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Season Ends In Tough Loss For Lady Raider Softball
Haley Hinshaw swings the bat against Ooltewah. Hinshaw homered in the game… Photo by Barry West
On Friday night in Ooltewah the Coffee County Lady Raiders were playing in their 6th straight sectional game. The winner would move on to the TSSAA Spring Fling and compete for a state title.
The game started off in a fantastic way for the Lady Raiders as Haley Hinshaw hit the second pitch of the game over the leftfield fence to give Coffee County the 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the first Lady Owl pitcher Kayla Boseman hit a 2-run homer to give Ooltewah the lead. The advantage held up the whole game as the Lady Owls defeated the Lady Raiders 2-1. Coffee County had a chance in the third to tie the game after Taylor Barnes doubled and was sacrificed to third by Shelby Giles, Hinshaw hit a deep fly ball to centerfield and as Barnes was running home she fell on the somewhat muddy infield. Barnes was able to get up, but the throw was on time and she was tagged out.
The Chattanooga area received a heavy rain shower about three hours before the game, causing the field to be slippery around first base and third.
The Gateway Tire and Service Center player of the game was Haley Hinshaw as she had two of the Lady Raiders’ 3 hits, including her homerun.
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With the loss Coffee County finishes the season with a still impressive record of 30-8-1.
Taylor DeBerry Signs Track Scholarship with Tennessee Wesleyan
CHS senior Taylor DeBerry signs a track scholarship with Tennessee Wesleyan surrounded by family and coaches. Front Row: Christy DeBerry(grandmother), Kim DeBerry(mother), Taylor, John DeBerry(father) and Johnny DeBerry(grandfather) Back Row: Clairson DeBerry(cousin), Alex Kluchki(Tennessee Wesleyan coach, Travis O’Kelley(CCMS Track/Soccer coach), Stan Jarrell(CHS Track coach) and Samantha Amis(CHS Track coach)
The Coffee County track team added another name to the elite group of hurdlers who have competed at the college level when Taylor DeBerry signed a track scholarship with Tennessee Wesleyan on Friday. DeBerry, who qualified for the state finals on May 21st in the 100M hurdles, was a long jumper, pentathlete and 300M hurdler for this year’s track team as well as a starting midfielder/defender for the Lady Raider soccer team. DeBerry, who explored scholarship offers in both soccer and track, chose track “because it is my passion to run hurdles.” Taylor said that having the opportunity to go to school so close to home was also a huge factor as she turned down a track scholarship to Upper Iowa University. DeBerry expects to run the 300M hurdles at Wesleyan. Coffee County track coach Stan Jarrell was quick to praise DeBerry for her determination and work ethic. “(Obtaining a college track scholarship) is something she has focused on and it has become a reality for her. She will be very successful in college and in life” added Jarrell. Jarrell went on to say that “Taylor is one of the most technically skilled hurdlers that has competed for the CHS track teams. After researching high school results from this season, Wesleyan track coach Alex Kluchki was drawn to Taylor’s good performances. “I really wanted to grow our hurdles program and Taylor was one of the first persons that I called” said Kluchki. “She has a lot of talent and her technical form is good. She has a lot of room to develop and grow and at Tennessee Wesleyan; she can do that” added Kluchki. Tennessee Wesleyan, located in Athens, Tennessee, is a member of the Appalachian Athletic Conference of the NAIA. Deberry joins Jacob Prater(golf) and Peyton Talley(basketball) as scholarship athletes at Wesleyan from the CHS Class of 2015.
Coffee County Football Scores Scrimmage Win Over Franklin County
Coffee County QB Alontae Taylor (#6) pulls the ball on the read option as he looks over the pursuit of the Franklin County defense on Thursday night. Taylor scooted 30 yards on the keeper for the first Red Raider touchdown.
Alontae Taylor scored a pair of touchdowns on quarterback keepers and DeAaron Rozier bolted 70 yards on an inside trap play to lead the Coffee County Red Raider football team to a 3 to 1 win over Franklin County on Thursday night. “The effort was there, that is the most glaring thing from last season,” said Coach Ryan Sulkowski following the scrimmage which closed their 10 day spring football session. The visiting Rebels #2 squad did manage a score against the Coffee County reserves highlighting Sulkowski’s major concern coming out of spring camp. “Depth is always an issue at the high school level but it is something we will work on,” added Sulkowski. The Red Raider defense was also singled out by Sulkowski. “I could not be happier with the progress of our defense.” A pair of costly penalties and a pair of turnovers kept the score closer and will give Coffee County some things to emphasis in the summer program prior to the start of “big boy ball.”
