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Tennessee sales tax holiday to begin this weekend
Tennessee’s annual tax-free holiday is coming up this weekend, and some new items will be going tax-free this year. The Tennessee General Assembly has approved for gun safes and safety equipment to be included in this holiday, as well as food, ingredients, and prepared food, to be included in the tax-free holiday.
Tennessee’s traditional sales tax holiday on clothing, school supplies, and computers will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 30th and will end at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 1st.
The sales tax holiday on food, food ingredients, and prepared food will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 30thand will end at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 5th.
The sales tax holiday on gun safes and safety equipment began at 12:01 a.m. on July 1st and will end at 11:59 p.m. on June 30th, 2022.
For more information on the tax-free holiday, visit https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-and-use-tax/sales-tax-holiday.html
Tennessee Counties to undergo redistricting
Tennessee’s 95 counties are expected to undergo redistricting once they’ve received 2020 Census county-level population data this fall, and civic groups across the state say public interest in the redistricting process is increasing. Redistricting Counsel at the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program Yurij Rudensky says state lawmakers call the shots on how to divvy up the districts. Rudensky recently spoke at a virtual meeting on fair representation hosted by the Tennessee League of Women Voters.
The League and other civic groups argue that counties have no clear criteria for map drawing or fair representation, and say that despite steps to better inform the public, such as an online redistricting guide created by the state comptroller’s office, there are few opportunities for residents to view drafts of state legislative and congressional maps or give timely input.
Population flight in rural West Tennessee combined with major urban growth in cities such as Nashville are expected to trigger significant shifts in the state’s legislative districts. Republicans already hold seven of nine Tennessee congressional districts, and some experts say redistricting could help Republicans gain another seat in Congress and erode national Democratic control. Rudensky says the Brennan Center’s 50-state guide to redistricting can help residents parse out an otherwise complicated process that he says is unlikely to change in the near future.
According to the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury’s office, U.S. Census numbers aren’t expected to be prepared until September because of federal delays, making it a challenge to forecast how districts will be drawn at the congressional and legislative levels based on the state’s population trends.
Manchester City Schools: masks optional as school opens next week
Most area schools return to class next week, with abbreviated days scheduled for Aug. 2 and full days of school on Aug. 4.
Manchester City Schools Director Dr. Joey Vaughn issued a statement Tuesday morning to address COVID-19 protocols for the city school system as schools open. His statement highlights that the district is open for in-person learning and that face masks are optional for students. The full statement is below.
Manchester City School system is comprised of College Street Elementary, Westwood Elementary and Westwood Middle School.
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“Manchester City Schools is excited to begin the 2021-2022 school year. We will welcome students back on August 2, 2021 with registration from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. The first full day for students is August 4. The district will be open with in-person learning.
The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff remain a priority as we enter the upcoming school year. We will continue to look to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), national, state, and local health officials for guidance regarding decisions to ensure safe in-person learning. An overview of our health and safety guidelines are provided below.
- Face masks are recommended indoors for individuals not fully vaccinated. Masks are optional.
- Social distancing measures are recommended whenever possible.
- Regular handwashing and use of hand sanitizer are recommended.
- Frequently touched surfaces will undergo cleaning often, and no less than daily. Staff will perform additional disinfecting on frequently touched surfaces and equipment throughout the day as possible.
- Students who are kept home or sent home for illness with COVID symptoms will be required to follow the COVID-19 Return to School Protocol, which will be updated and released at the beginning of the school year.
- Visitors will be limited inside school buildings during school hours. Visitors may attend afterschool events, such as PTA activities, Open Houses, sporting events, etc.
- The above protocols apply to all athletic activities and extracurricular programs. Athletic
activities will also follow all applicable TSSAA, Coffee County Health Department, and state/national guidance.
Please contact your child’s school if you have any questions or concerns:
Manchester City Schools Dr. Joey Vaughn, Director 728-2316
Coordinated School Health Leslie Brasfield, RN 728-2805
College Street Elementary Tom Jacobs, Principal 728-2805
Callie Millaway, RN
Westwood Elementary Rebecca Welch, Principal 728-3412
Jennifer Banks, RN
Westwood Middle Jim Stone, Principal 728-2071
Joyce Crites, RN “
GALLERY: Raider football opens fall practice in pads
The Central High School football Red Raiders officially opened fall camp on Monday, July 26. Thunder Radio stopped by for some pics. You can hear the Red Raiders all season long on Thunder Radio – 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, Manchester Go app and Thunder1320.com.
Braves offense sputters in doubleheader split with Mets
Now that their rotation seems fixed, the Braves must decide whether there are any sensible ways to upgrade their lineup before Friday’s 4 p.m. ET Trade Deadline.
A pair of strong pitching performances netted the Braves just a split as their offense was blanked in a 1-0 loss to the Mets in the second game of a doubleheader on Monday night at Citi Field. The game’s lone run came courtesy of Jeff McNeil’s two-out RBI double off Luke Jackson in the fifth. You heard both double header games LIVE on Thunder Radio – your exclusive home for Braves baseball in Coffee County (107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM).
