A phone scam that is all too familiar for our area is making the rounds again.
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department has received complaints that someone is calling and identifying themselves as a member of the sheriff’s department. The caller tells the intended victim that they have an active warrant and if the victim pays a fee this will satisfy the warrant and they will not be arrested.
The callers then request green dot cards or other forms of payment.
This is a scam. The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department (or any other police department) will not contact you by phone to request payment for anything.
If you know someone who has fallen victim to this, contact your local law enforcement. If you receive these calls, hang up the phone.
Nearly 10% of registered voters have cast early ballots in Coffee County
Only a few days remain if you plan to early vote for the upcoming August 4 general election and state / federal primaries. The final day for early voting is Saturday, July 30.
An additional 348 voters went to the polls on Tuesday, July 26, bringing the total of early votes cast to 3,445. Of those, 1,497 are rural county voters, 1,238 are Tullahoma voters and 710 are from Manchester. This makes about 9.73 percent of registered voters who have voted early.
July 18 has been the heaviest day of early voting so far, with 535 total votes cast on that day.
Those interested in voting early only have a few days to do so – Thursday, Friday and half a day on Saturday.
Early voting in Manchester is at the Coffee County Election Commission, located at 1329 McArthur St. Suite 6. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 to noon on Saturday through July 30.
Meanwhile, in Tullahoma early voting is at the CD Stamps Center at 810 South Jackson St. Hours are 9a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday through July 30.
If you do not vote early, you may vote at your assigned precinct on Thursday, August 4. Polls will be open on election day until 7 p.m.
“Coffee County voters need to be aware that the August ballot is longer than we normally see and will take additional time to complete,” said Coffee County Elections Administrator Andy Farrar. “In this election you’ll have the opportunity to choose which candidates will advance to the general election in November, to retain or replace judges and elect Circuit and General Session Court Judges, District Attorney, Public Defender, County Mayor, County Commissioners, Sheriff, County Clerk, Register of Deeds, Trustee, Circuit Court Clerk, Road Superintendent, Road Commissioners, School Board, Constables, Manchester City Mayor, Alderman and School Board, City of Tullahoma Alderman and School Board .”
Coffee County voters are encouraged to review their sample ballot before they head to the polls. Reviewing your ballot and deciding how you will vote can reduce your time at the polls.
“With the longer ballot in this election, I encourage Coffee County voters to make your voice heard during our state’s generous early voting period,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “Casting your ballot early and reviewing your ballot before you go can reduce the amount of time it takes to vote.”
CLICK HERE to see a full sample ballot for the Aug. 4 election.
On election night (Aug. 4), Thunder Radio will broadcast live returns from the Coffee County Election Commission office beginning at 7 p.m. Tune in at 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, Manchester Go app and thunder1320.com
Early voting ends Saturday. Coffee County remains 19 % behind 2018 pace
This is the final week if you plan to early vote for the upcoming August 4 general election and state / federal primaries. The final day for early voting is Saturday, July 30.
An additional 333 voters went to the polls on Monday, July 25, bringing the total of early votes cast to 3,097. Of those, 1,337 are rural county voters, 1,128 are Tullahoma voters and 632 are from Manchester. This makes about 8.74 percent of registered voters who have voted early.
Not including Monday’s turnout, Coffee County continues to be behind the pace of the 2018 general election. At the end of the day Saturday, July 23, Coffee County had 2,764 votes cast. That is 655 votes, or 19.2 percent shy of the turnout through the same number of days in 2018.
July 18 has been the heaviest day of early voting so far, with 535 total votes cast on that day.
Those interested in voting early still have opportunities to do so.
Early voting in Manchester is at the Coffee County Election Commission, located at 1329 McArthur St. Suite 6. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 to noon on Saturdays through July 30.
Meanwhile, in Tullahoma early voting is at the CD Stamps Center at 810 South Jackson St. Hours are 9a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through July 30.
If you do not vote early, you may vote at your assigned precinct on Thursday, August 4.
“Coffee County voters need to be aware that the August ballot is longer than we normally see and will take additional time to complete,” said Coffee County Elections Administrator Andy Farrar. “In this election you’ll have the opportunity to choose which candidates will advance to the general election in November, to retain or replace judges and elect Circuit and General Session Court Judges, District Attorney, Public Defender, County Mayor, County Commissioners, Sheriff, County Clerk, Register of Deeds, Trustee, Circuit Court Clerk, Road Superintendent, Road Commissioners, School Board, Constables, Manchester City Mayor, Alderman and School Board, City of Tullahoma Alderman and School Board .”
Coffee County voters are encouraged to review their sample ballot before they head to the polls. Reviewing your ballot and deciding how you will vote can reduce your time at the polls.
“With the longer ballot in this election, I encourage Coffee County voters to make your voice heard during our state’s generous early voting period,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “Casting your ballot early and reviewing your ballot before you go can reduce the amount of time it takes to vote.”
CLICK HERE to see a full sample ballot for the Aug. 4 election.
