Josh Peterson

A popular swimming area at Center Hill Lake in Smithville has been closed after the US Army Corps of Engineers in Nashville announced that E. coli has been detected in the water. 

E. Coli was found at the Ragland Bottom Day Use Beach. The area is still open for picnicking and boat launching. No other beaches on the lake have been impacted. Anyone with questions can contact the Center Hill Lake Resource manager’s office at 931-858-3125

With back to school season under way, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) is reminding consumers that this time of year is especially dangerous for teen drivers. Research from the AAA Foundation indicates that the number of crash fatalities involving teen drivers rises significantly between Memorial Day (May 27, 2019) and Labor Day (Sept. 2, 2019). Because of the higher period of fatalities, this 100 day period has been deemed the “100 Deadliest Days.”

TDCI’s Division of Insurance is urging parents to take extra precautions between Memorial Day and Labor Day by stressing the importance of safe driving habits, driver training, and obeying traffic safety laws to their teens. Additionally, TDCI is sharing a new video to give new (and experienced) drivers a quick refresher on the rules of the road. (<</click the link to see the video).

In an effort to reduce the number of accidents involving teen drivers, TDCI advises:

SET RULES

• Limit the number of passengers allowed in a teen’s car.
• Make distracted driving zero tolerance.
• Set a curfew for driving. In 2016, 36 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities involving a teen driver occurred between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
• Stress the importance of seat belts and lead by example.
• Encourage teens to speak up if they are a passenger in a car where the driver is practicing unsafe driving behaviors.
• Teach by example. Practice safe driving behaviors when behind the wheel.

The Tennessee Department of Education has released its report card for 2019. TN ready scores show that more than half of the schools in Tennessee – 56 percent to be exact.- improved their growth scores from the previous year with 41 percent of all schools earning level 4 or 5. 

Locally, Hillsboro Elementary, Westwood Elementary and Tullahoma High School were designated as reward schools. All three local school districts in Coffee County — Coffee County Schools, Manchester City Schools and Tullahoma City Schools — have been classified as advancing districts. 

Judge Dianne Turner on Thursday denied a request to disqualify Coffee County District Attorney General Craig Northcott from handling a black activist’s court case in connection to former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada. 

Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott

You may remember that earlier this year, accusations were made that Casada’s office attempted to frame Justin Jones, a student activist, in order to make it appear Jones violated bond conditions. The speaker’s staff has denied those accusations. 

Northcott was then appointed special prosecutor to investigate the emails and take over the case but Jones’ attorneys objected due to comments Northcott made earlier, specifically those pointing out that he would treat homosexual couples different in domestic violence situations. 

Turner ruled that she does not have the authority to remove Northcott. 

The July 2019 unemployment numbers are out, and the unemployment rate in Tennessee and across the nation remains steady. Tennessee shows the July 2019 seasonally adjusted rate of 3.5 percent matches the figure from July 2018. Over the past 12 months, non farm employment in Tennessee grew by 55,100 new positions, most of those jobs coming in hospitality, manufacturing and transportation sectors. Nationally, the unemployment rate remained at 3.7 percent in July, which dropped 0.2 percent from July 2018.

For those of you traveling in the area of Earl Warren Rd in the Beech Grove area of Coffee County, be aware that the Coffee County Highway Department will be paving that road this week and next week. Please take precautions if you plan to travel in that area and allow for a few extra minutes of travel.

Embattled former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada is now facing a probe into his campaign finances. 

State records indicate that Casada spent nearly $8,000 in taxpayer money for 10 flights on a state airplane over a three month period, including April 26th when he went to Chattanooga to speak at a fundraiser for the Republican Party there. The Tennessean reports that Casada and his political action committee spent thousands of dollars on food and beverages, memberships to a Nashville restaurant private club and travel. This probe will examine money raised and spent from January 2018 to the latest filing period, according to The Tennessean. 

You may remember Casada resigned earlier this month after an explosive scandal earlier this year that included explicit text messages. 

Matt Willey paints a mural between Dave King and Fred Deadman parks. (Photo provided by Camels & Chocolate, Kristin Luna)

The newest mural in Manchester is now complete. Nationally-known muralist Matt Willey from “The Good of the Hive” painted for eight straight days and completed the installation Tuesday below the railroad along the Little Duck River Greenway between Fred Deadman Park and Dave King Park. The project took 8 days and was funded  by a grant.