Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Moore of New Tazewell, Tennessee, formerly of Dryden, Virginia, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on February 27, 2016.

The couple was married February 27, 1946 in Bristol, Tennessee, with the Reverend A.B. Griffin officiating. Eugene is a retired coal miner and Fern is a homemaker. Eugene started as a song leader at the age of 31. He was ordained as a deacon on July 21, 1961.

They are the parents of Eddie Moore of New Tazewell, Tennessee; Janice Foxx of New Tazewell, Tennessee; Linda Lewis of Jonesville, Virginia and Jerry Moore of Johnson City, Tennessee.

They have been an exceptional role model for their family and strived to give their children a solid Christian home. They now have the pleasure of spending time with their six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. The Moores place a strong emphasis on family and friends, which is evident in their every day deeds.

They occupy their time with woodworking and stitchery; Eugene crafts unique pieces in his workshop and Fern pieces and stitches her exquisite quilts in addition to her elegant embroidery. They enjoy entertaining in their home with delicious home-cooked meals and tantalizing desserts. Their door is always open to friends and family and their hospitality abounds. They love to travel domestically and internationally and Sundays will always find them in church.

As they live each day by their wedding vows, they continue to inspire all who are fortunate to know them.

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene (Fern Parsons) Moore

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_Eugene-Moore-Photo.jpgMr. and Mrs. Eugene (Fern Parsons) Moore

The Claiborne High School basketball season is a week a away from being over. Claiborne Boys and Girls’ Basketball will be playing on Thursday night, hopeful to move on in tournament play. Also, during last Thursday night’s Pink Out for Black game we raised almost $3,000 for Bright Pink, an organization that helps fund the early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women.

CHS Key Club is raising money for pancreatic cancer by selling pretzels at school. Starting February 16, the CHS Beta Club will be collecting change for leukemia and lymphoma cancers.

Guidance counselors are still meeting with seniors if they need assistance with financial aid or their FAFSA applications. Make sure you check us out weekly!

Judge Robert Estep approved several plea agreements recently in Claiborne County Sessions Court, including one for Haley Justice, 22, who was charged with the fraudulent use of a credit or debit card and theft under $500.

Justice was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days ETHRA supervised probation with 70 days confinement. She was given credit for a total 59 days jail time, which includes time spent inside an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Justice must pay at least $80 per month in court costs and fines and forfeits $150 to the Economic Crime Fund. She must pay $85.56 in restitution to her victim. This case runs consecutively to a prior violation of probation sentence.

Caylap Brooks, 22, charged with driving under the influence, was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days ETHRA supervised probation with two days confinement. Brooks was given credit for time served at his arrest. He must pay at least $100 per month in court costs and fines and must attend the MADD Victim Impact Panel. His driver’s license is revoked for one year.

Christopher D. Jolly, 36, charged with reckless endangerment, will appear at a probation hearing on April 12 to determine the length of his unsupervised probation. The status of his sentence depends on his having paid all court costs by the date of the hearing.

DeWayne Lee Maples, 23, charged with two counts of violation of the big game tagging law and violation of the bag limit, was sentenced to six months unsupervised probation. Maples must pay $1,000 in restitution to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. As a condition of his probationary status, Maples must pay all court costs and restitution in full by April 12. His hunting and trapping privileges are revoked for one year.

Todd Willis, 47, charged with hunting from a public roadway inside a motorized vehicle and violation of the hunter orange requirement, was sentenced to 30 days unsupervised probation. Willis must pay all court costs in full by the date of a probation hearing on March 3. His weapon was ordered returned to him within one month from the date of the plea agreement.

Danny Ray Russell, 59, charged with reckless driving, was sentenced to six months unsupervised probation with two days confinement. Russell was given credit for two days jail time served. As a condition of his probationary status, Russell must pay all court costs and fines in full by the date of a hearing on April 12.

Jaden Carter Guy, 23, charged with vandalism under $500, was granted a deferred judgment of one year and sentenced to 11 months, 29 days ETHRA supervised probation with 15 days confinement. Guy was given credit for 15 days jail time already served. He must pay at least $75 per month in court costs and fines. Restitution will be determined during a hearing on April 21. Guy must complete and follow the advice of a mental health assessment. The charge of domestic assault was dropped, with the agreement of the victim.

Crystal Renee Leach, 30, charged with two counts of theft under $500, was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days ETHRA supervised probation with 90 days confinement. Leach must pay at least $75 per month in court costs and fines, beginning 30 days following release from confinement, and forfeits $150 to the Economic Crime Fund. She must enter an inpatient treatment program by March 10 in lieu of serving the confinement portion of the sentence. Leach is barred from the premises of any Dollar General Store. She cannot have any contact with her victims and must stay at least 1,000 ft. from their property.

Rebecca Ann Callebs, 33, charged with theft under $500, was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days TDOC supervised probation with 15 days confinement. Callebs must pay at least $100 per month in court costs and fines beginning March 24. She forfeits $75 to the Economic Crime Fund. Callebs must pay $77.32 in restitution to the New Tazewell Walmart Store. This sentence runs concurrently with prior ones.

James R. Shoffner, 34, charged with possession of a schedule IV drugs, public intoxication and violation of the driver’s license law, was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days ETHRA supervised probation with one day confinement. Shoffner was given credit for one day jail time already served. He must pay at least $100 per month in court costs and fines beginning on March 4. He must pay $84 in restitution to the Cedar Grove Market and is barred from its premises.

Tiffany N. Helton, 32, charged with possession of a schedule VI drugs, was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days unsupervised probation. As a condition of her probationary status, Helton must pay all court costs in full by April 12.

Charles J. Williams, 54, charged with possession of a schedule II drugs, was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days ETHRA supervised probation with 30 days confinement. Williams was given credit for any jail time already served. He must pay at least $75 per month in court costs and fines.

Kacee D. Johnson, 35, charged with possession of a schedule II drugs, was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days ETHRA supervised probation with 30 days confinement. Johnson was given credit for two days jail time already served. She must pay at least $100 per month in court costs and fines. This sentence runs concurrently with a violation of probation case in which Johnson was charged with reckless endangerment, possession of a schedule II drugs and drug paraphernalia while on probation. The charges of reckless endangerment and possession of drug paraphernalia was later dismissed by the judge.

Reach Jan Runions at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @scribeCP.

DEADLINE: The deadline for submitting Area Happenings, Church Events, Reunions or Society items is Thursday at noon. See our website each week for a full listing of local governmental meetings: www.claiborneprogress.net.

Free Classes

Regional Education Center Ministries in partnership with Southeast Community College will be enrolling students for the following classes: Intro to computers; Selling on eBay; Basic Bookkeeping; Quick Books and GED. The classes are offered free of charge. Enrollment is currently open. Please contact Rhonda at 423-626-6401 or Judy at 423-526-7506 by February 5 to enroll. Contact us by email: regionaleducationcenter@gmail.com. Website: recministries.net and Facebook / Regional Education Center.

Free Spay and Neuter

The Animal Welfare League of Claiborne County is sponsoring a free spay/neuter for dogs and cats in the Claiborne County area for families with income less than $30,000 per year, depending upon the number of people in the household. Pick up applications at Harrogate Hospital for Animals, Russell Veterinary Services or Rowland Veterinary Services. You can also request spay applications at awlccspay@gmail.com . Complete application, including proof of income and mail to AWLCC, 200 Hatfield Morgan Lane, New Tazewell, TN 37825 or scan/email to email address above. Be sure to include a phone number.

Town of Tazewell Brush Pickup

Brush pickup for the residents of the Town of Tazewell is resuming. A maximum quantity of two brush piles 4 ft. wide x 4 ft. tall x 10 ft. long will be collected from each household per visit. Brush and limbs shall be neatly stacked in 4 ft. x 4 ft. piles with the ends facing the same direction. Exceptions: Leaves or other debris may not be mixed with brush. No stumps will be picked up or limbs larger than 6 inches in diameter. Brush must be brought to the curbside and not placed in the street or on sidewalks. Lumber or construction waste materials will not be collected. No commercial, industrial, construction, or land clearing projects are included in the brush collection program. To schedule pickup call the Tazewell City Hall at 626-5104.

