SNOW PATROL
For Monday, January 3. Presented by the bread and milk experts at Spring Street Market – 801 S Spring St.
Temple Baptist Christian School – CLOSED
(Coffee Co and Manchester City schools were already closed for students Monday as part of Christmas break)
For those interested in making a donation to the area Wreaths Across America program, there will be a match available for next year – but donations must be made in the next week.
This past year was the fifth year for local ceremonies and wreath placement on veterans graves in local cemeteries. This program began with three locations and expanded to 11 this year with wreaths placed on more than 1,000 veteran graves.
If you would like to make a donation to the program, it will be matched. For example, a $100 donation will become a $200 donation. Wreaths cost $15 each.
The match will only be made through the local sponsoring committee. Any donation checks should be made out to Wreaths Across America and checks must be in hand by Jan. 10. You can drop off your donation at Clower Automotive on McArthur Street in Manchester.
FROM TENNESSEE PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE
A new report provides insight into what Tennessee could focus on in the New Year to improve the health of its residents.
The America’s Health Rankings 2021 report from UnitedHealthcare ranks Tennessee a dismal 41st among states for health outcomes. The state’s notable challenges include high numbers of smokers and people with multiple chronic health conditions, as well as high levels of mental distress.
The report also reveals a 20% increase in obesity among Tennesseans in the past decade.
Dr. Matthew Spann, weight loss surgeon and director of surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, believes obesity is endemic, and needs to be addressed from a healthcare standpoint.
“Obesity is a disease just like high blood pressure and high cholesterol,” Spann explained. “It has a genetic component, it has an environmental component, and it’s associated with many other health problems that ultimately can shorten your life.”
Tennessee’s obesity rate is 35.6%, compared with about 32% nationally. The state received positive marks in the report for low rates of excessive drinking and a high high-school graduation rate. Also, fewer adults are reporting insufficient sleep and fewer are avoiding healthcare due to cost.
Adequate nutrition and physical activity also are areas of concern, as Tennessee ranked 32nd in those categories.
Spann contended the conveniences of modern society are somewhat to blame.
“Healthy food choices have become more and more limited, especially as there’s a greater gravity towards fast foods, which have a little bit less nutritional value,” Spann asserted. “We’ve also seen the rise in sedentary lifestyles, less physical activity.”
The research also found an uptick in deaths between 2019 and 2020 nationwide.
Dr. Ravi Johar, chief medical officer of UnitedHealthcare, said the pandemic contributed about 70% of the death-rate increase, but more people died from causes such as stroke or cancer as well.
“We had a 17% increase in the death rate, and that 17% doesn’t even reflect some populations,” Johar outlined. “We know Hispanics and African Americans, the death rate was even higher than that.”
Tennessee ranks 38th among the states for its mortality rate.
Last week, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) announced the state has received shipments of the Merck and Pfizer oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization for molnupirvar by Merck and an emergency use authorization for Paxlovid™ by Pfizer as oral antiviral treatments of COVID-19.
Early studies indicate these treatment options may reduce severe outcomes from COVID-19 including hospitalization or death. These treatments are recommended for individuals who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19 or have underlying medical conditions.
Consult with your physician about your risk factors when taking these treatments. Both drugs require a prescription.
The Tennessee Department of Health coordinated a distribution plan of molnupiravir and Paxlovid™ with Walmart pharmacies across the state. This treatment is free, and Tennesseans can visit www.walmart.com/covidmedication to find a participating Walmart pharmacy near them.
Currently, the Walmart locations in McMinnville and Shelbyville offer the the medicines. Manchester and Tullahoma pharmacies do not at this time.
Initial supply in the state is limited as the first allocation from the federal government was 5,000 courses of molnupiravir and 1,000 courses of Paxlovid™. TDH anticipates additional allocations in the coming weeks as production increases.
While antivirals may help treat COVID-19, vaccination is the best approach to prevent infection. Tennesseans age 5 and above are encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals ages 16 and above who received an mRNA vaccine may also be eligible for a booster shot at six months or more after they complete the initial series.
