Josh Peterson

As Tennessee continues to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the state’s Economic Recovery Group announced Friday it will lift capacity restrictions on restaurants and retail to instead focus on social distancing best practices effective May 22 and issue guidelines to facilitate the safe reopening of larger, non-contact attractions on or after May 22.

New Tennessee Pledge guidelines will be released early next week. Six counties – Shelby, Madison, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Sullivan – may continue to follow individual, county-specific reopening plans created in consultation with State and local health departments.

“Tennesseans have worked incredibly hard to do their part and help slow the spread of COVID-19 so that our state can begin to reopen. Thanks to their continued efforts, we’re able to allow restaurants and retail businesses to operate at greater capacity and large attractions to open in a safe and thoughtful way,” said Governor Bill Lee. “Our state continues to see downward trends in case growth and meets the White House criteria for a phased reopening. This progress has been hard-won, and we can build upon it by reopening while also maintaining common-sense safety measures like mask-wearing and good hygiene. By taking the Tennessee Pledge, our businesses can reopen in a way that protects the health of their customers and employees, and protects the livelihoods of hard-working Tennesseans.”

The new Large Attractions guidance applies to those businesses that can effectively practice social distancing with strong measures to protect both employees and customers, including racetracks, amusement parks, waterparks, theaters and dinner theaters, auditoriums, large museums and more. Restrictions on social gatherings of more than 10 people remain in place for the time being. Updates to Restaurant Guidance will include a lift on capacity restrictions, allowing for increased service as long as social distancing guidelines are adhered to, including 6 feet between tables.
The updated guidelines come as Tennessee continues to meet the White House state gating criteria for phased reopening. The gating criteria include:

As of 2 p.m. Friday, there are 16,970 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee. This includes 290 deaths and 1,454 hospitalizations. There have been 9,280 recoveries, meaning there are 7,690 active cases in the state. This is 128 fewer active cases than the prior day.

There have been 309,756 tests performed for the virus. This means of those tested, about 5.48 percent are testing positive. This is down from the previous day.

In Coffee County, there are now 60 confirmed cases of the virus and 37 recoveries, leaving 23 active cases – this is the same number of active cases as the previous day.

Tennessee Highway Patrol has arrested a man after they say he struck a pedestrian while driving and left the scene of the accident.

Gary Driver, age 49, has been arrested and charged after the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado he was allegedly driving on Monday, May 11, on Swan Mill Rd. left the roadway, struck a tree and then struck and killed Mildred Herrin, age 71, of Morrison.

According to a report filed by THP, Herrin was weed-eating property on a bank. Driver then left the scene of the accident.

Driver has been charged with criminal homicide and leaving the scene of a crash involving fatality.

As of 2 p.m. Thursday there are now 16,699 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee. This includes 287 deaths and 1,435 hospitalizations. There are 8,881 recoveries, meaning there are approximately 7,818 active cases, about 72 more cases than the prior day.

There have been 302,317 total tests performed. This means that of all those tested in Tennessee, only about 5.52 percent are testing positive. This is down from 5.59 percent the previous day and down from 5.67 percent two days prior.

In Coffee County, there are 57 cases of COVID-19 and 34 recoveries. This leaves just 23 active cases, one less than the prior day. There have been 1,697 total tests performed in Coffee County, meaning about 3.18 percent of those testing are getting positive results. This is down from 3.38 percent the prior day.

One week away from Coffee County Central High School’s parade of graduates, and the parade route has been finalized.

According to Coffee County School officials, the parade of graduates will begin at Raider Academy at 6 p.m. Friday, May 22, turn onto Waite Street, From there, students will turn onto Fort St. enter the downtown square, turn onto N. Irwin St., onto West Main St., and remain until they hit Woodland St., where they will turn toward US Highway 41. From there, students will take Highway 41 to State Route 55, go to Central High School, and travel around the school’s circle where they will receive their diplomas and names will be called. At that point students will have the option of parking in the student parking lot and waiting on all graduates and to throw their caps. Students who choose not to wait can then exit the parking lot.

