Latest Headlines
Fire Damages Coffee County Home
On Sunday Coffee County deputies and the New Union Volunteer Fire Department responded to a house fire at 133 Red Bud Circle. The man at the home told deputies that the power was turning off and on in the neighborhood for over an hour due to a transformer going out. When the power came back on he heard a load popping noise coming from the laundry room and within a matter of a few minutes he started seeing smoke coming from the wall and then it caught on fire. The homeowner told deputies he values his loss at least...
More Tourism Grants open up for Tennessee Communities
The state is offering another set of tourism grants to encourage cities and counties to invest in infrastructure that will inspire people to visit an area. The Tennessee Economic and Community Development said in a news release that it has begun the second year of its Tourism Enhancement Grant application process and will offer grants up to $50,000 with a match requirement based on economic status. Examples of tourism infrastructure that communities can propose include concert stages, boat ramps and scenic pull-offs. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports the ECD and the Department of Tourist Development gave more than $999,000...
Commissioner of Education to visit Manchester on Friday
Dr. Candice McQueen, Commissioner of Education for the state of Tennessee will be visiting Manchester’s Westwood Middle School and Coffee County High School on Friday, November 4th. Dr. McQueen will tour the schools and at the high school, student representatives will show her around, observe classes, and lead a round table discussion with several students focusing on career and college readiness. Dr. McQueen was sworn in as Tennessee’s commissioner of education on January 17,...
Report: Inconsistent Process Investigating Sexual Harassment Complaints in Tennessee Agencies
A newspaper’s analysis of state government data shows an inconsistent process of investigating sexual harassment complaints involving Tennessee agencies and handing out punishments. The Tennessean reports at least 460 such complaints have been lodged against state employees or contractors since 2010. About 190 incidents were found to have merit, and the consequences for state employees varied widely. According to the newspaper, employees in one agency were given minor sanctions, while at other agencies, workers were fired for verbal harassment. Nearly two-thirds of complaint investigations were closed because investigators said they found no wrongdoing. A spokeswoman for Gov. Bill Haslam...
Students Score Well on Nation’s Report Card
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has announced that Tennessee students are the fastest improving in the nation in science, according to the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), commonly known as the Nation’s Report Card. The last time fourth and eighth grade students both took NAEP science was 2009, and the 2015 NAEP results show Tennessee is the only state to grow faster than the nation in both grades with Tennessee students doubling the average national growth. Tennessee also narrowed or eliminated several achievement gaps. The gap between the science performance of male and female students was completely eliminated...
Halloween Information and Safe on the Square
Halloween spending will top $8.4 billion this year, according to the National Retail Federation, the most since tracking began 11 years ago. Its survey found more than 171 million Americans celebrated Halloween, spending an average of $82.93, up from last year’s $74.34. Handing out candy is the most popular Halloween activity, with 70 percent planning greeting trick-or-treaters at the door. Approximately half of those celebrating the holiday decorated their homes, dressed in costumes or carved a pumpkin. Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center held its 10th annual “Safe on the Square,” on Monday. The yearly event is a safe and...
Man Arrested after Shooting Reported
On Thursday Coffee County deputies were called to 1392 Hawkersmith Road in Tullahoma for shots fired at the residence. According to the arrest warrant, witnesses state that 39 year-old Gregory Lane Hollis fired at least 3 rounds from a shotgun at the victim’s vehicle that had two adults and a 7 month old child inside. As deputies were conducting the investigation, Hollis allegedly became combative and officers restrained the man and placed him under arrest. Hollis was searched and deputies allegedly located 7 pills on the man wrapped in plastic; 4 hydrocodone pills and 3 tizanidine pills. Also recovered...
Over 9,000 have Voted Early in Coffee County
Early voting only has 4 days to go for Coffee County voters. In Manchester, residents can vote at the Coffee County Administrative Plaza, which is located at 1329 McArthur St., Suite 6. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today through Wednesday. The hours will be extended through 5:30 p.m. on the last day of early voting, which is Thursday, Nov. 3. In Tullahoma, voters can cast their ballots at the C.D. Stamps Community Center, located at 810 S. Jackson St. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today through Wednesday. The hours will also be extended through 5:30...
