The governor’s proposal to increase class sizes in the elementary schools, and to base the state’s payments on those maximums, could mean a significant loss of revenue for teaching positions in Polk County.
At the Jan. 19 meeting, commissioners were told that the Library Board would like to move the library from the lower level of the Courthouse to the building soon to be vacated by the Benton Family Health Care Center.
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February
2010
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Information about the project will be presented next week at two public workshops: Feb. 16 at Polk County High School and Feb. 17 at Copper Basin High School, with each workshop running from 5-8 p.m.
Consultants working on
the Transportation Planning Report for Corridor K have developed seven options
for improving transportation through the Ocoee Gorge, including a “no build”
option. The Citizens Resource Team asked them to include an eighth, a “hybrid”
that had been discussed that would keep the current route to some extent at
each end before relocating the highway.
None of the cost
estimates comes close to the $2.1 billion estimated for an earlier alignment,
which has been scrapped. TDOT started over completely with the current study,
emphasizing Context Sensitive Solutions.
No recommendation has
been made for an alignment, nor has a decision been made about whether to move
toward a two-lane or four-lane highway. The next step, the Environmental Impact
Statement, will study the possibilities in greater detail before alignments are
considered.
Information about the
project will be presented next week at two public workshops: Feb. 16 at Polk
County High School and Feb. 17 at Copper Basin High School, with each workshop
running from 5-8 p.m. There will not be a formal presentation, so citizens can
come and go at their convenience. TDOT will have a number of stations providing
information on various aspects of the project.
Improvement options
include rebuilding the existing highway, spot improvements to the existing
highway, three possible corridors north of the Ocoee River, and two possible
corridors south of the river. The new location possibilities are 2,000 feet
wide, allowing flexibility for an actual roadway.
A comparison matrix was
developed to show the impact of each option on a variety of parameters:
transportation, economic, human and social, natural, cultural and visual,
archeology, community, ecology, hazardous substance, and parks and public
lands. Analysis of new routes was done for both a two-lane highway with passing
lanes and shoulders and a four-lane highway. Consultants told the Citizens
Resource Team that a two-lane highway would meet projected traffic counts and
also noted that there is not a lot of difference in travel time because of the
relatively short distance involved. Conceptual costs are provided but do not
include mitigation costs.
Shown below are some of
the parameters.
Option 1, no build: Conceptual cost, no
change.
• Would not improve
deficiencies to Hwy. 64, low potential to meet design standards, low potential
to accommodate sufficient and safe parking areas, low pedestrian and bike
safety, medium connectivity east-west and north-south.
• No potential for new
scenic views or effects to existing views, high access to hiking biking, lakes
and marinas, medium access to Ocoee, high access to Ocoee Whitewater Center,
medium access to Cherokee National Forest. No effect on trails,
solitude/wilderness experience, watershed, no historic sites or cemeteries
affected.
Option 2, improve
current highway: Conceptual cost, $304.6 million, 2-lane; $497.8 million, four
lane. 65 right-of-way tracts, 1 relocation.
• High potential to
improve deficiencies and meet design standards, but roadway would have to be
closed 4-8 years during construction, according to consultants. Medium
potential for parking, pedestrian/bike safety. High east-west and medium
north-south connectivity.
• No potential for new
scenic views, low effects to existing views, high access to hiking biking,
lakes and marinas, medium access to Ocoee, high access to Ocoee Whitewater
Center, medium access to Cherokee National Forest. Low effect on trails, no
effect on solitude/wilderness experience, low effect on watershed, low effect
on historic sites, medium effect on cemetery.
• 44 stream crossings.
High effect from pyritic (acidic) rock. Low effect on terrestrial species,
aquatic species; high effect on cliff lines/habitat.
• Medium potential to
improve deficiencies on Hwy. 64 and meet design standards. Low potential for
parking, pedestrian/bike safety. Medium north-south and east-west connectivity.
• No potential for new
scenic views, low effects to existing views, high access to hiking biking,
lakes and marinas, medium access to Ocoee, high access to Ocoee Whitewater
Center, high access to Cherokee National Forest. Low effect on trails, no
effect on solitude/wilderness experience, low effect on watershed, low effect
on historic sites, low effect on cemeteries.
