Josh Peterson

High school football season is only weeks away for the CHS Red Raiders, who open the season at home Aug. 19 against Franklin County. This is the 100th year of Red Raider football.

This season, every single sack registered by the Red Raider defense will mean a $100 donation to the Dream for Weave Foundation thanks to a partnership with multiple businesses.

Al White Ford-Lincoln, Unity Medical Center, Bush Insurance and Thunder Radio are teaming up to donate a total of $100 per defensive sack registered to the non-profit 501c3 foundation.

“We are so thankful to the businesses who agreed to partner with us,” said Josh Peterson, co-owner of Thunder Radio and treasurer for the Dream for Weave Foundation. “This partnership not only allows us to generate funds for the foundation, but to publicize the foundation and keep Dennis Weaver’s name alive and in the middle of our broadcasts every Friday.

“And as good as the Raider defense can be this year, we expect plenty of donations to the foundation every Friday night,” added Peterson.

The Dream for Weave Foundation was formed after the passing of longtime WMSR Thunder Radio sports director and voice of Red Raider athletics Dennis Weaver in July of 2020. Over the past two years, the foundation has contributed nearly $20,000 to area athletes in the form of scholarship and equipment purchase assistance. The Dream for Weave Foundation presented $13,000 in scholarships at the inaugural Thundies Sports Awards in May of 2022.

Anyone wishing to donate to the foundation can write a check to the “Dream for Weave Foundation” and mail to the Thunder Radio studios at 1030 Oakdale St., Manchester, TN.

You can hear the Red Raiders all season long on Thunder Radio – beginning every Friday night with the Friday Night Thunder Pregame show at 6 p.m. and kickoff at 7 p.m. Listen to Thunder Radio at 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, Manchester Go app or thunder1320.com. Full schedule below.

Lower water levels caused by unauthorized opening of Old Stone Fort dam

Anyone driving over the US Highway 41 bridge near Old Stone Fort State Park and Morton’s Lake Subdivision near Fredonia Rd. over the past few days may have noticed a significant drop in water levels.

Thunder Radio news has learned that an unauthorized opening of a small weir dam at Old Stone Fort State Park has led to the drop in water levels.

Officials with Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation told Thunder Radio news that the dam, which is controlled by a chain and pulley system, was opened on Sunday (July 24, 2022) by “non-park personnel.” This unauthorized action emptied the backed up water for approximately a mile upriver.

Some residents in the Morton’s Lake subdivision have complained about smell and dead fish on the banks.

TDEC officials said “park staff have not observed any dead aquatic life, but we cannot confirm if there have been any impacts to fish.”

TDEC went on to say that the dam is opened by park staff every few years to lower the water level and inhibit the spread of invasive plants. Now that the water has been lowered an invasive plants are dying off as a result, park staff have decided to wait and close the dam in several weeks once that process ends.

Officials said they will be installing signage directing the public to not touch controls at the park.

Water levels upriver from Old Stone Fort State Park have fallen significantly since non-park personnel opened a weir dam on Sunday. –Thunder Radio photo.

Familiar phone scam working through Coffee County again

A phone scam that is all too familiar for our area is making the rounds again.

Coffee County Sheriff’s Department has received complaints that someone is calling and identifying themselves as a member of the sheriff’s department. The caller tells the intended victim that they have an active warrant and if the victim pays a fee this will satisfy the warrant and they will not be arrested.

The callers then request green dot cards or other forms of payment.

This is a scam. The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department (or any other police department) will not contact you by phone to request payment for anything.

If you know someone who has fallen victim to this, contact your local law enforcement. If you receive these calls, hang up the phone.

Nearly 10% of registered voters have cast early ballots in Coffee County

Only a few days remain if you plan to early vote for the upcoming August 4 general election and state / federal primaries. The final day for early voting is Saturday, July 30.

An additional 348 voters went to the polls on Tuesday, July 26, bringing the total of early votes cast to 3,445. Of those, 1,497 are rural county voters, 1,238 are Tullahoma voters and 710 are from Manchester. This makes about 9.73 percent of registered voters who have voted early.

July 18 has been the heaviest day of early voting so far, with 535 total votes cast on that day.

Those interested in voting early only have a few days to do so – Thursday, Friday and half a day on Saturday.

Early voting in Manchester is at the Coffee County Election Commission, located at 1329 McArthur St. Suite 6. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 to noon on Saturday through July 30.

Meanwhile, in Tullahoma early voting is at the CD Stamps Center at 810 South Jackson St. Hours are 9a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday through July 30.

If you do not vote early, you may vote at your assigned precinct on Thursday, August 4. Polls will be open on election day until 7 p.m.

“Coffee County voters need to be aware that the August ballot is longer than we normally see and will take additional time to complete,” said Coffee County Elections Administrator Andy Farrar. “In this election you’ll have the opportunity to choose which candidates will advance to the general election in November, to retain or replace judges and elect Circuit and General Session Court Judges, District Attorney, Public Defender, County Mayor, County Commissioners, Sheriff, County Clerk, Register of Deeds, Trustee, Circuit Court Clerk, Road Superintendent, Road Commissioners, School Board, Constables, Manchester City Mayor, Alderman and School Board, City of Tullahoma Alderman and School Board .”

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.

“With the longer ballot in this election, I encourage Coffee County voters to make your voice heard during our state’s generous early voting period,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “Casting your ballot early and reviewing your ballot before you go can reduce the amount of time it takes to vote.”

