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Be sure you know where to vote in upcoming primary election
When Coffee Countians go to the polls in April and May for the upcoming primary election, many will be going to different polling locations that previous elections. The state of Tennessee underwent its decennial redistricting process last year. Coffee County Commission districts were adjusted and so were polling locations. Coffee County Administrator of Elections Andy Farrar sent out new voter registration cards last month to all registered voters. If you did not receive a card, or if yours has inaccurate information, you should contact the Coffee County Election Commission immediately by phone at 931-723-5103 or you can visit in...

Bill to protect teachers from assault advances out of subcommittee
A Republican proposal aimed at helping protect Tennessee teachers from being assaulted on the job advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee last Wednesday. House Bill 1934 expands the offences of assault and aggravated assault against first responders or nurses to also include teachers. There are 68,838 public school teachers in Tennessee, according to information from the Tennessee General Assembly Financial Review Committee. The legislation would result in an estimated 69 convictions annually. “All of our schools have nurses in them that are already protected by this law,” State Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin, told members of the House...

High speed chase ends with arrest in Morrison
One man has been arrested after leading authorities on a high-speed chase Tuesday afternoon. According to WOWC news, Cannon County Sheriff’s Department initiated the chase that ended in Morrison, which is in neighboring Warren County. The chase began in Woodlawn. The suspect, driving a white Chevrolet truck, went through several roads into Warren County before finally being caught. the suspect has been identified as Daniel Smithson, age 49, of Cannon...

Less than 3 weeks remain to register to vote in May primary
The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming May 3 Coffee County Primary is fast approaching. Anyone wishing to vote in the May 3 primary must be registered by Monday, April 4. You can register by visiting the Coffee County Election Commission on McArthur St. You can also register to vote from your computer – just click here. Early voting will be April 13 through April...

Bill would increase punishment for assaulting first responders in Tennessee
A bill strengthening the punishment for assaulting a first responder advanced out of the Tennessee House Criminal Justice Subcommittee last week. House Bill 2247 expands the offenses of assault and aggravated assault against a first responder or nurse to include offenses committed against any licensed emergency healthcare provider. It also increases the mandatory minimum jail sentence for each offence. “My purpose (with) this bill is to draw attention to the fact that evil doesn’t discriminate against only policemen,” State Rep. Kevin Vaughan, R-Collierville, told members of the subcommittee. “It discriminates against anybody in a uniform doing their job. We’d...

TN legislature strengthens punishment for certain violent offenders
The Tennessee General Assembly approved legislation last week that eliminates the possibility for parole for first-degree murderers in rape cases. House Bill 2269 requires that a person be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole if they are convicted of first-degree murder while committing or attempting to commit aggravated rape, rape, rape of a child and aggravated rape of a child. The legislation now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his signature. More information about House Bill 2269 can be found...

Thunder Radio political forum set for Thursday, April 7
In an effort to better inform our listeners and the electorate at large, Thunder Radio WMSR will host a political forum on April 7 – just before early voting begins for the May 3 Coffee County primary. This continues an election-year tradition for Thunder Radio WMSR that dates back to 2012. The forum will run from 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7. The public is welcome to attend the event, which will be held at The Church at 117 (117 E. Fort St.) just off the square in downtown Manchester. For those who are unable to attend, the forum will...

Local VFW raises over $4,000 for Ukraine; more donations welcome
On March 11th, Manchester’s Veterans of Foreign Wars All-American Post 10904hosted a fundraiser dinner to benefit relief efforts in Ukraine. At least117 people filled the Coffee County Veterans Building to capacity. A fundraiser dinner was served, followed by a discussion of current eventsin Ukraine led by Commander Kimberly King; VFW Auxiliary President DavidKing; and VFW Post Judge Advocate Claude Morse. Special effort was made tohelp children in attendance understand current events. and what freedommeans. Linda Salerno of Nashville donated a specially made quilt, designed withUkrainian flag colors and patriotic star in the center. It was raffled atthe event, yielding...