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Youth volleyball skills camp set for July 20-21
Children entering grades 3-8 will have an opportunity to learn volleyball skills with Coffee County High School coach Andrew Taylor in July.
Lady Raider Volleyball Skills Camp is set for July 20-21 from 9 a.m. to noon each day at the Coffee County Central gymnasium (100 Red Raider Dr.).
Cost is $40 per camper, and all current Coffee Middle and Westwood Middle players receive a 50% discount.
Registration is available at the door, pay at the door.
TDOT to halt construction projects for July 4 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 1 through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5 to provide maximum roadway capacity for holiday travelers.
AAA predicts record travel in Tennessee this year, with over one million Tennesseans taking a trip and 92% of them driving.
“With so many people hitting the road we want to do all we can to ensure they reach their destinations safely and without necessary delays,” said TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “We are doing so by suspending lane closures during this busy 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.
Thunder Radio political forum schedule finalized
Thunder Radio political forum for the upcoming August General Election will be held on Thursday, July 14th.
In a format similar to past years, Thunder Radio will welcome candidates involved in contested races. Some races will include a debate-style format, while others will include candidate speeches.
The schedule for the evening is as follows:
6:00-6:08 p.m. – Candidates for Road Superintendent
6:12 – 6:37 – Candidates for Coffee County Mayor*
6:45-6:53 – Candidates for County Clerk
6:57 – 7:33 – Candidates for Coffee County Sheriff*
7:37 – 8:10 – Candidates for Manchester Alderman
(*Indicates debate-style format. Questions welcome to be submitted to josh.peterson.wmsr@gmail.com. Candidates in other races listed will have 4 minutes of open microphone time. )
The event will be held from 6-8:10 p.m. Thursday, July 14 at The Church at 117 – an event facility located in downtown Manchester. Early voting for the August 4 election begins on July 15 and runs through July 30. The Thunder Radio political forum is open and free for anyone to attend. It will also be broadcast on Thunder Radio: 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, Manchester Go app, thunder1320.com and video provided on Thunder Radio Facebook (click here to follow).
Multiple races will be contested in the August election, including Coffee County Sheriff, Coffee County Mayor, Coffee County Clerk and Coffee County Road Superintendent. There will be other various commission seats for grabs, as well as 8 candidates for aldermen seeking 3 open seats. See complete sample ballot by clicking here.
Anyone with questions should direct them to Josh Peterson at josh.peterson.wmsr@gmail.com.
TN gas prices fall for second straight week
Gas prices across Tennessee fell for the second week in a row – providing a bit of good news for the 945,000 Tennesseans expected to hit the road later this week for the Independence Day holiday. Today’s state average is nearly nine cents less expensive than one week ago. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $4.51 which is 24 cents more expensive than one month ago and $1.67 more than one year ago.
The average price per gallon in Coffee County s $4.50, which is a penny below the state average and 39 cents below the national average of $4.89.
“We’re headed into the holiday weekend on a two-week streak of declining gas prices, which is great news for road trippers, ” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Despite the recent declines, gas prices will still be the highest on record for the holiday.”
Drivers should expect busy roads during the holiday weekend, particularly during Thursday and Friday afternoons, as commuters leave work early and mix with holiday travelers. Drivers in major U.S. metros could experience double the travel times compared to a normal trip. AAA advises road travelers to leave early and identify alternate routes in case you encounter congestion.
AAA also urges drivers to ensure their vehicle is road trip ready. AAA expects to receive 446,000 calls for roadside assistance during the holiday weekend. Getting a full vehicle inspection could help ensure you are not one of them. Visit AAA.com/AutoRepair to find a certified mechanic.
Quick Facts
- 56% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $4.50
- The lowest 10% of pump prices are $4.25 for regular unleaded
- The highest 10% of pump prices are $4.80 for regular unleaded
- Tennessee is the 7th least expensive market in the nation
National Gas Prices
A drop in the global price of oil helped the national average for a gallon of gas to fall for a second week to land at $4.89. Economic fears of a potential global recession leading to less demand for oil dropped the price to around $107 per barrel, down from $110 last week.
Please note that a vital gas price indicator was unavailable to AAA for this week’s report. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said it was delaying the release of gasoline demand data because of “systems issues.” Demand is a sign of whether motorists are fueling up or not, which in turn may be reflected in higher or lower pump prices.
Today’s national average of $4.89 is nine cents less than a week ago, 30 cents more than a month ago, and $1.80 more than a year ago.
