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SPRING FLING CENTRAL: Track, tennis to Murfreesboro Thursday
More CHS athletes are headed to the TSSAA Spring Fling State Championships on Thursday.
Coffee County Track and Field will be well represented at the state meet, held at MTSU.
Senior Elli Chumley will throw shot put and senior Ethan Welch will throw discus in the 9 a.m. window on Thursday, May 26. Welch will also do the boys pole vault in the 9 a.m. window. Senior Madison Rooker will participate in the girls pole vault around noon.
Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. the 4×800 girls relay team of Chumley, Rooker, Patricia Barrera and Kailee Rossman will compete. See the full schedule of events here.
Tennis Doubles will hit the court Thursday morning
The CHS doubles team of Lauren Perry (senior) and Rylea McNamara (sophomore) will hit the court at 9 a.m. Thursday. The duo will take on Elena Kurowski and Kylee Hockman from McMinn County. A win in that match would put Perry and McNamara in the semi finals at 2 p.m. and they would need to win that to advance to the championship round at 11 a.m. Friday.
All doubles tennis matches at the Adams Tennis Complex in Murfreesboro. Click here for full schedule.
STATE HEARTBREAK: Lady Raiders can’t get bats going, eliminated from spring fling
Everyone was waiting on that one big hit.
But it just never came for the Central High School Lady Raiders in the Spring Fling State Tournament.
Coffee County only mustered 6 hits and stranded 9 runners on base – 6 in scoring position – in a 3-0 loss to Stewarts Creek Wednesday afternoon in an elimination game of the TSSAA Spring Fling in Murfreesboro. The loss ends the season for Coffee County after back-to-back trips to the state tournament.
The bats never really heated up for the Lady Raiders in the tournament. After only scoring 1 run in their first game on Tuesday (a 4-1 loss to Springfield), Coffee County couldn’t push anything across on Wednesday against the Redhawks, giving them a 12 inning scoreless drought to close the season. In fact, before the Lady Raiders got a hit in the fourth inning, they had gone 8 straight innings without a hit dating back to Tuesday.
Against Stewarts Creek, CHS pushed the game into the sixth tied 0-0 before the Redhawks finally broke through with a 2 run sixth inning. SC added a home run with 2 outs in the 7th for insurance.
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO. CLICK HERE FOR THE BROADCAST REPLAY.
At the plate, Coffee County threatened to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning after Kiya Ferrell reached on a leadoff single and Olivia Evans moved her over on a bunt. Ferrell scooted over to third on a wild pitch with just the one out and Haidyn Campbell walked. But two pop ups on the infield killed the threat.
CHS stranded 2 more in each of the 5th and 6th innings. Trailing 3-0, the Lady Raiders loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh but Haidyn Campbell’s flyball was caught to close the game.
Although tougher pitching in the state tournament certainly had something to do with Coffee County’s offensive woes, it was rare this season to see the Lady Raiders held scoreless. You have to go back to a 3-0 loss to Columbia Academy on March 21 to find the last shutout loss for CHS.
Coffee County finishes 24-16 on the year with a regular season District 6-4A title and a region 3-4A championship.
The loss ends the high school career for 5 seniors: Kiya Ferrell, Olivia Evans, Haidyn Campbell, Jada Bowen and Emily Schuster. Of those – Campbell, Evans and Schuster will move on to play collegiate softball. Ferrell will play college volleyball at Cumberland.
Kaitlyn Davis 
Emily Schuster 
Olivia Evans 
Chesnie Cox
Thunder Radio photos by Holly Peterson
Coffee County Veterans will host Memorial Day Ceremony on May 30
PRESS RELEASE
Your Coffee County Veterans Association (CCVA) will again proudly host its
annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30th, 2022 on Manchester Square.
The ceremony will commence at 11 AM.
The public, especially school-age children, are encouraged to attend and
learn that freedom is not free; that a dear price has been paid; and that
the liberties we enjoy should never be taken for granted.
Attendees are asked to bring a folding chair, as limited seating will be
available. There is no cost for attendance, and CCVA never solicits
donations at its events.
Additional details will be published once confirmed. Updated information can
also be found on the Coffee County Veterans Association Facebook page and
the VFW website, www.vfwpost10904.com <http://www.vfwpost10904.com>
Amid school violence in other states, Tennessee reminds parents and students to download SafeTN app
On the heels of school shootings in other states in recent weeks, leaders in Tennessee are reminding parents and students to download and use the SafeTN Smartphone app to report problems.
SafeTN is a secure, open door communications platform where you can send in tips and access useful resources to help keep your school and community safe.
FROM TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY:
How Does It Work?
