The Tennessee Department of Health joins partners across the state in celebrating the seventh annual Tennessee Quit Week February 20-25. The Tennessee Tobacco Program will promote this quit campaign between February 13 – March 4, 2022, with this year’s theme being “My Journey.” The goal is to inspire Tennesseans to live healthier lives by taking advantage of the state’s free resource, the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine, to quit using tobacco products.
“In Tennessee, 31 lives are lost each day as a direct result of smoking,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “In addition to these tragic early deaths, tobacco use costs our state upward of $6 billion each year in lost productivity and health care costs, preventable losses that hurt the prosperity of our state and those who live and work here.”
Tobacco use is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic diseases. Tennessee Quit Week aims to increase partnerships across the public and private sectors to educate people on the harms of tobacco use and how Tennesseans can work together to help people improve their health and lives by beating nicotine addiction.
Quitting is hard, but help is available! Tennesseans who use tobacco and are ready to quit can call the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, text “QUIT” to 615-795-0600, or access web-based services at www.tnquitline.com for free coaching and nicotine replacement patches (if eligible). All services are free to Tennesseans and can double a tobacco user’s chance of quitting successfully.
Pregnant women who smoke are encouraged to contact their local health department to learn about the Baby and Me – Tobacco Free™ Program. This program provides education and support to help pregnant women quit smoking, and participants can earn free diapers each month for up to one year. Learn more and find a location near you by visiting www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/baby-me-tobacco-free.html.
Find resources and learn how you can be part of Tennessee Quit Week 2022 at www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/tennessee-tobacco-program/ttp/tennessee-quit-week.html.
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.
DISTRICT CHAMPIONS: Raiders drop Eagles in overtime thriller to claim first tournament title in over 40 years
For the first time in over 40 years, Coffee County Central’s Red Raider basketball team has brought home a district tournament championship.
Coffee County fought through an unlikely Shelbyville rally Saturday night and left Shelbyville’s Rick Insell Gymnasium with a 53-51overtime win in the District 6-4A championship.
The Raiders led 43-32 with 2:30 to play before the Golden Eagles caught fire. Shelbyville hit 5 3-pointers in the final 2:18 of regulation – going 5-for-5 behind the arc down the stretch – to comeback and tie the game at 49-49. The Eagles completed the comeback on a 3-pointer from Joe Harris.
But in overtime coffee County took control early and kept it, going up 51-49 on a steal and a layup by Phineas Rollman, who added a free throw with 34 seconds on the clock. Dayne Crosslin went 1-of-2 at the line with 5.5 seconds left to push the Raider lead to 53-51.
Shelbyville’s Jason Ragland tried to penetrate for another game tying bucket, but the Raiders poked the ball away before he could ever get off a shot and Red Raider Connor Shemwell scooped up the loose ball as time expired.
The win gives the Raiders a 20-win season – improving them to 20-9. The win also gives the Raiders a 4-0 season sweep over Shelbyville and the district tournament championship – the first in over 40 years.
The Raiders led by 2 at the end of the first and second quarters and took a 32-29 lead into the fourth period. Coffee County got a big night from Dayne Crosslin, who piled up 17 points , including three 3-pointers. Coffee County also picked up 11 points from Shemwell and 10 from senior Aidan Abellana – who ran the point guard position well all night.
The Raiders nearly cost themselves at the free throw line – missing some shots at the line late. CHS finished 9-of-19 at the line and had 15 turnovers on the night.
The win marks the first time the CHS Red Raider and Lady Raider basketball teams have both won their respective district tournaments in modern history.
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO. CLICK HERE FOR THE BROADCAST REPLAY.
AWARDS
Several Red Raiders picked up accolades. Coffee County’s Abellana, Shemwell, Rollman and Crosslin were named District 6-4A all-district. Crosslin was named to the all-tournament team and Shemwell was named District Tournament MVP.
UP NEXT
The Raiders will host the Region 3-4A quarter-finals next Saturday, Feb. 26 at Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gymnasium. Tip will likely be at 7 p.m. against an opponent to be determined. Thunder Radio will broadcast the game – 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, Manchester Go app and thunder1320.com.
Connor Shemwell 
Dayne Crosslin 
Aidan Abellana 
John Dobson 
From left, Aidan Abellana, Dayne Crosslin, Phineas Rollman and Connor Shemwell
DISTRICT CHAMPIONS: Lady Raiders fight off late Pioneer rally, complete perfect district season
SHELBYVILLE — Mark another goal off the list.
Coffee County Central’s Lady Raiders got big shots when they needed them and played great defense in a 56-45 win over Warren County Friday night for a District 6-4A tournament championship.
“It never gets old, you know, being able to win another one of these I’m just so proud of these girls,” said CHS head coach Joe Pat Cope.
The win completes a perfect district season for the Lady Raiders. They won the regular season district title and now the tournament to go 11-0. It marks the 5th consecutive year they have won a district championship. The win is 25 in a row for this season and their 4th win in 4 tries over the Lady Pioneers of Warren County.
