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Safety Tips to Help Visitors Navigate Bonnaroo
Tips to help you navigate the 18th annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester.
Avoid Dehydration & Exercise Care with Alcohol:
• Drink plenty of water. Summer temperatures in Tennessee can be relentless. It is crucial to stay hydrated.
• Familiarize yourself with the location of free water stations if they are available.
• Try to avoid intense outdoor activity during the hottest time of day (10am – 2pm). Plan your schedule to incorporate rest periods.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored layers for sun protection and ventilation.
• Don’t forget to apply and reapply sunscreen and wear a hat and sunglasses.
• Monitor your alcohol intake carefully. Do not use alcohol as a substitute for water.
• Don’t take drinks, drugs or food from strangers.
• Do not leave your food or drinks unattended.
Utilize the Buddy System & Set a Meeting Place:
• Designate a “buddy” – someone you can trust to watch out for you and vice versa.
• Have a communication plan. Identify a relative or friend to contact in case of emergency.
• Identify a place to meet friends in case you get separated or an emergency occurs.
• Report any suspicious persons to a member of security at the event or to the Camp Site Assistance Team.
Supervise & Secure Your Belongings:
• Avoid bringing jewelry and valuables to music concerts and festivals.
• Keep cash, wallets, and credit cards out of back pockets where they can easily be taken.
• Don’t leave valuables in the car or tent.
• Identify items you want to have on hand (medications, snacks, water, hand sanitizer, tissues, etc.).
• Check with the festival’s organizers to see if backpacks or large handbags are permitted to be carried into the venue and/or if storage lockers are available.
Poll: The Political Divide Widens in Tennessee
It may come as no surprise that a new poll finds Tennessee is becoming more politically polarized. (Adobe Stock)
Pollsters surveyed by phone 1,000 of what they call “demographically representative voters,” covering topics such as voting access, health care, the opioid crisis and immigration.
John Geer, a political science professor at Vanderbilt University and co-director of the poll, says the findings suggest the rise in polarization at the national level has begun to infiltrate state politics.
“The misperceptions there were just staggering,” he states. “I mean, about a quarter of the state thinks we have more than 1 million illegal immigrants. And the answer is closer to about 100,000.
“And so, I think the debate that’s gone on about immigration in this country, has given people the belief that this is a widespread problem that is just massive in scope, and the data say that’s not the case.”
The poll results also show Tennesseans favor policies that preserve the rights of immigrants already in the U.S. to stay here and become citizens – 54% said they should be allowed to apply for citizenship, while another 20% favor a guest worker program.
Gov. Bill Lee is the most popular politician in the state, according to the poll, with a 61% approval rating.
And Geer is convinced that in this age of information overload polls are still a reliable tool to gauge what people are thinking.
“So, I think polls are particularly important in this day and age, because the people who have the loudest voices, who are the most ideologically extreme, they can use social media,” he points out. “But the quiet majority tends not to do it, because they’re tending to their children, attending church, working two jobs. Polls provide a chance to tap into those opinions.”
The poll found 54% of Tennessee voters support President Donald Trump. However, only 26% said they were happy with Congress.
Coffee County Lady Raider Basketball Opens TTU Camp on Sunday
Jenna Garretson of Coffee County CHS basketball[file photo]
The Lady Raiders opened up against perennial power Clarkrange. Trailing by 3 with 7 minutes to go, Coffee County went to the bench and ended up taking a 47 to 35 loss. Bella Vinson led the Lady Raiders in scoring with 10 points. Kiya Ferrell added 8 points. Coffee County closed out against Cookeville and rolled to a 49 to 32 win. Bella Vinson and Jalie Reuhling led Coffee County in with 10 points each while Jenna Garretson added 9 points.
The JV team won their contest against Livingston Academy by 16 points. Olivia Swain led the JV team in scoring with 12. Coach Joe Pat Cope said that he wants his varsity squad to show more consistency in the Monday session.
The Coffee County teams return to Cookeville on Monday for the final day of the camp. The Lady Raiders will play York Institute at 10 AM at the Hooper Eblen Center. They close out the day with a noon game against Lakeway Christian in the Memorial Gym. The JV Lady Raiders will take on Monterey at 11 AM in the Fitness Center.
Coffee County Basketball Sweeps 3 Games on Friday at Oakland
CHS Red Raider basketball coach Micah Williams[file photo]
The Raiders got wins over Riverdale, Wilson Central and Eagleville. Coach Micah Williams was pleased with how his team shared the ball on the offensive end of the floor and defending and rebounding on the defensive end. Williams called out the outstanding play of Jaylon Wooten, Kyle Farless, Tyler Taylor, C.J. Anthony and Hayden Hullett. He wants his team to get better in their transition defense as they continue the summer season.
The Red Raiders return to the court on Monday when they open a 2 day camp at MTSU. The varsity team will play at noon on Monday when they take on Bosse, IN on the Murphy Center main floor. The Raiders will tangle with Christian Academy of Louisville at 5 PM and Section, AL in the auxiliary gym at the Murphy Center at 7 PM. The JV team will open up at 2 PM vs. Kingston before taking on Gilmer, GA at 6 PM before closing out the day at 7 PM. All three of their games will be held at the MTSU Rec Center.
Nashville SC Grabs Comeback Win with 3 Goals in 2nd Half
Three second half goals proved historic as Nashville Soccer Club earned its first-ever come from behind victory in club history 4-1 over Bethlehem Steel FC on Sunday evening in Philadelphia. After Bethlehem opened the scoring in the first half, Nashville scored the final four goals of the match, including forward Ropapa Mensah’s match-winner in the 63’ minute.
It was Bethlehem’s James Chambers who opened up the scoring in 24’ minute off a free kick just outside the box. Chambers bent the ball around Nashville’s wall and slotted it in the bottom right of the net.
Nashville answered just two minutes later from a set piece of their own as midfielder Lebo Moloto swung in a corner kick and Tribbett buried a header past the Steel keeper. It was Tribbett’s second goal of the season and Moloto’s third helper.
Nashville broke it open in the second half as Moloto again set up a goal. The South African midfielder sprung Mensah on a breakaway and the forward made no mistake of his shot as he blasted it into the net. Less than 10 minutes later, Nashville SC struck again as defender Kosuke Kimura cleaned up a rebound for his first goal in a Nashville uniform.
The final tally came from the foot of forward Cameron Lancaster, making his return to the field as a substitute after a month-long layoff due to injury. It was his third goal for Nashville SC in league play and fourth overall.
Here are three takeaways from the win.
1) Road Form Continues to Impress
Nashville SC has had an impressive road record so far in 2019 with a 4-1-3 record away from home following the victory on Sunday. The four wins on the road this season matches the club’s total in 17 road matches in 2018. Nashville’s 15 road points are among the most in the USL Championship this season.
2) Mensah Makes Impact as a Starter
Head coach Gary Smith wanted to reward forward Ropapa Mensah with a start after impressive performances against Indy Eleven and Charleston Battery in the team’s last two matches. The move paid off as Mensah recorded four shots, putting three on target, and scored the game-winner. It was Mensah’s third goal on the season to go along with two assists. His involvement in five goals is the second-most for the club behind forward Daniel Ríos’ eight.
3) Kimura Finds the Net
Defender Kosuke Kimura is a defensive force from the right back spot for Nashville SC. His veteran presence and endless stamina have been a massive asset to Gary Smith for years dating back to the pair’s days with the Colorado Rapids of MLS. That doesn’t mean that Kimura can’t provide a spark offensively. His goal to seal the win was his first for Nashville SC and first professionally since June of 2017.
Bonus: Lancaster Returns and Scores
Forward Cameron Lancaster has missed the last four Nashville SC matches due to an unlucky injury suffered in training. He made a triumphant return to the pitch and had an instant impact with a goal in his 24 minutes as a substitute. He now has four goals this season, the second-most on Nashville SC.
Up Next
With five consecutive league results in hand, Nashville SC will hit the road once again next weekend against Hartford Athletic. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
Maness, Benjamin Lead Sounds to Shutout Win
Seth Maness and Wes Benjamin combined on a five-hitter Sunday afternoon, leading the Nashville Sounds to a 3-0 victory over the Tacoma Rainiers at Cheney Stadium. It marks the team’s first shutout win of the year, and its first winning series in Tacoma since 2002.
The Sounds, now 3-3 on their road trip, again got early home runs for a lead they never gave away. Eli White blasted a solo shot leading off the third against Anthony Misiewicz, and Jett Bandy belted a two-run shot in the fourth for a 3-0 score that became the final. White has four home runs on the road trip, and each time it has given the Sounds a 1-0 lead.
Maness tossed five innings of three-hit ball, walked one and struck out four in the win. He has worked at least five innings in all eight of his Sounds starts. Benjamin, making his first relief appearance since 2016, took over in the sixth and finished the game for his second career save. He yielded two hits, worked around four walks, and struck out four.
The Sounds go for the four-game sweep and conclude their seven-game road trip Monday afternoon. Pedro Payano (0-1, 5.63) will start against Jon Niese (3-1, 5.06). First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 CT.
Post-Game Notes
Eli White has eight home runs on the year in 58 games. He hit a career-high nine in 130 games last season at Double-A.
Andy Ibanez went 0-for-4 to snap his hitting streak at a season-high eight games.
Matt Davidson went 0-for-3 with a walk, moving his on-base streak to 16 games but snapping his hitting streak at seven games.
The Sounds had been the only team in the Pacific Coast League yet to record a shutout win this year.
The 2019 season is the 42nd in Nashville Sounds franchise history and first as the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Single-game tickets are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.
White, Wisdom Power Sounds Past Rainiers
Eli White and Patrick Wisdom each homered in the middle innings, and the Nashville Sounds never trailed on Saturday night, beating the Tacoma Rainiers 4-2 at Cheney Stadium. The Sounds have won the first two games of the four-game set and haven’t trailed at any point.
Esmerling Vasquez notched the win in his Sounds debut. He tossed five innings of shutout ball and was the beneficiary when White broke the scoreless tie with a two-out solo homer to left field in the sixth inning off Tyler Cloyd. Then Wisdom led off the seventh with a blast of his own to left off Matt Carasiti to make it 2-0.
After Tacoma managed an unearned run in the seventh off newcomer Werner Leal, the Sounds were given an unearned run in the eighth. Andy Ibanez doubled with two outs and later scored on a throwing error to put the Sounds ahead 3-1. The Rainiers fought back with a run in the eighth against Taylor Guerrieri, but the Sounds notched another insurance run in the ninth. Zack Granite bunted home Chase d’Arnaud with one out to make it 4-2, and Josh Fields faced the minimum in the ninth for his first save as a Sound.
The four-game series continues Sunday afternoon at 3:35 CT. Seth Maness (3-1, 4.24) is scheduled to pitch for the Sounds against Anthony Misiewicz (2-2, 5.55).
Post-Game Notes
Eight of the nine Sounds batters reached safely in the game.
Andy Ibanez has an eight-game hitting streak, the 4th time this year he’s a had a streak of five-plus.
Matt Davidson went 1-for-3 and has hit safely in seven straight and reached safely in 15 straight games.
The Sounds are 2-0 so far in the four-game series and haven’t won a series at Tacoma since 2002.
Democratic Party Chair who has faced Her Own Problems Criticizes District Attorney Northcott
Mary Mancini.. Photo from tndp.org
Mancini wrote; “Equal protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation, isn’t just a Democratic Party value — it’s a non-negotiable constitutional guarantee that every public servant should uphold every day. If Craig Northcott and Republican leaders take issue with that, they don’t deserve to serve the people of Tennessee,” Mancini said. “Craig Northcott needs to change his stance or resign. Until he does, Tennessee Republican Party leaders should be held to account and asked to denounce his bigotry and rescind their support.”
Mancini has had her own problems after having to apologize for calling Tennessee racist recently while promoting less conventional candidates.
Mancini made a controversial statement while speaking with the Coffee County Democratic Party earlier this year. Mancini is quoted as saying, “We have a little bit of a problem in this state, I’m just going to say it outright. This is a racist state.”
Mancini said in her apology, “In the heat and the frustration of seeing and hearing the constant drumbeat of bigotry, misogyny and homophobia coming from the Republicans at the state legislature, I used a poor choice of words and vented my frustration and I apologize.”
Mancini said her words didn’t represent how she or other members of the state Democratic Party view Tennessee residents.
Northcott has not released a statement since a Facebook post he made was seen as anti-Muslim. He also has not made a comment after a video surfaced while Northcott was speaking at a religious conference in 2018. He is quoted as saying that if there is domestic violence in a marriage involving a gay couple, he would not prosecute it as domestic violence because he does not recognize the marriage.
Northcott’s term runs through the end of August 2022.
Bonnaroo Gates Open Wednesday Night–Traffic Plans
Photo from above Bonnaroo
Here is how law enforcement and the Tennessee Department of Transportation plan for the traffic.
• Efforts will be concentrated on keeping I-24 traffic flowing
• Exit 111 (SR 55) will be used as the main festival exit. Exits 97, 105, 112 (temporary exit on the westbound side only), 117 and 127 are alternate exits if congestion occurs on the interstate
• TDOT maintenance units will be posted throughout the festival region, and maintenance personnel will be on call all weekend
• TDOT will provide variable message signs to warn drivers of delays
• There will be no construction-related lane closures on I-24 near the Bonnaroo festival area between 6 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12 through 7 p.m. on Monday, June 17
• Median crossovers will be guarded to prevent motorists from parking in the crossovers and blocking emergency vehicles
• Festival traffic will be kept in the right lane and/or on the shoulder of the interstate, allowing through traffic to utilize the left travel lane unimpeded
• Emergency vehicles will use county roads that will be kept at low volume
• Bonnaroo promoters issued early news releases to the trucking industry and other sources to alert the traveling public about festival times, location, and alternate routes
• Temporary communication towers are in place to improve emergency communications
During the festival, motorists should call 511 for traffic updates or visit the TDOT website at www.tn.gov/tdot for information on alternate routes. As always Manchester Police, THP and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department will be working together to keep traffic running as smoothly as possible.
Safety Plans for Bonnaroo
This week Bonnaroo begins, and music lovers are counting down the days until the event starts. The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding music fans to always incorporate safety into their festival plans.
Do Your Research & Follow the Rules
• Check the festival’s website to get an understanding of the location/layout.
• Familiarize yourself with the locations of medical and safety tents.
• Know what items you can and cannot bring into the venue.
• If portable grills and/or generators are allowed, use them with care:
• Place your grill well away from anything that can catch fire. Do not leave an active grill unattended.
• Do not add lighter fluid to an already lit fire as the flame can flash back up into the container and explode.
• Pay attention to the location of exits in tents and crowd barriers. If there is a panic, head for these locations first.
• Dispose of hot coals properly. Douse them with plenty of water and stir to ensure the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper, or wooden containers.
• Never utilize grills or generators in enclosed areas as deadly levels of carbon monoxide can build up quickly and linger for hours.
• If camping in an RV, ensure it has a working carbon monoxide alarm. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas created when fuels (such as kerosene, gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. Tennessee law requires that rented RVs must have functioning carbon monoxide detectors before being leased for use.
• Leave sky lanterns and fireworks to the experts. They can easily start a fire on dry grass or debris.
• Park only in designated areas. Be sure to leave fire lanes clear for emergency vehicles.