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Joe Pat Cope named new CHS tennis coach
Joe Pat Cope will now be a multi-sport coach at Coffee County Central High School.
Cope will be the new CHS tennis coach. He takes over for Josh Inzer.
Cope has 7 years of tennis coaching experience at both Lebanon and Dekalb County.
Cope continues as the head girls basketball coach at Coffee County, entering his sixth season this upcoming winter.
Two Lady Raiders named NFCA All-Region
More postseason honors have rolled in for members of the 2022 Coffee County Central Lady Raider softball team.
Recent graduates Kiya Ferrell and Haidyn Campbell were named National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region Selections.
Ferrell was named first-team all region and Campbell second team.
Ferrell hit .446 for the Lady Raiders this past spring and led the team in runs scored with 41. She had 5 doubles, 3 triples and a home run on her resume. She will be playing college volleyball at Cumberland this coming school year.
Meanwhile, Campbell led the 2022 Lady Raiders in RBIs with 32. She was second on the team in doubles with 7 and blasted 3 home runs. She will play college softball at Walter State.
Haidyn Campbell 
Kiya Ferrell
Manchester water department to perform semi-annual flushing over next two weeks; drop in water pressure possible
In an effort to improve quality of water in the distribution system, the Manchester Water and Sewer Department has announced it will be performing its semi-annual cannon flushing of fire hydrants.
System-wide flushing will take place Monday through Friday during the weeks of July 11 and July 18 during the hours of midnight to 5:30 a.m.
During this event, water customers may experience low pressure and discoloration of water. Water customers are advised not to wash clothes during this period of time.
The Manchester Water Department regrets any inconvenience that may result from the flushing procedure.
This effort is being made in order to maintain and improve the quality of water in the system. For emergencies during this time, call 931-723-8662.
Heat advisory in place for Coffee County through Friday
Dangerous heat will continue across the midstate, including Coffee County, through Friday.
The US National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Coffee County and other counties in the eastern portion of Middle Tennessee. Meanwhile, NWS has issued a Excessive Heat Warning for many other nearby counties, including Bedford, Moore and Rutherford counties. Excessive Heat Warning meats heat index values are expected to reach north of 110.
Areas within the heat advisory, such as Coffee, Warren, Franklin, Canon and Grundy counties, can expect heat index values between 105 and 110 degrees.
NWS encourages everyone to check on those most vulnerable to heat-related illness, such as elderly, children, people without air conditioning, those with chronic illness and animals. And, as always, never leave children or animals inside your vehicle for any amount of time with these temperatures.
Heat illness can lead to stroke and is deadly. If you must be outside, take frequent breaks in shaded or cooled areas and drink plenty of water. If you suspect heat stroke, contact 911 immediately.
Jobs4TN website up and operational again after outage
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) has completed the testing phase of Jobs4TN.gov and determined the system is operational and ready to resume service.
The state’s vendor, Geographic Solutions, Inc. (GSI), completed the restoration of the state’s unemployment and workforce development computer system on Sunday, July 3. GSI experienced what it has called anomalous activity at its network operation centers on Sunday, June 26, 2022. The anomalous activity forced the company to take Jobs4TN.gov, and systems for approximately three dozen other states, offline.
Both the unemployment and workforce development functions of Jobs4TN.gov are once again operating.
Individuals who need to file a new unemployment claim, or complete weekly certifications, should follow the instructions below.
- FILE A NEW CLAIM
- You can file your claim now.
- Even though you could not apply between June 25 and July 2, that will still be the claim’s effective date if you meet eligibility requirements.
- Please complete the filing process by July 8, at 4:30 p.m. CDT, so staff can review your claim and set the correct effective date.
- After you file your claim and staff complete an initial review, you will receive an email with instructions explaining when to start your weekly certifications.
- Please note, that staff will need to review your application to determine the eligibility of your claim and that will take multiple weeks to complete.
- COMPLETING WEEKLY CERTIFICATIONS
- If you were able to complete weekly certifications before the system outage, you can now restart that process.
- Because you could not certify for the week ending June 25, you now need to complete certifications for that week and the week ending July 2.
- The system will prompt you to complete this process for both weeks.
- Please remember, that Monday, July 4, is a bank holiday, so payments will be delayed by a day.
