The Coffee County Anti-Drug Coalition is proud to work with the Coffee County Sheriff’s, Manchester City Police and the Tullahoma City Police Departments on the stand out and nationally recognized Prescription Drug Permanent Disposal Program. Since its inception in April 2011, the Departments have partnered with the Coalition to bring an essential proactive tool to community members throughout Coffee County. This program greatly reduces access to prescription drugs amongst youth in our community while also offering a safe and environmentally friendly prescription drug disposal option located in the lobby of all three departments. During the last 4 years the program had collected 1,157 pounds of pills. This weight does not include bottles or liquids, only pills. An average pill weighs between .2 and .5 grams. Many of the prescription drugs collected are highly sought after by people struggling with addiction or selling drugs illegally, i.e. narcotics. The departments have successfully kept approximately $77,190 worth of prescription drugs off our community streets in addition to reducing prescription drug abuse amongst those in which the drug was not originally prescribed.
This program is incredibly cost effective as well. The Coalition paid for the drop boxes, signage, and HIPPA-certified destruction of all prescription drug bottles for a total $709 per year. Including the valuable time department employees spend managing the drop box, the average cost per month is $83.40 per department. For less than $1,000 a year per area a community-wide service is being provided. The marketing and implementation of the program has shown a marked decreased in youth misuse, access, and an increase in perception of harm concerning prescription drugs when coupled with the continuing prevention efforts done by the Coalition. Due to the great success of the program, communities across Tennessee have used our local departments as a model. In 2015 Coffee County was recognized in Washington D.C. with a national “Got Outcomes” award for efforts around prescription drug abuse prevention including the take back program.

For the first time in years, the penalty for not wearing your seat belt in Tennessee is set to increase.
The fine will increase from $10 to $25 for first time offenders if a new bill is passed. Governor Bill Haslam is expected to sign the new fines into law in the next couple weeks.
Tennessee Highway Patrol said they hope the increase in fines will reduce traffic deaths in Tennessee. Three hundred people were killed and more than 4,000 people were injured in 2014 because they did not wear a seat-belt, according to THP.

The Tullahoma High School and Coordinated School Health are pleased to host the first ever Wheels in Motion Tour de Raider vs Tour de Cat. This is local school duel parade along the Little Duck River. The school with the most participation is proclaimed the winner. The Wheels in Motion Tour de Cat VS Tour de Raiders will be a fun-filled-family friendly bicycle parade (scooters and skateboards are eligible) that combines school spirit with a good cause. On Saturday, May 9th at 9am, the Wheels in Motion bicycle parade starts at the Manchester Recreation Center and follows the greenway along the Little Duck River.
The $10.00 entry fee supports Tullahoma High School Interact to raise money for bikes for Tullahoma City School students and the money raised for Coffee County High School will help those students in need receive school and other supplies. The first two hundred entrants will receive a T-shirt. All proceeds will help projects at Tullahoma and Coffee County High Schools. Sign up by going to http://www.tullahomatn.gov/get-fit or go by the Manchester Recreation Center and complete the registration form.
The Tour de Cat vs Tour de Raider is a fun celebration of cycling. Ride one, ride all and get your ride decked out and join our parade that loops from the Rec Complex to the County Courthouse.
This is an all age event, and participants are encouraged to wear costumes and decorate their bikes, scooters and skateboards.
Prizes will be awarded for best costume, best group, best decorated bike and the winner of the event will the school with the most participants.
Afterwards, enjoy Parkpalooza with food, fun, Zumathon and live music featuring Spencer’s Own starting at 10 a.m. There will also be games, inflatables and health and wellness booths.
For more information, contact Gina Bumbalough in Tullahoma at 931-454-2639 or the Manchester Recreation Center.

A Grundy County Sheriff’s Office deputy is facing a driving under the influence charge after a fellow deputy watched him drive off the roadway.
Deputy Joseph Greenwell, 59, was not on duty or driving a department issued vehicle when he was arrested Wednesday morning, said Sheriff Clint Shrum.
A deputy was driving behind Greenwell when he noticed his vehicle swerve and leave the roadway.
When the deputy approached Greenwell, he had indications that he had consumed alcohol.
Greenwell was supposed to work Wednesday. Shrum said Greenwell has missed 6 days of work.

Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Tracy Trott has announced Jeff Mosley of McMinnville as the new captain of the agency’s Chattanooga District, effective immediately. Mosley replaced Captain Jessie Brooks, who last month was appointed to lead the THP Knoxville District.
Prior to his promotion, Mosley had worked as a road lieutenant in Coffee County since 2009. During that time, he assisted with the organization and allocation of manpower for the Bonnaroo festival, which brings over 80,000 motorists to the area annually.
Mosley became a state trooper in 1987. His first assignment was as a road trooper in Giles County until 1992. He also worked in White and Van Buren Counties in the THP’s Cookeville District until he earned his first promotion to sergeant in Warren County in 1998.