Nashville, TN – Tennessee’s youth hunters posted a slight increase over 2010 after a busy weekend of deer hunting across the state in the Young Sportsman Hunt.

The youth hunters (ages 6-16) harvested 8,831 deer, an increase of 13 deer over the same weekend last year. It is also an increase of 629 over the 2009 totals as reported by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

For the second straight year, Giles County was the top county for the youth hunt with 284, also an increase of 13 from its 271 total of last year. Weakley County was again second with 234 and Fayette County moved to third from fourth from a year ago with 226. Henry County was close behind in fourth. Lawrence and Hardeman County each surpassed the 200-harvest number with 202 and 201, respectively.

Rounding out the top 10 harvest counties were Carroll and Montgomery 177, Maury 171, and Madison 161. The second designated Young Sportsman Hunt will be January 7th-8th, 2012.

Tennessee’s Muzzleloader Deer Season opens on Saturday, November 5th and goes through Friday, November 18th in all three of Tennessee’s deer hunting units, according to the TWRA.

For Unit B (East Tennessee) counties, the dates for antlerless deer hunting depend on the county hunted. Blount, Campbell, Carter, Cocke, Hamblen, Jefferson, Loudon, Sevier, Unicoi, Union, and Washington counties are November 5th-9th. Anderson, Claiborne, Fentress, Grainger, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Knox, Monroe, Morgan, Pickett, Polk, Scott, and Sullivan counties are November 5th-18th. Only one antlerless deer may be taken during this season, however, any of the three antlered deer not already taken may be harvested during this season as well.

The statewide bag limit for antlered bucks is three. No more than one antlered deer may be taken per day. Hunters are allowed the following antlerless bag limit during this segment of muzzleloader season: Unit A -4 antlerless deer; Unit L-3 antlerless deer per day and Unit B-1 antlerless deer.

For the exact boundaries of the different deer units, hunters can refer to the 2011 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide, available where hunting and fishing licenses are sold and at all TWRA offices. The guide can also be viewed at TWRA’s website at www.tnwildlife.org.

Muzzleloading firearms of .40 caliber minimum plus long bows, compound bows and crossbows are legal hunting equipment for this season.

Resident hunters, ages 16 through 64 must possess in addition to other appropriate licenses, an annual big game license for the equipment used. Lifetime Sportsman license, Junior Hunt/Trap/Fish, Adult Sportsman license and Permanent Senior Citizens license holders are not required to purchase supplemental big game licenses.

In addition to private lands, including public hunting areas, several wildlife management areas (WMAs) will be open to hunters during this muzzleloader season. Hunters need to refer to the 2011 Hunting and Trapping Guide for a listing of these WMAs or go to TWRA’s website.

Nashville, TN – Tennessee State Parks will offer special winter rates for 360 villas and cabins, along with six state park inns from November 1st, 2011, through March 31st, 2012.

With a Tennessee State Park within an hour’s drive of just about anywhere in the state, families and groups seeking unique recreation opportunities and high-quality accommodations can find the perfect getaway – all at an exceptional value and a bit closer to home.
With a Tennessee State Parks special winter discount, park visitors can stay at one of Tennessee’s six state park inns for $49.95 a night (excluding tax). The inn discount may be used seven days a week and applies to both individuals and groups. At participating inns, guests may add the breakfast package for an additional $10.00. A 50 percent discount also is being offered for villas and cabins with a two-night minimum stay. The cabin discount is valid Sunday through Thursday only and some holiday weeks are not included. Discounts are based on availability and certain other restrictions may apply.

There is no coupon necessary for this special rate and patrons simply need to ask for the “Special Winter Promotion” when making a reservation. When making online reservations please ensure the available code for the special winter rate or cabin discount is applied. While reservations are not required, they are highly recommended to ensure availability.

Special winter rates are not valid with other discounts. For more information about the special promotion, please call the Tennessee State Parks information line at 615.532.0001 or toll free at 1.888.867.2757. For additional information or to make online reservations, please visit the Tennessee State Parks website.

