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Franklin County Soccer Standout Bailee Walls Signs with Motlow
Franklin County High School soccer standout Bailee Walls recently signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her career as a student-athlete at Motlow State Community College. Joining Bailee for the ceremony, seated from left: Jeff Walls (father), Bailee and Michelle Walls (mother). Standing from left: Kent Bean, Franklin County head coach and Andy Lyon, Motlow head coach. [Motlow State photo]
2/26/17 — Larry Gene Mosher
Larry Gene Mosher passed away quietly in his home in Murfreesboro , TN on Tuesday February 21, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. Larry was born on December 13, 1939 in Bentonville, AR to parents Norman Eugene and Josephine Mitchell Mosher. He was the youngest of six children.
Larry was a pioneer in the world of highway restoration, safety and the Grinding and Grooving industry for over 45 years.
In 1980 his company MU Inc. founded in Lebanon, TN. He was dedicated to refining and improving roads, bridges and airport runways across the globe. His inventions and innovative designs are still used to this day. He was known throughout the world for his expertise in the field of Grooving and Grinding, and provided consultation to many other countries. His expertise in his industry was highly sought after and he contributed to a vast amount of educational and informational literature on the subject. Larry served for several years as Executive Director of the International Grooving and Grinding Association and President of American Concrete Pavement Association. He was also given the Honorary Lifetime Membership Award by IGGA in 2008.
In his private life, Larry was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His whole face would light up every time his family would gather around him. He was a jokster and a prankster; he always made everyone around him laugh, most of his close friends and family called him ” Big Moe”. He enjoyed music and played the guitar and sang. He was a Godly man who enjoyed going to church and helping people in need. His generous nature and compassionate and loving heart will never be forgotten. At home and in his travels around the world, he had a great impact in the lives of people he met. He truly lived life to the fullest and never failed to be thankful for his blessings.
Larry’s true legacy lives on in the ones he left behind. Jennifer, his loving wife of 32 years, his four daughters; Tanya Mosher of Fairview, TN, Pamela Mosher of Hendersonville, TN, both Lorla Carter and Heather Johnson of Smyrna, TN. His grandchildren, Michael Moss, Victoria Souders, Jeremy Campbell, Johnathan Mosher Johnson, Jessica Carter, John III, Scarlett, Ethan, Summer and Melody Johnson, Megan, Amanda and Gabriel Mosher. Great grandchildren; Michael Moss Jr., Finnigan Moss, Essence and Avril Campbell and David Gene Souders as well as countless friends. Larry is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lynn Mosher and his grandson Jason Souders. He will truly be missed by all but we are thankful for the lasting impact he had on all our lives.
A celebration of life visitation will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2017 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home, 401 North Jackson St Tullahoma, TN 37388. A funeral service will follow at 12 p.m. Interment will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
2/22/17 — Birthdays
Birthdays:
Bryleigh Reynolds, 4 — Pizza Winner!
Lauren Shelton, 10
Jeremy Thompson, 34
Anniversaries:
Joe & Patricia Jones, 31
Traffic Stop leads to Multiple Charges
Tommy Lee Harmon III… Photo provided by the CCSD.
The arrest warrant states that Tommy Lee Harmon III age 24 of Bryan Blvd Manchester gave consent to search the vehicle. In a brown bag, allegedly digital scales, baggies and a plastic baggie that contained a white crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine weighing approximately 1gram was found. Also Harmon allegedly admitted that the items belonged to him.
Harmon was charged with driving on revoked/suspended license, manufacturing/delivering/selling/possession of a controlled substance and unlawful drug paraphernalia uses and activities. His bond was set at $52,500 and his court date is March 27, 2017.
Warning! New Phone Scam
We have a new phone scam alert:
The Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association (TSA) does NOT solicit money over the phone. Coffee County Sheriff Steve Graves says to always be cautious of solicitors and if you receive a phone call from someone claiming to represent the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association, please hang up, this is a scam.
Mailers have been sent out to prospective and current Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association members and this will the only method of solicitation.
Shelbyville Man is Missing
Cecil D. Holland
According to his family, Holland is homeless and suffers from unknown mental illnesses. His last reported sighting was on January 18, 2017.
If you see Mr. Holland or have seen him since January 18, please call the Shelbyville Police Department at 931-684-5811.
Motlow on Top when it comes to Enrollment
Since August 2015 when the fall semester began, through now when enrollment numbers are still unofficial, Motlow State Community College has consistently been the fastest growing college in Tennessee.