• 11 stream crossings.
Medium effect from pyritic (acidic) rock. Low effect on terrestrial species,
aquatic species; medium effect on cliff lines/habitat.
• Low effect on wildlife
refuge/management area.
Option 3. N-4. $824.5 million, 2 lane;
$1.289 billion for 4 lane. 128 right-of-way tracts, 5-8 relocations. Goes above
the Little Frog Wilderness, includes part of Kimsey Highway, comes out in
Ducktown.
• Low potential to
improve deficiencies on Hwy. 64; high potential to meet design standards.
Medium potential for parking, pedestrian/bike safety. High east-west and medium
north-south connectivity.
• High potential for new
scenic views, high potential for effects to existing views, medium access to
hiking biking, lakes and marinas, Ocoee River; low access to Ocoee Whitewater
Center, high access to Cherokee National Forest. Medium effect on trails, high
effect on solitude/wilderness experience, high effect on watershed, medium
effect on historic sites, low effect on cemeteries.
• 40 stream crossings.
High effect from pyritic (acidic) rock. Low effect on wetlands, high effect on
terrestrial species, high effect on cliff lines/habitat.
• High effect on wildlife
refuge/management area sites.
• Low potential to
improve deficiencies on Hwy. 64; high potential to meet design standards.
Medium potential for parking, pedestrian/bike safety. Medium north-south and
high east-west connectivity.
• High potential for new
scenic views, high effects to existing views, medium access to hiking biking,
lakes and marinas, Ocoee River; high access to Ocoee Whitewater Center and
Cherokee National Forest. High effect on trails, medium effect on
solitude/wilderness experience, medium effect on watershed, low effect on
historic sites, no effect on cemeteries.
• 44 stream crossings.
High effect from pyritic (acidic) rock. Low effect on wetlands, medium effect
on terrestrial species, medium effect on cliff lines/habitat.
• High effect on wildlife
refuge/management area site.
• Low potential to
improve deficiencies on Hwy. 64; high potential to meet design standards.
Medium potential for parking, pedestrian/bike safety. Medium north-south and
high east-west connectivity.
• High potential for new
scenic views, high effects to existing views, medium access to hiking biking,
lakes and marinas, Ocoee River; high access to Ocoee Whitewater Center and
Cherokee National Forest. High effect on trails, medium effect on
solitude/wilderness experience, medium effect on watershed, low effect on
historic sites, no effect on cemeteries.
• 43 stream crossings.
High effect from pyritic (acidic) rock. Low effect on wetlands, medium effect
on terrestrial species, medium effect on cliff lines/habitat.
• High effect on wildlife
refuge/management area site.
• Low potential to
improve deficiencies on Hwy. 64; high potential to meet design standards.
Medium potential for parking, pedestrian/bike safety. Low north-south and high
east-west connectivity.
• High potential for new
scenic views, medium potential for effects to existing views, low access to
hiking, biking, lakes and marinas, Ocoee River and Ocoee Whitewater Center;
medium access to Cherokee National Forest. Medium effect on trails, high effect
on solitude/wilderness experience, high effect on watershed, medium effect on
historic sites, medium effect on cemeteries.
• 48 stream crossings.
High effect from pyritic (acidic) rock. Medium effect on wetlands, high effect
on terrestrial species, high effect on cliff lines/habitat.
• High effect on wildlife
refuge/management area sites.
• Low potential to
improve deficiencies on Hwy. 64; high potential to meet design standards.
Medium potential for parking, pedestrian/bike safety. Low north-south and high
east-west connectivity.
• High potential for new
scenic views, medium potential for effects to existing views, low access to
hiking, biking, lakes and marinas, Ocoee River and Ocoee Whitewater Center;
medium access to Cherokee National Forest. Medium effect on trails, high effect
on solitude/wilderness experience, high effect on watershed, medium effect on
historic sites, medium effect on cemeteries.
• 50 stream crossings.
