The Coffee County Fair continues on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
On Tuesday, rides are available with a $20 handstamp.
Tuesday’s entertainment in the grandstands is American Superstars, as Nick Datillo performs a tribute to some of the greatest artists of our time from Frank Sinatra, Buddy Holly, Elvis and The Beach Boys.
The Coffee County Fair is located at 99 Lakeview Dr. The fair runs through Saturday, Sept. 26.
The statewide unemployment rate for Tennessee decreased in August as more Tennesseans continue to return to the workforce, according to the latest data released by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The state’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate in August dropped to 8.5%, down 1.2 percentage points from the previous month’s revised rate of 9.7%. The new rate is a staggering 7 percentage points lower than it was in April at the height of the unemployment spike due to COVID-19 business closures.
One year ago, the August statewide unemployment rate was 3.4%, 5.1 percentage points lower than the current statistic.
Tennessee saw the creation of 22,600 new nonfarm jobs between July and August. During the month, the administrative/support/waste services sector reemployed the most Tennesseans. The federal government and the local government sectors followed in the number of jobs created in August.
In a year-to-year comparison of jobs, Tennessee has seen a significant loss of positions as a result of COVID-19’s effect on the economy.
There are currently 142,600 fewer jobs across the state when compared to statistics from August 2019. One of the state’s largest employment sectors, leisure/hospitality, experienced the most job loss. The manufacturing and professional/business services sectors had the next highest number of impacted workers.
A complete analysis of the state’s unemployment data for August 2020 is available here
Nationally, seasonally adjusted unemployment also decreased in August. At 8.4%, the United States unemployment rate fell 1.8 percentage points from the revised July rate of 10.2%
The August rate for the U.S. is 4.7 percentage points higher than it was one year ago.
Thousands of businesses across Tennessee are ready to help the state’s economy rebound by reemploying out of work individuals. Jobs4TN.gov, Tennessee’s workforce development website, currently has 219,000 open positions for all job skill levels.
Job seekers who visit the site will also find online assistance with writing a resume that will catch the attention of employers, advice on how to engage and impress during job interviews, and details about potential job training opportunities.
The more than 80 American Job Centers across Tennessee are open for business and offering job seekers one-on-one personalized assistance. Career specialists are ready to work with individuals to devise a reemployment plan that will help them rejoin the state’s workforce.
All the assistance is free to anyone who needs help finding a new job or career path.
The Tennessee Department of Health and Tennessee’s Unified Command Group last week announced three new initiatives to enhance the well-being and quality of life of Tennesseans in long-term health care facilities. These efforts include expanding options for visitation, relaxing restrictions for resident interactions within LTCFs and the formation of the Tennessee COVID-19 Long-Term Care Task Force.
“The health and safety of vulnerable Tennesseans, especially our long-term care residents, remains our top priority, and our comprehensive and persistent efforts to protect this population from COVID-19 have saved lives,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “It’s time to reunite residents and their families in a safe and disciplined manner so we can better balance the physical and emotional needs of older Tennesseans.”
Expanded Visitation Options
Beginning October 1, 2020 facilities that have gone at least 14 days with no new COVID-19 cases among residents or staff members will immediately be allowed to offer outdoor or limited indoor visitation with residents. These visits will require maintaining strict precautions for the safety of both residents and staff members, including wearing masks, physical distancing, environmental disinfection and in some instances, testing of visitors.
If a facility reports no new cases for 28 days, it will be allowed to offer an essential caregiver program. Essential caregivers are designated individuals who may visit frequently to assist LTCF residents with activities of daily living, such as feeding, bathing and dressing.
Protecting the physical health of Tennessee’s long-term care residents is the primary concern. If a facility has new COVID-19 cases among residents or staff, these expanded visitation allowances will be suspended until the facility is once again infection-free for at least 14 days.
Enhanced Resident Interactions
Tennessee is also relaxing restrictions for resident interactions within long-term care facilities effective October 1, 2020. These include resumption of communal dining, therapeutic and social activities and visits by non-health care personnel such as barbers and beauticians. As with expanded visitation, these activities will only be allowed for residents who do not have COVID-19 in facilities that have had no new cases in at least 14 days. Facilities must maintain strict infection control practices, including use of masks, physical distancing and capacity limits.
