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Manchester Man Facing Burglary and Vandalism Charges

Lucas Bailey Sarzosa

Lucas Bailey Sarzosa

Manchester Police say they have charged a local man with burglary and vandalism. Lucas Bailey Sarzosa of Manchester was arrested after police say he entered the Computer Shoppe on 112 East Main Street in Manchester by allegedly ripping open a screen door and kicking in the upstairs door to enter the business. Sarzosa is accused of taking an undisclosed amount of cash and a .38 Smith and Wesson pistol from the business. Investigators say he then tore down four security cameras which were not located and a D-link router, cable modem and 16 port switch box that Sarzosa is accused of tossing onto the roof of the business. Manchester Police also state that the man tore the ceiling tile out of the ceiling as he was taking down the cameras. Damage to the business was over $500.00.
Investigators were able to identify the Sarzosa through surveillance video. He was booked at the Coffee County Jail on a total bond of $39,000 and has a court date set for July 7.

Weekly Gas Prices

gas prices 6Gas prices are declining as we approach the most traveled Independence Day holiday weekend since 2007. Of the 41.9 million total travelers, 35.5 million Americans will take a road trip; the highest number of auto travelers on record (which dates back to 2000).
“Lower gas prices are added incentive for travelers to pack-up the family vehicle and hit the road this Independence Day,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
Tennessee’s state average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline ($2.55) is 3 cents cheaper than last week; 90 cents lower than the price on July 4, 2014. The low price in Manchester this week is $2.35 per gallon and in Tullahoma it’s $2.41.

UPDATE! Double Murder Suspect Caught In Florida

Bryan Cooke... Photo provided

Bryan Cooke… Photo provided


Officials with the Jacksonville, Fla. Police Department said in a Tweet Tuesday morning that 39-year-old Bryan Cooke was arrested at a hotel on the west side of town. He is the man that was put on the Tennessee Top 10 Most Wanted list on Monday. Cooke was wanted by Warren County officials in connection with a murder that took place on Monday in that county.
Two people were found murdered inside their Warren County home in the Fairview Community on Monday morning. Gary and Gail Dodson were owners of Gary and Gail’s Pit Stop on Beersheba Street in McMinnville.

Monteagle Murder Investigation Update

murder2Prosecutors are following up on information concerning the apparent murder of a Grundy County man which took place on June 2nd. 65 year old Kenneth Tate was found dead at his home on 3rd Street in Monteagle. 12th District Attorney General Mike Taylor says autopsy reports indicate Tate died from blunt force trauma inflicted by as many as two different weapons. Although no gunshot wounds were discovered. Evidence taken at the crime scene is still under review but law men say they have identified a “person of interest” in connection with the murder. The victim who lived alone was discovered by a family member. Authorities say Tate was well known around Monteagle. Anyone with information about the death is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND.

TDOT Suspending Construction Lane Closures

TDOTThe Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes beginning at Midnight Thursday through 6am Monday, July 6th to provide maximum roadway capacity for motorists during the July 4th holiday.
AAA anticipates more than 844,000 Tennesseans will hit the roadways during the holiday weekend.
While lane closure activity will be stopped, workers may still be on site in construction zones and reduced speed limits will still be in effect.
Drivers convicted of speeding through work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250 to $500, plus court fees.

Be Fireworks Smart This Independence Day

fireworks2Celebrating our nation’s independence with fireworks has been a longstanding tradition in Tullahoma. However, children and teens are the people most often seriously injured through their use.
Tullahoma Fire Chief, Richard Shasteen encourages Tullahomans to be fireworks smart this July Fourth and use extreme caution when setting off fireworks.
Follow the law – No fireworks ignited or launched within 600 feet of any church, assisted living facility, nursing home, hospital, funeral home, public or private academic structure, OR, within 200 feet of where fireworks are stored, sold, or offered for sale. You may not ignite fireworks on another person’s private property without permission. Fireworks shall not be launched or fired onto property of persons who have not given permission. Hours for fireworks: JULY 1 through JULY 3: 10:00 am – 10:30 pm; JULY 4: 10:00 am – 11:30 pm.
It’s also worth noting that state legislation passed in 2011 reclassified sky lanterns as special fireworks exclusively for use by individuals with a professional license (certified flame effect operator, certified outdoor display operator or certified proximate pyrotechnic operator). The general public cannot purchase or use sky lanterns, and if found in the possession of someone who does not have a professional license issued by the State Fire Marshal, sky lanterns can be confiscated and later destroyed.
Think safety – If consumer fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to set them off on your own, be sure to follow these important safety tips:
• Never allow children to handle or ignite fireworks.
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
• Wear eye protection.
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Never throw or point fireworks at people or animals.
• Only light fireworks outdoors on a smooth, flat surface away from homes, dry leaves and flammable materials.
• Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned.
• Keep a bucket of water and a garden hose nearby in case of a malfunction or fire.
• Sparklers are not toys and cause hundreds of injuries every year. Sparklers burn hot, can reach temperatures as high as 1,200° F, and stay hot long after they’ve burned out. You wouldn’t hand a matchbook or lighter to a child to wave around or play with – so, don’t give a child a sparkler.

