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 352 voters went to the polls on Friday, July 22, bringing the total of early votes cast to 2,641. Of those, 1,146 are rural county voters, 955 are Tullahoma voters and 540 are from Manchester. This makes about 7.5 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.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story attributed Friday’s vote totals to Saturday, July 23. That has been corrected. We apologize for the error.
Tennessee unemployment rate holds steady in June
The rate at which people looked for new jobs across Tennessee held steady in June, according to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). The latest statistics also showed more people were on the job across the state in June compared to any other month on record.
Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June 2022 came in at 3.3%, which mirrored the rate from May. One year ago, the rate was 1.1 percentage points higher than the latest number.
Employers across the state added 32,300 new nonfarm jobs to their payrolls between May and June. The local government sector saw the largest increase in new hires. The finance and insurance and the educational services sectors experienced the next largest increases.
In a year-to-year comparison, nonfarm employment in Tennessee grew by 130,600 jobs. The leisure and hospitality sector, trade, transportation and utilities sector, and professional and business services sector saw the most growth over the last year.
Tennessee’s civilian workforce jumped from 3,405,540 in May to 3,413,449 in June. That marked the largest civilian workforce since the state started tracking the statistic. The new numbers increased the state’s labor force participation rate from 61.1% to 61.2%.
A complete analysis of Tennessee’s June 2022 unemployment date is available here.
Decherd man allegedly evades police; later found cutting grass, assaults officers
A Decherd man is behind bars after he allegedly evaded police in a high-speed pursuit and then later assaulted officers when they found him mowing his yard.
According to Decherd Police, at approximately 3:14 p.m. Monday, July 18, sgt. Tyler Womack and officer Cory Brown attempted a traffic stop on a blue Chevrolet Silverado on Decherd Blvd for speeding. When emergency lights were activated the driver allegedly accelerated to high speeds estimated over 100 mph, passing multiple vehicles to evade police. Officers were able to get the license plate of the vehicle and were able to positively identify the driver during the short pursuit as Kelly Brown, of Decherd. Officers then terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns.
At approximately 4:57 p.m. on the same day, Womack and officer Cheyenne Oliver went to a residence listed on the vehicle registration in an attempt to locate Kelly Brown. Officers observed Brown in the backyard mowing, and also located the vehicle from the earlier pursuit in the driveway next door.
When approached by officers, Brown allegedly admitted to running from them earlier. When Womack attempted to place Brown in custody, Brown resisted and a physical altercation ensued. Both officers were struck multiple times in the face and at one point, Brown attempted to grab Womack’s department issued firearm. He was eventually restrained using the “amount of force necessary.”
Brown has been charged with felony evading, reckless driving, speeding, aggravated assault on a first responder, resisting arrest and assault on a first responder. He is held in Franklin County Jail on $150,000.
Absentee by-mail request deadline is July 28
The deadline for Tennessee voters to request a ballot to vote absentee by-mail for the Aug. 4 State and Federal Primary & State and County General Election is Thursday, July 28.
“County election commissions are accepting absentee by-mail requests now for the Aug. 4 election,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “If you meet one of the reasons under Tennessee state law to vote absentee by-mail and plan to do so, I encourage you to request and return your ballot early to ensure you meet the upcoming deadlines.”
Voters must meet one of the 14 reasons under Tennessee law to vote absentee by-mail. One of the most common reasons is being 60 years or older. Other reasons include being outside the county where you are registered during early voting and on Election Day or being hospitalized, ill or physically disabled. For the complete list of legal reasons to vote absentee by-mail see the Guide to Absentee Voting on sos.tn.gov/elections.
To receive an absentee by-mail ballot, voters must submit a written request to their local election commission by mail, fax or email. Voters can find the contact information for their county election commission on the Secretary of State’s website, tnsos.org/elections/election_commissions.php.
Instructions for requesting an absentee by-mail ballot and a printable absentee by-mail ballot application are available in the Guide to Absentee Voting on sos.tn.gov/elections. Voters submitting their request by email must attach a scanned copy of their signature.
For the August election, voters casting their ballot absentee by-mail must also request either a Republican or Democratic primary ballot in order to cast a ballot in a primary election. You will only receive the general election ballot if a party is not specified.
