USDA NRCS in Tennessee Now Accepting EQIP Applications

January 3, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Producers in Tennessee who are interested in implementing conservation practices to improve natural resources on their farmland have until Friday, January 18, 2019 to submit their application for financial assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

“We accept applications for this program on a continuous basis, however, only the applications received by January 18th will be considered for funding this fiscal year,” said Sheldon Hightower, NRCS Tennessee State Conservationist.

“EQIP places a priority on water quality, water conservation, and promotes soil health practices by offering financial and technical assistance to address these resource concerns on eligible agricultural land.”

EQIP will be offering funding for High Tunnel and On-Farm Energy initiatives for this signup in addition to traditional funding opportunities.

EQIP is an incentives-based program that provides technical and financial assistance for conservation systems such as animal waste management facilities, irrigation system efficiency improvements, fencing, and water supply development for improved grazing management, riparian protection, wildlife habitat enhancement, and cover crops for soil resource protection.

Applications can be taken at the Smithville NRCS county office which is located in the USDA Service Center at 647 Bright Hill Road in Smithville. Applications MUST be received by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 18, 2019. NRCS continually strives to put conservation planning at the forefront of its programs and initiatives.

Conservation plans provide landowners with a comprehensive inventory and assessment of their resources and an appropriate start to improving the quality of soil, water, air, plants, and wildlife on their land. Conservation planning services can also be obtained through a Technical Service Provider (TSP) who will develop a Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) to identify conservation practices needed to address a specific natural resource need. Typically, these plans are specific to certain kinds of land use, such as transitioning to organic operations, grazing land, or forest land. CAPs can also address a specific resource need, such as a plan for management of nutrients. Although not required, producers who first develop a CAP for their land use, may use this information in applying for future implementation contracts.

To find out more about EQIP, fill out the eligibility forms, or obtain an application, visit the Tennessee NRCS website.

January 3, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray is warning residents about a phone scam where callers are posing as law enforcement officers and asking would be victims to pay a fine.

The scammers have already tried to prey on would be victims locally.

According to Sheriff Ray, in some cases the caller has identified himself as Lieutenant Lance Watson or Lance White of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department. He tells them that their conversations are being recorded and that they are to write down what he says to them. The man tells his would be victims that they have citations against them and that they owe fines. He warns that their case has been entered into a National Crime Information Center Database and that if they don’t obtain a prepaid card to pay their fines, he will have them arrested. The scammer even goes so far as to give phone numbers to the Civil Citations Criminal Warrants Division where the would be victims can get more information. But when they call, a recording instructs the would be victims to give their name, phone number, and a brief detailed message after which a deputy will return the calls.

Sheriff Ray warns you not to fall for this scam. He says there is no one working for the sheriff’s department by the name Lance Watson or Lance White and that the Sheriff’s Office does not make calls in this manner to anyone.

Remember if you have a prepaid card, don’t give the numbers from that card to a stranger because if it is a scam, your money is gone.

Sheriff Ray said the scammers are not easy to trace because they are most likely using burner phones.

If you have been victim of a scam contact the Sheriff’s Department.

January 3, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin has launched a new service that allows offenders to pay fines, court costs, and traffic tickets online without having to come to the office.

This applies to fines and costs owed through the General Sessions, Juvenile, and Circuit Courts.

Those who wish to make use of the service may go to www.courtfeepay.com and click the “Make a Payment” link. Then select your state (Tennessee) and county (DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk). You will then select the court, either General Sessions, Juvenile, or Circuit Court and fill in the remaining information requested. If you are not sure about which court, you may contact the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office to inquire.

Remember the judge for the General Sessions and Juvenile Courts in DeKalb County is Judge Bratten Cook, II. The Circuit Court Judges are Amy Hollars and Jonathan Young and the Criminal Court judges are Gary McKenzie and David Patterson.

This is the latest service Martin has implemented to make the office more user friendly for the public and her staff.

Coming soon is a new DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk website.

“I am really looking forward to having a website for our office because it offers so many advantages. For example jury panels could look on there to see when they are needed for court. Also if someone had a ticket they could pull up the website and find their court date or check dockets coming out to see if they had a case on there. When it snows you could check and see if the courthouse is open that day,” she said.

Martin said she also wants to be able to send text messages to jurors concerning jury duty.

“I want to get it set up where anybody selected on a jury panel would have the option to receive text messages about when they would need to come in. That would provide more options. They would have a text message from us or they could still call in at the automated number or they could look on the website,” Martin continued.

“I would also like to have a scanner at the desk of each employee that way they could scan in files if somebody needed something pulled up right away. Instead of us having to go through files on three floors of the courthouse looking for something they could pull it up from their desk,” she added.

“I also want to start an in-house collection service so that we could contact anyone who has old debts owed for fines and court costs and maybe work out some kind of payment arrangement to help them get that reconciled,” Martin said.

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