Latest Headlines
Haslam’s Overhaul State’s Probation System Ruled Unconstitutional
A Tennessee appeals court has ruled that Gov. Bill Haslam’s overhaul of the state’s probation system is unconstitutional, saying it violates defendant’s rights. The Tennessean reports the court also ruled Tuesday that the overhaul encroaches on judicial powers by allowing probation officers to issue punishments to probation violators. It also said due process wasn’t being provided as defendants cannot challenge new punishments in court with an attorney. Haslam has said those changes by the Public Safety Act of 2016 were meant to keep people from being imprisoned for low-level probation violations. State Department of Correction Commissioner Derrick Schofield has...
Free Hunting Day is August 25
Tennessee residents are allowed to hunt without a license on Saturday, Aug. 25 which coincides with the opening day of squirrel season. Free Hunting Day is an event the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency annually provides in hopes of increasing interest in hunting. Squirrel hunting is one of Tennessee’s oldest and favorite traditions. The TWRA encourages regular hunters to introduce friends and family members (young and old) to the outdoor sport. It is also an excellent opportunity for persons who have not tried hunting in a while to be reintroduced to the sport. On Free Hunting Day, state resident hunters...
FREE Summer Concert this Saturday
There will be a FREE Summer Concert at the Rotary Park Amphitheater this Saturday (August 18). Two good bands playing great music will perform, Frank’s Road Band and Second Fret. The concert begins at 6pm. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a night of music. There will be limited refreshments available. While there no charge for the concert you can make a donation that will go to the Coffee County Children’s Advocacy...
News from City Hall
At the most recent Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, a resolution was passed on first reading that states the following about work that is done by inmates for the city. The resolution reads: The work activities subject the inmates to some risk of injury which subjects the Sheriff of Coffee County to liability for the cost of medical treatment; and the Sheriff of Coffee County will not allow the inmates to work for the City unless a work agreement is executed by the City; and although there is exposure to the City for medical treatment costs, the...
Better Business Bureau gives advise to College Students and Parents
Sending your kids off to college is difficult enough, and experts say this season there are extra reasons to be concerned. Experts with the Better Business Bureau say to add a safe to the list of items needed for things like IDs, checkbooks and passports. You never know who’s going to be in your room, and you never know who’s going to be able to steal your information. Also, beware of ads for fake rentals and roommates. Often, the advertiser doesn’t own the apartment. They don’t even live in the country, but they claim to need your deposit fast....
Centers for Disease Control Warns about Measles
During the first half of this year, there were 107 reported cases of measles in 21 states, including Tennessee. If the rate of infection continues, 2018 is on track to become one of the worst years for measles in the last decade. Last year there were 118 cases during the entire year. The worst measles outbreak was in 2014 when there were 667 cases. The Centers for Disease Control reports the majority of people who got measles were unvaccinated. Travelers continue to bring it to the U.S. and measles is still common in some countries in Europe, Asia, and...
Tennessee Lawmakers Reviewing 500-plus Public Records Exemptions
A state review has found that while Tennessee lawmakers began reviewing 500-plus public records exemptions this year, they approved more exclusions. A report from Tennessee’s Office of Open Records Counsel notes 29 changes to public records laws last legislative session, which ended in April. About 20 include exemptions. Some protect proprietary information, including in wind energy facility permit applications, municipal food-based incubation services or applications to the public-private entrepreneurial partnership Launch Tennessee. Others shield human trafficking victims and service providers and protect people reporting elder exploitation. In January, legislative leaders appointed lawmakers to review 538 identified exemptions in state...
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Unveiles New Campaign
Federal highway officials have unveiled a campaign aimed at combatting drunk and drug-impaired driving. On Tuesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed the campaign that will run national television, radio and digital ads through Labor Day weekend. The administration says state and local law enforcement agencies will be stepping up enforcement of impaired driving as well. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Deputy Administrator Heidi King discussed the new initiative in Nashville on Tuesday, alongside law enforcement, safety, other interested groups and drug-impaired driving...
