Category: News

 Administrators at Unity Medical Center were notified on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 of a positive COVID-19 result
from Manchester Rural Health Clinic. A decision has been made to close the office for cleaning and to allow other
exposed employees to self-isolate and receive testing.

Unity is happy to provide free COVID testing to any patient that was treated at Manchester Rural Health Clinic on
Monday, September 14, 2020 or Tuesday, September 15, 2020, upon request.

“We are thankful that we were able to avoid having any positive results up until this point,” said Martha McCormick,
CEO. “We knew that this was inevitable due to the nature of this virus. I would like to commend the office staff and
administrators at Manchester Rural Health Clinic for isolating this so quickly.”

We recognize that these are uncertain times and you may have concerns about you, your family members, and friends
receiving medical care, even more so than normal. As always the health and safety of our patients, caregivers and
community is our top priority.

At Unity Medical Center, we remain diligent in our fight against coronavirus (COVID-19), and we want to provide you
with an update about the thoughtful and deliberate steps we’re taking to reopen our hospital and return to standard
operations during this ever-evolving pandemic.

Over the last few months we have become aware that many in our local and non-local communities have not sought
medical care for their urgent healthcare needs unrelated to COVID-19, due to fear and uncertainty about the safety of hospitals. We want to reassure you of the numerous additional protocols that we have implemented to ensure their
safety. We are here to take care of our community and we are well-equipped to handle any health concern they may
have.

Our facilities have maintained historically strict standards for infectious diseases while following updated guidance fromthe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and we will continue to do so to ensure the safety of all. We have carefully prepared for the re-opening of many postponed services. We have introduced enhanced precautions to ensure a safe environment for health care delivery.

Coffee County District Attorney General Craig Northcott issued a statement Tuesday morning regarding the Sunday crime spree that left two people dead, several injured and hundreds more grieving and scared. Northcott praised area law enforcement for their work on the case.

The full statement from Northcott is below:

“As you know, Dangelo Dorsey went on a murderous rampage in Coffee County and many surrounding counties on September 13, 2020. However, we often focus on the murderer rather than the victims. This, in my opinion, is a crime in and of itself. Thus, I want to focus on the victims in this incident. Their lives matter. They deserve our attention and support.

“On Sunday, five (5) innocent individuals were shot. Two (2) people were murdered, another remains in critical condition and two (2) others were hospitalized to treat their injuries. At least ten (10) other victims were directly terrorized by this murderer’s conduct and their lives will be scarred forever. A young wife, pregnant with the couple’s first child, had to witness the slaying of her husband. This couple was taken hostage and held captive for several hours as this evil man attempted to escape. Many others, including young children, had a gun pointed at them as they were being threatened with death if they didn’t comply with this murderer’s demand for their vehicle. These victims justifiably thought their lives were going to end at the hands of a man intent on evil. Countless others’ lives mattered not to this murderer as he went on his rampage and, in fact, two (2) people were hit with bullets as they drove down I-24, which he fired aimlessly and without regard to life presumably to secure a vehicle to flee the scene.

“These citizens were simply going to church with their family, working and going about their daily routine. Evil intervened in their lives in the person of Dangello Dorsey. There is no adequate explanation for his cowardly and senseless actions other than the Truth of God’s Word which tells us in Jeremiah 17:9 that “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately wicked; who can understand it?”.

“This situation was a fast moving and continuously changing one. This covered at least six (6) counties, involved dozens of law enforcement and first responder agencies and included not only the shootings above but at least three (3) armed carjackings and several other attempted armed carjackings. I am thankful for all of the agencies and individuals that contributed to bringing this rampage to an end. It was a complex investigation with many moving parts that were well coordinated due in large part to each agency working towards the same goal of protecting the citizens of this community. The following are agencies that I know assisted but I am sure that I will forget some and am unaware of the assistance that others quietly provided: Coffee Country Sheriff’s Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Coffee County EMS, Coffee County EMA, Tullahoma Police Department, Manchester Police Department, Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Bedford County Sheriff’s Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Department, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, Cannon County Sheriff’s Department, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Rutherford County EMS, Manchester Fire Department, Rutherford County Fire Department, Kimball Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 12th Judicial Drug Task Force and all of the above mentioned counties’ 911 centers and dispatchers. I was humbled to watch the men and women in these agencies work together in their relentless effort to protect those whom were being held hostage and to protect the community as a whole by locating and apprehending this violent man. I would be remiss if I didn’t also acknowledge the key role that the investigators in my office played in this effort.

“Pray for all harmed in this but especially for the victims and their families for their physical and emotional healing. Pray that our community will heal from this. I looked into the eyes of some of those involved and saw the pain inflicted but also the resolve to overcome. I spoke with these survivors and heard the sense of loss of security but also their determination to not be defeated. I listened as seasoned officers became overwhelmed with emotion as they told me of the regret that they felt because they couldn’t stop the violence sooner so as to have spared any or all of the victims of the consequences of this murderer’s actions. Pray for these men and women as well as you rest assured that they did everything possible to protect this community during this attack.

