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With vaccines arriving in Tennessee this week, here is who can receive them first
The Tennessee Department of Health has received its first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine ahead of statewide shipment on Thursday, as announced by Thunder Radio News on Monday. The state obtained an early shipment of 975 doses to hold as an emergency backup supply with anticipated receipt of 56,550 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine this week.
The first and second Pfizer vaccine shipments will be used to provide first and second vaccine doses to individuals qualifying for Phase 1a1, as detailed in the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for Tennessee.
Phase 1a1 patients include the following:
*Hospital / free-standing emergency department staff with direct patient exposure and/or exposure to potentially infectious material
*Home care staff
*COVID-19 mass testing site staff
*Student health providers
*Staff and residents of long term care facilities
*First responders with diret public exposure
With first priority to those who meet the following:
65 and older, cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, solid organ transplant, obesity with a BMI greater than 30, serious cardiac disease, sickle cell disease and type 1 nd 2 diabetics.
You can read Tennessee’s full vaccination plan by clicking here.
City of Tullahoma alters operations due to high COVID-19 count
The City of Tullahoma announced Tuesday that city operations will move to
Phase 3 COVID-19 Operations. The City COVID-19 Operation Plan is a
three-phased strategy for operations, and when Coffee County case count goes
over 500 cases, the City modifies operations for the safety of employees and
the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beginning Wednesday, December 16 and continuing until further notice, the
following changes in city operations will be in effect.
including basketball. The City’s JR NBA basketball program has been postponed until January 2nd. Please check the Parks web site as other restrictions or limits may apply.
The Tullahoma Animal Shelter will close to the public, but staff remains available to assist with adoptions by appointment. Individuals are encouraged to go to
and call 454-9580 to schedule a visit. Tullahoma’s shelter remains a compassionate, no-kill animal shelter and we hope to find a forever home for each pet.
City government meetings will be conducted virtually. Most recently, the Tullahoma Board of Mayor and Aldermen conducted business by video conference and broadcast using Facebook Live, as well as broadcasting to Charter Ch.
193 and Lighttube Ch. 6. Citizens may join in watching the next City Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 22, at 5:30 p.m.
The weekly Development Advisory Committee (DAC) meetings scheduled for each Wednesday have been cancelled until further notice. If you have a project for review, please e-mail Winston Brooks at Wbrooks@tullahomatn.gov. The project will be distributed electronically to the DAC for comments.
Other City of Tullahoma departments remain open and are focused onmaintaining the health, safety and welfare of our citizens and City team members.
The City will release updates at our
Individuals can assist in practicing everyday prevention measures, in
compliance with the CDC recommendations for minimizing possible exposure to
COVID-19:
* Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If
not available, use hand sanitizer.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
* Avoid contact with people who are sick.
* Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
* Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or
sneezing.
* Clean commonly touched surfaces regularly.
* Select a room in your house to utilize if you must self-quarantine
and identify someone who can bring you supplies to avoid having to make
trips.
* Stay informed on the latest updates.
Tennessee now 7th least expensive market for gasoline
The Tennessee gas price average remains relatively steady, up nearly two cents from last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $1.92 which is four cents more than one month ago and 38 cents less than one year ago.
However, Tennessee has dropped to the 7th least expensive market to purchase gas in the entire nation.
“Gasoline demand is down 14% year-over-year. The numbers we are seeing as of late are very similar to readings from May when many states were locked down and demand was very low,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The fact is, Americans are filling-up less as states re-introduce travel restrictions and the pandemic lingers.”
Quick Facts
· 91% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $2.00
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $1.76 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $2.20 for regular unleaded
· Tennessee moved to the 7th least expensive market in the nation
National Gas Prices
Since the beginning of November, U.S. gasoline demand has softened. The Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) data shows demand measured at 8.7 million b/d for the week ending November 6. In their latest report, for the week ending December 4, demand measured at 7.6 million b/d. That is the lowest reading since the end of May and marks four weeks of straight decline.
With softer gasoline demand, many states are seeing pump prices push cheaper, though at modest rates. Motorists are not seeing larger declines at the pump likely due to crude oil prices, which continue to trend around $46/bbl (WTI). However, crude prices have not pushed above this price point.
