Josh Peterson

As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, there are now 4,138 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee – this out of 52,874 total tests performed.

According to the Tennessee Department of Health, there have been 72 confirmed deaths and 508 hospitalizations. There are 7 confirmed cases in Coffee County.

As Thunder Radio News reported to you yesterday, a study conducted by the University of Washington that originally projected Tennessee could see 3,400 deaths from COVID-19 has made serious alterations to that projection. Now, the study predicts Tennessee will likely see 587 deaths from COVID-19. That study also says Tennessee will need to add zero hospital beds and 200 ventilators. Previously, that study said Tennessee needed to add 7,800 beds and nearly 2,000 ventilators. This same study also says the state will hit peak resource use by April 15. This study takes into account social distancing through the end of May.

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 Sheriff’s Department had a brief interruption of its operating system thanks to a virus, according to Sheriff Chad Partin. But, according to Partin, all system’s are back up and operating normally.

“We had a virus that came from somewhere in the European counties overseas best we can tell,” explained Partin. “There was no ransomware or any ransom paid or anything like that. We don’t know how long it was sitting there.”

Partin said he does not believe that anyone’s personal information was compromised. However, his department continues to work to investigate the case at this time.

by United Way of HWY 55 is now accepting applications for the next allocation cycle. All nonprofits that serve Coffee, Moore, or Warren counties are eligible to apply for funds. Applications are due May 1, 2020. Click here  to find the Allocation Application Manual. Fill out and download required documents.

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF HIGHWAY 55 ALLOCATION PROGRAM
The United Way of Highway 55 believes that all our neighbors deserve a chance to succeed and live a vibrant life here at home. In order for everyone to have a fair chance to succeed, we support these areas that build a good quality of life and a strong community – education, income, health, and essentials.

United Way prides itself on being a safe, effective outlet for donors to make a difference in their community. We raise funds from a variety of individuals and businesses, pooling donated resources, and organize fundraisers so we can make significant grants to nonprofit agencies in Coffee, Moore, and Warren Counties. We distribute funds strategically to our partner local nonprofits. Nonprofits submit applications, which our allocation committee reviews every year. Through this process, we identify how organizations in our community can work together to provide the most effective and efficient services. We allocate funds to incentivize collaboration and support effective services. By giving to UWHWY55, you are contributing to a strategic effort to make our communities stronger, while supporting many needed missions.

For more information about United Way of Highway 55, visit the website by clicking here or visit the Facebook page by clicking here.

Ben Lomand Connect recently installed a free public WiFi hotspot at Manchester-Coffee County Conference Center at 147 Hospitality Boulevard to help Manchester residents stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Internet connectivity is an important resource for Coffee Countians during this crisis while we navigate in this changing environment,” said Lisa Cope, General Manager and CEO of Ben Lomand Connect. “As many are being asked to work and learn remotely, it is our hope that public WiFi hotspots will be critical to keeping workers and students connected if they do not have access at home.”

The location services the parking lot of the conference center, where users can access WiFi from a parked vehicle to meet their needs and encourage social distancing.

“Ben Lomand has been a long time partner of MCCCC. Our concern for technology and access in rural Tennesee has always been supported and shared with Ben Lomand- how we can serve the community to the best of our ability and competitively with other markets has been a shared vision,” said Rebecca French, general manager of the center. “We have 330 parking spaces if our community needs access to free internet, and Ben Lomand has stepped in to offer this service in a central place. We ask that people stay in their cars and connect from the comfort of their seats.”

Ben Lomand Connect was incorporated on October 2, 1952, to provide local telephone service to rural middle Tennessee. Ben Lomand began its diversification in 1993 by forming BLC, a wholly-owned long-distance subsidiary, and it was the first competitive local exchange carrier in the state of Tennessee. Combined, the two have over 27,500 access lines covering 3,200 square miles of territory. Ben Lomand Connect also offers many other services, including video, security, hosted I.P. solutions, and managed I.T. services.

Coffee County’s cases of COVID-19 continue on a slow uptick, as Tennessee Department of Health confirmed Monday that Coffee County has seven confirmed cases of the virus. There have been 210 negative tests performed in Coffee County.

Across the state, there are 3,802 total confirmed cases out of 47,350 tests performed. There have been 65 deaths and 352 hospitalizations.