Tyrese McGee (#3) breaks up a pass completion on Thursday night as he delivers a vicious hit to the Franklin County wide receiver.
Sulkowski was complimentary of several Red Raiders efforts this spring including Jacoby Lowe and Reece Pratt in the offensive line. The return of Tyrese McGee on defense “will help us in a major way” and Malik Scott was lauded as a bright spot as a Coffee County newcomer this spring. The Red Raiders will take off until June 1st before beginning summer workouts, but Coach Sulkowski thinks the team members will work independently to maintain their off season gains. When asked about how pleased he was with the physical dominance that Coffee County exhibited, Sulkowski was offered up praise for the work ethic in the weight room. “It is a testament to how hard our kids work in the weight room every day.” The Red Raiders open the regular season on August 21st as they host Tullahoma for the annual Coffee Pot game.
Coffee County School Board Approves Renovation of Tennis Courts
The resurgence of the Coffee County Central High School tennis team has been recognized by the Coffee County School Board as the board approved funds this week to refurbish a pair of abandoned tennis courts behind the Raider Academy. Coach Mike Ray was ecstatic with the announcement. “Me and my kids are very excited to have this renovation being done. I feel like it will be the first of hopefully three (future) stages (of improvements),” said Ray. Ray was effusive with his appreciation adding, “I appreciate the school board and Dr. McFall starting this project.” CCCHS principal Dr. Joey Vaughn shared the Coach Ray’s excitement. “We are very appreciative to the Coffee County Board for giving us an opportunity to refurbish the tennis courts as CCRA. Tennis is an important part of athletics at CCCHS and having a place to practice and have matches will be a tremendous bonus to our students,” said Vaughn in a statement to Thunder Radio.
5/16/15 — Aaron Cope
Aaron Cope, age 82, passed away on May 13, 2015 at his home in McMinnville, Tennessee.
Mr. Cope was the former owner of the Love-Cantrell-Cope Funeral Home in McMinnville for 37 years and the Aaron Cope Trucking Company for over 30 years. He was a member of the Lions Club, the Exchange Club and the Central Church of Christ of McMinnville.
Mr. Cope was preceded in death by his parents, the late Taylor Cope and Dola West Cope; brother, Arbis Cope; and sisters, Elvie Reeder, Joyce Dean and Ruby Cope.
Mr. Cope is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 63 years, Reva Joyce Lynn Cope of McMinnville, TN; son, Thomas L. Cope of McMinnville, TN; a beloved granddaughter, Chelsea Cope Hobbs and her husband Zack of California; two grandsons, Brandon Bouldin and Brett Bouldin and his wife Cynthia both of McMinnville, TN; two great-grandchildren, Silas Bouldin and Kilby Lynn Bouldin both of McMinnville, TN; sisters, Robbie Robinson of Lebanon, TN, Nina Gentry and her husband Jimmy, and Linda Calvert and her husband Edward of Indianapolis, IN; caregivers, Teresa Pitts and Angel Lance; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
VISITATION:
Friday, May 15, 2015 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. and on Saturday, May 16, 2015 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Central Church of Christ in McMinnville
FUNERAL SERVICE:
Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 2 p.m. at the Central Church of Christ
BURIAL:
Mt. View Cemetery in McMinnville, Tennessee
CENTRAL FUNERAL HOME of Manchester, TN in Charge of Arrangements
Two Planes Crash At Tullahoma Airport
Photo of plane crash provided by the Tullahoma News
Two planes collided at the Tullahoma Airport on Wednesday night sending one person to the hospital.
The two small planes collided around 7:20 p.m. Wednesday with one ending up on top of the other.
One plane was operated by Tom Hartvigsen and the other by Gary Meuer.
The Tullahoma Fire and the Tullahoma Police Departments responded to the accident along with Coffee County EMS personnel. The ambulance personnel transported Meuer to the waiting helicopter. He was taken to Vanderbilt Hospital and at last report was listed in stable condition.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating and the National Transportation Safety Board will determine the probable cause.
TBI Issues Public Safety Alert for Potentially Deadly Pills
Counterfeit pills… Photo provided by the TBI
Recently, a Tennessee law enforcement agency recovered what appeared to be several 30mg pills of oxycodone during a traffic stop. Each was the same size and featured the signature A/215 stamp characteristic of oxycodone. However, laboratory analysis performed by TBI Forensic Scientists indicated the pills were counterfeit and did not contain oxycodone. Instead, they contained fentanyl, a pain killer 50 times as potent as heroin that can be deadly in high doses.
