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Drug Court Program doing well in Coffee County
The Coffee County Drug Court program is continuing to grow with its largest number of graduates since the initiative began more than a decade ago.
Coffee County Mayor Gary Cordell says 17 participants graduated earlier this month.
Drug court is a two-year treatment program for nonviolence offenders living in Coffee County whose current offense is a result of illegal drug use.
Cordell says the program’s success can be measured by those who remain drug-free after completing the program.
He says Coffee County has had an 11 percent re-offense rate for those originally arrested on drug charges in the past five years, well below the national level.
Man Escapes Mental Hospital–Captured in Monteagle
Moccasin Bend Mental Hospital… Photo from the Chattanooga Times Free-Press.
A man escaped from Moccasin Bend Mental Hospital in Chattanooga on Saturday. Chattanooga police said 33-year-old Brandon Robinson was on a law enforcement hold out of Bedford County with the Shelbyville Police Department.
Robinson was captured on Sunday morning in Monteagle, according to the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office.
Officers responded to a call at McDonalds after a person reported someone had stolen their order straight off the counter. When officers arrived they encountered Robinson in the parking lot in a stolen vehicle. A struggle ensued and Robinson was taken into custody. (Story from WRCB TV)
Gas Prices keep going Lower
Gas prices are falling at a consistency not seen in nearly two years. On Sunday the average price in Tennessee fell for the 46th day in a row, for a total discount of 27 cents. These are the longest streaks of decline seen at the pump since the period of October 2014 to January 2015, when prices fell 120 consecutive days, According to a spokesman for the AAA – The Auto Club Group “Gas prices are dropping due to abundant fuel supplies and declining crude oil costs. Average prices are 57 cents less than a year ago, and that’s motivating millions of Americans to take advantage of cheaper gas to take road trips this summer.”
The state average for regular unleaded dipped below the $2 a gallon threshold in Tennessee on July 15. According to the web site Gas Buddy, the lowest price for a gallon of gas in Tullahoma is $1.77 and in Manchester it’s $1.75.
You might be owed Money from State of Tennessee
People have called the Better Business Bureau to report letters they received claiming that they are owed money by the State of Tennessee.
The letters are in fact legitimate. Every year when the Department of Treasury gets a list of new unclaimed property, the department sends out letters to the last known address of the person who is the owner of the property.
“The letters that went out are the first steps,” spokeswoman Shelli King said. “We send these letters out to the last known address we have on file.”
Even though it is called unclaimed “property,” it is actually money. It can be utility deposits, investment revenue, or a number of other payments owed to Tennesseans that the company who owed the money could not return.
So far, 75,000 letters have gone out and about 150,000 more letters are going to go out to people.
It can be difficult to find the rightful owners because sometimes they have passed away or moved without leaving a forwarding address.
“These letters may not get to everyone they are intended to,” King said. “So we take the social security number if we have it and match it to employment records.”
She continued, “An individual could be called by their employer and be told you have unclaimed property with the Tennessee Department of the Treasury.”
Sounds Slug Way to Series Win over Omaha
The Nashville Sounds slugged three homers and ran away with a 12-5 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers in front of 5,204 fans Monday night at First Tennessee Park.
Backed by two five-run innings, the Sounds (57-46) used the win in the finale to grab the series by taking three of four from Omaha (44-57). Coupled with Memphis’ loss, the Sounds lead the American Southern Division by seven games with 41 to play in the regular season.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the third, Rangel Ravelo started the hit barrage when he launched his sixth home run of the season out to left field.
Omaha’s Hunter Dozier drilled his second home run in as many at bats to give the Storm Chasers the lead in the fourth. His second solo shot of the night made it a 2-1 game.
That’s when the floodgates opened thanks to the Nashville offense. In the fourth and fifth innings, they combined to score 10 runs on 11 hits to open an 11-4 lead.
Four straight singles from Chad Pinder, Matt Olson, Renato Nunez and Joey Wendle started the big fourth inning. Bryan Anderson added the fifth single of the inning and Arismendy Alcantara knocked in a pair of runs with the sixth base hit in the frame.
