Henry County News Digest

You can find out local weather conditions for Paris and Henry County by going to the ATTIC page.

The Henry County 4-H Plant and Seed ID teams have placed well in events on several levels of competition this year. The teams traveled to the Mid-South Fair in Memphis to compete against teams from six other states. The senior high team consisted of Dillon Beloate, Josh Gallimore and Drake Williams. The team placed first in the competition. The junior high team consisted of Houston Forsythe, Jacob Gallimore and Houston Forsythe. This team also placed first in the competition. In addition, Dakota Lemonds was the high scoring individual for the contest.

The team next traveled to the State 4-H Fall Judging Day in Knoxville. This competition was only open to senior high teams. Henry County was represented by the team of Josh Gallimore, Candice Owen and Evan Owen. Dillon Beloate and Drake Williams competed for Henry County as individuals in the contest. The team placed second in the state, and Drake Williams was the third high scoring individual for the contest. The teams began practicing for the fall competitions in July. Members must learn to identify 60 different crop and weed seeds and 60 weed specimens that are common in Tennessee. At the contest they must identify 20 specimens of plants and 20 specimens of seeds. The team was coached by David McDade, Henry County 4-H Alumnus and past member of the plant and seed id team.

The 4-H Plant and Seed ID teams, like all 4-H programs, are a part of the University of Tennessee Extension. All Extension programs are open to all persons, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion or veteran status. For more information about 4-H or UT Extension, please call the Extension office at 642-2941, or visit us at 1120 Tyson Avenue, in Paris.

Pictured in photo l to r: Candice Owen, David McDade, Evan Owen, Josh Gallimore, Dillon Beloate. In foreground: Drake Williams. Team members study seeds at the last moment before the State 4-H Fall Judging Day in Knoxville.

The Optimist tree lot will open the Friday after Thanksgiving and . We will be located on East Wood Street across from Eastwood Pharmacy and between the Fish Fry Headquarters and the Dairy Delight.

The hours will be

Fridays 4 to 6:00

Saturday 10 to 6:00

Sunday 1 to 5:00

Numbers will be posted for several Optimists at the tree lot. If the lot is closed people can call and they will come and open the lot.

You are invited to W. G. Rhea Public Library Christmas Open House Tuesday, December 9^th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Happy Holidays from your Library staff

Santa, Rudolph and the elves rolled into downtown Paris on afire engine Friday morning am kicking off North Pole Family Fun Day, an annual event sponsored by the Downtown Paris Association (DPA). With more than a dozen free activities for busy little hands to create.

Children gave the big man in red their list and purchase photos made with him by Project Graduation Elves. Afterward, little ones (and even big ones) enjoy more than a dozen free activities, including mule and buggy rides and roaming musicians, courtesy of the DPA and the Villages of Paris.

Craft tables with “make and take” holiday goodies were hosted by the 4-H Honors Club and Henry County Girl Scouts located outside stores throughout downtown. Other crafts included the PARIS! magazine booth where children made their very own “Special Snowman Edition” magazine covers. At the Kroger booth, children decorate Christmas cookie.

At Commercial Bank, a face painter decorated young faces while photographers from www.hcndigest.com took pictures in front of a winter scene at Endless Possibilities. Photos can be downloaded and emailed for free from the site and sent to family near and far.

Plenty of delicious snacks accompanied the children’s wide eyes and holiday laughter. The PI offered free popcorn and the Paris Antique Mall on North Poplar gave out popcorn and hot chocolate.

Every half hour members of the HCHS Speech Team read The Polar Express at the beautifully decorated Old Depot on Fentress Street, now Vicky Muzzall’s Tax Service where Youngsters received a free train whistle from Miss Vicky.

The Paris Board of Public Utilities met Tuesday with Alexander Thompson Arnold Accounting Firm. Representing them was Stephen Elridge who reported no findings on the audit for fiscal year 2008 conducted by his firm. He spoke briefly on revenues versus expenses in each department and stated all departments were in good financial shape. He did mention the wastewater department is operating at a loss, as it has for several years, and a letter may be forthcoming from the State concerning this department.

