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Better Business Bureau Study shows people are Losing Millions through Scams
A new study released from the Better Business Bureau reveals victims are losing millions of dollars through sweepstakes, lottery and prize schemes, devastating people financially and emotionally.
The report highlights that seniors are often the target of these frauds. The most common victims ranging between ages 65-74, including people who have gone through negative life events or someone who is worried about their financial future.
The study called, “Sweepstakes, Lottery and Prize Scams: A Better Business Bureau Study of How ‘Winners’ Lose Millions Through an Evolving Fraud,’ reports these types of scams took $117 million dollars of money from victims in 2017. The BBB received 2,820 sweepstakes and lottery scam reports last year, with the average loss of about $500.
Officials found out these types of schemes commonly originate in Jamaica, Costa Rica and Nigeria.
The BBB says true lotteries or sweepstakes don’t ask for money. If they want money for taxes, themselves, or a third party, they are most likely crooks.
Lady Raider Basketball Stays Perfect, Wins Ravenwood Summer Tournament
In the finals, Coffee County rolled out to a 28 to 15 lead at the half to coast home to the title. Abby Morgan and Bella Vinson each poured in 15 points to lead Coffee County in scoring. Jacey Vaughn added 8 points and Jenna Garretson scored 5.
In the quarterfinals on Wednesday morning, Coffee County opened up with a 57 to 41 win over Summit. Morgan led Coffee County in scoring with 24 points. Vaughn poured in 17 points behind three 3 point baskets. Vinson added 13 points.
In the semifinals, Coffee County slugged their way to a 43 to 29 win over Franklin. The Lady Raiders drilled four 3 point baskets in the first half to build a 21 to 13 halftime cushion. Vinson was the leading scorer for the Lady Raiders as she finished with 15 points. Morgan and Vaughn each added 11 points.
Coffee County will travel to Eagleville on Thursday for a pair of scrimmage games with Clay County and Nolensville. The Lady Raiders return home on Monday and Tuesday as they will host a team camp at CHS. The Lady Raiders will close out the summer preseason workouts with a camp at Lake County next Thursday and Friday before closing out summer workouts on June 18th and 19th at MTSU for a team camp.
Head coach Joe Pat Cope will be a guest on Saturday’s Coffee Coaches Show to talk about the summer season so far. The Coffee Coaches Show is broadcast each and every Saturday morning LIVE from the showroom of Al White Ford/Lincoln. The Coffee Coaches Show is heard exclusively here on Thunder Radio beginning at 10 AM.
CHS Names a Pair of New Coaches on Wednesday
The Coffee County Central High School athletic department will welcome two new head coaches this year to head up a pair of co-ed programs. Coffee County CHS co-athletic director Rebecca Koger announced the hirings on Wednesday for new swim and tennis coaches for the 2018-2019 school year. Josh Inzer will take over the tennis program from Mike Ray and Becky Behrendorff will be the new swim coach replacing Lana Ray. Both hirings were approved on Tuesday night by the Coffee County School Board upon recommendations from the respective search committees.
Inzer, a former CHS tennis player, takes over for Mike Ray who will remain on staff at CHS and continue to coach the golf teams. Inzer is currently a math teacher at the Coffee County Raider Academy. “We are excited about the energy and enthusiasm that Coach Inzer brings to the tennis team” said Koger. “We feel he will be a great fit for our program” added Koger. When contacted by Thunder Radio, Inzer was looking forward to getting to work on Thursday. “I have watched (some of the Raider tennis players) and I look forward to working with them” said Inzer.
Behrendorff is a former teacher at Tullahoma High School who is currently a swim coach for the local Makos swim program. Behrendorff is a stay-at-home mom who teaches swimming lessons in her spare time. In her prep days, Becky competed for the Tullahoma Swim Club and earned a scholarship to swim collegiately at Gardner-Webb University. When contacted by Thunder Radio on Wednesday, Behrendorff was excited for the opportunity to coach a large number of athletes that are also involved in her club swim program. It appears the swimmers are excited too. “The kids are excited to get someone they know(as coach)” said Behrendorff. “We feel her experience and ability will be an asset to our student-athletes” added Koger.
Both new coaches, plus Rebecca Koger have accepted invitations to be guests in an upcoming edition of the Coffee Coaches Show.
Nashville Soccer Club Wins Again; Upsets Colorado in US Open Cup
It was another U.S. Open Cup upset as United Soccer League side Nashville SC downed the Colorado Rapids 2-0 at Vanderbilt Stadium Wednesday night. A first-half own goal from Rapids midfielder Micheal Azira and a second-half header from Nashville forward Ropapa Mensah.
Little separated Nashville and Colorado in the first half, as the sides spent time exchanging possession with few runs of threatening play. But Nashville looked up to the task early, playing a high press and looking forward in attack.
