Crime /Public safety

TWRA Press Release

NASHVILLE — An amendment passed in the Tennessee General Assembly this year requires persons who rent motorized watercraft be given an orientation for the specific type of vessel being rented.
The renter of the watercraft must sign off in acknowledgement after completion of the orientation. The marina or any other rental entity will keep the acknowledgement on file for at least a 30-day period.
Tennessee residents who have successfully completed a monitored National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) exam and hold the TWRA-issued wallet certification card are exempt from this orientation. Any out of state visitor, who holds a NASBLA-approved boating safety education certification, is also exempt as is any person who holds a United States Coast Guard operator license.
Tennessee residents born after Jan. 1, 1989 are required to pass a boater education exam administered by an approved representative of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency in order to operate any motorized vessel over 8.5 horsepower. Out of state residents born after Jan. 1, 1989 must show proof of successful completion of NASBLA
approved boating safety course. Non-resident certification may be from their home state or any state issued course.
Tennessee residents born after the Jan.1, 1989 can purchase a Type 600 Exam Permit online or from any hunting and fishing license vendor for a cost of $10 and go to a testing location to take the exam or take a class. Locations for testing and for classes can be found on the TWRA website under the boating section. For study materials, telephone (615) 781-6682.

By Bethany Anderson

There are many specialty license plates available in the state of Tennessee which people use them to show their support for various causes or to show their status as a veteran for example. Specialty plates cost an extra $35.00 each year in Tennessee. The money collected from the additional costs of these plates goes towards each of the causes represented on them. Each plate must have enough interest and support represented in their purchases to remain available though.
In 2016, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Tennessee lost their specialty license plates after drivers failed to purchase the required minimum number to keep the plates in circulation.
However, Senator Paul Bailey has granted MADD Tennessee another chance. If MADD can pre-sell 1000 plates before June 30, 2019, the design will be back in circulation. It is a daunting challenge, but more is at stake than just a decorative license plate.
“Our plates serve as rolling billboards to bring awareness to the issue drunk and/or drugged driving, and what better place to have a message regarding highway safety?” said Norris Skelley, MADD Tennessee State Board member. Not only do these license plates raise awareness, but the proceeds MADD receives from each plate helps fund their Victim Services Program–which provides help to those that have been affected by impaired driving–at no cost to the victims and their families. It is a critical source of funding that was lost when the plates were discontinued.
Anyone interested in pre-ordering a MADD plate should visit tnmaddplates.com and sign up. When the minimum of 1,000 pre-orders has been reached, then the $35.00 per plate will be due.
“Our plates are used to raised awareness about drunk/drugged driving, raise the necessary funding for victim services and to honor victims of impaired driving crashes, Skelley said
While there is currently no Johnson County Chapter of MADD, several locals have been working on starting one for quite some time, but have not gotten the needed support to do so.
Jeanie Linton, the mother of Jadey Dunn who was tragically killed by a drunk driver in Mountain City 20 years ago, has been trying since then to start a local chapter for Johnson County.
“We never could get the support we needed to have enough people to commit to it for MADD to let us have a chapter here,” said Linton. “I’m not ready to give up though.”
For more information regarding MADD Tennessee specialty license plates, contact Norris Skelley at norrisskelley@gmail.com or 931-261-4168.
For more information about starting a Johnson County MADD chapter, please contact the Tennessee State Office at tn.state@madd.org or 615-360-8055.

New status report reveals 24.4 percent increase in suicide deaths among children ages 10-17.

Staff Report

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Each day we lose three Tennesseans to suicide, now the ninth leading cause of death in Tennessee. In 2017, there were 142 youth deaths by suicide, representing the twenty-four (10-24) age group, with 51 of these representing children between the ages of ten to seventeen (10-17). Suicide by children increased by
24.4 percent from 2016 to 2017; and more alarmingly, suicide by children increased by 54.5 percent from 2015 to 2017.
“One death by suicide is one death too many,” said Scott Ridgway, Executive Director of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN). “Given the stark increase in death by suicide among children, we are working with Governor-elect Bill Lee’s transition team to impress the importance of saving all lives in Tennessee and improving our prevention efforts.”
The Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Health Statistics reports there were 1,163 recorded suicide
deaths in Tennessee in 2017, up from 1,110 the previous year. The suicide rate increased from 16.7 to 17.3 per 100,000. Suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in Tennessee during 2014 – 2016.
The “2019 Status of Suicide in Tennessee” report provides state legislators, mental health professionals, and the general public with information on the problem of suicide in our state and what is being done to prevent it. Each year’s edition includes a detailed report on suicide trends within Tennessee, both overall and by age, race, gender, and geography. The complete report is available on the TSPN website at http://tspn.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/TSPN-Status-of-Suicide-2019.pdf.
As TSPN staff, its many volunteers, and the innumerable suicide prevention advocates across the state know, Tennessee is a national model with our efforts for suicide prevention. With that said, we must, as a state, increase our efforts to combat this public health crisis. For every number and rate that is provided in the “2019 Status of Suicide in Tennessee” report, a family member, loved one, neighbor, co-worker, and friend suffers an unimaginable loss. To learn how to get involved with TSPN or to request a suicide prevention training visit our website, http://tspn.org/.