After Omaha came back with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth to make it a 6-4 game, the Sounds’ offense went back to work.
With one out in the bottom half of the inning, Renato Nunez launched a booming solo homer – his 15th of the season to extend the lead to 7-4.
Wendle and Anderson each contributed their second hit of the night before Alcantara smashed a run-scoring double and Jaycob Brugman brought in a pair with a line drive triple to the gap in right-center.
Alcantara’s huge night continued in the seventh when he clubbed a solo homer to give the Sounds a 12-4 lead. He finished the night 4-for-5 with 4 RBI, 2 runs scored, a homer and a double. His third inning single extended his Nashville hitting streak to 10 games.
Starter Ross Detwiler matched a career-high with nine strikeouts in his six innings of work. The lefty allowed four runs in the win before handing over to the bullpen.
The Sounds continue the homestand when they welcome the Colorado Springs Sky Sox for a four-game series set to begin Tuesday night. Right-hander Chris Jensen (1-3, 3.64) starts for the Sounds against right-hander Wily Peralta (0-3, 7.16) for the Sky Sox. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
The 2016 season is the Sounds’ 19th year in the Pacific Coast League and their second as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Tickets are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.
High School Equivalency Test (HiSET™) to be given at Motlow
Motlow State Community College will administer the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET™) several times throughout the remainder of 2016. Test locations will be in Winchester and on the Motlow State Fayetteville, Smyrna and Moore County campuses.
A high school diploma remains the primary ticket to many entry-level jobs. In most cases, it is also the prerequisite for advancement in employment, occupational training, and postsecondary education. The High School Equivalency Diploma provides adults with the opportunity to grow, whether it is through further education, enhanced employment or stature within the community.
As of April 1, 2016, the General Education Development (GED) test is no longer an option for the High School Equivalency Diploma for residents of Tennessee. The HiSET is the only option for residents of Tennessee who wish to obtain their High School Equivalency Diploma.
Applicants interested in completing the HiSET must register online at Hiset.ets.org or by calling 1-855-MyHiSET (1-855-694-4739).
The fee for the HiSET is $15 per test or $75 for the entire test, and is available in both computer and paper-based format. Applicants should contact the Service Delivery Area (SDA), formerly the Adult Education Center, in their community for information on preparation classes for the tests and vouchers to take the test.
Applicants must complete the online registration form and bring a notarized copy of the Official Practice Test, present a government issued picture identification, confirmation letter, and an Eligibility for Enrollment Form, if applicable, to the test. For more information regarding the tests, visit the Motlow State testing website at www.mscc.edu/testing.
7/24/16 — Willard Smith Bacon
Willard “Will” Smith Bacon, age 80 of Manchester, passed away Thursday,
July 21, 2016 at his residence. Memorial Services were held Sunday, July
24 at First Presbyterterian Church of Manchester.
A native of Oil City, PA, he was the son of the late Alfred S. and
Marguerite Smith Bacon. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of
Manchester. He had a Masters Degree in Engineering and worked for 32 years
at AEDC. He was also an Archaeologist and was involved with the University
of TN archaeology work done prior to the construction of Tims Ford and
Normandy Lakes. He was awarded the Tennessee Archaeolgical Society
Outstanding Member Award, the Tennessee Council for Archaeology Lifetime
Achievement Award and the State of Tennessee Award of Merit.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother and two
sisters.