For adults ages 18 and older who received single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a booster dose is recommended at two or more months after the initial vaccine. More information on vaccine locations, including available vaccine products, is available at vaccines.gov.
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
Coffee County citizens will have the opportunity to recognize the efforts of volunteers who strive to improve their community during the Coffee County Commission Meeting on January 11th; and an awards celebration on February 14th.
After soliciting public nominations for volunteers, citizens from various walks of life were asked to serve on a committee to review submissions.
In conjunction with the Fourteenth Annual Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards, Tennessee’s statewide volunteer recognition program, Coffee County will recognize honoree Ed Reader, Sr. and Youth honoree Andrew Hetrick. These volunteers have displayed exemplary dedication to serving the people of Coffee County.
Ed Reader, Sr. was a World War II Prisoner of War after his B-17 bomber was shot out from under him over Germany. After the war, he enjoyed a career as a banker. Reader is now an active volunteer with VFW Post 10904, present at every meeting and event: including his service as cashier at the monthly VFW fundraising breakfasts. His tireless participation includes parades and community events like Old Timers Day, where he awards Patriot Citizen certificates to children who can correctly recite the Pledge of Allegiance. His friendly presence in the community serves to increase public awareness and appreciation of the many contributions military veterans continue to make in Coffee County. For his dependable commitment to Coffee County and its veterans community, Mr. Reader was selected as the Governor’s Volunteer Stars Award recipient.
Eagle Scout Andrew Hetrick served as a volunteer with Horse Play, an organization that helps mentally challenged children ride horses. He also served with Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy at his school: a Christmas program that gave candy canes, with positive notes attached, to fellow students. His Eagle Scout project was to build a new fire pit at the Coffee County Veterans Building, where formal Flag Retirement Ceremonies are held. The previous fire pit was old and unsafe for further use. Hetrick also built benches around the fire pit to make it multi-purpose. He designed it himself: after approval from the Coffee County Veterans Association, he obtained full funding for the project and enlisted other Scouts to help him with construction. It was completed within budget and ahead of schedule. For his many achievements, Andrew Hetrick was selected as the Governor’s Volunteer Stars Youth Award recipient.
Coffee County coordinator G. Lamar Wilkie notes: “One of our greatest expressions of love for the place we live is by giving back as a volunteer. Imagine the kind of community we would have if everyone in Coffee County gave just a few hours each month to making it a better place for everyone.”
These exceptional award recipients will not only be honored at the Coffee County Commission meeting on January 11th and the VFW Post 10904 Awards Ceremony on February 14th; they will also be honored at the state Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards ceremony in Franklin, TN on February 13th.
Volunteer Tennessee is coordinating the Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards at the State level. Volunteer Tennessee is the 25-member bipartisan citizen board appointed by Governor Lee to oversee AmeriCorps and service-learning programs and to advance volunteerism and citizen service to solve community problems in the Volunteer State. For more information about Volunteer Tennessee and the Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards, please visit www.volunteertennessee.net.
PRESS RELEASE FROM MARGARET CUNNINGHAM:
Margaret Cunningham, County Commissioner from District 7, has announced her candidacy for Coffee County Mayor as an Independent in the upcoming election on August 4th. Her qualifications-experience, integrity, common sense, knowledge of county government– give her the leadership skills, with fifteen years’ experience in County Government, to lead Coffee County. She will be a new voice for changing times.
Margaret worked as Project Manager under two different County Mayors for 7 years and has been serving as County Commissioner for the last 8 years. As County Commissioner, she has served on numerous committees including serving as Chairman of the Water and Wastewater Authority for the past seven years.
Cunningham has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Troy University and studied law at Samford University. She was raised in a community service oriented family and has utilized those traits to be a founding board member for the Coffee County Imagination Library, the Coffee County Anti-Drug Coalition and the Animal Welfare Coalition. She also serves as an advisor to the Dusty Elam Foundation which assists special needs and economically disadvantaged children in the County.
