Penny Waldroup, victim of an October, 2006 attack by her estranged husband Brad Waldroup, will appear Monday January 16 on Dr. Phil.
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2010
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Topics ranged from conservation easements and greenbelt to value added agriculture.
Saving the Farm was the focus of a Feb. 3 workshop with more than 75 people in attendance. Topics ranged from conservation easements and greenbelt to value added agriculture. The workshop was part of a series sponsored by the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association to help communities with economic development. Financial support was provided by the Appalachian Regional commission.
Tricia King with the Land Trust of Tennessee and Bill Clabough with the Foothills Land Conservancy spoke about the process of preserving farmland by donating a permanent conservation easement. The landowner still owns the land but it can no longer be developed, although an agreement is developed to allow limited structures. The land can be sold and inherited but the development restrictions remain. There is an income tax deduction based on the land value that is donated – the difference between the appraised value of the land’s highest use minus the value with restrictions on development.
King said the Land Trust of Tennessee is a non-profit, non-governmental group. “We’re here for the land,” she said, noting the state is losing 124,000 acres of prime farmland yearly. She presented maps showing the increasing housing density since 1940, noting the trend is continuing. The goal of the Trust is to help keep Tennessee looking like Tennessee by protecting the landscapes and resources.
Clabough said developers are beginning to look at conservation easements as a way to enhance property values in a subdivision. He and King stressed that a donation is not forced on anybody, that it’s a voluntary decision. There is no minimum acreage that can be donated, although it has to fit the conservation mission, and landowners can donate part of their property.
David Darden, who recently donated a portion of his farm in Cookson Creek, said he had been approached by a developer who wanted to cut it into half-acre lots. He turned down the big bucks offered and decided to donate a conservation easement instead, bringing the land value down to a third of its development price. He urged anyone interested to talk to one of the land trusts.
Harold Webb, worked with the American Farmland Trust to sell a conservation easement on 68 acres of bottomland in Reliance, said there is limited funding available. King said most easements are donated because it is difficult to quality for funding.
King and Clabough said they will talk to anybody interested in pursuing an easement, saying they will talk with propertyowners about their concerns for the future and see if their organizations are interested in accepting an easement. A title search is done and, if necessary, a survey. A key element is the agreement outlining future uses allowed on the property. King said there has to be a conservation purpose. She added the propertyowner can change his mind at any time before closing. Once the easement is donated, the Land Trust will monitor to insure compliance with the agreement.
Pam Bartholomew with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture said there is a new emphasis on Agritourism and value added agriculture to help the family farm. She noted that agriculture is the number one industry in Tennessee, with $32.7 billion going directly to the economy. There are 85,000 farms, second highest in the U.S. The number two industry is tourism, she said, adding East Tennessee is a mecca.
Agritourism, she said, is anything that brings people to the farm, such as for festivals, educational programs, tours, pick-your-own, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and the like. In addition to generating revenue for the farmer, she said, education is an important element of Agritourism because so many people do not know where their food, fiber and other products come from. “Find something that fits you, your farm, and your community,” she said, adding it is important to enjoy people before going into Agritourism. She said Agritourism is also good for the local economy, noting that for every dollar spent, an additional 85¢ is spent for such things as gas, food, shopping and lodging.
Bartholomew also said the state is improving its Pick Tennessee Products website, which is available to producers at no charge. There are also cost-share grants to help with enhancements.
Value-added agriculture, she explained, is a lot more than offering jams and jellies. It can include meeting consumer desires for grass-fed beef, heritage breeds and heirloom vegetables.
Frank Sagona with the Resource Conservation & Development said the Appalachian Quilt Trail is a being expanded into Southeast Tennessee to bring people into small communities. He also said the RC&D is developing a “buy local goods” campaign.
Stephen Husky with the Tennessee Division of Forestry said his department works with landowners on forest resource management and harvesting without damaging streams.
The greenbelt program is a way to keep farms in farmland by reducing property taxes. Land is valued on its use rather than its market value. Farm, forestry and open space land could be eligible. If greenbelt land is sold, however, there is a rollback assessment provision.
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