Gas prices are declining as we approach the most traveled Independence Day holiday weekend since 2007. Of the 41.9 million total travelers, 35.5 million Americans will take a road trip; the highest number of auto travelers on record (which dates back to 2000).
“Lower gas prices are added incentive for travelers to pack-up the family vehicle and hit the road this Independence Day,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
Tennessee’s state average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline ($2.55) is 3 cents cheaper than last week; 90 cents lower than the price on July 4, 2014. The low price in Manchester this week is $2.35 per gallon and in Tullahoma it’s $2.41.
Category: News
Weekly Gas Prices
UPDATE! Double Murder Suspect Caught In Florida
Bryan Cooke… Photo provided
Officials with the Jacksonville, Fla. Police Department said in a Tweet Tuesday morning that 39-year-old Bryan Cooke was arrested at a hotel on the west side of town. He is the man that was put on the Tennessee Top 10 Most Wanted list on Monday. Cooke was wanted by Warren County officials in connection with a murder that took place on Monday in that county.
Two people were found murdered inside their Warren County home in the Fairview Community on Monday morning. Gary and Gail Dodson were owners of Gary and Gail’s Pit Stop on Beersheba Street in McMinnville.
Monteagle Murder Investigation Update
Prosecutors are following up on information concerning the apparent murder of a Grundy County man which took place on June 2nd. 65 year old Kenneth Tate was found dead at his home on 3rd Street in Monteagle. 12th District Attorney General Mike Taylor says autopsy reports indicate Tate died from blunt force trauma inflicted by as many as two different weapons. Although no gunshot wounds were discovered. Evidence taken at the crime scene is still under review but law men say they have identified a “person of interest” in connection with the murder. The victim who lived alone was discovered by a family member. Authorities say Tate was well known around Monteagle. Anyone with information about the death is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND.
TDOT Suspending Construction Lane Closures
The Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes beginning at Midnight Thursday through 6am Monday, July 6th to provide maximum roadway capacity for motorists during the July 4th holiday.
AAA anticipates more than 844,000 Tennesseans will hit the roadways during the holiday weekend.
While lane closure activity will be stopped, workers may still be on site in construction zones and reduced speed limits will still be in effect.
Drivers convicted of speeding through work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250 to $500, plus court fees.
Be Fireworks Smart This Independence Day
Celebrating our nation’s independence with fireworks has been a longstanding tradition in Tullahoma. However, children and teens are the people most often seriously injured through their use.
Tullahoma Fire Chief, Richard Shasteen encourages Tullahomans to be fireworks smart this July Fourth and use extreme caution when setting off fireworks.
Follow the law – No fireworks ignited or launched within 600 feet of any church, assisted living facility, nursing home, hospital, funeral home, public or private academic structure, OR, within 200 feet of where fireworks are stored, sold, or offered for sale. You may not ignite fireworks on another person’s private property without permission. Fireworks shall not be launched or fired onto property of persons who have not given permission. Hours for fireworks: JULY 1 through JULY 3: 10:00 am – 10:30 pm; JULY 4: 10:00 am – 11:30 pm.
It’s also worth noting that state legislation passed in 2011 reclassified sky lanterns as special fireworks exclusively for use by individuals with a professional license (certified flame effect operator, certified outdoor display operator or certified proximate pyrotechnic operator). The general public cannot purchase or use sky lanterns, and if found in the possession of someone who does not have a professional license issued by the State Fire Marshal, sky lanterns can be confiscated and later destroyed.
Think safety – If consumer fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to set them off on your own, be sure to follow these important safety tips:
• Never allow children to handle or ignite fireworks.
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
• Wear eye protection.
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Never throw or point fireworks at people or animals.
• Only light fireworks outdoors on a smooth, flat surface away from homes, dry leaves and flammable materials.
• Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned.
• Keep a bucket of water and a garden hose nearby in case of a malfunction or fire.
• Sparklers are not toys and cause hundreds of injuries every year. Sparklers burn hot, can reach temperatures as high as 1,200° F, and stay hot long after they’ve burned out. You wouldn’t hand a matchbook or lighter to a child to wave around or play with – so, don’t give a child a sparkler.
Thunder Radio Has Its Own App
Thunder Radio has something fun and exciting to announce. The Thunder Radio app is now available for Apple and Android phones. The app sponsored by Rodney’s Body Shop allows you to listen live from anywhere, keep up with local news and get storm warnings, school closings and special info sent for FREE. Also on the Thunder Radio app you can tell us what’s BUGGING you with the Voice Recorder sponsored by Sherrill Pest control. You’ll be able to connect to “Thunder TV” news videos, FAST DIAL the station right from the app (great for winning contests!), lots of event listings, links to important sites and phone numbers plus so much more. Improve your life with the Thunder Radio app. Download today and have fun.
Former Coffee County Coach Facing 16 Count Indictment On Sex Charges
Photo of Brad Weir while coaching at Coffee County High School
Weir is now facing one count of statutory rape by an authority figure, one count of aggravated rape, seven counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and others.
Weir is set to appear in a Coffee County court room Sept. 16.
Weir was originally arrested Feb. 3 on charges of rape by an authority figure by Manchester Police.
District Attorney Craig Northcott requested the arrest for Weir after the former coach allegedly had sex with a 15-year-old female student from the Red Raider Academy in Manchester at his residence. He served as a PE teacher at the school.
Weir is free on a bond of $100,000.
Unity Medical Center Begins Operation on Wednesday
Last week we reported that the merger of the two Manchester hospitals is complete and operation of the one combined hospital will start July 1. The combination of the two hospitals is intended to unite Manchester’s medical community so the new name of the hospital on Interstate Drive will be renamed Unity Medical Center.
On Wednesday, almost all medical services will take place at the former Medical Center of Manchester with just a few diagnostic services to remain at the former United Regional Medical Center on McArthur Drive until the hospital receives regulatory approval to move those as well. The hospital will close the emergency room at URMC’s current location at midnight Tuesday June 30. So if you are need of emergency services after that date they will only be done at Unity on Interstate Drive. Under Tennessee law, a hospital cannot move or shut down an emergency room without state approval. URMC received approval to shut down its emergency room by the Tennessee Division of Health Licensure and Regulation last September provided the two hospitals had common ownership. The two hospitals notified the state Friday that they would be under common ownership effective July 1, 2015 and the Licensure Board confirmed the transition plan.
An investor group purchased Coffee Medical Center from Coffee County thirteen years ago and renamed it to United Regional Medical Center. Attorney J. Stanley Rogers and his partners built Medical Center of Manchester over 30 years ago.
Skeletal Remains Found In Winchester
Marc Andrew Castle intake photo from a previous arrest.
Winchester Police Chief Dennis Young confirmed that authorities believe the victim is Marc Castle, a suspect in a shooting that took place in January, just two blocks from where the body was found.
A man was using a rotary mower to cut brush when he ran over the skeletal remains.
The remains are being sent to the University of Tennessee for further identification.
Castle was the suspect in a Jan. 21 shooting after police say he shot more than 20 rounds from an assault rifle on North High Street before fleeing the scene.
Boating Accident Causes Man To Drown In Tims Ford Lake
64-year-old Jerry Woodard of Estill Springs died last week in an accident on Tims Ford Lake when his small fishing boat apparently hit a stump, causing him to lose control and fall into the water.
Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency personnel are investigating the incident after authorities were notified of a boating related accident on Tims Ford Lake near Estill Springs City Park. Woodard was found in a shallow area near Estill Springs City Park submerged in about 8 feet of water.
He was pronounced dead at Southern Tennessee Medical Center in Winchester.
