Author's posts

Director of Coffee County Schools Named Finalist for Roane County Job

File photo: Dr LaDonna McFall Director of Coffee County Schools


Current Director of Coffee County Schools, Dr. Ladonna McFall, who recently said that she would be seeking other job opportunities, is now a finalist for the director’s job in Roane County. McFall and the other finalist, Thomas Sisk, will enter the second round of interviews on Wednesday, April 3.
Former Motlow College president Anthony Kinkel was considered a finalist until he pulled his name from contention on Friday.
McFall is in her seventh year as Director of Schools in Coffee County.  She said in her first interview that she has applied to Roane County before and thinks she is a good fit for the challenges facing the Roane County schools.
The Coffee County Board of Education has a work session planned for April 1, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. at the Coffee County Board of Education building. On the agenda is a discussion about an extension of Director McFall’s contact.
Board member Brett Henley said that item must legally remain on the agenda. He said board members received an email from McFall on Monday morning informing them she no longer wants to seek a contract extension, and she was applying for other employment.

Henley said McFall has done a good job for Coffee County, but if she chooses to leave, then that is her prerogative.

When reached via text by WMSR News, McFall said she did not have a comment to make at this time. (A portion of this story was supplied by the Roane County News)

Cowan Man Charged with Aggravated Statutory Rape in Coffee County

Louis G. Smith jail intake photo

On February 12, 2019 Louis G. Smith age 25 of Cowan. TN was indicted on 5 counts of Aggravated Statutory Rape. Coffee County Sheriff’s Department Investigators Brandon Reed and James Sherrill arrested Smith on Friday (March 22, 2019).
According to information provided by Investigator Reed, he states that in October of 2018, Smith allegedly had sex with a 13 year-old female.
Smith is currently being housed at the Coffee County Jail under a bond of $20,000.

Unity Medical Center Scores High in Recent Survey

In a recent federal survey, Unity Medical Center of Manchester was ranked higher than the state average in seven out of 10 categories and was given a four-star rating out of five. The survey was conducted by the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS), which is a national survey that asks patients about their experiences during a recent hospital stay.
The survey can be viewed at www.Medicare.gov by searching “Hospital Compare.” Hospital compare has information on over 4,000 Medicare-certified hospitals and compiles data via patient surveys, data and reports. When visiting the website, the user is able to choose which hospitals in their area they would like to compare, then are shown a chart containing survey results for the selected facilities.
In the survey, 98 percent of patients reported that they were given information on home recovery, 95 percent said that doctors always communicated well, and 96 percent of patients have the hospital a nine out of 10 rating, which is significantly higher than both the state average and surrounding hospitals.
Administrators at Unity like to use Hospital Compare as a tool to recognize areas that need improvement and to shine a light on areas that excel. UMC’s score improved from the previous survey, in which they were ranked three out of five stars. In order to keep the forward momentum going, it is important to recognize not only the high scoring categories, but the lower scores as well. Plans have already been set in to place to improve ratings even more and to provide an overall better patient experience.

Gas Prices continue to Rise

Although Tennessee gas prices increased almost a dime from last week, the state average remains low compared to the rest of the country. Tennessee drivers are paying an average price of $2.44 per gallon for regular unleaded. Monday’s state average was 9-cents more than a week ago, 25 cents more than this time last month, and 3 cents higher than this time last year.
The national average of $2.62.
AAA spokesperson Jeanette Casselano said the state gas price average is very similar to a year ago, give or take a few pennies. This means some motorists are paying among the most expensive averages seen this time of year in the last five years.
Gas prices continue to rise here in Coffee County as the low price in Manchester was $2.34 as of Monday afternoon and in Tullahoma, the low price was $2.38.

4/1/19–Billy Mitchell Hamby

Mr. Billy Mitchell Hamby, 63, passed away
Saturday March 16, 2019 at his home. He was born in Winchester,
Tennessee on October 22, 1955 to Horace Mitchell Hamby and Evelyn Brannan
who preceded him in death along with his wife, Martha Jane Hamby.

A celebration of life was held at the First Presbyterian Church Sunday
March 24, at 11:00 am.

