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Gas prices jump another 8 cents in Tennessee
Gas prices continue to rise as over 698,000 Tennesseans are forecast is now $4.28 which is 43 cents more expensive than one month ago and $1.41 more than one year ago.
The average price per gallon in Coffee County currently sits at $4.26, which is 2 cents below the state average and 33 cents below the national average, which has skyrocketed to $4.59 per gallon.
“Road trippers can expect to pay the most expensive gas prices on record for Memorial Day this weekend, ” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Unfortunately, due to a combination of tightening global oil supplies alongside strengthening demand, the unprecedented pain at the pump is likely to continue throughout the summer driving season.”
Quick Facts
· 35% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $4.25
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $4.11 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $4.54 for regular unleaded
National Gas Prices
The national average for a gallon of gas has not fallen for nearly a month. Gasoline has either remained flat or risen every day since April 24 and has set a new record daily since May 10.^ That was the day gas eclipsed the previous record high of $4.33, set earlier this year on March 11. The national average for a gallon of gasoline is now $4.59 and all 50 states are above $4 per gallon.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 4.8 million bbl to 220.2 million bbl last week. Meanwhile, gasoline demand increased from 8.7 million b/d to 9 million b/d. Tighter supply and increased demand have pushed pump prices higher. This supply/demand dynamic and volatile crude prices will keep upward pressure on pump prices.
Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $4.59, which is 47 cents more than a month ago, and $1.56 more than a year ago.
National Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by $1.02 to settle at $113.23—nearly $3 per barrel higher than the closing price at the end of the previous week. Crude prices rose after EIA reported that domestic crude supply decreased by 3.4 million bbl to 420.8 million bbl. The current level is approximately 13.4 percent lower than during the second week of May 2021. Additionally, market optimism for China’s efforts to end some COVID-19 restrictions by June 1 helped to bolster the market, which has continued to worry that global crude demand will decline as a result of continuing restrictions. For this week, however, crude prices may decline amid heightened economic uncertainty as the likelihood of a recession increases. A recession would likely cause crude demand to drop amid decreased economic activity and as a result crude prices would decline.
MURFREESBORO TAKEOVER — Coffee County Central softball, track and tennis to TSSAA Spring Fling this week
Coffee County Central will be well represented at the TSSAA Spring Fling State Championships this week in Murfreesboro.
The Lady Raider softball team, makes its second consecutive trip to the Spring Fling after a 3A state runner-up finish in 2021, will get things started on Tuesday, May 24. The Lady Raiders (24-14) are set to play at 5:30 p.m. at McKnight Park Field #3 against Springfield (29-4). The tournament is double elimination.
Win or lose in game 1 – the Lady Raiders will play again at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Starplex. Tickets can be purchased at the gate, or you can purchase in advance by clicking here. You can see the full bracket by clicking here.
All Lady Raider softball games in the state tournament will be broadcast LIVE on Thunder Radio through multiple channels. Listen at 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM or listen online by clicking here or the Manchester Go Smartphone App.
Track & Field
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 then move to the pole vault area at noon and he will be joined by Madison Rooker, doing girls pole vault.
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.
Manchester Dr. Florence barred from prescribing controlled substances
In a settlement reached last week, David Florence, D.O., a Manchester, Tennessee physician, agreed to be barred from prescribing Schedule II and the vast majority of Schedule III controlled substances, announced United States Attorney Mark H. Wildasin for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Pursuant to the Consent Judgment and Permanent Injunction, Florence is permanently enjoined from issuing prescriptions for any controlled substances under Schedules II and III of the Controlled Substances Act, with limited exceptions for buprenorphine products as allowed by Tennessee law, testosterone, and two migraine medications. Florence also agreed not to order or store any controlled substances, and not to prescribe to himself, any immediate family members, fellow employees, or significant others.
Under the terms of the agreement, DEA has the right to enter Florence’s registered location at any time during business hours without notice for the purpose of determining compliance. In addition, Florence must comply with all laws concerning the supervision of mid-level providers. If Florence fails to comply with the terms of the settlement agreement, he is subject to civil penalties, criminal charges, and/or the revocation of his DEA Registration.
This agreement resolves all remaining claims the United States asserted against Florence, stemming from a lawsuit originally filed by the former office manager of a Cookeville, Tenn. pain clinic where Florence practiced, which was brought under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act. The Whistleblower provisions allow private citizens with knowledge of false claims to bring civil suits on behalf of the government.
