Josh Peterson

As of 2 p.m. Sunday, there are now 14,985 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee, with 243 deaths and 1,325 hospitalizations. There are 7,528 cases classified as recovered, leaving 7,457 active cases across the state of Tennessee. This is 215 more active cases than the 2 p.m report released on Thursday, May 7.

Percentage of those tested with the virus continues to decline, however. As of Sunday, 261,869 tests have been performed – this means only 5.7 percent of those tested in Tennessee have returned a positive result. This is down from 6.4 percent of those tested positive receiving a positive result one week ago.

Meanwhile, in Coffee County, there are now 53 confirmed cases of the virus. With 25 recoveries, this leaves 28 active cases. There have been 1,437 negative tests performed in Coffee County, meaning of those tested, only about 3.7 percent receive positive results.

The City of Manchester will resume public operations at City Hall and other City facilities Monday, May 11, under the guidance of Governor Lee’s Tennessee Pledge. More re-openings are expected in the weeks ahead as city facilities make necessary adjustments to operate in compliance with guidelines issued by Governor Lee.

“Like other cities and communities across our state, the COVID-19 virus has forced us to readjust our routines to a new normal,” the city said in a press release. “Gov. Lee’s Tennessee Pledge guidelines allow local governments to begin phased operations and eased restrictions.

“We want to encourage citizens to call in or e-mail for assistance before visiting our city facilities. Often, transactions can be completed by phone or e-mail.”

The City of Manchester offices will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am till 4:00 pm.

“We encourage residents to utilize our online services www.cityofmanchestertn.com, drive-up window, and night deposit boxes. All offices will conduct business by phone, online, and limited in-office. All citizens will be asked to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing inside all city facilities. Additionally, staff will be taking temperatures of all citizens that enter any city building per the guidance of the Tennessee Pledge. “

The City of Manchester will continue to notify residents of any significant changes to City services through the media as necessary.

Beginning last week, eligible Tennesseans can request a ballot to vote absentee by-mail for the Aug. 6 State and Federal Primary and County General election without ever leaving their home.

“Election offices are already accepting absentee by-mail ballot requests for the August election. One of the most popular reasons to vote absentee is being 60 years or older.” said Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “I encourage those voting absentee by-mail this year to make their request now.”

Tennessee state law provides numerous ways to vote absentee by-mail. In addition to a voter being sixty (60) or older, other popular reasons allowed under state law to vote absentee by-mail are as follows:
• The voter will be outside the county where they vote during the early voting period and all day on Election Day.
• The voter or the voter’s spouse is enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited college or university outside the county of registration
• The voter will be unable to vote in person due to service as a juror.
• The voter is hospitalized, ill or physically disabled and because of such condition, cannot vote in person.
• The voter is a caretaker of a person who is hospitalized, ill or disabled
• The voter will be working as a poll official.
• The voter is a member of the military and out of the county where they vote.
For a more exhaustive list of statutory reasons to vote absentee by-mail go to GoVoteTN.com. Voters who meet a reason under Tennessee law to vote absentee by-mail can submit a written request to their local election commission by mail, fax or email.

Your written request must include:
• Your name
• Address where you live
• Full social security number
• Date of birth
• The address to mail the ballot to, if different than your home address
• For the August election, to receive a primary ballot, you must request either a Republican or Democratic primary ballot. If a party is not specified, you will only receive the general election ballot.
• Which of the qualifying reasons you meet to vote absentee by-mail. For example, I am 60 years old.
• Your signature
While not required, a phone number is recommended in case your election commission needs any additional information.

To submit a request by email, attach a document with all the necessary information and your scanned signature.

Requests must be received by your local election commission no later than seven (7) days before the election. For the Aug. 6 State and Federal Primary and County General Election, complete absentee by-mail requests must be received by July 30.

“I encourage eligible Tennessee voters to take a moment to double-check that they’ve provided all of the required information and to make their request to vote absentee by-mail as soon as possible. By making sure your request is complete and sending it in early, you will not have to worry about missing the upcoming election,” said Tennessee Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins.

For more information about who is eligible to vote absentee by-mail or to find your local election commission, visit GoVoteTN.com.

The City of Tullahoma will be opening lobbies at city hall, the police department and both fire halls beginning Monday, May 11.

City court will resume operations on Tuesday, May 12.

All citizens will be asked to wear face coverings and maintain social distance inside these buildings.
Staff will be taking temperatures before court and anyone with a reading greater than 100 degrees will not be allowed to enter and dates will be rescheduled.

Two earthquakes were registered in nearby Sewanee early Sunday morning, according to the United States Geological Service.

According to USGS, at approximately 8:33 a.m. Sunday a 3.1 magnitude earthquake registered 7 kilometers southeast of Sewanee. Then, at 8:34 a.m., a 2.8 magnitude earthquake was registered from the same location. The first earthquake registered 8.4 kilometers deep, with the second 6.5 kilometers deep.

As of 2 p.m. Thursday, there are now 14,096 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee – an increase of 158 from the prior day. There are also 6,683 recoveries, an increase of 219 from the previous day. This leaves 7,313 active cases – about 61 fewer active cases than the previous day.

There have been 237 confirmed deaths in Tennessee and 1,266 hospitalizations. In total, 236,328 tests have been performed.

In Coffee County, there are now 47 confirmed cases and 21 recoveries. This leaves 26 active cases, an increase of 2 from the previous day.

At the request of the Hickerson Station Volunteer Fire Department, the Manchester Fire and Rescue Department responded to a mutual-aid structure fire call on Mountain View Rd. just before 11 a.m. Thursday morning.

When crews arrived, there was a 30-foot, fifth wheel trailer with light smoke emitting from the structure and all occupants were out of the structure.

Once crews entered, they found heavy smoke and a minor fire underneath the sink area. Crews also extinguished hot spots using thermal imaging. The Red Cross was contacted to assist the occupants, who were displaced due to the fire. Coffee County EMS, Coffee County Sheriff’s Department and communications assisted. The cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries were reported.

Unemployment claims in Tennessee continue to be on the rise. For the week ending May 2, there were 37,319 new claims filed for unemployment. This makes 474,580 new claims filed since the week ending March 21.

Meanwhile, across the nation over 33 million people have sought US unemployment aid, with 3.2 million filing last week.

A Tuesday fire at the Tennessee Hills Campground in the North Coffee area has claimed the life of a man.

North Coffee Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call at 5:20 p.m. Tuesday to a fire at a motor home in the campground. The occupant was inside the structure and passed away from injuries sustained. His name has not been released.

TBI arson investigators are investigating the fire.