Josh Peterson

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Nearly 6.5 inches of rain has fallen on Manchester since Saturday morning; more to come

High water in Beechgrove. Photo submitted by Thunder Radio listener.

Nearly 6. 5 inches of rain has fallen on Manchester from midnight Saturday morning through 4:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon, according to TVA Rain Gauges.

According to TVA gauges, 3.11 inches fell on Manchester Saturday with another 3.20 falling on Sunday up through 4:30 p.m. with rain continuing to fall.

Meanwhile, even more rain has been measured at nearby Normandy Dam – with 5.28 inches measured Saturday and 2.95 additional inches as of 4:30 p.m. Sunday – bringing the total to 8.23 inches.

Currently, a flood watch remains in effect for Coffee County through 7 p.m. Monday as more rain is in the forecast.

National Weather Service is forecasting a 90% chance of rain Monday into Monday night with an 80% chance of storms and rain Tuesday. All of this precipitation is on the front end of a cold front that will bring fall-like temperatures by Wednesday, with a high of only 68 degrees Wednesday and low temperatures falling into the 40s.

High water in the Hunters Landing area. — Submitted by Jacey Vaughn.

Coffee County authorities on the scene of possible double homicide

Coffee County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney General are on the scene of what is being described as a “possible double murder” at 93 Clyde Vickers Rd., Estill Springs.

According to Coffee County Sheriff Chad Partin, authorities were notified of the situation at approximately noon on Sunday. Deceased are one white male and one white female.

Authorities have identified the female victim as Chasity Kay Hill, age 27, with ties to Moore and Coffee County. The male victim has been identified as Logan Tindale, age 22, from Florida.

This is a developing story. More information will be released when it is available.

Shelbyville murder suspect captured in Mississippi

Shelbyville police announced that Horatio Lewis Rice and his girlfriend were taken into custody late Friday.

Rice, at TBI Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitive is charged with first degree murder and attempted murder after allegedly shooting 14-year old Israel Domingo Pascual and attempting to kill Pascual’s brother last Monday, Sept. 13. Rice’s girlfriend, Tiffany Taylor was listed as a person of interest. Rice allegedly killed Pascual in the parking lot of a laundry mat in Shelbyville.

US Marshal Service arrested the pair in Tunica, Mississippi Friday afternoon, Sept. 17.

Tennessee unemployment drops for third straight month

As Tennessee’s economy continues to rebound, the state has experienced three consecutive months of lower unemployment, according to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).

The preliminary, seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for August came in at 4.6%, 0.1 of a percentage point lower than July’s revised rate of 4.7%. June’s unemployment rate was 4.9%.

Unemployment across the state last month was 3.5 percentage points lower than it was in August 2020.

Employers brought an additional 4,400 employees into the workforce between July and August. The manufacturing sector had the largest increase in employment, followed by the mining/logging/construction sector, and then the government sector.

Between August 2020 and August 2021, employers across Tennessee increased the state’s workforce by 121,600 jobs. The professional/business services sector accounted for the largest percentage of that growth. The leisure/hospitality sector added the second-largest number of jobs, followed by the trade/transportation/utilities sector.


The unemployment situation also improved throughout the nation in August. The seasonally adjusted rate for the United States dropped 0.2 of a percentage point from 5.4% to 5.2%. The latest rate is down 3.2 percentage points from this time last year.

TDLWD has compiled a complete analysis of the August 2021 statewide unemployment data, including the latest statistics on Tennessee’s labor force. You can find that report here (https://www.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=166478db53c066a7d114ea462&id=69c4cb1aee&e=29851e7b63) .

As Keep TN Working Week continues across the state, with scheduled job fairs, unemployed Tennesseans can also find work, online, at www.Jobs4TN.gov. The site currently has more than 430,000 open positions posted.

The state is ready to help job seekers become TN Work Ready, so that they have the tools needed to find meaningful employment and reenter Tennessee’s workforce. They can start their journey by reviewing what assistance is available to them at www.TNWorkReady.com.

Danny Ferrell announces bid for Coffee County Sheriff

High water in Beechgrove. Photo submitted by Thunder Radio listener.

Veteran lawman Danny Ferrell has announced his plans to run for Coffee County Sheriff in the 2022 election.

Ferrell’s announcement comes after the announcement earlier this month that Alethia Smart-Rawn will also seek the sheriff seat. Both Rawn and Ferrell will be running on the Republican ticket, challenging incumbent sheriff Chad Partin in the spring primary. Partin is currently serving his first term and does plan to seek re-election. The general election will be held next August.

Below is the full statement from Ferrell:

Friends, Family and Coffee County residents, my name is Danny R. Ferrell and I am excited to announce my candidacy in the 2022 Sheriff’s election.  After much thought and consideration, I feel a deeper calling of service and see a need for true conservative leadership in our county.  I was born and raised in Coffee County and through my wonderful parents, Donnie and Janie Ferrell, I was taught a solid foundation of faith makes the strongest leaders.  It has been my great honor to follow in my father’s law enforcement footsteps. I will lead as he did, by example, with honor and integrity.  

