Local News

A Springfield man is facing charges for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl.  Hendersonville police say an investigation was launched on July second after the department received a tip involving 27-year-old Brandon Whitehurst.  Authorities in Forrest County, Mississippi were able to locate Whitehurst last week and take him into custody.  He is now awaiting extradition back to Sumner County.

One person is dead and two others are injured after a construction accident at a home in Wilson County.  The incident was reported around 12:45 yesterday afternoon at a property on Quad Oak Drive.  Authorities believe the three individuals involved were repairing a roof at a residence and may have been shocked by an exposed electrical wire.  The Wilson County Office of Emergency Management is working with law enforcement on the investigation.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services is increasing Child Care Certificate Program payouts.  The agency raised reimbursement payments by 20 percent at the start of this month.  Officials are also waiving co-pays from August first through the end of the year.  TDHS Commissioner Clarence H. Carter says the move is in response to rising costs for child care across the state.