Colorado’s best opportunity to go in front came in the 25th minute when Dillon Serna whipped in a dangerous cross from the left flank, but the danger was punched away by former Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens for Nashville. In the 32nd minute, Rapids midfielder Sam Nicholson had an open opportunity on goal, but his shot went well wide of the mark.
After weathering the early chances, Nashville went in front in the 38th minute as Justin Davis’ cross deflected off Rapids midfielder Micheal Azira for an own goal, putting the hosts up 1-0.
Despite Colorado controlling 55 percent of the first-half possession and neither side able to put a shot on target, the hosts held onto the 1-0 advantage as both teams entered halftime.
Nashville carried momentum into the start of the second half. A through ball was played in to Lebo Moloto, but his shot was saved by Rapids ‘keeper Zac MacMath.
Nashville doubled its lead in the 78th minute, however, as Liam Doyle crossed a ball in to Mensah, who headed in the effort to extend the hosts’ lead to 2-0.
The Nashville SC defense remained organized and composed throughout the match. The backline and Matt Pickens didn’t allow a single Colorado shot to go on target and limited the Rapids to just three shots in total.
With the win, Nashville advances to the 5th round of the U.S. Open Cup. It also extended Nashville’s unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions and puts the club in the final 16 teams in the Open Cup.
Nashville SC will head back on the road for the final time in June in USL when it travels to Tampa Bay for a Saturday night showdown with the Rowdies. Gametime is at 6:30 p.m. CT.
QUICK NOTES
– It’s the first competitive win against an MLS team for Nashville SC.
– The win extends Nashville’s unbeaten run to nine games dating back to April 14. The team has allowed just four goals in 9 games.
– Ropapa Mensah scored on his first touch after coming in at the 78’ minute. The goal is his 4th on the year, the most on the team.
– The shutout is Matt Pickens’ first in the Open Cup but his 7th in 2018 in all competitions
– The own goal scored by Colorado is the first in a Nashville SC game this season.
– Nashville SC will find out who it plays in the 5th round tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. with the U.S. Soccer’s draw
Naile Deals as Sounds Top Aces
Starter James Naile fired seven innings of one-run ball to lead the Nashville Sounds to a 5-1 win over the Reno Aces in front of 6,973 fans at First Tennessee Park Wednesday night.
Naile picked up his team-high fifth win of the season and dropped his ERA to 3.57 as he scattered five hits over his seven frames. He did not walk a batter and struck out five.
The right-hander’s strong effort was backed by big offensive nights from Jake Smolinski and Sheldon Neuse. Smolinski drilled his seventh home run of the season and finished 3-for-4 while Neuse added a season-high three hits.
Reno’s Socrates Brito gave Naile his only blemish in the first inning when he launched a solo home run into the right field seats.
The Sounds bounced back with a pair of runs in the second inning and were in control the rest of the night. Franklin Barreto started the bottom of the second with a booming triple to right field and was followed by three consecutive singles to give Nashville a 2-1 lead.
Smolinski’s solo blast in the third extended the Sounds’ lead to 3-1, and Neuse’s RBI single in the fourth scored Beau Taylor to make it a 4-1 game. Taylor finished with a pair of hits and two runs scored.
Ramon Laureano started the bottom of the seventh with a walk and moved to third on Smolinski’s third hit of the night, a double down the left field line. Anthony Garcia followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Sounds a 5-1 lead.
Josh Lucas and Jeremy Bleich followed Naile on the mound. Lucas tossed a 1-2-3 eighth with a pair of strikeouts and Bleich followed with a perfect ninth to close the door.
The third and final game of the series is scheduled for Thursday night at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander Ben Bracewell (0-1, 7.20) starts for the Sounds against right-hander Jake Buchanan (3-5, 4.60) for the Aces. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Post-Game Notes
- With tonight’s 5-1 win, Nashville improved to 29-28 on the season.
- Tonight’s win improved the Sounds’ home record to 19-11 – the third-best mark in the PCL.
- When Jake Smolinski homered in the third inning, it marked the sixth consecutive game the Sounds have hit at least one home run. It matched a season-high.
- Third baseman Sheldon Neuse notched his first three-hit game of the season. He boosted his average from .183 to .195 with his 3-for-4 showing.
- Starter James Naile picked up his team-leading fifth win and fifth quality start of the season.
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.
6/8/18 — Opal H. Anderton
Funeral services for Mr. Arnold “Art” Anderton, age 76, of Manchester, TN, will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 27th, 2019 at Coffee County Funeral Chapel with Brother Benny Benjamin and Jerry Vinson officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. The Family will receive friends from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Saturday, October 26th, 2019 at Coffee County Funeral Chapel. Mr. Anderton passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Unity Medical Center in Manchester, TN.
Art was born on September 6th, 1943, in Tullahoma, TN, to the late Ray Anderton and Laura Farrar Payne. Art was a veteran of the United Sates Army, he enjoyed sports, especially the University of Tennessee, and the Tennessee Titans. He enjoyed going to auctions and tinkering on things. He worked for many years in Mt. Juliet for Water Management.
In addition to his parents, Art is preceded in death by two brothers Everett and Virgil Mullins. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Georgia Anderton; two sons Travis (Kristy) Anderton and Eric (Emily) Anderton; daughter Melissa (Jason) Sudberry; grand children Katie, Clay, Kaden, Dominik, Robin, Brett and Denton; great grand children Xaylie, Lizzie and Zoey; brother Red (Bonnie) Anderton
Coffee County Funeral Chapel is
honored to serve the Anderton Family
Fire at Kirchhoff Automotive Plant

These materials were burning on the outside the Kirchhoff Automotive plant… Photo credit: Brooke Green
Late Wednesday afternoon people in Manchester began seeing heavy black smoke. The Coffee County Communication Center called out all area fire departments, led by Manchester Fire and Rescue along with Coffee County EMS for a fire at the Kirchhoff Automotive plant in the Coffee County Industrial Park.
The building on Volunteer Parkway was evacuated, and all employees were reported as being safe.
The smoke from the fire could be seen from as far away as Monteagle and some type of explosions could be heard by people near the scene.
Kirchhoff Automotive produces diverse metal structural parts for the automotive industry. Currently, the production of dash panel beams for different car models is one of the core capabilities of the plant.
We will update this story when information is released. See more pictures below.
Mural and More Discussed during Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen Work Session
The Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) held a work session in front of a huge crowd before their regular meeting on Tuesday.
First up was discussion of budget items. Alderman Lana Sain said certain items might need to be cut from the budget. Some suggestions were some vehicle costs and possibly some raises.
Apparently, the city is looking at pulling money out of their reserve fund to balance the 2018-19 budget. This could be as much as $900,000. Some city leaders are thinking of certifying a tax rate that equals to no tax increase based on the new property appraisals. This move would leave the city short of funding. Alderman Bob Bellamy suggested postponing the budget vote and do a continuation instead, until the city has a clearer picture of revenue expectations. City leaders decided to do the continuation budget for now.
Codes Director Jamie Sain talked about extended stay motels and some of the complaints about them. It’s possible that City codes might conduct surprise inspections.
Ray Amos, the Chairman of the Historic Zoning Commission (HZC) went to the table concerning the new downtown mural. Alderman Cheryl Swan as the rep of that committee talked about how at a meeting of the commission there was a discussion of painting the mural. She said there were no guidelines for art at this time. She said since there were no rules now maybe there should be a committee set up to develop guidelines for future murals. City Attorney Gerald Ewell said that it would be good for the city to have guidelines. He said while you can’t say what to paint, you can say what not to paint and regulate size and make sure it’s not obscene. Murals are designated as art and not being a sign, so they can’t be regulated by a sign ordinance. Aldermen say they might need to adopt guidelines for public art murals.
Vice Chairman Evans Baird said they did have guidelines that were approved years ago by the board.
There was some discussion about this particular mural not being approved, not the mural itself but the process of how it happened.
Bob Bellamy stated that this seemed like a power struggle as the mural was done by members of the commission. He asked what they wanted, and Ray Amos said they wanted Scott Van Velsor and John Mancini removed from be HZC as they were appointed by the city council. Bellamy said the HZC needed to work this out amongst themselves. No action taken.
Alderman Ryan French said this isn’t the first time the HZC has caused problems. He suggested that it might be best to disband the HZC altogether. He said that every time Manchester tries to move forward the HZC seems to be in the way. The HZC said that this would jeopardize some possible grants.
Van Velsor came up next to give the other side, he stated that at the HZC meeting there was approval for a mural and so they moved forward. He said he did show all the HZC members the design and they said nothing. Amos said all they approved was paint and an awning not the mural.
Commission members stated they liked the mural and had no intention of asking for its removal. They just want proper procedures to be followed.
No action was taken, and Mayor Lonnie Norman said the BOMA would think about this issue and discuss it more at their next meeting in 2 weeks. (Thanks to Rob Clutter for his help on this story)
Grundy Co. Pastor Charged with Attempted Rape appears in Court
District Attorney Mike Taylor tells WRCB-TV, 48-year-old William E. “Tim” Smith, Jr. is being held in jail on a $200,000 bond.
If Smith makes bond, Taylor says he will be required to wear an ankle monitor and have no contact with the alleged victim.
Smith is accused of trying to rape a 12-year-old girl, according to the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office.
Smith’s next court date is July 9.