Category: News

In this season of giving, Secretary of State Tre Hargett cautions Tennesseans to be wary of scams when making charitable donations.

“Tennesseans are generous and support each other in times of need, especially around the holidays,” said Secretary Hargett. “I encourage everyone to be diligent in making sure a charitable organization is legitimate before writing a check or donating online.”

To help Tennesseans avoid charity fraud and maximize their donation’s impact, the Secretary of State’s Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming created a Wise Giving Tips video available on sos.tn.gov (https://t.e2ma.net/click/ecgzzmb/yvgckg/q5609yn).

The Wise Giving Tips are:

If a nonprofit asks you for a contribution, make sure it is legitimate by checking to see if it’s registered with the state at sos.tn.gov/charitable (https://t.e2ma.net/click/ecgzzmb/yvgckg/6x709yn) or by calling 615-741-2555.

Take your time. Resist pressure to give on the spot.

Ask questions. If an organization has a specific mission, ask how and who will benefit from your donation.

If you are asked for a donation via text or email, verify the request is directly from the charity or nonprofit.

Do your research and don’t assume a social media or blog recommendation has been approved by the nonprofit.

If you give through an app or website, ask if it is going directly to the organization.

Avoid giving cash. Always ask for a receipt and if your contribution is tax deductible.

Pay close attention to the name of the nonprofit organization, as there are many with similar names.

Don’t forget there are many ways to give, such as volunteering your time.

If a paid fundraiser asks you for a donation, ask how much is kept by the fundraiser and how much goes to the nonprofit.

Charitable organizations operating in Tennessee that raise over $50,000 a year are required to register with the State of Tennessee and file annual financial reports. To see if a charity is registered, visit sos.tn.gov/charitable (https://t.e2ma.net/click/ecgzzmb/yvgckg/mq809yn) or call 615-741-2555. If a charity isn’t registered, that could raise a red flag for potential donors.

The Better Business Bureau, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch and GuideStar are also useful resources for information about charitable organizations. By taking the time to research before giving, donors could prevent their hard-earned dollars from falling into the wrong hands.

Tennesseans are encouraged to report false, misleading or deceptive fundraising activity to the Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming at 615-741-2555.

Thanksgiving travelers will not be delayed by construction on Tennessee roads during this holiday. TDOT will halt all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways in anticipation of higher traffic volumes across the state. All construction related lane closures will be stopped beginning at noon on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, November 30, 2020.

“Thanksgiving is typically the most traveled holiday of the year,” said TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright. “Halting road work during this time will provide maximum capacity on our highways and help alleviate congestion, especially during the predicted peak travel days of Wednesday and Sunday. TDOT’s regional HELP Trucks will also be working throughout the holiday weekend to assist with incidents that may occur along the interstates.”

While all lane closure activity will be stopped, workers may be on site in some construction zones. Long-term lane closures will also remain in place on some construction projects for motorists’ safety. Motorists are reminded to drive safely and obey the posted speeds, especially in work zones. Drivers convicted of speeding in work zones where workers are present face a fine of up to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums.

AAA projects 50 million Americans will travel this Thanksgiving. In Tennessee, the expectation is 1.2 million travelers. However, these figures could be even lower as Americans monitor the public health landscape, including rising COVID-19 positive case numbers, renewed quarantine restrictions and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) travel health notices.

From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel. As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

Coffee County Sheriff’s Department SRO Hassan Peterson and other officials spent time Monday with members of the Coffee County Explorers Post 1935.

The explorer program is designed for students to understand the basics of law enforcement. On Monday, members trained in handcuffing techniques. Interviewing victims and radio procedures.

The Coffee County Explorer Post 1935 name comes from the same year Ben McCullough was killed in the line of duty in Coffee County – August 10, 1935.

(A Coffee County Explorer practices his handcuffing skills on Daniel Ray with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department). 

This year’s Manchester Christmas Parade lineup is set. The COVID-19 pandemic means fewer entries – but still a large list of participants. There are 70 entries signed up for this year’s parade.

Due to COVID-19 – participating floats are asked to not throw out candy this year.

The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28 and travel North on US Hwy 41 from Highway 55, then turn onto the downtown square via W. Main St.

Thunder Radio will be on hand to emcee the parade as it passes the main stage on W. Main St.

Manchester Parks and Recreation Department announced Monday that it is closing bathrooms in public parks.

The department cites an “increase in cases of COVID-19” for the reasoning to close restrooms in Dave King Park, Fred Deadman Park and the Soccer Park. The restrooms will remain closed through February 1, according to the department.

Despite these closures, the Manchester Recreation Center remains open for business.

According to Tennessee Department of Health, there are 321 active cases of the COVID-19 virus in Coffee County as of Monday. This number is up 3 from the previous day.

Tennessee gas prices, on average, are nearly two cents cheaper heading into the Thanksgiving holiday. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $1.85 which is nearly seven cents less than one month ago and nearly 46 cents less than one year ago.

The average price in Coffee County is one penny higher than the state average, at $1.86 per gallon of regular unleaded. The national average is $2.10.

“Typically, cheaper gas prices are an incentive for people to travel during a holiday weekend, but that is just not the case this year,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “AAA forecasted a decrease in Thanksgiving travel year-over-year due to increasing COVID-19 positive case numbers, renewed quarantine guidelines and the latest CDC guidance. All of this has prompted Americans, who had plans to travel, to reconsider spending the holiday at home.”

