Facing a $60 million penalty from the federal government, Tennessee lawmakers have repealed an underage drunken driving law that ran afoul of zero-tolerance standards. The Senate passed the measure 31-1 on Wednesday and the House later followed suit on an 85-2 vote. The state law that went into effect in July had raised the penalties for driving under the influence by 18- through 20-year-olds. But by also raising the maximum allowable blood alcohol content from 0.02 percent to 0.08 percent for those drivers, the state stood to lose 8 percent of its federal road funding money on Oct. 1....

Earlier this week we announced the first Al White Motors and WMSR (Thunder Radio) “Hometown Hero”, Daryl Welch. Daryl started as a correction officer at the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department in 2008 and later that year he became a road deputy. In 2012 Welch began his employment with Coffee County Emergency Management/Homeland Security. He is the Deputy Director and he is also a Terrorism Liaison Officer and a member of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. We are looking for the public’s help for more hometown heroes. Go to our Facebook page or the Al White Ford Lincoln Mercury Facebook...

Gas prices declined for the 11th consecutive day Sunday; falling 4 cents in Florida, 6 cents in Georgia, and 5 cents in Tennessee. “Gas prices immediately began their seasonal downward trend at the beginning of September,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Refineries are entering maintenance season as they begin the switch to winter-blend gasoline. This fuel has fewer additives, making it cheaper to produce than summer-blend gasoline, which leads to lower gas prices. Gas prices should follow a downward trend through the rest of the year. The Tennessee state average of $2 is 3...

Coffee County Middle School is “Opening its Doors” to strengthen relationships between the school and community/business leaders. This is one aspect of a partnership between Coffee County Schools and the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce’s CEO (Creating Educational Opportunities) program. Recently Coffee County Middle School welcomed John Fletcher from the Chamber kick off “Work Day Wednesdays!” Work Day Wednesdays gives area businesses and community leaders the opportunity to send a representative to welcome students to school. “This is a great opportunity for our business and community leaders to join us through the CEO Program. This program allows us to...

More than 15 percent of Tennessee households are short on food in their pantries and refrigerators. That figure places the state near the bottom in the country when it comes to food insecurity, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The rates are higher in households with children, minority households and those headed by a single man or woman. Jim Weill, president of the Food Research and Action Center, says the Volunteer State has some work to do when it comes to improving access to food. “They are even higher in Tennessee, which Tennessee has among...

Motlow State Community College’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) education program recently graduated its second class, according to Drew Hooker, EMS program director. “I am extremely proud of this group and the accomplishments that were obtained throughout the year,” said Hooker. There were eight graduates from the program, all from the immediate service area of the college, with each completing more than 1,200 hours of instruction and clinical time. “These students have made deep sacrifices for this accomplishment,” said Justus Smith, paramedic coordinator at Motlow State. “Becoming a paramedic is a major achievement and I am grateful that I had...

On Sunday, Crystal Lee Mann age 33 of Sunny Court in Manchester was charged with: Disorderly conduct, Resisting arrest, Aggravated assault, Retaliation for past action (Warrant is for terroristic threat and activities). After Mann was released from the Coffee County Jail on a previous charge she exited the jail and allegedly began to shout obscenities toward and about officers at the jail, therefore she was taken back into custody. According to the arrest warrant, when officers went to take her into custody, she refused to get out of a car. The warrant goes onto say that once Mann was...

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help. Authorities are searching for 23 year-old Deonta Martin Smith. His last known address is South Franklin St Tullahoma. Smith is wanted on a Schedule II drug charge and driving on revoked. Smith is 5’11” around 245 lbs with brown eyes and black hair. If you have seen Deonta Martin Smith or know his whereabouts please call the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department at 931-570-4409 or 570-4410. As always the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department thanks the public for its help and...