New legislation geared at reducing the costs of and lengthening the expiration dates for handgun permits went into effect on Jan. 1. However, many proponents of the so-called ‘Constitutional carry’ law say the adoption last April of HB – TN-1424 is nothing more than a ‘pacifier’ to those who want new state legislation that will allow the carrying of handguns without need for a permit.

The bill, as adopted, changes the basic initial fee from $115 to $100 and lengthens the duration of the permit to eight years.

The piece of legislation also reduces the cost of the lifetime permit from $500 to $200.

Under the new law, a first-time applicant of a lifetime permit will pay a total of $300. Those renewing their permits could go one of two ways – pay the $200 for a lifetime renewal or $50 for an eight-year permit.

Doing the math, it will take about 32 years to ‘break even,’ if an applicant decides to go with the lifetime permit.

A couple of caveats could sway ‘lifetimers’ to opt for the standard eight-year permit. Apparently, all Tennessee gun permits become void once a resident moves out of state, no matter the length of departure.

An additional fee is required if that person moves back into the state and wants their permit reinstated, even though it has not technically expired.

If a person currently holds a handgun permit, he or she cannot apply for a lifetime one until the existing permit is within six months of its expiration date, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety.

Certain ‘pro-second amendment rights’ organizations, like the Tennessee Firearms Association, are banding together to push for laws that will allow citizens to carry concealed handguns without virtue of a permit.

Proponents of the Constitutional conceal legislation seem to agree that the Second Amendment guarantees a ‘natural-born right’ to self defense and that defending oneself includes the freedom to carry a firearm without having to ‘ask’ the government.

There are currently four states that have passed this type of legislation – Missouri, Mississippi, West Virginia and Idaho.

Missouri, which enacted its Constitutional conceal legislation late last year, mandated in its law 17 specific areas as ‘no carry zones.’ Included in the list are churches, airports, sports arenas, courthouses, liquor stores, schools, hospitals and polling places during elections.

Certain organizations in Missouri, who lobbied against the law, maintain that the new legislation gives violent criminals, repeat drug offenders and people with no firearms safety training permission to freely carry hidden, loaded handguns in public.

On the other side of the coin, proponents like president-elect Donald Trump voiced approval during his campaign for legislation to allow state-issued gun permits to be deemed valid across state borders.

Texas republican senator John Cornyn introduced a bill last year that would require every state to recognize a gun carry permit issued from another state.

According to 2015 statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), violent crimes are up by about four percent with an 11 percent rise in homicides – stats that are possibly fueling the push for non-permit carry laws in many states.

During the Obama administration, handgun carry permit issuances have increased from some six million to nearly 15 million. According to the Crime Prevention Research Center, more than six percent of all adults in the United States now carry a concealed weapon.

Writer’s note: Certain data from the Tennessee Firearms Association and the Washington Times was used in composing this article. Reach Jan Runions at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @scribeCP.

NEW YORK (AP) — How might a bread basket for the table be counted under America’s new calorie posting rules? What about seasonal items, croutons for salads, or pizza that’s cut into squares?

Restaurant and grocery chains scrambling to post calorie counts on their menus by spring have peppered the Food and Drug Administration with queries that offer a window — often complex, occasionally comic — into the ingredient riddles they are trying to solve.

One example: If a pizza chain gets pepperoni from multiple suppliers, which calorie count should be used? The FDA’s advice: Whichever is fattiest.

“You would not be penalized for over-declaring calories versus under-declaring,” the agency responded last March, according to the correspondence obtained through a public records request.

Some cities and states already require restaurant chains to divulge calorie counts. But the federal regulation, set to take effect in May for eateries with 20 or more locations, would make the information more widely available. What’s more, it requires supermarket and convenience store chains to start posting calories for their prepared foods.

Whether President-elect Donald Trump and the new Congress try to make any changes to the regulation — passed as part of the health care overhaul — isn’t yet known. The restaurant industry association favors a national standard over a patchwork of local laws, though grocery and convenience store groups are hoping for a delay in enforcement and more flexibility in how they can disclose the calorie counts.

For now, the topics addressed by the FDA help illustrate what diners can expect to see on their menus.

Q: How should the calorie counts be determined?

A: The FDA says food sellers need to use a “reasonable basis for determining the calorie information.” Lab analysis is one option, but businesses could also get the information from databases, cookbooks, recipes, manufacturers, nutrition labels, or a combination of those options.

Q: What about that bread basket? Or seasonal menus?

A: Calorie counts aren’t required for items that are on menus for less than 60 days a year. And in general, restaurants don’t have to cite the calories for items that aren’t listed on menus. So a basket of dinner rolls or the chips and salsa placed on a table as a courtesy would also be exempt, as would any “secret menu” items that have become trendy at places such as Starbucks.

Q: A circular pizza is divided into a “party-cut” grid, rather than traditional slices. Can the chain provide an average calorie count, even though the pieces are different sizes?

A: Initially, the FDA told a Chicago-based pizza chain it would need to declare calories for the entire pizza, if the pieces weren’t uniform. But Marla Topliff, president of Rosati’s Pizza, said the agency subsequently agreed to allow the chain to post calories for an average piece in a party-cut pie. Topliff said having to list calories for an entire pie would be unfair to party-cut pies, if traditionally cut pies were listed per slice.

“You could see where they would be a disadvantage,” she said.

