Josh Peterson

State Representative Rush Bricken (R-District #47, Coffee and Warren Counties) is sponsoring a bill (HB 2520) he believes will save taxpayers in Coffee County and many other counties in the State hundreds of thousands of dollars. He says his legislation will ensure the 911 districts throughout the state are operating and funded in a consistent manner.

The legislation focuses on two primary 911 areas. First, it will require all 911 district call centers to provide direct dispatch to law enforcement and emergency response units such as fire and ambulance services. Second, it would require 911 districts to directly employ their staff. The proposed legislation stipulates the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board (TECB) develop these uniform guidelines for all the state’s 911 districts by June 30, 2021 and then provides 5 years (June 30, 2026) to comply with the guidelines.

Tennessee has one hundred 911 Districts, generally one per county except some urban counties which may have more than one district. There are twenty 911 districts that do not currently direct dispatch all their emergency calls. Citizens in these counties face increased risks of their calls being lost or delayed. This could cause terrible results. Coffee County’s 911 district and most 911 districts in southern middle Tennessee provides direct dispatch.

“The inconsistent funding of 911 district staff is a little more complicated issue but must be addressed because this is where taxpayer’s savings can be found,” Bricken says. “Currently about half of Tennessee’s 911 districts directly employ their staff, such as director, and dispatchers. The other half of the state’s 911 districts is staffed by county or municipal paid employees. These 911 districts that use county/municipal employees have no payroll costs. These 911 districts still receive all the 911 fees charged to every citizen and business for their land lines and cell phones. Currently, every Tennessean is paying $1.17 per month for each phone number they have, land line or cell phone. Recent legislation increased this charge to $1.50 per month, a 28% increase effective January 1, 2021. This increase was justified primarily to improve funding for the 911 districts that paid their own payroll costs. The 911 districts not carrying their own payroll costs have a high funding advantage and often have built up large treasury reserves. The citizens (property taxpayers) with this type 911 district are being financially penalized.”

In this area, four counties, Coffee, Warren, Bedford and Franklin, are similar in size and 911 operations. All four of the counties do direct dispatching. However, Coffee and Franklin counties’ 911 district employees are paid directly by the county. Warren and Bedford counties’ employees are district employees, paid by the district.

As the below table shows, the two counties (Coffee & Franklin) that do not carry their own payroll cost have accumulated healthy financial reserves. These counties are currently generating positive operating results. Their reserves will further increase when the new 911 rates begin January, 2021. Coffee County 911 district’s reserves are $3.6 million compared to Warren County’s 911 district reserves of $1.6 million. Coffee County 911 district has a new facility with modern equipment.

Representative Bricken said knows it will be a challenge to get his legislation passed this year, especially with the unusual environment we are in. However, even without this legislation each county can renegotiate their agreement with their 911 districts to achieve these same positive results. He is encouraging every county mayor and county commission to review their 911 districts operations and be certain they carry their own payroll costs.

Ben Lomand Connect announced this week that it is featured on the popular television series, “World’s Greatest!…” which is a thirtyminute show dedicated to highlighting the world’s greatest companies, products, places, and people. Each show is a fast-paced tour around the world featuring behind the scenes footage, informative interviews, and exciting visuals

“We are honored to be selected as one of the world’s greatest broadband providers. This is a true testament to the work that companies like us – members of the Tennessee Broadband Association and NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association are doing around the country. We come to work every day with the mission of serving the unserved or critically underserved. It truly is what we do. ” stated Lisa Cope, Ben Lomand Connect General Manager/CEO.

As part of the show, How2Media sent a film crew to spend time at the Ben Lomand’s facilities and with customers to show viewers why Ben Lomand Connect was selected as the best in their category, and therefore featured on the show.

“We love to feature companies that not only serve their communities but also make a difference in those communities. For 65 years, that has been the case with Ben Lomand Connect in Middle Tennessee. They are not some nameless, faceless company; they are the ball coaches, church members, and volunteer workers of the communities they serve. Standing in the forefront of offering their customers the latest and best in communications availability. We think their story will be meaningful as well as educational to our viewers,” said Gordon Freeman, Executive Producer of the show.
The show, featuring Ben Lomand, can be seen on Ben Lomand Connect’s social media pages, including Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

How2Media is a 21st Century television production company. Their awardwinning programming can be seen on national cable channels and local network affiliates across the country. For more information on How2Media and their show lineup, please visit How2Media.tv

Ben Lomand Connect was incorporated on October 2, 1952, to provide local telephone service to rural middle Tennessee. Ben Lomand began its diversification in 1993 by forming BLC, a wholly-owned long-distance subsidiary, and it was the first competitive local exchange carrier in the state of Tennessee. Combined, the two have over 27,000 access lines covering 3,200 square miles of territory. Ben Lomand Connect also offers many other services, including video, security, hosted IP solutions, and managed IT services.

0The City of Manchester Mayor Lonnie Norman has placed large banners along the parade route for Friday’s Parade of Graduates as a way to say congratulations to the class of 2020. There are currently two large 4×8 banners hanging above the streets of Manchester, with more coming on Friday.

“We can’t replace their senior year, prom, sports or graduation, but we can do our part to honor the 2020 graduating class,” said Norman. “May God bless the 2020 graduating class of Coffee County Central High School as they find their place in the world and make a difference.”

