Manchester Police Department authorities are searching for the person or persons responsible for an armed robbery at Melrose Market Monday night, January 10, 2022.
According to a police report filed by Manchester Police Department officer Travis Dickson, just after 7:30 p.m. Monday night an unknown male entered Melrose Market at 1440 Murfreesboro Highway. According to a worker in the store, the man entered the business with a gun, pointing it at her husbands head and demanding all the money in the store.
According to the worker, the suspect then took her personal cell phone and smashed the store phone on the ground. The worker’s husband, who was at the store visiting his wife, told police that the the gun appeared to be a silver colored revolver that he believed was a “38 caliber.” Neither victim was able to provide a very good description of the suspect.
The male victim said after the suspect left he attempted to run outside to make out a vehicle, but the suspect was “already around the corner and into a vehicle which was running and had someone else driving.”
Surveillance video of the suspect and a car are below.
Anyone with information on this robbery is encouraged to contact MPD at 931-728-2099.
Stevie Nicks, Tool, J. Cole among top artists set for Bonnaroo 2022
After a two-year hiatus – one for COVID and another for weather – Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is set to return to Manchester in 2022.
The festival announced this year’s lineup Tuesday – with headliners J. Cole (Friday), Tool (Saturday) and Stevie Nicks (Sunday).
Other top of the lineup artists include The Chicks (formerly The Dixie Chicks), Flume and Machine Gun Kelly.
Bonnaroo 2022 will take place at The Bonnaroo Farm June 16-19 in Manchester.
Medical debt wiped out for 255 Coffee County households
The United Church of Christ sent a present over the holidays to 2,950 families in Arkansas and Tennessee. People in those households have been opening letters that say their medical debt has been forgiven.
In the denomination’s latest debt buy, 20 churches of the UCC’s St. Louis-based Missouri Mid-South Conference have abolished $3.9 million in medical debt for families in 43 counties in Arkansas and 58 counties in Tennessee.
At a Jan. 10 news conference, local, regional and national church leaders will announce that the UCC’s latest debt-relief campaign raised $30,000. The gifts were sent to the New York-based nonprofit RIP Medical Debt, which bought up debt for pennies on the dollar.
To be precise, the purchase wiped out $3,911,172.62 in debt. The average amount forgiven per household was $1,325.82.
“I am so proud of the people of the Missouri Mid-South Conference,” said the Rev. Mary Nelson, transitional leader of the regional body. “This is the second time in three years that we have held a major campaign to address the issue of medical debt relief, and we exceeded our goal.”
Contributions totaling $30,000 came from 19 Missouri congregations, one in Tennessee and a national UCC ministry, United Church Funds. The donors are listed here.
In Tennessee, the five counties with the highest amount of debt abolished were:
- Bradley County ($336,427; 180 households), Campbell County ($221,191; 309 households), Coffee County ($195,181; 255 households), Putnam County ($112,435; 54 households), and Hamblen County ($63,000; 126 households).
In Arkansas, the four counties with the highest amount of debt abolished were:
- Garland County ($729,702; 348 households), White County ($278,003; 121 households), Craighead County ($227,923; 226 households), and Poinsett County ($162,782; 114 households).
This is the ninth time the UCC has teamed up with RIP Medical Debt. Each time, they have used specific criteria. Qualifying debtors were those earning less than two times the federal poverty level; in financial hardship, with out-of-pocket expenses that are 5 percent or more of their annual income; or facing insolvency, with debts greater than assets.
Previously:
- UCC churches in Chicago kicked off the medical debt buy initiative in late 2019, in collaboration with the denomination’s national ministries. That first buy abolished $5.3 million in debt for 5,888 families on the city’s South Side.
- The collaborative efforts continued in 2020, with the Deaconess Foundation and several congregations in St. Louis abolishing $12.9 million; with nine churches in California’s East Bay area eliminating $7.4 million; 122 churches and individuals in the Southern New England Conference wiped out $26 million; and 20 churches in the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference forgave $5.2 million.
- In April 2021, eight UCC congregations in the Washington, D.C., area teamed up with the national setting and the Potomac Association of the Central Atlantic Conference to abolish more than $9 million in medical debt in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and West Virginia, changing the lives of more than 7,800 families.
- In June 2021, the national setting sent $15,000, money from First Congregational United Church of Christ, Lake Worth Fla., and from a Giving Tuesday 2019 campaign, to wipe out more than $1.3 million in medical debt for 815 families in Florida, Louisiana and Texas.
- In July 2021, eleven churches of the Southwest Conference abolished $3.6 million in debt in eight Arizona counties, benefiting an additional 1,559 families.
In a little more than two years, the United Church of Christ, collaboratively, has wiped out more than $75 million in medical debt — touching families in every region of the country in which it serves. The denomination, now RIP’s biggest faith-based donor, still has a few buys pending before it ends its national initiative in early 2022. The total debt forgiven is expected to top $100 million.
