Josh Peterson

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Motlow EMS program a fast-track to career

Gabrielle Hernandez

Are you looking for a quick pathway to a career? Look no further than Motlow State Community College’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program. In as little as three months, you can get EMT basic training certification that can give you a leg up on the competition in any field. 

“I saw Motlow State was offering a summer course in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), so I decided to take a leap of faith and register for it. This was probably the best decision I have ever made,” said Gabrielle Hernandez, graduate of Motlow’s Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program.

“EMS in the State of Tennessee offers many possibilities for individuals regardless of their career choice,” said Houston Austin, Director of EMS as Motlow. “It is not just for working in an ambulance. It is also working event medicine, firefighting, police officers and so much more.”

Not only is it a quick and easy way to earn a certification to jump start your future, it is also more financially feasible than a traditional four-year university.

“By achieving the EMT certification, students can work and make a steady living while continuing on through college,” said Austin, adding “The important thing is no matter where you are in life if you keep your license current you will have always have a job and a career.”

“I would definitely recommend Motlow to anyone looking to go to college. Motlow was the best financial and academic choice I could’ve made with going to college straight out of high school,” said Hernandez. She earned her associate degree in 2020 and went back to obtain her Advanced EMT certification. Hernandez is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at MTSU.

After you earn your certification, you are already on a great path if you are interested in pursuing an associate or higher degree. EMS training is an excellent gateway into pursuing medicine. It’s a way to earn money to put yourself through medical school or nursing school.

Not interested in practicing medicine? That’s ok. EMS training is a great foundation for any degree. You can be a better engineer when you have EMS training. You can be a better athletic coach if you have EMS training. You can be a better farmer with EMS training.

“Some complete the training with no intentions of ever working the ambulance. They want the knowledge to be able to take care of themselves or employees if needed,” said Austin. “We have had farmers, mechanics, coaches, engineers, athletic trainers, and forestry firefighters take this course just for those reasons.”

Give Motlow your summer. EMT training helps students on any career path:

  • EMT Certification is a 3-month certification that can set you apart from the competition in any career field.
  • With EMT training you can work to fund a medical career.
  • EMT training can help you decide what medical career interests you most.
  • EMT training allows for you to build a solid foundation no matter where you go in medicine.
  • The training is affordable with several forms of financial assistance accepted, such as FASFA, PELL, TNPROMISE, HOPE, RECONNECT, AND GI Bill.
  • EMT is the gateway to Advance EMT and eventually earning your AAS in Paramedic.
  • EMT can be a gateway to other careers that you may discover along the way.

Motlow State fall classes begin August 23. Apply today to Motlow.com/apply. For more information regarding reduced costs for students, email info@mscc.edu or call 800-654-4877.

Tennessee’s Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient, and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. The system offers associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs, and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tbr.edu or visit Motlow at mscc.edu.

VFW member Howard Thompson wins prestigious award

Veterans of Foreign Wars All-American Post 10904 is pleased to announce that
Howard Thompson has been selected to receive the prestigious Cooper T. Holt
Award.

This award is awarded to one outstanding VFW member each year; and is based
on his or her achievements, including community work; serving on projects
and programs; and leadership. Of the more than 16,000 VFW members across 91
Posts in the State of Tennessee, Howard Thompson was selected.

A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Thompson joined the Army
and served as Executive Officer in Qui Nhon Sub Area Command, Vietnam. He
has served as a past Post Commander for VFW Post 10904 and now serves the
Post as Quartermaster. He is currently the Commander of Disabled American
Veterans (DAV) Chapter 90; and member of American Legion Gold Star Post 78.

Thompson also received the Governor’s Gold Star Volunteer Award for Coffee
County this year for his exemplary community service work.

This VFW Department of Tennessee award is named after Cooper T. Holt. Born
in Chattanooga, he served as VFW National Commander in 1956: at age 32, he
was the youngest person to ever lead the organization.

An individual selected for this award must have shown exceptional prestige
in public events such as Memorial Day or Veterans Day; contributed to
activities in the community; and shown qualities of leadership in dealing
with other organizations and service groups.

VFW Post 10904 Commander Kimberly King notes, “Howard’s service contributed
directly to our Post’s receiving the All-State Post Award for the past four
years, as well as the VFW National All-American Post Award for three years
in a row. This is an unprecedented accomplishment and only given to the very
best VFW Posts in the Nation. Howard’s work and devotion have had a direct
impact on our Post achieving everything it has for the past several years.”

Mr. Thompson will receive his award at an All-American Celebration which
will be held on August 21st at the Coffee County Veterans Building, 130
Shelton Road in Manchester.

For more information and to stay current on the latest VFW news, visit our
website at www.vfwpost10904.com <http://www.vfwpost10904.com

Birthdays- July 21

Shannon Duncan- Pizza Winner!

Brooklyn McWhorter

Robert Beatty- 40

Dallas Evans- 7

Child abuse leaves long term damage to community, individuals

Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott says child abuse affects not only children but also the entire community. It’s essential to raise awareness, to save children and to minimize the long-term effects of child abuse.

Northcott has seen the negative impacts of child abuse.

