Author's posts

Grants Available for K-8 Student Feild Trips

Where can students go to learn about history and environmental science in a hands-on setting from leading state experts? The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy is offering more than $5,000 in grants to support public school field trips to Tennessee State Parks.
Students can explore an 18th century trade cabin at Bledsoe Creek State Park, wade in the Duck River to learn about the water cycle at Henry Horton State Park or learn about any variety of things from Park Rangers who are trained in interpretive programming.
The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy’s ‘School of the Great Outdoors Field Trip Fund’ provides resources for K-8 students in Tennessee who may not have the opportunity to visit a state park due to lack of funding.
Grant eligibility is open to public schools in several counties including: Coffee, Bedford, Cannon, Franklin, Moore, Warren and others.
Awarded field trips will take place in spring and fall 2018. Funding covers transportation, lunch, and project supplies. Funding is made possible by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, the East Tennessee Foundation and Village Real Estate. The application and eligibility criteria can be found at www.tnstateparks.com/conservancy/field-trip-grants. The deadline to apply is March 15, 2018.
The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy, a nonprofit partner of Tennessee State Parks.

Motlow College Offering ACT Prep Classes

Motlow State Community College is offering a five-week ACT preparation class for area high school students planning to take the national test this spring. The class will meet each Monday in March and the first Monday in April, from 6 – 8:30 p.m. in Simon Hall, room 132, on the Moore County campus.
The registration deadline is Feb. 28, and the course is limited to 35 students. Registration forms can be obtained on Motlow’s web site at mscc.edu/wdes. Completed forms can be mailed or faxed to the address indicated on the form, however, registration is not complete until payment is received.
The registration fee for the course is $65, plus $32.95 for the course textbook (required), with each to be paid separately. Registrants should write a check for the registration fee to Motlow State Community College. Students will need to purchase the textbook by the first night of class and textbooks will be available for sale on the first night only (exact change or check made payable to Motlow College Bookstore) and through the Motlow bookstore prior to the class.
The course is designed to prepare students for the four areas tested on the ACT by covering test taking strategies, pacing oneself, using logic, and reviewing answers. Preliminary tests will be given for diagnostic purposes. Students will work on areas, techniques, and skills that need improving before taking the ACT.
The National ACT exam will be given on Apr. 14. Taking the preparation class does NOT register a student to sit for the actual ACT. Students must register separately to take the national exam. For more information regarding the ACT, visit ACT.org.
For more information regarding the ACT preparation course, contact Motlow’s Office of Workforce Development and Extended Services at 931-393-1757, or 1-800-654-4877, ext. 1757.

2/20/18 — James Ellison Casey

Funeral services for Mr. James Ellison Casey, age 85, of Manchester, will be conducted on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 1PM at First Baptist Church with Dr. Brenton Cox officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 from 10AM until service time. Mr. Casey passed away on Saturday February 17, 2018 at Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro.

Mr. Casey was born on December 24, 1932 to the late Roy and Marie Casey. He was a member of First Baptist church. He enjoyed tin can art, wood working, fishing, and riding bicycles.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Casey is preceded in death by one brother, Douglas Casey. Mr. Casey is survived by his loving wife, Janis Casey; two daughters, Michele (Craig) Abbott and Lynn (Scott) Koon; One brother, Gene Casey; two sisters, Mary Quigley and Helen (Bud) Davis; five grandchildren, Laurisa (Tyler) Cupp, Christy Abbott, Ryan Abbott, Cody Koon, and Amanda; four great grandchildren; Skylar, Zabri, Carter, and Emma, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Finish the Race at First Baptist Church and Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro.

Coffee County Funeral Chapel in charge of the arrangements

Carjacking leads to Juvenile’s Arrest–Car Owner later Charged

Joesph Kurtis Brummett… Photo provided by the CCSD.

On Friday night a juvenile was allegedly involved in an incident at 989 Interstate Drive, Manchester, TN. Manchester Officer Jamie Norris spoke with Joseph Kurtis Brummett 29 year-old of Manchester who advised he was approached by the suspect with a pistol. The man told police he was forced from the vehicle and the juvenile left the scene in the Mercedes. The juvenile was located by Tennessee Highway Patrolman Randy Euler around Exit 97 on Interstate 24. He continued on I-24 leading officers on a pursuit into Rutherford County. The vehicle was spiked stripped by Rutherford County deputies near Medical Center Parkway. The vehicle crashed, causing damage.
The weapon described by the Brummett was located on the passenger floor board. Youth services was contacted and the 15 year-old juvenile from Nashville was charged by Manchester Police with aggravated robbery, unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon, vandalism and evading arrest. He was later transported to Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center.
Brummett was transported to the scene and as the vehicle was being searched officers allegedly located several credit cards inside the vehicle with different names on them, credit cards scanners, a book with personal information of several different people in a back pack hidden in the trunk of the man’s vehicle. When ask about the cards, Brummett allegedly told officers that a friend had given them to him. Then he denied knowing anything about them.
Also, allegedly found in the vehicle was some methamphetamine, a glass pipe and 3 needles.
Brummett was charged by Trooper Euler with 8 counts of identity theft/use of another’s information and schedule II drug violation.
His bond was set at $302,500 and he is scheduled to appear in court on May 15, 2018.

Lady Raiders Open District Tournament Play With Victory over Tullahoma

Alliyah Williams of Lady Raider basketball

A physical and tough matchup awaited Coffee County as the girls’ District 8AAA basketball district tournament got underway on Saturday in Columbia.  The Lady Raiders squared off against Tullahoma in the opening game of the day in the semifinal round of the tournament.  After a struggle in the first quarter, Coffee County controlled the final 3 periods to get a 57 to 37 win.

Tied at 17 with just under 5 minutes to play in the half, Coffee County closed out the period on a 12 to 3 run to seize a 9 point lead at the half.  After opening the 3rd period on a 6 to 0 run, Coffee County opened up a 15 point lead.  Tullahoma could not get the deficit below 10 in the 2nd half.

The Lady Raiders finished with 4 players in double digits.  Bella Vinson led Coffee County with 14 points.  Alliyah Williams and Ellie Graham each tallied 12 points and Jacey Vaughn finished with 10 points.  Williams had the first points of each half and was named the Crazy Daisies player of the game.

Coffee County will advance to Monday’s District finals with the opportunity to win their first district title since 2009. Coffee County will square off against Shelbyville beginning at 7:30 PM at Columbia.  Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you the broadcast beginning with the Char-El Apartments and Home Rental Pregame Show at 7:20.

It also guarantees a Region 4AAA Tournament home game for Coffee County this weekend. The 1st round region tournament games will take place on Friday, February 23rd at 7 PM at the Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym.  Coffee County will host Oakland or Blackman on Friday night.

Download Saturday’s broadcast at: http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/tullahoma-vs-coffee-county-girls-basketball-district-semifinal_123168

Man Charged after Pipe Bombs Discovered

Robert Brandon Horn… Photo provided by the CCSD.

Robert Brandon Horn, 26, of Jackson Circle Tullahoma was charged Thursday night with four counts of possession of weapons of mass destruction and four counts of illegal possession of a weapon.
According to Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott, around 11 a.m. Thursday Tullahoma Police received information that Horn was in possession of explosive devices in his residence. The (THP) Highway Patrol Bomb and Arson Squad was notified and arrived at the scene. Officers sealed off the house and evacuated an area of 300 feet around the house, as a precautionary measure.
When the bomb squad arrived they used a robot to enter the house and to check what were thought to be pipe bombs. Officials determined they were indeed pipe bombs.
When officers first learned that there were “suspicious items” inside the house they started to search for Horn and learned that he was in Franklin County to testify for a friend. Officers located Horn and took him into custody to talk with him. Franklin County Sheriff’s Investigator Todd Hindman questioned Horn concerning the devices that Tullahoma Police had found. The investigator learned that the items were in Horn’s bedroom.
Franklin County deputies then searched Horn’s vehicle and found “several weapons” in it. Since Horn was convicted in January 2013 of domestic violence he is not allowed to have a weapon, so he was charged with illegal possession of a weapon and disorderly conduct in Franklin County.
He was transported to Jackson Circle where officers spoke with him. He was later transported back to the Franklin County Jail where he was booked in on the charges and his bond was set at $10,000. He was released from the Franklin County Jail around 9 a.m. Friday after the bond was posted and transferred to the Coffee County Jail. Horn is to appear in Franklin County General Sessions Court March 22.
Bond was set at $800,000 in Coffee County.

Local Candidate Petitions Questioned by Republican Party

Administrator of Elections for Coffee County Vernita Davis… Photo by Samantha Watters

On the agenda of the Coffee County Election Commission on Thursday afternoon was to approve petitions for the May 1, 2018 Republican and Democratic primaries. Motion was made to make a change on the agenda and move that part until a meeting on Thursday Feb. 22, which is the withdrawal deadline. The reason for that change is because there are some Republican candidates, who by new Republican bylaws, may not certify to be a bonafide Republican. The Election Commission is waiting on letters from the State Republican party, officially giving specific information, before they can approve those candidates. The local Republican party brought forth the questions to the election commission. There is also one Democratic candidate that the Republican party is questioning concerning another issue.
Letters from the state Republican party must be in the commission office by the withdrawal deadline, Thursday, February 22, 2018 at noon.
Coffee County Administrator of Elections Vernita Davis told WMSR that the Election Commission, does not evaluate the status of a person’s political party membership. It is their job to issue a petition to a person, regardless of voting history, for which they want to run.
No names of those candidates in question have been announced by the commission.
When all names have become official WMSR News will release all candidate names.

Saturday Night Fire at Westwood Middle School

Fire scene photos by Barry West

Manchester Fire crews responded to a structure fire at Westwood Middle School on Saturday night.
While enroute Manchester Police reported smoke coming out of the mechanical room in the rear of the school. Crews arrived on scene and found smoke coming from inside the reported room. There was a large water line above the fire area that ruptured and extinguished most of the fire.
Once crews were able to remove items from the room they began checking for any fire extension. Using a thermal imaging camera, firemen located some hot spots in the sub roof area around the hot water heater exhaust pipe and extinguished the area.
The fire is under investigation and only minor damaged occurred to the room.

Red Raider Basketball Falls in Semifinal Heartbreaker

UPDATED District 8 AAA tournament bracket.

A three point basket from the corner with 18 seconds remaining proved to be the deciding score on Saturday night as the Red Raider basketball team fell in the District 8AAA semifinals.  A frantic final period made for an exciting and dramatic finish that saw Darius Rozier’s probable game winning shot rim out as time expired.  Coffee County fell to Lawrence County by a final score of 42 to 41.

Coffee County got off to a strong start as they built a 12 point lead in the 2nd quarter.  But Lawrence County answered with back to back 3 pointers shaving the lead to 8 at the half.  The Wildcats tied the game on a 3 pointer in the final minute of the 3rd quarter to set up an intense final period.

Lawrence County’s Hunter Hagen, who had been held quiet by the Coffee County defense, buried a fadeaway jumper with a hand in his face for the 9th lead change of the 4th quarter.  That gave Lawrence County the lead with 18 seconds left in the game.   Coffee County got a pair of looks at the basket in the waning seconds, but Darius Rozier’s probable game winner just ahead of the final buzzer, rattled out of the cylinder to end the hard fought game.

Darius finished with 17 points leading Coffee County as he earned the Crazy Daisies player of the game honor.  De’Aaron Rozier added 12 and Garrett Booth chipped in 6 as Coffee County saw their record drop to 16 and 9 on the season.

The loss will send the Raiders to Tuesday’s consolation game where they will square off against Tullahoma.  The Wildcats lost Saturday’s other semifinal matchup to set up the 3rd meeting of the year between these rivals.  That semifinal will get underway at 6 PM at Columbia Central High School on Tuesday.  Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you all the action.

Coffee County has already assured itself a berth in the Region 4AAA Tournament.  The 1st round region tournament games will take place on Saturday, February 24th at 7 PM at the home site of the District 7 champion and runner-up.  Coffee County will travel to either Blackman or Riverdale on Saturday night and Thunder Radio will be on hand to begin you that region quarterfinal.

Download Saturday’s broadcast at: http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/lawrence-county-vs-coffee-county-boys-basketball-district-semifinal_123180

 

Coffee County Wrestler Alicean Stottlemyer Medals at State

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.