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Photos Released from Armed Robbery in Winchester
In a follow-up to a story we reported on out of Winchester that occurred on Sunday December 9, 2018, police are asking for the public’s help. Officers of the Winchester Police Department responded to a call of an armed robbery that had taken place at 1018 South College Street also known as Loui’s Bar and Grill. Upon arrival, officers spoke with an employee of Loui’s. The employee stated that an unknown individual came into the establishment wearing all black, wearing a ski mask, and did have a firearm. The individual then demanded money. The individual did obtain an undetermined amount of money and left in an unknown direction. The employee of Loui’s was unharmed in the incident. The identity of the individual who committed the robbery is unknown at this time and the investigation into the matter is ongoing. 
We now have pictures of the person allegedly involved in the crime. Anyone who has any information about the incident or the individual that committed the robbery is encouraged to contact Detective Brian Wilder with the Winchester Police Department at 931-967-3840 or Crimestoppers at 931-962-INFO (4636).
Arrest made in Robbery of Check Into Cash in Shelbyville
We have another follow-up to a story we reported in early December. A man robbed the Check Into Cash location in Shelbyville. That man has now been charged with the Dec. 8 robbery.
Early Saturday morning Michael Blondin of Unionville was arrested and was placed under a $150,000 bond. Blondin was arrested in Murfreesboro and charged with two counts of aggravated robbery.
Apparently, Blondin had done business with Check Into Cash in the past so that made him familiar with their business operation.
Blondin is being housed in the Bedford County Jail.
Confirmed Cases of Polio-like Illness Increases
The number of confirmed cases of a polio-like illness affecting mostly children continues to surpass record totals with 186 confirmed cases in 39 states.
The latest totals were reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as of December 28th. The totals mark an increase of 21 confirmed cases and three more states compared to the December 14th reporting period.
Among unconfirmed cases, there are now 341 under investigation.
All states bordering Tennessee have unconfirmed cases, but there have been zero cases unconfirmed or confirmed in the volunteer state. Only 12 other states report no polio-like illnesses. Texas has the highest total of cases with 25.
Since 2014, over 90% of patients reported a mild respiratory illness or fever consistent with a viral infection before developing the polio-like illness. Over 90% of the cases have been children.
Email Scam Posing to be from Netflix
If you’ve been watching some of your favorite programs on Netflix, officials say you may be at risk.
The Federal Trade Commission has a new warning for users of the streaming platform.
The FTC says Netflix customers need to be on the lookout for a new e-mail scam.
Criminals are posing as Netflix in e-mails and telling users that the company needs to confirm payment details. It’s an attempt to get you to hand over personal information and a credit or debit card number.
Consumer experts say it’s a good idea to avoid clicking on links and e-mails like this altogether.
If you ever have any questions about your account just go the company website directly.
Record Crowd at Music City Midnight
Organizers estimate a record crowd of 175,000 to 200,000 people attended the “Music City Midnight: New Year’s Eve in Nashville,” Monday night at Bicentennial Mall, breaking an attendance record of a few years ago.
Country superstar Keith Urban headlined the annual concert for the third year in a row before the Music Note, which featured more than 13,000 LED pixels, was dropped at midnight.
Monday night’s event was the 10th annual New Year’s Eve celebration and marked the third year being held at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.
The previous record crowd was set in 2015 with 150,000.
1/5/19 — James Caner Weaver
Mr. James Caner Weaver, 85, passed away at
his home Wednesday, January 2, 2019. He was born in Manchester,
Tennessee on March 29, 1933 to the late James C. and Lavena Reynolds
Weaver, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his
first wife, Margie Finney Weaver, son, Jeffrey Clay Weaver, daughters,
Loretta Kay Weaver and Lavena Faye Weaver Peavyhouse, and brother, O.D.
“Don” Weaver.
He is survived by his loving wife, Viola “Susie” Weaver; Jerry
(Patricia) Finney of Estill Springs, Elaine (Sam) Stewart of Lynchburg,
and son-in-law Col. Martin Peavyhouse of Estill Springs, six
grandchildren, Anthony Peavyhouse, Rebecca (Joe) Burgraff, Jamie (Alisha)
Finney, Marty (An’re) Finney, Jeremy Burch and Lindsey (Ted) Kocak; six
great-grandchildren, Emily and Jacob Micciche, Isabella Peavyhouse,
Claire and Leo Finney, Wyatt Finney. In addition, he is survived by
three brothers, Dale (Barbara) Weaver, Ray (Elaine) Weaver, and Keith
(Kathy) Weaver, all of Estill Springs as well as many other relatives and
friends.
James was born and raised in the Calls Community of Coffee County, where
he resided until he joined the U.S. Army. He proudly served for 2 years
in the Korean Conflict before being honorably discharged. James then
resided in Elkhart, Indiana until moving to the Crossville, TN area,
where he began his employment with GTE Telephone Company. He enjoyed
meeting a variety of individuals and helping others while installing
services and retired from there after 34 years. James then returned to
this area. He was a member of the New Brick Church of Christ wherein he
served as an Elder. He enjoyed visiting with others, telling stories and
blue grass music.
