Category: News

North Lake Elementary School principal George Butler has passed away.

Butler passed away at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14 from reported COVID-19 related complications.

North Lake Elementary School is part of the Franklin County School System.

A Manchester man has passed away after a fatal single-vehicle crash Saturday morning.

According to a preliminary report obtained from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, deceased is Phil Baugh, age 49, of Manchester.

According to THP, Baugh was traveling south on Walden Ridge Rd. in a Ford F450 when his vehicle went off the roadway to the left, continued off the roadway and struck a tree head on. The vehicle came to a final rest against the tree. The crash occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Baugh was wearing his seat belt.

Coffee County District Attorney General Craig Northcott on Monday released a lengthy statement addressing recent drug overdose deaths in the area.

Currently facing charges are Paul Wayne Fletcher, Jr., who was indicted in September for multiple offenses, one of which includes second degree murder for a fentanyl related death in June. He is being held on $250,000 bond. Mark Luttrell, Sr., has also been indicted on charges that include second degree murder for a fentanyl related death in June. As Thunder Radio reported Monday, he is being held on $175,000 bond. And Hunter Gremillion has been indicted for second degree murder in relation to a fentanyl-related death in June. He is being held on $150,000.

Northcott said the three cases are separate with different victims and none are directly connected to the others.

Second Degree Murder is a Class A Felony and carries a penalty of 15-25 years in prison for defendants with no more than one (1) previous felony conviction. However, under Tennessee’s current sentencing laws, a Class A Felony is punishable by up to 60 years in prison for those with at least five (5) prior Class A, B or C felony convictions.

There are similar cases pending against other individuals. You can see Northcott’s complete statement below:

“Dear Citizens of Coffee County and All Others Concerned:

“As you know, drug abuse and overdoses are a plague on our community and throughout Tennessee and the rest of this Country. Certainly, those who abuse drugs are responsible for their decisions but those who choose to profit from this plague are responsible for their conduct as well. My office recognizes this as does all local and State law enforcement.

“Coffee County has experienced a marked increase in overdoses including those resulting in death over the last year. Fentanyl is a major component in that increase. To that end, we have focused on investigating overdose deaths in an effort to hold those who distributed the drugs resulting in that murder accountable for their conduct. In fact, the Tullahoma Police Department, Manchester Police Department, Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, TBI and my office have been working closely together to address this problem. These are difficult and intensive investigations. However, those efforts have been fruitful, and we will continue to work towards protecting this community through this effort.

“Specifically, Paul Wayne Wade Fletcher, Jr. was indicted in September 2020 for several offenses including Second Degree Murder for a fentanyl related death in June. He is being held on a $250,000 bond awaiting his next court appearance on March 21, 2021.

“In a separate case, Mark Luttrell, Sr. was indicted earlier this month for drug related offenses including Second Degree Murder for a fentanyl related death in June. He is being held in the Coffee County Jail on a $175,000 bond awaiting his arraignment on January 6, 2021.

‘In yet another case, Hunter Gremillion was indicted earlier this month for drug related offenses including Second Degree Murder for a fentanyl related death in June. He is being held in the Coffee County Jail on a $150,000 bond awaiting his arraignment on January 6, 2021.

“To be clear, these are each separate cases with different victims. None are directly connected to the others. Also, we have other similar cases pending against other individuals but these are the three (3) most recent indictments. Second Degree Murder is a Class A Felony and carries a penalty of 15-25 years in prison for defendants with no more than one (1) previous felony conviction. However, under Tennessee’s current sentencing laws, a Class A Felony is punishable by up to 60 years in prison for those with at least five (5) prior Class A, B or C felony convictions.

“Thank you for supporting law enforcement and their efforts to serve you each and every day. Please be in prayer for the families of the victims in each of these cases to find peace despite their loss.”

The Tennessee Department of Health Monday announced the state has received its first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine ahead of statewide shipment on Thursday. The state obtained an early shipment of 975 doses to hold as an emergency backup supply should any receiving hospital’s supply be damaged.

With the Emergency Use Authorization issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommendations released by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices or ACIP, Tennessee anticipates receipt of 56,550 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine this week. Vaccines should be shipped on Wednesday for delivery to 28 sites covering 74 Tennessee hospitals on Thursday, Dec. 17. Tennessee expects a second shipment of 56,500 doses of this vaccine approximately three weeks later.

“We have been preparing for months to distribute approved vaccines and we believe this will be a safe and effective tool in the fight against COVID-19,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “Our initial supplies of this vaccine are limited, but we are in constant contact with hospitals to prepare administration for our front-line health care workers and long-term care facility residents and staff who choose to receive it.”