Peter Bruce Root
Peter Bruce Root, of Mt. Juliet, formerly of Tullahoma, passed this life on Thursday, June 23rd, 2022 at his home at the age of 72. Pete was born in Cumberland, Wisconsin to the late Murray B. and Frederica Vrooman Root. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1971. Pete married Jean Betts ten days later and began 51 years of marriage, traveling to 16 assignments in 21 years, before retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and staying in Tullahoma. Pete also earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan in Construction Management in 1981. He had a construction consulting business in “partnering” on projects both nationally and internationally. Pete camped or RV’d in Europe and 49 states over the past 51 years. He enjoyed woodworking and built a huge shop at his home. Many of his family and church family, including 18 Vicars, still have his homemade crosses. Pete was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Tullahoma where he served as an elder, trustee, and president of congregation, along with managing two different construction projects. After moving to Mt. Juliet, Pete and Jean became members of Celebration Lutheran Church. Pete was a devoted grandfather. His greatest joy in retirement was traveling the country and sharing his love of the RV life with his grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his in-laws, Boyd and Mary Ann Betts; and one brother-in-law, David Betts. Pete is survived by his loving wife, Jean Root; one son, Mat Root; one daughter, Julie Root Sanders (Alan); brother, Jim Root (Diane); sister, Carolyn Lowery; brother, Michael Root (Sharon); grandchildren, Bria Sanders, Easton Root, Meredith Root, and Alyssa Sanders; multiple nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and sisters-in-laws, Vickie Osterloh (Steve), Sue Tretheway (Bill), and Cher Ruska (Cal). Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 29th, 2022 at Faith Lutheran Church from 1:30pm-3:00pm with a memorial service to follow at 3:00pm with Rev. Marty Nutter officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Faith Lutheran Church in Tullahoma Building Fund, Celebration Lutheran Church in Mt. Juliet, or Amedysis Hospice. Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Henley Storage units sustain heavy fire damage Saturday
Multiple units at Henley Storage in Manchester sustained heavy fire damage Saturday night, June 25, 2022.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Manchester Fire was dispatched to a fire at Henley Storage, located on Burger Street behind the Budget Motel.
According to MFD, arriving crews found heavy fire and smoke coming from the middle storage building. The fire was in the various storage spaces and in the roof of the facility. Crews gained access to the fire inside the storage unit with power saws.
Due to heat and multiple fire areas, units requested manpower assistance and air truck from Tullahoma Fire. Manpower was also requested from Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department, AEDC, Summitville and New Union Volunteer Fire Departments.
Cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Photos below provided by Manchester Fire.
TBI makes addition to most wanted list for man wanted out of Marion County
Johnny Lewis Payne is wanted by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and has been added to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Most Wanted List.
Payne is wanted for escape, and should be considered armed and dangerous.
Payne is described as a 48-year old white male. He is bald and has green eyes. He is approximately 5’7″ and weighs 140 pounds.
A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to his arrest.
Please call 1-800-TBI-FIND if you have information or have seen Johnny Lewis Payne.
New edition of Thunder the Magazine now available
The newest edition of Thunder the Magazine is now available.
The June edition of the glossy magazine – published by Thunder Radio – focuses on Coffee County High School, Coffee Middle School and Westwood Middle School spring sports for the 2022 year. The magazine also highlights excellent photography and the first ever Thundie Sports Awards.
Hard copies of the full-color, glossy magazine are available for FREE at multiple locations in Manchester, including Thunder Radio studios (1030 Oakdale St.), Al White Ford Lincoln, Mercantile Cafe, Coffee County Bank, Attorney Shawn Trail’s office, Peoples Bank & Trust, Interstate Liquors, Capstar Bank (main branch), Bush Insurance and Reese’s Genes Boutique.
You can also view a digital version of the magazine by clicking here.
CHS cheerleaders have two named All-Americans at summer camp
Coffee County Central Cheerleaders attended team camp last week for the first time since 2019. It was a welcome experience for the group that has missed two years due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The Lady Raider squad placed first at camp in their Gameday routine and fourth in their dance routine.
Senior Liza Johnson and junior Anna Jones were selected as cheer All-Americans at the camp, which was three days at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville.
Manchester Independence Day celebration set for July 4th; Thunder Radio to broadcast patriotic music for fireworks
Manchester Parks and Recreation Department has announced its annual Independence Day celebration will be held on July 4th at Rotary Park.
Provided for free will be live music and a spectacular fireworks show. Thunder Radio (107.9 FM, 1320 AM) will broadcast patriotic music to go along with fireworks at 9 p.m. The live music starts at 7 p.m. with The Spazmatics performing at Rotary Amphitheatre.
There will be food trucks on site at Rotary Park to purchase meals, including Jefferson’s, Mercantile, El Oro Verde, Crazy Daisies, Common John Brewing Company, SnoBros, Ms. Pokey’s Lemonade and Bad Boys Bbq.
The event is sponsored by Manchester Tourism Commission.
Manchester Rotary Park is located at 557 N. Woodland St. next to the Manchester Recreation Complex. The fireworks will be shot from across the street from the recreation center, making other areas available for watching the fireworks.
Be sure to tune into 107.9 FM during the fireworks show to enjoy the music. (NOTE. When tuning in for music. Tune directly to 107.9 FM. If you listen to Thunder Radio on the Manchester Go app or thunder1320.com, there is a 10-15 second delay).