“We rely on whistleblowers to help identify unlawful conduct, and we greatly appreciate the assistance that the relator in this case provided throughout the investigation and court proceedings that allowed us to stop Dr. Florence from ever again prescribing the dangerous controlled substances at issue here,” said U.S. Attorney Wildasin. “This extraordinary injunctive relief is one of the many ways in which the United States can protect the public from providers who recklessly prescribe, or fail to properly supervise others in prescribing, dangerous controlled substances.”
In March 2016, the United States filed a civil complaint in intervention, alleging violations of the Controlled Substances Act and the False Claims Act, against Florence and other defendants. As to Florence, the United States alleged that he prescribed controlled substances that had no legitimate medical purpose and failed to properly supervise mid-level practitioners. The United States previously obtained settlements that resulted in the dismissal of its claims against all other defendants named in its complaint in intervention.
This matter was investigated by the Department of Health & Human Services – Office of Inspector General, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wynn Shuford represented the United States.
The case is captioned as United States ex rel. Norris v. Anderson, No. 3:12-cv-00035 (M.D. Tenn.). The claims in the complaint are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Coffee County senior parade is Monday
Coffee County Central High School will return to a traditional graduation ceremony this year after COVID-19 led to vehicle parades for the class of 2020 and 2021.
The concept of the parade was so well liked, however, there will still be a senior parade.
The senior parade will be Monday, May 23. It will leave Coffee County Central High School at 6 p.m. and finish at Carden-Jarrell Field behind Raider Academy for “senior sunset” festivities.
The parade route is as follows:
Leaving CHS at 6 p.m. and traveling on State Route 55 toward Raider Academy.
Turn left on US Highway 41, traveling southbound (wrong way lanes) to Spring Street.
Turn right onto Spring St.
Turn Left onto Main St.
Turn right onto Irwin St.
Turn right on to Fort St.
Turn right onto Woodland St.
Turn left onto Highway 41 (northbound (wrong way lanes).
Turn left at Highway 41 and 55 toward Raider Academy
Turn left into CCRA entrance
Traffic will be completely closed to thru traffic on US 41 between the intersection of Highway 41 & 55 and Spring Street and at the main intersection during the parade. Please avoid that area if possible.
Meanwhile, traditional graduation will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 27 at Carden-Jarrell Field behind Raider Academy.
First Thundie Sports Awards honors top athletes, issues $13,000 in scholarships Saturday night
______________________________________________
Approximately 300 people packed the inaugural Thundie Sports Awards Saturday night (May 21, 2022) at First Baptist Church Gymnasium.
Presented by the Dream for Weave Foundation, in partnership with Thunder Radio and presenting sponsor Al White Ford Lincoln, over 30 awards were presented at the Thundies in front of a sold out crowd. MTSU head softball coach and former CHS softball coach Jeff Breeden delivered the keynote address, focusing on just how special the Coffee County community is when it comes to “small town athletics.” Breeden drove home to athletes and parents “Just how good they have it here” in comparison to other communities he visits on the recruiting trail.