Tennessee COVID-19 Long-Term Care Task Force
The new Tennessee COVID-19 Long-Term Care Task Force is charged with developing and implementing new policy solutions to address immediate and future issues impacting long-term care facilities and residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The membership is broad and includes representatives from the Tennessee Departments of Health, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, TennCare, the Commission on Aging and Disability and the Tennessee General Assembly. The task force also includes representatives from advocacy organizations, health care providers and facility administrators, community behavioral health and LTCF residents and their family members. The first objective of this task force is to monitor the safety and effectiveness of the expanded visitation and activity guidelines and refine them, as necessary.
These new initiatives are the result of many weeks of engagement with stakeholders and partners including nursing home providers, the AARP, LeadingAge, Tennessee Health Care Association and Tennessee Hospital Association, as well as family members of long-term care residents and community advocates
(Pictured above is Macy Tabor (center) and Second Fret. They will play at 7:30 p.m. Monday night at the Coffee County Fair. )
Monday, Sept. 21 is opening night at the annual Coffee County Fair.
Admission price is reduced for Monday, as cost of entry is $3 at the gate for ages 6 and up.
Ride is tickets only on Monday night.
There will be entertainment Monday night, including Duck River Dance at 6:30 p.m. at the grandstand and local musical talent Macy Tabor and Second Fret will take the stage at 7:30 p.m.
The Coffee County Fairgrounds are located at 99 Lakeview Dr. in Manchester. Parking is available for free.
See the complete 2020 Coffee County Fairbook by clicking here
In the upper left photo, VFW Commander Kim King presents an award to Mary Campbell Weddington. In the upper right photo, Doyle Reeves poses with his award. Photos provided.
On September 12, 2020, the Manchester, Tennessee Veterans of Foreign Wars
All-American Post 10904 presented awards to area supporters for their
outstanding support to our military and local veterans.
Mary Campbell Weddington accepted the VFW Military Support Appreciation
Award for Citizens Tri-County Bank. Citizens Tri-County Bank has paid the
shipping costs of care packages, shipped from our local area to our military
personnel serving on active duty, since Operation Desert Storm in 1991. She
told members present that Citizens Tri-County Bank is proud to pay for care
package postage, no matter the cost, as their way of supporting our deployed
military forces.
Doyle Reeves, an Army Vietnam veteran, received a special appreciation award
from the Coffee County Veterans Association for his dedication and hard work
on maintaining the Veterans Building and grounds.
For more information and to stay current on the latest VFW news, visit
www.vfwpost10904.com
Manchester Mayor Lonnie Norman and Coffee County Mayor Gary Cordell joined several leaders across the state in signing a proclamation recognizing September as Suicide Awareness Month in Manchester and Coffee County
.The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network will hold several events across the state in observance of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month this September.
According to an August 2020 Harris Poll conducted by leaders in the suicide prevention field, more than half of adults know someone who has had suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and approximately 1 in 4 U.S. adults has personally thought about or attempted suicide. In Tennessee, an average of 3 people die by suicide each day. In 2018 – the latest year for which state-specific figures are available – there were 1,159 recorded suicide deaths in Tennessee.
TSPN draws awareness to this public health issue throughout the year, and these efforts culminate during a statewide event each September. This year’s event, held on September 10, was a success, drawing in more than 250 attendees across the state. Attendees included professionals in the mental health field, government leaders, and dedicated friends of TSPN. The event featured many informative talks from TSPN leaders and wrapped up with a keynote address from Dr. Kelly Posner, creator of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).
