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Gas Prices Continue Downward Trend
Gas prices declined for the 11th consecutive day Sunday; falling 4 cents in Florida, 6 cents in Georgia, and 5 cents in Tennessee.
“Gas prices immediately began their seasonal downward trend at the beginning of September,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Refineries are entering maintenance season as they begin the switch to winter-blend gasoline. This fuel has fewer additives, making it cheaper to produce than summer-blend gasoline, which leads to lower gas prices. Gas prices should follow a downward trend through the rest of the year.
The Tennessee state average of $2 is 3 cents less than a week ago and 7 cents less than a year ago, but $1.20 less than this time two years ago.
In Coffee County the low price in Manchester is $1.82 and in Tullahoma the low price per gallon is $1.87.
Coffee Co. Middle School begins New Program
John Fletcher, Director of Communications, Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce greeting a student, teaching proper hand shake, and eye contact.
Recently Coffee County Middle School welcomed John Fletcher from the Chamber kick off “Work Day Wednesdays!” Work Day Wednesdays gives area businesses and community leaders the opportunity to send a representative to welcome students to school. “This is a great opportunity for our business and community leaders to join us through the CEO Program.
This program allows us to focus on simple life skills that will, in turn, help our students become workforce ready and better prepared in their everyday life,” said Taylor Rayfield, Family Resource Coordinator. In addition, the representative is in a short video highlighting the importance of attendance, careers, and education. Freda Kay Jones, representing the Coffee County School Board, headlined the inaugural video segment by joining with state officials in recognizing September as Attendance Awareness Month and stressing the importance of being at school every day.
Kim Aaron, principal of CCMS, “Appreciates the community’s support and is excited about the partnership.” If you are interested in being part of Work Day Wednesdays, please contact John Fletcher at the Chamber (931-728-7635) or Kim Aaron at Coffee County Middle School (931-723-5177).
Hungry for Solution: TN Ranks 13th for Food Insecurity
Tennessee households continue to experience food insecurity at levels higher than most other parts of the country, according to a report released by the Food Research and Action Center. (leosaumurejr/flickr.com)
That figure places the state near the bottom in the country when it comes to food insecurity, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The rates are higher in households with children, minority households and those headed by a single man or woman.
Jim Weill, president of the Food Research and Action Center, says the Volunteer State has some work to do when it comes to improving access to food.
“They are even higher in Tennessee, which Tennessee has among the worst rate of food insecurity of any state in the nation,” he states. “It ranks 13th worst among the states.”
Among the recommendations to address food hardship, FRAC recommends that states boost jobs, wages and access to school and child care nutrition programs.
There are 479,000 low-income children in Tennessee receiving free or reduced price lunches, but only 61 percent of them are getting a school breakfast, which experts say is one way to reduce food insecurity among children.
Nationwide, food insecurity has declined from 2014 to 2015 – with 13.4 percent of households struggling with hunger in 2015.
That still leaves 42 million Americans living in food insecure households.
Weill says action must be taken on the state and federal level.
“We need higher employment rates,” he stresses. “We need better wages for low-income workers and we need stronger government support programs. We need a stronger food stamp program, a stronger school lunch and school breakfast and child care food programs.”
This year, Tennessee kicked off the No Tennessee Child Hungry Awareness Campaign. As part of the campaign, the state is working to raise awareness of the Summer Food Service Programs available.
New Paramedics begin to serve thanks to Motlow Program
Pictured front row, from left, Krista Hickerson, Williamson County, Rheannon Thomas, Moore County and Samantha Simmons, Lincoln County. Back row, from left, Drew Hooker, EMS program director at Motlow; Joe Sullenger, Coffee County; Michael Bice, Coffee County; Brandon Rowe, Rutherford County; Samantha Thornton, Franklin County; Stephen Alderman, Coffee County and Justus Smith, EMS program coordinator at Motlow.
“I am extremely proud of this group and the accomplishments that were obtained throughout the year,” said Hooker.
There were eight graduates from the program, all from the immediate service area of the college, with each completing more than 1,200 hours of instruction and clinical time.
“These students have made deep sacrifices for this accomplishment,” said Justus Smith, paramedic coordinator at Motlow State. “Becoming a paramedic is a major achievement and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of their education.”
Stephen Alderman of Tullahoma received the Top Student award in recognition for excellent academic and clinical achievement in the classroom setting. He is currently employed at Warren County EMS and Williamson Medical Center EMS.
CHS Golf Honors 4 Seniors on Monday
CHS Golf coaches and seniors(Left to Right) Mike Ray, Savannah Quick, Sophie Vinson, John Parigger, Matthew Wright and Marshall Gilliam.
The Coffee County golf teams hosted their final home match of the year on Monday as the Red Raiders and the Lady Raiders honored their 4 seniors. Immediately afterwards, Coffee County took on Warren County, Sale Creek and Tullahoma in a 9 hole match. The Lady Raiders took care of Sale Creek and Warren County while the Red Raiders were swept in their match with Tullahoma and Warren County
The Lady Raiders honored seniors Savannah Quick and Sophie Vinson prior to the shotgun start of their match with Sale Creek and Warren County. Ashley Gilliam shot the low round of the day firing an even par 36. Savannah Quick added a 40 while Sophie Vinson finished with a 43 to give the Lady Raiders a team score of 76. Sale Creek finished in 2nd place with a 02 and Warren County was 3rd at 105. The win improves the Lady Raiders record to 44 and 3.
