Josh Peterson

Manchester Mayor Lonnie Norman and Coffee County Mayor Gary Cordell joined several leaders across the state in signing a proclamation recognizing September as Suicide Awareness Month in Manchester and Coffee County
.The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network will hold several events across the state in observance of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month this September.

According to an August 2020 Harris Poll conducted by leaders in the suicide prevention field, more than half of adults know someone who has had suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and approximately 1 in 4 U.S. adults has personally thought about or attempted suicide. In Tennessee, an average of 3 people die by suicide each day. In 2018 – the latest year for which state-specific figures are available – there were 1,159 recorded suicide deaths in Tennessee.

TSPN draws awareness to this public health issue throughout the year, and these efforts culminate during a statewide event each September. This year’s event, held on September 10, was a success, drawing in more than 250 attendees across the state. Attendees included professionals in the mental health field, government leaders, and dedicated friends of TSPN. The event featured many informative talks from TSPN leaders and wrapped up with a keynote address from Dr. Kelly Posner, creator of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).

See the full proclamation signed by Norman below:
WHEREAS, suicide is one of the most disruptive and tragic events a family and a community can experience, with more than 1100 lives lost in Tennessee each year and an estimated 25 attempted suicides for each suicide death; and

WHEREAS, suicide is the 9th-leading cause of all deaths in Tennessee, the second-leading cause of death among youth ages of 10 to 24, and the first leading cause for children ages 10-17; and

WHEREAS, more than three lives a day are lost to suicide in Tennessee, which means we lose 21 Tennesseans each week and 84 people per month; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee veterans, active-duty military, and National Guardsmen face a disproportionate risk as compared to the general population, with more dying from suicide than combat; and

WHEREAS, public awareness of this tragic problem is the key to preventing further suffering and loss of life; and the risk for human self-destruction can be reduced through awareness, education and treatment as the highest risk for suicide is among the survivors of those who died by suicide or those who have attempted suicide; and

WHEREAS, suicide prevention has been declared a state priority by the Governor; and the Tennessee Legislature has declared teen suicide prevention as a state priority in partnership with the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network to implement the Tennessee Strategy for Suicide Prevention; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee is a national leader in the effort to prevent suicide, being one of the first states to develop a suicide prevention and evaluation plan covering the lifespan; and

WHEREAS, the Governor of Tennessee has appointed a Suicide Prevention Network Advisory Council to coordinate the implementation of the Tennessee Strategy for Suicide Prevention; and

WHEREAS, the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network is a grassroots collaboration of Tennesseans and organizations working to eliminate the stigma of suicide, educate the community about the warning signs of suicide, and ultimately reduce the rate of suicide in our state; and

WHEREAS, 2020 marks Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network’s 20th year of dedicated efforts to reach every Tennessean in every county; and

WHEREAS, every member of our community should understand that throughout life’s struggles we all need occasional reminder that we are all silently fighting our own battles; and

WHEREAS, we encourage all Tennesseans to take the time to inquire as to the wellbeing of their family, friends, and to genuinely convey their appreciation for their existence by any gesture they deem appropriate. A simple phone call, message, handshake, or hug can go a long way towards helping someone realize that suicide is not the answer; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Lonnie J. Norman, Mayor of the City of Manchester, do hereby proclaim September 2020, as SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH in Manchester, Tennessee, and do urge all citizens to work to prevent suicide and to raise awareness and tolerance around all people affected by this tragedy.

 Pictured (below) standing from left are City of Manchester Vice Mayor Marilyn Howard and Contact Life Line of the Highland Rim Representative Ellen Stowers; seating from left are City of Manchester Mayor Lonnie J. Norman and Coffee County Mayor Gary Cordell. The proclamation signing took place today at the City of Manchester in an effort to show a united front.

Written by Susan Campbell, Thunder Radio

With the presidential election quickly approaching, election commission officers around the country are scrambling to meet the need for additional poll workers, and Coffee County Administrator of Elections Andy Farrar is no exception.
COVID-19, coupled with the older age of most poll workers, has led to a critical shortage around the country because many experienced poll workers are choosing to stay home. According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, even as Tennessee and many other states expand access to vote-by-mail and absentee voting options, many county residents, especially voters with disabilities and those who lack reliable mail service, will continue to rely on in-person voting to cast a ballot.

