Manchester Christmas Parade – themed “Christmas Through the Ages” – will be held Saturday.
Parade lineup begins at 5 p.m. with festivities starting at 6:30 p.m. The annual downtown tree lighting will take place at the conclusion of the parade.
A photo of the parade route is below.
Click here for a link to the parade entry packet.
Pay for Coffee County Schools substitute teachers to increase on Dec. 1
Pay rates for Coffee County Schools substitute teachers will increases at the start of next month.
Beginning Dec. 1, certified substitutes will earn $85 per day, while non-certified will earn $70 per day. This is an increase of $10 per day.
If you are interested in applying, click here.
You can get your substitute packet by clicking here.
The new substitute handbook is available here.
Contact Stephanie Langham at langhams@k12coffee.net with any questions.
TDOT will halt lane closures during Thanksgiving travel period
Thanksgiving travelers will not be delayed by construction on Tennessee roads during this holiday. TDOT will halt all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways in anticipation of higher traffic volumes across the state. All construction-related lane closures will be stopped beginning at noon on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, through midnight on Sunday, November 28, 2021.
“Thanksgiving is typically the most traveled holiday of the year,” said TDOT Commissioner Joe Galbato. “Halting road work during this time will provide maximum capacity on our highways and help alleviate congestion, especially during the predicted peak travel days of Wednesday and Sunday. TDOT’s regional HELP Trucks will also be working throughout the holiday weekend to assist with incidents that may occur along the interstates.”
While all lane closure activity will be stopped, workers may be on-site in some construction zones. Long-term lane closures will also remain in place on some construction projects for motorists’ safety. Motorists are reminded to drive safely and obey the posted speeds, especially in work zones. Drivers convicted of speeding in work zones where workers are present face a fine of up to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums.
AAA projects more than 53.4 million Americans will travel this Thanksgiving, up 13% from 2020. In Tennessee, the expectation is 1.2 million travelers.
Get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras from your desktop or mobile device at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any landline or cellular phone for travel information or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel. As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.
Falling oil prices could bring relief at the pump after Thanksgiving, AAA says
The Tennessee gas price average declined for the second week in a row, falling two cents over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.11 which is 4 cents cheaper than one month ago and $1.25 more than one year ago. However, gas prices during the Thanksgiving travel period are on pace to be the highest since 2013. But, that won’t stop the more than 48.3 million Americans planning to hit the roads this holiday.
The average price for a gallon of gasoline in Coffee County is currently $3.11 – which is right on par with the state average and 29 cents below the national average of $3.40.
“The price of crude oil accounts for about 50%–60% of what consumers pay at the pump, so a lower oil price should translate into better gasoline prices for drivers,” said Stephanie Milani, AAA – The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. “But until global oil production ramps back up to pre-pandemic levels, this recent dip in the price of crude may only be temporary.”
Quick Facts
- 26% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $3.00
- The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.90 for regular unleaded
- The highest 10% of pump prices are $3.40 for regular unleaded
- Tennessee remains the 9th least expensive market in the nation
National Gas Prices
After stubbornly staying above $80 a barrel since Labor Day, the price of crude oil tumbled this week into the mid-$70s. Fears of slowing economic activity in the U.S. and Europe due to a resurgence of COVID-19, along with reports that the Biden Administration is calling for a simultaneous release of stockpiled oil by large oil-consuming nations, including the U.S., China, Japan and South Korea, is putting downward pressure on crude prices. The national average price for a gallon of gas is $3.40, down a penny since last week.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 700,000 bbl to 212 million bbl last week. Gasoline demand also dropped slightly from 9.26 million b/d to 9.24 million b/d. The decrease in demand, alongside stocks, has helped to steady pump prices. However, gasoline prices will likely remain elevated as long as oil prices are near or above $75 per barrel.
Today’s national average of $3.40 is 3 cents more than a month ago and $1.29 more than a year ago, and 81 cents more than in 2019.
National Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI decreased by $2.91 to settle at $76.10. Crude prices declined at the end of last week as the dollar grew in strength and market concerns about crude demand increased over growing COVID infection rates in Europe and the U.S. If social restrictions are re-imposed to curb COVID transmission, crude demand will likely decline and prices will likely follow. Additionally, crude prices decreased last week despite EIA’s weekly report showing that total domestic crude supply decreased by 2.1 million bbl to 433 million bbl. When compared to the end of November 2020, current total domestic crude supply is nearly 12 percent lower than last year.
Motorists can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.
Red Cross offers Thanksgiving cooking safety tips
As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s a time to prepare the holiday feast and brush up on home fire safety. Plus, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect communities, planning your celebrations may be a little different this year.
“Home fires are a real threat to the Tennesseans over the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Joel Sullivan, Regional Executive Director for the American Red Cross Tennessee Region. “In particular, cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and year after year Thanksgiving is the peak day for these tragedies. We at the Red Cross are urging families to follow cooking safety steps to help prevent your holiday celebrations from going up in smoke.”
House fires are one of the most common disasters the Red Cross responds to, and many fires start in the kitchen more than any other room. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, unattended cooking causes nearly 90 percent of all kitchen fires. Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries
To help keep you and your loved ones safe this Thanksgiving, the American Red Cross offers these safety tips:
1. Keep an eye on what you fry. Never leave cooking food unattended. If you must leave the kitchen, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
2. Move items that can burn away from the stove. This includes dishtowels, bags, boxes, paper and curtains. Also keep children and pets at least three feet away.
3. Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
4. When frying food, turn the burner off if you see smoke or if the grease starts to boil. Carefully remove the pan from the burner.
5. Keep a pan lid or a cookie sheet nearby. Use it to cover the pan if it catches on fire. This will put out the fire. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
6. Turn pot handles to the back of the stove, so no one bumps them or pulls them over.
7. Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on. Check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to ensure all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.
8. Celebrating with the people you live with is the safest choice. If you do celebrate with people who don’t live with you, gatherings and activities held outdoors are safer than indoor gatherings.
9. Do not attend or host a holiday gathering if you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19.
You can also help keep your family safe by testing your smoke alarms monthly and practicing your home fire escape plan until everyone can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to get out of a burning home before it’s too late.
Woodbury man among those arrested in human trafficking operation
Four men, including one from nearby Woodbury, have been arrested and charged with “Felony Promoting Prostitution.” The arrests occurred during an undercover operation this past Thursday by Human Trafficking detectives with the Metro Nashville Police Department.
The four men who were arrested:
• Michael Swales, 49, of Nashville
• William Joy, 46, of Goodlettsville
• Stetson Brown, 25, of Nashville
• Darin Slater, 37, of Woodbury
During the operation, undercover detectives responded to internet sex ads. The four men arrested allegedly drove the women to hotels in the Rosa Parks Boulevard and Vantage Way area – reportedly to meet with clients. However, those alleged clients were undercover officers.
Advocates from End Slavery Tennessee, Thistle Farms, and the Nashville Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition provided immediate assistance to the women encountered during this operation.
Additionally, William Joy was charged with felon in possession of a handgun, cocaine possession, and gun possession during the commission of a felony.
TAX TIPS: Tax savings contributions to retirement plans
BY ROSALYN PARTIN, MANCHESTER H&R BLOCK
Contributions to retirement accounts can be a great way to reduce your taxable income and thereby reduce your tax. Many employers offer retirement plans such as 401K, SEP, or Simple plans. These employer sponsored plans allow the employee to contribute a portion of their taxable wages into their retirement account, thus deferring the tax on the income until the money is withdrawn from the account. An added benefit of these plans is when the employer also contributes to the employee’s account as a matching contribution.
Contributions may also be made to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA). The 2021 contribution limit for IRAs is $6,000 per taxpayer with an additional $1,000 allowed for taxpayers age 50 and over. There are 2 types of IRAs; Traditional and Roth. Many people who set up a traditional IRA can deduct their contributions. The IRA deduction can lower your taxable income, thus reducing taxes owed. You can claim this deduction even if you use the standard deduction. The deduction may be limited if you or your spouse is covered by a retirement plan at work and your income exceeds certain levels.