My greatest blessings in this life, my wife, Lisa Peterson Ferrell of 20 years and my three sons, Clinton, Daniel and Colton, are my reasons to make Coffee County the safest place to live in Tennessee.  I began my law enforcement career twenty-eight years ago and served at the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department twenty of those years.  I have held many positions in law enforcement including Corrections, Court Officer, Transport Officer, Deputy, K-9 Officer, Investigator, Sergeant over Investigations and Captain over patrol. I also served as a part-time boating officer with the TWRA for eighteen years. During my tenure with the TWRA, I assisted in teaching boating and hunters education. I currently serve as Sergeant on patrol at the Warren County Sheriff’s Department and have held this position for the past three years. 

As Sheriff of Coffee County, I will be visible in the community and will uphold every honor the office demands.  I will strive to have the most well trained, ethical department in the state.  I will mend broken relationships and work closely with other departments.  My view of law enforcement is one collective branch that works for the betterment of the community and state we serve. I will implement an open door policy as I feel strongly that all elected officials should be available for the citizens they serve.  Law enforcement and community involvement is imperative in breaking down boundaries and forming relationships.  

I would appreciate your support and humbly ask for your vote for Sheriff of Coffee County, 2022.  

Gary Wayne Bush

Funeral services for Mr. Gary Wayne Bush, age 76, will be conducted at 1:00PM on Monday, September 20, 2021, at Manchester Funeral Home with Bro. Larry Bush officiating.  Burial will follow in New Beechgrove Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 11:00 until the time of services at the funeral home.  Mr. Bush passed from this life on Thursday, September 16, 2021, in Nashville, TN. 

Gary was born in Cannon County, TN on August 25, 1945, the son of the late Herschel and Mozzelle Bush.  He had a love for cars and motorcycles.  Gary was a good mechanic, and he could fix anything.  He was a loving father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. 

In addition to his parents, Gary is also preceded in death by his brother, Clyde Bush, sister-in-law, Kathryn Bush.  He is survived by his son, Timothy Bush (Holly), grandchildren, Allison Bush and Jacob Bush; nephews, Barry Bush (Anita), Jeffery Bush (Melissa), and Larry Bush (Sherry); niece, Teresa “Sissy” Ensey. 

Manchester Funeral Home is honored to serve the Bush family. 

Coffee County authorities on the scene of possible double homicide

The offices at the Coffee County Administrative Plaza building, with the exception of Coffee County Board of Education, will be closed on Friday, Sept. 24 for TRANE and Duck River Electric to perform meter consolidation installation.

There will be no power at those offices during this time.

Offices will reopen for regular hours on Monday, Sept. 27

FOOTBALL: Offense sputters, Raiders fall at Lebanon

Running full speed, Travis Martin reaches out to tip this pass up to himself and haul in a 47-yard completion Friday night, Sept. 18, 2021. — Thunder Radio photo by Holly Peterson

Coffee County moved the ball in spurts Friday night. But the Red Raiders struggled to finish drives and couldn’t overcome big plays from the Lebanon Blue Devils in a 28-14 loss on the road – a game you heard live on Thunder Radio.

The Raiders had opportunities and, at times, put up big plays offensively. But just didn’t have enough fire power.

Trailing 7-0 in the first half, Connor Shemwell connected with Travis Martin on a 47 yard pitch and catch that concluded with a highlight reel grab by Martin. That set up a 14 yard touchdown strike from Shemwell to Martin on third down to tie the game.

THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE FIRST HALF REPLAY. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE SECOND HALF REPLAY.

But Lebanon scored two more times before the half behind big chunk plays and led 21-7 at the break.

Coffee County pieced together a 22-play drive in the third quarter that melted over 9 minutes off the clock and would have cut the deficit to one touchdown, but the drive ended with a lost fumble inside the Lebanon 30.

The Red Raiders final score came with four minutes on the clock – sophomore Jacob Barlow broke free and blocked a Lebanon punt, Tristan Galy scooped it up and rumbled into the end zone to give the Raiders life, down 28-14. But the onside kick failed and the Raiders weren’t able to mount another offensive drive.

Martin caught 3 passes for 69 yards and a score and was named Mid Tenn Turf Offensive Player of the Game. Jacob Barlow named defensive player of the game on Thunder Radio.

CHS quarterback Connor Shemwell was 10-of-23 for 109 yards. Konor Heaton rushed for 81 yards on 21 touches. Heaton had 19 receiving yards.

Lebanon was paced on the ground by Brandon Martin, who had 147 yards – 42 coming on one carry. Lebanon outgained the Raiders 302 to 202 on the night.

The loss drops CHS to 1-4 on the season and 0-2 in Region play.

The Raiders travel to Spring Hill for a non-region tilt next Friday, Sept. 24. That game can be heard live on Thunder Radio (107.9 FM, 1320 AM), beginning with the Friday Night Thunder Pregame show at 6 p .m.

Birthdays- September 17

Birthdays:

Kara Rigsby Morgan- Pizza Winner!

Dustin Murray

Megan Spry Pennington

Alvin Wells- 85

Anniversaries:

Sean & Jen McAllister

Ashley & Ross Parker

Weekly Winners:

Cake- Makayla Meachum

Flowers- Sean & Jen McAllister

David L. Winton

David L. Winton of Tullahoma passed this life on Wednesday, September 15,
2021 at Vanderbilt Tullahoma Hospital at the age of 58. No services are
scheduled.

Mr. Winton a native of Tullahoma was the son of the late Yancie C. and
Joyce Marie Carter Winton. He always enjoyed Fishing.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Diane
Beth Steele.

Mr. Winton is survived by his brothers, Danny Winton of Tucson, Arizona and
Donald Winton of Tullahoma.

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