Tennessee State Parks with inns and/or cabins participating in the winter discount promotion are:

Park/ County / Phone Number

• Cedars of Lebanon – Wilson – 800.713.5180
• Chickasaw – Henderson – 800.458.1752
• Cumberland Mountain – Cumberland – 800.250.8618
• David Crockett – Lawrence – 877.804.2681
• Edgar Evins – DeKalb – 800.250.8619
• Fall Creek Falls – Van Buren – 800.250.8610
• Henry Horton – Marshall – 800.250.8612
• Meeman-Shelby – Shelby – 800.471.5293
• Montgomery Bell – Dickson – 800.250.8613
• Natchez Trace – Carroll – 800.250.8616
• Nathan Bedford Forrest – Benton – 800.714.7305
• Norris Dam – Campbell – 800.543.9335
• Paris Landing – Henry – 800.250.8614
• Pickett – Pickett – 877.260.0010
• Pickwick Landing – Hardin – 800.250.8615
• Roan Mountain – Carter – 800.250.8620
• Rock Island – White – 800.713.6065
• Standing Stone – Overton – 800.713.5157
• Tims Ford – Franklin – 800.471.5295

About Tennessee State Parks

Tennessee’s 53 state parks offer a diverse natural, recreational and cultural experience for individuals, families or business and professional groups. Tennessee State Parks also offer a variety of outdoor fun including hiking trails, water sports, mountain biking, golf and skeet shooting. For a free brochure about Tennessee State Parks, call toll free 1.888.867.2757.

Visit www.tnstateparks.com to learn more about Tennessee State Parks’ featured sites, upcoming events in your area, Tennessee Outdoor Adventures or the Tennessee Golf Trail – there’s something for everyone.

Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has identified four areas of the state that are now eligible for USDA assistance in filling a shortage of large animal veterinary practitioners.

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) will pay up to $25,000 each year towards qualified educational loans of eligible veterinarians who agree to serve in an underserved area for three years.

“Livestock production is a billion dollar industry in this state, and it’s critical that Tennessee farmers have access to quality veterinary services,” said state veterinarian Charles Hatcher. “This program is a great way for veterinarians to not only get financial assistance but to provide a valuable service to the agricultural community.”

Areas eligible for the loan repayment program include Carroll and surrounding counties in West Tennessee; Hawkins, Greene and surrounding counties in East Tennessee; the Upper Cumberland; and, Bedford, Moore and surrounding counties in southern Middle Tennessee.

Criteria such as availability of current veterinary services, the number of veterinarians at or near retirement age and number of livestock operations were used to identify underserved areas in the state.

The deadline to apply for the VMLRP is July 8th. USDA-NIFA will hold two live webinars on May 23rd to provide an in-depth explanation of the application process. For an application and more information about the VMLRP, or visit Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program .

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Transportation Commissioner John Schroer today released the three-year transportation program, which includes the completion of several major strategic corridor projects and the state’s Better Bridges bonding program.

The three year program includes $1.7 billion for highways and bridges to fund more than 152 individual project phases in 59 Tennessee counties.  The proposal, which has been presented to the Tennessee General Assembly, includes significant highway and bridge projects in TDOT’s Region Two.

“A quality transportation system is vital to the continued growth of the state’s economy and increasing job opportunities for our residents,” said Governor Haslam. “The commissioner and I believe this three-year program balances the needs of communities across the state and makes solid investments in Tennessee’s infrastructure.”

TDOT’s Region Four includes Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Shelby, Tipton, and Weakley counties.

“Taking a multi-modal approach to transportation planning allows TDOT to be responsive to the citizens of this state, tailoring projects to provide the greatest benefits in both our urban and rural areas,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. “The department will address a number of needs through this three-year program, including congestion relief, improving access to communities, and the replacement or repair of dozens of aging bridges.”

Transportation projects are funded through TDOT’s state and federal aid programs. These projects include the construction of nearly ten miles of I-269 in Shelby and Fayette Counties, the widening of State Route 86 (U.S. 72) in Shelby County. Also funded in the program is the completion of widening work along the U.S. 64 strategic corridor in Hardin County, and the widening of SR-22 in Lake County from Tiptonville to the Lake County Port.  In Lauderdale County, State Route 208 will be widened from State Route 209 to State Route 208 at U.S. 51.

In addition to the highway projects listed, the replacement or rehabilitation of 17 bridges in Region 4 are funded through TDOT’s Better Bridges bonding program.

Ned Ray McWherter

Nashville, TN – Governor McWherter was our greatest governor during my lifetime, and I believe he was our greatest governor during Tennessee’s lifetime.

Governor McWherter led Tennessee to set records in the economy, job growth, education, building roads, criminal justice, healthcare, lowering taxes and debt.

When Representative Ned McWherter was elected governor, Roy Herron was elected to McWherter’s House seat. When Governor McWherter was leaving office, Herron wrote the following column summarizing McWherter’s accomplishments as Governor.

A ‘Tennessee Treasure’

December 1994

The following taken from remarks made by state Rep. Roy Herron (D-Dresden), who represents Carroll and Weakley counties, at the opening of the traveling ”Tennessee Treasures” exhibit in Dresden.

Herron’s state House district is the one represented by Gov. Ned McWherter before he became governor.