Roth IRA contributions are not tax deductible. However, in most cases all distributions you take from the Roth account at retirement will be nontaxable. This feature makes Roth IRAs a good planning device for receiving tax-free income at retirement and may be appealing for people who believe they will be paying more taxes in later years. This is also a good option for people who cannot fully deduct a traditional IRA contribution.
IRA contributions for the year can be made up until the return filing deadline (usually April 15). Therefore, some taxpayers find it beneficial to wait until their tax return is being prepared to determine if they want to contribute to a Traditional IRA or Roth IRA.
If you have questions about retirement plans, please call your local H&R Block office. In Manchester TN call 931-728-9462. H&R Block Has Your Back!
Authorities investigating alleged financial crimes at Davis Homes in Warren County
Warren County Sheriff’s Department, at the request of the 31st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, is investigating financial crimes involving Davis Homes in Warren County.
Through the investigation, multiple victims were found to have paid large sums of money to Davis Homes in return for homes – but victims have not received anything.
Furthermore, it was discovered by investigators that some victims were paying deposits while waiting to be approved for financing and did not get the deposit refunded when they were not approved for credit. In addition – more individuals have been identified as never receiving titles to their homes that were purchased through Davis Homes.
According to Warren County Sheriff’s Department, victims in this case have come from all over the mid-state – ranging from as far away as Sumner County to Franklin County. Countless other individuals have reported issues with homes that were sold and set up as being unsatisfactory; however, these issues are not criminal.
If you think you are a victim of a crime involving Davis Homes, you should contact Warren County Investigator Aaron Roberts at 931-473-7863 or the District Attorney’s office at 931-473-9572.
Tennessee statewide unemployment drops for 5th straight month; virtually identical to pre-pandemic levels
Tennessee’s employment situation improved again in October as the statewide jobless rate dropped for the fifth consecutive month. According to the latest data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD), the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate came in at 4.2% for the month.
October’s rate is 0.2 of a percentage point lower than the previous month’s rate. Looking back one year, Tennessee’s unemployment rate was 7.8%, which is 3.6 percentage points higher than the current rate.
This is the lowest unemployment has been in the state since March 2020, which was the last month before COVID-19 business closures impacted Tennessee’s economy. Then, the rate was 4%, just 0.2 of a percentage point lower than the state’s latest statistic.
Tennessee employers added 6,800 nonfarm jobs across the state between September and October. The manufacturing sector experienced the largest increase in jobs, followed by the professional and business services sector and the mining, logging, and construction sector.
Between October 2020 and October 2021, the number of nonfarm jobs across the state increased by 80,700. The leisure and hospitality sector accounted for the largest number of new jobs. The professional and business services sector saw the next highest increase, followed by the trade, transportation, and utilities sector.
The nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also dropped by 0.2 of a percentage point in October to 4.6%. That number is 2.3 percentage points lower than it was in October 2020.
The TDLWD WIRED division has produced a complete economic analysis of October’s unemployment data. You can find statistics, including details on specific industry sectors, here (https://www.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=166478db53c066a7d114ea462&id=3cbb303e4b&e=29851e7b63) .
While the state’s unemployment numbers continue to improve, many Tennesseans are still searching for meaningful employment. TDLWD offers a variety of services that can help job seekers land their next gig. From the more than 100 American Job Centers across the state to Jobs4TN.gov with its 420,000 job postings, that assistance is available online or in person. www.TNWorkReady.com is the site where all those services are listed and made easily available.
Coffee County authorities respond to chemical leak in Winchester
At approximately 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Coffee County District 6 Hazmat Team consisting of personnel from Manchester and Tullahoma Fire as well as Coffee County EMA personnel were requested to respond mutual aid to Winchester Utilities for a leaking Chlorine Gas Cylinder.
Upon the teams arrival, technicians were suited up and sent in to ascertain the location and size of the leak. A special device was placed on the 1 ton Cylinder to stop the leak. Winchester Fire along with A&E Ambulance service were on scene as well to help with medical evaluations and decontamination of personnel who had entered the hot zone. No injuries were reported, and no product was released from the building, as air scrubbers clean the air before it is released.