This includes all four-year state universities and two-year community colleges, and the percentage of growth by Motlow over the two-year span is not just the largest in the state, it is larger by a significant amount.
In the fall of 2014, Motlow’s total student headcount was 4,758. By the fall of 2015 that number had grown to 5,256, an increase of 10.5 percent. By comparison, the closest school to Motlow in growth was Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, with an increase of 5.3 percent.
However, it is FTE, or full-time equivalency, that is often used to better measure how many class hours are being taken at a college as opposed to pure headcount, which doesn’t take into account those that are part-time, only seeking certificates, etc. In FTE, Motlow jumped an amazing 21.9 percent from fall 2014 to fall 2015. Volunteer State was again second with 14.1 percent.
The numbers are equally impressive when comparing fall 2015 to fall 2016. In 2015, Motlow’s headcount was 5,256 and FTE 3,533. By fall 2016 those number had jumped to 5,838 headcount, an increase of 11.1 percent, and 4,081 FTE, which was an increase of 15.5 percent.
Motlow’s retention rate, or the number of students who stay from fall semester to spring semester, has risen at an equally impressive rate. In spring 2015, the headcount was 4,288 and FTE 2,600. By spring 2016, those numbers had risen to 4,670 for headcount, an increase of 8.9 percent, and an FTE of 3,095, increasing by 19 percent from the previous spring.
A glance at spring 2017 numbers, which are not official yet, shows the trend continuing as the headcount has jumped to 5,144, a 10.2 percent increase from spring 2016, and the FTE continues to rise at 3,494, an increase of 13.1 percent over 2016.
2/25/17 — Carlos Ulrich Claire von dem Bussche
Mr. Carlos Ulrich Claire von dem Bussche, Sr. passed away on February 21, 2017 at Tennova-Harton Healthcare in Tullahoma, Tennessee. He was 81 years of age.
Carlos was born to the late Karl and Josephine Timberlake von dem Bussche on July 6, 1935 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
A retired salesman, he was educated at Colegio Ward, Buenos Aires, Argentina and Kent Preparatory in Kent, Connecticut. He graduated from the University of the South in Sewanee where he was a Kappa Alpha, a member of The Order of Gownsman along with the university’s track team.
Described as a man “that could do anything,” he was a stained glass artist that installed his work in the home of the Vice President of the United States in Washington, D.C., as well as many other businesses and residences in the Tullahoma area. He loved woodworking and sailing, where as a member of the Highland Yacht Club he once served as its Commandre.
Mr. von dem Bussche is survived by his wife Nancy Owens von dem Bussche of Tullahoma, his son Carlos von dem Bussche, Jr. and his wife Kimberly of Tullahoma, Tennessee and daughter Tanya Early also of Tullahoma, Tennessee. Also surviving are grandchildren Skyler, Justice and Alexis von dem Bussche.
Visitation with family members will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Daves-Culbertson Funeral. Interment will follow at a later date at Welker Cemetery in Coffee County.
DAVES-CULBERTSON FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS
2/22/17–Lyle Lawton
Lyle Lorain Lawton, 98, of the Ashbury Section of Manchester, passed away on Friday (Feb. 10, 2017) at the VA Hospital in Murfreesboro, following a lengthy illness.
Born Oct. 30, 1918, in Shinglehouse, Pa., he was the son of John and Ethel Cecilia Sherwood Abel. On Nov. 19, 1947 in Belfast, N.Y., he married Sarah Wilday, who predeceased him in 1983.
Lyle had grown up in the Shinglehouse and Coudersport, Pa., areas and had attended the school systems there. Later he received his GED. He joined the U.S. Army and during World War II he fought with Patton’s 3rd Army, receiving the Bronze Star for his actions. After VE Day he served in the Philippines. Returning to civilian life, he located in the Black Creek area and was employed at Arovox in Franklinville. Later, he worked for Acme Electric in Cuba, where he constructed transformers for a short time.
Lyle enjoyed traveling, renovating houses and spending time with his family.
He was a member of the Black Creek Congregational Church and the VFW in Manchester.
Surviving are a son, Stephen A. (Mary) Lawton of Manchester; a daughter, Ann Marie Lawton of Manchester; three grandchildren, Erica (Charles) Crump of Mobile, Ala., Christopher (Jessica) Lawton of Manchester and David Lawton of Antioch; a half-sister, Beatrice Ruthli of Seattle Wash.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by 14 brothers and sisters.
