Josh Peterson

Due to COVID-19 related circumstances, Coffee County Central High School has announced that students in grades 9-12 (which includes Raider Academy, will not take semester exams this spring. A similar measure was in place for the fall exams.

Friday, May 21 will be a school day for all students. Students who are passing all classes will be exempt from school attendance on Monday, May 24 through Wednesday, May 26. Students who are failing one or more classes will be required to attend remediation periods on those days.

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department is attempting to locate the owner or owners of two pull-behind trailers.

You can see photos of the trailers (below). If you are the owner and can provide sufficient evidence to prove you are the owner, you should contact CCSD Investigator James Sherrill at 931-570-4404.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department is attempting to locate an individual who is wanted on multiple warrants. 

Investigators are looking for Rodney Duncan, age 45. He is a white male who is believed to be in the Coffee County area. FCSD Investigators believe he frequents establishments in the Tullahoma area. 

If anyone has information regarding Mr. Duncan’s whereabouts, you are encouraged to contact Lt. George Dyer of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department at 931-308-9420.  (see photos below)

Following record-breaking cold and winter storms that forced the cancellation of more than 10,000 blood and platelet donations in parts of the U.S. in February, the American Red Cross is urging healthy individuals, especially those with type O blood, to give now to ensure blood products are available for patient emergencies when help cannot wait.

Everyday thousands of patients rely on lifesaving blood donations. The need for blood is constant, even during ice and snowstorms and the COVID-19 pandemic. To help ensure lifesaving patient care is not impacted, individuals are urged to make appointments to donate in the coming days and weeks by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Important COVID-19 information for donors

The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet, and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for high levels of COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Feb. 22-March 15

Bedford County, TN

Bell Buckle

3/9/2021: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Cascade High School, 3035 Fairfield Pike

Shelbyville

3/9/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Shelbyville, 304 East Depot Street

Coffee County, TN

Manchester

3/3/2021: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Wal-Mart, 2518 Hillsboro Blvd.

Tullahoma

3/9/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 200 NE Atlantic St

Tennesseans are finding the most expensive prices at the pump this week since September 2019 – up 12 cents over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.41 which is 21 cents more than one month ago and nearly 18 cents more than one year ago.
Prices in Coffee County are hovering near $2.34 per gallon on average, which is 7 cents below the state average. The national average is at $2.63.

“Gas prices surged last week in the aftermath of forced refinery shutdowns in the Gulf Coast due to last week’s winter weather,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Similar to the effects that we see on refineries when hurricanes hit, any reports of extended downtime or significant supply impacts could cause another round of price increases at the pump. The good news is the nearly two dozen impacted refiners are expected to restart operations this week, if they haven’t already.”

Quick Facts

· 85% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $2.50
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.21 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $2.71 for regular unleaded
· Tennessee remains the 9th least expensive market in the nation

National Gas Prices

Motorists are filling-up to some of the most expensive gas prices seen in over a year. With the forced shutdown of Gulf Coast and some Mid-West refineries due to last week’s winter weather, gasoline stocks have tightened and gas prices have skyrocketed. On the week, 66% of state averages spiked by double digits (10–22 cents), driving the national average up by 13 cents to $2.63. That is the most expensive national average since October 2019.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports gasoline stocks sit at 257 million bbl. Just 2 million bbl short of year-ago, stock levels are relatively healthy. That will allow ample supply to get to impacted areas. EIA’s latest demand measurement of 8.4 million b/d is the highest reported since early November of last year. However, AAA expects that number to be lower in this Wednesday’s report as last week’s winter storm took motorists off the road.

Gas prices are likely to be volatile until crude production is back to normal levels. Motorists can expect these more expensive prices to stick around, but large spikes are likely to subside.