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10/29/16 — Birthdays
No birthdays to report.
Fire Damages Coffee County Home
On Sunday Coffee County deputies and the New Union Volunteer Fire Department responded to a house fire at 133 Red Bud Circle. The man at the home told deputies that the power was turning off and on in the neighborhood for over an hour due to a transformer going out. When the power came back on he heard a load popping noise coming from the laundry room and within a matter of a few minutes he started seeing smoke coming from the wall and then it caught on fire.
The homeowner told deputies he values his loss at least $30,000 for the damage to his laundry room in his residence.
More Tourism Grants open up for Tennessee Communities
The state is offering another set of tourism grants to encourage cities and counties to invest in infrastructure that will inspire people to visit an area.
The Tennessee Economic and Community Development said in a news release that it has begun the second year of its Tourism Enhancement Grant application process and will offer grants up to $50,000 with a match requirement based on economic status.
Examples of tourism infrastructure that communities can propose include concert stages, boat ramps and scenic pull-offs.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reports the ECD and the Department of Tourist Development gave more than $999,000 in grants to 29 communities after receiving 61 submissions last year.
Commissioner of Education to visit Manchester on Friday
Dr Candice McQueen
Dr. McQueen will tour the schools and at the high school, student representatives will show her around, observe classes, and lead a round table discussion with several students focusing on career and college readiness.
Dr. McQueen was sworn in as Tennessee’s commissioner of education on January 17, 2015.
Report: Inconsistent Process Investigating Sexual Harassment Complaints in Tennessee Agencies
A newspaper’s analysis of state government data shows an inconsistent process of investigating sexual harassment complaints involving Tennessee agencies and handing out punishments.
The Tennessean reports at least 460 such complaints have been lodged against state employees or contractors since 2010. About 190 incidents were found to have merit, and the consequences for state employees varied widely.
According to the newspaper, employees in one agency were given minor sanctions, while at other agencies, workers were fired for verbal harassment. Nearly two-thirds of complaint investigations were closed because investigators said they found no wrongdoing.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Bill Haslam referred questions to Department of Human Resources Commissioner Rebecca Hunter, who said government employees receive regular training on workplace discrimination. She says sexual harassment in state government isn’t rampant.
Students Score Well on Nation’s Report Card
Gov. Bill Haslam
The last time fourth and eighth grade students both took NAEP science was 2009, and the 2015 NAEP results show Tennessee is the only state to grow faster than the nation in both grades with Tennessee students doubling the average national growth.
Tennessee also narrowed or eliminated several achievement gaps. The gap between the science performance of male and female students was completely eliminated in both grades. In both fourth and eighth grade science the gap in achievement scores between white and African-American students narrowed, and the gap tightened between white and Latino students in fourth grade.
With these scores, Tennessee now ranks 19th and 21st in the country on fourth and eighth grade science, respectively – the highest rankings the state has ever had on the Nation’s Report Card.
Since 2007, Tennessee has been working to raise academic expectations and strengthen teaching across subjects, building all students’ critical thinking and problem solving abilities. In addition, the state has invested in innovation and technology, encouraging more science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for students in every grade and strengthening college and career pathways for all students.
Halloween Information and Safe on the Square
Scenes from Safe on the Square… Photos by Tiffany Clutter
Its survey found more than 171 million Americans celebrated Halloween, spending an average of $82.93, up from last year’s $74.34.
Handing out candy is the most popular Halloween activity, with 70 percent planning greeting trick-or-treaters at the door. Approximately half of those celebrating the holiday decorated their homes, dressed in costumes or carved a pumpkin.
Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center held its 10th annual “Safe on the Square,” on Monday. The yearly event is a safe and family friendly trick-or-treating event for area children around the historic Manchester Square. A tremendous amount trick or treaters filled the Manchester Square to celebrate Halloween. The Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center would like to thank everyone including the many, many businesses who came together to make this event possible for our community!
10/31/16 — Garland Elkins
Garland Elkins,beloved husband, father, grandfather, and faithful
evangelist of the Gospel ofChrist, entered into his Heavenly Reward on
October 28, 2016.
Born on August 19,1926 in the Elkins Community near Woodbury, Tennessee,
Garland graduated fromFreed Hardeman University, and also attended Middle
Tennessee State Universityand the University of Tennessee. He was awarded
a Doctorate of Ministry fromSouthern Christian University. Throughout his
life, he was a Faithful defenderof the Gospel of Christ as an author,
lecturer, debater, and educator; alifelong student of the Word, searching
the scriptures daily, committing themto memory and life. A Gospel
Minister for more than 67 years, Garlandproclaimed the Word at numerous
congregations across the country. For the past26 years he served as
Minister for the Stanton Church of Christ, and Professorand Dean of
Public Relations for the Memphis School of Preaching.