Little League Sign-Ups

New Tazewell Little League baseball and softball sign-ups will be held at Hardee’s of Tazewell from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 18 and 25. The sign-up fee is $55.

Emergency Communications District

The Claiborne County Emergency Communications District will meet in regular session on Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. at the Claiborne County Justice Center Training Room.

Rescheduled County Commission Meeting

The regular monthly meeting of the Claiborne County Commission will be held Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. This rescheduling is due to the President’s Day holiday on Feb. 15. The meeting will be held at the Claiborne County Courthouse, located at 1740 Main Street, Tazewell, Tennessee. The commission will meet for the purpose of considering all matters as may be properly presented to the County Commission.

Relay For Life Kickoff

The Claiborne County Relay For Life Kickoff will be Feb. 27 starting at 2 p.m. at Lincoln Memorial University’s Tex Turner Arena during their home basketball games. Relay For Life teams will be selling food, homemade goodies and much more to benefit Claiborne County Relay For Life. Please come out and support a great cause.

Free Beginning Beekeeping Classes

Bee Friends in Claiborne County will hold a free beginning beekeeping class on March 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the First Avenue Meeting Hall (across from Duncan Lumber) in New Tazewell. The guest presenter will be John Hamrick, UT Extension Agent & Bee Specialist. Lunch will be provided. For registration and information, contact Julianne Behn at 865-617-9013. The Clinch Valley Beekeeping Association will meet March 19 from 1-3 p.m. at the Treadway Fire Hall on Highway 131. For registration and information contact Wanda Coleman at 423-944-3230.

American Legion Post #109

All veterans are invited to attend monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is March 8. Activities begin at 6 p.m. with a meal. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at 335 Fulkerson Street in Tazewell.

Claiborne Animal Shelter

The annual Claiborne Animal Shelter Fundraiser will be held April 2 at the Cumberland Gap Convention Center. The cost is $100 per plate for the banquet and silent auction. Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. To reserve your seat, you may call the Shelter at 423-626-2686. To reserve a spot and pay in advance, go online to: www.claiborneanimalshelter.com.

Drug Test Kits Available

Free Saliva Based Drug Testing Kits are available, provided and sponsored through UNITE and (SIGCO) Stand in the Gap Coalition. Give Me a Reason (GMAR) is designed for parents/guardians to use to talk with their children and randomly test them, which gives them a reason to say “no” when tempted or offered drugs. They can be obtained at 44 different distribution points throughout tri-state area & at the SIGCO office, located at 502 Pennlyn Ave., Cumberland Gap, Tennessee. For more information where to find a distribution point near you contact the SIGCO office at 423-300-1302 or to pick one up stop by on Thursdays between noon and 5:30 p.m.

Free GED/High Set Classes

Classes are held in the Claiborne School Board office. For more information call 423-317-1064 or email hiset@tcatmorristown.edu.

Arthur Community Center Association

The Arthur Community Center Restoration Organization has regular meetings the second Thursday and fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Arthur Community Center. All residents of Arthur Community are encouraged to attend. The ACCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration of the Arthur Community Center for the public to use for meetings, family reunions, wedding receptions, etc.

Free Classes

The Claiborne County Adult High School will be offering classes for students to earn credits to receive their Tennessee state high school diploma. Flexible scheduling will be available for both day and evening classes. If you do not have your high school diploma, please contact the Claiborne County Adult High School at 423-626-8222 for more information.

Claiborne County Historical and Genealogy Society

The Claiborne County Historical and Genealogy Society is located on Old Knoxville Road across from the library. For more information call the office 526-5737. Research hours are Sundays from 1-5 p.m. CCHGS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of Claiborne County. Please mail your tax deductible contributions or annual membership dues to: CCHGS, P.O. Box 32, Tazewell, TN 37879.

Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project

Outreach workers Tommy Brooks and Erin Haverland will be available to assist eligible veterans with enrollment in HVRP. The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project helps veterans find secure employment through case management, job training, and referrals and links with other local service providers. Outreach workers can arrange visits with veterans in outlying areas who are unable to travel to the program office.Veterans Can Help is located at 511 Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917. Phone: 865-524-3926. In Knoxville, call 865-546-4813 for more information.

Town of Tazewell BMA

The board meetings for the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Tazewell are conducted at Tazewell City Hall at 1830 Main Street, the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The BMA workshops are on Wednesday prior to the scheduled board meeting at 6 p.m. as needed. The public is invited to attend all meetings of the board.

DEADLINE: The deadline for submitting Area Happenings, Church Events, Reunions or Society items is Thursday at noon.

Appalachian Aglow

Appalachian Aglow meets bi-monthly at the home of Lisa Leonard in New Tazewell. If interested, call 865-585-0091 for directions and information.

Chapel of the Good Shepherd

Chapel of the Good Shepherd, the only Lutheran church in Union County, has begun to hold worship services on Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Paul Kritsch, pastor of the church, at 865-279-1279, or via e-mail at chapelofthegoodshepherd@outlook.com.

Christ the King Catholic Church

Christ the King Catholic Church welcomes the new pastor, Father Mike Creson. Mass schedule is Sunday at noon and Thursdays at 10 a.m. The church is located at 816 Blue Top Road, Tazewell.

Claiborne County Ministerial Association

Pastors and preachers of Claiborne County, the Claiborne County Ministerial Association needs your help. We now only have a few members. We do volunteer chaplain work at Claiborne Medical Center and 15-minute Daily Devotions on WNTT Radio. If God leads you to be a part of this ministry, we meet once a month at the Claiborne Medical Center conference room on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. For further information call 865-585-7112. President, Kenny Clark.

Dogwood Heights Baptist Church

Weekly services at Dogwood Heights Baptist Church include: Tis So Sweet Café Worship, Sunday from 8:30-9:45 a.m.; Sunday School at 10 a.m.; Worship Service at 11 a.m.; Evening Worship at 6 p.m. Wednesday evening – Bible Study at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited. Pastor, Travis Pressnell, Youth Pastor, Charlie Longworth.

FBC Deaf and Hearing Impaired Worship

The addition of a deaf interpreter for the Sunday morning worship service has brought a new ministry to First Baptist Church in New Tazewell. To learn more, call 423-626-5401 or visit at 814 Buchanan Road, next to Laurel Manor Nursing Home.

Liberty Baptist Church

Liberty Baptist Church will have its regular monthly singing services on Feb. 21 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Visiting singers will be True Gospel. Dennis Buchanan, song leader; Rev. Kenny pastor.

Meyers Grove Primitive Baptist Church

Meyers Grove Primitive Baptist Church will have Women’s Bible Study every Saturday at 4 p.m. All ladies and their friends are invited to come and study together.

New Beginning Baptist Church

New Beginning Baptist Church has new meeting times. We now meet for worship on Sunday at 10 a.m. and at 3 p.m. and on Sunday at 6 p.m. for Bible study. On Wednesday at 6 p.m. we have Visitation, Bridge Builders and Youth. On Sunday nights and other nights throughout the week we offer Life Application classes.

The church is located at 2305 Highway 63, four miles west of U.S. Hwy. 25E in Harrogate. For more information please call the church office at 423-869-7378 or Pastor Donnie Bannister at 423-526-4491.

New Tazewell United Methodist Church

A new Weight Watchers meeting is starting Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and a new Zumba class has started every Thursday and Saturday at 9 a.m. at the New Tazewell United Methodist Church. Classes are $3 each. They will meet in the Fellowship Hall of NTUMC. For information call Vickie at 423-801-3335.

