Publishing: Sept. 16, 2020 Longhorn scores, highlights and ......2020/09/02 · Publishing: Sept....
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By Veronica Burniston FREELANCE WRITER For the last three years, Johnson County High School (JCHS) has struggled to keep its dumpsters secure from foraging black bears. Thanks to assistance from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and a qualified Wildlife Officer sent to the scene, the high school and the surrounding community have one less burden to bear. “Johnson County High School has been having issues with bears getting into the dumpster and hanging around campus for several years,” Matthew Cameron, TWRA Wildlife Information Specialist, said. “Last week, Wildlife Officer Caleb Marshall trapped a sow with three cubs, who were getting into the dumpster, and relocated them to the Cherokee National Forest.” In 2018, TWRA estimated the black bear population to be ap- proaching 6,000 and steadily rising. With a growing bear population, incidents like the JCHS dumpsters and black bear sightings may become common occurrences in Johnson County. A familiar sight to Johnson Coun- ty locals, the Black Bear is the most common and recognizable North American bear. As omnivores, Black Bears are willing and ready 6 56525 10651 4 Mountain City, Tennessee 37683 Your Community Newspaper, Established 1874 75 cents Vol. 146 No. 36 www.thetomahawk.com T HE T OMAHAWK Wednesday, September 2, 2020 Community Calendar ...........A2 Agriculture/Senior News ......A3 Public Safety ........................A4 Inside News..........................A5 Service Directory ...............A4,5 From Page One ...................A6 Sports ........................... B1,3 Obituaries/Features ........ B2 Faith ................................ B4 Classifieds .................... B5,6 INSIDE: By Meg Dickens STAFF WRITER Delaying the return to in-person learning the second time in a row, the Johnson County School Board decided to continue virtual learn- ing through September 14. During the Tuesday, August 25, Called School Board meet- ing, School Nurse and licensed nurse practitioner Wendy Henley explained details about COVID- 19’s spread related to Johnson County Schools resulting in the Board’s consideration of a little more caution. “I came through the door ready to vote to go back to school,” said board member Kevin Long. “Until I heard Wendy.” According to school officials, the original plan was to open schools on August 3, but officials delayed the return. Henley reported that 50 staff or faculty members had some type of exposure to COVID-19 at that time. After discussing it again at its August 13 meeting, the school board decided to open schools virtually on Monday, August 17. Schools face more delays of in-person learning Submitted by Sarah Ransom Staff at the Johnson County UT/ TSU Extension are pleased to an- nounce that Danielle Pleasant, the organization’s local 4-H Agent, has been promoted to Agent II. “This is a well-earned promotion that comes from years of service and excellence in programming,” said Sarah Ransom, Johnson Coun- ty UT/TSU Extension Director. “Danielle has worked for UT/TSU Extension for ten years, and has been actively involved in improv- ing and growing our local 4-H program.” Under her leadership, the region has seen an increase in participa- tion, more activities for the youth, and a variety of skills learned. One of the favorite educational trips within the program is the annual Farm Day when youth visit the farm and learn how agriculture impacts their everyday lives. “I love how our volunteers and community work together to share the importance of agriculture,” Ransom said. “The youth always Changing lives one youth at a time By Jill Penley FREELANCE WRITER County-level July unemploy- ment rates released by the Ten- nessee Department of Labor last week show 75 percent of Tennes- see counties improving with un- employment rate decreases from June to July in 72 of the state’s 95 counties. Financial analysts suggest this may be a glimmer of progress toward economic recovery. Unemployment rates in most Tennessee’s counties skyrocketed in April, with many counties’ rates surpassing unemployment rates during the 2008 financial crash. But Tennessee’s overall unem- ployment rate came in at an esti- mated 9.5% in July, slightly lower than June’s revised rate of 9.6%. Johnson County unemployment rate sixth lowest in the state By Jill Penley FREELANCE WRITER Returning for the sixth year, The Long Jour- ney Home, an annual celebration of the musical heritage belonging to the area, takes center stage this weekend, September 4th and 5th. Everyone can experience the sights and sounds of Johnson County’s musical heritage from the safety and comfort of their homes. “This year’s festival might look a little dif- ferent,” explained Christy Dunn, one of the organizers, “but even a global pandemic can’t stop the celebration.” The anticipated events, which will be enjoyed virtually, include: • An exclusive one-time community preview of the new film Short Life of Trouble: The Legend of G.B. Grayson, will be shown Friday, September 4 at 8 p.m. Long Journey Home festival