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Students Fulfill their Tennessee Promise Community Service Requirements at Tennessee State Parks
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has announced more than 800 high school students fulfilled their “Tennessee Promise” community service requirements at Tennessee State Parks in June, a nearly 40 percent increase over 2016.
Outgoing high school seniors helped mulch flower beds, build trails, paint signs, install playground equipment and worked on various other projects to help beautify nearly all 56 Tennessee State Parks on “Tennessee Promise Saturday” – an annual volunteer event organized by the parks system. Tennessee State Parks saw its biggest turnout since the program began in 2015 with a total of 835 soon-to-be college students getting their hands dirty.
Students are encouraged to volunteer in their field of interest to gain relevant experience for college and beyond, but all time contributed to a nonprofit or public service organization is eligible. Students must submit eight hours prior to each academic term.
Teen Suicides Up in Tennessee
A new study by the Centers for Disease Control found that teenage suicides rose nationwide in 2015, and girls between the ages of 15 and 19 hit a 40-year high.
Mental health experts in Tennessee say they are seeing a similar pattern.
According WBIR-TV in Knoxville, the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network says there are many signs that teenagers are dealing with depression or suicidal thoughts. Some of those include a withdrawal from family, friends or social gatherings, a loss of interest in hobbies and a loss of interest in personal appearance.
While the news is concerning, there are ways a teen can get help, but parents and loved ones play a big role.
For a list of signs and ways to get help, go to the Tennessee Suicide Prevention System’s website at http://tspn.org.
Grants for Agribusiness
Tennessee officials are offering a new grant to develop agribusiness in the state.
A state Department of Agriculture news release says the Agriculture Enterprise Fund will award grants to aid agricultural and food businesses, farmers, nonprofits, local governments and other entities in Tennessee, particularly rural counties. It will support new and expanding business ventures.
The incentive program aims to support a goal of eliminating distressed counties in Tennessee by 2025.
The grant is run by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Economic and Community Development.
The grant will provide up to 25 percent of a project’s total budget.
Prospective applicants can find more information on the Department of Agriculture’s website.
Three Local Men Honored by the Tennessee Highway Patrol
July 17, 2017 on Highway 41 in Coffee County a pedestrian was struck and killed by a driver who fled the scene. The Tennessee Highway Patrol received critical assistance that led to identifying the fleeing vehicle which contributed to the arrest of the felony hit and run suspect. 
On Wednesday, Colonel Tracy Trott presented the Colonel’s Certificate of Excellence and a Colonel’s Challenge Coin to each of the following gentlemen who provided their assistance; Richard (RO) Adams, Josh Bradford and Danny Campbell of Like Kind Quality (LKQ) Auto Parts of Manchester. Colonel Tracy Trott stated, “Without their help, we may not have solved this case.”
The crash took place on Hwy 41 near Hillsboro. Arthur J Mantone Jr age 79 of Hillsboro was struck and killed while checking his mailbox. Mantone Jr had parked his vehicle in the driveway of his residence on Highway 41. The man then crossed Hwy 41 to check his mail and he was allegedly struck by a Mitsubishi Galant driven by Shelton G. Martin, II age 23 of Smithville.
CHS Volleyball Gets District Win Over Shelbyville on Tuesday Night
Tyana Fenton of CHS volleyball
Attempting to bounce back from a tough loss on Monday night, the Lady Raider volleyball team welcomed district rival Shelbyville to “The Patch.” In a match you heard here on Thunder Radio as part of the First National Bank Hometown Sports Series, the Lady Raiders captured a hard fought 4 set win from Shelbyville. Coffee County won by set scores of 25-18, 25-20, 16-25 and 25-17.
The much improved Eaglettes led in each set as they challenged Coffee County throughout the match. Senior Tyana Fenton sparked Lady Raider rallies in the first and second sets as she served 5 straight service aces in the first set to give the Lady Raiders their first lead of the match. In the second set, Fenton once again delivered at the service line as she had 4 consecutive aces to bring the Lady Raiders from 1 point down to a 3 point lead. Fenton finished the match with 10 aces to lead a Lady Raider team that had 17 aces on the match. Fenton added 5 kills, 7 digs and an assist on the night. Amanda Mukai led the team in assists with 16 while adding 5 kills and 3 aces. Alliyah Williams led Coffee County in digs with 11 while Sarah West led Coffee County in kills with 6.
The Lady Raiders hit the road on Thursday when they travel to McMinnville for a match against Warren County. First serve is set for 6 PM.
