The Manchester area Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with Manchester downtown merchants to host “Moonlight & Mistletoe” – a downtown shopping event set for December 17th.
This event will feature all of the Manchester downtown boutiques and shops, many of which will remain open later than normal for Christmas shoppers to find gifts for the holiday season.
On the downtown square will be Christmas carolers, a photo backdrop for cell-phone family pics at Southern Diva Boutique, special menu and festive drinks at Harvest Local Foods, Women’s wish list and scratch off ornaments for a discount at Aislinge Boutique. These are just a few of the special events.
Downtown businesses like The Cracked Pot, Soul Revival, Owen’s Provisions and Apparel, Sprout Children Shop, Southern Diva Boutique, Harvest Local Foods, Southern Healing Enterprises, Mercantile and Reese’s Genes Boutique will all be open extended hours (through about 8 p.m.).
Follow the Facebook event page for more details (click here).
Monday tornado confirmed in Moore County
The National Weather Service office in Huntsville, Ala. has confirmed that a tornado did touch down in Moore County on Monday.
Severe weather hit the area Monday morning that resulted in some structure damage and multiple trees and limbs down in Tullahoma. The National Weather Service office in Huntsville survey team found that damage in Moore county was consistent with an EF-1 tornado.
However, damage in Bedford and Coffee counties is still being assessed by the NWS office in Nashville. If it is confirmed that damage was caused by a tornado, it could result in a longer ground track. NWS officials from Nashville were surveying damage in Tullahoma on Tuesday (Dec. 7). A report is expected to be released late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
The tornado in Moore County had estimated peak wind speeds of 86 miles per hour and was on the ground for 1.17 miles with a maximum path width of 80 yards. Again, it is possible that tornado also tracked into Coffee County. NWS Nashville is assessing that damage.
No injuries were reported from the storms. Tullahoma Utilities reported that about 2,500 people were without power at one point Monday morning as a result of the storms, in addition to approximately 1,100 Duck River Electric customers.
The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning for Coffee County shortly before 8 a.m. Monday morning, specifically for the Tullahoma area.
Tennessee gas prices drop 3 cents over past week
Tennessee motorists saw a little relief at the pump over last week as gas prices fell three cents, on average, across the state. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.06 which is nine cents cheaper than one month ago and $1.16 more than one year ago.
The average price per gallon of regular unleaded in Coffee County is $3.09 – that is 3 cents over the state average and 26 cents below the national average of $3.35. That price is also 12 cents higher than neighboring Rutherford County and 26 cents more expensive than neighboring Bedford County.
The most expensive gas in the nation can be found out west, where motorists pay $4.68 cents per gallon.
“Consumers may be catching a break at the pump right now, but it’s not for a very good reason,” said Stephanie Milani, Tennessee Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “A potential COVID-19 induced economic slowdown hurts everyone and could prompt OPEC to slash production if oil prices drop too low.”
- 45% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $3.00
- The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.82 for regular unleaded
- The highest 10% of pump prices are $3.36 for regular unleaded
National Gas Prices
Pump prices continue to tumble as fears of a possible COVID-19 global economic slowdown pushed oil prices into the mid $60s per barrel—a price not seen since August. Also helping to ease upward pricing pressure was the decision by OPEC and its oil-producing allies not to cut production. The national average for a gallon of gas dipped 4 cents on the week to $3.35. For consumers, gasoline prices were last this low on October 20.
On December 2, OPEC and its allies, a group referred to as OPEC+, announced it would stick to its plan, for now, to raise production by 400,000 b/d in January. The move was likely in response to the Biden Administration’s call to increase supply to tame high fuel prices.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks increased by more than 4 million bbl to 215,422 million bbl last week. Meanwhile, gasoline demand dipped from 9.3 million b/d to 8.8 million b/d. The slight decrease in demand contributed to falling prices, while lower crude prices also put downward market pressure on pump prices.
Today’s national average of $3.35 is seven cents less than a month ago and $1.19 more than a year ago.
National Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of last week’s formal trading session, WTI decreased 24 cents to settle at $66.26. Crude oil prices decreased last week due to uncertainty of the COVID-19 omicron variant’s impact on demand and the announcement that OPEC+ will ramp up production by 400,000 b/d in January. Additionally, EIA reported minimal draws on U.S. commercial crude oil inventories, which decreased by 900,000 bbl from the previous week to 433.1 million barrels. This week, crude oil prices could continue to fluctuate. Market watchers will keep a close eye on crude oil inventories and the impact that the omicron variant has on demand.
Water main break sends East Coffee students home early Tuesday
Students at East Coffee Elementary School got an unplanned abbreviated day of school Tuesday thanks to a water main break.
School officials called for parents to pick up their students at about 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, after what they described was a “water main break” at the school, which is located on McMinnville Highway.
All other schools in the district remained on normal schedule for the day.
Monday morning storm leaves path of destruction in Tullahoma; EMA cites “possible tornado”
Coffee County Emergency Management Agency said that “a possible tornado” touched down on the North side of Tullahoma Monday morning.
