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Tennessee unemployment rate 1 percent from pre-pandemic levels
Tennessee’s unemployment rate for February 2021 has reached near pre-pandemic levels, according to data released by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).
February’s statewide, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 4.9%, which is just one percentage point higher than it was in February 2020, one month before the COVID-19 health crisis created an economic slowdown across Tennessee.
Overall, unemployment in Tennessee is down 0.2 of a percentage point from January’s revised rate of 5.1%.
When compared to February’s nationwide seasonally adjusted rate of 6.2%, unemployment in Tennessee is 1.3 percentage points lower than the national average.
Total nonfarm employment in the state increased by 6,300 jobs between January and February. The professional/business services sector saw the most growth, followed by the leisure/hospitality and education/health services sectors.
In a year-to-year comparison, the pandemic’s impact on employment is evident. Between February 2020 and February 2021, Tennessee experienced a decrease of 118,600 jobs across the state.
The national unemployment rate for February is down 0.1 of a percentage point from January but still represents a 2.7 percentage point increase when compared to the February 2020 number.
TDLWD has compiled a complete analysis of February’s unemployment and jobs data which is available here (https://www.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=166478db53c066a7d114ea462&id=807cb5712f&e=29851e7b63) .
Job seekers across the state will find more than 220,000 job postings on Tennessee’s workforce development website, Jobs4TN.gov. These jobs span a wide range of skill levels and occupations.
The Tennessee Virtual American Job Center (VAJC) website, located at www.TNVirtualAJC.com, allows Tennesseans to research different programs, from different state agencies that can help them remove barriers to employment so they can more easily reenter Tennessee’s workforce. The VAJC allows job seekers to do this on their schedule, anytime, anywhere.
Coffee County Health Department expands vaccine eligibility, hours
The Coffee County Health Department is expanding vaccine eligibility and offering extended hours to increase access to COVID-19 vaccination in the community.
Coffee County is now vaccinating all residents 16 and older. The Coffee County Health Department offers COVID-19 vaccination by appointment. To book your appointment, visit Vaccinate.tn.gov and click the blue “Proceed to COVID-19 questionnaire” button at the bottom of the page to start your registration. If you need help scheduling your vaccination, please call 931-490-8312.
The Pfizer vaccine is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in individuals 16 and older. Individuals 16 and older may call 931-490-8312 or visit vaccinefinder.org to find a site that offers the Pfizer vaccine (individuals under age 18 must have parental consent). You must be 18 or older to receive the Moderna vaccine.
Beginning March 22, the Coffee County Health Department COVID-19 vaccination site at Coffee County Fairgrounds, 99 Lakeview Drive, Manchester, TN will be open to provide vaccinations from 12:30 PM to 6:30 PM on Tuesdays each week.
Beginning March 26, the Coffee County Health Department COVID-19 vaccination site at Coffee County Fairgrounds, 99 Lakeview Drive, Manchester, TN will be open to provide vaccination from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Fridays each week.
“We’re eager to offer these additional opportunities for people to get their COVID-19 vaccinations in a way that works more conveniently with their schedules,” said Coffee County Health Director Pam Browning. “The more people in Coffee County who choose to get their vaccinations, the sooner our community can return to normal day-to-day activities.”
The Coffee County Health Department reminds all Coffee County residents that in addition to vaccination, wearing a face mask, maintaining social distance and getting tested when exposed or sick are critical to controlling the pandemic.
Tennessee’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan focuses on those most at risk for serious illness and death from COVID-19. Learn what phase of the vaccination plan you’re in at https://covid19.tn.gov/covid-19-vaccines/eligibility/.
Bonnaroo plans pop-up merchandise sale at The Farm this weekend and next
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival organizers announced a Bonnaroo Pop-Up Shop that will be open at the Bonnaroo farm this weekend and next weekend.
The shop will be selling vintage Bonnaroo merchandise and limited edition 2021 Bonnaroo shirt.
Anyone wishing to shop is asked to wear a mask and socially distance. No food or beverages are provided.
Shop will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p..m Friday, March 26, Saturday, March 27, Sunday, March 28, Friday, April 2 and Saturday, April 3.
Entrance will be at 1560 New Bushy Branch Rd., Manchester, TN. 37355.
Jumbotron scoreboard coming soon to Carden-Jarrell Field
One of the largest high school “jumbotrons” in the state will soon be installed at Carden-Jarrell Field in Manchester – greatly enhancing the Friday night football experience for Coffee County Red Raider football fans.
This digital board will have a 16 feet by 32 feet viewing screen that is coupled with an additional 7 feet by 20 feet secondary digital board for regulation scoreboard.
The board is expected to be operational by July of 2021 – just in time for football season, which opens in August.
According to the Coffee County Quarterback Club, this will be the largest screen that offers high definition video, instant replay and slow motion on any high school field in Tennessee to date.
The board will be completely paid for by the quarterback club, sponsors and donations.
