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Monday fire guts multiple Manchester businesses
Multiple businesses in Manchester were devastated by an early morning fire Monday, March 21, 2022.
The fire destroyed at least 4 businesses in the Woodland Plaza at the corner of US Highway 41 and Woodland Street near the downtown square. Other businesses in the plaza sustained some minor smoke and water damage, according to fire officials.
Firefighters responded at 6:15 a.m. to a fire alarm from Toliver’s Pawn Shop, which has a warehouse attached to that plaza. According to Manchester Fire Department Chief George Chambers, heavy smoke was showing when firefighters arrived and firefighters began to investigate. Billowing smoke could be seen for miles.
“They started investigating, opening doors and found fire,” said Chambers. “They started attacking it from three different sides and it got into the tar roof up there and those are dangerous buildings to be in when that happens.”
According to Chambers, 30 Manchester Fire Department firefighters were on scene to battle the blaze.
“We had several people off duty who came in,” said Chambers. “Manchester Police Department, EMS, EMA were also on scene and were of great assistance.”
Chambers added that it took approximately three and a half hours to contain the fire. He said no injuries were reported.
WATCH A VIDEO OF FIREFIGHTERS BATTLING MONDAY’S BLAZE ON FACEBOOK BY CLICKING HERE.
Multiple small, locally-owned businesses – including Reese’s Genes Boutique, Greg Green Photography and Most Awesome Cleaning Company were “completely gutted,” Chambers said. Toliver’s warehouse also sustained some damage.
Chambers said that TOP Rehab and other businesses North of that and on the back side of the building may have received minor water and smoke damage, but are intact.
Investigators with Manchester Fire Department, TBI and ATF will begin investigating the cause and origin of the fire on Tuesday, Chambers said.
Lee Greenwood, Gov. Bill Lee to be in Manchester for Tuesday ‘Helping a Hero’ groundbreaking
Tennessee governor Bill Lee, along with recording artist Lee Greenwood and other special guests will be on hand for a groundbreaking ceremony at Manchester Rotary Park Tuesday, March 22, to honor lance corporal Eric Frazier as part of ‘Helping a Hero.’
Frazier, a retired marine, had his hand shattered, jaw broken and lost both legs when his Humvee hit an IED in Iraq.
Frazier is a Bass Pro home recipient of Helping a Hero and in a few months will be moving into a fully accessible home.
The ceremony on Tuesday, March 22, will be held at Rotary Amphitheater with pre-show performances starting at 1:30 p.m. and ceremony beginning at 2:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend and celebrate. Find Rotary Park next to the Manchester Rec Center at 557 N. Woodland St.
Gas prices reverse direction after record spike
For the first time in several weeks, the Tennessee gas price average saw a weekly decline. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $4.04 which is 75 cents more expensive than one month ago and $1.35 more than one year ago. This is down 8 cents from last week.
Gas prices in Coffee County are at $4.04 on average – which is inline with the state average and 21 cents below the national average of $4.25.
“Tennessee gas prices are slowly beginning to trend downward, mostly due to a decline in crude oil prices,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “If oil prices continue to drop this week, pump prices will likely follow suit. However, it’s important to remember that the oil market remains extremely volatile. Any big swings in crude oil pricing, in either direction, will continue to factor into local pump prices.”
Quick Facts
· 53% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $4.00
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $3.82 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $4.27 for regular unleaded
National Gas Prices
After hitting a record $4.33 on March 11, the national average for a gallon of gasoline has fallen to $4.25. The primary reason is the lower global price of crude oil, which peaked shortly after Russia launched its war in Ukraine, but is now more than $20 lower and hovering near $105/bbl. Domestically, gasoline demand is defying seasonal trends and has dipped slightly, perhaps in response to higher prices at the pump.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks fell by 3.6 million bbl to 241 million bbl last week. Gasoline demand also decreased slightly from 8.96 million b/d to 8.94 million b/d. The drop in gas demand is contributing to price decreases, but the recent reversal in oil prices is creating downward pressure on pump prices. If the oil price continues to decline, pump prices will likely follow suit. However, should oil prices start to climb again, pump prices will likely follow.
Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $4.25, which is seven cents less than a week ago, 72 cents more than a month ago, and $1.37 more than a year ago.
National Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by $1.72 to settle at $104.70. After crude prices spiked in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, crude prices changed course in reaction to China announcing new lockdowns alongside rising COVID-19 infection rates last week. However, crude prices could increase further this week as E.U. foreign ministers, who will meet Monday in Brussels, decide whether the 27-nation bloc should join the United States in banning Russian energy imports, including crude oil. Additionally, EIA reported that total domestic crude stocks increased by 4.3 million bbl to 415.9 million bbl last week.
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TAX TIPS: How to file back tax returns with the IRS
By Rosalyn Partin, H&R Block
Have you failed to file previous years’ tax returns? If so, it’s time for you to get caught up! Not filing a required return is a serious issue with the IRS. If you don’t file, the IRS can file a return for you — with taxes and penalties.
Most taxpayers are required to file a tax return every year. The IRS keeps a record of taxpayers who are required to file but don’t – and the IRS can pursue those returns. That can mean stiff consequences and increasing complications.
If you have back tax returns, the IRS can charge you expensive penalties, hold your refund, and even file a return for you without any credits or deductions in your favor (called a substitute return). Whether you have one or many returns to file, you should start taking steps right away to file an accurate and complete tax return that will get you back in good standing with the IRS.
You may find that you have a refund due from previous years. However, IRS generally won’t issue refunds if your return is over 3 years past the required filing date. So, if you haven’t filed your 2018 tax return and it has a refund, you must file the return on or before April 18, 2022 to receive the refund.
Act now to file all past-due returns.
- If you don’t have all your documents for the year, start by requesting your wage and income transcripts from the IRS. These transcripts will help you identify the Forms W-2 and 1099 that you will need to prepare your return.
- Gather information about self-employment, investments, and any other income that isn’t on file with the IRS.
- If you have several past-due returns to file, the IRS normally requires that you file returns for the current year and past six years. But your specific facts and IRS rules will determine how far back you should file.
- Complete your tax returns accurately. It’s best to double check your return against your IRS transcripts to make sure that you included all your income as it was reported to the IRS, and that you included all your withholding/estimated tax payments.
- Send your return to the right IRS location.
- Make sure you get proof that you filed in case the IRS doesn’t process your return or you experience related compliance activity (like IRS collection notices, a lien, a levy, or an unfiled return investigation).
Your H&R Block tax professional can help you track down all the information you’ll need to file a past-due return, resolve any related compliance issues, and communicate with the IRS.
If you have questions about past due returns you need to file or want to schedule an appointment, please call H&R Block in Manchester TN at 931-728-9462. H&R Block Has Your Back!
Houston Levy Wilson
Mr. Houston Levy Wilson, age 82, of Manchester, TN,
passed from the life on Thursday, March 17, 2022, in Manchester, TN.
Mr. Wilson was born in Hillsboro, TN to his late parents James Herbert
Wilson and Georgia Pauline Burt Wilson. He was a member of New Union
Baptist Church. Mr. Wilson loved fishing and also enjoyed hunting at times.
His passion was painting and he owned his own house painting business. Mr.
Wilson served our country in the United States Navy. In addition to his
parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia Wilson; sons, Phillip
and Billy Dean; sister, Alice Joy Bye and brother, Charles Wilson.
Mr. Wilson is survived by daughters, Cheryl Feeback and Kimberly Uselton;
brother, Ronnie Wilson; sister, Virginia Parker; grandchildren, Samantha,
Tara, Shaun, Tabitha, Nicole, Christen, Michael, and Kristina; 17 great
grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
Visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, from
12noon until 2:00pm at Central Funeral Home in Manchester, TN. Funeral
services will be conducted immediately following visitation at 2:00pm in
the chapel of Central Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Rose Hill
Memorial Gardens in Tullahoma, TN.
