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Gov. Lee asks President Trump for Major Disaster Declaration in Coffee Co. and Other Locations

Recent flooding in Hillsboro

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has officially asked President Donald Trump to make a Major Disaster Declaration so that 58 counties, including several in our area, can get federal help after last month’s severe storms & flooding.
On February 6, heavy rain, major flooding, and severe storms began in the state. According to Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), 83 of Tennessee’s 95 counties have reported some level of flood damage and severe weather impact.
Governor Lee’s request specifically calls for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make the Public Assistance (PA) program available to 58 counties impacted, including area counties: Coffee, Franklin, Bedford, and Moore.

Coffee County Government Receives Clean Audit

Only 12 of the 90 Tennessee counties audited by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office received a clean audit report in fiscal year 2018. The 12 counties included Coffee County. Other counties listed as clean were, Blount, Fayette, Franklin, Gibson, Lincoln, Loudon, Marshall, Meigs, Putnam, Roane, and Sevier.
These annual audits were completed without any findings. Auditors did not report any weaknesses or deficiencies in government operations.
These audits each revealed a strong system that allows for accurate financial reporting and clear checks and balances that help protect taxpayer money. The residents of these counties should be encouraged that county leaders and elected officials are taking their responsibilities seriously.
If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800.232.5454, or file a report online at www.comptroller.tn.gov/hotline.

Bedford County Sheriff’s Office Identify Burglary Suspect

John Pickelsimer

The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office reports vehicle burglaries recently occurred at Curl Construction. As a result, the Criminal Investigations Division was able to identify John Pickelsimer as the person responsible. Pickelsimer is currently in custody in another jail and will be charged with 4 counts of burglary and two counts of theft of property over $1,000.
The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Wartrace Police Department for their assistance in this case.

Tennessee Unemployment Hits Record Low

The statewide unemployment rate in Tennessee dropped to a new historic low in February according to data released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). The seasonally adjusted rate of 3.2 percent is 0.1 of a percentage point lower than the previous historic low.
Tennessee reached its previous record low unemployment rate of 3.3 percent in October 2018 and it remained at the level for four consecutive months. The state began tracking unemployment rates in 1976.
Over the past year, Tennessee’s February unemployment rate decreased from 3.6 percent of 3.2 percent.
While Tennessee did see record-breaking unemployment in February, there was a decrease in the number of jobs across the state. Total nonfarm employment was down by 1,500 jobs between January and February. The state experienced the biggest decreases in the mining/logging/construction sector, followed by the professional/business services sector.
In a year to year comparison, Tennessee employers created an estimated 53,000 new jobs. The sector with the largest increase was leisure and hospitality, followed by trade/transportation/utilities and manufacturing.
The national unemployment rate also decreased in February. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the United States is 3.8 percent, down 0.2 percentage point from January.

Powerball Jackpot continues to Grow

The Powerball jackpot continues inching toward $1 billion as no one won the jackpot Saturday night. The next drawing on Wednesday will be worth an estimated $750 million.
The latest numbers drawn for the jackpot were 24-25-52-60-66 with a Powerball of 5.
The winner would have officially won $638.8 million, the biggest jackpot of the year and the fourth-largest Powerball drawing of all-time.
A lump-sum cash payout Wednesday will be worth $465.5 million, discounting for taxes.

Bark-aroo Park Opens

Bark-aroo Dog Park.. Photo by Keesha Knott

The new dog park opened in Manchester on Saturday. It was a beautiful day for dogs and people to celebrate the officially named Bark-aroo Dog Park. The Manchester Recreation Department says the park, which is fenced in, is located on Waite St near the new soccer complex. The park is open from dawn to dusk seven days a week. The rec department asks that users be respectful of each other and only dogs that are used to socializing with other dogs come to Bark-aroo Dog Park. A complete set of rules can be seen on a sign at the park.
Bark-aroo Dog Park was funded by a $25,000 grant through the Boyd Foundation.

Coffee County Baseball Wins at Grundy County on Saturday

Hayden Skipper of CHS baseball

Looking to break a 3 game losing streak, the Coffee County CHS baseball team traveled to Coalmont on Saturday to take on Grundy County.  The Red Raiders made the most of their 4 hits as they had 3 extra bases hits.  The Red Raiders won by a final score of 3 to 2.

The Red Raiders scored single runs in the 1st, 2nd and 5th innings to build a 3 to 1 lead through 5 innings.  Coffee County shut down a 6th inning rally with a double play and got out of a bases loaded jam in the 7th to take the non-district win.

Hayden Skipper had a walk and a home run and scored twice to lead the Raiders.  Skylar Bratcher had a double and a walk with an RBI while Bryson Hullett had a double and scored a run on a Gage Edwards sacrifice fly.  Zach Milan got the win on the mound while Edwards earned the save.

The Red Raiders are back in action on Tuesday when they return to district action against Lawrence County.  The Raiders will play host to Lawrence County at Powers Field on Tuesday beginning at 5:30 PM.  Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you all the action with Luck Knott on the call.  Our live coverage begins with the pregame show at 5:20.