Caney Fork Electric warns of scam
Caney Fork Electric Cooperative, which serves customers in Warren County, is warning members of a phone scam.
According to the cooperative, the caller tells the intended victim that they have overpaid their bill and can receive a $50 credit on a debit card. The suspect them asks the intended victim to provide the card number to apply the credit.
This is a scam. You should not give credit card, debit card or bank information out over the phone to someone you do not trust.
Area law enforcement looking for man wanted for theft, illegal possession of firearm
Area law enforcement are searching for Dustin James Stephens – he is wanted out of Marion County.
According to authorities, Stephens fled on foot from a traffic stop by Monteagle Police on December 20th. During a search of his vehicle, a firearm was located that was later determined to be one of the firearms taken during the burglary of Mountain Mart on December 18th.
Stephens, age 27, is wanted for convicted felon in possession of a firearm and theft of property.
He is a white male, 6’1″ and weighs approximately 155 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. See photo below.
Anyone with information should contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Department at 423-942-2525.
Tennessee Department of Health recognizes Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
This new year, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) continues to urge Tennesseans to prioritize their health. One way to live a healthier version of yourself is to take steps in prevention of cancer. This January during Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, TDH encourages HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening.
“Cervical cancer is nearly 100 percent preventable through abstinence, routine screenings, living tobacco free, and receiving the recommended human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination,” said TDH Director of Reproductive and Women’s Health Kelly Luskin, MSN, WHNP-BC. “Women between 21 and 65 years of age should get periodic screening for cervical cancer and talk with their health care providers about ways to prevent and reduce the risk of cervical cancer.”
Each day, one Tennessean is diagnosed with cervical cancer, and every three days one dies from the disease. HPV is the single greatest risk for cervical cancer and some cancers of the mouth, throat, and penis. There are prevention measures individuals can take to reduce the risk of HPV including HPV vaccination during adolescence and practicing abstinence. HPV vaccination has been shown to decrease cervical cancer incidence by 90 percent.
Disparities in Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer disparities exist in both screening rates and in diagnoses and deaths from the disease. For example, women in rural areas are less likely than those in urban areas to be screened for cervical cancer. While Black and Hispanic women in Tennessee are just as likely as Whites and non-Hispanics to be diagnosed with cervical cancer, Blacks are three times as likely as Whites to die from the disease, and Hispanics are twice as likely as non-Hispanics to die.
Screening and Testing for Cervical Cancer
Screening, early diagnosis and vaccination are the best ways to prevent cervical cancer. Cervical cancer screening should begin between the ages of 21 and 25. TDH strongly encourages all women to discuss their personal risk for cervical cancer and talk with their health care provider about when to start screening.
Cancer-preventing Vaccine
The HPV vaccine prevents HPV infection and prevents cervical cancer, as well as other types of HPVassociated cancers. HPV vaccination is provided as a two- or three-dose series. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends vaccination for everyone between the ages of 11 and 12.
Additionally, the HPV vaccination can be given through age 45 to those who have not already been vaccinated. TDH encourages individuals to talk with your health care provider about what is right for you.
The HPV vaccination is very safe, highly effective, and available from many health care providers, pharmacies, and your local health department. Parents and young adults can find information to better understand the benefits of prevention measures including vaccination and can learn about cervical cancer and HPV-related cancers at www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/index.htm.
The Tennessee Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program (TBCSP) provides breast and cervical screening services to uninsured and underinsured women and diagnostic testing for qualifying men and women. Learn more about the program at https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/rwh/tbcsp.html or contact your local health department for more information.
Additionally, the Family Planning Program offers cervical cancer screenings to eligible patients. For more information about the program, please visit https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/rwh/fp.html.
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.
TAX TIPS – When Can I File My Return?
By Rosalyn Partin, H&R Block
If you have all your required tax documents, H&R Block is ready to prepare your 2021 tax return now! You must have your W-2 form and other required tax documents in order to file your return. IRS e-file Providers are prohibited from submitting electronic returns to the IRS prior to the receipt of all Forms W-2, W-2G, and 1099-R from the taxpayer. Your last paycheck stub is not guaranteed to be an accurate statement of your annual earnings, and it could be missing some information that you need to file a full tax return.
Each year, the IRS announces the first day to file taxes in early January. Typically, the official date when you can file taxes falls in mid to late January. However, if you have all your necessary documents and you are ready to file, H&R Block will prepare your return now and hold your prepared return to submit it to the IRS as soon as the agency begins accepting tax returns.
Why wait for your refund? When you file your return through H&R Block, you could get up to $3,500 within minutes of filing. The Refund Advance loan available at H&R Block is a no-cost, no-interest loan available now through February 28. The loan is paid back through your tax refund when it is released by IRS.
