Category: News

A recent report shows Tennessee high school seniors’ performance in math and reading is below the national average.
Tennessee was among 13 states that voluntarily participated in the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test, also known as the nation’s report card.
Twelfth-graders in those states were tested last year from January to March.
According to NAEP, the average score of students in Tennessee was 282, which was lower than the national average score of 287 for public school students.
In math, Tennessee 12th-grade students scored 145, compared to 152 nationally.
Last year, NAEP’s assessment of Tennessee students in fourth- and eighth-grade reading and math showed the state leading the nation in academic improvement.
Education experts say the reason for the recent subpar performance results of 12th-graders is unclear.

As the time that kids spend with television, video games, apps and computers continues to grow, they’re being encouraged to take the next seven days to unplug. This is Screen-Free Week, an annual initiative encouraging children to turn off screens in favor of activities like reading, hands-on playing or exploring nature. Sara Adelmann, screen time project manager, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, says they hope that it leads to family connections that continue beyond the week. “For instance, some families find that they have more, richer conversations at dinner if there’s no devices around, so they might do that more frequently during the year. Or they might find that they and their children have a better night’s sleep if they don’t use devices a few hours before bed.” Screen-Free Week began in 1996 as “TV Turnoff,” and since then millions of children and their families have taken part. Excessive screen time can be linked to poor school performance, childhood obesity and attention problems, Adelmann says, and it is becoming more and more of an issue as tablets and smart phones become more common. “Certainly we’re seeing an increase in the use of mobile devices. A recent survey came out saying that just in the past two years, the time children spend on media devices has tripled,” she says. It’s now estimated that school-age children spend more time with screen media than in any other activity except sleeping. More information is available at www.screenfree.org.

The City is Tullahoma Police Department is pleased to announce that the Police Memorial will be unveiled on Thursday, May 15, at noon, at the flag on the South Jackson Civic Center. The public is invited to join this special honor to all police Officers.
Proclaimed by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, May 15 of each year is designated Police Memorial day.
“This day we recognize the officers of our community and nation that have given the ultimate sacrifice in the service to their communities,” said Chief Paul Blackwell. “Five officers have given their lives in the service to our community.”
This is a special ceremony because the department will unveil a memorial for Tullahoma’s fallen officers. This ceremony will recognize the five officers and unveil a monument recognizing their sacrifice. The monument was made possible due to the generous donations from citizens, businesses, and churches that the officers serve.
“Although the day is set aside to honor those that have fallen, we, as members of our community, should also honor those that have and are still serving,” said Chief Blackwell. “Their greatest fear is the unknown, and their goal each day is to return to their families when the tour of duty is over.”
Any questions about this or other police operations may be directed to Chief Paul Blackwell at (931) 455-0530.

Primary Election Day was held yesterday in Coffee County. Voters cast ballots for their favorite candidates in many races.
On our website you can click on election results for a complete rundown of all races held yesterday. In countywide results; County Mayor: Tim Brown 2,304-Bill Nickles 2,223. Trustee: Rodney Banks 1,521-Roxanne Patton 1,195–Josh Morris 951 -Donna Willis 805. Register of Deeds: LeAnn Hollandsworth Partin 1,855 -Tracy Hershman Weibert 1,095-Teresa Green Wright 1,010-Andy Farrar 541. General Sessions Judge Part II: Jere Ledsinger 2,658- Jason Ponder 1,765. Road Superintendent: Steve Moran 2,055-Ronnie Watts 1,782. All of those winners will face republican competition in August. Moran will also face an independent candidate for Road Superintendent.
You can click on election results on our website www.wmsrradio.com for complete returns on all races including county commission, road commission and constable races.
2,840 people voted during early voting and less than 4,000 votes were cast yesterday or just over 19% of those who are registered.
On August 7th the general election for county races will be held along with city elections and primaries for statewide seats.

