Josh Peterson

The Tennessee Department of Transportation will halt all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways for the Labor Day holiday travel period. Construction crews will stop all lane closure activity beginning at noon on Friday, September 4 until 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8. This will provide maximum roadway capacity for motorists traveling during the Labor Day holiday.

“The Labor Day holiday is typically a busy travel time,” said TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright. “We want to ensure that travelers using Tennessee’s roadways during this period arrive at their destinations quickly and safely without being impeded by road construction delays.”

While lane closure activity will be stopped, workers will still be on site in many construction zones, and drivers are urged to obey posted speed limits. Drivers convicted of speeding in work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250 to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums.

The “Hands Free Tennessee” law, which requires drivers to put down their phones and focus on the road, includes a $200 fine if the violation occurs in a work zone while workers are present.

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.

The Tennessee gas price average jumped eight cents over last week, but has held steady since Hurricane Laura made landfall along the Gulf Coast. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $1.99 which is six cents more expensive than one month ago and nearly 28 cents less than one year ago.

Average price for a gallon of regular unleaded  is $1.96 in Coffee County, slightly below the state average.

“It’s typical to see increased demand and more expensive gas prices ahead of a storm, especially one that threatens rigs and refineries in the Gulf of Mexico region,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The latest industry reports indicate that facilities in Texas have already begun the restarting process, which means there is no major threat to gasoline stocks. This combined with relatively low demand due to the pandemic should hold prices in check over the coming week.”

Quick Facts

· 80% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $2.00

· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $1.83 for regular unleaded

· The highest 10% of pump prices are $2.28 for regular unleaded

· Tennessee remains the 8th least expensive market in the nation

The monthly gas price average for August was $1.92 – that’s nearly two cents cheaper than last month’s average of $1.94 and 44 cents less expensive than August 2019. This month’s average was the cheapest August at the pump since 2004

Manchester Recreation Center has announced it is lifting its restrictions that were not allowing for non-Coffee County residents to visit the center.

After the center re-opened from COVID-19 shutdown in the spring, only members from Coffee County were able to attend the center, then day passes were sold to residents in Coffee County.

Now memberships may be purchased by individuals from any zip code. However, the center is still members only Monday through Friday. Day passes are available on Saturdays and Sundays. The Manchester Recreation Complex is located at 557 N. Woodland St.

Coffee County Schools have announced a return to a more traditional learning setting beginning the day after Labor Day (Sept. 8)

According to director of schools Dr. Charles Lawson, the current plan is to maintain the A/B hybrid schedule through Friday, Sept. 4. After Labor Day, all students except those on parent-choice virtual or students who are quarantined and isolated should be able to return to their schools four days each week: Monday through Thursday.

Friday will remain a distance learning day for all students through fall break.

“Our community is not close to being finished with this pandemic and there remains a risk that groups of students will need to be placed on distance learning,” Lawson said. “These Fridays will ensure that teachers and students are prepared for distance-learning possibilities. There are not any current plans to return to the A/B Hybrid schedule.”
Lawson went on to say: “we are now able to monitor cases and quarantines in our schools in real time. For this reason, Coffee County Schools will no longer be using active case rate for the county as a number to make decisions about the district schedule. We will now be using district level information related to COVID-19 to make decisions at the district, school, grade or potentially classroom level.”

Manchester City Schools have announced that they will return to traditional school schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

“On Tuesday, September 8, Manchester City Schools will return to a traditional school schedule. We began the year with our Pathway to Re-entry 2020-2021 and it helped our district open the school year effectively. As we have moved into the first semester of school and developed procedures to address COVID-19, we believe it is in the best interest of our students to return to in person instruction,” the system announced on Friday. “While we will continue to monitor active COVID-19 cases in our community, we will also take into consideration the impact the pandemic is having in our district as well as individual schools and classrooms. As a reminder, from August 31 – September 4, we will continue with the current hybrid plan.“

Procedures will remain in place at each school to help ensure the health and safety of school students, staff and faculty.

*Masks are recommended for all. Wear them correctly (covering nose and mouth).
* Daily temperature checks
* Frequent handwashing and hand sanitizing
*Social distancing practices when feasible
*Strategic movement of students
*Cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces and objects throughout the day
“We will continue to partner with the Tennessee Department of Health for guidance related to mitigation strategies as well as steps to follow when a positive case is identified,” the school system stated.

Tullahoma City Schools will be returning to in-person, traditional instruction beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8.

“Based on the current data we have, and with the current procedures we have in place, district and school-level leadership believe it to be in the best interest of our students to return to in-person instruction,” said Catherine Stephens, director of Tullahoma City Schools.

Distance learners will continue to receive daily, virtual instruction.

There are precautions in place for students returning to school, including masks being recommended by all, daily temperature checks, frequent handwashing and hand sanitizing, social distancing practices, strategic movement of students, cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces and objects through the day.

As of 2 p.m. Sunday there are 283 active cases of COVID-19 virus in Coffee County, according to data provided by Tennessee Department of Health.

There have been six COVID-19 related deaths reported in Coffee County.

Across the state, active cases rose by 143 Sunday compared to Saturday. However, numbers continue to trend down over the past three weeks.