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Four COVID-19 related deaths reported at McMinnville NHC
There have been four deaths reported due to COVID-19 at NHC in McMinnville.
NHC is a senior care facility with multiple locations, including McMinnville and Tullahoma.
According to the NHC HealthCare website, 30 patients have tested positive in the facility and 19 employees have tested positive, bringing the total of people in house with positive tests to 49.
Of these, four patients have passed away, while the remaining 26 patients are listed as recovered. Of the 19 employees who tested positive, 18 have recovered and one remains active.
Manchester City Schools launches new after-school program
The Manchester City School District is excited to announce a new after school opportunity for the district’s elementary students. The program is called “After-School Journey.” It will run from 3-6 p.m. Monday – Friday on days that school is in session. Students will receive academic support as well as enrichment opportunities.
Due to space constraints and social distancing, we must limit the number of students who participate in the program at this time. Students who were registered in the MCS Extended School Program (ESP) for the 2019-2020 school year will have the opportunity to enroll first. Registration will take place on August 3 at the school.
For questions regarding the After-School Journey program, please call (931)232-2434 or your child’s school.
Time running out to early vote for Aug. 6 election
If you intend to vote early for the Aug. 6 election, you have a few days left to do so. Early voting runs through Saturday, Aug. 1. You can vote early at the Coffee County Election Commission office in Manchester or the CD Stamps building in Tullahoma.
As of Monday, there have been 1643 votes cast in Tullahoma, 1225 cast by county residents and only 699 early votes cast in the city of Manchester.
Thunder Radio will provide live election return coverage Thursday night, Aug. 6.
Gas prices dip 2 cents; Coffee County below state average
The Tennessee gas price average dropped nearly two cents over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $1.92 which is nearly four cents less than one month ago and 56 cents less than one year ago.
“Pump prices are mostly pushing cheaper across the state as gasoline demand wanes over the past few weeks,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gas prices are likely to fluctuate throughout the rest of the summer due to COVID-19 concerns, but healthy supply levels should help keep gas prices cheaper than last summer.”
Average prices in Coffee County are actually slightly lower than the Tennessee state average, at $1.90 for a gallon of regular unleaded. The national average is $2.18.
Quick Facts
· 90% of Tennessee gas stations still have prices below $2.00
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $1.71 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $2.21 for regular unleaded
· Tennessee remains the 9th least expensive market in the nation
MYBL crowns city tournament champions
Manchester Youth Baseball League was able to complete its 2020 season with the city tournament championships Monday night. The league was delayed at the start of the season because of the COVID-19 virus.
In the 12U division, Clower Automotive came from behind with a pair of runs in the bottom of the last inning to beat Powers Storagen 7-6 and claim the championship.
It was the second win of the afternoon for Clower Automotive. They pummeled First Vision Bank 12-3 in the semi-final game that was played at 5 p.m.
Meanwhile, Star Farm ran away with the 10U championship game, beating VIAM 14-2. Brady Christian and Levi Rossman were each able to reach base four times and score four runs apiece in the rout.
Xander Meeks allowed one unearned run and struck out eight batters in three innings of work to pick up the win on the mound for State Farm.
In the 6U division, Manchester Tire and Brake beat Star Physical Therapy 15-2.
NFL officially cancels preseason, Titans to open season Sept. 14
By Jim Wyatt, Titans Online
As part of the agreement reached Friday between the NFL and the NFLPA, all preseason games in 2020 have officially been canceled.
The Titans had been scheduled to play the Redskins, Giants, Buccaneers and Bears in this year’s preseason.
Season ticket holders will either receive a refund for the two canceled home games or can use those credits toward tickets for 2021.
Refunds or deferrals for the season can be requested here, now through August 7th:
The Titans are scheduled to open the regular season on September 14 at Denver.
The team’s home opener at Nissan Stadium is scheduled for September 20 vs. Jacksonville.
The Titans will work with state and local government officials to determine the number of fans permitted to attend games at Nissan Stadium this fall. The presence of, and the exact number of fans, has not yet been determined.
You can hear the Titans all season long on Thunder Radio, 107.9 FM, 1320 AM and 106.7 FM in Coffee County.
Braves DFA Mike Foltynewicz after rocky start, Monday loss to Rays
By Mark Bowman, MLB.com
Mike Foltynewicz was the Braves’ Game 1 starter during the 2018 postseason and he was handed the ball with the season on the line during last year’s playoffs. But just one start into this year’s shortened season, his future is suddenly uncertain.
After watching Foltynewicz once again work with significantly decreased velocity in a 14-5 loss to the Rays on Monday night at Tropicana Field, Braves manager Brian Snitker announced the All-Star pitcher had been designated for assignment.
“After the last couple outings in [Summer Camp], we wanted to give it a go here, and it was the same,” Snitker said. “We didn’t see enough increase in the velocity. That’s who he’s been. He’s been a ‘stuff guy’ for the entire time we’ve had him. The stuff hasn’t been there.”
