Josh Peterson

Manchester Mayor Lonnie Norman has been hospitalized due to COVID-19, according to his daughter Pricilla Norman.

Mayor Norman tested positive on Thursday, October 1st, and was immediately hospitalized.

“We appreciate everyone’s concern about my dad’s health,” said Pricilla Norman. “We would like to thank everyone for reaching out to us, but we ask for privacy at this time. Please keep my dad and our family in your prayers.”

The city of Manchester released the following statement to Thunder Radio News: “Vice Mayor Marilyn Howard has been in constant communication with the city staff and officials to ensure the seamless operation of our city. The city implemented strict measures months ago to mitigate the spread of the virus. Unfortunately, like other cities and businesses, we have had employees impacted by the virus.”

Howard was appointed vice mayor by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen in September.

Lonnie Norman in August won re-election for his third consecutive term as Manchester Mayor. 

Thunder Radio will post more to this story as it is available. 

The numbers of new persons filing for unemployment in Tennessee is up slightly compared to the previous week. During the week closing on October 3, 2020, there were 9,839 new unemployment filings in the Volunteer State. The previous week that closed on September 26, 2020 saw 9,802 new claims filed.

Since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic, there have been 871,580 claims for unemployment filed in Tennessee. Currently, only 125,238 unemployment benefit packages are being paid, which is a number that continues to drop. Currently, there are 883 claims being paid in Coffee County.

Numbers are provided by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. 

Motlow State is increasing student access to Wi-Fi and adding a physical paperwork Dropbox at its Moore County campus. Both additions come from an advanced collaboration between the College’s academic and student success leaders to increase retention and graduation.

The same additions have been made to the Motlow McMinnville campus, as well. 

The Dropbox is easily identifiable in front of the Ingram Administration Building. Students can use the Dropbox to drop off paperwork related to admission applications, class registrations, and financial aid. The Dropbox is not available for individual class items such as writing assignments and homework.

Motlow’s Moore County campus has also expanded student Wi-Fi access to the parking lot on both sides of the Marcum Technology Center. Students who do not have access to Wi-Fi are encouraged to come to the campus, remain in their parked car, and use the free Motlow Wi-Fi by signing in with their email username and password.

“We are thrilled to offer these new avenues for students to communicate with the College and with each other,” said Scott Shasteen, director of communications. “Motlow’s continuous focus on student success is strengthened by these evolving strategies. If one student in our Moore County area drops out because of a lack of internet access, then it is highly unlikely they will ever return to College. We can’t let that happen.”

The Washington Post reported this month that record numbers of low-income students are dropping out of college due to a lack of access to good Wi-Fi, stating, “As the fall semester gets into full swing in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, schools are noticing a concerning trend: Low-income students are the most likely to drop out or not enroll at all, raising fears that they might never get a college degree. Some 100,000 fewer high school seniors completed financial aid applications to attend College this year, according to a National College Attainment Network analysis of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data through August.

Students from families with incomes under $75,000 are nearly twice as likely to say they “canceled all plans” to take classes this fall as students from families with incomes over $100,000, according to a U.S. Census Bureau survey in late August.

The Post article adds, “The drop-off in college enrollment is unusual and particular to this pandemic, as college enrollment during the Great Recession grew. Typically, enrollment jumps during economic downturns when jobs are scarce, and people look to retrain. Yet, the opposite is happening now.

Students who are the first in their families to pursue college degrees don’t tend to take “gap years” to travel and intern. When low-income students stop attending school, they rarely return, diminishing their job and wage prospects for the rest of their lives. Only 13 percent of college dropouts ever return, a National Student Clearinghouse report last year found, and even fewer graduate.

At Motlow, we want the story to be different,” said Terri Bryson, vice president of External Affairs. “Student success is our mission. Every student needs to be a success story. We want to ensure that everyone can access Wi-Fi and can drop documents off at our campuses 24/7.”

Tennessee’s generous early voting period for the upcoming State and Federal General Election begins Wednesday, Oct. 14, and runs Monday to Saturday until Thursday, Oct. 29.

“Our top priority, this election season is that every Tennessee voter can cast their ballot safely and securely,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “Utilizing Tennessee’s robust early voting period is an excellent way to accomplish this goal.”

Early voting provides Tennesseans the opportunity to avoid Election Day crowds and can shorten your wait time. Early voting also offers the flexibility of evenings and Saturdays, along with multiple polling locations in many counties.

During early voting and on Election Day, Tennesseans are encouraged to do their part. This includes wearing a face covering and maintaining a six-foot distance from poll officials and other voters. Voters should expect to see signs with further safety instructions at their polling locations. All poll officials will be wearing face coverings and will be trained in social distancing measures.

Tennesseans can find early voting and Election Day polling locations, view and mark sample ballots and much more with the GoVoteTN app (https://t.e2ma.net/click/ati1qmb/yvgckg/ek2laxn) or online at GoVoteTN.com (https://t.e2ma.net/click/ati1qmb/yvgckg/uc3laxn). You can download the GoVoteTN app for free in the App Store or Google Play. Reviewing your sample ballot and deciding how you will vote can reduce your time at the polls.

Tennesseans voting early or on Election Day should remember to bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, by the Tennessee state government or by the federal government, is acceptable even if it’s expired. College student IDs are not acceptable.

Beginning on Thursday, all 536 Regal theaters in the United States will be temporarily suspending operations. This includes the Regal Cinemas located in Tullahoma.

Regal closed earlier this year due to COVID-19 pandemic and reopened on July 8. However, the delay of many movie releases and productions due to the ongoing pandemic has forced another temporary closure. This is expected to impact about 40,000 employees nationwide.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigators are asking for the publics help to identify the person who allegedly stole a trailer.

According to FCSO, a vehicle spotted on camera at 135 Robins Dr. in Winchester Saturday, Oct. 3 allegedly took a trailer. The vehicle in question is an SUV. You can see a photo below. Anyone with information should contact Todd Hindman with Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 931-962-0123.