Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced $14.8 million in broadband accessibility grants that will expand broadband service to more than 8,300 households and businesses in 17 counties across Tennessee. “I am pleased to announce that we are getting our rural areas up to speed and expanding broadband in the areas that need it most,” said Lee. “I am committed to ensuring connectivity in every corner of our state as broadband impacts our goals for health care, education, economic development and beyond.” According to the FCC’s 2018 Broadband Deployment Report, nearly one in four rural Tennesseans lack access to broadband. In...

The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) announced a significant increase in the state’s overall seat belt usage rate, compared to previous years. The usage rate rose from 88.5 percent in 2017 to 90.9 percent in 2018. This marks the first year Tennessee’s usage rate surpassed 90 percent. Tennessee’s 2018 usage rate also exceeded the national usage rate of 90.1 percent. “Tennessee is the 24th state to achieve 90 percent seat belt usage,” said THSO Director Vic Donoho. “We appreciate the substantial efforts made by the legislature, law enforcement, and local communities to reach this milestone. Moving forward, we will...

On Tuesday afternoon WMSR News was invited to New Union Elementary School for a special swearing in ceremony of 4 Student School Safety Officers. Coffee County Sheriff Chad Partin with the help of AAA (The Auto Club Group), and SRO Hassan Peterson began a school safety officer patrol. The program began a few months ago to include all Coffee County elementary schools. It was New Union’s turn on Tuesday. Sheriff Partin told the student body what some of the duties of the school safety officers will be: http://www.thunder1320.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Chad-at-New-Union.mp3 Sheriff Partin swore in officers Emma Ballard, Kennedy Torres, Brayden Jordan...

In June of last year (2018) the Coffee County Commission approved a resolution asking the state legislature to approve a private act that would establish a hotel/motel tax in Coffee County. The county had originally asked for the state legislature to approve a hotel/motel tax rate of up to 5 percent, but that request has been reduced to be no more than 3 percent. The new rate, if approved by the state, would include hotels and bed and breakfast locations in Manchester and Tullahoma. County Commissioner Mike Ray told WMSR News how the money generated by tax could possibly...

State estimates show the unemployment rate went up in all 95 counties in Tennessee during the month of January. Coffee County’s unemployment rate for January was 3.3 percent up from December’s rate of 2.9 percent. This means 850 workers are reported as unemployed in Coffee County. Warren County jumped up 0.6 percent, going from 3.5 to 4.1 percent. Over in Bedford County their rate went up from 3.2 percent to 3.7. Down in Franklin County the unemployment rate for January rose 0.4 percent to 3.2. Moore County always has one of the best rates in the state also went...

Motlow State Community College and Murray State University have signed an articulation agreement that will provide students seeking a bachelor’s degree with a seamless transfer process into Murray State’s College of Business. The agreement will allow students to transfer their existing Motlow State credits toward a bachelor’s degree at Murray State, ensuring no disruptions in their collegiate careers. “We want to align with and provide access to institutions where Motlow students can take advantage of the options and advantages offered within our state and region,” said Dr. Michael Torrence, Motlow President. The College of Business at Murray State prepares...

It’s National Nutrition Month, and two pieces of proposed anti-bullying legislation have lawmakers engaged in a public war of words. Senate Bill 606 and House Bill 827, known as the Tennessee Hunger-Free Students Act, would prohibit schools from taking certain actions against students who can’t pay for school lunch, and would make sure a meal is provided to the child regardless. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. John Ray Clemmons, said it would stop school employees from throwing away a served meal if the student could not pay, and also would prohibit schools from punishing or shaming students about the debt....

High schoolers from Coffee County attended and competed at the recent 2019 Tennessee Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference. 102 students from Coffee County High School and Raider Academy attended. Some of those honored included Weston Hargrove as he was listed in Who’s Who in FBLA and received Bronze Level for the President’s Volunteer Service award, Cade Davis-State T-shirt design 1st place winner, Andreas Cavalie- State Pin design winner, Morgan Henley received the Dr Bill Radcliff scholarship, Elizabeth Proffitt was selected as President of Region 4. Coffee County finished 3rd for Coke tab collection, received Gold...