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Deadline for online registration for Coffee County Schools is July 31
Online registration is now open for those who need to enroll their students in the Coffee County School System – which is comprised of Deerfield Elementary, New Union Elementary, East Coffee Elementary, North Coffee Elementary, Hickerson Elementary, Hillsboro Elementary, Coffee Middle School, Raider Academy and Coffee County Central High School.
Online registration is open through July 31. Anyone with questions should contact their child’s school directly.
Some important information to know:
Any student who was enrolled in Coffee County schools on the LAST day of school in May is automatically
enrolled in the next school year.
All Manchester City Schools 8th grade students enrolled at Westwood Middle school on
the LAST day of school are automatically enrolled in Coffee County Schools at the Raider
Academy. City schools will transfer records.
ALL Kindergarten and Pre-K enrollment will be completed during your
assigned phase-in day. Do NOT enroll or update any Kindergarten or Pre-K
students at this time.
Students who have never been enrolled in Coffee County Schools are New
Students. Parents of these students will use Option 1—New Student Enrollment
Click here for student enrollment.
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Average gas price falls back below $4 per gallon in Tennessee
The Tennessee gas price average fell below $4.00 per gallon on Friday for the first time since May 5. Gas prices across the state fell, on average, nearly 18 cents over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.93 which is nearly 60 cents less expensive than one month ago and $1.06 more than one year ago.
In Coffee County, average prices remain slightly above the state average at $3.96 per gallon. The average price in nearby Bedford County is significantly cheaper at $3.72 per gallon and $3.75 in Cannon County.
“Tennessee is now in its sixth straight week for declining gas prices and drivers can likely expect prices at the pump to continue to drop yet again this week,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We’ve seen another week of losses in the oil market and are continuing to see additional downward pressure on gas prices due to underwhelming gasoline demand figures – likely due to Americans changing their driving habits to offset rising gas prices.”
Quick Facts
- 74% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $4.00
- The lowest 10% of pump prices are $3.56 for regular unleaded
- The highest 10% of pump prices are $4.33 for regular unleaded
- Tennessee is the 6th least expensive market in the nation
National Gas Prices
Lackluster demand for gas and lower oil prices led to pump prices falling again, down 17 cents since last week to $4.35. The steady decline is due to low domestic demand for gasoline and oil prices that remain in the mid-$90s per barrel. The price of gas has now fallen every day since hitting a record $5.01 on June 14.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand rose from 8.06 million b/d to 8.52 million b/d last week. However, that rate is 800,000 b/d lower than last year and is in line with demand during the middle of July 2020, when COVID-19 restrictions curbed demand. Additionally, total domestic gasoline stocks increased by 3.5 million bbl to 228.4 million bbl, signaling that low demand led to growth in inventory last week. If gas demand remains low as stocks increase, alongside a continuing reduction in crude prices, drivers will likely continue to see pump prices decline.
Today’s national average of $4.35 is 63 cents less than a month ago and $1.20 more than a year ago.
FALL SPORTS OFFICIALLY OPEN PRACTICE MONDAY
High School Fall sports across the state of Tennessee officially open up practice on Monday, July 25.
While many sports have been working through the summer with voluntary workouts and golf officially began practice earlier this month, the first official day of work is Monday.
VOLLEYBALL
Coffee County Central volleyball, which opens the season at home on Aug. 16 against Riverdale, will practice early on Monday – going from 9-11 a.m. The Lady Raiders will host a playday at Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gymnasium on Saturday, playing matches at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon.
Thunder Radio is scheduled to be on site for 5 Lady Raider volleyball broadcasts this fall, starting with Aug. 16. against Riverdale (online audio stream only), Aug. 30 vs. Franklin County, Sept. 13 vs. Lincoln County, Sept. 15 vs. Grundy County and Sept. 22 vs. Warren County.
FOOTBALL
The Red Raider football team worked out in shoulder pads and helmets for two days last week for TSSAA’s heat acclamation period. The Raiders will be in full pads Monday, July 25, working in the afternoon heat from 3-6 p.m.
The Raiders will have their first fall camp scrimmage at 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 29 at La Vergne. CHS opens the season at home on Aug. 19 against Franklin County with kickoff set for 7 p.m. You can hear all the Red Raider action, beginning at with the Friday Night Thunder Pregame show every Friday night at 6 p.m. on Thunder Radio (107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, Manchester Go app, thunder1320.com)
This marks the 100th year of Red Raider football.
