Governor Bill Lee on Monday signed executive order no. 84, which will offer Tennessee families the ability to opt their children out of any school mask mandate that could be put into effect by a local school board. “Districts will make the decision they believe are best for their schools, but parents are the authority and will be the ultimate decision makers for their individual child’s health & well-being,” Lee said. Currently, none of the three school districts in Coffee County have any mask requirements in...

Pictured is the bridge where a mural is to be painted. The Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center invites the community to attend the “Join Our Quest” event, set for Saturday, Aug. 28, at the Manchester Soccer Complex. The Coffee County CAC has partnered with artist Troy Freeman to paint a mural on the Waite Street bridge facing the soccer fields, thanks to grants received from the Tennessee Arts Commission and Manchester Tourism Committee. Freeman will be working on the mural, which will promote child safety, starting Aug. 27, with Aug. 28 filled with activities for children and families. Free canvases will be provided...

The Tennessee gas price average declined slightly over last week, falling nearly two cents, on average. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.87 which is a penny less than one month ago and 97 cents more than one year ago.  In Coffee County, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.84 as of Monday afternoon, which is 3 cents below the state average and well below the national average of $3.18.“Leading up to Labor Day, pump price fluctuations are likely to continue due to high crude oil prices,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Traditionally, gas demand typically...

The Secretary of State’s office is launching an award for Tennessee high schools which meet student voter registration thresholds, named after renowned Tennessee suffragist Anne Dallas Dudley. High schools across the state that register 100 percent of the eligible students, who are 18 or older by the next election, to vote will earn the Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Level Award. High schools that register at least 85 percent of the eligible students, 18 or older by the next election, will earn the Anne Dallas Dudley Silver Level Award. Tennessee law allows students who will be 18 or older on...

A TBI Most Wanted alert has been issued for 42-year-old Edward Laster Moore, Jr. Moore is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and the TBI for multiple charges: Assault on a Federal Officer with a Dangerous Weapon, Federal Attempt to Possess Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute, Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement, Possession of Cocaine for Resale, Evading Arrest, Possession of MDMA for Resale, Possession of Marijuana for Resale, and Possession of Methamphetamine for Resale. Edward Moore should be considered armed and dangerous. There is a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading...

September 15 is an important date for some taxpayers. If you are responsible for filing a Partnership or S-Corporation tax return based on a calendar year and you filed for an extension, the extended due date is September 15. It is imperative that the 1065 or 1120S return be filed by midnight September 15 to avoid incurring costly late filing penalties. If you are responsible for filing a calendar year Trust or Estate return (Form 1041), and filed an extension, the extended due date is September 30. For individual taxpayers, Income Taxes are “pay-as-you-go”. This means that you need...

UPDATE: Samuel Earl Rich was taken into custody Sunday evening, Aug. 15,, by Bedford County Sheriff’s Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. ORIGINAL STORY: Tenessee Bureau of Investigation and area law enforcement are searching for Samuel Earl Rich, age 25, following a shooting in Bedford County. Bedford County Sheriff’s Department authorities responded a shooting Friday morning on Temple Ford Rd. and transported a female victim to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Investigation led to authorities wanting Rich on charges of attempted first degree murder and theft of property. Reporting out of Nashville has connected Rich with a man found...