See the full proclamation signed by Norman below:
WHEREAS, suicide is one of the most disruptive and tragic events a family and a community can experience, with more than 1100 lives lost in Tennessee each year and an estimated 25 attempted suicides for each suicide death; and
WHEREAS, suicide is the 9th-leading cause of all deaths in Tennessee, the second-leading cause of death among youth ages of 10 to 24, and the first leading cause for children ages 10-17; and
WHEREAS, more than three lives a day are lost to suicide in Tennessee, which means we lose 21 Tennesseans each week and 84 people per month; and
WHEREAS, Tennessee veterans, active-duty military, and National Guardsmen face a disproportionate risk as compared to the general population, with more dying from suicide than combat; and
WHEREAS, public awareness of this tragic problem is the key to preventing further suffering and loss of life; and the risk for human self-destruction can be reduced through awareness, education and treatment as the highest risk for suicide is among the survivors of those who died by suicide or those who have attempted suicide; and
WHEREAS, suicide prevention has been declared a state priority by the Governor; and the Tennessee Legislature has declared teen suicide prevention as a state priority in partnership with the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network to implement the Tennessee Strategy for Suicide Prevention; and
WHEREAS, Tennessee is a national leader in the effort to prevent suicide, being one of the first states to develop a suicide prevention and evaluation plan covering the lifespan; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of Tennessee has appointed a Suicide Prevention Network Advisory Council to coordinate the implementation of the Tennessee Strategy for Suicide Prevention; and
WHEREAS, the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network is a grassroots collaboration of Tennesseans and organizations working to eliminate the stigma of suicide, educate the community about the warning signs of suicide, and ultimately reduce the rate of suicide in our state; and
WHEREAS, 2020 marks Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network’s 20th year of dedicated efforts to reach every Tennessean in every county; and
WHEREAS, every member of our community should understand that throughout life’s struggles we all need occasional reminder that we are all silently fighting our own battles; and
WHEREAS, we encourage all Tennesseans to take the time to inquire as to the wellbeing of their family, friends, and to genuinely convey their appreciation for their existence by any gesture they deem appropriate. A simple phone call, message, handshake, or hug can go a long way towards helping someone realize that suicide is not the answer; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Lonnie J. Norman, Mayor of the City of Manchester, do hereby proclaim September 2020, as SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH in Manchester, Tennessee, and do urge all citizens to work to prevent suicide and to raise awareness and tolerance around all people affected by this tragedy.
Pictured (below) standing from left are City of Manchester Vice Mayor Marilyn Howard and Contact Life Line of the Highland Rim Representative Ellen Stowers; seating from left are City of Manchester Mayor Lonnie J. Norman and Coffee County Mayor Gary Cordell. The proclamation signing took place today at the City of Manchester in an effort to show a united front.
Written by Susan Campbell, Thunder Radio
With the presidential election quickly approaching, election commission officers around the country are scrambling to meet the need for additional poll workers, and Coffee County Administrator of Elections Andy Farrar is no exception.
COVID-19, coupled with the older age of most poll workers, has led to a critical shortage around the country because many experienced poll workers are choosing to stay home. According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, even as Tennessee and many other states expand access to vote-by-mail and absentee voting options, many county residents, especially voters with disabilities and those who lack reliable mail service, will continue to rely on in-person voting to cast a ballot.
According to Farrar, Coffee County had 141 Election Day workers on Aug. 6. However, many poll workers who had worked the March 3 primary canceled due to coronavirus concerns.
“Most of our poll officials, while concerned, attended the training and when they learned of the precautions we were taking felt a little more at ease,” Farrar said. “Some workers who had concerns due to pre-existing conditions did not work, understandably.”
During the August election, the Coffee County Election Commission implemented several changes designed to make both voters and poll workers feel safe during both early voting and on Election Day.
“Each voter was given an ink pen with a stylus that they signed all documents with and voted on the voting machine with,” Farrar said. “This way, no one was sharing pens or touching the voting machines. We also had sanitizer stations for workers and voters, social distancing signs and floor stickers showing each 6-foot space to stand in line. All voting machines were separated by 6 feet, as well.”
Farrar said all election workers were required to wear masks, and were offered gowns, gloves and face shields if they chose to wear them.
“I tried to make this as comfortable of an experience for everyone during this pandemic,” Farrar said. “During the November Election as it stands today all of the same measures will be in place and possibly a few more based on feedback we received during the August election.”
On Nov. 3, Coffee County voters will choose a president, as well as one U.S. senator and one U.S. House member. The largest election of the 4-year cycle, Farrar plans on adding between 20 and 30 additional poll workers. Smaller precincts will have five or six workers, with large precincts having 69 workers.
“We base this on voter turnout over the last four to eight years,” Farrar said.
Coffee County has 21 voting precincts: four in Manchester, 10 in rural Coffee County, and seven in Tullahoma.
Poll workers in Coffee County are compensated approximately $110 for training, according to Farrar, but to receive the compensation they are required to attend and work on Election Day. Anyone interested in becoming a poll official may go to www.coffeecountyelectioncommission.com, or www.govotetn.com, click on the link and fill out the form, which will be received by email at the election commission office.
Early voting begins Oct. 14 and ends Oct. 29. Election Day is Nov. 3. Absentee by-mail requests are available for registered voters who qualify until Oct. 27.
With the recent announcement to cancel Safe on the Square in Manchester, local citizens and businesses have quickly organized a large-scale trunk-or-treat event or 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oc.t 30 at the old Southern Family Market parking lot on Hillsboro Blvd. in Manchester.
