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Eye Exam Among Most Important Tests for Tennessee Students
PHOTO: Tennessee parents have one more item to add to that back-to-school checklist, getting the kids in for an eye exam. Photo credit: Randen Pederson/Flickr.
Tonya Reynoldson, president of the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians, says this is a great time of year to get students in for eye exams, especially the younger children who may not always speak up.
“Eye health is very important,” she stresses. “It’s the essential way that kids learn, is through visual.
“Eighty percent that they take in is usually visual and the other is 20 percent, pretty much auditory.”
Signs that a child may have eye or vision problems include headaches, frequent eye rubbing or blinking and the avoidance of reading and other close activities.
Reynoldson also explains that just like other health issues, early detection and treatment is key for vision or eye health problems such as amblyopia, more commonly known as lazy eye.
“Especially in the case of kids starting kindergarten,” she points out. “One of the most common diagnoses that we run into is a lazy eye.
“So that child doesn’t develop good depth perception, and if that’s not caught early, that could cause some issues down the road.”
The American Optometric Association suggests a child’s first eye exam at around six-months of age, with another at age three and then again around kindergarten or first grade.
From there, students should have their eyes checked every other year, or more frequently if specific problems or risk factors exist.
Rumors Flying About Monteagle Elementary Closing
Monteagle Elementary School… Photo by Barry West
The town is basically split between Marion and Grundy counties and very small portion of Franklin County and only has the one school to serve nearly 400 students. The director says if they find it cost effective, they would actually be requesting that Grundy County educate the students an equal amount of years with Marion County six (6) years verses six (6). But if the analysis showed that maintaining the current status is what is best for all involved then it would not make sense to “shave off” the 6, 7, and 8 grades. There are no middle schools in Grundy County, only K-8 and one high school. A decision will be made after the study is complete.
Update On I-24 Crash On Tuesday
Tractor-trailer crashes on I-24… Photos by Barry West
An accident stalled traffic on Interstate 24 on Tuesday afternoon. 3 tractor-trailers collided near Exit 105 eastbound. Several emergency crews were called to the scene around 1pm. Traffic was rerouted to Highway 41 off Exit 97 for approximately 2 hours while the wreckage was cleared.
All 3 tractor trailers were traveling on I-24 eastbound around mile marker 105. Traffic was slowing moving in the area, and Arthur Key of Concord, GA was unable to stop and struck the rear of another 18-wheeler driven by John Brazier of Ooltewah, TN. Key’s truck went off the left side of the roadway, over corrected, and began to roll. While rolling the truck struck the rear of a tractor-trailer operated by Thomas Cornelius of Lakeland, FL. Key’s vehicle came to rest blocking all lanes of I-24 on the eastbound side. Brazier and Cornelius’ trucks were driven from the scene and the Key truck was removed by Hullett’s Wrecker Service.
No injuries were reported. The Tennessee Highway Patrol provided information in this report.
Emergency crews on the scene of tractor-trailer accident.
Raiders Host Golf Tournament
- (L-R) Hollee Sadler, Jacque Crossland and Savannah Quick
Wednesday at Willowbrook Golf Course the Coffee County golf teams hosted the Lawrence Family Motors Invitational. The Warren County Pioneers won both the boys and girls divisions. The Pioneer boys shot a team score of 298. The Coffee County boys finished in 5th place out of 16 teams. The Red Raiders are now 31-14 on the season. John Parrigger led Coffee County with a 77. Other scores for the Raiders were Jacob Prater 79 and Hayden Proffitt and Reed Lawrence each carded 82’s.
The Lady Raiders came into the tournament undefeated at 36-0 and finished the tournament at 49-1. Warren County got past Coffee County for the first time in 3 tries this season as they shot 148 to the Lady Raiders’ 151. Hollee Sadler led Coffee County with a 75 and Savannah Quick had a 76.
Both Raider teams are back in action on Tuesday playing in a tournament in McMinnville.
08/27/14
Birthdays:
Gabriel Fairris – 5 – Pizza Winner!