Q: How should calories be listed for customizable dishes? For instance, a fast-food salad that can come with grilled or fried chicken, a packet of croutons and various dressing options.

A: Giving a range could be OK, with the upper end including the most caloric options (yes, including the croutons).

But even as they comply with the regulations, some restaurant operators question how useful a wide span would be.

“The value is kind of lost to the consumer, if you’re telling the consumer the range could be 400 to 1,200 calories,” Annica Kreider, a representative for Mellow Mushroom, an Atlanta-based pizza chain, said in a phone interview.

She was among those who emailed with the FDA.

Q: For grocery stores, how should serving sizes be determined at hot food bars where people serve themselves?

A: The FDA said utensils such as ladles that can scoop a consistent amount each time can be considered a serving size. With utensils such as tongs, the serving size has to be by weight or a common household measure, such as a half cup. Those serving sizes and corresponding calorie counts would have to be listed near the food, such as on the sneeze guard glass or on a sign.

Q: What happens at self-serve drink stations?

A: The calorie counts don’t have to be right on the drink nozzles, but should be visible by dispenser. What’s listed should be for filled cups, without ice. The idea is to disclose the maximize number of calories people might guzzle.

For fountain drinks filled behind the counter, restaurants can list the calorie count for a cup with ice — as long as the restaurant always puts a standard amount of ice in the cups.

Q: Do calorie counts need to be listed on coupons? “The issue of coupons has been a source of some confusion and uncertainty,” a regulatory lawyer wrote.

A: Nope. Coupons are generally considered marketing materials that do not require calorie information.

Follow Candice Choi at www.twitter.com/candicechoi

Resolutions are a big part of the new year and to help accomplish some of the common goals of 2017, Servolution Health Services Path to Peace Wellness Center is starting a 12-month program for those who want to work on healthier eating and fitness.

Beginning on Jan. 19, area residents are invited to join the Get Active People (GAP) program which emphasizes implementing a healthier lifestyle.

“I think by doing a year-long program you can really see change. With shorter programs, people lose weight and can gain it back easier but there’s 12 months for this, to make a long-term change for the better,” said Deborah Chumley, wellness director at Servolution.

She believes this is important because physical health is so closely linked to feeling good to maximize daily activities, mental health and family life. She is anticipating between 100 to 300 participants in the GAP program.

GAP participants will meet once a month for a weigh-in and group meetings tailored to specific interests in cooking, making healthy choices and exercise. The meetings will also include a healthy snack and recipe.

“There’s not really a lot of programs that target a healthy lifestyle change in the area, so accountability in teams helps to make a big difference and get people involved and get people to stick with it,” said Chumley.

Classes will include dance, personal training, organic gardening, walking, preparing for a 5K, chronic illness and healthy eating with diabetes and running, to name a few. Chumley hopes to add a few other classes to the lineup as interests of the participants changes. Children as young as 14 are invited to participate in the GAP program. The program is $50 for a single participant or $80 for a couple.

The gym is open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m Monday through Thursday, 8 p.m. until 4 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call Servolution at 423-419-5072.

Reach Kelsey Gerhardt at 606-302-9093 or on Twitter @kgerhardtmbdn.

Kelsey Gerhardt|Daily News Deborah Chumley, Servolution Wellness Director, and Dianne Clark, Servolution Volunteer Coordinator, are working together for the new Get Active People program at Servolution beginning Jan. 19.

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_serv.jpgKelsey Gerhardt|Daily News Deborah Chumley, Servolution Wellness Director, and Dianne Clark, Servolution Volunteer Coordinator, are working together for the new Get Active People program at Servolution beginning Jan. 19.

The National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC) represents over 7,000 trucking companies in the U.S. and Canada that employ over 90,000 drivers collectively. Each year the association sponsors a driver of the year program to recognize the very best drivers within their group. Among the drivers selected to this year’s team of “Drivers of the Year” was Ricky Eldridge, who drives for Cargo Carrier Corp of New Tazewell.

“As a recipient of this prestigious award, Mr. Ricky Eldridge joins a very elite group that represent the very best of our 90,000 drivers,” according to Buster Anderson, Executive Vice President of NASTC.

“Cargo Carrier Corp is very proud of their drivers and should be very proud of themselves as well,” Anderson added. “It says a lot about a company when they can attract and keep employees of this caliber.”

Eldridge has driven for Cargo Carrier Corp for over ten years and has been a professional driver for over 25 years. He has accumulated over 3,000,000 accident-free miles.

Eldridge was presented his award in Nashville in November at the annual conference of NASTC.

Ricky Eldridge

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_Ricky.jpgRicky Eldridge

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Any community can only be as strong as its most vulnerable residents. To ensure Kentucky families and residents in need are able to receive necessary assistance, employees of Kentucky Utilities Company and Louisville Gas and Electric Company are sending a surge of support to area nonprofit agencies and organizations across the Bluegrass. Coupled with financial support from the LG&E and KU Foundation, the utilities’ voluntary employee-giving campaign, Power of One, raised more than $1.8 million in contributions.

The contributions will be allocated to the Cumberland Trails United Way and 25 additional nonprofit organizations to support much-needed programs and services in 2017. Those nonprofit organizations impact all 120 counties across Kentucky, more than 50 counties in Indiana, and parts of Virginia.

