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Coffee County Track to Host “Night of Miles” Event on Saturday
The Coffee County Central High School track team will host their annual “Night of Miles” on Saturday at Carden-Jarrell Field. The one mile race is open to the public and will take place at the conclusion of Coffee County’s final home track meet of the year. The Night of Miles 1 mile race is scheduled to take place at 6:30 PM and is open to any and all members of the community who want to come out and walk/jog/run the one mile distance. The high school track meet is set to begin at 1 PM with the field events. Coach Nathan Wanuch will be a guest on Saturday’s Coffee Coaches Show to talk about the event. The Coffee Coaches Show is broadcast live from the showroom of Al White Ford/Lincoln each Saturday at 10 AM. The Coffee Coaches Show is heard exclusively on Thunder Radio.
Coffee County CHS Football Team Hosts Fundraiser on Saturday
The Coffee County Central High School football team, along with the Red Raider Quarterback Club, will partner with Al White Ford/Lincoln on Saturday for an important fund raising event. The Red Raiders will participate in the “Lincoln Driven to Give Event” in the parking lot of the former Southern Family Market located on Hillsboro Blvd near the Al White dealership. The event will take place from 9 AM to 4 PM and the public is encouraged to pitch in to help.
Persons are asked to come by the lot on Saturday and register for a 15 minute test drive of a variety of new Lincoln vehicles. For every test drive, the Quarterback Club will receive a donation from the Lincoln Motor Company. Those test driving will submit to a short survey and are under no obligation to purchase a car. In fact, no salesperson will be present so this test drive is indeed a no-obligation event. Persons registering to test drive must be at least 18 years of age and test drives are limited to one driver per household. Folks wishing to participate only need to bring their driver’s license and there is no charge to take the test drive. Please come out and spend 20 minutes of your time to help out on Saturday.
Titans Excited About Selection of Mississippi State D-Lineman Jeffery Simmons With 19th Pick of NFL Draft
Jeffery Simmons of Mississippi State[Photo by Associated Press]
While the team may have to wait a little bit to see his full impact, in the long run the Titans think he’ll be a big difference-maker for years to come.
“He’s a guy we did extensive research on, and he is going to come in here and get to work and help this football team,” Titans General Manager Jon Robinson said of Simmons. “I’m just really excited about the ability that he has. He has really good quickness, can really run for a big man. He is explosive, changes direction well. He finishes plays, and he is an aggressive player.
“We’re super-stoked to have him on the football team.”
Simmons said he’s excited about being a Titan.
“I have so much passion,” Simmons said on a conference call. “When I step on the field, it’s going to show. When you have that energy, everyone’s going to come up with you. … They can trust me. They can depend on me. I won’t let them down.”
Simmons, who racked up 157 tackles, seven sacks, four forced fumbles and six passes defensed in three seasons at Mississippi State, began the offseason as a potential top-10 pick.
But Simmons (6-3, 301) suffered a torn ACL doing a routine drill during a workout in February and had surgery. The injury, paired with an off-field incident Simmons was involved in back in high school, led the Titans and other NFL teams to do extra homework on the big defensive lineman.
The Titans said they did extensive research on Simmons, and after spending time with him, they felt confident in picking him. Simmons told Robinson after being informed he’d be the pick, “I will not let you down.”
“I am extremely confident in Jeffery Simmons as a man,” Robinson said. “I know that he is going to be productive in the community, and he is going to be productive on this football team. … We felt like whenever he’s able to get back out there, he’ll be a really impactful player for our defense.”
Titans coach Mike Vrabel said he’s looking forward to having a player the caliber of Simmons on the team.
“To get these types of players that can make an impact along the defensive front, they’re disruptive,” Vrabel said. “And I think when you try and draw up blocking schemes and figure out, ‘How am I going to block this guy each and every week?’ We feel like we have that in Jurrell (Casey), and we feel like when Jeffery is ready, he’ll be another one of those players that can help us.
“I am very confident, as is Jon, that he will make everyone here proud. To get this type of player, this type of person, when we got him, we are excited.”
Leading up to the draft, a pair of draft analysts thought the Titans would have to consider picking Simmons in the first round of the NFL Draft. When he was available, the Titans jumped to get him.
“I think there’s a good chance he’s there at 19,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said of Simmons leading up to the draft. “And I think if you can be patient, history would look pretty kindly upon that pick because he is a top five talent.”
In his last mock draft, which was posted Thursday morning, NFL Network draft analyst Charles Davis had the Titans taking Simmons.
“Simmons makes sense to me for just about anyone, because I think he is that good,” Davis said. “But the questions: How long will you have to wait? When will he be ready? Can you afford to do so? Each team will have to decide.”
NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks had Simmons listed at No.5 on his list of top defensive tackles in the draft.
“The ACL tear Simmons suffered in February clearly diminishes his draft stock,” Brooks wrote. “But astute coaches will keep his disruptive game in mind and focus on how he could impact a unit when he returns from his injury.”
Jeremiah said he’s heard some relatively positive injury news about Simmons, and his future.
Simmons said on a conference call Thursday night his ACL rehab is going “great.” He said in 2 or 3 weeks, he’ll be able to run again. He expects to be able to play in 2019.
“From everything I’ve been told on the medical stuff, it sounds like if you pick him, you might be able to get him for six or seven games (in 2019),” Jeremiah said. “So it might not be a total wash. If your doctors are comfortable with it, and you thought you were going to get six, seven games with him in 2019 and have him rocking and rolling in the future, again, I think history would look pretty kindly upon that pick because he’s that talented.”