Regional Education Center

The Regional Education Center, an FBC Ministry Center, is located at 1724 Epps Street in Tazewell. They distribute food boxes on Tuesday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. Residents of Claiborne County need to bring proof of residence and income. The center is located behind the courthouse in Tazewell.

Servolution Health Services

The Servolution Health Services free medical and dental care clinic is now open. Anyone from the Tri-State area is welcome. The faith-based clinic serves the uninsured of the area, from any state, whose income does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level guidelines. Servolution Health Services is located 8.7 miles from Harrogate, off Hwy. 63 in the old Powell Valley High School vocational building in Speedwell, Tenn. The address is 245 Powell Valley School Lane. To determine eligibility, make an appointment or for more information call 423-419-5070.

Taylors Grove Missionary Baptist Church

Taylors Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Sharps Chapel is hosting a four-session Singing School that began Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. The Singing School, conducted by David Cole, will continue for the next three Sunday nights also at 6 p.m.: Feb. 21, 28 and March 6. The pastor, Brian Liford, invites everyone to attend.

Thompson Chapel United Methodist Church

The Thompson Chapel Clothing Bank is in need of any and all donations. We are open Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call 626-3913 or 626-4435 for info.

TNT Church of Living God

TNT Church of Living God, located at 790 Davis Drive, New Tazewell, invites everyone to come and hear Rev. Anthony Noe preaching Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.

Twin City Baptist Church

Twin City Baptist Church now offers sign language interpretation of the services. Everyone is welcome.

Upper Room Ministries

Are you in need? Our monthly food drive is on the second Saturday of each month of 2015. It runs from 10 a.m. until the food is gone. It is provided by the grace of God and sponsored by Upper Room Ministries, which is located at 860 Hwy. 33 South in New Tazewell. For more information, call 423-398-3352 or email urm1993@icloud.com.

Youth 4 Truth Ministries

Youth 4 Truth cookbooks are available. We have just received our new cookbooks. They have 500 wonderful recipes and sell for $10 each. There will be a limited number of cookbooks, so get your copy now, before they are sold out. It would make an excellent Christmas or shower gift. There will be several people in the area selling them, or you can call 423-626-2674 or 865-278-6882 or 865-352-9965. Thank you so much for your support.

Special to Civitas Media

Allyson Sweet, a second-year student in the Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine Physician Assistant Program, has received a Heartsaver Hero Award from the American Heart Association for saving the life of her mother.

The Heartsaver Hero Award recognizes heroes that have acted courageously and stepped in to save a life.

It was the day before Thanksgiving on Nov. 25, 2015, when Sweet’s mother, Robin Sweet, of Williamsburg, Kentucky, arrived home after being released from the hospital with a viral illness. She soon began to feel light-headed and sat down. Sweet recalls her mother falling to the floor, and with the help of her fiancé and father they helped her mother walk to the couch.

“Within 30 seconds she stopped breathing and turned very blue,” Sweet said. “We moved her to the floor and I assessed her pulse and she did not have one.”

Sweet immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and within five minutes her mother woke up and started breathing. Her pulse was strong and she was no longer blue, but was still confused. They had called 911 and shortly after she was transported to the emergency room.

Sweet credits her quick thinking and CPR skills to the training she received at LMU-DCOM while enrolled in the Physician Assistant Program.

“I am indefinitely grateful for my professors, preceptors and the education I have received thus far in the LMU-DCOM PA program! Without all of them, and the training I have gone through, my mother may not be here today,” Sweet said.

Sweet shared that she felt called to the medical field all her life because of her desire to help others, but when she was called to help her own mother, it really hit home.

“I never thought I would be able to perform anything like this on a family member, but with the patience and knowledge bestowed upon me I was able to be in the moment and save her life. God was truly working through me that night,” Sweet said.

LMU-DCOM is an authorized training center for the American Heart Association (AHA). LMU-DCOM offers a wide range of courses and certifications for today’s health care providers and the public at large through its Center for Simulation and Training. Using LMU-DCOM’s state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, the AHA Training Center’s multi-disciplined instructors provide medical education in the areas of Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. To prevent heart disease and increase awareness of its effects, LMU-DCOM is proudly participating in American Heart Month throughout the month of February. Just as living a healthy lifestyle is key to having a healthy heart, learning CPR is key to saving hearts.

LMU-DCOM AHA Training Center courses are offered in a customer service-oriented classroom setting for physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, CRNA, PA, FNP, paramedics, law enforcement, fire departments, rescue services, EMT’s, state parks, dentists, critical care personnel, teachers, schools and any other person responding to cardiac, trauma, or pediatric emergencies.

The AHA Training Center is authorized to provide training in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. For more information about how you or your community group can participate in CPR training, contact AHA Training Center Coordinator Johnathan Greene at 423-869-6480.

Courtesy of LMU Allyson Sweet received the Heartsaver Hero Award from the American Heart Association for saving her mother’s life.

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_allyson-sweet.jpgCourtesy of LMU Allyson Sweet received the Heartsaver Hero Award from the American Heart Association for saving her mother’s life.

Courtesy of LMU Allyson Sweet received the Heartsaver Hero Award from the American Heart Association for saving her mother’s life.

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_allyson-sweet-bw.jpgCourtesy of LMU Allyson Sweet received the Heartsaver Hero Award from the American Heart Association for saving her mother’s life.

DEADLINE: The deadline for submitting Area Happenings, Church Events, Reunions or Society items is Thursday at noon. See our website each week for a full listing of local governmental meetings: www.claiborneprogress.net.

Free Spay and Neuter

The Animal Welfare League of Claiborne County is sponsoring a free spay/neuter for dogs and cats in the Claiborne County area for families with income less than $30,000 per year, depending upon the number of people in the household. Pick up applications at Harrogate Hospital for Animals, Russell Veterinary Services or Rowland Veterinary Services. You can also request spay applications at awlccspay@gmail.com . Complete application, including proof of income and mail to AWLCC, 200 Hatfield Morgan Lane, New Tazewell, TN 37825 or scan/email to email address above. Be sure to include a phone number.

Town of Tazewell Brush Pickup

Brush pickup for the residents of the Town of Tazewell is resuming. A maximum quantity of two brush piles 4 ft. wide x 4 ft. tall x 10 ft. long will be collected from each household per visit. Brush and limbs shall be neatly stacked in 4 ft. x 4 ft. piles with the ends facing the same direction. Exceptions: Leaves or other debris may not be mixed with brush. No stumps will be picked up or limbs larger than 6 inches in diameter. Brush must be brought to the curbside and not placed in the street or on sidewalks. Lumber or construction waste materials will not be collected. No commercial, industrial, construction, or land clearing projects are included in the brush collection program. To schedule pickup call the Tazewell City Hall at 626-5104.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

Smoky Mountain Home Health & Hospice, Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet the last Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at Laurel Manor Nursing Facility. The next meeting will be Feb. 25. Community partners: Alzheimer’s Tennessee; Smoky Mountain Home Health & Hospice; Laurel Manor Nursing Facility; Lambert Bookkeeping & Financial Services; Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service, Inc.; Claiborne-Overholt Funeral Home; Eastridge Apartments LLC; Claiborne County Office on Aging. Everyone welcome.

Little League Sign-Ups

New Tazewell Little League baseball and softball sign-ups will be held at Hardee’s of Tazewell from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 25. The sign-up fee is $55.

AYSO Sign-Ups

It’s almost time for spring soccer. If your child played last fall then they are already registered. Email Lorri Kimbrough and let her know they are playing again. If your child is new this season, open registration has already started. Go to www.eayso.org and register. The first games for travel teams are March 19. Registration for AYSO soccer in this area will be held at Walters State in New Tazewell on Feb. 26 from 5-7 p.m. and Feb. 27 from 1-3 p.m. Registration will be held in Middlesboro at Liberty Tax on March 4 from 5-7 p.m., March 5 from 1-3 p.m. and March 6 from 2-4 p.m. March 6 will also be volunteer training.