Burial to be held April 1, 2019 at 11:00am
Concord Cemetery, Tullahoma, TN

Central Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

3/26/19–Nancy J. Brown

Nancy J. Brown, age 61, of Tullahoma passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2019. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 1:00 PM, March 26, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Tullahoma with burial to follow in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Monday evening at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home from 6 until 8 PM.
A native of Pittsburg, PA, Mrs. Brown was the daughter of the late Joseph R. McCabe and Loretta E. Brazinskas McCabe, who survives. She was a graduate of Tullahoma High
School, Austin Peay University and received her Masters Degree from Arkansas State University. Mrs. Brown was a teacher in the St. Francis Arkansas Education System, being nominated for Teacher of the Year for her work. She enjoyed photography and swimming and family gatherings. Mrs. Brown attended St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.
In addition to her mother, Mrs. Brown is survived by two sons: Joey Brown of Asheville, NC and Thomas Brown of Manchester, TN, a step-daughter: Abby Brown of Little Rock, AR, three brothers: Pat McCabe of Lavergne, TN, Terry McCabe of Phoenix, AZ and Joey McCabe and wife Rebecca of Tullahoma, TN, four sisters: Cynthia Napier and husband Bill of Augusta, GA, Carol Maxwell and husband Bill of Scottsboro, AL, Julie Forte and husband John of Pleasant Valley, NY and Loretta Kerber and husband Tom of Plano, TX., Special friends: Autum Martin of Asheville, NC and Sharlyn Ramey of Phoenix AZ and several nieces, nephews and other family.

Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com
DAVES-CULBERSTON FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS

3/30/19–Toni Marilyn Trimble

Trimble, Toni Marilyn, of Tullahoma, passed this life on Thursday, March 21st, 2019 at Tennova Healthcare-Harton at the age of 73. Ms. Trimble was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas to the late James Trimble Sr. and Mary Luttrell Trimble and was retired from AEDC where she worked in the Payroll Department. In addition to her parents, Ms. Trimble was preceded in death by her brother, James Larry Trimble. She is survived by her sons, Ryan Woodward and his wife Shane of Tullahoma and Eric Woodward of Nashville; her brother, Phil Trimble of Valparaiso, Indiana; and three grandchildren, Lily, Carter and Heather Woodward. Visitation for Ms. Trimble will be held on Saturday, March 30th, 2019 at Kilgore Funeral Home from 2:00-4:00pm. Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

3/26/19–Helen Louise Holder

Holder, Helen Louise, of Tullahoma, passed this life on Friday, March
22nd, 2019 at her home at the age of 86. Mrs. Holder was born in
Tullahoma to the late Dan and Louise Carroll Huffman and was a former
member of Wilson Avenue Church of Christ. In addition to her parents, she
was preceded in death by her brother, Grover Huffman; sister-in-law, Joan
W. Huffman; niece, Sherry Huffman Darnell; mother and father in-law,
Effie and Buford Holder; sister-in-law Leta Searcy (Calvin); nephew, Hugh
Cumbee; and niece, Linda Searcy. Mrs. Holder is survived by her loving
and devoted husband of 61 years, Charles Holder; sister-in-law, Mary
Cumbee; niece, Carla Huffman James (Tony); great niece, Tiffany McKee
(Steven) and their son Gage; great-nephews, Cory Bush, Andrew Bush and
Chris Darnell (Tami); nieces, Donna Brown, Barbara Ridner (Howard),
Shirley Lievanos (Rick) and Gail Barnhardt (John); nephews, Doyle Searcy
(Anita), Glenn Searcy, and Keith Searcy (Amanda); and numerous other
great-nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 25th,
2019 at Kilgore Funeral Home from 5:00-8:00pm. Funeral services will be
held on Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 at 11:00am in the Kilgore Funeral Home
Chapel with Pastor Doug Hankins officiating. Burial will follow at Rose
Hill Memorial Gardens. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers,
donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

East Coffee Elementary Honor Roll

Gold
Allison Walker
Nyla Vazquez
Cadence Darden
Caleb McCall
Ethan Stephens
Tia Buchanan
Bella Johns
Lily Norman
Seth Beaty
Allison Escamilla
Taylor McBride
Anna Reynolds
Jett Trussler
Charlie Higgins
John Mihatov
Kasen Shores
Anna Wood
Abbi Hunt
Christen McBee
Avery Payne
Landon Warren

Silver
Miah Cole
Jakob Conelison
Rylee Fuller
Jordan Metz
Kaiden Spitnale
Patrick Jacobs
Sarai Munoz
Victor Polo
Simeon Alphonse
Kanyen Alvarez
Mario Arellano
Niko Lambidonis
James Maynard
Hunter VanMeter
Zoie Welch
Jordan Laney
Lee Parker
Ethan Reed

