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Linda Jane Andolsek
Linda Jane Andolsek, 60, of Tullahoma passed peacefully at her home on July 19, 2022. Born in Decherd in 1961, Linda was the oldest of three children born to Alta Faye and George Brown Myers. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her loving husband Max; daughters Tamara Lindsay-Fazio (nee Tilley) (Roy) of Colorado and Tonya Ross (nee Andolsek) (Whitney) of Tullahoma; brothers Tim Myers (Bobbie) of Dayton and Tony Myers (Laura) of Tullahoma; grandsons Conor, Jax, Spencer, and Mason; granddaughter Kobi Bree; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and family. Linda was born and raised in Franklin County, Tennessee. She moved to Florida in 1983 where she met Max. Linda and Max lived in Florida and Colorado before returning to Tullahoma. Linda was a wife and mother and proudly earned her GED and then Associates degree from Motlow State Community College. She coached softball, loved the beach in Ft.Walton/Destin, Florida, and was an avid University of Tennessee football fan. A memorial service followed by fellowship will be held at noon on Saturday, July 23, 2002, at New Life Baptist Church, 90 Oak Hills Drive, Lynchburg.
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Red Raider football asking for volunteers, equipment for Saturday work day at stadium
High School football season kicks off in just four weeks, with the Coffee County Central Red Raiders opening the season with Franklin County coming to Manchester on Aug. 19. The first official practice in pads is scheduled for Monday, July 25.
But before any of that, the Raiders are asking for volunteers to help at a stadium workday beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 23.
The team needs to borrow weedeaters, blowers, pressure washers, hammers and any manpower possible for a workday at the stadium.
The team is also asking for donations of Gatorade / Powerade, cases of water, washing detergent, Swiffer refills, floor cleaner, Clorox and Lysol wipes to help keep the field house and locker room sanitary for players and coaches.
Anyone wanting to help should come to Carden-Jarrell Field Saturday, July 23. The stadium is located behind Raider Academy at 865 McMinnville Highway.
When the Raiders kickoff their 100th season of football on Aug. 19 you can listen all season long on Thunder Radio. The Friday Night Thunder Pregame show starts at 6 p.m. every Friday night, with kickoff at 7 p.m. The Friday Night Thunder postgame show will carry you until 10:30 p.m.
You can also hear the Coach Doug Greene Show live from Praters every Wednesday night, beginning Aug. 17.
Decherd man allegedly evades police; later found cutting grass, assaults officers
A Decherd man is behind bars after he allegedly evaded police in a high-speed pursuit and then later assaulted officers when they found him mowing his yard.
According to Decherd Police, at approximately 3:14 p.m. Monday, July 18, sgt. Tyler Womack and officer Cory Brown attempted a traffic stop on a blue Chevrolet Silverado on Decherd Blvd for speeding. When emergency lights were activated the driver allegedly accelerated to high speeds estimated over 100 mph, passing multiple vehicles to evade police. Officers were able to get the license plate of the vehicle and were able to positively identify the driver during the short pursuit as Kelly Brown, of Decherd. Officers then terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns.
At approximately 4:57 p.m. on the same day, Womack and officer Cheyenne Oliver went to a residence listed on the vehicle registration in an attempt to locate Kelly Brown. Officers observed Brown in the backyard mowing, and also located the vehicle from the earlier pursuit in the driveway next door.
When approached by officers, Brown allegedly admitted to running from them earlier. When Womack attempted to place Brown in custody, Brown resisted and a physical altercation ensued. Both officers were struck multiple times in the face and at one point, Brown attempted to grab Womack’s department issued firearm. He was eventually restrained using the “amount of force necessary.”
Brown has been charged with felony evading, reckless driving, speeding, aggravated assault on a first responder, resisting arrest and assault on a first responder. He is held in Franklin County Jail on $150,000.
Absentee by-mail request deadline is July 28
The deadline for Tennessee voters to request a ballot to vote absentee by-mail for the Aug. 4 State and Federal Primary & State and County General Election is Thursday, July 28.
“County election commissions are accepting absentee by-mail requests now for the Aug. 4 election,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “If you meet one of the reasons under Tennessee state law to vote absentee by-mail and plan to do so, I encourage you to request and return your ballot early to ensure you meet the upcoming deadlines.”
Voters must meet one of the 14 reasons under Tennessee law to vote absentee by-mail. One of the most common reasons is being 60 years or older. Other reasons include being outside the county where you are registered during early voting and on Election Day or being hospitalized, ill or physically disabled. For the complete list of legal reasons to vote absentee by-mail see the Guide to Absentee Voting on sos.tn.gov/elections.
To receive an absentee by-mail ballot, voters must submit a written request to their local election commission by mail, fax or email. Voters can find the contact information for their county election commission on the Secretary of State’s website, tnsos.org/elections/election_commissions.php.
Instructions for requesting an absentee by-mail ballot and a printable absentee by-mail ballot application are available in the Guide to Absentee Voting on sos.tn.gov/elections. Voters submitting their request by email must attach a scanned copy of their signature.
