press Release from Cumberland Co. Mayor Allen Foster, Crossville Mayor James Mayberry, and the Crossville/Cumberland Co. Chamber of Commerce:

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNCED) announced yesterday that three new sites had received the State’s highest designation of being prepared to accommodate an industrial project. The 20-acre pad-site in the Interchange Business Park is one of those and is now a “Select Tennessee Certified Site”.

Interchange Business Park Site (Photo courtesy TNCED)

All of Interchange Business Park was reviewed back in 2015/2016 as a part of the Select Tennessee Property Evaluation Program-a mandatory first-step in applying for the designation as a Select Certified Site. This application was prepared at the Chamber and awarded at no cost to the City. Then in April of 2017, the city’s successful application for a Site Development Grant brought the community the $500,000 grant to commence the prep work on the 20-acre site in the Park. The City committed $250,000 to complete an industrial pad which was matched by Cumberland County government (another $250,000). That project is wrapping up this month.

Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster commented, “This is a great example of how working together can benefit our area. When Cumberland County, the City of Crossville, and the Chamber cooperate, our community prospers. This is a result of years of work and is a step toward bringing in more good jobs to Cumberland County.” Only three Tennessee communities achieved the designation of having a Select Tennessee Certified Site-the Halls Industrial Site, the Walker East Industrial Park in Ripley and the Interchange Industrial Park in Crossville. That brings the total up to 57 sites in the entirety of the State.

Co. Mayor

Allen Foster

James Mayberry, Mayor of Crossville, said, “This announcement is not the end of the Interchange Business Park’s story, but is only the beginning. Until there is a business (maybe two) that occupies this 20-acre site, this remains an option to help us to attract new industry to our community. Now we must market the pad to a company looking to employ at least 100 individuals at competitive wages.”

Crossville Mayor

James Mayberry

Now the work begins to use the site as a tool to attract a new company to Crossville. The City, on a recommendation from the JECDB, has set some basic standards on what project can land there that includes a minimum of 100 new jobs that pay at least 10% more than the local manufacturing median wage. The purchase price of the land will be up to $100,000 per acre on the site. In the past, the City has offered offsets to the purchase of City-owned land that would bring the price down, but the new company must meet these minimum jobs/wage targets.

Chamber Director

Brad Allamong

“Some wondered why we were investing over $100,000 in the Target Industry/Workforce Study” back in May of 2017 and now we have the answer,” indicated Brad Allamong. “The pad-site, now a premier site in the State of Tennessee, will be marketed by us to the targeted companies identified in the study and also marketed on the State of Tennessee’s Site.”

Mayor Mayberry noted, “Interchange Business Park has seen two significant developments within the last year, the expansion of the SKF building-a partner in the CoLinx family of companies and the location of Maverik Oils out of California. Once again, this success proves-if you have the site which is ready for development-you are going to have industrial expansion and relocation. Sitting right beside Interstate 40, we are in a prime location for growth-this is good for everyone.”

“During my campaign, I talked a lot about working together,” commented Mayor Foster. “We haven’t skipped a beat. Great things are ahead for our community if we will just commit to working in partnership for Cumberland County.”

CIty of Crossville Upcoming Events

Schedule of Upcoming Events:

October 30, 2018        Fire Department Open House                        3:00-6:00 p.m.

November 1, 2018      Sports Council (CCCSEC)                             4:00 p.m.

November 8, 2018      City Council Work Session                             5:00 p.m.

November 12, 2018    City Offices Closed (Veterans Day)

Bizzare Shooting at home in Clay County Remains under investigation

TBI Agents Investigating Fatal Clay County Shooting by Josh DeVine

At the request of 13th District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, TBI Special Agents are working jointly with deputies with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office to determine the circumstances that led to a shooting incident on North Fork Road Monday morning that left one juvenile dead and two adults injured.

