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2nd Annual Middle School Soccer Tournament is This Weekend
The Coffee County Central High School soccer team and soccer booster club is hosting the 2nd annual Red Raider Invitational Soccer tournament beginning Friday here in Manchester. The tournament will feature 12 middle school boys teams this year, including Westwood Middle and Coffee County Middle. The games begin at 5 PM on Friday and all the games will be held at the Raider Soccer Field and at Carden-Jarrell Field. Both venues are behind the Coffee County Raider Academy and a paid admission will get you into BOTH venues. A copy of the schedule is found below. You can also DOWNLOAD a PDF copy of the schedule at: 2016 Red Raider Invitational Schedule
Braves Derailed in Norris’ Impressive Debut
Wilson Ramos’ two-out chopper led to a couple of defensive mistakes that spoiled Bud Norris’ otherwise impressive Braves debut and enabled the Nationals to complete a two-game season-opening sweep with a 3-1 win on Wednesday night at Turner Field.
Matt den Dekker capped Washington’s three-run seventh with a two-run double, but he would not have had the pinch-hit opportunity had the Braves not added to the defensive mistakes that cost them on Opening Day. Shortstop Erick Aybar grabbed Ramos’ chopper and made an off-balance and off-target throw to Freddie Freeman, who then saw his relay throw to prevent Ryan Zimmerman from scoring from second base elude catcher A.J. Pierzynski’s glove.
While Pierzynski’s fourth-inning single accounted for the only costly damage Stephen Strasburg sustained over six innings, Norris had allowed just one Nationals baserunner to reach second base before the seventh frame.
“[Norris] pitched tremendous,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “We didn’t make a play there, and they scored three runs. They should be all unearned runs, for me.”
Given that Norris posted a 6.79 ERA in the 11 starts he made before being released by the Orioles last year, the Braves took a gamble when they signed him to a one-year, $2.5 million deal in December. But the right-hander made a good first impression as he limited the Nationals to four hits before his defense squandered the effort and a 1-0 lead.
In his first start of the season, Strasburg pitched six innings, allowed one run on six hits and struck out four batters. He also put himself in the record books by becoming the all-time club leader in strikeouts with 905. Strasburg struck out Norris in the third inning to break the record set by Jordan Zimmermann.
Matt Wisler will make his season debut when Atlanta begins a three-game series against the Cardinals on Friday at 6:35 p.m. CT. Wisler refined his changeup with Hall of Famer Tom Glavine’s assistance this past winter and impressed Atlanta’s coaches with the enhanced mound presence he showed during Spring Training. Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast of that game beginning at 6:20 on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network.
4/8/16 — Edna Katherine Oakley
Edna Katherine Oakley, of Tullahoma, passed this life on Monday, April
4th, 2016 at Life Care Center at the age of 75. Mrs. Oakley was born in
Allardt, Tennessee to the late Jess and Hester Hull Vaughn. During her
life, Mrs. Oakley worked with her husband as a pharmacy assistant at
their drug store, Tullahoma Drug Shop. She later went to work in the
Pharmacy at CVS until her retirement. She was a member of Highland Hills
Church of Christ and was a former volunteer for Hospice as well as a
Board Member for Skills Development Services. In addition to her parents,
Mrs. Oakley was preceded in death by her husband, Oliver Wendell Oakley
Jr; and one daughter, Jennifer Taylor Halsey. She is survived by two
brothers, Wayne Vaughn and his wife Reta and Johnny Vaughn and his wife
Teresa; two sons, O. Wendell Oakley III and his wife Debra of Conestee,
South Carolina and Kim Oakley and his wife Lynn of Newnan, Georgia;
daughter, Vickie Taylor of Tullahoma; three grandchildren, Troy McGee and
his wife Tammy of Wartace, Peggy Anne Oakley of Toyko, Japan, and Katie
Halsey of Lexington, Kentucky; two great- grandchildren, Ryan and Elijah
McGee; two great-great-grandchildren, Oakley and Bristenn McGee; and
very special friends, Ron and Shirley Cato. Visitation will be held on
Thursday, April 7th, 2016 at Kilgore Funeral Home from 5:00-8:00pm.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 8th, 2016 at 1:00pm in the
Kilgore Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Shane Hines officiating. Burial
will follow at Powell Hollow Cemetery in Bedford County. For those who
wish, the family asks that donations be made to Skills Development
Services, 704 South Washington Street, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388.
Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
4/6/16
Birthdays:
Bobby Sisk — Pizza Winner!
Harold Hawkins
Rosanna Brandon
Paul Wildman
Drug Charges filed against Manchester Man
Justin Trey Burnette… Photo provided by the CCSD
Burnette age 29 of Bryan Blvd Manchester was arrested and charged with promotion of methamphetamine, schedule II drug violation and unlawful drug paraphernalia uses and activities. His bond was set at $31,500 and he’ll be in court May 12, 2016.
Attorney General says Fantasy Sports are Gambling
The Tennessee Attorney General has declared that fantasy sports contests are gambling.
In Opinion 16-23, Tennessee AG Herbert H. Slatery III stated that gambling is illegal in the state, despite the state-sponsored lottery which is currently in operation.
The opinion continues to define gambling to include: “…lotteries, chain or pyramid clubs, numbers, pinball, poker or any as yet unnamed scheme where value is risked for profit.”
Voters in Tennessee passed a lottery amendment in 2002 which made state-organized lotteries legal.
Tennessee’s lotteries are run by the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation.
Eyes on the Road: April is Distracted Driving Awareness
Texting while driving is illegal in Tennessee, but too many people do it anyway – sometimes with disastrous results. (DodgertonSkillhause/morguefile)
In the last 10 years, distracted driving was to blame for more than 172,000 accidents on Tennessee roadways, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety. Experts believe that number is actually higher, with not everyone reporting their distraction at the time of an accident. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and AARP Tennessee is reminding Tennesseans about the importance of paying attention when behind the wheel. George Coleman, state coordinator for AARP Tennessee, teaches safe-driving classes in the Memphis area. “People are doing so many more things,” he says. “They’re multiple-tasking in their driving and this is why so many crashes are happening, because people are not paying attention and there are distractions to what they’re doing.” Smartphones are increasingly a major distraction for drivers. Tennessee bans the use of hand-held cell phones by school bus and novice drivers. Text messaging while driving is illegal. AARP Tennessee sponsors safe-driving classes around the state for folks who’d like some extra pointers and updates on the laws; some insurance companies offer discounts to people who complete the class. Coleman says it’s important not to underestimate the lifelong impact a moment of distraction can have. “You’re driving through a neighborhood, you answer your phone, and a young child runs out in front of you,” he says. “Your reaction time is slow, you’re talking on the phone, you’re not paying attention to your driving. You run over a child, you kill that child – then, you’ve got to live the rest of your life knowing you took a child’s life.” The distracted-driving problem is especially high among younger generations. In one National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey, nearly 30 percent of drivers ages 21 to 34 said texting has “no impact” on their ability to drive safely.
Home & Garden Show is Saturday at the Coffee Co. Fairgrounds
The 11th annual Coffee County Area Wide Home and Garden Show will be held at the Coffee County Fairgrounds this Saturday, April 9.
Over 30 vendors will display goods and services from 9am-3pm. The event is presented by Al White Ford/Lincoln.
You’ll be able to attend for free we just ask if you can to bring a non-perishable food item that will be donated locally.
Builders, pest control, furniture, landscaping, real estate and so much more will be on display plus many, many prizes will be given away.
Don’t miss this outstanding event.
Tullahoma Utilities Board to Honor Former Employees with Tree Memorial Ceremony
Tullahoma Utilities Board (TUB) will be honoring two past employees with a memorial tree planting ceremony at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 18th at the Lions Club Park at 407 Lions Club Lane.
