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Tullahoma Economic Development Director Awarded Recertification In Economic Development Designation
C. Thomas Robinson
Robinson first achieved the Certified Economic Developer designation in 1993. With 32 years of economic development experience, Robinson has served as director of the Tullahoma organization since August of last year.
The designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) is a highly recognized national recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to professional growth. Robinson first earned certification by passing a rigorous three-part, two-day examination, testing his knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the key areas of economic development.
Road Construction Around TSSAA Spring Fling
With an estimated 30,000 participants and fans flocking to Murfreesboro for the annual week long high school athletic championships called Spring Fling, motorists are bracing for more traffic delays as they navigate construction projects all over town.
The largest project that will touch just about everyone coming and going around Murfreesboro is the construction of a bridge at one of the town’s busiest intersections.
Construction for the Memorial Boulevard/Old Fort Parkway (TN 96) bridge over Broad St (US 41) began earlier this year.
A second major area of construction is literally ripping out the street and part of the lawns of homes in southeast Murfreesboro.
It’s an extension and widening of Joe B. Jackson Parkway.
The third is paving work being done on I-24 westbound coming into Murfreesboro from Coffee County.
Coffee County softball at (29-13-1) will play Gibbs (46-4) in the first round of the state tournament Tuesday night 6pm at Start Plex in Murfreesboro. Star Plex is located just off Lebanon Rd. The Lady Raiders will play Wednesday at either 10am or noon depending on Tuesday’s outcome. The Wednesday game will be played at McKnight Fields next door to Star Plex. Thunder Radio will carry all games live. (Portions of this story from WKRN)
Local Pitcher Honored In College
Sam Davis
Davis transferred to Union in Jackson, TN from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he played one season of baseball. Prior to his season at Tennessee, Davis played two seasons for Columbia State Community College.
Davis was named the MVP of the District 8-AAA tournament in 2009 while pitching at Coffee County High School.
5/21/14 —- Sue Duncan
Sue Duncan, of Tullahoma, passed this life on Monday, May 19th, 2014 at Harton Regional Medical Center at the age of 72.
Mrs. Duncan was born in Trousdale County to the late D.R. and Louise Cato Woodard and was a member of Highland Baptist Church in Tullahoma.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, George Duncan of Tullahoma; one son, Mike Duncan and his wife Karla of Tullahoma; two sisters, JoAnn Grammer of Huntsville and Linda David of Gallatin; one brother, Billy Cato Woodard and his wife JoAnn of Hartsville; one grand-dog, Harley-Pup; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Mrs. Duncan will be held on Tuesday, May 20th, 2014 from 4:00-8:00 pm at Kilgore Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 21st, 2014 at 2:00 pm in the Kilgore Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Wayne Wester officiating.
Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens with Dr. Don Dixon officiating. Pallbearers will be Jack Casteel, Jimmy Gaddis, Sandy MacLanahan, Donnie Weddington, David Wright, and Steve Taylor. Honorary Pallbearers will be Tom Womack and Billy Ray Murray.
For those who wish, the family asks donations be made to Hospice Compassus at 110 East Lauderdale Street, Tullahoma, TN 37388.
Kilgore Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
5/21/14 —– Michael Lee Arnold
Mr. Michael Lee Arnold, age 56 of Tullahoma, Tennessee passed away, Sunday, May 18, 2014 at his residence.
Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 2 PM at the Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Rick Everhart officiating.
Burial with military honors will follow at Maplewood Cemetery.
Visitation with the family will be Wednesday from 12 Noon until service time at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home.
A native of Coffee County, he was the son of the late Elmer Arnold and Dorothy Preston Arnold of Tullahoma.
He was a U. S. Navy veteran and a member of Fellowship Baptist Church of Tullahoma. He was a Truck Driver who enjoyed watching Nascar Racing, restoring motorcycles and cars and spending time with his grandchildren.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Payne Arnold of Tullahoma; daughter, Michelle Evans of Tullahoma; sister, Susan White and her husband, Bill of Charlotte, NC; four grandchildren, Cameron, Michael, Bailey and Austin; stepson, James Harlow Jr. of Tullahoma; mother-in-law, Wilma Shelton of Tullahoma; half-brother, Roger Arnold of Florida and best friend, Timmy Holder of Crossville, TN.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations be made to Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home.
DAVES-CULBERSTON FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS
5/17/14 —- Christopher Douglas Parker
Graveside services for Mr. Christopher Douglas Parker, age 79, of Snellville, GA, will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at the Parker Family Cemetery in the Goosepond Community of Coffee County, TN.
Mr. Parker passed away at Embracing Hospice in Snellville, GA on May 11, 2014.
Mr. Parker was born in Coffee County, TN, the son of the late Orman and InezLeek Parker.
