State partnering with local pharmacy to offer COVID-19 vaccines

February 9, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

As part of the state’s plan to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines, the Tennessee Health Department has partnered with rural pharmacies and health clinics in creating 100 new vaccination sites across the state including F.Z. Webb & Sons Pharmacy in Smithville.

The Moderna vaccines are being given at F.Z. Webb & Sons Pharmacy Monday-Friday during this week only from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. while supplies last to those who fall in the Phase 1A1 1A2 category, as well as those 70 years and older. No appointment necessary. These risk phase groups include those working in hospitals, first responders, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, outpatient health care workers with direct patient exposure, funeral and mortuary service staff and K-12 education and childcare workers. First and second dose vaccines are available. For further updates visit the facebook page or instagram at Webbs Pharmacy Gifts and Soda Fountain.

The Tennessee Department of Health reminds adults aged 70 and older they are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination. TDH estimates there are about 300,000 Tennesseans in the 70-74 year age group, and only about one in three Tennesseans in this group have been vaccinated to date.

“It’s a top priority to protect Tennessee senior citizens who are the most vulnerable to hospitalization and death from COVID-19, and we don’t want anyone to miss out on their chance to be protected by vaccination,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “There are vaccination providers in every county of the state, and we urge Tennesseans who are 70 or older to register now for this safe, free and highly effective vaccine that could save their lives.”

These new COVID-19 vaccination sites include 24 federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics and community health centers, 64 local pharmacies and 20 chain pharmacies with many sites in some of Tennessee’s most vulnerable counties. These locations will follow the Tennessee COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, administering vaccinations to residents in current eligible phases of the county in which the clinic or pharmacy is located. All vaccinations are to be given at no charge to the recipient.

These added COVID-19 vaccination sites are distributed across 51 counties covering every grand division of the state. COVID-19 vaccine supplies remain limited, and availability of vaccines varies by county and provider. These providers and facilities are expected to receive COVID-19 vaccines this week, and will handle their own scheduling processes for administering vaccinations.
TDH’s allocation of COVID-19 vaccine to provider partners is designed to ensure the most equitable and accessible distribution of scarce vaccine resources throughout the state, with a focus on Tennesseans most at risk for serious illness and death from COVID-19. Clinics now offering COVID-19 vaccine through this expansion effort are part of the state’s Safety Net serving particularly vulnerable or underserved populations, and will focus their COVID-19 vaccination efforts on their patient populations. These clinics will be reaching out to their patients as they become eligible for vaccination per Tennessee’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan.

Tennessee counties may progress through COVID-19 vaccination phases at different times depending on supplies of vaccines. Tennesseans can learn what phase of the vaccination plan they’re in at https://covid19.tn.gov/covid-19-vaccines/eligibility/.

February 9, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

While one major highway construction project in DeKalb County is well underway, the Tennessee Department of Transportation is preparing to launch another one.

Barring a delay, the State Route (SR-26/US-70/Nashville Highway (4.1-mile reconstruction project that goes from near SR-53 at Alexandria to near SR‑96 Liberty) is tentatively scheduled for contract letting (bids opened) sometime in the first quarter of 2021. This project was identified by TDOT as part of the IMPROVE ACT adopted by the state legislature in 2017. Original plans were to extend the construction to the Wilson County line.

TDOT’s next scheduled bid letting is March 26th but its not known yet if this project will be included.

In last week’s bid openings (February 5), TDOT announced only one DeKalb County project. The resurfacing (microsurfacing) on State Route 56 north of East Church Street in Smithville to I-40 in Putnam County. There were five bidders and Asphalt Paving Systems, INC had the lowest bid at $830,474. TDOT has not yet awarded the bid.

Meanwhile motorists are urged to use caution while traveling the construction zone of Highway 56 between Smithville and the Warren County line, especially in the City of Smithville where a lot of activity is taking place.

In its weekly update on highway projects, TDOT reports that the contractor, Jones Brothers, is continuing to install concrete box culverts and drainage structures. Grade work, bridge work, paving operations, and utility work on the new roadway alignment are ongoing. Traffic is still using the existing SR-56; however, motorists are advised to use caution and watch for construction equipment adjacent to the roadway. Flaggers may be present to move equipment across roadway, unload equipment, or complete utility work.