For the August election, voters casting their ballot absentee by-mail must also request either a Republican or Democratic primary ballot in order to cast a ballot in a primary election. You will only receive the general election ballot if a party is not specified.
Completed absentee by-mail ballots must be returned by mail to your local county election commission. Ballots must be received before the polls close on Election Day, Thursday, Aug. 4. Voters must provide proper postage to return their ballot. Please consult with your county election commission or the U.S. Postal Service to determine the postage needed.
Tennessee voters can easily and securely track the status of their absentee by-mail ballot using the Secretary of State’s Absentee By-Mail Ballot Status Tracker tool. Through this tool, voters can track their absentee by-mail ballot’s status, starting when the county election commission mails your ballot to you and ending when the county election commission has received your completed ballot. Visit the Absentee By-Mail Ballot Status Tracker at tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup/.
About 5.5 percent of registered voters in Coffee County have voted early
Early voting in Coffee County for the August 4 election continues to have lower turnout than the 2018 general election.
An additional 392 voters went to the polls on Wednesday, July 20, bringing the total of early votes cast to 1,930. Of those, 823 are rural county voters, 685 are Tullahoma voters and 422 from Manchester. After 5 days of early voting, 5.45 percent of registered voters in Coffee county have cast their ballot.
Early voting runs through July 30th. But the first handful of days show a significant dip in turnout compared to the 2018 August General Election. Through 4 days of early voting in 2018, Coffee County had 1,896 votes cast. This year through 4 days there were 1,538 votes cast. That is 358 voters shy of four years ago, which is nearly 19 percent off the pace, according to data provided by the Tennessee Secretary of State.
Monday, 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 will have multiple opportunities to do so.
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 Saturdays July 15-30.
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 Saturdays July 15-30.
If you do not vote early, you may vote at your assigned precinct on August 4.
“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.
Birthdays – July 20
Brandy Brown
Braiden Trail – 16 – Pizza Winner!
Caiden Trail – 16
Dylen Trail – 16
Chloe Gannon – 17
Bryan Sizemore – 39
Joyce Frye
Coffee County early voting currently 18% behind 2018 turnout
Early voting for the August 4 election began on Friday, July 15. Through four complete days of early voting (July 15, 16 and 18 and 19), a total of 1,538 total votes have been cast. Of those, 635 are county voters, 567 reside in Tullahoma and 336 reside in Manchester.
Monday, July 18 has been the heaviest day of early voting so far, with 535 total votes cast on that day.
It is still early with early voting running through July 30, but as of now Coffee County turnout is about 18% behind the pace of the 2018 election through the same number of days and is right on track with 2014 turnout. According to Coffee County Administrator of Elections Andy Farrar, about 252 fewer votes were cast through three days of early voting this year versus 2018. Farrar added that lines and wait times are currently minimal.
Those interested in voting early will have multiple opportunities to do so.
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 Saturdays July 15-30.
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 Saturdays July 15-30.
If you do not vote early, you may vote at your assigned precinct on August 4.
“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.
Man behind bars after allegedly shooting at Shelbyville police
A Murfreesboro man is behind bars after he allegedly fired shots at officers with the Shelbyville Police Department and deputies with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department.
According to Shelbyville Police, officers went to the Best Western Celebration Inn on Madison Street to speak with Rosson Pickett in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 20th in reference to a stolen credit card that had been used.
Once officers knocked on the door, Pickett, age 30, of Murfreesboro, allegedly opened the curtains and made visual eye contact with officers. At that time, Pickett allegedly opened fire with a handgun, shooting through the window toward officers.
After a standoff, Pickett was able to escape the room and evade officers on foot. He was later captured behind a home on Highland Court in Bedford County after a brief struggle.
No officers were reported to be injured.
Online registration open for Coffee County Schools
Online registration is now open for those who need to enroll their students in the Coffee County School System – which is comprised of Deerfield Elementary, New Union Elementary, East Coffee Elementary, North Coffee Elementary, Hickerson Elementary, Hillsboro Elementary, Coffee Middle School, Raider Academy and Coffee County Central High School.
Online registration is open through July 31. Anyone with questions should contact their child’s school directly.
Some important information to know:
Any student who was enrolled in Coffee County schools on the LAST day of school in May is automatically
enrolled in the next school year.
All Manchester City Schools 8th grade students enrolled at Westwood Middle school on
the LAST day of school are automatically enrolled in Coffee County Schools at the Raider
Academy. City schools will transfer records.
ALL Kindergarten and Pre-K enrollment will be completed during your
assigned phase-in day. Do NOT enroll or update any Kindergarten or Pre-K
students at this time.
Students who have never been enrolled in Coffee County Schools are New
Students. Parents of these students will use Option 1—New Student Enrollment
Click here for student enrollment.
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Birthdays – July 19
Birthdays:
Josiah Stobaugh
Braxton Grey – 13 – Pizza Winner!
Ronnie Bowers – 52
Anniversaries:
Pairlee & Kittrell Parker – 66 Years