“This disturbing discovery only compounds the problem of fighting drugs in Tennessee,” said Tommy Farmer, TBI Special Agent-in-Charge and Director of the Tennessee Methamphetamine and Pharmaceutical Task Force. “We want those addicted to prescription drugs to get help, not seek pills from illicit sources. It’s just a matter of time until it costs someone their life.”
Last year, in anticipation of a explosion of fentanyl abuse in Tennessee, TBI Director Mark Gwyn proposed the agency launch a program to protect Agents and Forensic Scientists who may come into contact with fentanyl with auto-injectors containing naloxone, which can potentially save an individual from a fentanyl overdose.
Consumers should only use prescription medications obtained through a licensed pharmacy and avoid purchasing prescription medications online.
Tennessee Bill Aims to Take Bite Out of Some Payday Loan Companies
Tennessee lawmakers are considering a bill that would cap payday-loan interest rates in the state. Photo credit: cohdra/morguefile.com
Payday lending is alive and well in Tennessee, but consumer advocates are critical of its high interest rates and what they call predatory business practices. A bill in the state House of Representatives aims to cap the interest rate charged by lenders at 28 percent. Currently, lenders can charge as much as 375 percent interest. Andy Spears, executive director of Tennessee Citizen Action, said payday loans are targeting people who have run out of options. “People go to these places when there’s nowhere else to turn for money,” he said. “It really is kind of a last effort to get out of a tough situation, so I don’t think people should be trapped in a cycle of debt.” House Bill 317, the Short Term Loans and Lenders Bill, is in a House subcommittee. The University of Chicago Business School compared households in states that have access to payday loans and those that do not. Researchers found that families with access to payday loans face hardship, have difficulty paying bills and have to delay health care. Supporters of payday lending argue that, at times, it’s a person’s only access to much-needed cash. Eighteen states and the District of Columbia prohibit high-cost payday lending. If you are in need of quick cash, Spears said, it’s important to exhaust all of your options before approaching a payday lender. “They should try every other option first,” he said. “Ask your friend, ask a boss, ask your family member, and I would be a lot more comfortable with payday lenders if you could cap their interest rates.” The Consumer Federation of America also warns of car-title and tax-refund anticipation loans. In Tennessee in one year alone, more than 18,000 cars were repossessed by car-title loan companies. More information is online at paydayloaninfo.org. Information on HB 317 is at openstates.org.
5/16/15 —- Joe William Wilder
Funeral services for Mr. Joe William Wilder, age 85 of Tullahoma will be conducted at 2:00pm, Saturday, May 16 at the Tullahoma Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in the Maplewood Cemetery.
Visitation with the Wilder family will be from 5pm until 8pm, Friday at Tullahoma Funeral Home.
Mr Wilder passed this life Wednesday, May 15 at the Life Care Center of Tullahoma. 
Mr. Wilder was born in Coffee County the son of the late Ray Henry Wilder and Daisy Dorsett Wilder.
He worked for the City of Tullahoma for 53 years and received several awards from the City for his work through the years. His biggest love was being with his family.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother in law, James Alton Austin,Sr., and by a niece, Diane Austin and his sister-in-law Evelyn Wilder of Niles, MI.
His survivors are:
1 brother, Ray Abroum Wilder of Niles, Michigan
3 sisters- Margaret Cyree, Nancy Brinkley and Estella Austin, all of Tullahoma
7 nieces-Patricia Morse, Diane Paso and Barbara Whorl of Niles, Michigan
Daisy Osborne, Jeanette Fowler, Carlene Bain and Sharon Brinkley, all of Tullahoma
5 nephews- James Austin, Jr., Lonnie Austin, Buford Thomas Holder, Jr., Michael Lewis Cyree and Christopher Wayne Cyree, all of Tullahoma.
TULLAHOMA FUNERAL HOME IS HONORED TO SERVE THE WILDER FAMILY
5/16/15 —- Mason Painter
Mason Painter, age 12, of Tullahoma, Passed away Tuesday May 12th at Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital.
Mason was a happy, outspoken boy that never met a stranger and lived his life to the fullest.
He is survived by his father Chris Painter and girlfriend Janie Cantrell; mother Jennifer Lewis and husband Wayne; brother Christopher Painter; sisters Allison Clark, Elizabeth Florez and Christa Painter; step sister Jessica Riddle; step brother Jacob Riddle; grand parents Richard and Patricia Painter, Charlene Young and Thomas Young; caregiver/girlfriend Natasha.
The family will receive friends Friday May 15, 2015 from 5:00-8:00 pm at Tullahoma Funeral Home.
Funeral service will be held Saturday May 16, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Tullahoma Funeral Home with internment to follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.
Tullahoma Funeral Home is honored to serve the Painter family