Soccer
The Lady Raider soccer team will get their first official practice of the fall in from 5-7 p.m. Monday afternoon behind Raider Academy.
The Lady Raiders will open the season at 5 p.m. Aug. 16 at Lincoln County.
Thunder Radio is set to broadcast 4 Lady Raider soccer games this fall: Aug. 25 vs. Tullahoma, Sept. 1 vs. Columbia, Sept. 15 vs. Shelbyville (online audio stream only) and Sept. 29 vs. Central Magnet.
Golf
Coffee County High School golf will open the season sooner then everyone – with golfers set to tee-off Aug. 1 at the Tullahoma Invitational. Tee-time set for 9 a.m.
Middle School Sports
Middle school athletes have already been at work and will being their seasons sooner.
Westwood football will hosts its annual Blue-White Game on Aug. 4 at Dyer Bouldin Field, the same day that WMS volleyball opens its regular season at home against Community.
Meanwhile, the CMS Red Raider football team plays its first regular season game on Thursday night, Aug. 4. The Raiders will be at home against West Wilson with kickoff at 6:30 p.m.
Shelbyville woman charged with theft from vulnerable person
An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Medicaid Fraud Control Division has resulted in the arrest of a Shelbyville woman, charged with financially exploiting a vulnerable person.
At the request of Adult Protective Services, in July 2021, agents began an investigation into an allegation of theft from a TennCare recipient, after unauthorized transactions were made on a credit card belonging to an individual who was under the care of a caregiver. During the course of the investigation, agents determined that the caregiver was using the victim’s credit card to make multiple internet purchases for her personal use. The investigation identified that care provider as Jacklynne Taylor.
On July 18th, the Bedford County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Jacklynne Taylor (DOB 06/14/1979) with one count of Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Person and one count of Theft of Property $1000-$2500. On Tuesday, Taylor was arrested by TBI agents and officers with the Shelbyville Police Department. She was booked into the Bedford County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Manchester’s Unity Medical Center 1 of 7 hospitals to win outstanding patient experience award
Only seven facilities in the state of Tennessee have been recognized by Healthgrades for Outstanding Patient Experience Award – and Unity Medical Center in Manchester is one of them.
This is the third consecutive year for Unity to earn the honor from Healthgrades, which bases the award on patient experience surveys obtained from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
“This is such a great achievement and vindication for our hard working staff and medical providers at Unity Medical Center,” stated Martha Henley, CEO of Unity. “Through a pandemic and many other challenges our staff remains unwavering and committed to providing the best patient care and experience. That is always our focus and will continue to be moving forward.”
Over the past few years, Unity Medical Center has transformed its facility to include multiple upgrades to the inside of the building, to its equipment, staff and facilities and to the exterior campus – investing hundreds of thousands of dollars to improved patient care in Manchester. Unity Medical Center can be found at 481 Interstate Drive in Manchester, along with its rural health clinic across the street at 482 Interstate Drive in Manchester. It operates a full 24-7 emergency room and added a 4-bed ICU in the past year.
“We have been working for years now to build and improve our facility,” added Henley. “Our goal is to provide Manchester with a facility it can be proud of and quality care to match.”
Click here to visit their website.
Other facilities in Tennessee to be awarded outstanding patient experience include Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Tristar Centennial Medical Center, Tristar Horizon, Methodist Medical Center, CHI Memorial Hospital and Baptist Memorial Hospital.
Final week of early voting for Aug. 4 election. Click here for when and where you can vote.
This is the final week if you plan to early vote for the upcoming August 4 general election and state / federal primaries. The final day for early voting is Saturday, July 30.
An additional 352 voters went to the polls on Friday, July 22, bringing the total of early votes cast to 2,641. Of those, 1,146 are rural county voters, 955 are Tullahoma voters and 540 are from Manchester. This makes about 7.5 percent of registered voters who have voted early.
Monday, July 18 has been the heaviest day of early voting so far, with 535 total votes cast on that day.
Those interested in voting early still have multiple opportunities to do so.
Early voting in Manchester is at the Coffee County Election Commission, located at 1329 McArthur St. Suite 6. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 to noon on Saturdays through July 30.
Meanwhile, in Tullahoma early voting is at the CD Stamps Center at 810 South Jackson St. Hours are 9a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through July 30.
If you do not vote early, you may vote at your assigned precinct on August 4.