With our anonymous reporting system, students, faculty, parents, and the public can easily and confidentially report their concerns to help prevent violence in our schools and our communities. Tips can be submitted 24/7 through the mobile app from any compatible device. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security will review, assess, and then send all submissions to law enforcement, mental health crisis response teams, and/or school administrators for intervention based on the information received.
What To Report
With SafeTN, you can anonymously report suspicious or criminal behavior and other safety concerns. You can do this by reporting observed threats, behaviors, or actions. Here is an example of some of the common behaviors and incidents to report:
• Assault
• Sexual misconduct
• Bragging about an upcoming planned attack
• Violence or planned violence
• Physical injury or harm to self or others
• Threats of violence
How Do I Get SafeTN?
SafeTN is free. Students, staff, parents, and the community need only to download the free mobile app on a compatible device.
THP announces increased patrols for Memorial Day Weekend
The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) plans to increase patrols and utilize a variety of traffic safety enforcement tools to reduce the number of crashes across the state during this year’s Memorial Day holiday period. The THP will conduct saturation patrols, seat belt, and sobriety checkpoints, as well as increased visibility on high-crash corridors throughout the summer to reduce serious injury and fatal crashes. The 2022 Memorial Day holiday period will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 27, and concludes at 5:59 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31.
“We are committed to saving lives and preventing injuries on Tennessee roads. Memorial Day weekend is when we start seeing heavier traffic,” Colonel Matt Perry said. “This is the time of year for family vacations and outdoor activities. Our troopers will be focused on distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, and seat belt laws during the holiday and throughout the summer months. I have instructed my district captains to use all resources available to ensure traffic safety. I am asking that all motorists help us make this a safe summer. You can do this by ignoring your phone, driving the speed limit, wearing your seat belt, and designating a sober driver. If you plan to drink, do not drive.”
Last year, ten people were killed in vehicular crashes during the Memorial Day weekend. Five of the occupant fatalities were not wearing safety restraints and one of the traffic fatalities occurred in an alcohol-related crash. Two motorcycle riders were killed during last year’s Memorial Day holiday. One pedestrian was also killed during that time.
“This Memorial Day weekend, as we pause and remember the heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice, please remember to keep yourself and those who will be in your vehicle safe,” said Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long. “Through education and enforcement along with voluntary compliance from the motoring public, we can make this a safe and enjoyable weekend for everyone.”
State troopers arrested 78 individuals on suspicion of DUI and ticketed 743 motorists for violation of the seat belt law and issued 1,867 speeding citations during last year’s Memorial Day holiday. A list of the locations for the scheduled Memorial Day holiday checkpoints can be found on our website.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety<http://www.TN.Gov/safety>) mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.
John “Buck” Dyer Hannah
A celebration of life for Mr. John “Buck” Dyer Hannah, age 95 of Manchester, will be conducted at 2:00PM on Friday, May 27, 2022, at Coffee County Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 12:00PM until the time of services at the funeral home. Mr. Hannah passed from this life on Sunday, May 22, 2022, at St. Thomas – Rutherford in Murfreesboro, TN.
Buck was born in Franklin County, TN on February 15, 1927, the son of the late Amos and Callie Hannah. He was a United States Army veteran, and a business owner of 41 Drive-In. Buck enjoyed fishing, cooking, and especially dancing. He was an amazing storyteller and would tell stories to anyone who would listen. Buck lived his life to the fullest, and he was loved by many. But the most important thing to Buck was his family.
In addition to his parents, Buck is also preceded in death by his three brothers, Cap, Howard, and Wayne Hannah; four sisters, Bunny Hammers, Doodle Luttrell, Jean Alexander, and Gail Hannah. He is survived by his beloved partner, Janie Taylor; four daughters, Brenda Bryan (Dennis), Jan Hammonds (Steve), Mindy Acklen (Darren), and Amanda Lilius (Chris); four grandchildren, Jon Bryan (Cristie), Justin Bryan (Ashley Harden), Christian Lilius, and Taylor Lilius; great-granddaughter, Cate Bryan.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, support.woundedwarriorproject.org
Coffee County Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Hannah family.
STATE TOURNAMENT: Bats go cold in Lady Raider loss to Springfield
Coffee County could only muster four hits and went cold in the final few innings in a 4-1 loss to Sprinfield in the opening round of the TSSAA State Tournament Tuesday night, May 24, 2022.
Springfield starting pitcher Brie Asmondy kept the Lady Raiders off balance most of the night.
Coffee County managed only 4 hits – 3 coming in the second inning – in the loss. In fact, after the Lady Raiders scored a run on 3 hits in the 2nd, Asmondy went on to retire 13 consecutive Lady Raiders and 16 of the last 17. The only glitch was a hit batsman in the 7th inning.