Johnson County’s bullet and stab protective vest recipient, Rico and his Handler, T.J. Brown pose for a photo in Mountain City. Rico received the protective gear from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. a 501c(3) charity organization located in East Taunton, MA. The vest was donated to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office in memory of K9 Josey of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, TN.” Submitted photo.

By Tamas Mondovics

Johnson County Sheriff’s Office K9 Rico and his deputy handler JCSO Deputy T.J. Brown is ready to face the next chase, thanks to a brand new addition to Rico’s protective gear.
Rico received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a generous donation from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. a 501c(3) charity organization located in East Taunton, MA,
With respect and honor of K9 units across the nation, the vest is embroidered with the sentiment, “In memory of K9 Josey, Union County Sheriff’s Office, TN”.
“I am very grateful for the donation and appreciate what Vested Interest is doing for our K9 deputy-partners,” Brown said.
Brown, a longtime law enforcement veteran, who has been with Rico for more than three years emphasized that a lot of smaller departments do not have the funds to provide such protective gear. “Receiving this vest is a priceless piece of armor we need and shows the great support on behalf of our K9s.”
As referenced by Brown, such armor is by no means cheap and for a good reason as it saves lives. That is a K9 officer’s lives. There is an estimated 30,000-law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.
The donation to provide one protective vest for law enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest reportedly has a value between $1,744 – $2,283, and a five-year warranty and an average weight of 4-5 lbs.
“K9s are trained to wear harnesses so this vest does not hinder Rico to get the job done,” Brown said.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc’s mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.
The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., provided more than 3,300 protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million.
The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.
“Our K9 team here at Johnson County continues to work very hard to keep our community safe and protected as they are a huge asset to the department,” said Johnson County Sheriff, Eddie Tester.
Tester added that along with the department’s K9 recipient Rico and his handler T.J. Brown, the whole K9 team and department at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Vested Interest in K9’s, for the opportunity to be selected for the bullet and stab protective vest. “We are grateful for the donation made in memory of K9 Josey.”
For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.

By Tamas Mondovics and Denise Woods

The Johnson County Sherriff’s Department in collaboration with Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the A.C.T.I.O.N Coalition Inc., conducted alcohol compliance checks among seven businesses licensed to sell alcoholic beverages in the region.
Compliance checks of licensed establishments are conducted on a regular basis. To prevent underage sales of alcoholic beverages, TABC law enforcement agents use minor decoys who attempt to purchase alcohol from TABC licensed establishments including restaurants, bars, liquor stores, and retail stores.
Minor compliance checks are an integral part of protecting our youth against underage drinking by ensuring that licensed establishments comply with the state laws against sales of alcohol to minors.

“The goal is to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors before
tragedy strikes.”Chief Law
Enforcement Officer,
Bond Tubbs.

ACTION Coalition would like to commend local businesses including Big Louis’, Doe Valley Food Mart, Dollar General (Butler) who demonstrated responsible alcohol sales during the recent compliance checks.
“Compliance checks are an effective environmental strategy in reducing underage drinking,” said Denise Woods, with ACTION Coalition. “Underage drinking contributes to car crashes, injuries, vandalism, unwanted sexual encounters, teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and death by alcohol poisoning as well as a risk of developing alcohol use disorders. By themselves, compliance checks will not eliminate youth access to alcohol. However, when combined with a comprehensive community approach, they can help keep alcohol out of the hands of kids.”
Statistics have shown that compliance checks help to reduce the percentages on non-compliant retailers statewide.
According to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, 1663 compliance checks in 2015 showed a 22 percent non-compliance rate, while in 2018 the 1696 compliance checks showed a drop to a 13 percent non-compliance rate.
The Tennessee Highway safety commission awarded a $125,000 grant to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission in December 2018 to prevent traffic-related deaths and injuries by addressing the illegal sale of alcohol to minors (under 21 years of age).
“The goal is to prevent the sales of alcohol to minors before tragedy strikes,” said Chief Law Enforcement Officer Bond Tubbs. “These funds from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office allow us to allocate more resources to the prevention of sales to minors, and in turn, help prevent traffic collisions and traffic-related deaths that might result from underage drinking.”
TABC will use grant funds to deploy law enforcement personnel to areas of the state that have experienced a significant number of DUI related arrests and collisions. It will also assign agents to work at high profile events such as festivals, sporting events, and concerts.
Selling alcohol to a minor not only affects the minor and the clerk but also the business. The Sheriff’s Department and Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission initiated citations to one business notifying them of failing to comply with TN laws regarding the sale of alcohol to minors. Retailers who sell to an underage buyer are referred to the Johnson County Beer Board for failing to comply with the state’s alcohol laws.
Responsible Beverage Server Training is available through the A.C.T.I.O.N Coalition to any outlet or individual that serves or sells alcohol. The five-hour training goes into depth about behavior cues and intoxication rate factors of intoxication, Dram Shop Liability, and Common Negligence laws, B.A.C, tolerance, alcohol proof amounts, and proper ID checking.
Responsible Beverage Server Training can also reduce insurance costs for the outlet and possibility reduces fines imposed through the courts.
For more information, please call 423-727-0780. Denise Woods is the Prevention Coordinator at A.C.T.I.O.N Coalition, Inc. in Mountain City.

