Josh Peterson

Tullahoma Mayor Lane Curlee issued clarifications Tuesday, easing a “proclamation” he issued on Monday in favor of an “advisory” for residents to shelter at home.

Curlee told residents that he was not authorized to issue the proclamation to the extent that he did, saying that he made a “series of mistakes in issuing a proclamation containing ‘shalls’ I am not authorized to make.” Curlee also apologized for the confusion.

The curfew issued by Curlee in the original proclamation is not valid and businesses are not required to close their doors.

Curlee does continue to ask non essential businesses to close.

Tennessee Department of Health issued updated numbers of cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee Tuesday afternoon.
As of Tuesday, March 24, there are 667 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 2 deaths. The highest concentration of cases is in Davidson County, with 183 cases, 99 in Shelby County and 64 in Williamson County.

In regards to surrounding areas, there is one confirmed case in Franklin County and one in Grundy County. There are still no confirmed cases in Coffee County.

You can contact the public information line at 833-556-2476.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced Tuesday that all public schools in Tennessee should remain closed through April 24 due to the COVID-19 virus.

Locally, Coffee County and Manchester City Schools have already been closed since March 16. Both districts announced Monday afternoon, March 23, that they would be closed through April 12. Now the governor’s announcement extends that closure even further.

“The Department of Education team will continue to work closely with our districts as they serve students and families during this time. We are committed to doing whatever we can to support our district leaders as they make the necessary decisions to ensure students can continue to access critical meal and other services, as well as receive high-quality academic instruction while they are out of school,” said Lee.

The US Department of Education announced Monday that it has approved Tennessee’s request to waive statewide testing this year.

“Following guidance from Governor Bill Lee, Manchester City Schools will remain closed through April 24. Our district will continue to reach out to our students and families to provide academic support,” said Manchester Director of Schools Dr. Joey Vaughn. “We are incredibly proud of the work taking place to meet the needs of our community.”

Coffee County Schools will also remain closed through April 24, per director Dr. Charles Lawson. 

More information will be posted as it is available.

A Tornado Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for parts of Middle Tennessee, Northern Alabama and Georgia, an area that includes Coffee County.

This watch is in effect from 3:05 p.m. through 10 p.m. Tuesday. A watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather, including tornadoes.

Much of southern Middle Tennessee, including Coffee County, have been placed under an “enhanced risk” of severe weather for Tuesday afternoon, March 24.

According to the National Weather Service, the primary threat is damaging winds of 60+ miles per hour, half-dollar size hail, heavy rain amounts, and a few tornadoes.

North of Coffee County remains under a “slight risk” of severe weather, per the storm prediction center.

Timing appears to bring the highest chance of severe weather into Coffee County between 4-10 p.m.

Tune into Thunder Radio for severe weather alerts: 107.9 FM, 106.7 FM, 1320 AM. Also be sure to download the “Manchester GO” app for severe weather push notifications.

Much of southern Middle Tennessee, including Coffee County, have been placed under an “enhanced risk” of severe weather for Tuesday afternoon, March 24.

According to the National Weather Service, the primary threat is damaging winds of 60+ miles per hour, half-dollar size hail, heavy rain amounts, and a few tornadoes.

North of Coffee County remains under a “slight risk” of severe weather, per the storm prediction center.

Timing appears to bring the highest chance of severe weather into Coffee County between 4-10 p.m. 

Tune into Thunder Radio for severe weather alerts: 107.9 FM, 106.7 FM, 1320 AM. Also be sure to download the “Manchester GO” app for severe weather push notifications.

Both Coffee County and Manchester school systems announced Monday that they will remain closed through April 12.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed in the future,” said Manchester Director of Schools Dr. Joey Vaughn.

The announcement extends the closure of both systems, which began on Monday, March 16. The closure also includes both systems spring break dates.

Tullahoma Mayor Lane Curlee has issued a “shelter at home” proclamation, requesting that all Tullahoma residents shelter in their homes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The proclamation also puts a curfew into effect.
The proclamation “strongly requests” citizens of Tullahoma to shelter at home.

“When individuals must leave their home, they should practice social isolation, staying at least six feet apart, and should assume that others are infectious, regardless of whether they exhibit symptoms,” the statement reads.

Curlee’s order also puts into affect a mandatory curfew that is now in effect between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., during which all persons in the city of Tullahoma shall remain at home. This curfew does not apply to first responders, essential government services, law enforcement, rescue, safety, health or essential utility services or military services. It also does not apply to anyone traveling to or from lawful employment. Curlee’s order also stops all public or private events, meetings or gatherings of more than 10 people. The order also states that all businesses not performing essential services shall close their facilities to the public, effective at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 24.

