The Tennessee Valley Authority and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have reached a multi-agency agreement to provide continued funding for three federal fish hatcheries that have stocked waters in Georgia and Tennessee with millions of trout.
The partnership includes the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Since 2013, TVA has provided funding for trout production at three national fish hatcheries managed by the Service: Dale Hollow and Erwin in Tennessee, and Chattahoochee Forest in Georgia. The trout are then provided to the following tailwaters and reservoirs: Apalachia (Hiwassee River), Blue Ridge, Boone, Cherokee, Fort Patrick Henry, Normandy, Norris, South Holston, Tims Ford and Wilbur. Trout-stocked reservoirs in the plan include Fort Patrick Henry, South Holston, Parksville, Watauga and Wilbur reservoirs.
The four partner agencies announced the new agreement last week at a press conference beside South Holston Reservoir near Bristol, Tennessee. The agreement provides partnership funding through fiscal year 2024.
“Anglers come from all over the country to fish on TVA-managed lakes and rivers, and with this partnership TVA will continue its role in making sure people will continue to enjoy some of the best trout fishing in the country,” said Allen Clare, TVA vice president of River & Resources Management. “This fits into our mission of environmental stewardship, economic development and the enhancement of quality of life in the Tennessee Valley. An important way we accomplish this mission is by working with our valued partner agencies on projects such as this.”
Last year, the partnership provided more than 1.1 million brook, brown, lake and rainbow trout to TVA waters. More than 256,000 anglers are estimated to fish for trout in Tennessee and Georgia waters each year, spending about $73 for every $1 invested in the hatchery program, and producing an economic impact of about $45 million.
“These partnerships are essential in providing quality outdoor recreation for the people of Tennessee and Georgia,” said Leopoldo Miranda-Castro, regional director for the Service’s South Atlantic-Gulf Region. “This wonderful, long-lasting relationship exemplifies how, working together, agencies can strengthen economic benefits, promote a healthy river system, and enhance recreational opportunities across the Tennessee Valley’s waters.”
“This partnership is critical to TWRA’s management of trout fisheries – each year up to 80% of the trout stocked at TVA projects come from federal hatcheries,” said Frank Fiss, chief of fisheries for TWRA. “These fisheries include some of the best in the Southeast”.
“In Georgia, we are proud of the trout fishery and recognize that it provides not only exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities, but that it also is an important economic driver in many of our mountain communities,” said Ted Will, director of the Wildlife Resources Division for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. “This wonderful partnership between federal and state agencies helps us continue to maintain high quality trout fishing that meets the needs of anglers and surrounding communities.”
The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power companies serving nearly 10 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation.
TBI continues to search for most wanted suspect
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation asks for the public’s help in locating Benjamin Jermaine Sowell.
Sowell is wanted out of Columbia, Tenn. on several charges, including first degree murder. There is a $2,500 reward for information leading to his capture. If you know where he may be located, call 1-800-TBI-FIND or local law enforcement immediately.
Area authorities searching for suspect, wanted for vehicle burglaries
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigators are attempting to locate Chris Shearer (902 Cindy Hollow Road, Estill Springs).
Mr. Shearer is wanted on charges that include evading arrest, theft from a motor vehicle, and various other vehicle burglaries. Anyone having any information regarding Mr. Shearer’s whereabouts is asked to contact Lt. George Dyer at 931-308-9420.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Dept. makes arrests for meth, pills
On Wednesday October 13th, 2021 Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigators, in conjunction with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Winchester Police Department executed a search warrant at 196 Lockmiller Road, Estill Springs, TN. The search resulted in Sheriff’s Office personnel finding what is believed to be a schedule 2 substance (methamphetamine) and what is believed to be a schedule 4 (pills) substance.
Law enforcement also recovered an altered .22 rifle from the scene. Two males were taken into custody and transported to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Daniel Joe James (196 Lockmiller Rd.) was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm during Commission of a Felony and is currently being held on a $7,500.00-dollar bond.