Completed absentee by-mail ballots must be returned by mail to your local county election commission. Ballots must be received before the polls close on Election Day, Thursday, Aug. 4. Voters must provide proper postage to return their ballot. Please consult with your county election commission or the U.S. Postal Service to determine the postage needed.
Tennessee voters can easily and securely track the status of their absentee by-mail ballot using the Secretary of State’s Absentee By-Mail Ballot Status Tracker tool. Through this tool, voters can track their absentee by-mail ballot’s status, starting when the county election commission mails your ballot to you and ending when the county election commission has received your completed ballot. Visit the Absentee By-Mail Ballot Status Tracker at tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup/.
About 5.5 percent of registered voters in Coffee County have voted early
Early voting in Coffee County for the August 4 election continues to have lower turnout than the 2018 general election.
An additional 392 voters went to the polls on Wednesday, July 20, bringing the total of early votes cast to 1,930. Of those, 823 are rural county voters, 685 are Tullahoma voters and 422 from Manchester. After 5 days of early voting, 5.45 percent of registered voters in Coffee county have cast their ballot.
Early voting runs through July 30th. But the first handful of days show a significant dip in turnout compared to the 2018 August General Election. Through 4 days of early voting in 2018, Coffee County had 1,896 votes cast. This year through 4 days there were 1,538 votes cast. That is 358 voters shy of four years ago, which is nearly 19 percent off the pace, according to data provided by the Tennessee Secretary of State.
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 will 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 July 15-30.
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 July 15-30.
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.
Coffee County early voting currently 18% behind 2018 turnout
Early voting for the August 4 election began on Friday, July 15. Through four complete days of early voting (July 15, 16 and 18 and 19), a total of 1,538 total votes have been cast. Of those, 635 are county voters, 567 reside in Tullahoma and 336 reside in Manchester.
Monday, July 18 has been the heaviest day of early voting so far, with 535 total votes cast on that day.
It is still early with early voting running through July 30, but as of now Coffee County turnout is about 18% behind the pace of the 2018 election through the same number of days and is right on track with 2014 turnout. According to Coffee County Administrator of Elections Andy Farrar, about 252 fewer votes were cast through three days of early voting this year versus 2018. Farrar added that lines and wait times are currently minimal.
Those interested in voting early will 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 July 15-30.
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 July 15-30.
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.
Man behind bars after allegedly shooting at Shelbyville police
A Murfreesboro man is behind bars after he allegedly fired shots at officers with the Shelbyville Police Department and deputies with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department.
According to Shelbyville Police, officers went to the Best Western Celebration Inn on Madison Street to speak with Rosson Pickett in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 20th in reference to a stolen credit card that had been used.
Once officers knocked on the door, Pickett, age 30, of Murfreesboro, allegedly opened the curtains and made visual eye contact with officers. At that time, Pickett allegedly opened fire with a handgun, shooting through the window toward officers.
After a standoff, Pickett was able to escape the room and evade officers on foot. He was later captured behind a home on Highland Court in Bedford County after a brief struggle.
No officers were reported to be injured.
Online registration open for Coffee County Schools
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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Coffee County Fair announces opening ceremonies set for Sept. 3
This fall will mark the 165th anniversary of the Coffee County Fair and organizers plan to kick off the festivities with official opening ceremonies on Saturday, Sept. 3.
Fair dates moved up this year to the first full week of September – a couple of weeks earlier than traditional fair week. Fair will run Sept. 3-10, with midway rides beginning on Sept. 5.
Opening ceremonies will be at the fairgrounds at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3. There will be guest speakers and a short ceremony to commemorate the 165th year of the fair.
Coffee County Fairgrounds are located at 99 Lakeview Drive in Manchester.
School meals to return to pre-pandemic plans; end of free meals for all students
Manchester and Coffee County Schools will each be returning to session on Monday August 1.
One major change over the past couple of years that parents should be aware of is the absence of free lunches for all this year.
As a result of COVID-19 pandemic, USDA provided waivers that allowed all children to eat at no cost through the USDA seamless summer option program. Since April of 2020, children through the US have been able to eat meals at school at no cost to them.
However, the USDA no longer has the authority to grant these waivers and school meal service will resume through the national school lunch program and school breakfast program, just as it did prior to COVID-19 pandemic.
Students may still receive meals at no cost or a reduced cost if approved based on income eligibility. Forms will be sent home with students at the beginning of the school year or you can contact your individual school.
