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Land and Water Conservation Fund Gets Congress’ Bipartisan Support
Since 1965, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has tapped revenues from offshore oil and gas development to preserve public lands, including in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (National Parks Service)
Congress allowed the fund to expire in 2018, but Tracy Stone-Manning, vice president for public lands at the National Wildlife Federation, said more than 75 percent of Americans support the program, which uses fees from offshore oil and gas drilling to protect public lands.
“This one issue – the ability to bring people together around public lands, around protection of our wildlife – has punched through as something that is so uniquely and beautifully American that it has brought the Senate together,” she said, “and we’re hoping it does the House as well.”
For nearly 50 years, the program has helped build hiking and biking trails, parks, playgrounds and ballfields, with local communities often raising matching dollars to improve access to public open spaces. In Tennessee, the grants have totaled more than $200 million.
When the grant money is used to purchase land, said Garett Reppenhagen, Rocky Mountain regional director for the Vet Voice Foundation, it’s usually to create access points to public land for hunting, fishing or hiking. Reppenhagen, who served in Kosovo and Iraq, said these activities on public lands help him and other veterans readjust to civilian life.
“Military veterans use the outdoors to heal from our military trauma, from our experiences on the battlefield,” he said. “It helps with our post-traumatic stress disorder, and we use the outdoors to bond with our family and friends when we come home from long deployments.”
Stone-Manning said the program also boosts local economies, especially in rural areas, supporting Tennessee’s outdoor-recreation economy, which is worth more than $21 billion a year.
“Our population is growing; need for open space and need for parks is growing with it,” she said. “So we desperately need this program to continue, so that our kids and our grandkids have the exact same access to parks and wildlife habitat that we have.”
If the bill clears the House and makes it to the president’s desk, she said, it would be the biggest public-lands package in a decade.
Lady Raider Basketball Guts Out Overtime Win to Open Region 4AAA Tournament
Abby Morgan of CHS basketball
Hosting a region quarterfinal basketball game for the 2nd consecutive season, the Lady Raider of CHS welcomed Stewarts Creek to the Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym on Monday. Looking for their first region win since 2012, Coffee County saw Stewarts Creek rally in the 4th quarter to force overtime. The Lady Raiders needed a come from behind rally in overtime to get the 59 to 55 win.
After a back and forth first half, Coffee County outscored The Red Hawks 8 to 4 in the final 3 minutes of the first half to take a 6 point lead into the half. The Lady Raiders stayed hot as they pushed the lead to 14 points in the 3rd quarter behind 4 baskets from behind the 3 point line. Stewarts Creek opened the 4th quarter on a 10 to 2 run to cut the deficit to 2 with 4 minutes left. Coffee County built the lead to 7 only to see Stewarts Creek take the lead at 51 to 50 with 1 minute remaining. Abby Morgan hit a free throw in the final minute and the Coffee County defense made a huge stop in the finals 15 seconds to send the game to an extra period. In overtime, Morgan scored 6 points to give Coffee County the huge win as Coffee County remained unbeaten at home on the year.
Morgan led all scorers as she finished with 25 points, including 13 in the 4th quarter and overtime. For her heroics, Morgan was named the Crazy Daisies player of the game. Bella Vinson had 13 points including 2 big free throws in overtime. Jacey Vaughn and Ellie Graham each played spectacular on the night and each finished with 8 points. The win improves the Lady Raiders to 28 and 4 on the season.
The Lady Raiders will be back in action on Tuesday night at Riverdale as they take on the number 1 team in the state, Riverdale, in the semifinals. Tip-off is set for 6 PM. That game will be broadcast by our partner station WGNS of Murfreesboro. You can listen to WGNS online at www.WGNSRadio.com.
The Red Raiders open Region Tournament action on Tuesday night at home against Riverdale. Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you the broadcast. Tip-off is set for 7 PM at the Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym. Lucky Knott will have the call of the action beginning with the Char-El Apartments and Home Rental Pregame Show at 6:50.
