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7/30/17 — Birthdays

Birthdays:
Houston Easton, 18 — Pizza Winner!

James William Sherrill II

7/29/17 — Birthdays

No birthdays to report

County Unemployment Rates Go Up

The latest unemployment rate increased in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties in June 2017, according to data released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).
The county unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted, whereas the state unemployment rate is modified to account for seasonal fluctuations.
The county rates take into account seasonal workers who are temporarily out of work. Between May and June, education service jobs were down by 35,100. These are custodians, bus drivers and other school support staff who are not working during the summer months.
June is also typically the month when recent high school and college graduates enter the workforce and have yet to find employment, adding to the jobless count across the state.
Coffee County’s unemployment rate rose from 3.1 percent in May to 4.1 in June. Bedford County jumped to 4.8 percent after 3.4 last month. Cannon County was also 3.4 percent in May, but rose to 4.2 in June. Franklin County went up from 2.9 to 4.3 percent. Grundy County had a major jump in their unemployment rate going from 4.1 percent in May to 6 percent in June. Down in Moore County they went up 1.2 percent in June to 3.9 and Warren County went up in June to 4.7 percent.
Davidson County had the state’s lowest rate in June at 3.1 and Rhea County the highest at 7.3 percent.

Federal Grad Jury Sends Three Men from Franklin County to Jail

On Wednesday, July 26th Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Investigators arrested three individuals on indictments returned by a Federal Grand Jury form Chattanooga, Tennessee. 37 year-old Calvin D. George of Fairview Campground Winchester, TN., Thomas D. Mayberry age 31 of Syler Road and Shay L. Williams age 24 of Safe Haven Circle were all placed in custody and are to be transferred to federal custody as soon as possible. All three individuals face drug charges resulting from an investigation conducted by Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and D.E.A. Task Force Officer Agent Brian Brewer.

Health Care Uncertainty Trickles Down to Local Leaders

While the U.S. Senate debates the future of health care, local leaders are left with uncertainty about how to handle their community health needs. (Sai Dhanush AV/flickr)

While the U.S. Senate battles over its version of a bill that would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act – uncertainty about the future of health care is impacting local leaders.
The topic is among those being discussed this week at the National Association of Counties’ annual conference in Columbus, Ohio. Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell says with the nation’s counties investing $80 billion annually in community health – concern about what happens in Washington transcends party lines.
“We certainly have different political representations in our group, but yet we all face the same issue of how are we going to address health care going forward,” he says.
Approximately two-thirds of the nation’s 2,800 local public-health departments are county-based. Medicaid also is key to counties in Tennessee because of the state’s growing opioid epidemic since it’s the largest single funder for mental-health services and substance-abuse treatment.
Luttrell adds that with so many unknowns about the Trump administration’s policies, it makes it a challenge for local leaders to know how to proceed.
“There’s a tremendous amount of uncertainty about what support and what priorities will be coming out of Washington,” he notes. “The Trump administration is still getting its feet under the table, so to speak. We’re still looking for the guidance that you expect to see from Washington.”
TennCare is the state of Tennessee’s Medicaid program and is funded by both the state and federal governments. The program is administered by the state with federal oversight.

Teneessee Launches New Website to Recruit Retirees

Tennessee tourism officials have launched a new website that aims to recruit retirees to settle down in the state.
A Tennessee Department of Tourist Development news release Thursday says Retire Tennessee’s new website offers information on health care, experiences, shopping, retirement developments and communities, testimonials and sample housing stock. Currently, 22 Tennessee counties participate in the program.
The site features videos, photos an interactive map and a cost-of-living calculator.
State tourism officials say Tennessee is one of only four states with a formal retiree recruitment program.
The Retire Tennessee program, newly branded as “The Good Life. Only Better,” is in its 12th year. It drew 8,000 inquiries from potential retirees last year.

7/31/17–Clyde W. Smith, Sr.