By: Roy Herron

At this ‘Tennessee Treasures’ exhibit you will learn of historic leaders. But what about the one who brought the exhibit to us, who served the last 22 years as speaker of the House and governor? When future historians create another exhibit, what will they say about Ned McWherter’s years as governor?

Strongest Economy

Historians should note that for the first time in history, Tennessee’s economy was rated ”the strongest in the South.” That’s what Dow Jones said and the Corporation for Enterprise Development ranked our economy not only ”the best in the South” but also ”the fifth strongest in the nation.”

Most Jobs

But when Ned McWherter became governor, almost half our counties – 42 out of 95 – had double-digit unemployment. As a candidate for governor in 1986, Speaker McWherter talked about a ”95-county jobs program.” And he had one. Now Tennessee has the lowest unemployment since we started keeping records. Instead of 42 counties with 10 percent or more unemployment, today there is but one.

Better Education

Ned Ray McWherter

This self-described ”college drop-out,” whose two children and their spouses earned nine university degrees, including three doctorates, saw education as crucial to our economy and our children’s future.

He promised his second term was ”for the kids” – and it was.

He took our schools back from the courts and gave them to the kids in a way children, especially rural children, had never had them. He created a funding mechanism that finally is fairer to rural schools while he helped urban schools, too.

In the last three years, Tennessee’s K-12 schools have had the nation’s greatest growth in state funding, an increase of 49 percent. Our 21st Century Schools program has put those dollars directly into classrooms to buy textbooks and computers and add teachers, investing more than three times as much in classroom improvements in three years as was spent the previous 16 years.

With historic classroom funding has come historic accountability. For the first time, all school boards are elected by the people and accountable directly to the citizens. Tennessee taxpayers can see schools’ strengths and weaknesses in published report cards. In another first, Tennessee leads the nation with a new system measuring how much students learn.

Record Roads

There was another crucial part to Governor McWherter’s economic development plan. As he often says, ”Schools plus roads equal jobs.” As speaker and governor he created and carried out the largest road-building program in Tennessee history. A thousand miles of roads.

Middle Tennessee long has enjoyed its three interstates, as has East Tennessee, while West Tennessee had only I-40. Governor McWherter once noted that every governor is accused of building roads in his home area and, if he was going to be accused, he sure wanted to be guilty!

So now, instead of riding back roads, West Tennessee is becoming a crossroads.

It is true all across Tennessee. A man born near Palmersville and from Dresden knew we had to connect rural counties to city neighbors, to the commerce and opportunities of this entire country. Now all of us, country and city alike, benefit. Schools and roads have equaled jobs.

Criminal Justice

Before Ned McWherter became governor, the prisons had exploded in riots and escapes. Inmates and a federal judge had taken over.

To control criminals and protect Tennesseans, Governor McWherter built six prisons with 7,000 beds. He built more cells than all the governors since the Depression – combined.

His high-tech prison management system cut operating costs in new prisons by almost half (46 percent). Today Tennessee has the only fully accredited prison system in the country. He’s taken control of the prisons back from criminals and courts.

Governor McWherter also enabled this century’s only comprehensive revision of our criminal code, making protection from violent criminals the first priority.

Under his administration the legislature created the punishment of life without parole, which makes a life sentence mean exactly that.

Our families are never as safe as we want, but they are much safer because of these enormous changes in criminal justice.

Better Health Care

Ned McWherter knew our families were threatened by killers, not only criminals but also killing diseases and illnesses. And our state budget was threatened by a Medicaid system with costs soaring totally out of control.

We had three options:

1. Continuing a government-dictated Medicaid system that either was going to suck hundreds of millions of dollars from schools, or drive taxes out of sight, or both,
2. Catastrophic cuts in coverage for our neediest children, women and senior citizens.
3. Radical reform.

Tennessee in a year has done what Washington talks about doing in a decade. Washington aims for 95 percent of our citizens to have health insurance in the next millennium. Tennessee will achieve it next month.

To get that coverage, Washington talks about employer mandates; Tennessee did it without them. Washington talks about government cost controls, while Tennessee slows spiraling costs with reasonable reforms and free-market competition. Other states aren’t calling on Washington to lead; they’re calling Tennessee and asking how they can follow our lead.

Is everything perfect with TennCare? Certainly not. Federal bureaucrats blocked reforms the governor wanted, while a year’s experience shows other changes we now can implement. But is Tennessee better off than if we had kept Medicaid? Tennessee taxpayers sure are. So are 390,000 members of working families who could not afford health insurance before but who have it now. So are former welfare mothers who no longer have to choose between a job and health care for their kids, but now can afford TennCare and are working taxpayers instead of
tax-takers.

