H&R Block Presents – THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IRS DELAYS
As a result of COVID staffing issues and tax changes due to COVID, IRS is taking longer than normal to process returns this year. Taxpayers can check their 2020 return status by using the “Get Your Refund Status” link at IRS.GOV or on the IRS App IRS2GO. To check the status you will need your Social Security Number, Filing Status, and Refund Amount as shown on your tax return. If the refund shows a status of “being processed”, there is no further action you can take other than to continue to monitor the status on a weekly basis.
Some reasons for the delay in processing returns are:
-RECOVERY REBATE CREDIT claimed on the return doesn’t match what IRS calculates.
-The lookback rule was applied to use PRIOR YEAR EARNED INCOME to calculate the Earned Income Credit and/or Additional Child Tax Credit.
-MAILED IN returns must be entered manually at IRS and are subject to additional delays due to the manual intervention.
-IDENTITY ISSUES cause some returns to be pulled from automated processing. When this happens, IRS will suspend processing and send a letter to the taxpayer at the address shown on the return. Processing will not continue until the taxpayer responds to the Identity Verification letter.
-If health insurance through the AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (Federal Marketplace health insurance) isn’t reported properly IRS will suspend processing and send a letter to the taxpayer at the address shown on the return. Processing will not continue until the taxpayer responds to the letter with the forms requested.
If you have received a letter from IRS or are concerned about the processing of your tax return and would like help from the Tax Professionals at H&R Block, please call 931-728-9462. H&R Block has your back in Manchester!
Manchester Parks and Recreation to host 4th of July celebration
The 4th of July is less than 3 weeks away which means that is it time for the City of Manchester’s fourth of July celebration. This year will include a performance from the band “7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Experience.” The performance will begin at 7 p.m. at the Rotary Park Amphitheater with the fireworks display starting at 9 p.m. Admission is free, and concessions will be available to purchase at the event.
“Home Town Talent for Home Town Heroes” event to happen on June 22nd
There will be a “Home Town Talent for Home Town Heroes” on Tuesday, June 22nd. 5 different singers will perform for this event.
The performers include Lloyd Smith, Travis Clowers, Daryl Wray, By Faith, and Macy Tabor. The event is free of charge.
It will start at 6 pm at the Coffee County Veterans Building and will honor all veterans and their families. The public is invited. The building is located at 130 Shelton Road; Manchester, TN. Or call Kimberly King for info at 251-554-8836 or email: flygal46@yahoo.com
Manchester Guardsman volunteers to serve on COVID-19 task force
When the Tennessee National Guard needed volunteers to help Tennessee’s Department of Health fight the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of Soldiers and Airmen volunteered. One Soldier that immediately answered the call was Sgt. Jessie James, a motor transport operator with Tullahoma’s 1175th Transportation Company. A Manchester native, James was not going to miss the opportunity to serve.
“I have always wanted to give back to the community,” said James. “When this opportunity to help with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic came up, I knew I needed to volunteer. Times like these are why I joined the National Guard.”
With the encouragement of his employer, James began working with the COVID-19 task force in February 2021. He praised his employer, Saia LTL Freight, based in La Vergne, for their support of his volunteering for the COVID-19 mission.
“Saia is a big supporter of the Guard,” said James. “Once I let them know about this mission, they encouraged me to take part in it. They also said they would only need a couple weeks’ notice to get me back in my position there. I really appreciate their support for both myself and of the Guard.”
Since May, James has been serving as the acting noncommissioned officer in charge of the COVID-19 testing and vaccination site at the Cannon County Health Department and Community Health Center in Woodbury. He sees that the site is properly staffed, assists the health department employees complete vaccination recipient registrations, and ensures everything runs safely.
James says that one of the most rewarding parts of this mission is being told that his presence reassures those receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations.
“When people came to get their first shot, I could tell that a lot of them were nervous,” said James. “But those same people were a lot calmer when they came to get their second shot. Many of them said that the Guard being there gave them confidence in the vaccine. With the Tennessee Department of Health working to get the state back to normal, I’m happy to do my part by earning the trust of the community.”
McWhorter, Costello named new co-athletic directors at Coffee County Central
Coffee County Central High School has two new athletic directors.
Longtime teachers and coaches Brad Costello and Brandon McWhorter have been named co-athletic directors for CHS. They replace Rebecca Koger.