“We want to thank all the club board members who personally guaranteed this along with the very gracious charter sponsors who made this paid for and possible,” said Robert Gilley with the Quarterback Club.
You can hear Red Raider football all season long on Thunder Radio.
SOFTBALL: Lady Raiders blowout Tullahoma, move to 8-0
Coffee County’s Lady Raiders pushed across at least one run in every inning as CHS dominated Tullahoma 11-0 in a run-rule shortened District 8-AAA contest Wednesday night in Manchester.
The issue was never really at doubt. Coffee County took a 4-0 lead in the first and never looked back.
Kiya Ferrell dropped down a bunt single to leadoff the bottom of the first and motored around to score on a hard-hit triple to right field by Chesnie Cox. Kaitlyn Davis singled to center to score Cox and then came around to score on a line-drive single by Justus Turner, who later scored on an error.
Coffee County finished with 10 hits and got help on 5 Tullahoma errors.
Davis continued her hot hitting at the plate for the Lady Raiders, launching a home run to left field She finished with 4 RBIs and both of her hits. It was Davis’ fifth home run in 8 games. The sophomore is now hitting at an impressive .647 clip and slugging 1.647
Jada Bowen also parked one over the wall to centerfield. She was 1-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and 2 RBIs.
Keri Munn picked up the win in the circle for CHS – working 4 innings and allowing just one hit while striking out 8. She was named Mid Tenn Turf Player of the Game by Thunder Radio.
The Lady Raiders are now 8-0 on the season and 3-0 in District 8-AAA play.
CHS will compete in the Warrior Classic this weekend.
Justus Turner 
Kiya Ferrell 
Keri Munn 
Keri Munn 
Kiya Ferrell 
Kiya Ferrell 
Katelyn Davis 
Justus Turner 
Chesnie Cox 
Kiya Ferrell 
Justus Turner 
Olivia Evas 
Haidyn Campbell
Coffee County edges past Westwood in cross-town softball matchup
Coffee Middle’s Lady Raiders got the best of Westwood in a cross-town rivalry Wednesday afternoon at CMS – but just barely.
The Lady Raiders got three runs in the third with the help of some errors and that was the difference in a 4-1 CMS win over Westwood.
Channah Gannon got CMS on the board first with a double in the second inning, coming in to score on a fielder’s choice hit into by Skipper.
Westwood answered in the third when Campbell reached on an error and made her way around the bases to tie the score at 1-1.
CMS pulled away for good in the bottom of the third, though. Savannah Cooper walked, Anderson reached on an error and Gannon singled – all three came around to score.
Gannon got the win for CMS. She struck out 11 Westwood batters. Lily Norman was hit with the loss despite allowing just four Lady Raider hits.
Coffee County improves to 6-3 on the season with the win. Westwood falls to 3-2.
BASEBALL: Raider bats can’t get going in series finale with Wildcats
The bats just couldn’t get going for the Raiders Wednesday in Tullahoma.
Coffee County Central managed just 4 hits and gave up 4 runs in the 3rd to fall to the Wildcats 4-0, giving Tullahoma the series sweep.
Trailing by 4, the Raiders got 2 of their 4 hits in the top of the seventh on singles by Hayden Hullett and Wyatt Nugent to try and start a rally. Griffin Meeker worked a walk to load the bases and move the tying run to the plate, but Carter McKenzie flied out to right field and that ended the game.
The big blow for the Raiders came in the third when Brody Melton launched a 2-run home run. Errors were also costly for Coffee County.
The bats were dead for the Raiders, who got a single from Lane Spry, two from Wyatt Nugent and 1 from Hullett.
William Zebick picked up the win on the mound for the Wildcats – striking out three Raiders over 6 innings of work.
Griffin Meeker was tagged with the loss for CHS. The senior worked three and a third, allowing four runs on 7 hits. None of those runs were earned.
Braden Brown allowed just one hit over the final 2 2/3 innings for the Raiders. He struck out 2 Wildcats. It was the second night in a row Brown worked scoreless in relief.
The Raiders fall to 3-2 on the season and 2-2 in District 8-AAA play with the series loss to the Wildcats. The Raiders have a 2-game series scheduled with Central Magnet Thursday (away) and Friday (home) weather permitting. Both games are set to start at 5:30 p.m.
CHS has next week off in district play.
Birthdays- March 24
Charlie Gonzales
Jalyn Case- 16- Pizza Winner!
Sally Singles
Birthdays- March 23
JJ Herbs
Hollyn Clark- Pizza Winner!
UPDATE: THIS PERSON HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AND ARRESTED
UPDATE:
Since this story was posted, authorities have been able to identify this man and he is now facing charges.
Rence Leran Church, age 42, of Estill Springs, has been charged with theft and filing a false report.
ORIGINAL POST:
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department is attempting to identify a subject who is wanted for questioning involving an incident that happened at Dollar General Store in Hillsboro.
See the photo below.
If anyone can identify this person, please contact CCSD Investigator James Sherrill at 931-570-4404.
