Josh Peterson

The Manchester City School District is pleased to announce Rebecca Welch as principal for the 2020 – 2021 school year at Westwood Elementary School. Welch served as the assistant principal during the 2019-2020 school year and replaces Melissa Glenn who will retire in June, 2020.

Mrs. Welch earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Murray State University in 2002. She then went on to earn a Master’s of Education: English Language Acquisition in 2013 from Lipscomb where she also earned her Administrative License.

“MCS is proud to have Rebecca as the new principal for Westwood Elementary. She has done an exceptional job at Westwood and we look forward to working with her as she guides WES. I have no doubt that Mrs. Welch will be an excellent leader for our students, faculty, staff, and families,” said Dr. Joey Vaughn, Director of Manchester City Schools.

Mrs. Welch is married to Dustin, who is a minister at Forest Mill Church of Christ. Together they have two children, Johnathan and Addison.

As of 2 p.m. Monday, May 4, there are now 13,502 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee. There are 6,081 cases classified as recovered, leaving 7,421 active cases. There have been 219 confirmed deaths and 1,143 hospitalizations. There have been 211,443 total tests performed.

In Coffee County, there are now 44 confirmed cases of the virus and 19 recoveries – this leaves 25 active cases. There have been 1,239 negative tests performed in Coffee County.

On Saturday, Tullahoma Little League announce that the league has decided the cancel the 2020 season.

The league announced that it had been dedicated to returning to the field, but that participation is dwindling and executive order 30 prohibiting youth sports through May 30, “it became clear that we could not offer the same great Little League season that we have for decades.”

The league did announce a longer fall season will take place and will start in August. It also announced that all 12 year olds aging out in the spring will be allowed to participate in fall ball.

All players who signed up for 2020 spring season will receive a partial refund – $45 for tee ball and $55 for coach and player pitch. Anyone wishing to get more information can contact tullahomall.info@gmail.com

This follows an announcement last week out of McMinnville that there would be no youth baseball or softball there. As of now, Manchester Youth Baseball still plans to put together a season. We will update with more information when we have it available.

At the request of 17th District Attorney General Robert Carter, TBI Special Agents continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding an officer-involved shooting that occurred Saturday afternoon in Moore County.

Preliminary information indicates that at around 4:30 p.m., deputies with the Moore County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call of a suicidal person at a residence on Powell Hollow Road. The investigation at this stage reveals that when deputies arrived, a male from the home, identified as James Stanley Radzvilowicz (DOB 11/16/1964), fired at the deputies. One deputy returned fire, striking the man. The subject was transported by helicopter to a Nashville hospital, where he is being treated for his injuries. No deputies were injured in this incident.

TBI Special Agents continue to work to gather any and all relevant interviews and evidence. As in any case, TBI’s investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General throughout the process for his consideration.
The TBI does not identify the officers involved in these types of incidents and instead refers questions of that nature to their respective agency.

Today is the first day for the Manchester Recreation Complex to be open since closing in mid-march amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The center will be far from fully operational, however, with altered hours, no pools and equipment spread out for social distancing.

Areas Open
Only the wellness room, gym ( for fitness classes and exercise equipment only), and indoor track are open. No pools, locker rooms, showers, youth wellness, casual care nursery, and racquetball courts will be open. The restricted use of the areas will only be available to those ages 13 and over.
Admission and Use According to Governor Lee’s Tennessee Pledge
• Everyone seeking admission must have his or her temperature taken before entry. Anyone with a temperature above 100.4 will not come in to the facility. Staff will ask questions regarding possible exposure to Covid-19.
• All staff and patrons are recommended to use face coverings.
• All people seeking entry will be counted and if we reach maximum must wait until people leave to enter. Recreation Department Staff will count and keep track.
• Everyone entering will sanitize hands with hand sanitizer before working out.
• Exercise areas will be monitored by staff at all times.
• We will abide by Social Distancing and 6ft apart restrictions.
• No drinking fountains will be open. People must bring own bottles of water or purchase one.
• Both Staff and visitors must clean equipment after use. Staff will be wiping down all hard surfaces a minimum of every 2 hours.
• The Recreation Complex will not supply any mats or towels. Visitors wishing to use a mat must bring their own and leave the building with it.
• Everyone when checking in for count at the front desk must stand behind the Plexiglas shield.
• People age 65 and older and those at risk and vulnerable to COVID-19 are recommended to refrain from use of facility or take extra precautions during Phase 1 reopening.
Hours of Operation
• Monday- Friday
Open 5:00am-12pm (noon)
Closed 12pm (noon) until 1:00pm
Open 1:00pm-7:00pm
• Saturday
Open 7:30am until 12:00pm noon
Closed 12pm (noon) until 1:00pm
Open 1:00pm-5:00pm
• Sunday
Open 10:00am-5:00pm

