 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Archives
01-31-2001 News
Damaged Pines Removed From Dale
Hollow Lake Area
Damaged Pines Removed From Dale Hollow Lake Area
Southern Pine Beetles have ravaged many of the pines in the Lillydale and Willow Grove areas, forcing the U.S. Corp of Engineers to remove vast numbers of the dead trees.
Destroyed pine forests within the Lillydale and Willow Grove campgrounds at Dale Hollow Lake are currently being removed to make way for healthy hardwood replacements, according to Ronnie D. Smith, Dale Hollow Lake resource manager. The Southern Pine Beetle, part of a pine tree epidemic sweeping through the southeastern states, has ravaged the mature, non-native loblolly pine forests. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers now must remove vast numbers of dead trees in these parks as a matter of safety and environmental stewardship. Southern Pine Beetles have always been present; however, the current severe outbreak is due to several warm winters together with several years of drought. The beetles bore directly through the bark and the females construct long, winding, S-shaped tunnels that eventually girdle the tree, stopping the flow of water and nutrients. The pine trees are damaged beyond their ability to survive, and the infested trees fade to yellow and then bright reddish brown before losing their needles and dying. Nearly all of the pine trees throughout Lillydale and Willow Grove campgrounds are already dead, and the infestation continues to quickly spread. Limbs from the dead trees are currently falling onto the campsites in these popular campgrounds, and all of these dead and dying trees are being removed to provide for the safety of the Dale Hollow Lake campers, who will soon be returning for the upcoming recreation season. Once all of the infested pine trees are removed from Lillydale and Willow Grove campgrounds, the staff of Dale Hollow Lake will begin a tree restoration plan to include a mix of healthy hardwood trees native to this region. Due to the overwhelming cost of both acquiring and replanting the hundreds of trees in these two areas, Dale Hollow Lake urgently needs the support and involvement of communities from throughout this regional area to help restore these two devastated campgrounds. The greatest immediate need is the donation of native hardwood nursery-stock trees. Public-spirited volunteers will also be needed to help in cleanup efforts and assist with the planting of new trees this coming spring and fall planting seasons. To be a part of this important restoration effort contact Dale Hollow Lake Resource Man-agerŐs Office at (931) 243-3136, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Truancy Board Established With Help Of Juvenile Court Judge John Officer and Director of Overton County Schools Bill Needham, along with other officials, met recently to discuss the topic of school attendance. Meeting state attendance goals and dropout prevention were targeted areas of discussion. Judge Officer, Director Needham, and committee members all agreed it is fundamental that these laws be addressed in a positive and forthright manner that can help build toward the success of every student. Judge Officer and Director Needham agreed to establish the Overton County Truancy Board to address the issue of truancy and compulsory attendance laws. The Truancy Board will be made up of members who work in the area of youth services. Matters of attendance can be addressed informally and without the costs related to an appearance in court. Records will be maintained and follow-up services provided to help students and parents work toward improved school attendance. The Truancy Board will operate as an extension of the Overton County Juvenile Court. Overton County Schools Attendance Supervisor Mike Gilpatrick was appointed to serve as chairman of the Truancy Board. The state of Tennessee has many laws dealing with education and with school attendance. By law, a child is required to attend school until age 18. Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-3007 requires that the parent be notified in writing that: 1. The child has been unlawfully absent, which means without an adequate excuse (unexcused absent), for five or more days this school year. 2. The child, parent, guardian, or other person in parental relationship has three days after the receipt of written notice to comply with the law. 3. After the three days, if the child is not back in school on a regular basis, the law requires that charges be brought against the parent/guardian and/or the child in accordance with the provisions of the law. Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-3007 also states that the parents or guardian of K-6 children who are absent more than five days during any school year without adequate excuse may be fined up to $50 or assessed five hours of community service at the discretion of the judge. Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-3009 states that any parent, guardian, or other person who has control of any school-age child or children and who shall violate the provisions of this part shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. Each day's unlawful absence shall constitute a separate misdemeanor. A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by a $50 fine and/or 30 days in jail for each offense. Parents or guardians should maintain contact with their child's school in regards to attendance. Written notes must be turned in to the appropriate school official within three days of an absence.
Overton County News
|
Becky Meredith/OCN staff