Advocates for domestic violence victims are praising a new Tennessee law that seeks to stop an often-used tactic that abusers use after their victims have fled to safety: filing frivolous lawsuits designed to bankrupt or inflict more harm on the people they have already abused. Those who work with battered women say forcing victims to spend money on lawyers and show up to fight multiple frivolous legal challenges is common. In fact, there’s even a term some use for it: Stalking by way of the courts. The law signed by Republican Gov. Bill Haslam in May would allow a...

Two new laws concerning recreational boating will become effective July 1. It is hoped that they will help increase safety on Tennessee waters. As of July 1, a requirement similar to the “Move Over” law on land will go into effect. As written, the new law will require boaters to slow to no wake speed within 100 feet of a law enforcement vessel that is displaying flashing blue lights. Also effective July 1, there will no longer be an exemption from boating education for renters of watercraft. Tennessee residents born after Jan. 1, 1989 are required to pass a...

In a follow-up to our election story yesterday, we have more today. As a reminder, in the county general election you’ll be voting for county mayor, sheriff, county trustee, circuit court clerk, county clerk, register of deeds, road superintendent (all seats) and constables (all seats). City elections will also be held for Manchester and Tullahoma. (See yesterday’s news for more information on county and city elections.) In the state primary for Governor: Republicans Diane Black, Randy Boyd, Beth Harwell, Bill Lee, Basil Marceaux Sr., Kay White; Democrats Karl Dean, Craig Fitzhugh and Mezianne Vale Payne. U.S. Senate: Republicans Marsha...

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS COFFEE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE PLAZA JUNE 26, 2018 @ 6:00 p.m. A G E N D A 1. Sheriff Proclaims Commission Open for Business 2. Invocation 3. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag 4. Roll Call 5. Approve agenda. 6. Review and approval of the minutes of previous meeting. 7. Resolution of Memorial, Sympathy and Commendation a. Resolution 2018-19 – Joanna Lewis (Deceased) b. Resolution 2018-20 – Leona D. West c. Other 8. Elections, Appointments and Confirmations a. Notaries b. Other 9. Unfinished Business 10. New Business a. School Budget Amendments b. Budget Amendments c. Jail Medical...

All current and incoming Motlow State Community College Tennessee Promise students have until July 1 to complete and submit eight hours of community service in order to remain eligible for the Tennessee Promise scholarship. Tennessee Promise is a last-dollar scholarship which allows recent high school graduates to attend a state community college or technical school tuition-free. “There are numerous ways that students can complete their community service hours, including job shadowing, cleaning local, state, and recreational parks, or by volunteering at local non-profit organizations,” said Jonathan Graham, Tennessee Promise director at Motlow. Students can visit the tnAchieves website, tnachieves.org,...

There’s a cloud hanging over solar power in Tennessee, according to analysis being released Thursday by the bipartisan group Tennesseans for Solar Choice. The coalition includes the Tennessee Small Business Alliance, NAACP, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and Tennessee Solar Energy Industries Association, known as TenneSEIA. The coalition says the Tennessee Valley Authority is slated to install less solar power now than it has since 2011. Gil Hough, TenneSEIA’s executive director, says the current structure for solar installation is unclear for residents and businesses. “It seems like each of their programs or processes are broken right now, and it’s...

An extremely strong storm roared into Manchester on Friday afternoon around 1:30pm. Damage was reported at many locations in the local area as the storm passed through. Over 2,000 Duck River Electric Membership members lost power on Friday afternoon. The National Weather Service reported it was likely straight-line winds and not a tornado. DREMC’s reported three substation breakers went out, multiple trees were down, which left several spans of electric wire down and poles were leaning. Some areas lost electric for over 6 hours. No injuries were reported, but lots of damage including a car that was crushed by...