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Richardson signs to play college softball at University of Virginia at Wise
In front of friends, family and coaches Wednesday, Feb. 9, Hannah Richardson inked on the dotted line to secure her softball future.
Richardson signed her National Letter of Intent to play softball for the University of Virginia at Wise – a Division 2 school in Wise, Va.
On a mission to play college softball since she was 13, Richardson committed herself to getting to the next level.
“I’ve gone to many softball camps and tournaments and played some of the best competition there is,” she explained. “Then I get a random call from a coach one day saying she was interested. I went on a visit and committed this past November.”
Richardson is a student at Coffee County Central High School and is part of the swim team. In softball, she has played travel ball since the age of 8, including the past 3 years with the East Cobb Bullets out of Georgia.
She plans to major in business administration with a minor in psychology.
“I want to thank my family, my coaches and God,” added Richardson. “I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without his blessings.”
Tina Lynn Coots
Tina Lynn Coots of Shelbyville passed this life on Wednesday, February 9,
2022 at her residence at the age of 61. Graveside services will be held on
Friday, February 11, 2022 at 2 PM at Mt. Herman Cemetery.
A native of Santa Monica, CA, she was the daughter of the late William
Harry Wells and Kathryn Bunten Wells, who survives. Tina was a Certified
dietary manager and loved her work. She also enjoyed playing bingo, going
to casinos and traveling with her husband.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by daughter, Monica
Smith; brothers, Joe, Mike and Tom Scroggs; sister, Patty Malue and
granddaughter, Arianna Smith.
She is survived by her mother, Kathryn Wells of Andalusia, AL; husband,
Dana Wells of Shelbyville, daughters, Tiffany Strickland of Tullahoma,
Cassandra McBride (Mason) of Chattanooga and Vivian Coots of Manchester;
brother, Mark Wells (Becky) of Henryville, IN; sisters, Theresa Gilmore
(Farrell) of Andalusia, AL and Vickie Nelson (Jerry) of Vevay, IN and
grandchildren, Alyssa Lynn Coots, Colton Strickland, Ayla E Coots, Kati
McBride, TJ McBride, Branson Strickland Rayden Strickland Brinley Smith,
Abbica Weddington and Olivia McBride.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorial donations be made to
the American Cancer Society, 2000 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37203
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Norma Jean Baker
Funeral services for Ms. Norma Jean Baker, age 82 of Manchester, will be conducted on Friday, February 11, 2022, at 3 PM in the Manchester Funeral Home chapel. Burial will follow in Shady Grove cemetery. Visitation with the family will begin at 12 Noon until time of service on Friday at the funeral home. Ms. Baker passed away on Monday, February 7 at Skyline Medical Center in Nashville after an extended illness.
Ms. Baker was born on December 24, 1939, in Oklahoma, to the late Charles and Kathryn Blaylock Harryman. She was a substitute teacher for the Coffee County High School for many years and enjoyed being around the students. Ms. Baker also enjoyed reading, shopping, and most of all watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren playing sports.
In addition to her parents, Ms. Baker is preceded in death by her husband, Howard Baker, and brother, Tommy Harryman. She is survived by her son, Mark Baker, and daughter, Cindi Jernigan; grandchildren, Matt Baker, Brett Howell, Jessica Peacock, Chelsea Howell, and Colin Baker; great grandchildren, Riley and Sadie Howell, Addi Teal, Aubree and Grayson Rolling, Mack Peacock, Charlie and Tate Looper, and Devan Baker; siblings, Jimmy Harryman, Sharon Brown, and Margaret Bandy; brother and sisters-in-law, Meredith Baker, James Thomas Baker, and Betty (Alverne) Bancheek; several extended family members and a host of friends.
Manchester Funeral Home is honored to serve the Baker family.
Hubert “Jerry” G McBee
Hubert “Jerry” G McBee of Estill Springs passed this life on Tuesday,
February 8, 2022 at Vanderbilt-Tullahoma Harton Hospital at the age of 79.
No services are scheduled.
A native of Sewanee, he was the son of the late Hubert C and Avalene Brooks
McBee. He was a U S Air Force veteran. Mr. McBee enjoyed buying and
selling knives, reading and watching Gunsmoke on TV. He was an avid SEC
Football fan and loved his dogs and cats.
Mr. McBee is survived by his long-time partner, Peggy Blodgett of Estill
Springs; sons, Malcom McBee (Michelle) and Anthony McBee, both of Grautier,
MS; daughter, Amy Deering of Estill Springs; sisters, Winona Locke (Howard
“Buck”) of Columbia and JoAnn Coutta of Decherd and grandson, Eric McBee.
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
UPDATE: suspect who allegedly stole two vehicles and led officers on two pursuits was on probation for theft
UPDATE
Authorities arrested Richard Lightburn, 42, on Tuesday, Feb. 8 after he allegedly stole two vehicles over a two day period and led authorities on two high-speed pursuits.
Thunder Radio News has learned that Lightburn was on probation in Murfreesboro for, of all things, theft charges.
According to Thunder Radio news partner WGNS Radio, Lightburn allegedly stole a F-250 pickup from a contractor working on a project along Old Lascassas Pike. The contractor noted that he heard the sound of his struck being started and at that point, he looked and saw his F-250 driving away and identified Lightburn as the driver. Apparently, Lightburn had been hired by the contractor and had been on the job for 2 days before allegedly taking the truck. He faces charges in Rutherford County in addition to his current probation.
Lightburn also faces fresh charges in Coffee County after this week’s incident. In Coffee County, he is facing two charges of theft of a motor vehicle, two for felony evading arrest, one for evading arrest on foot, felon in possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon during a dangerous felony, two counts of driving on revoked and reckless driving.
