Josh Peterson

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Coffee County unemployment jumps up in May

New data released by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development showed unemployment rates increased slightly during May in each of the state’s 95 counties. Even with the minimal increases, 93 of Tennessee’s 95 counties maintained rates lower than 5% for the month. 

Coffee County unemployment numbers jumped nearly a half percentage point – increasing from 3.0 percent in April to 3.4 percent in May. The rate is still 0.7 of a percentage point than May 2021, when Coffee County unemployment rate was 4.1 percent.


Williamson County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the state for May. At 2.3%, its rate increased 0.3 of a percentage point from April’s revised rate of 2%. Moore County had the second-lowest rate at 2.5%, a 0.4 of a percentage point increase when compared to the previous month.

Perry County’s rate came in at 5.5%, the highest in the state. That represented a 0.4 of a percentage point increase from April’s rate of 5.1%. Bledsoe County had the second-highest rate in May at 5.1%, also a 0.4 of a percentage point increase for the month.

The increase in county unemployment followed the slightest uptick in the statewide unemployment rate in May. Tennessee’s jobless number inched up to 3.3% in May, just 0.1 of a percentage point higher than the state’s all-time low rate of 3.2%.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) calculates county and statewide unemployment rates differently. It does not factor in seasonal impacts on data when determining county unemployment rates, while it does seasonally adjust the statewide unemployment number.

Nationally, May’s unemployment rate mirrored April’s rate of 3.6%.
 
A complete analysis of the May 2022 county unemployment data for the state of Tennessee’s 95 counties is available here.
 
Job seekers can find all the resources and the services they need to start their search, all in one place. TNWorkReady.com is the site to find a new job, develop new skills, or find classes where adult learners can earn a high school equivalency diploma.
 
One-on-one help with a Career Specialist is also available at nearly 80 American Job Centers located in counties across Tennessee. Job seekers can find the closest job center to them here.
 

Elizabeth Phillips Sharp

Funeral services for Ms. Elizabeth Phillips Sharp, age 86, will be conducted at 3:00PM on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at Coffee County Funeral Chapel.  Burial will follow in Manchester City Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1:00PM until the time of services at the funeral home.  Ms. Sharp passed from this life on Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Chattanooga, TN. 

Elizabeth was born in New Howard, West Virginia on June 28, 1935, the daughter of the late William and Opal Phillips.  She was a longtime resident of Manchester before moving to Georgia a year ago.  Elizabeth also served over 20 years as a board member at Manchester Municipal Arts Commission.  In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoyed making lamps, pilgrim glass, and her antiques.  You could often find her at the Manchester Senior Center singing and playing music.  She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. 

In addition to her parents, Elizabeth is also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lloyd Sharp; sons, Michael Murray, Farron Sharp, and Ronald Sharp; one brother, and one sister.  She is survived by her son, Tim Sharp (Marshana); grandson, Brandon Sharp (Cara); one great-grandson, Fletcher Sharp. 

Coffee County Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Sharp family.  

Birthdays – June 23

Carter Weaver – 5 – Pizza Winner!

Brian Hill – 46

David Henry Hammon

Funeral services for Mr. David Henry Hammon, age 64 of Manchester, will be conducted at 2:00PM on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at Coffee County Funeral Chapel.  Burial will follow in Concord Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 12:00PM until the time of services at the funeral home.  Mr. Hammon passed from this life on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro, TN.

David was born in LaPorte, Indiana on February 18, 1958, the son of the late Henry and Lena Mae Hammon.  He was a United States Army Veteran, serving during the Gulf War in operation Desert Storm.  David was also an HVAC business owner in Nashville for over forty years.  He graduated from Coffee County Central High School in 1976, and he was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church.  David was a loving and devoted father, son, cousin, and friend.  One of his favorite past times was walking with his beloved dog, Gibbs.

David is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lena Mae Hammon.  He is survived by his son, Jacob Hammon (Laken); daughter, Kali Hammon; cousin, Mary Sims; and many other family and friends.

Coffee County Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Hammon family.

Manchester woman dies after swimming incident at Barton Springs

A Manchester woman has passed away after an incident at Barton Springs boat ramp late Tuesday night (June 21, 2022).

According to Frank Watkins with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, police received a call of CPR in progress at approximately 11:40 p.m. Tuesday at the boat ramp. The victim, a 52-year old female from Manchester, was transported to Vanderbilt Harton where she passed away shortly after noon on Wednesday.