Spectators are encouraged to view the parade along the route and cheer on graduates.

Thunder Radio will broadcast the audio of the parade, including valedictorian and salutatorian speeches. Thunder radio coverage begins at 5 p.m. with on site coverage from Raider Academy, where students will be lining up.  Once students reach the high school, Thunder Radio will carry the presentation of diplomas and names being called. You can also watch the events at www.thunder1320.com

The school year may have ended early, but the H&R Block Student of the Week continues here at Thunder Radio.

Join us at Thunder Radio and Rosalyn Partin at the Manchester H&R Block as we say congratulations to this week’s student of the week – Neveah Schott

Neveah is a fifth grade student at Deerfield Elementary School in Mrs. Greer’s class. She is the daughter of Lisa Schott. In her free time, she enjoys painting and would like to pursue a career as a teacher.

Rosalyn Partin, owner of the Manchester H&R Block, has been inspired to recognize great kids in our community all year long. H&R Block gives each Student of the Week a set of Nashville Predators hockey tickets, a commemorative plaque, as well as a special letter of recognition. 

A Manchester man was arrested for driving on a revoked license after the Chevrolet Impala he was driving skipped the curb and smashed into the front window of the Advance Auto Parts store on Hillsboro Blvd on Wednesday.

According to the Manchester Police Department, at approximately 11:24 a.m. a sedan operated by Jack Brewer, Jr., age 20, went through the front of the building after Brewer’s foot allegedly slipped off the brake and hit the accelerator.

Brewer was arrested for driving on a revoked license. According to Manchester Police, there was no impairment or alcohol involved in this accident.

(Photo, workers clean up glass after a vehicle drove through the front of the Advance Auto Parts Wednesday morning)

As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, there have now been 16,370 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee. This includes 273 deaths and 1,388 hospitalizations. There are 8,624 cases classified as recovered, leaving about 7,746 active cases. This is about 29 fewer active cases than the previous day.

There have been 292,917 tests performed. This means of all those tested, about 5.59 percent are testing positive. This continues to drop from day to day, and is down from 5.67% the prior day.

In Coffee County, there are now 56 confirmed cases of the virus with 32 recoveries. This leaves 24 active cases. This is one less than the prior day.

In Coffee County there have been 1,576 negative labs. This means of those tested, about 3.43 percent are testing positive for the virus. This is up slightly from the 3.33 percent the prior day.

Manchester Fire and Rescue Department responded to a tractor trailer fire at 9:43 p.m. Tuesday near the Interstate 24 Exit 110 off ramp.

According to Manchester Fire Chief George Chambers, when crews arrived on scene the rear axle 5th wheel area of the tractor was on fire and the fire began spreading to the trailer.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and limit damage to the cargo – which happened to be limestone pellets. According to Chambers, of the 22 pallets of material, only one pallet was affected by the fire. No injuries were reported.

Manchester Parks and Recreation announced Wednesday that it is reopening the tennis courts at Fred Deadman Park and the Bark-aroo Dog Park. The facilities opened on Wednesday. 

This is part of phase 1 of reopening facilities and will “depend on citizens following the social distancing requirements.” The parks department warned that facilities will close if restrictions are not maintained.

Below are guidelines for each facility:

Tennis Courts
1. Maintain 6ft Social Distancing
2. Recommend wearing face coverings entering and leaving the courts.
3. No lights are available during this Phase 1 reopening.
4. Only tennis players are allowed on the courts. No spectators or family members.
5. Maximum players per court are four.
6. Restrict games to one hour to allow for more access for others to play.
7. No congregation around parking areas.
8. No restrooms are available.
Bark-aroo Dog Park
1. Maintain 6 ft Social Distancing
2. Recommend wearing face coverings while using the park.
3. Play features are for the dogs and they are not sanitized.
4. No restrooms are available.
5. No congregation around parking areas.
6. THE PARK WILL BE OPEN FROM 7:00AM-7:00PM DAILY
7. Maximum people within the dog park areas is 10.
8. People are responsible for cleaning up after their dog and disposing of waste.