Manchester dogs and their owners are excited over the City’s new off-leash dog park at the Manchester Sports Park. In honor of the occasion, the Manchester Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a contest to select a name for the new park, where canines will be able to frolic freely. The Department is looking for a name that will attract dog lovers from all over the community. Occupying a section of the Manchester Sports Park adjacent to the Little Duck River Greenway, the park will be a draw for individuals using the greenway or nearby parks. All entries must...

Tennessee State Representative Jason Potts has introduced a bill that would increase penalties for those who pass a stopped school bus. Currently, when drivers are stopped for passing a stopped school bus in Tennessee – they could be charged with a misdemeanor and a fine of up to $1,000. Under the new proposal, if you pass a school bus when it’s stopped and the flashing lights are out and you cause injury, it’d be a class E Felony. If you cause death, it’d be an even higher...

An arraignment for Manchester resident, 79-year-old Thomas Evans Baird was held on Tuesday. Baird is charged with 34 counts of sexual misconduct, allegedly involving multiple minors between 2016 through 2018. Baird pled “not guilty” through his attorney on Tuesday. Baird is free on bond after being charged on Jan. 9 for: • Twelve counts of exploitation of a minor to observe sexual activity • Six counts of indecent exposure • Two counts on continuous sexual abuse to a child • Three counts of aggravated sexual battery • Five counts of sexual battery by authority figure • Three counts of...

Manchester Board of Education Special Call Meeting on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 immediately after the work session. (Work Session starts at 5:00 p.m.) in the administrative building at 215 E. Fort Street in Manchester, TN. A G E N D A 1. Contract between Manchester Board of Education and Lee Wilkerson 2. Offer Position for New Director of Schools 3. Adjournment According to a recent report on WMSR News, the board is likely to offer the system’s director position to current Coffee County Deputy Director, Dr Joey...

“One suicide death is too many,” says Scott Ridgway, executive director of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network. The public-private partnership responsible for reporting findings cites an almost 55 percent increase in suicides among children ages 10 to 17 in the last three years. The new report, in collaboration with the Tennessee Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, analyzes suicide demographics to share with mental-health professionals, lawmakers and the public. While there’s no single reason for a person taking their own life, Ridgway says children’s exposure to “mature concepts” should be a concern. “We’re seeing younger kids...

A logging crew was doing some work on Panhandle Road in Coffee County on Monday afternoon around 1:30pm. One worker was operating a bulldozer and the other was using a chainsaw. At least a portion of the tree the man was cutting with the chainsaw came crashing down and hit the man. The 52-year-old man was killed in the accident. No name was given as of 5pm Monday afternoon because the next of kin was being notified. Coffee County Sheriff’s Department Investigator Stephen Sharketti is in charge of the investigation. Coffee County EMS, Coffee County Rescue Squad and Coffee...