Josh Peterson

Friday is the first day of the first ever Exit 111 Festival in Manchester!

Music will begin at about 4 p.m. and five stages will be playing. The main stage will fire up music at 4:45 p.m. Main attractions for Friday night include Slayer, taking the stage at 8:30 and Lynyrd Skynyrd will play late at 11:10 p.m.. Def Leppard will headline Saturday night at 11:45 p.m. Saturday and Guns N’ Roses will close the festival at 8 p.m. Sunday. To see the full lineup click here. 

Thunder Radio News reported to you Thursday that authorities were searching for Eric Dewayne Hall after he fled from deputies Tuesday afternoon. Friday we can report that Hall was captured in Franklin County. 

Hall

According to reports from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, deputies approached Hall because he was a wanted subject. Hall attempted to leave the area in a black pickup. Deputies struck his vehicle with a patrol vehicle to stop Hall’s truck. However, Hall then ran from the scene. Deputies deployed a taser that caused Hall to stumble. However, he was able to get back up and continue to run. Deputy Steele caught up to him after the climbed a fence and grabbed his leg, but Hall was able to get away and cross State Route 55. Deputies were unable to cross at that time due to congested traffic. 

Warrants were obtained for evading arrest, resisting stop, halt and frisk, reckless endangerment and driving on a revoked license.

The Manchester Rotary Club recognized the Manchester Rotary Farmer of the Year Thursday – presenting the award to cattle farmer Matthew McBride. 

McBride and his family farm nearly 500 acres in the Hoodoo community in Beech Grove. The McBride farm features around 250 cattle. You can actually by fresh beef from the McBride’s for better prices than most large chain grocery stores. You can email them at mcbrideangusfarms@gmail.com or call 931-267-0102. They also have a website here.

The Manchester Rotary Club has been presenting a farmer of the year for over 40 years now. 

Coffee County and Manchester City Schools are partnering together to host a Mobile Food Pantry for families in need on Friday, November 15th at First Baptist Church of Manchester. A Mobile Food Pantry is a large scale food distribution in which food items are delivered via Second Harvest Food Bank to a designated location for immediate distribution to those in need. 

“We, Coffee County and Manchester City Schools, are excited to offer this opportunity for our families. By working together, this allows us to ensure we are serving every family in need,” said Taylor Rayfield, Coordinator of Family Resource for Coffee County Schools. 

The Mobile Food Pantry will be held on Friday, November 15th at First Baptist Church of Manchester, 1006 Hillsboro Blvd., Manchester, Tennessee 37355. Doors open at 9 AM and is a first come, first serve opportunity. This program is for families who have a student enrolled in the Coffee County Schools or Manchester City Schools System. 

For questions, contact Taylor Rayfield, Coordinator of Family Resource for Coffee County Schools at (931) 222-1066, or BJ Sylvia, Coordinator of Family Resource for Manchester City Schools at (931) 728-3412. 

UPDATE 8:10 A.M. OCT. 10 — Hall has been captured in Franklin County.

Coffee County authorities are searching for Eric Dewayne Hall after he allegedly fled from deputies Tuesday around 4:30 p.m.

According to a report with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, deputy Scott Steele and other deputies arrived at 3802 Old Manchester Highway in reference to a wanted subject – identified as Hall.

Hall pictured here from a previous mugshot.

Hall attempted to leave the area in a black pickup. Deputies struck his vehicle with a patrol vehicle to stop Hall’s truck. However, Hall then ran from the scene. Deputies deployed a taser that caused Hall to stumble. However, he was able to get back up and continue to run. Deputy Steele caught up to him after Hall climbed a fence and grabbed his leg, but Hall was able to get away and cross State Route 55. Deputies were unable to cross at that time due to congested traffic, according to Steele’s report.

Warrants were obtained for evading arrest, resisting stop, halt and frisk, reckless endangerment and driving on a revoked license. Hall is 32 years old, stands at 5’7” and weighs 125 pounds.If you are aware of Hall’s whereabouts, you are encouraged to contact the sheriff’s department at 931-570-4421.