We have a weekend update of COVID-19 cases in the state of Tennessee and here in Coffee County.

As of 2 p.m. Sunday, there are now 13,177 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee. There are 5,814 cases classified s recovered, leaving 7.373 active cases in the entire state. There have been 210 confirmed deaths and 1,135 hospitalizations. There have been 204,607 total tests performed.

Meanwhile, in Coffee County there are now 41 confirmed cases, with 16 recoveries. This leaves 25 active cases. There have been 1,178 negative tests in Coffee County.

Coffee County Middle School has released information about closing the school year, and information for students to pick up and drop off property to end the year.

For students in all grades with last names starting with A through F, they will be picking up and dropping off property at the school between 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13.

For students with last names beginning G through M, they will be picking up and dropping off property between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. on May 13.

Students who have a last name beginning with N through R should come between 9 and 11 a.m. Thursday, May 14. And students with last names from S through Z should arrive between 12;30 and 2:30 p.m. on May 14.

Students and parents should park in the parking lot and follow signs to their assigned table. This will be the time to return library books, textbooks, uniforms, instruments, and pay outstanding cafeteria bills. Once that is done, students can pick up personal belongs that will be in a bag and ready to hand out. Students and parents will not be allowed inside the school building.

On Friday (May 1), the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives released guidance for faith communities on gathering together in houses of worship.

“Tennessee’s faith leaders have been incredibly innovative in finding alternative ways to worship that incorporate social distancing so they can continue to provide spiritual guidance, fellowship, and service to their neighbors during these challenging times,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “Religious liberty is important and must be protected, and that’s why the State has always deemed religious services as essential gatherings throughout this pandemic. As we look to reopen our economy in a safe fashion, the decision on in-person gatherings will be up to each individual faith community. We’re confident in their ability to determine the proper time and how to incorporate these guidelines to worship in a way that protects the health of their congregation.”

Some of the suggested guidelines are as follows:

• A phased approach to resuming in-person gatherings is recommended. Vulnerable populations (everyone 65 years and older, people with disabilities, people with serious respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, people who are immunocompromised, and others) and children’s activities/nursery programs should not gather in person until a later time.
• Consider solutions to minimize close personal contact that may be part of your services, such as handshakes or sharing food and drink.
• As the phased approach begins, limit the size of attendance in your sanctuary and other confined spaces to create seating arrangements that provide at least 6-foot distancing between families. It is recommended not to exceed 50% of maximum capacity of the room and should enable full compliance with CDC recommendations for social distancing and hygiene.
• Wear face coverings.
• Encourage members of the community to stay at home if they are symptomatic, have a fever, have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, or have traveled internationally or to a domestic hot spot in the past two weeks.
• If a member of the congregation has tested positive for COVID-19, consult CDC guidelines and local health department recommendations to determine whether in-person gatherings should cease immediately, the building should close for additional cleaning, or other protocol changes are required.

View the full guidelines here. 

Tennessee’s Economic Recovery Group released guidance for close contact services Thursday (April 30), enabling over 38,000 workers to resume business in 89 of the state’s 95 counties on May 6. Six counties – Shelby, Madison, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Sullivan – will create individual plans in consultation with their locally-run health departments.

“As we continue a measured reopening of the economy, it’s critical we provide evidence-based guidance to businesses so they can keep their employees and customers safe,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “The very nature of close contact businesses calls for strong solutions and we’re inspired by the willingness of these small business owners to take the Tennessee Pledge. These guidelines will allow thousands of businesses to reopen, put their employees back to work, and serve customers in a thoughtful and safe manner.”

