News – Page 729 – Thunder Radio

Machining Class Receives Grant at CCHS

Hinshaw receiving grant… Photo provided

Recently Machining Instructor Jeff Hinshaw was awarded another $10,000 grant for his machining classes at Coffee County High school. This is his second $10,000 award for the grant from the Gene Haas Foundation for his machining program. The awards are used to purchase lots of supporting items for his machining classes. Last year they built a moon buggy and competed in the rover challenge in Huntsville, Alabama and used the grant to assist in materials, tooling purchases and travel for the project. Hinshaw said, “I found these grants were available to assist in supporting the machining projects and education of my machining classes and submitted for the grant and received the first grant in January this year. I heard the grants were available again submitted for the funding and was awarded the grant again in June. That is $20,000 that has been awarded to my classes this year alone.” He added, “We train on a Haas TM1 CNC Mill that is state of the art equipment. We are proud to use Made in America Equipment.”
In 1999 Haas founded the Gene Haas Foundation. Growing up with a strong social conscience instilled by his family, Haas initially formed the foundation to fund the needs of the local community and other deserving charities. Haas is the owner Haas Automation, Inc., America’s leading builder of CNC machine tools, which he started in 1983.

Proposed County Budget has No Property Tax Increase

The Coffee County Commission will meet on June 28 to take its first vote on the Fiscal Year 2017 budget.
The Coffee County Budget and Finance Committee is proposing a budget with no county property tax increase.
After a 20-cent increase in 2015 the county now has a fund balance of $2 million. A big portion of the revenue is coming from the county receiving money from the state for housing their inmates at the new county jail.
The meeting is set for Tuesday (June 28) at the Coffee County Administrative Plaza, 1329 McArthur St at 6pm.

Area Law Enforcement Searching for Wanted Man

Stacy Craig Morris

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a wanted man. Authorities are searching for Stacy Craig Morris. Morris is 45 years-old and his last known address is East Grundy St in Tullahoma. He is wanted for a state of Tennessee parole violation.
Morris is white male standing 5 feet 8 inches tall, approximately 160 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes and he has tattoos on his stomach, arms, back, chest and shoulder.
If you know any information that could help locate Morris, who is listed as a sex offender, please call the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department 931-570-4409 or 570-4410.

Summer Safety: Experts Advise Precautions during Activities

To stay hydrated during the summer months, experts say you can add flavoring to your water from products on the market to fruit to make it more likely you’ll drink enough. (morguefile.com)

There’s no shortage of summer fun in Tennessee, from Fun Fest in Kingsport, to Elvis Week in Memphis. And while those activities present great ways to celebrate the state’s heritage and support local economies, the Tennessee Department of Health advises you take precautions before heading out the door. Dr. Tim Jones, state epidemiologist with the Tennessee Department of Health, said taking steps to protect you and your family is key to enjoying the season.
“We certainly want people to be outside during good weather, enjoy their environment, get exercise, and not be concerned about being out there, but to take common-sense steps that they’re safe,” he said.
Mosquito and tick bites are a particular concern this summer, with the potential spread of the Zika virus and Lyme disease. Jones said to apply any insect repellents after sunscreen and to use products that contain DEET. Also important, he said, is sun protection and proper hydration in hot temperatures.
Jones added because bacterial illnesses contracted from drinking or exposure to contaminated water is a concern, think about where you are swimming and its proximity to potential contamination.
“Be careful about infectious diseases that can be acquired in water, and I think particularly if people are in lakes or streams or rivers that are near farms, or where there might be animals nearby,” he added.
Jones said it’s important to drink when you feel thirsty, since that is the body’s natural way to let you know it needs water. He added that cold water is the best way to rehydrate and you can add flavors to make it easier to drink enough.

Former Coffee Co. Resident Running for Congress

Steven Reynolds

Steven Reynolds is a lifelong resident of Middle Tennessee, growing up in Coffee County and hopes to move to Washington D.C. Steven is running for congress. He spent his first eight years growing up on a farm outside the small community of Summitville before later moving to Manchester. Steven attended public schools at College Street Elementary, Westwood Junior High, and Coffee County High School. Reynolds is now running for Congress in the 4th district. He made the announcement at Barfield Crescent Park in Murfreesboro on Monday. Coffee County was formerly in the 4th district, but is now in the 6th. The 4th district includes Rutherford, Franklin, Bedford among other counties.
After bush hogging fields, caring for Tennessee walking horses as a groomer, delivering flowers and working as a short order cook, he went onto to attend MTSU. He has worked in the limestone mining business and construction for 28 years.
He is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination, but will face Incumbent (R) Scott DesJarlais in November.

Chattanooga man facing Several charges after someone calls police about Road Rage

Jail intake photo of Randy Leslie Williams Jr

On Sunday night Coffee County Deputy Lee Marcom responded to Interstate 24 concerning a road rage incident with a subject with a gun. The deputy pulled over Randy Leslie Williams Jr age 25 of Chattanooga in a vehicle that matched the description of both vehicle and subject that was given out by the Coffee County Communications Center. After making the traffic stop, the officer noted a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. After getting Williams out of the car, an assisting Tennessee Highway Patrolman observed a handgun beside the driver’s seat. The gun was a fully loaded .357 magnum Wesson revolver. The deputy searched the vehicle in the trunk and located behind the spare hole, a box containing allegedly one half a pound of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, a set of scales, cash and several small sandwich bags.
Williams was charged with Manufacturing/delivering/selling/possession of a controlled substance, illegal possession of a weapon and unlawful paraphernalia uses and activities. Bond was set at $16,500 and he’ll appear in Coffee County Court July, 11, 2016.