The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 6:30 AM Central, a school bus driver had stopped at the residence on North Fork Road, where he usually picks up two female juveniles who live there. Instead, he found an uninjured juvenile female and an adult female with a gunshot wound. The driver transported the two from the immediate area and took them to the Mt. Vernon Fire Department nearby and called 911. Clay County deputies dispatched to the scene found an adult male outside of the North Fork Road home suffering from a gunshot wound. They also found a juvenile female inside the home who had been shot and was deceased.

The two adults were transported by helicopter to a Nashville hospital, where they continue to be treated.

The individual believed to be responsible for the shootings had been staying on the property in recent days, working for the male resident. Following this morning's shooting, the subject had been seen running into a wooded area next to the house. Throughout Monday morning, law enforcement officers from multiple agencies engaged in a search for the subject.  The man, whose identity is still being confirmed by authorities, was captured shortly before 11 AM. At the time of this release, he was undergoing medical treatment before being transported to the Clay County Jail.

The identity of the deceased female juvenile is being withheld until her family has been appropriately notified.

Crossville/Cumberland County Industrial Site Named a Select Tennessee Certified Industrial Site

The Tennessee Dept. of Economic and Community Development (TNCED) has named the 20-acre site in the Interchange Business Park near I-40 and 127-N as a Select Tennessee Certified Site.

The site is currently being developed with a ready for construction pad for a building up to 200,000 square feet.

Site work continues on the prime industrial site.

(Photo courtesy TNCED)

The Select Tennessee program began in 2012 and 57 sites across the state have been certified.

“Having a strong lineup of shovel-ready sites in Tennessee is one of our main advantages when recruiting companies to our state,” TNCED Commissioner Bob Rolfe said. “With the assistance of the Select Tennessee Certified Site program, we are not only making sure our Tennessee communities are ahead of the game in economic development, it also reassures companies that Tennessee is taking the initiative to make sure our state is the perfect location for companies looking to build new manufacturing facilities or expand existing operations.”

To date, 16 companies have invested $1.5 billion in capital investment to construct facilities on certified sites, accounting for more than 6,600 new job commitments.

The Select Tennessee certification process ensures that each certified site meets high-quality standards. Qualifications for certification include having at least 20 acres of developable land for industrial operations, documented environmental conditions and geotechnical analysis, existing onsite utilities or a formal plan to extend utilities to the site, and truck-quality road access.

Link to info on the Crossville Site

Crossville City Council Agrees to help 2nd Retail Developer and continues working with Carolina developer

Crossville city council is throwing its support behind a second proposed retail development, this one expected to be located at Old Jamestown Highway and Interstate Drive.

The council held a work session and met with Fredrick Hand IV earlier this month to hear about the development and assistance they are requesting from the city.

Crossville City Council Work Session Discussion

At the special called meeting October 24, the council discussed widening about 1100 feet of Old Jamestown Highway behind the current Walmart location that has been requested by the developer, Hand Properties, Inc. City engineer Tim Begley put together cost estimates on the project and came up with a figure of about $860,000 for the road work in contracted and a traffic signal at the intersection.

Begley said that was a worst-case scenario cost and if the city could get the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to put in the traffic signal and the city crews to do the work on the road the cost could drop to around $300,000. Begley said it would depend on how quickly the developer might need the work completed but he wanted the council to know what the cost of the project could be.

The improvements would include three lanes where there are currently only two with a turn lane for the full 1100 feet, curb, sidewalk, utility relocation, drainage and, engineering. If the traffic light cost is not covered by TDOT, that is estimated to cost $270,000. The developer would be expected to donate any necessary right of way and easements.

Crossville Mayor James Mayberry made a motion to approve a budget amendment of no more than $900,000 to cover the costs and a bit of cushion.

Councilman J. H. Graham commented, “You are sending a very strong message to developers about doing infrastructure to support these type of developments.”

Council member Pamala Harris added, “It is what the citizens want.

The motion was approved unanimously.

Also under the agenda item on retail development, city attorney Will Ridley said that the negotiations with the other development on 127-N were moving along and the city would need to work with the County Mayor and the Commission to move forward with the proposed Tax Increment Financing or TIF program. According to Ridley, it will require the cooperation of the County for the project and in addition, the Industrial Development Board would also have to work with the city on the project.  

