By Nadia Ramligan, Tennessee Public News Service

Some 77% of Tennessee households with college plans say those plans have changed due to the pandemic, according to a new report.

The data show plans were more likely to change in households with members planning to work toward a certificate or associate degree.

Megan Fasules, assistant research professor at Georgetown University Center for Education and the Workforce, said she’s particularly worried about low-income students.

“There’s definitely a concern that this is going to be a profound change, because any time you interrupt college-going, you are less likely to complete,” Fasules explained. “That probably means a lot of these students aren’t going to complete their credentials, where they might have in a regular economy or pre-pandemic.”

Having at least some postsecondary education increases a person’s odds of finding a good job and earning more in their lifetime.

Fasules noted lower-income households are more likely to include people who completely canceled their plans to take classes, while higher-income household members went virtual.

To prevent further widening of the college attainment gap, Fasules suggested colleges need creative solutions to help low-income students stay enrolled.

She pointed out many workplace training and technical programs don’t translate well to an online or at-home format.

“We need to be able to [adapt such courses], and that’s something colleges and even beyond colleges could do to help low-income households,” Fasules urged.

Only 26% of households with a student planning to take occupational training reported they continued taking classes in a different format, and more than half said the student cancelled their plans.

Fasules added the unique nature of the coronavirus recession makes predicting education trends trickier, but she stressed more is at stake for low-income students, who are more likely to gain economic mobility with a degree.

“Usually, students substitute more education during recessions, so they’re entering during the bad labor economy,” Fasules outlined. “But with the health concerns and schools moving online, we’ve seen the opposite during this recession.”

Nationwide, the report found college plans have changed for 75% of households with students.

Those who didn’t cancel altogether changed the number of classes they took, enrolled in a different program or institution, or took classes in a different format.

Authorities with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department are seeking the public’s help to locate three individuals who have felony warrants for violation of sex offender rules.

The three men are identified as David Donaldson, Jared Stewart and Mikell Moore. Anyone with information regarding the location of any of these individuals is asked to contact Franklin County Sheriff’s Department at 931-962-0123.

Coffee County Central High School students may go to school on Fridays from 8-11 a.m. to receive tutoring, to get help with missing assignments from third quarter, or to complete tests or quizzes. Help is offered on the following schedule:

8:00-9:30 a.m. – Science, English, Social Studies, Special Education
9:30-11:00 a.m. – Math, Foreign Language, Fine Arts, Health, PE, AFJROTC, Drivers Education, Career and Technical Education

Students should talk with teachers to make arrangements to come to school for help on Distance Learning Fridays.

Tennessee Department of Transportation and our partners at the Department of Safety and Homeland Security are teaming up to raise public awareness of the alarming fatality crash rate on Tennessee’s roadways. It’s not OK for the number of deadly crashes to be at an all-time high in a year where traffic was at an all-time low.

“In 2020, fatalities increased nearly 7%, while traffic was down approximately 13% in Tennessee,” said TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright. “This number is staggering and it’s not OK. We want motorists to take notice and work with us in making a change.”

“Last year, we saw 1,211 fatalities on state highways,” Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long said. “The loss of life is never easy, especially when it could have been avoided. We encourage the public to make safe choices when traveling. Obey the speed limit, stay off your phone, don’t drive distracted or impaired and please wear your seat belt. Those simple choices will greatly cut down the chances of you dying in a crash.”

Of the 1,211 fatalities in 2020, 396 were unrestrained; that is 32% more than 2019. The urban and rural areas of our state were up 56% and 44% in fatalities. Shelby County leads the way with a total of 244 roadway fatalities in 2020; that’s 20% of the total deaths.

Throughout this week on social media, TDOT will be posting information to raise awareness of the importance of driving safe.

In addition to social media, Safety messages are being displayed on TDOT’s overheard Dynamic Message Signs on interstates in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville

Motlow State’s Automation & Robotics Training Center (ARTC) achieved a significant milestone recently, becoming a FANUC Authorized Satellite Training (FAST) Program.

Achieving FAST school status qualifies Motlow’s students who successfully complete the authorized course work to be on par with those attending FANUC provided training. FANUC recognizes FAST certified students as eligible for advanced training.

