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2/18/17–Fast Pitch sign ups
The Coffee County Fastpitch Association begins the final 2 weeks of signups this Saturday at the Ada Wright Center. The fastpitch softball league will hold signups from 9 AM to 2 PM on Saturday, February 18th and Saturday, February 25th. The league is open to kids ages 4 to 14 in 4 separate age divisions. Cost to participate is $40 per child with a sibling discount available. If you need more information, contact Matt Asher at 931-588-9919 or Renee Asher at 931-581-3668. You can also get more information by visiting the league’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/CoffeeCountyFastPitchAssociation
Opening ceremonies and the opening day parade will be held on April 8th.
2/15/17–John Edgar Spears
John Edgar Spears, age 84, of Ninth Model Community in Manchester, Tennessee, passed away into Eternal Rest on February 12, 2017 at the Unity Medical Center in Manchester.
Mr. John Spears was a farmer all his life. He worked hard on the land, but would enjoy to ride trucks with the hands helping out with the farming. John loved to fox hunt, take care of his horses, mules, and his cats. He will be fondly remembered as one who loved and cared for animals, friends, and family alike. He also found time to be a “TIN Collector.” He would pick up cans from the road every day, all different times of the day. John had so many friends that knew he collected cans and they would drop out there cans for him all the time. He attended the ninth model elementary school and was a member of the Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church. John’s biggest passion in life was his big heart. He loved life. He had so many friends and he loved his family.
John was preceded in death by his parents, the late Edgar Carmack Spears and Martha Frances Sain Spears, a sister, Patricia Ruth Spears Smith and her husband Vanis Ewell Smith, a brother, William Richard “Dick” Spears and his wife Barbara Jane Fults Spears, two nephews, Eugene Smith and Eddie Spears, and a niece, Fran Spears.
He is survived by a sister, Mary Frances Spears Rigsby (Bryce) of Shady Grove Community, a brother, Barry Danny Spears (Mary Elizabeth Templeton Spears) of Ninth Model Community, seven nieces, LaDonna Kim Spears, Lisa Myers, Angela Prater, Lori Whitefield, Michelle Anderson, Dana Rigney, Holly Woodside, four nephews, Jeff Spears, Richard Ewell, Johnny Smith, Harold Rigsby, Jr. and several great nieces and great nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to the Mt. Carmel Cemetery Fund in Memory of John Edgar Spears.
VISITATION: Tuesday, February 14, 2017, 4 – 7 P.M. at the Central Funeral Home, 2812 Hillsboro Highway, Manchester, Tennessee
FUNERAL: Wednesday, February 15, 1:00 P.M. at Central Funeral Home
BURIAL: Mt. Carmel Cemetery
CENTRAL FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS.
2/15/17 — Barry A. Blackwell
Barry “PawPaw” A Blackwell of Tullahoma, passed away on Monday, February
13, 2017 at Tennova Healthcare – Harton at the age of 85 years. Funeral
Services are scheduled for Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 2 PM at the
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Maplewood
Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, February 14 from 5
–
8 PM at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home.
A native of Homer, Louisiana, he was the son of the late Wesley Carlis and
Ouida Lynch Blackwell. He was a U S Air Force veteran and worked as a
Computer Technician at AEDC. He was instrumental in wind tunnel and space
shuttle tile testing research. He also loved building electronic equipment.
He would “think it up and then build it”. He liked being outdoors and
enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. He also enjoyed going to auto races.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Odessa
Taylor Blackwell; one brother, Carlis Dale Blackwell; one sister, Faith
Yvonne Hughes and one great grandchild, Kaylee Nicole Blackwell.
Mr. Blackwell is survived by two sons, Charles Blackwell (Connie) of Estill
Springs and Jim Blackwell (Debbie) of Tullahoma; daughter, Teresa Kay
Atwell (Ray) of Olla, Louisiana; brother, Joe Lynch Blackwell (Margarett)
of Lake Wylie, SC; sister-in-law, Wilma Blackwell of Manchester; ten
grandchildren, Justin Blackwell (Britney) of Decherd, Heather Fisher (Troy)
of Troy, AL, Megan Moorehead (Rusty) of Lynchburg, Misty Pelham of Estill
Springs, Duston Gipson (Hannah) of Decherd, Jessica Blackwell (Chris Hill)
of Jackson, TN, Derek Blackwell (Samantha Allen) of Tullahoma, Lisa Tinnel
of Winchester, Nathan Perot (Jennifer) of Olla, Louisiana and Lethey Smith
of Olla, Louisiana and 16 great grandchildren.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
2/13/17 — Birthdays
No birthdays to report.
2/12/17 — Birthdays
No birthdays to report.
Anniversaries:
Alvin & Bee Wells, 29
Spring Sports Practices Get Underway at CHS

Sarah West looks a grounder into her glove in an outfield charging drill during CHS softball practice on Monday.
Practice for the spring sports season got underway on Monday for the Central High School athletic teams. Tennis, track, softball, baseball and men’s soccer teams could all officially begin organized practices beginning on February 13th.