The Public is invited to see Crossville's Newest Firetrucks at an Open House October 30th

Crossville's newest firetrucks have arrived and the Fire Department plans to show them off on Tuesday, October 30 from 3 to 6 PM at an open house at Station One located at Fourth St and Henry Street at 141 Henry Street. Light refreshments will be provided by Progressive Savings Bank.

If you see this in your rearview

mirror, please get out of the way.

The Latest ladder truck to be added to the 

Crossville Fire Department can reach up to 107 feet.

The two new state-of-the-art trucks cost around $1.7 million together and replace trucks over 20 years old.  There is training required and some equipment that has been ordered that must arrive before the new trucks will go into service. 

Only One Week Remains for Early Voting in November 6 election.

The final day to early vote in the upcoming November 6th Federal, State, and Municipal elections is Thursday, November 1. 

Lines, while long, move quickly for early voting.

While the turnout for early voting has been strong and often the line is out to the front door of the Milo Lemmert Building, the line does move quickly. 

Registered voters can simply stop by the Cumberland County Election Commission office at the back of the Milso Lemmert Courthouse Annex on Main Street, right across the street from the Cumberland Co. Courthouse.  A photo ID is required.

The hours for voting are Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5 PM and from 8AM until Noon on Saturday, October 27. 

Link to download a PDF version of the Official Sample Ballot

In addition to Federal and State races, residents of the City of Crossville, Pleasant Hill, and Crab Orchard will be able to vote for Mayor, council members and aldermen depending on where they live. 

Political signs come out each morning and are

removed each evening of early voting.

Minor Changes in "Humane Restraining" of dogs rules receive unanimous Council approval

The Crossville City Council is one final vote away from approving an ordinance concerning the humane treatment of dogs.

The ordinance includes regulations on tethering of dogs and requirements that animals have adequate shelter, food and water.

Council members and staff discuss changes in the

proposed dog tethering rules

The somewhat controversial ordinance has been in the works for a year and changes have been made over that time to the rules that regular November council meeting.

A full copy of the ordinance can be downloaded as a PDF file from THIS LINK.

https://crossvilletn.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=6682939&GUID=150D094C-EF8A-4548-9B1C-4FB38A05A99A

The change made to the first paragraph is as follows: "No person shall tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog, or cause a dog to be tethered, fastened, chained, tied, or restrained, to a dog house, tree, fence, or any other stationary object other than a spiral tie-out stake or permanently affixed anchor which allows 360 degrees of movement. Notwithstanding, a person may attach a dog to a running line, pulley, or trolley system. Any pulley or trolley system must be at least fifteen (15) feet in length and at least four (4) feet and no more than seven (7) feet off the ground."

Other parts of the regulations:

Vinyl coated cable is the preferred and recommended material for tethering.

The dog cannot be tethered (or confined to an outdoor enclosure) during extreme weather, including, but not limited to, extreme heat or near-freezing temperatures, dangerous thunderstorms, unless adequate food, potable water, shade, shelter and protection is provided.

The animal, while restrained by a tether (or confined to an outdoor enclosure) shall have access to tip-proof potable (sanitary and liquid) water at all times, sufficient food and dry ground.

Dogs may not be tethered if they have been declared dangerous or if they are sick or injured, pregnant, a female nursing pups, a dog less than six (6) months of age or females in heat. 

Crossville Called Council Meeting to Consider Dog Tethering and Assisting Retail Development

The Crossville City Council will meet in special called session Wednesday evening at 5 PM in the third-floor conference room and a number of items on the agenda including second reading of the new dog tethering ordinance and discussion and possible action on retail development.

The details of the dog tethering ordinance, titled humane restraint, shelter and minimum enclosure guidelines have been released. The first reading of the ordinance was approved by council before the final ordinance was available. The full ordinance is now available and includes the following:

“No person shall tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog, or cause a dog to be tethered, fastened, chained, tied, or restrained, to a dog house, tree, fence, or any other stationary object other than a spiral tie-out stake. Notwithstanding, a person may attach a dog to a running line, pulley, or trolley system. Any pully or trolley system must be at least fifteen (15) feet in length and at least four (4) feet and no more than seven (7) feet off the ground.”

