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Tullahoma’s Smotherman House named to the National Register of Historic Places

National Register of Historic Places now include the Smotherman House in Tullahoma

The Tennessee Historical Commission announced on Monday the addition of five properties to the National Register of Historic Places. They include a residence, former motel, library, former factory and a farmstead.
“These additions to the National Register of Historic Places are a testament to Tennessee’s diverse heritage,” said Executive Director and State Historic Preservation Officer Patrick McIntyre. “The historic properties are part of our unique past and are worthy of being recognized on this prestigious list.
The sites recently added to the National Register of Historic Places include the Smotherman House (Tullahoma – Coffee County)
The Smotherman house was designed by Nashville architect George Waller and built in Tullahoma between 1932 and 1934. Landscape architect John Byars Holder designed the gardens at the same time. Fletcher Smotherman, a wholesale grocery businessman, moved from Murfreesboro to Tullahoma when he became part owner of the wholesale grocery and moved the company headquarters to Tullahoma. Smotherman directed Waller to design his new house to look like his former home in Murfreesboro. Both Georgian Revival Houses are two stories, red brick with classical entries, and flanked by one story extensions. The Smotherman House exhibits characteristic details of the Georgian Revival style in its symmetrical design, molded woodwork, and classical columns. In addition to being a well-known architect of residences in the South, Waller designed many school buildings, commercial buildings and churches.

Hillsboro 19th Annual Truck and Tractor Pull is Friday and Saturday

The Hillsboro Homecoming Association are making final preparations for their 19th Annual Truck and Tractor Pull to be held on Friday (August 3) and Saturday (August 4, 2018) nights at the Hillsboro Community Park on Hwy 41.
There will be 7 classes each night including tractors and trucks. The powerful machines, as always, will arrive from many different states to compete. The action starts at 7 each night and admission is $15 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12 year-olds and under 6 admitted for free. Come on out to Hillsboro for great food and fun and bring the whole family along.

7/30/18 — Ina Elizabeth “Lizzie” Bush

Funeral services for Ina Elizabeth “Lizzie” Bush, age 102, being four days shy of 103, of the Pocahontas community, will be held on Monday, July 30, 2018 at 5:00 P.M. at Coffee County Funeral Chapel with Brother Dale Woods officiating. Burial will follow in Hopewell Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday prior to the service from 3:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. Mrs. Bush passed away on July 28, 2018 at NHC in Murfreesboro.
Lizzie was born on August 1, 1915 in Coffee County to the late John William and Vester Young and was a lifelong member of the Pocahontas church of Christ. In former years, she worked as a seamstress for Eden Industries and PCA. Lizzie was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Frank Bush; brothers, J.C. Young and Paul Young. Survived by her daughters, Charlotte Markum (Lanny) and Becky Davenport (Mark); grandchildren, Staci Williams (Jerry), Beth Buckner (Craig), Shannon Wright (Jeff); great-grandchildren, Blake Williams, Peyton Buckner, Abby Buckner, Ethan Wright, Evan Wright; honorary son, Glendon Cantrell.
Coffee County Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Bush family.

Heidi Dora Williams

Heidi Dora Williams of Fayetteville, passed this life on Friday, July 27,
2018 at Marshall Medical Center in Lewisburg, at the age of 46. A
graveside memorial service will be scheduled at a later time in
Fayetteville.

Heidi was employed by Drive Line Retail and enjoyed reading, listening to
music and watching movies. She is survived by her husband, David Williams
of Fayetteville; mother, Wanda Sisk of Flintville; sons, John Williams and
his fiancé, Sandra Steiner of Hazel Green, AL and Brad Williams of
Flintville; brothers, Troy Logan and his wife, Debbie of Flintville and
Mike Logan and his wife, Thelesa of Fayetteville and two grandchildren,
Anne and Cas Peterson.

Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Hayden Skipper Gives Verbal Commitment to Louisville

Hayden Skipper of CHS baseball

Coffee County CHS baseball player Hayden Skipper has announced his intention to play college baseball at the University of Louisville.  After a whirlwind recruitment this summer, Skipper announced his decision via Twitter last Sunday.  The left-handed pitcher spent the summer playing with the Rawlings SE Prospects out of Nashville and drawing extensive recruiting attention.