The contractor has started grade work inside Smithville City Limits between Dearman Street and East Bryant Street. Traffic shift in this area will remain to allow the contractor to complete work. A diversion remains in place for Williams Road to allow the contractor to construct the new alignment. The speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph in the construction zone. Motorists should use caution in this area and watch for flaggers and construction equipment.

The project was let to contract on June 21, 2019 to Jones Brothers Contractors, LLC at a bid price of $43,691,948. The estimated completion date is May, 2022.

State Route 56
DeKalb and Warren Counties
Overview
The planned improvements for State Route 56, from south of the Warren-DeKalb County line to East Bryant Street in Smithville, consist of realignment and reconstruction of the existing roadway for approximately 8.3 miles.

Purpose and Need
The existing SR 56 corridor, between the Warren-DeKalb County line and East Bryant Street, is a two- to three-lane rural arterial route. The planned improvements are designed to improve the safety and operation of the roadway by correcting route deficiencies, including sight distance, shoulder widths, and drainage issues.

Design
Due to the size of the project, improvements to SR 56 have been divided into two smaller sections or phases.
• from south of the Warren-DeKalb County line to near Magness Road – 3.33 miles
• from south of SR 288 near Magness Road to East Bryant Street – 4.92 miles

The majority of the project is on new alignment. The new road will be built adjacent to the existing road, with several sections crossing over or tying into the existing the route.

The new roadway will consist of two to three travel lanes, depending on location, with 10-foot paved shoulders. The design will also accommodate left turn movements to access connecting streets.

From south of the Warren County line to College Street in Smithville will be two lanes (one lane in each direction) with left turn lanes at connector roads. From College Street to the New Life Connection Center (750 S Congress Blvd) will be three lanes (one lane in each direction) with a dedicated center turn lane.

From the New Life Connection Center to East Bryant Street will be five lanes (two lanes in each direction) with a dedicated center turn lane.

A new signal will be installed at the East Bryant Street intersection. Other intersections along the corridor will be adjusted to safely connect with the new alignment including Arnold Road (Gene Vaughn Road), Sink Creek Road, Magness Road, SR 288 (Keltonburg Road), County House Road, Jacobs Pillar Road, South Tittsworth Road, and South College Street.

In addition to realignment, the planned design will replace eight box culverts and construct two new bridges over Sink Creek and Pine Creek. Upon completion of the new bridges, the existing Sink Creek Bridge will be demolished, and the existing Pine Creek Bridge will be turned over to DeKalb County.
Additional safety improvements include new guardrail, paint, and markers.

February 8, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The new Alexandria City Park Playground is now a reality and a ribbon cutting will be scheduled soon.

New equipment for the playground, including a blue plastic modular system featuring 2 slides, a rock-climbing wall, straight crawl tube, a 4-seat spring-mounted rocking Buck-A-Bout and more , was installed last week and funded by a Tennessee ThreeStar Grant awarded to DeKalb County last year. The playground area has borders, engineered wood fiber surfacing, and an inground bench for the adults to enjoy.

“We are so grateful for the Tennessee ThreeStar program. The new Alexandria City Park Playground is a great enhancement for DeKalb County and will be a fun place for families to visit and enjoy for many years to come,” said County Mayor Tim Stribling and Chamber Director Suzanne Williams who was also writer and administrator of the grant for this project.

“A big thank you to UT/TSU Extension Agent April Martin who headed up the Alexandria City Park Playground Committee, Alexandria Mayor Bennett Armstrong, Alexandria City Recorder Elizabeth Tetlow, Alexandria City Council, County Mayor Stribling, the DeKalb County Commission, as well as all the Alexandria moms and other local volunteers who provided valuable input on the playground design,” said Williams.

Plans are to continue fundraisers and seek other grants to expand the park with more playground equipment and to erect a sign.

The Alexandria City Park Playground area is located at 102 Fairgrounds Road, Alexandria behind the DeKalb County Fairgrounds.

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