Vinyl coated cable is the preferred and recommended material for tethering.

The dog cannot be tethered (or confined to an outdoor enclosure) during extreme weather, including, but not limited to, extreme heat or near-freezing temperatures, dangerous thunderstorms, unless adequate food, potable water, shade, shelter, and protection is provided.

The animal, while restrained by a tether (or confined to an outdoor enclosure) shall have access to tip-proof potable (sanitary and liquid) water at all times, sufficient food and dry ground.

Dogs may not be tethered if they have been declared dangerous or if they are sick or injured, pregnant, a female nursing pups, a dog less than six (6) months of age.

A full copy of the proposed ordinance can be downloaded from the city as a PDF file from THIS LINK.

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At a recent work session, Fred Hand, IV, of Hand Properties, Inc. made a presentation to the Council about a potential retail development site. Mr. Hand requested that Old Jamestown Highway, that abuts the project, be reconstructed into 3 lanes to the intersection of Interstate Drive. He also requested a traffic signal at the intersection of Interstate Drive and Old Jamestown Highway.

The estimated cost for the improvements prepared by Crossville city engineer Tim Begley comes to $860,618. If the traffic light at Interstate Drive and Old Jamestown Highway can be made part of the TDOT project for the Northwest Connector, the cost would be reduced.

Several additional more routine items are also on the Wednesday agenda.  

Upcoming CIty of Crossville Meetings

Schedule of Upcoming Events:

October 24, 2018   City Council Special Call Meeting 5:00 p.m.

October 26, 2018   Fire Department Open House 3:00-6:00 p.m.
                                at 141 Henry Street. Come see Crossville's newest fire apparatus and tour the fire station. 

November 1, 2018  Sports Council (CCCSEC) 4:00 p.m.

Jessie Brooks Sworn In as Crossville's New Police Chief

New Police Chief sworn in:

Crossville City Judge Ivy

Gardner administers the

Oath of office to incoming

Police Chief Jessie Brooks.

Jessie Brooks began his new position as Crossville Police Chief this morning after retiring earlier this year as a Captain in the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Chief Brooks receives his badge from 

Judge Gardner

Chief Brooks holds a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice.  He said Crossville already felt like a 2nd home because he'd been here so much.

"I'll be dedicated to the people of Crossville and the police department," said Chief Brooks  "I've done my homework, and this is a great department."

Brooks added he would start immediately following the ceremony.

City Manager Greg Wood and Chief Brooks

City Manager Greg Wood said that the main things he wanted the new chief to do were to restore a sense of family to the department and develop succession training.  Wood said Brooks said in his interview that he wanted the captains to train lieutenants to be captains and lieutenants to train sergeants to be lieutenants and so on. 

"We have a fantastic Department," said Wood, "and we'll give you all the support we can.  Today is a new day." 

Another Freeze Warning for Most of Middle Tennessee including Cumberland Co. again Monday Morning

FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 8 AM CDT MONDAY...

Freezing temperatures are expected early Monday morning...

A cold high-pressure system will settle in across the mid-state today and tonight, producing widespread frost and freezing temperatures Monday morning.

Map of Freeze and Frost warnings for Middle Tennessee

early Monday morning.


* LOWEST TEMPERATURES...29-32 degrees early this morning and again Monday morning. 

* IMPACTS...Freezing temperatures will damage sensitive outdoor vegetation. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Freeze Warning means sub-freezing temperatures 

are imminent or highly likely. These conditions will kill crops and other sensitive 

vegetation.

The NWS Issues a Freeze Warning for Crossville and Cumberland County Early Sunday

FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 9 AM CDT SUNDAY...

The National Weather Service in Nashville has issued a Freeze Warning, which is in effect from 1 AM to 9 AM CDT Sunday. 

