Wildfire Season Begins Next Week

October 11, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry is observing National Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 7-13) by reminding citizens to follow simple safety practices to prevent wildfires. The official start of wildfire season in Tennessee is Oct. 15.

“With the recent and forecasted rain, we expect favorable conditions for safe debris burning over the next couple of months,” State Forester David Arnold said. “However, we shouldn’t let our guard down. We encourage Tennesseans to remain vigilant and practice safe debris burning to prevent wildfires.”

Obtaining a burn permit is free, fast, and simple. If you are burning a leaf or brush pile that is smaller than 8 feet by 8 feet in size, our online system provides a quick and efficient way to apply. For a larger burn, call your local Division of Forestry burn permit phone number Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The online system and burn permit phone numbers can be found at www.BurnSafeTN.org.

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.

More than 300,000 permits are issued each year, and they are only issued 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.

For a list of materials that may not be burned, check the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s open burning guidelines at www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/apc-air-pollution-control-home/apc/open-burning.html.

Burning without a permit is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine. Wildfires caused by arson are a class C felony punishable by 3 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 when providing information. Cash awards are offered for information leading to an arrest or conviction. To report illegal burning, please call 1-888-891-TDEC.

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

The Division of Forestry promotes the wise use of forest resources by assisting landowners, fighting wildfires, 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 http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests for more information.

October 10, 2018
By:

Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (UCEMC) is once again sending crews to help with storm recovery efforts. Line workers and equipment are rushing to assist cooperatives in Florida as the biggest storm in 13 years brings life-threatening storm surges and 110 mph winds to the Panhandle.

General Manager Jimmy Gregory says UCEMC crews always respond quickly to help surrounding co-ops. “Strong storms like this can leave thousands of people without power,” Gregory said. “The working conditions are difficult and the hours are long, but it’s good to know that if we had a big storm here, we could count on our neighboring co-ops to help us.”

The massive hurricane is expected to leave widespread power outages across much of the northeastern Gulf Coast. UCEMC crews will be in place to assist as soon as it is safe to work.

“Ten of us are headed down there and we’re taking digger trucks, bucket trucks and other equipment to help restore power,” Foreman Joe Frizzel said.  We ask that everyone keep those who are hardest hit by this storm in your thoughts and prayers.” Frizzel and his crew join more than 80 other line workers from electric co-ops across Tennessee who will be assisting with hurricane recovery efforts. The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association in Nashville is coordinating requests for mutual aid and makes travel and lodging arrangements for crews who respond.

UCEMC is owned by those it serves and provides safe, reliable and affordable energy to more than 50,000 members in Smith, Putnam, Jackson, Overton, and fringe areas of Macon, DeKalb, Wilson, White, Clay, Fentress and Pickett counties.

October 10, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville Town Cemetery is in need of attention and this year members of local Girl Scout Troop 750 have taken on a repair and clean up effort there as they work toward obtaining a Silver Award.

The historic cemetery has also drawn the attention of the MTSU Center for Historic Preservation who will be conducting a free workshop in Smithville on Saturday, October 20th.

Center research professor Stacey Graham will present information about historic cemeteries in Tennessee starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Smithville City Hall. Afterwards, participants will learn proper techniques for cleaning tombstones and then experience the hands-on portion of the workshop by scrubbing tombstones themselves.

In the following public service announcement being aired on WJLE, members of Girl Scout Troop 750, Leah Hayes, Katherine Gassaway, Zoe Cripps, and Katie Patterson invite you to join them for this event.

“Hello everyone. We are here from Girl Scout Troop 750 and have some important questions for you.

Who takes care of the cemetery where family and friends are buried?

Are the headstones intact and readable?

Are the grounds maintained as well as you would like?

For everyone concerned about maintaining the resting place of loved ones, we may have some answers. On Saturday, October 20, Dr. Stacey Graham and a group of students from MTSU will be in Smithville. They represent the Tennessee Center for Historic Preservation and will present a seminar followed by a hands on workshop at the Smithville Town Cemetery.

Our Girl Scout Troop will have a tent set up on site at the cemetery for the work being done and provide water for everyone. We will have some interesting and fun fact sheets about the cemetery. There will also be a cemetery scavenger hunt for local scouts to try out and they will receive participation patches.

So how do you participate?

Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 20. Join us from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. in the community room at the Smithville City Hall for a visual presentation.

We will break for lunch then meet at the Smithville Town Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. for hands on demonstrations. Visit our tent for a history lesson and a scavenger hunt. Remember all scouts who participate in the scavenger hunt will receive a fun patch.

So come join us for a day of information and fun”.

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