Treusdell Funeral Home, Belfast, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 17, 2017) followed by funeral services held at 2 p.m. in the funeral home. The Rev. David Lawton, of Bolivar, N.Y., officiated. Burial at Riverside Cemetery, Belfast.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave. FL 17, Chicago, IL 60601.
CENTRAL FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS.
A 20/20 Vision of Character
CHS Basketball coaches Herb Horton(left) and Micah Williams(right)
2017 will not be remembered as the year that both Coffee County Central High School teams won state titles after unbeaten seasons. What it will be remembered for as being the best season in a generation for basketball fans of the Red Raiders and Lady Raiders. Each team eclipsed the 20 win mark and each team spent a considerable amount of time in contention for a regular season district championship. And if you think no one outside of little ole Manchester paid any attention, think again. The basketball coaches of the rival District 8AAA programs selected Herb Horton and Micah Williams as the district coaches of the year.
‘It is all about the kids.’ In today’s society, those words seem cliché almost to the point of being insincere. When you meet Coach Herb Horton and Coach Micah Williams, you quickly get a feel for a pair of men who speak this sentiment in actions much louder than in words. After contacting both coaches last week to do a story about them being coach of the year, Thunder Radio was told by both men to hold off until after the district tournament so as not to take attention away from their respective teams. In conversations with them, words such as “character”, “loyalty”, “hard work” and “respect” are woven into every aspect of what they hope to achieve with their teams, both on the court and off.
When asked about an overall vision for the athletic department, CHS principal Dr. Joey Vaughn said “athletics instill expectations, discipline, ownership, commitment and a sense of belonging for our students. Coach Horton and Coach Williams embody the type of person we want working with our young people. Both are of men of high moral character.”
“I just want to have a basketball team that the good Lord is proud of” said Horton. “My expectation is for them to work hard, do the right things and represent their school, families, teammates, parents and community in a positive manner at all times and this year’s team continues to do that” added Horton. “I have high expectations of myself; a drive to do well in all aspects of my life. I am blessed to be a part(of a team) that accepted that challenge for themselves” said Horton.
“These guys were such a hard-working group who gave 100% night in and night out” said Williams. In just his second season, Williams had a group of seniors who started the year having 3 coaches in their first 3 years of high school ball. “These kids are just so resilient. They have been through a lot but never let(those circumstances) be an excuse. They expected to win and that was crucial to our success” added Williams.
In a manner of speaking, the class of 2017 basketball players will be known for setting a foundation. Coach Herb Horton took over when the Class of 2017 were freshmen and Coach Williams first coaching experience was coaching the members of the Class of 2017 in freshman basketball. “It is great to see each team have such successful seasons; both are long overdue” said Williams. “I developed a closeness with this group that was special” said Horton who speaks glowing words of his 4 seniors.
When asked about his coaches, there was no way to conceal the pride in the voice of Dr. Vaughn. “Coach Horton did a wonderful job of working with his young ladies this year. He took a mixture of experience and youth and made them gel into a cohesive unit. His experience and knowledge of the game paid off for the program” said Vaughn. “I am very proud of the work Coach Williams has done this year. He took a team that no one expected to succeed and had a tremendous season. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for that program” added Vaughn.
At the core of their success exsisits a common bond of a strong spiritual nature. “Micah has been wonderful to work with. He is a man of faith which means volumes to me” said Horton. “It is a breath of fresh air to be able to share a common faith and know you work alongside a person of faith like Herb” said Williams. “In fact, when we get opportunities to talk, rarely do we talk basketball” said Williams further emphasizing the balance with which each aims to achieve and maintain with their personal and professional lives.
“This school and community have been very supportive of me and my girls” said Horton. “Dr. Vaughn and the administrators have been a pleasure to work with and I could not ask for better support from my fellow teachers” added Horton. “For the coaches of District 8AAA to pick me as coach of the year is a very humbling experience” said Horton.
“My family has been so supportive especially my wife this year with the birth of our son. She has been unbelievably understanding and I owe all this to her” said Williams. “My staff has also been remarkable as they are great coaches but even better men” added Williams. “My coach of the year plague would need to be huge to hold the names of all the people who helped get me to this point” said Williams. He went on to say that he was “humbled that the coaches in District 8AAA selected him and it is a blessing and honor to represent this district.”