The junior’s verbal commitment is non-binding until he can sign in November of 2019.  Skipper was actively recruited by Tennessee, Lipscomb, MTSU and Vanderbilt in addition to Louisville.  When asked why he chose Louisville, Skipper expressed respect and admiration for the program, facilities and the coaching staff.  Skipper has been promised that he will get a chance to play in the outfield and to pitch.

Coffee County coach David Martin was enthusiastic about Skipper’s commitment.  “Not only is Louisville getting a great player, they are getting a great young man” said Martin.  Louisville competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference(ACC) and is coached by Dan McConnell.

CHS Baseball Hires 2 New Assistant Baseball Coaches

CHS baseball coach David Martin(center) with new assistant coaches Steve Wilder(left) and Matt Shepherd(right)

The Coffee County CHS baseball team has added a pair of assistant coaches for the 2019 season.  Coffee County CHS athletic director Rebecca Koger announced the hirings last week.  Matt Shepherd and Steve Wilder will join the staff with returning assistant coach Parker Gunn for head coach David Martin.

Shepherd played baseball for Tennessee Tech and was drafted as a pitcher by the San Diego Padres.  “I am thrilled to be able to add this level of experience to our athletic department. Coach Shepherd will be an immense help to our student-athletes and to Coach Martin. He is knowledgeable and passionate about baseball“said Koger.

Wilder returns to Coffee County after spending last year at Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Wilder, who formerly coached the CHS Lady Raider softball team, is a former baseball coach in Dyersburg.  Wilder, who led the Lady Raider softball team to the TSSAA state tournament in 2017, led Dyersburg baseball team to the state tournament.  “It is great to get back home” said Wilder.

Coach David Martin and his new assistant coaches were guests on the Coffee Coaches Show on Saturday.  You can download that interview at: http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/coffee-coaches-show_131642 The Coffee Coaches Show is broadcast each Saturday from the showroom of Al White Ford/Lincoln beginning at 10 AM.

CHS Golf Team Travels to Lawrenceburg on Monday

The Coffee County CHS golf team will travel to Lawrenceburg on Monday for an 18 hole tournament.  Coffee County will also play a pair of tournaments in Cookeville, on Tuesday and Monday, August 6th before their first home match.  The Raiders first home match will be on Tuesday, August 7th at Willowbrook when they welcome Warren County for a 9 hole match.

Sounds Sting Bees to Snap Skid

The Nashville Sounds came from behind to topple the Salt Lake Bees 9-5 Sunday night at Smith’s Ballpark. The win snapped a season-long four-game losing streak for the Sounds.

Trailing 5-3 in the seventh, the Sounds used an unconventional play to take the lead. With two outs in the inning Brett Vertigan gave the Sounds the spark they needed. His double chased Salt Lake starter Dylan Unsworth from the game. Unsworth’s replacement, Ryan Clark entered and promptly plunked Melvin Mercedes. Ramón Laureano then drew a walk to load the bases. Steve Lombardozzi delivered the knockout blow with a two-run base hit. Lombardozzi attempted to advance to second base and an errant throw from third baseman Taylor Ward went into right field, which allowed both Laureano and Lombardozzi to come around to score.

Lombardozzi had his best game of the season as he went 3-for-5 with two runs, three RBI and a stolen base. His three hits, two runs, three RBI, and one stolen base all matched season-highs for the first baseman.

The Bees jumped on Sounds starter Chris Bassitt right from the start. Luis Rengifo singled to start the bottom of the first and then was followed up by an opposite field line drive home run from Michael Hermosillo to put the Sounds in an early 2-0 hole. Salt Lake added a run in the second inning before a fourth inning flurry from the Sounds evened the score in the fourth.

Unsworth retired the Sounds in order the first time through the lineup but the results were much different the second time around. The first five batters to come to the plate for the Sounds in the fourth inning all reached base highlighted by an RBI single from Anthony Garcia and a hot shot, two-run single from Sheldon Neuse.