“That’s a good basketball team and we struggled some with their pressure late but we were able to hold on,” added Cope.
Coffee County led by as many as 14, but a Lady Pioneer run in the fourth quarter cut the lead to 3 at 44-41 after a pair of Kyra Perkins free throws with less than 2-mintues to play. CHS did have turnover problems, giving the ball back to Warren County 16 times on the night.
But Warren County never got any closer than 3. Lady Raider freshman Olivia Vinson and senior Elli Chumley went 4-for-4 at the free throw line on consecutive trips down the floor to give the Lady Raiders the breathing room they needed. CHS finished 22 of 30 at the stripe for the game.
Vinson hit three 3-pointers and 5 big free throws down the stretch. She finished with 16 points and was named Thunder Radio’s Stone Fort Mortgage Player of the Game. She was also named District 6-4A tournament MVP.
Coffee County actually led wire-to-wire. Despite a few runs by the Lady Pioneers, they were never able to tie the game or take the lead. CHS led 24-17 at halftime and 31-25 after three quarters.
Chloe Gannon finished with 11 points for CHS and Chumley added 10. Kiya Ferrell had 9 big points off the bench, including a pair of midrange jumpers in the second half to keep Warren County at a distance.
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE AUDIO REPLAY.
ALL DISTRICT
Coffee County’s Chloe Gannon was named District 6-4A MVP. Vinson, Chumley, Channah Gannon and Jalie Ruehling were named All-District.
UP NEXT
The Lady Raiders have some time off before hosting the Region 3-4A quarter-finals next Friday, Feb. 26 at Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym. Tip time and opponent TBD.
ELECTION 2022: List of qualified candidates for May 3 primary
The deadline for candidates to turn in qualifying petitions for the May 3 primary was noon on Thursday, Feb. 17. Below is a list of those who have submitted their petitions.
CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE PART 1
William Lockhart – Republican
CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE PART II
Eric J. Burch – Republican
Bobby Carter – Republican
GENERAL SESSIONS JUDGE PART I
Greg Perry – Republican
GENERAL SESSIONS JUDGE PART II
Gerald L. Ewell, Jr. – Republican
Garth Roland Segroves – Republican
DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL
Charles Craig Northcott – Republican
Felicia B. Walkup – Republican
PUBLIC DEFENDER
John E. Nicoll – Republican
COUNTY MAYOR
Judd Matheny – Republican
Margaret Cunningham – Independent
COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1
Helen J. Debellis – Republican
Jimmy Hollandsworth – Republican
Benny Jones – Republican
COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2
Joey Hobbs – Republican
Claude Morse – Republican
Mike Stein – Democrat
COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 3
Ashley Kraft – Republican
Laura Cason Nettles – Republican
Rose Ann Carden Smith – Republican
Scarlett Taylor – Republican
COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 4
Tim Brown – Republican
Joseph M. Hodge – Republican
COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 5
Pamela Missy Deford – Republican
Bonnie Gamble – Democrat
Tim Morris – Republican
Allen Parton – Republican
COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 6
Terry Hershman – Republican
Jon Holland – Republican
Dennis Hunt – Republican
Bobby H. Bryan – Independent
COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 7
Rosemary Crabtree – Democrat
Jackie A. Duncan – Democrat
Tina Reed – Republican
COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 8
Dwight Miller – Republican
Tim Stubblefield – Republican
Marian Galbraith – Independent
COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 9
Jenna Amacher – Republican
Charles Lynn Sebourn – Republican
Frank C B Watkins – Republican
CIRCUIT COURT CLERK
Jenny Anthony – Republican
Josh Morris – Republican
COFFEE COUNTY TRUSTEE
John Marchesoni – Republican
COFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF
Chad Partin – Republican
Alethia Smart-Rawn – Republican
Danny Ferrell – Independent
Brandon Tomberlin – Independent
COUNTY CLERK
Melissa Northcott Anderson – Republican
Teresa H. McFadden – Independent
REGISTER OF DEEDS
Donna Robinson Toney – Republican
COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD SEAT 1
Thomas E. Ballard – Republican
Freda K. Jones – Independent
Gordon Matthews – Independent
COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD SEAT 2
Gary Cordell – Republican
Brent Parsley – Republican
COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD SEAT 3
Jennifer Peacock Hodge – Republican
Josh Frederik – Independent
Brett Henley – Independent
Michael L. Ray – Independent
Kathy Rose – Independent
ROAD SUPERINTENDENT
Benton Bartlett – Republican
Scott Hansert – Republican
Ronnie Dale Watts – Democrat
ROAD COMMISSIONER SEAT 1
Jeff Bush – Independent
ROAD COMMISSIONER SEAT 3
Carolyn Beaty Duke – Republican
James Randy Kennedy – Independent
ROAD COMMISSIONER SEAT 4
James Jamie Weaver – Independent
MANCHESTER SCHOOL BOARD
Travis Hillis – Republican
Lisa Lovelady Gregory – Independent
Prater Powell – Independent
TULLAHOMA SCHOOL BOARD
GiGi Robison – Republican
Sid Hill – Independent
CONSTABLE SEAT 1
Milton Stanley – Independent
CONSTABLE SEAT 2
Carl D. Wilson – Independent
CONSTABLE SEAT 3
Brian D. Coate – Democrat
James V. Sanders Jr. Republican
The May 3 primary will separate out Republican and Democratic winners for their respective races. Independent candidates will not be on the May 3 ballot, but will face off with primary winners in the August general election.
