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Coffee County Plays Well In Football Passing League

Peyton Meeker throws a pass during passing league action... Picture by Nick Trail with the Manchester Times

The Coffee County Red Raiders hosted a passing camp on Monday. The CHS passing attack looked sharp as the Raiders defeated Ravenwood 3-2 and Franklin County 2-0 in the final passing camp of the preseason at Carden-Jarrell field on Monday night.
CHS concluded the contest with a 1-1 tie with Grundy County.
Starting QB Peyton Meeker had a total of 4 TD passes hitting Jeffrey Simmons and Logan Baumstein with 2 each.
Sophomore quarterback Jimmy Hollandsworth received the majority of snaps against Franklin County in the Raiders 2-0 victory, hurling passes to Matthew Ross and Baumstein.
The first day that high school athletes can practice in pads is set for July 30.

TSSAA Stays With 6 Classes

The TSSAA the athletic association that oversees high school sports in Tennessee has voted to continue with the six-class system for football playoffs that has been in place since 2009.
The Board of Control of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association voted 5-4 Monday to continue to play in three regular-season classes with each of those classes split for the post-season through at least 2016.
Prior to the 2009 season, Division I football had been under a five-class system with schools in each of those classes grouped into eight regions. The top four teams from each region advanced to the postseason. TSSAA Executive Director Bernard Childress said he knew the vote would be close.
Coffee County has made the playoffs for the past 2 season will look for a third in a row in 2012. The Raiders host Shelbyville August 17 to begin the year. Check out all Coffee County games live on the radio at 107.9FM, AM1320, wmsrradio.com and listen through the TuneIn radio app for Ipads and SMART phones, search Thunder Radio.

Water Levels Remain Low

Water at Normandy Lake remains low

Local farmers and gardeners have certainly welcomed the recent rains with open arms, as have those whose yards are brown. But the rains that have suddenly become frequent have done very little to help lake levels at Normandy Reservoir. As of yesterday, lake levels at Normandy were at 865.42 feet. That is actually down slightly from 865.50 that was recorded at 1 a.m. Sunday. It is also down from the 866.25 that was recorded earlier this month. The desired summer pool is 875, according to the Tennessee Valley Authority. The dam, as of Tuesday, was releasing 149 cubic feet of water per second, which is slightly down from 150 that was being released earlier this month. TVA officials say that is a small amount for the non-power-generating dam. “We’re trying to keep it as low as we can to meet downstream requirements,” officials added. “The outlook is not very good for rain and runoff, so the reservoir levels will continue to fall.”
So far, the public is not being asked to limit water usage at this time.

Gas Prices Going Up Again

Average retail gasoline prices in the Coffee County area have risen 2.3 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.04/g yesterday. This compares with the national average that has not moved in the last week to $3.42/g.
Prices yesterday were 51.5 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 7.1 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 11.0 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 24.7 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.
Prices are as low as $3.03/g in Manchester and $2.97/g in Tullahoma.

Get Ready For New Charges On Credit Cards

The next time you swipe your credit or debit card, you may be charged a fee. Businesses can now charge customers a fee for using a credit card for a store purchase or transaction. The idea of charging customers for a credit transaction is the result of a $7.25-billion lawsuit settlement with Visa and MasterCard merchants. The National Retail Federation says that retailers pay about $30-million annually in credit card fees.
Some businesses in Coffee County already ask customers to spend a minimum amount before using credit cards.

Commander Praises AEDC

Gen. Janet C. Wolfenbarger (U.S. Air Force photo)

A commander says Arnold Air Force Base in Tennessee is vital to the overall Air Force mission.
Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger of the Air Force Materiel Command praised the work done at the Middle Tennessee base and its Arnold Engineering and Development Center. The center has recently been redesigned as a complex as part of an AFMC re-construct that consolidates the command’s centers from 12 to five. Wolfenbarger said Arnold will continue to be critical to the command’s mission of providing war fighter support.
The newly designated complex is the country’s largest complex of flight simulation test facilities. The complex has 30 active test cells at the base.

Woman Headed To Jail For Murder

Shanterrica Madden

The woman convicted of stabbing Middle Tennessee State University basketball player Tina Stewart to death has been sentenced to 29 years total in prison.
Rutherford County Circuit Court Judge Don Ash on Tuesday sentenced Shanterrica Madden of Memphis to 25 years for second-degree murder and four years for tampering with evidence, with the sentences to be served consecutively
Judge Ash said during sentencing that he did not find her credible or remorseful, during the trial or in her statement read before the court Tuesday.
Madden was convicted in May of second-degree murder in the March 2, 2011, death of Stewart, at an off-campus apartment they shared.

Early Voting Going On Now

Early voting continues through July 28. Those voting in Manchester can do so at the Coffee County Election Commission office. Those who want to vote in Tullahoma can vote at C D Stamps Center. Saturday hours are 8:30 to noon in Manchester and 9 to noon in Tullahoma. Weekday hours are 8 to 4:30 in Manchester and 9 to 4:30 at C D Stamps Center. Don’t forget to bring your photo ID.

7/20/12 — Jeanne Dianne Christian

Jeanne Dianne Christian, age 53 of Tullahoma, passed away Saturday July 14, 2012 at her home.

She was a native of Hunstville, AL and a 1976 graduate of Lee High School. Following graduation, she moved to Dalton where she worked in the carpet industry. Since 2004 she had made her home in Coffee County. She attended Grace Baptist Church in Estill Springs.

She enjoyed shopping, fishing and, above all else, her dog and closest companion “Ruro”. In her spare time she was an avid TV watcher. She greatly enjoyed soap operas, the History Channel and murder mysteries. She will be remembered by her family as being loved by all.

Preceding her in death are sisters, Patricia Wells, Penny Rhines and Sherry Bogue; brother, Danny Young.

She is survived by her daughter, Amy (Johnny) Lee of Rome, GA; son, Doodle (Vanessa) Burns of Rocky Face, GA; sister, Brenda Price of Tullahoma; brothers, Randy Tielkings of Huntsville, AL and Anthony Young of Tullahoma. Grandchildren, Johnny Lee, Jr. and Hayden Burns.

The family will receive friends Friday evening, July 20, 2012 from 5- 6 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at 6 p.m.

Watson-North Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. 

7/21/12 — James E. Miller

James E. Miller, age 60 of Decherd, passed away Sunday, July 15, 2012 at Willows of Winchester.

Funeral service will be conducted Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 2:00 pm from the chapel of Watson-North Funeral Home.

Interment will follow in Watson-North Memorial Park.

Visitation will be Saturday, July 21, 2012 from 12:00am – 2:00 pm at Watson-North Funeral Home.

Watson-North Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.