Category: News

Tennessee and many other states are seeing a record number of cases this year of whooping cough. One reason for the increase could be fewer children who are getting vaccinated against the disease. Over 260 cases of whooping cough have been reported this year in Tennessee. That’s an almost increase of 3 times over last year. Federal health officials recommend that children should be vaccinated for whooping cough by the time they’re 3. However, in Tennessee and most other states, only 80 percent of children are getting the vaccine in that time frame.

Photo by Barry West

TDOT is telling employees and contractors to knock off work for Christmas and New Year travel. There will be no temporary lane closures from 6 a.m. Saturday, December 22, through 6 a.m. Wednesday, January 2. The Tennessee Transportation Commissioner said 2 million drivers are expected to be on Tennessee’s roads over the holidays and TDOT wants to minimize delays for them. There could be some long-term construction closures in place and drivers are cautioned to follow reduced speed limits in those instances. AAA predicts holiday travel will increase nearly 2 percent in Tennessee this year over the same period last year. For up-to-date travel information, motorists may call 511 from any land line or cellular phone or visit http://www.TN511.com. TDOT is also on Twitter. For statewide travel tweets follow http://www.twitter.com/TN511.

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Grundy County schools went off lockdown after a scary Tuesday morning for parents. Sheriff Brent Myers says his office took precautions after a statement made by a grandfather. According to Myers, that grandfather was upset about his granddaughter being bullied at Coalmont Elementary. At the time three weeks ago, Myers says he told a school secretary “This is why people bring guns to school.” The grandfather was questioned but was never arrested and was not charged with anything. Myers described the comment as a statement and not a threat. A statement issued by the Grundy County Schools Tuesday afternoon said: The Grundy County Sheriff’s Department has assured Grundy County School officials that there is no evidence of any threat to the schools or children. Nevertheless, in view of recent events, School officials will work with the Sheriff’s Department in the coming weeks to identify steps the department can take to improve the safety of Grundy County schools. In the meantime, the sheriff’s department urged state and local law enforcement officials to prosecute anyone making idle threats to the fullest extent of the law. Of course, if anyone is aware of a potential threat to schools or children, then he or she should report his or her concerns to the Sheriff’s Department immediately. Facebook posts by various people on Monday contributed to the problem. Posting any such information on social media outlets instead of reporting it to the appropriate authorities is morally irresponsible. In an official press release the Grundy County board of Education noted that “sadly some few individuals are capitalizing” on the tragedy in Newton, Conn., by spreading baseless rumors of possible violence toward schoolchildren. “These fear mongers are little better than the deranged shooter who took so many innocent lives last week, for they intentionally spread panic at a time when we are so mindful of how vulnerable we all are,” the press release stated.

The job of running natural gas lines to the newly expanded Nissan powertrain facility in Decherd will soon get underway now that the Elk River Public Utilities has awarded a contract for the installation project. The agency’s board voted to award the contract to Winchester-based LTS Construction. ERPUD Manager of Operations Eddie Moffitt said four companies submitted bids for the project, with LTS coming in as the low bidder at $74,890, which he added was very close to the engineer’s estimate. Moffitt said, the installation of service lines to the new 310,000-square-foot facility was expected to cost in the neighborhood of $82,000 to $84,000. However, after those estimates were determined, Nissan changed its design plans, necessitating a longer service line. The company also recently completed a similar line installation job, which connected the Tyson Foods hatchery in Pelham to the utility’s natural gas service. Nissan announced the expansion earlier this year, and once the new facility is up and running, the powertrain plant is expected to boost the workforce there by 400, bringing the total number of jobs up to approximately 1,500.

From left to right: Dr. Rebecca Sharber, Director of Franklin County Schools, Diane Gipson, Science Teacher, Brandi Danley, Science Teacher, Staci Sons, Science Teacher, Stanley Bean, Principal, North Middle School, Randy Morgan, Local Monsanto representative

Students in the Franklin County School District will now be able to take a hands-on approach to scientific studies. Thanks to the support of local farmers and America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, Franklin County School District received a $10,000 grant to fund a pilot program with research-based Full Option Science System kits, which will foster a deeper understanding of scientific topics through inquiry-based laboratory experiences. America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, gives farmers the opportunity to nominate a public school district in their community to compete for a grant of either $10,000 or $25,000 to enhance education in the areas of math and/or science. More than 1,000 nominated school districts submitted applications. The Monsanto Fund will invest $2.3 million into rural education through this program. Franklin County School District was presented with the $10,000 grant during a presentation at North Middle School on Thursday, Dec. 13.

Foreclosures happen. Finally, there’s real help from the government. The independent foreclosure review is a free program monitored by federal bank regulators available to eligible homeowners who went through a foreclosure in 2009 or 2010. Marc Morial, President/CEO of the national urban league says, eligible homeowners can request to have their mortgage file reviewed by a neutral party to see if errors occurred during the foreclosure process. The review is free and if an error is found, homeowners may be eligible for compensation or other remedy such as refunded fees, stopping of a foreclosure, or payments that could range from $500 to $125,000, plus equity. Eligible homeowners must call 1-855-778-0855 immediately because the deadline to apply is December 31. That’s just days away, so call 1-855-778-0855 today or visit independentforeclosurereview.com

Mayor Lonnie Norman and Elvis

Yesterday at Manchester City Hall employees had a little fun by sharing Christmas gifts with each other. Mayor Lonnie Norman joined in on the activities along with someone famous. The mayor had his picture taken with Elvis or at least an image of the King. Mayor Norman said he would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and remind everyone that city hall will be closed Dec. 24-26.

Tyrone Watts from an earlier arrest in Coffee County

A man is facing charges after police say he made threats at a school in Shelbyville. Police tell the Times Gazette that they responded to Thomas Magnet School when a man allegedly made threats in front of office staff last week. Tyrone Watts, 43, of Tullahoma is accused of saying that he would to return to the school with a gun. The alleged threat was made after school officials would not allow Watts and his wife to check his stepson out of school early. The request was denied because the child’s biological father had not supplied a letter of permission. Watts was charged with filing a false report and posted $10,000 bond. On Monday Watts was arrested again, this time on a charge of violation of probation. He is being held without bond at Bedford County Jail. Records show he was previously convicted of multiple felonies and is not allowed to possess a firearm. The felony convictions are for burglary and possession of marijuana in Coffee and Davidson counties. Watts is expected in court in January. He has also been banned from all Bedford County schools.

Allen Lendley Coffee County EMA Director

With the tragic shooting last week in Connecticut, the Coffee County Emergency Management Agency will be conducting safety checks at the various schools in Coffee County. EMA Director Allen Lendley stated that his office will be working with all of the schools in the county to make sure they have the necessary tools in place to make the schools a safe place for learning. Suggestions will be made if problems are found.