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Sheriff Graves Asking for Employee Raises
Coffee County Sheriff Steve Graves.
In a proposal letter the sheriff explained the raises could be funded by a newly negotiated contract related to inmate telephone calls at the jail and would not require a tax increase. He says that this will bring in approximately $300,000 to Coffee County adding that figure is approximately $150,000 more than the current revenue projection for the previous contract. Graves says if county officials decide to approve a raise of $1 per hour instead, he would not oppose.
The sheriff added that it is difficult to compete with cities and some nearby counties offering more money for employees.
These types of raises cannot be granted by Sheriff Graves, only proposed, the Coffee County Personnel and Compensation Committee and the Coffee County Budget and Finance Committee will have to approve the request before the budget is finalized.
The raises would be in addition to the 1.5-percent step raise the employees will be receiving.
No Show at Court leads to more Charges Against a Tullahoma Man
Anthony Tyler Conlan… Photo provided by the CCSD.
Anthony Tyler Conlan, 31, of Faith Lane, Tullahoma was arrested by Coffee County Sheriff’s Deputy Blake Simmons on charges of manufacture/sell/delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the deputy’s report, the officer went to Faith Lane looking for Conlan and an individual took him to an apartment where he was with a family member. Upon knocking on the door, the deputy alleges that he heard people inside, but they did not open the door.
The deputy states in a report that he heard a back door open and when he checked the door he saw Conlan attempting to get out. Deputy Simmons arrested the man on two warrants for failing to appear in court.
The deputy then entered the apartment and was given permission to search it. Allegedly, the deputy found in a compartment on the couch a container with 78 Xanax pills, baggies, needles, glass pipes and two sets of scales. Conlan told the officer that the drugs and paraphernalia belonged to him.
He was booked into the Coffee County Jail on the charges and his bond was set at $35,000. Conlan is to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court March 12 on the charges.
Damage to Vehicles at Stan McNabb Chevrolet
Tullahoma Police are investigating damage to vehicles on the parking lot of Stan McNabb Chevrolet on North Jackson Street as well tires stolen.
According to a report by Officer Kannesha Nept, on Feb. 9 Rodney Hunley of the dealership stated that someone tried to take the wheels and tires off five vehicles on the lot.
The officer saw four Cadillac Escalades and a Chevrolet Tahoe that had tires damaged and some missing. One full set of tires were stolen from a 2017 Escalade. A 2018 Escalade, 2018 Tahoe and a 2017 Escalade had fallen off the blocks during the attempted theft which damage one tire on each vehicle and possibly the under carriage of all vehicles.
Detective Tyler Hatfield is investigating the incident and will be viewing security video of the incident.
Gas Prices Down Slightly
Energy prices took a nosedive on the stock market last week and gas prices are declining as a result. Tennessee gas prices declined 2 cents during the past week. Sunday’s state average of $2.39 is 9 cents less than a month ago and 34 cents more than this time last year.
AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said gas prices have the potential to drop 10 to 15 cents, based on what happened last week. However, refinery maintenance season is fast approaching and could spoil this big break for motorists. Every year-from February to April-reduced refinery output and the switch to summer-blend gasoline normally cause gas prices to rise 30 to 70 cents.
The national average price of a gallon of regular unleaded is currently $2.58.
The low price this week in Manchester, as of Tuesday afternoon was $2.28 and in Tullahoma the low price was $2.33.
New Publishers Clearing House Scam
Authorities in Tennessee are warning everyone of a phone scam that tells recipients they won a car and need to make a deposit. Police say it is a scam.
The Better Business Bureau said they have about two thousand complaints about the Publishers Clearing House scams.
Officials say don’t be fooled by the phone scam. Publishers Clearing House says they never ask for any type of monetary payments from contest winners. If you suspect a scam, you can report it directly on the incident form on the Publishers Clearing House website.
2/17/18–Reuben D. White (Puncho)
Funeral Services for Mr. Reuben D. White (Puncho), age 52, of Tullahoma
will be conducted Saturday, February 17 at 2:00 o’clock at The Revival
Center Family Church, on East Lincoln Street in Tullahoma with Pastor
Jonathan Young and Ralph White, a cherished uncle, officiating. Visitation
with the family will be from 1:00 o’clock until time for the service at
the
church.
Mr. White was born July 21, 1965 in Manchester, Tennessee,
the son of the late William Henry Braston, Jr. and Edith Marie White
Hamilton and was a native of Tullahoma, Tennessee. He departed this life
February 9, 2018 after an extended illness. Puncho was always known for
his jovial personality and captivating smile. He was a protector of his
siblings and he loved his children and grandchildren. He was a devoted and
cherished uncle to his nieces and nephews and admired by his friends.
