Josh Peterson

Join us at Thunder Radio and Rosalyn Partin of the Manchester H&R Block and congratulate our student of the week – Kennedy Torres

Kennedy is a sixth grade student at Coffee County Middle School and Mrs. Cooper is his homeroom teacher. Kennedy’s parents are Martha Hernandez and Erick Beltran. He enjoys playing soccer and hanging out with friends. When he grows up, Kennedy would like to pursue a career in soccer.

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. Job well done, Kennedy.

(Pictured below, from left, CCMS principal Kim Aaron, Kennedy Torres and Rosalyn Partin, Manchester H&R Block)

Manchester City Schools has released its plan for the final weeks of what would have been the end of the 2019-20 academic school year, along with plans for closing out the school year. The statement is as follows:

Manchester City Schools continues to work with  students and families as the 2019-2020 school year comes to a close. This is a school year like no other, but we hope to provide as much support and guidance during this difficult time as possible. Below are activities that will be occurring each week from now until May 22, 2020, the last day of the school year.

• Week of April 20 – the past few weeks have been emotional for everyone in our community. For this week, we are encouraging teachers, students, and families to take time to have fun and enjoy learning opportunities that may not involve written work. Normally, we are taking field trips, having field days, or other activities that are memorable for our students. Teachers may provide opportunities for a virtual field trip, a scavenger hunt, class Google Hangout, or other activities that students would enjoy. “Social distancing” is still in effect. This week is meant to take care of the social and emotional needs of everyone. Have fun and make memories.
Next year’s 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students should return pre-registration materials this week to Westwood Middle School. If you have not received information, please contact your school’s principal.

• Week of April 27 – learning opportunities currently taking place will resume. Online learning will continue as well as learning packets. We will finish the school year strong.

• Week of May 4 – learning opportunities will continue. The learning for the year will be nearing an end.
It is possible that Chromebook collection for WMS will take place this week. We will wait as long as possible.

• Week of May 11 – we will begin the process of closing school for the year. Guidance from the governor on the stay at home order will help determine activities of the week. If possible, we will make arrangements for students to return items that belong to school (books, etc.), collect their personal items, pick up report cards, and hopefully receive the assignment of next year’s teacher. Yearbooks and other items will be picked up if the publishers have them completed.
Elementary students who checked out Chromebooks will return those.

• Week of May 18 – preparing for the 2020 -2021 school year. Students and families will be contacted by the teacher that the student will have when school resumes. Kindergarten student families will have an opportunity to pre-register and receive information. Kindergarten pre-registration will be dependent on travel restrictions.

*All activities will take place with social distancing rules in place.

We will continue to provide student meals on Mondays at Westwood Elementary from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

As more guidance is released from Governor Lee, decisions regarding summer feeding and the Extended School Program will be communicated.

We appreciate everyone working with our district to help our students through these difficult times.

Coffee County’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 jumped to 17 as of 2 p.m. Thursday, this according to the Tennessee Department of Health. That number is up from 13 on Wednesday. Of the 17 cases in Coffee County, four are classified as recovered. There have been 334 negative tests conduced in Coffee County.

Statewide there are 6,262 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 141 deaths reported. Across the state there have been 691 hospitalizations and 2,786 classified as recovered.

Manchester Mayor Lonnie Norman released an update to Manchester citizens Thursday regarding city operations through Governor Bill Lee’s extended “stay-at-home” executive order. The full release is as follows:

“Gov. Bill Lee has extended his “Stay-at-Home” order until April 30, with plans to reopen the economy in May. The next two weeks are critical to our public health, and we are relying on every individual to use common sense and make responsible decisions. As individuals and as a community, we can make smart choices that will protect our families, keep our most vulnerable safe, and give our health care partners time to combat this virus. Each of us has the responsibility to follow Governor Lee’s “Stay-at-Home” order, which is outlined in Executive Order 22.

“We’re going to be faced with a lot of challenges, even coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our economy has been profoundly impacted, and we are going to have to as a community come together. There are a lot of people in our community that have lost their jobs, their businesses, and their savings. Know that I will continue to do everything in my power to help our community persevere and recover.

