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Former Lady Raider Pitcher Brianna Jones Named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week
From Missouri Valley Conference Press Release
Southern Illinois University pitcher Brianna Jones, seen here during the Lions Classic in Hammond, Louisiana, fires a pitch in her firs collegiate game on February 12.(Photo courtesy of Saluki Media Services)
All but one of the MVC Softball teams were in action during the first weekend of play. As a whole, the league went 24-20 with each team that played earning at least one win. Danielle Freeman was named MVC Player of the Week, Brianna Jones of Southern Illinois took Pitcher of the Week with Drake’s Kennedy Frank taking MVC Newcomer of the Week.
MVC Pitcher of the Week
Brianna Jones, Freshman, Manchester, Tenn. – Southern Illinois
Southern Illinois pitcher Brianna Jones pitched two complete-game shutouts for the Salukis over the weekend. Jones still has not given up an earned run in 14.0 innings pitched. She has struck out 16 and walked just three while limited opponents to a .192 batting average. Jones leads the conference in ERA, and she is the only pitcher in the league that threw two complete-game shutouts on opening weekend
MVC Player of the Week
Danielle Freeman, Utility, Junior, Grand Rapids, Mich. – Evansville
In the first weekend of the season, Danielle Freeman showed just why she is one of the top offensive players in the MVC as she batted .571 leading Evansville to a 4-1 mark. Freeman opened the year going 1-2 while drawing two walks versus Eastern Michigan. She followed with her top game of the weekend, going 3-4 with 4 RBIs and three runs scored against Alabama State as she hit her first home run of the season. She recorded another 2-hit outing at Troy while posting one hit in the other two games. Freeman notched four doubles on the weekend while walking three times.
MVC Newcomer of the Week
Kennedy Frank, Outfielder, Freshman, Chesterfield, Mo. – Drake
Frank had an impressive debut weekend for Drake. She was 9-for-18 at the plate with one home run, three doubles, three runs scored and four RBI as the Bulldogs went 4-1 at the UNI-Dome Classic. Frank smacked her first career home run, a two-run shot, in a win over South Dakota State. In 18 at bats, she did not strike out once.
Preds Pick Up Point, Fall to Stars in OT
Pete Weber’s Postgame Report
Mattias Janmark scored the game-winning goal, as the Dallas Stars defeated the Nashville Predators by a 3-2 final in overtime on Monday night at Bridgestone Arena. The result gives the Preds a point, bumping their total to 62 on the season.
The Preds and Stars went back and forth all night long, be it offensive chances, impressive goaltending and physical play in the first of four meetings set to take place between the two clubs over the next eight weeks.
“It was a hard-fought game, a division game against a good team,” Preds Captain Shea Weber said. “We knew it was going to be hard. It was hard fought right until the end, and we just need to be better in overtime.”
“It was a game that went back and forth,” Head Coach Peter Laviolette said. “They had some good moments, and we had some good moments. It was pretty tight, and they’re a dangerous team. Defensively, I thought we were pretty good. When we needed some big saves from Carter [Hutton], I thought he did a good job.”
Craig Smith gave the Preds a 1-0 lead at 11:32 of the first, picking up a Mattias Ekholm rebound at the left side of the cage and lifting it past Antti Niemi for his 12th of the season.
After Dallas took a 2-1 lead in the second, courtesy of goals from Cody Eakin and Ales Hemsky, the hostility ramped up a bit between the Central Division rivals. Weber and Antoine Roussel fought at the side of the Preds net, and just over a minute later, Paul Gaustad and former Pred Vernon Fiddler had a spirited scrap.
“It’s always great when guys step up like that,” forward Filip Forsberg said. “Weber got the first one, and then Gaustad got that big one too. Those guys are important, and it brings a lot of energy back.”
The fisticuffs brought the Bridgestone Arena crowd to life and Forsberg gave them another reason to cheer when he potted his 19th goal of the season at 16:18 to even the contest at 2-2.
The third period brought about a number of stellar stops from Preds goaltender Carter Hutton, who was making his second consecutive start. Hutton stopped 29 of 32 shots he faced on the evening and kept his club in the game against one of the League’s top teams.
Overtime was required to decide a winner, and Nashville got caught on a line change, allowing the Stars to capitalize off a 3-on-1 rush that was finished by Janmark.
“That was a change; Filip came to the bench, and for whatever reason, no one was ready to go,” Weber said. “That’s something that’s easily fixable. We’ve been better. We’ve improved since. We’ve done some work on it, but still, those points make the difference.”
Nashville hosts the Boston Bruins at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday night before welcoming the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast of Thursday night’s game immediately following Coffee County Lady Raider Basketball.