Use the following checklist for information you may need to file your 2021 tax return:
- A copy of your 2020 (and in some cases 2019) tax return
- Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers for you, your spouse, and all dependents on the 2021 return
- W-2 forms from all employers in 2021. (Employers are required to send W-2s out by January 31.)
- 1099-G if you received any Unemployment in 2021. (In most cases, you will need to print this from your TN Unemployment account.)
- 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B from banks and investment companies
- 1099-SSA if you received any Social Security benefits in 2021
- 1099-R if you received a pension or withdrew any money from your IRA, 401k, or annuity
- Other documents and receipts for your 2021 income, including:
- Income and expense summary for small businesses, farms, rentals
- K-1s from partnerships, corporations, trusts, and estates
- 1095-A if you had health insurance through the federal marketplace during any part of 2021. (In most cases your 1095-A form is available in your online account with the Marketplace.)
- IRS Letter 6419 or verification from your IRS account or bank statements reporting the Advance Child Tax Credit Payments if you received Advance Child Tax Credit payments
- IRS Letter 6475 or verification from your IRS account or bank statement showing the amount received in your 3rd Economic Impact Payment
- Documents for deductions and credits such as:
- Form 1098 from your mortgage company
- Receipts from church and qualified charitable organizations reporting your charitable contributions
- Receipt from your child care provider reporting the amount paid for child and dependent care in 2021
- Form 1098-T from educational institutions showing tuition paid. (These forms are usually posted online in the student’s account with the educational institution.)
If you have questions about what tax documents you need or you want to schedule an appointment, please call H&R Block in Manchester TN at 931-728-9462. H&R Block Has Your Back!
Tennessee new license plates rolling out this year
The Department of Revenue reminds Tennessee drivers that they will receive newly designed license plates in 2022. The new license plates will be available online, by mail, and in-person as residents complete their annual motor vehicle registration renewals.
Under Tennessee law, the plate may be redesigned every eight years if funds are approved in the General Assembly’s annual budget. This new license plate design will replace the current plate design launched in 2006, with modifications in 2011, 2016, and 2017.
Points to note:
- License plates are issued through Tennessee’s local county clerk offices. Motorists can visit www.tncountyclerk.com to renew online.
- New plates can be renewed in person, online, by mail, or by kiosk. If you choose not to renew in person, the renewal fee will include $5 for mailing.
- Motorists are not able to renew early to receive the new license plate. You must wait until your designated renewal month.
For more information and answers to commonly asked questions, visit www.tn.gov/revenue/newplate .
Gas prices reverse course, begin increasing
After almost a month of steady prices, consumers can expect higher prices at the pump. Since last Monday, gas prices across Tennessee have risen three cents, on average. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.02 which is two cents cheaper than one month ago and 89 cents more than one year ago.
In Coffee County, the average price per gallon is now $3.04, which is 2 cents higher than the state average and 26 cents below the national average, which is $3.30.
“Markets, in general, don’t like uncertainty and volatility, and the oil market is no exception,” said Stephani Milani, Tennessee Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The oil production cuts by Kazakhstan demonstrate that in times of tight supply, it doesn’t take much to put upward pressure on the overall price of oil.”
Quick Facts
- 64% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $3.00
- The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.81 for regular unleaded
- The highest 10% of pump prices are $3.35 for regular unleaded
National Gas Prices
Gasoline prices edged upward last week, driven primarily by the price surge in crude oil, which is closing in on $80 a barrel. Events on the far side of the globe are fueling the recent rise. Social unrest and violence in Kazakhstan, a member of the OPEC+ alliance, have forced that nation to cut production. Before the recent flare-up of violence, Kazakhstan pumped nearly 2 million barrels of crude a day. In contrast, the United States, as the top oil-producing country in the world, pumped an average of 18.6 million barrels a day. Since the global price for oil accounts for nearly half of what consumers pay at the pump, higher oil costs will usually result in higher gasoline costs. The national average for a gallon of gas rose two cents to $3.30.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks rose by 10.1 million bbl to 232.8 million bbl last week. On the other hand, gasoline demand decreased from 9.72 million b/d to 8.17 million b/d. Typically, pump prices decline due to lower gas demand and a rise in total stocks, but continued growth in the price of crude oil has helped to elevate pump prices. As oil prices continue to climb near $80 a barrel, pump prices will likely follow suit.
Today’s national average of $3.30 is three cents less than a month ago and $1.01 more than a year ago
Grundy County jail halts visitation for two weeks
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Department has announced that it is halting on-site inmate visitation until January 24 due to COVID-19.
The department announced that those wishing to visit can schedule a remote visitation by visiting www.inmatesales.com.
The department says it wants to ensure safety of staff and inmates.