Central Funeral Home is honored to serve the family, 931-723-7774,
centralfuneralhome.com
HS SOFTBALL: Lady Raiders blast Tullahoma 11-2 Sunday afternoon
Coffee County took the lead in the first inning and never looked back, pounding out 10 hits as the Lady Raiders dispatched of Tullahoma’s Lady Wildcats 11-2 Sunday afternoon in Tullahoma. (a game you heard live on Thunder Radio.)
CHS scored 3 in the first and 7 in the fourth to put the game out of reach.
The Lady Raiders had a big day at the plate, getting multi-hit games from Haidyn Campbell, Cheyenne Vickers and Kaitlyn Davis.
And it was a power display, too. Vickers launched a 2-run home run through the wind in the first and CHS also got extra base hits from Campbell (2 RBI double) and Davis (2 RBI double).
Emily Schuster scored 3 times – reaching on an error, walk and a single.
Coffee County wore Tullahoma out on the bases, too, with 7 stolen bases. Olivia Evans stole a pair while Vickers, Kiya Ferrell, Schuster, Kara Wheeler and Riley Phillips all stole a base.
Davis was dominant for the Lady Raiders in the circle and earned the win. She was perfect through three innings. She finished having allowed 1 earned run on two hits while striking out 9 Lady Wildcat batters.
Tullahoma’s only two runs were scored by Kylee Holt, who reached on two infield singles and scored on an RBI fielder’s vhoice by Madison Goad and an RBI sac fly from Goad.
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE REPLAY.
The win improves the Lady Raiders to 4-2 on the season. They will host Columbia Academy at 6 p.m. Monday night at Terry Floyd Field. That game will be broadcast live on Thunder Radio: 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, Manchester Go app and thunder1320.com
Emily Schuster 
Haidyn Campbell 
Kiya Ferrell 
Kaitlyn Davis 
Kara Wheeler 
Kiya Ferrell 
Emily Schuster 
Cheyenne Vickers 
Emily Schuster
PREP SCOREBOARD: Saturday, March 19, 2022
Scores of interest from Saturday, March 19, 2022.
HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
In a tournament held in Manchester, the Coffee County Red Raiders split – falling 4-2 to Green Hill and beating Fayetteville 2-0.
Against Green Hill, John Martinez and Samuel Medina each picked up goals in the loss. Meanwhile, in a shutout win over Fayetteville, the Raiders got goals from Emmanuel Rodriguez and John Martinez. CHS will host Columbia Monday.
CHS Baseball 0, Oakland 1
The Red Raiders got a triple from Cole Pippenger and a double from Jacob Sherrill but were unable to push a run across, falling to Oakland 1-0 Saturday afternoon in Murfreesboro.
Sherrill was tagged with the tough-luck loss on the mound – giving up 1 run on three hits over two innings of work.
Timothy Henderson was solid on the mound for the Raiders. He struck out 7 batters while allowing just one hit over four innings.
Oakland got its only run in the first and that was enough to hold up. The loss is three straight for the Raiders, who fall to 1-3. They open district play this week with a two-game series with Franklin County. They play at Franklin County at 6 p.m. Monday then host the Rebels at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
CHS Softball 0, Tolono Unity Rockets 3
In a tournament at Cookeville, the Lady Raiders couldn’t muster any hits in a 3-0 shutout loss. CHS committed three defensive errors.
Kaitlyn Davis was tagged with the loss in the circle. She allowed 2 earned runs while striking out 3 in four innings.
CHS Softball 4, Central Magnet 1
Coffee County got some different faces into the lineup and they took care of business with a 4-1 win over Central Magnet Saturday in Cookeville.
Willow Carden, Paisley Campbell and Samantha Cothran all picked up RBIs at the plate – Carden’s coming on a solo home run in the first to put CHS up 1-0. Carden finished with 2 hits.
Cothran earned the win in the circle, allowing 1 unearned run on one hit and two strikeouts.
CHS Softball 5, Knox Halls 0
Coffee County outhit Knoxville Halls 7-2 and got two RBIs out of Haidyn Campbell in a 5-0 shutout win Saturday in Cookeville.
Kiya Ferrell finished with a double for the Lady Raiders and Olivia Evans was 2-for-2 with an RBI.
