Author's posts
Tennessee Safe At Home program sees 250% increase
The Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program, which launched March 1, 2019, now has partner agencies serving every county in Tennessee and has seen a more than 250 percent increase in program participation in the last year.
“At the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we want to remind Tennesseans about this critical program that helps protect individuals and families who have been victimized from becoming victims again,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett.
Safe at Home prevents abusers from locating their victims through public records by providing approved applicants a substitute address that may be used for legal purposes, including voter registration and government services such as a driver’s license and access to assistance programs.
Under current Tennessee law, most state and local government records are available for public review. These public records, which include identifying information, make it easy for abusers to track and find their victims.
This program is open to all victims of domestic abuse, stalking, human trafficking or any sexual offense. There is no cost to participate. Participants must complete an application with one of our partner agencies. Each partner agency has certified application assistants to guide participants through enrollment.
Safe at Home is currently partnering with several organizations across the state, including YWCA of Tennessee, Wo/Men’s Resource and Rape Assistance Program (WRAP), Metro Office of Family Safety, Center of Hope in Maury County, Genesis House of Cookeville, Family Justice Centers, Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking and End Slavery TN.
For more information about the Safe at Home program, participant eligibility or becoming a partner agency, visit sos.tn.gov/safeathome (https://t.e2ma.net/click/a5v7pmb/yvgckg/6ton7wn) or call 615-253-3043.
Gas prices holding steady; Coffee County below state average price
Tennessee gas prices, on average, are up only a penny from last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $1.94 which is nearly four cents less than one month ago and nearly 42 cents less than one year ago.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Coffee County is slightly below the state average, at $1.92.
“Gasoline demand is likely to see some declines in the coming weeks as drivers traditionally take fewer road trips in the fall,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Low demand combined with low crude prices will likely continue to push pump prices cheaper throughout the month.”
On average, September was the most expensive month at the pump for Tennesseans since March. The monthly average price in September was $1.95 per gallon. That’s three cents per gallon more than what drivers paid in August, yet 37 cents per gallon less than what drivers paid in September 2019.
Quick Facts
· 90% 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 $2.22 for regular unleaded
· Tennessee is the 9th least expensive market in the nation
Census deadline extended through end of October
The United States Census Bureau will continue its attempt for a complete count through the end of October – extending a previous deadline of Oct. 5.
Coffee County has done well with its Census response, outpacing the 2010 self-response rates. You can still complete your Census online by going to my2020census.gov.
For every person not counted, it is estimated that Coffee County will miss out on about $11,000 in federal funding.
Braves, Marlins square off in NLDS beginning Tuesday; hear all games on Thunder Radio
After spending the past few months battling to win the National League East, the Braves and Marlins will square off in the NL Division Series, which will begin on Tuesday at Houston’s Minute Maid Park.
Having won their third straight division title, the Braves will be the home team in Games 1, 2 and 5 (if necessary) of this best-of-five series. The Marlins extended one of this year’s best storylines when they clinched a spot in the NLDS by sweeping the Cubs in the Wild Card Series.
The Braves are returning to the NLDS for a third straight year after throwing 22 scoreless innings in their sweep of the Reds in their WC Series.
Postseason experiences have been much different for these two organizations. The Marlins have won each of the seven playoff series they have been involved in, including the 1997 NL Championship Series against the Braves. That stands as the only previous time these two teams have met in the postseason.
By sweeping the Reds, the Braves avoided becoming the first team in MLB history to lose 11 consecutive postseason series. Their last playoff series win had occurred in 2001, when they swept the Astros in the NLDS. The first two games of that series were also played at Minute Maid Park.
“They have kicked our butts a few times,” Marlins closer Brandon Kintzler said. “They’ve beaten us six out of 10, but they’ve [mostly been] competitive games. Obviously, their lineup is great. But we’ve got pitching. They’ve got pitching.”
Sandy Alcantara, who went 6 2/3 innings in an NL Wild Card Series win over the Cubs on Wednesday, will start Game 1 against the Braves.
“If Sandy gets everything going, he’s really a lot to handle,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said.
Lady Raider volleyball set for postseason play
After an impressive 17-4 regular season, the Coffee County Lady Raider volleyball team not knows its path in the postseason.
Shelbyville and Franklin County will meet in a district tournament play-in game. The Lady Raiders will take on the winner at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 in Columbia, which is host site of the tournament.
Coffee County is looking to capitalize off an exceptional regular season for a deep postseason run.
Titans report no positive COVID tests from Sunday round of testing
After days of bad news, the Tennessee Titans reported no new positive COVID-19 from Sunday’s round of testing.
The Titans need two consecutive days of no positive tests to reopen the building.
The Titans had to shut down operations last week after an outbreak on the team, and the Steelers game that was supposed to be Sunday, Oct. 4 was rescheduled for Oct. 25.
You can hear all Tennessee Titans games on Thunder Radio – your home for the Titans in Coffee County.
MPD completes breast cancer challenge for local teacher
Manchester Police Department participated in the “Tennessee, 35 mile breast cancer challenge”.
Ten MPD officers covered the distance from city hall to New Union Elementary. This was 3.5 miles ran by 10 officers to equal the 35 miles for the challenge.
Manchester officers chose New Union Elementary to recognize New Union teacher Nikki Alonso, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Alonso is the wife and daughter of veteran law enforcement officers.
Recreation center sets dates for first Amazing Family Night since COVID pandemic
For the first time since February, the Manchester Parks and Recreation Department will host an Amazing Family Night.
From 6-8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 16, the night will be held at Rotary Park next to the Manchester Recreation Complex at 557 N. Woodland St. There will be free food bags, kid friendly games and Halloween treat bags. There will be free flu shots administered.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Grundy County Sheriff’s Dept. receives funding for inmate program
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded $588,352 by the Bureau of Justice Administration.
The funding is to expand the GCSO’s current inmate program entitled: “Correctional Adult Reentry Education, Employment and Recidivism Reduction Strategies.”
This program is designed to implement or expand education and employment programs that emphasize strong partnerships with corrections, parole, probation, education, workforce development and reentry service providers. This funding will be used over a three year period.
VICTORIOUS: Raiders use big plays, drop Rockvale 20-14
Friday night was big play or bust for the Central High School Red Raider football team. In the end – the Raiders scraped together enough big plays to beat Rockvale 20-14.
Unofficially, Coffee County only managed 222 yards of offense on the night. But defense, special teams and a pair of big plays proved to be the difference.
Sophomore tailback Konor Heaton, who was filling in for an injured Marshall Haney, put the game away with 2:32 to play when he broke loose on a fourth-and-1 run and rumbled 37 yards for a touchdown score to put the Raiders up 20-7. Ian Welden’s extra point was blocked.
Heaton’s run was the first score for the Raiders since the first quarter.
The Raiders jumped on top 7-0 with 3:40 to play in the first quarter when Raider quarterback Connor Shemwell connected with Travis Martin in the seam. Martin raced 79-yards for a score. Then just four plays later, Henry Garcia blocked a Rockvale punt, then scooped the ball and rumbled into the end zone to put the Raiders up 14-0 late in the first.
Garcia later added an interception as part of a Raider defense that bent, but didn’t break for most of the night. In the first half Rockvale got inside the red zone three times (twice inside the 10 yard line) – but the Raiders forced a missed field goal, then a turnover on downs, and linebacker Tristan Galy forced a fumble that was recovered by Zack Galy.
Rockvale finished with 301 yards of total offense.
The win is the first road win on the season or Coffee County, and moves the Raiders back to .500 at 3-3 and 2-2 in Region 3-6A, which keeps the Raiders alive in the postseason picture.
The Raiders return home next Friday, Oct. 9, to host Maplewood in a non-region tilt. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on Thunder Radio.
Garcia was named Mid Tenn Turf player of the Game on the Thunder Radio broadcast.
Listen to the game again.