Relay For Life Kickoff

The Claiborne County Relay For Life Kickoff will be Feb. 27 starting at 2 p.m. at Lincoln Memorial University’s Tex Turner Arena during their home basketball games. Relay For Life teams will be selling food, homemade goodies and much more to benefit Claiborne County Relay For Life. Please come out and support a great cause.

Tree Day

The Claiborne County Soil Conservation District’s annual Tree Day will be March 4. This event will take place at the Walmart in New Tazewell and Harrogate City Hall. There will be pine seedlings available at no charge. The first bundle of pine seedlings will be free, for additional pine seedlings there will be a fee of $1 per bundle. Seedlings also available for $1 each are White Flowering Dogwood and Nanking Cherry. The event at Walmart will begin at 8 a.m. The event at Harrogate City Hall will begin at approximately 9:30 a.m. For additional information please contact Kim at Claiborne SCD 423-626-3811 ext. 101.

Grafting, Pruning Demonstration

The Claiborne County Soil Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service has scheduled a fruit tree grafting and pruning demonstration at Echo Acres Farm in the Cave Springs community for 9 a.m. on March 5. All supplies will be provided along with lunch for all attendees. Joe McNew will facilitate the event. All attendees will be given rootstock, scion wood and hands on instruction on grafting as well as instruction for pruning adult trees. Attendees will be taking their grafted trees home with them for planting. After instruction and demonstration we will enjoy lunch and dismiss. To RSVP or for further information contact the office at 423-626-3811 ext. 101. You can also reach the office by e-mail at ClaiborneSCD@netscape.net

Free Beginning Beekeeping Classes

Bee Friends in Claiborne County will hold a free beginning beekeeping class on March 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the First Avenue Meeting Hall (across from Duncan Lumber) in New Tazewell. The guest presenter will be John Hamrick, UT Extension Agent & Bee Specialist. Lunch will be provided. For registration and information, contact Julianne Behn at 865-617-9013. The Clinch Valley Beekeeping Association will meet March 19 from 1-3 p.m. at the Treadway Fire Hall on Highway 131. For registration and information contact Wanda Coleman at 423-944-3230.

American Legion Post #109

All veterans are invited to attend monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is March 8. Activities begin at 6 p.m. with a meal. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at 335 Fulkerson Street in Tazewell.

Basket Workshop

UT-TSU Extension Partnership in Claiborne County is offering a basket workshop on March 12 at Little Mulberry Baptist Church from 9:30 a.m. – complete. This basket is a nice size basket that could be your child’s or grandchild’s Easter basket or a basket for whatever you desire to put in the basket. Participants will be learning the heritage skill of basket making as they make this basket. The cost for the workshop is $25 which covers the reed to make the basket. You must register for the workshop by March 1, call the extension office at 626-3742 to register or for more information. You will need to bring a dishpan, 7-8 heavy duty spring type clothes pins or clamps, old scissors, tape measure, pencil, case knife and pocket knife, an awl, needle nose pliers, an old towel and your lunch and any snacks to this workshop.

This workshop and all programs offered by Extension are open to anyone who would like to participate. If you would like to learn more about how UT-TSU Extension serves Claiborne County you can visit the office, call us at 423-626-3742, visit our website at claiborne.tennessee.edu, like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/extensionclaiborne), or follow us on Twitter @ClaiborneExt.

CCSWA Board

The Claiborne County Solid Waste Authority Board will meet for the regular monthly meeting on March 14 at 6 p.m. in the large courtroom at the Claiborne County Courthouse.

Clinch Valley Beekeeping Association

Clinch Valley Beekeeping Association will meet March 19 from 1-3 p.m. at the Treadway Fire Hall on Highway 131. For registration and information contact Wanda Coleman at 423-944-3230.

Claiborne Animal Shelter

The annual Claiborne Animal Shelter Fundraiser will be held April 2 at the Cumberland Gap Convention Center. The cost is $100 per plate for the banquet and silent auction. Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. To reserve your seat, you may call the Shelter at 423-626-2686. To reserve a spot and pay in advance, go online to: www.claiborneanimalshelter.com.

Drug Test Kits Available

Free Saliva Based Drug Testing Kits are available, provided and sponsored through UNITE and (SIGCO) Stand in the Gap Coalition. Give Me a Reason (GMAR) is designed for parents/guardians to use to talk with their children and randomly test them, which gives them a reason to say “no” when tempted or offered drugs. They can be obtained at 44 different distribution points throughout tri-state area & at the SIGCO office, located at 502 Pennlyn Ave., Cumberland Gap, Tennessee. For more information where to find a distribution point near you contact the SIGCO office at 423-300-1302 or to pick one up stop by on Thursdays between noon and 5:30 p.m.

Free GED/High Set Classes

Classes are held in the Claiborne School Board office. For more information call 423-317-1064 or email hiset@tcatmorristown.edu.

Arthur Community Center Association

The Arthur Community Center Restoration Organization has regular meetings the second Thursday and fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Arthur Community Center. All residents of Arthur Community are encouraged to attend. The ACCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration of the Arthur Community Center for the public to use for meetings, family reunions, wedding receptions, etc.

Free Classes

The Claiborne County Adult High School will be offering classes for students to earn credits to receive their Tennessee state high school diploma. Flexible scheduling will be available for both day and evening classes. If you do not have your high school diploma, please contact the Claiborne County Adult High School at 423-626-8222 for more information.

Claiborne County Historical and Genealogy Society

The Claiborne County Historical and Genealogy Society is located on Old Knoxville Road across from the library. For more information call the office 526-5737. Research hours are Sundays from 1-5 p.m. CCHGS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of Claiborne County. Please mail your tax deductible contributions or annual membership dues to: CCHGS, P.O. Box 32, Tazewell, TN 37879.

Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project

Outreach workers Tommy Brooks and Erin Haverland will be available to assist eligible veterans with enrollment in HVRP. The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project helps veterans find secure employment through case management, job training, and referrals and links with other local service providers. Outreach workers can arrange visits with veterans in outlying areas who are unable to travel to the program office.Veterans Can Help is located at 511 Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917. Phone: 865-524-3926. In Knoxville, call 865-546-4813 for more information.

Town of Tazewell BMA

The board meetings for the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Tazewell are conducted at Tazewell City Hall at 1830 Main Street, the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The BMA workshops are on Wednesday prior to the scheduled board meeting at 6 p.m. as needed. The public is invited to attend all meetings of the board.

DEADLINE: The deadline for submitting Area Happenings, Church Events, Reunions or Society items is Thursday at noon.

Appalachian Aglow

Appalachian Aglow meets bi-monthly at the home of Lisa Leonard in New Tazewell. If interested, call 865-585-0091 for directions and information.

Chapel of the Good Shepherd

Chapel of the Good Shepherd, the only Lutheran church in Union County, has begun to hold worship services on Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Paul Kritsch, pastor of the church, at 865-279-1279, or via e-mail at chapelofthegoodshepherd@outlook.com.

Christ the King Catholic Church

Christ the King Catholic Church welcomes the new pastor, Father Mike Creson. Mass schedule is Sunday at noon and Thursdays at 10 a.m. The church is located at 816 Blue Top Road, Tazewell.

Claiborne County Ministerial Association

Pastors and preachers of Claiborne County, the Claiborne County Ministerial Association needs your help. We now only have a few members. We do volunteer chaplain work at Claiborne Medical Center and 15-minute Daily Devotions on WNTT Radio. If God leads you to be a part of this ministry, we meet once a month at the Claiborne Medical Center conference room on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. For further information call 865-585-7112. President, Kenny Clark.

Dogwood Heights Baptist Church

Weekly services at Dogwood Heights Baptist Church include: Tis So Sweet Café Worship, Sunday from 8:30-9:45 a.m.; Sunday School at 10 a.m.; Worship Service at 11 a.m.; Evening Worship at 6 p.m. Wednesday evening – Bible Study at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited. Pastor, Travis Pressnell, Youth Pastor, Charlie Longworth.