The Red Raiders honored seniors John Parigger and Matthew Wright prior to the match. Parigger promptly went out and shot an even par 36 but it was not enough to claim the win as the Red Raiders finished with a team score of 159. Tullahoma won the match with a score of 147 while Warren County finished at 154. Reid Lawrence added a 40, Samuel Prater shot a 41, Austin Farris had a 42 and Matthew Wright finished with a 43.
The CHS golf teams will travel to the Bear Trace Golf Course at Tims Ford on Thursday for a matchup with district foes Lincoln County, Franklin County and Tullahoma. That 18 hole match will tee off at 1 PM.
CHS Volleyball Drops Fayetteville
Bailey Morgan
The Coffee County Lady Raider volleyball team got a 4 set win over Fayetteville on Monday night in a non-district contest in Fayetteville. The Lady Raiders served well and dominated the net to win by set scores of: 25-23, 25-16, 17-25 and 25-15. The Lady Raiders served 20 aces and had 35 kills to dominate the match.
Bailey Morgan led Coffee County in aces with 5 and kills with 10. Rachel Henley led the team in assists with 12 while Tyana Fenton led the Lady Raiders in digs with 10. Baylee Nester had 4 aces and 7 kills, while Lindsey Perry added 8 kills and a block.
The win improves Coffee County’s record to 13 and 9 overall. The Lady Raiders are back on the road Tuesday as they travel to take on Tullahoma in a district rivalry contest. That match is set to get underway at 6 PM at Tullahoma High School.
Westwood Soccer Blanks Fayetteville
![Brittney Hernandez of Westwood Soccer[Photo by Tiffany Clutter]](http://www.thunder1320.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Brittney-Hernandez.jpg)
Brittney Hernandez of Westwood Soccer[Photo by Tiffany Clutter]
Hernandez opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a goal as Westwood’s offense controlled the time of possession. Westwood keeper Anna Coker did not face a shot on frame in the first half as the Lady Rockets took the fight to the visiting Lady Tigers. In the second half, Willoughby connected on a penalty kick and Johnson added Westwood’s 3rd goal in the 43rd minute. Coker finished the night with a pair of saves. The win improves the Lady Rockets record to 2 and 3 overall and 2 and 1 in conference play.
The Lady Rockets are back in action on Tuesday night when they play host to Community in a 5 PM contest. Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you the broadcast as part of our 1st National Bank Hometown Sports Series. We begin with the pregame show at 4:50 PM.
CCMS Soccer Claims Comeback Win over North
Reagan Ellison of CCMS Soccer
After a shaky start, the Coffee County Middle School soccer team was able to dispatch North Franklin on Monday night in Winchester. The Lady Gators got an early goal before Coffee County battled back for the 2 to 1 win in the conference matchup.
After giving up a goal in the 8th minute, the Lady Raiders got the benefit of a fortunate bounce off of a corner kick that ended up in the North Franklin goal in the 15th minute. Reagan Ellison added Coffee County’s game winning goal in the 29th minute to send the match to the half at 2 to 1. In the second half, Coffee County was able to change their defensive alignment to shut down any North Franklin comeback attempt.
The Lady Raiders travel to Sparta on Thursday night for a conference match-up with White County. That match will kick off at 5:30 PM.
CCMS Volleyball Wins 5th Straight on Monday
Lauren Brandt of CCMS volleyball
The Coffee County Middle School volleyball team won their 5th match in a row on Monday with an exciting 3 set win over Eagleville. The Lady Raiders won by set scores of 25-14, 16-25 and 16-14. The Lady Raiders had to fight off 2 match points in the 3rd set to gain the win. Lauren Brandt led the Lady Raiders in aces with 5 while Kiya Ferrell led in kills with 5.
The Lady Raiders are back in action on Thursday when they play host to White County. That match gets underway at 5 PM at the Coffee County Middle School Gym.
Coffee County Youth Bass Club Opens Fall Season
![Members of the 2016-2017 Coffee County Youth Bass Club[Photo Provided]](http://www.thunder1320.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Coffee-Co-Youth-Bass-Club.jpg)
Members of the 2016-2017 Coffee County Youth Bass Club[Photo Provided]
The boat of Colby Thurmond and Braeden Thurmond came in first place with a total of 2.04 pounds. That was just barely enough to edge out the second place boat of Taylor Fletcher and Blake Mangrum who had a total weight of 2.02 lbs. The big fish award went to Braeden Thurmond who tipped the scales at 2.04 pounds for his bass.
Club members will have the opportunity to return to Nickajack this Saturday to compete in the Tennessee Bass Nation trail event. The next club event is scheduled for October 15th at Tims Ford. For more information about the Coffee County Youth Bass Club, you can check out their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Coffee-County-Youth-Bass-Club-1227052340639230/?fref=ts