POLICE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION COMPLETE

Murfreesboro Police have completed their investigation of a fatal traffic accident involving a Rutherford County Sheriff's Department detective. A special prosecutor will now decid whether charges will be filed against Sgt. Ron Killings. The results of the weeks--long probe will not be released to the public. Killings was on duty and driving an unmarked patrol car when he struck and killed an 11-year-old Kentucky girl on July 11TH. Witnesses say the man tossed two bottles of alcohol from his car before tending to the victim. A blood alcohol test was delayed until more than two hours after the accident. Test results were negative. A convenience store videotape apparently shows Killings buying a soft drink about 30 minutes after the crash. Murfreesboro Police have admitted the crime scene investigation was flawed. Special Prosecutor Joe Baugh will review the case and determine whether criminal charges will be filed against the deputy, who remains on active duty.

GOV. COMMENTS ON THP FIRING

Gov. Phil Bredesen says the Tennessee Highway Patrol's internal probe of a trooper who allegedly abused his authority proves the agency can police itself. The THP fired Lt. Ron Shirley earlier this week after it completed an investigation into allegations the veteran officers conducted unauthorized background checks on nearly 200 people. Earlier Bredesen had downplayed the situation, saying the trooper was just "nosey" and had too much idle time on the job. Yesterday Bredesen said Shirley's firing was a "proper, measured response" to the ongoing probe of misconduct. He says he has full confidence in Safety Department Commissioner Dave Mitchell, who is working to shape up the highway patrol.

COMMUNICATIONS CENTER EXPANSION

Coffee County Commissioners expected to approve plans for an expanded emergency communications center that would cost an estimated $1.5 million. The Communications Center midway between Manchester and Tullahoma on State Highway 55 would be expanded to include a new dispatch center, computer operations room and more office and employee break room space. A new transmission tower would be included. 911 operations are funded in large measure by a monthly charge appearing on local telephone bills. Coffee County's consolidated center controls police, fire and emergency medical dispatching for agencies in the county, Tullahoma and Manchester. 911 Authority Chairman Jimmy Bradford says the expansion can be paid for without the need for taxpayer funding.

LINCOLN CO. REMAINS IDENTIFIED

Lincoln County authorities have confirmed the identity of a woman whose body was discovered in a water well last month. Investigators say medical records from a surgical procedure earlier this year confirm the body's identity as Rachel Lane. An investigator says Lane had been involved in a car accident earlier, and pins had been placed in her leg. The victim's husband, Keith Lane, has been charged with murder and is being held in the Fayetteville Jail under a $2 million bond. Law men say they believe Lane killed his wife and then dumped the body in the well. Her remains were found after she was reported missing.

REFUGEES CONTINUE TO CALL TN HOME

Around 800 Hurricane Gustav evacuees continue to call middle Tennessee home today, nearly a week after they fled Louisiana to avoid the wrath of the storm. About 180 displaced residents remain at the National Guard Training Center off Highway 55 in Tullahoma. Another 600 hurricane victims are living at a Middle Tennessee State University recreation complex in Murfreesboro and the Smyrna National Guard Armory. Meanwhile, about 200 evacuees who were living in temporary quarters in Chattanooga are expected to pack up and go home today. Officials with Louisiana and the City of New Orleans say they want to slow the return of citizens while working to restore utility services and clean storm debris. Local volunteers can call 931.607.3314 to help the Red Cross shelter evacuees.

LINCOLN CO. FAIR

Lincoln County's award winning fair opens tomorrow, offering a range of entertainment from harness racing, concerts, midway attractions and agriculture exhibits. The 104TH edition of the fair will feature an opening concert by county music newcomer Kellie Pickler. Quarter horse races and harness races, a popular event for the fair, will be held several times during the exhibition, which ends September 13TH. County fairs are a tradition across the Volunteer State. Some three million attend county fairs in Tennessee each year. Coffee County's fair is set to open September 13TH.