Goodman Manuacturing in Fayetteville has filed a notice with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development that it will be permanently laying off 703 workers at that facility by the end of September.  The company actually announced back in September of 2015 that it would be closing the Fayetteville plant by 2017 while the company’s parent group, Daikin, consolidated operations to its location in Waller, Texas. Currently, the Fayetteville plant employs 1,800 people and the collective bargaining agreement expires November 1st of...

A Rutherford County 17-year old who had been reported missing since April has been found safely in Coffee County.  Lamar Hinton, Jr., was located Tuesday in Coffee County and returned home, according to Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department officials.  Hinton appeared well taken care of, according to Rutherford County detective Andrea Knox.  Tips led Rutherford County and Coffee County Sheriff’s deputies to a home in Beech Grove where Hinton was found.  Detective Knox thanked Coffee County Sheriff Chad Partin for his department’s work in finding Hinton, saying of Coffee County Sheriff’s Department: “They were very diligent in their search efforts...

In 2018, tourism spending in Tennessee outpaced the nation with $22 billion in travel spending and 119 million visitors to the state. That is a 5.1 percent increase in visitors  and a record high in spending. Tennessee ranked third behind Pennsylvania and Colorado for international spending growth over 2017.  Locally, in Coffee County, spending here increased nearly 5.5 percent, with an estimated 100.23 million dollars spent in Coffee County, that’s up over 95 million from 2017. That increase meant 2.61 million in local tax receipts, up from 2.51 million in 2017.  The full tourism report can be found by...

Gas prices have fallen in the past week in Manchester, but only slightly. The current state average is $2.43, which is three cents lower than a week ago and 21 cents cheaper than a year ago at this time. That 2.43 average is 27 cents below the national average. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Coffee County is...

Motlow State Community College is celebrating 50 years of being one of the south’s foremost community colleges, one of Tennessee’s top higher education institutions, and a leader of educational, economic, and community development in middle Tennessee. During the 2019-20 academic year, stretching from August to May, the College will embark on a series of special events designed to provide opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the communities of its 11-county service area to celebrate Motlow’s past. While reminding the more than 600,000 people that live in its service area of past accomplishments and milestones, the College will also share glimpses into its...

The finance committee resubmitted the Franklin County 2019-20 budget and continues to recommend a 20.5 cent property tax increase. The Herald Chronicle reports that the county commission failed to pass the budget back on July 29th because of concerns that school system employees would not get pay increases while other county personnel would. The budget will go back to the commission in a special called 7 p.m. meeting on Aug. 19 at the courthouse in Franklin...

Manchester Police Department is asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect who was allegedly involved in a theft from the Manchester Walmart.  If you recognize this person, contact chief investigator Jackie Matheny at...

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District announces the immediate closure of Ragland Bottom Day Use Beach at Center Hill Lake in Smithville, Tenn., due to high bacteria levels in the water. The area is still open for picnicking and boat launching. No other beaches at Center Hill Lake are affected. Signs have been posted and caution tape installed warning the public not to swim at this location. The day use volunteer will direct visitors to the Floating Mill Day Use Beach, an alternative swim area.  Follow-up testing of Ragland Bottom swimming area will continue until conditions return...