celebrates “A Day in the Life of a Song” this weekend Community homecoming JOHNSON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD Honoring the region’s musical heritage and the old homestead of Fiddlin’ Fred Price, local musicians Kenny Price, Lois Dunn, and Andrew Matherly, pose for the camera in preparation for the Annual Long Journey Home Celebration scheduled for labor Day weekend. The virtual program will offer a variety of events recorded by local videographer, Deklan Thomas. Photo by Tia Thomas The Johnson County School Board meets in a called meeting on Tuesday, August 25. Officials are meeting more regularly to discuss issues in light of COVID-19. The next meeting will be on Thursday, September 10. Photo by Meg Dickens. JC UT/TSU Extension 4-H Agent Danielle Pleasant has been promoted to Agent II. Black Bear family relocated to Cherokee Forest A Black Bear sow with her cubs, look toward the camera for a photo by Tennessee wild life officers. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has recently trapped a mother bear and cubs that were getting into the dumpsters and trashcans near the Johnson County High School and surrounding community, and relocated them to the Cherokee National Forest. Photo by TN.gov. Publishing: Sept. 16, 2020 Jr. Horns Sports [email protected] or 727-6121 ext. 22. DEADLINE 9/11 See Bears Page A5 See Pleasant Page A6 See Unemployment Page A6 See Schools Page A6 See LJH Page A6 Longhorn scores, highlights and previews… page B1 By Tamas Mondovics EDITOR Late last week, Tennessee Gover- nor Bill Lee signed Executive Order No. 59 to extend certain targeted provisions of Executive Order Nos. 36, 38, 49, 50, 54, and 55 through September 30, 2020. According to Lee, the order is in place to facilitate the continued treatment and containment of CO- VID-19 through regulatory flexibil- ity, promoting social distancing and wearing face coverings in public places, and protecting vulnerable populations. Lee also signed Executive Or- der Nos. 60 and 61, which ex- tend through September 30 pro- visions that allow for electronic government meetings subject to transparency safeguards and re- mote notarization and witnessing of documents, allowing for the implementation of best practices developed during COVID-19 for providing live broadcasts of elec- Gov. signs executive orders extending State of Emergency, County Mayor follows suit The order involves regulatory flexibility and local authority on facial coverings. See Masks Page A5
Transcript of Publishing: Sept. 16, 2020 Longhorn scores, highlights and ......2020/09/02 · Publishing: Sept....
By Veronica BurnistonFREELANCE WRITER
For the last three years, Johnson County High School (JCHS) has struggled to keep its dumpsters secure from foraging black bears.
Thanks to assistance from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and a qualified Wildlife Officer sent to the scene, the high school and the surrounding community have one less burden to bear.
“Johnson County High School has been having issues with bears getting into the dumpster and hanging around campus for several years,” Matthew Cameron, TWRA Wildlife Information Specialist, said. “Last week, Wildlife Officer Caleb Marshall trapped a sow with three cubs, who were getting into the dumpster, and relocated them to the Cherokee National Forest.”
In 2018, TWRA estimated the black bear population to be ap-
proaching 6,000 and steadily rising. With a growing bear population, incidents like the JCHS dumpsters and black bear sightings may become common occurrences in Johnson County.
A familiar sight to Johnson Coun-ty locals, the Black Bear is the most common and recognizable North American bear. As omnivores, Black Bears are willing and ready
6 56525 10651 4
Mountain City, Tennessee 37683Your Community Newspaper, Established 1874 75 centsVol. 146 No. 36
www.thetomahawk.com
THE TOMAHAWKWednesday, September 2, 2020
Community Calendar ...........A2Agriculture/Senior News ......A3Public Safety ........................A4Inside News ..........................A5Service Directory ...............A4,5
From Page One ...................A6Sports ...........................B1,3Obituaries/Features ........B2Faith ................................B4Classifieds ....................B5,6
INSIDE:
By Meg DickensSTAFF WRITER
Delaying the return to in-person learning the second time in a row, the Johnson County School Board decided to continue virtual learn-ing through September 14.
During the Tuesday, August 25, Called School Board meet-ing, School Nurse and licensed nurse practitioner Wendy Henley explained details about COVID-19’s spread related to Johnson County Schools resulting in the Board’s consideration of a little more caution.
“I came through the door ready to vote to go back to school,” said board member Kevin Long. “Until I heard Wendy.”
According to school officials, the original plan was to open schools on August 3, but officials delayed the return. Henley reported that 50 staff or faculty members had some type of exposure to COVID-19 at that time.
After discussing it again at i ts August 13 meeting, the school board decided to open schools virtually on Monday, August 17.
