A Manchester woman is behind bars and facing multiple charges that include abuse of children, animals and a vulnerable adult.
Grundy County Sheriff’s Department states that Sara Ann Montgomery, age 43, of Manchester, was arrested after she allegedly abandoned a 21-year old man with “physical and mental vulnerabilities.”
Deputies were called to the Palmer library where the man had allegedly been dropped.
Deputies then visited the home where Montgomery had been renting and found what they describe to be deplorable living conditions with neglected and abused animals.
Further investigation found that Montgomery also had three other children living in these conditions.
She has been charged with three counts of child abuse neglect, abuse of a vulnerable adult and 16 counts of animal cruelty.
The children have been put into protective custody. The animals have been taken for treatment and rehoming.
TN Committee advances bill that identifies convicted human traffickers
Republican legislation that would make it easier for law enforcement to identify individuals convicted of human trafficking advanced out of the Tennessee House Transportation Committee last week.
House Bill 2573 would require a person convicted of human trafficking to obtain a driver’s license or photo identification license that includes a designation on it that would enable authorities to identify their conviction.
State Rep. Clay Doggett, R-Pulaski, told members of the subcommittee on Tuesday that the bill gives law enforcement the opportunity to ask additional questions and further investigate in situations such as traffic stops.
Tennessee laws define human trafficking as the sale of an adult for the purposes of commercial sex by means of force, fraud or coercion, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s (TBI) ITHasToStop outreach campaign. Any commercial sex act involving the sale of a child for the purposes of commercial sex is also considered human trafficking, regardless of the use of force, fraud or coercion.
Additional human trafficking information:
- Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal industries in the world, just behind drug trafficking.
- There are an estimated 27 million people worldwide currently enslaved by traffickers.
- Every year, more than 1.2 million children are trafficked for the purpose of being sold for sex.
- In Tennessee, an average of 85 minors are trafficked every month.
- The average age of entry into sex trafficking is 15 years old.
- Anyone who believes they may have witnessed trafficking or encountered a victim of trafficking should contact the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-55-TNHTH.
House Bill 2573 now moves on to the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee for consideration. More information about the legislation can be found here.
Tennessee State Parks gear up for spring hikes
Tennessee State Parks have scheduled guided Spring Hikes throughout the state for park visitors who want to put winter behind and enjoy the outdoors. Most of the hikes are scheduled Saturday, March 19.
Old Stone Fort park ranger Eric Collins will host a spring hike. Those wishing to go can meet at the top of the museum. The hike will be from 3-4:30 p.m. For questions, contact Collins at eric.l.collins@tn.gov.
Tims Ford State Park will also have a spring hike with ranger Mark Matzkiw from 9-11 a.m. For more information, contact Matzkiw at mark.matzkiw@tn.gov.
A full schedule of the hikes at specific parks is available at this link<https://tnstateparks.com/about/special-events/spring-hikes/>.
“We know how eager our parks visitors may be to explore the parks when the weather gets warm, and these popular hikes are a great option,” Jim Bryson, deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, said. “We have outstanding guides for each hike. Everyone will have a great experience.”
The hikes range from short trail walks to more adventurous all-day excursions. Guides will speak along the way to the natural, cultural and historical aspects of the surroundings.
The hikes offer a variety of choices. Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park, for example, features a hike along the historic Ocoee River. Big Ridge State Park will take hikers on the Ghost House Trail, where haunting tales of former residents are told, appropriate for ages 8 and above. Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park will hold a Spring Water Hike, where the group departs by kayak from Eva Beach, and kayaks will be provided. At Fort Pillow State Historic Park, park staff will guide a stroll along the Blue Trail atop the first Chickasaw Bluff, with discussions of Fort Pillow and the bluff during the Civil War.
Hikers are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear, dress for the weather and bring water.
The Spring Hikes are the second of the parks’ annual Signature Hikes, which began with the First Day Hike on Jan. 1, and will be followed by National Trails Day Hikes on June 4 and After-Thanksgiving Hikes on Nov. 25.
Park visitors are also invited to donate or volunteer at a park to help provide quality programs and services, such as new trails, care for birds of prey, and playground equipment. Donations are accepted online at this link<https://reserve.tnstateparks.com/donate>.
RED RAIDERS ARE STATE BOUND!
Hollywood scrips are rarely written better.
The last time Coffee County Central basketball went to the TSSAA state basketball tournament was in 1965 – Allan Taylor played on that team.
Now Taylor’s son – Red Raider head coach Andrew Taylor – has led the Raiders back to another one.
Coffee County jumped in front of Stewarts Creek 6-0 early and led wire to wire in front of a packed Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gymnasium Monday night in Manchester, going on to a 57-50 win in the TSSAA State Sectional.
Coffee County now advances to next week’s TSSAA State Boys Tournament in Murfreesboro – down to the elite 8 in Tennessee.
“These guys have earned this,” said Coffee County head coach Andrew Taylor.
The Raiders improve to 24-9 on the season with the win over Stewarts Creek Tuesday. They will draw Dobyns Bennett (30-6 overall) in the opening round of the state tournament. That game will be played at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 16 at MTSU’s Murphy Center. The tournament is single elimination.
Stewarts Creek is eliminated from the postseason with the loss.
Monday night in Manchester, Coffee County controlled the game from the tip. The Raiders smothered the Red Hawks with defense, taking an 18-12 lead into the locker room.
Coffee County flirted with blowing Stewarts Creek out in the third quarter, pulling ahead 35-18. But the Red Hawks hit an 8-0 run to close the quarter and keep things interesting.
Big shots in big situations closed the win for the Raiders.
Junior Raider Dayne Crosslin buried a 3 with 1:30 to play after the Red Hawks had cut the deficit to 7. Connor Shemwell all but iced the game with 56 seconds left on a hook shot in the paint to push the CHS back up to 10. Shemwell led all scorers with 19 points and was named Stone Fort Mortgage Player of the game. He also turned in 8 rebounds – nearing a double-double.
Crosslin had 11 and Aidan Abellana with 9 big points, including a 3 pointer.
Senior Phineas Rollman led all players with 9 rebounds and had 6 assists to go along with 3 points.
Andrew Taylor 
Jaxon Vaughn 
Dayne Crosslin 
John Dobson 
Connor Shemwell 
Phineas Rollman
Two killed in Sunday evening crash in Coffee County
Two people were killed in a three-vehicle crash on Wattendorf Memorial Highway near Grady Finney Rd in Coffee County Sunday evening.
According to a report from Tennessee Highway Patrol provided to Thunder Radio, at approximately 6:45 p.m. Sunday, March 6, 2022, James Shaw was driving a 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck northbound on AEDC Rd. when his vehicle struck the rear of a 2009 Honda Odyssey, driven by James Pha of Murfreesboro. At this time, Shaw’s Dodge truck swerved into the opposite lane and struck a 2011 Chevrolet HHR, operated by Dorothy Scott, head on.
Shaw, age 62 of Estill Springs, and Scott, 68 of Hillsboro, were both pronounced deceased. A passenger in Shaw’s truck – Jheri Taylor, age 36 of Hillsboro – was injured in the crash.
Pha, age 56, of Murfreesboro, reported no injuries according to THP.
Widespread outage causes 7,000 DREMC customers to lose power Sunday evening
Shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday night (March 6, 2022) much of Manchester and the northeastern part of Coffee County went dark.
According to Duck River Electric Membership Corporation, about 7,000 customers were without power for a little less than an hour. Most all of the city limits of Manchester lost power, and most all business and residence east of Highway 53 and North of highway 41 lost juice.
Rumors were rampant as to the cause of the outage. But Duck River confirms to us that a substation went down due to “animal contact.”
Crews worked vigorously and most power was restored shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday evening.
TAX TIPS – save tax by contributing to your retirement
By Rosalyn Partin, Manchester H&R Block
Contributions to retirement accounts can be a great way to reduce your taxable income and thereby reduce your tax. Contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts for 2021 can be made up until the filing deadline of April 18, 2022. The 2021 contribution limit for IRAs is $6,000 per taxpayer with an additional $1,000 allowed for taxpayers age 50 and over. You can claim an IRA contribution deduction even if you use the standard deduction.
Deductible contributions to a Traditional IRA can not only reduce your taxable income and save you tax, but in some cases the contribution can also increase tax credits that are available on the return making an even bigger impact.
IRA deductions may be limited if you or your spouse is covered by a retirement plan at work and your income exceeds certain levels.
Consult your tax preparer if you are interested in saving tax and increasing your refund (or reducing your balance due) by making an IRA contribution. Tax professionals can show you the difference that making tax deductible retirement contributions will have on your tax return. Be informed about your tax situation and possible tax savings moves you can still take for 2021. See an H&R Block tax professional.
If you have questions about retirement plan contributions or other tax-saving moves, please call your local H&R Block office. In Manchester TN call 931-728-9462. H&R Block Has Your Back!
Tennessee unemployment rate falls slightly
The state of Tennessee recorded another drop in statewide unemployment at the start of 2022, according to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). January is the latest month the rate has decreased, or remained steady, since April 2020.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January 2022 is 3.5%, which is 0.1 of a percentage point lower than the revised December 2021 rate of 3.6%. This is the lowest the state’s unemployment rate has been since November 2019.
In a year-to-year comparison, Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate dropped by 1.7 percentage points.
Tennessee employers created 3,000 more nonfarm jobs between December and January. The largest increases occurred in the retail trade sector, followed by the professional and business services sector, and the durable goods manufacturing sector.
Over the year, nonfarm employment increased by 110,400 jobs. The largest increases took place in the leisure and hospitality sector, the trade, transportation, and utilities sector, and the professional and business services sector.
Nationally, January’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly to 4%, up 0.1 of a percentage point from December’s revised rate. The 2022 rate is 2.4 percentage points lower than it was one year ago.
