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Brothers Implement fire ruled electrical, authorities say
A fire that caused significant damage at Brothers Implement Company in Hillsboro last week (Feb. 15, 2022) has been ruled an electrical fire.
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department investigator James Sherrill told Thunder Radio News that the fire was investigated and has been determined to be an electrical fire.
At the time of the fire, authorities would not rule out arson due to a rash of home and vehicle burglaries in the area at the exact same time as the fire.
Brothers Implement Company remains open for business. While the office areas were completely destroyed, firefighters were able to prevent the fire from reaching the shop area of the business.
Still need help with burglaries
Sheriff’s department officials say that they still need assistance solving a rash of burglaries that broke out on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 15.
Homes, garages and vehicles were broken into on Hillsboro Highway starting at Old Airport Rd. and working toward Hillsboro.
“The investigation is ongoing and we are following leads, checking cameras,” stated Sherrill.
“If anyone has any information at all. Maybe you saw someone walking down the road in that time frame (between 5-8 p.m.) or saw suspicious vehicles, maybe parked on the side of the road, please call me directly.”
Tips can be called to Sherrill directly at 931-570-4404.
Ranked choice voting banned in Tennessee
Both chambers of the General Assembly this week approved legislation banning ranked choice or instant runoff voting in state and local elections.
Ranked choice voting is a voting method in which voters rank candidates by preference. The candidate with a majority of first-preference votes wins. If no candidate wins a majority of first-preference votes, then the candidate with the lowest preference is eliminated and their votes are redistributed among the remaining candidates.
“It is a confusing methodology of tabulating votes,” said House Bill 1868 sponsor State Rep. Kevin Vaughan, R-Collierville. “The counting method is confusing and complex, creates a lack of confidence in the vote totals and what we’ve heard from constituents is keep things simple and transparent.”
Instant runoff voting has been proven to increase voter confusion, decrease voter turnout and confidence and produce results that leave no candidate with a majority of total votes, according to lawmakers who support the bill.
House Bill 1868 heads to the governor’s desk for his signature. To read more about the bill visit here.
Tennessee gas prices tick up three more cents
he Tennessee gas price average continues to increase, rising three cents over last week, on average. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.29 which is 25 cents more expensive than one month ago and 89 cents more than one year ago.
The average price in Coffee County has shot up to $3.30, which is a penny more expensive than the state average and 23 cents below the national average of $3.53.
“Gas prices are still rising across the state this week, however, at a much slower rate compared to last week,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Upward tension on gas prices from elevated crude oil prices, as well as ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine will likely continue to push pump prices higher this week.”
Quick Facts
· 33% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $3.25
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $3.11 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $3.58 for regular unleaded
· Tennessee is the 10th least expensive market in the nation this week
National Gas Prices
Over last week the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased by five cents to $3.53. According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 1.3 million bbl to 247.1 million bbl last week. On the other hand, gasoline demand decreased from 9.13 million b/d to 8.57 million b/d. Typically, a decrease in gas demand during winter would put downward pressure on pump prices, but elevated crude prices continue to push pump prices higher. Pump prices will likely rise if crude prices continue to climb.
National Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Thursday’s formal trading session, WTI decreased by $1.90 to settle at $91.76. Although crude prices slipped Thursday due to increased market expectations that more oil could enter the global market if the U.S. and Iran complete a new nuclear agreement, and sanctions are lifted, the tension between Russia and Ukraine contributed to rising oil prices earlier in the week. Russia is a member of OPEC+, and any sanctions based on their actions toward Ukraine may cause it to withhold crude oil from the global market. Additionally, EIA reported that total domestic crude stocks increased by 1.1 million bbl last week to 411.5 million bbl. The current stock level is approximately 11 percent lower than mid-February 2021, contributing to pressure on domestic crude prices.
TAX TIPS: tracking your tax return and refund status
By Rosalyn Partin, H&R Block
A few days after you electronically file your tax return you can track it’s processing status. The IRS tracking system is updated once every 24 hours, usually at night. You can track your return by using the IRS website at IRS.GOV and clicking on the link for “Get Your Refund Status” or through the IRS app IRS2Go. You will need to input the social security number for the primary taxpayer, your filing status, and the amount of your refund as shown on your tax return. The refund tracker follows your tax return from receipt to completion. It tells you when your return has been received and accepted by IRS. When the processing is complete, the refund tracker will give you a personalized date for when your refund is scheduled to be deposited into your bank account or put in the mail.
If you check the status of your return and see a message that says to Take Action, you should follow the instructions in the message. It is possible that processing of your return will stop until you have contacted IRS with necessary information.
If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment, please call H&R Block in Manchester TN at 931-728-9462. H&R Block Has Your Back!
Coffee County sending four wrestlers to individual state meet
It was a good weekend on the mats for the Coffee County Central wrestling team as four wrestlers have now qualified to go to the state tournament.
The Raider boys had five guys wrestling in the Section two tournament and three have qualified to advance to the state – led by Jacob Barlow who took the championship in the 152 pound division.
Nazario Flores placed fourth in 170 pounds and Blayne Myers took fourth in the 285 pound division.
