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2/21/19 — Birthdays
No birthdays to report.
Anniversaries:
Doris & Velma Davis, 65
Scam Alert!!
The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department has received information that a scam is going around the area. The Caller ID advises that the number is a local number showing up as Coffee County Government. During the conversation, the scammers begin asking for personal information and credit card information. Officials with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department say this not a legitimate call, this is a scam. If you receive a call regarding this scam, do not give out any personal information. You can report the activity to local law enforcement.
More Money Proposed for School Safety
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee
Lee’s team announced on Thursday that $10 million was already budgeted for school safety from former Gov. Bill Haslam’s plan for the upcoming fiscal year. Lee will add $30 million to that amount, with $20 million slotted for one-time funding and $10 million in recurring funds.
The funding will be used as a safety grant fund. Lee’s team says the administration will sponsor additional legislation that will prioritize the distribution of those grants to pay for school resource officers.
Schools that already have resource officers can apply to use the funds for other safety priorities.
According to Lee’s team, an estimated 500 Tennessee schools don’t have school resource officers.
Fayetteville Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion
The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Serapio Granados pleading guilty to eight counts of tax fraud.
Granados, 49, pleaded guilty to charges related to sales tax evasion on Tuesday. Judge Forest Durard, Jr. accepted Granados’ guilty plea and placed him on 16 years of probation. Granados was ordered to pay restitution of $74, 539.91. Granados is the owner of Stonebridge Restaurant in Fayetteville.
The Department pursued this criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney Robert Carter’s office. Citizens who suspect violations of Tennessee’s revenue laws should call the toll-free tax fraud hot line at (800) FRAUDTX (372-8389).
TN Cancer Patients, Survivors Rally for Tougher Smoking Laws
Tennessee spent $6.2 million in state funds for tobacco prevention in fiscal year 2018, just 8.2 percent of the CDC’s annual spending target. (American Cancer Society)
Last year, smoking-related health issues cost the state almost $3 billion. However, nearly $4 million was zeroed out of last year’s budget for tobacco-cessation and smoking-prevention programs for youths.
This includes the Baby and Me program, designed to help pregnant women quit smoking, says Emily Ogden, government-relations director for the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network.
“In Tennessee, a third of all cancers are caused by smoking, which is why it’s a huge issue for us,” Ogden insists. “It’s one of the number one things you can do to help prevent yourself from getting cancer, or a loved one from getting cancer.”
The group also asked lawmakers to support Tobacco 21 legislation, with strong enforcement provisions that increase the minimum age for sale for tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices, to 21.
In 2017, Tennessee high school students reported smoking at a rate higher than the national average.
Two bills, SB 1200 and HB 1454, propose to raise the legal age for tobacco use to 21, with “stiff fines and revocation of licenses.” Ogden says that minimum age is important since so many started smoking before age 16.
“And what we know is that 95 percent of people who smoke today started smoking before the age of 21,” she explains. “So if we can keep people from smoking until they get to age 21, the odds of them taking up this habit are not as likely.”
Legislative analysts have projected the measure would cost state and local governments about $10 million a year in lost sales-tax revenue if adopted.
It’s estimated that Tennessee received more than $400 million in Tobacco Master Settlement payments last year, but ranks lowest in recommended prevention funding, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Survey says Tennessee is Very Sinful
A new study has determined the Volunteer State is the 5th most sinful state in America.
The study conducted by WalletHub compared the states using seven dimensions: anger and hatred; jealousy; excesses and vices; greed; lust; vanity; and laziness.
Those dimensions were measured using 43 metrics; with “data set ranges from violent crimes per capita to excessive drinking to share of the population with gambling disorders.”
While the study places Tennessee in the top five most sinful, it also ranks the state in first-place for “anger and hatred.”
Tennessee also placed 3rd for “lust.”
Nevada, Florida, California, and Texas are the only states ranked as more sinful than Tennessee.
