Josh Peterson

As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, there are now 24,822 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee. This includes 388 deaths and 1,829 hospitalizations. There are 16,319 cases classified as recovered, leaving approximately 8,503 active cases, which is 44 more than the prior day.

There have been 470,779 total tests performed. This means about 5.27 percent of people testing are testing positive.
Meanwhile, Coffee County has 74 confirmed cases of the virus with 58 recoveries. This means there are now 16 active cases in Coffee County, two fewer than the previous day’s count.

Tennessee’s health care workers and first responders who are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic response have a new resource to help them grapple with stress, anxiety, sadness or depression related to work.

Lizzie Harrigan, chairwoman at the Mental Health Active Response Team, one of the organizations that helped develop the service, said it offers an avenue for health care workers to express emotions they otherwise might not have an outlet for.

“We know that they’re going home to their families, and maybe they don’t want to take some of these concerns and feeling home to their families,” Harrigan said. “And so, where do they put it? We wanted them to put it with us.”

The COVID-19 Emotional Support Line for health-care workers can be reached at 888-642-7886, and is staffed by volunteer mental-health professionals.

Harrigan said the phone line is staffed from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

“And those hours were specifically chosen to hopefully catch hospital workers rotating on and off of shifts,” she said.

She said support-line staff offer tools for managing stress, noting these resources were not available in the earliest days of the unprecedented public health crisis.

“We knew that some of the health care workers didn’t have access to the PPE that they were hoping for, that they were being moved around to different units, or maybe working in different roles that perhaps they weren’t familiar with,” she said. “And of course we were hearing some of these stories coming out of Italy, and then New York that were particularly frightening.”

Harrigan emphasized the emotional-support line is not intended to replace mental-health crisis or suicide-prevention services. The statewide crisis line always is available at 855-274-7471 or by texting “TN” to 741-741.

-Story by Nadia Ramlagan, Tennessee Public News Service

United Way of Highway 55 today announces the funding of sixteen local nonprofits. On May 26th, United Way of Highway 55 allocations team, made up of local community and Board members, reviewed applications and conducted interviews with each agency. The sixteen nonprofit partners are located and/or serve in Coffee, Moore, and Warren Counties.

The 2020-21 partners include:
• Child Development Center
• Coffee County Schools Family Resource Center
• Community Development Center – Families
• Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center
• Partners for Healing
• Shepherd’s House
• Imagination Library of Coffee Co
• Haven of Hope
• CASA
• Warren County Meals on Wheels
• Good Samaritan in Tullahoma
• Life Choices
• Coffee County Humane Society
• STARS
• Coffee Co Senior Citizens
• The Attic Outlet

United Way 2019-2020 partner nonprofits received $40,000 in funding, which exceeded the promised allocated amount by $14,000.

“The allocations process is an amazing experience to learn about the impact these local nonprofits make in our community. Our community will continue to grow and strengthen through supporting these much-needed missions and programs. I am truly grateful for the businesses and individuals who support our nonprofit partners every year. We can support so many local agencies and programs because of the help of our community. UWHWY55 plans on making one-time donations to the local nonprofits and programs that were not chosen to support their missions too. We strive to be involved and impact as many nonprofits and programs in the community as we can with the support of our amazing, continued donors” stated Ashley Abraham, Executive Director of United Way of Highway 55.

This year’s allocation’s team included the following individuals:
• Hayden Hamilton, Board Chair: Regional Sales Ops Manager at RR Donnelley
• Michele Simmons, Board Secretary: Business Development Manager of Southern Middle TN-Resource MFG
• Mike Belzil: National Aerospace Solutions Deputy General Manager
*United Way of Highway 55 Gold Donor*
• Ashley Wright, Board Member: CEO of Local Flair Public Relations
• Brandi Moriarty: Board Member: Assistant Manager at George Dickel Tennessee Whisky

About United Way of Highway 55:
United Way of Highway 55 works in the community to build access to financial stability, education, health services, and basic essentials in Coffee, Moore, and Warren Counties. Most know of ‘United Way’ but not the impact we make locally. Our chapter, United Way of Hwy 55 only focuses on these 3 counties: Coffee, Moore, and Warren. We collaborate with businesses, schools, individuals, nonprofits, churches, food pantries, and more to meet needs and find solutions. In addition to United Way’s nonprofit partnership and Giving Program, they also fund and support a Literacy Program, STEM Partnership Program, FamilyWize, 2-1-1 Hotline, School Attendance Campaign, Volunteer Management Program, local School Supply Drives and Food Pantries. All donated dollars stay in OUR community helping our partner nonprofit missions and many needed programs. United Way of Highway 55 would like to acknowledge our Gold donors: National Aerospace Solutions, Bechtel, and Publix. Other consistent donors include Stan McNabb-Chrysler Dodge Jeep & Ram, TUA, Cherokee Distributing Company, Marcroms Pharmacy, Jack Daniels, Nationwide, MCA Fabrication, City of Tullahoma, AT&T, and more! We thank all individual donors as well. YOU make this possible! Please visit our website to learn more or DONATE at highway55unitedway.org.

Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency will continue forward with its scheduled free fishing day this Saturday, June 6.
On this day anyone may fish free without a licese in Tennessee’s public waters.

TWRA provides the annual free day in hopes of increasing interest in fishing. Children ages 15 and younger may fish without a license beginning on free fishing day and go through Friday, June 12.

This year’s Free Fishing Day will be held under unusual circumstances. Due to the coronavirus pandemic many events have been cancelled, including all TWRA-hosted events. Check TWRA’s youth fishing website for a complete list of events and cancellations. Despite having the organized events cancelled, TWRA will still stock these locations with catfish before Saturday and encourages families to go fishing at a safe distance.

“We regret that our personnel will not be able to attend or host the fishing events that we all enjoy, but safety is our top priority” said Frank Fiss, TWRA Fisheries chief. “Despite this, we have continued the stocking process and hope families can go and enjoy the day.”

Free Fishing Day and Week apply to Tennessee’s public waters, TWRA owned and operated lakes, and state park facilities. Some privately owned pay lakes and ponds continue to charge during this special day and week. Anglers will need to consult with those operators if there are any questions about a facility.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group announced a new relief program for Tennessee businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tennessee Business Relief Program will direct approximately $200 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds through the Department of Revenue directly to small businesses that qualify.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created immense economic pain across our state and especially among small businesses that faced temporary closure,” said Gov. Lee. “As we responsibly steward our federal stimulus money we have worked to quickly prioritize our small businesses and I thank the work of the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group for their partnership in this.”

The Tennessee Business Relief Program amounts awarded will be based on the annual gross sales of the business. More details will be posted on the Department of Revenue’s website in the coming days.

“While the COVID-19 crisis started as a public health crisis, the economic crisis it triggered is in some ways even more devastating. The burden the virus has placed on small businesses has been substantial,” said Lt. Gov. McNally (R-Oak Ridge). “Jobs have been lost. Savings accounts have been drained. Credit has been stretched. Small businesses need this relief more than anyone. I was proud to be a part of formulating this plan along with my fellow Financial Accountability group members, particularly Sen. Bo Watson and Sen. Raumesh Akbari. I am hopeful this program will soon be expanded to include non-profits, trade groups and chambers of commerce. These organizations are critical to our economic revival and I look forward to seeing them included in the next phase. Our recovery from this economic disruption will be a slow process. But without small business, it doesn’t happen at all. I am grateful for this opportunity to put our most at-risk businesses on a path to stability and prosperity.”

Roughly 28,000 Tennessee businesses are expected to qualify, with more than 73% of those businesses earning annual gross sales of $500,000 or less.

