Join us at Thunder Radio and Rosalyn Partin of the Manchester H&R Block and congratulate our student of the week – Elyzabeth Zabel.
Elyzabeth is a 5th grader at Westwood Elementary School. She is the daughter of Bryan and Julie Zabel. Her favorite subject is math. After school, she would like to grow up and be a teacher. During her free time, Elyzabeth enjoys walking her dogs – Cole, Ellie, Tiny and Bella.
All students of the week are selected for their work ethic and excellent attitudes in and out of the classroom.
Rosalyn Partin, owner of the Manchester H&R Block, has been inspired to recognize great kids in our community all year long. H&R Block gives each Student of the Week a gift card, a commemorative plaque, as well as a special letter of recognition. Job well done, Elyzabeth.
CDC announces fully vaccinated people do not have to wear a mask
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 no longer need to wear masks or physically distance, indoors or outdoors in most circumstances, according to two sources familiar with the recommendations.
A person is “fully vaccinated” two weeks after their last dose of the vaccine. Those two weeks give the immune system enough time to develop antibodies against the virus. According to the CDC, more than 35 percent of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated, and about 30 percent of the Tennessee population has been fully vaccinated.
The new recommendation comes more than a year after the CDC first suggested that Americans should wear masks to protect against spreading or catching the coronavirus.
However, people who have compromised immune systems, should talk to their doctors about continuing wearing their masks. Fully vaccinated people may still be asked to wear masks in certain locations, such as in hospitals or other health care settings.
Even though the vaccines work well, they are not perfect, and breakthrough infections can occur. Of the more than 117 million people in the U.S. who have been fully vaccinated, 9,245 later ted positive for Covid-19. Those illnesses have generally been mild.
Tennessee opts out of $300 federal unemployment programs
Tennessee is withdrawing from a $300 weekly unemployment supplement program, a decision by Gov. Bill Lee that comes as many argue the additional funds allow low-wage workers to make more money while staying at home. Lee cited a surplus of available jobs in Tennessee.
Lee informed the U.S. Department of Labor of the decision Tuesday, joining several other Southern states in refusing the additional payments for unemployed people.
“We will no longer participate in federal pandemic unemployment programs because Tennesseans have access to more than 250,000 jobs in our state,” Lee said in a statement about the decision. “Families, businesses and our economy thrive when we focus on meaningful employment and move on from short-term, federal fixes.”
The federal unemployment assistance programs will end in Tennessee on July 3, Lee wrote to Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh.
In addition to the $300 supplement, Tennessee is also ending participation in federal programs that have allowed those who don’t usually qualify for benefits, such as the self-employed, to receive them, as well as an initiative that extended the payments once regular unemployment benefits expired.
Tennessee pays up to $275 weekly for unemployed individuals, ranking it below the national average of $387.
Combined with the current $300 supplement — a drop from a $600 federal supplement offered last year — Tennesseans receiving unemployment benefits are now receiving around $575 weekly, the equivalent of $14.38 per hour for a 40-hour week. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.
Police pursuit goes through Coffee County Wednesday
Police are still looking for a man driving what appeared to be a blue Dodge Charger, that led authorities on a pursuit through Rutherford, Bedford, and Coffee County on Wednesday, May 12.
The chase started after numerous motorists made calls to 9-1-1 to report a man outside of his vehicle waiving a handgun. The calls came into Rutherford County dispatchers with motorists saying the subject was stopping traffic on I-24 near I-840. The man reportedly got back in his car and led law enforcement on a chase toward Chattanooga.
At one point, the suspect allegedly reached speeds of 130-miles-per-hour as he neared the Beechgrove exit. Back-up was called as the pursuit headed into Bedford County and eventually into Coffee County within a matter of minutes.
Officers in the area of Manchester blocked all exits on I-24 in an attempt to keep the suspect from exiting the interstate into Manchester.
Spike strips were laid across the interstate at mile marker 103 with hopes of stopping the chase. However, the strips were not believed to be effective. Spike strips were again deployed at mile marker 112 on I-24.