FBC Deaf and Hearing Impaired Worship

The addition of a deaf interpreter for the Sunday morning worship service has brought a new ministry to First Baptist Church in New Tazewell. To learn more, call 423-626-5401 or visit at 814 Buchanan Road, next to Laurel Manor Nursing Home.

Meyers Grove Primitive Baptist Church

Meyers Grove Primitive Baptist Church will have Women’s Bible Study every Saturday at 4 p.m. All ladies and their friends are invited to come and study together.

New Beginning Baptist Church

New Beginning Christian Academy (NBCA) will host an open house on March 8 from 5:30-7 p.m. NBCA is a ministry of New Beginning Baptist Church and is located at 2305 Highway 63, about 4.2 miles west of Highway 25E in Harrogate. Light refreshments will be served. Everyone is invited to attend. NBCA uses the A Beka curriculum and is a member of the Tennessee Association of Christian Schools and the American Association of Christian Schools. NBCA currently offers grades K4 through fifth grade with plans to add sixth grade in school year 2016-17. Everyone is invited to the Open House. For more information please call the office at 423-869-7378 or Pastor Donnie Bannister at 423-526-4491.

New Beginning Baptist Church has new meeting times. We now meet for worship on Sunday at 10 a.m. and at 3 p.m. and on Sunday at 6 p.m. for Bible study. On Wednesday at 6 p.m. we have Visitation, Bridge Builders and Youth. On Sunday nights and other nights throughout the week we offer Life Application classes.

The church is located at 2305 Highway 63, four miles west of U.S. Hwy. 25E in Harrogate. For more information please call the church office at 423-869-7378 or Pastor Donnie Bannister at 423-526-4491.

New Tazewell United Methodist Church

A new Weight Watchers meeting is starting Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and a new Zumba class has started every Thursday and Saturday at 9 a.m. at the New Tazewell United Methodist Church. Classes are $3 each. They will meet in the Fellowship Hall of NTUMC. For information call Vickie at 423-801-3335.

Regional Education Center

The Regional Education Center, an FBC Ministry Center, is located at 1724 Epps Street in Tazewell. They distribute food boxes on Tuesday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. Residents of Claiborne County need to bring proof of residence and income. The center is located behind the courthouse in Tazewell.

Servolution Health Services

The Servolution Health Services free medical and dental care clinic is now open. Anyone from the Tri-State area is welcome. The faith-based clinic serves the uninsured of the area, from any state, whose income does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level guidelines. Servolution Health Services is located 8.7 miles from Harrogate, off Hwy. 63 in the old Powell Valley High School vocational building in Speedwell, Tenn. The address is 245 Powell Valley School Lane. To determine eligibility, make an appointment or for more information call 423-419-5070.

Thompson Chapel United Methodist Church

The Thompson Chapel Clothing Bank is in need of any and all donations. We are open Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call 626-3913 or 626-4435 for info.

TNT Church of Living God

TNT Church of Living God, located at 790 Davis Drive, New Tazewell, invites everyone to come and hear Rev. Anthony Noe preaching Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.

Twin City Baptist Church

Twin City Baptist Church now offers sign language interpretation of the services. Everyone is welcome.

Upper Room Ministries

Are you in need? Our monthly food drive is on the second Saturday of each month of 2015. It runs from 10 a.m. until the food is gone. It is provided by the grace of God and sponsored by Upper Room Ministries, which is located at 860 Hwy. 33 South in New Tazewell. For more information, call 423-398-3352 or email urm1993@icloud.com.

Youth 4 Truth Ministries

Youth 4 Truth cookbooks are available. We have just received our new cookbooks. They have 500 wonderful recipes and sell for $10 each. There will be a limited number of cookbooks, so get your copy now, before they are sold out. It would make an excellent Christmas or shower gift. There will be several people in the area selling them, or you can call 423-626-2674 or 865-278-6882 or 865-352-9965. Thank you so much for your support.

It appears the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office could force the county to raise its property taxes as a way to guarantee the bonds to pay for the construction of the Claiborne County Jail expansion.

According to county attorney James Estep III, the commission must pledge property tax revenues as a ‘good faith show’ to fund the repayment of the bonds.

The matter was discussed Monday evening during the regular monthly meeting of the Claiborne Commission.

County resident Joe Brooks, who continues to express his unhappiness with the expansion project, says the comptroller’s office told him the next fiscal year budget will not be approved if money is not in place to guarantee the pay back of the bond issue.

According to the state comptroller, the county will need to prove one of three things in order to have its 2016-17 budget approved. The first two alternatives are a three-year proven track record or a federal prisoner contract – both which Brooks says is not in place.

The third alternative, Brooks said, is to either reduce costs or increase taxes.

The comptroller said the housing of federal inmates as a way to pay for the expansion “is not going to fly,” according to Brooks.

County taxpayers, he said, have generated some $23 million since 2006 to fund the jail.

The initial wheel tax in place to repay the notes for the original Claiborne Justice Center has generated well over $8.6 million, Brooks said.

Since 2006, the Sheriff’s Office has generated about $12 million in workhouse revenues, he added.

During the opening moments of the discussion, commissioner Charlton Vass requested the two bond resolutions be amended so that the public may vote on the matter during the August elections.

“There’s a mechanism provided in the resolution for a referendum already in place. So, I don’t think it’s a proper amendment, at this point,” said Estep, adding it was his opinion the state statutes already provide for a referendum vote by the public whenever a county adopts a bond resolution.

Commission chairman David Mundy agreed with Estep, saying he had spoken about the issue with Carolyn O’Dell of the Claiborne Election Commission.

There is currently a push to acquire some 1,600 signatures for a petition to take the jail expansion project and the corresponding bond issue to a public vote. Those names will go through a stringent county and state certification process to determine if they are “actively registered” county voters. The Claiborne commissioners are expected to decide on the adoption of the referendum resolution during the regular April meeting.

The bond issue resolution will be null and void if the commissioners fail to adopt the referendum resolution, according to Brooks and Mundy.

It could cost the county taxpayers up to $80,000 to hold a special election. Otherwise, it should cost nothing if the referendum vote goes on the ballot of one of the regularly scheduled elections in August or November.

The bond resolutions were adopted by a vote of 12 to nine. Those voting in favor of the resolutions were commissioners Mundy, Zachary Bunch, Juanita Honeycutt, Mike Campbell, Ann Bowling, Dennis Estes, Joan Cosby, Shawn Peters, James Hatmaker, Steve Mason, William Jessie and Dan Longworth.

Those voting against the resolutions were commissioners Vass, Whitt Shuford, Bill Keck, Gary Poore, Anthony Rowe, Nicholas Epperson, Mitchell Cosby, Bill Johnson and Aimee Upton.

The Claiborne Progress will have more on this subject in upcoming issues and on its website.

Reach Jan Runions at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @scribeCP.

County resident Joe Brooks distributes handouts pertaining to the Claiborne Sheriff’s Office and Jail revenues during the regular monthly meeting of the Claiborne County Commission. (Jan Runions | Claiborne Progress)

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_Brooks-pic.jpgCounty resident Joe Brooks distributes handouts pertaining to the Claiborne Sheriff’s Office and Jail revenues during the regular monthly meeting of the Claiborne County Commission. (Jan Runions | Claiborne Progress)

Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Carter and Moyers School of Education hosted the Clinch-Powell Educational Cooperative Science Fair, where 26 sixth grade students from six counties competed in a regional science competition with over $2,000 in prizes, on Feb. 19.

Wyatt Hammer, a student at Rutledge Elementary School and representing Grainger County, took home the $1,000 first prize for his project entitled “Which is a Must to Avoid Rust?” Joe Ferguson, a Hancock Middle School student representing Hancock County, earned second place honors and $750 for his project entitled, “Crank it Up.” Zak Williams, a student at Jacksboro Middle School and representing Campbell County, placed third, winning $500.

