Thunderbolt Radio News

01/13/2026

A badge retirement and truck dedication ceremony was held this week at the Obion County Rescue Squad building.
The ceremony took place to honor the 45 year service of the late Bill Sowell. (AUDIO CLIPS)
(photos: Charles Choate - 104.9 KYTN/105.7 WQAK)
https://www.thunderboltradio.com/2026/01/13/badge-retirement-ceremony-held-for-longtime-obion-county-rescue-squad-member/

01/13/2026

A South Fulton High School freshman has set a new school scoring record.
Alli McFarland scored 40 points in a recent win on the road against Fulton County.
The point production in the 59-55 win by the Lady Red Devils gave McFarland the single game scoring record.
McFarland’s big game started well, with the freshman accounting for 17 points in the first quarter.
(photo: Jason Aldridge)

01/13/2026

The annual St. Louis Cardinals Caravan will make a stop at Dyer County High School on Monday.
This year’s caravan will include pitchers Gordon Graceffo and Riley O’Brien, along with newcomers Blaze Jordan and Richard Fitts.
Graceffo was the 2022 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, who made is Major League debut in 2024.
He was drafted by St. Louis in 2021.
Riley O’Brien was acquired by the Cardinals after time with the Cincinnati Reds, Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners. He recorded nine saves for the Redbirds in 2025.
Blaze Jordan was acquired by the Cardinals in the trade involving Steven Matz. In Minor League play last season with the Cardinals, Jordan had seven home runs and 37 RBI’s.
The Cardinals will also bring former alumni players Matt Adams and Alan Benes to the Dyer County caravan.
104.9 KYTN is the home for St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training, regular season and playoff baseball in West Tennessee.

01/13/2026

The Hickman/Dorena Ferry is now back in operation.
The ferry was forced to shut down last week due to low Mississippi River waters.
The Mississippi River had dropped to a stage of 2.1-feet on the Hickman gauge on Thursday, but had shown an almost four-foot rise to 6.1-feet on Monday.
Current forecasts indicate the river will continue a rise to 10.1-feet on Saturday.
The ferry has now returned to its winter schedule, with the last run from Hickman at 4:15 and the last run from the Missouri landing at 4:30.

01/13/2026

The St. Louis Cardinals have parted ways with third baseman Nolan Arenado.
The Cardinals announced a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks, which sends Arenado and cash considerations in return for right-handed pitcher Jack Martinez.
The 34 year old Arenado spent five seasons in St. Louis, appearing in three All-Star games.
He finished third in voting for the National League Most Valuable Player in 2022.
The 6'4" Martinez will make his professional debut this season with the Cardinals.
104.9 KYTN is the home for St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training, regular season and playoff baseball in West Tennessee.

01/13/2026

77th District State Representative Rusty Grills talked with Thunderbolt News concerning the beginning of the 114th General Session in Nashville. (AUDIO CLIPS)

The second segment of the 114th General Assembly will begin today in Nashville. Lawmakers will gather to conduct the business of the state, along with adopting an operating budget. 77th District State Representative Rusty Grills was asked

01/13/2026

An investigation into animal cruelty in March of 2025 has led to the discovery of skeletal remains at a McCracken County location.
Sheriff Ryan Norman said 66 year old David Howery was arrested at a home in West Paducah, after 18 dogs were found living in deplorable conditions.
The dogs were located in stacked crates, with the home covered in fleas and rodents.
An investigation then began into Howery’s father, Dilliard Howery, who may have been missing since 2015.
With the help of a forensic pathology team from the University of Tennessee, skeletal remains were located at a vacant lot and previous residence of David Howery.
Officers believe the remains are those of Dillard Howery, with federal law enforcement contacted regarding a federal investigation into the concealment of death.
David Howery remains in the McCracken County Jail on charges that includes abuse of a co**se, failure to notify of a death, possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, along with animal cruelty.
(photo: McCracken County Regional Jail)

01/13/2026

At this week's school board meeting, Union City Director of School's Wes Kennedy applauded the first semester of classes and work of high school principal Jacob Cross. (AUDIO CLIP)

Union City Director of School’s Wes Kennedy had high praise for the first semester of classes. At the first school board meeting of the year on Monday, Director Kennedy applauded the systems success for the first five

01/13/2026

Today in Sports:
High School Basketball
Dresden @ Greenfield, 5:40 on MIX 101.3
Union City @ Westview, 5:40 105.7 THE QUAKE
Obion Central @ Dyer County, 5:40 on 104.9 KYTN

Men’s College Basketball
Texas A&M @ Tennessee, 5:30 on STAR 95.1

Click the link in the comments for the full schedule.

01/12/2026

A two vehicle accident in Obion County claimed the life of a Kentucky resident late Friday afternoon.
Tennessee Highway Patrol reports said 71 year old Robert Lee Williams Jr. was killed in the accident that occurred on U.S.51-North and Bethlehem Road.
Williams Jr. was the operator of a 1999 Toyota Camry that crashed with a 2015 Dodge Ram operated by 51 year old Brian McPeak, of Tennessee.
Highway Patrol reports said both vehicles were traveling on U.S.51-North when the accident occurred.
A passenger in the Williams vehicle, 71 year old Angelique Hill, also of Kentucky, was injured.
Both Williams Jr. and Ms. Hill were wearing seat belts according to the report.
The Highway Patrol said Brian McPeak, along with 39 year old Heather McPeak and a 12 year old, were all wearing seat belts at the time of the accident and were not injured.

01/12/2026

Union City Council members were informed of a new garbage pick-up provider for the city.
Council members agree to extend their contract for another five years with the company. (AUDIO CLIPS)

Union City Council members were informed of a new garbage provider for the city. During the latest Council meeting, City Manager Johnny McTurner explained the change over from Platform Waste Solutions.(AUDIO)   McTurner also informed board members

01/12/2026

Union City High School has maintained its lofty ranking with the statewide ACT testing.
School Communications Director Mike Hutchens said students combined to average a 21.5 score last year.
The score earned a ranking of seventh in the state and among the top five-percent of more than 125 Tennessee district school districts.
The composite test score continued a trend of the last several years, that has seen Union City Schools atop the list of rural West Tennessee schools and ahead of almost all much larger districts.
The data released by the Tennessee Department of Education noted a rise from last year’s 21.3 score for Union City students.
This year, Union City trailed only Williamson County, Germantown, Collierville, Arlington, Maryville, and Oak Ridge.
Dyer County was tied with Union City for 7th.