• TEMPERATURE...30-32 degrees.  
• IMPACTS...Sheltered and low-lying areas may see these vegetation-killing temperatures for at least a few hours prior to sunrise Sunday. 

The following counties fall under this warning: Clay-Pickett-Jackson-Putnam-Overton-Fentress-White-Cumberland-Including the cities of Celina, Byrdstown, Gainesboro, Cookeville, Livingston, Jamestown, Allardt, Sparta, and Crossville

Frosty and Freezing Temperatures Tonight... .While winds are expected to remain 5-10 mph tonight, cold air advection behind yesterday`s frontal system is forecast to be strong. This means many areas on the Upper Cumberland Plateau, frost or not, are expected to drop to or below freezing prior to sunrise Sunday. For those west of the Cumberland Plateau, sheltered areas along and north of I-40 may see some frost development prior to sunrise. Temperatures should rise back toward 40 degrees by 9 am.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Freeze Warning means sub-freezing temperatures are imminent or highly likely. These conditions will kill crops and other sensitive vegetation. 

Crossville Police partners on "Safe on Seventy" encouraging Safe Driving on Highway 70 across Tennessee

CROSSVILLE, TN – On Tuesday, October 23, and Friday, October 26, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) will join state and local partners, including the City of Crossville Police Department, for the THSO’s second “Safe on Seventy” campaign to increase traffic enforcement across U.S. Highway 70 statewide.

“The THSO is pleased to launch ‘Safe on Seventy’ again this year,” said THSO Director Vic Donoho. “This is a new, strategic initiative designed to target one of Tennessee’s most problematic highways. We look forward to working with the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, Tennessee Department of Transportation, and local law enforcement to decrease injury crashes and fatalities.”

 U.S. Highway 70 stretches from West to East Tennessee spanning more than 500 miles statewide. According to the Tennessee Integrated Traffic Analysis Network Division, Tuesdays and Fridays between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. have been identified as high-crash periods on U.S. Highway 70. Agencies participating in “Safe on Seventy” will collaborate during this time frame on October 23 and October 26 to combat distracted driving, aggressive driving, speeding, and other high-risk driving behaviors. Participating agencies will also increase seat belt enforcement and commercial vehicle safety.

 The THSO encourages the following safe driving behaviors.

·         Buckle up and ensure all child passengers are properly restrained.

·         Never drink and drive.

·         Rest well prior to driving long distances.

·         Avoid texting, social media use, video-chatting, and other forms of distracted driving. 

 For more information and safe driving tips, please visit www.tntrafficsafety.org

New Crossville Police Chief to be sworn in Monday morning October 22

CROSSVILLE, TN - The City of Crossville Police Department is pleased to announce that Police Chief Jessie Brooks will take his Oath of Office, being sworn in as the Chief of Police for the City of Crossville Police Department on Monday, October 22^nd, 2018 at 08:30am CST.

The ceremony will take place in the Crossville City Courtroom of the City of Crossville Police Department, 115 Henry Street, Crossville, TN 38555. Crossville City Court Judge Ivy Gardner will preside over the ceremony.

Those wishing to attend the ceremony are asked to arrive no later than 08:15am CST, as the Courtroom doors will be closed prior to the beginning of the ceremony, to prevent any interruptions.

The public and press are invited to attend the ceremony, which will last approximately 5-10 minutes.

Chamber of Commerce sponsored Crossville City Election Candidate Forum 6 PM Tonight at Playhouse

The Crossville Chamber of Commerce hosts a candidate forum for the upcoming Crossville city election and all candidates for mayor and city council have been invited.

Crossville City Hall

The event will take place at the Cumberland County Playhouse on Tuesday, October 16 from 6 to 8 PM. Early voting in the November 6 election starts Wednesday, October 17. There is no charge for admission and the event will be held in the main stage auditorium.

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Each candidate will be allowed a time for opening and closing comments. In addition, questions have been provided to the candidates ahead of time and because of the large number of candidates, time for individual answers will be limited.  

Crossville Government Meeting set for this Week

Schedule of Upcoming Crossville Events:

October 17    Council Work Session                                            12:00 p.m.

