With latest Census data now available and significant growth evident in Coffee County, government officials are now in the process of evaluating Coffee County Commission Districts.
Redistricting plans for all 95 Tennessee counties must be adopted by January 1, 2022.
Currently, there are 21 County Commission Districts with 1 commissioner per district in the county government. Districts 2, 3 and 4 (Manchester area districts) are currently showing as overpopulated versus the ideal population , according to the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury (TCT). District 3 is currently about 19.1 percent overpopulated, according to TCT.
Coffee County Mayor Gary Cordell said the county re-districting committee’s next meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15 in the commission meeting room at the Coffee County Administrative Plaza.
“We are looking at a few different models,” explained Cordell. “We may be going from 21 districts down to 7 and then have 2 or 3 commissioners per district. That is one option. When I spoke with CTAS (County Technical Advisory Service), we have the highest number of commissioners in our 12 country area.”
“In Hickman County, they have 7 districts and they had three commissioners per district but they switched to two per precinct.”
High-Impact Practices Make a Difference for TN’s Community-College Students
By Nadia Ramligan, TN Public News Service
As the pandemic continues to pose challenges for college students across the state, research by the Lumina Foundation shows that a set of more engaged and active teaching and learning approaches – called high-impact practices – implemented at 13 Tennessee community colleges benefit students.
Heidi Leming is Vice Chancellor for Student Success at the Tennessee Board of Regents. She said the extra supports help ensure students stay on their degree track.
“Students who participate in high-impact practices not only are earning higher GPAs,” said Leming, “but they’re persisting at higher rates because they’re again more engaged with faculty and the institutions and their learning.”
Leming said Columbia University’s Community College Research Center found Tennessee’s community colleges are the furthest along in implementing these reforms of any community college system in the nation.
Leming said one of the most common high-impact practices colleges have relied on are first-year seminars.
“And many of our institutions require students to take this course, which teaches them effective learning strategies,” said Leming. “How the college operates, resources that can assist them – whether it’s tutoring or counseling – other wrap around supports.”
She added that in addition to high-impact practices, colleges have increased coaching and developed guided pathways to help students navigate coursework toward degrees based on their academic or career interests.
“And making the connection of what’s being taught to real-life experiences, they see the purpose of being there,” said Leming. “So that motivates them to keep moving forward to the next course that they need to take to complete.”
More Tennessee students enroll in community colleges than any other public and private college and university sector in the state.
In fall of 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, 54% of Tennessee public high-school graduates heading to a public higher-education institution enrolled in a community or technical college.
Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.
TAX TIPS TUESDAY — YOUR TIME TO FILE IS ALMOST UP!
If you filed for an extension of time to file your 2020 Individual Income Tax Return, you have one month left. To be timely filed, your tax return must be filed on or before October 15, 2021.
It is recommended that you gather your income and deduction documents for 2020 as soon as possible and get them to your tax preparer so there’s time to get the return done before the October 15 due date. Frequently tax professionals find that they don’t have all the information they need to complete the return and the taxpayer must search for the documents that are missing or ask for reissued documents. Usually it takes time to get missing documents, so allow yourself plenty of time in case you find you are missing important information.
If you wait until after your extended due date of October 15 to file, you will be subject to the late filing penalty which can be substantial.
If you need to file your 2020 Income Tax Return, please call your local H&R Block office. In Manchester TN call 931-728-9462. H&R Block Has Your Back!
Alethia Smartt-Rawn announces bid for Coffee County sheriff
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department deputy and current school resource officer Alethia Smartt-Rawn is announcing her candidacy for Coffee County Sheriff.
Rawn’s announcement to run as a Republican will mean a primary challenger for incumbent sheriff Chad Partin, who intends to seek re-election. Primary for the 2022 election will be in the spring, with election in August.
Below is the full announcement from Alethia Smart-Rawn:
“Coffee County Sheriff’s Department Deputy and SRO Alethia Smartt-Rawn announces her candidacy
for Sheriff of Coffee County to be held in 2022. A conservative veteran patriot, Rawn is a 1999 Coffee
County Central High School graduate. She began her Law Enforcement career as a 911 dispatcher for
Coffee County. Enlisting in the ARMY National Guard in 2001 as a Military Police Officer, Rawn
participated in Annual Trainings held in Vicenza, Italy as well as Border Patrol training in Yuma, Arizona.
As a single parent, she enrolled in Cleveland State Community College Law Enforcement Training
Academy, graduating 7th in her class. Rawn’s unparalleled work ethic earned her the Personal
Development Award from Cleveland State. After graduation, Rawn worked as a Corrections Officer at
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department. She served on the SRT (Special Response Team) Team while in
corrections until hired by the Tullahoma Police Department.
