Debris Burn Permits Required Beginning October 15

October 8, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry is observing National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 4 – 10 by reminding citizens to follow simple safety practices to prevent wildfires and obtain a debris burn permit for leaf and brush piles. The official start of wildfire season in Tennessee is Oct. 15.

In DeKalb County to obtain a burn permit call (615) 597-4015 if you live west of the Caney Fork River or (931) 839-2328 if you are east of the Caney Fork River. In the City of Smithville call 615-215-3000.

“With the recent and forecasted rain, we expect favorable conditions for safe debris burning in the short term,” State Forester David Arnold said. “However, we shouldn’t let our guard down. We encourage Tennesseans to remain vigilant, practice safe debris burning, and get a permit to prevent wildfires.”

Debris Burn Permits for leaf and brush piles are available online at no charge. For larger, broadcast burning, such as forestry, agricultural, and land clearing, call your local Division of Forestry burn permit phone number Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The online system for permits and phone numbers can be found at www.BurnSafeTN.org.

Permits are issued only when conditions are conducive to safe burning. If you live inside city limits, there may be additional restrictions. Check with your municipality before you burn.

A list of materials that may not be burned can be found in the open burning guidelines from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation at www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/apc-air-pollution-control-home/apc/open-burning.html.

Burning without a permit, a Class C misdemeanor, is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine. Wildfires caused by arson are a class C felony punishable by three to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Anyone with information about suspected arson activity should call the state Fire Marshal’s Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017. The hotline is answered 24 hours a day, and you may remain anonymous. Cash awards are offered for information leading to an arrest or conviction. To report illegal burning, call 1-888-891-TDEC.

Visit www.BurnSafeTN.org for additional tips to burn safely and to protect your community.

The Division of Forestry protects Tennessee’s forests by fighting wildfires, coordinating all hazard emergency response, providing prescribed fire guidance and contract services, as well as wildland fire training, in addition to promoting the wise use of forest resources by assisting landowners, providing quality seedlings, monitoring insects and diseases, improving urban forests, managing state forests, protecting water quality, and collecting forest inventory data. The Division also works to promote primary and secondary forest industries to stimulate the state’s economy. Visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests for more information.

October 8, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A Smithville woman wants to build a cosmetology school with dreams of one day expanding the facility into something like a Motlow College learning center for persons hoping to enter the medical field.

Jada Cantrell addressed the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen with her idea Monday night and to ask that the 42 acres of property she owns near Wal-mart be rezoned from residential to commercial. The planning commission has already considered the request and made a favorable recommendation. But before taking action, Mayor Josh Miller and the aldermen want to hear from the public since this 42 acre site, which might one day all be used for commercial purposes, is located in the heart of a large residential area and could potentially affect home values.

The property is located off Broad Street beside and to the rear of Wal-mart extending to the O’Conner Street, Cooper Street, and Oak Glen Drive neighborhoods.

“I want to put a beauty school there on this property,” said Cantrell. I want to help our community bring in revenue. I know each one of you (mayor and aldermen) have children and grandchildren and I would like to see them have a job in the coming future. Its not all about a beauty (school). It’s also got to do with medical. The state of Tennessee has passed it that the cosmetology program can help them (students) get a nursing degree, doctor’s degree, medical assistant, and accepted when it comes to anything medical. I think it is wonderful that our state has passed it so that we can bring in more jobs for our state. I would like to help our community and the surrounding counties. I’m starting small but eventually it’s going to be like Motlow. I pray that you pass this (rezoning) for me to put this (property) in commercial,” said Cantrell.

Mayor Miller called for a public hearing to give residents who may have concerns to address the aldermen on this issue.

“There are a lot of residential homes that surround this. You have newer homes on Oak Glenn Drive in that subdivision. You have Cooper Street and its across the road from O’Conner Street and all this is residential. This is something I think you (aldermen) need to keep in mind. Could that do something to home values?” My recommendation first would be to have a public hearing,” said Mayor Miller.

The aldermen voted to table the request until a public hearing is held. The date and time of the hearing have not yet been set.

October 8, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Chad Kirby has taken the lead among WJLE’s Fearless Forecasters picking college football winners after the first three weeks of the season.

Kirby has compiled an overall record of 31-9 and had the best finish last week at 11-3.

Overall Grant James and Ricky Atnip are tied for second place at 29-11 followed by Dewain Hendrixson, John Pryor, and Scott Goodwin each at 28-12. Will Graham is next at 27-13, Darrell Gill and Jared Davis each at 26-14, and Scott Brown 25-15.

Following Kirby for the best single week record last week was John Pryor at 9-5; Grant James, Ricky Atnip, Jared Davis, Scott Goodwin, Dewain Hendrixson, and Will Graham each at 8-6 with Darrell Gill and Scott Brown each at 6-8.

Five forecasters hit their underdog picks last week. Darrell Gill picked up 7 points with Air Force’s upset win over Navy 40-7. Ricky Atnip got 11.5 points as TCU defeated Texas 33-31. Ole Miss’s win over Kentucky 42 to 41 gave Chad Kirby 6 points. Scott Goodwin added 7 points to his total as Iowa State defeated Oklahoma 37 to 30 and Will Graham got 2 points as SMU knocked off Memphis 30 to 27.

After three weeks Scott Goodwin is now the underdog points leader with 22.5 points followed by Darrell Gill 21, Scott Brown 19, Rickey Atnip 11.5, Grant James 7, Dewain Hendrixson and Chad Kirby each with 6 points and Will Graham 2.

Today (Thursday) the Forecasters will be picking winners in the following games:

MTSU at FIU, Louisville at Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech at North Carolina, Texas at Oklahoma. East Carolina at South Florida, Florida State at Notre Dame, Pittsburgh at Boston College, Marshall at Western Kentucky, Miami at Clemson, Kansas State at TCU, Florida at Texas A&M, Mississippi State at Kentucky, South Carolina at Vanderbilt, Tennessee at Georgia and in the NFL Buffalo at the Tennessee Titans.

Catch the Fearless Forecasters on WJLE today (Thursday) at 4:30 p.m. on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com.

The program is sponsored by the Charles D. Atnip Realty and Auction Company, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, FirstBank, DeKalb County Insurance, Davis Auto Body, Gill Automotive, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Graham Services, DeKalb County Ace Hardware, and Dominos Pizza.

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