October 18    Crossville Regional Planning Commission         12:00 p.m.

October 19    Catoosa Advisory Board meeting                         11:00 a.m.

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Early Voting Runs from October 17 through November 1--Link to Sample Ballot Here

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 Federal and Tennessee 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.

Early voting in Cumberland Co. takes place at the offices of the election commission located in the Milo Lemmert building (old Post Office) across the street from the Cumberland Co. Courthouse.  Early voting hours are from 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday and 8 AM to Noon on Saturdays. 

In addition to the major party candidates Democrat Karl Dean and Republican Bill Lee, there are 26 additional independent candidates for Governor on the 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, the 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 whose council term is expiring and who previously ran for Cumberland Co. Mayor.

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.   

Crossville Council sets Work Session to discuss another possible retail development

Crossville city council has set a work session to discuss another possible retail development for Wednesday, October 17, at noon.

Crossville City Council

The meeting came about after local attorney Doug Fields spoke during the public comment at the council's regular October meeting on behalf of Hand Properties, Inc. Fields explained that the firm had been interested in developing some property in Crossville since 2015. The company has been following news of the city's negotiations with Carolina Properties and have expressed an interest in some help for their project.

According to Fields, Hand won't need as much funding as the Carolina Properties development project. Field said in his comments that he would like to set up a work session meeting between the council and a member of the Hand family to talk about the project adding, "They feel they can help the community grow."

The area of the proposed development is near the new Dollar Tree Fields told the council.

After Fields spoke to the council a brief discussion and City Manager Greg Wood was to set up a meeting that resulted in the upcoming work session.   

Crossville Flashback: Robocalls Were the Big Story in the 2012 Crossville City Council Election

In August of 2012, just as the November election for Crossville city council was getting underway, a large number of residents began to receive unsolicited “robo” phone calls that appeared to come from the phone number of the Crossville City Hall.

Jesse Kerley after being sworn in as

a city councilman on 11-19-12

following an election in which

robocalls were used to attack one 

of his opponents, Boyd Wyatt.

The call was instead, a political robocall and an attack on then council member Boyd Wyatt who was running for reelection. That incident created a lot of concern and complaints at the time leading the city and city council to ask for an investigation into the origination of the calls. After a lengthy investigation, then 13^th Judicial District Attorney General Randy York wrote a letter outlining the evidence against another candidate for city council in that race as the person behind the calls and the use of the city hall number. That person was Jesse Kerley who was elected to council in that race.

At the time the calls were first reported, then candidate Jesse Kerley ironically said he had not received one of the calls so he didn't know the exact content of the call, adding "It is unfortunate they used city hall's number."

As DA York reported in his letter to the city at the end of the investigation, it was Kerley who had ordered and paid for the calls with his personal credit card and who had also directed the company he hired to make the calls to use the phone number for city hall. The evidence was contained in emails that Kerley had deleted from his computer. The TBI forensics lab was able to retrieve the emails after Kerley's computer was seized in the search of his home during an investigation into the calls.

A search warrant was authorized by 13th Judicial District criminal court Judge David Patterson based on affidavits of DA investigator Terry Hembree and information provided to Hembree by then Major Mark Rosser of the Crossville Police Department, who investigated the incident.

Information provided by Rosser's investigation shows a political group identified as “Citizens for a better Crossville” was conducting robocalls to Crossville voters. Subpoenas were sent to Microsoft for details on an email address in the name of “Citizens for a better Crossville” as well as Internet service providers, phone companies and other service providers.

Documents associated with the subpoena show on Aug. 15, 2012, an IP address assigned to then-candidate Jesse Kerley was used to sign up for and establish the email address citizensforabettercrossville@hotmail.com. Rosser also said that Wyatt received an email from that same email address that threatened to “expose” him during the political campaign. The email was received by Wyatt on Aug. 15, 2012.

Wyatt received several additional emails from that email address including a photo of a political sign showing paid for by Citizens for a Better Crossville and the results of the “survey” from the first robocall. The series of robocalls continued through much of the 2012 campaign though other numbers beside the spoofed number of city hall were used for the later calls.

