Josh Peterson

In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Coffee County School System said that plans for Central High School graduation remain up in the air – and didn’t rule out holding commencement exercises on schedule. The school announced last week that the ceremonies would be postponed when Governor Bill Lee cancelled the remainder of the academic school year.

“Coffee County Schools is once again in the position of trying to accommodate ever-changing guidance during the current health emergency created by COVID-19. On April 20, Governor Lee announced that Tennessee’s shelter-in-place order will be allowed to expire and many businesses would be allowed to open on May 1. This guidance will not affect schools which will remain closed based on the governor’s recommendation. However, the relaxing of social restrictions may impact graduation.

“Discussions over the last few days have created possible alternative plans for holding graduation on the originally scheduled date. This statement is simply to alert the people of Coffee County that graduation may still happen on May 22. Final decisions will be made as soon as possible.

“Coffee County Schools does not wish to frustrate anyone with changing stances on these issues. District decisions of this type are being adjusted with changing guidance from local, state, and federal entities. Please be patient as we attempt to do what is best for the students and the community.”

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced Monday that his stay at home order will not extend past April 30, and he also announced most businesses in the state will begin reopening next week.

Lee said social distancing must continue, but he added that the “economic shutdown cannot [continue.]”

Protests took place outside the Tennessee Capitol Monday calling for the state to end the stay at-home restrictions.

Sunday was a busy day for COVID-19 testing in Coffee County, as 515 people were tested at the Coffee County Administrative Plaza during a free testing event. These results are likely to be available by the end of the week. The demand for testing was high, with lines backed up down McArthur Street to get in line for testing.

There have been 7,238 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee as of 2 p.m. Monday, including 152 deaths. So far, 3,575 people are classified as recovered, meaning there are only approximately 3,663 active cases in the entire state. There have been 730 hospitalizations. In total, 100,689 tests have been performed.

In Coffee County, there have been 20 confirmed cases and six of those have recovered, leaving about 14 active cases. There are 487 negative tests that have been performed in Coffee County.

The Tennessee gas price average continues to decline and has dropped nearly 4 cents since this time last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $1.59 which is nearly 35 cents less than one month ago and one dollar less than one year ago.

The lowest prices in Coffee County can be found at around $1.55 per gallon of regular unleaded as of 2 p.m. Monday.

Quick Facts

· 38% of TN filling stations have gas prices below $1.50
· TN gas prices have declined for 54 consecutive days for a total discount of 64 cents per gallon
· TN gas price average is $1 less than this time last year

National Gas Prices

On the week, the national gas price average decreased by a nickel pushing the year-over-year savings to $1.03/gallon. Today, 20 states have pump price averages that are $1/gallon or more cheaper compared to last year, with another dozen states within a dime of reaching this mark.

On Monday, stock prices for oil tumbled to below $0. 

Even though Coffee County Central High School graduation is postponed to a later date, the class of 2020 will be able to pick up items during a drive-thru at Coffee County High School on Tuesday, April 21.

Jostens will conduct a drive-thru for Class of 2020 to pick up caps, gowns and other senior supplies from 10 a.m. until noon. The entrance and exit will be clearly marked and based on last names. School administrators and counselors will be on hand to help hand out items. Please have a sheet of paper with your name displayed on your dash. Students will not be leaving vehicles. If there is a balance, students must prepay that balance at www.Jostens.com or by calling 1 -800-JOSTENS.

Coffee County graduation was originally scheduled for May 22. Now graduation ceremonies will be held on one of the backup dates that were previously established: June 26, July 24, or August 14. The ceremony will be held on the first available date listed once social restrictions are lifted, provided that arrangements can be completed by that date.