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“Certificate of Existence” Filing Scam against Tennessee businesses
Secretary of State Tre Hargett is issuing a warning statement to business owners across Tennessee, advising them of a scam that has recently resurfaced targeting businesses with a fake mailer from a company that goes by two names: “Tennessee Certificate Service” and “TN Certificate of Existence Filing Company.”
“Our Division of Business Services and myself personally have been hearing multiple complaints from business owners across Tennessee about these misleading mailers,” said Secretary Hargett. “We have seen scams like this before, with similar deceptive language that implies that businesses must have a certificate of existence to complete its formation or to fully operate in the state. This is not the case. Unfortunately, businesses who order a certificate of existence through these scammers may be paying for something that is totally unnecessary – at the very least they will be spending $50 to $150 more than what our office charges for this document when ordered from us directly.”
The misleading mailer is titled “2021 Certificate of Existence Request” and has been sent to businesses across the state—pretending to require all Tennessee businesses to pay a fee of either $83.00 or $175.50 for this third-party company to step in and complete the Certificate of Existence paperwork on businesses’ behalf. However, a Certificate of Existence can be obtained directly from the Secretary of State’s office for just $20, either by phone, mail or onlineat https://tnbear.tn.gov/Ecommerce/CertOfExistenceInstr.aspx.
The mailer makes it appear that the 2021 Certificate of Existence Request is part of the business entity’s registration process: “A Certificate of Existence certifies that your Tennessee business is in existence, is authorized to transact business in the state and complies with all state requirements.”
The mailer and organization are not affiliated with or authorized by the Secretary of State’s Office in any way. Businesses may wish to obtain a Certificate of Existence in certain circumstances, such as a loan closing or other business transaction. However, they are not required to do so as a matter of course during the business formation process.
Secretary Hargett encourages business owners to call the Division of Business Services at 615-741-2286 if they receive such a questionable mailer or have questions about obtaining a Certificate of Existence.
Caution urged on Duck River
Summer is a time for outdoor fun, and this summer in particular, as life begins to return to normal, people are looking to put the past year behind them and enjoy themselves. Safety is an important consideration in any outdoor activity, and as kayakers return to the Duck River, one of the most beautiful and biodiverse rivers in North America, it’s important to know what to do, and what not to do.
Bedford County plays host to kayakers from many surrounding counties, and officials say paying attention to river conditions saves lives.
“We welcome visitors, and we’re pleased that people are able to enjoy the treasure that is the Duck River,” said Bedford County Emergency Management Agency Director Scott Johnson. “But kayakers do not need to be on the river in times of increased flow. First and foremost, we don’t want anyone to lose their life in a preventable accident. But even in the best-case scenario, a search-and-rescue operation costs the taxpayers money and takes emergency personnel away from other duties.” Rescue operations in high water also place emergency personnel themselves at risk.
TVA has given permission for Bedford County to close the parking for river access points at Dement Bridge and Three Forks Bridge for safety when the release of water from Normandy Dam is at 400 cubic feet per second or higher. The easiest way for kayakers to determine this is through the TVA Lake Info app, available for both iOS and Android devices. ( <https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/tva-lake-info-app> https://www.tva.com/environment/lake-levels/tva-lake-info-app ) There are other mobile apps available that give the current flow information, not just at the dam, but at various points on the river, and these can be helpful as well.
Bedford County Sheriff’s Office can issue citations for trespassing for vehicles parked at the Dement Bridge and Three Forks Bridge parking lots during times when those parking lots are closed due to increased flow. It’s also against the law to park on the shoulder near those sites, which can impede emergency crews from arriving. Illegally-parked vehicles are subject to being towed.
Changes to the path of the Duck River near the low-head dam at Cortner Mill, near Normandy, have created a dangerous “strainer” which kayakers should not try to traverse. They must get out of the river and portage their kayaks past that obstacle.
Kayakers are also asked to wear life jackets, and to bring flashlights and water or other non-alcoholic beverages in case they find themselves stranded.
Commercial kayak rental businesses will prohibit their customers from taking the river in unsafe conditions, but in recent years kayak sales in southern Middle Tennessee have been brisk, and those who own their own kayaks sometimes use them irresponsibly.
“We want to keep people safe,” said Johnson, “so that they can come back to the river on another day.”
For more information about boating safety in Tennessee, go to TWRA’s website at <https://www.tn.gov/twra/boating/regulations-and-safety-concerns.html> https://www.tn.gov/twra/boating/regulations-and-safety-concerns.html.