“Ultimately, this rampage lasted approximately 6 ½ hours. It was ended in part by a concerned citizen observing the last vehicle for which law enforcement indicated we were to be on the lookout. He called 911 which led to the stopping of the vehicle after a short chase. After inflicting this harm on the community, this murderer stepped out of the vehicle that he wrecked and fatally shot himself. Two (2) lives were saved in part because this citizen was observant and assisted law enforcement in locating him, those lives being the young woman that was being held hostage in the vehicle and, barring a medical set back caused by this horrible ordeal, her and her husband’s unborn child.

“Please remember what is important in life and don’t forget that we need those willing to stand between us and the evil that is ever present in society. As always, thank you for your support and understanding in this difficult time.”

Coffee County Fair opens its gates next week.

The annual fair will look slightly different this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, with no pageants this year. However, midway rides will proceed as usual and entertainment will be available every night.

When it comes to midway rides, Monday will be fun night – tickets only for rides. Tuesday will be $20 hand stamp day from 6 p.m. until closing. Wednesday will be dollar a ride day. Thursday will be two for one rides. Friday will be $20 hand stamp during the day (10 a.m. until 5 p.m.) and Saturday will be 2 for $22 hand stamps.

In the grandstands, Duck River Dance will perform at 6 p.m. Monday, American Superstars at 7 p.m. Tuesday, By Faith at 7 p.m. Wednesday, talent show at 6:30 p.m Thursday and Rubiks Groove at 7 p.m. Friday night.
Tractor pulls will be Friday and Saturday night. See the complete fair book by clicking here.

By Nadia Ramlagan, public news service

The federal government has quietly changed a policy that could make it easier for some residents to sign up for health insurance. Previously, workers had only 60 days after losing their job-based health coverage to sign up for marketplace plans on <=”” a=”” style=”color: rgb(0, 102, 0); transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; text-decoration: underline;”>healthcare.gov.

Cheryl Fish-Parcham, director of access initiatives at Families USA, said now, anyone who lost coverage this year can check to see if they qualify for special enrollment. She added the Trump administration hasn’t given an explanation for the change, but it’s most likely related to the pandemic.

“I think at this point we are, more than anything, just grateful that it has finally opened,” Fish-Parcham said. “Because between February and May, 5.4 million Americans lost their job-based coverage and became uninsured.”

Before the pandemic, some 3.5 million Tennesseans received health insurance from their employer or through a spouse or parent – the largest source of coverage in the state. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, as much as one-third of those who have lost job-based insurance could remain uninsured.

Because Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid, Fish-Parcham added, only households with very low incomes are eligible for Medicaid. But, she recommended individuals visit healthcare.gov, where they can check to see if they meet the requirements for a marketplace plan, available to people with modest and higher incomes.

“People who have a disability or who have a child should still click on that, see if you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP,” she said. “You might still qualify for enrollment in the marketplace. So certainly, seeing if you qualify for the special enrollment period is a good thing to check on.”

Research has shown Medicaid expansion would bring health coverage to more than 250,000 Tennesseans, particularly in rural areas.

Fish-Parcham added the pandemic has put a spotlight on the nation’s heavy reliance on employer-sponsored health insurance. She said Black and Hispanic households, who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and who are the most likely to have lost income, are bearing the brunt of health care costs.

“Health insurance is important. It helps people afford their bills and get to the doctor,” she said. “And we know that’s important, both in COVID times and also for long-term problems.”

Current lack of access to coverage also could increase household medical debt. A new report shows medical debt affects the credit history of more than one in five Tennesseans, the eighth-highest rate in the country. The report’s authors say ballooning medical debt will likely hamper the state’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

Dog owners should circle their calendars for this Sunday, Sept. 20. The Manchester Recreation Complex and the Coffee County Humane Society will be hosting their annual Dog Day Pool Party.

The event is from 2-4 p.m. Sunday. Cost to enter is $5 per dog. You must provide current vaccination record and accidents must be cleaned by the owner. Aggressive dogs will be asked to leave.

Call the rec complex with questions at 931-728-0273.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on Monday released the names of the deceased from Sunday’s path of destruction left by Dangelo Dorsey.

Deceased are Darcey Johnson, age 28, who was shot and killed by Dorsey inside the Dodge Charger the men were traveling in Sunday morning.

Also shot and killed was hostage Phillip Jordan Stevens, age 23.

TBI has clarified some facts surrounding the timeline of Sunday’s events. Following the shooting inside of his vehicle, Dorsey exited and carjacked a nearby vehicle.

Dorsey then approached a nearby truck and, during an exchange with the driver, shot that driver in the face. At this point, Dorsey approached another driver and shot her through the car’s window when she attempted to drive away, striking her in the hand.

At this point, Dorsey drove away and later rear-ended a Ford Mustang driven by Stevens and his wife.