Dr. Kevin Cooper, assistant professor of physics, coordinated the judging. The judges included a variety of natural science faculty members and graduate students from the Master of Science program. Dr. Amiel Jarstfer, dean of the School of Mathematics and Sciences, gave a keynote address on “The Substance of S.T.E.M.” during the program. He noted that the judges were impressed with the advanced scientific theory and techniques utilized in all the projects.

“The judges, many of whom have judged this contest in previous years, were very impressed with the use of controls in many of these experiments,” Jarstfer said. “This was a very hard competition to judge, and it was a particularly close decision between first and second place. The high level of thought and understanding of the scientific process gives me great hope that we’ll be seeing these scientists make big impacts in our community down the road.”

The Science Fair at LMU was the culmination of a science contest among all Clinch-Powell Educational Cooperative schools. All sixth graders from Campbell, Claiborne, Hancock, Grainger, Scott and Union county school systems competed in the contest, which included judging at the school and county level prior to the finals at LMU. Each winner at the school level won an Apple iPad tablet. Projects judged to be the top in each county advanced to the contest at LMU where master’s level science students and professors judged the competition.

Clinch-Powell Educational Cooperative is a regional education service agency dedicated to comprehensive changes in the access to quality education in the Clinch-Powell service area. It was formed to assist individual Boards of Education overcome obstacles due to limited resources. Currently, the Cooperative consists of six counties in the rural, mountainous area of upper East Tennessee. These include Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Scott and Union counties. The Cooperative operates with state and federal grant resources and programs, the largest begin Head Start which serves 511 children in four of the six counties.

Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is located in Harrogate. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or e-mail at admissions@lmunet.edu.

Photo submitted Clinch-Powell Educational Cooperative Executive Director Debbie Thomas, far left, and LMU School of Mathematics and Science Dean Amiel Jarstfer, far right, are pictured with Science Fair winners Joe Ferguson, Wyatt Hammer and Zak Williams.

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_1289.jpgPhoto submitted Clinch-Powell Educational Cooperative Executive Director Debbie Thomas, far left, and LMU School of Mathematics and Science Dean Amiel Jarstfer, far right, are pictured with Science Fair winners Joe Ferguson, Wyatt Hammer and Zak Williams.

Photo submitted Clinch-Powell Educational Cooperative Executive Director Debbie Thomas, far left, and LMU School of Mathematics and Science Dean Amiel Jarstfer, far right, are pictured with Science Fair winners Joe Ferguson, Wyatt Hammer and Zak Williams.

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_IMG_1289-bw.jpgPhoto submitted Clinch-Powell Educational Cooperative Executive Director Debbie Thomas, far left, and LMU School of Mathematics and Science Dean Amiel Jarstfer, far right, are pictured with Science Fair winners Joe Ferguson, Wyatt Hammer and Zak Williams.

Tennova Healthcare is partnering with the Tennessee Department of Health to recognize Tennesseans who have quit smoking and to inspire more people to join them. “It’s Quittin’ Time in Tennessee,” which runs Feb. 22−26, is a statewide effort to raise awareness of the resources available to help Tennesseans quit smoking and/or using other tobacco products.

“Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death, claiming the lives of more than 443,000 adults in America each year,” said William Lindsay, M.D., a cardiologist with Tennova Healthcare. “In Tennessee alone, where more than 24 percent of the population smokes, tobacco use kills at least 30 people every day. Parents who smoke can also make their kids sick. And that’s no surprise, considering that cigarette smoke contains at least 250 chemicals known to be harmful to your health.

“Most smokers also don’t realize exactly how much money smoking is taking out of their pockets every year,” he added. “The cost of the cigarettes alone is quite a lot, but when you add in healthcare costs and lost productivity, it’s huge.”

Smoking can lead to a variety of respiratory complications and chronic diseases that affect the quality of life. The list of smoking-related diseases is considerable: asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, peripheral artery disease, impotence in men, and a wide variety of cancers, including oral/throat, lung, bladder, stomach, cervix, kidney and pancreas.

“More than eight million people in the U.S. have at least one serious illness caused by smoking. The good news, however, is it is never too late to quit,” Dr. Lindsay said. “Smokers can gain health benefits by giving up the habit—regardless of whether they are an occasional smoker or have a lifelong, several pack-a-day habit.”

Kicking the habit isn’t easy, but there are many resources to help. The Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine, provides personalized support for Tennesseans who want to quit smoking or chewing tobacco. The state also offers free web-based tools and in-person counseling services. Visit tnquitline.org or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to speak with a counselor.

“Patients who work with a healthcare provider are ultimately more successful in their efforts to quit tobacco use,” Dr. Lindsay said. “That’s why Tennova is encouraging everyone to join us in this effort to create healthier communities across the Volunteer State.”

To find a doctor to help you quit tobacco use, call 1-855-TENNOVA (836-6682) or visit Tennova.com.

Dr. William Lindsay

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_Dr.-William-Lindsay.jpgDr. William Lindsay

Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Candice McQueen joined Gov. Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam recently to kick off “Read to be Ready,” a statewide campaign focused on the critical value of reading.

Over the past several years, student performance on the English language arts TCAP has remained stagnant or declined. By the end of third grade, only 43 percent of students in Tennessee are reading on grade level. Of the almost 6,000 Tennessee students rated below basic in third grade English language arts, less than three percent reach proficiency by fifth grade. However, students who are reading proficiently by third grade are four times more likely than their peers to graduate from high school by age 19 and go on to postsecondary.

The goal of the Read to be Ready initiative is to move third grade reading proficiency in Tennessee to 75 percent by 2025. While we know building literacy starts long before a child begins third grade and continues long past it, third grade is a valuable benchmark to predict future outcomes for our students.

“Tennessee students have shown incredible growth since 2011, but reading remains a challenging area that we have to get right,” Gov. Haslam said. “Currently, less than half of our third through eighth grade students are meeting proficiency in reading, and more than half of our students are heading into high school without the ability to read proficiently. We can do better, and we have to do better both for these individual students and to reach our educational and job attainment goals as a state.”

Read to be Ready is a coordinated approach that addresses everything from classroom instruction, to teacher preparation, to adult literacy rates, to school-community-parent partnerships for after-school and summer programs. Using third grade reading as the benchmark, the Read to be Ready campaign seeks to do the following:

· Raise awareness about the importance of reading.

· Unite efforts to address the reading gap.

· Highlight best practices from across our state.

· Lay out ways each of us can begin to address these issues.

· Build partnerships across communities to align to our goal.

Gov. Haslam has proposed a $9 million investment to the General Assembly to create a network of literacy coaches and regional coordinators supporting literacy efforts all across the state. This is in addition to the department’s commitment to partnering with higher education to refine and strengthen literacy standards for new teachers as well as providing support to existing teachers on intervening and strengthening literacy skills in students that are already behind.

“Teachers must have the knowledge, skills, and expertise to teach decoding and the act of reading words on a page while simultaneously emphasizing that reading is about making meaning, understanding rich vocabulary, improving thinking, and opening the world to our students, “ Commissioner McQueen said. “We have to approach this work from multiple angles, strengthening the training that our teachers receive, deepening community partnerships to provide support for students and families after school and during the summer, as well as preparing our youngest students with early literacy skills before they ever enter a classroom.”

“Working together to improve third grade reading is one of the best ways to make sure Tennessee children are ready for success,” First Lady Haslam said. “This is not something government can do alone. I believe our leaders, teachers, principals, families, businesses, and communities can work together to make a difference for students.”

Tennessee-based company Dollar General Corporation announced at the kick-off event a $1 million donation through its Dollar General Literacy Foundation to fund summer reading initiatives across the state.