“Our small businesses drive our local and statewide economies, and their success is critical to our continued, swift economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville). “I am pleased to join with Rep. Marsh, Rep. Love and members of the Financial Accountability Group to support all those businesses who have been adversely affected by these extraordinary circumstances through this program so they remain successful.”

The following types of small businesses are eligible under the program:
• Barber shops
• Beauty shops
• Nail salons
• Tattoo parlors, spas, and other personal care services
• Gyms and fitness centers
• Restaurants
• Bars
• Hotels and other travel accommodations
• Theaters, auditoriums, performing arts centers and similar facilities
• Museums, zoos, and other similar attractions
• Amusement parks
• Bowling centers and arcades
• Marinas
• Amusement, sports and recreational industries
• Promoters of performing arts, sports, and similar events
• Agents and managers of artists, athletes, and entertainers
• Independent artists, writers, and performers
In addition, the following small businesses are eligible if their sales were reduced by at least 25%, as shown on their April sales tax returns (filed in May):
• Furniture stores
• Home furnishing stores
• Clothing stores
• Shoe stores
• Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores
• Sporting goods, hobby, and musical instrument stores
• Book stores
• Department stores
• Office supply, stationery and gift stores
• Used merchandise stores
• Other miscellaneous stores
The Financial Stimulus Accountability Group includes Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, Speaker Cameron Sexton, Comptroller Justin Wilson, Sen. Ramesh Akbari, Sen. Bo Watson, Rep. Harold Love and Rep. Pat Marsh.

Manchester City Schools issued a statement Tuesday addressing the up coming school year. The statement says that the school system hopes to begin the school year on time, but the system is focusing on different areas to address learning if there are delays.

There has been an academic task force set up to focus on traditional and remote and distance learning. There is also a social and emotional task force that is set up to develop plans to create a system of support for students, families and staff.

There is also a learning check-ups task force that is tasked with examining what district wide diagnostic assessments and interventions will look like for the 2020-2021 school year.

See full description for each group below:

Academic Task Force – Traditional and Remote/Distance Learning – The group is focusing on three main areas impacting instructional practices. The first area is accountability. In this process, we are working to determine how learning will be assessed and how student attendance will be gathered. Communication is the second area. We will expand communication platforms to ensure teachers, parents, students, and community stay informed about potential changes, instruction, and relevant information. Lastly, our focus will be on the structure of what school will look like in 2020-2021. Our plans will be influenced by guidance from state and federal guidelines.

Social and Emotional Care Task Force – This group is developing plans to create a system of support for our students, families, and staff as we return from these uncertain times. Returning to school will affect everyone differently. As a district, we will be prepared to address the needs of all individuals. It will be a time of celebration as well as apprehension. The first weeks of the 2020-2021 school year will be critical to the success of our stakeholders.

Learning Check-Ups Task Force – This group is examining what district wide diagnostic assessments and interventions will look like for the 2020-2021 school year. The assessment process will be consistent across the district. Teachers will assess learning to determine gaps that may exist; however, the district will not conduct assessments until a sense of normalcy is gained. Ongoing assessment throughout the school year will continue regularly. The Tennessee Department of Education is looking at an assessment piece that may be utilized at some point.

As information is given from state and federal officials, we will communicate specific plans and procedures for our families. Once procedures are outlined by the state, we will survey our families to see how we can best meet the needs of our students.

The City of Winchester has received an application to protest from the city limits in Decherd to the Franklin County Square on Saturday, June 6, according to the Winchester Police Department. 

Winchester Police Chief Richard Lewis approved the protest application and has spoken with the petitioner. According to Winchester Police Department, the petitioner wants this to be a “peaceful protest about George Floyd and ongoing issues with police brutality.”

“The Winchester Police Department supports the protest and will do everything in our power to make it successful,” the department said in a statement. “Neither the petitioner, nor the Winchester Police Department want any violence or destruction. We will have measures in place in case any out of town actors, or anyone for that matter, wishes to do these protesters or this community harm. We hope that this community will come together on this issue for a step in the right direction for a positive outcome.”