“It is something, unfortunately, we deal with quite regularly,” Northcott said. “It ruins relationships, trust and the lives of so many people just by the long-term impact it has on the individual who has been victimized by that type of behavior. Whether it be physical abuse or sexual abuse, it has a detrimental impact, not just the moment of the trauma. It is much more prevalent than a lot of people want to know or would recognize in this community.”

Child abuse can lead to injuries, even death. In 2020, there were four investigations in Coffee County involving the death of a child. 

“The damaging impact to the individual is the immediate impact of physical abuse or sexual abuse – certainly broken bones, concussions,” Northcott said. “We have had those instances of sexual abuse that result in pregnancies. And then, beyond that, is the destruction of families, destruction of the ability for the victim to connect with others. It’s just damaging to the emotional wellbeing of the individual. Whether it be physical abuse or sexual abuse, it permeates into marriages, into the ability to parent. If it goes untreated, undiagnosed and undealt with, then there are long-term consequences that impact the community as a whole. The more the destruction to the family within the community, then obviously, the more the negative impact to the community as a whole.”  

Raising awareness can help solve the problem.

“Raising awareness is important for the benefit of the victims – to get them out of that abusive relationship as soon as possible,” Northcott said. “(Also), you have to understand the abusers are often family members. Community (members) need to identify some of the red flags that are indicators of child abuse, so they can then report it. Then proper intervention can occur, whether it be through the Department of Children’s Services or law enforcement, or both. At that point, organizations like the Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center can help begin the healing process for the emotional damage in particular that has occurred to that child, and hopefully, minimize and mitigate the long-term effects of this type of abuse.”

Every member of the community can help.

“Know that you can make a difference,” Northcott said. “It is morally incumbent upon us but, also, legally incumbent upon us to act in those situations. Just act. If you see something that doesn’t seem right, be sure to contact law enforcement or (call) the child abuse hotline to make sure we can intervene and investigate further.”

In Tennessee, everyone is a mandated reporter. You can report child abuse anonymously. To report suspicions of child abuse, call 1-877-237-0004. To learn more about child abuse prevention and to schedule child abuse prevention training, visit coffeecountycac.org, call 931-723-8888 and follow Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center on social media.

Titans 2021 Training Camp Preview: A look at the offensive line

Tennessee Titans football can be heard live on Thunder Radio all season long – presented by realtor Charlie Gonzales, Weichert Realtors Joe Orr & Associates.

In camp (17): T Taylor Lewan, G Rodger Saffold III, C Ben Jones, G Nate Davis, T Kendall Lamm, T David Quessenberry, T Ty Sambrailo, OL Dillon Radunz, C/G Aaron Brewer, G Cole Banwart, T Paul Adams, T Christian DiLauro, OL Chandon Herring, T Brandon Kemp, C Daniel Munyer, G Adam Coon, OL Elijah Nkansah.

Offseason developments: The Titans signed Lamm, formerly of the Browns, early in free agency to compete for the starting spot at right tackle. The Titans also re-signed Sambrailo, who stepped in as a starter last season before suffering a knee injury. In the second round of the NFL Draft, the Titans selected Radunz, who played in college at North Dakota State. The Titans claimed Nkansah off waivers following his release from the Colts, and the team also added DiLauro, who has bounced around the league. Following the draft, the Titans signed undrafted free agents Banwart (Iowa) and Herring (BYU). The Titans also added Coon, a former wrestler at the University of Michigan, to compete at guard. The Titans parted ways with tackle Dennis Kelly, who remains unsigned, and the team did not make a tender offer to Jamil Douglas, who has since signed with the Bills. The Titans also did not re-sign Marshall Newhouse, and he remains a free agent. Brewer spent the offseason working his way back to good health, and he’s expected to be back in the mix. Lewan, meanwhile, didn’t take part in offseason workouts while rehabbing his ACL injury from a year ago.

In the spotlight: Lewan. Lost for the 2020 season with a torn ACL last October against the Texans, Lewan had surgery and has been working his way back to good health ever since. Last month, Lewan provided an update, saying he’s been doing change of direction, and some running, while strengthening the knee and the muscles around it. The Titans need Lewan to step in and regain his pre-injury form. A three-time Pro Bowler, Lewan has played in 90 regular season games, with 85 starts. So, will Lewan be on the field for Day 1 of training camp? While that remains to be seen, the important thing is getting Lewan healthy and ready to go for Week 1 of the regular season.

Battle to watch: The fight for the right tackle spot. Heading into camp, my sunflower seeds are on Lamm to be the starter at right tackle vs the Cardinals on September 12. But a lot can happen between now and then, of course. A six-year veteran, Lamm (6-5, 310) has appeared in 74 career games, with 27 starts between the Texans (2015-18) and Browns (2019-20). While he did a nice job this offseason in OTAs, he still needs to clean some things up from a technique standpoint to earn the starting spot. Quessenberry, who stepped in a year ago and performed well, will be among those trying to win the job. Sambrailo, who also spent the offseason rehabbing his knee, should return to the mix and contend himself. What about Radunz? Well, he’s the future, but how quickly he enters the starting lineup remains to be seen. More on him coming now…

Keep an eye on: Dillon Radunz. During offseason work, Radunz worked all over the offensive line, from guard to tackle. Some of it was to get him comfortable playing all the positions (except center), and some of it was out of necessity since Davis and Saffold were sidelined for part of the offseason work. Either way, Radunz and the Titans should benefit from the experiment since he’ll be better equipped to step in when needed. In camp, I’m expecting the Titans to work Radunz a lot at right tackle, and give him a chance to win a starting spot. Radunz is going to be a good player – he’s long and athletic, he works hard, and he’s smart. But he’s still adjusting to the NFL and the competition, and his technique needs to improve, from his stance to being on time at the snap. The crash course begins next week.