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE AUDIO REPLAY.
The lone CHS run came in the 2nd when Jada Bowen knocked in Paisley Campbell on a double deep in the outfield. That tied the game at 1-1 at the time. The Lady Raiders had another run cut down at the plate in the inning when Channah Gannon tried to score in a first-third situation but was called out in a bang-bang play.
After that CHS went cold – not getting a single runner on base until Gannon was hit by a pitch in the 7th.
Meanwhile, a couple of home run balls by the Yellow Jackets stung the Lady Raiders. Lauren Nicholson hit a two-out blast in the first inning. Then another two-out homer came in the fourth inning on a shot by Elaina Goodfred. That home run came after the Lady Raiders missed a double-play opportunity. Springfield added a run in the sixth on an error when CHS miscommunicated on the infield and let a ball drop.
The Yellowjackets outhit Coffee County 7-4. The top four spots of the Coffee County lineup, which is usually very potent, was 1-for-12 with no runs scored, no RBI and 4 strikeouts.
Kaitlyn Davis was tagged with the loss in the circle. She allowed 7 hits and struck out 2.
With the loss, Coffee County has a lot of work ahead to navigate through the tournament. Weather permitting, the Lady Raiders will play Stewarts Creek at (approximately) 11:30 a.m. approximately Wednesday (May 25) weather permitting. That game will be at Starplex Field #2 in Murfreesboro. If Coffee County wins that game, the Lady Raiders will turn around and play at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday evening at Starplex Field 4. If they can win both of those Wednesday, they will need 4 more wins to win a state championship.
Wednesday’s games will be broadcast live on Thunder Radio – 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, Manchester Go app and thunder1320.com.
Coffee Middle defeats Tullahoma in CCJG Championship
Coffee County Middle golf got contributions from every group on the course and that was enough for a 7 flags to 5 win over Tullahoma Monday, May 23 in the Coffee County Junior Golf Invitational Championship at WillowBrook.
The CMS teams of Cade Williams and Skylar Releford and Noah Costello and Luke Lowe made the difference on the scorecard. Team Williams-Releford outplayed its group by 2 flags, 2.5 to 0.5. Meanwhile, team Costello-Lowe outplayed Jack Hill and Eli Lewis 2 flags to 1.
That was enough for the championship for CMS.
The Raider team of Tallan Crosslin and Lucas Turner split 1.5 to 1.5 against their opposing group. Brayden Kesling and James Bradley lost 2 flags to 1.
The tournament win completes the spring season for Coffee Middle Golf.
CHS basketball programs announce 3-day summer kids camp
Kids entering kindergarten through 8th grade who love basketball will have a chance to learn from the best this summer.
Coach Cope and Coach Taylor’s Basketball Camp 2022 will be June 8-10 from 8-10:30 a.m. each day at the Central High School gymnasium.
The camp is for boys and girls entering grades K-8 next school year.
Campers will be placed in groups by age and skill level and work on basketball fundamentals with Lady Raider head coach Joe Pat Cope and Red Raider boys basketball coach Andrew Taylor, as well as assistant coaches, current and former players.
The Lady Raider basketball program has won 5 consecutive district championships. Meanwhile, the Raider boys are fresh off a trip to the TSSAA State Tournament.
Campers will be working on dribbling, shooting, passing, offense and defense each day. Each camper will receive a t-shirt. Cost is $60 per player.
Registration for the camp is May 28 from 8-9 a.m. at the CHs gymnasium. Campers MUST register early to receive a camp t-shirt. If you have questions, contact Cope at copej@k12coffee.net
Two Coffee County deputies involved in shooting
Two Coffee County Sheriff’s Department deputies were involved in a shooting at the Interstate-24 overpass at exit 117 early Tuesday morning, May 24, 2022.
According to Sheriff Chad Partin, deputies were responding to a call of a suicidal subject at the 117 overpass (AEDC exit). That subject has since been identified as Evan Krenson, age 20.
Deputies made contact with Mr. Krenson and began talking with him in an attempt to get him to seek medical treatment. It was at this time that Mr. Krenson allegedly produced a handgun and fired upon deputies. At that time, deputies returned fire and struck Mr. Krenson. He was transported to the hospital for treatment where he remains in critical but stable condition. His injuries are not expected to be life threatening, according to Partin.
The names of all of the deputies involved have not yet been released. The bridge was closed for much of the early morning. It was open again as if 6 am Tuesday. The TBI is leading the investigation at the request of Coffee County 14th Judicial District Attorney General Craig Northcott.
More information will be released as it is available.