What this Means for FANUC Manufacturers

“By the end of March, companies will find Motlow listed on FANUC’s training website with a link for enrolling in classes at the ARTC,” said Larry Flatt, executive director of the ARTC. “Motlow is now one of less than 10 such facilities in the U.S. For industries across the country, they now have an alternative to complete FANUC authorized training.”
Reasons its better to learn from Motlow than FANUC, Ohio.

Motlow Senior Robotics Trainer Charlie King is a FANUC Certified Education Robot Training (CERT) Program instructor. This certification includes FANUC Handling Tool Operations and Programming. With the FAST endorsement, Motlow will elevate its program by offering the FANUC CERT program to students, local industry, professionals, integrators, and end users.

“In many cases this means there is a monetary savings in travel-related expenses, especially for companies within driving distance of the ARTC,” continued Flatt.

King has over 35 years of experience with robotics and automation in the manufacturing industry. FANUC America, a world-leader in manufacturing industrial robots, provides the necessary training for instructors in both Industry as well as educational classes. FANUC’s curriculum introduces students to robot applications, including integrated vision systems (iRVision), programming a robotic logic controller, and using ROBOGUIDE simulation software.

“Charlie’s certification as a FAST instructor is the culmination of a two-year process that puts him and Motlow in a unique position,” added Flatt. “He has achieved the recognition from FANUC to teach and credential his students with the same credentials as if they went to a FANUC corporate facility.”

How Motlow Qualifies as FAST

Obtaining the CERT certification qualified Motlow to be a FANUC FAST program. Motlow’s advancing of the CERT Education program to FAST endorsement further elevates the college to an elite group of industry-recognized institutions relied upon to help provide a highly skilled workforce to local industry, meeting the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s manufacturing businesses.

About Motlow’s Training Facility

The 12,500-square-feet ARTC is located on 4.5 acres of land, donated by the Warren County Commission, adjacent to the Motlow State and Tennessee College of Applied Technology campus in McMinnville. The ARTC offers automation training, including digital systems, sensors, electronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, programming, and alarm management. Robotic training can be realized through two distinctive pathways: training for industry and job seekers and college credit instruction.

Tennessee’s Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associates degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.

By Nadia Ramligan, TN Public News Service

Child hunger is on the rise across Tennessee, and advocates say in communities far from interstate highways, families are struggling to access resources.

In some rural counties, there has been an increase in the number of children who are going without meals of 10% or greater.

Chapple Osborne-Arnold, Tennessee deputy director for Save the Children, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture is working with partners for its Farmers to Families Food Box Program who can get food into the hands of residents.

She pointed out in remote areas, there is little infrastructure and few resources for organizing food distribution.

“And that is where we step in,” Osborne-Arnold explained. “So, we partner with the produce companies to set a schedule up and we tell them which days we want truckloads delivered, and we coordinate the volunteers and the staff on the ground.”

Osborne-Arnold noted distributing food to a central location by truck is easier to adapt to rural communities, which tend to lack food banks or food-distribution warehouses. Even if a food bank is local, residents might be unable to get to it because of transportation barriers.

She pointed out her organization is working in east Tennessee counties to continue distributing meals through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, and said last fall around 29,000 boxes were delivered.

Tamara Sandberg, U.S. advisor for food security and nutrition at Save the Children, said the spike in child hunger seen in rural regions will likely have long-term consequences.

“And we’re very concerned,” Sandberg remarked. “This is a generation that is missing out on the nourishment that they need to grow and thrive. Kids cannot be hungry for knowledge when they’re hungry for food.”

Osborne-Arnold added demand continues to outpace supply.

“We had families that would line up and wait in 2- and 3-hour-long lines to get one box of food,” Osborne-Arnold recalled. “And I remember seeing a pregnant mom with two small children and she had no vehicle. She was explaining to our staff on the ground that, you know, this would probably be the only time she could come because she doesn’t have a way here every week.”

According to Feeding America, Tennessee’s statewide child hunger rate is nearly 20%.

The American Red Cross typically has a tough time keeping the blood supply strong during the winter months when inclement weather and seasonal illnesses can impact donors. This year the pandemic adds in another challenge in keeping the blood supply strong. The Red Cross is urging healthy individuals to make an appointment to give blood or platelets this month.

As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, those who come to give this February will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Amazon. (Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available here. 