According to Watkins, the victim and other individuals were swimming in that area. He said alcohol may have been involved.

Coffee County Sheriff’s Department is investigating. The victim’s name has not yet been released.

Bonnaroo officials pen letter to Coffee County leadership, disappointed in new fees

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival organizers penned a letter to county and state officials, dated June 21, with a strong tone against new event fees passed by the county commission that will assess a $5 per ticket fee on all tickets sold.

The letter from Bonnaroo was signed by Brad Parker, project manager for C3 Presents, and it scolds the county commission for creating fees that they say singles out the festival. Bonnaroo goes on to request a “full accounting for those funds every year to ensure they are being used for their legally specified purpose.”

According to Parker’s letter, the state law calls for “The funds collected by the accounts and budget director shall be deposited in the county general fund and be used for purposes related to the entertainment event.”

Parker goes on to state that because this new fee will generate in excess of $300,000 annually, the festival will no longer reimburse the county for its costs related to county police, fire, traffic and emergency services, saying the new fee will be more than enough to cover those costs related to Bonnaroo.

The letter also says that the bill authorizing the fee was given one hearing in a house committee and accuses representative Rush Bricken of giving a disingenuous presentation where he never mentioned the word Bonnaroo, despite the fact that the fee was crafted to target only Bonnaroo patrons.

Read the full letter below (3 pages).

Motlow to host admission, advisement and registration days on all campuses

Motlow State registration, advisement, and admission specialists will host 12 days of on-campus assistance June 27-30, July 18-21, and August 1-4. Prospects and students can RSVP at Motlow.edu/calendar.

Prospective and current students who either have or have not applied for the Fall 2022 semester are welcome. Apply to Motlow at Motlow.edu/apply.

EVENT SCHEDULE

  • Monday, June 27 at 4 p.m. in Smyrna
  • Tuesday, June 28 at 4 p.m. in Moore County
  • Wednesday, June 29 at 4 p.m. in Fayetteville
  • Thursday, June 30 at 9 a.m. in McMinnville
  • Monday, July 18 at 4 p.m. in Smyrna
  • Tuesday, July 19 at 4 p.m. in Moore County
  • Wednesday, July 20 at 4 p.m. in Fayetteville
  • Thursday, July 21 at 4 p.m. in McMinnville
  • Monday, August 1 at 4 p.m. in Smyrna
  • Tuesday, August 2 at 4 p.m. in Moore County
  • Wednesday, August 3 at 4 p.m. in Fayetteville
  • Thursday, August 4 at 4 p.m. in McMinnville

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 2022 classes. Students who have not submitted all their admission and/or financial aid requirements should bring as many to their appointment as possible.

For more information about admissions visit Motlow.edu/admissions or email info@mscc.edu.

For more information about financial aid visit Motlow.edu/FinancialAid or email fas@mscc.edu.

United Way of Highway 55 announces partner nonprofits

United Way of Highway 55 today announces the funding of twenty local nonprofits. ​On April 27, 28, & 29 United Way of Highway 55 allocations team, made up of local community and Board members, reviewed applications and conducted interviews with each agency. The 20 nonprofit partners are located and/or serve in Coffee, Moore, and Warren Counties. They will receive a total of $40,000 or more for the year. Each nonprofit will receive 4 checks for the year. Ashley Abraham, Director of United Way of Highway 55, states “Our goal is to allocate more funds every year to local nonprofits. Raise more so we can give more. The committee does not take choosing the partners lightly. Every nonprofit is required to present to the committee. The committee studies every application and 990. Many areas are weighed like do they serve Coffee, Moore, and/or Warren Counties? Does their mission serve one of our 4 pillars: Health, Basic Essentials, Education, & Income?  How high is the need for their mission in our community? How much are they asking and where will the funds be used? Where do most of their donations come from (Grants, Businesses, Individual, Fundraisers)? Are they heavily volunteer based or how much do they pay out to employees? These questions along with many more are discussed. The committee meets without me to decide and divide the budget on how much each nonprofit will receive. It is a tedious and well thought out process. I would say it is the best way to get involved and learn about our local nonprofits and what United Way does. Any community individual can be on the allocations committee. If they are not employed or serve on a nonprofit Board/Committee, because that would be a conflict of interest. We do want a diverse committee representing all 3 counties we serve. We appreciate all nonprofits that applied and will continue to share our resources.  We also invite all local nonprofits (501c3) that serve Coffee, Moore, and Warren Counties to apply next year. With that being said, it is my pleasure to introduce our 2022-2023 Partner Nonprofits:”