Cumberland Trails United Way and its affiliates serve Bell, Harlan, Knox and Whitley Counties in Kentucky, Claiborne County, Tennessee and Lee County, Virginia.

“Our employees, union and non-union, have built a culture that embraces being engaged in the communities in which they live and work. Every year they roll up their sleeves to volunteer and open their wallets to help bring positive changes to neighbors and strangers alike,” said Chris Whelan, LG&E and KU vice president of Corporate Communications, and co-chair of the 2016 Power of One campaign.

“It’s our hope that the funds raised by our employees through this unified effort will help strengthen our families across the commonwealth and enhance our communities as a whole,” Whelan said.

Nearly 70 percent of KU and LG&E employees participate in the campaign through payroll deduction — twice the national average for employee participation in charitable giving.

Since 2005, the employee-driven campaign has raised nearly $20 million through payroll deductions, event fundraisers, direct-to-charity donations and support from the LG&E and KU Foundation.

HARROGATE — Lincoln Memorial University inducted 25 new members into the Tennessee Epsilon 82 chapter of Alpha Chi on Dec. 9.

Alpha Chi is a coeducational academic honor society. Founded in 1922, with the purpose of promoting academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students, Alpha Chi honors those who achieve such distinction. Membership is limited to no more than 10 percent of the junior, senior and graduate classes.

LMU Dean of the School of Mathematics and Sciences and Alpha Chi Chapter Sponsor Amiel Jarstfer presided over the ceremony, President B. James Dawson gave the keynote address.

Undergraduate students inducted included Madison Branham (Norris, Tennessee), Austin Brooks (Ewing, Virginia), Julie Brooks (New Tazewell, Tennessee), Alexandria Cox (Jacksboro, Tennessee), Micah Hedgepeth (Winston Salem, North Carolina), Lindsey Hensley (Smith, Kentucky), Angelica Hurley (Mooresburg, Tennessee), Claeb Knisley (Jefferson City, Tennessee), Timothy Knisley (Jefferson City, Tennessee), Courtney Leatherwood (Sevierville, Tennessee), Kendra Lewis (Whitesburg, Kentucky), Margaret Raleigh (Mayking, Kentucky), Kelsey Ridenour (Andersonville, Tennessee), Chelsey Sandifur (Tazewell, Tennessee) and Celeste Stratton (Rutledge, Tennessee). Graduate and professional students inducted included Somkenechi Ajene (Sugar Land, Tennessee), Justin Hendrix (Harrogate, Tennessee), Gurpreet Kaur (Livingston, California), Zeryab Khan (Newburgh, Indiana), Angie Ledford (Barbourville, Kentucky), Nicholas Reed (Englewood, Tennessee), Jesus Salas (Toledo, Ohio), Kelly Sullivan (Walland, Tennessee), Michael Szymanski (Trumbull, Connecticut) and Grace Ying (New Berlin, Wisconsin).

The objectives of Alpha Chi are to promote and to recognize superior scholarship and those elements of character which make scholarship effective for service. The society has more than 300 chapters across the country. Membership is the highest academic honor on campus.

Photo submitted President B. James Dawson gave the keynote address at the induction ceremony Tennessee Epsilon 82 chapter of Alpha Chi.

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_Induction.jpgPhoto submitted President B. James Dawson gave the keynote address at the induction ceremony Tennessee Epsilon 82 chapter of Alpha Chi.

KNOXVILLE — An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has led to the indictment of a Maynardville woman in a sexual exploitation case involving juvenile males.

In October 2016, at the request of 8th District Attorney General Jared Effler, TBI Special Agents began investigating Tonya Suzette Raper. The investigation revealed that Raper, 31, allegedly solicited underage males for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.

Last week, the Union County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Raper with three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means and one count of solicitation of a minor.

Raper was arrested and booked into the Union County Jail on a $20,000 bond.

Tonya Raper

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_tonya-raper.jpgTonya Raper

The search is on for a new director of schools. The Claiborne County School Board approved a timeline last week to fill the position that will be vacated when current director Connie Holdway retires June 30.

The board plans to appoint the successor by March 9, according to Shannon England, sixth district school board and policy committee member.

However, a ‘start date’ for the new director has not yet been set, said England.

During an earlier telephone interview, Holdway did say she wanted the appointee to have some time to ‘learn the ropes’ before officially taking up the reins as the new director. That could apparently happen any time after the March 9 appointment date.

Applications will be accepted from Jan. 17 to Jan. 31. The successful applicant must have earned a master’s degree, hold a professional educator’s license and have experience in administration.

Applications may be downloaded online at: www.claibornecountyschools.com or may be picked up at the Board of Education Central Office.

Completed applications must be returned to Sheila Lester, who is located inside the central office, by 10 a.m. on Jan. 31.

The school system will hold a policy workshop on Feb. 2 to review the applications. Candidate interviews will begin on Feb. 13, to be held as an ‘open forum’ at the Cumberland Gap High School. A Feb. 16 ‘snow date’ has been worked into the interview portion of the schedule.

A policy committee workshop, consisting of the entire school board, will be held on Feb. 23 to select the new director of schools.

During the meeting last week, board member Justin Cosby questioned the way in which the December policy committee meeting was concluded. Cosby asked why there was no ‘official’ vote taken on the directorship hiring timeline prior to recommending the perimeters to the full school board.

