When passion meets purpose, wonderful things can occur. Billy Hix, director of the Motlow College Foundation STEM Outreach program, is the epitome of that statement. For over 30 years Hix has dedicated his life’s work to educating youngsters about the wonders of the night sky and space exploration. His efforts have not gone unnoticed. As a result of his hard work and dedication to educating fourth, fifth and sixth grade students through his planetarium-based school program, Hix has recently received, or will be receiving, multiple awards and recognition. In January of this year Hix was honored by NASA as...

As the weather warms up, fishing events are getting underway in Tennessee. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is planning special fishing events for the warmer months. The TWRA has announced that Tennessee’s 2018 Free Fishing Day has been scheduled for Saturday, June 9. Children 15 and under will be able to fish without a license beginning on Free Fishing day and ending the following Friday, June 15. The organization annually stocks fish for events across the...

All members of the Manchester Board of Education voted to pass a $14.1 million budget on Wednesday night. With the approval of the budget, there will be School Resource Officers (SRO’s) at all three Manchester City schools. The budget for the 2018-19 school year also includes two Instructional Coaches. In past reports on WMSR we told you that three SRO’s would cost $126,820 for salaries and the Manchester Police Department would provide patrol cars, training, benefits and related expenses. Instructional coaches (formerly funded through Teacher Advancement Program money) would divide their time between the school’s three campuses. They help...

On Wednesday afternoon (May 2, 2018), just before 5pm an 18-wheeler crashed on I-24 near mile-marker 123 westbound. Coffee County Emergency Management along with Manchester Fire Department, Coffee County EMS, THP, Coffee County Sheriff’s Dept, TDOT, and Coffee County Rescue Squad responded to the scene. The truck had a tire blowout and the semi went into a pond on the side of the interstate. While en-route units were notified that this tractor was carrying a mixed load of hazardous corrosives, acids, and oxidizers and that the contents had spilled. Upon arrival all responding agencies worked quickly together to secure...

The number of students living with autism in Tennessee is on the rise. According to the Tennessee Dept. of Education, 10,432 students were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in 2016-17, an increase from the 2008-09 school year when 4,595 students were reportedly living with the condition. The Centers for Disease Control now lists autism as the fastest growing developmental disability affecting more than 3.5 million Americans. A new report reveals one in 59 children in the U.S. are born with the condition, up from one in 68 children two years ago. The developmental condition affects one’s ability to...

Manchester Fire & Rescue in conjunction with the Manchester Police Department will be having a Child Safety Seat Check day on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at the main fire station (fire station #1) at 1509 Hillsboro Blvd from 10AM to 2PM. Did you know that 3 out of 4 car seats are installed INCORRECTLY? The event is free to the public to have your seats checked to make sure they are installed properly. If you need one installed there will be technicians on-hand to install seats the correct way to help keep children...