J. Jacobs, Jr. – 35, Taylor Lorrance – 11
J. C. Lowry – 84.
08/26/14
Birthdays:
Maria Sanchez – 12 – Pizza Winner!
Claudia Baltazar, Notasha Nemeth – 15
8/29/14 —- Kenneth Marshall Meeks
Mr. Kenneth Marshall Meeks, age 76 of Manchester, Tennessee, passed from this life on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley Marshall and Eva Phipps Meeks.
He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-four years, Melissa Faye Meeks, two daughters, Kim Ackerman of Shelbyville, Tennessee, Vanessa Stiefel of Manchester, Tennessee, one son Gregory Meeks and wife Susie of Manchester, Tennessee, two sisters, Linda Roberts and husband Kenneth of Kimball, Tennessee, Carol Gilliam of Manchester, Tennessee, seven grandchildren, Brandon Ackerman of Tracy City, Tennessee, Jessica Ackerman of Chapel Hill, Tennessee, Derek Meeks and wife Katie of Houston, Texas, Kasie Meeks of Charleston, South Carolina, Lana Hopkins of Manchester, Tennessee, Ashley Stiefel of Manchester, Tennessee, Morgan Steifel of Manchester, Tennessee, four great grandchildren, Trey Sweeney of Chapel Hill, Tennessee, Mikaley Ackerman of Nashville, Tennessee, Ty Lawrence of South Carolina, and Landyn Stiefel of Manchester, Tennessee.
Mr. Meeks was a member of the Forest Mill United Methodist Church. He was a truck driver for forty-nine years and enjoyed fishing. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Funeral Services for Mr. Kenneth Meeks will be conducted on August 29, 2014 at 2:00 PM with Brother Bob Case officiating.
Burial will follow in the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Tullahoma, Tennessee.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2014 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM at the Coffee County Funeral Chapel, Manchester, Tennessee.
COFFEE COUNTY FUNERAL CHAPEL IS HONORED TO SERVE THE FAMILY OF KENNETH MEEKS. 
8/27/14 —— Ruby B. Blanton
Miss Ruby B. Blanton, age 90 of Tullahoma, Tennessee, passed from this life on Monday, August 25, 2014 surrounded by her family.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents Robert Thomas and Gracie Alan Daniel Blanton, two sisters, Pauline Reynolds, Nell Birdie Blanton, four brothers, Earl Blanton, Herbert Lee Blanton, William Thomas Blanton, Roy Blanton, one niece, Juanita Blanton, two nephews, William Harold Blanton, Thomas Wayne Blanton, and one great nephew, Thomas Lee Blanton.
She is survived by four nieces, Pat Womack of Nunnelly, Tennessee, Jayne Schrider and husband Leo of Massillon , Ohio, Fay Bishop and husband Bill of Manchester, Tennessee, Judy Shelton of Manchester, Tennessee, four nephews, Buck Blanton and wife Debra of Viola, Tennessee, Glenn Reynolds and wife Kathy of Manchester, Tennessee, Ben Reynolds of Manchester, Tennessee, Robert Blanton and wife Melva of Manchester, Tennessee, and several great and great- great nieces and nephews also survive.
Miss Blanton was a member of the Rutledge Falls Baptist Church. She worked for the Genesco Corporation for many years. Ruby was an avid gardener. She loved flowers, collecting roosters, and was a loving mother to many. Miss Ruby was a fine Christian woman who had a strong faith and was loved by all who knew her.
Funeral Services for Miss Ruby B. Blanton will be conducted on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at 1:00 PM with Brother Mike Morris officiating.
Burial will follow in the Blanton Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at the Coffee County Funeral Chapel, Manchester, Tennessee.
COFFEE COUNTY FUNERAL CHAPEL IS HONORED TO SERVE THE FAMILY OF RUBY BLANTON.