As the pursuit continued, State Troopers from as far away as Chattanooga were notified about the incoming Charger.
By mile marker 114, Rutherford County Deputies backed off as other units took the lead.
The Charger continued to speed at over 130-miles-per-hour, which is why additional counties started to back off for the safety of other motorists once the vehicle reached mile marker 120.
Panic buy causes gasoline shortage in some areas of southeast
More than 1,000 gas stations in the Southeast reported running out of fuel, primarily because of what analysts say is unwarranted panic-buying among drivers, because of the shutdown of a major pipeline.
Government officials acted swiftly to waive safety and environmental rules to speed the delivery of fuel by truck, ship or rail to motorists and airports, even as they sought to assure the public that there was no cause for alarm.
The Colonial Pipeline, the biggest fuel pipeline in the U.S., delivering about 45% of what is consumed on the East Coast, was hit on Friday with a cyberattack by hackers who lock up computer systems and demand a ransom to release them. The attack raised concerns, once again, about the vulnerability of the nation’s critical infrastructure.
A large part of the pipeline resumed operations manually late Monday, and Colonial anticipates restarting most of its operations by the end of the week, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said.
Motorists may still feel a crunch because it takes a few days to ramp up operations, but she said there is no reason to hoard gasoline.
Coffee County Emergency Management Agency pleaded with residents to not purchase unnecessary amounts of gasoline.
“There is currently not a gas shortage in Tennessee,” EMA officials advised. “Certainly purchase what you need but over buying and filling canisters is not necessary and makes the situation worse.”
Multiple COVID-19 pop-up vaccination sites available in Coffee County this week
Those wishing to receive COVID-19 vaccination in Coffee County will have multiple opportunities to do so over the coming weeks.
Wednesday
Southern Family Markets Building Manchester, 3-6 p.m.
Lakewood Park CC, 2-5 p.m.
Thursday
Manchester Health Department, 9-11 a.m.
Tullahoma Health Department, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Southern Family Markets Building Manchester, 11-2 p.m.
Friday
Manchester Health Department, 7-9 a.m.
Tullahoma Health Department, 7-9 a.m.
Saturday
Westwood Middle School Vietnam Veterans Event, 10-2 p.m.
Westwood Middle School 3-5 p.m.
Six year old killed in gun accident in Shelbyville
A 6-year old boy is dead after Shelbyville police say he accidentally shot himself in the head on Monday, May 10.
According to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, Shelbyville police investigators believe the child picked up the gun while the mother was in the restroom.
The mother called police and stated that the boy had accidentally shot himself in the head and was not breathing. The child was airlifted to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead. According to the Gazette article, two other children were in the room – ages 8 and 2, but they did not witness the incident.
Ovoca Road Closure in Tullahoma
A portion of Ovoca Road in Tullahoma will be closed for construction from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12.
The road will be closed from Riley Creek Rd. to Country Club Rd.
The road will be open to local traffic only. Detour will be Fairways Blvd. to Country Club.
Public works crews will be working to replace a drainage culvert at 2125 Ovoca Rd. Next week crews will repave the road and it will be closed again. That date will be announced later.
Motlow Foundation Faculty Excellence Awards
The Motlow College Foundation announced its 2020-21 Academic Year Faculty Excellence Awards. The Faculty Excellence Awards recognize full-time and adjunct faculty who excel in professional activities and development; instructional activities, improvement, retention, completion activities; non-instructional college service; community service; and student evaluations. The Motlow College Foundation is proud to sponsor this Motlow tradition since the awards began in 1978.
These faculty members join a distinguished list of instructors who are part of the great tradition of celebrating excellence in education at Motlow State. A reception for nominees and winners is planned for a later date.
