Author's posts
Thunder Radio political debate set for Thursday, July 16
The Thunder Radio political debate is one week away – it will be held Thursday, July 16. This is one day prior to the start of early voting in Coffee County.
However, unlike past forums held by Thunder Radio, due to COVID-19 concerns and limittions for crowds, this year Thunder Radio has decided it would be best to host the forum on radio only.
Candidates for Manchester Mayor will be on the air taking questions form 6—6:35 p.m. on July 16. Meanwhile, candidates for Manchester alderman have been invited to follow. The phone lines will be open for public questions the night of the debate (931-728-1320). The forum can be heard live on Thunder Radio – 107.9 FM, 106.7 FM and 1320 AM) and streaming on the Manchester GO app and www.thunder1320.com. The debate will also be streamed on the Thunder Radio Facebook page.
Small Pharmacy, big tools
Southland Pharmacy has all the tools of the “big box” pharmacies. But enjoy the convenience of a pharmacy that knows you by name and treats you like an individual patient. Learn more below.
Annual Warren County Fair has been cancelled for 2020
The annual Warren County Fair has been cancelled for 2020. The fair board decided Monday that the fair will not be held this year.
According to the Southern Standard, the fair board said, “Having carefully considered all options available to us, as well as the uncertain realities that we currently face, we have reached the painful decision to cancel this year’s fair.”
This is just the latest in fair cancellations. Other fairs that have cancelled include the Tennessee State Fair and the Wilson County Fair.
The Coffee County Fair plans to continue forward with the 2020 fair, which will be Sept. 19-26 in Manchester.
Now 27 active cases of COVID-19 in Coffee County
There are currently 27 active cases of COVID-19 in Coffee County, according to data provided by the Tennessee Department of Health.
Since testing began in March, there have been a total of 125 cases. Of these, 98 have recovered, which leaves about 27 active cases.
Statewide, there are approximately 20,649 active cases. There have been 640 confirmed deaths since March and 2,950 hospitalizations.
There have been 920,801 tests administered across the state, which means of everyone tested, about 5.77% are testing positive.
One Day of Hope to return this fall; changes likely due to pandemic
The annual One Day of Hope of Coffee County will continue this year and is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, because of the pandemic, the process will change considerably, according to organizers.
In order to protect guests and volunteers, this year’s One Day of Hope will be a drive-through process. A coordinated group of volunteers will load vehicles as they pass through the Coffee County Fairgrounds.
“While some services we traditionally provide will not be practical, we still plan on a high level of assistance and a planned effort for follow-up and contact points for additional services after the event,” said Ray Marcrom.
A few changes to the event include the following:
*Collection items will be simplified – hygiene items, children’s coats and new socks. No other clothing will be collected this year.
*Requests for work clothing, adult coats and work shoes will be taken from guests and fulfilled after the event as funds allow.
*All volunteers will wear masks and follow best practices.
*There will be more information available as the event draws more near.
The One Day of Hope annually provides meals, clothing, health screening, job placement and other services to those in need of assistance.
Last year, approximately 2,750 guests were served, 451 medical services were provided, 132 dental patients were seen, 3,200 meals were distributed, 2,250 bags of groceries plus fresh produce, 295 Bibles were distributed, 4,000 children’s books were distributed, 85 people received job counseling, 126 people received hair cuts and 131 family photos were taken.
Report says Tennessee unemployment benefits among bottom in nation
By Nadia Ramlagan, Tennessee Public News Service
Tennesseans are filing for unemployment in record numbers, yet a new report from the Sycamore Institute says the state’s unemployment benefits and related employer taxes are among the lowest in the nation.
“Over the last two decades, Tennesseans have been less likely than other out-of-work Americans in other states to get unemployment benefits,” said Sycamore policy director Mandy Pelligrin. “In other words, our recipiency rate is fairly low. And at the same time that that’s been going on, the value of the benefits that Tennesseans receive from the program has fallen.”
According to the report, Tennessee’s unemployment insurance program provided benefits to around 21% of unemployed workers during the first quarter of 2020. The state currently ranks in the bottom eight among states for the number of out-of-work residents who are receiving benefits.
Pellegrin said policymakers might start by taking a look at how Tennessee’s unemployment trust fund is supported. Right now, the program gets padded with cash during good times, and is paid out to people when the economy goes downhill.
“Of course, the way the taxes are structured, like they are in nearly every state, is that when your funds get really large, the taxes actually go down,” she said. “So, there are some questions about is that actually the best way to to do it.”
The additional $600 per week in federal benefits some Tennesseans are receiving through the CARES Act is slated to run out at the end of July. Pellegrin noted it remains uncertain what effect that might have on the economy.