Lowest Taxes

What’s all this costing us? What’s the bottom line on taxes after Governor McWherter? Tennesseans now pay less in state and local taxes per $100.00 of personal income than citizens in any other state.

That’s right. When you look at our income and our taxes, our combined state and local tax burden is 50th of 50 states.

Lower Debt

If our taxes are the lowest, then did Governor McWherter finance these changes like Washington with enormous deficits, or like states with ballooning bond debts?

No. He balanced all eight budgets. The state’s bonded indebtedness, when adjusted for inflation and measured in real dollars, is substantially lower than when he took office. Furthermore, he’ll leave a record ”rainy day fund,” probably triple what it was when he took office.

Then how did he do it?

Best Management

The last two years City and State magazine recognized Tennessee as ‘the best managed state in the nation.’ Number one among 50.

Decades in business and 18 years in the legislature, including a record 14 as House speaker, made Ned McWherter the most experienced governor Tennessee ever chosen. He really did only need ”a cup of coffee and two vanilla wafers” before he was ready to work.

And Work He Did

He and his team worked like heck from early till late, with weekdays and weekends blurring together.

Governor McWherter is the first to give credit to others for Tennessee’s historic records and national marks in jobs, economic growth, education, roads, criminal justice, health care and managing state government. But he was the leader, the chief executive who knew how to work with the General Assembly, his Cabinet and state workers, private citizens, all of Tennessee.

He is right to say Tennesseans accomplish these things together. But we are right to say that few, if any, of these achievements would have happened without his leadership.

Now Governing magazine has judged Ned McWherter the nation’s best governor.

When historians put together the next exhibit of Tennessee treasures, they ought to recognize that America’s best governor today, and the best governor in Tennessee’s first 200 years, was our own Ned McWherter.

As harvest numbers continued to trickle into the agency through January, Tennessee hunters harvested 162,465 deer beginning with the archery season in late September an increase of 644 from last year.

Giles County was the top harvest county with 5,236. Henry County was second with 5,096 followed by Hardeman County 4,657, Fayette County 4,730, Lincoln County 4,380, Franklin County 3,940, Maury County 3,607, Montgomery County 3,523, Weakley County 3,369, and Carroll County 3,071 to complete the top 10. A harvest increase was seen in 54 of Tennessee’s 95 counties during 2010-11.

The TWRA is soliciting comments for its 2011-12 hunting seasons’ regulations. This is an opportunity for the public to share ideas and concerns about hunting regulations with TWRA staff.

Public comments will be considered by TWRA’s Wildlife Division staff and may be presented as proposals for regulation changes. Comments may be submitted by mail to: 2011-12 Hunting Season Comments, TWRA, Wildlife Management Division, P.O. 40747, Nashville, TN 37204 or emailed to twra.comment@tn.gov. Please include “Hunting Season Comments” on the subject line of emailed submissions.

The comment period concerning the 2011-12 hunting season regulations will be open until February 24th, 2011.

Since archery season opened in late September, more than 122,500 deer have been harvested in the state. Giles County has the top overall harvest with 3,663.

During the first gun season segment (November 20th-December 5th) 52,572 harvested deer were reported. Giles County was the leader with 3,663. Fayette County was second with 2,007 while Hardeman County, the 2009 first gun segment leader, was third with 1,973. Rounding out the top 10 counties during the first gun segment were Henry County 1,865, Lincoln County 1,673, Maury County 1,359, Madison County 1,348, Franklin County 1,336, Weakley County 1,294, and Carroll County 1,291.

The state’s 2010-11 deer hunting seasons will conclude with the second Young Sportsman Deer Hunt to be held the weekend of January 15th-16th. Only youth, ages 6-16 may participate in the Young Sportsman Hunt.

For more information and regulations concerning Tennessee’s deer hunting seasons, refer to the 2010 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide available at all license agents or on the TWRA website at www.tnwildlife.org. Harvest information is also updated on the For Hunters section of the website.

Jennifer Williams and Stacie Plunkett greet Healthcare Expo visitors

In a four hour block of time, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, the Paris Civic Center was a buzz of activity as over six hundred visitors passed through the center’s doors during the sixth annual Healthcare Expo .

Visitors were greeted by Paris Chamber of Commerce representatives Jenifer Williams and Stacie Plunkett, and asked to sign-in and register for free door prizes and give-a-ways. Each visitor received a free gift bag to fill with the free hand-outs and gifts provided by the diverse vendors. Stacie is chairperson of the Chamber’s Healthcare Committee which coordinates the health expo.