Timothy Keith Bright (196 Lockmiller Road) was charged with Manufacture/Sell and Delivery of a Schedule II substance (methamphetamine) and Possession of a Schedule 4 (pills). Mr. Bright is currently being held on a $7,500.00 bond. Both individuals have a court date set for January 24th, 2022 in Franklin County General Sessions Court.
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department needs help solving Lakewood Park theft
Coffee County Sheriff’s Department is asking for public assistance to help solve an alleged theft that happened in Lakewood Park.
According to CCSD, on Oct. 11 a blue, Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck was involved in a theft. Anyone with information on who owns the vehicle should contact Sgt. James Sherrill at 931-570-4404. The truck is four-door and blue in color. See a photo below.
How to talk with children to prevent child abuse
By Joyce Prusak, Executive Director of Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center
To prevent child abuse and to ensure children would let you know if someone tries to talk with them or touch them in an inappropriate way, it’s important to have honest conversations with your children and to build trusting relationships.
Tell your children their private parts are special and ask them to let you know if anyone tries to touch their private parts. Use proper names (vagina, penis) for private parts. We teach children the proper words for nose and ears, so, why should their private parts be called differently than their actual names? If you use proper names, it will be easier for children to describe an incident if someone approaches them in an inappropriate manner.
Start these conversations as early as children are able to talk and understand – it’s never too early. Be clear and specific. One way to describe the areas no one should touch is by saying, “No one should touch the areas covered by your bathing suit.”
I recommend approaching the subject of sex when the child is about 7 or 8. It may seem like it is too early, but it’s not. Use language that’s easy to understand, and you don’t have to get into details. It’s important to begin these conversations early because if you are the first person your children talk with about this topic, your children will know they can come to you for more information later when they have more questions.
Tell your children they can speak with you about anything and you will believe them. Teach them it is okay to say “no” if someone makes them feel uncomfortable, even when that’s a family member or a friend. Let your children know they don’t have to hug or kiss people, even family members, if they don’t want to. It’s really important to teach children healthy boundaries.
Talk with your children about the difference between surprise and secret. Let them know that while surprises might be fun, secrets are not good. Tell your children they shouldn’t keep secrets from you. Ask your children to let you know if someone wants them to keep a secret from you.
When you have conversations, avoid phrases such as these: “Don’t let anyone touch you. Don’t let anyone see your private parts.” By saying “don’t let,” we’re placing the responsibility and the burden on our children. And if your child has endured abuse, he or she might be afraid to tell you, thinking, “I let it happen, so it must be my fault.”
Say this instead: No one should touch you. No one should ask you to see your private parts. By using these phrases, we’re letting children know that whatever happens, the adult carries the responsibility and children are not to blame.
To ensure children in our community stay safe, learn more about child abuse prevention. Visit www.coffeecounycac.org, follow Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center on social media, and sign up for a Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children training session. Thanks to a grant awarded to the Coffee County CAC, we are able to offer child abuse prevention training free to community members.
Burn permits required beginning Friday
Anyone wanting to burn leaves or brush in the state of Tennessee must have a burn permit, beginning on Friday, Oct. 15.
Burn permits will be required from Oct. 15 through May 15. This is standard practice every year from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Tennessee Division of Forestry.
For residents inside the city limits of Manchester and Tullahoma, burn permits should be acquired through city fire departments. County residents should get permits through the Tennessee Division of Forestry by clicking here. https://www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire/prevention/safe-debris-burning/permits.html
The following tips should be followed when it is safe to conduct a debris burn:
- Check with local authorities to make sure there are no local restrictions on burning currently in place, especially in cities and towns that have their own burning permit system.
- GET A PERMIT. A permit is required from the Tennessee Division of Forestry between October 15 to May 15 where local restrictions do not supercede.
- Notify your local fire department and neighbors to let them know your plans to burn
- Do not burn on windy days
- Stay abreast of changing weather conditions
- Establish wide control lines down to bare mineral soil at least five feet wide around burn piles
- Keep fire containment equipment on hand during the fire (e.g. rake, shovel, water)
- Stay with the fire until it is completely out.