Download the broadcast at: http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/stewarts-creek-at-coffee-county-girls-basketball_141396
2019 Region 4 Basketball Tournament(updated 2-25)
Tuesday Prep Schedule
4:30 PM – CHS Baseball HOSTS Warren Co(Scrimmage)
5:00 PM – CCMS Baseball HOSTS White Co
5:00 PM – CCMS Softball HOSTS White Co – Gilley Crane Hometown Sports Series broadcast on Thunder Radio
5:30 PM – WMS Baseball HOSTS Riverside Christian
5:30 PM – CCMS Boys’ Soccer at White Co
5:30 PM – WMS Boys’ Soccer at Liberty – PPD/ Make-up date is TBD
6:00 PM – CHS Girls’ Basketball vs. Riverdale – Region 4AAA Tourn(G) at Riverdale
7:00 PM – CHS Boys’ Basketball HOSTS Riverdale – Region 4AAA Tourn – Thunder Radio broadcast
Manchester Youth Baseball Has Final Signup on Tuesday
The Manchester Youth Baseball Association will be holding their final sign-up date on Tuesday evening, February 26th at the Duck River Building. The signup will take place from 5 to 8 PM in the Duck River Community Room.
Manchester Youth Baseball has divisions for kids 4 to 18. Parents wishing to sign their child up need to bring a copy of the child’s birth certificate to signups. Cost for T-Ball signups is $55. For ages 8u to 12u the cost will be $55 and for $18u the cost is $100 per player. There are a limited number of scholarships available to those that need help with the cost. You can get more information at the signups.
Subban, Predators Top Oilers in Shootout
P.K. Subban of the Nashville Predators [Photo by nhl.com]
Colton Sissons scored, and Pekka Rinne made 25 saves for Nashville (37-23-5), which has won three of its past four games and moved one point ahead of the Winnipeg Jets for first place in the Central Division.
Leon Draisaitl scored twice, and Mikko Koskinen made 36 saves for Edmonton (26-29-7), which has lost 12 of its past 15 games (3-8-4) and is seven points behind the Minnesota Wild for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.
Draisaitl tied it 2-2 with a power-play goal at 9:12 of the third period, getting the rebound after Alex Chiasson’s initial shot was redirected by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Draisaitl gave the Oilers a 1-0 lead at 2:08 of the first period on a shorthanded breakaway. He intercepted a pass by Predators forward Filip Forsberg in the neutral zone before beating Rinne five-hole with a backhand.
Sissons tied it 1-1 at 11:43 of the second period. Rocco Grimaldi received a pass from Subban on the rush and shot from the right circle, and Sissons got the rebound and scored into an open net.
Subban gave the Predators a 2-1 lead at 13:07 on a slap shot from the point. The goal was Subban’s 400th point in the NHL.
Forsberg and Brian Boyle scored in the shootout for the Predators.
The Oilers played without forward Connor McDavid, who was serving the second game of a two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy.
Talk Begins Concerning New Jail Annex
Coffee County Sheriff Chad Partin
When the closing took place Partin said this was a temporary closing.
Partin said the sheriff’s department was down 15 corrections officers at the time of the closing and is currently down around 17.
He added this issue is not urgent. He just wants leaders to think about the future.
However, according to Partin, there is a contraband problem.
The county commission would have to approve this expenditure.
Inmates serving as trustees work for Coffee County and Manchester City departments.
Partin also stated that his first priority was getting pay raises for corrections officers.
The county spent about $90,000 to renovate the now closed annex. The renovation was completed in 2017.
Currently, trustees are housed at the main jail location.
(Portions of this story from the Tullahoma News)
Drug Busts in Franklin County
James William Gann
An investigation began after the stop and it revealed that the passenger had an active warrant in Coffee County and was detained at the scene. Further investigation revealed the passenger to allegedly be in possession of 28.65 grams of a white crystallized substance believed to be methamphetamine. According to the release, at this point the suspect did attempt to assault the deputies and flee the scene but was restrained and placed in custody.
