On Friday, September 4, 2020, at approximately 10:00 PM, Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) arrested Robert Allen Mowry, age 50, and charged him with one count of malice murder for the death of James Richard Harris, age 54, in December of 1994. On Thursday, December 22, 1994, at approximately 9:00 AM, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) Regional Office in Calhoun was requested by the Walker County Sheriff’s Office to assist in a death investigation. James Richard Harris was found deceased at the entrance to his property and residence at 1610 Boss Road, Chickamauga, GA...

After an increase in prices at the pump ahead of Hurricane Laura, Tennessee gas prices are now trending lower. Today’s state average is two cents cheaper than last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $1.97 which is seven cents more than one month ago and 30 cents less than one year ago. Over the Labor Day weekend, Tennessee motorists paid an average of $1.97 per gallon – that’s 30 cents less than last year’s holiday gas prices and the cheapest Labor Day gas prices in 16 years. In Coffee County, prices average at $1.95 per gallon as...

The annual Safe on the Square trick-or-treating event that draws thousands of children to the Manchester downtown square every Halloween will not take place this year. In a joint statement, Manchester Mayor Lonnie Norman and Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center executive director Joyce Prusak (which organizes the event) announced Tuesday that the event will not take place “in the interest of everyone’s health and well-being.” “This was a difficult decision as this event has become a community tradition and something so many children look forward to annually,” the joint statement reads. “However, we both agreed that it was the...

There are 122 active cases of COVID-19 in Coffee County as of Monday afternoon, according to Tennessee Department of Health. Seven COVID-19 related deaths have been reported in Coffee County. Since March, there have been a total of 834 cases in Coffee County. Of these, 705 are inactive or recovered and seven have passed away. Across the state, there are currently 826 people hospitalized with COVID-19 related issues. That is 18 fewer than the previous day and over 40 fewer than two days...

Local schools are off the A/B Hybrid plan beginning Tuesday and will return to in-school classroom learning. Coffee County Schools, Manchester City Schools and Tullahoma City Schools are all returning to traditional learning Tuesday, Sept. 9. It wasn’t long after schools started in August when all three systems went to a hybrid model, bringing students to the buildings on certain days. Coffee County School System students will only be attending Monday through Thursday, with Friday remaining as an at-home learning day for...

 Local businessman Jay Kalvala teamed up with Manchester citizen Gene Holmes to launch a project with the intention of recognizing and honoring all police officers with the Manchester Police Department. The pair began on Friday, Sept. 4, when they joined the police department at Manchester City Hall to recognize three of the department’s longest serving officers. Honored were Dwight Vandagriff, Debbie Guffey and Alberto Garza. The pair said they intend to keep going until all officers at MPD are recognized for their hard work and sacrifice for the safety of the community.   Pictured, top left, are Holmes, Guffey...

Shortly after 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 4., a police pursuit initiated by Tennessee Highway Patrol ended in a crash on Madison St. near the Coffee County Justice Center. The suspect then eluded police on foot for about an hour, forcing a lockdown of the Coffee County Justice Center and a soft lockdown of all Manchester City Schools. A helicopter was used to help search along with multiple law enforcement agencies. Manchester Police Department canine officer Nalty (pictured below with handler Daryn Gadeken) was able to help track the suspect. It is unclear what led to the initiation of...

The annual One Day of Hope that is held at the Coffee County Fairgrounds and was planned for Oct. 24, 2020 has been postponed. Ray Marcrom, president of One Day of Hope, said that the event is being rescheduled because “due to shortages we were unable to obtain quantities of food or hygiene items needed.” Tentatively, organizers plan to reschedule for March of 2021. Marcrom added that they plan to have an October 2021 event as well. The One Day of Hope annually provides meals, clothing, health screening, job placement and other services to those in need of assistance....