The board approve the contract with Alexander Thompson Arnold to conduit the fiscal year 2009 audit at a cost of $17,760.

to labor and equipment costs, a recommendation will be forthcoming at the next meeting to set new policy standards whereby homeowners will be responsible for their own digging. BPU would still maintain and repair all services. Bryan Irby informed the Board approximately 1200 AMI meters have been installed and a group of meters are being read daily to check for accuracy and for any problems that might be encountered. Irby also stated fiber installation is progressing in the city limits and all fiber may be installed within the first two months of next year, depending on the weather.

Mr. Etheridge reported to the Board that TVA will have a quarterly fuel cost adjustment decrease beginning with meters read on or after January 1 and all of the wholesale decrease will be passed along to the customers; that Central Service Association, who handle billing and financial software, will have an expected increase next year of about 9%; that a representative from TOSHA had visited all BPU facilities and had made only a few minor recommendations for changes; and that he is assessing the effect on revenue with the possible change to the months the sewer

On Monday, Nov. 24 Cpl. Lance Perry with the Henry County Sheriff's office was at 706 Cooper St. was serving a subpoena to Ashley Woodruff . When one of the occupants opened the door Cpl Perry detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the residence. After Consent to search was given a search warrant was drawn up by members of the Metro Crime Unit. When officers conducted a search of the residence approx. 1 ounce of marijuana, scales and baggies and a loaded 9mm TEK plus a full 30 round clip. $592 in cash was also found. According to Perry the amount of drugs was small but the possession of the weapon carries a minimum 5 year 1st offence. The weapon was fully automatic and could be a federal offence.

Since none of the occupants of the residence would claim ownership to the items found in the residence Derell Ward, 23, Bianca Johnson, 18, Ashley Woodruff,22 and Amanda List, 33 were charged with possession of a scheduled 6 drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a weapon while in commission of a felony. .

Officers included in the search were Lt. Stan Pinson, Sgt. Dennis Vaughn, Deputy Brian Hall, Ptl. Mike Ramos and K-9 Merlin, Ptl. Eric Long, Ptl. Canice Wheat, Ptl. Jeff Wygul, and members of the Metro Crime Unit.

At Tuesday's Henry County Medical Center Board of Trustees meeting, Hospital Administrator Thomas Gee told board members in a TennCare update, "We are experiencing significant issues with the two new managed care organizations. They are not offering us rates which keep us even close to what we were getting last year." Gee gave Blue Cross as an example which is offering only 9%of charges for the Emergency Room care. Radiologists are only being offered 50% of what they were being paid by Americhoice. Gee stated "These simply are unfair and unreasonable rates which will have serious implications for our ability to provide services. Unfortunately, as small providers, we do not have much clout to get them to deal fairly with us." Gee told the board that he would continue to press for fair rates.

Thomas Gee said that recruitment for an Ob/Gyn continues but candidates are of poor quality.

Teamhealth has been awarded the ER contact and recruitment of staff is under way.

The Cath Lab will be receiving a hemodynamic and an experienced nurse has also been hired to train the staff. Cardiology doctors from St. Thomas have proposed a full time Cardiology clinic which HCMC will be considering.

Santa, Rudolph and the elves roll into downtown Paris on the big, red fire engine Friday morning at 10:00 am kicking off North Pole Family Fun Day, an annual event sponsored by the Downtown Paris Association (DPA). With more than a dozen free activities for busy little hands, the fun lasts from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in West Tennessee’s festive downtown shopping hub.

Children can give the big man in red their list and purchase photos made with him by Project Graduation Elves. Afterward, little ones (and even big ones) can enjoy more than a dozen free activities, including mule and buggy rides and roaming musicians, courtesy of the DPA and the Villages of Paris.

Craft tables with “make and take” holiday goodies will be hosted by the 4-H Honors Club and Henry County Girl Scouts and will be located outside stores throughout downtown. Other crafts include the PARIS! magazine booth where children can make their very own “Special Snowman Edition” magazine covers. At the Kroger booth, children can decorate a delicious Christmas cookie.

At Commercial Bank, a face painter will be on hand to decorate young faces while photographers from www.hcndigest.com will be making pictures in front of a winter scene at Endless Possibilities. Photos can be downloaded and emailed for free from the site and sent to family near and far.