“At the same time, policymakers can’t control what people choose to do if they do fear for their health,” she said. “So, people (are) choosing to stay home and not go to their local businesses because they fear they might get or spread the virus. “
More than 600,000 people in Tennessee have applied for unemployment benefits since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tullahoma police need help finding runaway juvenile
The Tullahoma Police Department is asking for your help in locating a runaway/missing juvenile. According to TPD, Zoey C. Anthony left from an address in Tullahoma on Monday, July 6 between midnight and 8 a.m.
Zoey is a 12 year-old female, stands approximately 5-feet-four-inches tall, and weighs around 135 pounds. She has shoulder-length black hair and brown eyes. If you have any information on her whereabouts, please contact the TPD at 931-455-0530
CORDELL: No facemask mandate for Coffee County
Coffee County Mayor Gary Cordell issued a statement Monday, July 6, stating that he feels he does not have the “legal or constitutional authority” to mandate use of facemasks in Coffee County amid COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead, Cordell calls for citizens to wash hands and remain socially distanced.
Cordell’s statement comes days after Tennessee Governor Bill Lee granted authority to 89 Tennessee counties, including Coffee County, to mandate masks at their discretion. Cordell’s statement is as follows:
“As everyone would agree, we are living in unprecedented times in the history of our nation. We all have our own ideas as to the best path to move forward. The medical and scientific professionals have many differing opinions as to how to combat this virus. As Mayor of Coffee County I don’t feel I have the legal or constitutional authority to mandate the use of face masks upon our citizens. I know some will disagree with this decision. The citizens of our great county are intelligent enough to make that decision for themselves. I’m very concerned about the safety of our citizens, especially our seniors and those with underlying health conditions, but our citizens have the right to make the decision to wear masks if they deem it necessary.
“I suggest we simply adhere to a good neighbor policy and wash our hands, social distance and I highly recommend we wear face masks in public.
“We continue to have periodic emergency management team meeting to access the situation in our county. We will keep our citizens informed. Together we will get through this. Continue to pray for out county, state and nation. God Bless America!”
Franklin Co. man charged with first degree murder
An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation into a homicide over the weekend has resulted in the arrest of a Decherd man.
On July 4th, at the request of 12th District Attorney General J. Michael Taylor, TBI Special Agents began investigating a fatal shooting in Decherd. Just before 6 p.m., officers with the Decherd Police Department responded to a shooting at a residence on West Main Street. Gary Lamb (DOB 06/10/1960) had been shot multiple times and died from his injuries. During the course of the investigation, Agents developed information that identified Henry Green as the individual responsible for the homicide.
On July 5th, Henry Brown Green, Jr. (DOB 09/10/1952), was arrested and charged with one count of First Degree Murder. He was booked into the Franklin County Jail and is currently being held without bond.
Tuesday is final day to register for Aug. 6 election
Tuesday, July 7 is the final day to register for the Aug. 6 State Primary, Manchester Municipal and Tullahoma Municipal elections.
You may register at the Coffee County Election Commission office between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The office is located at 1329 McArthur St. Suite 6 in Manchester.
The following races will be on the ballot for the Aug. 6 election:
US House of Representatives sixth district
United States Senate
Tennessee State Senate
Tennessee House of Representatives 47th District
Judges retention questions
Coffee County School Board Seat 1, Seat 5 and Seat 7
Manchester Mayor
Manchester Aldermen (3 seats)
Manchester School Board (2 seats)
Tullahoma Mayor
Tullahoma Aldermen
Tullahoma School Board (3 seats)
Early voting dates are July 17 through Aug. 1 with election day on Aug. 6.
Reminder – Thunder Radio will hos a political debate on Thursday, July 16, with a focus on Manchester Mayor and Aldermen candidates. That debate starts at 6 p.m. and can be heard on Thunder Radio and watched on Facebook live.
Two sales tax free weekends in the next month
For 2020 only, the Tennessee General Assembly has approved two separate sales tax holiday weekends. During these weekends, certain goods may be purchased tax free.
The first tax-free holiday weekend focuses on clothing and other back-to-school items. It begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 31 and ends Sunday, August 2 at 11:59 p.m. During this time, clothing, school supplies, and computers and other qualifying electronic devices may be purchased tax-free.
Certain price restrictions apply. Exempt items sold online are also eligible. Items must be purchased for personal use, not for business or trade.
You can see a full list by clicking here.
Second Tax Free Weekend:
The second tax-free holiday weekend focuses on restaurant sales. It begins at 12:01 a.m. on August 7 and ends Sunday, August 9 at 11:59 p.m.
During this time, the retail sale of food and drink by restaurants and limited service restaurants, as defined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 57-4-102, is exempt from sales tax.