Several school districts in the mid-state are using a tool that screens school-issued emails with the hopes of ensuring safety among students. Schools in Bedford, Warren, and Williamson Counties, and the Lebanon Special School District are implementing technology from the Illinois-based company Gaggle. Gaggle uses a special technique to read school-issued emails, even before they are sent, for specific words and language. The system can intercept even before the recipient gets the email. Depending on what the email says, Gaggle has the ability to alert a “safety team” working around the clock if there is a threat or issue...

The Coffee County School District is presently completing a grant renewal for the 21st Century Community Learning Center program, Excellence at East. This grant for the after-school program receives federal funding from the Tennessee Department of Education’s Office of Extended Learning. Grants are awarded by 3 to 5-year contracts by a panel of independent readers who score them using a detailed rubric. The present grant will conclude in June of 2019. East Coffee has been the recipient of this grant for the last 14 years. This after school program operates Monday through Thursday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m....

  Congratulation to Manchester Police Officer Ben Sneed. He was recognized at a recent Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting for his award from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office. Officer Sneed was selected as the 2018 Cumberland Region Officer of the Year. In a statement from the police department they say that everyone is very proud of Officer Sneed for representing the City of Manchester with his diligent work ethic and...

A Tennessee lawmaker has introduced a bill that would hit robocallers with major fines if caught spoofing local phone numbers. The bill, introduced by Sen. John Hensley, would increase fines to $25,000 for each call made that used caller identification spoofing. As many Coffee Countians know, spoofing tricks your caller ID into thinking the call is local, for example using our 931-area code when it’s really a robocall from out of state. The current fine is $10,000 for robocallers caught spoofing numbers. The new bill would also clarify that each call would be subject to a $25,000 fine, meaning...

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has announced 13 communities in the state that will be receiving site development grants. One of those communities is in in nearby Pelham in Grundy County. Lee said, “One of Tennessee’s major initiatives is helping rural communities, and with the assistance of these grants, these communities will be better positioned for economic success and investment. I look forward to seeing these communities continue to grow and excel.” The purpose of the grant is to help rural communities achieve Select Tennessee site certification and get them ready to receive economic development projects that will create new...

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has announced his first legislative push, which aims to increase access to student vocational and technical training. The new governor declined on Tuesday to say how much his Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education initiative would cost, saying the amounts would be revealed soon. Lee’s office says the program would include student grants funded by the Tennessee Lottery. High school juniors and seniors would be able to use four, fully-funded dual enrollment credits for trade and technical programs. Currently, they can access two credits. The governor will also recommend new funding for community grants for regional...

Along with chocolates and flowers, decorative candles are often given by sweethearts at Valentine’s Day (Thursday, Feb. 14). While candles are fragrant home décor, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) reminds consumers that candles must be used properly to avoid the potential loss of life, injury, and property damage from an accidental fire. Though candles might make a house feel more like a home, they can also cause tragedy if they aren’t used correctly. In 2018, Tennessee fire departments responded to 71 residential structure fires that were started by candles. These fires caused two civilian fatalities, four civilian...