There are currently 123 active cases of COVID-19 virus in Coffee County, according to data provided by Tennessee Department of Health. There has also been a seventh COVID-19 related death reported over the weekend in Coffee County. Across the state, there are currently 819 people hospitalized with COVID-19 related complications. This is 27 fewer than the previous...

After the Labor Day weekend, there will be some additional openings in the area. The offices at the Coffee County Administrative Plaza – such as County Mayor, Trustee, Register of Deeds, County Clerk and many others – will be re-opening to the public on Wednesday, Sept. 9. These offices have been closed to in-person traffic for over five months. The Coffee County Justice Center and the Library will remain closed, according to the county mayor’s...

Coffee County’s active cases of COVID-19 have been slashed considerably, after Tennessee Department of Health on Thursday announced a different method of reporting cases to the public. TDH announced Thursday that it would no longer report “recovered” cases, but would instead report inactive and recovered cases – which are cases that are 14 days or more beyond their illness or onset date and who are not deceased. TDH also announced that approximately 1,700 cases statewide needed a correction for county of residence. After these adjustments, TDH is now reporting that there are now 114 active cases of COVID-19 in...

Coffee County Director of Schools Dr. Charles Lawson issued a release Thursday to clarify what he calls “misinformation” about display of campaign or political advertising on school property. The statement from Lawson is as follows: “There seems to be a significant amount of misinformation about the display of items of campaign or political advertising on school property. Board policy 1.806 states, ‘Political signs for people who are running for public office shall not be allowed on school property except those being held by poll workers on election day.’ This applies to posters, signs, flags and other large displays for...

 A Patriot Day Ceremony will be held at the Manchester Square on Friday, September 11th, starting at 6 PM. The event will include a commemoration honoring the victims of Sept 11th as well as recognizing the contributions made by our local fire, police and emergency medical technician departments. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. Organizers say that social distancing will be observed and ask that you please wear a mask if you have one. The event is being presented by the Coffee County Veterans Association, comprised of American Legion Gold Post 78; Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90; Marine...

Continued claims for weekly unemployment benefits in Tennessee continue to fall, but remain abnormally high due to COVID-19 pandemic according to data provided by Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development.  For the week ending Aug. 29 , there were 12,035 new claims filed for unemployment benefits. That is up over 1,000 from the previous week. Since March 15, there have been 818,149 new claims filed in Tennessee.  Meanwhile, continued week-to-week claims are at 184,781. While this is down 7,000 from the previous week, it remains about 168,000 higher than before the pandemic began in March. ...

The stage has been quieter recently at the Manchester Arts Center (MAC) since the cancellation of most of the 2020 season, but that is expected to change soon when “Mama Mia!” opens Sept. 17. The musical will be presented by Jamie Harden’s Ultimate Oldies, a group of singers, dancers and musicians who perform hits from the 1950s through the 1970s. While not affiliated with the MAC, it will serve as a fundraiser for the nonprofit, which has seen its revenue fall dramatically during the coronavirus shutdown. “Mama Mia!” is basically a juke box musical of oldies songs, according to...

Active cases of COVID-19 in Coffee County continue a downward trend, now at 271 according to data provided by Tennessee Department of Health on Wednesday. Since testing began in March, 785 people in Coffee County have had confirmed cases. Of these, 508 have recovered and six people have passed away. The estimated population of Coffee County is 57,000. Across the state, there were 304 fewer active cases Wednesday than the previous...