Quick Facts

· 92% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $2.00
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $1.63 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $2.18 for regular unleaded
· Tennessee moved to the 7th least expensive market in the nation
· Tennesseans are likely to see the lowest Thanksgiving Day gas prices in 12 years

By Nadia Ramligan, Tenn. public news service

As eviction moratoriums let up at the start of the new year, more families are likely to experience homelessness.

People without stable housing are at higher risk of exposure to the coronavirus. And with the onset of cold weather, providers expect a spike in demand for shelter, food and outreach services.

Marybeth Shinn, a professor at Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University, said while moratoriums imposed during the pandemic work to delay evictions, they do not prevent them.

She noted arrears for rent, utilities and fees continue to accumulate when the moratorium ends, and landlords can continue to charge fees for late payments.

“And utility bills keep ticking, and fees are accumulating for families,” Shinn explained. “So there are going to be a lot of families who are at risk of foreclosure.”

Shinn added housing affordability is at the heart of the problem.

Across Tennessee, there is a shortage of rental homes that are affordable, especially for households whose incomes are at or below the poverty line.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, an estimated 12 million renter and homeowner households now pay more than 50% of their annual incomes for housing. And a family with one full-time worker earning the minimum wage cannot afford rent for a two-bedroom apartment anywhere in the U.S.

Shinn contended there are steps the federal government and incoming administration could take, including reinstating increased unemployment benefits to help people stay current on rent.

“The closest thing that we have to a silver bullet to end homelessness would really be an expansion of the housing choice voucher program,” Shinn proposed. “It’s expanded only from two million to 2.2 million units over the past 20 years. A bipartisan policy commission suggested that the program could expand to the point that everybody who needed it used it.”

She said research has shown for around 31 billion dollars annually, the U.S. could end homelessness.

Shin believes that’s an amount the nation can afford. She said unfortunately there are few resources for individuals that do need help, but some people may be able to get assistance through local nonprofit organizations.

“To access that in communities is to call 211. That will hook you into the organizations that might have resources there,” Shinn concluded.

As of January 2019, more than 7,000 Tennesseans experienced homelessness on any given day, according to federal data. Even more families lack stable housing and are staying in motels or with friends or family.

Public school data showed in 2018, around 17,000 students reported being unsheltered, living in a hotel or motel, or doubled up.

Motlow State has placed thermal temperature scanners at building entryways on each of its campuses. Each thermal scanner provides a non-contact fever inspection kiosk that provides detection of temperature, with or without a mask, in less than one second.

The thermal scanners are now provided as a supplemental aid to Motlow’s existing on-campus requirements (mscc.edu/healthy-motlow). Students, staff, and visitors are still required to submit a self-assessment health screening form before coming to any Motlow campus.

The scanners are simple to use. Walk towards the scanner and it will detect your presence. It will display your temperature on the screen and tell you if you are cleared to enter the building. If your temperature is 100.4 or above, you are not cleared to enter the building and you should leave campus immediately.

Motlow buildings with thermal scanners include:

Fayetteville – Main building and Sundquist Center
McMinnville – Main building and Automation & Robotics Training Center
Moore County – Marcum Technology Center, Simon Hall, Nisbett Center, and Ingram Administration
Smyrna – Arthur Walker, MaryLou Apple, and Hiatt-Spivey Center

 In a year when large holiday gatherings may not be possible, fire damage restoration
specialist Gene Walter of SERVPRO of Coffee/Franklin/Warren Counties
says a focus on family decorating traditions and more intimate
celebrations may take on extra significance.

“It’s as important to keep safety top of mind with a small family gathering as it is with a large
holiday party,” says Walter. “We all enjoy bringing the glow of the holiday season to our homes with Christmas trees or menorahs and candlelight, but these statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration show how easy it is for home decorating to turn into a home disaster.”

* The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas Day, New Year’s
Day and New Year’s Eve.

* More than half of the home decoration fires in December are started by
candles.

* A heat source too close to the Christmas tree causes one in every four
winter fires.

* On average, one of every 52 reported home Christmas tree fires
resulted in death.

In addition to exercising caution with candles and heat sources, it is
important to follow manufacturers’ guidelines for holiday lighting, says
Walter.

“According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in 44% of home Christmas tree fires.2 Though Christmas tree fires may not be common, they can be devastating to more than the house itself. They can destroy irreplaceable photos, mementos, and family heirlooms and even cost lives,” says Walter. “To help keep your holidays bright and your home and family safe, use common sense with candles and tree placement, and follow these important home decorating guidelines.”

* Only use decorations that are flame-retardant or not flammable.
* Check holiday lights each year for frayed wires or excessive wear.
* Don’t link more than three strands of holiday lights.

“In a year when so many of the things we take for granted have changed,
we know people will still come together – in person or virtually – to
celebrate family and holiday traditions,” says Walter. “‘Stay safe’ has
become a common expression in the context of public health, but this
holiday season, we urge all Manchester-area home and business owners to
think about ‘staying safe’ in their homes as they prepare for and enjoy
the holiday season.”

SERVPRO is an industry leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and
restoration services. For more fire prevention and fire safety tips and
information about fire and water damage restoration services, please
visit www.servpro.com. For more information on SERVPRO of
Coffee/Franklin/Warren Counties, please contact Gene Walter at (931)
723-8088 or servpro9292@bellsouth.net.

The Manchester Annual Christmas Parade is set for this Saturday – Nov. 28. The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The deadline has passed for float registration.

For those wishing to watch the parade, you can find a spot along US Highway 41 North between the intersection of Highway 55 and W. Fort St. You can also position along W. Fort. St. on the downtown square.

There will not be a downtown tree-lighting ceremony this year due to COVID-19. The parade route is below.