When Foltynewicz’s velocity sat between 89-91 mph during an exhibition game against the Marlins last week, he was understandably defiant, blaming the rain and the stadium’s radar gun. But his velocity had been similar in intrasquad games played over the previous couple weeks, and it didn’t get much higher in this season debut.
As Foltynewicz allowed the Rays six earned runs over 3 1/3 innings, his fastball averaged 89.3 mph and topped out at 92.9 mph. This same pitch averaged 95 mph last season and 96.5 mph during his 2018 All-Star season.
When Foltynewicz struggled at the start of last year’s injury-marred season, the Braves had the luxury of sending him to Triple-A to get right. This year is void of that option, or the time it might take for Foltynewicz to get back to where he was when he posted a 2.85 ERA in 2018, or when he produced a 1.73 ERA over his final seven starts last season.
Braves assistant general manager Perry Minasian delivered the news to Foltynewicz in the clubhouse just before the end of Monday’s game. If the 28-year-old right-hander is not claimed off waivers, there is a chance he could remain a part of the Braves’ organization and work out with the members of the team’s player pool who are working out at the organization’s Triple-A Gwinnett stadium.
“It’s not an easy thing to tell a guy that, especially a guy you’ve had for a long time that’s worked hard,” Snitker said. “He’s been a big part of this organization. I’m sure he was hurt.”
Unfortunately for Foltynewicz, he will always be remembered as the starting pitcher who got just one out during the 10-run first inning the Cardinals produced during the decisive Game 5 of last year’s National League Division Series.
Just five days earlier, he had limited St. Louis to three hits over seven scoreless innings in Game 2.
In what might have been his last act in a Braves uniform, Foltynewicz allowed the Rays to belt three home runs, including the back-to-back homers that Hunter Renfroe and Joey Wendle hit during an eight-run fourth inning.
So, where do the Braves go from here?
Sean Newcomb didn’t create much long-term confidence when he needed 82 pitches to record 10 outs during Sunday’s win over the Mets. Kyle Wright approaches Tuesday night’s start with a high upside, but the Braves’ promising No. 4 prospect still hasn’t proven himself.
So, beyond Mike Soroka and Max Fried, the Braves’ rotation consists of a whole lot of uncertainty. A portion of this problem can be attributed to top offseason acquisition Cole Hamels, who will be on the injured list until at least Sept. 5 with left triceps tendinitis.
At some point, the Braves might enrich the rotation with the addition of Ian Anderson, MLB Pipeline’s No. 37 prospect. But when Foltynewicz’s previous spot comes up again on Saturday, Snitker might just mix and match Jhoulys Chacín, Josh Tomlin, Touki Toussaint or whoever might be available that day.
“It’s going to be all hands on deck getting to that spot,” Snitker said. “It could be one of two or three guys. It could be an opener. It could be a number of different scenarios; just dependent on how we get there.”
Active COVID-19 cases now at 161 in Coffee County
Coffee County’s active case count for COVID-19 has jumped to 161 as of 2 p.m. Monday, according to Tennessee Department of Health. This is a jump from 121 on Saturday and 148 on Sunday.
There have been 309 total cases since testing began in March. Of these, 148 have recovered, which leaves 161 active cases. There have been zero deaths recorded in Coffee County that are virus related.
Meanwhile, across the state of Tennessee there are approximately 37,251 active cases. There have been 978 deaths and 4,280 hospitalizations since March. Over 1.4 million Tennesseans have been tested for the virus.
Officials: don’t handle, plant seeds received in the mail from other countries
Tennessee Department of Agriculture is warning Tennesseans to not plant or handle seeds they may have received in the mail without placing an order.
According to TDA, Tennessee citizens are receiving these seeds in the mail from other countries.
“Imported plant materials – including seeds – go through rigorous testing and inspection to ensure they are not carrying any plant disease or pests and do not pose any threat to our environment and health,” TDA said in a post Monday.
Tennessee Department of Agriculture said it is working with partners at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to determine what should be done with these seeds and they expect to have more information soon.
In the meantime, they advise to not plant or handle these seeds. Seal them into two plastic sandwich bags and report them to Tennessee Department of Health by clicking here.
Cordell encourages Coffee Countians to follow Tennessee pledge
Coffee County Mayor Gary Cordell issued a statement Monday, July 27. Cordell wanted to highlight and encourage Coffee Countians to follow the Tennessee pledge when it comes to social distancing and other sanitary steps to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19.
Cordell stops short of requiring masks in Coffee County, but he strongly encourages it.
The full statement is as follows:
“In a few short days our children will be returning to school across the county. In order to keep our children in school, businesses open and keep our citizens at work, we strongly encourage everyone to follow the CDC’s guidelines and the Tennessee pledge. Data has shown that social distancing, regular handwashing and sanitizing surfaces help to prevent the spread of the virus. We also strongly encourage everyone to wear face masks when out in public or groups of people. The daily increase of active cases in Coffee County the last two days (July 25 and 26) together were 53 active cases. This brings the total up to 148 active cases in Coffee County on July 26. Of those cases 27 of these are from the ages of 5 to 18 years old. We feel that it is especially important to follow these guidelines to prevent the virus from traveling into our schools and to our vulnerable populations.”