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Herbert Lee Johnson
Funeral services for Mr. Herbert Lee Johnson, age 80 of Tullahoma, will be
conducted on Saturday, July 10, 2021, at 1 PM at Manchester Funeral Home.
Burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the
family will be held on Saturday, from 11 AM until time of service at the
funeral home. Mr. Johnson passed away on Tuesday at his home after an
extended illness.
Mr. Johnson was born on November 27, 1940, in Sparta, TN, to the late
Wesley and Bessie Randolph Johnson. He is the owner of HL Johnson Mulch and
Hwy 55 Flea Market, and he attended the Forrest Mill Baptist Church. Mr.
Johnson enjoyed Nascar racing, going to auctions, and working. Mr. Johnson
was also known as a strong supporter of the Coffee County community,
supporting the local law enforcement, fire departments, and schools.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Johnson is preceded in death by two
brothers, Wesley, Jr. and Johnny Johnson. He is survived by his wife,
Tammy Williamson Johnson; children, Johnathan Matthew Hodges, Susan Sartain
Lindsey (Cory), Andrew Foster, Blade Huber, Christopher Jensen, Michelle
Trussell, Sierra Jensen, Kelsey Murray, Michael Johnson, and Sharon Butler;
11 grandchildren, Tanner, Jacob, Jessie, Braxton, Caydence, Apollo,
Frankie, Josey, Jaraez, Isabella, and Anna; several nieces, nephews, and a
host of friends.
Manchester Funeral Home is honored to serve the Johnson family.
John “JB” Middleton
Bro. John “JB” Middleton, age 90, of Manchester, TN, went to his Heavenly home on Sunday, July 4, 2021, in Tullahoma, TN, after a brief illness. Bro. Middleton was born in Bridgeport, AL, to his late parents James Aaron Middleton and Tennie Jane Dawson Middleton. He enjoyed reading, gardening, painting, woodworking, and playing games including checkers and horseshoes. Bro. Middleton enjoyed being around his family and friends and also his church family. He loved the Lord and was a minister for 63 years of his life. He pastored 2 churches and served in several other churches during his ministry. Bro. Middleton was a member of Mercy Baptist Church in Manchester, TN. He served in the United States Army
during the Korean War 1950-1952. He was in Company A 407th Engineer Combat Battalion. He obtained the Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, the Presidential Unit Citation (ROK), and the United Nations Service Medal. He was honorably discharged on June 6,1952 as a Tech Sergeant. He was a quiet person but always had something important to say when he spoke. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Nellie Elizabeth Nelson Middleton; daughter, Sherry Sellers; step-daughter, Tina Vazquez; brothers, James Aaron Middleton, Jr., Conage Middleton, D.C. Middleton, Jack Middleton, and Bob Middleton; sisters, Gussie Vinson, Ruby King, Jimmie Cooper, and Barbara Knight. Bro. Middleton is survived by his wife of 35 years, Ruth Middleton; sons, John (Billie) Middleton, Steve
(Jane) Middleton, Jimmy (Lynn) Williams, Pat (Tammy) Williams, Manuel (Carolyn) Williams; daughter, Vicki Kilgore; sisters, Ann (Wallace) Peoples and Shirley Campbell; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. Visitation with the family will be on Friday, July 9, 2021, from 1:00pm until 9:00pm at Central Funeral Home in Manchester, TN. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, July 10, 2021, at 1:00pm from the chapel of Central Funeral Home with Pastor Jeff Bailey, Bro. Richard Thompson, and Bro. Kenny Tweet officiating. Burial will follow at Sequatchie Valley Memorial Gardens in Jasper, TN, at 3:30pm with full military honors.
Former mayor of the City of Decherd indicted
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Mr. Robin B. Smith, the former mayor of the City of Decherd in Franklin County.
Investigators determined that Smith received $27,176 in unauthorized health insurance benefits from the city from January 2016 through July 2019.
In October 2015, Smith told the city administrator and the city bookkeeper that he qualified as a full-time employee and was thus eligible for health benefits. He later admitted to investigators that he needed health insurance, and he knew he was not eligible.
In July 2021, Robin B. Smith was indicted by the Franklin County Grand Jury on one count of theft over $10,000 and three counts of official misconduct.