TDLWD understands and apologizes for the confusion and hardship this extended system outage caused Tennesseans who depend on Jobs4TN.gov for the critical services it provides.
Braves remain 6th in MLB power rankings as season hits halfway point
The Atlanta Braves are currently sixth in the MLB Power Rankings as the season officially gets into the second half.
The power rankings, which are arbitrary, are led by the 58-22 Yankees, who remain on pace to break the single season wins record (116 wins by the Mariners in 2001).
The Astros are second at 52-27.
After that the top 10 is as follows:
Dodgers
Mets
Padres
Braves
Red Sox
Brewers
Blue Jays
Cardinals.
THE ATLANTA BRAVES PLAY ON THUNDER RADIO!
Predators Acquire Ryan McDonagh From Tampa Bay
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Sunday that the team has acquired defenseman Ryan McDonagh from the Tampa Bay Lightning for forward Grant Mismash and defenseman Philippe Myers.
“Ryan McDonagh is the ultimate team player who will bring experience and leadership to our lineup,” Poile said. “A former captain of the New York Rangers, a two-time Stanley Cup winner and four-time Stanley Cup finalist, we couldn’t be more thrilled that he waived his no movement clause to come to Nashville. With the ability to play in any situation, he immediately strengthens our defensive corps.”
McDonagh, 33 (6/13/89), is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, two-time NHL All-Star and former NHL captain who is coming off his third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final as a member of the Lightning in 2021-22. He tallied four goals and 26 points in 71 regular-season games for Tampa Bay; his 137 blocked shots were the most among Lightning skaters and his +15 rating and 22:27 average time on ice were both the third-most among team blueliners. In the postseason, he recorded five points (1g-4a) and averaged 22:26 of ice time – the second-highest mark on the Lightning – in 23 games, helping Tampa Bay win three playoff series. McDonagh added an assist, 19 blocked shots and 17 hits and logged 22:58 of ice time in his fourth career Stanley Cup Final appearance.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound McDonagh is a veteran of 12 seasons and 783 games at the NHL level and won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Lightning in 2019-20 and 2020-21. After being acquired from the New York Rangers during the 2017-18 campaign, he went on to post 99 points (20g-79a) in 267 games for Tampa Bay, including a career-high 46 points (9g-37a) in 2018-19. McDonagh began his NHL career with the Rangers in 2011 and spent eight seasons with organization, serving as team captain for parts of four campaigns from 2014-18. He became the fourth-youngest captain in Rangers history and during his tenure sporting the “C” helped lead New York to the Presidents’ Trophy in 2014-15 and three total postseason appearances. McDonagh tallied 238 points (51g-187a) in 516 games with the Rangers organization, twice earning a nod to the NHL All-Star Game (2015-16 and 2016-17).
McDonagh brings extensive postseason experience to the Predators organization, having skated in 185 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, 30 more than the next-closest NHL player in that time span. In addition to his two Stanley Cups and three Stanley Cup Final appearances with the Lightning, he also reached the Final in 2014 with the Rangers. During that Cup Final run, McDonagh led all NHL defensemen in assists with 13; he also led the NHL in plus-minus in the 2021 postseason with a +18 rating. McDonagh has competed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of his 12 NHL seasons.
Originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round (12th overall) of the 2007 NHL Draft, McDonagh played three seasons at the University of Wisconsin prior to turning pro, posting 46 points (14g-32a) in 119 games with the Badgers from 2007-10. He earned multiple honors at Wisconsin, including a spot on the 2010 WCHA Second All-Star Team after helping lead the Badgers to that season’s Frozen Four.
A native of Saint Paul, Minn., McDonagh was named his Minnesota’s ‘Mr. Hockey’ as the state’s best high school player in 2006-07; he also represented USA Hockey for the first time in that season, earning silver in the 2007 U-18 World Championship. He’s since competed for the U.S. on several occasions, including at the 2009 World Junior Championship; 2011 World Championship; 2014 Olympics; and 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
The Nashville Predators play on Thunder Radio.
Tennessee gas prices fall another 9 cents
Gas prices across Tennessee are continuing to inch lower as this week marks the third straight week of declines in the state. Gas prices fell nearly nine cents over the course of last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $4.41 which is nearly eight cents less expensive than one month ago and $1.53 more than one year ago.