Coffee County Softball Closes Out Tournament Play with Saturday Win

Katie Rutledge of CHS softball

The Coffee County CHS softball team finished the Warrior Classic tournament on Saturday as they split their final 2 games.  After a win in Thursday’s opener, the Lady Raiders dropped a pair of decisions on Friday night.  Coffee County finished the tournament with a record of 2 and 3.

In Friday’s opener, Coffee County gave up a pair of runs in the first inning to Pisgah, Alabama.  Coffee County cut the deficit to 1 run before Pisgah added a pair of runs in the 7th inning.  Sarah West had a pair of singles to lead the Raider hitting attack.  Despite striking out 10, Keri Munn took the hard luck loss in the circle.

In the nightcap, the Lady Raiders fell to Arkansas 7A power Bryant by a score of 15 to 7.  Despite getting 7 hits, the Lady Raiders committed 7 errors which allowed 9 unearned runs.  West again had a pair of singles with 2 RBI while Munn added a single and a double.  Katie Rutledge had a triple and a single with 2 RBI.  Rutledge finished the tournament with 11 hits and a batting average of .611

On Saturday, the Lady Raiders dropped a 15 to 4 decision to Chicago powerhouse Carl Sandburg.  The error bug again proved fatal to Coffee County as they committed 6 errors resulting in 7 unearned runs.  Rutledge had 2 singles and a double to lead the hitting attack.  Munn added 2 singles with a pair of RBI.

In Saturday’s final game, the Lady Raiders gave up a 3 run lead in the first inning before pounding out 15 hits and 11 runs to get a win over Florence, Alabama.  Haley Richardson had a home run, a triple and a single with 2 RBI and 4 runs scored to lead Coffee County.  Rutledge finished with a double and 2 singles while Justus Turner and Haidyn Campbell each had a double.  Munn got the win in the circle as she struck out 10 in 6 innings.

Coffee County is set to return to district play on Monday.  The Lady Raiders travel to Tullahoma for a district match up with the Lady Cats.  First pitch is set for 6 PM and Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast with Lucky Knott on the call.  Our live coverage will get underway at 5:50.

Coffee County Soccer Drops Three Games in Cleveland Classic

Briggs Haithcock of CHS soccer

Taking part in their 2nd weekend tournament in a row, Coffee County CHS soccer continued to show improvement on Friday and Saturday in Cleveland.  The Raiders failed to capture a win but played competitively throughout most of the 2 day tournament.

Opening up on Friday, Coffee County fell to Loudon by a score of 5 to 1.  The Raiders trailed 2 nil at the half before Briggs Haithcock found scored Coffee County’s lone goal in the 57th minute.  John Martinez was credited with the assist.

On Saturday morning, the Raiders played well but were shut out by Knoxville Catholic.  The Irish scored their lone goal on a penalty kick in the 2nd half.

In their final game of the day, Coffee County dropped off a 5 to 2 decision to McMinn County.  The Raiders went to the half tied at 2 as Haithcock assisted on a goal by Francesco Alzate in the 24th minute.  Haithcock put a free kick in the back of the net in the 33rd minute.

The Raiders will take off next week for Spring Break.  The Raiders return to the pitch on Tuesday, April 2nd when they play their first home match of the year.  Coffee County will play host to Franklin County with the opening kick set for 7 PM.

Coffee County Youth Bass Club Lands Good Finishes in Saturday Tournament

Taking part in their next to the last South Central Tennessee Region BASS Nation High School, the Coffee County Youth Bass Club put five high school boats and a junior division boat on the water Saturday.  Competing on Percy Priest Lake, the Raider anglers looked to improve upon their region standings.  The junior division anglers captured a 6th place finish while the top high school boat came in 17th place.

In the junior division, the boat of Kyaln Mantooth and Lance Marcom caught a pair of fish weighing in at 4.79 pounds to capture 6th place.  That finish was good enough to keep the pair at the top of the region standings with one event remaining.  The junior team of Delainee Driver and Grayson Mangrum are in a tie in 35th place.

In the high school division, the boat of Briley Sain and Kaden Freeze were the top finishers on Saturday. They landed 3 keepers on the day tipping the scale with 7.49 pounds to finish in 17th place.  Colby Thurmond and Jacob Garms also landed 3 fish with a total weight of 6.56 pounds to finish in 23rd place.  Adam Petty and Jayden Yates caught a pair of fish weighing 3.96 pounds.  The brother tandem of Branson and Dawson Wells also landed 2 fish weighing 5.54 pounds to capture 27th place and Curtis Tudor and Sawyer Banks caught one fish weighing 42nd place out of 89 boats.

In the region standings, Coffee County has 3 boats in the top 12 and 6 boats in the top 50.  Thurmond/Garms are currently in 4th place with one tournament to go.  The Wells brothers sit in 6th place while the defending region championship team of Isaiah Owens and Garrett Davis are in 12th place.  Petty and Yates are in 36th place, Tudor and Banks are 39th and Sain and Freeze moved up to 42nd place.

The Coffee County Youth Bass Club will be back in action on Saturday, April 6th in a state trail tournament on Kentucky Lake.  The South Central Tennessee Region Championship will take place on April 20th on Percy Priest Lake.  Both tournaments will blast off at first light.