Category: News

Legislation protecting victims of violent crimes passed the House Civil Justice Committee last Wednesday. House Bill 434 creates a lifetime order of protection to prohibit communication between an offender and their victim.

House Republican Leaders partnered with Nikki Goeser, a victim of stalking, to create this legislation. Goeser’s stalker shot and killed her husband, Ben, in front of her in a crowded restaurant in 2009. Her stalker has been behind bars serving time for second-degree murder, but he has continually attempted to contact Goeser, sending her letters from prison.

Offenders that violate the order could receive up to a Class A misdemeanor, ensuring that these penalties will tack significant time onto ongoing sentences. The legislation is retroactive, so persons who have previously been victimized can receive lifelong orders of protection. This bill also permits service of ex parte orders of protection for up to one year from issuance.

House Bill 434 will be heard in the House Calendar & Rules Committee this week

The Tennessee gas price average continues to climb, increasing another eight cents over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.58 which is nearly 35 cents more than one month ago and 41 cents more than one year ago.
The National gas price average is at $2.77. Meanwhile, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Coffee County is $2.59, which is a penny over the state average and 18 cents below the national average.

“With refinery utilization at a record low, gasoline supplies tightening, demand modestly increasing and crude prices on the rise, cheap prices are in the rear view mirror for the immediate future,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group.

Today’s state average of $2.58 is the most expensive daily average since May 2019. So far this year, Tennessee gas prices have increased an average of 54 cents per gallon (since January 1). Pump prices increased 19 cents in January, 27 cents in February, and 8 cents so far in March.

Quick Facts

· 35% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $2.50
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.38 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $2.86 for regular unleaded
· Three metro areas saw double digit increases over last week – Nashville (+11 cents), Clarksville (+10 cents), Cleveland (+10 cents)
· Tennessee remains the 9th least expensive market in the nation

National Gas Prices

With a nickel increase on the week, the national gas price average has reached $2.77, which is a 31-cent jump in the last month. Every state average has climbed by double-digits since February resulting in 1 in 10 gas stations with pump prices that are $3/gallon or more.

Pump prices are increasing as refinery utilization is at an all-time low and crude oil prices (WTI) surged by more than $2/bbl to $66/bbl on Friday, the highest price in nearly two years. The jump in crude followed the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ and their allies’, collectively known as OPEC+, surprise decision to minimally increase production in April.

The Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) report for the week ending February 26 shows refinery capacity at 56%, which is the lowest rate recorded by the agency. It is also 12 percentage points below last week and 18 percentage points lower than a year ago. EIA data also points to a decrease in gasoline stocks down to 243.4 million bbl, which is 3.5% below levels at the end of February 2020.

Today’s national average is nearly 40 cents more expensive compared to a year ago, which was right before state lockdowns and working/school from home started.

Two Coffee County Jail inmates walked away from work detail Friday afternoon and authorities are asking for the public’s help to capture the two.

The two were last seen Friday afternoon at the Manchester Housing Authority where they were on work detail.

One of the missing is Nathaniel Andrew Henry, a while male, age 25, standing at 6-feet-1-inch with blond hair and blue eyes.

The other is William Brady Patrick, a while male who is 32 years old, standing 5-feet-10-inches with brown hair and brown eyes.

If anyone has seen or made contact with these individuals, contact the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department at 931-728-9555.

House Bill 786, also known as the “Constitutional Carry” bill, moved through the House committee system this week, passing the Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday.

House Republicans introduced the legislation to provide law-abiding citizens the constitutional right to defend themselves and their families while also stiffening penalties to make criminals think twice before committing firearm-related crime in Tennessee.

This legislation includes several provisions that will make Tennessee communities safer by imposing more severe punishments on criminals. House Bill 786 includes sentencing enhancements and increases minimum sentences for gun-related crimes. It also increases sentences on felons illegally carrying firearms or unlawfully providing a minor with a firearm.