TDLWD has prepared a complete analysis of January’s statewide unemployment rate which can be accessed here (https://www.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=166478db53c066a7d114ea462&id=0e6aff496c&e=29851e7b63) .
Jobs4TN.gov currently has nearly 400,000 open positions available around Tennessee and just across its borders. Job seekers can utilize a variety of services on the site that will help them find meaningful employment.
The Department offers many online and in-person services to assist Tennesseans on their employment journey. TNWorkReady.com is a one-stop website that makes it easy for job seekers to research those services.
THP graduates 56 state troopers
On March 4, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Matt Perry welcomed the newest graduating classes of Tennessee State Troopers. The department simultaneously instructed a regular 16-week trooper cadet class and a 10-week lateral trooper cadet class. The lateral class returned from their district assignments for the graduation ceremony that took place at the Hermitage Hills Baptist Church on Lebanon Road in Nashville. To view highlights of the class during their academy, click here<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfPDsTEpfdM&feature=youtu.be>.
The 46 graduates of Trooper Cadet Class 1021 included five prior law enforcement officers, 14 cadets with prior military service, six cadets with Associate’s degrees, 19 cadets with Bachelor’s degrees and one cadet with a Master’s degree.
Lateral Trooper Cadet Class 921 graduated 10 trooper cadets composed of all prior Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified law enforcement officers. Class 921 had two cadets with Bachelor’s degrees and one with a Master’s degree.
Some of the new troopers will be assigned to counties in our listening area. Trooper Micah Keele is assigned to Bedford County and trooper Hunter Lawson to Franklin County.
Governor Lee served as the keynote speaker during the graduation ceremony, and Commissioner Jeff Long swore in the new troopers as they delivered their oaths of office.
“Law enforcement is a calling, and I commend Tennessee’s newest trooper class for their commitment to protect and serve their fellow Tennesseans,” said Governor Bill Lee. “The Tennessee Highway Patrol plays an essential role in ensuring public safety, and I remain dedicated to supporting them with strong investments in high-quality training, recruitment and the resources needed to keep our communities safe.”
“Each one of you earned this incredible honor of being chosen to serve as a Tennessee state trooper,” said Commissioner Jeff Long. “You now rank among the best of the best. Congratulations on your graduation and you will be a representative for Tennessee’s finest.”
“This class has presented you with some unique challenges, and throughout your career, you will continue to be challenged,” said Colonel Matt Perry. He reminded the graduates that adversity comes with the job and challenged them to rise to the adversities they will face. He continued, telling the newest members of the Highway Patrol, “You no longer serve only yourself; you serve the citizens of the state of Tennessee and those that travel to and through our state.”
Cadet Class #1021 hosted a blood drive with American Red Cross and Blood Assurance. They also collected money to donate to Waverly Police Chief Grant Gillespie to help with flood recovery efforts in Humphreys County as part of their class project.
Bethel University presented a $5,000 scholarship to Trooper Bailey Williams. Trooper Williams will serve at the Nashville District.
Trooper James Roark of class 1021 was named the top cadet for his class and was presented with the Trooper Calvin Jenks Memorial Award for Excellence for his leadership, work ethic and academics. The award was named in honor of the late Trooper Calvin Jenks, who was killed in the line of duty in January 2007.
Tennessee gas prices jump 25 cents over the weekend; national average hits $4 per gallon
AAA is providing fuel-saving tips as it appears the pain at the pump has intensified. The Tennessee Gas Price average (is now $3.81 which is an 25 cent increase over the weekend and 44 cents more expensive than one week ago. Six metro areas in the state also saw double-digit increases in their metro averages overnight.
In Coffee County, the average price per gallon is $3.83, which is 2 cents above the state average and 17 cents below the national average, which has now hit $4 per gallon.
“The Russia-Ukraine conflict has intensified what was already a global oil market that was tight on supplies,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Sanctions and regulations have effectively removed Russian oil from the market. Prices accelerated Wednesday, when OPEC and its allies announced that they would not ramp up production beyond the modest increases previously planned.”
A new AAA survey shows that the pain at the pump has already reached a point where some drivers are beginning to adjust their driving habits.
Sunday’s average price for gasoline in Tennessee is $3.81 per gallon. According to AAA’s survey , that’s within the price range that 60% of drivers in the state would change their driving behaviors. Sixteen percent said they would not change their driving behaviors regardless of the price.
Top Changes Tennesseans Have Made Because of Gas Prices:
· 39% are driving less often
· 31% participate in fuel rewards programs
· 23% are driving shorter distances
· 21% combined trips
Fuel-Saving Tips for Drivers
· Maintain your vehicle to ensure optimal fuel economy. J&W Auto Repair, Manchester Tire and Brake and Hullett’s Service Center in Manchester are locations Thunder Radio recommends to service your vehicle, although there are certainly other options to explore.
· Combine errands to limit driving time.
· Slow down. Fuel economy diminishes significantly at highway speeds above 50 mph.
· Drive conservatively and avoid aggressive driving. Aggressive acceleration and speeding reduces fuel economy.
