Today (Monday) people will be out enjoying what is called the official start of summer, we should remember today is Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. The holiday is currently observed every year on the last Monday of May.
Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, especially to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.
Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day – Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, whereas Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.
Category: News
Memorial Day
Manchester Rotary Club Receives District Grant, Supports School Safety Cadet Summer Camp
Pictured left to right: Margie Lowe, Manchester Rotary Club Treasurer; Jason Day, Manchester Rotary Treasurer Nominee; Josh Peterson, Manchester Rotary President Nominee; Chad Partin, Sheriff; Taylor Rayfield, Manchester Rotary President-Elect; Laura Nettles, Sgt., Sheriff’s Department; Carlan Cotten, Manchester Rotary President; and Billy Butler, Chief Investigator, Sheriff’s Department.
“We are thrilled to support the efforts of the inaugural School Safety Cadets Camp. This interactive opportunity provides many of our young leaders, who may not have been able to participate otherwise during the summer, the ability to experience and learn about law enforcement, social and leadership skills, citizenship and safety awareness,” said Taylor Rayfield, Manchester Rotary Club President-Elect.
The Rotary Foundation District Grant program funds small-scale, short-term activities that address needs in communities. These projects are centered around humanitarian efforts, youth programs, and vocational training.
“Our young leaders having the opportunity to experience and build relationships with our outstanding law enforcement in a positive manner is a great thing,” Rayfield added.
This year’s inaugural School Safety Cadet Summer Camp will begin on June 3rd with 53 Cadets comprised from each county elementary school are expected to participate.
TN Biotech Company Honored for Compostable Products
Americans throw away an estimated 25 billion foam cups every year. (Adobe Stock)
Knoxville-based Genera Energy was recognized for its partnerships with regional farmers to grow agricultural crops such as switchgrass and wheat straw, which the company then uses to make sustainable fiber.
Vice President for Business Development Sam Jackson says natural fiber-based plates, bowls, cups and take-out containers will be ready by early next year.
“So, we’re making a usable fiber out of our agricultural materials, but it’s in a much more sustainable, environmentally friendly process,” says Jackson. “And then also onsite, we’ll be manufacturing our own line of compostable food-service products, all of which will be fully compostable and fully biodegradable, really aiming at replacing polystyrene or Styrofoam products on the market today.”
The 54th Annual Conservation Achievement Awards ceremony was held in Nashville and honored 17 individuals and businesses across the state.
Another honoree was nine-year-old Cash Daniels of Chattanooga, who organizes monthly river cleanups and is committed to reducing waste.
“Why I clean up the river is because 80% of the ocean’s plastic comes from rivers, and if we don’t clean up the ocean, it will just keep getting worse,” says Daniels. “We pull close to 3,000 pounds of trash out of the river.”
Daniels says he hopes to be a marine biologist when he grows up.
Mike Butler, CEO of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, points out that as more people move into urban areas, they are less likely to experience the state’s wildlife and natural resources.
“If you go back 40, 50 years ago, you have a lot more people that grew up on farms, and so they saw firsthand what happened if you abused land or water,” says Butler. “Now, it’s a lot more detached.”
Butler says the Federation works on public policy, youth engagement and habitat restoration.
Principal Parsley answers questions about Controversial Statements and Rumors concerning CCCHS Graduation
Due to some controversial statements and rumors made on social media about Friday’s Coffee County High School graduation, WMSR News has decided to report about those issues. answers
First, some statements were made that two students that are now deceased should be allowed to receive their diplomas since this would have been their graduating class. One student passed away in September and the other in a swimming accident a few years ago. Principal Paul Parsley told WMSR News that the school will be placing two empty chairs draped with graduation cap and gowns along with a flower. The families of the two students will receive honorary diplomas at a later date.
The next issue is about a student who graduated early and then went into the military. He just recently graduated from boot camp. The former student made a request to walk the graduation line with his fellow classmates in his military dress uniform. Mr. Parsley has granted that request.
The final issue was a question concerning why one graduate is allowed to wear a white gown which is not same as the others. Principal Parsley explained the tradition began last year where one student, that is voted on by the student body, wears the white gown with the signatures of their fellow classmates. The tradition will continue this year.
Graduation will be held Friday night (May 24) at 7pm for 2019 Coffee County High School seniors.
A crowd of several thousand will watch graduates accept their diplomas behind Raider Academy in Manchester at Carden-Jerrell Field.