As has been the custom for 20+ years, the Coffee County Lady Raider softball team got a jump start on the season with their annual Midnight Madness practice session. Hitting the field at exactly midnight on Monday morning, the Lady Raiders “came out with lots of enthusiasm” said head coach Steve Wilder. Coach Wilder also remarked that his team looked stronger and faster this season. They will continue practice after school the rest of the week.
The Red Raider soccer team got practice underway on Monday afternoon at the Coffee County Raider Academy. The Raiders will attempt to get the bad taste of a sudden death extra-time loss to Tullahoma out of their mouth to end last season. Coach Robert Harper looks to have his most experienced lineup back along with a considerable amount of depth this spring. Harper returns considerable scoring potential up front and in the midfield with perhaps his strongest defensive team in years.

Members of the CHS Tennis teams practice under the lights on Monday at their new courts behind the Raider Academy.
The Red Raider and Lady Raider tennis teams also got practice underway on Monday night as they practiced under the new lights at their home courts at the Raider Academy. Coach Mike Ray will field a pair of young teams this season as graduation numbers have taken a toll the last 2 years. A large contingent of student athletes was on hand as the influence of a pair of middle school feeder programs are beginning to pay dividends.
The Red Raider baseball team hit the field for the first time this spring on Monday afternoon as 2nd year head coach David Martin will look to an experienced infield to guide his team in the early part of the season. “I expect us to be stronger defensively, but we still have starting and key backup positions up for grabs” said Martin. The Red Raiders will carry about 29 players between their varsity, JV and freshman teams.
And the Red Raider and Lady Raider track teams will get their organized workouts going on Wednesday afternoon at the newly remodeled track at Carden-Jarrell Field. Coach Nathan Wanuach begins his first season at the helm of the Coffee County track program.
Thunder Radio Announces Spring Sports Broadcast Schedule
Thunder Radio’s unrivaled coverage will bring you at least 18 regular season games, plus selected postseason games for the Raiders and Lady Raiders. Lucky Knott, the voice of the Raiders, will again lend his talents and passion to Thunder Radio’s exclusive broadcast. Also, the Thunder Radio sports staff will keep you updated with daily reports on all spring sports all season long as part of our daily sports updates online and in our sports broadcasts.
Our broadcasts will begin on Monday, March 13th with Coffee County baseball at Shelbyville. And, as always is the case with spring sports, when weather forces cancellations and postponements, Thunder Radio will keep you updated on that as well. For more than complete prep sports coverage, remember, nobody does sports like Thunder Radio!
Tennessee Highway Patrol Major Arrested in Grundy County
Williams, 47, will remain on discretionary leave with pay pending an investigation into allegations of conduct unbecoming for a department employee.
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired call at 9925 SR 108 in Altamont overnight on February 12. On arrival, deputies encountered a disturbance between Tennessee Highway Patrol Major Stacey Williams and neighbors.
Williams was taken into custody after deputies were forced to deploy Tasers. Williams is charged with aggravated assault, public intoxication, resisting arrest, and reckless endangerment. Williams’ wife. Tammy, was also taken into custody and charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest.
Both were released on bond and their initial appearance in court is scheduled for March 9.
Major Williams has been a Tennessee state trooper since 1994. He was named Major over the THP Special Investigations Bureau in 2014.
It is the Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s policy to warn, suspend, demote or dismiss any employee whenever just or legal cause exists. Employees shall not commit any act that would reflect discredit upon themselves or the department while on or off duty.
Local Woman Receives Governor’s Volunteer Star Award
Back in 2002, Bonnie brought the idea of a children’s advocacy center for Coffee County to Church Women United of Coffee County. That small, but mighty group of ladies soon became a force to be reckoned with as they were committed to making the dream of a safe, neutral place for children who had been abused in Coffee County a reality. The Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center officially opened its doors in 2005.
Bonnie’s dream, her dedication and her perseverance has made it possible for over 3,250 children in Coffee County who have been possible victims of abuse to receive specialized trauma focused services including forensic interviews, mental health treatment, family and victim advocacy and thanks to a partnership with Our Kids, specialized medical exams. Before the Center existed, children were often taken to the police department, the justice center, or school offices to talk about the alleged abuse. They were often interviewed multiple times by those involved in the investigation and their families were often left wondering what the next steps would be.
Today, the children and families have a safe, child friendly environment with wrap around services that can help them throughout the investigative process. The children now tell their stories one time to a professional trained to talk to children and the investigative team uses that information for their respective investigations reducing the trauma on the children and families.
Although Bonnie’s vision became a reality, her commitment to the Center didn’t stop once the doors were open. She served the Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center as a member of the Board of Directors for many years as both President and Secretary and continues today to be both an advocate and a volunteer for the center.
Bonnie’s dream of a community where children are safe from abuse continues. The work of the Center may never end, but because of her, children in Coffee County who have been abused have a place that offers support, guidance and caring as they go down the path of healing. She may never know the full impact of this legacy that she helped create, but the community is stronger because of her devotion and her heart.