He said it was “procedure” to take a vote on issues discussed during committee meetings.

“We did ask if everybody was in agreement, and nobody spoke up to say they were not in agreement to present this to the board,” said England.

The timeline, as presented, was unanimously approved by the full school board, by a roll call vote.

The upswing of asthma and other allergies in school-age children prompted a visit from Kim Smith, a representative with the Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center.

“Asthma is a huge absenteeism problem at schools. Some parents don’t know their child has it or other allergies that can trigger the asthma,” said Smith.

She proposed a program that would allow asthma screenings in the school system. In addition to the screenings, representatives could be on hand to talk to school staff about the issues surrounding asthma and other allergies, she said.

Once the results were in, they would be turned over to the school nurse to alert the parent of any child showing positive for asthma, she added.

If approved, the program would be offered free of charge.

In other action, Holdway recognized H.Y. Livesay School for its 94.9 percent attendance rate, the highest of all county public schools.

“We have had the best attendance this year than we have ever had. Every month since school has started, we haven’t had any school’s attendance go below 90 percent,” said Holdway.

Springdale and Forge Ridge tied for second place with a 93.7 percent ranking. Midway snatched third place, with 93.3 percent of the students in attendance.

In another matter, the board voted unanimously to offer Air Med Care as an optional insurance program to employees. Those who sign up for the air transport service insurance will have $40 per year deducted from their pay. The insurance covers the employee and his or her family.

The program recognizes Lifestar and other emergency transport companies and is currently being used in 32 states, according to Holdway.

The board gave its unanimous approval to Amber Morris as a volunteer cheerleading assistant at Cumberland Gap High School, pending proof of a background check.

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

Photo courtesy of Mary Thompson and Rhonda Rowe The Claiborne County School Board honored four of seven teachers that have made tenure. From the left are Whitney Bowling, Dee Middleton, Lynn Hill and Patsy Noe. The remainder of the newly-tenured teachers will be recognized during the February meeting of the school board.

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_Claiborne-tenure-teachers-pic.jpgPhoto courtesy of Mary Thompson and Rhonda Rowe The Claiborne County School Board honored four of seven teachers that have made tenure. From the left are Whitney Bowling, Dee Middleton, Lynn Hill and Patsy Noe. The remainder of the newly-tenured teachers will be recognized during the February meeting of the school board.

The somewhat controversial passage during the November general election of a referendum allowing the sale of wine in retail food stores had the Tazewell Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA) scrambling to update the city codes.

In December, the board adopted on first reading Ordinance 309, amending certain passages within Title 8 relating to alcoholic beverages. Last week, the council officially adopted on second and final reading the ordinance, directly following a public hearing during which there was no response.

The ordinance follows the new definitions set by Tennessee Codes Annotated §57-5-101 in reference to the alcoholic content of beer and areas permissible for wine sales.

In 2015, the state changed the definition of beer from a maximum 5 percent to 8 percent volume. Ordinance 309 now reflects this change.

The ordinance also creates a passage setting an inspection fee for those licensing wine sales in their retail grocery stores. According to the ordinance passage, there will be an eight percent inspection fee levied on the wholesale price of alcoholic beverages supplied by a wholesaler to a retail food store wine licensee.

It appears local media could be handled a bit differently during investigations of automobile accidents in which alcohol or drugs might have been a contributing factor. The council unanimously approved a revision in the police policies regarding the handling of media in these situations.

“It is the policy of the Tazewell Police Department that members shall not publicly disclose that alcohol and/or drugs were a definitive contributing factor to a motor vehicle crash unless the results of official testing (breath alcohol test, blood alcohol test, field sobriety tasks) confirm that alcohol and/or drugs were indeed contributing factors. Members of the department may publicly disclose that alcohol and/or drugs were found at the scene of the crash, whether the driver admitted to the consumption of alcohol and/or drugs, and/or whether witnesses disclose that a driver had been drinking prior to a crash.

“In such matters, a representative of the department should publicly state that toxicology testing will be conducted to determine whether alcohol and/or drugs were contributing factors to the crash,” reads the new procedures added to chapter 12 of the police policy handbook.

The addition includes procedures to follow once it is confirmed that alcohol or drugs were involved.

“…members of the department shall make a good faith effort to notify the drivers involved, or in the case of a fatality crash, the immediate family members of those involved, prior to public disclosure through verbal means or through public court documents (arrest warrant, search warrants),” concludes the addition to the police procedures.

The new policies were fashioned after similar ones adopted on July 1 of last year by the Tennessee General Assembly.

In other action, the BMA approved the purchase from AutoZone of an 80 gallon, 7.5 HP (horsepower) air compressor, at a cost of $2,599.99. Serious problems with the existing compressor prompted maintenance department representative Joe Wolfenbarger to request the upgrade.

Wolfenbarger said that AutoZone will “sweeten” the deal by “throwing in” a starter kit, valued at $134, along with ‘other perks.’

In other business, the board unanimously reappointed Betsy Shoffner to another term as vice-mayor. City recorder Diane Widner was reappointed to the post of town administrator.

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

Jan Runions | Claiborne Progress The Tazewell Board of Mayor and Aldermen handle city business during its January meeting. Circling the table from the left are alderpersons Betsy Shoffner, Johnny Ramsey, Don Smith, Mayor Bill Fannon, Hannah DeBusk, Patrick Hurley and Ben Enix.

