This month, locations in the Manchester area will serve as collection sites for Operation Christmas Child—the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. The annual Samaritan’s Purse project is a favorite of many Manchester residents, families, churches and groups who spread joy to millions of children around the world by filling shoeboxes with a “Wow!” item—like a doll or soccer ball—other fun toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement. “Through the simple act of filling a shoebox, someone in Manchester can make a tangible difference in the life of a child halfway around the world. Anyone can...

The Tennessee Education Lottery Corp. has announced it posted its highest first-quarter sales returns in the organization’s almost 12-year history. Rebecca Hargrove, president and CEO of the state’s education lottery, said in a news release Monday that the corporation saw first-quarter sales of $361.7 million, or a 10 percent increase over last year. The majority of the lottery’s revenue goes to paying winners, while a portion also is handed out to retailers. Since Jan. 20, 2004, nearly 1 million scholarships, grants and dual-enrollment awards have been awarded to Tennessee students, according to the news release. Lottery funds also are...

Now that Halloween is over, winter weather is the main focus for the Tennessee Department of Transportation. WBIR-TV in Knoxville reports that although TDOT said it prepares for the snowy season year-round, it said it’s ready to hit the roads as soon as winter storms strike. TDOT has a fleet of about 215 salt trucks, 215 snow plows and 31 salt bins, which together carry a total of nearly 70,000 tons of salt. TDOT expects to spend a little more than last season which ended up being just under $20 million. Meteorologists said they expect above normal precipitation, whether...

In yet another state-ranking index, the Volunteer State lands in a less-than-desirable spot as the fourth fattest state in the U.S. Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the study reveals more than three-quarters of American adults today are either overweight or obese. And for the first time in history, the number of obese people has surpassed that of the overweight. WalletHub analysts compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 12 key metrics to pinpoint where the weight problem is most prevalent and encourage Americans to re-evaluate their lifestyles. With the holidays approaching,...

Manchester’s Veteran’s Day Ceremony will be held on the Square in Manchester on Wednesday, November 11th at 11am. This year’s ceremony will include entertainment by Charlie Allen, Samantha Watters, Macy Tabor, the Westwood Middle School Band, a bag pipe player and more. The Veteran’s Day Ceremony is held every year in Manchester in order to honor those men and women who have served and are currently serving our country. Commemorative Swords will be bestowed upon selected veterans to honor them for their sacrifice and wreaths will be placed at memorial stones to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice...

A new non-profit group has been formed to accept donations for a new animal shelter. The Coffee County Animal Welfare Partnership for Tomorrow is a new 501c3 under the Manchester – Coffee County Partnership for Tomorrow umbrella. A donation to the group will go directly to the fundraising efforts. Before a donation went into the county general fund. The goal is to build a complex on property owned by either Manchester or Coffee County for up to 50 dogs. Donations can be made at the Coffee County Animal Control office at 156 Freedom Dr. in Manchester. The shelter can...