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 – July 26

Birthdays:

Emery Shelton – 30 – Pizza Winner!

Tairlee Parker – 82

Anniversaries:

Brittany & John Cole – 14 Years

Dwight & Debbie Bryan – 47 Years

Dorothy L Lackey

Dorothy L Lackey of Manchester passed this life on Monday, July 25, 2022, at the Life Care Center of Tullahoma at the age of 91. Graveside Services are scheduled for Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 11 AM at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.

Mrs. Lackey, a native of Manchester, was the daughter of the late Horace and Millie May Jones Rogers. She enjoyed going shopping, going out to eat, gardening and working puzzle books. She also loved talking on the phone with family and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her husband, B W Lackey; daughter, Joyce Landers; brothers, Hershell, Bill, Pete and Howard Rogers; sisters, Lillie May Reese, Mary Lawton, Alice Norton, Wilma Kniola, Josephine Wright and Georgia Bell Rogers.

Mrs. Lackey is survived by her sister, Bobbie Stem of Manchester; special nephew, Ricky Stem of Manchester and several other nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Andrew Currey Griffin

Andrew Currey Griffin, of Tullahoma, passed this life on Friday, July 22nd, 2022 at his home at the age of 34. Andrew was born in El Paso, Texas to Tommy and Brenda Currey Griffin. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Andrew was also a member of Highland Baptist Church in Tullahoma. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, A.D. Currey and Ken Griffin. Andrew is survived by his parents, Tommy and Brenda Griffin; one sister, Katie Griffin; one brother, Kenny Griffin; his daughter, Nora Wynn Griffin and her mother Virginia; grandmothers, Sallie Currey and Lucile Griffin; aunts and uncles, Dede and Barry Henderson, Debi and Ron Craig; and Marty Wren Currey. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 28th, 2022 at Kilgore Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00pm with a memorial service to immediately follow at 7:00pm.
Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Early voting ends Saturday. Coffee County remains 19 % behind 2018 pace

This is the final week if you plan to early vote for the upcoming August 4 general election and state / federal primaries. The final day for early voting is Saturday, July 30.

An additional 333 voters went to the polls on Monday, July 25, bringing the total of early votes cast to 3,097. Of those, 1,337 are rural county voters, 1,128 are Tullahoma voters and 632 are from Manchester. This makes about 8.74 percent of registered voters who have voted early.

Not including Monday’s turnout, Coffee County continues to be behind the pace of the 2018 general election. At the end of the day Saturday, July 23, Coffee County had 2,764 votes cast. That is 655 votes, or 19.2 percent shy of the turnout through the same number of days in 2018.

July 18 has been the heaviest day of early voting so far, with 535 total votes cast on that day.

Those interested in voting early still have opportunities to do so.

Meanwhile, in Tullahoma early voting is at the CD Stamps Center at 810 South Jackson St. Hours are 9a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through July 30.

If you do not vote early, you may vote at your assigned precinct on Thursday, August 4.

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.

Tax free weekend for clothing, school supplies begins Friday, July 29

Tennessee’s traditional sales tax holiday on clothing, school supplies and computers begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 29 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 31, 2022.

During this time clothing, school supplies and computers may be purchased tax free. Certain restrictions do apply. Items sold online are also eligible. Items must be purchased for personal use and not for business or trade.

CLOTHING

Tax exempt items include general apparel that costs $100 or less per item such as shirts, pants, socks, shoes, dresses, etc.

Non-exempt clothing includes apparel priced more than $100, items sold together such as shoes cannot be split up to stay beneath the $100 maximum. Items such as jewelry, handbags or sports and recreational equipment are not tax exempt.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Tax exempt items are sSchool and art supplies with a purchase price of $100 or less per item, such as binders, backpacks, crayons, paper, pens, pencils, and rulers, and art supplies such as glazes, clay, paints, drawing pads, and artist paintbrushes.

Items not exempt are school and arts supplies priced at more than $100. Items normally sold together cannot be split up to stay beneath the $100 maximum.

COMPUTERS

Examples of tax exempt items are: computers for personal use with a purchase price of $1,500 or less. Laptop computers, if priced at $1,500 or less, also qualify as well as tablet computers.

Not exempt items include storage media, like flash drives and compact discs; individually purchased software; printer supplies and household appliances.

Tennessee groceries will be tax free for the entire month of August. Check here for a list of included items

Tennesseans will be able to purchase food and food ingredients without paying sales tax for the entire month of August.

This year’s state budget allocates for the entire month to be exempt from state sales tax at the grocery store. The holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

During this period, food and food ingredients may be purchased tax free. Food and food ingredients purchased from a micro market or vending machine remain subject to sales tax.

Food and food ingredients are defined as liquid, concentrated, solid, frozen, dried or dehydrated substances that are sold to be ingested or chewed by humans and are consumed for their taste or nutritional value. Food ingredients do NOT include alcoholic beverages, tobacco, candy, dietary supplements or prepared food.

The most common example of a dealer selling food and food ingredients is a grocery store. Food and food ingredients are those items otherwise taxed at 4% state sales tax plus the applicable local rate.

Local sales tax will still apply.

OTHER SALES TAX HOLIDAYS

Tennessee’s traditional sales tax holiday on clothing, school supplies and computers begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 29, 2022, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 31, 2022

For 2022-2023, the Tennessee General Assembly has approved a sales tax holiday on gun safes and safety devices that begins at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2022 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2023

Author's posts

Businesses team up to donate $100 to Dream for Weave Foundation after every Red Raider sack this fall