Schools face more delays of in-person learning
Submitted by Sarah Ransom
Staff at the Johnson County UT/TSU Extension are pleased to an-nounce that Danielle Pleasant, the organization’s local 4-H Agent, has been promoted to Agent II.
“This is a well-earned promotion that comes from years of service and excellence in programming,” said Sarah Ransom, Johnson Coun-ty UT/TSU Extension Director. “Danielle has worked for UT/TSU Extension for ten years, and has been actively involved in improv-ing and growing our local 4-H program.”
Under her leadership, the region has seen an increase in participa-tion, more activities for the youth, and a variety of skills learned. One
of the favorite educational trips within the program is the annual Farm Day when youth visit the farm and learn how agriculture impacts their everyday lives.
“I love how our volunteers and community work together to share the importance of agriculture,” Ransom said. “The youth always
Changing lives one youth at a time
By Jill PenleyFREELANCE WRITER
County-level July unemploy-ment rates released by the Ten-nessee Department of Labor last week show 75 percent of Tennes-see counties improving with un-employment rate decreases from June to July in 72 of the state’s 95 counties.
Financial analysts suggest this may be a glimmer of progress toward economic recovery.
Unemployment rates in most Tennessee’s counties skyrocketed in April, with many counties’ rates surpassing unemployment rates during the 2008 financial crash. But Tennessee’s overall unem-ployment rate came in at an esti-mated 9.5% in July, slightly lower than June’s revised rate of 9.6%.
Johnson County unemployment rate sixth lowest
in the state
By Jill PenleyFREELANCE WRITER
Returning for the sixth year, The Long Jour-ney Home, an annual celebration of the musical heritage belonging to the area, takes center stage
this weekend, September 4th and 5th. Everyone can experience the sights and
sounds of Johnson County’s musical heritage from the safety and comfort of their homes.
“This year’s festival might look a little dif-ferent,” explained Christy Dunn, one of the organizers, “but even a global pandemic can’t
stop the celebration.” The anticipated events, which will be enjoyed virtually, include:
• An exclusive one-time community preview of the new film Short Life of Trouble: The Legend of G.B. Grayson, will be shown Friday, September 4 at 8 p.m.
Long Journey Home festival celebrates “A Day in the Life of a Song” this weekend
Community homecoming
JOHNSON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
Honoring the region’s musical heritage and the old homestead of Fiddlin’ Fred Price, local musicians Kenny Price, Lois Dunn, and Andrew Matherly, pose for the camera in preparation for the Annual Long Journey Home Celebration scheduled for labor Day weekend. The virtual program will offer a variety of events recorded by local videographer, Deklan Thomas. Photo by Tia Thomas
The Johnson County School Board meets in a called meeting on Tuesday, August 25. Officials are meeting more regularly to
discuss issues in light of COVID-19. The next meeting will be on Thursday, September 10. Photo by Meg Dickens.
JC UT/TSU Extension 4-H Agent Danielle Pleasant has been promoted to Agent II.
Black Bear family relocated to Cherokee Forest
A Black Bear sow with her cubs, look toward the camera for a photo by Tennessee wild life officers. The Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency has recently trapped a mother bear and cubs that were getting into the dumpsters and trashcans near the
Johnson County High School and surrounding community, and relocated them to the Cherokee National Forest. Photo by TN.gov.
Publishing: Sept. 16, 2020Jr. Horns Sports
[email protected] or 727-6121 ext. 22.
DEADLINE
9/11
See Bears Page A5See Pleasant Page A6
See Unemployment Page A6
See Schools Page A6
See LJH Page A6
Longhorn scores, highlights and previews… page B1
By Tamas MondovicsEDITOR
Late last week, Tennessee Gover-nor Bill Lee signed Executive Order No. 59 to extend certain targeted provisions of Executive Order Nos. 36, 38, 49, 50, 54, and 55 through September 30, 2020.
According to Lee, the order is in place to facilitate the continued treatment and containment of CO-VID-19 through regulatory flexibil-ity, promoting social distancing and wearing face coverings in public places, and protecting vulnerable populations.
Lee also signed Executive Or-der Nos. 60 and 61, which ex-tend through September 30 pro-visions that allow for electronic government meetings subject to transparency safeguards and re-mote notarization and witnessing of documents, allowing for the implementation of best practices developed during COVID-19 for providing live broadcasts of elec-
Gov. signs executive orders extending State of Emergency, County
Mayor follows suitThe order involves regulatory flexibility and local authority
on facial coverings.
See Masks Page A5