“Coffee County voters need to be aware that the August ballot is longer than we normally see and will take additional time to complete,” said Coffee County Elections Administrator Andy Farrar. “In this election you’ll have the opportunity to choose which candidates will advance to the general election in November, to retain or replace judges and elect Circuit and General Session Court Judges, District Attorney, Public Defender, County Mayor, County Commissioners, Sheriff, County Clerk, Register of Deeds, Trustee, Circuit Court Clerk, Road Superintendent, Road Commissioners, School Board, Constables, Manchester City Mayor, Alderman and School Board, City of Tullahoma Alderman and School Board .”
Coffee County voters are encouraged to review their sample ballot before they head to the polls. Reviewing your ballot and deciding how you will vote can reduce your time at the polls.
“With the longer ballot in this election, I encourage Coffee County voters to make your voice heard during our state’s generous early voting period,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “Casting your ballot early and reviewing your ballot before you go can reduce the amount of time it takes to vote.”
CLICK HERE to see a full sample ballot for the Aug. 4 election.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story attributed Friday’s vote totals to Saturday, July 23. That has been corrected. We apologize for the error.
Tennessee unemployment rate holds steady in June
The rate at which people looked for new jobs across Tennessee held steady in June, according to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). The latest statistics also showed more people were on the job across the state in June compared to any other month on record.
Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June 2022 came in at 3.3%, which mirrored the rate from May. One year ago, the rate was 1.1 percentage points higher than the latest number.
Employers across the state added 32,300 new nonfarm jobs to their payrolls between May and June. The local government sector saw the largest increase in new hires. The finance and insurance and the educational services sectors experienced the next largest increases.
In a year-to-year comparison, nonfarm employment in Tennessee grew by 130,600 jobs. The leisure and hospitality sector, trade, transportation and utilities sector, and professional and business services sector saw the most growth over the last year.
Tennessee’s civilian workforce jumped from 3,405,540 in May to 3,413,449 in June. That marked the largest civilian workforce since the state started tracking the statistic. The new numbers increased the state’s labor force participation rate from 61.1% to 61.2%.
A complete analysis of Tennessee’s June 2022 unemployment date is available here.
Birthdays – July 22
Birthdays:
Alaina Murray – 29
Nikki Alonso
Joseph Galindo – Pizza Winner!
Brenda Torano – 59
Richard Stretch
Weekly Winners:
Cake – Zeke Jones
Flowers – Pairlee & Kitrell Parker
Elvie K. Sellars
Funeral services for Elvie K. Sellars, age 97 of Manchester, will be held on Sunday, July 24, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. at Central Funeral Home with Brother Paul Coston officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Forest Mill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, July 23, 2022, from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Ms. Sellars passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2022.
Elvie K. Sellars was born on November 9, 1924, in Manchester to the late W.L. “Polk” and Laura Cunningham Bowden. She was a founding member of Ragsdale Church of Christ. Elvie loved gardening, feeding her hummingbirds, and being outdoors. She enjoyed morning walks at the Manchester Recreation Center, where she would meet up with her friends and catch up with each other. Most of Manchester would remember her from working at the U.S. 5 and 10 Store on the Manchester square for over 25 years. She loved making people feel special, never forgot anyone’s birthday, and delighted in sending and receiving cards in the mail.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Max L. Sellars; her son, Roger Alan Sellars; daughter-in-law, Jean Womack Sellars. Survived by her son, Gary Michael Sellars (Angela); daughter-in-law, Peggy Bryan Delaney (Ken); grandchildren, Leah Timmons (Ronny), Michael Sellars (Staci), Matt Sellars (Candice), Jennie Wood (George), Blair Sellars, Laura Zequeira (Mike); great-grandchildren, Tiffany Timmons, Jordan Timmons, Michaela Sellars, Maci Sellars, Kale Sellars, Madalynn Sellars, Wyatt Sellars, Henry Wood, Amara Wood, Liam Wood, Maisie St. Clair, Matthew Zequeira; great-great grandchildren, Brooklynn Norris, Brailee Norris; step grandchildren, Whitney Harrell (Nick), Kaitlyn McAdams (Bryan); step great-grandchildren, Brylyn McAdams, Madison McAdams, Hayes Harrell and Truett Harrell.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Forest Mill Cemetery, C/O James Foote, 2685 Wayside Rd., Manchester, TN 37355.
Birthdays – July 21
Matthew Evans – 48
Aubriana McCullough – 10
Brooklyn McWhorter – 3 – Pizza Winner!
Riley Bellamy
Zeke Jones – 13
Zane Jones – 13
Olivia Brinkley – 16