Thunder Radio Has Its Own App

Thunder AppThunder Radio has something fun and exciting to announce. The Thunder Radio app is now available for Apple and Android phones. The app sponsored by Rodney’s Body Shop allows you to listen live from anywhere, keep up with local news and get storm warnings, school closings and special info sent for FREE. Also on the Thunder Radio app you can tell us what’s BUGGING you with the Voice Recorder sponsored by Sherrill Pest control. You’ll be able to connect to “Thunder TV” news videos, FAST DIAL the station right from the app (great for winning contests!), lots of event listings, links to important sites and phone numbers plus so much more. Improve your life with the Thunder Radio app. Download today and have fun.

7/3/15 — Harold Joseph Van Meter

veteranHarold Joseph Van Meter, age 78, June 27, 2015.

Beloved husband of the late Martha Pauline (nee Hawks). Loving father of Harold Richard Van Meter and Malissia Van Meter. Dear brother of Milton (Joyce) Van Meter.

Preceded in death by brother Melvin “Skip” Van Meter, sisters Loretta Voight and Lorraine Darnell. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.

VISITATION

Friday, July 3, 2015 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Central Funeral Home 2812 Hillsboro Highway, Manchester, Tennessee

FUNERAL

Friday, July 3, 2015 at 12 p.m. at the Central Funeral Home

BURIAL

Shady Grove Cemetery in Morrison, Tennessee with Military Honors

CENTRAL FUNERAL HOME of Manchester, TN in Charge of Arrangements

Coffee County Fastpitch League Roundup for Monday

6U action on 29JulyThe Coffee County Fastpitch League kicked off a busy week of action on Monday night with a triple-header.   The night began with a 6U game between Hackett & Harrell Farms against Piggy Back Financial in a 6 and under contest.  The 6U games are played without keeping a score, but each team had some great defensive plays along with some timely hitting.

 

8U action on 29July

 

The second game of the night featured Mid-Town Medical taking on People’s Bank in a battle for third place in the 6 team 8U league. People’s scored the maximum 5 runs per inning to jump out to a 15 to 8 lead after 3 innings.  Mid-Town battled back to take a 16 to 15 lead going into the bottom of the 5th and last inning.  The “Pink Lightning”  of People’s Bank got 2 runs in the bottom of the 5th to claim the 17 to 16 win.

 

10U action on 29July

 

 

In the nightcap, State Farm took on David Clark Homes in an important 10U contest as the winner would move into 2nd place in the five team 10U division.  State Farm scored 2 runs in the top of the 1st inning to take a 2 to 0 lead which they held until the 3rd inning when they added an insurance run.  David Clark managed to score once in the bottom of the last inning, but State Farm extinguished the rally to claim the 3 to 1 win in the pitchers duel.  The pitchers combined for 18 strikeouts on the night.

Tuesday night, the Coffee County Fastpitch League will move their games to Coffee County Central High School’s Terry Floyd Field for a pair of 8U games and a 10U contest.  The night begins with David Clark Homes taking on K & D Rebar at 5:00 PM followed by ReMax taking on A Winning Attitude at 6:20 PM in 8U action.  The nightcap is a 10U contest between John Roberts Toyota and Elite Conditioning at 7:40.

Manchester’s 9 & Under Longshots are Baseball State Champions

9U Longshots of Manchester - BPA Gold Minor State Championship

9U Longshots of Manchester – BPA Gold Minor State Champions (photo provided)

 

The 9 and Under travel baseball team Longshots won the BPA State title in the Gold Minor Division on Sunday.  The team, based out of Manchester, defeated the Tennessee Bulldogs 4 to 2 on Sunday night to claim the BPA State Tournament title.  The Longshots finished the weekend with a record of 4 and 1 in the tournament held at Barfield Crescent Park in Murfreesboro.   Members of the team are: Tyler Craig,  Brady Smith, Jayden “Bird” Fellers, Kyler “Rook” Terry, Nolan Jernigan, Cole Pippenger, Preston Gentry, Brennon Mealer, Ollie Todd and Beau Murray.  Coaches for the Longshots are Keith Pippenger, Mike Jernigan and Jason Craig.  The Longshots, who were also the runner up in the state USSAA Tournament, will now advance to the BPA World Series which is set to begin on July 15th in Murfreesboro.