“You’re a little disappointed whenever you can’t get the second [game],” Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson said. “But to keep things in perspective, I thought they threw the ball well in the second game. We didn’t have too many chances and whenever we did, we weren’t able to capitalize.”
After Kyle Muller guided the Braves to a 2-0 win in the first game with five scoreless innings, Bryse Wilson contributed a decent spot start, tossing three-plus scoreless frames in the nightcap. But the offense’s inability to dent the scoreboard against the six relievers the Mets used in a bullpen game prevented Atlanta from climbing the National League East standings.
Raider, Lady Raider golf to open season Thursday
The Coffee County Central Red Raider and Lady Raider golf teams will be the first fall sports team to get competition underway this season.
Both teams will head to Lakewood Country Club for the Tullahoma Invitational. It will tee off at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 29.
CHS golfers will have their first home match Aug. 2 when they host Shelbyville, Marshall County and Tullahoma.
Titans Training Camp Preview: A look at cornerbacks
Thunder Radio is your exclusive radio home for Tennessee Titans football in Coffee County – presented by Charlie Gonzales with Weichert Realtors, Joe Orr & Associates.
Training camp opens this week: here is a look at cornerbacks —
In camp (10): Janoris Jenkins, Kristian Fulton, Caleb Farley, Elijah Molden, Breon Borders, Chris Jackson, Greg Mabin, Chris Jones, Quenton Meeks, Kevin Peterson.
Offseason developments: The Titans signed Jenkins, a 10th year pro who played most recently with the Saints, back in March. Then, in the NFL Draft, the Titans selected Farley in the first round before picking Molden in the third round. Borders was re-signed after being waived. Peterson, who took part in minicamp on a tryout basis, was added to the roster. Jones, most recently with the Vikings, was also signed this offseason, along with Meeks, who has played games for the Chargers and Jaguars. Mabin, a journeyman who spent time with the Titans in 2020, rejoined the team. There were also a lot of departures in this group. The Titans parted ways with veterans Malcolm Butler and Adoree’ Jackson, and the team also waived defensive backs Chris Milton and Kareem Orr. Jackson ended up signing with the Giants, and Butler landed with the Cardinals. Orr, meanwhile, signed with the Rams, and Milton signed with the Giants as well. Desmond King, added last season in a trade, also left in free agency, and he joined the Texans. Lastly, veteran cornerback Kevin Johnson retired after signing with the team back in March.
In the spotlight: Farley. The first-round pick from Virginia Tech was drafted to help change the look – and play – in the secondary, and there’s reason to be excited. This guy plays with swagger, and confidence. Farley is big and physical (6-2, 197), he has long arms, and he’s a hard worker. He’s only been with the team a short time, but he’s already put on muscle, and looks even more stout in his upper body. But Farley also hasn’t taken the field yet as he recovers from his second back surgery, so the countdown is on for his practice field debut. He’ll start camp on the team’s Non-Football Injury list. The Titans have been patient with Farley, and they won’t rush him back. I’m not expecting him to be on the field the first week of camp, but I do suspect we’ll see him at some point in August.
Battle to watch: Situational DBs. The Titans added Jenkins and Farley to play, and the plan is for them to be on the field. But the team needs others in the rotation, and the competition should be fierce. Fulton had a good offseason, and with a year under his belt he’s in a position to earn significant playing time, either inside or out. Molden has great instincts, and he’s smart. He knows how to communicate. Borders should enter camp with some confidence after performing well last season when called upon, and Mabin and Peterson are two veterans who know all about the rigors of camp. Don’t sleep on Jackson, a seventh-round pick out of Marshall in the 2020 draft. Jackson added size this offseason, and he showed quickness and instincts during what was an impressive offseason for him.
Keep an eye on: Jenkins. Nicknamed “Jackrabbit”, Jenkins has 26 interceptions in his nine NFL seasons with the Rams, Giants and Saints. He brings plenty of experience — Jenkins started 14 games in New Orleans last season, and he’s started a total of 128 games in the regular season and four more in the playoffs. Jenkins has played man-to-man and zone in his career, but he was signed by the Titans to play mostly man, and to be physical. While Jenkins didn’t take part in the teams OTAs, he attended minicamp, and he made a great impression. Jenkins is still getting down the terminology in a new defense, but he knows the routes and concepts. He also knows how to be aggressive, and set a tone. He should be fun to watch in camp, and this season.
Birthdays- July 26
Birthdays:
No birthdays to report on this day.
Anniversaries:
Dwight & Debbie Bryan- 46 years
Birthdays- July 25
Carson Funnell- 2- Pizza Winner!
Birthdays- July 24
Luke Baskin- 12- Pizza Winner!
Jim Cartwright
Terry Lee Carter- 38