There are multiple exceptions that include:
*Federal and state offices and services, and private companies or
individuals performing under federal, state, or local government contracts;
* Essential government functions including, but not limited to, law
enforcement, public transportation, and businesses that provide government
programs and services;
* Companies providing media, communication and telecommunication
services;
* Grocery and beverage stores, farmers markets, food banks, caterers,
convenience stores selling food, agriculture, food manufacturing and
processing, feed mills, and other businesses that directly support the food
supply, including but not limited to farming, livestock, and food
cultivation;
* Health care, mental and behavioral health, biomedical research,
laboratory services, and other businesses that directly support the
healthcare industry including, but not limited to, health information
technology, staffing and supplies;
* Sanitation and waste removal;
* Energy, water, and sewage businesses and services;
* Pharmacies, medical supply, and other businesses that directly
support the drug and medical supply pipeline;
* Vehicle fuel, support, and service stations, vehicle parts and
repair businesses, and vehicle sales, leasing and rental businesses;
* Banks, savings and loans, insurance companies, accounting
businesses, and other business that directly support the insurance and
financial services sectors;
* Real property marketing, leasing, purchase, and sale services;
* Legal and judicial services;
* Laundromats, laundry, and cleaning services;
* Home and business structure and equipment repair, hardware, building
supply, and appliance sale and repairs;
* Warehousing and storage facilities;
* Construction, architectural, engineering, or surveying services;
* Product logistics, transport, and distribution businesses;
* Parcel transportation and delivery businesses;
* Veterinary and pet supply business and services;
* Home and business cleaning and maintenance services;
* Educational institutions, public and private K-12 schools, private
colleges and universities, trade schools, post-secondary, and technical
colleges, but only as needed to facilitate online or distance learning and
essential functions;
* Landscaping and nurseries;
* Production, distribution, and sale of household consumer goods such
as cleaning and personal care products;
* Essential building maintenance and security;
* Individuals whose job functions require them to be at their work
location and who are essential to preserving the information systems,
accounting, and human resource infrastructures of any business which is
otherwise in substantial compliance with this order;
* Daycare and childcare businesses shall remain open and should
prioritize children of parents working for essential infrastructure sectors,
businesses, or service providers to the extent practicable;
* Nonprofit entities providing support and assistance in response to
the COVID-19 pandemic; and
* Other businesses and services that may be determined are essential
for the continued safety and security of the City of Tullahoma and Coffee
County.

Coffee County’s self-response rate to the 2020 Census is off to an excellent start. According to data provided by the Census, Coffee County has a 27.3% response rate (as of noon, March 23) since the Census began receiving responses on March 12. That is well ahead of the state percentage of 19.6% and the national average of 19.2%.

In fact, Coffee County has the second best response rate in the entire state of Tennessee.

“Moore County’s response rate is 30.2 percent,” stated Tia Zanghi, relationship specialist with the US Census.

Coffee County and Lincoln County are tied with the second best response rate in the state at 27.3%.

In the surrounding area, the response rates through noon on March 21 are as follows:

Moore County – 30.2 percent
Coffee County – 27.3 %
Lincoln County 27.3
Franklin County – 25.7 %
Bedford County – 23..6 %
Warren County – 22.9%
Cannon County – 18.8%
Rutherford County 17.2%
Grundy County – 8.8%

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.

With concerns with COVID-19, enumerator (door knocker) response may be delayed going home to home, although no official announcements have been made. That is why local officials are emphasizing as many people as possible self respond.

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.

“This is a very important Census for Coffee County,” said Coffee County Mayor Gary Cordell. “It is of utmost important that everyone is accounted for. This data and these results will have a direct impact in our community for the next 10 years.”

Going deeper into the numbers, the best response rates in Coffee County have been in the northern half of the county, with some tracks showing response rates as high as 34.2%.

Manchester Mayor Lonnie Norman issued an updated statement to citizens of Manchester regarding COVID-19 response on Monday, March 23. His statement is as follows:

“We all find ourselves in uncharted waters and having to navigate without the benefit of any precedent or channel markers. Rest assured, we are working with Governor Lee’s staff, other state agencies, local officials, Coffee County Emergency Mgmt. team, and Coffee County Mayor Gary Cordell during this time.

“Governor Lee signed Executive Order 17 calling for businesses across the state to utilize alternative business models beginning at midnight CST on Monday, March 23, 2020 until midnight CST April 6, 2020. This order mandates alternative business models for restaurants and gyms, and addresses alcohol restrictions that will be lifted. You can find a copy of Executive Order 17 and a press release regarding Executive Order 17 on our city website (www.cityofmanchestertn.com). We have also posted a TN resource guide for funding and other resources available from the state.

“In an effort to protect all members of our community and the employees of the City of Manchester, we will continue to operate on the same procedures we implemented on March 10th, 2020, with minimal disruptions to city services. There will be no water cut-offs during this period, and we are reassessing all implemented procedures weekly.
Our local church alliance will be collaborating with the Manchester/Coffee County Senior Citizen Organization to address needs regarding elderly in our community, and how to best implement a collaborative plan of service. If you know of a senior citizen in our community needing assistance, please call 931-723-8288.

“The City of Manchester School System has announced today that City Schools will be closed until April 12th, and will be reassessing that date weekly. Also, they have announced changes in the food distribution plan effective March 23, 2020. For all updates, please go to www.manchestercitysch.org.

“We are working with Motlow Community College on a community collaborative initiative to support local businesses. On our website, you will find a link to the Local Business Survey, and we urge businesses to take time to feel out the survey. With the sharing of information, resources, and strategies we hope to promote economic resiliency for our community.

“As information becomes available from Governor Lee and State officials, we will provide all updates on our website. On behalf of the City of Manchester, I want to thank you for your continued support. Please feel free to contact us (931-728-4652) if you have any questions. I’m urging all residents of the City of Manchester to take precautions against the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We must look out for one another and remember that we are all in this together.”

Manchester Police are asking for help identifying a male subject who they say was involved in an incident at the Manchester Walmart at noon Friday, March 13.

You can see the subject in the photo below. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Manchester Police Department at 931-728-2099.