Manchester Police are asking for help identifying a male subject who they say was involved in an incident at the Manchester Walmart at noon Friday, March 13. You can see the subject in the photo below. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Manchester Police Department at 931-728-2099. Complete your 2020 CensusCoffee County’s response rate to the 2020 Census is the SECOND BEST in the state so far. We need to be #1! Fill out your Census online – it only takes 5 minutes! Click Here to...

Manchester City Schools  and Coffee County School systems will remain closed through April 12, both systems announced Monday. Both systems have already been closed since March 16 amid COVID-19 concerns. “We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed in the future,”  said Manchester Director of Schools Dr. Joey Vaughn. Thunder Radio will report more on these developments, school closures and schedule changes as that information is available. Sign up for Thunder Radio NewsletterWake up every morning with the newest local news delivered straight to your email inbox. NO junk mail, no cost! Click Here to...

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued a statewide order Sunday, March 22, that limits all Tennessee bars and restaurants to takeout, drive-thru and delivery service only. This order allows for bars and restaurants to sell beer and wine through takeout or deliver if sold with food. The new order issued by Lee prohibits social gatherings of more than 10 people and orders gyms to close, and limits visits to nursing and retirement homes to “essential care.” The order goes into effect at midnight Monday and lasts through April 6. “I urge every Tennessean to take these actions seriously – our...

As of Sunday, March 22, there are now 505 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee – still none in Coffee County. Franklin County has one confirmed case and Rutherford County has eight confirmed cases, according to Tennessee Department of Health. Davidson County has 167 confirmed cases.  Dr. Jay Trussler, who practices medicine in Manchester and has a clinic in Grundy County, told Thunder Radio News Sunday that he had a patient test positive at his clinic in Monteagle, and urged Thunder Radio to share with our listeners that COVID-19 is here, and to assume it is...

Recent events in Tennessee have impacted the employment of many Tennesseans. Because of this, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) has seen a large increase in the number of unemployment claims. This increase, along with public health concerns, has prompted a change in strategy for the agency. To meet the current demand for unemployment benefits and address public health concerns, the Department will limit access to American Job Centers and shift resources to triple the number of staff trained to process claim applications. Starting Monday, March 23, each American Job Center across Tennessee will begin limiting...

According to State Representative Rush Bricken, the Tennessee Department of Human Services will be issuing Emergency Pandemic Tennessee Assistance for Needy Families (commonly referred to as TANF), which is an emergency cash assistance program for those impacted by COVID-19. Emergency Pandemic TANF will utilize existing temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) funds. To qualify, a family must: have children in the household, be at or below the 85th percentile of the state median income. For example, be below approximately $52,000 a year for a family of 3. And be able to show they are impacted by COVID-19. An example...

Coffee County government offices will continue to be closed to the public through the end of the month, this according to a release from Coffee County Mayor Gary Cordell’s office on Friday. The mayor announced that effective at noon Tuesday, March 17, that all county offices would be closed through the week and a re-evaluation would be conducted Friday, March 20, at which time it was announced that offices will remain closed to foot traffic. However, county workers are still working and available to be reached by telephone. Phone numbers for all county government offices are: Coffee County Mayors...

At the request of 12th District Attorney General Michael Taylor, TBI Agents are investigating the circumstances leading to an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Franklin County. Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 11:15 Friday night, a deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and an officer with the Winchester Police Department were involved in a vehicle pursuit with an individual after he allegedly shot into a residence in Franklin County. During the pursuit, the individual wrecked his vehicle at the intersection of Hwy 130 and Old Estill Springs Road. As officers approached the man, the situation escalated as he...