H&R Block student of the week, May 21
Join us at Thunder Radio and Rosalyn Partin of the Manchester H&R Block and congratulate our student of the week –Ty Stevens.
Ty is a 5th grader at Hillsboro Elementary School. He is the son of Alicia Anderson. His favorite subject is math. When he grows up, Ty would like to be a football player. During his free time, he enjoys playing baseball and football.
All students of the week are selected for their work ethic and excellent attitudes in and out of the classroom.
Rosalyn Partin, owner of the Manchester H&R Block, has been inspired to recognize great kids in our community all year long. H&R Block gives each Student of the Week a gift card, a commemorative plaque, as well as a special letter of recognition. Job well done, Ty Stevens!
Wilma Earlene Blackburn Welch
Welch, Wilma Earlene Blackburn , of Tullahoma, passed this life on Friday, May 21 st , 2021 at Manchester Health Care Center at the age of 89. Wilma was born in Tullahoma to the late Spencer and Edith Mae Byrom Blackburn and was a member of Harmony Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Brad Welch; one daughter, Kim Welch Stockton; one sister, Betty Silvertooth; and one brother, Wilson Blackburn; Wilma is survived by one son, Gary (Melissa) Welch; two grandsons, Jason (Lesley) Dendy and Kevin Welch; four great-grandchildren, Baylor, Bella, Victoria, and Thomas; one brother, Buford Blackburn; son-in-law, Dale Stockton; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 25 th , 2021 at Kilgore Funeral Home from 12:00-2:00pm with the funeral to immediately follow at 2:00pm with Bro. David Wall officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Kim Welch Stockton Memorial Fund for Nursing at Motlow State Community College. Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Tennessee unemployment rate, April 2021
Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate for April 2021 decreased by double digits when compared to data from the previous year. In April 2020, the state’s jobless rate reached a record high during the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to data released from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Tennessee’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted rate for April is 5%. That’s down 0.1 of a percentage point from March’s revised rate of 5.1%.
Unemployment reached an all-time high in April 2020, at the height of business closures due to the pandemic. The revised rate of 15.8% is 10.8 percentage points higher than where it stands one year later.
Employers across Tennessee added 9,800 jobs between March and April of 2021. The retail trade sector accounted for the largest number of new jobs, while the accommodation/food services and professional/scientific/technical services sectors had the second-and-third-largest gains for the month.
Between April 2020 and April 2021, Tennessee’s economy made a remarkable rebound with the addition of 287,400 jobs. The state’s leisure/hospitality industry put the most people back to work over the last 12 months, followed by the trade/transportation/utilities and manufacturing sectors.
Nationally, seasonally adjusted unemployment increased slightly to 6.1%, up 0.1 of a percentage point from March’s revised rate of 6%. In a year-to-year comparison, the United States rate is down 8.7% from where it was in April 2020.
You can find a complete analysis of Tennessee’s unemployment data for April 2021 here.
Tennessee employers currently have more than 250,000 job openings across the state. Job seekers can start their pathway to employment on the state’s workforce development website, www.Jobs4TN.gov.
The virtual American Job Center can help job seekers explore programs that may help them remove barriers to reentering the workforce. The online tool is accessible anytime, anywhere at www.TNVirtualAJC.com.
The state of Tennessee will release the county unemployment data for April 2021 on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. CT.
Motlow to host Admission, Advisement, and Registration Days on all Campuses
Motlow State registration, advisement, and admission specialists will host six days of on-campus assistance between May 26 and June 9. Prospective and current students can RSVP now at Motlow.com/calendar.
Prospective and current students who either have or have not applied for the fall 2021 semester are welcome. Prospective students can apply to Motlow at Motlow.com/apply. Participants can choose an appointment at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., or 4 p.m. Event days are May 26 & 27, June 4, and June 7-9.
EVENT LOCATIONS
Wednesday, May 26 – Sparta
Thursday, May 27 – Smyrna
Friday, June 4 – McMinnville
Monday, June 7 – Fayetteville
Tuesday, June 8 – Smyrna
Wednesday, June 9 – Moore County
Motlow’s knowledgeable experts will guide prospective and current students through the complete process of applying to Motlow, submitting admission requirements, submitting financial aid requirements, and registering for fall 2021 classes. Students who have not submitted all their admission and/or financial aid requirements should bring as many missing items to their appointment as possible.
For more information about admissions, visit Motlow.com/admissions or email admissions@mscc.edu. For more information about financial aid, visit Motlow.com/financial/financial-aid-office or email fas@mscc.edu.
Tennessee’s Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient, and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. The system offers associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs, and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tbr.edu or visit Motlow at mscc.edu.