The death of a loved one by suicide presents special problems in grieving. There is a safe place in this community for survivors (families and loved ones of suicide victims) to share their loss with others who are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings. Surviving Our Loss After Suicide (SOLAS) is a bereavement support group that will provide help, hope and healing. Groups are open to all adult survivors of suicide. The next one will be held March 1 at the Well Being Foundation, 557 Narrows Rd., Tazewell, from 6-7:30 p.m. For more information call Tammy Wilson, facilitator, at 865-585-2917.

Photo submitted

The Knoxville Opera entertained school kids from Claiborne County Schools and Bell County Schools with an abbreviated performance of Humperdink’s Hansel and Gretel in the Sam and Sue Mars Performing Arts Center in the Duke Hall of Citizenship on the main campus of Lincoln Memorial University on Feb. 2. Mezzosoprano Leah Serr, soprano Rachel Policar and mezzosoprano Elizabeth Peterson performed the high-energy, entertaining presentation and answered questions after the performance. LMU Chairman O.V. “Pete” DeBusk and his wife, Cindi, sponsored the event.

Photo submitted The Knoxville Opera entertained school kids from Claiborne County Schools and Bell County Schools with an abbreviated performance of Humperdink’s Hansel and Gretel in the Sam and Sue Mars Performing Arts Center in the Duke Hall of Citizenship on the main campus of Lincoln Memorial University on Feb. 2. Mezzosoprano Leah Serr, soprano Rachel Policar and mezzosoprano Elizabeth Peterson performed the high-energy, entertaining presentation and answered questions after the performance. LMU Chairman O.V. “Pete” DeBusk and his wife, Cindi, sponsored the event.

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_Hansel-and-Gretel.jpgPhoto submitted The Knoxville Opera entertained school kids from Claiborne County Schools and Bell County Schools with an abbreviated performance of Humperdink’s Hansel and Gretel in the Sam and Sue Mars Performing Arts Center in the Duke Hall of Citizenship on the main campus of Lincoln Memorial University on Feb. 2. Mezzosoprano Leah Serr, soprano Rachel Policar and mezzosoprano Elizabeth Peterson performed the high-energy, entertaining presentation and answered questions after the performance. LMU Chairman O.V. “Pete” DeBusk and his wife, Cindi, sponsored the event.

There’s a lot going on at Claiborne High School.

Progress reports should have been received by all students. Students will not report to school on March 1. The last day to pre­order a personalized yearbook is Feb. 25; however, regular yearbooks will still be available. The deadline for registration for the April ACT is March 4.

Parents, don’t forget to remind your students to check out the scholarship table in front of guidance. Guidance counselors are starting registration for the 2016­-17 school year, but because of time constraints they will not be scheduling appointment times. If you miss an appointment because of snow it will be rescheduled. They will be available March 14­-16 from 9 a.m.­-2 p.m.

The Tazewell FFA Chapter will be celebrating National FFA Week, with fun activities planned for students throughout the week. We would like to say congratulations to Jody Russell who received first place in Regionals competing in Cosmetology, and to Shayln Seabolt who received first place in Regionals competing in Job Interview. Spring sports are currently practicing and preparing for their seasons starting March 14.

A well-known area blacksmith is attempting to become a world record holder after having constructed what he believes to be the largest anvil in existence.

J.D. Napier, of Bledoe, Kentucky, received the support of the Harlan Fiscal Court during a recent meeting when Harlan County Judge-Executive Dan Mosley read a proclamation of support for Napier’s efforts to achieve the record for biggest anvil.

The proclamation read by Mosley stated Napier has been a blacksmith for many years, and has expanded his work into making knives and garden hoes. He has been a part of the Festival of the Mountain Masters where he has demonstrated his blacksmithing abilities. The anvil is the culmination of a 15-year project of collecting materials to build the anvil.

“Several years ago, after we got hold of a big anvil or two we realized they worked better than the smaller ones,” Napier said. “You could do several pieces at one time and lay them on that anvil and not have them dropping to the ground.”

Napier said it took some time to find the proper kind of steel to use with the anvil.

“We kept looking for bigger and thicker steel,” Napier said. “In 2000, we came up with some steel 6 inches thick, that was good enough to do each piece.”

According to Napier, there is a practical use for such a large anvil.

“What we’re wanting to do is have several different blacksmiths here, two or three at a time,” Napier said. “That way we can all work with the anvil at the same time.”

According to anvilfire.com, welders Marcus Walters, Larry Shepherd, Mac Brock, Michael Middleton, Logan Lewis, Ryan Patterson, Anthony Brown and Fred Loving also worked on the anvil.

At 6,500 pounds, the anvil is the biggest anvil in existence, says Napier.

“Another guy by the name of Ray Davis did one that was 5,280 pounds,” Napier said.

Napier mentioned that an anvil has been a required tool for blacksmiths for ages.

He has submitted paperwork to Guinness Book of World Records to have his anvil recognized as the world’s largest.

Napier said he does sell his products, and can be contacted by phone at 606-558-3936 or 606-273-4189.

“I do a lot of garden hoes,” mentioned Napier. “We also do knives and swords, things of that nature.”

Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-505-4132 or on Twitter @joe_hde

Photo courtesy of anvilfire.com J.D. Napier is trying for the world record for the largest anvil. He has applied to the Guinness Book of World Records, and the Harlan Fiscal Court recently proclaimed their support.

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_World-sLargestAnvil.jpgPhoto courtesy of anvilfire.com J.D. Napier is trying for the world record for the largest anvil. He has applied to the Guinness Book of World Records, and the Harlan Fiscal Court recently proclaimed their support.

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_World-sLargestAnvil-bw.jpg

The following public records are the only public records that have been made available to the Claiborne Progress. If you feel that there has been an omission or other error, please contact the appropriate agency. As addresses are not always included in these reports, some misidentification can occur with individuals having the same name as others. Persons listed as being arrested or receiving citations should not be considered guilty or convicted as they have not been found to be so in a court of law at the times these records are filed. Since records are printed as received, the list is controlled by the appropriate agencies involved; we are unable to change or omit names or information.

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Claiborne Co. Sheriff’s Office

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Rick James Brock – six counts rape of a child, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (first, third and fourth offenses), aggravated domestic assault with a deadly weapon (second offense)

Brandy LeAnn Meyers – aggravated child abuse

Kenneth Jay Rutherford – domestic assault

Devan Chelsea Wilhite – domestic assault

Randy Martin Gulley – leaving the scene of an accident, driving under the influence, driving on a revoked license (12th offense), violations of the implied consent and financial responsibility laws

Cynthia E. Grooms – capias/bench warrant for criminal impersonation

Steven Lawrence Gilbert – capias/bench warrant for theft under $500

Dusty Allen Mullins – capias/bench warrant for preventing and/or obstructing service of legal process, public intoxication

Tiffany Camille Brooks – outstanding child support attachment

Larry David Smith – outstanding child support attachment

Gregory Paul Turner – outstanding child support attachment

Jessica Lynn Bryant – outstanding warrant for theft under $500

Christopher Lawrance Gilbert – violation of drug court

James Mitchell Shell – violations of probation for two counts possession of a schedule II drugs with the intent to sell and/or deliver, conspiracy to sell and/or deliver a schedule II drugs

Darrell Wayne Veach – violation of probation for the sale of a schedule II drugs

Joseph Wetzel Clayton – violation of probation for possession of a schedule II drugs

Ottis Douglas Houston – violation of probation for failure to report to probation officer

Joseph Douglas Rouse – failure to appear for driving on a suspended license, driving without a license, speeding, violations of the seat belt, window tinting, registration and financial responsibility laws, improper display of plates

Danny Rolly Patterson – purchase of a schedule II and a schedule IV drugs

Corey Matthew Williams – driving on a revoked license

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National Park Service

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Buck Ledford Ellison – multiple counts of failure to appear

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New Tazewell Police Dept.