The first and second Pfizer vaccine shipments will be used to provide first and second vaccine doses to individuals qualifying for Phase 1a1, as detailed in the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for Tennessee. This plan was last updated Dec. 2 and will be modified as more is learned about the vaccines Tennessee will receive.

The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health

Two men are behind bars in the Coffee County Jail on charges of second degree murder.

Hunter Gremillion, 23, faces second degree murder charges and is being held on $150,000 bond.

Meanwhile, Mark Luttrell, age 53, faces second-degree murder charges and additional drug charges and is being held on $175,000 bond.

According to local authorities, charges stem from drug overdose deaths in the area.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) launched the Tennessee Virtual American Job Center (VAJC) Friday, bringing information about job services and programs to Tennesseans anytime, anywhere. The unique website guides users to not only the employment assistance available to them but also other services offered by multiple state agencies.

Finding the right job and educational opportunities can be overwhelming. The goal of the VAJC is to provide users the information found at more than 80 American Job Centers across Tennessee, no matter the time or where they are located.

“The Virtual AJC makes it convenient for people to learn about the different programs that can have a meaningful impact on their lives,” said TDLWD Commissioner Jeff McCord. “In short, the Virtual AJC extends the reach of Tennessee’s American Job Center network”.
Job planning, education services, skills sharpening and training, work-life support, and youth services are a few of the programs the VAJC provides detailed information about in an easily understandable format.

When someone goes to the site, either on their desktop or mobile device, they can explore a list of services and programs that have the potential to improve their employment situation or provide financial assistance that will help them join the state’s workforce. Each program page contains information on eligibility requirements, reviews documents needed to apply, and provides the next steps to take to participate in the program.

If someone is unsure of which services could be most beneficial to them, the VAJC offers an interactive tool to navigate the different programs.

The Service Matcher guides the user through a short series of questions to determine what assistance is available to them. The Service Matcher then populates the programs they are eligible to participate in and creates a QR code for the user that contains all the

information needed to start their AJC journey.

By streamlining the process of determining eligibility, the Service Matcher saves time when a job seeker initially meets with a career specialist. This tool will allow staff at the state’s American Job Centers to provide faster and more efficient service to their customers.

On the same page, the user can then make an appointment to meet with a career specialist in their area virtually, over the phone, or at the nearest American Job Center.

There are more than 80 American Job Centers located across Tennessee that are open and assisting customers. Job seekers now have the option of visiting an AJC in-person or online.

The Tennessee Virtual American Job Center is located at www.TNVirtualAJC.com. Users can visit the site on their schedule and at their own pace. Once they find the information they are looking for, they can take the next steps needed to improve their employment situation and their future.

On Sunday, Tennessee reported 62 new COVID-19 related deaths and 11,352 new diagnosed cases of the virus statewide.

As of Sunday afternoon, there are 604 active cases of the virus in Coffee County, according to TDH. There have bee 48 deaths in Coffee County that are COVID-19 related, according to TDH.

Coffee County Mayor Gary Cordell is among those who have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus.

Among school-aged children, there have been 75 cases of the virus reported in the past 14 days, according to TDH.
Also in COVID-19 related news: Beginning Monday, Dec. 14, Warren County High School and Warren County middle school will move to remote learning through the end of Christmas break.

TESTING CHANGES

Drive thru COVID-19 testing moving to Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Dec. 21.

Beginning Dec. 21, the Coffee County Health Department will no longer offer COVID-19 drive-through testing on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays.

Drive through testing will still be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

On other days, the Department of Health will provide a self-testing alternative. In order to use a home collection kit you must be at least 18-years old, have a smart phone to register yourself, watch an instructional video and have a valid email address.

According to TDH, the self-test will take at least 15 minutes. You will complete the test, including the nasal swab, in your car at the health department and you will leave the swab with the department to ship for testing.

Testing through the health department remains at no charge. Contact 931-723-5134 with questions.

Volunteers supporting Wreaths Across America at several local cemeteries have been working hard to ensure that some 500 service members buried there will indeed be honored again this year with the placement of live, balsam veterans’ wreaths as part of National Wreaths Across America Day 2020.

A ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery will begin at noon EST. Some 400,000 wreaths are placed at Arlington each year. Locally as many as possible of our ceremonies will start at 11 a.m.

Locally the Coffee County Wreaths Across America Committee is coordinating the following events:

9 a.m. – War Memorials on the Square Manchester – Ceremony and placement of seven ceremonial wreaths. (One wreath for each military service plus the Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and POW/MIA)

11a.m. – Hurricane Grove Cemetery in rural Coffee County – Ceremony and placement of seven ceremonial wreaths plus wreaths on 30 military graves. Coffee County High School Air Force Junior ROTC cadets are assisting in this ceremony.

