October 15, 2026
Local News
Runway Safety: Incursions, wildlife strikes are common
An aircraft departing from McGhee Tyson in Knoxville last October needed to abort takeoff when another aircraft entered the runway without permission from air traffic controllers.
Bridge closes on SR 127 in Coffee
Drivers traveling on SR 127 in Coffee County should be aware of upcoming roadway activities that will impact traffic. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will close the bridge on State Route 127 (Hillsboro Viola Road) at LM 9.76 in Coffee County beginning Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, to allow contract crews to perform a full bridge replacement.
Early Voting starts today in Coffee County
E arly voting for the Nov. 3 election begins today, Oct. 14, and continues through Thursday, Oct. 29, giving voters a convenient opportunity to cast their ballot before Election Day.
Natural gas pipeline to cross Coffee County
Aprivate utility company is working to install a large diameter natural gas pipeline that will cross a portion of Coffee County as it runs 150 miles through Middle Tennessee.
Winchester doing away with New Year’s fireworks
Winchester residents who like to discharge fireworks around New Year’s Day have got one more round before the city officially bans it.
Ramp closure prompts traffic shift on I-24 at Exit 117 in Coffee County
Drivers traveling near the Exit 117 interchange on I-24 in Coffee County should be aware of upcoming construction activities that will impact traffic. As crews prepare to transition the project into Phase 2, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will temporarily close the I-24 westbound entrance ramp from Wattendorf/AEDC Highway beginning Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. CT to accommodate construction activities required for the next phase of work. The I-24 westbound entrance ramp is expected to reopen on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at 6 a.m. CT. A signed detour will be in place to guide motorists throughout the closure.
AEDC at 75: Green Quail testing marks first for AEDC
In 1958, only a few years after the Propulsion Wind Tunnel 16-foot transonic wind tunnel became operational at Arnold Engineering Development Center, a full-scale guided missile was put through simulated flight conditions without ever leaving the ground.
Wawa to open in Manchester Wednesday
Wawa is spreading its wings in Tennessee and celebrating the grand opening of its fifth store in the state in Manchester, located at 24 Campground Road.
Heat dome breaks electric use record
Unseasonably high temperatures across the Tennessee Valley drove demand for electricity to unprecedented levels in September 2026, leading the Tennessee Valley Authority to set multiple records for high power demand and system reliability.
BoMA votes to repeal equal funding
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen has taken the first step in repealing the equal funding ordinance that they just put into place, voting on first reading to repeal.