Author's posts
Middle TN High School Sports Awards are Wednesday. Here is how to watch
As Thunder Radio Sports reported to you last week, Coffee County Central Lady Raider softball pitcher Keri Munn has been named to the Tennessean All-Midstate Team and is one of six nominees for Tennessean Softball Player of the Year.
The winner will be announced on Wednesday, June 30 at the sixth annual Middle Tennessee High School Sports Awards presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans and The Tennessean.
This year’s awards will be held virtually. Awards begin at 7 p.m. and can be found online at this link: sportsawards.usatoday.com/middletenn
Munn graduated in May and has signed with MTSU. Munn was 27-4 in the circle for Coffee County through the 2021 season, striking out 268 batters.
Coffee County’s softball team compiled a 34-7-1 record during the 2021 season, finishing as state runner up in a deep run at the TSSAA Spring Fling in May. It was the best single-season finish in program history.
TDOT to suspend construction-related lane closures for 4th of July weekend
Road construction won’t slow motorists across Tennessee over the July 4 holiday. The Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, July 2 through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 6to provide maximum roadway capacity for holiday travelers.
According to AAA, more than 47 million Americans will travel for the holiday, and 91% of them will drive to their destination. This will be the second-highest Independence Day travel volume on record, trailing only 2019.
“It is estimated that 939,000 motorists will travel Tennessee’s interstates and state routes this July 4 holiday,” TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright said. “To help motorists reach their destinations safely and without unnecessary delays, we are suspending lane closures during this holiday travel time.”
Motorists will still encounter some long-term lane closures on construction projects. While lane closure activity will be stopped, workers may be on-site in zones, and reduced speed limits in work zones will still be in effect. Drivers convicted of speeding through work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250 to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums.
From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any landline or cellular phone for travel information or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel. As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.
Street in Tullahoma to be re-named
The City of Tullahoma Board of Mayor and Alderman voted on Monday June 14, 2021, to rename West Hogan Street as Joe Moon Way. Mr. Moon is a former Tullahoma Parks and Recreation Director with forty years of service as a city employee. In July 2016, Mr. Moon was killed in a car accident.
City officials are hosting a dedication ceremony on Wednesday July 14, 2021, at 10:00 AM on Joe Moon Way. After the ceremony, attendees will be invited inside D. W. Wilson Community Center to attend a reception with refreshments courtesy of London’s. The public is invited to attend and celebrate the life of Mr. Moon.
Jehovah’s Witnesses Summer Bible Convention – Virtual For 2nd Year
Jehovah’s Witnesses Hold Global Virtual Event in 240 Lands, 500+ Languages Breaking a century-old tradition in the name of health and safety, the largest convention organization in the world has moved its annual in-person event to a virtual format for the second time in as many years, cancelling nearly 6,000 conventions in 240 lands.
For 24 consecutive years, the summers in the Chattanooga (Nashville) area have featured Jehovah’s Witnesses streaming into nearby venues to take over hotels and fill restaurants as they held their conventions at the Memorial Auditorium (Von Braun Auditorium, Huntsville AL.), or more recently, in places like Dalton, GA. In 2020, the pandemic unexpectedly interrupted that tradition moving the international religious organization to cancel in-person conventions throughout the world and launch a global virtual event. This was a first for Jehovah’s Witnesses, who have held public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters around the world since 1897.
“Powerful by Faith!” is the theme of the 2021 global event, which will be delivered in more than 500 languages to households throughout the globe over six weekends during July and August 2021, uniting some 15-20 million people in 240 countries. Since the convention is typically held from Friday through Sunday, the program will be available in six installments corresponding to morning and afternoon sessions. “Friday” morning’s session will be available for streaming or download beginning June 28, 2021.
Shauna Whited of Chattanooga, TN comments, “My husband and I are looking forward to the convention this year, even though it is virtual. We always gain so much encouragement and practical advice from the program. It’s one of the highlights of our year.”
The continued risk of bringing thousands of people together in cities around the world prompted the organization to opt for a virtual platform for the second consecutive year.
However, the move has not curbed the enthusiasm for the annual event. Congregations around the world are inviting the public to join them in this historic occasion.
“Faith has helped our global brotherhood to continue to thrive even during a pandemic,” said Robert Hendriks for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “Our faith will continue to unite us in worship – even virtually – as millions gather in private homes around the world to enjoy a powerful and inspiring spiritual program.”
All are invited to attend the event by going to JW.ORG on the web or JW Broadcasting on the free JW Library iOs or Android App, or on streaming platforms like ROKU TV, Apple TV, and others. The program is free and accessible to all. The schedule for download and global streaming is listed below.
For more information, please contact Jehovah’s Witnesses United States at (718) 560-5600 or pid@jw.org.