Multiple COVID-19 pop-up vaccination sites available in Coffee County this week
Those wishing to receive COVID-19 vaccination in Coffee County will have multiple opportunities to do so this week.
Monday
Manchester Health Department 1:30-3:30
Tullahoma Health Department 4:30-6:30
Stone Fort Restaurant 7:00-11:00
Tuesday
Manchester Health Department 3:30-6:30
Tullahoma Health Department 1:30-3:30
Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department 3:00-6:00
Wednesday
Manchester Health Department 9:00-11:00
Tullahoma Health Department 9:00-11:00
Southern Family Markets 3:00-6:00
Thursday
Manchester Health Department 9:00-11:00
Tullahoma Health Department 1:30-3:30
Southern Family Markets 11:00-2:00
Mid Tenn Turf 2:00-4:00
Friday
Manchester Health Department 7:00-9:00
Tullahoma Health Department 7:00-9:00
*Marcrom’s Pharmacy has appointments and walk-ins available every Monday and Friday.
SOFTBALL STATE TOURNAMENT: Ticket and scheduling information
Coffee County Central’s Lady Raider softball team now knows what its road to the program’s first-ever state championship looks like. The TSSAA released the double-elimination bracket for this week’s state tournament: Coffee County will play Collierville at Starplex Field # 1 at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
If the Lady Raiders win on Tuesday, they will play again at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. If they lose, they will play at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
The State Championship game is set for 3 p.m. Friday at Starplex. Click here to see the bracket in its entirety.
If you plan to travel to Murfreesboro to watch the Lady Raiders play – Admission is $12 per game. Tickets for each venue will be limited and must be purchased in advance through GoFan. No tickets will be sold on site. Children five years of age and older must purchase a ticket. TSSAA Championship Event Cards, TACA cards, TSSAA ID cards and TMSAA ID cards will NOT be accepted for admission. Parking will also be $5.
Under current TSSAA COVID-19 protocols and venue capacity restrictions, spectators will only be allowed entry into the venue where they purchased their ticket. There will be no moving between venues without purchasing a new ticket. In the event a team will be playing again later in the day at the same venue, spectators will be given a wristband or handstamp good for re-entry.
The Lady Raiders are looking to bring the first team state championship to Coffee County since Lady Raider basketball in 1993.
Coffee County beat Soddy Daisy 2-1 in an instant classic Friday night. Click here for that game story, photos and a link to the broadcast replay.
TRACK STATE TOURNAMENT: Four Raider athletes will compete Thursday
Four Coffee County Central High School track athletes will compete in Murfreesboro at the TSSAA State Track & Field Championships.
Ethan Welch and Travis Martin will be competing in the Pole Vault – which begins at 9 a.m.
Following that, senior Kelvin Verge will be competing in the state high jump at 11 a.m.
Jacob Rutledge will run in the 1600 meter run. The running events begin at 4 p.m. – his run will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. but there is no set time.
Admission
Admission is $12. Tickets for each venue will be limited and must be purchased in advance online through GoFan. No tickets will be sold on site. Children five years of age and older must purchase a ticket. TSSAA Championship Event Cards, TACA cards, TSSAA ID cards and TMSAA ID cards will NOT be accepted for admission.
This year all track and field events will be at Rockvale High School.
Braves get 2 HR from Riley to take series vs. Pirates
While complimenting the significant progress Austin Riley had made with his plate discipline and approach, Chipper Jones said, “You’ve got to crawl before you walk,” when asked about when the young third baseman might start showing more power again.
Five days later, Riley is sprinting through another impressive May stretch and the Braves are powering their way back toward the top of the National League East standings. A 7-1 win over the Pirates on Sunday afternoon concluded a power-packed, confidence-building series at Truist Park.
Riley tallied his second multihomer game of the series and of his career to back a strong seven-inning effort by Max Fried. Fried allowed just one run and received more than enough support from a Braves lineup that belted 15 homers in the four-game series. The Pirates have totaled just 30 homers all season.
With their powerful onslaught, the Braves increased their MLB-leading total to 78 home runs. No other club had more than 66 homers when Atlanta’s game concluded on Sunday. This 47-game total is just shy of the franchise record (82) which was set last year.
By taking the final three games of this series, the Braves find themselves one game below .500 (23-24) and within striking distance of the first-place Mets. Their rise back toward the top of the division standings has been spurred by a rotation that has produced a 2.35 ERA over the past 19 games.
You can hear the Atlanta Braves on Thunder Radio – your home for the Braves in Coffee County.