Shooting near a home Leads to Arrest

Joshua St Paul Ledbetter… Photo provided by the CCSD

On Sunday Deputy Lee Marcom responded to Commodore Lane in Manchester concerning a shooting. Marcom says when he arrived, the victim told him that Joshua St Paul Ledbetter fired a .45 caliber pistol near the home. Ledbetter age 22 of Volunteer Ave Manchester allegedly left on foot and was located a short time later on Volunteer Ave. Marcom says that Ledbetter had a very strong odor of intoxicant, very unsteady on his feet and was very belligerent. Deputies were able to get the subject to give them the pistol. The man allegedly admitted to firing the pistol.
Ledbetter was charged with Aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, illegal possession and public intoxication. Bond was set at $19,000 and a court date of July 11, 2016.

Benefit for Coffee County Emergency Management employee with Brain Cancer

Suddenly, without warning, the week of Bonnaroo, Daryl Welch who works for Coffee County Emergency Management/Homeland Security experienced stroke like symptoms.
He went to Murfreesboro to St. Thomas-Rutherford for an MRI and three suspicious areas on his brain were found. He was transferred by ambulance to St. Thomas Nashville.
The next day a biopsy was performed. The biopsy revealed he had a form of brain cancer.
There will be a benefit BBQ dinner and an auction on July 23rd at Coffee County High School to help cover his mounting medical bills and other expenses.
The benefit dinner will be from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. An auction will begin at 6:00pm with several items up for bid.
Daryl will travel to Texas for treatment.
Go to the Facebook book page, Benefit for Daryl Welch for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/events/195780744151058/?active_tab=posts

Important Dates at Motlow College

Motlow State Community College will be closed on Monday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. The holiday includes all facilities on the Moore County, Fayetteville, McMinnville, and Smyrna campuses.
All campuses will close at 4:30 p.m. on July 1, and will remain closed until July 5, when normal business hours will resume.
Students enrolled at Motlow State during the spring and/or summer semester, and new degree-seeking students who have completed admission requirements, can register now through Aug. 21 for fall classes.
New students have until Monday, Aug. 15 to submit a Motlow admission application.
Important dates for students for the fall semester can be found at the Motlow website.
Staff members are available for advisement and registration assistance at all Motlow locations, and the fall class schedule is posted on the Motlow website (www.mscc.edu). Students are advised to check the website or call the location where they plan to attend to verify course availability and fee payment deadlines.
For more information, contact the Office of Admissions and Records at admissions@mscc.edu, or call 931-393-1520.

Alontae Taylor Commits to Tennessee

Alontae Taylor and family celebrate with Coach Butch Jones of Tennessee on Taylor's commitment to Tennessee. From left are: Daddy Taylor(father), Coach Butch Jones, Alontae Taylor, Laurie Love(mother) [Photo used with permission]

Alontae Taylor and family celebrate with Coach Butch Jones of Tennessee on Taylor’s commitment to Tennessee. From left are: Nate Love(father), Coach Butch Jones, Alontae Taylor, Laurie Love(mother) [Photo used with permission]

Alontae Taylor ended his recruitment on Saturday when the Coffee County junior quarterback pledged his commitment to the University of Tennessee. Taylor, a 4 star recruit who has 10 scholarship offers including Ole Miss, Kentucky, Georgia Tech and Louisville, made the announcement on Twitter. Taylor was the 4th commitment of the day to Tennessee as part of their “Orange Carpet Day.” The Orange Carpet Day is the Vols’ annual one-day recruiting event which resulted in a total of 8 commitments to Tennessee.
Taylor was a MaxPreps All-American in 2015 who ran for 1547 yards and 19 touchdowns on 206 carries, while throwing for 799 yards and three touchdowns last season for Coffee County. Taylor is listed in the recruiting services as an athlete and is projected as a defensive back or wide receiver in college. Taylor is ranked as the No. 6 prospect in Tennessee for 2018 by 247Sports and is the second in-state recruit to commit for the Class of 2018.
Red Raider coach Ryan Sulkowski had glowing praise for Taylor. “His talent speaks for itself. He has worked extremely hard and has been a great teammate” said Sulkowski. “Alontae came in on Wednesday and told (Coach Matt Mueller and I) that he was close to committing to Tennessee. We quizzed him intensively and think he made this choice with his heart and for all the right reasons” added Sulkowski. “We are excited for him, his family and the entire community.”
Taylor’s recruitment has also paid dividends for the Red Raider program according to Sulkowski. “What Alontae has achieved has put Manchester on the map(in terms of recruiting)” said Sulkowski. “College coaches come to the school now and say, ‘I did not know Coffee County was here.’ Our kids will now get opportunities because of his success” added Sulkowski.

Alontae Taylor’s Twitter announcement from Saturday

Taylor, when reached on Sunday by Thunder Radio, said he was glad to get the recruiting process completed. When asked why Tennessee, Taylor had this to say: “What makes UT right for me? It’s Home you know every time I get on campus I get chills just because I know how great the place is! The fan base, the school, knowing just by getting a degree from UT is something special also.” Taylor’s parents attended the event with Alontae and shared in his decision. “It made my decision easy when my parents said go where you feel at home go where your heart tells u to go’” said Taylor. Taylor also had high praise for coaches Sulkowski and Mueller. “There isn’t a day that goes by that those two coaches (do not)teach me something about life about the recruiting process and about being a Man! I can’t thank those two coaches enough! I have two years left I wanna enjoy those two with them two before it’s all over” gushed Taylor.

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