Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer and Governor’s Highway Safety Office Director Kendell Poole have announced the Tennessee agencies that received grant awards totaling more than $24.2 million to support highway traffic safety efforts.
The funds support the mission of GHSO to save lives and reduce injuries on Tennessee roadways through leadership, innovation, coordination and program support in partnership with numerous public and private organizations.
There are multiple elements that contribute to a safe roadway system. Some of those aspects are an accurate traffic safety data collection and analysis system, well-trained and well-equipped law enforcement personnel, and effective emergency medical and trauma systems. A major part of roadway safety is educating motorists about laws and good driving behaviors.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides the funding to GHSO. The grants, totaling 449 for the 2014-2015 funding cycle, were awarded to 386 agencies that successfully applied for funding based on a defined problem and statistical need. Each year, GHSO accepts applications from agencies across the state for available highway safety funds. Applications are reviewed and scored by GHSO and external highway safety advocates. The agencies that meet the criteria for funding received awards.
The Manchester Police Department received a grant for Impaired Driver Enforcement for $31,725.96. Tullahoma Police Department received a grant for Traffic Services‐Multiple Violations for $15,816.70. TN District Attorney General, 14th Judicial District received a grant for DUI Abatement/Prosecution for $160,988.55.
Category: News
Local Law Enforcement Receiving Grants
Retiring? Tullahoma Could Be One Of The Best Places, According To CreditDonkey.com
Tennessee, known for great music and even better barbecue, isn’t usually one of the places that comes to mind when people think retirement. If you’re getting ready to kiss the workforce goodbye, don’t overlook the Volunteer State. When you consider how affordable housing is and the overall cost of living, you won’t be singing the blues. Throw in relatively mild year-round weather and lots of scenic rolling hills, and you’ve got all the makings of a great retirement spot. CreditDonkey.com recently released a report on the top 10 Tennessee cities with a population of 10,000 or more to retire to. Oak Ridge ranked #1, but one Coffee County town ranked 10th. The cities that made it into the top 10 are the ones that scored the best overall across each of these categories:
• Senior Population
• Housing
• Income
• Recreation
• Healthcare/social assistance
Even though it comes in at number ten, Tullahoma scored the best in terms of its low ratio of people to healthcare providers. Nearly 19,000 people live in the city and almost 18% are over 65. There are several parks and historical sites to explore, as well as a dedicated senior recreation center.
Population Over 65: 17.6%
Multi-unit Housing Structures: 19.6%
Median Household Income 65 and Over: $30,615
People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1,561.6
People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 140.9
Lady Raiders and Jacob Prater Head To TSSAA State Golf Championships
Front row L-R Savannah Quick, Hollee Sadler and Jacque Crossland. Back row L-R Jacob Prater and Raider Head Coach Mike Ray… Photo by Tammy Prater
In boys play Jacob Prater shot even-par 72 over the 18-holes at Indian Hills to earn an individual spot in next week’s state tournament. Prater’s 72 was his low round of his career, placing him 3rd overall. Tanner Owens from Blackman was the boys winner.
Coffee County Man Sentenced To Serve 24 Years In Prison
Last week Victor Stitt, 32, of Manchester, Tenn., was sentenced to serve 290 months in prison by the Honorable Harry S. Mattice Jr., U.S. District Judge. The sentence was the result of a conviction after a jury trial in April 2014.
During trial, the jury learned that Coffee County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a domestic violence assault call at the residence of Stitt’s then girlfriend, after receiving information that he had assaulted her and threatened her with a handgun. He had left the scene before the deputies arrived, but was later located at his family’s house in Cannon County, Tenn. At that time, Stitt was within arm’s reach of a handgun.
Stitt’s lengthy sentence was a result of his classification as an armed career criminal, which was based on his nine prior convictions for aggravated burglary. As a result, he faced a mandatory sentence of at least 15 years in prison.
The indictment and ensuing conviction of Stitt was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Coffee County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Terra L. Bay and Meredith J. Edwards represented the United States at trial.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive national strategy that creates local partnerships with law enforcement agencies to effectively enforce existing gun laws. It provides more options to prosecutors, allowing them to utilize local, state, and federal laws to ensure that criminals who commit gun crime face tough sentences. PSN gives each federal district the flexibility it needs to focus on individual challenges that a specific community faces.
Tennessee’s Unemployment Rate Goes Up In August
Tennessee’s unemployment rate for August was 7.4 percent, up from the July rate of 7.1 percent. That’s according to Tennessee Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips.
The national rate for August was 6.1 percent, down from 6.2 in July.
Over the past year, Tennessee’s unemployment rate decreased from 8.4 percent to 7.4 percent, while the national rate declined from 7.2 percent to 6.1.
