Ben Patrick Mullavey… Photo provided by the CCSD.
Rep. Judd Matheny, VIAM management, David Pennington, County Mayor Gary Cordell, City Mayor Lonnie Norman, Director Diane Jernigan and others.
Jernigan accepting the check from VIAM COO Keith Hayes
Photo provided
Manchester Fire and Rescue responded to a house fire on Wednesday morning on Woods St around 7am. Fire crews arrived on scene and had light smoke coming from the middle of the roof area. Crews entered the home and quickly found the fire above the ceiling. Crews laddered the home and cut a hole in the roof to vent the ceiling and fire. Crews quickly extinguished the fire. Crews then performed salvage and overall ensuring all the fire was out and there was no further smoke in the home.
Manchester Fire and Rescue contacted SERVPRO for aid and the Red Cross to assist the family affected by the fire. Fire Chief George Chambers says that once again the Coffee County Communications Center, EMS and Manchester Police provided outstanding assistance.
Jonathan Jones… Photos provided by the CCSD.
Anthony D Satchell
Jennifer R Mosley
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has announced more than 800 high school students fulfilled their “Tennessee Promise” community service requirements at Tennessee State Parks in June, a nearly 40 percent increase over 2016.
Outgoing high school seniors helped mulch flower beds, build trails, paint signs, install playground equipment and worked on various other projects to help beautify nearly all 56 Tennessee State Parks on “Tennessee Promise Saturday” – an annual volunteer event organized by the parks system. Tennessee State Parks saw its biggest turnout since the program began in 2015 with a total of 835 soon-to-be college students getting their hands dirty.
Students are encouraged to volunteer in their field of interest to gain relevant experience for college and beyond, but all time contributed to a nonprofit or public service organization is eligible. Students must submit eight hours prior to each academic term.
A new study by the Centers for Disease Control found that teenage suicides rose nationwide in 2015, and girls between the ages of 15 and 19 hit a 40-year high.
Mental health experts in Tennessee say they are seeing a similar pattern.
According WBIR-TV in Knoxville, the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network says there are many signs that teenagers are dealing with depression or suicidal thoughts. Some of those include a withdrawal from family, friends or social gatherings, a loss of interest in hobbies and a loss of interest in personal appearance.
While the news is concerning, there are ways a teen can get help, but parents and loved ones play a big role.
For a list of signs and ways to get help, go to the Tennessee Suicide Prevention System’s website at http://tspn.org.
Tennessee officials are offering a new grant to develop agribusiness in the state.
A state Department of Agriculture news release says the Agriculture Enterprise Fund will award grants to aid agricultural and food businesses, farmers, nonprofits, local governments and other entities in Tennessee, particularly rural counties. It will support new and expanding business ventures.
The incentive program aims to support a goal of eliminating distressed counties in Tennessee by 2025.
The grant is run by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Economic and Community Development.
The grant will provide up to 25 percent of a project’s total budget.
Prospective applicants can find more information on the Department of Agriculture’s website.
July 17, 2017 on Highway 41 in Coffee County a pedestrian was struck and killed by a driver who fled the scene. The Tennessee Highway Patrol received critical assistance that led to identifying the fleeing vehicle which contributed to the arrest of the felony hit and run suspect. 
On Wednesday, Colonel Tracy Trott presented the Colonel’s Certificate of Excellence and a Colonel’s Challenge Coin to each of the following gentlemen who provided their assistance; Richard (RO) Adams, Josh Bradford and Danny Campbell of Like Kind Quality (LKQ) Auto Parts of Manchester. Colonel Tracy Trott stated, “Without their help, we may not have solved this case.”
The crash took place on Hwy 41 near Hillsboro. Arthur J Mantone Jr age 79 of Hillsboro was struck and killed while checking his mailbox. Mantone Jr had parked his vehicle in the driveway of his residence on Highway 41. The man then crossed Hwy 41 to check his mail and he was allegedly struck by a Mitsubishi Galant driven by Shelton G. Martin, II age 23 of Smithville.
John Drogin
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau have announced that $1.9 million has been awarded to 24 communities for clean energy projects, including 11 distressed counties.
“Clean Tennessee Energy Grants help our communities reduce costs, increase savings, waste less energy and promote clean air,” said Haslam. “I appreciate the efforts of these grant recipients whose work will continue to make Tennessee a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
The Clean Tennessee Energy Grant (CTEG) program provides financial assistance to municipal governments, county governments, utility districts and other entities created by statute. Awarded projects have demonstrated a plan to reduce air emissions, improve energy efficiency and create cost savings.
Grundy County will receive nearly $200,000 to install energy efficient retrofits to the community recreation facility in Coalmont. Remaining funds will replace fluorescent lights in the Grundy County Courthouse, the Grundy County Health Department, and the Grundy County University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Office building, resulting in an estimated savings of 456,436 kWh and 320.9 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