11 a.m. – Oakwood Cemetery in Tullahoma – Ceremony and placement of seven ceremonial wreaths plus wreaths on more than 250 military graves of veterans from the American Revolution through the War on terror. – Tullahoma High School USMC Junior ROTC/Christian Motorcycle Riders/Boy Scouts/ Cub Scouts/ TN State Guard and others are assisting oath at this cemetery.

11 a.m. – Citizens Cemetery in Tullahoma/ Old Camp Forrest Cemetery – Ceremony and placement of seven ceremonial wreaths only. Member of the Tennessee State Guard are running this ceremony and wreath placement

11a.m. – Shofner’s Chapel Cemetery, Bedford County – Ceremony and placement of seven ceremonial wreaths only. Tullahoma High School USMC Junior ROTC is running this ceremony assisted by members of the Tennessee State Guard.
11 a.m – Confederate Cemetery at Beech Grove – Ceremony and placement of seven ceremonial wreaths plus wreaths on more than 60 military grave of veterans from the American Revolution through the Civil War. The Sons of the Confederacy are running this ceremony.

11:45a.m. (approx) – Mt Zion Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Bedford County – Tullahoma High School USMC Junior ROTC is running this ceremony assisted by members of the Tennessee State Guard.

2 p.m. – Fredonia Cemetery in rural Coffee County – Ceremony and placement of seven ceremonial wreaths plus wreaths on 100 military veterans graves. The McMinnville High School Army Junior ROTC will be assisting in this ceremony.

Anyone interested in sponsoring additional local cemeteries in 2021 can contact the local committee for help in identifying military graves in the cemetery and tips on fundraising to support that cemetery. A $15 donation pays for one wreath.

This year, the ceremonies that are held across the country at more than 2,200 participating locations, may look a little different as the national nonprofit is making every effort to meet CDC recommended safety guidelines while also adhering to state, local, and cemetery safety measures that have been implemented due to COVID-19.

At local participating locations the social modifications have been made to maintain a safe and successful event.

For questions about the local programs feel free to contact Coffee County Wreaths Across America spokesman Claude Morse at tnhonorflight@gmail.com or (931) 247-5151 (Cellphone).
“It is important that during challenging times we all take a moment to remember those who have met and overcome challenges – like our nation’s military and their families – and show unity in our American spirit while we work together in an effort to march forward in the face of what seems to be insurmountable odds,” said Karen Worcester, national executive director of Wreaths Across America. “We are so grateful to the good people of this great nation for participating in the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.”

National Wreaths Across America Day is a free, non-political event, that is usually open to all people, but this year each individual location will be abiding by all local and state safety guidelines and rules set forth by the participating cemetery locations, at which Wreaths Across America is a guest. All local events are open to the public. We do encourage safe social distancing due to the pandemic.

Wreaths Across America is the non-profit organization best known for placing veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of our nation’s fallen at Arlington National Cemetery. However, the organization, in total, places more than 2.2 million sponsored wreaths at over 2200 participating locations nationwide and offers other programs throughout the calendar year, including The Mobile Education Exhibit , Wreaths Across America Radio, and the Wreaths Across America Virtual Concert now streaming on Showcase NOW).

About Wreaths Across America:
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

This year’s Wreaths Across America Day is December 19th, 2020. For more information please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

The Sportsmen & Businessmen’s Charitable Organization has made a charitable donation to the Manchester Police Department’s Christmas program, which will be used to provide toys, clothing, personal hygiene items and food to less fortunate children and their families in the Manchester community. Pictured, Carter Sain with SBCO presents a check to Manchester Police Department Chief Mark Yother Friday afternoon.

A total of 939,311 new unemployment claims have been filed in Tennessee since March 15th, which was ten days after the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Current statistics show the number of new unemployment claims are on the decrease.

The most recent weekly calculations confirm that 6,886 new jobless claims were filed with the TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development for the week ending on December 5th. When COVID was at its peak, there were 116,141 jobless claims filed in one single week, which was the week ending on April 4th.

Over the past four weeks, there were 25,730 new unemployment claims filed in the Volunteer State. The four weeks prior closed with 31,856 new jobless claims.

Today, reports indicate that 46,404 residents are receiving unemployment benefits due to the economic impact of the Pandemic. Over $24-million has been paid to residents who were unemployed since March 15th in Tennessee.

Coffee County currently has 339 citizens receiving unemployment checks, as of December 5, 2020.