This year, TUB will honor Curtis Womack and Comer Grant. Mr. Womack worked for the electric department from November 16, 1970 to March 7, 1997 as an Equipment Operator. He passed away February 29, 2012. Mr. Grant worked as a Water Department Operator from May 1, 1984 to June 27, 1986.
The City of Tullahoma, along with TUB Forrester Monty Hawkins, planted two trees—a Little Gem Magnolia for Grant and a Cherokee Brave Dogwood for Womack—in honor of these two men who served the city for many years.
Family members of the recipients, as well as several TUB staff and board members, will be in attendance to honor the hard work and years of dedication that they gave to the city.
TUB invites anyone who knew Mr. Curtis Womack or Mr. Comer Grant to attend the ceremony and help honor them.
Nashville Sounds Open Season at Home on Thursday
The Nashville Sounds Baseball Club begins its 2016 season on Thursday, April 7 when they welcome the Oklahoma City Dodgers on Opening Day.
Thursday’s 6:35 p.m. game is the start of a season-opening eight-game homestand at First Tennessee Park. Following the four-game series with the Dodgers, the Sounds welcome the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, for a four-game series scheduled for April 11-14.
Below is a preview for each game of the homestand:
Thursday, April 7 vs. Oklahoma City – 6:35 p.m.
• Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
• Opening Day Celebration at First Tennessee Park presented by First Tennessee
• Ceremonial first pitch delivered by Megan Barry, Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
• National anthem performed by season nine “The Voice” contestant Evan McKeel
• 150 United States Army Soldiers will unravel the American flag across the entire outfield during McKeel’s performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner”
• The unveiling of a new in-game tradition set to take place during the middle of the fifth inning of all 72 home games at First Tennessee Park
• Post-game fireworks show
• Ballpark Aerial Photo Giveaway – upon exiting the ballpark, the first 10,000 fans will receive a special ballpark aerial photo taken that night from above First Tennessee Park
Friday, April 8 vs. Oklahoma City – 6:35 p.m.
• Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
• Magnet Schedule Giveaway presented by RE/MAX (first 4,000 fans)
• FOX17 post-game fireworks presented by Koorsen Fire & Security
Saturday, April 9 vs. Oklahoma City – 6:35 p.m.
• Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
• Magnet Schedule Giveaway presented by RE/MAX (first 4,000 fans)
Sunday, April 10 vs. Oklahoma City – 2:05 p.m.
• Gates open at 1:00 p.m.
• Pre-game autograph session with select Sounds players 1:15-1:30
• Military Sunday presented by Piedmont Natural Gas, Tennessee 811 and WSMV Channel 4 – the Sounds will wear camouflage jerseys to honor active/veteran military men, women & families.
• Post-game Kids Run the Bases (12 & under) presented by First Tennessee
Monday, April 11 vs. Colorado Springs – 6:35 p.m.
• Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
• Major League Monday T-Shirt Giveaway presented by King University & 650 AM WSM
• Kroger Plus Monday – Buy a “Family 4-Pack” that includes 4 Select section tickets, 4 hot dogs & 4 fountain sodas for $44. This offer is only available at participating Ticketmaster locations inside Kroger stores and is not available at First Tennessee Park.
Tuesday, April 12 vs. Colorado Springs – 6:35 p.m.
• Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
• “Live from Nashville, it’s Tuesday Night” 50s Theme Night presented by The Tennessean
Wednesday, April 13 vs. Colorado Springs – 12:05 p.m.
• Gates open at 11:00 a.m.
• Noon Bash in Nash presented by ESPN 102.5 The Game – catch baseball at high noon at the inaugural Wednesday day game
Thursday, April 14 vs. Colorado Springs – 6:35 p.m.
• Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
• Throwback Thursday presented by iHeartMedia – the Sounds will wear throwback jerseys to commemorate the team’s original uniform style from 1978. Fans can purchase Coca-Cola fountain soda, domestic draft beers and 12oz. cans for $2 each. Bud and Bud Light 16oz. cans and import and craft draft beer can be purchased for $3 each.
The 2016 season is the Sounds’ 19th year in the Pacific Coast League and their second as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Season ticket memberships are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.