Category: News

Two arrested for arson in Woodland Plaza fire

Two people have been arrested and charged with arson, among other things, in connection with the Woodland Plaza Fire on March 21 in Manchester that destroyed multiple businesses.

According to Manchester Police Department officials, they identified two individuals who were responsible for the fire. Additionally, they determined that prior to the fire a burglary was allegedly committed at the business of Greg Green Photography.

A sealed indictment was issued on May 10, 2022 by the Coffee County grand jury for Zackery Meeks and Stacy Caldwell.

On Wednesday, May 11, investigators located Caldwell at her residence in Manchester. Investigators located Meeks at a residence in Monteagle – both were taken into custody.

Both subjects have been charged with burglary, theft of property ($10,000 – $60,000), Vandalism ($250,000 or more) and arson.

18th annual Dusty Elam Foundation Benefit is May 14; Dusty’s kids day is Friday, May 13

The 18th annual Dusty Elam Foundation Benefit is set for Saturday, May 14 at the Elam Farm – 5223 Woodbury Highway just outside of Manchester.

There will be food, fun and games to go along with a live auction and a musical contest – Dusty’s Voice Music Competition.

Also at the annual event will be field events, inflatables a dunking booth and face painting. Single tickets are $25 and 5 tickets are $100. Kids 12 and under are free – cost of food included with your ticket. Gates open at noon, live auction starts at 2 and Dusty’s Voice starts at 6 p.m.

Dusty’s Voice will feature a $1,500 first place prize. There is a 25 artist / band limit. Each artist or band will play 1 song or 5 minutes. $50 per entry. First place wins $1,500 and second place wins $500. There is still room for a few entries. For Dusty’s Voice details or entry, call Justin McIntosh at 931-273-5194.

For tickets to the benefit, call Chris Elam at 931-273-3419 or Jay Nogodula at 615-653-7846.

Dusty’s Kids Day Is Friday, May 13

The annual kickoff for the Elam Foundation weekend – Dusty’s Kids Day – will be Friday, May 13.

All residents and businesses are encouraged to cheer on the kids as they are given a police escort from Coffee County High School at 9:30 a.m. The route will be from CCHS, to the intersection of highway 41/55, slight turn on 41, around College Street, back to Highway 55. Those lining the route are encouraged to bring pom poms, cheer and add messages to your marquees.

Tullahoma High School to hold graduation Friday, May 13

The 100th class at Tullahoma High School and the first-ever seniors at the Tullahoma Virtual Academy will celebrate at Wilkins Stadium on Friday when graduation ceremonies get underway at 7:30 p.m.

If weather becomes an issue, the ceremony will be moved to inside the THS gymnasium. In preparation for graduation, all seniors received eight tickets in case the ceremony is relocated. Those tickets will only be needed if graduation takes place inside the gymnasium.

Friday evening’s ceremony will get underway, with the 251 graduates making their way to their seats before the Pledge of Allegiance. Tullahoma High School Principal Jason Quick will deliver a welcoming message, while Tullahoma Virtual Academy Dr. Greg English will follow with additional comments. Senior Class President Amy Pham will then provide opening remarks to her classmates.

Under the direction of Melissa Hinds, the THS Singers will perform “For Good” by Stephen Schwartz. Salutatorian Biftu Regaa will then address her classmates before Valedictorian Glenn (DJ) Dillehay delivers his speech.

Diplomas will be presented by TCS Director of Schools, Dr. Catherine Stephens; Board of Education member Teresa Lawson; Quick; Dr. English; THS Assistant Principal Derrick Crutchfield; THS Assistant Principal Dr. Renee Flowers; THS CTE Director/Assistant Principal Jessie Kinsey and THS Counselors Richie Chadwick, Erika Konyndyk and Susie Young.

Before the evening concludes, Student Body President Joseph Bagby will address the 2022 class with the Turning of Tassels speech.

The following students  have been selected to receive awards:

Honor Awards

Principal’s Award: Faith Banks and Brandon Painter

Faculty Award: Biftu Regaa and Jacob Bennett

Activity Awards

Student Council: Amy Pham and Hannah Chessor

Theater: Jacob Bennett and Lauren Rogers

Departmental Awards

Anatomy and Physiology: Eleanor Fults and Sonan Ayana

AP Biology: Madelyn Bobo and Allison Swiger

Art: Lucas Rocha and Santaysha Huskey

Band: Isaac Swinney and Elizabeth Arnett

Biology: Meadow Jones and Natalie Howard

Chemistry: Ari Zeferin and Lucia Hernandez Casado

Economics: Annabell Chamblee and Franklin Zhang

English: Biftu Regaa and Franklin Zhang

Environmental Science: Callie Hargrove and Josellen Turrentine

History: Catherine Ellis and Nicolais Zimecki

Math: Biftu Regaa and Franklin Zhang

Physics: McKenzie Sons and Charles Pettyjohn

Psychology: Xavier Holland and Olivia Hogan

Resume: Faith Banks and Benson Lin

ROTC: Landon Suits and Colleen McCullough

Sociology: Avery McClean and Noah Mooney

Spanish: Kaira Webb and Clayton Robison

THS Vocal Department: Ryan Cole and Anne Duncan

CTE Awards

Accounting: Jackson Clemens and Isaac Swinney

Aviation: Joseph Henderson and Aubrey Lawson

Broadcast Media: Evan Rogers and Jala Watson

Business: Clayton Robison and Wednezday Hambrick

Coding: Jalen Hill and Landon Turpin

Cosmetology: Hannah Camp and Danika Wilson

Criminal Justice: Preston McCarl and Hannah Waller

Digital Arts: Ashlee Weaver and Addison Mahaffey

Drafting: Nicolais Zimecki and Jackson Hamblin

Health Science: Madelyn Bobo and Az’Ja White

Machine Shop: Jackson Hamblin and Matthew Jackson

Marketing: Madelyn Bobo and Justus Chadwick

Welding: Tucker Anderson and Matthew Jackson

STEM: Natalie Aguirre and Amy Pham

Education foundation donates for outdoor classroom at CMS

Coffee County Education Foundation recently presented a $5,000 check to the Coffee County Middle School to go toward an outdoor classroom.

The CCEF supports many programs of Coffee County Schools through donations from the community.

For more information about donating to the foundation, see Coffee County Schools website at coffeecountyschools.com.

Pictured are CCEF Board Members Brent Parsley and Brenda
Brown,  CCMS Principal Jimmy Anderson,  CCEF Board Members Barbara Arp and
Ronnie Gray, and CCSS Director of Schools Dr. Charles Lawson.

Two arrested for arson in Woodland Plaza fire

Two people have been arrested and charged with arson, among other things, in connection with the Woodland Plaza Fire on March 21 in Manchester that destroyed multiple businesses.

According to Manchester Police Department officials, they identified two individuals who were responsible for the fire. Additionally, they determined that prior to the fire a burglary was allegedly committed at the business of Greg Green Photography.

A sealed indictment was issued on May 10, 2022 by the Coffee County grand jury for Zackery Meeks and Stacy Caldwell.

On Wednesday, May 11, investigators located Caldwell at her residence in Manchester. Investigators located Meeks at a residence in Monteagle – both were taken into custody.

Both subjects have been charged with burglary, theft of property ($10,000 – $60,000), Vandalism ($250,000 or more) and arson.

Manchester Rec Center announces hours, opening day for pool

Warmer weather means fun in the sun and opening day for the Manchester Recreation Center outdoor pool is coming soon.

The center announced that opening day will be Thursday, May 26.

The pool will be open every day from noon until 4:30 p.m. and then again from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning June 21.

Manchester Recreation Center located at 557 N. Woodland St. in Manchester.

Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen proclaim May 19 as ‘Lemonade Day’ in Manchester

Manchester vice mayor Mark Messick signed a proclamation on Tuesday, May 10, proclaiming May 19, 2022 to be Lemonade Day in Manchester. (see full proclamation below).

