The city of Lewisburg, Tenn., has been named a Valley Sustainable Silver Community by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The Valley Sustainable Communities Program initiated by TVA Economic Development helps communities document and improve existing sustainability programs to increase their competitiveness when companies are considering investing in new or expanded locations. 

Lewisburg recently completed the program sponsored by TVA, which was developed and administered by consultant Boyette Strategic Advisors (BSA).

“We are proud that Lewisburg has completed the Valley Sustainable Communities Program,” said Del Boyette, president and CEO of Boyette Strategic Advisors. “The Silver level designation recognizes that Lewisburg has community-wide sustainability in place, with some programs available to support the business community and take advantage of economic development opportunities.”

Sustainability has become a key issue for economic development organizations and communities as more corporations have demonstrated an increasing commitment to sustainability. More than 90 percent of corporate real estate executives who responded to a CoreNet Global survey on sustainability said that it is a consideration in their company location decisions. The typical reasons for this corporate commitment are reduced operating costs for increased profitability and greater employee satisfaction. 

“TVA Economic Development’s mission includes working with Valley communities to help prepare them to be ready for economic growth opportunities,” said John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development. “We are seeing that more and more companies have an increasing business emphasis on sustainable operations, and are adding this component to their RFIs as they search for a community where they can locate, grow, and enhance their company’s sustainability commitments.”

Lewisburg Sustainable Community Team Members, Mayor Jim Bingham, Barbara Woods, Lisa Jackson, JECB Director Mike Wiles and Lewisburg ED Director Greg Lowe were presented the TVA Sustainable Community Silver Level Award at a luncheon on December 3 in Nashville. 

“This kind of recognition validates our efforts to become a progressive, business-friendly and environmentally sound community,” said Lewisburg Mayor Jim Bingham. “We are going to continue efforts such as this as we move forward with more plans and projects to make the best city to live, work and do business.”

1. Marshall County Schools will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m.

2. Maury County Schools will dismiss 2 hours early.

3. The Cornersville High School Basketball game versus Columbia Academy scheduled for tonight has been canceled and will be rescheduled at a later dte due to the weather.

4. Forrest High School Basketball game versus Middle TN Christian scheduled for tonight has been canceled. However; the Saturday game is still on as planned at this time.

Offer Vital Cold Safety Tips for Communities That May Be Affected 

NASHVILLE, THURSDAY, December 5, 2013 — Bitter arctic air is headed south to put most of the country in a deep chill through the end of the week and the American Red Cross is ready to respond, if needed, and is also encouraging people to stay safe during the deep freeze. 

”Our volunteers have been put on stand-by across the Region and we are ready to help with any significant, unforeseen emergency incident that displaces individuals from their normal place of dwelling,” said Regional CEO, Joel Sullivan.  “We would strongly encourage those that may be affected by this ice storm to stay indoors and avoid driving on roads once the storm hits, as motorists can become stranded in vehicles and walking and driving conditions can become hazardous.” 

The American Red Cross has ten ways people can stay safe during the deep freeze. 

COLD SAFETY TIPS 

1. Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing your body heat. 

2. Bring pets indoors. If they can’t come inside, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water. 

3. Protect your pipes - run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent your pipes from freezing. Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children. Keep the garage doors closed if there are water lines in the garage. 

4. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night. Your heating bill may be a little higher, but you could avoid a more costly repair job if your pipes freeze and burst. 

5. If you are using a space heater, place it on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable at least three feet away – things such as paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs. Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed. 

6. Never use a stove or oven to heat your home. 

7. If you are using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs. 

8. Use generators correctly – never operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage. 

9. Don’t hook a generator up to the home’s wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.

10. Download the American Red Cross First Aid App for quick, expert advice on what to do in case of an emergency. This free app is available on the Apple iTunes or Google Play stores. See all Red Cross apps at redcross.org/mobileapps.

Anthony Praino, 51, of Columbia, Tennessee, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to interstate transportation of stolen property and filing a false tax return, announced David Rivera, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.    The charges stemmed from a joint investigation conducted by the Maury County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and the IRS-Criminal Investigation, which revealed that in 2011 and 2012, Praino stole nearly a million dollars’ worth of equipment from the General Motors (GM) Spring Hill, Tenn. Plant and then failed to disclose to the IRS the $145,000 profit he received from the sale of the stolen equipment.            

Testimony presented at the guilty plea hearing before District Judge Todd Campbell established that in 2011 GM investigators discovered that a significant amount of expensive equipment was missing from their Spring Hill plant, where Praino was employed as a fork lift operator.   Praino emerged as the prime suspect when GM investigators identified some missing equipment being advertised for sale on eBay, and then clandestinely purchased it. 