ORIGINAL STORY, POSTED FEBRUARY 9, 2022
A suspect is in custody after allegedly stealing two vehicles and leading Coffee County authorities on – not one – but two high-speed pursuits.
According to Coffee County Sheriff’s Department investigator Brandon Gullett, a vehicle was stolen at about 1:30 a.m. Monday morning, Feb. 7 from Love’s Truck Stop near Interstate-24 exit 117. That vehicle was located by authorities near Anderson St. in Tullahoma. A pursuit was initiated, at which point the suspect turned onto Joint Park Blvd. Authorities say the suspect ditched the vehicle and bailed on foot.
“Manchester Police Department canine units tracked him until about 10 p.m. Monday night to no avail,” Gullett told Thunder Radio News. “Today (Tuesday), about 10 a.m., I received a tip that the suspect was seen walking near Joint Park Blvd.”
At this point, the suspect allegedly stole another vehicle that was later located by authorities near the intersection of Highway 41 and 53. A second pursuit followed, that went down Old Tullahoma Highway. It finally ended near the Fraternal Order of Police building when the suspect attempted to avoid spike strips and crashed into a field. He was taken into custody at that point.
The suspect has been identified by authorities as Richard Lightburn, age 42. He is facing two charges of theft of a motor vehicle, two for felony evading arrest, one for evading arrest on foot, felon in possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon during a dangerous felony, two counts of driving on revoked and reckless driving.
Franklin County authorities need help identifying thieves, vandals
Franklin County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating an incident involving individuals in SXS and other ATVs who allegedly trespassed on private property in the Keith Springs Mountain area.
The owner of the property alleges in a report that over $2,000 in thefts and vandalism occurred. This incident allegedly happened on Saturday, Feb. 5.
You can see photos of the suspects’ vehicles below. Anyone who can help identify these individuals is encouraged to contact the FCSD at 931-962-0123.
REPORT: Dentist shortage in Tennessee
Story by Tennessee Public News Service
More than 1 million adults in Tennessee have no access to dental coverage, and only about half of kids enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program receive dental care, according to a new report.
Report author Kinika Young, senior director of health policy and advocacy at the Tennessee Justice Center, said Tennessee is one of three states that don’t provide dental care to Medicaid recipients. That’s on top of a chronic shortage of dental-health professionals, especially in rural areas.
“We know that having a health insurance card or dental-care insurance is not the ‘end all, be all’ if you can’t find a provider who is close by, who accepts your insurance,” she said.
While some health departments offer dental services on a sliding-fee scale based on income, she said, capacity is limited due to funding. Out of the 47 health departments across Tennessee providing emergency oral care to uninsured adults, only 27 were staffed and regularly open in 2020, according to the report. Beginning in April, the state’s Medicaid program TennCare will provide dental benefits to pregnant and postpartum moms.
Young also pointed to the lucrative business of cosmetic dentistry, which tends to cluster practices in higher-income areas. She said she thinks the state should focus on strengthening the dental-care workforce in low-income and rural communities.
“And so, things like increasing provider reimbursement rates,” she said, “which that is included in the proposed budget that Gov. (Bill) Lee recently announced.”
Young added that having a healthy smile shouldn’t be a luxury.
“It’s really a necessity,” she said, “and it’s really important for overall health that people maintain their oral health.”
A list of clinics and nonprofits across the state that offer low-cost and emergency dental services to people who are uninsured is on the Tennessee Justice Center’s website.
TSSAA mandates Thursday football games due to ‘official shortage’
Coffee County Central High School football season will kickoff August 19 with Franklin County coming to Manchester.
It will be the start of a 10-game regular season that will look slightly different this year due to a change made at Tuesday’s (Feb. 8) TSSAA Board of Control meeting.
Citing a “shortage of officials,” the TSSAA says it will require every school to play at least one Thursday night football game “so that all games can be satisfactorily covered.”
The TSSAA will choose which game will be moved to Thursday and will inform each school by mid-March. The rule states that the association must “only reschedule one game for each school.”
For the 65th year, Thunder Radio will be your home for Coffee County Central football every Friday night at 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM and worldwide at thunder1320.com and on the Manchester Go app.
Gannon scores career high 29 as Lady Raiders roll over Franklin County
The third time through the district schedule has proven to be a bit of a bugaboo for the Coffee County Lady Raiders.
After tight, single-digit wins over Warren County and Shelbyville in the past week, the Lady Raiders used a career night from Chloe Gannon Tuesday night and pulled away late from Franklin County in a 68-44 win in Winchester.
Even though Franklin County kept the game close for a while, Coffee County took an 11 point lead into the locker room and pulled ahead by 20 by the end of the third. Most of Coffee County’s production came in the post. Gannon scored a career high 29 points and was named Thunder Radio Player of the Game.
“I knew when the first basket went in that it was going to be a good night,” said Gannon.
Kiya Ferrell came off the bench and added some depth in the paint, pitching in 11 points for the Lady Raiders.
Coffee County did struggle at times with turnovers, which were very costly against in a narrow, one-point win over Shelbyville Monday night. The Lady Raiders turned it over 14 times against Franklin County.
“We have to get back in the gym and clean some of this up,” said CHS head coach Joe Pat Cope. “Some of it is the same mistake over and over again. Stuff we can fix.”
Defensively, the Lady Raiders forced 21 Rebellete turnovers.
The win ends the district regular season with a perfect 9-0 record for CHS and a 3-0 sweep of Franklin County. Coffee County will play Tullahoma Friday, Feb. 11 in a non-district tilt before beginning the district tournament next week in Shelbyville.
Birthdays- February 8
Tim Gilliam- Pizza Winner!
Larry Elkins
James Schmitz- 62