Josh Peterson

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department continue to patrol and protect as usual through this COVID-19 pandemic. However, at the recommendation from the CDC and the Tennessee Department of Health, the department is implementing a few safeguard policies.

*Onsite visitation that usually occurs in the lobby of the jail will no longer be offered due to proximity in the visitation room

*Due to social distancing guidelines and cleaning requirements of devices, the sheriff’s department has switched to off-site visitation to allow family and friends to visit their loved ones who are incarcerated in the Coffee County Jail through smart phone, tablet or computer.

*Please keep physical visits to the jail to a necessity.

“Anyone needing information regarding warrant service, booking information or ongoing investigations you can call the main number at 931-728-3591,” the department said in a Facebook post.

Anyone who needs to have a deputy dispatched to their location should contact the communications center at 931-728-9555 and, as always, call 911 with emergencies.

As students in all area school systems remain out of school amid concerns of COVID-19, Manchester City Schools and Coffee County Schools continue to take extraordinary steps to ensure children are fed meals on these days.

Every weekday during this closure, both systems are offering free meals for students up to age 18. Manchester City Schools are offering breakfast and lunch bags from 9 to 11 a.m. at College Street Elementary, Westwood Elementary, and both Manchester City Fire Halls. Some teachers with the school system have even been actively delivering meals to homes of children who do not have transportation.

Meanwhile, Coffee County Schools offers meals free to all children ages 18 and under from 9:30-11:30 a.m. each day. These meals can be picked up at Beech grove Church of Christ from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., Goosburg Community Church from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m., Coffee County Raider Academy, Deerfield Elementary School, East Coffee Elementary School, Hickerson Elementary School, Hillsboro Elementary School and New Union Elementary School from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Children must be present to pick up meals.(Photo bottom left, teachers deliver meals on Wednesday. Bottom right, teachers at College Street serve to-go meals to those who need them.)

According to Thunder Radio News sources, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival organizers have reached out to Coffee County officials to inform them that the festival will be postponed from June until September 24-27 due to concerns with COVID-19.

This year is set to be the 19th annual Bonnaroo festival, which has been held in June since its inception in 2002.

Bonnaroo released a statement shortly after this news posting saying that the change is “out of an abundance of caution and for the health and safety of all Bonnaroovians, artists, staff and our community.” 

According to Bonnaroo officials, all current tickets and onsite accommodations and shuttles purchased through the festival will be contacted directly with updates.

“Please continue to radiate positivity through this unchartered time in our world. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you on The Farm this fall.” 

More information will be posted as it is available. 

Beginning Tuesday, March 17th, all person to person contact for the City of Manchester offices is suspended at city hall till further notice. This includes Codes Department, Finance Department, I.S. Department, and Mayor’s Office; with the exception of the Water Collection and Police Department Lobbies that will remain open. Offices that are closed to the public at city hall will conduct business by phone and online.

Essential City services will remain fully operational during this suspension. These departments include Water, Sanitation, and Public Works. The City of Manchester Police and Fire departments will continue to operate as usual.

Mayor Lonnie Norman has asked that the water department suspend all cut-offs until 4-15-20 to ensure citizens receive water services.

“We encourage residents to utilize available on-line services at www.cityofmanchestertn.com to access information, pay bills, or engage in city business when possible. We also encourage everyone to monitor the Tennessee Department of Public Health website tn.gov/health, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and other public resources to receive information and instructions on this developing situation,” the city stated in a press release. 

“The City of Manchester will continue to notify citizens of any significant changes to city services through the media as necessary. As always, the safety and security of our residents and employees remains our top priority.”

“Following the CDC and State of Tennessee recommendations, I’m encouraging all individuals in our community to limit their participation in gatherings of 50 or more,” said mayor Lonnie Norman. “The health and safety of our residents, visitors, and staff is of the highest importance at this time.

Effective at noon Tuesday, an effort to help with the COVID-19 Pandemic, Coffee County Government buildings will be closing their offices to the public. This will include all Offices at Coffee County Administrative Plaza, The Public Libraries, and all other county buildings unless otherwise listed in this release. The exceptions to this will be Coffee County Sheriff’s Department and all Convenience centers within the County. They will remain open and operational utilizing normal business hours. All employees will still be working and will be available by appointment. If you have business with the following offices, we ask that you please call ahead and schedule an appointment:

Coffee County Mayors Office 931-723-5100
Coffee County Clerk’s Office 931-723-5106
Coffee County Election Office will be open to pick up and return petitions. 931-723-5103
Coffee County Register of Deeds 931-723-5130
Coffee County Trustee 931-723-5128
Coffee County Probation 931-723-3939
Coffee County Circuit Clerk 931-723-5100
Coffee County Codes 931-723-4841
Coffee County Industrial Board 931-723-5120
Coffee County Property Assessor 931-723-5126

Following similar precautions being taken across the state, these precautionary measures are being taken in order to limit potential exposure to COVID-19. All emergency services will still operate in case of Emergency. County Employees and most services will continue to be available by phone and many services are available online.
The health and safety of our residents, visitors, and employees is of the highest importance at this time. We hope that this temporary restriction in our operations will prevent a more lengthy and significant reduction in operations at a future date. Coffee County will continue to monitor all updates from the CDC and state health officials and will adjust our response plans and operations based on their advice. The CDC and State of Tennessee health officials recommend social distancing, which is a term for taking precautions to reduce your contact with other individuals.

Coffee County Will re-evaluate on Friday 3/20/2020 by 4pm and apprise the public as to further closings that may be warranted.

The Manchester and Coffee County Animal Shelters will be closed to the public due to COVID-19 concerns. Only emergency situations will be addressed by the centers. Adoptions, owner surrenders and other non-emergency business will be postponed until the shelters reopen to the public, this according to a Facebook post from the Coffee County Animal Control.

Anyone with questions or problems that should be addressed, you can call the Manchester Animal Control at 931-723-7211 or the Coffee County Animal Control at 931-723-2730.