On election night (Aug. 4), Thunder Radio will broadcast live returns from the Coffee County Election Commission office beginning at 7 p.m. Tune in at 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, Manchester Go app and thunder1320.com
Tax free weekend for clothing, school supplies begins Friday, July 29
Tennessee’s traditional sales tax holiday on clothing, school supplies and computers begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 29 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 31, 2022.
During this time clothing, school supplies and computers may be purchased tax free. Certain restrictions do apply. Items sold online are also eligible. Items must be purchased for personal use and not for business or trade.
CLOTHING
Tax exempt items include general apparel that costs $100 or less per item such as shirts, pants, socks, shoes, dresses, etc.
Non-exempt clothing includes apparel priced more than $100, items sold together such as shoes cannot be split up to stay beneath the $100 maximum. Items such as jewelry, handbags or sports and recreational equipment are not tax exempt.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Tax exempt items are sSchool and art supplies with a purchase price of $100 or less per item, such as binders, backpacks, crayons, paper, pens, pencils, and rulers, and art supplies such as glazes, clay, paints, drawing pads, and artist paintbrushes.
Items not exempt are school and arts supplies priced at more than $100. Items normally sold together cannot be split up to stay beneath the $100 maximum.
COMPUTERS
Examples of tax exempt items are: computers for personal use with a purchase price of $1,500 or less. Laptop computers, if priced at $1,500 or less, also qualify as well as tablet computers.
Not exempt items include storage media, like flash drives and compact discs; individually purchased software; printer supplies and household appliances.
Tennessee groceries will be tax free for the entire month of August. Check here for a list of included items
Tennesseans will be able to purchase food and food ingredients without paying sales tax for the entire month of August.
This year’s state budget allocates for the entire month to be exempt from state sales tax at the grocery store. The holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 31.
During this period, food and food ingredients may be purchased tax free. Food and food ingredients purchased from a micro market or vending machine remain subject to sales tax.
Food and food ingredients are defined as liquid, concentrated, solid, frozen, dried or dehydrated substances that are sold to be ingested or chewed by humans and are consumed for their taste or nutritional value. Food ingredients do NOT include alcoholic beverages, tobacco, candy, dietary supplements or prepared food.
The most common example of a dealer selling food and food ingredients is a grocery store. Food and food ingredients are those items otherwise taxed at 4% state sales tax plus the applicable local rate.
Local sales tax will still apply.
OTHER SALES TAX HOLIDAYS
Tennessee’s traditional sales tax holiday on clothing, school supplies and computers begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 29, 2022, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 31, 2022
For 2022-2023, the Tennessee General Assembly has approved a sales tax holiday on gun safes and safety devices that begins at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2022 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2023
Nearly 8 percent of registered voters have cast ballots in Coffee County
This is the final week if you plan to early vote for the upcoming August 4 general election and state / federal primaries. The final day for early voting is Saturday, July 30.
An additional 123 voters went to the polls on Saturday, July 23, bringing the total of early votes cast to 2,764. Of those, 1,192 are rural county voters, 1,008 are Tullahoma voters and 564 are from Manchester. This makes about 7.8 percent of registered voters who have voted early.
Monday, July 18 has been the heaviest day of early voting so far, with 535 total votes cast on that day.
Those interested in voting early still have multiple opportunities to do so.
Early voting in Manchester is at the Coffee County Election Commission, located at 1329 McArthur St. Suite 6. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 to noon on Saturdays through July 30.
Meanwhile, in Tullahoma early voting is at the CD Stamps Center at 810 South Jackson St. Hours are 9a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through July 30.
If you do not vote early, you may vote at your assigned precinct on August 4.
“Coffee County voters need to be aware that the August ballot is longer than we normally see and will take additional time to complete,” said Coffee County Elections Administrator Andy Farrar. “In this election you’ll have the opportunity to choose which candidates will advance to the general election in November, to retain or replace judges and elect Circuit and General Session Court Judges, District Attorney, Public Defender, County Mayor, County Commissioners, Sheriff, County Clerk, Register of Deeds, Trustee, Circuit Court Clerk, Road Superintendent, Road Commissioners, School Board, Constables, Manchester City Mayor, Alderman and School Board, City of Tullahoma Alderman and School Board .”
Coffee County voters are encouraged to review their sample ballot before they head to the polls. Reviewing your ballot and deciding how you will vote can reduce your time at the polls.
“With the longer ballot in this election, I encourage Coffee County voters to make your voice heard during our state’s generous early voting period,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “Casting your ballot early and reviewing your ballot before you go can reduce the amount of time it takes to vote.”
CLICK HERE to see a full sample ballot for the Aug. 4 election.
Deadline for online registration for Coffee County Schools is July 31
Online registration is now open for those who need to enroll their students in the Coffee County School System – which is comprised of Deerfield Elementary, New Union Elementary, East Coffee Elementary, North Coffee Elementary, Hickerson Elementary, Hillsboro Elementary, Coffee Middle School, Raider Academy and Coffee County Central High School.
