Josh Peterson

Effective at noon Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in 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

“Those who have business with Coffee County Clerk can also utilize the drive-up window located on the East side of the building.”

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,” said Mayor Gary Cordell in a release issued on behalf of the county mayor’s office. “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 March 20 by 4 p.m and apprise the public as to further closings that may be warranted.

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 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 of Manchester will continue to notify our 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. The health and safety of our residents, visitors, and staff is of the highest importance at this time.

Coffee County Schools and Manchester City Schools are joining many other systems in the state and have announced that both systems are extending their school closures through March 31. This is coming at the recommendation of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to help combat the potential spread of coronavirus, or COVID-19.

For Manchester City Schools, nutrition services for children 18 and under will be available beginning March 17 from 9-11 a.m. at Westwood Elementary, College Street Elementary and Manchester Fire Station number 1 on Hillsboro Blvd, and Manchester Fire Station number 2 on Woodbury Highway.

“While we value learning and academics for every student, we understand that student and family safety is the top priority,” said Dr. Joey Vaughn, director of Manchester City Schools. “At this time, we are encouraging families to utilize online and print resources that are available at home to continue student progress. If the situation requires the district to close past spring break, specific guidelines and resources will be made available.”

Meanwhile, Coffee County Schools Director of Student Support Services Carlan Cotten announces during the unprecedented time our school nutrition department will be offering free meals for anyone 18 years and under. This opportunity will be a grab and go drive thru type meal.

These drive thru locations will be open from 9:30-11:30 a.m. each weekday at Coffee County High School, Coffee County Raider Academy, Coffee County Middle School, Deerfield Elementary, East Coffee Elementary, Hickerson Elementary, Hillsboro Elementary, New Union Elementary and North Coffee Elementary. Children must be present to pick up these free meals.

Meanwhile, in Tullahoma, there will be breakfast served from 8:30-9:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:30-1. There will be drive thru operations at Jack T Farrar, East Lincoln, Tullahoma High School, West Middle and Bel-Aire.

Although Unity Medical Center has not had any confirmed cases of COVID-19, hospital officials say it is  capable of testing for it. Patients must meet the following guidelines that have been set by the CDC and the THA before receiving a test:
1. Contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case
2. Travel to a high-risk international or domestic location with evidence of widespread community transmission
3. Pregnant women or immunocompromised persons
4. High-risk occupation (healthcare worker, work with elderly/at-risk populations)
5. Severe pneumonia / acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) of unknown etiology

IMPORTANT REMINDERS
• Wash your hands often with soap and water (or alcohol-based hand rub) for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay at home when you are sick
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your arm or a tissue
• Clean and disinfect objects (e.g., cell phone, computer) and high-touch surfaces regularly.
• Call ahead before presenting to the ER or any physician’s office

If you are having respiratory distress or difficulty breathing, please call the Unity Medical Center Emergency Department 931-450-1732

In a release from Manchester Mayor Lonnie Norman’s office on Monday, all City of Manchester Committee and Commission Meetings scheduled to meet in March are postponed until April meeting dates. This includes the Planning and Zoning Board and Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for this evening Monday, March 16th, at 5:30 pm. Updated information can be found on the City of Manchester website www.cityofmanchestertn.com. We will adjust our response plans and operations based on State and Federal guidelines.

In other city news, the Manchester Fire Department issued a release on Monday, saying that in an effort to protect firefighters and paramedics, the department is asking that if you call 911 for any reason, please let the 911 operator know if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms.

Coffee County Schools and Manchester City Schools have announced both systems are extending their school closures through March 31, this coming at the recommendation of Governor Bill Lee to help combat potential spread of coronavirus.

For Manchester City Schools, nutrition services for children 18 and under will be available beginning March 17 from 9 – 11 am at Westwood Elementary, College Street Elementary, Manchester Fire Station 1, and Manchester Fire Station 2.

“While we value learning and academics for every student, we understand that student and family safety is the top priority,” said Dr. Joey Vaughn, director of Manchester City Schools. ” At this time, we are encouraging families to utilize online and print resources that are available at home to continue student progress. If the situation requires the district to close past Spring Break, specific guidelines and resources will be made available.”

Although Unity Medical Center has not had any confirmed cases of COVID-19, the hospital is capable of testing for it, this according to a press release issued by the hospital Monday, March 16. Patients must meet the following guidelines that have been set by the CDC and the THA before receiving a test:

1. Contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case

2. Travel to a high-risk international or domestic location with evidence of widespread community transmission

3. Pregnant women or immunocompromised persons

4. High-risk occupation (healthcare worker, work with elderly/at-risk populations)

5. Severe pneumonia / acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) of unknown etiology

IMPORTANT REMINDERS FROM UNITY MEDICAL CENTER
• Wash your hands often with soap and water (or alcohol-based hand rub) for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay at home when you are sick
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your arm or a tissue
• Clean and disinfect objects (e.g., cell phone, computer) and high-touch surfaces regularly.
• Call ahead before presenting to the ER or any physician’s office

If you are having respiratory distress or difficulty breathing, Unity Medical Center urges you to call the emergency department at 931-450-1732

For more information, please contact Unity Medical Center at 931-728-6354. Updates will be posted to the Unity Medical Center Facebook page.

The Coffee County and Manchester City School Systems will be closing for an extended period of time due to concerns with the coronavirus.

Both school systems will be closing between March 16 and March 20. Coffee County Director of Schools Dr. Charles Lawson released a statement Sunday.

“The concern over the coronavirus is unprecedented. As a result, Coffee County Schools will be taking unprecedented action.”

A decision regarding following weeks will be released on Friday, March 19 by noon from city schools and 3 p.m. from Coffee County Schools.

“Closing schools will have an impact on working parents, will affect the labor force of local industries and may prevent some students from receiving a nutritious meal. We do not take the decision to close school lightly because of the effects it has on everyone,” explained Dr. Joey Vaughn, Director of Manchester City Schools. “However, given the information provided regarding coronavirus or COVID-19, we believe it is in the best interest of our schools and community to close school for an extended period of time.”

According to Vaughn, all city school sponsored activities are also suspended.

In reference to county schools, Dr. Lawson said County Schools would follow guidance from the TSSAA in regards to athletic events and that administration and coaches would contact players as information is available.