You can download a podcast of the First National Bank Hometown Sports Series broadcast, go to www.wmsrradio.com/downloads
8/19/17 — Ora Alma Smith
Ora Alma Smith, age 89, passed away August 15, 2017, with her loving
family at her side. Ora Alma was born November 1, 1927 in Manchester, to
her parents, the late F.M. Pearson, Sr. and Lou Cash Pearson. Ora Alma
was a member of the Red Hill Church of Christ in Manchester. She was
preceded in death by her husband; R.L. Smith, a son; Larry Smith, two
sisters; Katherine Vandergriff and Zora Raines, three brothers; John W.
Pearson, F.M. Pearson, Jr., and Marion Pearson.
Ora Alma is survived by a daughter, Glenda S. Simmons and her husband
Richard of Manchester, TN, three grandchildren; Ryan Simmons and wife
Jill of Willard, MO, Shannon Charles of Nolensville, TN and Shawna
Streeter and husband Jason of Franklin, TN, four great-grandchildren;
Braden Streeter, Dylan Streeter, Carleigh Charles, and Leighton Simmons,
a sister; Margaret Long, and two brothers; Kenneth Pearson and Ellie
Pearson, and several friends.
VISITATION: Friday, August 18, 2017, 5 – 8 P.M. at the Central Funeral
Home, 2812 Hillsboro Highway, Manchester
FUNERAL: Saturday, August 19, 2017 10:00 A.M. at the Central Funeral Home
BURIAL: Prairie Plains Church of Christ
CENTRAL FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS.
8/15/17 — Birthdays
Birthdays:
Josh Corley, 29 — Pizza Winner!
Nate Rutledge
Max Jones, 6
Kristy Barnes, 27
Alex Baldwin
Westwood Football Falls on Late Touchdown to MTCS
Trenton Thompson of Westwood football
A late touchdown by Middle Tennessee Christian dropped the Westwood football team to 0 and 2 on the season after a 32 to 30 loss in Murfreesboro on Tuesday. In a game that featured 3 ties and 6 lead changes, in was a Cougar touchdown with 4:20 left in the game that proved to be the deciding score.
After MTCS scored first, Westwood got on the board as Trenton Thompson scored the first of his 3 touchdowns on the night on a run of more than 40 yards and added the 2 point conversion. The score stayed tied after heading to the second quarter before Thompson scored again on a 45 yard touchdown run to put the Rockets up 14 to 8. After MTCS tied it 9 seconds later, Thompson got his 3rd TD of the night on a run of about 50 yards. The 2 point conversion made it 22 to 14. MTCS scored with 8 seconds to go in the half but missed the extra point as the Rockets held a 22 to 20 lead at the half.
Ten seconds into the second half, the Cougars got a touchdown to take a 26 to 22 lead. Blake Hale added a Westwood touchdown midway of the 3rd period giving Westwood the 30 to 26 lead. The game stayed knotted up for more than 8 minutes before a Cougar touchdown with 4:20 left in the game brought an end to the scoring.
The Rockets return home on Thursday as they welcome Cascade to Dyer-Bouldin Field. Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you the broadcast as part of the First National Bank Hometown Sports Series. The opening kickoff is set for 6:30 PM. Our broadcast will begin with the pregame show at 6:20.
Lady Raider Soccer Draws with Smyrna in Season Opener
CHS soccer player Allie Amado
The Coffee County Central High School soccer team traveled to Smyrna on Tuesday for their season opener. Coming off a pair of high scoring wins in their last 2 scrimmages, the Lady Raiders needed a pair of late goals to escape with a 2 to 2 draw.
It was a match that was as even a matchup as can be with the shot total being 16 each per team. After a scoreless first half, Smyrna got on the board first in the 45th minute as they scored the first goal of the game. Allie Amado drew Coffee County even in the 67th minute as she scored on an assist from Emilee Roberson. The Lady Dawgs went back on top 2 minutes later before Maddy Jones tied the match up in the 70th minute off a feed from Amado.
Amado led the Lady Raiders in shots with 7 while Ashley Woods had 7 saves in net for Coffee County. The Lady Raiders will return home on Thursday to host Riverdale in their 2017 home opener. The varsity game is set to begin at 7 PM at the Raider Soccer Field behind the Raider Academy.
CHS Golf Match Rained Out on Tuesday
The red hot Red Raider golf team had their match at Sewanee rained out on Tuesday. That match will not be rescheduled. The Raiders return home on Tuesday when they welcome district foes Shelbyville & Marshall County to Willowbrook. That match will be an 18 hole match with the shotgun start getting underway at 1 PM.