He will be fondly remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather,
brother, and friend. Funeral Services will be 2:00 PM Saturday in the
Central Funeral Home chapel with Bro. Jerry Finney officiating with
burial to follow in the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens with Military Honors.
Visitation: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Friday at Central Funeral Home, Manchester,
Tennessee. www.centralfuneralhome.com
Central Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements
1/3/19 — Mary Sue Blackwood Watkins
Mary Sue Blackwood Watkins, 78, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018 in
Lynchburg, TN.
She was born on July 29, 1940, in Parrish, Alabama to Harley Blackwood and
Mary Penny Blackwood. She is preceded in death by her parents, step-mother,
Frances Hamrick Blackwood; her husband, W. Alan Watkins, Sr.; brother,
Glendon Blackwood; parent in-laws, Wilbur and Hazel Watkins.
Soon after high school graduation, Sue began the job of her dreams as an
airline stewardess for Southern Airways. While she was based in Kingsport,
TN she met and married Al. She spent the next several years raising their
three children. She was a Girl Scout Brownie Leader and a Boy Scout Den
Mother, a Jaycette and volunteered for many years with the Special
Olympics. Once her children were in school Sue began a 36 year career with
Skills Development Services, Inc. as the Workshop Director; she retired in
August of 2013. Sue loved to travel and enjoyed gardening and cake
decorating.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Michelle Martindale
and husband Rob, Johnson City, Melissa Bush and husband, Barry, Hillsboro,
and Alan Watkins, Jr, Manchester; grandchildren, Kyle Bush and wife,
Maegan, Blake Bush and wife, Samantha, Emma and Trent Martindale and
Bethany Watkins; great grandchildren, Ameila, Rayland, Ella and Kingslee.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to
7:00 p.m. at Coffee County Funeral Home. A graveside service and burial
will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Kingsport, TN at a later date.
Coffee County Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements
Special Call Finance Meeting
The City of
Manchester will hold a Special Call Finance Meeting on Monday, January 7th,
at 2 pm in the Boardroom at City Hall.
1/5/19 — Clara Ruth Farless
Mrs. Clara Ruth Farless, 80, passed away Monday
December 31, 2018 at the Manchester Health Care Center. She was born in
Bradyville, Tennessee on May 15, 1938 to Willie Farless and Margaret Lorene
Stacey Farless who preceded her in death along with her husband, Howard
Farless; sons, Danny Ray Farless and Donnie Glenn Farless; sisters, Joyce
Bankston and Christine Harrison.
She is survived by her son, Glenn Ray (Betty) Farless; daughter, Shirley
Banks; sister, Wilma Farless; brothers, Wayne and Bobby Farless; 5
grandchildren; several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday in the Central Funeral Home
Chapel with Burial to follow in the Gnat Hill Cemetery. Visitation: 5:00
PM – 8:00 PM Friday at Central Funeral Home, Manchester, Tennessee.
www.centralfuneralhome.com
Central Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements
2018 Year in Review – Coffee County Wrestling
As 2018 has drawn to a close, Thunder Radio Sports looks back at some of the highlights of the calendar year for each of the more than 40 prep teams we follow and report on. Today we look back at some of the highlights of year for the Coffee County CHS wrestling team. 2018 marked the first ever appearance of a CHS female wrestler to medal at the state tournament in February. Coffee County senior wrestler Alicean Stottlemyer closed out her career with a 4th place finish at the state meet and Thunder Radio reported on the historic performance in a story we brought to you on February 19th
Alicean Stottlemyer of Coffee County wrestling
Coffee County senior wrestler Alicean Stottlemyer became the first Lady Raider wrestler to earn a medal on Saturday at the TSSAA State Wrestling Championships in Franklin. Stottlemyer is also the first Lady Raider wrestler to qualify for the state meet. Stottlemyer advanced to the medal round with a win in the first round of the consolation bracket on Friday. Stottlemyer finished the tournament twith a record of 2 and 2 to capture a 4th place finish.
Opening up on Friday against the top ranked wrestler in the state, Stottlemyer was pinned in the 1st round. Alicean rebounded to capture a 2nd round pin on Friday afternoon to advance to Saturday’s medal round. Stottlemyer captured her second straight pin on Saturday morning in the first round setting up a battle for 3rd place on Saturday afternoon.
In the consolation bracket finals, Alicean squared off against Abigail Vance of West Creek. Stottlemyer controlled much of the match and nearly scored a pin against Vance. Stottlemyer ended up losing a heart-breaking 3 to 2 decision to settle for 4th place. The medal finish is the highest finish for any Coffee County wrestler at the state championship.