Graveside services for Mr. Clyde W. Smith, Sr., age 84 of Manchester, will be conducted on Monday, July 31, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at the Beechgrove Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Brother Mike Owens officiating.
Mr. Smith was born on December 26, 1932 in Plant City, Florida to the late Golus and Ira Smith. Survived by his loving wife, Joy Lee Fussell Smith; son, Clyde W. Smith, Jr.; daughter, Susan Diane Burch and husband Kevin; grandson, Joshua Burch.
Manchester Funeral Home is honored to serve the Smith family

8/2/17–Juanita Ann “Nina” Mitten

Funeral services for Juanita Ann “Nina” Mitten, age 29 of Manchester, will be conducted on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. at Coffee County Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Frasier’s Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Sparta, TN. The family will receive friends on Wednesday prior to the service from 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. Juanita passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at Unity Medical Center.

Juanita was born on July 23, 1988 in Sparta, TN. Above all, she loved the Lord. She enjoyed scrapbooking, spending time with her family and was great with little kids. She was an amazing poetry writer. Her talents in poetry was proven when one of her poems was published in a book. Juanita will be missed by her loving family.

Preceded in death by her grandmother, Juanita Ann Rogers. Survived by her husband, Bill Mitten; father, Marvin Wayne Rogers; mother, Angela Jones; sister, Catherine Rogers Tillman; brother, Brian Wayne Rogers; step-children, Jacqueline and Alex Mitten; nephew, Brandon Lee; niece, Madie Renee; uncle, Kenny E. Rogers.

Coffee County Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the family of Juanita Ann Mitten.

8/2/17 — Jerry W. Hegwood

Jerry W Hegwood of Tullahoma passed this life on Sunday, July 30, 2017 at
his residence at the age of 56 years. Funeral Services are scheduled for
Wednesday, August 2 2017 at 11 AM at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home with
burial to follow at Concord Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be
Tuesday, August 1, 2017 from 5 – 8 PM.

Mr. Hegwood, the son of the late James Edward and Bernice Crouch Hegwood,
was born on March 7, 1961 in Tullahoma. He worked as a mechanic and was a
member of Lincoln Heights Baptist Church. He enjoyed riding his Harley,
hunting, camping and helping others, He was very family oriented and
especially enjoyed being with his family doing family activities.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother,
Charles Edward Hegwood and two sisters, Mary Blackburn and Terry Smith.

Mr. Hegwood is survived by his wife, Karen Hegwood of Tullahoma; son, Kevin
Hegwood (Beth) of Tullahoma; step daughter, Tina Baker; brother, James
Luther Hegwood (Robbie) of Manchester and three grandchildren, Jessie,
Dallas and Carlee.

Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

CCMS Lady Raiders Show Well at Saturday Play Day

Kylie Millaway of CCMS volleyball prepares to serve against North Franklin on Saturday

After finishing with a perfect 4 and 0 record in pool play on Saturday, the Coffee County Middle School volleyball team entered the single elimination tournament of the CHS Middle School Play Day as the #2 seed.  The Lady Raiders advanced to the semifinal round before dropping a 3 set match to Unity.  Unity went on the win the 3rd annual event.

To say the Lay Raiders were perfect in pool play would not be much of an exaggeration as they did not drop a set.  Coffee Middle won their 4 matches each in 2 sets.  The Lady Raiders opened the day on Saturday with a straight set win over Eagleville by set scores of 25-15 and 25-19.  In their 2nd match, Coffee Middle downed Fayetteville 25 to 20 and 25 to 14.  In their 3rd match, the Lady Raiders dispatched conference rival Harris in 2 sets but scores of 25-18 and 25-15.  The Lady Raiders finished pool play with a sweep of conference rival North Franklin by scores of 25 to 10 and 25 to 8.

In the tournament opener, Coffee Middle once again dropped Harris in straight sets to advance to the Final 4.  In the semifinals the Lady Raiders split the first 2 sets with Unity to set up a decisive game 3.  Unity pulled out the win 16 to 14 on their way to an eventual championship.   Coach Malaysha Pack was pleased with the play of her team saying they did a “great job.”  Returning player and middle hitter Kiya Ferrell led the team in kills along with a strong service game.  Lauren Brandt also served well and led the team in assists.

The Lady Raiders open the season on August 10th when they travel to Decherd to take on North Franklin. That match is scheduled for 5 PM. The Lady Raiders will be featured on the September 11th edition of the First National Bank Home Town Sports Series when they host Harris.