Over 15 area agencies responded to a potentially dangerous hazardous material spill on Monteagle mountain Friday morning – a spill that led to a “shelter in place” order by law enforcement that lasted approximately 4 hours. Among the responding agencies were Manchester Fire & Rescue Department, Coffee County EMA and Homeland Security and Tullahoma Fire Department. A tanker being hauled by an 18-wheeler apparently ruptured and began spilling hazardous material onto the ground – a material later identified as Chlorobutane, which is highly flammable. Multiple agencies were able to establish measures to mitigate damage and a clean-up contractor was...

Following a slight rise in the statewide unemployment rate in March, jobless statistics experienced minor increases in most of Tennessee’s 95 counties, according to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). Five counties across the state did experience lower unemployment for the month, while rates went up in 86 counties, and remained the same in four counties. Coffee County’s unemployment rate comes in at 4.9 percent, which is up 0.3 from the 4.6 percent reported in February. Coffee County’s increase in unemployment rate comes while many businesses are struggling to find employees, with some reducing...

Legislation that seeks to improve state law enforcement’s use-of-force policies has advanced in the Tennessee House last week, passing the Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday. House Bill 1406 is a result of Gov. Bill Lee’s partnership with state and local law enforcement agencies through his Use of Force Policy Committee, which issued recommendations on Sept. 10, 2020 in the form of a sample use of force policy for law enforcement agencies to adopt across the state. The committee was charged with making recommendations to enhance policies, improve information sharing and increase officer training. This legislation bans chokeholds unless an...

State Rep. Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro, and State Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, successfully guided passage of the Unborn Child Dignity Act through both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly this week in Nashville. State Senator Janice Bowling 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. “This legislation does not limit or restrict an abortion or access to an abortion,” Rudd said. “The legislation ensures...

Motlow State Community College will hold its 2021 Commencement ceremony on May 9 at 2 p.m. Graduates, their friends and families, and the public can view the ceremony at Motlow.com/graduation. According to Mae Sanders, Motlow registrar, the College will confer degrees on 1,226 students, who make up the 2020-21 graduating class, in the virtual ceremony. Motlow’s commitment to its graduating students, and their families’ health and safety, led College leadership to determine that an on-ground commencement is not in the community’s best interest because of the Covid-19 pandemic. “The safety and wellbeing of our students, as well as their families,...

Earlier this month, a report was filed with Winchester Police Department in reference to Journey Church at 916 Dinah Shore Blvd. in Winchester being burglarized. During this burglary, a Nord Electric keyboard was taken. You can see photos below, although they are not very clear or telling. If you or anyone you know has information regarding this burglary, contact detective Brian Wilder at 931-967-3840 or call crimestoppers at...

The following is part 5 of a 7 part series about child abuse awareness and prevention, written by Elena Cawley. “The biggest challenge is just getting people to believe child abuse happens,” Jill Howlett, forensic social worker, said. “Once you can acknowledge this can happen, awareness is in your favor.” When children go to Our Kids, a medical clinic in Manchester, Howlett talks with them and gathers information. Our Kids provides medical exams when there are concerns of sexual abuse. “When children and families come to the Our Kids Clinic, I first meet with the parent or caregiver that...

(Pictured: College Street principal Tom Jacobs, Peyton Hensley and Rosalyn Partin with H&R Block.) Join us at Thunder Radio and Rosalyn Partin of the Manchester H&R Block and congratulate our student of the week – Peyton Hensley. Peyton is in 5th grade at College Street Elementary School in Karen Allen’s homeroom. She is the daughter of Britany White and Royce Hensley. Her favorite subject is math. When she grows up, Peyton would like to pursue a career in business. In her free time, Peyton enjoys playing volleyball and spending time with friends. All students of the week are selected...