POSTAL CUSTOMER
VOL. 12 NO. 2
www.ShopperNewsNow.com |
BUZZ Livestock drought aid available Union and Claiborne counties have been declared eligible for assistance under the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) as a result of the drought of 2016 as authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. Eligible livestock producers may qualify for the maximum payment level of three months. Jan. 30 is the deadline to apply for benefits. To file an LFP application for benefits, eligible livestock producers must have timely filed (by July 15, 2016) a Report of Acreage for all pasture grazed on all farms in 2016. If the acreage report was not timely filed, then a late-filed report can be made; however, the late fee is $31 per farm. Livestock that may be eligible under LFP: beef, dairy, buffalo/beefalo cows and bulls and non-adults weighing 500 pounds or more. Sheep, goats, equine, swine, llamas and others may be eligible. The livestock must be produced and maintained for commercial use as part of a farming operation. Animals used for recreational purposes such as pleasure, hunting, pets, roping or for show are not eligible for LFP. Contact the ClaiborneUnion County FSA Office for additional program details at 2178 Highway 25E, Tazewell, or call toll-free 1-888-2571245, option 02 or 423-6263811. To find more information about FSA disaster assistance programs online, visit http:// disaster.fsa.usda.gov
Dippin’ Donuts offers free sample
Through Feb. 28, those who bring their church bulletin for the week to Dippin’ Donuts on Sunday or Wednesday will receive one free, regular-sized doughnut of their choice. The business has relocated from Kingston Pike to Black Oak Center in Halls. Church pastors, youth directors and program directors can call for free delivery: 865-5883765 or fax to 865-588-7489.
➤
Read Sandra Clark on page 2
Looking ahead
“Recruiting is a cruel and often heartless sport. Promises don’t count until signed in blood and legally notarized – or the young man enrolls in school.” Sports writer Marvin West looks at Clemson’s recruiting and ponders what’s ahead.
➤
Read Marvin West on page 6
Pick up extra copies at Union County Senior Citizens Center 298 Main St. Maynardville NEWS (865) 661-8777 news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark | Shannon Carey ADVERTISING SALES (865) 922-4136 ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Amy Lutheran | Patty Fecco Beverly Holland
January 11, 2017
www.facebook.com/ShopperNewsNow
First Day Hike
starts New Year on right foot By Shannon Carey There was a slight chill in the air and a bit of a drizzle, but that didn’t stop the 20 or so intrepid hikers who attended the First Day Hike at Big Ridge State Park Jan. 1. First Day Hikes are a statewide initiative of Tennessee’s state parks. New hikers can turn over a new leaf with a moderate hike guided by park rangers. Pros can decompress from the holidays with their favorite activity. And perhaps those in between will discover a new trail to enjoy. Ranger Derek Wilson led the Big Ridge Hike, which followed the Lake Trail with a detour to Loyston Overlook. “It helps to make people more aware of the recreational opportunities they have close to home,” Wilson said. “The state parks offer a free outlet to enjoy the beautiful nature that our state has to offer.” Big Ridge offers guided hikes several times a year, notably the nighttime Ghost House Hikes in October. On the First Day Hike, Wilson paused at various points to talk about the history of Big Ridge State Park, the surrounding community and any wildlife encountered. Participants ranged in age from young to young-at-heart. Father and son team Chris and Lincoln White carried backpacks on the trail. The avid backpackers go on backcountry camping trips three or four times per year and live close to Big Ridge along Hickory Valley Road. Chris leads a Cub Scout troop as well.
Lincoln White and father Chris White pause on the Big Ridge State Park First Day Hike Jan. 1. The pair are avid backpackers who live close to the park. Photos by S. Carey
To page 2
Water, water everywhere By Sandra Clark The warmth of Christmas filled the room as Union County’s Budget Committee demonstrated solidarity on several pending issues at last week’s meeting. The votes – most about water – foreshadowed resolution to several lingering matters at the full commission meeting scheduled for Monday, Jan. 9 (following our press deadline). Budget Committee chair J.M. Bailey commended Mayor Mike Williams for bringing “to a point” the city of Maynardville’s proposal to use the county’s grant capacity for a waterline extension project which could interfere with the county’s ability to receive CDBG grants through 2019. And the committee passed unanimously Commissioner Wayne Roach’s motion “to go on record as non-supportive” of allowing the city to use the grant. Williams, sitting in the audience, said he’s “OK with helping the city, but when I learned (the grant) could buy two ambulances …” While there is no guarantee that Union County would be approved to use grant funding for the ambulances, there is zero chance of it happening if the county signs over the grant for use by the city. Commissioner Mike Sexton observed that the city of Maynardville charges residents who live outside the city limits “substantially more” for water than those who live inside the city. And Bailey expressed concern with fire hydrant placement.
SUBOXONE Treating opiate addiction
“We should look at (the county’s) needs before we look at the city’s needs,” said Roach. ■■Commissioner Dawn Flatford passed a motion to approve spending some $2,800 (one-half of a $5,600 estimate) for Hallsdale Powell Utility District to extend a water line to three houses on Cooper Road in her district. She said HPUD will pay for the engiJ.M. Bailey neering and the residents will pay their own connection charges. ■■Residents of Mill Creek subdivision can expect $35,000 toward extension of public water from the Anderson County Public Water Authority. Union County residents and taxpayers, the residents of Mill Creek get most services, including schools, from Anderson County. The land was cut off from Union County by the impoundment of Norris Lake. The homes had been served by a 15,000-gallon water tank and two wells that failed during the 2016 drought. “We pay over $54,000 annually in property taxes,” said spokesperson Al Abernathy. He was joined by Neil and Pam Walker, retired teachers from Halls Middle School. Abernathy said he had complied with the requests of county attorney K. David Myers, who wanted to know the cost, the timeline and whether the homeowners are solvent to complete the project. “The cost will not exceed $45,000; it will be
done by June 30, 2017; and we have a $21,000 certificate of deposit,” said Abernathy. Roach asked who would own the master meter. “The utility company,” said Abernathy. “We want to be out of the water business.” Sexton got the last word: “That’s the way utilities work. You pay all the bills and they own all the stuff.” ■■The committee OK’d the purchase of two new ambulances at roughly $135,000 each. ■■The committee approved mid-year increases for the Finance Department, including an increase for travel, overtime pay for staff (excluding the director) and $9,700 to buy a new copier. Sexton was the sole no vote.
Budget hearings set The Budget Committee adopted a schedule for budget hearings. Tuesday, April 4: various elected officials, health, elections, senior citizens and ag extension; Tuesday, May 2: Sheriff’s Office, jail, drug fund, ambulance service, Highway Department, capital projects; Tuesday, June 6: County Commission and Mayor’s Office, fire prevention, coroner, solid waste, library, parks, employee benefits, litter; The school system will present its budget in July after receiving data from the state.
®
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO PLAN.
Call us to transfer your existing arrangements or establish a pre-arrangement with Trinity Funeral Home today.
CALL NOW for an appointment
865-882-9900 www.EHCMedical.com *Suboxone treatment provided based on the medical appropriateness of the treatment for the individual patient as determined by a licensed physician. Suboxone is a registered trademark of Reckitt Benchiser Healthcare (UK), Ltd.
228 Main St., P.O. Box 8 Maynardville, TN 37807
865-992-5002
Family owned & operated.
KN-1432502
www.trinityfuneralhome.net