In addition to the recommendations included within the Tennessee Pledge, the State recommends strict adherence to CDC guidelines. The State’s guidance applies to personal services including barber shops, hair salons, waxing salons, nail spas, massage therapy services and substantially similar businesses that require prolonged close contact with customers.

The full guidelines are posted online at TNPledge.com and include:
Business Process Adaptations
• Limit the number of customers to 50% of fire code capacity, and practice strict social distancing between customers
• Services will be offered by appointment only; no walk-ins
• Make appropriate physical modifications to accommodate social distancing. Workstations should be at least 6 feet apart, with additional measures taken as necessary to ensure that all people stay 6 feet apart at all times except for the staff providing a service to their client; physical barriers to be used where necessary
• Prohibit use of waiting areas (e.g., could adopt such practices as notifying customers by call or text message) or serenity lounges; limit use of other common areas by multiple people at one time (e.g., elevators, breakrooms, etc.)
• Ensure thorough workstation and equipment disinfection after each customer (i.e. sanitize all equipment, instruments, capes, smocks, linens, chairs and work area); alternatively, utilize single-use or disposable items
• Implement enhanced sanitization of commonly touched surfaces and equipment (i.e., at least every two hours and when visibly soiled), using CDC recommended sanitizers and disinfecting protocols
• Discard any single-use tools (e.g., files, buffers, neck strips) immediately after use
• Daily deep cleaning and sanitization to be completed for high-touch areas (tanning beds, massage tables, salon chairs, etc.
• Use appropriate temperatures for washers and dryers to ensure thorough sanitization of towels, linens, etc
• Do not allow non-customer companions to accompany customer during a service
• Do not allow group or communal settings for close contact personal services (e.g., couples’ massages, salt rooms, saunas, pools)
Consumer Protection
• Services that require removing face coverings (e.g., beard shaving/trimming, facials, etc.) are not permitted in Phase 1
• Do not offer any self-serve food or beverages. Temporarily close water fountains. Encourage users to provide their own water
• Prohibit congregating in break rooms, check-in counters
• Customers should wear a cloth face covering at all times while in the premises (not N-95 or medical masks, which should be reserved for healthcare workers) and as recommended by the CDC and executive order of the governor. Use other personal protection items as recommended by the CDC
• For massage, prone positions could be uncomfortable or dangerous for clients who are wearing face coverings. Accordingly, massage professionals may consider other appropriate precautions such as draping a client’s head and face cradle cover with a thin cotton pillowcase. Otherwise, a face covering should be worn during portions of treatment in which the client is not prone or facedown
• Screen customers for illness upon their entry into the premises
Employee Protection
• Screen and temperature-check all employees reporting to work for COVID-19 symptoms
• Employees should increase hygiene practices—wash hands more frequently, avoid touching face, practice good respiratory etiquette when coughing or sneezing. Change any protective garments on a regular basis and sanitize reusable garments such as aprons or smocks at least once per day
• Employees should wear a cloth face covering (not N-95 or medical masks, which should be reserved for healthcare workers) and other personal protection items as recommended by the CDC; if masks become wet or visibly dirty, the mask should be replaced
• All employees should wash hands between serving each customer, and more frequently as necessary. If appropriate for the service provided, gloves are recommended and should be discarded after each customer. The use of gloves should not be considered a replacement for frequent handwashing
• Perform regular disinfection of high-touch surface areas (e.g., door handles, counter space, light switches, tools and instruments) at least every two hours and when visibly dirty

As of April 30, there have now been 10,735 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee. There have been 5,338 people classified as recovered, leaving 5,397 active cases across the entire state. There have been 199 deaths and 1,045 hospitalizations. In total, 177,626 tests have been performed.

In Coffee County, there are now 36 confirmed cases and 16 people classified as recovered, leaving only 20 active cases. This active case number is down 1 from the previous day and is the second consecutive day with a decline in active cases in the county. There have been 1,030 negative tests performed in Coffee County.