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_Tazewell-BMA-pic.jpgJan Runions | Claiborne Progress The Tazewell Board of Mayor and Aldermen handle city business during its January meeting. Circling the table from the left are alderpersons Betsy Shoffner, Johnny Ramsey, Don Smith, Mayor Bill Fannon, Hannah DeBusk, Patrick Hurley and Ben Enix.

Jan Runions | Claiborne Progress Tazewell Mayor Bill Fannon leads the city council through its January meeting.

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_Mayor-Fannon-pic.jpgJan Runions | Claiborne Progress Tazewell Mayor Bill Fannon leads the city council through its January meeting.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to clog the nation’s capital for Donald Trump’s inauguration and a major demonstration the day after. How many will actually arrive to party or protest is an open question.

Officials estimate that 800,000 to 900,000 people will be present Friday for the inauguration, a celebration that takes over the city, closing roads, taxing the city’s Metro transit system and making getting around difficult. Trump himself has promised “massive crowds,” but just what that will mean is unclear.

Hundreds of thousands of others are expected Saturday for the Women’s March on Washington.

Trump showed he could draw crowds during the campaign, but his supporters weren’t so quick to make plans to be in Washington for his inauguration.

Elliott Ferguson, the president of Destination DC, the city’s convention and tourism bureau, said that before Election Day hotels had more events tentatively planned for a Hillary Clinton victory than a Donald Trump one. And when Trump won, the “level of enthusiasm” and demand for hotel rooms did not immediately reach that of past recent inaugurations, he said.

“No one’s phones were ringing” on the day after the election, he said.

Things started to pick up after New Year’s, but some hotels have cut back minimum-night stays from four nights to two. Some hotels are only 50 percent full, though higher-end hotels apparently have more bookings, he said.

“It’s been much, much slower than anyone would have anticipated for a first-term president,” he said.

Saturday’s march has helped drive more reservations, he said.

“The moment it was confirmed it was happening in the city our hotels were seeing reservations take place,” he said.

City planners are betting that Trump’s inauguration is more like President Barack Obama’s second inauguration in 2013, which drew more than 800,000, rather than Obama’s first in 2009, which drew 1.8 million people. But while officials have experience and historical data to draw on to estimate crowds for Friday, guessing how many people will show up for Saturday’s demonstration is harder. Women’s March on Washington organizers said in applying for a demonstration permit that they expected 200,000 people.

Christopher Geldart, the District of Columbia’s homeland security director, thinks the march will draw more than that. Some 1,800 buses have registered to park in the city on Saturday, which would mean nearly 100,000 people coming in just by bus, Geldart said. Amtrak trains into and out of the city are also fully booked on that day, Geldart said.

“Usually when I look at things like that, that tells me we’ve got a pretty substantial crowd coming in. That leads me to believe we’re definitely above the 200,000-person mark,” Geldart said.

In contrast, approximately 400 buses have registered to park in the city on Inauguration Day, said Terry Owens, a spokesman for the District Department of Transportation, though he said that number is growing daily.

For their part, march organizers are trying to get a headcount by asking people who plan to participate to fill out a questionnaire on their website. That will help ensure they have the right number of things like portable toilets, medical tents and food trucks, said Janaye Ingram, who is handling march logistics. More than 100,000 people have already registered using the form, Ingram said.

Rally, a New York City-based transportation company that connects people with bus rides to events, has organized many of the buses coming to Washington for Saturday’s march. The tally includes buses from more than 200 cities in 26 states. The company’s president and co-founder, Siheun Song, said the northeastern portion of the United States has “largely become sold out of motor coaches” for the day. Demand is so great the company is using school buses to bring people to the march from Maryland, she said.

“In six years of doing business we’ve never seen buses get sold out so quickly,” she said.

For its part, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which runs the city’s rail and bus system, is planning an all-day effort to move people on Inauguration Day. The system is opening at 4 a.m. — an hour earlier than normal — and running rush hour service for 17 hours until 9 p.m. But the system hasn’t seen a need to change its usual Saturday operations. The rail system will open at 7 a.m., its normal time for the day, and run on a regular Saturday schedule.

Associated Press reporter Ben Nuckols contributed to this report. Follow Jessica Gresko on Twitter at https://twitter.com/jessicagresko

Claiborne High School recognized several of its seniors who reached or surpassed their ACT benchmarks by Oct. 21, 2016 during the recent ballgame against Cumberland Gap High School.

These benchmarks are scores on the ACT subject-area tests that represent the level of achievement required for students to have a 50 percent chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75 percent chance of obtaining a C or higher in corresponding credit-bearing first year college courses. These courses include English Composition, Algebra, Introductory Social Science and Biology.

These academic all-stars were presented with a medal provided by GEARUP TN with the help and assistance of Danna Campbell Smith. Among these students are Sarah Bailey, James Bloye, Michael Bolles, Ashley Brown, Brandi Collins, Travis Duncan Jr., Caleb Gerding, Giselle Ghabussi, Blake Hill, Taylore Keck, Rene Martin, Trey Mason, Beth Massengill, Remington Mountain, Baylee Neely, Logan Neely, Allison Noah, Jade Noah, Austin Painter, Jordan Rose, Jacob Runions, Abbigail Singleton, Zach Spurlock, Matthew Walker, Summer Walker, Ashton Williams, Austin Williams and Matthew Williams.

