August is National Breastfeeding Month, and that has supporters touting the benefits of mother’s milk, often called nature’s perfect baby food. Marian Tompson, one of the founders of the La Leche League, says mothers who breastfeed can reduce their risk for diabetes, cardiovascular conditions and some forms of cancer. And for the baby, she says there is a variety of health benefits as well, such as a stronger immune system, better motor development and a reduction in allergies. “There have been thousands of studies during the past 50 years that confirm babies are healthier when they’re breastfed,” she adds....

One suspect was apprehended Wednesday after trying to break into a Rutherford County home and he now faces additional charges after more than $25,000 in stolen property was allegedly recovered from his vehicle, detectives said. Detectives from Franklin, Bedford, Moore and Coffee counties searched through the stolen property recovered from a car driven by suspect David Zwarton, 34, of Tullahoma. About $25,000 worth of jewelry was identified as being stolen from a Franklin County home. The investigation began last Wednesday when a man driving a maroon car allegedly tried to break into a house on Hutson Road in Rutherford...

Evansville, Indiana police say they’ve received information that a man wanted for attempted murder in Tennessee may be in the Evansville area. John O’Keefe Varner is accused of shooting a man in Manchester, Tennessee back in February 2013. The victim survived, but Varner has been on the run ever since. He is 44-years-old, 5’11” and weighs 225 pounds. Police say he has tattoos under his left eye, but may use makeup to cover them. Varner is considered armed and dangerous. A reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest. Please call 1-800-TBI-FIND with any...

Saturday was the last day to early vote for the August 7th state primaries along with county and municipal general elections in Coffee County. Turnout was really strong as 5,668 voters cast their ballots in early voting. 3,510 people chose to vote republican and 1,885 voted democrat. Around 32,000 people are registered to vote in Coffee County. Many candidates and supporters were out in full force on Saturday, the final day of early voting. Election Day is Thursday (August 7) with polls opening at 8am and close at 7pm. WMSR “Thunder Radio” (107.9FM, AM 1320 and wmsrradio.com) and WHMT...

Manchester Police hosted a Strategies & Tactics Of a Patrol Stop (STOPS) training class last week which attracted police officers from all over the state. Nineteen police officers, from as far away as Germantown, attended the 40 hour class which certified them as instructors for their individual departments of the effective strategies to safely handle potential deadly traffic stops. The class, developed by the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, featured a classroom component that concluded with an exam. WMSR News spent time with Manchester Police training Officer Sgt Chris Patterson as he explained the tactical field exercises that we were...

The City of Tullahoma is pleased to announce the first phase of road improvement projects. Starting the week of Monday, August 4, 2014, the Rogers Group will begin paving certain local roads under the Federal Surface Transportation Program. The roads that will be resurfaced include: • Washington Street (from East Lincoln to Ovoca Road) • Veterans Boulevard • Marbury Road (from Veterans Drive to the 600 Block of Marbury Road) • East Lincoln Street (from Washington to Cobb Road • West Lincoln Street (from Cedar Lane to the bridge over Blue Creek) “We ask the community to be patient...

After breaking ground in May of 2013, the brand new Coffee County Middle School building is finally complete and filled with students for the 2014-2015 School Year. From the spacious gym to the modernized and well equipped library, teachers and students alike have numerous outlets to look forward to in the coming years at the New Middle School in Manchester. At last week’s Open House, those of us at Thunder Radio wanted to know what was most exciting about this brand new facility to those attending during its first school year. Common answers to our questions included air conditioning...