Photos coming to Thunder Radio News show extensive damage, including toppled signs, downed trees and portions of roofs ripped from homes.
Coffee County EMA specifically states “the area from Ledford Mill Rd. to Short Springs Area.”
Tullahoma Utilities said that about 2,500 were without power at one point Monday morning, but much of that had been restored by afternoon. Some of the more heavily affected areas are Tara Estates, Marbury Road, Wanda Lane, Ridgewood, and Arnold Avenue. T
The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning for Coffee County shortly before 8 a.m. Monday morning, specifically for the Tullahoma area.
Coffee County EMA tells Thunder Radio News that no injuries were reported.
TAX TIPS: Preparing to file your return (part 1)
By Rosalyn Partin, Manchester H&R Block
In less than one month we will be in a new year. With the new year comes the tax filing season for 2021 returns. Planning ahead can help you file an accurate return and avoid processing delays that can slow your tax refund. Here are steps you can take now to make sure your tax filing experience goes smoothly in 2022.
First, have a place to collect your tax documents as they arrive. By having a set place to keep your documents, you will minimize the risk of losing important information. Also make sure you begin checking any accounts that are set up for paperless reporting such as investment or retirement accounts. When your tax form is available online, we advise that you print it and put it with your other forms or save it in a designated 2021 tax folder on your computer.
Second, make a list of the document you expect to receive. Documents you should receive shortly after the first of the year are: W2s from employers, 1099s from issuing agencies such as banks, retirement accounts, investment accounts, unemployment, 1099-MISC and NEC from payers of self-employment income and other income. You should also watch for statements related to potential tax deductions such as 1098 from your mortgage company, 1098-T for tuition paid from universities and vocational schools, 1098-E for student loan interest, child care payment receipts or statement, charitable contribution receipts or church giving statements, etc. Also, those who purchase health insurance through the Federal Marketplace must have their form 1095-A which will be posted to the online marketplace account.
In January, IRS will begin sending out letters to taxpayers reporting payments made during the year. Letter 6419 will report the total Advance Child Tax Credit Payments and Letter 6475 will report the 3rd Economic Impact Payment sent out by IRS. These letters should be kept safely in your tax document file since they will be used to reconcile payments on your 2021 return.
If you have not set up an Online Account with IRS, you may want to set up one now through ID.me. By having an online account, taxpayers can securely access the latest available information about their federal tax account. To set up an online account with IRS, go to the IRS website at irs.gov and select “Sign In to Your Account”.
If you have questions about documents needed to file your 2021 tax return, please call H&R Block at 931-728-9462. H&R Block Has Your Back!
Raiderette dancer to participate in Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade Tuesday
Coffee County Central High School Raiderette dancer Jaxen Waggoner is in Honolulu, Hawaii to perform in the 80th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade.
The parade will take place Tuesday, Dec. 7 – marking the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which took place on Dec. 7, 1941.
Waggoner is one of 600 high school dancers and cheerleaders from across the country chosen to represent Varsity Spirit in the parade.
The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday Hawaii Time, which is 8 p.m. Central Time. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. Hawaii time, which is 10 p.m. Central Time. You can watch the parade by clicking here.
Westwood student found with Airsoft BB gun at school Friday
A student was removed from Westwood Middle School Friday morning after he was found to be in possession of what administrators describe as an “airsoft BB gun.”
According to Manchester City Schools Director Dr. Joey Vaughn, another student saw the BB pistol and reported it to teachers. The gun was taken up and the situation has “been dealt with,” according to Vaughn.
Vaughn said the school allowed students to call and/or contact their parents to let them know that everything is OK.
“The student has been removed,” said Vaughn. “It was an airsoft pistol. Students weren’t in any danger. But that obviously is not appropriate at school.
“We wanted to let our students call and contact their parents individually because if it were me I would want to hear directly from my child that they are OK.”
Parents were notified of the incident.
Coffee County School board to hold work session Monday, Dec. 6
Coffee County Board of Education will meet Monday, Dec. 6 in a work session. The work session begins at 4:30 p.m. at the board of education building – 1343 McArthur St. The public is welcome to attend.
On the agenda are the following:
WORK SESSION AGENDA
I. AFROTC program update
II. February Board Meeting Date
III. Classified Payscale
IV. Bus Bid
V. CHS Renovation
VI. Board Self-Evaluation
VII. Board Redistricting
VIII. Discussion
Adam Braseel receives exoneration from Governor Lee
Grundy County native Adam Braseel has received full exoneration by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.
Braseel received the news Thursday, Dec. 2, in a personal phone call from Lee himself.
Braseel was wrongfully convicted in 2007 in the beating death of Malcolm Burrows. He spent 12 years in prison for the conviction that was based on a bad eyewitness identification of Braseel.
In August 2019, after serving 12 years in prison, prosecutors offered Braseel a plea deal that dropped his murder conviction in exchange for and Alford Plea to aggravated assault. Braseel took the deal in order to be immediately freed from prison. the Tennessee Board of Parole voted later to recommend that Lee offer him full exoneration.