Mr. White leaves to cherish his memory his mother and
step-father , Edith Marie and Paul Hamilton of Tullahoma; daughters,
Keyonna Palmer of Nashville, Robyn White of Shelbyville, and Keyara White
of McMinnville; sons, Thomas Hightower and wife Ashley of Columbia, South
Carolina, and DeShawn Myer of Minnesota; sisters, Yolanda White, Diane
Conner, Biancia Reed all of Atlanta, GA, Anitra Cannon of Lynchburg,
Valeria
Christman, and Keesha Braston of Indianapolis, IN; brothers, Mario Braston
of Winchester, Keith Anthony and his wife, Stacy and Mark Anthony and wife,
Felicia all of Manchester; step-mother, Linda Braston of Winchester;
Special
friend, Marcy Wilkerson of Tullahoma; Special Aunt, Thelma Sotherland of
Atlanta; Great Aunt, Jessie Twymon of Atlanta; 7 other aunts; 8 uncles;
special family friends, Wanda Gilliam of Indianapolis and Brenda Clanton of
Tullahoma and 10 grandchildren.
Mr. White was preceded in death by his father, William
Henry Braston, Jr.; maternal grandparents, Rev. and Mrs. Ervin White;
paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Braston, Sr.; 1 aunt and
2 uncles.
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Mr. Reuben
D. White, (Puncho).
2/16/18–Christopher Michael Lundquist
Mr. Christopher Michael Lundquist, 60, passed away, Monday
February 12, 2018 at the St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro,
Tennessee with his family at his bedside. He was born in Manchester on
December 17, 1957 to Charles Mervin and Lucille Verna Sandstrom Lundquist
who preceded him in death.
He was a Instrumentation Technichian at AEDC and a US Navy veteran.
He is survived by his wife, Ramona Jones Lundquist; daughter and
son-in-law, Cassie and Levi Devente of Knoxville, Tennessee; brothers,
Jonathan Mark (Lee Ann) Lundquist, Manchester and David Matthew Lundquist,
Murfreesboro; loving nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held Friday February 16, 2018 at 5:00 PM in
the Central Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Corey Henley officiating followed
by a time of reflecton reception: Visiting and sharing special memories
with friends and family in the Parlors of Central Funeral Home, Manchester,
Tennessee. www.centralfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to: the Webb
School for Financial Aide, Attn: Alyce Allen, PO BOX 488, Bell Buckle, TN
37020
Central Funeral Home in charge of arrangements
High School Spring Sports Open Preseason Practice
Members of the CHS Lady Raider softball team following Monday morning’s Midnight Madness practice
Monday marked the opening of practice for high school spring sports teams in Tennessee. The 5 spring sports squads at Coffee County Central High School battled the cold and wet conditions to get the 2018 season underway. As has been the case for 25 years, the Lady Raider softball team was the first squad to get in a practice as they opened with Midnight Madness at Terry Floyd Field.
Coach Brandon McWhorter begins his first year at the helm of the Lady Raider program. McWhorter, the 5th coach in program history, continued the tradition begun in the mid 90’s by Jeff Breeden. McWhorter was pleased with the roughly 1 hour workout held on the field as both infielders and outfielders were able to get in some drills. The Lady Raiders came back on Monday and moved the hitting portion of the practice indoors. Coach McWhorter was pleased with the effort and hustle shown by his team and feels like the Lady Raiders got off to a good start in spite of the weather conditions.
Coach David Martin opened up practice on Monday afternoon as his team got some time on Powers Field. Martin said that he could see positive results from the team’s off season workouts. Calling his squad “baseball savvy”, Martin complimented the Red Raider infielders for a good days work outside. Martin will look to get more team defense implemented and get some batting practice in this week.
The Red Raider soccer team kicked off their preseason workouts on Monday evening at the Raider Soccer Field. Coach Robert Harper saw more than 30 players show up for the first practice of the year and was pleased with the effort. Battling the cold weather outside, Harper was impressed with some of the work from a few freshmen who had good first days. The Red Raiders will have their first scrimmages of the year a week from Saturday when they host their annual scrimmage tournament.
Coach Mike Ray and the Raider tennis teams did not venture outside due to the cold and wet conditions. Adding to the miserable conditions was a small flu outbreak amongst members of his team and himself. The healthy Raider and Lady Raider netters worked on their conditioning and will hit the courts later in the week.
Coach Nathan Wanuch welcomed “about 45 kids” to the first day of practice today for the CHS track teams. With a few athletes still in basketball, this could be the largest Raider track team in years. Coach Wanuch was complimentary of his kids who braved the elements to get in some work on Monday afternoon.