There will be a costume contest, food vendors and music on hand provided by Thunder Radio.
There will be prizes for first, second and third place for best costume and a prize for best decorated trunk. There will be a $100 prize for first-place costume and a $50 gift card for first-place trunk. There will also be prizes for second and third place costumes.
For additional information, contact Brandon Imhoff at 931-588-7609 or email premierlawncare94@gmail.com
Adults across Tennessee who did not graduate high school now have an online pathway that will lead them to a high school equivalency diploma. Every county in the state offers students virtual classes that will prepare them to take the online HiSET examination.
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) is coordinating the statewide campaign “Learn Online. Graduate Online.” to make adult education accessible to all interested Tennesseans.
“There are still several adult education programs whose classrooms are closed due to COVID-19,” said Jay Baker, interim Assistant Commissioner of Adult Education. “We want everyone interested in improving their math, literacy, and English language skills to know they never have to leave home and they can still work to change their future. And that includes earning a high school equivalency diploma—all of it can be done completely online.”
Individuals interested in learning more about their local adult education program can call TDLWD at 800-531-1515. Callers will give agents details about their local area and then transfer the caller to the adult education provider in their area.
Once in contact with a local provider, interested individuals will receive the resources needed to begin their online adult education. All course programs are available virtually and will prepare students to take the online HiSET examination to determine if they have earned their high school equivalency diploma.
The online exams are identical to HiSET exams taken in physical testing centers in terms of content, format, on-screen experience, and scoring. Each of the features test takers experience in testing centers, such as the ability to preview, skip questions, review, and change answers, are available with the online exam.
“Earning a high school equivalency diploma can really change a person’s life,” Baker added. “An adult who has a diploma can earn much higher wages and unlock more opportunities for education and career advancement.”
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s HiSET Voucher Program covers all costs associated with the exams. To receive a voucher from a local Adult Education program, a test taker must be a Tennessee resident and demonstrate test preparedness through a qualifying practice test.
The annual Patriot Day Ceremony was held on Manchester Square Friday,
September 11th, hosted by the Coffee County Veterans Association (CCVA).
Rather than single out individuals, local veterans organizations honored the
service and dedication of all local first responder departments.
The event included a commemoration honoring the victims of Sept 11th as well
as an art competition by Coffee County High School students. Students
submitted 104 entries for judging: of those, 36 were awarded First, Second
and Third Place in ten categories.
Approximately 300 attendees were present to show their gratitude to the
everyday heroes who live, work and play among us; and who work tirelessly to
protect us.
American Legion Gold Star Post 78 presented awards to Hickerson Station
Volunteer Fire Department and Manchester Police Department. The American
Legion Auxiliary awarded North Coffee Volunteer Fire Department.
DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Chapter 90 presented awards to New Union
Volunteer Fire Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol. DAV Auxiliary
awarded Summitville Volunteer Fire Department.
Marine Corps League Detachment 1128 presented awards to Coffee County EMS
and the Coffee County 911 Communications Center.
VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) All American Post 10904 presented awards to
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department and
Manchester Fire Department. VFW Auxiliary awarded Coffee County Rescue
Squad.
Students were randomly assigned first responder units or military branches
and instructed to include several facts about their topic, or September 11,
2001 in general, in the artwork. All submissions were judged by school
faculty and CCVA members. Awards were determined for the top three students
in each topic. Winners are:
Army:
1. Resa Smith
2. Aaliyah Wieland
3. Sophia Burton
Navy:
1. Lindsey Smith
2. Jenna Pierce
3. Shalyn Veicht
Air Force:
1. Alex Hudson
2. Mariana Gonzalez
3. Reagan House
Marine Corps:
1. Rosy Rios
2. Keri Gault
3. Natalie Shawl
Coast Guard:
1. Tyler Imhoff
2. Leonardo Rivera
3. Kaylah Giesemann
Police:
1. Kiara Betke
2. Natividad Barrera
3. Zora Haney
Fire:
1. Zoe Mills
2. Annie Fletcher
3. Oliver Atkins
EMT:
1. Olivia Howell
2. Skyler Hill
3. Hope Colleran
9/11/2001:
1. Kelti Hamrick
2. Dominick Moore
3. Landen Booth
Honorable Mention:
Leonardo Rosales
Shiane Stephens
Savannah Blackburn
Ryleigh Montgomery
Trenton Scrivnor
Chaeli Perez
River Bradley
Lillian McGee
