Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Inks Deal with Motorola Solutions, Inc.

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons and Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Tracy Trott today announced an agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc., to begin implementing the first phase of a statewide radio system that will enhance the efficiency, safety and service of troopers across the state.

The department secured $39.2 million dollars from the Tennessee General Assembly for phase I of the project, which will be utilized for radio upgrades in the THP Chattanooga, Fall Branch and Knoxville districts. [Read more]

Tennessee Celebrates National Guard’s 375th Birthday

Nashville, TN – On December 13th, the Tennessee Military Department will celebrate the 375th Birthday of the National Guard, the country’s oldest military organization.

The National Guard’s Citizen-Soldiers have a long and proud history that took root in the nation’s colonial beginnings.

During the 1630s, British settlements in North America were primarily limited to areas along the Atlantic coast. As colonists expanded west into the interior of the country, they often faced armed conflict with Native Americans. Colonists were often responsible for their own defense and organized into separate militia companies to defend against Indian attacks. They adopted the British militia system, which required all males of a specified age to possess weapons and be prepared to defend their communities. [Read more]

Thanksgiving Day Facts

Washington, D.C. – In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims, early settlers of Plymouth Colony, held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest, an event many regard as the nation’s first Thanksgiving.

Historians have also recorded ceremonies of thanks among other groups of European settlers in North America, including British colonists in Virginia in 1619. [Read more]

Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Releases Memorial Weekend Statistics

Preliminary Figures Show Decline in Fatal Crashes

Nashville, TN - Preliminary figures from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security show 10 people were killed in traffic crashes on Tennessee roadways during this year’s 78-hour Memorial Day holiday period. This is a drop from the 13 fatalities that occurred during the 2010 Memorial Day holiday weekend and 16 deaths in 2009.

The 2011 Memorial Day weekend ran from 6:00pm, Friday, May 27th through 11:59pm, Monday, May 30th. During that time, there were 10 fatal crashes that resulted in 10 fatalities. Six crashes were single vehicle wrecks, while four of them were multiple car crashes. Five of the people killed were vehicle occupants, four were motorcyclists and one was a pedestrian. Three of the five (60 percent) vehicle occupants killed were not wearing safety restraints.

[Read more]

Flu activity increasing around the country

Washington, D.C. – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu activity is increasing in the United States. For the week ending December 25th, 2010, five states (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, New York and Virginia) reported widespread geographic influenza activity and 13 states (Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas) reported regional geographic influenza activity. [Read more]

Kroger Recalls Pet Foods due to possible Health Risk

Cincinnati, OH – The Kroger Co. said today it is recalling select packages of pet food sold in some of its retail stores because the products may contain aflatoxin, which poses a health risk to pets.

Kroger stores in the following states are included in this recall: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. [Read more]

Emerald Ash Borer Discovered in East Tennessee

Plans underway to survey and restrict movement of ash material in Knox, Loudon counties

Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture today announced the discovery of emerald ash borer (EAB), the first detection of the destructive tree pest in the state. The discovery was made last week at a truck stop in Knox County near the Loudon County line.

“We knew EAB could potentially reach Tennessee, and we’re prepared to help slow the spread of the infestation and protect our forest resources.” said state Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens. “We will be working closely with federal officials and other stakeholders to determine the extent of the infestation and to take steps to limit its spread.”

[Read more]