The 2022-23 partners include:

  • Homeless of McMinnville Effort (HOME)
  • Children’s Advocacy Center, 31st Judicial District
  • Kids of the Community
  • My Father’s Closet
  • Young Men United
  • The Hope Center of Warren Co
  • Coffee Co Humane Society
  • Coffee Co Child Care Center
  • Tullahoma Day Care Center
  • Hospice of the Highland Rim Foundation
  • Coffee Co Senior Citizens
  • Moore Co Senior Citizens
  • Trinity Care Center
  • Access Hope
  • Haven of Hope
  • CASA Works
  • Canvas Community Church/Community Table
  • HorsePlay Inc.
  • The Storehouse
  • The Shepherd’s House

“Our community will continue to grow and strengthen through supporting these much-needed missions and programs.  I am truly grateful for the businesses and individuals who support our nonprofits every year. We can support so many local agencies and programs because of the help of our community.  United Way of Hwy 55 strives to be involved and impact as many nonprofits and programs in the community as we can with the support of our amazing, continued donors” stated Ashley Abraham, Executive Director of United Way of Highway 55. 

This year’s allocation’s team included the following individuals:

  • Michele Simmons: Board Chair-Business Development Manager at ResourceMFG
  • Ashley Franklin:  Board Member-Regional Leader, Primerica (Independent Contractor)
  • Ashley Wright:  Board Secretary- Owner of Local Flair Public Relations
  • Holly Buchanan:  Board Member-On Site Supervisor Bottling, Staffmark at Jack Daniels Distillery
  • Monty Hawkins: Board Member-Utility Man, Certified Arborist at TUA
  • Christy Brown: Christy Rogers Brown, Realtor- EXP Realty
  • Wayne Monteith: National Aerospace Solutions, Deputy General Manager
  • Lauren Welsh: Grace Baptist Church
  • Billy Welsh: Pastor at Grace Baptist Church, Manchester; Served 8 years prior in the United States Marine Corps
  • Gloria Humphrey: Board Member-Physician Recruiter, American Physician Partners

About United Way of Highway 55:

United Way of Highway 55 works in the community to build access to financial stability, education, health services, and basic essentials in Coffee, Moore, and Warren Counties. Most know of ‘United Way’ but not the impact we make locally. Our chapter, United Way of Hwy 55 only focuses on these 3 counties: Coffee, Moore, and Warren.  We collaborate with businesses, schools, individuals, nonprofits, churches, food pantries, and more to meet needs and find solutions. All donated dollars stay in OUR community helping our partner nonprofit missions and many needed programs. United Way of Highway 55 would like to acknowledge our Gold donor: National Aerospace Solutions. Other consistent and valued donors include Cherokee Distributing Company, Stan McNabb-Chrysler Dodge Jeep & Ram, Tullahoma Utilities Authority, Kroger, Marcroms Pharmacy, Publix, Walmart, Jack Daniels, Nationwide, City of Tullahoma, AT&T, and more!  We thank all individual donors as well.  YOU make this possible!  Please visit our website to learn more or DONATE at highway55unitedway.org.

Firework rules & regulations for Manchester, Tullahoma

With Independence Day holiday approaching – many residents are beginning to purchase fireworks for celebration. It is important to know the ordinance for the respective city you live in.

In Tullahoma, fireworks are permissible for use from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. July 1 through July 3 and 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on July 4th.

In Manchester, rules and regulations are far more relaxed. According to the mayor’s office, fireworks may be shot from June 20 through July 5 until 11 p.m.

The City of Manchester will have a large, free fireworks display for everyone at 9 p.m. on Monday, July 4. Everyone is welcome to attend. There will be live music and food trucks at Rotary Park next to the Manchester Recreation Center. Fireworks will have synchronized music broadcast by Thunder Radio (107.9 FM).

Birthdays – June 22

Henry MaGuffin

Daniel McMallough

Rachell Wells – 8 – Pizza Winner!

Hen Sane – 3