Tullahoma Man Charged after Drugs Found
A Tullahoma man was arrested Feb 11 on drug charges after he was allegedly found to be in possession of two pounds of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and weapons.
According to a report by Officer Tommy Elliott, James E. Blair, 34, of East Grundy Street was charged with possession of schedule VI and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The report alleges that the officer received information that Blair was in possession of marijuana. Elliott then obtained a search warrant and went to Blair’s residence and served the search warrant. Once inside he allegedly found approximately the two pounds of marijuana, several items of drug paraphernalia, $951 cash, a Cobra .380 pistol and a Mossberg .22 AR Style rifle.
Blair was booked into the Coffee County Jail under a $27,500 bond and is to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court April 14.
Murder Conviction Upheld
The 2012 first degree murder conviction of Jeffrey Smithson has been upheld by the Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee.
Smithson was found guilty by a Coffee County Circuit Court Jury of first degree felony murder, theft over $1,000, first degree premeditated murdered and especially aggravated robbery in the murder of his 81-year-old aunt Virginia White in her residence in Manchester Aug. 16, 2011.
The appeals court judges noted that Judge Jackson concluded that “there was no evidence that Smithson’s statement was involuntary or that he did not know what he was doing when he made statements to police” and the judge denied Smithson’s request to suppress those statements.
The appeals court upheld Smithson’s life in prison sentence for the murder. He was also sentenced to 12 years for theft over $1,000 and 25 years for especially aggravated robbery.
He remains in custody of the Tennessee Department of Corrections.
Roof Needed at CCAP
The roof at the Coffee County Administrative Plaza (CCAP) has not been replaced since 1996 so at a recent meeting the Coffee County Capital Outlay Committee says it will seek a $575,000, five-year capital outlay note to replace the roof.
Coffee County accepted a $429,753 bid for the roof replacement. The bid comes with a 25-year labor and materials warranty.
The extra $145,247 built into the loan is meant to cover expected, unknown costs.
The $575,000 capital outlay note requires approval by the Coffee County Budget and Finance Committee before coming up for vote at the full Coffee County Commission meeting on March 8.
Early Voting continues in Coffee County
Early voting continues until Tuesday, February 23. Early Voting Hours: Manchester: Coffee County Administrative Plaza 1329 McArthur Street, Suite 6, Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM and Saturday 8:30-12:00 PM. In Tullahoma: C.D. Stamps Community Center 810 South Jackson Street, Monday-Friday 9:00AM-4:30 PM and Saturday 9:00-12:00 PM. Tennesseans must bring valid state or federal photo identification with them to the polls. On the ballot; Presidential preference primary for presidential candidates and the following offices will be on the March County Primary ballot: Public Defender (unexpired six (6) year term), Assessor of Property, Constable – Seat 4 – Dist. 3, 14 & 16 (unexpired two (2) year term), Constable – Seat 7 – Dist. 17, 19 & 20 (unexpired two (2) year term). District Offices are elected by voters living in those areas.
One person qualified Public Defender, John E. Nicoll who is a Republican. For Assessor of Property, Larry McIntosh, Roseanne Carden Riddle and Beverly H. Robertson, all republicans. For Constable – Seat 4 Democrat Danny Davis with no candidate qualified for District 7 Constable. For more information on Coffee County elections call 931-723-5103 or check out their website at www.coffeecountyelectioncommission.com
Enough Probable Cause continues case against Ooltewah Officials
A judge has ruled there’s enough probable cause to proceed with charges against three Tennessee high school officials facing allegations they failed to report the sexual abuse of school basketball players by teammates.
Ooltewah High School basketball coach Andre Montgomery, assistant coach Karl Williams and athletic director Allard Nayadley each pleaded not guilty Monday.
Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge Robert Philyaw issued his ruling at the end of a preliminary hearing that revealed more details about the Dec. 22 incident. The case now goes before a grand jury.
The Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office filed an affidavit last month saying four players were “subjected to apparent sexual assault” at a Gatlinburg cabin.
Gatlinburg Police charged three Ooltewah players with the aggravated rape of one player.
Money for Local Housing Authorities
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro has announced HUD is allocating $47,711,062 to public housing authorities in Tennessee to make needed capital improvements in their properties.
Manchester Housing Authority will receive $82,543 and the Tullahoma Housing Authority will get $313,112.
For more than 75 years, the federal government has been investing billions of dollars in developing and maintaining public housing – including providing critical support through the Capital Fund grants. Nonetheless, there has been a net loss of over 135,000 public housing units since fiscal year 2000, representing an average loss of approximately 9,000 units annually.
2/21/16 — Lee Michael Whitham
Funeral services for Mr. Lee Michael Whitham, age 54, of Manchester, TN,
will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at Manchester
Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.