“Coffee County Central High School is pleased to announce its new athletic administration to the community. Brad Costello and Brandon Mcwhorter will be transitioning into the positions of Co-Athletic Director over the coming weeks,” Coffee County Principal Paul Parsley said in a statement. “Coach Costelllo is finishing his sixteenth year at CCCHS, and he will continue to teach math and coach golf, in addition to his athletic administration responsibilities. Coach Mcwhorter is finishing his twelfth year at CCCHS, and will continue to teach math and coach softball, in addition to his athletic administration duties. We are confident in the abilities of both Coach Costello and Coach Mcwhorter to do a wonderful job.”
Costello currently coaches golf at CHS and has done so in a previous stint. McWhorter is the head softball coach, fresh off a deep state tournament run. McWhorter has also been an assistant football coach for the Raiders.
Both Costello and McWhorter will join the Coffee Coaches Show at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 26th.
These new athletic directors replace Rebecca Koger – who submitted her resignation as AD last month, effective June 30.
Thunder Radio is your Coffee County Sports Authority – your home for all Red Raider and Lady Raider sports.
City of Manchester receives TDEC recreation grant
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) announced a $500,000 parks and recreation grant for the City of Manchester for work on baseball and softball fields.
The grant is part of $7,584,530 awarded to communities throughout the state from the Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) program and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program. The state is also awarding $1,892,642 in grants from the Recreation Trails Program (RTP).
“We are happy to announce grants that will enhance the outdoor experience in communities across our state,” Jim Bryson, deputy commissioner of TDEC, said. “We want Tennesseans to enjoy recreational activity, and we recognize local leaders need funding to help make it happen. These grants meet that need.”
The project in Manchester will replace lighting and wooden poles on three softball fields in Dave King Park and three baseball fields in Fred Deadman Park. The lighting will be LED and includes installation.
“Our ball parks offer a great opportunity for children and adults to get active and make lasting memories,” Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, said. “I am very pleased funds have been awarded that will enhance Dave King Park and Fred Deadman Park. I appreciate the work done by our local officials in submitting a successful grant application and look forward to seeing the improvements.”
“I am excited Manchester Parks and Recreation has been awarded this grant to make improvements to the Dave King Park softball fields and Fred Deadman Park baseball fields,” Rep. Rush Bricken, R-Tullahoma, said. “These small renovations will go a long way in making a difference for our young athletes and families using these fields in our community. I congratulate Mayor (Marilyn) Howard, Director (Bonnie) Gamble and (Assistant Director) A.J. Fox for securing these funds and can’t wait to see how these improvements will benefit our community.”
The LPRF program provides state funding for the purchase of land for parks, natural areas, greenways, and recreational facilities. LPRF funds also may be used for trail development and capital projects in parks, natural areas, and greenways. The LWCF program provides grants to states to administer to state and local governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The grants require a 50-percent match.
The RTP is a federally funded, state administered grant program, providing funds for land acquisition for trails, trail maintenance, trail construction, trail rehabilitation, and trail head support facilities. These grants are distributed in the form of an 80-percent grant with a 20-percent match.
Coffee County School’s to begin after school programs
Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, Coffee County Schools will offer the Excellence After School Program at all elementary schools and the Coffee County Middle School. The Excellence program is an afterschool program that provides students-particularly students who are in need of improvement-with academic enrichment opportunities and support services to help them meet state and local standards in the core content areas. This program also incorporates state academic standards in a way that makes both teaching and learning fun.
The Excellence Program will begin September 7th, 2021 and run through May 19th, 2022, Monday through Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00pm, and is free to the students. Kindergarten through eighth grade students can apply to attend. The program will not operate on Fridays. The program will only operate when schools are in session. If schools are not in session for any reason or if schools dismiss early, the excellence program will not operate.
Admission paperwork will be sent home with your child at the beginning of the school year and is required to be filled out completely and turned in prior to your child attending the program.
The Excellence program is taking place of ESP. There will no longer be ESP at any location in the district.
The school system is looking forward to a wonderful school year. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please contact your schools’ Excellence Site Director.
Former Winchester Police Officer was released on bond
An inmate that was being held in the Franklin County jail has had his $1 million bond reduced and was released from custody pending subsequent court appearances.