Around 400 seniors will take their next step toward a future full of expectations as they will hear from fellow classmates; Valedictorian George Gannon and Salutatorian Isabel Watkins.
Many of the grads will take a break from school for a short period of time before heading off to college, and others will jump right into the workforce or military.
The 2019-2020 school year begins in just a little more than two months.
Coffee County School Board begins Interviewing Director Candidates
The Coffee County School Board has scheduled interviews for their top five Director of Schools applicants.
All interviews are open to the public. They will be held from 4 PM to 6 PM, with a two-hour meet and greet following the interview. All interviews will be held at the Coffee County Board of Education, 1343 McArthur Street, Manchester, TN 37355
Interview Schedule:
Dr. Charles Lawson was interviewed earlier this week
Thursday, May 30: Dr. John Ash
Wednesday, June 19: Dr. Keith Cornelius
Thursday, June 20: Mrs. Kim Aaron
Friday, June 21: Mr. Scott Hargrove
For questions, please contact school board members or the board’s secretary, at (931) 723-5150.
Memorial Day Ceremony set for Monday
Wreaths were placed at the war memorials in Manchester back in 2015… Photo by Rob Clutter
The public is encouraged to attend and bring your school-age children! They need to see, first-hand, that the freedoms we all enjoy are not free, but were fought for with the blood of patriots and the tears of their loved ones.
Kimberly King is the Commander of the VFW Post 10904 and the Chairman of the Coffee County Veterans Association she sends this special invitation to the community to attend…
Come early for a good seat and help our community honor and remember those who have given their all, in defense of our nation.
Don’t Leave Children or Pets in Hot Vehicles
The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department along with Manchester and Tullahoma Police departments are reminding people to not to leave children inside unattended vehicles. With the temperatures expected in the low 90’s over the next few days, law enforcement reminds you that leaving children in a vehicle can lead to death.
As the temperature inside a vehicle can escalate by 15 degrees in just 10 minutes and with the hot temperatures and high humidity death can come very quickly. Even if you leave the windows rolled down some, the temperatures inside a vehicle can become deadly. Please take children in the store or leave them at home as it would be better than death.
When temperatures outside exceed 86 degrees F, the internal temperatures of the vehicle can quickly reach 134 to 154 degrees F. Heat stroke may occur when a body temperature passes 104 degrees Fahrenheit. This can overwhelm the brain’s temperature control, causing symptoms such as dizziness, disorientation, agitation, confusion, seizure, and/or death.
Several children die in hot cars each year from heat-related deaths after being trapped inside motor vehicles. Even the best of parents or caregivers can unknowingly leave a sleeping baby in a car, and the end result can be injury or even death.
Tennessee ranks 8th in the nation in hot car deaths, according to the non-profit Kids and Cars.
Anyone seeing children left in a vehicle without the air conditioner running is asked to call 911. Tennessee allows bystanders to break into a car if they see a kid inside who they believe is in danger.
Also, the same rules apply to your pets.
CCCHS Graduation is Friday Night
Photo provided of 2018 graduation
Around 400 seniors will take their next step toward a future full of expectations as they will hear from fellow classmates; Valedictorian George Gannon and Salutatorian Isabel Watkins.
Many of the grads will take a break from school for a short period before heading off to college, and others will jump right into the workforce or military.
The 2019-2020 school year begins in just a little more than two months.
Three People Arrested on Drug Related Charges
Late last week Franklin County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded to a residence in the Huntland area, due to a complaint of people using meth in the immediate area. Upon arrival, Sheriff’s Office investigators made contact with the owner of the residence who advised he had no knowledge of anyone being on his property. While talking to the owner law enforcement did make contact with three individuals in the shed at the rear of the residence. All three suspects exited the shed and were detained while a search of the shed revealed approximately 11 grams of what is believed to methamphetamine and various other paraphernalia. The three suspects were placed into custody and transported to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. The suspects were booked and charged with the following:
Sybella S. Anderson of Fayetteville, TN
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia $1,000 bond.
Hiram Allen Campbell of Huntland, TN
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Manufacture/Sell of a Schedule II $6,000 bond.
Amber Ferguson of Winchester, TN
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Manufacture/Sell of a Schedule II $5,000 bond.
All suspects have a court date set for Monday September 9th, 2019 in Franklin County General Sessions Court.
Participating in the investigation were; Inv. George Dyer, Sgt. Chris Guess, Deputy Adam Smith, Deputy Jason Brockman and Inv. Jamie Cox with Winchester Police.