In Coffee County, the average price for gasoline is $4.40, a penny below the state average and 40 cents below the national average, which sits at $4.80.
“Even though gas prices were at record highs for the Independence Day holiday, Tennessee travelers were able to reap the benefits of a three-week decline in gas prices heading into the holiday weekend, “said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “It’s difficult to say how long this trend will continue with an expected busy summer travel season happening alongside a very volatile crude oil market – but at least for now, Tennesseans can enjoy a bit of good news at their local gas pump.”
Quick Facts
- 76% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $4.50
- The lowest 10% of pump prices are $4.09 for regular unleaded
- The highest 10% of pump prices are $4.77 for regular unleaded
- Tennessee is the 8th least expensive market in the nation
National Gas Prices
The national average for a gallon of gasoline fell to $4.80, down eight cents over the past week. The primary reason for the decline is lower demand at the pump as fewer people fueled up over the past two weeks. The lull, however, could end with the arrival of the summer driving season.
According to the latest Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, gas demand currently sits at 8.93 million b/d, which is lower than last year’s rate of 9.11 million b/d at the end of June. On the other hand, total domestic gasoline stocks increased by 2.6 million bbl to 221.6 million bbl. These supply/demand dynamics, along with decreasing oil prices, have pushed pump prices lower. If these trends continue, drivers will likely continue to see relief at the pump.
Today’s national average of $4.80 is four cents less than a month ago and $1.67 more than a year ago.
National Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by $2.67 to settle at $108.43. The price of crude increased at the end of last week due to market optimism that demand will remain robust throughout the summer. However, crude prices faced strong resistance amid broad market concern regarding the potential for economic growth to slow or stall due to rising interest rates and inflation, which could send prices lower this week if market concerns persist. A lower-than-expected economic growth rate could cause crude demand to decline, leading prices to follow suit. Additionally, EIA reported that total domestic crude stocks decreased by 2.7 million bbl to 415.6 million bbl last week, which is nearly 37 million bbl lower than at the end of June 2021.
Drivers can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad, and Android. The app can also map a route, find discounts, book a hotel, and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.
Shelbyville police need help finding missing man
Shelbyville Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance to help locate a missing person.
At approximately 10 a.m. on Monday, July 4, Dustin Meeker left his residence on foot and did not take his cell phone or car keys. He was last seen wearing a green “lucky” t-shirt, lightly faded jeans and a ball cap. He is 5’10” and weighs approximately 140 pounds. He has a tribal tattoo on his right forearm and one on the left side of his neck.
Any person with knowledge of his location should contact detective Cody Swift with the Shelbyville Police Department at 931-684-5811.
Suspect who allegedly assaulted trooper is behind bars
PRESS RELEASE | DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY
On Saturday, July 3 in Grundy County, Tennessee at approximately 11:30 p.m., Trooper Sam Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s (THP) Chattanooga district initiated a traffic stop on a white male operating an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The suspect struck Trooper Johnson’s patrol vehicle with the ATV. As Trooper Johnson attempted to apprehend the suspect, the male suspect struck Trooper Johnson. A lengthy struggle ensued from which the suspect was able to get back on the ATV and flee from the immediate area. Trooper Johnson was treated and released from Emerald Hodgson Hospital with minor injuries.
Words cannot express our gratitude to the Grundy and Marion County Sheriff’s Offices and to their officers who responded to assist Trooper Johnson. We are also extremely thankful to the community that did not tolerate this act of senseless violence on our trooper. We are very proud to say that through the collaboration with our law enforcement partners, and with the help of unnamed private citizens, that Austin McHone, 24, from Tracy City, Tennessee turned himself into the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office.
“On Saturday, one of our troopers was the victim of a senseless act of violence,” said Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Matt Perry. “He was attacked while conducting what he thought was a routine stop. We know this can happen, but it is never truly expected. I want to give a sincere thank you to the staff at Emerald Hodgson Hospital for taking great care of Trooper Johnson, to the Grundy and Marion County Sheriff’s Offices for their swift response and aid, and to the local citizens who provided information resulting in the identification of the suspect.” Colonel Perry added, “We don’t take physical attacks on our troopers lightly and will not rest until those responsible are in custody.”