The least sinful state according to the study? Vermont.
Sounds Announce Weekly Promotions for 2019 Season
The Nashville Sounds Baseball Club has announced its weekly promotions for the 2019 season. The 70-game home schedule at First Tennessee Park includes eight dates to bring your dog to the ballpark, numerous chances to win prizes on Wednesdays, drink discounts, fireworks shows, senior and military appreciation, and the always-popular family days.
Opening Day at First Tennessee Park is scheduled for Thursday, April 4 when the Sounds host the Iowa Cubs at 6:35 p.m.
Kroger Plus Mondays (9 Occurrences): Score a “Family 4-Pack” of Select section tickets, 4 hot dogs and 4 fountain sodas for just $44 when showing a Kroger Plus card at the Sounds Ticket Office. Offer subject to availability. Phone and internet orders are not available for this promotion.
Tail Waggin’ Tuesday (8): New in 2019, Bring your favorite four-legged friend to the game on Tuesdays when First Tennessee Park opens its doggie doors to Nashville’s pups and their masters. Tail Waggin’ Tuesday is presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Winning Wednesday (8): Want to win big with the Sounds? New in 2019, come on a Wednesday for your chance to win several different prizes, including a postgame trip around the bases (available to all fans) after a Sounds victory. Winning Wednesday is presented by Pepsi.
Throwback Thursdays (10): We’re going retro as Budweiser presents Throwback Thursdays when the Sounds wear their 1978 uniforms to commemorate the team’s original uniform style. Fans can purchase Pepsi fountain soda and Budweiser products at a discounted rate.
FOX 17 News Fireworks Friday (11): Watch the Nashville sky light up every Friday with a postgame FOX 17 News Fireworks show presented by Koorsen Fire & Security.
Saturday at the Park (12): The roar of the crowd at First Tennessee Park gets loudest on Saturday. Make the ballpark the place to be in Nashville with entertainment options like The Band Box.
Sunday Family Fun Day (12): It’s all about families on Sundays in 2019. With pregame autographs presented by Middle Tennessee Hyundai Dealers and postgame Kids Run the Bases presented by First Tennessee. Additionally, fans can expect children-focused giveaways for select games.
Seniors and Military families can enjoy a $2.00 discount on single game ticket prices at First Tennessee Park. The offer is valid for any reserved seat section on Sunday through Wednesday games – subject to availability. Offer valid for up to four (4) tickets per I.D. (Seniors 55 +, government issued military I.D. required at ticket office; no phone orders).
The full 2019 promotional schedule will be announced around the end of February. Prior to when the 42nd season of Nashville Sounds baseball officially begins on Thursday, April 4, First Tennessee Park plays host to its first Major League Baseball exhibition game when the Texas Rangers play the Sounds on Sunday, March 24 at 1:05 p.m. Season ticket memberships for the 2019 season are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.
Thunder Radio Debuts Gilley Crane Hometown Sports Series for Spring Sports
2019 Gilley Crane Hometown Sports Series (subject to change)
Thunder Radio takes seriously our commitment to being your hometown radio station. With that in mind, we are pleased to announce a tentative lineup for exclusive coverage of Westwood Middle School and Coffee County Middle School baseball and softball broadcasts in addition to soccer games from Westwood, Coffee County Middle and Coffee County CHS. Thunder Radio is proud to partner with Gilley Crane to produce the Gilley Crane Hometown Sports Series for spring sports.
Thunder Radio’s unrivaled coverage will bring you 14 regular season games for the middle school soccer, softball and baseball teams along with the Coffee County CHS soccer team. Jonathan Oliver will be the play-by-play voice for the Gilley Crane broadcasts. Additionally, the Thunder Radio sports staff will keep you updated with daily reports on all spring sports all season long as part of our daily sports updates online and in our sports broadcasts.