Coffee Middle Football Claims the Coffee Cup from Tullahoma
The Coffee County Middle School football team got 3 touchdowns and an interception from Robert Brandon as they claimed a 38 to 14 win over Tullahoma in the annual Coffee Cup game. Brandon had touchdown runs of 3 yards and 1 yard in the first half before Andrew Mahaffey hit a streaking Trace Bryant on the left sideline for a 39 yard TD pass to give the Raiders a quick 18 to 0 lead. After a Tullahoma touchdown, Coffee Middle led 18 to 6 at halftime. The 3rd quarter started out as a defensive struggle before Blanton Brown rumbled 5 yards for a score with 26 seconds to go in the quarter. After forcing a turnover on downs, Tanner Hulvey ripped off a 39 yard TD gallop as the lead ballooned to 30 to 6 with 7 minutes remaining. Tullahoma answered with a 70 yard kickoff return, but Coffee County took the ensuing possession down the field capped off by Robert Brandon’s 3rd TD run, a 12 yard scamper around the left end. Hayden Skipper added the PAT run. For his sparking effort, Robert Brandon was named the Gateway Tire and Service Center Player of the Game.
Download the radio broadcast
The Raiders JV team will play on Monday at 6:30 as they host Harris Middle for a 6:30 game at Carden-Jarrell Field. The CCMS varsity Raiders travel to Shelbyville on Tuesday night to face Harris. That game will also kick off at 6:30 PM.
Tuesday (August 26) Prep Wrap-Up
The Westwood Lady Rockets
The Westwood girls’ soccer team defeated Liberty Middle School by a final of 8 to 2 on Tuesday. Jessica Barrera had an incredible game as she scored 6 goals. Beatrice Barrera and Natalie Elzeer added a goal each.
The Lady Rockets will host Community on Thursday at Dyer-Bouldin Field.
The Coffee Middle Lady Raiders soccer team picked up a win yesterday over White County, 6-1. Goals were scored by Sam Ellison (2), Bailey Sherrell, Allie Amado, Meagan Jones and Lindsey Perry. The JV team won as well, 7-0. Goals by Jenna Garretson (2), Julia Duncan (2), Ellie Graham, Claire Bryant and Baylee Haithcock.
On the mountain in Sewanee the Red Raider boys’ golf team improved their record to 20-10 with a victory over Grundy County by a score of 179 to 194. Jacob Prater had the low score with a 40 over 9-holes.
The Lady Raiders remain undefeated at 36-0 on the season with a 98-118 win over the Lady Jackets. Sophie Vinson led Coffee County with a 48.
The golf teams will host the Lawrence Family Motors Invitational on Wednesday at Willowbrook.
The Coffee County High School volleyball team won in straight sets last night over Columbia. Cameron Davis and Valiana Barger had 5 kills each for the Lady Raiders. 25-15, 25-18 and 25-23. Cameron Davis and Valiana Barger had 5 kills each for the Lady Raiders.
The ladies are now 4-0 on the year and will travel to Fayetteville on Thursday to take on Lincoln County.
The Coffee County Middle School volleyball team got a straight set win over South Lincoln on Tuesday night. Kierstyn Prater had 3 kills to go with an ace and an assist to lead the Lady Raiders. Skylar Bell added 3 aces as Coffee Middle improved to 7 and 3 on the season. The Lady Raiders will be back in action on Tuesday as they travel to Shelbyville to take on Harris. That match is set to begin at 5:00 PM. The JV team dropped a 3 set decision to South Lincoln. Keelie Hillis had 4 aces and a kill to lead the JV team.
The CHS Soccer team traveled to Cookeville on Tuesday night as they took on their 3rd strong non-district foe in a row. The Lady Raiders gave up 4 goals in the first 13 minutes falling by a final score of 4 to 1. Alex Ellison had 5 shots on goal for the Lady Raiders notching the lone goal for Coffee County. After the shaky start, Holli Smithson was brought in as keeper and had 5 saves for the Lady Raiders. The Lady Raiders open district play on Thursday night in Fayetteville as they take on Lincoln County. Kickoff is set for 5:30 PM.