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Coffee County Mayor Gary Cordell released from hospital
Coffee County Mayor Gary Cordell has been released from the hospital.
Cordell was in the hospital for treatment of symptoms while battling COVID-19. He was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 14.
As of Monday afternoon, Dec. 21 , Cordell was released and, according to his office, he will “now be recovering at home.”
Manchester Recreation Center makes several changes after governor executive order
Manchester Parks and Recreation Department has issue new guidelines for use of its facility following Governor Bill Lee’s executive order 70.
Changes include:
*The recreation complex will only be open to guests with memberships.
*No public swim will be available.
*The lap and therapy pools will be restricted to 10 guests each, including fitness classes.
*No private pool party reservations until after Jan. 19.
*Fitness classes are restricted to no more than 10 people.
*Wellness room, indoor track, Gym A, Gym B, spin room, aerobics room and youth wellness / casual care nursery are restricted to no more than 10 people at one time.
*No more than one hour in an area.
*No new reservations for Ada Wright Center until Jan. 19.
*Dusty Elam youth basketball practices and games postponed until Jan. 19.

Titans’ Henry, Brown selected to pro bowl
A pair of Titans have been selected as Pro Bowlers for their work during the 2020 season – running back Derrick Henry, and receiver A.J. Brown.
Henry, who leads the NFL with 1,679 rushing yards in 2020, has already established a new career high for rushing yards in a season, surpassing the 1,540 yards he had in 2019. Henry has nine 100-yard rushing game in 2020.
With two games remaining in 2020, Henry’s rushing yards total ranks as the fourth-best single-season total in franchise history behind Chris Johnson’s 2,006 yards in 2009, Earl Campbell’s 1,934 yards in 1980, and Campbell’s 1,697 yards in 1979.
Henry, who also has 15 rushing touchdowns this season, joined Terrell Davis (1997-98), Shaun Alexander (2004-05) and Larry Johnson (2005-06) on Sunday as the only players in NFL history to rush for 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns in two consecutive seasons.
Henry played in his first Pro Bowl last season.
… continue reading this story here.
You can listen to the Tennessee Titans every week on Thunder Radio – 107.9 FM, 1320 AM.
Gas price jumps 6 cents in past week
The Tennessee gas price average continues to trend upward, climbing six cents over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $1.98 which is 12 cents more than one month ago and 34 cents less than one year ago.
“The recent gas price pump increases are a bit surprising given December demand numbers are the lowest posted for the month since 1999,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Rising crude oil prices and tightening supply are the main factors contributing to the uptick in pump prices.”
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Coffee County is $1.96.
Quick Facts
· 85% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $2.00
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $1.80 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $2.24 for regular unleaded
· Tennessee remains the 7th least expensive market in the nation
National Gas Prices
Pump prices across the country are getting more expensive as we head into the last weeks of the year. Since Monday, the national gas price average has jumped six cents to $2.22. While not the most expensive price we’ve seen this year, it is the highest national average since mid-September.
Two factors have contributed to driving up the price at the pump: rising crude oil prices and tightening supply. The domestic price of crude (WTI) has been steadily rising since November, with prices topping $49/bbl. Prices have not been this expensive since February, before stay-at-home guidance was introduced across the country. Prices began to rise last month alongside vaccination news and have only increased with it becoming available.
Governor Bill Lee issues executive order limiting group sizes at social gatherings
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued executive order 70 Sunday night – an order that stops short of instituting a statewide mask mandate in Tennessee, but limits indoor public gatherings.
The order asks for everyone to work at home when possible and limit gatherings. Below are notes regarding the order, including changes to TSSAA events. The full order is also below.
Governor Lee’s executive order calls for the following:
*Tennesseans should work from home where possible. This is not a mandate, but urges employers and businesses to take steps to the “greatest extend practicable to equip, encourage, allow or require employees to work remotely or via telework from home.”
* Social gathering limitations. Lee’s order calls for Tennesseans to maintain at least six feet of separation from persons outside their household and “shall not in any event be in a group of 10 or more persons in an indoor public place for the purposes of social gatherings, activities or events; provided that this limitation does not necessarily prohibit 10 or more total persons from gathering in a single place or venue for an activity or event if they are in separate, otherwise permissible smaller groups that substantially maintain six feet or more of separation from other persons or separate groups.”
The social distancing guidelines do not apply to worship services, weddings or funerals because these are not considered social gatherings.
However, places of worship are “strongly encouraged to follow the guidance for gathering together in houses for worship” issued by the Governor’s office of faith-based and community initiatives regarding in-person services that can be conducted safely. It is encouraged that large public celebration of weddings and funerals be postponed or attended only by close family.
*Spectator sports and athletic events. Local education agencies and schools shall have the authority to permit school-sponsored sporting events and activities, provided that all such activities, including practices and games or competition, must be conducted in a manner consistent with COVID-19 related guidance and rules adopted by the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association.
There is this caveat to school sponsored events: “schools, organizers and facilities shall not permit spectators to attend practices, games or competition; provided, that game, school and facility administrators, athletic officials, coaching and team personnel, parents, guardians or other immediate household members of athletes practicing or competing at the venue on that date, media and athletic scouting personnel attending the event in their professional capacity, and first responders may be present within the facility, but must to the greatest extend practicable comply with applicable health protocols, including maintaining at least 6 feet of separation from persons outside their household.”
The TSSAA is expected to release additional guidance for member schools Monday.
The full order is below.



HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Raiders split first two games back from COVID layoff

Coffee County Central’s Red Raider boys played for the first time in 17 days Friday night.
The Raiders shook the rust off quickly in a 62-36 rout of Van Buren County Friday night in the Gandy Ink Christmas Classic in Spencer. The Raiders followed that with a 73-71 overtime loss to Silverdale Academy on Saturday.
BOTH GAMES WERE BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE REPLAY OF THE VAN BUREN GAME. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE REPLAY OF THE SILVERDALE GAME.
Friday night against Van Buren County Eagles, Jaxon Vaughn put up a 14-point performance and the Raiders were 7-of-10 at the free throw line in the win. CHS led 26-10 at the half and 41-26 after three quarters.
Trenton Scrivnor pitched in 11 points off the bench, including 5 points at the free-throw line.
Hayden Hullett added 9 points, Kyle Farless 8, Connor Shemwell 4, CJ Anthony 4, Phineas Rollman 3, Aidan Abellana 2, Brady Nugent 2 and Brady Vaughn 2.
The split puts the Raiders overall record to 4-3 on the season. They play again at 5 p.m. Monday against Clarkrange in Spencer – their final game in the Gandy Ink Classic. That game will be broadcast live on Thunder Radio (107.9 FM, 1320 AM, Manchester Go app, thunder1320.com.).
Busy Monday schedule for CHS basketball
Monday (Dec. 21) is a busy day for both Coffee County Central High School boys and girls basketball teams – with both playing at separate tournaments.
At 3:30 p.m., the CHS Lady Raiders will tip off against Pope John Paul II in the Corey Brewer Christmas tournament in Portland, Tenn – which is on the Kentucky border.
At 5 p.m., the Red Raider boys will play their final game in the Gandy Ink Christmas Classic in Spencer, taking on Clarkrange.
At 6:30 p.m., the Lady Raiders will plan an opponent that is to be determined at Portland High School.
Thunder Radio will broadcast all three games live on the air. Our coverage begins at 3:15 p.m. and continues until the final whistle at approximately 8 p.m.
If the Lady Raiders win both of their games Monday, they will play in the championship game of their tournament at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Thunder Radio will be there to broadcast that game.
Hear all Red Raider and Lady Raider sports on Thunder Radio – 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, on the Manchester Go app and listen live by clicking here.
Titans light up scoreboard in rout of Lions
Five days before Christmas, the Titans lit up the scoreboard like a Christmas tree.
Again.
The Titans beat the Detroit Lions 46-25 on Sunday in the regular season finale at Nissan Stadium – a game you heard LIVE on Thunder Radio.
In doing so, the Titans became just the fifth team in NFL history to score 30-plus points with 420 offensive yards in five consecutive weeks.
The Titans have now scored 30-plus points in nine of their 14 games this season and scored 40-plus points on four occasions.
Coffee County Sheriff’s Dept. to take non-emergency reports over the phone
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department will now take non-emergency reports over the phone.
The department made the decision due to the recent increase of COVID-19 cases within Coffee County.
Any reports that require the presence of a deputy or investigator will be responded to normally.
To contact the Coffee County non-emergency dispatch, call 931-728-9555.
Some Coffee Co. government offices alter operations beginning Monday
Due to the rising numbers in COVID-19 cases in Coffee County, most Coffee County Government buildings will be closing their offices to the public beginning Monday, Dec. 21.
This will include most all offices at Coffee County Administrative Plaza, The Public Libraries, and all other county buildings unless otherwise listed in this release. The exceptions to this will be Coffee County Sheriff’s Department and all Convenience centers within the County. They will remain open and operational utilizing normal business hours.
Also, the Coffee County Trustee’s office lobby will remain open Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 29-31 for residents to pay property taxes.
All employees will still be working and will be available by appointment. If you have business with the following offices, we ask that you please call ahead and schedule an appointment:
Coffee County Mayor’s Office 931-723-5100
Coffee County Clerk’s Office 931-723-5106
“Those who have business with Coffee County Clerk can also utilize the drive-up window located on the East side of the building.
Coffee County Election Office (Closed)
Coffee County Register of Deeds 931-723-5130 (Office has walk up window)
Coffee County Trustee will remain open. 931-723-5128
Coffee County Probation 931-723-3939
Coffee County Circuit Clerk 931-723-5110 (Someone will be in the lobby for payments & filings)
Coffee County Codes 931-723-4841
Coffee County Industrial Board 931-723-5120
Coffee County Property Assessor 931-723-5126
Coffee County Chancery Court 931-723-5132 (Someone will be in the lobby for payments & filings)
Coffee County Youth Services 931-723-5108
Following similar precautions being taken across the state, these precautionary measures are being taken in order to limit potential exposure to COVID-19. All emergency services will still operate in case of Emergency. County Employees and most services will continue to be available by phone and many services are available online.
The health and safety of our residents, visitors, and employees is of the highest importance at this time. Coffee County will continue to monitor all updates from the CDC and state health officials and will adjust our response plans and operations based on their advice. The CDC and State of Tennessee health officials recommend social distancing, which is a term for taking precautions to reduce your contact with other individuals. Coffee County Will re-evaluate on Monday 1/4/2021 by 4pm and apprise the public as to further closings that may be warranted.