According to Farrar, Coffee County had 141 Election Day workers on Aug. 6. However, many poll workers who had worked the March 3 primary canceled due to coronavirus concerns.

“Most of our poll officials, while concerned, attended the training and when they learned of the precautions we were taking felt a little more at ease,” Farrar said. “Some workers who had concerns due to pre-existing conditions did not work, understandably.”

During the August election, the Coffee County Election Commission implemented several changes designed to make both voters and poll workers feel safe during both early voting and on Election Day.

“Each voter was given an ink pen with a stylus that they signed all documents with and voted on the voting machine with,” Farrar said. “This way, no one was sharing pens or touching the voting machines. We also had sanitizer stations for workers and voters, social distancing signs and floor stickers showing each 6-foot space to stand in line. All voting machines were separated by 6 feet, as well.”

Farrar said all election workers were required to wear masks, and were offered gowns, gloves and face shields if they chose to wear them.

“I tried to make this as comfortable of an experience for everyone during this pandemic,” Farrar said. “During the November Election as it stands today all of the same measures will be in place and possibly a few more based on feedback we received during the August election.”

On Nov. 3, Coffee County voters will choose a president, as well as one U.S. senator and one U.S. House member. The largest election of the 4-year cycle, Farrar plans on adding between 20 and 30 additional poll workers. Smaller precincts will have five or six workers, with large precincts having 69 workers.

“We base this on voter turnout over the last four to eight years,” Farrar said.

Coffee County has 21 voting precincts: four in Manchester, 10 in rural Coffee County, and seven in Tullahoma.
Poll workers in Coffee County are compensated approximately $110 for training, according to Farrar, but to receive the compensation they are required to attend and work on Election Day. Anyone interested in becoming a poll official may go to www.coffeecountyelectioncommission.com, or www.govotetn.com, click on the link and fill out the form, which will be received by email at the election commission office.

Early voting begins Oct. 14 and ends Oct. 29. Election Day is Nov. 3. Absentee by-mail requests are available for registered voters who qualify until Oct. 27.

With the recent announcement to cancel Safe on the Square in Manchester, local citizens and businesses have quickly organized a large-scale trunk-or-treat event or 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oc.t 30 at the old Southern Family Market parking lot on Hillsboro Blvd. in Manchester.

There will be a costume contest, food vendors and music on hand provided by Thunder Radio.
There will be prizes for first, second and third place for best costume and a prize for best decorated trunk. There will be a $100 prize for first-place costume and a $50 gift card for first-place trunk. There will also be prizes for second and third place costumes.

For additional information, contact Brandon Imhoff at 931-588-7609 or email premierlawncare94@gmail.com

Adults across Tennessee who did not graduate high school now have an online pathway that will lead them to a high school equivalency diploma. Every county in the state offers students virtual classes that will prepare them to take the online HiSET examination.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) is coordinating the statewide campaign “Learn Online. Graduate Online.” to make adult education accessible to all interested Tennesseans.

“There are still several adult education programs whose classrooms are closed due to COVID-19,” said Jay Baker, interim Assistant Commissioner of Adult Education. “We want everyone interested in improving their math, literacy, and English language skills to know they never have to leave home and they can still work to change their future. And that includes earning a high school equivalency diploma—all of it can be done completely online.”

Individuals interested in learning more about their local adult education program can call TDLWD at 800-531-1515. Callers will give agents details about their local area and then transfer the caller to the adult education provider in their area.

Once in contact with a local provider, interested individuals will receive the resources needed to begin their online adult education. All course programs are available virtually and will prepare students to take the online HiSET examination to determine if they have earned their high school equivalency diploma.
The online exams are identical to HiSET exams taken in physical testing centers in terms of content, format, on-screen experience, and scoring. Each of the features test takers experience in testing centers, such as the ability to preview, skip questions, review, and change answers, are available with the online exam.

“Earning a high school equivalency diploma can really change a person’s life,” Baker added. “An adult who has a diploma can earn much higher wages and unlock more opportunities for education and career advancement.”

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s HiSET Voucher Program covers all costs associated with the exams. To receive a voucher from a local Adult Education program, a test taker must be a Tennessee resident and demonstrate test preparedness through a qualifying practice test.