Awards were selected by the Thundies Awards Committee, comprised of a mix of media, coaches and CHS administrators. Award Winners were as follows:
| Dennis Weaver Male Athlete of the Year | Connor Shemwell | ||
| Dennis Weaver Female Athlete of the Year | Kiya Ferrell | ||
| Dennis Weaver Team of the Year | Central High School Boys Basketball | ||
| Dennis Weaver Coach of the Year | Andrew T aylor | ||
| Football Offensive Player of the Year | Connor Shemwell | ||
| Football Defensive Player of the Year | Derrick Scott | ||
| Girls Soccer Player of the Year | Lucy Riddle | ||
| Volleyball Player of the Year | Kiya Ferrell | ||
| Cross Country Boys Runner of the Year | Jacob Rutledge | ||
| Cross County Girls Runner of the Year | Patricia Barrera | ||
| Boys Golfer of the year | Logan Hale | ||
| Girls Golfer of the Year | Cadie Prater | ||
| Boys Basketball Player of the Year | Dayne Crosslin | ||
| Girls Basketball Player of the Year | Elli Chumley | ||
| Boys Wrestler of the Year | Jake Barlow | ||
| Girls Wrestler of the Year | Lyra Leftwich | ||
| Girls Swimmers of the Year | Emily Williams | Kennedy Norman-Young | |
| Baseball Player of the Year | Brady Nugent | ||
| Softball Player of the Year | Olivia Evans | ||
| Boys Tennis Player of the Year | Krish Patel | ||
| Girls Tennis Player of the Year | Lauren Perry | ||
| Boys Track Athlete of the Year | Ethan Welch | ||
| Girls Track Athlete of the Year | Madison Rooker | ||
| Boys Soccer Player of the Year | Aidan Abellana | ||
| Cheerleader of the Year | Anna Jones | ||
| Raiderette Dancer of the Year | Makenna Orrick | ||
| Trap Shooter of the Year | Logan Meadows | x | |
| Fisherman of the Year | Kaden Freeze | ||
| Coffee Middle Male Athletes of the Year | Caiden Martin | Landan Abellana | |
| Coffee Middle Female Athletes of the Year | Ella Arnold | Natalie Barnes | |
| Westwood Middle Female Athletes of the Year | Audri Patton | Jules Ferrell | Lily Norman |
| Westwood MIddle School Male Athletes of the Year | Kaysen Lowery | Will Rogers |
Also on Saturday night, the Dream for Weave Foundation distributed $1,000 scholarships to 13 different athletes to aid in their post-secondary educations. Over 20 applicants applied and funds raised through Thundie sponsorships allowed for $13,000 in scholarships. Those receiving $1,000 scholarships were:
Patricia Barrera
Luke Beachboard
Elizabeth Brown
Olivia Evans
Kiya Ferrell
Kasen Holt
Landon Meadows
Logan Meadows
Makenna Orrick
Jacob Sherrill
Bodey Todd
Ethan Welch
Kennedy-Norman Young
The 2023 Thundie Awards are tentatively set for Saturday, May 20.
This years sponsors included:
Al White Ford Lincoln – Presenting Sponsor
Dinner Sponsor – Unity Medical Center
Dessert & T-Shirt Sponsor – Peoples Bank & Trust Company
Scholarship Level Sponsors: Rob and Tiffany Clutter, JV Heating and Cooling, Morgan Lawn and Landscaping, Premier Service Contracting, Taste of Tennessee Catering, Gilley Construction, Gilley Crane, Attorney Shawn Trail, Realtor Ryan Barker, Ferrell Auto Repair, Imhoff Trucking, Imhoff Landscaping, Riddle Trucking, Coffee County Bank, Norman Homebuilders, Dr. James Vanwinkle, Magnolia Family Medicine, Edward Jones – Duane Conklin, Coffee County Bass Club, John Nicoll Public Defender, Rebecca Welch, Turfworks, Project Donuts, Jim and Erin Dobson, Lemmtek, Reese’s Genes Boutique, Chuck Neel Electric and several more contributions were received.
Patricia Barrera and Jacob Rutledge 
Lucy Riddle 
Cadie Prater 
Logan Hale 
Elizabeth Brown 
Makenna Orrick 
Derrick Scott 
Ethan Welch 
Jake Barlow 
Elli Chumley 
Anna Jones 
Dayne Crosslin 
Emily Williams 
Kennedy Norman-Young 
Landon Meadows 
Lauren Perry 
Kaden Freeze 
Luke Beachboard 
Krish Patel 
Kasen Holt 
Olivia Evans 
Kiya Ferrell 
Logan Meadows 
Brady Nugent 
Aidan Abellana 
Madison Rooker 
Natalie Barnes 
Ethan Welch 
Makenna Orrick 
Caiden Martin 
Patricia Barrera 
Ella Arnold 
Landan Abellana 
Bodey Todd 
Audri Patton and Jules Ferrell 
Lily Norman 
Kaysen Lowery 
Will Rogers 
Andrew Taylor 
Landon Meadows 
Kiya Ferrell 
Kennedy Norman-Young 
Aidan Abellana 
Jacob Sherrill
Thunder Radio photos by Holly Peterson
STATE BOUND: Lady Raiders back to state softball tournament after 7-2 sectional win over Smyrna
Different year, same result.