She has been married for 42 years to Steve Cunningham, farmer and businessman in the Ninth Model community. She has two children who also follow her passion for community service; Lee who is married to Hanna Lovelady, and Anna Forrest who lives in Pegram with her husband, John, and two children, Bristol and Gunner.
Critical community issues to address in the coming four years are: (1) Ways to address the growth in the County while maintaining its rural nature, (2) Area wide cell service/broadband, (3) Water line infrastructure expanded and (4) A new Animal Control facility.
Cunningham is a tireless and hard worker that knows the workings of the County Mayor’s office from experience. Under her leadership she will be a full time mayor and promises improved coordination between County offices, committees and the County Legislative Body. Cunningham will focus on issues at hand and make timely decisions in the best interest of the county. A NEW VOICE FOR CHANGING TIMES through Experience, Honesty, Integrity, Fortitude and Leadership.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) will conduct a strict traffic safety enforcement campaign during the 2021 New Year’s Eve holiday period beginning Friday, December 31, at 6:00 p.m. and concluding Sunday, January 2, at 11:59 p.m. State troopers will perform traffic saturation patrols, seat belt, sobriety, and driver’s license checkpoints during the holiday. All of Tennessee’s 95 counties will have troopers working to ensure a safe holiday.
“Our goal is to keep everyone safe on Tennessee roadways,” Colonel Matt Perry said. “We will not tolerate drivers that endanger the public with their bad choices. Now is the time to start planning for your safe and sober ride.”
If you see unsafe driving, please report it by dialing *THP (*847) from your cell phone. This will get you in touch with one of our dispatch centers across the state.
During last year’s New Year’s holiday period, nine people were killed in eight traffic crashes on Tennessee roadways. These crash fatalities included one motorcyclist, five passenger car occupants, and three pedestrians.
Over the 2020 New Year’s holiday period, State troopers arrested 104 individuals for alcohol-impaired driving.
For a list of Tennessee Highway Patrol checkpoints visit our website at https://www.tn.gov/safety/tnhp/checkpoints.html.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety<http://www.TN.Gov/safety>) mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.
In recognition of the upcoming holiday, Coffee County Government offices and Manchester City Government offices will both be closed on Friday, Dec. 31 for New Year’s Eve.
Emergency offices such as 911 communications, sheriff’s department, police and fire departments will remain open and operational.
Offices will be open on Thursday for anyone needing to conduct business with either government.
Grundy County Sheriff’s Department is asking for help locating Wanda Faye Boswell.
According to GCSD, Boswell has outstanding warrants for manufacture and delivery of methamphetamine, possession of Schedule II drug, false reports and failure to appear in court.
If you have any information on Boswell’s whereabouts, contact the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department at 931-692-3466×5 or 931-924-2077. Tips will remain anonymous.
It was just earlier this month that severe weather ravaged West Tennessee and Kentucky, and left behind notable damage in Tullahoma and Grundy County.
Now severe weather returns to the area forecast – including Coffee County – for Wednesday, Dec. 29.
According to National Weather Service Nashville office, severe storms are possible between 2-8 p.m. Wednesday. This timing is approximate.
Rainfall will be heavy at times with 1-3 inches expected and localized flooding is possible. The main concern with these storms will be damaging straight-line winds in excess of 60 miles per hour. However, tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
More severe weather could be in the forecast for Saturday, although details are not available. Temperatures will remain unseasonably high – with forecast temps in the upper 60s and low 70s through Saturday. Temperatures will plunge on Sunday, with a high of 43.
IF SEVERE WEATHER DOES THREATEN. REMAIN TUNED INTO 107.9 FM, 1320 AM OR THUNDER1320.COM OR THE MANCHESTER GO APP. WE WILL BROADCAST LIVE WEATHER UPDATES AND EMERGENCY ALERTS AS NECESSARY.