The Titans are scheduled to make five more picks in rounds 2-7 over the next two days, including picks in the second (51) and third round (82) on Friday night.
4/27/19 — Darlene Alice Johnson Wilson
Darlene Alice Johnson Wilson, age 64, died Saturday night December 29, 2018 in UNC Johnston Health in Smithfield. Born July 21, 1954 in Kearney, Nebraska she was the daughter of the late Delaine and Margaret Hoteling Johnson.
Per Darlene’s wishes, a graveside service will be held at the Fredonia Cemetery on April 27, 2019 at a 1:00pm
Surviving are her husband, Gerald Wilson, Jr.; sons, Brandon Wilson of Huntsville, AL and Preston Wilson of Clayton, NC; brother, Darrel Johnson of Manchester, TN; and grandson, Drey Wilson of Waynesboro, VA.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Faith Lutheran Church, 101 Bragg Circle, Tullahoma, TN, 37388.
Central Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements
4/25/19 — Birthdays
Birthdays:
Helen Green — Pizza Winner!
Brenda Green
Dora Martinelli
Katie Pew
Addilyn Gilliam, 4
Coffee County Extended School Program will Open Two Locations this Summer
Coffee County Extended School Program (ESP) will be open at New Union Elementary and Hillsboro Elementary for the 2019 Summer. The first day of Summer ESP will be May 28, 2019, and the last day will be July 19, 2019. They will be open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. and will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Breakfast and Lunch will be provided for everyone beginning June 3, 2019, through July 19, 2019. Every child will need a sack lunch for May 28 – May 31, 2019.
The Coffee County Extended School Program will be taking several field trips to the library, the movies, bowling, and swimming. An activity fee will be charged for these programs. The ESP program will also have a workshop that will be provided to them by Home Depot and they will watch the North Coffee Production of Madagascar.
TN Measles Case Confirmed; Health Officials Name Exposure Locations
The measles virus is highly contagious and can stay airborne or live on surfaces for several hours. (Adobe Stock)
Anyone who spent time at a Mapco Mart in Chattanooga on April 11, and at a Speedway gas station in Clinton on April 12, might have been exposed if he or she came into contact with the confirmed patient.
Dr. Tim Jones, the state’s epidemiologist, says even with just one known measles case, the Tennessee Health Department is taking a proactive approach to curtail the spread of the highly contagious, airborne disease.
“So far, we’ve only identified one case,” he states. “I will say that I will be shocked if we don’t see more.
“Measles is one of the most contagious diseases that we deal with. Personally, I’m almost certain we will see additional cases fairly soon.”
People recently infected with measles may not show symptoms, but still can transmit the virus for nearly a week before a rash appears on the face and body.
Other tell-tale signs of measles include high fever, runny nose, body aches, and white spots in the mouth.
Tennessee has had only 15 cases of measles in the last decade.
Since January, more than 600 individual cases of measles have been confirmed across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Unfortunately we are in the middle of a national outbreak,” Jones says. “There have been well over 600 cases now. I think there are over 20 states that have cases.
“So, before this, almost all the cases we’ve seen were people coming back from countries where it’s common. That’s not the case anymore.”
Jones says anyone with measles symptoms should first call a health care provider and make arrangements for a visit in advance, in order to prevent exposing others.
The state also has set up a hotline to answer citizens’ questions about measles. The hotline number is 865-549-5343.
Gov Lee’s Voucher-Like Proposal Hitting Snags
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee
The Senate on Thursday advanced legislation limiting Gov. Bill Lee’s voucher program to just the metro Nashville area and Shelby County, which includes Memphis. Under Lee’s proposal, parents of students in certain low-performing school districts could receive up to $7,300 in state funds to spend on private school tuition and other approved expenses, but they would need to meet certain income requirements.
The Senate’s version conflicts with what House members passed earlier this week, which includes immigration status verification and applies to the state’s top four most populated counties. That means the two chambers will form a joint panel known as a “conference committee” to find a solution.
Sports Betting getting Closer to Reality in Tennessee
A Tennessee bill to allow sports betting has passed the House, a key hurdle in a state that has been historically hesitant to expand gambling.
The House cleared legislation Wednesday to allow and regulate statewide mobile and interactive sports gambling, without brick-and-mortar betting locations. It still requires Senate approval.
Proponents said sports betting is already happening illegally, and the bill would create order, regulation and revenue. Several Republican opponents argued the bill would fuel addiction.
Previously asked about it, Gov. Bill Lee has said he opposes expanded gambling and his administration sometimes works to align legislation more with his views.
Montana, Iowa and Indiana are nearing decisions on sports betting. They would join six others that made the change last year after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed it nationwide.
Wednesday Prep Results and Thursday Prep Schedule
Wednesday Prep Results
4:45 PM – CCMS Boys’ Soccer blasted North Franklin in CTC Tournament – 7 to 2 – See the story HERE
6:30 PM – WMS Softball clobbered Huntland in DRVC Tournament – 10 to 4 – See the story HERE
7:00 PM – CCMS Baseball blanked North Franklin in CTC Tournament at Tullahoma- 7 to 0 – See the story HERE
Thursday Prep Schedule
3:30 PM – CCMS Golf vs. South Franklin at Bear Trace
3:30 PM – WMS Golf vs. North Franklin at Bear Trace
6:30 PM – WMS Softball vs. Community – DRVC Tournament
7:00 PM – CHS Boys’ Soccer at Shelbyville
CHS Baseball HOSTS Central Magnet(Senior Night) – PPD until Sat, 4/26 – 4:30 PM
CHS Softball HOSTS Lawrence Co(Senior Night) – PPD until Sun, 4/27 – 3:00 PM