Lady Raider softball players, coach McWhorter pickup honors from Main Street Preps
Another day, another list of honors for members of the Coffee County Central High School Lady Raider softball team.
Main Street Preps released its 2021 All Midstate Softball team on Monday and two Lady Raider players and a coach made the cut.
Pitcher Keri Munn was named first-team all-midstate, catcher Kiya Ferrell was selected as third-team all midstate and Lady Raider head coach Brandon McWhorter was named Midstate Coach of the Year.
Munn graduated in May and has signed with MTSU. Munn was 27-4 in the circle for Coffee County through the 2021 season, striking out 268 batters.
Ferrell paced the Lady Raider offense all season, hitting at a .473 clip from the leadoff spot. She had 9 doubles, 2 triples and led the team in runs scored with 47. She was just a junior and is slated to return to the Lady Raider softball team next spring.
Coffee County’s softball team compiled a 34-7-1 record during the 2021 season, finishing as state runner up in a deep run at the TSSAA Spring Fling in May. It was the best single-season finish in program history.
Kiya Ferrell 
Kaitlyn Davis and coach Brandon McWhorter
Three Braves in running for All Star Game
Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuña Jr., Freddie Freeman and Ozzie Albies are finalists at their respective positions in this year’s All-Star balloting.
• VOTE NOW: Google MLB All-Star Ballot
Acuña has drawn more votes than any other National League player and both Albies and Freeman drew strong support from voters during the first phase of the balloting. The top three vote-getters at each position advanced to the second phase of voting. You can vote NOW up until Thursday at 1 p.m. CT. The All-Star starters will be announced on Thursday at 9 p.m. on ESPN. Pitchers and reserves will be revealed on July 4 at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN. The All-Star Game is July 13 on FOX.
You can hear the Atlanta Braves all season on Thunder Radio – your exclusive home for the Braves in Coffee County.
Birthdays- June 28
Birthdays:
Tatum Baldwin- 21
Anniversaries:
Matt & Brandi Vinson- 24 Years
Birthdays- June 26
Tiffany Clutter- 50
Juel McConnell
Myra McConnell
Carolyn Bonner- Pizza Winner!
One dead, another in custody after Sunday night stabbing in Coffee County
A Hispanic male is dead and another in the Coffee County jail after an argument allegedly led to a stabbing on Sunday, June 27 at 202 Bryan Blvd. in Coffee County.
According to authorities with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, a Hispanic male identified as Jesus Perez-Beltron, age 25, became irate during an argument and allegedly stabbed another Hispanic male in the chest with a black switchblade knife. A friend transported the stabbing victim to Unity Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities are not yet prepared to release the victim’s name, pending notification of family.
According to witnesses, after stabbing the victim Beltron then ran through the house and “dove through a window,” which caused him to drop what is believed to be the murder weapon. Authorities were able to recover the knife by the window.
Beltron then ran from his residence on 202 Bryan Blvd. to a residence on Rooster Run Lane, where he was discovered by law enforcement. He was treated by EMS for cuts and injuries sustained from jumping through a window and then transported to Vanderbilt Harton for treatment of his injuries. He was then transported to Coffee County Jail. He is charged with first degree murder and being held on $1 Million bond.
John “Thurman” Anderson
Funeral Services for Mr. John “Thurman” Anderson, age 70, of Beechgrove, will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at Manchester Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Farrar Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00pm until 8:00pm on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at the funeral home. Mr. Anderson passed from this life at his residence on June 26, 2021.
Thurman was born in Coffee County, TN on June 6, 1951, to the late LD and Elora Anderson. He loved to play softball, shoot pool, and in his younger years, hunt ginseng with dad. Thurman also enjoyed fishing with his grandsons. He was especially close to his younger brother, Wayne. They loved to travel to the mountains and visit Cades Cove so they could look for bears. The night before his passing, Thurman accepted the Lord as his savior.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by three brothers, Baby Boy Anderson, Roy Gene Anderson, and Charles Anderson; two sisters, Betty Mae Anderson and Jessie Koger; brother-in-law, Horace Simmons; nephew, Mark Wayne Espy; former-in-laws, Curtis and Ruby Moore. He is survived by two daughters, Brittany Anderson (Alex Watkins) and Cortney Smith (Donald Curlee); brother, Wayne Anderson (Deb); six sisters, Helen Kirby, Geneva Grosch (James), Mildred Jones (James), Susie Espy (Wayne), Elizabeth Simmons and Teresa Duncan (Boyd); sister-in-law, Margie Anderson; brother-in-law, Gerald Koger; four grandchildren, Braiden Wilson, Jordan Anderson, Gage Curlee and Payton Curlee; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Manchester Funeral Home is honored to serve the Anderson Family.