Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival announced Tuesday that there will be live, in-person concerts held at The Farm property in Manchester beginning in May. Upcoming performances include Billy Strings, Jon Pardi and The Avett Brothers in what Bonnaroo is calling “Concerts On The Farm.” Strings will perform Friday, May 28 and Jon Pardi will perform on Saturday, May 29. Meanwhile, the Avett Brothers will perform over July 4 weekend – Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 2-4. Tickets will be sold in 4-person pods and shows will be “socially distanced.” Tickets go on sale Friday, March 19. Ticket details...

After five straight weeks of increases, the Tennessee gas price average continues to climb. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.68 which is 40 cents more than one month ago and 63 cents more than one year ago. The National Average is $2.86, which is about 18 cents higher than the state average. The average price in Coffee County is $2.64, which is 4 cents below the state average and 22 cents below the national average. “Over the last five weeks, Tennessee gas prices have risen a total of 45 cents, on average,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA...

By Nadia Ramligan, TN Public News Service Tennessee kids have lost months of learning to the pandemic, and their advocates are now trying to make up for lost time. A new report from the nonprofit group Save the Children finds more than half of all families say their children are spending less time on learning activities compared to a typical school day before COVID-19. Experts say dropout rates will likely increase, and could result in one million more people not earning high-school diplomas. Chapple Osborne-Arnold, Tennessee deputy director for Save the Children, said she initially thought online learning would...

Tennessee Republican leaders last week advanced legislation aimed at further protecting first responders through the Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday. House Bill 511 was amended to add new language under the current definition of terrorism that creates new protections for law enforcement, paramedics, firefighters, correctional officers, department of corrections employees, and other emergency medical rescue workers. The bill raises the offense of murdering an on-duty first responder for their profession to an act of terrorism. If convicted, the perpetrator would receive life without parole or the death penalty. Once signed into law, House Bill 511 would be among the...

Coffee County and Warren County Sheriff’s Departments have issued a BOLO (be on the lookout) for a man they say is responsible for multiple car burglaries and thefts in Coffee, Warren and surrounding counties. Jeffery Michael Hodges, (white male, 5’9”, 165 lbs, bald, blue eyes, DOB 3-11-74) is wanted for questioning by police. Police say Hodges is considered to be “armed and dangerous” and at times “under the influence of narcotics.” Hodges allegedly stole multiple firearms from vehicles along with several other items. If anyone has seen or has information about Hodges’ whereabouts, you are encouraged to contact your...

Tennessee started 2021 with a decrease in unemployment across the state. According to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD), Tennessee recorded a jobless rate of 5.1% in January 2021. The new seasonally adjusted rate represents a 0.5 of a percentage point drop from the December 2020 rate of 5.6%. The latest figure is just 1.4 percentage points higher than the statewide rate for January 2020, just months before the start of COVID-19’s impact on Tennessee’s economy. Total nonfarm employment decreased by 2,100 jobs between December 2020 and January 2021. The largest decreases occurred...

Tennessee House Republicans continued to advance House Bill 786, also known as the Constitutional Carry bill, through committees last week and on to Finance Ways and Means Subcommittee for consideration on March 17. House Bill 786 ensures honest, law-abiding citizens who are legally eligible may utilize their Second-Amendment right to self-defense without asking for government permission. Alongside of that, the bill strengthens penalties for anyone who steals a firearm, felons in possession of a firearm, and dangerous stalkers. House Bill 786 makes Tennessee communities safer and corrects current law that leaves law-abiding citizens defenseless in violation of their constitutional...

Last year was a struggle for so many businesses and nonprofits. It was the year of challenge, change, and unknown. During the Covid-19 pandemic United Way of Highway 55 worked hard to connect both nonprofits, and citizens in our community with the resources they need. The needs for the citizens in this community grew during the pandemic. Whether that was food, utility/rental assistance, shelter, or help finding other resources. With many collaboration projects and amazing donors that stepped up, UWHWY55 was able to raise $112,779 in 2020. Compared to $63,362 in 2019. Two of our Gold Donors-National Aerospace Solutions...