Coffee Co School System makes big schedule adjustment
Coffee County School System has announced that all remaining 1 p.m. dismissal days for this school year have been converted to full days of school – this will affect about 5 days of the school calendar.
This change applies to every school in the county school system – Deerfield, New Union, East Coffee, North Coffee, Hillsboro, Hickerson, Koss, Coffee Middle School, Raider Academy and Central High School. This change does not apply to Manchester City Schools, which operate on their own schedule.
According to the system, this change was made “so that we will have additional days to use if we were to need to close for inclement weather or sickness.”
The most immediate date affected will be Friday, Oct. 22, which will now be a full day of school. Future dates affected are Nov. 19, Feb. 18, March 18 and May 25. These days will now be regular schedule.
Drug endangered children are abuse endangered children
By Joyce Prusak
Executive Director of Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center
Children whose parents use alcohol or drugs are three times more likely to be abused, neglected and to develop substance use disorders themselves. Substance use disorders are characterized by recurrent use of alcohol or other drugs, resulting in significant impairment, according to the National Criminal Justice Training Center,
According to the NCJTC, 1 in 8 children live in households with at least one parent who has a substance use disorder. One in 10 children live in households with at least one parent who has an alcohol use disorder. One in 35 live in households with at least one parent who has an illicit drug use disorder.
According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Center, in Coffee County, in 2020, there were 13,656 residents younger than age 18, meaning more than 1,700 children in Coffee County live in households with at least one parent who has a substance use disorder.
And these are numbers of children that have been identified by law enforcement and/or the Department of Children’s Services. How many children live in similar situations we don’t know about? How many children are actually endangered by abuse?
Children whose parents use alcohol or drugs are three times more likely to be verbally, physically or sexually abused; and four times more likely than other children to be neglected, according to the National Criminal Justice Training Center.
Children of parents with substance use disorders are more likely to develop substance use problems themselves. And this again shows the importance of tackling the multi-generational cycle of abuse and neglect.
The impact on children begins even before they are born. Infants exposed to drugs in utero are more likely to be abused or neglected, and most likely, these children will live in chaotic environments, with lack of supervision and lack of necessities. It’s even more alarming that there’s a correlation between substance abuse and violence in the home. Additionally, children in households with substance abuse are more likely to become victims of sex trafficking, according to the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children.
To help children grow in a healthy and safe atmosphere, we need to understand how dangerous environments affect them. Children growing up in drug environments may experience anxiety, PTSD and other emotional problems. They also may experience behavioral problems, such as sexually acting out, for example. Additionally, they are likely to exhibit cognitive problems, such as having difficulties picking up on social cues or to pay attention.
A report of child abuse or neglect is made every 10 seconds in the United States. But remember, these are just reported incidents, so the sad truth is child abuse happens more often than that.
And many of the children enduring abuse may grow up to repeat the mistakes of their caregivers, if intervention doesn’t take place.
Children who experience abuse and neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile; 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult; and 30% more likely to commit violent crime, according to the NCJTC. Two-thirds of people in treatment for drug abuse reported being abused or neglected as children.
The good news is we can help children if we learn the red flags associated with child abuse. Intervention can help children heal.
We must intervene.
And it’s important to intervene as soon as possible because earlier intervention sees better results. If you suspect child abuse, please report by calling 1-877-237-0004.
Learn more about child abuse prevention by vising coffeecountycac.org and follow Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center on social media. The Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center offers free child abuse prevention training thanks to a grant received by the center. The Coffee County CAC is located at 104 N. Spring Street in Manchester and serves Manchester, Tullahoma and Coffee County area.
Grundy County searching for suspects who are possibly from Coffee Co area
Grundy County Sheriff’s Department officials are asking for the publics help to identify three individuals.
The department posted security camera footage that features two white females and one white male who they say are possibly involved in a case that spans three counties. Authorities say these individuals could be from the Coffee County area.
Anyone with information should contact 931-692-3466×5.
(see still photos below or watch the video on facebook by clicking here )