Manchester will be the second community in Tennessee to play host to a global youth entrepreneurship program that teaches leadership and business skills by encouraging children to launch a lemonade business – the program is simply called “Lemonade Day.”

Manchester Chamber of Commerce is working in partnership with the Manchester City Schools to allow fourth grade students to study material, develop individual business plans and, for a day, run a lemonade stand at various locations in Manchester. Everyone in Manchester is encouraged to participate by visiting one of the stands.

There will be Lemonade Stands at the following locations on May 19:

Advantage Realty | 861 McArthur St.
Coffee County Administrative Plaza | 1329 McArthur St.
Coffee County Bank | 301 Murfreesboro Hwy.
First Bank | 1500 Hillsboro Blvd.
First Vision Bank | 2134 Hillsboro Blvd
Food Lion | 944 Hillsboro Blvd.
J & G Pizza & Steak House | 520 McMinnville Hwy. 
Peoples Bank & Trust | 1203 Hillsboro Blvd.
Powers Plaza | 307 HIllsboro Blvd.
Walgreens | 806 McArthur St.
Westwood Elementary School | 912 Oakdale St.

The program is made possible by presenting sponsor SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, and Warren County, and the following additional sponsors: Coffee County Bank, First Bank, First Vision Bank, J & G Pizza and Steak House, Peoples Bank & Trust and Thunder Radio.

Some members of the Manchester Chamber celebrate with vice mayor Mark Messick as May 19, 2022 is proclaimed “Lemonade Day” in Manchester.

PROCLAMATION

Whereas, student entrepreneur-led lemonade stands to pop up around the City of Manchester on May 19th, 2022;

Whereas, Manchester will be the second community in Tennessee to play       host to a global youth entrepreneurship program that teaches leadership and business skills by encouraging children to launch a lemonade business;

Whereas, the Manchester Chamber of Commerce is working in partnership with Manchester City Schools to provide curriculum and training materials to all fourth-grade students at College Street and Westwood     Elementary Schools and one group of students at Westwood Middle School;

Whereas, participants will learn how to create a business plan, market a product, and determine how much to charge per cup of lemonade to make a profit. All of this will be done in the classroom, with teachers guiding students through the program’s workbook and generating discussion and ideas of how to make   theirs the best lemonade stand;

Whereas, the program will culminate in Lemonade Day Manchester on Thursday, May 19. Eleven lemonade  stands will be located at area businesses, led by these student entrepreneurs;

Whereas, the impact of a program like Lemonade Day is four-fold: 1) teach financial literacy to kids; 2) promote  entrepreneurship; 3) teach kids to be responsible and self-reliant; and 4) contribute to their community’s development.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Mark Messick, Vice Mayor, do hereby proclaim May 19th, 2022, as Lemonade Day in the City of Manchester and encourage the support and participation of all citizens in Lemonade Day.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused this seal to be affixed.

Motlow State hosts 49th annual Nursing Pinning Ceremony

Motlow State hosted its 49th Annual Nursing Pinning
Ceremony on May 6 in the Nisbett Center at the College’s Moore County campus. Pins were
presented to 55 students who have successfully completed the Nursing Program’s graduation
requirements.


The ritual of pinning a nurse is a long-standing tradition held at the conclusion of a nursing
student’s education. The pin is designed to signify the school the nurse attended and is pinned
onto the student’s uniform by nursing leaders who served as an academic leader in the
learner’s clinical journey.


The pinning ceremony itself also is steeped in tradition. The students wear the traditional
white uniform and cap of the nurse and in honor of the founder of modern nursing they recite
the “Florence Nightingale Pledge,” and participate in the symbolic lighting of each student’s
lamp. Nightingale is known as the ˜lady with the lamp” because she saved thousands of lives
while walking the halls of a battlefield hospital with a lamp to check on the soldiers. As a
tribute to her dedication, the lamp icon, pledge, and lighting of the lamp are typically part of
the pinning ceremony.


Mark Miller, RN, addressed those in attendance. Miller graduated from Motlow’s Nursing
program in 2020.