UPDATE AT 12:30 P.M. OCT 11, 2019 — Christine has been found safely
The Tullahoma Police Department has issued an alert for a missing adult – Christine Michelle Prince.

Christine is 45 years old, white, stands 5’4” and weighs approximately 135 pounds. Her last contact was at her residence on Sunday, Oct. 6. A possible vehicle for her is a 2004 Saturn Ion, four-door and gray in color. If you have seen her or are aware of Christine’s whereabouts, you are encouraged to contact the Tullahoma Police Department at 931-455-0530.

There will be a 2020 Census job fair Thursday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There are office positions in Shelbyville paying $16 an hour and up and also work from home and around your neighborhood part-time jobs paying $14 per hour and up, plus 58 cents per mile. This includes paid weekly training. This job fair is at the Manchester Public Library at 1005 Hillsboro Blvd. 

Seven people were killed in traffic crashes in Tennessee during last year’s Halloween period between Tuesday, October 30 through Thursday, November 1. That’s why the Tennessee Highway Patrol is urging all motorists to drive cautiously, buckle up, never drive distracted and don’t drink and drive this Halloween.

One of the seven vehicular fatalities during last year’s Halloween period involved an unrestrained vehicle occupant. Two motorcyclists were killed. There were zero alcohol-related traffic deaths. Last year, state troopers issued 398 speeding and 83 distracted driving citations and arrested nine individuals on suspicion of drunk driving in Tennessee on October 31.

As of October 7, there have been 104 pedestrian fatalities in Tennessee in 2019. That’s nine more pedestrian deaths compared to this same time last year.

“Our troopers will increase patrols in the evening and will conduct a variety of traffic enforcement initiatives to ensure a safe Halloween,” Colonel Dereck R. Stewart said.  “There is simply zero tolerance for drunk, distracted or unrestrained drivers.  We will be working hard to ensure that this is a safe Halloween for children and adults alike.” Stewart added.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate children are twice as likely to be struck by a vehicle on Halloween compared to any other day of the year.  Children are at a greater risk of being struck because they may not look for oncoming vehicles before crossing the road. They are smaller and more difficult to see. Plus they have trouble judging distances and speeds of oncoming vehicles.

THP personnel will conduct saturation patrols, sobriety and seat belt checkpoints, as well as bar and tavern checks this holiday period.

Below are tips parents, children and motorists should keep in mind before heading out this Halloween.

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

Tips for Motorists

• Slow down. Watch for children walking on roads, medians and curbs.
• Be extra alert when pulling in and out of driveways.
• Be especially alert for children darting out from between parked vehicles and from behind bushes and shrubs. They’re excited and may not be paying attention.
• Do not pass other vehicles that have stopped in the roadway.  They could be dropping off children.
• If you are driving to a Halloween party, put your mask on after you park the car.
• Never drink and drive – tonight or any night. If you are partying, designate a driver.

Tips for Parents

• Adults should accompany children at all times and supervise their “trick or treat” activities.
• Teach children to “stop, look left-right-left, and listen” before they cross the street.
• Instruct children to stay on sidewalks and to cross only at corners or crosswalks.
• Use a flashlight and wear retro-reflective strips or patches on your clothing or costume to be more visible to motorists.
• Be certain that the mask does not obstruct vision or hearing.
• Ensure that costumes do not impede walking or driving ability.

Tips for Pedestrians (children and adults)

• Require children to wear retro-reflective materials and carry a flashlight at dawn and dusk and in other low-light situations, such as rainy or foggy weather.
• Before crossing a street, stop at the curb or edge of the road and look left, right and left again to be sure no cars are coming. Continue to check for traffic while on the street.
• Walk – never run – from house to house or across the road.
• Cross the street only at intersections and crosswalks.
• When crossing at an intersection with a traffic light, be sure to watch for turning cars. Obey all pedestrian signals.
• Walk on sidewalks whenever possible. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the street facing traffic.