Garland was the last surviving child of his parents, the late Richard and
EmmaTodd Elkins. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Haskell, Fred,
Clark,Bob; and two sisters, Loretta and Maxine. He leaves to cherish his
memory, hiswife of Sixty-Seven years, the love of his life, Corinne Smith
Elkins; threedaughters, Connie Miles and husband Kenneth, Jan Elkins, and
Denise Healy andhusband Bill; three grandchildren, his namesake Stephanie
Garland Healy Staggsand husband Logan, Shane Alexander Healy, and Olivia
Gabrielle Miles; and ahost of other loving family and friends.
The family will gather to receive friends on Sunday, October 30, between
Fouro’clock and Seven o’clock in the evening at the Forest Hill Church of
Christ,3950 Forest Hill-Irene Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38125. Funeral
services will beheld at Twelve o’clock noon on Monday, October 31, also
at the Forest Hilllocation, with visitation from Ten o’clock in the
morning until a Quarter ofTwelve. Interment will be held at Eleven
o’clock in the morning on Tuesday,November 1, at the Riverside Cemetery
in Woodbury, Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to the Garland
andCorinne Elkins Scholarship Fund at the Memphis School of Preaching.
Onlinecondolences may be made at www.MemphisFuneralHome.net
Red Raider Football Falls on Senior Night
Alontae Taylor(file photo)
The Coffee County Red Raider football team honored 12 seniors on Friday as Coffee County celebrated Senior Night prior to the regular season finale against Siegel. The Stars spoiled the rest of the night as they dropped the Raiders by a final score of 36 to 16.
The Stars got a touchdown in the last 90 seconds of the 2nd quarter to take a 22 to 0 lead into the half. Siegel then scored in the first minute of the 3rd quarter to spoil any Coffee County upset bid. Pablo Sanz kicked a 27 yard field goal in the 3rd quarter and Alontae Taylor ripped off a 65 yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 29 to 10 entering the 4th quarter. DeAaron Rozier bulled his way into the end zone with 1:32 remaining in the game to close out the scoring for the Raiders.
The Raiders were led offensively by Taylor as the junior quarterback rushed 15 times for 137 yards and a touchdown. He also passed the ball 9 times with 3 completions for 42 yards and had 2 receptions for 27 yards. Rozier finished with 23 yards rushing on 11 carries and Colton Prater was 3 for 3 for 44 yards passing. The Thunder Radio/Crazy Daisies Player of the game was Alontae Taylor
The Raiders will open the TSSAA playoffs on Friday night as Coffee County will travel to Maryville to take on the nationally ranked Rebels. Kickoff for all playoff games is 7 PM local time, so the game will begin at 6 PM CDT. Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast live beginning at 6 PM.
CCMS Basketball Teams Sweep Woodbury Border Wars Titles
CCMS Lady Raiders with the Border Wars championship trophy[Photo provided by Matt Vinson]
The Lady Raiders opened the day on Saturday as they took out Woodland 39 to 22. Bella Vinson led the Lady Raiders in scoring with 15 points and Keri Munn added 10. In the finals, the Lady Raiders needed a 4th quarter comeback to defeat DeKalb County 31 to 27.
CCMS Lady Raiders named to the Border Wars All-Tournament team (left to right) Keri Munn, Bella Vinson, Kiya Ferrell & Marley Perry[Photo provided by Matt Vinson]
The Red Raiders blasted Westside in their semifinals by a score of 45 to 18. The Raiders held Westside to 6 points in the second half as they coasted to the win. Ten Red Raiders scored on the afternoon led by Jaxon Vaughn and Trenton Scrivnor who each netted 11 points.
CCMS Red Raiders with the Border Wars championship trophy[Photo provided by Kyle Harris]
![CCMS Red Raiders with the Border Wars All Tournament team. (left to right) Hayden Hullett, Jaxon Vaughn, Kyle Farless & Marshall Haney. [Photo provided by Kyle Harris]](http://www.thunder1320.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/CCMS-Boys-Border-Battle-All-Tournament.jpg)
CCMS Red Raiders named to the Border Wars All Tournament team. (left to right) Hayden Hullett, Jaxon Vaughn, Kyle Farless & Marshall Haney. [Photo provided by Kyle Harris]