 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Archives
12-24-2003
Decorations light up Christmas season
Decorations light up Christmas season
photo by Dewain E. Peek/OCN staff 'Tis the season for Christmas lights on homes, and Overton County is as colorful as ever this year, with decorated homes brightening the night from one end of the county to the other. The home above, belonging to Gary and Kay Ledbetter, is on Dry Hollow Road, and its Christmas display covers a large yard. The home at right, belonging to Grant Mullins and family, is located in Southwood Estates, and is a shining example of the quality of displays created around the county this year.
THP working to reduce fatalities during holidays Tennessee Highway Patrol is launching an aggressive enforcement campaign to make the roads safer for all motorists this holiday season. The statewide initiative, called "S.T.O.P. Holiday Fatalities -ÊDecember 2003", was designed to target drunk drivers, speeding motorists, and other traffic violators in an effort to reduce crashes and fatalities. The Special Traffic Operations Program (S.T.O.P.) continues throughout the entire month of December. Tennessee Department of Safety Commissioner Fred Phillips said, "Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers will saturate the roadways this holiday season in an effort to save lives and reduce the number of crashes. "The holidays are a special time of year, and every attempt is being made to keep the roads safe and the season enjoyable for all." The THP and CVE, in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, will conduct sobriety and driver license checkpoints across the state. Additionally, THP will augment existing road patrols to catch speeding motorists and other traffic violators. THP Colonel Lynn Pitts said, "Traffic fatalities have once again decreased this year and we are determined to keep it that way. Troopers statewide will aggressively patrol the interstates and secondary roads, looking for drunk drivers and other destructive behavior. We ask motorists to help us in our efforts by buckling up and obeying all traffic laws." The effectiveness of the S.T.O.P. programs is enhanced through the use of grant funds, which affords the agency the resources to increase its presence on the road. Each of the eight THP districts is implementing a localized plan of action that targets potential problem areas. The Tennessee Department of Safety is responsible for ensuring the safety and general welfare of the travelling public. Comprised of 23 divisions, the department s general areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, and motorist services including the issuance of driver licenses and title and registration activities. The department and its highly trained staff of troopers and CVE officers are responsible for safety on more than 15,000 miles of state and federal highways. For more information about Tennessee Department of Safety visit the department s website at www.tennessee.gov/safety.
State to receive $8M to help with heating Tennessee will receive more than $8 million from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help Tennesseans with their heating bills through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), according to U.S. Senators Bill Frist and Lamar Alexander.Ê Frist said, "Cold weather and high heating bills, unfortunately, force too many Tennesseans to choose between food on the table or having heat in their home. The LIHEAP program helps keep low-income Tennesseans from having to make these types of hard choices.Ê Ê "I m pleased this funding will be available, and hope it will help many Tennessee families get through the cold winter season." Alexander added, "This is good news for many Tennesseans. It will help those who need it the most pay their heating bills during the upcoming winter months. "Senator Frist and I will continue to work to make sure Tennesseans are receiving the assistance they need from LIHEAP. " Alexander, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families, introduced legislation to reauthorize the LIHEAP program for the next five years. The Senate Health, Education. Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee approved the bill, which includes increased funding for LIHEAP. Frist and Alexander are members of the HELP Committee. The Department of HHS is releasing $598 million to states. Close to $273 million is being distributed immediately to complete first quarter allocations, and an additional $325 million will go to states January 1.
Overton County News
|