Faculty Winners:
Kate Benson
Charle Coffey
Nathan Fisher
Dr. Cheri Gregory
David Powell
Adjunct Faculty Winners:
Kyle Macon
Margaret McKinley
Dr. Tina Roback
“While they are excellent in their unique individual ways, you will note they share a common passion—dedication to making a difference in their fellow beings’ journey via education and redeemed social conditions,” said Dr. Gregory Sedrick, chief student success and academic officer, and special assistant to the president. “It is my honor and privilege to congratulate these truly remarkable Motlow State Family Members.”
Associate Professor of Geography Charle Coffey, Tullahoma, is a travel enthusiast.
She has visited multiple world heritage sites, geographic landmarks, cultural and religious sites, and wildlife habitats. Her travel knowledge transfers to her classroom using virtual reality technology that allows students to take virtual field trips. She has presented information sessions to civic and community organizations, sharing her travel experiences with others beyond the classroom. She served 30 years as an administrator at Motlow before moving to full-time faculty.
“Extensive travel to educate myself on other cultures, religions, places, governments, economies, and wildlife is an important part of professional development in my discipline. I often tell my students that two of the best ways to experience other cultures are through food and music,” said Coffey. “I challenge students to research topics of interest, experience the world through travel, and to strive to broaden their perspectives and world views.”
Professor of Biology Dr. Cheri Gregory, Tullahoma, is a Motlow graduate who has been teaching at Motlow for more than 25 years.
This is her second time receiving this award. As a member of the Beagle Freedom Project, SOS Beagle Rescue, and the Tullahoma Animal Shelter Fundraising Committee, she is an animal lover at heart. She is also a sports enthusiast, participating in Tullahoma’s Cross- Country, Quarterback, and Wrestling Booster Clubs. Additionally, she has served as a “visiting scientist” for the Hands-On Science Center and Tullahoma City Schools.
“Teaching at Motlow was my dream job, and it means as much to me now as it did in the beginning. The opportunity to interact with the students helps keep me young, and some of my best friends have been my coworkers,” said Gregory.
Director of Student Success Kyle Macon, Winchester, represents Motlow during TN Promise fall meetings at Franklin County High School.
He teaches the First-Year Experience Course. Beyond Motlow, Macon is a minister at Huntland Church of Christ and has served as camp director for Revive Camp Week for ten years.
“It is an honor to be recognized among so many outstanding faculty members,” said Macon. “First- Year Experience is a joy to teach because it provides a foundation for the rest of our students’ collegiate careers. The most rewarding part is watching students engage in critical thought leading to lightbulb moments in regards to their study skills, personal health, stress management, money management, or career goals.”
Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine Approved for 12-15 year-old’s
The US Food and Drug Administration approved the emergency use for Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine on Monday to people ages 12 to 15. This means everyone ages 12 and up are now eligible for the vaccine.
This is the first vaccine authorized for people under the age of 18. It was previously approved for people ages 16 and up. Covid-19 vaccines from Moderna and Johnson and Johnson are still authorized for people 18 and older.
Pfizer held a clinical trial that involved 2,260 12-to-15-year old’s which was then reviewed and approved by the FDA. The trial showed that the vaccine has 100% efficiency.
“It was a relatively straightforward decision,” Dr. Peter Marks, Director of FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, the arm of the FDA that regulates vaccines, told reporters Monday evening.
The FDA looked at the Pfizer safety and efficacy data. The agency also looked at the immune responses of some of the children who were vaccinated, and compared them to the immune responses of older teens and adults who got the shot.
“The response to the vaccine was excellent and in fact it was even better, really, in the younger age group than it was in the 16-25 age group,” Marks said.”The safety profile was very similar in 12-15-year-olds as in 16-25-year-olds.”
Expanding authorization to people 12 to 15 opens Covid-19 vaccination to another 5% of the US population, nearly 17 million more people. The expanded authorization means 85% of the US population is eligible to receive a Covid-19 vaccine.
Pfizer said last week it expects to submit for emergency use authorization for its Covid-19 vaccine for children ages 2 to 11 years old in September. Its vaccine safety and efficacy study in children ages 6 months to 11 years old is ongoing.
The vaccine is expected to be available to the new age group as early as this week.