He graduated from Manchester Central High School, lettering in football, wrestling, and baseball. He attended University of Chattanooga on a football scholarship. He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps, being honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant. After graduating from Middle TN State University, Mr. Parker taught high school math and social studies in Jacksonville, FL. He also worked as a parole/probation officer in Starke, FL. Mr. Parker rose to Assistant District Director for the GA Dept of Vocational Rehabilitation while attending law school. After graduating from John Marshall Law School in Atlanta, GA, he practiced law for the remainder of his life in Atlanta and Tucker, GA. He obtained his real estate broker license and taught real estate preparation classes. He was past president/chairman of Jaycees, as well as being involved with the March of Dimes and Heart Fund. He was also a past trustee at the First Christian Church of Atlanta.
Mr. Parker’s ready wit, unending wellspring of talents, and gentle nature will be sorely missed by all who came to know
him.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Parker was also preceded in death by four siblings, Orman, Jr., Bernice, Mildred, and Phyliss.
He is survived by his son, Douglas Parker of California, and one brother, Austin Parker.
MANCHESTER FUNERAL HOME IS HONORED TO SERVE THE PARKER FAMILY
5/20/14 —- Anthony Glen Totherow
Mr. Anthony Glen Totherow, age 57 of Morrison, Tennessee passed away, Friday, May 16. 2014 at the Medical Center of Manchester.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 2 PM at the Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. David Stockton officiating.
Burial will follow at Summitville Cemetery.
Visitation with the family will be Tuesday from 12 Noon until service time at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home.
A native of Manchester, he was the son of the late Charles Totherow and Bessie Fults Totherow of Manchester.
He had worked for M C A Sign Company of Manchester for seven years. He had also worked at Adam’s Market. He was a reserve officer for the Coffee County Sheriffs Department for several years. He enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, coloring, reading and teaching them new things.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one brother, Kenneth Totherow..
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Bonnie Carr Totherow, one daughter, Christine Totherow; four grandchildren, Christopher Hunter Totherow, Tristen Xavier Totherow, Jasmine Americus Mikayla Totherow-Hackney, Chazmyn Isabella Nykayla Totherow-Hackney; six sisters, Frienda, Abby, Anita and Gloria Totherow, all of Manchester, Luverta Totherow of Chattanooga, and Faye Shrum of Monteagle; four brothers, Bearl, Chester, George and Ronnie Totherow, all of Manchester and special friend, Kathy Rankhorn.
DAVES-CULBERSTON FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS
Man Runs From Deputies, Later Caught
Last week (May 14) Coffee County Deputies Daniel Ray and Stephen Sharketti were responding to a call of two men acting suspicious at the Dollar General Store on Woodbury Highway when they spotted a Nissan that the individuals were riding in and turned around to attempt to stop the vehicle.
The driver then drove in a “reckless manner onto the shoulder of the roadway” as well as driving through a red light at the intersection at Woodbury Highway and Interstate Drive.
The driver then pulled onto I-24 west bound ramp. When Deputy Sharketti pulled alongside the car, the driver crashed the car into the earth embankment and steel cable lining. The driver jumped out and began to run from officers and ran across the interstate with deputies in pursuit.
Cody James Shaffer, 19, of McMinnville was finally located in the area of Fredonia Rd and Murfreesboro Highway and taken into custody.
Deputies found numerous items used in the production of methamphetamines in the cab of the vehicle Shaffer was in. They found 2 lbs, of crystal drain cleaner, aluminum foil, plastic tubing, stripped lithium batteries, a glass jar, two plastic bottles, cold compress, ounce of acid in a plastic bottle, an 8 oz soft drink bottle with what appeared to be flammable liquid inside it.
Shaffer was charged with evading arrest, reckless driving, two counts of reckless endangerment, initiation of the process intended to result in the manufacture methamphetamines and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held under a bond of $106,000 and is to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court on Monday (May 19).
No Wheel Tax Referendum
Recently the Coffee County Budget and Finance Committee voted to present a resolution to the full commission. That resolution would be to include a wheel tax referendum on the Aug. 7 election ballot. Last week the vote was in favor by a vote of 10-8, but it takes an 11-vote majority of the commission to pass a motion. Three commissioners did not attend the meeting: Janet Fann, Gail Hines and Warren Walker.
The Budget and Finance Committee had recommended a $50 per vehicle tax to generate roughly $2 million to help run the new Coffee County Jail and the new Coffee County Middle School.
Commissioners are now looking into at major cuts in various departments. Residents could also be hit with a heavy property tax increase. An increase of a possible 30-40 cents would make Manchester and Tullahoma have two of the highest property tax rates in the state.
The Coffee County Budget and Finance Committee will meet again on Thursday.
(Portions of this story from the Tullahoma News)
Food Stamp Use In Coffee County On The Rise
The use of food stamps in Coffee County increased during the recession, assisting families in stretching their food dollars, contributing to local spending and helping spark a national debate about the future of the federal nutrition program.
The proportion of Coffee County residents receiving food stamps hit 21.5 percent in 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services. That’s an increase of 7.5 percentage points since 2007, the year the recession started.
Across Tennessee, 20.4 percent of residents in 2011 received support from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as the food stamp program is officially known. Nationally, 14.8 percent of the population receives SNAP benefits.
In 2011, residents of Coffee County received a combined $17,918,876 in SNAP benefits. The USDA reports that each $5 in SNAP benefits generates $9.20 in spending.