“In a situation like this, state law requires the Board of Aldermen to approve medical insurance benefits by a majority vote,” said Comptroller Jason Mumpower. “The Board did not authorize providing medical benefits to elected officials until after these actions took place, and the city administrator failed to ensure that only eligible people received benefits.”
To view the investigative report, go to: https://comptroller.tn.gov/office-functions/investigations/find.html
If you suspect fraud, waste, or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800.232.5454, or file a report online at: tncot.cc/fraud. Follow us on twitter @TNCOT and Instagram @tncot
Child abuse costs for Tullahoma topped $2.7 million last month
By Joyce Prusak, executive director of Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center
Costs related to child abuse for Tullahoma topped $2.7 million last month. The lifetime cost for each victim of child maltreatment is about $210,000. With 13 referrals from Tullahoma last month that translates into $2,730,000.
On July 6, I attended the first Public Planning Meeting, part of the Think Tullahoma 2040: Take-off to Tomorrow project. The project aims to update the City’s Comprehensive Plan to guide future developments over the next 20 years. A Comprehensive Plan is a visionary document, guiding decisions in economic development, housing, transportation, land use and other areas. Coffee County CAC is looking forward to engaging with Tullahoma City leaders to ensure that preparation for the future includes planning for children’s safety and health. Planning for the future must involve developments and activities focusing on children’s wellbeing.
With economic development being an investment in growing the economy and enhancing the prosperity and quality of life for all residents, it’s essential for Tullahoma City to invest in child abuse prevention. Child abuse prevention will enhance Tullahoma’s economic development and community development, making Tullahoma a better place to live and work.
Child abuse costs for Tullahoma topped $2.7 for a month
Costs related to child abuse for Tullahoma topped $2.7 million for last month. The lifetime cost for each victim of child maltreatment is about $210,000. With 13 referrals from Tullahoma last month that translates into $2,730,000.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the total lifetime estimated financial costs associated with one year of confirmed cases of child maltreatment (physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse and neglect) is approximately $124 billion. The lifetime cost for each victim of child maltreatment who lived was about $210,000, which is more than other costly health conditions. The costs of each death due to child maltreatment are even higher. In Coffee County, in 2020, there were: 347 referrals received for services related to severe child abuse, including four investigations involving death of a child. If we apply the CDC numbers, the cost for the 347 children victims of child abuse in 2020 would translate into nearly $73 million.
Child abuse crosses all socioeconomic and educational levels, religions, and ethnic and cultural groups. Studies show that 14% of all men in prison and 36% of women in prison in USA were abused as children. Children who experience child abuse are nine times more likely to become involved in criminal activity. The savings related to reducing child abuse in Tullahoma will be millions of dollars. If Tullahoma City makes efforts to decrease the number of abused children, the City will decrease the number of people in jail. In Coffee County, the cost for housing an inmate in jail per day is about $40. The annual cost for housing an inmate is $15,000. The number of inmates has increased over the years. Coffee County increased jail capacity from about 270 to 400 inmates in 2015, and the new jail cost Coffee County taxpayers $22 million.
Most recent referrals have come from Tullahoma; Tullahoma has not invested in child abuse prevention
Most of the recent referrals have come from Tullahoma. If we compare the referrals from the county, Manchester and Tullahoma City, most referrals we have received recently are from Tullahoma. Just this past month, there were 32 referrals in Coffee County, with 12 children being 6 years of age or younger. Thirteen of the children were from Tullahoma, 10 from Manchester, and nine from the county. Since the center started operating in 2005, the center has had 1,251 cases from Tullahoma, out of total 4,004. Yet, Tullahoma City does not support the center financially. Every year, the county and Manchester City provide funds for child abuse prevention and intervention. Tullahoma City has not supported the center financially for 15 years. Coffee County CAC urges Tullahoma City to make child abuse prevention a priority for Tullahoma City. Tullahoma City can do that by providing funds to the center like Manchester City and Coffee County do. Coffee County CAC also provides free training. We urge Tullahoma City to encourage city employees and community members to learn about child abuse, which will help prevent it. The community can prevent child abuse together. As they plan for future development, we are asking Tullahoma City leaders to join us and help us end child abuse.
For more information, visit coffeecountycac.org.
TWRA announces no boating fatalities, 21 BUI arrests made over July 4th holiday weekend
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reports there were no boating-related fatalities and six statewide serious injury boating incidents over the July 4th holiday weekend which includes the annual Operation Dry Water.