The additional subpoenas secured by Rosser showed that the Citizens for a better Crossville Hotmail email account was accessed from several devices, all assigned to then-candidate Jesse Kerley. Kerley's laptop computer was sent to the TBI laboratory and forensic technicians cloned the hard drive then examined the duplicated hard drive for information, retrieving a number of emails described as being in the “unallocated/deleted space” on the hard drive.

The deleted then recovered emails from Kerley's computer showed a series of communications between Kerley's personal email and a Texas company that provides phone polling services, Voice Broadcasting, Corp. The emails between Kerley and the company's representative, Amber Valdez, discuss the wording of the push poll calls to be made as well as the need for a contract to be returned before those calls could be made.

A copy of Jesse Kerley's financial disclosure statement for the 2012 election from the Cumberland County Election Commission shows expenditures for printing of cards, decals, newspaper ads and the purchase of a copy of a voters list from the election commission. The report shows a total expenditure of $1,234.53. Nowhere on the report was there an expense for polling calls.

As the City of Crossville had formally requested the DA's office to investigate the robocalls, when the investigation was concluded, then DA Randy York sent a lengthy letter back to the city with the results of the investigation. According to York's letter, “direct evidence leading to the robocalls” was found on Kerley’s computer. That evidence led to a Texas firm, Voice Broadcasting Corporation, and information from that company evidenced the fact that “an individual identifying himself Jesse Kerley paid for the robocall services with his credit card.”

York said that the crime is a class “A” misdemeanor, punishable by fine only. He continues, “We would have to have an individual testify that could authenticate or testify to the above facts.” York’s letter says that would involve paying for travel, lodging and meals for possibly two individuals from Voice Broadcasting in Arlington, TX. In addition, they would have to arrange for the TBI analysts to testify.

“In light of the great amount of expenditures and costs associated with further prosecution of the case, it is my decision not to proceed with prosecution," York wrote. "In my estimation, this would be an unwise use of taxpayer dollars to proceed.”

The total cost of the investigation to taxpayers into robocalls is unknown but would include substantial time of Crossville Police, the TBI and the DA's office. 

Crossville Council Likes Idea of some Traffic Lights Changed to Flashing Late at Night.

The Crossville city council waived their rules in order to take action on an item of business that was not listed on the agenda, changing certain traffic lights to what is known as soft flash.

Changing some city traffic lights to flashing

late at night now under consideration.

Brought up under the City Manager's report, the city street department is looking at the possibility of changing how some traffic lights operate late at night when traffic is low by setting them to flash. The city has collected a list of 15 intersections that they are studying to consider this change.

According to Street Department Supervisor Kevin Music, there are some requirements to consider for an intersection. One is that some 200 feet of sight distance is needed. The time frame of the flashing is still under discussion but is expected to start around 11 PM or Midnight and then return to regular operation at 5 AM.

Councilman Danny Wyatt commented that he felt such a change could save gas and time.

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Also discussed was letting the public know about the changes and what the proper technique for using such an intersection is. Under state law, the flashing red light requires drivers to come to a complete stop before proceeding if the roadway is clear. When approaching a yellow flashing light a driver must proceed with caution.

The city will announce the date when such a program will go into effect and keep records of any accidents in case intersections need to be returned to regular operation.

Intersections that the city is considering at the current time include:

127S at Cleveland St./Elmo Dr.

127S at First St.

127N at Fourth St.

127N at Woodmere/Subway

127N at Lowes

127N at Walmart

Tenth St. at Miller Ave.

Livingston Rd. at Miller Ave.

Livingston Rd. at Elmore Rd.

West Ave. at Stanley St.

Tennessee Ave. at 70/Sparta Highway

Northside/Northwest Connector at 70N (Flea Market)

Webb Ave. at East First St.

Webb Ave. at Genesis Rd.

Dunbar Rd. at Lantana Rd.

The list is subject to change.

A motion to direct the city staff to move forward with the project was approved unanimously by the council.