Freshman Channah Gannon picked up the win – pitching a shutout while allowing just 2 hits and four strikeouts.
CHS Softball 1, Powell 3
The Lady Raiders mixed in an alternate lineup against Powell and held their own, but came up short in a 3-1 loss.
Alivia Reel scored the only run for CHS when Riley Phillips reached on an error. Jada Bowen, Phillips and Cheyenne Vickers had the only three hits for CHS.
Katelyn Anderson was hit with the loss in the circle for the Lady Raiders. Anderson allowed 3 runs (none of them earned) on five hits. She struck out 1. CHS committed 2 errors in the loss.
Frances Mack Weaver
Frances Mack Weaver of Tullahoma passed this life on Thursday, March 17,
2022 at the Life Care Center of Tullahoma at the age of 95. Graveside
Memorial Services will be scheduled at a later time in Williamsburg, KY.
A native of Pleasant View (Williamsburg), KY, she was the daughter of the
late Robert Francis and Nancy Mack Weaver. She was a member of the First
United Methodist Church of Tullahoma and she and her husband of 57 years,
Hiram Melvin Weaver were very active in the church. The attended the
Friendship Sunday School Class. She enjoyed traveling, taking cruises and
visiting the beach. She also enjoyed visiting with her family in Kentucky.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by
sister, Sue Hewgley.
She is survived by daughters, Melanie Lindgren of Signal Mountain, TN and
Marilyn Weaver of Tullahoma; sister, Bonnie Bishop of Williamsburg, Ky;
three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations to be made
to a children’s charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Sharon June Myers Brown
Sharon June Myers Brown passed from this earth on March 17, 2022, at the age of 81, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her beloved Saint, L.E. Brown Jr., to whom she was married for 52 years, until his passing in 2012. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Verne and Elsa Myers, and her grandson, Aidan Brown.
She is survived by her children, Suzanne (Lindsey) Garner, Greenbrier, TN, Tina (Wayne) Stephens, Manchester, TN, and Daniel Brown of Manchester. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Caroline, Riley, Jimmy and Liam, her sister, Lea Williams, niece, Nikki Edgerton and many other nieces and nephews.
She was born in Seattle Washington on December 27, 1940. She met her future husband at a Buck Owens concert in Spanaway Park in Washington State and married the young Air Force MP in June of 1960. She moved to Tennessee with her new husband and a five-month-old daughter in 1961 and lived in Coffee County the rest of her life. She worked for 15 years at the First Methodist Preschool Program in Manchester, TN as the Director and Lead Teacher. For another 15 years, she owned and operated a pre-school, Mz. Sharon’s House, along with the help of L.E. and Daniel. Mz. Sharon loved her children so much and hoped they all had good memories.
An accomplished photographer and genealogist, she was an expert bird watcher, participating in many ornithological societies. She enjoyed travelling and was most proud of completing all 50 states in 2018. A proud liberal, she was very proud of her Democratic party membership.
She was a member of the FUMC in Manchester for more than 60 years and served her Lord and Savior in acts, rather than words.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation in memory of Sharon be made to the First United Methodist Church Preschool Program in Manchester, TN.
Grundy County men charged with second degree murder in fentanyl drug cases
Travis King 
Bobby Northcutt
The Grundy County Grand Jury has returned indictments on two men for
second degree murder.
Travis Heath King (43) and Bobby Jack Northcutt (60) from Tracy City have been
charged in two separate cases.
Investigators believe King distributed drugs containing fentanyl that
resulted in the death of a Gruetli-Laager man in June 2021. Investigators also believe that Northcutt
distributed drugs containing fentanyl that resulted in the death of a Monteagle man in January 2021.
“These cases are very tough and time tasking. Investigators from our agency with assistance from the
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation were able to plug in all the pieces that resulted in these charges,” said Grundy County Sheriff Clint Shrum.
King is being held on $100,000 bond. Northcutt is being held on $50,000 bond and has been transferred
to another facility. Both men have an initial appearance date for March 25th
Names of the victims will not be released.
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