Reach Allen Earl at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @pitchadude.

Allen Earl | Claiborne Progress Claiborne High School recently recognized several of its seniors who have reached or surpassed their ACT benchmarks.

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_CHS-ACT-medal-winners.jpgAllen Earl | Claiborne Progress Claiborne High School recently recognized several of its seniors who have reached or surpassed their ACT benchmarks.

Claiborne and Union Counties have been declared eligible for assistance under the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) as a result of the Drought of 2016 as authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. Eligible livestock producers may qualify for the maximum payment level of three months, due to the severity of the year’s drought. January 30 is the deadline to apply for benefits under the 2016 LFP at Farm Service Agency.

To file an LFP application for benefits, eligible livestock producers must have timely filed (by July 15, 2016) a Report of Acreage for all pasture grazed on all farms in 2016. If the acreage report was not timely filed, then a late-filed report can be made, however, the fee for late-filed Reports of Acreage of $31 per farm will be due.

LFP applications should reflect the highest livestock inventory grazing owned, or cash/share-leased pastureland during the 60-day period September 15 through November 15, 2016. Copies of any written acreage lease or rental agreements must be submitted, otherwise, the lessor/landowner must sign an LFP Lease Agreement Certification Statement.

The following types of owned, leased, or contract-to-purchase livestock may be eligible under LFP: Beef, Dairy, Buffalo/Beefalo Cows and Bulls and non-adults weighing 500 pounds or more. Sheep, goats, equine, swine, llamas, and others may be eligible types of livestock under LFP. The livestock must be produced and maintained for commercial use as part of a farming operation. Animals used for recreational purposes such as: pleasure, hunting, pets, roping, or for show are not eligible for LFP.

Please contact the Claiborne-Union County FSA Office for additional program details at 2178 Highway 25E, Tazewell, TN or call toll-free 1-888-257-1245, option “02” or 423-626-3811. To find more information about FSA disaster assistance programs online, visit http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov . USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

NEW MARKET — Recent legislation that increases financial penalties on those convicted of illegally killing big game was enforced in a case involving an illegally killed deer in Jefferson Co. in November.

On Thanksgiving morning around 8:20 a.m., Clarence Robertson, age 63, from New Market, shot an 11-point buck from his driveway and across Piedmont Rd. in a hayfield where he did not have permission. He then drove his truck into the field to retrieve the deer.

Jefferson County Wildlife Officer Wayne Rich seized the deer and TWRA Wildlife Biologist Sterling Daniels measured the antlers giving it a gross score of 143 6/8 inches. Although the total score of the antlers didn’t come in to play, the number of antler points did. Recently amended legislation in §TCA 70-4-116 allows for a judge to impose enhanced restitution fees for illegally killed or possessed trophy deer, and the more antler points on the rack, the higher the cost. For white-tailed deer with at least eight, but not more than ten antler points, the fine is $1,000 per animal plus $500 for each antler point. For a white-tailed deer with 11 or more antler points, the fine is $1,000 per animal plus $750 for each antler point.

In Jefferson County General Session Court, Robertson recently pleaded guilty to shooting a deer across a public road and on property where he didn’t have permission. The judge imposed a $50 fine plus $269 in court costs, as well as assessing a restitution of $9,250 for the trophy buck. Robertson’s hunting privileges are suspended until the fines and restitution have been paid. The high-powered rifle used to kill the deer was returned to the defendant.

Rich said, “It is probably the biggest buck I’ve ever seen in Jefferson County.”

The Jefferson County High School FFA Hunters for the Hungry Club paid for the deer to be processed and donated the meat to charity. The hide and antlers were returned to the property owner where the deer was killed.

Photo submitted TWRA’s Gary Bradley, left, and biologist Sterling Daniels, center, measure an 11-point buck illegally killed in Jefferson County on Thanksgiving Day, as Wildlife Officer Marvin Reeves observes. The deer’s antlers amounted to $9,250 in restitution to be paid by the defendant.

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_TWRA-Big-Buck.jpgPhoto submitted TWRA’s Gary Bradley, left, and biologist Sterling Daniels, center, measure an 11-point buck illegally killed in Jefferson County on Thanksgiving Day, as Wildlife Officer Marvin Reeves observes. The deer’s antlers amounted to $9,250 in restitution to be paid by the defendant.

A Campbell County man has been found guilty of child rape.

A jury found Norman C. Good, of Jacksboro, guilty Thursday afternoon after a two-day trial.

According to a release from the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Good was found guilty of two counts of rape of a child, one count of attempted rape of a child, 14 counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of attempted aggravated sexual battery, and two counts of solicitation of a minor to commit rape of a child.

Campbell County Criminal Court Judge E. Shayne Sexton ordered Good into immediate custody of the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office where he will await sentencing. The sentencing date is scheduled for March 6.

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Jacksboro Police Department and Campbell County Sheriff’s Office. The Campbell County Children’s Center was also an integral part of the investigation and trial, according to the release. At trial, the state was represented by Assistant District Attorneys Lindsey Cadle and Meredith Slemp.

Claiborne commissioner Ann Shumate Bowling has submitted her letter of resignation from the third district seat she has held for many years.

Bowling states “health reasons” in her resignation letter as the reason for her decision to step down.

