School Bus Safety Tips
August 11, 2010
School Buses are the safest way to get to school. Safety Tips from the Tennessee Department of Safety
The Danger Zone is the area on all sides of the bus where children are in the most danger of being hit. Children should stay ten feet away from the bus (or as far away as they can) and never go behind it. They should take five giant steps in front of the bus before crossing, so they can be seen by the driver.
School buses are nearly eight times safer than passenger vehicles. But children must take care when boarding or leaving the bus.
While an average of 7 school-age passengers are killed in school bus crashes each year, 19 are killed getting on and off the bus. Most of those killed are children from five to seven years old.
They are hit in the danger zone around the bus (A), either by a passing vehicle or by the school bus itself.
It is illegal for a vehicle to pass a bus with its red light flashing. [Read more]
Pupil Transportation Safety Fact Sheet
August 9, 2010
The Facts:
An average of six school-age passengers are fatally injured inside school buses each year, but an average of 16 are killed getting on and off the bus.
More than half of the children killed in school bus-related crashes are ages five to seven years old.
“Inattention” and “failure to yield” were factors most often reported by police in those crashes.
The Tennessee Department of Safety’s Pupil Transportation division of the Highway Patrol inspects school buses from school districts across Tennessee annually. During the 2009-10 school year, 10,595 buses were inspected with 1,138 being placed out of service. [Read more]
Reminder: Sales Tax Holiday starts this Friday
August 5, 2010
August Sales Tax Holiday is August 6th through the 8th
Nashville, TN – The fifth annual Sales Tax Holiday is scheduled for Friday, August 6th and continuing through Sunday, August 8th. The Department of Revenue is reminding Tennessee shoppers that during these three days of savings, you can save almost 10 percent on tax-free clothing, school and art supplies and computer purchases.
The holiday begins Friday, August 6th at 12:01am and ends Sunday, August 8th at 11:59pm. During the designated three-day weekend, consumers will not pay state or local sales tax on select clothing with a price of $100.00 or less per item, school and art supplies with a price of $100.00 or less per item, and computers with a price of $1,500 or less.
For more information, please visit Shop Tax Free in Tennessee August 6th-8th.
Top 10 Garden Pests
July 18, 2010
Frederick, MD — American gardeners face frustrating problems with their edible or ornamental gardens. These problems are caused by many different pests. Here are MasterGardening.com’s Top 10 garden pests and control tips:
- Deer. These peaceful animals were tabbed as causing the most widespread damage in a USDA national survey. Clean up all unharvested fruits and vegetables. If you still see signs of deer damage — torn leaves or bark scraped off trees — you can try deer repellants, scaring devices or fencing. [Read more]
Health Commissioner announces new resources for Tennessee Youth and Teachers
July 13, 2010
Nashville, TN — Commissioner of Health Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN, announced today the addition of new sections for young people and their teachers on the Get Fit Tennessee website www.getfittn.com/kids to help the next generation of Tennesseans get fit.
The new site presents fitness and nutrition information for middle school students with bold graphics and engaging activities. Interactive games and trivia encourage kids to learn more about nutrition, proper portion sizes and new ways to move more throughout the day. [Read more]
VanDam wins 17th BASS Victory at Kentucky Lake Bassmaster Elite Series Event
June 13, 2010
Paris, TN – Kevin VanDam has set the bar so high that when the Kalamazoo, MI, veteran goes a few tournaments without a victory, bass fishing fans are left to ponder if he has lost the magic. But VanDam is undoubtedly on top of his game and Saturday, he laid waste to rumors of a struggle, extending his Kentucky Lake domination at the Tennessee Triumph with a four-day total of 92 pounds, 5 ounces.
A triumphant Kevin VanDam after winning the Tennesee Triumph Bass tournament
Popular Kentucky Lake is next stop for 2010 Bassmaster Elite Series Regular Season
June 6, 2010
Offshore will be where it’s at on Kentucky Lake when the Bassmaster Elite Series makes the first stop there of its final two events for the 2010 regular season, for the June 9th-12th Tennessee Triumph out of Paris, TN.
Kentucky Lake has hosted a dozen BASS events, including the 2009 Tennessee Triumph, at which then-Elite Series sophomore pro Bobby Lane of Lakeland, FL, won his first BASS tournament with a total of 97 pounds, 9 ounces, after leading through all four days.
Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from the Tennessee Triumph on The Bassmasters, which airs Saturday, July 4th, at 10:00am ET on ESPN2. The daily weigh-ins for all regular-season Elite events and the two postseason events will air live on www.ESPN3.com.
Bobby Lane, Photo by BASS Communications
Sam Lashlee and Jeff Davis wins 16th APSU Governors Bass Tournament
May 26, 2010
Sam Lashlee and Jeff Davis won the 16th Governors Bass Tournament, Sunday, at Paris Landing State Park.
PARIS LANDING—The team of Sam Lashlee and Jeff Davis literally cast aside the rest of the field as they captured the first-place prize of $4,000 in the 16th annual Governors Bass Tournament, Sunday.
Lashlee, of Camden, and Davis, of Waverly, came away with a catch of 29.12 pounds to easily outdistance Scott Mansfield, who hauled in 22.42 to take second place and $1,500.
Memorial Day Discount available at five Tennessee State Parks
May 23, 2010
Special rate at participating park inns offered; various events planned across state
NASHVILLE, TN – Make plans now to spend Memorial Day weekend at one of five Tennessee State Parks offering special inn rates. In addition, various Memorial Day activities are planned across the state, providing a number of recreational opportunities for the entire family.
A 33 percent discount will be offered on inn rooms at the following state parks: Fall Creek Falls, Henry Horton, Montgomery Bell, Natchez Trace and Paris Landing (excludes discounts for cabins and suites). The special offer requires a two-night minimum available Friday through Sunday. [Read more]
Sales Tax Holiday offers savings for all Tennesseans
August 7, 2009
Nashville – The Tennessee Department of Revenue reminds shoppers that the 2009 Sales Tax Holiday is scheduled for this Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 9.This annual weekend of savings provides three full days of tax breaks on clothing, school and art supplies, and computer purchases. Although the holiday provides savings for back-to-school purchases, anyone can take advantage of the savings this weekend.
The holiday begins Friday, August 7 at 12:01 a.m. and ends Sunday, August 9 at 11:59 p.m. During the designated three-day weekend, consumers will not pay state or local sales tax on select clothing with a price of $100 or less per item, school and art supplies with a price of $100 or less per item, and computers with a price of $1,500 or less. Visit www.tntaxholiday.com for more information on the holiday.
“All Tennesseans can use this weekend as an opportunity to save money on back-to-school items and other needed purchases,” said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. “Shoppers have the chance to save nearly 10 percent on all purchases, something that many families need right now.”