Red Raiders Jeremiah Wardell and Ian Walker also wrestled at the sectional but did not qualify to reach the state.
Meanwhile, wrestling on her birthday Friday night, Lady Raider Lyra Leftwich took second place in the Region 2 tournament to qualify for the state tournament.
Woodbury man charged with bank robbery
A Woodbury man has been arrested in connection with several mid-state bank robberies. Clifton Knight, also known as the breeze, has been accused of hitting three banks in the area over a 5-week period.
This crime spree dates back to December, 2021 with the authorities saying he may have been involved in robbing banks between Murfreesboro and Knoxville.
Surveillance video shows the suspect at Suntrust Bank in Green Hills on January 4, 2022. He allegedly demanded one-hundred dollar bills as well as fifties.
A witness noticed his getaway car and took a picture of the license plate, ultimately leading investigators back to Knight, but not before he hit two more banks.
On February 4, 2022, surveillance photos from at Suntrust Bank in Hermitage showed him wearing the same denim vest, grey hoody sweatshirt, glasses and a black gaiter.
Four days later (2/8/2022), Knight was in surveillance pictures from Fifth-Third Bank on Donelson Pike. With that robbery, a witness followed the get away car and got a clear picture of the license tag. Yes, it was listed to 59-year old Clifton Knight of Woodbury.
Knight is now being held in Kentucky on federal charges in connection with these Middle Tennessee bank robberies.
-Thunder Radio news partner WGNS Radio provided this report.
Gov. Bill Lee to unveil new education funding formula Feb. 24
Gov. Bill Lee announced he will share legislation for the new student-based funding formula, known as the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement formula (TISA), on Thursday, Feb. 24.
“After an extensive process with input from thousands of Tennesseans, we are on the cusp of achieving an updated approach to public education that prioritizes students and invests in the future of Tennessee,” said Gov. Lee. “I thank our partners in the General Assembly who have worked with us for months to improve the way we fund public schools, and I have every expectation that we will get this done during the current legislative session.”
The TISA will include the following components:
Student-based funding starts with a base funding amount for every public-school student.
Additional funding may then be allocated based on weights to address individual student needs.
Direct funding is another opportunity for students to receive additional funding allocations to support specific programs, like tutoring.
Outcome incentives are awarded based on student achievement to empower schools to help all students reach their full potential.
Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn on Wednesday appeared before members of the House Education Instruction Committee to answer questions about the proposed new funding formula ahead of its unveiling next week.
Schwinn noted that Tennessee is one of about nine states that still use a resource-based funding model for education. She added that moving to a student-based funding formula will help “ensure that students who need the resources and additional support receive the funding attached to them.”
The amount the state would spend on each student beyond the set base funding amount would “vary pretty significantly” with the new plan depending on each individual student’s specific needs, according to Schwinn.
“Those schools that have high concentrations of students who are economically disadvantaged, they will likely have additional funding on top of what they already get,” she added. “Very candidly, that tends to benefit our rural and urban communities the most.”
Once the new formula is released, school districts are expected to receive information regarding how much funding they would receive from the current Basic Education Program funding formula compared to the proposed new student-based formula.
To learn more about student-based funding, Tennessee’s recent public engagement process and subcommittee recommendations, and to access additional resources, visit the Department of Education’s website.
Local VFW recognizes award winners at community awards banquet
A capacity crowd was in attendance for the Veterans of Foreign Wars
All-American Post 10904 Community Awards banquet, held February 14 in the
Coffee County Veterans Building. Among those attending were Coffee County
Mayor Gary Cordell, VFW State Commander Brian Walker and several other
officers with VFW Department of Tennessee.
After an incredible meal prepared by VFW Post Chaplain Hans Hooker and his
wife, Post Auxiliary Member Virginia, Lloyd Smith performed the National
Anthem to open the ceremony.
Four new VFW Life Members were welcomed to the Post. Veterans Military
Support Appreciation Awards were presented to Beth Murphy of Hickerson
Elementary School; Jamie Harden of Harden Signs;
Betty Hamry and Amy Carter of United Daughters of the Confederacy, Calvin C.
Brewer Chapter 2505; and Peyton Garner of Cowan Elementary School.
This is the second year in a row that all three Teachers of the Year
selected at the Post level were also selected at the District level; one of
them was selected as the 8th State Teacher of the Year from Post 10904 in
just the last five years.
Kelli Cunningham of Cowan Elementary School was selected as the elementary
school Teacher of the Year, and Trudy Nash of Temple Baptist School the high
school Teacher of the Year, at both the Post and District levels. Will
Pannell of Westwood Middle School was selected as the Middle School Teacher
of the Year at the Post, District and State of Tennessee levels. He now
advances to the National level. Emily Ezell of Cowan Elementary School was
selected as VFW’s National Teacher of the Year in 2018.
In addition to the outstanding teachers in our area, several local students
won the annual VFW essay competitions. Katherine Clark, an 8th Grade student
at Temple Baptist School, topped 64 Patriot’s Pen essay competition
submissions. She read her essay aloud to those in attendance, who were so
inspired by her essay that she received a standing ovation.