The letter, submitted to the Claiborne Finance Department on Jan. 9, came a bit too late in the monthly meetings cycle to allow the necessary time to advertise the seat prior to the next commission meeting.

The official acceptance of the resignation is expected to occur during the Jan. 23 meeting. However, a replacement for the third district seat will be appointed during the February meeting of the commission.

On the agenda is a resolution requesting that the Tennessee General Assembly and Governor Bill Haslam uphold prior state legislation deeming marriage to be solely between a man and a woman.

The resolution, sponsored by commissioner Dennis Estes, cites the United States Supreme Court decision to allow a case of same-sex marriage to be legally binding.

The Estes resolution also pledges “legal and political assistance to anyone who refuses to follow” the ruling for constitutionally protected reasons. The document appeals to the U.S. Congress to “correct the Supreme Court’s usurpation of power.”

The commission will be mulling a resolution whose ‘parent’ one was actually adopted in 2004. The new resolution, sponsored by commissioner Gary Poore, allows repairs by the Claiborne Highway Department of non-county roadways.

Apparently, road superintendent Ronnie Pittman requested the new resolution so that his department may gravel lanes leading to such places as cemeteries. The resolution would also allow the road department to gravel driveways belonging to those needing a clear pathway for ‘health-related’ crises.

If adopted, the new resolution will allow Pittman to address drainage and silt problems, as well. His crew will be able to shovel up gravel that has run from driveways into roads, allowing clearing of the roadways by replacing the runoff gravel back onto the residential drive.

State laws currently exist that allow counties to perform these types of duties. However, Pittman apparently wanted ‘clean’ language in Claiborne County law so that potential ‘misunderstandings’ could be alleviated.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Claiborne Commission begins at 6:30 p.m. on Jan 23 inside the large courtroom of the Claiborne County Courthouse. The public is encouraged to attend these monthly meetings.

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

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is soliciting comments for its 2017-18 hunting seasons’ regulations. This is an opportunity for the public to provide ideas and share concerns about hunting regulations with TWRA staff. The comment period will be open through Feb. 15.

Public comments will be considered by TWRA staff and may be presented as proposals for regulation changes. Comments may be submitted by mail to: 2017-18 Hunting Season Comments, TWRA, Wildlife and Forestry Division, P.O. Box 40747, Nashville, TN 37204 or emailed TWRA.HuntingComments@tn.gov. Please include “Hunting Season Comments” on the subject line of emailed submissions.

At a classical music concert the musicians gather on stage, often wearing black clothing, playing stringed instruments that have been around for hundreds of years. The black and white sheet music has been practiced countless times and the cohesive sound resonates through a hall where listeners sit in dimmed lighting.

Bluegrass music is seen as a get-together, a family affair where musicians can wear jeans, be relaxed and ‘jam out’ to music they may have just picked up. Their instruments include guitars, spoons, jugs and anything else they can get their hands on.

One thing is for certain — bluegrass musicians feel the music when they play.

This is especially true for bluegrass musician Steve Gulley, a Claiborne County native who was raised around music from a very young age. His father was a broadcaster and radio station director for 40 years and played several times at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Gulley’s mother was a singer and continues to sing in area churches.

“It was almost osmosis. I was crawling around on the floor while it was going on, but it was never forced on me,” said Gulley.

He first sang at age five and learned to play bass guitar, string bass and guitar around the age of 12.

Now, Gulley plays solo acts as well as with the band New Pinnacle. Locally, he is known for playing with Dale Ann Bradley at the Cumberland Mountain Music Show in Cumberland Gap. His years of experience have won him several national and international awards for his music, but was most recently awarded an honorary doctorate in music from Lincoln Memorial University.

No matter how many noteworthy musicians he has played with, thousands of people he has played for or countries Gulley has played in, he aims to stay true to his roots.

“It’s not about selling music like Levi’s or Coke. It’s about building something lasting that’ll stick around, something that people love and want to put on repeat,” said Gulley.

He has a music studio — The Curve — named after his family’s homeplace in Claiborne County, where he has recorded several nationally-acclaimed records.

In his spare time Gulley enjoys fishing, being outdoors and spending time with his family. He has been married to his wife Debbie for 23 years, who is a traditional country music singer. They have five children and nine grandchildren.

Reach Kelsey Gerhardt at 606-302-9093 or on Twitter @kgerhardtmbdn.

Photo submitted Musician Steve Gulley is a nationally and internationally acclaimed bluegrass musician who has roots in Claiborne County.

http://claiborneprogress.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_gulley.jpgPhoto submitted Musician Steve Gulley is a nationally and internationally acclaimed bluegrass musician who has roots in Claiborne County.