Online registration is open through July 31. Anyone with questions should contact their child’s school directly.
Some important information to know:
Any student who was enrolled in Coffee County schools on the LAST day of school in May is automatically
enrolled in the next school year.
All Manchester City Schools 8th grade students enrolled at Westwood Middle school on
the LAST day of school are automatically enrolled in Coffee County Schools at the Raider
Academy. City schools will transfer records.
ALL Kindergarten and Pre-K enrollment will be completed during your
assigned phase-in day. Do NOT enroll or update any Kindergarten or Pre-K
students at this time.
Students who have never been enrolled in Coffee County Schools are New
Students. Parents of these students will use Option 1—New Student Enrollment
Click here for student enrollment.
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Average gas price falls back below $4 per gallon in Tennessee
The Tennessee gas price average fell below $4.00 per gallon on Friday for the first time since May 5. Gas prices across the state fell, on average, nearly 18 cents over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.93 which is nearly 60 cents less expensive than one month ago and $1.06 more than one year ago.
In Coffee County, average prices remain slightly above the state average at $3.96 per gallon. The average price in nearby Bedford County is significantly cheaper at $3.72 per gallon and $3.75 in Cannon County.
“Tennessee is now in its sixth straight week for declining gas prices and drivers can likely expect prices at the pump to continue to drop yet again this week,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We’ve seen another week of losses in the oil market and are continuing to see additional downward pressure on gas prices due to underwhelming gasoline demand figures – likely due to Americans changing their driving habits to offset rising gas prices.”
Quick Facts
- 74% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $4.00
- The lowest 10% of pump prices are $3.56 for regular unleaded
- The highest 10% of pump prices are $4.33 for regular unleaded
- Tennessee is the 6th least expensive market in the nation
National Gas Prices
Lackluster demand for gas and lower oil prices led to pump prices falling again, down 17 cents since last week to $4.35. The steady decline is due to low domestic demand for gasoline and oil prices that remain in the mid-$90s per barrel. The price of gas has now fallen every day since hitting a record $5.01 on June 14.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand rose from 8.06 million b/d to 8.52 million b/d last week. However, that rate is 800,000 b/d lower than last year and is in line with demand during the middle of July 2020, when COVID-19 restrictions curbed demand. Additionally, total domestic gasoline stocks increased by 3.5 million bbl to 228.4 million bbl, signaling that low demand led to growth in inventory last week. If gas demand remains low as stocks increase, alongside a continuing reduction in crude prices, drivers will likely continue to see pump prices decline.
Today’s national average of $4.35 is 63 cents less than a month ago and $1.20 more than a year ago.
Shelbyville woman charged with theft from vulnerable person
An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Medicaid Fraud Control Division has resulted in the arrest of a Shelbyville woman, charged with financially exploiting a vulnerable person.
At the request of Adult Protective Services, in July 2021, agents began an investigation into an allegation of theft from a TennCare recipient, after unauthorized transactions were made on a credit card belonging to an individual who was under the care of a caregiver. During the course of the investigation, agents determined that the caregiver was using the victim’s credit card to make multiple internet purchases for her personal use. The investigation identified that care provider as Jacklynne Taylor.
On July 18th, the Bedford County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Jacklynne Taylor (DOB 06/14/1979) with one count of Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Person and one count of Theft of Property $1000-$2500. On Tuesday, Taylor was arrested by TBI agents and officers with the Shelbyville Police Department. She was booked into the Bedford County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Manchester’s Unity Medical Center 1 of 7 hospitals to win outstanding patient experience award
Only seven facilities in the state of Tennessee have been recognized by Healthgrades for Outstanding Patient Experience Award – and Unity Medical Center in Manchester is one of them.
This is the third consecutive year for Unity to earn the honor from Healthgrades, which bases the award on patient experience surveys obtained from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
“This is such a great achievement and vindication for our hard working staff and medical providers at Unity Medical Center,” stated Martha Henley, CEO of Unity. “Through a pandemic and many other challenges our staff remains unwavering and committed to providing the best patient care and experience. That is always our focus and will continue to be moving forward.”
Over the past few years, Unity Medical Center has transformed its facility to include multiple upgrades to the inside of the building, to its equipment, staff and facilities and to the exterior campus – investing hundreds of thousands of dollars to improved patient care in Manchester. Unity Medical Center can be found at 481 Interstate Drive in Manchester, along with its rural health clinic across the street at 482 Interstate Drive in Manchester. It operates a full 24-7 emergency room and added a 4-bed ICU in the past year.
“We have been working for years now to build and improve our facility,” added Henley. “Our goal is to provide Manchester with a facility it can be proud of and quality care to match.”
Click here to visit their website.
Other facilities in Tennessee to be awarded outstanding patient experience include Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Tristar Centennial Medical Center, Tristar Horizon, Methodist Medical Center, CHI Memorial Hospital and Baptist Memorial Hospital.