Andrew Hetrick, a Senior at Coffee County Central High School, was awarded
First Place in the Voice of Democracy essay competition among the 16 entries
at the Post level; and First Place at the District level, where his
submission was judged the best among the winners from ten VFW Posts. He read
his essay aloud and also received a standing ovation. Recently awarded the
rank of Eagle Scout, Hetrick also received the VFW Post 10904 Scout of the
Year Award.
Lloyd Smith closed the event with “God Bless The USA” as attendees sang
along.
For more information and to stay current on the latest local VFW news, visit
our Facebook page and website at www.vfwpost10904.com
Will Pannell 
Trudy Nash 
Lloyd Smith 
Kelli Cunningham 
Katherine Clark 
Drew Hetrick
Tennessee Department of Health recognizes ‘quit week’ for tobacco
The Tennessee Department of Health joins partners across the state in celebrating the seventh annual Tennessee Quit Week February 20-25. The Tennessee Tobacco Program will promote this quit campaign between February 13 – March 4, 2022, with this year’s theme being “My Journey.” The goal is to inspire Tennesseans to live healthier lives by taking advantage of the state’s free resource, the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine, to quit using tobacco products.
“In Tennessee, 31 lives are lost each day as a direct result of smoking,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “In addition to these tragic early deaths, tobacco use costs our state upward of $6 billion each year in lost productivity and health care costs, preventable losses that hurt the prosperity of our state and those who live and work here.”
Tobacco use is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic diseases. Tennessee Quit Week aims to increase partnerships across the public and private sectors to educate people on the harms of tobacco use and how Tennesseans can work together to help people improve their health and lives by beating nicotine addiction.
Quitting is hard, but help is available! Tennesseans who use tobacco and are ready to quit can call the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, text “QUIT” to 615-795-0600, or access web-based services at www.tnquitline.com for free coaching and nicotine replacement patches (if eligible). All services are free to Tennesseans and can double a tobacco user’s chance of quitting successfully.
Pregnant women who smoke are encouraged to contact their local health department to learn about the Baby and Me – Tobacco Free™ Program. This program provides education and support to help pregnant women quit smoking, and participants can earn free diapers each month for up to one year. Learn more and find a location near you by visiting www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/baby-me-tobacco-free.html.
Find resources and learn how you can be part of Tennessee Quit Week 2022 at www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/tennessee-tobacco-program/ttp/tennessee-quit-week.html.
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.
DISTRICT CHAMPIONS: Raiders drop Eagles in overtime thriller to claim first tournament title in over 40 years
For the first time in over 40 years, Coffee County Central’s Red Raider basketball team has brought home a district tournament championship.
Coffee County fought through an unlikely Shelbyville rally Saturday night and left Shelbyville’s Rick Insell Gymnasium with a 53-51overtime win in the District 6-4A championship.
The Raiders led 43-32 with 2:30 to play before the Golden Eagles caught fire. Shelbyville hit 5 3-pointers in the final 2:18 of regulation – going 5-for-5 behind the arc down the stretch – to comeback and tie the game at 49-49. The Eagles completed the comeback on a 3-pointer from Joe Harris.
But in overtime coffee County took control early and kept it, going up 51-49 on a steal and a layup by Phineas Rollman, who added a free throw with 34 seconds on the clock. Dayne Crosslin went 1-of-2 at the line with 5.5 seconds left to push the Raider lead to 53-51.
Shelbyville’s Jason Ragland tried to penetrate for another game tying bucket, but the Raiders poked the ball away before he could ever get off a shot and Red Raider Connor Shemwell scooped up the loose ball as time expired.
The win gives the Raiders a 20-win season – improving them to 20-9. The win also gives the Raiders a 4-0 season sweep over Shelbyville and the district tournament championship – the first in over 40 years.
The Raiders led by 2 at the end of the first and second quarters and took a 32-29 lead into the fourth period. Coffee County got a big night from Dayne Crosslin, who piled up 17 points , including three 3-pointers. Coffee County also picked up 11 points from Shemwell and 10 from senior Aidan Abellana – who ran the point guard position well all night.
The Raiders nearly cost themselves at the free throw line – missing some shots at the line late. CHS finished 9-of-19 at the line and had 15 turnovers on the night.
The win marks the first time the CHS Red Raider and Lady Raider basketball teams have both won their respective district tournaments in modern history.
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO. CLICK HERE FOR THE BROADCAST REPLAY.
AWARDS
Several Red Raiders picked up accolades. Coffee County’s Abellana, Shemwell, Rollman and Crosslin were named District 6-4A all-district. Crosslin was named to the all-tournament team and Shemwell was named District Tournament MVP.
UP NEXT
The Raiders will host the Region 3-4A quarter-finals next Saturday, Feb. 26 at Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gymnasium. Tip will likely be at 7 p.m. against an opponent to be determined. Thunder Radio will broadcast the game – 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, Manchester Go app and thunder1320.com.
Connor Shemwell 
Dayne Crosslin 
Aidan Abellana 
John Dobson 
From left, Aidan Abellana, Dayne Crosslin, Phineas Rollman and Connor Shemwell