Mr. Bacon is survived by his wife, Mary Bacon of Manchester; five brothers,
Michael Bacon of New London, Missouri, Marc Bacon and his wife, Donna of
Royse City, Texas, James Kiser of Tullahoma. Jon Kiser and his wife, Gina
of Kingsport and Patrick Kiser and his wife, Kathy of Baldwin, Missouri;
one daughter, Amy Bush and her husband, Jeff of New London, Missouri; nine
grandchildren, Casandra Bacon Boyd and her husband, Ken of Tullahoma,
Steward Bush and his wife, Sarah of Hannibal, Missouri, Tyler Bush of New
London, Missouri, Jessica Bush Aggers and her husband, Karl of New London,
Missouri, Jessica Hill and her husband, Brad of Franklin, TN, Matthew Kiser
and Holly Kiser, both of Tullahoma and Claire Kiser and Sophia Kiser, both
of Kingsport and three great grandchildren, Sophia Aggers and Pippa Hill.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
7/27/16 — David Richard Spencer
David Richard Spencer Sr, 65, a resident of Tullahoma, TN passed away on
Sunday, July 24 2016 at St. Thomas West Hospital in Nashville. Graveside
services are scheduled for Wednesday, July 27 at 10 AM at Fredonia Cemetery
in Manchester. Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, July 26 from 5
–
8 PM at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home.
A native of Tullahoma, Mr. Spencer was the son of the late Leslie Leon
Spencer Jr and the late Shirley Dishman Spencer. He was a supervisor at
Custom Frames in Tullahoma where he worked for many years. He enjoyed
tinkering and repairing used lawn equipment. His favorite pastime was
being with his family and playing with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Gentry Spencer of Tullahoma; seven
children, Leslie Groce and her husband Waid, Niki McGehee and her husband,
Mike, David Spencer and his wife, Selena, Crystal Tipps, Kim Smith and her
husband, Barry, Patti Skipper and her husband, Michael and Tina Newlin and
her husband, Kyle; one sister, Carolyn Adams and her husband, Raymond; one
brother, Claude Spencer and his wife, Pat; sixteen grandchildren, Alexis
and Dalton Cook, Brandi and Chris McGehee, Paige and Lexie Spencer, Tyler,
Taylor and Torey Ocheltree, Spencer Springer, Ryan, Connor, Blake and
Ashley Smith, Haleigh Skipper and Cara Newlin and one great grandchild,
Graeson McGehee.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations to be made
to Mended Hearts, Inc., c/o Blanche Smithers, 520 Jamestown Road,
Cookeville, TN 38501.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
7/30/16 — Linda Sue Kennedy Clements
Memorial service for Ms. Linda Sue Kennedy Clements, age 67 of Manchester, will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 2:00 PM at New Union Baptist Church with Pastor Mike Owen officiating. Visitation with the family will be held at the church prior to the service from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM. Ms. Clements passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at Unity Medical Center.
She was a member of New Union Baptist Church. This amazing, godly, funny, smart, loving, caring, silly, sweet, beautiful woman is walking with Jesus in heaven. Linda will be remembered as someone who devoted her time and energy as a homemaker and caregiver for her family. She will be missed dearly.
Preceded in death by her parents, Sanford and Mary Kennedy. Survived by her son, Rob Clements (Brandi Brand); daughters, Traci Clements Robertson (Randy), Wendy Clements Buie (James), Amy Clements; grandchildren, Emily, Hunter, Bryce (Sara), Breanna, Macy, Sarah, Brady, Nathan, Matthew, Leona, James David; great-grandson, Jathan.
Coffee County Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Clement family.
CCMS Baseball Gets a Summer Scrimmage Win
Braden Brown delivers a pitch on Friday in a scrimmage with Harris
The baseball team of Coffee County Middle School welcomed Harris Middle School to CCMS on Friday night for a summer scrimmage game. The Raiders used a pair of huge innings to destroy the visiting Eagles 18 to 0 as Coach Brock Freeze was able to get all of his kids into the contest. Additionally, the Raiders got excellent pitching performances from Griffin Meeker, Nick Watkins, Braden Brown, Kyle Farless and Tanner Kistler.
Griffin Meeker gets a lead at 1st base on Friday in a scrimmage with Harris
Offensively, the Raiders had several strong performances. Trey Rogers scored 4 runs on the game, including twice in an 11 run 2nd inning for Coffee County. Rogers reached on a error, walked and had a pair of singles. Cooper Gastineau was 2 for 2 with a walk and an RBI. Kyle Farless was 1 for 3 with an RBI triple and Nick Watkins added an RBI double. Coach Brock Freeze is attempting to get in one more summer scrimmage for the Red Raiders before school starts.