Regardless, amid low gasoline demand, high gasoline inventory and a resurgence in coronavirus cases, gas prices are not likely to see large increases. On the week, the national gas price average held steady at $2.16. That is also four cents less than last month and 40 cents cheaper than last year.
SANTA DELIVERS EARLY: Gifts under Manchester tree for those in need
The Manchester Police Department has “coordinated with Santa Claus” and placed toys under the Christmas tree on the square in downtown Manchester.
The toys were placed there Tuesday morning, Dec. 15, and are available for families in need this Christmas season.
“Santa would like for families in need to come get what you need for your children,” MPD said. “And be respectful of how much you get. Let’s all share and we will hopefully have enough for all that need help.”
Thunder Radio news has multiple sources that have confirmed that once Tuesday’s toys are gone, Santa will be making more random early visits to the downtown square between now and Christmas.
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Schedule changes, subtractions and additions for CHS
The Coffee County Central basketball scheduled continues to be a working document with more rescheduled dates and cancelled or postponed games.
The Red Raider boys, who were sidelined for 10 days due to COVID-19 exposure, will be traveling to Columbia for a District 8-AAA game at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2. The Lady Raiders already played Columbia and picked up a win.
Also, the Raider boys were scheduled to host Franklin County this Friday, Dec. 18 to make up for the game they couldn’t play last week. However, Franklin County has halted all athletics until the new year, forcing that game to be rescheduled. A date is not yet available. The Lady Raiders hosted Franklin County in a girls only contest on Dec. 11 and won 93-13.
The Raider boys were scheduled to play in the Tullahoma Christmas Classic on Dec. 21 and 22 – that tournament has now been cancelled. Head coach Micah Williams has been able to pick up a spot for his team in the Gandy Inc Classic at Van Buren County. Game time are as follows: Friday, Dec. 18 Coffee County vs. Van Buren Co. at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 19 Coffee Co. vs. Silverdale at 5 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 21, Coffee County vs. Clarkrange at 5 p.m.
Meanwhile, the game that was added Tuesday, Dec. 15 for the Lady Raiders at Webb School has been cancelled and will not be made up due to the Lady Raiders being too close to their maximum number of games allowed.
The Lady Raiders and Red Raiders both will make up the game that was supposed to be played at Warren County (Monday, Dec. 14) on Feb. 2 in McMinnville. Girls to tip at 6 p.m. with boys to follow.
The Lady Raiders will travel to Portland, Tenn. Dec. 21 and 22 to participate in a Christmas tournament there. CHS will play at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 21 against Pope John Paul II High School, and again at 6:30 p.m. With two wins, the Lady Raiders will play in the championship game on Dec. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
All Red Raider and Lady Raider games can be heard live on Thunder Radio – 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, streaming worldwide at thunder1320.com, Manchester Go smartphone app and TuneInRadio app.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Coffee Middle splits on the road with West Tullahoma
Lady Raider eighth grader Olivia Vinson had a field day against West Tullahoma Monday night – piling up 26 points as Coffee Middle took a 51-29 win.
The Lady Raiders led 33-14 at halftime and 41-16 after three quarters.
Channah Gannon piled up 12 points and Sophie McInturff 11 to join Vinson in double figures. Ella Arnold also picked up 2 points in her first start – filling in for Natalie Barnes, who was out for the night.
The win improves the Lady Raiders to 8-1 on the season and 7-0 in CTC conference play.
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RAIDO! DOWNLOAD THE REPLAY HERE.
Meanwhile, the Raider boys were outscored 22-10 in the second half to fall to the Bobcats 37-28.
CMS led 18-15 at the halftime break, but the second half was all West.
Brennan Young led CMS with 12 points. Cole Pippenger and Evan Kirby each added six and Brady Wright and Courtland Farrar 2 apiece.
Coffee County boys fall to 5-2 on the season with the loss.
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO! DOWNLOAD THE REPLAY HERE.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Westwood picks up sweep over Ezell Harding
The Rockets and Lady Rockets of Westwood Middle School swept visiting Ezell Harding Monday night in Manchester.
For the Lady Rockets, it was a double-digit effort from Jules Ferrell to lead the way to a 33-19 win. Ferrell banked 10 points to go with 7 from Audri Patton. Reese Finch added 6, Rylee Clark and Maddie Meacham 4 and Emily Holmes 2.