High effect from pyritic (acidic) rock. Medium effect on wetlands, high effect
on terrestrial species, high effect on cliff lines/habitat.
• High effect on wildlife
refuge/management area sites.
The governor’s proposal to increase class sizes in the elementary schools, and to base the state’s payments on those maximums, could mean a significant loss of revenue for teaching positions in Polk County.
Video surveillance has been installed at the county’s convenience centers to identify people leaving garbage outside the fence at the convenience centers or throwing it over the fence when the centers are closed.
The collision happened around 6:45 a.m. Dec. 28 when a westbound truck carrying around 20 tons of calcine lost control coming around a curve on Hwy. 64 and flipped on its side.
Board members spent a majority of the meeting listening to a laundry list of ranging from mold issues to the proper wording on “no smoking” signs on the outside bleachers.
The state’s report card provides achievement scores showing the amount of knowledge students have, and value-added scores showing the gain in test scores, or lack of it.
While there was some improvement last year, it was not enough to overcome low scores after the state raised standards in 2009; there were also some declines.
While the big race nationally is for President, there are several countywide races on tap, as well as School Board, constables, and municipal elections.
Lee University’s Encore Program, which offers people age 60 and over the opportunity to take university courses, has a new line up of specially-designed mini-courses for the spring.
Horse Trainer and owner of Double S. Stables, Randy Speegle of Benton took second place in the Legends division at the Mustang Challenge in Murphreesboro on October 21st – 23rd.
Local residents got their first look at potential routes for a Copperhill-McCaysville Bypass, at a public information open house held last Thursday by Project Engineers for the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson has authorized a statewide referendum for cattle producers to vote on a $0.50 per head increase in the assessment to fund the in-state promotion of beef.
While some students may be nervous about how the upcoming exams could affect their college options, the Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) has the tools they need to succeed.
Principal Mrs. Patricia Smith proudly announces the Copper Basin Elementary 1st and 2nd honor students. Students must have a 93 or higher average in all classes for the 1st honor roll.
Mrs. Deborah Swafford of Old Fort, was chosen by Northwest Elementary Faculty in Murray Co, Georgia to be Teacher of the Year for the 2011-2012 School year.
On Oct. 7, with the help of Vice Principal Turner, who kept her out of class for a few minutes to get it set-up, The Senior English 12 Class threw a Surprise party for Mrs. Ellen Carr.
On Wednesday September 20, Ms. Bigham's English 11 class gave their book reports. One of the students, Tyler Queen, dressed up for his book report on Harry Potter.
In an effort to provide added security measures at Cleveland State, the college has purchased Code Blue emergency blue light pedestals to be placed in different locations throughout the main campus and one at the CSCC Athens site.
Virginia Deloris Brown Trantham, affectionately known to family, friends and coworkers as “Sally”, age 77, of Copperhill, TN passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2012.
Peggy Wood, 79, of Ventura, CA went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 26, 2011. Peggy passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease
I just wanted to say a big “Thank You” to Cheryl Maxwell, Mayor Stephens, Linda Caldwell, and others who planned and carried out a very successful 2nd Annual Heritage Days festival in Benton.
There is an old saying, which many credit to Native Americans as advising, “You can’t really understand someone else, unless you live their life or walk in their shoes (so to speak).
Photo from 1910 provided by Bill Lillard shows the family of Calvin Higdon, who built the Higdon Hotel in Reliance. Calvin (1836-1919) and Amanda Linderman Higdon (1845-1926) were married in 1860.
From Polk County News, 9/13/34
Famous Monroe County Hotel Is Now No More
People from All Over South Visited the “Saratoga of the South” in the Good Old Days.
The Museum Center at 5ive Points will host a presentation on Learning to Care and Maintain Your Featherweight Sewing Machine by Stan Pegram on Saturday, February 11 from 10:00 - noon.
Sequoyah Birthplace Museum is offering a Cherokee language class in Vonore, TN on the following Mondays, January 9, 16, 23, 30, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Each day kids will create their own holiday spirit by making decorations, learning games and trying foods from the past. Campers are asked to bring a sack lunch.