Bucks Celebrate Homecoming with Rout of Walters State
Motlow State sophomore Isaiah Hart drives to the basket during the Bucks’ 86-48 win over Walters State at Copperweld Arena Saturday afternoon. Hart, from Murfreesboro, led the Bucks with 21 points, eight assists and six steals. He leads the TCCAA conference in steals, averaging three per game, and is second in scoring at 21 points per contest. Hart is Motlow’s all-time single season and career leader in steals, with 125 and 185, respectively.[Photo by Jeff Reed Photography]
The Bucks (16-4, 10-2) were upset at home Friday night 84-73 by Roane State. Motlow will travel to Dyersburg State on Wednesday, then to Memphis Saturday where they will face Southwest Tennessee (17-3, 10-2). The Saluqis and Bucks are tied atop the TCCAA standings, with Motlow winning the first matchup 83-67 at Copperweld Arena.
Motlow could never seem to get untracked Friday night as the Roane State Raiders’ defense kept the Bucks out of rhythm for 40 minutes. Roane led the entire first half, which ended with the Raiders on top 38-28. The Bucks pulled even multiple times in the second half, including tying the game at 61-61 with 6:28 remaining, but the visitors went on a 14-6 run over the next four minutes to put the game away.
Kevonte Corley led the Bucks with 20 points and 12 rebounds and added two blocked shots and two steals. Isaiah Hart scored 19 with seven assists and four steals, and Dillon Smith added 13 points. The Bucks shot 44 percent from the field and hit 8-24 three pointers, but turned the ball over 14 times and only had eight assists.
Saturday the Bucks looked much more familiar. After a competitive first half that ended with Motlow leading 34-20, the Motlow offense exploded for 52 points in the second half and ran away from the visiting Senators. The Bucks shot 45.6 percent from the floor, including hitting 11-29 three pointers, and made 13-17 free throws. Motlow dished out 20 assists on its 31 made field goals, and only turned the ball over nine times.
Hart led four double-digit scorers with 21 points, eight assists and six steals. Rashawn Fredericks got back into the double-double column with 15 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. Smith added 12 points and Anthony Yarbrough came off the bench to score 11 with three rebounds. Corley scored eight points and led the team with 15 rebounds, while David Fraser scored six points with five rebounds and three assists.
Visit the official website of Motlow Athletics at MotlowSports.com for rosters, schedules, stats and more. Interact with Motlow Athletics on social media at MotlowSports.
Lady Bucks Basketball Breaks Conference Win Draught
Motlow State sophomore Jasmine Williams powers the ball towards the basket during the Lady Bucks’ 68-64 win over Roane State at Copperweld Arena Friday night. Williams, from Irvington, NJ, scored 18 points, including six in the fourth quarter, and added seven rebounds and two blocked shots in the win. [Photo by Jeff Reed Photography]
The Lady Bucks (4-16, 1-11) followed that up with an 84-50 loss to Walters State on Saturday. The Lady Senators entered the game ranked No. 20 in the nation by the NJCAA. Motlow will travel to Dyersburg State Wednesday, then head to Memphis to face Southwest Tennessee on Saturday. The next home game is Wednesday, Feb. 21, with Jackson State visiting for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.
Friday night the Lady Bucks enjoyed one of their best starts of the season, jumping out to an 18-10 advantage after one quarter and a 22-10 lead one minute into the second quarter. Motlow had the size advantage and got the ball into the paint to build the lead, led by Jasmine Williams and Janna Lewis. However, the visitors began to hit shots and went on a 17-11 run to end the half, closing the gap to 33-27.
Roane State continued to press the action and outscored the Lady Bucks 17-11 in the third quarter, which ended with Motlow on top 45-44. In the final 10 minutes is was Williams who had six straight fourth-quarter points and helped the Lady Bucks hold of the Lady Raiders’ challenge. She finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots.
Janna Lewis led Motlow in scoring with 22 points and added six rebounds and two assists, Tajah Clark barely missed a double-double with nine points, nine assists, three rebounds and two steals; and Lynshawn Ebron had eight points, three assists, two steals and three rebounds. Joy Porter added five points, Miranda Boutwell had four, and Jewel Ledbetter scored two.
Saturday was a different story as powerful Walters State dominated the action from start to finish. The Lady Senators built a 45-20 halftime lead and emptied the bench after leading 67-35 after three quarters.
Clark led Motlow with 16 points, five rebounds and three steals, and Williams continued her solid play with nine points and 11 rebounds. Lewis and Ledbetter each scored eight, Briana Jones had five, and Ebron and Porter each scored two points.
Visit the official website of Motlow Athletics at MotlowSports.com for rosters, schedules, stats and more. Interact with Motlow Athletics on social media at MotlowSports.