Legislation protecting victims of violent crimes passed the House Civil Justice Committee last Wednesday. House Bill 434 creates a lifetime order of protection to prohibit communication between an offender and their victim. House Republican Leaders partnered with Nikki Goeser, a victim of stalking, to create this legislation. Goeser’s stalker shot and killed her husband, Ben, in front of her in a crowded restaurant in 2009. Her stalker has been behind bars serving time for second-degree murder, but he has continually attempted to contact Goeser, sending her letters from prison. Offenders that violate the order could receive up to a...

The Tennessee gas price average continues to climb, increasing another eight cents over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.58 which is nearly 35 cents more than one month ago and 41 cents more than one year ago. The National gas price average is at $2.77. Meanwhile, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Coffee County is $2.59, which is a penny over the state average and 18 cents below the national average. “With refinery utilization at a record low, gasoline supplies tightening, demand modestly increasing and crude prices on the rise, cheap...

Two Coffee County Jail inmates walked away from work detail Friday afternoon and authorities are asking for the public’s help to capture the two. The two were last seen Friday afternoon at the Manchester Housing Authority where they were on work detail. One of the missing is Nathaniel Andrew Henry, a while male, age 25, standing at 6-feet-1-inch with blond hair and blue eyes. The other is William Brady Patrick, a while male who is 32 years old, standing 5-feet-10-inches with brown hair and brown eyes. If anyone has seen or made contact with these individuals, contact the Coffee...

House Bill 786, also known as the “Constitutional Carry” bill, moved through the House committee system this week, passing the Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday. House Republicans introduced the legislation to provide law-abiding citizens the constitutional right to defend themselves and their families while also stiffening penalties to make criminals think twice before committing firearm-related crime in Tennessee. This legislation includes several provisions that will make Tennessee communities safer by imposing more severe punishments on criminals. House Bill 786 includes sentencing enhancements and increases minimum sentences for gun-related crimes. It also increases sentences on felons illegally carrying firearms or...

For students enrolled in Coffee County Schools, the renewal application process for Quarter 4 distance learning has now opened. The window will remain open until March 19. The renewal application process is only for learners who already have distance learning approval. The link is found on the district webpage www.coffeecountyschools.com. If you are completely new to distance learning, then the application process must be completed in person by the parent at the Central Office at the administrative plaza on McArthur...

The Shelbyville Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance to identify an individual who is allegedly involved in a theft from a church there.  The individual is pictured below, along with a photo of the car he was driving. If you have any information regarding this theft of the identify of this individual, contact Shelbyville Police Department...

Tennessee Department of Health is once again warning Tennesseans to beware of COVID-19 vaccine scams. Here are a few reminders: you don’t pay out of pocket for the vaccine, you do not pay to put your name on a priority list, you cannot pay to get early access to the vaccine and vaccines are not solicited door-to-door. If you receive a phone call soliciting these services, it is likely a scam and you should not give money or personal information to the caller. Click here to register to receive your vaccine online through the Tennessee Department of...

A Coffee County infant is in critical condition at Children’s Hospital At Erlanger and two others were injured after a head-on collision Saturday afternoon, Feb. 27 at approximately 3 p.m. According to a report filed with the Manchester Police Department, a 2014 Chevrolet Cruz driven by a 68-year old female was traveling the wrong direction on Highway 55 near Coffee County Central High School and struck a 2000 model Dodge pickup head on. The dodge was being driven by Kyle Alford, with infant Houston Alford as a passenger. The driver of the Chevrolet, identified by the report as Barbara...