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Archives
12-29-2004
Deer abundant this year in Standing Stone Park
photo by Carl & Susie Klein
Dept. of Safety offers winter driving tips Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS) reminds motorists that when the forecast includes snow, sleet, and ice, travel on the roadways can turn hazardous. TDOS urges motorists to prepare before they hit the roads this winter season. TDOS Commissioner Fred Phillips said, "Winter driving can turn dangerous in a matter of moments. By being prepared, driving defensively and obeying Tennessee's motor vehicle laws, motorists can reach their destinations safely." TDOS offers the following tips for winter driving: Prepare your vehicle for the winter season. Check to make sure it has no mechanical problems. Fill up. Before travelling, make sure your gas tank is full. Slow down. Driving too fast for the weather conditions is a cause of many crashes. Always buckle up. A seat belt offers protection against drivers who are tense or distracted due to the weather conditions. Never drink and drive. Mixing drinking and driving is always a deadly combination. Don't tailgate. Leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you in poor visibility and slippery conditions. Allow plenty of time for travel. Trips in winter can take longer than normal, especially if you encounter a wintry mix. If possible, avoid the roads altogether when bad weather strikes. Stay home until the weather improves and the roads clear. In case of weather delays, carry a cellular phone for notifying those expecting your arrival or in case of emergencies. Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Lynn Pitts said, "If a motorist experiences any problems while on Tennessee's roadways this winter, the THP is ready to assist." By dialing *THP (*847) from a cellular phone, drivers are connected to the closest THP dispatch center and a trooper is notified of the incident. Motorists should provide the THP operator with a location, a description of the vehicle, and purpose of the call. Tennessee Department of Safety is responsible for ensuring the safety and general welfare of the travelling public. 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 are responsible for safety on more than 15,000 miles of state and federal highways.
Grant aids economic development in region A $59,500 federal grant will help boost economic development efforts in the Upper Cumberland region, according to U.S. Representative Bart Gordon. U.S. Department of Commerce awarded the grant to Upper Cumberland Development District, which is charged with helping 14 counties in the region improve quality of life among residents. Counties served by the agency are Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Jackson, Fentress, Macon, Pickett, Putnam, Overton, Smith, Van Buren, Warren, and White. "Efforts to lure good-paying jobs to the region are necessary if we want to improve quality of life and ensure our children have a bright future," Gordon said. "Top-notch businesses look at a variety of factors when deciding to locate in a community. "Good roads and schools, adequate power and water supplies, and a plentiful workforce are some of the things these companies consider. Agencies like Upper Cumberland Development District have helped the region immensely." The agency's executive director, Wendy Askins, said the grant, along with other funds, enable the organization to help communities develop sound economic development plans. "Our staff members work closely with local, state, and federal officials, as well as with chambers of commerce and industrial boards, to recruit new industry and maintain our existing ones," Askins explained. "We also do a lot of preparation for grant applications that help communities improve their infrastructure." Both Askins and Gordon noted the importance of good schools, roads, and reliable utility services to companies and industries that provide jobs in a community. Gordon added, "I will continue working with local and state officials and agencies to ensure we have a viable, aggressive economic development plan in place for the Upper Cumberland."
Overton County News
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