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Christopher Davidson – violation of parole for robbery

Steven Lawrence Gilbert – capias/bench warrant

Corey Matthew Williams – outstanding warrant

Darrell Veach – violation of probation

Megan Toni – Marie Paul – failure to appear for domestic assault

Samantha Lynn Bolstridge – speeding 60/30, driving on a revoked license (third offense)

Angela R. Walker – speeding 73/45, violations of the registration and financial responsibility laws

Joshua Bryant Carver – speeding 64/45

Amy Lynn Moore – violations of the seat belt and registration laws

Taylor Keck – violations of the seat belt (driver) and financial responsibility laws

Jimmy C. Collett – violation of the seat belt law (driver)

Patrick Joseph Bernard Jr. – violation of the seat belt law (driver)

Ronald Bryan Loop II – violation of the seat belt law (driver)

Thomas Wade Williams II – violation of the seat belt law (driver)

Matthew Franklin Loop – violation of the seat belt law (passenger)

Terina Sue Keck – violation of the seat belt law (passenger)

Michael Ray Surber – violation of the seat belt law (passenger)

Mary R. Collett – violation of the seat belt law (passenger)

Kevin Failing – violation of the seat belt law (passenger)

Ernest Robinette – violation of the traffic control device law

Michelle Lynn Crutchfield – theft under $500

Tiffany Nicole Helton – theft of merchandise under $500

Amanda Sue Wolfe – driving on a suspended license, violation of the financial responsibility law

Charlie Franz Oakes – violation of the financial responsibility law

Travis Leon Walker – violation of the financial responsibility law

Michael C. Jolly – violation of the financial responsibility law

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Tazewell Police Dept.

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Robert Wayne Davis Jr. – domestic assault

Amy Jo Upton – capias/bench warrant for driving under the influence and driving on a suspended license

James Alva Ball III – outstanding warrant for domestic assault

Cynthia Denise Ball – outstanding state warrants, violation of probation, failure to appear

Ali Safaa-Abduhussen Al-Mousawi – speeding 68/45 (commercial vehicle)

Jacob Tyler Walker – violations of the registration and financial responsibility laws

Alan Blake Bailey – violation of the registration law

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Tennessee Dept. of Corrections

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Shawn David Hensley – violation of probation, multiple counts of failure to appear

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Tennessee Hwy. Patrol

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Christina Renee Douglas – violations of probation

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Several violators of probation were brought before Judge Robert Estep and other Claiborne court judges during recent hearings in Claiborne County Sessions Court.

Buddy E. Haun, 38, charged with failure to report to probation, to submit to random drug screenings, to report for a 90 days term of confinement and for nonpayment of court costs, fines and supervision fees while on probation, was sentenced to six months in jail.

Linda S. Morgan, 50, charged with driving under the influence (second offense), joyriding and two counts of theft, was sentenced to two years ETHRA supervised probation with 45 days confinement. Morgan was given credit for 43 days jail time already served. She must pay at least $150 per month in court costs and fines and forfeits $300 to the Economic Crime Fund. This case is tied to a violation of probation case dating to Nov. 2009 in which Morgan was sentenced for failure to report to probation and nonpayment of court costs, fines and supervision fees while on probation.

Sevrin McDaniel, 21, charged with falsifying a drug screening while on probation, was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days ETHRA supervised probation with 23 days confinement. McDaniel must pay at least $150 per month in court costs and fines. This sentence runs concurrently with prior cases.

Timothy R. Howard, 38, charged with failing a drug screening for the second time and testing positive for THC while on probation, was sentenced to 20 days confinement and ordered to fulfill the remainder of his sentence on supervised probation. As a condition of his probationary status, Howard was ordered to provide proof of enrollment in a Batterer’s Intervention Program and to complete an alcohol and drug assessment within 30 days of the date of his hearing.

Caleb E. Baker, 26, was charged with failure to report to probation, to submit to random drug screenings, to complete an alcohol and drug assessment, to complete DUI School, to complete a MADD Victim Impact Panel and for nonpayment of court costs, fines and supervision fees while on probation. Baker was sentenced to 20 days confinement and ordered to remain on 11 months, 29 days supervised probation. He was given credit for eight days jail time already served.

Tonya M. Carpenter, 27, charged with failure to report to probation, to submit to random drug screenings and for nonpayment of court costs, fines and supervision fees while on probation, was sentenced to 12 days confinement and ordered to remain on six months supervised probation. Carpenter was given credit for 12 days jail time already served.

Amy Dennison, 29, charged with failure to report to probation, to submit to random drug screenings, to complete an alcohol and drug assessment and for nonpayment of court costs and supervision fees while on probation, was sentenced to ten days confinement and ordered to remain on supervised probation for the balance of her sentence. This case runs concurrently with a disorderly conduct case in which Dennison received a flattened sentence of 30 days at 75 percent confinement. She received credit for ten days jail time already served on the original plea agreement dating to Sept.24, 2015.

Earl Logan Smith, 26, charged with reckless driving and violation of the financial responsibility law while on probation, was sentenced to six months ETHRA supervised probation. Smith must pay at least $100 per month in court costs and fines.

Reach Jan Runions at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @scribeCP.

I was born here in Appalachia, and come from a long line of hardworking men who have worked in the coal industry and beef cattle farming and hay production. I am proud of my heritage and thankful for my loving parents and grandparents who taught me at an early age the importance of helping others and being a good neighbor.

During my childhood, I remember them teaching me the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” (Matthew 7:12); and it made complete sense to me. Why not treat others the way you want to be treated? My being a good neighbor journey began early, and I am teaching these same principles to my children now.

Through this column, my goal is to share helpful information with my neighbors.

During the winter, we sometimes deal with extreme cold temperatures. It is wise to be prepared. Listed below are tips for preparing your home for cold winter days.

Tips for Your Home

• Clear debris from gutters and test downspouts to protect from water damage.

• Cut back dead or dying limbs and any branches that can touch the roof or siding. When it’s windy, branches can rub or scratch the surfaces of your home and cause damage. They also could fall during a storm or break under heavy snow and ice.

• Eliminate air leaks to improve your home’s comfort and efficiency. Check the basement and the attic. Attic leaks allow warmed air to escape, and have the effect of drawing cold air in through basement leaks. Use a can of spray foam insulation to plug up the offenders in both areas.

• Have your furnace professionally inspected and cleaned to reduce the risk of a breakdown and to keep the system running efficiently. If you have a fireplace, have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected and ensure that your damper opens, closes and seals tightly.

• Remove all hoses or devices attached to outdoor spigots. Have in-ground sprinkler systems blown out, and turn off water to outdoor spigots. Be sure to drain any water left behind in the pipes.

• Prevent frozen pipes by letting your hot and cold faucets drip overnight during extremely low temperatures. Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks on exterior walls.

The key to having a successful life begins with being a good neighbor, building relationships based on honesty and trust, working hard to make a difference for your family and community and being thankful for all the blessings along the way.

Justin Mays is a local businessman who serves neighbors in Bell County, Harlan County and Claiborne County. He may be reached at justin.mays.mdi7@statefarm.com.

Justin Mays

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Spring is in the air – join the Arbor Day Foundation in March and receive ten free trees.

The Arbor Day Foundation is making it easy for everyone to celebrate the arrival of spring by planting trees. Join the Arbor Day Foundation in March 2016 and receive 10 free white flowering dogwood trees.

“White flowering dogwoods are versatile trees that will break heavy winds and add beauty to your home,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “These fast-growing landscape trees are known for their soft needles and graceful branching, making them an ideal addition to any yard.”

The free trees are part of the nonprofit Foundation’s Trees for America campaign.

With planting instructions included, the trees will be shipped at the right time for planting, between March 1 and May 31. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge.

Arbor Day Foundation members also receive a subscription to Arbor Day, the Foundation’s bimonthly publication, and The Tree Book, which contains information about tree planting and care.

To become a member of the Foundation and receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution to TEN FREE WHITE FLOWERING DOGWOOD TREES, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, Nebraska 68410, by March 31, 2016. Or join online at arborday.org/march.