Believing it was a fender bender, Stevens and his wife stopped, at which point Dorsey took them hostage at gunpoint.
Dorsey forced the hostages to drive him to their home in Morrison. When they arrived, it appears Dorsey took two additional firearms from the home, swapped vehicles to a blue Toyota Rav4 and forced the couple to accompany him. At some point Dorsey separated them and executed Jordan Stevens in the view of his wife. He then forced Stevens’ wife back into a Rav4 and returned to the interstate. He later dumped Stevens’ body in Coffee County.

A high speed chase later ensued, Dorsey crashed the Rav4 with the female hostage in the vehicle. Following the crash, Dorsey shot and killed himself.

Jordan Stevens was a 2015 graduate of Warren County High School. Click here to contribute to a GoFundMe for the family. Click here to contribute.  Reports are that  the female hostage, Aileen Stevens, is pregnant. 

TBI asks that if anyone in the public has information, pictures, video, or details that might help in this case, call 1-800-TBI-FIND. (Top photo is Phillip Jordan Stevens and wife Aileen. )

There are now 175 active cases of COVID-19 virus in Coffee County as of Monday afternoon, according to numbers provided by Tennessee Department of Health.

This is an increase of 28 cases from the previous day. There have been 9 COVID-19 related deaths reported in Coffee County.

Since March, there have been 959 cases of the virus reported in Coffee County. Coffee County’s total estimated population is 57,000.

Across the state, there was an increase of 1,488 cases from Sunday to Monday, according to TDH.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) will once again ask unemployment claimants to complete weekly work searches beginning Sunday, Oct. 4.

Claimants who choose to continue receiving unemployment benefits will start work search activities during the week of Sunday, Sept. 27. They will then document those searches during their weekly certification for Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, and each week after that date.

Claimants who have a definitive return to work date due to a temporary layoff do not need to complete this requirement.

Self-employed workers can fulfill the requirement by completing business improvement or enhancement activities.

Out of Work: Not Job Attached: Claimants who are out of work, and do not have a job to return to, will be required to complete weekly job searches.

Out of Work: Job Attached: Claimants who are temporarily laid off or furloughed, but expect to return to their previous employer, are not required to complete weekly job searches

Self-employed: Work search activities for those individuals who are self-employed and on the PUA program may include calling on clients, submitting bids or proposals, applying for contract or gig work, and or attend training. They should continue taking proactive steps to reopen their business. If they do not plan to reopen their business, they must complete a work registration and seek work.

Union Workers: Claimants, who are union workers, and attained employment through their union hiring hall, are not required to complete weekly job searches.

COVID-19: Claimants who are out of work due to one of the COVID-19 reasons listed in the CARES Act may be exempt from performing job searches if they self-certify that they are unable to look for work due to one of the designations and are otherwise able and available.

The Reemploy Tennessee program can assist claimants with fulfilling the job search requirement and put them on the path to new employment or job training.

Jobs4TN.gov combines the Department’s Unemployment Division and its Workforce Services Division into a powerful workforce development tool for Tennesseans searching for a new job. This integration allows claimants access to more than 210,000 current job openings across the state, career services, and job training opportunities – all online.

For one-on-one assistance, career specialists at Tennessee’s more than 80 American Job Centers can work with job seekers to provide customized job searches, job fairs, Reemployment Services, and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) appointments, and help them determine if job training assistance is available.

Career specialists can also work with a claimant to find free or reduced costs for transportation, childcare, uniforms, or other requirements needed to make a successful return to Tennessee’s workforce.

All these services are provided by the state of Tennessee at no cost to the job seeker.

Traditional job search methods also satisfy the requirement to remain eligible to receive benefits.

If a claimant fails to complete their work searches, they will be denied benefits for the week they did not meet eligibility requirements.

The Tennessee gas price average continues to trend lower as Hurricane Sally moves toward the Gulf Coast. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $1.94 which is down three cents from last week, three cents more than one month ago and 34 cents less than one year ago.

The average price per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Coffee County is $1.91, according to AAA.

“We have not seen much of an impact on gasoline prices ahead of the storm thus far, but that could change this week depending on the severity of the storm,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Some price fluctuation is typical any time a storm threatens the Gulf Coast region, however, any pump price impacts will likely be contained in the region and not have a national impact. ”

Quick Facts

· 88% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $2.00
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $1.72 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $2.24 for regular unleaded
· Tennessee is the 9th least expensive market in the nation

With mortgage rates falling and a renewed emphasis put on living space during COVID-19, U.S. home sales have boomed.

In July, sales of previously owned homes rose 24.7%, according to the National Association of Realtors. Meanwhile, sales of new homes increased by 13.8% based on the Census’ Survey of Construction.

With homeownership top-of-mind for many people across the U.S., SmartAsset crunched the numbers to find the best states for homeowners for the sixth year running. Tennessee cracks the top half at number 20 on the list to tie with Michigan as being named one of the best states for homeowners.

Some of the reasons that Tennessee stands out… In just one year, a new homeowner in the Volunteer State should see the value of their home appreciate by 6.33%. Furthermore, the annual cost of homeowners insurance is deemed realtively low with an average cost of just over $1200 each year.
The full report, including the methodology and key findings, can be found here: