Josh Peterson

Veterans Day is Nov. 11, and Military Family Month dedicates November to military families worldwide. The observance recognizes the commitment and dedication these families make to their service members. Their sacrifices make it possible for our military to remain organized and strong.

Motlow State Community College welcomes veterans, active military, and their families and provides opportunities to earn certificates and associate degrees with full veteran benefits.

High-wage, high-demand fields like Entrepreneurship, Robotics, Supply Chain Management, and Cyber Defense are extremely popular with veterans and the military. Each is designed to place graduates into the workforce after two years of instruction. Certificate programs such as Emergency Medical Technician, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, and Early Childhood Education can be earned in less time than a traditional college degree and prepare graduates for the workforce.

Tennessee Reconnect is very popular, providing tuition-free college for adults 25 and older without college degrees. Motlow’s Office of Veterans and Military Affairs assists veterans, active military, and eligible disabled veterans and their dependents in requesting educational assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

For additional information, contact Motlow’s Office of Veterans and Military Affairs at 931-393-1529 or email: veteranservices@mscc.edu.

The “Joe Casey Law Enforcement Torch Run” across Tennessee begins Tuesday evening (Nov. 10) in Bristol.

Manchester Police Department wants to bring awareness and raise funds for the amazing athletes that compete in the Special Olympic Games. These athletes have overcome many obstacles with hearts of champions.

Manchester Police Department Chief Mark “Yogi” Yother is coordinating the run and has challenged all Chiefs across the state to contribute a minimum of $100.00.

“To be part of this event and contribute in a small way is very humbling” said Chief Yother. Ami Shedd (Chief Yother’s daughter) is a teacher and coach of these young athletes on a daily basis, and has given us inspiration as we run across our great state.

The run will start Tuesday evening in Bristol. The runners will travel through Bristol, Elizabethton, Johnson City, and the E.T.S.U. campus. Several law enforcement agencies, such as Bristol PD, Elizabethton PD, Johnson City PD, E.T.S.U. PD, Greenville PD and Washington County Sheriffs Office, will be participating in the beginning stages of this run.

Pictured: The Manchester Police Department, Manchester Mayor Marilyn Howard and Director of Schools Joey Vaughn are showing their support for this worthy cause.

In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week Nov. 8-14, Motlow State Community College announces three new apprenticeship opportunities on the horizon. Focusing on its 11-county service area’s specific needs, Motlow is actively developing apprenticeships for the nursery industry, robotics & automation industry, and municipal water treatment.

Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce. Individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a nationally-recognized, portable credential. Apprenticeship is a proven training program used to recruit, train, and retain world-class talent, and each program is registered and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor.

In 2019, Warren County Executive Jimmy Haley formed the Warren Ag Commission under the Tennessee Governor’s Rural Task Force initiative in cooperation with the McMinnville-Warren County Chamber of Commerce. The Commission’s Three-Star goals focus on promotion, education, and tourism related to agriculture in the County.

Motlow will use local workforce development funds and grant funds to work with agriculture industry partners throughout Warren County to develop the program. Apprentices will complete 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 200 hours of classroom instruction.

The Municipal Water Treatment apprenticeship is being developed in cooperation with the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts. The program is still in the development stages, and municipal water treatment plants throughout the service area are encouraged to consider joining the apprenticeship program once details are finalized.

Automation and Robotics apprenticeship will offer participants a unique opportunity, acquiring a portion of their on-the-job training component while also completing their classroom requirements at the Automation & Robotics Training Center in McMinnville.

There are five key components of an apprenticeship. These components differentiate apprenticeships from other types of workplace training programs in several ways:

• Paid Job – Earn a competitive wage from employers during training
• Work-Based Learning – Programs provide structured on-the-job learning
• Mentorship – Receive on-the-job learning under the instruction of an experienced mentor
• Classroom Learning – Classroom instruction on the critical aspects of careers
• Credentials – Earn a portable, nationally-recognized certification within the industry

An apprenticeship program’s length can vary depending on the employer, complexity of the occupation, industry, and program type.

In observance of National Apprenticeship Week, Motlow invites any industry interested in partnering to create other apprenticeship opportunities to reach out by emailing motlowtrained@mscc.edu.

The Coffee County Commission is scheduled for a full commission meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the Coffee County Administrative Plaza.

There will be a public hearing prior to the meeting at 5 p.m. regarding a zoning amendment that is in regards to quarry zoning.

The full agenda is below:

1. Sheriff Proclaims Commission Open for Business

2. Invocation

3. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

4. Roll Call

5. Approve agenda.

6. Public Comments

7. Review and approval of the minutes of previous meeting.

8. Resolution of Memorial, Sympathy and Commendation
a. Resolution 2020-23 – Martha Phillips Darrohn
b. Resolution 2020-24 – Resolution of Commendation of Appreciation for Service to the County
c. Other

9. Elections, Appointments and Confirmations
a. Notaries
b. Legislative Committee
c. Judicial Commissioner
d. Industrial Board
e. 911 District Communication Board
f. Purchasing Commission
g. Other

9. Unfinished Business

10. New Business
a. Coffee County Government Vehicle Use Policy
b. School Budget Amendments
c. Budget Amendments
d. Resolution 2020-25 – 2021 Full Commission meeting dates
e. Resolution 2020-26 – Resolution Accepting the Coffee County Hazard Mitigation
Plan
f. Resolution 2020-27– Resolution to Establish an Updated Occupational Safety and
Health Program Plan, Devise Rules and Regulation and to provide for a Safety Director and the Implementation of such program plan
g. Resolution 2020-28 – A Resolution to Amend the Zoning Resolution of Coffee County
h. Resolution 2020-29 – Resolution approving the granting of an Easement on a small portion of the Museum Property to Blue Ocean, GP for Utilization as a detention and retention pond with certain restrictions and authorizing the Mayor and County Clerk to Execute such Easement
i. Other

*Report of standing committee and action thereon by the commission.
*Report of special committees and action thereon by the commission.

11. Statements & Announcements

12. Adjournment

The Tennessee gas price average continues to decline and has dropped two cents over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $1.85 which is nine cents less than one month ago and nearly 51 cents less than one year ago.

Tennessee’s state gas price average has declined the past 27 consecutive days for a total discount of nine cents. The average price in Coffee County is $1.82. The average national price is $2.11.

“With an increase in COVID-19 infections, both locally and across the nation, gasoline demand is positioned to weaken, though its not likely to drop as low as we saw in March and April,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “That translates to a continuation of cheaper gas prices at the pump.”

Quick Facts

· 92% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $2.00
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $1.61 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $2.18 for regular unleaded
· Tennessee remains the 9th least expensive market in the nation

National Gas Prices

The national gas price average pushed a penny cheaper on the week to $2.11 following an increase in gasoline stocks and a dip in demand. Stocks added 1.5 million bbl to total 227.6 million bbl, in the Energy Information Administration’s latest report, while demand decreased to 8.3 million b/d.

While crude oil prices rallied on the week, up from a four month low of $35/bbl to as high as $39/bbl, they remain extremely inexpensive. This is a dominant factor, along with low demand, contributing to the cheaper prices seen at pumps around the country.

At $2.11, today’s national average is seven cents cheaper than last month and 51 cents less expensive than last year.

National Oil Market Dynamics

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI decreased by $1.65 to settle at $37.14. Domestic crude prices fell due to market concern about increasing coronavirus infections worldwide, which will lower crude demand as countries impose more restrictions that will reduce oil consumption. The drop in crude prices occurred despite EIA’s weekly report showing that total domestic crude inventories declined by 8 million bbl to 484.4 million bbl. As demand concerns continue to weigh on the market this week, crude prices will likely continue to decrease.