Currently, concealed carry permit holders have the right to carry a handgun, except in restricted areas. House Bill 786 would extend the same constitutional right to carry a handgun without a permit to all law-abiding citizens 21 and older or 18 and older for active members of the military.

House Bill 786 moves to the Criminal Justice Committee for consideration on Wednesday, March 10.

For students enrolled in Coffee County Schools, the renewal application process for Quarter 4 distance learning has now opened.

The window will remain open until March 19. The renewal application process is only for learners who already have distance learning approval. The link is found on the district webpage www.coffeecountyschools.com.

If you are completely new to distance learning, then the application process must be completed in person by the parent at the Central Office at the administrative plaza on McArthur St.

The Shelbyville Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance to identify an individual who is allegedly involved in a theft from a church there. 

The individual is pictured below, along with a photo of the car he was driving. If you have any information regarding this theft of the identify of this individual, contact Shelbyville Police Department at  931-684-5811.

Tennessee Department of Health is once again warning Tennesseans to beware of COVID-19 vaccine scams.

Here are a few reminders: you don’t pay out of pocket for the vaccine, you do not pay to put your name on a priority list, you cannot pay to get early access to the vaccine and vaccines are not solicited door-to-door. If you receive a phone call soliciting these services, it is likely a scam and you should not give money or personal information to the caller.

Click here to register to receive your vaccine online through the Tennessee Department of Health. 

A Coffee County infant is in critical condition at Children’s Hospital At Erlanger and two others were injured after a head-on collision Saturday afternoon, Feb. 27 at approximately 3 p.m.

According to a report filed with the Manchester Police Department, a 2014 Chevrolet Cruz driven by a 68-year old female was traveling the wrong direction on Highway 55 near Coffee County Central High School and struck a 2000 model Dodge pickup head on. The dodge was being driven by Kyle Alford, with infant Houston Alford as a passenger.

The driver of the Chevrolet, identified by the report as Barbara Hampton, age 68, of Estill Springs, suffered serious injuries, according to the officer’s report. Hampton was taken by EMS to the Tullahoma Airport to be transported by helicopter. The report states that Hampton “appeared to have several broken bones.”

Kyle Alford had a cut but “otherwise appeared to be OK,” according to police. Houston Alford was later diagnosed with head trauma and flown to Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. The hospital confirmed to Thunder Radio  on Thursday that Houston Alford remains in critical condition.

The report states that there was no drug or alcohol use suspected in this accident. All of those involved were wearing seat belts, according to the MPD report.

If your daily commute or cut through town includes Doak Rd., you will want to consider an alternate route on Friday, March 5. 

According to the Manchester Public Works Department, Doak Rd. from White Oak Dr. to Belmar Rd. will be closed on Friday from 6 a.m. through 5 p.m. while the department replaces a tile. 

Everyone is encouraged to avoid traveling that road during that time.

Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center received a grant from The Healing Trust, which awarded funds totaling $751,900 in its most recent grant cycle.

The Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center grant was for $30,000 and will be used to help support intervention services that the Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center provides for children who are possible victims of abuse and their non-offending families in Coffee County. In 2020, the Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center helped more children than ever before through forensic interviews, mental health services and family advocacy services in addition to providing prevention programs in the community.

“We are deeply grateful for the life changing work done by these 17 grantee partners, “said President & CEO Kristen Keely-Dinger. “Their commitment to improving the health of the most vulnerable members of our community is inspiring.” The mission of The Healing Trust, a private grant making foundation, is the sacred work of fostering healing and wholeness for vulnerable populations through strategic investing, philanthropy, and advocacy.

Recipients of the contributions include non-profit organizations from 40 counties in Middle Tennessee that focus on advocacy, physical health, mental health, recovery from alcohol and drug abuse or healing from abuse, neglect, and violence. This year’s grants bring the collective grant making of The Healing Trust to over $96 million since 2002. The Trust, while created out of the sale of Baptist Hospital to Ascension Health/St. Thomas Health Services, is a private, independent foundation and is not affiliated with the St. Thomas Health Services or the St. Thomas Health Services Fund.