2/01/2019

01/25/2019 Jeffersson A Antonio, Jackson St, Driving Under The Influence, Driving Without A Drivers License
01/25/2019 Stacy T Leonard, Waddell Rd, Theft Of Property U/$1,000, Theft O/$10,000 X 2, Aggravated Burglary
01/25/2019 Brittany C Matheson, Village Square Ln, Aggravated Child Abuse And Neglect X 2
01/25/2019 Kaleb N Mcwhorter, Burley Shoun Ln, Failure To Appear
01/25/2019 Matthew V Pennington, Gentry Creek Rd, Capias
01/25/2019 Blake E Phillippi, Cross Mountain Rd, Assault As Domestic Violence
01/25/2019 Bradley R Price, W Main St, Violation Of Community Corrections X 2
01/26/2019 Zachary G Eastridge, Grover Reece Rd, Failure To Appear X 2
01/27/2019 Charissa A Blevins, Brinkley Rd, Simple Possession, Driving Under The Influence, Violation Of Open Container Law In A Vehicle, Driving On Suspended Drivers License
01/27/2019 Dallas T Ferguson, Trout Run Rd, Violation Of Probation
01/27/2019 Douglas Z Mcmillan, Eller Rd, Assault As Domestic Violence
01/27/2019 Matthew L Widner, Forge Rd, Violation Of Probation
01/28/2019 Wendy L Hansen, Crackers Neck Rd, Driving Under The Influence
01/28/2019 Penny S Lipford, Hampton Tn, Violation Of Probation
01/28/2019 Laurel A Miller, Bulldog Rd, Aggravated Assault With A Vehcile As Domestic Violence, Assault
01/28/2019 Bobbie M Perry, Noah Snyder Rd, Worthless Checks
01/28/2019 Tracy S Proffitt, Hillcrest Rd, Felony False Report
01/29/2019 Elizabeth A Carr, Morefield Rd, Driving Under The Influence
01/29/2019 Wayne C Cook Jr, Pine Orchard, Failure To Appear For Booking And Processing
01/29/2019 Brandon L Hicks, Village Square Ln, Criminal Trespassing, Felony Failure To Appear, Violation Of Bond Conditions
01/29/2019 William M Oxentine, Hwy 421 N, Violation Of Probation
01/30/2019 Karan M Calloway, Lenoir Nc, Possession Of Schedule Iv Drugs For Resale, Simple Possession Of Schedule Vi Drugs, Possession Of Legend Drugs X 2
01/30/2019 Yolande Hartley, Dry Stone Branch Rd, Simple Possession Of Schedule Vi Drugs, Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia
01/30/2019 Zara L Mcneal, Crackers Neck Rd, Violation Of Community Corrections, Attachment – Failure To Pay Child Support
01/30/2019 Ryan A Miller, Harbin Hill Rd, Driving Under The Influence
01/30/2019 Kevin J Roberts, Hampton Tn, Failure To Appear
01/31/2019 Nickey R Gentry, Gentry Cemetary Rd, Driving Left Of Center, Felony Reckless Endangerment, Resisting Arrest, Evading Arrest By Motor Vehcile, Driving On Revoked Drivers License, Driving Under The Influence
01/31/2019 Alex M Casto, Rainbow Rd, Violation Of Probation
01/31/2019 Addie E Mahala, Damascus Va, Possession Of Scheudle Ii Drugs, Driving On Suspended Drivers License
01/31/2019 Delza D Noble, Reece Hill Rd, Dogs Not Allowed At Large
01/31/2019 Jonthan M Shelton, Johnson Hollow Rd, Resisting Arrest, Evading Arrest, Possession Of Schedule Ii Drugs, Violation Of Probation, Possession Of Legend Drugs, Attachment – Failure To Pay Child Support