Plenty of delicious snacks will accompany the children’s wide eyes and holiday laughter. The PI will offer free popcorn and the Paris Antique Mall on North Poplar will offer free popcorn and hot chocolate.

Every half hour (10:30, 11:00, 11:30; 12:00, 12:30, 1:00, 1:30), members of the HCHS Speech Team will read The Polar Express at the beautifully decorated Old Depot on Fentress Street, now Vicky Muzzall’s Tax Service. Youngsters will receive a free train whistle from Miss Vicky.

All of these activities are free, although some ask for a small donation for their charitable activities. For more information on North Pole Family Fun Day and Downtown Unwrapped contact Mike Key at 731-642-9271 or log on www.VisitDowntownParis.com.

The work on Howard Road was postponed today due to rainy weather. The road will be closed tomorrow.

The 1st Miss Snow Flake Pageant, sponsored by the Henry County Jaycees was held in the Krider Performing Arts Center Saturday morning.

Winners in the 3 to 5 year old category were Queen & Best Dressed - Mickenna Rylee Thrower, 4, of Henry. 1st maid and best personality - Tori Grace Fletcher, 4, of Paris. 2nd Maid - Macy Brown, 5, of Paris. Prettiest smile & most photogenic - Saiylor Marie Beecham, 4, of Mansfield.

1st maid & Best Dressed & Most Photogenic - Elizabeth Paige Alexander , 7, of Springville.

2nd Maid - Katey Holder, 7, of Paris. Best Smile -Bobbie Traywick, 7, of McKenzie.

10 to 12 year Old Queen & Most Photogenic Morgan Nicole Coker, 12, of Paris.

13 to 15 year Old Queen & Best Dressed & Best Smile - Nicki Harrison, 14, of McKenzie.

The Salvation Army Angel Tree program is sponsoring 309 children this holiday season. The Angel Tree, located at Wal-Mart and Lowe's, provides clothing and toys for eligible children.

According to Martha Thomas Director of the Family Resource Center and Chairperson of the Salvation Army's Angel Tree, Here's how it works: Pick an "Angel" off the tree (the angel represents a child), purchase gifts; return gifts and Angel tag by December 15th.

This is a great project for group, or clubs to do together! "Some things I'd like you to know about the program" Thomas stated.

1. Families who are selected were interviewed, provided proof of income and other documentation to ensure their eligibility.

2. If you choose an "Angel" off the tree and buy gifts, the child receives what you purchase. We do not take away from one child to give to another. The Salvation Army has budgeted funds to purchase toys/clothing for those Angels who are not chosen/or gifts are not returned. We have approximately 10% each year we do have to buy.

3. Once gifts are returned, Angel Tree volunteers, mark all bar-codes and sales tags to prevent the gifts from being returned for money. Wal-Mart will allow a return for a similar item only (parents may swap a coat for a coat of another size.)

As well as volunteers who man the well recognized Red Kettles, others such as County Clerk Jerry Bomar , who is this years Henry County Chairman for the Kettle Drive, volunteer their time.

"We have 309 people this year and 30 families on the waiting list," explained Thomas. And we have families who have never asked for help before, wouldn't have dreamed of it, but now they need help."

Howard Road will be closed Monday Nov. 24 for one day only- 1 mile east of hwy 641 for culvert replacement. Alternate routes will be Valentine Road, Phillip Duncan Road and Old Paris Murray Road.

At this month's meeting of the Puryear Mayor and Aldermen Kenny Paschall was sworn in as Mayor, Verla Smith as City Recorder with Gordon Dunning and Brian Sykes Aldermen.

Puryear Volunteer Fire Department has received a $47,000 Homeland Security Grant from FEMA. Then 95/5 matching grant will be used to purchase turn-out gear for fire fighters. The Mayor told the firefighters that he was proud of their excellent work in applying for the grant.

Fire Protection subscriptions are due. The $35 fee was approved this year and can be paid before Dec. 31.

The annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Puryear City Park will be held Friday Dec. 5. Santa will arrive on the city Fire Truck at 6pm. The Puryear Lion's World Famous Chili will be served up free at the Puryear Civic Center. There will also be a drawing for a girls bike and a girls bike plus gift stockings drawing.

On Dec 8 the annual employee appreciation Christmas party will be held at 6pm.