“The City of Manchester offices will continue four-day work weeks through May 1st. All offices will conduct business by phone and online Monday thru Thursday from 7am till 5:30pm. We encourage residents to utilize our online services www.cityofmanchestertn.com, drive-up window, and night deposit boxes. The City of Manchester will continue to notify residents of any significant changes to City services through the media as necessary. If you know an elderly resident that needs assistance, please contact us at 723-8288 or 728-4652. As always, the safety and security of our residents and employees remains our top priority.”

Co Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced Wednesday that he is recommending that schools remain closed through the end of the school year.

“Our department of education will work with local leaders. We want to make sure to be flexible with districts across the state. They have critical year-end activities to complete and prepare for next year,” said Lee. “This pandemic has created many challenges for families, teachers and students. Classroom time has been lost. Students have lost a significant amount of learning time. We will continue to provide resources to keep our students engaged over the next several weeks. “

Tennessee education commissioner Dr. Penny Schwinn announced Wednesday the formation of a COVID-19 child well-being task force to create support for students during this lengthy layoff.

“I appreciate the governor’s recommendation schools remain closed through the end of the school year to protect the health and safety of all Tennesseans. The coronavirus pandemic is constantly evolving, and we are only starting to see how this pandemic is affecting our children,” said Dr. Penny Schwinn. 

“Children being out of school for such a long time has significant implications for a child’s wellbeing, and this poses a different kind of challenge for all of us, as communities and as a state. There is critical work ahead, and t I am honored to convene the COVID-19 Child Wellbeing Task Force in the coming weeks to focus state and local leaders on the wellbeing of Tennessee’s children.” 

Commissioner Schwinn will be convening a COVID-19 Child Wellbeing Task Force to support local leaders and communities in caring for our students, particularly those who are vulnerable or most at risk. Details about the Task Force will be announced in the coming weeks. 

Manchester City School and Coffee County Schools quickly sent  announcements Wednesday confirming that the systems will follow Lee’s recommendation and  be closed for the remainder of this school year.  Coffee County Schools announced that its graduation is postponed. 

While closing was staggered across the state, schools in Coffee County have been closed since the middle of March due to this pandemic. Thunder Radio will keep you up to date.

Tennessee now has 6,079 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, including one more in Coffee County, with 13 cases now in Coffee County.

Statewide, there have been 135 confirmed deaths, 663 hospitalizations and 2,196 people classified as recovered. There have been 80,896 tests performed for the virus. In Coffee County, there have been 334 people who have tested negative for the COVID-19 virus.
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Coffee County Schools and Manchester City Schools are partnering together to host a Drive-Thru Mobile Food Pantry on Friday, April 17th at Coffee County Middle School. A Mobile Food Pantry is a large scale food distribution in which food items are delivered via Second Harvest Food Bank to a designated location for immediate distribution to those in need.

“During this unprecedented time, we understand hardships and challenges could potentially be bestowed on our families. We want to provide support and aid during times of uncertainty. As a community, we will get through this together,” said Taylor Rayfield, Coordinator of Family Resource Center for Coffee County Schools.

This will open at 10 a.m. and will be held at Coffee County Middle School, 3063 Woodbury Highway in Manchester.
The pantry will operate on a drive-thru model to reduce contact. Food boxes will be assembled and disbursed to the trunks of vehicles. Guests will not exit their vehicle for any reason.

For questions, contact Taylor Rayfield, Coordinator of Family Resource for Coffee County Schools at (931) 222-1066, or BJ Sylvia, Coordinator of Family Resource for Manchester City Schools at (931) 728-3412

Coffee County School announced Wednesday afternoon that it will follow Governor Bill Lee’s guidance to cancel the remainder of the school year. With that announcement came the postponement of graduation at Central High School. 

A email statement from director of schools Dr. Charles Lawson is below:

“As stated just [Tuesday], Coffee County Schools will follow the guidance of local, state, and national leaders in making decisions regarding the status of schools and school events. Today, Governor Lee recommended the closure of public schools for the remainder of the ’19-’20 school year. Coffee County Schools will be following that recommendation.

