Josh Peterson

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CHAMPIONS: Lady Raiders win back-to-back district titles

Coffee County’s Lady Raiders are District Champions yet again.

Coffee County easily dispatched of Franklin County in the semi-finals before dropping Lincoln County 3-1 in the District 8-AAA championship match in Columbia Thursday night.

It is the third District 8-AAA championship in the past four years for the Lady Raider program and marks its 9th consecutive trip to the region tournament.

Final scores over Lincoln County: 25-22, 25-20, 22-25 and 25-16.

Kiya Ferrell served up six aces in the championship match and dominated at the net with 18 kills. She also had 12 assists.

Lauren Brandt led the Lady Raiders with 20 assists. Maddy Sussen and Ferrell each had 10 digs for CHS.

Keri Munn, Lauren Brandt and Lexi Bryan received All-District honors, while Kiya Ferrell was named MVP and head coach Andrew Taylor received Coach of the Year honors.

Coffee County will play host to the region tournament on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The Lady Raiders will host Rockvale at 4 p.m. Lincoln County and Siegel will play at 5:30 p.m. and the championship match will follow at 7 p.m. at Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym.

Earning District 8-AAA honors are, from left, CHS head coach Andrew Taylor, Keri Munn, Lauren Brandt, Lexi Bryan and Kiya Ferrell.

PERFECT SEASON: Westwood Rockets put together big second half, win DRVC title game

Westwood football players celebrate after winning the 2020 DRVC Title Game.

After trailing 20-8 at halftime, the Westwood Rocket football team turned on the jets and ripped off 26 unanswered to take the lead and eventually a 34-26 win in the DRVC Championship game Thursday night at Dyer-Bouldin Field.

The win caps a perfect season for the Rockets. The game was broadcast live on Thunder Radio as part of the First National Bank Hometown Sports Series.

Rocket eighth grader Jayden Carter got the second half rally going with a 51-yard touchdown run. The Rockets followed up with a safety on the next kickoff after a deep kick by Torin Van Zanderberg. Skylar Stinson also scored to put the Rockets up 34-20.

Fayetteville’s K’Veon Henderson connected with Montrell Patrick to close the gap to 34-26 in the fourth quarter, but Carter was able to pick up a first down on fourth and three to run out the clock.

Vaughn Parker, Caiden Warren, Caiden Hays and Jesse Hibdon were named all conference for the Rockets. Jayden Carter was named MVP.

Raiders set to host Maplewood Friday; broadcast to be on Thunder Radio

Coffee County’s Red Raider football team returns home to Carden-Jarrell Field Friday night to host the Maplewood Panthers.

Coffee County (3-3 overall) is looking for its fourth win on the season  – a feat that has not happened since 2007, which happens to be the last time the Red Raiders had a winning season.

Maplewood comes in at 0-4 – the Panthers lost two forfeits and two actual games at East Nashville and Spring Hill. Maplewood bot a late start to the season due to COVID-19 restricting Metro Public Schools athletic departments.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the broadcast will be on Thunder Radio. Tickets will not be available at the gate. However, you can purchase digital tickets at www.gofan.co

The Friday Night Thunder pregame show begins at 6 p.m. with the area’s most complete local pregame coverage. Get your complete coverage of all Red Raider and Lady Raider athletics on Thunder Radio – 107.9 FM, 1320 AM and stream worldwide with the Manchester Go app and www.thunder1320.com

Braves advance to NLCS for first time since 2001

Though he has been with the Braves for nearly a decade, Freddie Freeman hasn’t been around long enough to fully grasp what it means for the team to be heading to the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2001.

But as the Braves secured a spot in the NLCS by sweeping the Marlins with a 7-0 win in Game 3 of the NL Division Series on Thursday afternoon at Minute Maid Park, Freeman could certainly appreciate getting to where he and many of his teammates felt they deserved to be last year.

One year after surrendering 10 runs in the first inning of their final NLDS game against the Cardinals, the Braves left no doubt on the way to improving to 5-0 in this postseason. Kyle Wright delivered six scoreless innings, and Travis d’Arnaud highlighted another multihit effort with a two-run double in the four-run third against Miami starter Sixto Sánchez.

Continue reading by clicking here.

(All Braves games can be heard on Thunder Radio)

Manchester Mayor Lonnie Norman hospitalized with COVID-19 virus

Manchester Mayor Lonnie Norman has been hospitalized due to COVID-19, according to his daughter Pricilla Norman.

Mayor Norman tested positive on Thursday, October 1st, and was immediately hospitalized.

“We appreciate everyone’s concern about my dad’s health,” said Pricilla Norman. “We would like to thank everyone for reaching out to us, but we ask for privacy at this time. Please keep my dad and our family in your prayers.”

The city of Manchester released the following statement to Thunder Radio News: “Vice Mayor Marilyn Howard has been in constant communication with the city staff and officials to ensure the seamless operation of our city. The city implemented strict measures months ago to mitigate the spread of the virus. Unfortunately, like other cities and businesses, we have had employees impacted by the virus.”

Howard was appointed vice mayor by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen in September.

Lonnie Norman in August won re-election for his third consecutive term as Manchester Mayor. 

Thunder Radio will post more to this story as it is available. 

