Josh Peterson

Commissioner Jeff Long of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDSOHS) and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Dereck R. Stewart announced the “Tennessee Challenge” traffic safety initiative. The “Tennessee Challenge” will increase traffic enforcement efforts on the busiest travel days of the Thanksgiving holiday. 

The THP has extended the challenge to our partnering agencies here in Tennessee to make our state safer over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The THP will have an increased presence on all interstates and all other highways. Troopers will be working 12-hour shifts: Wednesday, November 25, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 29, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

“The loss of life is never easy, especially when that loss could have been avoided,” Colonel Dereck R. Stewart said. “The pain remains for a lifetime. That is why I am making a commitment to increase our trooper presence on all major Tennessee roadways. We encourage the public to make safe choices when traveling. Stay off your phone and don’t drive distracted, wear your seatbelt, and do not drive impaired.”

In 2019, over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend there were 15 fatal crashes resulting in 18 deaths. 16 of the people killed were motor vehicle occupants and three of the fatalities were alcohol related. During your travels across Tennessee, if you require highway assistance, please dial *847 (*THP). This will connect you to a THP dispatcher. A trooper will then be dispatched to your location.

Saturday is the day for the annual Manchester Christmas Parade.

The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. and travel North on US 41 from the intersection of Highways 41 and 55, and then turn onto the downtown square using W. Main Street.

You will be able to watch the parade pass at any spot in those areas.

The annual parade is themed “Childhood Dreams of Christmas.” Bonnie Gamble is the grand marshal. See the full parade route below. 

In this season of giving, Secretary of State Tre Hargett cautions Tennesseans to be wary of scams when making charitable donations.

“Tennesseans are generous and support each other in times of need, especially around the holidays,” said Secretary Hargett. “I encourage everyone to be diligent in making sure a charitable organization is legitimate before writing a check or donating online.”

To help Tennesseans avoid charity fraud and maximize their donation’s impact, the Secretary of State’s Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming created a Wise Giving Tips video available on sos.tn.gov (https://t.e2ma.net/click/ecgzzmb/yvgckg/q5609yn).

The Wise Giving Tips are:

If a nonprofit asks you for a contribution, make sure it is legitimate by checking to see if it’s registered with the state at sos.tn.gov/charitable (https://t.e2ma.net/click/ecgzzmb/yvgckg/6x709yn) or by calling 615-741-2555.

Take your time. Resist pressure to give on the spot.

Ask questions. If an organization has a specific mission, ask how and who will benefit from your donation.

If you are asked for a donation via text or email, verify the request is directly from the charity or nonprofit.

Do your research and don’t assume a social media or blog recommendation has been approved by the nonprofit.

If you give through an app or website, ask if it is going directly to the organization.

Avoid giving cash. Always ask for a receipt and if your contribution is tax deductible.

Pay close attention to the name of the nonprofit organization, as there are many with similar names.

Don’t forget there are many ways to give, such as volunteering your time.

If a paid fundraiser asks you for a donation, ask how much is kept by the fundraiser and how much goes to the nonprofit.

Charitable organizations operating in Tennessee that raise over $50,000 a year are required to register with the State of Tennessee and file annual financial reports. To see if a charity is registered, visit sos.tn.gov/charitable (https://t.e2ma.net/click/ecgzzmb/yvgckg/mq809yn) or call 615-741-2555. If a charity isn’t registered, that could raise a red flag for potential donors.

The Better Business Bureau, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch and GuideStar are also useful resources for information about charitable organizations. By taking the time to research before giving, donors could prevent their hard-earned dollars from falling into the wrong hands.

Tennesseans are encouraged to report false, misleading or deceptive fundraising activity to the Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming at 615-741-2555.

Thanksgiving travelers will not be delayed by construction on Tennessee roads during this holiday. TDOT will halt all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways in anticipation of higher traffic volumes across the state. All construction related lane closures will be stopped beginning at noon on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, November 30, 2020.

“Thanksgiving is typically the most traveled holiday of the year,” said TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright. “Halting road work during this time will provide maximum capacity on our highways and help alleviate congestion, especially during the predicted peak travel days of Wednesday and Sunday. TDOT’s regional HELP Trucks will also be working throughout the holiday weekend to assist with incidents that may occur along the interstates.”

While all lane closure activity will be stopped, workers may be on site in some construction zones. Long-term lane closures will also remain in place on some construction projects for motorists’ safety. Motorists are reminded to drive safely and obey the posted speeds, especially in work zones. Drivers convicted of speeding in work zones where workers are present face a fine of up to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums.

AAA projects 50 million Americans will travel this Thanksgiving. In Tennessee, the expectation is 1.2 million travelers. However, these figures could be even lower as Americans monitor the public health landscape, including rising COVID-19 positive case numbers, renewed quarantine restrictions and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) travel health notices.

From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel. As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

Coffee County Sheriff’s Department SRO Hassan Peterson and other officials spent time Monday with members of the Coffee County Explorers Post 1935.

The explorer program is designed for students to understand the basics of law enforcement. On Monday, members trained in handcuffing techniques. Interviewing victims and radio procedures.

The Coffee County Explorer Post 1935 name comes from the same year Ben McCullough was killed in the line of duty in Coffee County – August 10, 1935.

(A Coffee County Explorer practices his handcuffing skills on Daniel Ray with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department). 

This year’s Manchester Christmas Parade lineup is set. The COVID-19 pandemic means fewer entries – but still a large list of participants. There are 70 entries signed up for this year’s parade.

Due to COVID-19 – participating floats are asked to not throw out candy this year.

The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28 and travel North on US Hwy 41 from Highway 55, then turn onto the downtown square via W. Main St.

Thunder Radio will be on hand to emcee the parade as it passes the main stage on W. Main St.