In related news, a study conducted by the University of Washington that originally projected Tennessee could see 3,400 deaths from COVID-19 has made serious alterations to that projection. Now, the study predicts Tennessee will likely see 587 deaths from COVID-19. That study also says Tennessee will need to add zero hospital beds and 200 ventilators. Previously, that study said Tennessee needed to add 7,800 beds and nearly 2,000 ventilators. This same study also says the state will hit peak resource use by April 15. This study takes into account social distancing through the end of May.

Meanwhile, in Manchester, the recycling at Manchester City Hall has been suspended. However, according to the Manchester Mayor’s office, all other roadside pickup and garbage pickup remains on schedule.

Governor Bill Lee announced that $200 million in grants will be allocated to every county and city government in Tennessee – this will go toward one-time local expenses for the 2021 fiscal year.

“Capital maintenance, public safety and road projects don’t pause for disaster like the March tornadoes and the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant fund will ease the burden on local governments as they work to meet infrastructure and safety obligations,” said Lee.

Funding will be based on population according to the US Census Bureau. Each county is set to receive at least $500,000. Meanwhile, each city is set to receive at least $30,000. Funds will not be made available until after July 1.

Coffee County remains among the top county’s in the state of Tennessee when it comes to percentage of population self-responding to the United States Census.

As of Monday, April 6, Coffee County has a 52.4% response rate to the Census – that’s the fourth best rate in the entire state. Since the Census began taking responses on March 12, Coffee County has consistently been in the top five in the state for self-response rate. Currently, Williamson County’s 56 percent self-response leads the state.
Out of Tennessee’s 95 counties, only six have reached the 51 percent response rate.

“We need all of our citizens to take time and fill in their Census – whether they do that online, over the phone or through the mail,” explained Manchester Mayor Lonnie Norman. “We want to have the best self-response rate in the State, that should be our goal here. There are a lot of federal dollars attached to Census data. I’m glad to see our citizens our off to a very good start.”

Self-response is the rate at which county’s respond without having an enumerator (or a door knocker) come to visit. Enumerators aren’t scheduled to start until May – meaning if you have already completed your Census, you will not be visited by an enumerator. Coffee County’s self response rate for the last Census – 2010 – was 70%. Obviously the goal is to blow past that number.

Everyone is encouraged to respond to the Census online if they have internet access. You can respond online by clicking here – responding takes mere minutes and you only need your street address to get started. Without internet access, respondents should pay close attention to their mailboxes and respond to the paper questionnaire or call the phone number provided. To respond by phone, you can call 1-800-354-7271.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about $675 billion in federal money will be distributed based on the census data compiled, meaning ensuring a complete count in Coffee County is a top priority for local officials. One separate study shows that for every person that goes uncounted in the Census, Coffee County will miss out on about $11,000 in federal money allocation over the next 10 years.

Tullahoma Police Department has put out a warning about a scam making its way around the area. While this scam has been used before in multiple areas, it has a new twist.

According to TPD, a scammer is contacting intended victims in this area with a phone number that appears to be coming directly from the Tullahoma Police Department. The scammer identifies themselves as a TPD officer, and at that time attempts to get the intended victim to send money with the claim that the officer has a warrant for their arrest.

Tullahoma Police Department does not call and request funds over the phone for any reason – the same goes for all local law enforcement agencies. If you are unsure of who you are speaking with, you can always hang up the phone and contact TPD directly at 931-455-0530.

Coffee County’s cases of COVID-19 continue on a slow uptick, as Tennessee Department of Health confirmed Monday that Coffee County has seven confirmed cases of the virus. There have been 210 negative tests performed within Coffee County, according to TDH.

Across the state, there are 3,802 total confirmed cases out of 47,350 tests performed. There have been 65 deaths and 352 hospitalizations.

In related news, a study conducted by the University of Washington that originally projected Tennessee could see 3,400 deaths from COVID-19 has made serious alterations to that projection. Now, the study predicts Tennessee will likely see 587 deaths from COVID-19. That study also says Tennessee will need to add zero hospital beds and 200 ventilators. Previously, that study said Tennessee needed to add 7,800 beds and nearly 2,000 ventilators. This same study also says the state will hit peak resource euse by April 15. This study takes into account social distancing through the end of May. 

Meanwhile, in Manchester, the recycling at Manchester City Hall has been suspended indefinitely. However, according to the Manchester Mayor’s office, all other roadside pickup and garbage pickup remains on schedule.

Also, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, has been cancelled.