Most of Tennessee’s 95 counties started 2021 with lower unemployment numbers, according to data released by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Seventy-eight counties began the new year with a decrease in unemployment. The jobless rate remained the same in seven counties and increased in ten counties. In Coffee County, the unemployment rate for January is at 4.7 percent according to data released by Tennessee Department of Labor. This is down 0.5 percent from December’s rate of 5.2 percent and is inching closer to pre-pandemic levels. The unemployment rate in January of 2020, prior to the pandemic effect,...

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released a new study Thursday, detailing the volume and nature of crime identified as having a domestic violence nexus. Among the findings of ‘Domestic Violence 2020’: * A total of 69,385 offenses were flagged as domestic-related in 2020. Of those, 45,854 were reported as Simple Assault. * The overall number of domestic-related offenses decreased by 2.6% from 2019 to 2020. * Data on victim-to-offender relationship revealed that ‘Boyfriend/Girlfriend’ was the most frequently reported relationship type for domestic-related offenses. “The issue of domestic violence is by no means a novel problem in American society,” said...

Tennessee House Bill 1233, the “Tennessee Accommodations for All Children Act” will be considered by the House Education Administration Committee this week. The bill guarantees reasonable accommodations for all children in Tennessee’s public schools while also protecting every child’s right to privacy. It removes the uncertainty about making accommodations for all children from teachers, administrators, parents and students. The goal of House Bill 1233 is to be inclusive and respectful of all children in public schools. As the bill reads, “Reasonable accommodation” includes, but is not limited to: access to asingle-occupancy restroom or changing facility, or use of an employee...

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced Ben Lomand Connect as a recipient of a $179,695.56 grant for underserved areas of Coffee and Warren Counties. This is a matching grant with Ben Lomand contributing an additional $189,695.56 for a total investment of $369,391.12 for the county. The grant area is in northeastern Coffee County and includes 22 locations (12 residences and 10 businesses). It runs along State Highway 55 from southwestern Warren County into Coffee County. Funding will be available in April of 2021, allowing for infrastructure to be built and...

The Tennessee Department of Health is working with partners across the state to ensure continued equitable and efficient distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in the community. Vaccination appointments are currently available at county health departments in every grand division of the state. Protecting Tennesseans Most At Risk Tennesseans in Phases 1a1, 1a2, 1b and 1c of Tennessee’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan and those aged 65 and older are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Tennessee continues making great progress in protecting those most at risk for serious illness and death from COVID-19: More than 1.3 million Tennesseans have received at least one...

A message from Elk River Public Utility District:  Elk River Public Utility District of Franklin and Coffee Counties looks forward to recognizing National Gas Utility Workers’ Day on March 18, 2021. This day of recognition is a time when communities such as ours can remember the employees who provide one of their most valuable assets—their natural gas utility. Safety is Our Number One Priority and this annual nationwide event is intended to build public awareness about the hard work done by the employees of natural gas utilities. Our customers recognize the need for Safe, Clean, Reliable natural gas energy...

A man who was wanted for multiple vehicle thefts in Coffee County and surrounding counties has been apprehended. Jeffery Michael Hodges was wanted by multiple law enforcement agencies – including Coffee and Warren counties. He was taken into custody in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 16 by the Warren County Sheriff’s Department. Hodges faces charges of violation of parole, theft of property, burglary and unlawful possession of a weapon. He remains in the Warren County Jail. Also arrested was a female who was charged with accessory after the fact for aiding Hodges in his attempt to avoid...

Volunteer Firefighters would benefit by several proposals under consideration in the Tennessee General Assembly this year. House Bill 612 proposes to incentivize volunteer firefighter recruitment by establishing a retirement system called a Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP). The legislation authorizes the State Treasurer to inquire with local governments and the volunteer fire departments about establishing a LOSAP plan for volunteers providing firefighting and prevention services, emergency medical services, and ambulance services. The majority of Tennessee’s firefighters are volunteers. The State Fire Marshal’s Office reported 22,065 active firefighters in Tennessee in 2020. Of that, 14,218 (64 percent) are volunteers...