More than 1,000 gas stations in the Southeast reported running out of fuel, primarily because of what analysts say is unwarranted panic-buying among drivers, because of the shutdown of a major pipeline. Government officials acted swiftly to waive safety and environmental rules to speed the delivery of fuel by truck, ship or rail to motorists and airports, even as they sought to assure the public that there was no cause for alarm. The Colonial Pipeline, the biggest fuel pipeline in the U.S., delivering about 45% of what is consumed on the East Coast, was hit on Friday with a cyberattack by...

Those wishing to receive COVID-19 vaccination in Coffee County will have multiple opportunities to do so over the coming weeks. Wednesday Southern Family Markets Building Manchester, 3-6 p.m. Lakewood Park CC, 2-5 p.m. Thursday Manchester Health Department, 9-11 a.m. Tullahoma Health Department, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Southern Family Markets Building Manchester, 11-2 p.m. Friday Manchester Health Department, 7-9 a.m. Tullahoma Health Department, 7-9 a.m. Saturday Westwood Middle School Vietnam Veterans Event, 10-2 p.m. Westwood Middle School 3-5...

A 6-year old boy is dead after Shelbyville police say he accidentally shot himself in the head on Monday, May 10. According to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, Shelbyville police investigators believe the child picked up the gun while the mother was in the restroom. The mother called police and stated that the boy had accidentally shot himself in the head and was not breathing. The child was airlifted to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead. According to the Gazette article, two other children were in the room – ages 8 and 2, but they did not witness the...

A portion of Ovoca Road in Tullahoma will be closed for construction from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12.  The road will be closed from Riley Creek Rd. to Country Club Rd.  The road will be open to local traffic only. Detour will be Fairways Blvd. to Country Club.  Public works crews will be working to replace a drainage culvert at 2125 Ovoca Rd. Next week crews will repave the road and it will be closed again. That date will be announced...

The Motlow College Foundation announced its 2020-21 Academic Year Faculty Excellence Awards. The Faculty Excellence Awards recognize full-time and adjunct faculty who excel in professional activities and development; instructional activities, improvement, retention, completion activities; non-instructional college service; community service; and student evaluations. The Motlow College Foundation is proud to sponsor this Motlow tradition since the awards began in 1978. These faculty members join a distinguished list of instructors who are part of the great tradition of celebrating excellence in education at Motlow State. A reception for nominees and winners is planned for a later date. Faculty Winners: Kate Benson Charle...

The US Food and Drug Administration approved the emergency use for Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine on Monday to people ages 12 to 15. This means everyone ages 12 and up are now eligible for the vaccine. This is the first vaccine authorized for people under the age of 18. It was previously approved for people ages 16 and up. Covid-19 vaccines from Moderna and Johnson and Johnson are still authorized for people 18 and older. Pfizer held a clinical trial that involved 2,260 12-to-15-year old’s which was then reviewed and approved by the FDA. The trial showed that the vaccine...

State Rep. Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro, and State Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, Monday announced The Unborn Child Dignity Act has been signed by Gov. Bill Lee and will become law on July 1. The bill, HB1181/SB828, advocates for the dignity of the unborn by requiring proper burial or cremation for a surgically aborted child. The legislation grants the same protection, respect and dignity to a deceased, surgically aborted child required by law to any other deceased human being. “Tennessee is overwhelmingly a right-to-life state. While it’s disheartening that we have to propose legislation to ensure a preborn child’s body will...

COL Brannom Leonard’s Retirement, Smyrna, Tn, on May 6, 2021. After more than 30 years of service in the Tennessee National Guard, Col. Leonard “Trey” Brannom, a long-time Tullahoma and Murfreesboro resident, retired on May 6. Brannom, who was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel where he was responsible for the personnel management of over 10,000 Tennessee National Guardsman, began his career in 1991 as an AH-1 Cobra Helicopter Pilot. Also piloting the UH-1 Huey and UH-60 Blackhawk, he flew more than 1,100 hours in the early part of his career. Aside from flying, Brannom also served in...