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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Kevin DeWayne Lawson – violation of the habitual motor vehicle offender bar, driving on a revoked license (two separate citations)

Kelvin Lynn Chumley – driving under the influence, violations of probation for driving under the influence and theft under $500, failure to appear for driving under the influence and theft of property

Derick Canada Brown – capias/bench warrant for drug-related violation of probation, failure to appear for driving under the influence, following a motor vehicle too closely and violation of the financial responsibility law

Lee Lincoln Evans – capias/bench warrant, violation of probation for possession of a schedule II controlled substance

Tyler Scott Gilliam – violation of probation for driving under the influence, failure to appear for driving under the influence, speeding 77/55, speeding 70/55 and violations of the registration, financial responsibility and ten day address change laws

David Todd Giles – violation of probation for failure to satisfy

Lucas Robert Roark – failure to appear for vandalism and violation of the financial responsibility law

Courtney Pearl Evans – failure to appear for speeding 79/55 and violations of the driver’s license and financial responsibility laws

Marla Ann Moore – failure to appear for speeding

Tracy D. Leach – failure to appear for violations of the seat belt (second offense), driver’s license and financial responsibility laws

Elizabeth Rachell Rutherford – failure to appear for public intoxication

Kimberly Susan Evans – driving on a revoked license, violations of the registration and financial responsibility laws

Ross Allen Smith – driving on a revoked license, violation of the financial responsibility law

Benny Wayne Lane – driving on a revoked license

Willie James Smith – driving on a suspended license

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New Tazewell Police Dept.

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Thomas Dean Cole – aggravated burglary, vandalism under $500

Ronnie Lynn Foister – outstanding child support attachment

James Edward McGhee – outstanding child support attachment (out of Grainger County)

Harold Wayne Anglian – violation of probation (out of Washington County)

Jeffery Charles Burger – failure to appear for driving on a revoked license and violations of the traffic control device and financial responsibility laws

Peggy Michelle Smith – failure to appear for disorderly conduct

Abby Chittum – speeding 52/30, violations of the driver’s license and registration laws

Seth Walker DeLaney – speeding 63/45, violation of the financial responsibility law

Lesley Christine Hand – speeding 52/30

Justin F. Lifford – speeding 65/45

Tyler B. Wynn – speeding 63/45

Matthew Kirkland – violations of the seat belt (driver), light, registration and 30 day resident (address change) laws

Tyler Hatmaker – violations of the light and 30 day resident (address change) laws

George Thomas Hurst – violation of the traffic control device (stop sign) law

Deborah Shantay Thompson – violation of the traffic control device (stop sign) law

Brandon Gene Miller – following a motor vehicle too closely, violation of the financial responsibility law

Jolynne Mills – possession of a schedule II drugs

Dorthy Childress – possession of a schedule II drugs

Dustin Benny McDonald – simple possession of a schedule VI drugs, violations of probation for burglary and theft over $1,000

Lisa Renee Beason – theft involving merchandise

Jessie Charles Rowland – violations of the muffler, registration and financial responsibility laws

Bryston Hunter Wilson – violations of the muffler and registration laws

Savannah N. Fultz – driving on a suspended license, violation of the financial responsibility law

Carolyn Frances Brock – violation of the financial responsibility law

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Tazewell Police Dept.

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Joshua Ryan Noe – criminal impersonation, resisting arrest

Thomas Estill Keith – simple possession of a schedule III drugs

Philip Alves – speeding 66/45, violation of the financial responsibility law

Tiffany Nicole Ramsey – speeding 61/45, violation of the financial responsibility law

Casey J. Neal – speeding 55/45, simple possession of a schedule VI drugs

Seth Patrick Hauser – speeding 66/45

Megan J. Knuckles – speeding 64/45

Eric Braden – violations of the traffic control device and financial responsibility laws

Yong Suk Lambert – violation of the traffic control device law

Gavin S. Eysler – violation of the registration law

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Tennessee Hwy. Patrol

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Danielle Brooke Herron – failure to appear for speeding and driving on a revoked license

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Happy anniversary to us! This year marks the 130th anniversary of the Claiborne Progress! To commemorate our anniversary, we will be kicking off a year-long celebration on Feb. 1. Beginning with that issue, we will include historical stories and photos in each issue for the rest of this year. We need your help, though – there is so much history here in Claiborne County and we want you to share yours. Send us your stories and/or photos, and we will use as much as possible in print and/or online. If you know of someone who has a story to tell, let us know. We want to highlight Claiborne County’s colorful history. Send your ideas and submissions to manders@civitasmedia.com.

CHATTANOOGA — John Allen Morris, Jr., 51, of Knoxville, Tenn., was sentenced Jan. 13 by the Honorable Travis R. McDonough, U.S. District Judge, to serve 36 months in federal prison. Morris was also ordered to pay over $1.2 million in restitution to identified victims of his offenses.

In August 2016, Morris pleaded guilty to one count each of wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, and wrongful use of a government seal, all charges contained in a May 2016 federal indictment.

A detailed description of his scheme to defraud is included in the plea agreement on file with U.S. District Court. The agreement provides that during 2005-2006, Morris was employed as an insurance and annuities broker with a legitimate insurance company. His scheme to sell fraudulent annuities to elderly clients then began in late 2006.

The scheme devised by Morris started with the establishment of two fictitious companies in which he convinced elderly clients to cash out legitimate annuities and invest in them, promising a higher rate of return. Morris created and provided his clients with imaginary elaborate and personalized financial statements reflecting the supposed status of their accounts. He established multiple accounts at various banks into which he would deposit investment checks from his clients, and later use these funds to pay off initial investors in a Ponzi-like scheme, as well as pay personal bills, buy material items for himself and his family and invest himself in his own ventures. These schemes included a Lamborghini car kit selling enterprise and “Football Tech,” a company created to train high school football players by attempting to attract prominent former NFL players and coaches into contributing to camps for kids based on Morris’s claims of his own football coaching expertise.

Agencies participating in this investigation included the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Neff represented the United States.