Hermosillo continued to plague the Sounds in the sixth inning. The Bees’ right fielder blasted another two-run home run to retake the lead for Salt Lake. The Sounds responded in the seventh with a little league grand slam to claim the lead for the first time in the ball game. Nashville added a pair of insurance runs in the ninth inning. Dean Kiekhefer earned the victory for the Sounds and improved to 7-0 on the season.

The fourth and final game of the series between the Sounds and the Bees is scheduled for Monday night at Smith’s Ballpark. Right-hander Daniel Mengden (2-1, 2.91) starts for the Sounds against right-hander Luis Pena (3-3, 6.03) for the Bees. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m.

Post-Game Notes

  • With Thursday night’s 9-5 win, the Sounds improved to 51-55 on the season. The win snapped a season-long four-game losing streak.
  • Nashville won a game in which it trailed after six innings for just the sixth time this season. The Sounds are now 6-46 when trailing after six innings.
  • Sheldon Neuse extended his career-long hitting streak to 14 games with a two-run single in the fourth inning. Neuse is batting .396 (21-for-53) during his 14-game streak.
  • Ramón Laureano extended his hitting streak to nine games with a fifth inning single. Laureano is batting .514 (18-for-35) during his nine-game streak.
  • Sounds starter Chris Bassitt threw a season-high 105 pitches.
  • Jorge Mateo hit his 13th triple of the season in the ninth inning. His 13 triples are tied with Rich Thompson for third most in a season for the Sounds. The franchise single-season record is 15, hit by Duane Walker in 1979.

The 2018 season is the Sounds’ 41st in franchise history and fourth as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Single-game tickets are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.

Several Voters take advantage of Early Voting

Nearly 20 percent of the registered voters in Coffee County casted ballots during early voting. If you have not voted there is one day left, Election Day August 2nd (this Thursday). This is the county general election, city elections and the state primary. You do not have to declare a party for the county election or city, but if you choose to vote in the state primary you must declare.
So far around 6,074 ballots have been cast. This is just over 19.9 percent of the registered voters in Coffee County.
Local races include: County Commissioners, County Mayor, Sheriff, Circuit Court Clerk, Register of Deeds, Trustee, Road Superintendent, County Clerk, County School Board members, Constables and Road Commissioners.
Manchester voters will also select three Aldermen and three City School Board members. Tullahoma will elect 2 Aldermen and 2 School Board members.
State primary races include those of Governor, U-S Senator, U-S Representative or better known as Congress and State Representative.
Poles open at 8am on Election Day, August 2nd and close at 7pm. Remember you must present a government issued photo ID.
WMSR-Thunder Radio will provide live election coverage beginning at 7pm. Here us live on your radio at AM1320, 107.9FM and our newest signal 107.1FM in Tullahoma. You can also hear us live by streaming from our website www.thunder1320.com or from our free app, just download it from your app store, just search Thunder Radio. We will also be giving you running total updates on all local races on our website.
Because of the very large ballot please give yourself some extra time to vote. Also, members of the election commission want to remind voters that you do not have to declare a party for the county general or city general elections, only if you vote in the state primary.

Unemployment Rate on the Rise in Coffee County

State unemployment numbers show the unemployment rate for each of Tennessee’s 95 counties increased during the month of June. The county rates incorporate seasonal workers who are temporarily unemployed. Between May and June, education service jobs were down by 38,000. These are custodians, bus drivers, and other school support staff who are not working during the summer months.
Coffee County’s rate rose from 3.0 percent in May to 4.0 percent in June. Warren County’s unemployment rate for June was 4.9 percent, up from the May rate of 3.2 percent. Bedford County jumped up from 3.2 to 4.6 percent. In Franklin County their unemployment rate for June was 4.2 percent, up from 2.9 in May. Moore County saw its rate rise from 2.7 to 3.8 percent. In Grundy County the unemployment rate went up by a full 2 percent from 3.7 to 5.7 percent and Cannon County their rate went from 2.7 to 3.9 percent.
Williamson County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 3.0 percent, while Lauderdale County had the highest at 7.0 percent.