Make your appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org , calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Important COVID-19 information for donors

The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Feb. 1-15

Bedford County, TN

Bell Buckle

2/18/2021: 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., James E. Elkins Fire Hall, 113 Main Street

Shelbyville

2/9/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Shelbyville, 304 East Depot Street

2/26/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Tennessee College of Applied Technology Shelbyville, 1405 Madison

Coffee County, TN

Manchester

2/4/2021: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Manchester City Schools, 912 Oakdale Street

2/4/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Manchester City Schools, 912 Oakdale Street

2/18/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1006 Hillsboro Rd.

Tullahoma

2/9/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 200 NE Atlantic St

Franklin County, TN

Belvidere

2/2/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Belvidere Mennonite Church, 9805 David Crockett Parkway, West

Winchester

2/26/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Winchester Church of Christ, 1230 South College Street

Grundy County, TN

Tracy City

2/11/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Myers Hill Congregational Methodist Church, 717 Myers Hill Road

Warren County, TN

McMinnville

2/4/2021: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Tennessee College of Applied Technology, 241 Vo Tech Dr.

2/10/2021: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., McMinnville Community, 201 Locust Street

2/23/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Warren Co Community Caney Fork Electric, 920 Smithville Hwy

After two weeks of significant increases at the pump, gas prices increased again in Tennessee, however at a much slower rate, rising only a penny over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.19 which is nearly 17 cents more than one month ago and nearly 10 cents less than one year ago.
Prices in Coffee County are on par with the state average – at $2.19 average. The national average stands at $2.40.

“Tennessee motorist continue to see gas prices increase, but at a much slower rate than the past few weeks,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Part of this is due to more stable crude oil prices throughout January. If demand continues another week of substantial increases, we could see pump prices get more expensive. However, downward pressure on crude oil prices due to a rise in coronavirus infections and travel restrictions could help to keep crude prices low and limit a substantial increase in pump prices.”

Quick Facts

· 74% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $2.25
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.03 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $2.43 for regular unleaded
· Tennessee remains the 10th least expensive market in the nation

Manchester Police Department officials are warning the public of a recent scam attempt that turned aggressive and dangerous. Authorities also have advice for how you can avoid the same fate. 

Recently, a female who police are identifying as a scammer contacted an elderly Manchester resident (Thunder Radio has chosen not to identify the intended victim, but will use the last name of “Jones” for purposes of this story.). When the intended victim’s daughter heard her mother on the phone, she was suspicious of the call and, according to authorities, the daughter took the phone away from Miss Jones and told the scammer they “were a piece of ***T” and hung up the phone.

Apparently feeling disrespected, at this point the scammer actually plotted revenge on her intended victim. After being hung up on, the scammer then called the Coffee County Communications Center and claimed to be Miss Jones. According to the communications tape (which was heard by Thunder Radio), the scammer told dispatchers that she was in fact Miss Jones, provided the proper address and claimed that her husband was trying to get in her house and kill her with a knife.

This call prompted an emergency response from multiple Manchester Police Department officers who were expecting a severe domestic violence situation. Instead, they found a confused Miss Jones in no distress whatsoever. Luckily, no one was injured during the response.

“At first, we were very confused by this,” explained Manchester Police Department Chief Investigator Brandon Tomberlin. “We thought maybe we were at the wrong house.”

The scammer later called back and dispatchers connected her with Tomberlin, who was able to figure out that the caller was in fact not Miss Jones and appeared to be a scammer by her description of surroundings. The scammer then changed her story and claimed to be calling from “Manchester Town” and not Manchester.

With his persistence, Tomberlin eventually got the scammer to admit that the call was a prank as revenge because Miss Jones “misbehaved” with her on the phone.

“She misbehaved with me,” the scammer said, while remaining adamant that her call was about insurance was not a scam. “I was taking revenge.” (listen to a portion of Tomberlin’s call with the scammer below). 

What is to be taken from all of this? Tomberlin urges citizens to NOT irritate a potential scammer on the other end of the phone.

“It’s important for people to know .. do not get in a debate with them,” stated Tomberlin. “If you think you have a scammer on the other end of the phone, simply hang up.”

Tomberlin added that he is grateful that no one was hurt.

“Our officers are going to that scene expecting someone with a knife trying to do someone harm. We are lucky it turned out OK.”

Tomberlin suspects that the scammer is not located in the United States.