Tennessee voters can cast a ballot for or against four proposed amendments to the Tennessee constitution on the Nov. 8 State and Federal General Election ballot. “Tennessee voters need to be aware of the proposed Constitutional amendments on the ballot,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “Voters can view the exact ballot language on our website in order to be prepared to make informed voting decisions.” On the ballot, voters will see the candidates for governor, followed by the four proposed amendments, the United States House of Representatives and the county’s remaining offices on the general election ballot. Proposed...

Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate remained unchanged for July 2022, according to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). For the third consecutive month, the rate has held steady at 3.3%. The state’s July rate is just 0.1 of a percentage point higher than the all-time low unemployment rate of 3.2% which was recorded in both March and April of this year. Between July 2021 and July 2022, Tennessee employers added 110,000 new nonfarm jobs to their payrolls. The leisure and hospitality sector saw the biggest year-to-year gains. The trade, transportation, and utilities sector and...

Manchester Police are asking for the public’s help to locate a Manchester man who has been reported missing by his family. According to MPD, Derrick Burgess Odear was last seen by his family on December 27, 2021. His family reports that he walked away from Be the Bush Ministries Treatment Facility on that day. His family believes he could be living in Nashville. Odear is a white male, age 33, with blue eyes, brownish blonde hair, standing 6’1″ and weighing approximately 150 pounds. If you have talked to Mr. Odear or know of his whereabouts, please contact MPD investigator...

A joint investigation by special agents with the Drug Investigation Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, and the 17th Judicial District Drug Task Force has resulted in the indictment of a Shelbyville man, in connection to the drug-related death of a Bedford County resident. On February 26th, agents joined deputies in investigating the death of William Hallum (DOB 04/03/2001), who was found deceased after ingesting narcotics. The investigation identified Michael Zambrano as the individual who provided the drugs to the victim. On August 15th, the Bedford County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Michael...

City of Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen have announced a special called meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18 to swear in the recently elected aldermen and mayor. Three new aldermen were elected Aug. 4 – Joey Hobbs and Donny Parsley to 4-year terms and Julie Anderson to a 2-year term. Alderman Mark Messick was re-elected to a 4-year term. Also, Mayor Marilyn Howard ran unopposed and was elected to a 2-year term as city mayor. All will be sworn in on Aug. 18, along with three re-elected city school board members. The meeting is open to the...

Story by WCDT Radio Franklin County first responders from multiple agencies and departments answered the call for help on Monday evening when an as yet unidentified Nashville man went under the water- and did not resurface- after trying to swim across a narrow channel between two near coastlines on Tims Ford Lake. According to sources, this accidental drowning occurred near a dock in the Highland Ridge Subdivision off of Bell Memorial Drive near Awalt Road and Highway 130. According to reports, the victim was part of a work crew which was reportedly working in the area. The victim’s fellow...

The Coffee County Manchester Library will soon close for about two months while it undergoes interior renovations. The last day for the library to be open will be Friday, Aug. 26. Plans are to re-open on Oct. 24 and celebrate with a grand re-opening fall festival from 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 29th. The renovations will include new carpets, new paint and a “fresh new look” Library officials prefer all materials be returned by the close of business on Aug. 26, but if someone still has items checked out they will not be considered late and should be...

Westwood Elementary School students gathered outside Tuesday morning to present a $4,500 check to the Dusty Elam Foundation. The funds were raised during Lemonade Day held at the end of last school year through partnership with the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce. The Elam Foundation helps families in need in the Coffee County...