James William Gann of Pleasant Grove Rd. Winchester, TN. was placed into custody and transported to the Franklin County Jail. Gann was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Fabricating/Tampering with Evidence, Resisting Arrest and Assault. Gann is currently being held under no bond and has a court date set for Thursday April 11th, 2019 in Franklin County General Sessions Court.
Bradley Scott Brazelton
After stopping the vehicle, Deputy Brockman made contact with the driver and through an initial investigation he allegedly discovered the presence of narcotics.
Deputy Brockman and Deputy Martin Tyler then made contact with one of the passengers Bradley Scott Brazelton of Rowe Gap Rd. Belvidere, TN. After a field interview and further investigation deputies did find Brazelton to allegedly be in possession of various illegal substances and paraphernalia as well as $369 cash.
Brazelton was placed into custody and transported to the Franklin County Jail where is was booked on charges of Possession of Drug paraphernalia, MFG/Sell/Del/ of a Schedule I (mushrooms), MFG/Sell/Del of a Schedule II (Hydrocodone) and MFG/Sell/DEL/ of a Schedule VI (marijuana) and placed under a $7,500 bond which was posted and Brazelton was released. Brazelton has a court date set for Thursday April 18th, 2019 in Franklin County General Sessions Court.
Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund Established by CFMT Due to Record Rain, Flooding
In the wake of record-setting rains, power outages, road closures and water rescues throughout the region, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has created the Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund to support the affected communities and nonprofits helping victims address their ongoing needs.
Grants from the Fund will be made to nonprofits providing vital services both immediate and long term. Their work helps free nonprofits up to concentrate on delivering vital services while we “connect generosity with need” and our community sets out to rebuild lives.
Nashville already has surpassed its all-time rainfall record for the month of February with 13.47 inches, according to the National Weather Service. The previous record was in 1880 at 12.37 inches. So far this month, 12.89 inches of rain has fallen in Manchester.
The Community Foundation exists to promote and facilitate giving in the 40 counties of Middle Tennessee (including Coffee) and beyond. It does this by accepting gifts of any size from anyone at any time and by empowering individuals, families, companies, nonprofits, and communities to respond to needs and opportunities that matter. The Community Foundation works with people who have great hearts, whether or not they have great wealth, to craft solutions that reflect their intentions and goals. For more information or to make a donation, call 615-321-4939 or visit www.cfmt.org.
2/27/19–Mary Jewell Thomas
Mary Jewell Thomas of Hillsboro passed this life on Saturday, February 23,
2019 at her residence at the age of 78. Graveside services are scheduled
for Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 11 AM at Beans Creek Cemetery in
Hillsboro.
A native of Coffee County, she was the daughter of the late Walter and
Ezell Brown Walden. She was a member of Our Fathers House Church in Cowan
and enjoyed attending church. She enjoyed singing in church, flower
gardening and going shopping.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Ricky
Calvin Thomas; brother, Joe Walden and sister, Elva Mae Money.
She is survived by husband, Pascal Thomas of Hillsboro; daughters, Diane
McCormick and her husband, Randy and Donna Sitz and her husband, Tony both
of Hillsboro; brother, Carl Walden and his wife, Mary of Hillsboro and
Charlie Walden and his wife, Larrie of Houston, TX; sister, Brenda Perry
and her husband, Robert of Hillsboro; grandchildren, Samantha Thompson,
Jessica Massingille, Craig Majors and Danielle Hill and great
grandchildren, Lilly, Holt, Hope, Sadie, Piper, Zephyer and Daxx.
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com
DAVES-CULBERSTON FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS
Coffee County Government MEETINGS THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 25
MEETINGS THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 25, 2019
Tuesday, February 26
4:00 p.m. – Community Correction Partnership at the Jail
4:00 p.m. – Planning Commission
5:00 p.m. – Health, Welfare & Recreation Committee
Wednesday, February 27
10:00 a.m. – Rural Solid Waste/Sanitation
Thursday, February 28
4:30 p.m. – Law Enforcement Committee