Bronze
Aubrey Webb
Kameron Stafford
Shaylin Olson
Leah Leathers
Peyton Chapman
Ryan Bower
Taelyn Wright
Alex Baker
Jessica Farnsworth
Kyle Qualls
Alicia Thompson
Julie Walker
Alex Kilgore
Julieta Rosales
Tracy Taylor
Jaida Foster
Kylan Kilgore
Taylor Pinegar
Blake Lemons
Kandace Stafford
Mikel Cates
Angel Holland
Branson Jernigan
Jayden Morris

B.U.G.
Cadence Carroll
Josalynn Floyd
Charlie Higgins
John Mihatov
Anna Wood
Rylee Fuller
Taylor McBride
Anna Reynolds
Taelyn Wright
Allison Walker
Kameron Stafford
Sara Evans
Bryson Barkley
Mikel Cates
Angel Holland
Christen McBee
Lee Parker
Avery Payne
Autumn Talley
Landon Warren

North Coffee Honor Roll and perfect attendance

North Coffee Elementary
3rd Nine Weeks Honor Roll

3rd Grade

Bronze

Logan Anderson
Aubrie Arnold
Brenley Carlton
Summer Dunham
Kigar Hullett
Logan Johnson
SheAnna Langley
Ava Long
Sara Maxwell
Aime Miller
Niko Sharpe
Gavin Smith
Peyton Todd
Daniel Vandenburgh

Silver

Jayke Clark
Tristin Cornett
Alexis Good
Allie Steele
Caylee Toombs
Chevy Watts

Gold

Storm Barber
Elyse Bennett
Kiera Byers
Adalyn Clark
Danica Gibson
Dominick Hill
Taya Hodges
Marley Killen
Isabella Tant
Chloe Turner
Holley Watts
Blaine Weaver
Kali White

4th Grade

Bronze

Bailey Brewer
Marilyn Freeman
Jaxen Glasgow
Kailance Hullett
Brody Lanphere
Ian Rooker

Silver

Maddox Gaston
Ryleigh Gibson
Jordan Knox

Gold

Lucy Akin
Leora Anthony
Patrick Brown
Damien Dobbins
Henry Haymond
Danni Hillis
Ayden Keasling
Addison Merriman
Nova Northcutt
Gracie Patterson
Sophia Rodriguez
Brody Sizemore
Wyatt Teal
Macey Wallace
Lona West
5th Grade

Bronze

Sophia Adams
Jastin Bryant
Kiera Collins
James Farless
Eduardo Hernandez
Jayden Knox
Alaya Lendley
Katherine Santos
Jaliyah Trotta

Silver

Addison Arnold
Madelyn D’Auria
Emma Haley
Haiden Longwith
Lina Rodriguez
Presley Rooker
Bella Sizemore
Surya Starr
Austin Todd
Alivia Tyree
Taylor Vandenburgh

Gold

Christian Anderson
Ella Arnold
Natalie Barnes
Gunner Drnek
Karlee Hargrove
Kendall Houck
Madysen Hudson
Brayden Kesling
Lynn Moore
Nicholas Morris
Remington Moss
Miranda Pita
North Coffee Elementary
Perfect Attendance 3rd nine weeks
2018-2019

PreK

(none this time)

Kdg

Hayden Anderson
Olivia Bush
Collin Floyd
Diane Langley
Porter Newman
Paisley Prater

1st

Thomas Baker
Kealey Branch
Kalli Byers
Kayda Ferrell
Lawson Maychrzak
Adele Newman
Lillian Overman
Jaelyn Smith

2nd

Ethan Arnold
Justin Fletcher
Noah Kanjanabout
Kendall Kesling
Hunter Louallen
Makayla McCart
Jace Mercer
Ava Newman
Alyssa Patterson
Lillian Wilson
3rd

Kiera Byers
Danica Gibson
SheAnna Langley
Sierra Starr
Holley Watts
Wayne Watts

4th

Parker Daniel
Lilian Dobbins
Ryleigh Gibson
Kailance Hullett
Jordan Knox
Harlow Maychrzak

5th

Christian Anderson
Jastin Bryant
Zachary Fletcher
Karlee Hargrove
Brayden Kesling
Jayden Knox
Alaya Lendley
Lynn Moore
Derby Pritchard
Surya Starr