It’s back to school for people of all ages in the Volunteer State, as a record number of adults head to college through the state’s Tennessee Reconnect program. The grants are available to residents age 25 and older to earn an associate’s degree or technical certificate. The program has seen more than 31,000 applications – almost double what was expected. Mike Krause, executive director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, said the interest level is indicative of the need. “We think that that is happening even as our economy is strong, because we’ve made an unprecedented offer to these...

The Tennessee Department of Health urges Tennesseans to take preventive steps to avoid mosquito-borne diseases. TDH has seen a recent increase in West Nile virus in mosquito testing in addition to human cases. Sadly, this includes two recent West Nile Virus deaths in Shelby County. In addition to West Nile virus, Tennessee has seen six cases of La Crosse encephalitis in children so far this year. TDH encourages everyone to follow these precautions to avoid mosquito bites: Use insect repellants such as DEET on your skin, following all label recommendations for use. Wear long, loose and light clothing to...

The Tennessee Department of Transportation will halt all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways for the Labor Day holiday travel period. Construction crews will stop all lane closure activity beginning at noon on Friday through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 4. This will provide maximum roadway capacity for motorists traveling during the busy Labor Day holiday. While lane closure activity will be stopped, workers will still be on site in many construction zones, and drivers are urged to obey posted speed limits. Drivers convicted of speeding in work zones where workers are present face a fine of...

Coffee County Sheriff’s Department investigators are seeking information on a 1997 to 2003 white SUV. This is a change in the type of vehicle that we first reported as being in the area. The vehicle is believed to be involved in a burglary of Riley Creek Storage on Saturday August 8. If anyone has information regarding this burglary, please contact Investigator James Sherrill at 931-570-4404 or...

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett announced this week that Tennessee tourism’s direct domestic and international travel expenditures reached a new all-time record high of $20.7 billion in 2017, up 6.3 percent over the previous year, as reported by the U.S. Travel Association. The announcement was made at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. Tourism brought in $95 million to Coffee County in 2017. Of course, a large portion of that money came from people visiting the county for Bonnaroo in June. For the 12th consecutive year, tourism topped $1 billion in...

On Friday, August 24th, deputies recovered gardening items that had been taken in a recent burglary at Palmer Elementary School in Grundy County. Warrants have been issued for Nicholas Callahan from Gifford Lane in Palmer. Callahan is 27 years old, 6’1″, 170 lbs. If you know of his whereabouts, please contact investigators with the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office at 931-692-3466 ext. 5 or send them a message on...

The Tennessee Valley Authority says it’ll build a $300 million system operations center in the state as part of upgrades to its power grid but some residents have complained the federal utility hasn’t been transparent. Aaron Melda is TVA vice president of transmission operations and power supply. He tells the Chattanooga Times Free Press the facility near Georgetown will be operational in 2023 and replace TVA’s power control center in Chattanooga. TVA hadn’t disclosed the relocation before Tuesday. But Melda says it’s become preferable to move operations from urban areas to remote, secured sites to help prevent cyberattacks on...

The American Legion Riders Gold Star Post 78 in Manchester donated school supplies to Coffee County Schools Family Resource Center to benefit students in need. “We are grateful to the American Legion Riders and their generous donation ensuring our students have the necessary materials to be successful in the classroom,” said Taylor Rayfield, Coordinator of Coffee County Schools Family Resource Center. The American Legion Riders mission is to support veterans and...