Former Winchester Police Officer Tristan Delacruz, who was arrested on May 4 on multiple sex-offense charges, including rape, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault, appeared in Franklin County Circuit Court on Tuesday.
His $1 million bond was reduced by Judge Thomas Graham to $100,000, and he was able to meet the requirement and was released from custody.
Delacruz is to appear again in Circuit Court on at 9 a.m. on July 29.
A Franklin County Grand Jury returned indictments charging the 28-year-old former police officer with six counts of rape, six counts of sexual battery, two counts of domestic assault, one count of false imprisonment, two counts of aggravated kidnapping and one count of aggravated assault.
With the assistance of the Lincoln County and Franklin County Sheriffs’ Departments, Delacruz was later arrested in Lincoln County. He was transported to the Franklin County Jail, where he was booked on a $1 million bond and later transferred to the Coffee County Jail where he remained until his most recent court hearing.
An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation resulted in the indictment and arrest of the former police officer.
On Oct. 2, 2020, 12th District Attorney General J. Michael Taylor requested the TBI to investigate Delacruz on sexual-assault allegations.
During the course of the investigation, agents developed information that identified Delacruz as the individual allegedly responsible for multiple incidents of sexual assault in March 2020. He was subsequently released from his employment with the Winchester Police Department.
Delacruz was arrested for a third time in early November 2020 in connection with an assault incident, according to Franklin County Jail records.
What is CAC model? It reduces trauma and saves money
The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) model streamlines the process related to responding to child abuse, reduces trauma for children and saves taxpayers’ dollars.
It’s so rewarding to know that the Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center helps children overcome pain. I have seen fear in the eyes of children disappear when they enter the Coffee County CAC.
In 2004, the Coffee County CAC was founded based on the CAC model. The nonprofit opened its doors to serve Coffee County children, who are victims of severe child abuse. The model used by the Coffee County CAC makes the process less traumatic for the child and family.
CAC model reduces trauma
One of the most important aspects of the CAC model is that it allows the child to tell his or her story only once in a safe and child friendly place. The forensic interview takes place at the advocacy center and is recorded for members of the child protective investigative team to use as part of their case. The child protective investigative team is part of the CAC model that depends on the teamwork of all the professionals involved in child abuse investigations. Experts provide professional and compassionate services to meet the needs of the victims. This model brings together law enforcement, Department of Children’s Services (DCS), prosecution, forensic interviewer, family advocate, juvenile court, mental health provider and medical professionals. The advocacy center coordinates the case review process with all team members. Prior to the CAC model, agencies worked separately to respond to child abuse, and children sometimes had to talk with several professionals to describe their traumatic experiences.
CAC model saves taxpayers’ money
It is important to note that a coordinated response to child abuse investigations saves the community money as well. According to a report from the National Child Advocacy Center, on a per-case basis, traditional investigations were 36% more expensive than coordinated team investigations done at a CAC. The average per-case cost of a CAC investigation was $2,902 compared to $3,949 for a non-CAC investigation, generating a savings of more than $1,000-per case, according to Cost-Benefit Analysis of Community Responses to Child Maltreatment: A Comparison of Communities with and without Child Advocacy Centers.
CAC model process
When severe child abuse is initially reported, law enforcement and the Department of Children’s Services respond to conduct a join investigation. Law enforcement officers work to ensure public safety. DCS officials ensure the child’s home is safe. The Coffee County CAC becomes involved to coordinate the efforts of all agencies. The child visits the Coffee County CAC, where the forensic interviewer conducts the interview. Evidence is collected. Medical professionals provide specialized medical exams. Our family advocate provides resources to the child and non-offending caregivers. The next step is presenting the case to the full child protective investigative team. If appropriate, the case will then go through the legal system. While the case goes through the justice system, our family advocate continues to support the child and family with resources, and a mental health professional provides therapy to the child, if necessary. Regardless of it a case goes to trial, the CAC provides trauma-focused therapy to the child if needed in order to help him or her begin the healing process.
To learn more about Coffee County CAC, follow us on social media and visit www.coffeecountycac.org.
*Column by Joyce Prusak*
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department search for suspect
The Coffee County Sheriff’s department needs your help identifying a subject for questioning. The suspect is wanted for questioning regarding a recent shoplifting case in Coffee County.
If you have any information about the subject, please contact Investigator Brandon Gullett at (931) 450-0561. Please visit our website to review the photos of the suspect.