The TWRA reported 21 boating under the influence (BUI) arrests over the holiday weekend which ran from July 2-5. The arrests were an increase from the 11 recorded in 2020. Thirteen of the BUI arrests came in TWRA Region II (Middle Tennessee area). In addition to the serious injury incidents, there were seven property damage incidents.
Operation Dry Water is a national weekend of awareness and enforcement campaign directed toward reducing alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities. Operation Dry Water is held with the Independence Day holiday to give boating under the influence (BUI) enforcement high visibility during the peak boating season.
The TWRA Boating and Law Enforcement Division compiled this year’s holiday statistics after receiving reports from the agency’s four regions.
Sir Pizza now open seven days a week
Sir Pizza in Manchester is now open seven days a week!
Manchester’s newest restaurant held a ceremonial ribbon cutting with the Manchester Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, July 7.
Located at 175 Relco Dr., you can dine in or call in a carryout order from 11am to 9 pm Sunday through Thursday and 11 am until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Sir Pizza offers two for one draft beers all day every day. Call in your carryout order at 931-954-5395. Find more details on their Facebook page at Manchester Sir Pizza. https://www.facebook.com/ManchesterSirPizza
Braves can get over .500 before All-Star break with good showing against Marlins
As much of a struggle as the first half of the season has been for the Atlanta Braves, a good showing in this weekend’s series in Miami could put the Braves over .500 for the first time this year as the All-Star Break approaches.
Atlanta plays in Miami Friday, Saturday and Sunday. With a 42-44 record, a 3-game sweep could put Atlanta in good position for a second-half push. The Braves are currently 4.5 games out of first place in the NL Eeast.
Catch the Braves all season long on Thunder Radio.
Westwood boys basketball coach Jerry Brown resigns
Westwood Middle School is now searching for a new head boys basketball coach.
Head coach Jerry Brown resigned from his post on Tuesday, July 6, after completing one full season at the helm of the Rocket program. Brown has accepted a position as a teacher and assistant girls basketball coach at Lighthouse Christian School in Antioch.
“I would like to thank Dr. (Joey) Vaughn, (former Westwood principal) Julie Miller and (athletic director) Jim Dobson for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the Westwood family,” Brown told Thunder Radio sports. “I really enjoyed coaching the boys and having a positive impact on the students at Westwood Middle School.
“I also want to thank Thunder Radio for all of the great coverage of Westwood basketball during my time.”
Brown took over prior to the 2020-2021 basketball season and navigated a tough schedule to take the team to a 9-12 season. He was also integral in helping return the program to the Duck River Valley Conference for the upcoming season.
“I’m really proud that the boys and girls programs are back in the DRVC,” said Brown. “That’s a good thing for the programs and the players here. I think whoever takes over the Westwood boys program will have an opportunity to be successful.”
In addition to his duties at Westwood, Brown also served as an assistant boys coach at Coffee County Central over the past two seasons.
Manchester City Schools Director Dr. Joey Vaughn confirmed Brown’s resignation. He said the school will work vigorously to find a suitable replacement as fast as possible.
Braves rout Pirates to salvage Pittsburgh trip
Thanks to Drew Smyly’s turnaround and the re-emergence of a slumbering offense, the Braves avoided what would have been a demoralizing three-game sweep by claiming a 14-3 win over the Pirates on Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park. You heard the game live on Thunder Radio.
Smyly surrendered Jacob Stallings’ three-run homer and faced every member of the Pirates lineup before ending the first inning. But those three runs would prove to be the only ones surrendered by the veteran lefty, whose effort was supported by Atlanta’s five-run sixth inning.
“The longer he was out there, the better he threw,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “It was a long first inning for him, but he regrouped. I told him, ‘We’re going to score some runs for you and get you that win.’”
After tallying just one run in both of the first two games of the series, the Braves offense awoke just in time to make sure not all was lost in Pittsburgh. This three-game set will be viewed as a missed opportunity. But by securing the one win, Atlanta kept itself in position to possibly take a winning record into the All-Star break..
Birthdays- July 7
Birthdays:
Jonathan Helms- Pizza Winner!
Bubba Whitsett
Angela Houck
Carl Brown- 82
Chris Hoffman
Anniversaries:
Howard & Peggy Reed- 65 Years
Eddie Paul & Wanda Brewer- 15 Years