Legislation to eliminate the possibility of parole for individuals convicted of certain violent crimes advanced out of the Tennessee Criminal Justice Subcommittee last week. House Bill 2656 requires offenders to serve 100 percent of the sentences handed down by a judge or jury for an additional 14 violent offenses. Those crimes include aggravated assault resulting in death, attempted first-degree murder with serious bodily injury, second-degree murder, aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated kidnapping, especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, aggravated arson, aggravated child abuse, aggravated child neglect or endangerment, carjacking, and possessing or employing a firearm during a dangerous felony...

The Duck River Watershed Society is pleased to announce its inaugural event, the 2022 Spring Clean-up.  The Society is a new non-profit organization that is based in Coffee County, Tennessee.  The DRWS is a membership organization that focuses on ensuring that the Duck River watershed continues to benefit those that live, work and recreate in it. The Spring Clean-up will take place on Saturday, March 5, 2022 from 12:00-5:00p.m.  All participants should meet at the Firelake Public Use and Boat Ramp Area, located on River Forge Road, in Manchester, TN. This event is in collaboration with the Tennessee Duck...

PreK Registration, as well as 3-and-4-year old screenings are fast approaching. These will take place in March for the 2022-2023 school year. For Hillsboro and Deerfield Elementary School, screenings are 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 22. East Coffee and North Coffee Elementary screenings are 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, March 23. For New Union and Hickerson Elementary schools, screenings are 3-6 p.m. Thursday, March 24. You will need the following items to determine eligibility and to register for the PreK Program: *Official Birth Certificate *Social Security Card *Proof of Income *Proof of Residence *Custody Documents *Immunization Records If you are unable to...

SCHOOL PATROL – Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 PRESENTED BY THE BREAD AND MILK EXPERTS AT SPRING STREET MARKET, 801 S. SPRING ST IN MANCHESTER. *Manchester City Schools – CLOSED. No ESP. *Coffee Co School System CLOSED *Franklin Co School System – CLOSED *Grundy Co School System – TWO HOUR...

You may have noticed some campaign signs starting to appear around town for the upcoming May 3 Coffee County primary. 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...

Tennessee House of Representatives last week passed legislation further protecting Tennesseans’ First Amendment right to hold religious services during a state of emergency, major disaster or natural disaster. The measure passed the House chamber with 73 Republicans voting in favor and 19 Democrats voting against it. House Bill 1694 prohibits the state, a government entity or a public official from restricting worship services or activities during a state of emergency such as a pandemic or natural disaster. The First Amendment guarantees the right of all citizens to freely practice their religion and to peacefully assemble at their chosen house...

Organizers have announced that Light & Life – a special needs fellowship event – will be held in Manchester on March 5. The event is for special needs young men and ladies age 14 and older. There will be hair, makeup, music, dancing, karaoke, limo rides, food, photos and more fun. The event is set for 5-8 p.m. at Forest Mill Church of Christ at 3388 McMinnville Highway. You can RSVP or direct questions to Jaime Daugherty at 931-273-5103 or email...

Fire cause significant damage at Brothers Implement Company in Hillsboro late Tuesday evening. The fire is under investigation, according to Coffee County Sheriff’s Department. A fire that caused significant damage at Brothers Implement Company in Hillsboro last week (Feb. 15, 2022) has been ruled an electrical fire. Coffee County Sheriff’s Department investigator James Sherrill told Thunder Radio News that the fire was investigated and has been determined to be an electrical fire. At the time of the fire, authorities would not rule out arson due to a rash of home and vehicle burglaries in the area at the exact...