• Total nonfarm employment increased 6,700 jobs from July to August. The largest increases occurred in accommodation/food services, administrative/support/waste services, and durable goods manufacturing.
• Over the year, nonfarm employment increased 59,000 jobs. The largest increases occurred in professional/business services, leisure/hospitality, and trade/transportation/utilities.
Make Sure You’re Using a Carbon Monoxide Detector
Fall is here, a time when many people attempt to reduce their home heating costs by using alternative heat sources and making their homes as air-tight as possible. Tennessee Department of Health officials say both tactics can increase the risk of deadly Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
“Every year we see emergency room visits and tragic deaths from carbon monoxide that can be prevented with greater awareness,” said Emergency Preparedness Director Paul Petersen. “We encourage Tennesseans to keep themselves and their family safe by using caution and taking steps to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.”
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas found in combustion fumes produced by small gasoline engines, stoves, generators, lanterns and gas ranges, or by burning charcoal or wood in a fireplace. Carbon monoxide from these sources can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces, and people and animals in these spaces can be poisoned and can die from breathing the gas.
The first symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion and are often mistaken for common winter illnesses such as severe colds and flu. Over time, exposure to carbon monoxide can cause brain damage and death.
The best way to protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning is to install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home. These work very much like smoke detectors, giving a loud beep or other signal when carbon monoxide is detected. The inexpensive devices are available at most hardware stores.
Other ways to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
• Have your chimney inspected each year by a qualified person to make sure it is not blocked and that it ventilates properly.
• Never use a gas range, cook top or oven to heat a home.
• Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern or portable camping stove inside a home, tent or camper.
• Never run a generator, pressure washer or any gasoline-powered engine inside a garage, basement, crawlspace or other enclosed structure, even if the doors and windows are open.
• Never leave the engine running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.
For life-threatening carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911. For other questions about carbon monoxide poisoning, call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Renovation Taking Place At The Manchester Arts Center
Renovation taking place at the MAC… Photo by Samantha Watters
Tullahoma High School Placed On Lockdown On Thursday
Tullahoma High School was put on lockdown Thursday afternoon following a report of a student in the school with a gun.
Apparently a student reported that another student had a handgun in his or her pocket just after 1 p.m.
Tullahoma PD officer with his rifle pointed up at ready talking on phone outside THS during the lockdown.
Tullahoma Police on the scene during Thursday’s lockdown.. Please credit Norris Carden – Carden Photography.
Dr Dan Lawson Director of Tullahoma schools said the system partnered with police to secure the area and bring the situation to a close.
The school was placed on lockdown as a precaution and was taken off at 2:30pm.
Safe Streets USA Report Says Manchester Is Dangerous– Police Chief Disagrees
Manchester Police Chief Mark Yother.
The security company Safe Streets USA, which specializes in home and business security has released their list of the Top 17 Tennessee cities considered the most dangerous. The company says they used the most recent FBI Uniform Crime Report, combining both violent and property crimes when making the rankings.
1. Crossville: Crime rate of 117 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in nine chance of being a crime victim.
2. Athens: Crime rate of 99 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in ten chance of being a crime victim.
3. Memphis: Crime rate of 81 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in twelve chance of being a crime victim.
4. Dyersburg: Crime rate of 77 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in thirteen chance of being a crime victim.
5. Knoxville: Crime rate of 77 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in thirteen chance of being a crime victim.
6. Greenville: Crime rate of 74 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in fourteen chance of being a crime victim.
7. Manchester: Crime rate of 67 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in fifteen chance of being a crime victim.
Manchester Police Chief Mark Yother says his department is very aggressive when it comes to solving crimes and bringing people to justice. Yother says the MPD has a very high solvability rate on reported crime which makes Manchester a safer place to live. He says numbers can be skewed because of how much a department reports the crimes it has.
8. Kingsport: Crime rate of 67 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in fifteen chance of being a crime victim.
9. Jackson: Crime rate of 64 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in sixteen chance of being a crime victim.
10. Cleveland: Crime rate of 62 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in sixteen chance of being a crime victim.
11. Springfield: Crime rate of 57 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in seventeen chance of being a crime victim.
12. East Ridge: Crime rate of 56 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in eighteen chance of being a crime victim.
13. McMinnville: Crime rate of 55 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in eighteen chance of being a crime victim.
14. Nashville: Crime rate of 54 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in eighteen chance of being a crime victim.
15. Brownsville: Crime rate of 52 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in nineteen chance of being a crime victim.
16. Lebanon: Crime rate of 49 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in twenty chance of being a crime victim.
17. Columbia: Crime rate of 48 per 1,000 residents. You have a one in twenty one chance of being a crime victim.
(Portions of this story from WZTV)