When the pressure turned up and the games started to matter more, Coffee County Central Softball Lady Raiders showed up. The Lady Raiders got two home runs from Kaitlyn Davis in a 7-2 win over Smyrna Friday night in the state sectional, sending Coffee County back to the TSSAA Spring Fling State Softball tournament for the second year in a row.
Friday night in Manchester, Coffee County jumped in front early when Kiya Ferrell tripled and scored on a wild pitch, then Kaitlyn Davis blasted the first of her to home runs in the second inning to put CHS up 2-0.
Smyrna rebounded in the third, scoring a pair on two hits and the help of a Lady Raider error to tie the game at 2-2. Then Smyrna looked to have all the momentum with the scored tied at 2-2 and the bases loaded with no outs in the fourth. But a comebacker to Davis started a 1-2-3 double play. Davis followed suit with a strikeout of Anna Lay to end the threat and then promptly put the Lady Raiders back in front in the bottom half of the inning with another solo blast.
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE BROADCAST REPLAY.
CHS never gave up the lead from there. The Lady Raiders went on to deliver the backbreaker in the sixth inning on hits from Jalyn Moran and Haidyn Campbell, paired with two Smyrna errors and a hit by pitch to push the lead to 7-2.
Davis earned the win in the circle. She allowed 5 runs through the first three innings and settled in after that, allowing just 3 hits over the last few innings. She struck out 4 batters.
Coffee County now returns to the TSSAA Spring Fling State Softball Tournament for the second consecutive year. Last year the Lady Raiders finished state runner up to Farragut. This will be the first year with four classifications – previous years only have three.
Other 4A teams that have already punched their tickets to the state tournament include Daniel Boone, Stewarts Creek, Wilson Central, Summit, Springfield, and Clarksville. One other game remains – Farragut and Dobbyns-Bennett will play on Saturday at 6 p.m. for the final spot.
State tournament games will be at Murfreesboro Starplex and McKnight Park. All Lady Raider games will be broadcast live on Thunder Radio, WMSR – 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, Manchester Go app and thunder1320.com.
Cecilia Julia Kelly
Mrs. Cecilia Julia Kelly, age 85 years, 6 months, and 2 days, was born on November 18, 1936, to the late Leo and Anna Katz Kent, in Cleveland, OH. She enjoyed gardening, reading, and collecting books and magazines. Mrs. Cecilia earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the Ohio State University, later sharing her knowledge of chemistry at the University of the South in the chemistry lab. She was a member of the St. Paul catholic church in Tullahoma.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Cecilia is preceded in death by her loving husband of 30+ years, Francis Joseph Kelly. She is survived by her children, Nathan Kelly, Eva Marie Kelly, and Brendan Kelly and his wife, Marisa.
A Celebration of Life in memory of Mrs. Cecilia will be held at a later date.
Manchester Funeral Home is honored to serve the Kelly family.
Online condolences and memories can be shared at www.manchesterfuneralhome.com
Birthdays – May 20
Birthdays:
Jackie Preston
Silas Vaughn
Chris Fletcher
Lindsey Bogle – Pizza Winner!
John Mark Stem
Weekly Winners:
Cake – Alexis Thompson
Flowers – Luke & Lindsey Simpson
Birthdays – May 19
No Birthdays Submitted
Roxanna Bryan
Funeral services for Ms. Roxanna Bryan, age 60 of Manchester, will be conducted on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 12 Noon in the Tullahoma Funeral Home chapel. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will begin at 11 AM until time of service at the funeral home on Saturday. Ms. Bryan passed away at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital on Monday, May 16 after an extended illness.
Roxanna was born on September 26, 1961, to the late Charles Stanley and Bertha Estelle Strawn Bryan in Manchester, TN. She attended the Faith Freewill Baptist Church in Manchester until her declining health. Roxanna enjoyed attending church and singing in the choir and keeping in touch with family members. She was a babysitter to many children over the years in Manchester.
Roxanna is survived by her brother, Joe Bryan and his wife, Theresa, and their children, Alex Kyle Bryan, Ashley Brooke Murphy and her husband, Walter, and their children, Neveah Hope and Jaylei Faith, and Jeffery Glenn Riddle, Jr., and his daughter, Rye Eden; special friends, Karen Willis and Thomas Alford; several extended family members and a host of friends.
Online condolences and memories can be made at
Tullahoma Funeral Home is honored to serve the Bryan family.