“Rawn was hired at Bedford County Sheriff’s Department where she became a School Resource Officer at Shelbyville Central High School in 2013. While at Shelbyville Central, she mentored over 3,000 students. She was recognized and awarded the highest designation in the state for an SRO, the President’s Award by the TN School Resource Officers Association. Rawn earned the title by disarming a student in a full classroom who was in possession of a loaded .22 pistol and other items. Rawn began the Community Service Program at SCHS. First time juvenile offenders, who completely and successfully finished their hours, retired their charges.. Rawn was recruited to come home to Coffee County Sheriff’s Department to be one of the SRO’s for Coffee County Schools. She was placed at North Coffee Elementary in 2018 under current Sheriff Chad Partin. Rawn was given the opportunity to attend Moore County’s SWAT School in September of 2019, making her the first female Deputy of the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department to be put through and successfully complete the training.
“This date, September 11th, the Anniversary of the worst terror attack on U.S. soil, will forever be
engraved in our minds. I remember when patriotism swept throughout our nation like an enveloping
breeze. A true patriot, my heart hurts and I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER! I pray for our Military and
First Responders daily. I am grateful and humbled by the opportunity to serve the citizens of Coffee
County. Given the opportunity, I commit to show you, the citizens of Coffee County, my strength in the
midst of adversity, my compassion for others, my desire to excel at my job duties to the greatest extent
and the ability to grow along with the needs of this community. There is no “I” in team and together I
know we can work to make Coffee County a more desirable destination for citizens, visitors, and
businesses. It’s the Right Time for bold leadership and I am the Right Choice for the position. With your
support, we can make history together. I am excited about my first meet and greet opportunity at the
Patriot Rally held by the Republican Party on Monday September 13, at the FOP Lodge @ 6:00 pm. Stay
tuned for future announcements regarding upcoming fundraisers to benefit the Committee to Elect Sheriff
Rawn. You can find me on Facebook @ Alethia for Sheriff”
Unity Medical Center encourages COVID-19 vaccinations
Unity Medical Center in Manchester has issued a statement advocating for public education on the topic of COVID-19 vaccination. The full statement is below:
“As medical facilities across the state are left in the wake of the second wave of COVID-19 infections there has been an extreme uptick in COVID related hospitalizations. As these infection rates rise statewide vaccination rates have not risen to meet the challenge. Almost all new COVID-19 hospitalization cases are individuals who have not been vaccinated.
“The new Delta variant is rapidly sweeping through the population and has generated critical levels of strain for local medical care facilities. Tennessee is currently sitting at a vaccination rate of 50.7% of individuals with at least one initial dose, but only 42.8% of individuals are fully vaccinated. Within the coffee county area, the same statistics lie at 42.8% and 35.2% respectively. The need for vaccination has become unparalleled as healthcare facilities and their staff have become burnt-out and grapple with a lack of available resources.
“The Unity Medical Center family is devoted to educating the public on the advantages and importance of being vaccinated against COVID-19. As a facility dedicated to the betterment of our community, we encourage individuals to understand the severity of our current situation and recommend that vaccination be done as soon as possible. The facility has seen a major increase in COVID-19 related admissions. Nearly all new admissions are unvaccinated individuals. We must stress the importance of being vaccinated for the safety of our community, for individuals, and for their families. “
County school board to meet Monday
Coffee County School board will hold a regularly scheduled board meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 13.
Below is the agenda. Meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Coffee County Board of Education, located at 1343 McArthur St. All meetings are open to the public.
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
II. Call for Intent
III. General Consent Items
(*If no objections, the following items will be considered passed when the agenda is passed.)
- Minutes: August 9, 2021 and September 9, 2021
- 3rd Reading of Policies: 1.700, 2.806, 3.205, 3.211, 3.220, 4.205, 4.301, 4.605, 5.100, 5.106, 5.117,
5.200, 5.802, 6.200, 6.202, 6.300, 6.306, 6.319, 6.402, 1.8011, 6.4081 - Use of Facilities: Coffee County Fair / CHS Theater & Gym / Sept 18-21, 2021 (in case of rain)
- Use of Facilities: Girl Scouts Troop 228 / East Coffee Cafeteria / Sept 2021 – May 2022
- Use of Facilities: Dream Team Basketball/ CCMS Gym / Sept 2021 – May 2022
- Use of Facilities: Dream Team Basketball / CHS Gym / Sept 2021 – May 2022
- Use of Facilities: Dream Team Bball / New Union Gym / Sept 2021 – May 2022
- Overnight Field Trip: FFA / Old Stone Fort / Camp Retreat / Oct 15-16, 2021
- Overnight Field Trip: JROTC / Crocketts Cove, AEDC / Oct 15-16, 2021
- Overnight Field Trip: FFA / Gatlinburg, TN / State Convention / March 27-30, 2022
- Overnight Field Trip: FFA / Martin, TN / State Vet CDE / May 22-TBD, 2022
- Overnight Field Trip: FFA /Doyle, TN /State FFA Camp / June 22-TBD, 2022
- Out of State Field Trip: BETA / LaGrange, GA / Leadership Summit / Oct 24-26, 2021
- Out of State Field Trip: FFA / Indianapolis, IN / National Convention / Oct 26-29, 2021
IV. Agenda Items
- Election of Board Chairman and Vice-Chairman
- Committee Appointments
- 2021-2022 Early Dismissal Days
- Budget Update (Year Ending June 30, 2021)
- Budget Update (July 2021)
V. Items for Discussion
VI. Committee Reports
VII. Student Ambassador Report
VIII. Director’s Report
MAC holds Join Our Quest to End Child Abuse exhibit
The Manchester Arts Center (MAC) held an exhibit – dubbed Join Our Quest to End Child Abuse – on Saturday, Sept. 11.
Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center provided free art kits for children during the Aug. 28 event held at the Manchester soccer fields. The Coffee County CAC asked the young artists to return their completed art pieces to be displayed at the MAC.
Five of the artists will win special prizes. Coffee County CAC is asking community members to go to the Facebook page of Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center and vote for their favorite art piece. Winners will be announced Sept. 17.
“We are so thankful for the partnership with Manchester Arts Center,” said Joyce Prusak, executive director of Coffee County CAC. “Thanks to that partnership, we are able to raise awareness of child abuse.”
About 70 art pieces are displayed at the Manchester Arts Center. Most of the artists are ages 2 to 5.
Coffee County CAC serves children victims of severe abuse.
“Our vision is for a community where children are safe, families are strengthened, and victims are healed,” Prusak said. “Join our quest to become a society without child abuse by learning how to prevent child abuse.”
For more information, visit coffeecountycac.org and follow Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center on social media.
Alethia Smartt-Rawn announces bid for Coffee County sheriff
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department deputy and current school resource officer Alethia Smartt-Rawn is announcing her candidacy for Coffee County Sheriff.
Rawn’s announcement to run as a Republican will mean a primary challenger for incumbent sheriff Chad Partin, who intends to seek re-election. Primary for the 2022 election will be in the spring, with election in August.
Below is the full announcement from Alethia Smart-Rawn:
“Coffee County Sheriff’s Department Deputy and SRO Alethia Smartt-Rawn announces her candidacy
for Sheriff of Coffee County to be held in 2022. A conservative veteran patriot, Rawn is a 1999 Coffee
County Central High School graduate. She began her Law Enforcement career as a 911 dispatcher for
Coffee County. Enlisting in the ARMY National Guard in 2001 as a Military Police Officer, Rawn
participated in Annual Trainings held in Vicenza, Italy as well as Border Patrol training in Yuma, Arizona.
As a single parent, she enrolled in Cleveland State Community College Law Enforcement Training
Academy, graduating 7th in her class. Rawn’s unparalleled work ethic earned her the Personal
Development Award from Cleveland State. After graduation, Rawn worked as a Corrections Officer at
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department. She served on the SRT (Special Response Team) Team while in
corrections until hired by the Tullahoma Police Department.
“Rawn was hired at Bedford County Sheriff’s Department where she became a School Resource Officer at Shelbyville Central High School in 2013. While at Shelbyville Central, she mentored over 3,000 students. She was recognized and awarded the highest designation in the state for an SRO, the President’s Award by the TN School Resource Officers Association. Rawn earned the title by disarming a student in a full classroom who was in possession of a loaded .22 pistol and other items. Rawn began the Community Service Program at SCHS. First time juvenile offenders, who completely and successfully finished their hours, retired their charges.. Rawn was recruited to come home to Coffee County Sheriff’s Department to be one of the SRO’s for Coffee County Schools. She was placed at North Coffee Elementary in 2018 under current Sheriff Chad Partin. Rawn was given the opportunity to attend Moore County’s SWAT School in September of 2019, making her the first female Deputy of the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department to be put through and successfully complete the training.
“This date, September 11th, the Anniversary of the worst terror attack on U.S. soil, will forever be
engraved in our minds. I remember when patriotism swept throughout our nation like an enveloping
breeze. A true patriot, my heart hurts and I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER! I pray for our Military and
First Responders daily. I am grateful and humbled by the opportunity to serve the citizens of Coffee
County. Given the opportunity, I commit to show you, the citizens of Coffee County, my strength in the
midst of adversity, my compassion for others, my desire to excel at my job duties to the greatest extent
and the ability to grow along with the needs of this community. There is no “I” in team and together I
know we can work to make Coffee County a more desirable destination for citizens, visitors, and
businesses. It’s the Right Time for bold leadership and I am the Right Choice for the position. With your
support, we can make history together. I am excited about my first meet and greet opportunity at the
Patriot Rally held by the Republican Party on Monday September 13, at the FOP Lodge @ 6:00 pm. Stay
tuned for future announcements regarding upcoming fundraisers to benefit the Committee to Elect Sheriff
Rawn. You can find me on Facebook @ Alethia for Sheriff”
Winchester authorities need help finding suspect
Winchester Police Department is requesting assistance to identify an individual of interest in the photos below. If you know this person, contact detective Ryan Fuller with WPD at 931-967-3840 or tips and information can be submitted to Crimestoppers at 931-962-INFO.
CCSD officials still looking for stolen Peterbilt; $25K reward offered
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department officials are still hunting for the person or persons responsible for taking a 2016 Peterbilt Semi-Truck from Woodall Grain on McMinnville Highway.
The theft occurred on Aug. 23.
The truck is white in color and no trailer was attached when the truck was taken. A $25,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Anyone with information should contact Investigator Brandon Reed at (931)570-4191
