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Two life sentences in Terry Barber murder case
Two of three suspects in the murder of Christiana resident Terry Barber have been convicted and now sentenced to prison.
Barber, 68, was a long time Rutherford County resident who was well known for selling college memorabilia and SEC clothing. Barber was also a well known high school umpire, including dozens of games called in Coffee County. He was killed in June of 2019.
On July 6th, Vernice Farrar was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Devan Gailey entered a plea of guilty to felony murder and especially aggravated kidnapping. Gailey received a life sentence with the possibility of parole and a concurrent 25-year-sentence to serve. Farrar, 42, will be eligible for release in September of 2078. At that time, she will be 98-years-old. Gailey, 23, will also be eligible for release in September of 2078. If released, he will be 79-years-of-age.
Brent Ross, the remaining suspect to be heard in court, was ordered to undergo a forensic evaluation by a mental health center. On July 29th, the mental health provider corresponded with the courts. Ross is now scheduled to appear in court in January of 2023
Birthdays – August 2
Wayne Morton – 81
Hayley Banks – Pizza Winner!
Rodney Hall
Chasity Scott
Chasity Scott of Manchester passed this life on Friday, July 29, 2022 at Summit Medical Center at the age of 40. No services are scheduled.
Ms. Scott was the daughter of the late Tommy Privett and Becky Elaine Thomas Privett who survives. She enjoyed listening to music and swimming.
In addition to her father, she is preceded in death by her husband, Christopher Scott. She is survived by her mother, Becky Privett of Manchester; sons, Dillan Scot and Logan Scott; daughters, Erica Rain Scott and Abigal Hope Nay; brother, Jessie Privett (Michelle) of Hillsboro; sisters, April Dawn Privett and Marie Johnson (Stacy) all of Manchester.
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Braves sign Austin Riley to 10-year extension; trade Will Smith
Life is good for Austin Riley. The Braves third baseman ended July by breaking one of Hank Aaron’s records and he started August by learning he’ll have a chance to stay in Atlanta for at least another decade.
Riley and the Braves agreed to a 10-year, $212 million contract on Monday. This deal, the most lucrative in franchise history, includes a $20 million option for 2033, when the All-Star slugger will be 36 years old.
“How he plays the game and the consistency with which he does everything, is unbelievable,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He does everything right and checks all the boxes to be that guy.”
As Riley has established himself as one of the game’s best players over the past two years, he has given the Braves reason to make him one of their cornerstones. First baseman Matt Olson is signed through 2029, right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. has a club option through 2028 and Ozzie Albies has a club option through 2027.
The Braves also announced they acquired veteran outfielder Robbie Grossman from the Tigers in exchange for LHP Kris Anglin. Around the same time that deal was announced, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand was among those reporting the Braves were nearing a deal that would send left-handed reliever Will Smith to the Astros for veteran starter Jake Odorizzi. That deal was finalized on Tuesday morning.
The Odorizzi trade is a significant one for the Braves, who have wanted to add insurance to their rotation. Grossman provides the defending World Series champions a left fielder who has had great success against left-handed pitchers.
THE ATLANTA BRAVES PLAY ON THUNDER RADIO!
Isaiah House of Coffee, Franklin, Grundy County to hold ribbon cutting next week
Isaiah 117 House, a Tennessee-based organization that cares for children awaiting foster placement, will soon cut the ribbon and officially open their Coffee/Franklin/Grundy County house.
On Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at 2:00 pm, the nonprofit will host a public ribbon cutting. The event will officially open the Isaiah 117 House in Coffee/Franklin/Grundy County and will feature several local speakers as well as Isaiah 117 House officials.
All who have supported or partnered with Isaiah 117 House _Coffee/Franklin/Grundy County are welcome to attend. For more information, please visit facebook.com/LOCATION or contact Susan Johnson at 931-570-2002 for location information.
“We are so grateful to this community for their support and for helping to make this dream become a reality for Coffee/Franklin/Grundy County,” said Ronda Paulson, founder, and executive director of Isaiah 117 House. “We encourage everyone – whether you have been in prayer, worked on this project, or have given financially – to be a part of this exciting day. This house will change the story for children who are awaiting foster placement in Coffee/Franklin/Grundy County.”
About Isaiah 117 House
Isaiah 117 House is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides physical and emotional support in a safe and loving home for children awaiting foster care placement. Currently, when a child is removed in a county without an Isaiah 117 House, the child must wait in the child welfare services office. The child is often dirty, hungry, tired, scared, and unable to bring any personal possessions. Isaiah 117 House allows for that same child to never go to an office, but rather a home with loving volunteers to care for them. Isaiah 117 House provides for that child’s needs, whatever they may be, in these critical moments between removal and placement. Isaiah 117 House has locations in Tennessee, Indiana, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Virginia. To learn more about Isaiah 117 House, visit www.isaiah117house.com
First full day of school for students is Wednesday
Both the Coffee County and Manchester City School Systems officially returned from summer break for abbreviated, orientation days on Monday. Now Wednesday, Aug. 3 marks the first full day of classes for students in both school systems.
This also means the return of school zones, buses traveling all over the county and children walking to and from schools. School traffic is generally heaviest between 7-8 a.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m.
The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department urges motorists to please use caution, obey school zone lights and speeds, do not drive distracted inside school zones and remember to stop for school buses with an extended stop arm activated.
Thursday is election day in Coffee County. Polls open at 8am.
Election day for state and federal primaries, as well as county general elections is Thursday, Aug. 4 – this includes Coffee County.
For those who did not cast an early vote, election day is your final day to cast a ballot in this election. Polls in Coffee County open at 8 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
If you are not sure where your assigned precinct is, you can call the Coffee County Election Commission office at 931-723-5103 or click here to see a map of each precinct.
About 14.3 percent of registered voters in Coffee County voted during the early voting period – or 5,065 total votes.
Coffee County voters are encouraged to review their sample ballot before they head to the polls. Reviewing your ballot and deciding how you will vote can reduce your time at the polls.
CLICK HERE to see a full sample ballot for the Aug. 4 election.
On election night (Aug. 4), Thunder Radio will broadcast live returns from the Coffee County Election Commission office beginning at 7 p.m. Tune in at 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, Manchester Go app and thunder1320.com
Birthdays – August 1
Birthdays:
Colene Cutshaw – 59
Parker Daniel – Pizza Winner!
Jake Freeze
Bailey Kitts
Anniversaries:
Peggy & Ken Delaney
Birthdays – July 31
Donald Truitt
Adilene Rocendo – 8 – Pizza Winner!
Birthdays – July 30
Robbie Gilley – Pizza Winner!
Caiden Martin