Meanwhile, Westwood’s Rockets got 11 second half points from Cayden Trail and turned a 17-13 halftime deficit into a 39-35 win over Ezell Harding.
Trail finished with 13 total points to go with 14 from Jayden Carter.
The Rockets also got 3 points from Blake Hillis, 4 from Caiden Warren, 3 from Brayden Trail and 2 from Jaiden Warren.
North Lake principal passes away
North Lake Elementary School principal George Butler has passed away.
Butler passed away at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14 from reported COVID-19 related complications.
North Lake Elementary School is part of the Franklin County School System.
Coffee County man killed in single-vehicle crash
A Manchester man has passed away after a fatal single-vehicle crash Saturday morning.
According to a preliminary report obtained from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, deceased is Phil Baugh, age 49, of Manchester.
According to THP, Baugh was traveling south on Walden Ridge Rd. in a Ford F450 when his vehicle went off the roadway to the left, continued off the roadway and struck a tree head on. The vehicle came to a final rest against the tree. The crash occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
Baugh was wearing his seat belt.
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Three face second degree murder charges in fentanyl-related deaths; DA issues statement
Coffee County District Attorney General Craig Northcott on Monday released a lengthy statement addressing recent drug overdose deaths in the area.
Currently facing charges are Paul Wayne Fletcher, Jr., who was indicted in September for multiple offenses, one of which includes second degree murder for a fentanyl related death in June. He is being held on $250,000 bond. Mark Luttrell, Sr., has also been indicted on charges that include second degree murder for a fentanyl related death in June. As Thunder Radio reported Monday, he is being held on $175,000 bond. And Hunter Gremillion has been indicted for second degree murder in relation to a fentanyl-related death in June. He is being held on $150,000.
Northcott said the three cases are separate with different victims and none are directly connected to the others.
Second Degree Murder is a Class A Felony and carries a penalty of 15-25 years in prison for defendants with no more than one (1) previous felony conviction. However, under Tennessee’s current sentencing laws, a Class A Felony is punishable by up to 60 years in prison for those with at least five (5) prior Class A, B or C felony convictions.
There are similar cases pending against other individuals. You can see Northcott’s complete statement below:
“Dear Citizens of Coffee County and All Others Concerned:
“As you know, drug abuse and overdoses are a plague on our community and throughout Tennessee and the rest of this Country. Certainly, those who abuse drugs are responsible for their decisions but those who choose to profit from this plague are responsible for their conduct as well. My office recognizes this as does all local and State law enforcement.
“Coffee County has experienced a marked increase in overdoses including those resulting in death over the last year. Fentanyl is a major component in that increase. To that end, we have focused on investigating overdose deaths in an effort to hold those who distributed the drugs resulting in that murder accountable for their conduct. In fact, the Tullahoma Police Department, Manchester Police Department, Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, TBI and my office have been working closely together to address this problem. These are difficult and intensive investigations. However, those efforts have been fruitful, and we will continue to work towards protecting this community through this effort.
“Specifically, Paul Wayne Wade Fletcher, Jr. was indicted in September 2020 for several offenses including Second Degree Murder for a fentanyl related death in June. He is being held on a $250,000 bond awaiting his next court appearance on March 21, 2021.
“In a separate case, Mark Luttrell, Sr. was indicted earlier this month for drug related offenses including Second Degree Murder for a fentanyl related death in June. He is being held in the Coffee County Jail on a $175,000 bond awaiting his arraignment on January 6, 2021.
‘In yet another case, Hunter Gremillion was indicted earlier this month for drug related offenses including Second Degree Murder for a fentanyl related death in June. He is being held in the Coffee County Jail on a $150,000 bond awaiting his arraignment on January 6, 2021.
“To be clear, these are each separate cases with different victims. None are directly connected to the others. Also, we have other similar cases pending against other individuals but these are the three (3) most recent indictments. Second Degree Murder is a Class A Felony and carries a penalty of 15-25 years in prison for defendants with no more than one (1) previous felony conviction. However, under Tennessee’s current sentencing laws, a Class A Felony is punishable by up to 60 years in prison for those with at least five (5) prior Class A, B or C felony convictions.
“Thank you for supporting law enforcement and their efforts to serve you each and every day. Please be in prayer for the families of the victims in each of these cases to find peace despite their loss.”