Visitation with the family will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Saturday
evening at the funeral home. Lee passed away suddenly Monday morning at
Unity Medical Center in Manchester.
Lee was born in Memphis, TN, the son of Donald M. and Barbara June Holden
Whitham of Lynnwood, WA. He was a graduate of Freed Hardeman University,
Vice President of Human Resources for Jacobs Technology in Tullahoma, TN,
and a member of Forest Mill Church of Christ.
Lee was preceded in death by one daughter, Christy Louise Whitham and a
respected father-in-law, Clyde E. Swanger. In addition to his parents,
Lee is also survived by his loving wife of 33 ½ years, Cindy Jo Swanger
Whitham of Manchester; one daughter, Lindsey Lee Whitham Hibdon, her
husband, Nick, and grandson, Jackson Steele Hibdon of Hillsboro; one
brother, Robert M. Whitham of Lake Stevens, WA; two sisters, Linda J.
Cook of Chandler, AZ and Charlotte W. (Darrell) Ware of Lynnwood, WA; a
loving mother-in-law, Martha F. Swanger of Manchester; sister-in-law,
Suzanne S. (Steve) Gannon of Smyrna; four nephews, Kyle Whitham, Zakkery
Ware, Tyler Gannon and Andrew Gannon; and great nephew and niece, Aaron
and Rylee Gannon. He is also survived by numerous friends and other
family members.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Upward
Basketball at Forest Mill Church of Christ, 3388 McMinnville Highway,
Manchester, TN 37355 or Coffee County Junior Golf, Inc., 6751
McMinnville Highway, Manchester, TN 37355 or Lee Whitham Space Camp
Memorial Fund, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, One Tranquility Base,
Huntsville, AL 35805. Link: wwwrocketcenter.com/donate . Donation
envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
MANCHESTER FUNERAL HOME IS HONORED TO SERVE THE WHITHAM FAMILY
2/19/16 — Coy Lee Parker
Funeral services
for Mr. Coy Lee Parker, age 81 a resident of Manchester, TN will be
conducted Friday,
February 19, 2016 at 1:00 PM at Coffee County Funeral Chapel. The family
will receive friends Friday
morning from 11:00 AM until time of services with graveside services
immediately following at Blanton’s Chapel Cemetery. Mr. Parker passed
away at Covenant Hospice in
Pensacola, FL on February 12, 2016.
He was born in
Coffee County on October 9, 1934 to the late John Ural and Virgie Vickers
Parker. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church in the Blanton’s Chapel
Community of Manchester. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in
death by
his wife, Katheryn Elizabeth Garbison Parker; siblings, Mamie Toliver,
Donald
Randolph Parker and Jewel Dean Parker; brother-in-laws, Daniel and Chuck
Garbison.
Survivors include his
daughter, Brenda Kay Parker Shoman and husband Salim of Pensacola, FL;
grandsons, John Cory Parker Lanier of Manchester, TN, Daniel Cyle Reed
and wife
Page of Manchester, TN; great-grandchildren, Sam, Max, Lydia, Caleb,
Grayson,
Rebekah, and Parker; special nieces, Kelley G. Parker Hall and husband
Steve of
Murfreesboro, TN; step-children, Jim Pellegrini and wife Helen, Tom
Pellegrini
and wife Betty, Karen Pellegrini Smith and husband Jay, Carmen Pellegrini;
step-grandchildren, Lisa, Crystal, Jimmy, Phil, Jeremy and wife Keeta,
Felicia
and husband Tim; sister-in-law, Joan Parker; also many more
great-grandchildren, special grandgirls he loved so much, loving family,
friends and special friends at Coffee County Senior Citizens Center.
He married the love of his life Kay in 1966. They
shared 38 yrs of happiness together. Before she passed, he cared for her
in every way he could. Making her happy was his always his goal in
life. He worked 45 yrs at Wilsons Sporting Goods Tullahoma. He
retired in 1997 to have more time with his wife and family. He also
farmed his entire life. He never missed a day checking on his mother and
the farm on his way home from work. After Kay passed he became an active
member of the Coffee County Senior Citizens Center. He loved to shoot
pool daily with his friends. His love of sports has been passed
down through to his great grand children. They had the pleasure of taking
him
to his first Braves game. Win or lose he loved his Braves. He
was a true fan of his beloved Tennessee Vols and Titans Football. In his
last days he had enjoyed watching college basketball getting ready for March
Madness that he so enjoyed. He is also leaving us with his love of John
Wayne and all his Westerns. He watched Gunsmoke and Bonanza daily.
He had an incredible sense of humor even in the darkest times. I know that’s
how he will want to be remembered.
Coffee County Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the
family of Mr. Coy Lee Parker.