AAA forecasted that a record-breaking 36.3 million Americans would take an Independence Day road trip this weekend. Those who did, found the lowest gas prices on July 4th in 11 years.
“Despite the high demand, gas prices declined throughout the holiday weekend making travel even more affordable,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This year’s summer driving season is likely to set new records for both gasoline demand and vehicle miles traveled. Gasoline demand is currently at an all-time high, which would normally put additional pressure on refineries. However, refineries are increasing output and gasoline supply has more than kept pace with growing demand, which has led to lower gas prices.”
The average price in Tennessee is $2.06 per gallon. The low price in Coffee County is in Tullahoma at $1.89 and in Manchester the low price is $1.91 per gallon.
Category: News
Gas Prices continue Downward Trend
More Troopers on the Road
Tennessee has 31 new state troopers.
They took their oaths of office late last week at a cadet graduation ceremony in Nashville. The new troopers completed 22 weeks of physical and classroom training at the Tennessee Highway Patrol Training Center.
Their next step is up to 10 weeks of field training.
The cadets initially were chosen for training from among more than 1,000 applicants.
July 5 is Last Day to Register to Vote in August Election
The City of Manchester will be electing its mayor, three aldermen and two school board members, all too four-year terms in August.
Incumbent Mayor Lonnie Norman and Coffee County Commissioner Steven Jones have filed petitions to run for mayor along with Attorney James Threet.
Russell Bryan, Ryan French and Tim Pauley are the current aldermen whose terms end in August. French is the only one running for re-election. Others competing for the positions are Terence Hillsman, Sam Miller, Bob Bellamy, Chris Elam, Mark Messick, Donny Parsley, Claude Morse, Brent Bates, Missy Deford, Wilma Thomas and Joshua Grouch.
For Manchester City School board four people are running for two slots; Current members, Chairman Mike Lewis and Susan Parsley along with Dana Douglas and James Lemmons.
Coffee County School Board Seats 1, 5 and 7 will be on the August ballot. Current member Shannon Duncan will run against Robert Wiser for Seat 5. Incumbents Gary Nester, Seat 1 and Esther J. Sims Seat 7 have both qualified for re-election.
Renee Keene and Jackie Duncan are running unopposed for the two alderman positions in Tullahoma. Three candidates are running unopposed for the Tullahoma School board; Kim Uselton, J Patrick Welch and Gigi Robison.
Three republicans have qualified for 47th District State Representative Incumbent Judd Matheny along with Republicans William Lockhart and Tullahoma City School board member Steve Lynn.
For District 16 State Senate Incumbent Janice Bowling a republican will face Michael Wilcher and Democrat Mike Winton will face Alice Demetreon. Winners will face each other in November.
In the 6th District Congress race Incumbent Republican Diane Black is facing competition from Joe Carr, Timothy Hay and Donald Strong. On the democratic side, David West and Flo Matheson are running with the winner to challenge the republican winner.
The deadline to register to vote for the Aug. 4 election is today, July 5.
Early voting will run from July 15 to July 30.
The election commission is located at 1329 McArthur St., Suite 6 in Manchester. Call 723-5103 or visit coffeecountyelectioncommission.com for more information.
A political forum will take place at the Manchester/Coffee County Conference Center on July 14 at 6pm. WMSR and the Manchester Times are hosting the event.
DUI 5th Offence facing Tullahoma Man
Gino Harris… Photo provided by the CCSD.
Harris was charged with, driving under the influence 5th offence, habitual motor vehicle offender, violation of implied consent and driving on a revoked/suspended license 3rd offence. His bond was set at $21,000 and he’ll be in court on September 27, 2016.
Vehicular Homicide in Bedford County
A vehicular homicide charge has been filed against a man who allegedly fled the scene of a fatal accident, leaving the victim underneath his vehicle, early Saturday on Narrows Road in Bedford County.
Jose F. Castro, 20, of Shelbyville was thrown from a vehicle driven by Rivas A. Gonzalez, 22, also of Shelbyville, in the crash, reported at 2:50 a.m. on Saturday morning.
Charges of DUI and leaving the scene of an accident were also filed against Gonzales, who was apprehended in Shelbyville a few minutes later. (Shelbyville Times-Gazette)
Task Force Looking for ways to Tennessean’s Health Care
A new proposal from the 3-Star Healthy Task Force is looking at ways to help people’s health care in Tennessee.
The announcement came from the State Capitol as lawmakers look to develop a plan to improve healthcare access in Tennessee.
TennCare would be expanded via a phase-in program that places priority on veterans and people with mental health or substance abuse disorders under a proposal from the health care task force commissioned by Speaker Harwell.
The proposal from the 3-Star Healthy Task Force outlines a two-step program that encourages people to develop relationships with physicians, get behavioral health treatment in tandem with physical health treatment and includes a work and education component to help people into positions lucrative enough to finance commercial coverage.
Under the first phase, people would need either “a qualifying diagnosis of a mental illness” or proof of honorable discharge from the U.S. military in addition to making up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level — roughly $16,000 for an individual and $27,000 for a family of three.
Connie King Murder Trial begins Oct. 13
Connie King
King, age 40 and her estranged husband Troy King were accused in the murder. Troy King of Grundy County plead guilty to 2nd degree murder in Coffee County Circuit Court.
Connie King was arrested in July of 2013 in Daytona Beach, Fla., on charges of felony murder and premeditated first-degree murder. She was returned to Coffee County July 18, 2013.
NAS takes over at AEDC
National Aerospace Solutions, LLC has assumed performance of ground test operations of the Arnold Engineering Development Complex at Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee and facilities in Maryland and California.
“We are excited to be part of the workforce and community in supporting the AEDC mission,” said Cynthia Rivera, general manager of NAS. “AEDC is a vital resource for ground test programs in both government and commercial sectors. Our vision is for NAS to be integral to the success of AEDC, the U.S. Air Force’s premier aerospace testing facilities, while applying the highest standards of ethics, innovation, safety, security, and quality to daily operations.”
NAS member companies include Bechtel National, Inc., Sierra Lobo Inc., and GP Strategies Corporation.
The scope of work includes operation of wind tunnels, rocket and turbine engine test cells, ballistic ranges, space chambers, and other specialized testing units; as well as technology development, equipment and facility sustainment, capital improvements to the sites and other services for the complex. AEDC has played a role in testing nearly all of the United States’ top priority aerospace programs, from fighter jets and missiles to Apollo rockets and weather satellites.
The Test Operations and Sustainment contract is for one year with up to seven one-year options and a value of up to approximately $1.5 billion. NAS employs more than 1,300 engineers, scientists, technicians, and other professionals. After the final contract award earlier this year, a 90-day transition period began on April 1 and ended June 30.
Authorities Searching for Wanted Female
The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department had been asking for the public’s help. They were searching for Miranda Shantel Bumpus. She was not only wanted in Coffee County, but also by Franklin County officials.
The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department announced on Friday that Bumpus had been brought into custody.
As always Sheriff Steve Graves thanks you for your assistance.
Independence Day Celebration in Manchester
Join the Manchester Recreation Department for their Independence Day celebration on Monday, July 4th. They’ll have a fantastic fireworks show, FREE entertainment featuring the Ultimate Oldies starting at 6pm with fireworks will begin at 9pm!
Park Partners will be hosting a local candidate meet and greet along the Greenway in Rotary Park (in front of the Amphitheater) during the July 4th celebration. A great time to come out and meet candidates face to face and discuss issues. It will start at 6:00pm and last until the fireworks show.