The Museum Center at 5ive Points with the Sassy Brass Big Band invite you to a Christmas concert called “Swing into Christmas” on Tuesday, November 29.
“It was like seeing a freight train coming down the tracks 90 miles an hour and trying to stop it by stepping in front of it”, Coach Danny Rogers said.
After a week off, the Copper Basin Cougar football team regrouped to break a three game losing streak by defeating the Marion County Warriors 41-18 at Cougar Stadium.
The Copper Basin Medical Center’s District Board honored Dr. William E. Lee last week. Dr. Lee, 85, has spent a lifetime in service, not only to the community but to the world through his medical mission trips.
EPA is proposing actions to improve the water quality of the Ocoee from Copperhill to Dam No. 3, at Dam No. 3, and at the upper reach of Parksville Dam.
The Ocoee River Outfitters Association will conduct a stream cleanup with the help of approximately 130 volunteers on Friday, May 27, 2011 starting at 9:00 am.
Beginning in mid-January culverts will be replaced on Sina Branch Road where it crosses Sawmill Branch in the Ocoee Ranger District in Polk County, TN.
Drawdown is underway at Apalachia Lake, according to David Bowling with River Operations at TVA. He said the lake will drop 18-20 feet for routine maintenance work.
Trout stocking will be reduced about 20% in the coming fiscal year and could be reduced 85% after that, according to Frank Fiss, Assistant Chief of Fisheries at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
TVA has created a smartphone app for those wanting to check on reservoir elevations, water release schedules and more. The information has been available online, but the new app will allow access by cell phone.
Unseasonably high temperatures -- in the 90s -- are sending folks to the water. The Ocoee Whitewater Center is a popular place when the river isn't flowing, and the Hiwassee and Ocoee are popular when it is.
People come from near and far to experience a variety of outdoor recreation activities including camping, picnicking, hiking, bike riding, water play, fishing and much more.
More than six hundred museums in all 50 states and the District of Columbia—including the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum in Athens, Tenn.—are taking part in the initiative.
VEC was recently notified by a neighboring utility that they have been receiving complaints from customers who have been visited by scam artists posing as energy evaluators.
The Tennessee Historical Commission is now accepting nominations for its Certificate of Merit Awards to honor individuals or groups that have worked to preserve Tennessee’s cultural heritage during 2011.
The Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine offers personalized support for Tennessee residents who want to quit smoking by connecting them with trained quit coaches to guide them through the quitting process.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) Consumer Affairs division is urging consumers to be wary of emails that request participation in a survey and that promise a gift card in return.
While many job placement firms may be legitimate and helpful, others may misrepresent their services, promote outdated or fictitious job offerings and charge high fees in advance for services that may not lead to a job.
The annual campaign has enrolled tens of thousands of children in the low-cost health insurance plan, which provides coverage for everything from physician visits to hospitalization to dental and vision care.
The Tennessee Department of State has launched a campaign to educate citizens about the new photo identification requirement that will go into effect for elections held in the state after Jan. 1, 2012.
All of the legislation approved this year, during the first session of the 107th General Assembly, is now available online at the Office of Secretary of State web site.
Applications for the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP) are available online at www.e-rebates.org/teearp or by phone at 1-877-741-4304 on a first-come, first-served basis.
Individuals who have received LIHEAP assistance since July 2010 must wait until October 1 for the new program year to begin before they can re-apply for benefits.
The next time you see an electric utility vehicle working on the side of the road, slow down and give it room. The workers will appreciate your courtesy, and a new Tennessee law requires it.
“Kids Fishing Day” event in Cherokee National Forest’s Ocoee/Hiwassee Ranger District is scheduled for May 21, 2011 at McCamy Lake. Anglers 15 years and under are invited to try their luck.
Ducktown resident Jack Suites and his partner Bitt Ledford of Murphy, N.C. took home the $700 second place prize at the Tri-County Community College Foundation Fishing for Scholarships Bass tournament on April 2.
More than four months after a spotted bass weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces was caught on the Ocoee River in Polk County, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has confirmed the fish as a new state record
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