The parade of graduates will begin at 6 p.m. Friday from Raider Academy, go around the downtown square and eventually end up at the front “circle” at CHS to receive diplomas. You can listen to the parade, including valedictorian and salutatorian speeches on Thunder Radio (107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM or online at www.thunder1320.com). Radio coverage begins at 5 p.m. as Thunder Radio will be live and on location at Raider Academy talking to students as they prepare for graduation. You can watch coverage of the parade at www.thunder1320.com beginning at 6 p.m.

After closing down Tuesday for a “deep cleaning,” the Manchester sonic re-opened for business on Wednesday morning. The restaurant closed for the cleaning after an employee tested positive for COVID-19 virus. 

Patrons noticed on Tuesday that the building was taped off and not accessible for business. Thunder Radio News was able to independently verify with Sonic Drive-In officials that a positive test did occur.

“I can confirm that an employee at the Manchester, Tenn. Sonic did test positive for COVID-19 and has been removed from the schedule while isolating,” Christi Woodworth, vice president of public relations with Sonic said Tuesday afternoon. “The drive-in closed today (Tuesday) for a deep cleaning and will re-open once the health department approves doing so. The health department will guide any additional isolations required and I do not have specific information on that at this time.

“Sonic is following all CDC guidance and team members are required to wear masks and practice social distancing inside the drive-in. Sonic’s longstanding handwashing policy requires that all team members wash hands every 20 minutes for 20 seconds.”

Sonic in  Manchester is located at 624 Hillsboro Blvd. 

As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, there are now 18,378 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Tennessee. This includes 305 deaths and 1,498 hospitalizations. There are 10,969 recoveries, leaving 7,409 active cases. This is 716 fewer active cases than the previous day.

There have been 346,123 total tests performed across the state of Tennessee. This means that of all of those tested, about 5.31 percent are testing positive for the virus. This number is down from 5.34 percent the previous day. M
In Coffee County, the number of cases has risen to 63. With 40 recoveries, that leaves 23 active cases, which is one more than the previous day.

Tuesday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the final distribution of $10 million in Small and Rural Hospital Readiness Grants to support smaller hospitals that are facing financial strain due to the ongoing response to COVID-19.

“Our small and rural hospitals play a critical role in their communities, providing both necessary care to patients and good-paying jobs to residents, and we’re proud to support these hospitals through such unprecedented times,” said Gov. Lee. “We’ll continue to work with hospitals across our state and the federal government to ensure hospitals have the resources they need to maintain operations and serve their communities well.”

Spread across 29 hospitals in 28 counties, the grants help smaller hospitals bridge funding gaps created by reduced patient volumes while federal funds become available. Applicants were required to demonstrate that they are actively pursuing available federal relief. Grants were capped at $500,000. This includes a $500,000 grant awarded to Unity Medical Center in Manchester.

A full list of the hospitals receiving grants is below:

Henderson County Community Hospital Henderson $ 500,000
Henry County Medical Center Henry $ 500,000
Houston County Community Hospital Houston $ 498,000
Lauderdale Community Hospital Lauderdale $ 500,000
Lincoln Medical Center Lincoln $ 500,000
Macon Hospital, Inc. Macon $ 500,000
NorthCrest Medical Center Robertson $ 500,000
Rhea Medical Center Rhea $ 500,000
Sweetwater Hospital Association Monroe $ 500,000
Three Rivers Hospital Humphreys $ 500,000
Unity Medical Center Coffee $ 500,000
Franklin Woods Community Hospital Washington $ 136,545
Hancock County Hospital Hancock $ 500,000
Hawkins County Memorial Hospital Hawkins $ 250,000
Johnson County Community Hospital Johnson $ 500,000
Sycamore Shoals Hospital Carter $ 136,545
Unicoi County Hospital Unicoi $ 136,545
Baptist Memorial – Carroll County Carroll $ 250,000
Baptist Memorial – Tipton Tipton $ 136,545
Baptist Memorial – Union City Obion $ 136,545
Claiborne Medical Center Claiborne $ 136,545
Cumberland Medical Center, Inc. Cumberland $ 136,545
Fort Loudoun Medical Center Monroe $ 136,545
Leconte Medical Center Sevier $ 136,545
Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System Hamblen $ 136,545
Roane Medical Center Roane $ 136,545
Erlanger Bledsoe Bledsoe $ 500,000
Marshall Medical Center Marshall $ 500,000
Wayne Medical Center Wayne $ 500,000

The Payroll Protection Program, which is an integral part of the federal government CARES stimulus package, has loaned out over $8.8 billion to approved Tennessee businesses.

According to the United States treasury and the Small Business Association, that $8.8 billion is tied to 82,768 loans.

Nationally, over $500 billion has been loaned as part of the PPP program.

Manchester City Schools will not be offering extended school program this summer at College Street or Westwood Elementary.

Instead, Manchester City Schools are encouraging parents who need summer childcare to enroll in the Manchester Recreation Center’s Summer Cay Camp.

Wednesday, May 20, is the final day for Manchester City School children to enroll in the summer day camp. Registration is 5-8 p.m. at Rotary Amphitheater just outside the Manchester Recreation Center Complex. Drop ins at summer day camp will not be taken – registration is required. County students can register Thursday and Friday of this week. Cost is $65 per week.

For more information, contact 931-728-0273