Our broadcasts will begin on Tuesday, February 26th as the Coffee County Middle School softball team plays host to White County. And, as always is the case with spring sports, when weather forces cancellations and postponements, Thunder Radio will keep you updated on that as well. For more than complete prep sports coverage, remember, nobody does sports like Thunder Radio!
2/23/19 — William Lynn Simmons
Mr. William Lynn Simmons, 87, passed away Monday
February 18, 2019 at Manchester Health Care Center. He was born in Linden,
Texas on November 24, 1931 to Luther Simmons and Ruby Jones Simmons who
preceded him in death along with his brother Byron Simmons.
He was a retired Electrical Engineer from AEDC. He was a 47 year member
and served as Deacon at Manchester First Baptist Church. He enjoyed
working with the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief Team and was
one of the founders of the Jesus Tent at Bonnaroo. He was a US Navy
veteran.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years Barbara Adams Simmons; daughter,
Beth Simmons; son Kevin (Michele) Simmons; brother, Jimmy Simmons, Linden,
TX; sister, Martha Williams, Linden, TX; grandchildren, Amanda (Boyd)
Neighbors, Lauren (Jay) Crouch, Ryne (Emily) Warren, Shane Warren, Chance,
J.C., Caleb and Issac Simmons; 6 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Doris
Simmons, Marshall, TX; several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held 2:00 PM Saturday at First Baptist Church
with Dr. Brenton Cox officiating. The family will receive friends at the
Church from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Saturday. Arrangements by: Central Funeral
Home, Manchester, Tennessee. www.centralfuneralhome.com
Central Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements
Nashville’s MLS Logo and Team Name Revealed on Wednesday
Hey Nashville, welcome to the new sound of soccer.
At a uniquely Nashville party at Marathon Music Works on Wednesday evening, Nashville Soccer Club was unveiled as the name of Nashville’s new Major League Soccer (MLS) team. The MLS colors, crest and inaugural season hashtag #BandTogether were also launched as a part of the event, hosted by sports personality Sara Walsh. After the announcement, local Nashville bands Judah and the Lion, The Weeks, and Lindsey Ell played live music for the 2,000 fans in attendance.
Nashville SC is currently playing in the USL Championship for the 2019 season and will begin play in Major League Soccer for the 2020 season.
In deciding a team name and colors, majority owner John Ingram and the rest of the Nashville SC ownership group turned to fans for their input, and the fans spoke loud and clear on what they wanted – to keep the name of Nashville’s pro soccer team Nashville SC and keep gold as the team’s primary color.
“Since I first got involved in this effort, I have said that I wanted to do something ‘In Nashville, for Nashville, with Nashville.’ This team will always be about the fans and creating a team and brand that they are proud to support,” said Ingram. “The Nashville SC name and primary gold color, along with the themes of sound and energy in the logo, embody our city and our fans who have been with us from the start.”
While Nashville SC’s MLS colors are officially “Acoustic Blue” and “Electric Gold,” the gold will be Nashville’s distinguishing color, being worn at home and as often as possible on the road, making Nashville SC immediately recognizable.
“We wanted a name and an identity that was authentic in the sport. It says exactly who we represent and who we are, Nashville Soccer Club,” said Nashville MLS CEO Ian Ayre. “Our announcement is another step forward, and we have many others to take, but it is important to start that with a clear identity of who we are. Gold is our primary club color, and we need to own that color in the sport. As we grow as a team we want to be recognizable by our color, our name and our values as a club. It was important to us that we started that by bringing the brand to life in a uniquely Nashville setting with our supporters, our partners, our owners, Major League Soccer and everyone who made this possible, and of course with music! Throughout 2019, we will be doing our best to bring everyone along on our journey as we #BandTogether Nashville and Soccer on our march to MLS.”
Nashville SC will play its first home preseason friendly for the 2019 USL Championship season on Friday against future MLS foe New York City FC at First Tennessee Park at 7 p.m. Tickets to the match along with full 2019 USL Championship Season Ticket Memberships are still available at NashvilleSC.com/tickets.