On May 9, students who have met all program requirements graduated during a formal
commencement ceremony with an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Nursing
and will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses.

Jessica Duke, right, of Manchester, was presented a nurse pin at the 49th annual ceremony.

Awardees – Hometowns

– Deborah Anderson – Murfreesboro

– Sarah Arnold – Christiana
– Emily Bacon – Readyville
– Jenna Baily – Smyrna
– Katherine Bowles – Lynchburg
– Dominique Cannon – Fayetteville
– Stephanie Carpenter – Eagleville
– Juanita Cool – Baxter
– Emily Coulter – Murfreesboro
– Bethanie Davenport – Manchester
– Megann Dorris – Murfreesboro
– Elizabeth Duke – Manchester
– Kayla Dunlap – Murfreesboro
– Bayley Felice – Manchester
– Macy Ferrell – Tullahoma
– Ashley Flores – Manchester
– Samantha Galbreath – Shelbyville
– Sebastian Gewitsch – Murfreesboro
– Sarah Goddard – Murfreesboro
– Carla Green – Sewanee
– Marilyn Hanlon – Smyrna
– Leila Haston – McMinnville
– Makayla Herrold – Lebanon
– Rachel Hoilman – Murfreesboro
– Allie Hopkins – Murfreesboro
– Meghan (Rylee) Jones – Shelbyville
– Ashley Kanewischer – Murfreesboro
– Natasha Lenderman – Hillsboro
– Cindy Lowe – Manchester
– Kaitlyn McBrien – Lebanon
– Ashley McLaughlin – Lynchburg
– Misty Mears – McMinnville
– Julie Newton – Murfreesboro
– Rebecca Owczarczak – Sparta
– Britney Perez – Sparta
– Ashley Pierce – Tullahoma
– Beth Roberts – Woodbury
– Brianna Samuels – Antioch
– Jeremiah Schmidt – Crossville
-Ashley Search – Shelbyville

-Jillian Sebia – Murfreesboro
– Andrea Sharp – Fayetteville
– Jeannie Sloan – Erin
– Brittany Smith – Hillsboro
– Lindsay Smith – Spencer
– Alicia South – Murfreesboro
– Jessica Spencer – Manchester
– Alexandria Stewart – Lewisburg
– Lindsey Strange – Murfreesboro
– Rebekah Streich – Murfreesboro
– Cheyenne Sutton – Smyrna
– Brittany Wilkins – Murfreesboro
– Madelyn Wood – Walling
– Lori Wright – Tullahoma
– Brianna Young – McMinnville

Tennessee’s Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality,
affordable, convenient, and personal education to prepare students to achieve their
educational and career goals in two years or less. The system offers associate degree and
certificate programs, workforce development programs, and transfer pathways to four-year
degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tbr.edu or visit Motlow at
motlow.edu.

Magnolia Family Medicine opening in Manchester, now booking appointments for June

Magnolia Family Medicine and Wellness – Manchester’s newest family practice – held a ceremonial ribbon cutting with the Manchester Chamber of Commerce last week and is now accepting new patients for June, 2022.

Magnolia Family Medicine offers a wide range of services, including chronic disease management, pediatrics, preventative visits, urgent care, sports physicals, DOT physicals, women’s health, dermatology, weight loss management, hormone replacement therapy and aesthetics.

The clinic is overseen by Dr. Vanessa Green and FNP Niki Chester. They are located at 1402 Willow Dr. in Manchester – next to Marcrom’s Pharmacy. Magnolia Family Medicine and Wellness accepts most insurance and offers friendly self-pay options.

Click here for more about Magnolia Family Medicine and to begin scheduling your appointments starting in June.

Magnolia Family Medicine held a ceremonial ribbon cutting at their 1402 Willow Dr. location on May 5, 2022. — Chamber of Commerce Photo

Saturday May 14 is postal carrier Stamp Out Hunger food drive

Saturday, May 14 is the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

The Manchester Postal Carriers will be participating.

To participate, put your non-perishable donations in a bag by your mailbox on Saturday, May 14. Your postal carrier will pickup and deliver to a local food bank.