At the center of the expo hall’s setup was Henry County Medical Center’s free testing and screening multi-station. Blood pressure checks, blood sugar reading, cholesterol reading, hand grip strength testing and osteoporosis screenings were provided free. The results were recorded and given to each visitor for review with their personal medical care provider.

Paris Civic Center Walking Track

It must be noted that the Paris Civic Center, in addition to being an excellent meeting facility, is a well-rounded fitness center in its own right. Swimming pool, gymnasium and walking track and weight/aerobic fitness rooms are available on a daily full packet price. Daily passes for the separate facilities are also an option.  Annual passes are available at family, senior couple, senior single, adult single and youth single rates. Payment plans are available.  The center offers various fitness programs and classes, for a fee. For more information, please call the Paris Civic Center, 731-644-2517.

The Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce provided free copies of its Medical Services Directory, a guide to healthcare providers and allied services. There was information on the Henry County Medical Center’s rehabilitation services, which include physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech/language pathology. The center offers both inpatient and outpatient services. Also under the Health Center’s broad range of services is the Home Health & Hospice Program. It bridges the gap from hospital to home, providing a special kind of support for people with a limited life expectancy and their families. HCMC Home Health and Hospice serves Benton, Carroll, Henry, Humphreys, Stewart and Weakley Counties.

Free copies of Golden Years, the Peddler Advantage Retiree and Senior Citizen Magazine were distributed at the  Eiffel Gardens station. Eiffel Gardens is an spacious assisted living community whose station was staffed by personnel from the residence. There was a bounty of information of assisted living and the allied medical support services available to their residents.

Dr. Todd Keller,West Tennessee Chiropractic Center

Chiropractic Centers were well represented with West Tennessee Chiropractic and Paris Family Chiropractic each giving free screenings. West Tennessee Chiropractic’s Dr. Todd Keller performed upper and lower back scans and included free x-ray exam follow-up at their 1024 Mineral Wells Avenue office.  Paris Family Chiropractic performed energy balance scans. Dr. Elizabeth Craig of Paris Family  Chiropractic also specializes in acupuncture therapy. Both facilities also offer massage therapy, as does Escape A Day Spa- 1000 Cornerstone Drive and Dr. Robert Wesley, 212 Memorial Drive, both in Paris.

Freedom Fitness Tanning Spa

Fitness and exercise centers were also on hand. Freedom Fitness Spa and Tanning Center displayed a stationary exercise bike in combination with a near-infrared light therapy station. Fitness center and program information was also on display. Freedom is a 24-hour fitness spa center. They also offer massage, skin care and spa. Gift certificates are available. Visit them at www.freedomfitnesstn.com

Behavioral and mental health counseling services were the focus of several vendors. Carey Counseling Center displayed information on their diverse behavioral counseling services and extended stay facilities. Other developmental services vendors included Community Developmental Services and Henry County Medical Center Lake Haven. Youth Villages, 107 Memorial Drive, provides youth and family services.

Orthopedic surgery and sports medicine was the the focus of Henry County Therapy Center, Dr. G. Blake Chandler, Dr. Heather Gladwell, Dr. Eugene Gulish as well as the Henry County Medical Center’s Center for Wellness and Rehabilitation. Displays included mock-ups of knee, ankle, neck and spinal assemblies with informational handouts that discussed the various types of injuries each could sustain. Corrective prosthetics and external supports were also displayed. This included braces of various kinds, venous pulmonary support hosiery and diabetic support shoes. Diabetes information and health tips were available.

Walgreen's hands out sports water bottles

Several pharmacies had also set up displays with free give-a-ways. Walgreens distributed sports bottles, coffee mugs, stress relieves, hand sanitizer samples and printed materials on a variety of health issues covering high blood pressure, diabetes, dental hygiene, heart disease, physical exercise for health maintenance, flu immunizations and more.

In any discussion of health care in the United States health insurance is bound to be part of the conversation. Several insurance vendors provided handouts, mouse pads as give-a-ways, pens, had personnel on hand to answer questions from the visitors. Ricky Rhodes Insurance & Financial Services, Consolidated Insurance, the Allison Insurance Group, Tennessee Rural Health-Henry County Farm Bureau and Dixie Hines Agency were just a few of the agencies on site. Ricky Rhodes provided free juicy tangerines for all visitors to their station. Very tasty treats!

Tomorrow’s Hope Pregnancy Help Center manned a station with information centered on providing pregnancy counseling, natal and post-natal counseling and care, anger management and parenting classes.

All the while the many vendors were interacting with the continuously changing crowd of attendees, door prizes winners were being called out. The ultimate winners however must be acknowledged as the people of the Henry County regional area who have access to the many fine services showcased at this health expo.