Coffee County Middle School has released information about closing the school year, and information for students to pick up and drop off property to end the year. For students in all grades with last names starting with A through F, they will be picking up and dropping off property at the school between 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13. For students with last names beginning G through M, they will be picking up and dropping off property between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. on May 13. Students who have a last name beginning with N through R should come between...

On Friday (May 1), the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives released guidance for faith communities on gathering together in houses of worship. “Tennessee’s faith leaders have been incredibly innovative in finding alternative ways to worship that incorporate social distancing so they can continue to provide spiritual guidance, fellowship, and service to their neighbors during these challenging times,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “Religious liberty is important and must be protected, and that’s why the State has always deemed religious services as essential gatherings throughout this pandemic. As we look to reopen our economy in a safe fashion,...

Tennessee’s Economic Recovery Group released guidance for close contact services Thursday (April 30), enabling over 38,000 workers to resume business in 89 of the state’s 95 counties on May 6. Six counties – Shelby, Madison, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Sullivan – will create individual plans in consultation with their locally-run health departments. “As we continue a measured reopening of the economy, it’s critical we provide evidence-based guidance to businesses so they can keep their employees and customers safe,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “The very nature of close contact businesses calls for strong solutions and we’re inspired by the...

As of April 30, there have now been 10,735 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee. There have been 5,338 people classified as recovered, leaving 5,397 active cases across the entire state. There have been 199 deaths and 1,045 hospitalizations. In total, 177,626 tests have been performed. In Coffee County, there are now 36 confirmed cases and 16 people classified as recovered, leaving only 20 active cases. This active case number is down 1 from the previous day and is the second consecutive day with a decline in active cases in the county. There have been 1,030 negative tests performed...

An additional 43,792 Tennesseans filed new unemployment claims for the week ending April 25, bringing the total of new claims filed since the week ending March 21 to 437,261 in Tennessee alone. Nationally, over 3.8 million Americans filed for jobless benefits last week. This brings the national total to over 30 million claims for unemployment insurance since mid march. This represents roughly 18.6 percent of the American workforce. Sign up for Thunder Radio daily newsletterGet the news delivered to your email inbox every morning FOR FREE! Don’t miss another important story. Wake up to the news you care about...

The school year may have ended early, but the H&R Block Student of the Week continues here at Thunder Radio. Join us at Thunder Radio and Rosalyn Partin at the Manchester H&R Block as we say congratulations to this week’s student of the week – Ethan Sloan. Ethan is a seventh grade student at Coffee County Middle School in Mrs. Powell’s homeroom. He is the son of Satrina Sloan and Brian Sloan. In his free time he enjoys playing soccer and other sports, as well as video games. When he grows up, Ethan would like to be a NASA...

Coffee County District Attorney General Craig Northcott issued a public statement Wednesday, calling into question the constitutionality of Governor Bill Lee’s executive orders and adding that he will not be prosecuting persons “for simply engaging in legal activities such as operating their lawful business.” Northcott did go on to say that he encourages citizens to follow reasonable health guidelines, and recommends that the most vulnerable stay isolated to the greatest extent possible. “I sincerely believe that Governor Lee has made every decision based upon what he believes is best for the citizens that he serves,” Northcott said. “He has...

State officials have announced that close contact businesses such as beauty salons and barbershops will be allowed to open as soon as next week – May 6. Tennessee State Representative Johnny Garrett, who represents the 45th District, announced on Facebook Wednesday that he spoke with Governor Bill Lee, and added that beauty salons, barbershops and other close contact businesses will be opened up next week with guidance coming soon. “Your engagement and messages made this possible,” Garrett posted. “Keep me informed of your issues so I can advocate on your behalf.” This comes less than 24 hours after Lee...