Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee Slated for September 10th-17th

22nd Annual Event to Loop through Beautiful Middle Tennessee;
Registration Deadline Extended to September 1st

Nashville, TN – With less than a month away, bicycle enthusiasts across the state are encouraged to register for the Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee, slated for September 10th-17th. In its 22nd year, this year’s seven-day ride will feature a loop through some of Middle Tennessee’s most stunning landscapes.

Originating at Montgomery Bell State Park, this year’s route will feature a combination of rolling hills, valleys and some flat terrain. Cyclists can expect to experience beautiful, rural Tennessee scenery and interesting back roads along the way, including the Natchez Trace Parkway and visits to several Tennessee State Parks such as Dunbar Cave. [Read more]

American Heart Association seeking Fit-Friendly companies

Call for applicants underway; deadline is July 31st

Nashville, TN – If you’re a company going above and beyond when it comes to your employees’ health, the American Heart Association wants to recognize you.

The association is encouraging Middle Tennessee companies to apply for their Fit- Friendly Award. The recognition honors employers who show progressive leadership and concern for their staff in the area of employee health, especially physical activity.

[Read more]

Federal cuts pose problems for TWRA’s Trout Stocking Program

Nashville, TN – Federal fish hatcheries responsible for raising 60 percent of all trout in Tennessee are in jeopardy due to proposed federal budget cuts. The cuts would become effective October 11th, 2011 and would eliminate a majority of the funding for the Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery and the Erwin National Fish Hatchery.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) relies on the fish from Dale Hollow and Erwin hatcheries to provide quality fishing at dozens of locations in Tennessee. Both facilities are operated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). [Read more]

Plan Now to Join the Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee, September 11th-17th

22nd Annual Event to Loop through Beautiful Middle Tennessee

Nashville, TN – Bicycle enthusiasts across the state are already gearing up for the annual Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee, which will kick off its 22nd year with a seven-day ride beginning September 11th and will feature a loop through some of Middle Tennessee’s most stunning landscapes.

Originating at Montgomery Bell State Park, this year’s route will feature a combination of rolling hills, valleys and some flat terrain. Cyclists can expect to experience beautiful, rural Tennessee scenery and interesting back roads along the way, including the Natchez Trace Parkway and visits to several Tennessee State Parks such as Dunbar Cave. [Read more]

Tennessee identifies Large Animal Care Shortage Areas

Veterinarians Can Apply for School Loan Repayment Program

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. [Read more]

Tennessee Highway Patrol Urge Motorists to Watch Out for Flood Waters

Turn Around Don’t Drown®

Nashville, TN – Hard on the heels of the flood waters that swamped Middle Tennessee just over a year ago, heavy rains again saturate a large portion of the state. Due to above normal water levels and the high potential for flooding, the Tennessee Highway Patrol is urging all motorists to avoid standing water on roadways…“Turn Around Don’t Drown®.”

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), annually, more deaths are caused by flooding than any other severe weather-related hazard. Preliminary data from NWS indicate there were 22 flood casualties in Tennessee in 2010. Of those 22 deaths, eight of those were by vehicle.

[Read more]

TBI seeks public’s help in Manhunt

Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is seeking the public’s assistance locating two escaped inmates from Louisiana who are believed to be in the West Tennessee area. Both are considered dangerous and should be approached with caution. If spotted, the public should call 1-800-TBI-FIND (1-800-824-3463).

The last time 36-year-old Ricky Wedgeworth and 33-year-old Darian “Drake” Pierce were spotted was in Jackson, TN. last evening after a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper pulled over a stolen car out of Vicksburg, MS near mile marker 84 along I-40 and the two escapes fled on foot. [Read more]

Fire Marshal’s Office to hand out thousands of smoke alarms

Statewide effort begins with 3-day West Tennessee giveaway

Nashville, TN – The next several weeks, Jeff Huddleston, the Fire Prevention education officer for the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO), will hand out thousands of smoke alarms to fire departments across Tennessee.

He will be loading 2,000 alarms in his truck Wednesday morning before setting out on a three-day sweep through West Tennessee. Subsequent giveaways are planned for the rest of the state in the coming weeks.

“We talk about the importance of having and maintaining operable smoke alarms in the home all the time,” Huddleston says. “This multi-week effort will go a long way toward increasing fire safety in countless homes and neighborhoods across the state.” [Read more]

Winter Trout stocking set to begin in Middle and West areas of Tennessee

Nashville, TN – The winter trout stocking program of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency continues to see growth. TWRA plans to release more than 88,000 rainbow trout into Tennessee waters from December through March.

The program provides numerous close to home trout fishing opportunities for Middle and West Tennessee anglers during the winter months. These fisheries also provide a great opportunity to introduce children or first-time anglers to fishing. The program is continuing its expansion this year. [Read more]

U.S. Rep. John Tanner speaks on economic recovery

U.S. Rep. John Tanner said in a district-wide radio address that the current economic crisis is negatively impacting thousands of 8th District families and that Congressional action is necessary to help economic recovery. The House Friday passed the final version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act with Congressman Tanner’s support. This is a transcript of his radio broadcast:

This is John Tanner. I wanted to talk to you a minute about this recovery act that was voted on in the House. This is truly a very, very hard vote for me, given my record of financial responsibility, and trying to do what I can with the other Blue Dogs here and others about the financial unsustainability of our federal government. I think this is an economic crisis that I have not seen in my 60+ years. The recession is far deeper and wider than any that I have ever lived through or witnessed, probably since the Great Depression. [Read more]