Next: Tight ends.

Former Raider Alontae Taylor has strong presence at SEC Media Days

The 2021 SEC Media Days continued on Tuesday, as first-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, senior defensive back Alontae Taylor and senior wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. take the stage at the Hyatt Regency Wynfrey Hotel. Tennessee’s representatives spent the day visiting with members of the local, regional and national media to preview the upcoming season.

Taylor, a former standout for the Coffee County Central Red Raiders, was very active at media days as one of Tennessee’s defensive leaders. See full coverage from national and regional media, including video clips by clicking here.

Birthdays- July 20

Chloe Gannon- 16

Brayden Trail- 15- Pizza Winner!

Cayden Trail- 15

Dylen Trail- 15

Bryan Sizemore- 38

Thurman Espy

Norma Sue Moore

Ms. Norma Sue Moore, age 90 of Manchester, was born on July 14, 1931, in Summitville, TN, to the late Alva and Emmie Tucker Elam. She retired from AT&T and attended the Red Hill Church of Christ in Manchester. Ms. Sue is survived by her daughter, Sandra Mirabitur and her husband, Richard, of Michagan; grandchild, Jeffery Schaf and his wife, Collette; great grandchildren, Derrick Fryeman and his wife, Marie, and Jacob Schaf; special niece, Pamela Ogles and her husband, David; several cousins and a host of friends.

Ms. Sue passed away on Monday, July 19, 2021, at Manchester Health and Rehab after an extended illness. Cremation has been chosen and there will are no services at this time.

Manchester Funeral Home is honored to serve the Moore family.

Durrand Cortez Estill

Funeral visitation for Mr. Durrand Cortez Estill, age 64 of Manchester, will be held on Thursday, July 22, 2021, in the Manchester Funeral Home chapel from 5 – 8PM. As per Mr. Estill’s request, cremation will take place at a later date along with a community wide memorial service. Mr. Estill passed away on Friday, July 16 at St. Thomas Rutherford after an extended illness.

Durrand was born on August 28, 1956, to the late John William and Sarah Alice Hill Estill in Manchester. He was employed as a truck driver for 10 Roads Express and had been an umpire for many years for the Manchester Little League and Babe Ruth baseball teams. Durrand loved all sports, and many teams, but his loyalty belong to the LSU Tigers.

Durrand is survived by his loving wife, Donna Weaver Estill; sons, Nathan Sharpe, and Jeremy Estill; daughter, DeAunah Estill; brother, Derran Estill; sisters, Drenna Atala and her husband, Angel, DeeNena Waggoner, and DeeVida Farley; grandchildren, Elijah and Kelby Walker, Niko Sharpe, and Mako Estill; great grandchild, K’Zahn Walker; brother-in-law, Dennis Weaver and his wife, Cindy; sister-in-law, Dana Marcom; several nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Manchester Funeral Home is honored to serve the Estill family.

Tennessee claims for unemployment plummet during first week of dropped federal funding

The revised reporting of data shows a 28% drop in the number of initial unemployment claims first reported for the week ending July 10, 2021, as Tennessee transitioned away from federal pandemic unemployment programs.

The U.S. Department of Labor reemphasized reporting standards for states that moved away from administering federal pandemic unemployment benefits.

For the week ending July 10, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) reported 9,375 claimants applied for unemployment benefits. Under the reconciled data, the true number of claims for the week is 6,744. This data reflects the number of applications submitted by claimants who worked and earned wages before applying for benefits that week and were not previously receiving other benefits.

The federal government requires the number of initial claims to only reflect new and emerging spells of unemployment with initial claims that are filed to establish benefit periods following a period of employment, not transitional claims.

A transitional claim is the request to establish a successive benefit year dated immediately following a week for which benefits were claimed for the previous benefit year. Moving forward, TDLWD will report initial claims to USDOL without the transitional claim data.

Tennessee moved away from all federal pandemic unemployment programs the week ending July 3. Many of the applicants who submitted claims for the week ending July 10 had previously been on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) programs. These are transitional claims that are monetarily ineligible to receive benefits from the state’s Tennessee Unemployment Compensation (TUC) program.

The state is ready to help unemployed Tennesseans return to the workforce. They can find the resources available to find job leads, and further their education and training, as well as programs that can remove barriers to employment, at www.TNWorkReady.com.

The state is ready to help unemployed Tennesseans return to the workforce. They can find the resources available to find job leads, further their education, and training, as well as programs that can remove barriers to employment at www.TNWorkReady.com.