An afternoon of fun turned into tragedy for some teenagers swimming at Rutledge Falls Tuesday.
According to Coffee County Sheriff Steve Graves, around 4 p.m. a 17-year-old Cannon County male, whose name had not been released at press time, went under the water and never surfaced. “He apparently slipped on some of the slick rocks and went under the water,” the sheriff stated.
According to the sheriff, some of the teens with the drowning victim went to the top of the falls and when they looked down, “they saw him in the water.” Graves stated that the teenagers then rushed to get their friend out of the water and one friend started CPR but was unable to revive him.
The Coffee County Ambulance Service, the Coffee County Rescue Squad and the Tullahoma Fire Department responded and attempted to revive the teenager.
Coffee County Sheriff Deputy Kelly Smith was first officer on the scene and the Sgt. Danny Ferrell arrived and investigated the incident.
The body was then transferred to the State Medical Examiner’s Officer where an autopsy will be performed today. (Tullahoma News)

Most experts say we have reached our peak in gas prices and we should see prices come down soon. The national average price at the gas pump is $3.67 per gallon. Here in Coffee County prices remain about stable compared to last week. In Manchester the low price is $3.43 for regular gas. In Tullahoma the low price also stands at $3.43. The Tennessee average price this week is $3.48 per gallon.
Coffee County’s prices are down 4-cents from last week and Tennessee’s average price also dropped 4-cents this week.

People in Coffee County are reporting they have found debris from last week’s tornadoes in Lincoln County.
Two women discovered debris while walking a golf course trail at Old Stone State Park in Manchester, some 50 miles away from where the deadly tornado occurred.
Many other photos and documents have been found scattered across southern middle Tennessee. The Coffee County Emergency Management Agency is compiling a list of debris that have been turned in.

Three days was all that was needed for local people to answer the request for relief supplies for Lincoln County. Monday, Tullahoma Alderman Sandy Lindeman accompanied Deputy Chief Phil Duncan to the designated Lincoln County Relief Center to donate the supplies that were collected in Tullahoma.
“They were grateful to receive the supplies,” said Sandy Lindeman. We learned that 150-200 homes were damaged, and approximately fifty were completely destroyed.”

“One of the current needs is for basic first aid items and basic medication. Items such as ibuprofen, band aids, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, sunscreen and bug spray,” said Lincoln County Director of EMA, Mike Hall. Additional items include wheel barrows, gloves and rakes.
If residents want to donate supplies, they are being received at the Temporary Lincoln County Relief Center located at 2626 Huntsville Highway, Fayetteville, TN 37334.

LightTUBe, a telecommunications division of Tullahoma Utilities Board (TUB), will host its 2nd annual LightTUBe Customer Appreciation Event on Friday, May 30st at Frazier-McEwen Park. The event will consist of a public showing of the family-friendly and recently released film, ‘Frozen’ and free pizza, popcorn, and drinks while they last!
The movie will be shown on a large, 12-foot diagonal blow-up screen and will be shown at approximately 8 p.m. However, guests are encouraged to arrive around 7:30 p.m. to enjoy free pizza and drinks. The event is FREE and is being put on as a ‘thank you’ to LightTUBe customers.
The staff of LightTUBe, as well as the TUB board members, is excited to host this unique event to thank its customer base.
In the case of inclement weather, the event will take place at Frazier-McEwen Park on Saturday, May 31st. Even those who have not yet upgraded to LightTUBe are encouraged to attend to meet employees and to learn more about LightTUBe’s ultra-high speed Internet, crystal clear telephone, and high quality television services.
Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, and any snacks they might want other than the provided free pizza and drinks. For more information on the event, call Chelsea Adams at 571-7186, or email her at cadams@tub.net.

Election Day is Tuesday (Today, May 6) in Coffee County. Being voted on are races for County Mayor, Trustee, Register of Deeds, General Sessions Judge Part II, Road Superintendent, various County Commission seats, Road Commissioners and constables. Some candidates are running unopposed in certain races.
2,840 people voted during early voting, about 10% of those who are registered. Less than 50 voted by mail that are not included in the early vote numbers.
Polls will be open 8am and close at 7pm. Live election returns start at 7pm on Thunder Radio.