Anyone wishing to vote in the May 3 primary must be registered by Monday, April 4. You can register by visiting the Coffee County Election Commission on McArthur St.. You can also register to vote from your computer – just click here. Early voting will be April 13 through April 28.
Grundy County sheriff, TBI researching fresh leads in 23-year old case
Grundy County Sheriff Clint Shrum has announced the Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is researching fresh leads in the disappearance of Tim White.
White went missing on September 15, 1999. He was last seen in Palmer, TN.
“I think there is still someone out there that knows what happened that could help bring closure to this case for Tim and his family,” explained Sheriff Shrum.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone that has information please contact them @ 931-692-3466 x8.
H&R BLOCK STUDENT OF THE WEEK – Kate Kennedy
Join us at Thunder Radio and Rosalyn Partin of the Manchester H&R Block and congratulate our student of the week – Kate Kennedy
Kate is a 5th grader at Westwood Elementary School. She was nominated by her teachers and administrators. Kate is the daughter of Sean Kennedy and Hayley Cottle. Her favorite subject is social studies. In her spare time she enjoys reading. She plays softball for Westwood Middle.
When she grows up, Kate would like to become a lawyer.
All students of the week are selected for their work ethic and excellent attitudes in and out of the classroom.
Rosalyn Partin, owner of the Manchester H&R Block, has been inspired to recognize great kids in our community all year long. H&R Block gives each Student of the Week a commemorative plaque, a special letter of recognition and two tickets to Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park.
Job well done, Kate!
SCHOOL PATROL – Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022
SCHOOL PATROL – presented by the bread & milk experts at Spring Street Market. 801 S. Spring St. in Manchester.
Due to potential inclement weather moving into the area Thursday afternoon (Feb. 17, 2022), the following school systems will be CLOSING EARLY:
*Coffee County School System – CLOSING at 1 p.m. Thursday.
*Manchester City Schools – CLOSING at 1 p.m. Thursday. No after school care.
Man suspected of robberies in Coffee, surrounding counties has been arrested
Grundy County Sheriff’s Department investigators have charged Rodney C. Gilliam, 41, or Tracy City with the February 8 aggravated armed robbery of the marathon station in Pelham, Tennessee.
Gilliam has also been charged in Chattanooga with armed robbery.
According to Grundy County authorities, Gilliam is also a suspect in several armed robberies in Coffee County, Franklin County, Giles County, Tennessee and Jackson County, Alabama.
Manchester Police Department officials tell Thunder Radio news that Gilliam is suspected in last month’s armed robbery of Melrose Market in Manchester.
Coffee County under enhanced risk for severe weather Thursday, NWS says
National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has placed much of Middle Tennessee – including Coffee County – under an enhanced risk of severe weather on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. The remainder of middle Tennessee is under a slight risk of severe weather.
Damaging wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour and isolated tornadoes are possible with storms on Thursday. Timing for severe weather appears to be in the afternoon to evening hours.
In case of severe weather, stay tuned into Thunder Radio WMSR at 107.9 FM, 1320 AM and 106.7 FM for severe weather alerts. You can also download the Manchester Go Smartphone app (allow push notifications) for severe weather alerts.
Rash of burglaries, fires break out in Hillsboro Tuesday evening
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department Investigators are pleading with the public for assistance in solving a rash of burglaries and fires that broke out Tuesday evening in Hillsboro.
According to the sheriff’s department, a break-in at a home on Hillsboro Highway near Old Airport Rd. was reported at about 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022. Soon after, more homes and cars were reported to have been broken into.
“That first one was reported at about 6 p.m. then more started coming in moving toward Hillsboro – houses and cars,” said CCSD Investigator James Sherrill. “He was breaking into garages.”
According to Sherrill, two garages were broken into along with vehicles. A motorcycle was reported stolen Monday night from the same general area.
Then at approximately 7:15 p.m., a fire was reported at Brothers Implement Company at 7593 Hillsboro Highway. Multiple fire departments responded and the business sustained heavy damage. Sherrill says it appears that the fire started in the office area. Sherrill added that the Sheriff’s Department is unsure if the incidents are connected, but he did add that the fire will be investigated for arson. Another fire was reported at 2 a.m. Wednesday at a hay barn.
“The investigation is ongoing and we are following leads, checking cameras,” stated Sherrill. “We are unsure if these are connected at this time.
“If anyone has any information at all. Maybe you saw someone walking down the road in that time frame (between 5-8 p.m.) or saw suspicious vehicles, maybe parked on the side of the road, please call me directly.”
Tips can be called to Sherrill directly at 931-570-4404.