 

Tennessee unemployment numbers for last week now available

The numbers of new persons filing for unemployment in Tennessee is up slightly compared to the previous week. During the week closing on October 3, 2020, there were 9,839 new unemployment filings in the Volunteer State. The previous week that closed on September 26, 2020 saw 9,802 new claims filed.

Since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic, there have been 871,580 claims for unemployment filed in Tennessee. Currently, only 125,238 unemployment benefit packages are being paid, which is a number that continues to drop. Currently, there are 883 claims being paid in Coffee County.

Numbers are provided by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. 

 

Motlow adds expanded Wifi, paperwork dropbox

Motlow State is increasing student access to Wi-Fi and adding a physical paperwork Dropbox at its Moore County campus. Both additions come from an advanced collaboration between the College’s academic and student success leaders to increase retention and graduation.

The same additions have been made to the Motlow McMinnville campus, as well. 

The Dropbox is easily identifiable in front of the Ingram Administration Building. Students can use the Dropbox to drop off paperwork related to admission applications, class registrations, and financial aid. The Dropbox is not available for individual class items such as writing assignments and homework.

Motlow’s Moore County campus has also expanded student Wi-Fi access to the parking lot on both sides of the Marcum Technology Center. Students who do not have access to Wi-Fi are encouraged to come to the campus, remain in their parked car, and use the free Motlow Wi-Fi by signing in with their email username and password.

“We are thrilled to offer these new avenues for students to communicate with the College and with each other,” said Scott Shasteen, director of communications. “Motlow’s continuous focus on student success is strengthened by these evolving strategies. If one student in our Moore County area drops out because of a lack of internet access, then it is highly unlikely they will ever return to College. We can’t let that happen.”

The Washington Post reported this month that record numbers of low-income students are dropping out of college due to a lack of access to good Wi-Fi, stating, “As the fall semester gets into full swing in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, schools are noticing a concerning trend: Low-income students are the most likely to drop out or not enroll at all, raising fears that they might never get a college degree. Some 100,000 fewer high school seniors completed financial aid applications to attend College this year, according to a National College Attainment Network analysis of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data through August.

Students from families with incomes under $75,000 are nearly twice as likely to say they “canceled all plans” to take classes this fall as students from families with incomes over $100,000, according to a U.S. Census Bureau survey in late August.

The Post article adds, “The drop-off in college enrollment is unusual and particular to this pandemic, as college enrollment during the Great Recession grew. Typically, enrollment jumps during economic downturns when jobs are scarce, and people look to retrain. Yet, the opposite is happening now.

Students who are the first in their families to pursue college degrees don’t tend to take “gap years” to travel and intern. When low-income students stop attending school, they rarely return, diminishing their job and wage prospects for the rest of their lives. Only 13 percent of college dropouts ever return, a National Student Clearinghouse report last year found, and even fewer graduate.

At Motlow, we want the story to be different,” said Terri Bryson, vice president of External Affairs. “Student success is our mission. Every student needs to be a success story. We want to ensure that everyone can access Wi-Fi and can drop documents off at our campuses 24/7.”

Early voting for Nov. election starts next week

Tennessee’s generous early voting period for the upcoming State and Federal General Election begins Wednesday, Oct. 14, and runs Monday to Saturday until Thursday, Oct. 29.

“Our top priority, this election season is that every Tennessee voter can cast their ballot safely and securely,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “Utilizing Tennessee’s robust early voting period is an excellent way to accomplish this goal.”

Early voting provides Tennesseans the opportunity to avoid Election Day crowds and can shorten your wait time. Early voting also offers the flexibility of evenings and Saturdays, along with multiple polling locations in many counties.

During early voting and on Election Day, Tennesseans are encouraged to do their part. This includes wearing a face covering and maintaining a six-foot distance from poll officials and other voters. Voters should expect to see signs with further safety instructions at their polling locations. All poll officials will be wearing face coverings and will be trained in social distancing measures.

Tennesseans can find early voting and Election Day polling locations, view and mark sample ballots and much more with the GoVoteTN app (https://t.e2ma.net/click/ati1qmb/yvgckg/ek2laxn) or online at GoVoteTN.com (https://t.e2ma.net/click/ati1qmb/yvgckg/uc3laxn). You can download the GoVoteTN app for free in the App Store or Google Play. Reviewing your sample ballot and deciding how you will vote can reduce your time at the polls.

Tennesseans voting early or on Election Day should remember to bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, by the Tennessee state government or by the federal government, is acceptable even if it’s expired. College student IDs are not acceptable.

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Regal to close locations beginning Thursday

Beginning on Thursday, all 536 Regal theaters in the United States will be temporarily suspending operations. This includes the Regal Cinemas located in Tullahoma.

Regal closed earlier this year due to COVID-19 pandemic and reopened on July 8. However, the delay of many movie releases and productions due to the ongoing pandemic has forced another temporary closure. This is expected to impact about 40,000 employees nationwide.

Franklin Co. authorities need help finding stolen trailer

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigators are asking for the publics help to identify the person who allegedly stole a trailer.

According to FCSO, a vehicle spotted on camera at 135 Robins Dr. in Winchester Saturday, Oct. 3 allegedly took a trailer. The vehicle in question is an SUV. You can see a photo below. Anyone with information should contact Todd Hindman with Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 931-962-0123.