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Archives
01-21-2004
Tennesseans scratch for state lottery
cash
Tennesseans scratch for state lottery cash
Lyndon Johnson/OCN staff Five days before selling its first instant games, the Tennessee Lottery unveiled its new website and its new online address Ð www.tnlottery.com. The colorful, easy-to-use site contains volumes of information on the lottery's new games, its business, and its significant education mission. The site includes a number of unique features, including a "Retailer Compass" that allows users to perform a zip code search in order to locate nearby participating lottery retailers. When the lottery's numbers-drawing games launch in March, the site will be one of several vehicles for communicating winning numbers to players. Rebecca Paul, president and CEO of the Tennessee Lottery, said, "The web is a vital communication tool. We want to use every method possible to convey information about our business and our commitment to education." The site showed the following local retailers ready to sell tickets on Tuesday morning: Express Way, Four-Way Market, Overton County Shell Foodmart, Overton Motel & Restaurant, Scot Market, West End Market, Country View Market, Hilham General Store, C&H Foodmart, and Riley's Grocery. Other Overton County businesses will be added to the list as they are approved and trained. Tennessee Lottery games went on sale Tuesday, Jan. 20. All lottery profits are to go to education programs. The lottery is charged with raising at least $88 million by July 1 in order to fund scholarships for an estimated 65,000 students expected to attend Tennessee colleges and universities next fall. Beginning this year, lottery-funded scholarships will be available to Tennessee students attending public or private colleges or universities across the state. Graduating high-school seniors must have a 3.0 grade point average or score a 19 on the ACT in order to receive up to $3,000 in scholarship funds per academic year. Additional support is available for high-school students with outstanding academic credentials. Once in college, students must maintain a B average. In addition to scholarships, lottery-funded grants are available to students attending technical schools. All scholarships and grants are administered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, using funds deposited into an education account by the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation.
School board corrects bus driver pay scale By DEWAIN E. PEEK, OCN staff Director of Schools Bill Needham said, "On our approved pay scale for extra trips, there's kind of an oversight." A full day for a local trip pays $40, but bus drivers were only paid $35 for a full day to Cookeville. "They can go across the road on a bus and stay all day, and it would be a trip, and get paid $40," Director Needham said. He went on to say, "So they would be getting less money to go to Cookeville than they were to go on local trips." The School Board voted to change the pay scale for trips to Cookeville to $40 for a full day. The Board approved an overnight trip for Livingston Middle School's 8th grade to go to Atlanta, GA, on April 17 and return on April 18. In executive action, a contract was approved with the Foster Grandparent Program and Allons School from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2006. "This doesn't obligate any funds on behalf of the school system or Allons School," Director Needham said. According to Needham, if the contract had required funds, the Board would have to bring it before the County Commission because the school system cannot enter into contracts in excess of a year without approval. Director Needham issued the Director's Report to the School Board. Actions taken by the school director are as follows: The following teachers were hired for the 21st Century Learning Center after school program at LMS: Drama Ð Greg Dingwall; Math Technology Ð Vickie Phillips; Woodworking Ð David Peterman and Nickey Franklin; Science Ð Deborah Sells and Kelly Grimes; Basketry/Cooking Ð Marjorie Phillips, Barbara Vaughn, and Gwen Smith. Stephanie Johnson was hired as a math teacher at Livingston Academy, effective January 5. Carmel Maynord was hired as a teacher at Allons Elementary School, effective December 15, 2003. Amy Gore was hired to fill in at LMS during Donna Lamb's medical leave, effective January 5 through May 29. Jennifer Clark was hired to fill in at Rickman Elementary School during Julie Poston's maternity leave, effective January 5 through March 29. Ciara Cobb was hired to fill in at Rickman during Misty Huddleston's maternity leave, effective January 5 through February 27. The following were hired as non-certified substitute teachers: Brad White, Brandi Richardson, Charlotte Huddleston, Pamela Savage, John Michael Goolsby, Katie Taylor, Amanda Philpot, Morris McMaster, Tammy Larue, Travis Stover, Katrina Hummel, Linda Casper, and Melinda Dishman. Brian Hill and Jerry Carmack were hired as substitute bus drivers. Maternity leave was approved for Melissa Smith from February 2 through May 14. Director Needham also informed the School Board that the school system has met state board of education approval for the 2003-2004 school year. He then touched on the newly instituted lottery in Tennessee. "As of right now, students are eligible to begin applying for the lottery scholarships," he said. "State lottery folks are in the process of setting up meetings at high schools all across the state to meet with seniors and their parents." He said area guidance counselors have already had a meeting with state personnel to give them updated information on the $3,000 HOPE scholarships. Needham stressed that scholarship recipients can trade up with the funding, but cannot trade down. "You can start at the Technology Center and change your mind and decide to go on to junior college or a four-year university and move up, but it won't move backwards," he said. He also stressed the importance of good grades in keeping the scholarship. "Once you receive it, if you don't maintain your grade point average, once you lose it, you're done under the current rules," he said. Director Needham also gave the Board information on the Plato learning program for credit recovery, pointing out the eligibility requirements in particular. "This is fairly strict," he said. "They have to be a senior. They must be one or more credits shy of meeting the graduation requirements by the time that class would graduate. And they have to be unable to retake that regular class before graduation. "They also must have made at least a 60 average in the class that they didn't complete in order to do this or it wouldn't bring them up enough." He went on to say, "We are providing opportunities for them to recover credit without having to go to summer school or go back and take a full class when it's not possible." The meeting adjourned.
Biting cold slows progress on town's new sidewalks
Lyndon Johnson/OCN staff Most who live in the Livingston area have either been caught up in or just driven by construction on the square during the past six months or so. The Courthouse Square Beautification Committee, founded in 2001, has been striving for the past three years to enhance the appearance of the town square, and part of that includes the current replacement of sidewalks. Prior to that, the committee oversaw the installment of the clock placed in the inner perimeter of the square, ornamental benches, banners, and plaques of recognition for those contributing to the square's improvements. The latest modifications include the placement of hanging flower baskets on the lamp posts and lighting around the outer perimeter of the square, with 50 percent now complete. As part of the new sidewalks project, memorial bricks are being laid to cover the underground utilties. As the year ends, a landscape architect from University of Tennessee will visit the square to make proposals and prepare the designed for the placement of proper plants and trees to further enhance the square's beautification. Rita Reagan, administrative assistant of Livingston-Overton County Chamber of Commerce and member of the committee, said, "One of the greatest aspects of this activity is that much of the cost has been covered by the donations of private individuals and businesses that are committed to the improvement of our community. "The City of Livingston has also made a significant donation to the project, as well as the county." According to Reagan, purchasing a memorial brick is one way to contribute. "Presently, memorial bricks are being offered by the Livingston Civic and Garden Club to be placed on the sidewalk's inlay," she said. Those who wish to purchase a brick in memory of a family member or other loved one may contact any Civic and Garden Club member or call the chamber at (931) 823-6421.
Overton County News
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