When the equipment was delivered to them, the return address for the sender was determined to be Praino’s. GM referred the matter to the Maury County Sheriff’s Office, who in turn alerted the FBI and the IRS, given the value and volume of the stolen property.

In April 2012, while agents were conducting surveillance, they observed Praino depositing a large parcel for delivery by a commercial shipping company.  Agents quickly determined that the package contained expensive, stolen GM equipment, and was to be delivered to Thailand. Agents obtained and executed a search warrant for Praino’s home in Columbia, Tenn. and found more equipment that had been stolen from the Spring Hill GM facility, which was worth over $500,000.     

Follow up investigation disclosed that Praino had received more than $145,000 from selling the stolen GM equipment, which he failed to disclose when filing his tax return.  He owed, but failed to pay about $48,000 in additional income tax for that income, which constituted a second separate federal crime.  Praino faces a maximum of 13 years in prison and an order of restitution.   

The case was investigated by the FBI, the IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Maury County Sheriff’s Department.  The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hilliard Hester.

NASHVILLE, TN – The State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding Tennesseans with natural, fresh-cut Christmas trees in their homes to take care to keep them in water because of the fire risk posed when they are allowed to dry out. 

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), structure fires caused by Christmas trees result in an average of four deaths, 21 injuries, and $17.3 million in direct property damage annually. Christmas tree fires are not common, but when they occur, they are likely to be serious. On average, one of every 66 reported fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in death. A heat source too close to the Christmas tree started one of every five (18%) of these fires. 

In addition to keeping natural trees watered, the State Fire Marshal also shares these Christmas tree safety tips: 

Picking the tree

 If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled, certified, or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.

 If Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched. 

Placing the tree

 Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 1" - 2" from the base of the trunk.

 Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.

 Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.

 Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily. 

Lighting the tree

 Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.

 Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of LED strands to connect.

 Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.

 Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed. 

After Christmas

 Get rid of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home. Check with your local community to find a recycling program. 

Don’t forget to install smoke alarms on every level of your home and to test them monthly. Develop and practice a home fire escape plan with everyone in your home. The plan should include two ways out of every room and a designated meeting place outside where everyone can be accounted for.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is a division of the Department of Commerce and Insurance, which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

(Lewisburg, TN) – December 5, 2013 – Marshall/Bedford/Moore County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director William Barnes announced that producers now have until January 15, 2014, to report crops that have a November 15, 2013, or December 15, 2013, reporting deadline without paying a late-file fee. Crops under this waiver include wheat and native and improved grasses intended for grazing or haying. The Risk Management Agency (RMA) did not grant a waiver so producers need to consult their crop insurance agent for deadlines for insured crops. 

“In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements, all producers are encouraged to visit the Marshall/Bedford/Moore County FSA office to file an accurate crop certification report by the applicable

MAJOR CHANGES FOR EARNING HIGH SCHOOL CREDENTIAL BEGIN IN 2014 

NASHVILLE – Tennesseans aspiring to pass the current version of the GED® test before the end of 2013 can take advantage of an expanded test-retake policy just announced by the GED Testing Service, according to Labor & Workforce Development Administrator Marva Doremus. The change enables more people to retake the test before the present GED test version expires December 31, 2013. 

“The GED test is given in three forms. People who have taken all three versions of the GED test this year are allowed to retake the test or certain parts as long as it has been 60 days since the test-taker took that particular form of the test,” said Doremus. Previously, test takers were limited to take the GED test three times per year. 

The change in the retake policy is especially aimed at assisting those who have started the GED test but have not finished and passed every section. All scores will expire at the end of this year, and test-takers will have to start over with the new revised GED test or the alternative high school equivalency test called HiSET™ that will also be offered in Tennessee. 

For details on taking the GED test or retaking certain parts before the close of 2013, contact the Adult Education Division of the Department of Labor & Workforce Development at 1-800-531-1515 or visit the department’s Website at http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/AE. 

Give something that means something and offer hope

(NASHVILLE, Tenn. November 25, 2013) — The holidays bring families and friends together to share in celebrations and special times of giving. But for families dealing with a cancer diagnosis or other major illness, the holidays can be difficult. 

The American Red Cross’ Give Something that Means Something winter campaign runs through Jan. 6, 2014, and encourages eligible donors to give something meaningful this holiday season by donating blood or platelets for hospital patients in need.    

Dec. 24, 2013, through Jan. 3, 2014- As an added incentive during the winter holidays, all presenting donors will receive a commemorative long-sleeve Red Cross T-shirt (while supplies last). 

  Blood donors are also encouraged to invite a loved one to follow in their footsteps and donate blood this holiday season. Visit http://rcblood.org/HolidayPostcard to upload a picture of a Red Cross blood donation and send a postcard to a loved one. For more information or to make an appointment to give blood or platelets, please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities: 

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.