“Coffee County Schools are closed for the remainder of the school year. As a result of the school closure, Coffee County Central High School graduation is postponed. 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.

“The closure for the remainder of the school year has also created other secondary issues. Schools will still need to collect textbooks, athletic uniforms, and other school items and some students still have personal belongings in the schools. Once the governor’s mandatory stay-at-home order has expired, arrangements will be made in which school items can be taken to schools and personal belongings can be claimed. Coffee County Schools will communicate those arrangements through local media, school district social media accounts, and communications from teachers. Please continue to be patient as we work through this difficult time.”

The Tennessee Department of Health will offer 33 drive-through events this weekend (April 18-19) to make COVID-19 testing available to Tennesseans who are concerned about their health or the health of their family members. This includes a drive-thru testing site at the Coffee County Administrative Plaza from 12-3 p.m. Sunday, April 19.

Anyone with health concerns, or who has concerns about the health of a family member, is invited to come to one of these locations this weekend to receive testing for COVID-19. This testing will be provided at no cost to participants, and those who come for testing can remain in their vehicles throughout the process of collecting their samples.

Nurses and/or National Guard medics at each site will collect nasal swabs from those who want to be tested, and test results may be available within 72 hours after the samples arrive at the lab, depending on lab volume.

On Saturday, April 18, 22 COVID-19 drive-through testing sites will be open at the following locations in Tennessee:

Bedford County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Shelbyville Central High School
401 Eagle Blvd., Shelbyville

Claiborne County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Claiborne County Health Department
620 Davis St., New Tazewell

Dickson County
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Dickson County Health Department
301 West End Ave., Dickson

Grainger County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Grainger County Health Department
185 Justice Center Drive, Rutledge

Hardin County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
First Baptist Church
145 Main St., Savannah

Hawkins County
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Volunteer High School
1050 Volunteer St., Church Hill

Loudon County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Loudon County Health Department
600 Ryder Ave., Loudon

Madison County
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Jackson Fairgrounds
800 South Highland Ave., Jackson

Marion County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Chattanooga State Community College – Kimball Site, 2100 Main St., Kimball

Maury County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Woodland Park
821 West 9th St., Columbia

Monroe County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Monroe County Health Department
3469 New Highway 68, Madisonville

Montgomery County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Montgomery County Health Department
300 Pageant Lane, Clarksville

Robertson County
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Robertson County Fairgrounds
4635 US-41, Springfield

Rutherford County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Rutherford County Health Department
100 West Burton St., Murfreesboro

Scott County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Scott County Health Department
344 Court St., Huntsville

Sevier County
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tennessee Smokies Baseball Stadium
3540 Line Drive, Kodak

Tipton County
12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Brighton High School
8045 Highway 51 South, Brighton

Union County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Union County Health Department
4335 Maynardville Highway, Maynardville

Van Buren County
3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Burritt College
445 College St., Spencer

Weakley County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Weakley County Health Department
9852 Highway 22, Dresden

Williamson County
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Williamson County Health Department
1324 West Main St., Franklin

Wilson County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wilson County Health Department
927 E. Baddour Parkway, Lebanon

On Sunday, April 19, 11 COVID-19 drive-through testing sites will be open at the following locations in Tennessee:

Claiborne County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Claiborne County Health Department
620 Davis St., New Tazewell

Coffee County
12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Coffee County Administrative Plaza
1329 McArthur St., Manchester

Fayette County
12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Oakland First Baptist Church
8695 US-64, Somerville

Grainger County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Grainger County Health Department
185 Justice Center Drive, Rutledge

Madison County
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Jackson Fairgrounds
800 South Highland Ave., Jackson

McMinn County
12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Athens Regional Park
101 Regional Park Drive, Athens

Pickett County
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
B & K Grocery Parking Lot
8460 Highway 111, Byrdstown

Roane County
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Roane State Community College – Harriman Campus, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman

Sumner County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Gallatin High School
700 Dan P. Herron Drive, Gallatin

Union County
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Union County Health Department
4335 Maynardville Highway, Maynardville

Washington County
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
East Tennessee State University
1276 Gilbreath Drive, Johnson City