Jan 08 Stories

Saturday night there will be an in house auction beginning 6:00 pm . First Baptist Church provided items for the day on air auction as well as the in house auction Saturday night.

Details: Trivia Night is a team trivia challenge. Up to eight players may participate on each team. There will be 10 questions asked in each of eight categories. The teams may discuss the questions to come up with their answers.

This event Benefits the Paris Optimist Club Youth fund. Money from this fund is used to host the annual Buddy Camp and monthly Buddy Nights as well as contributions to groups such as 4H, Girl and boy Scouts and school sports programs within Henry County.

Don't forget about the Heritage Center Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday, February 2, 2008. The festivities start at 6:30 PM at the Elk’s Lodge and will include beads, doubloons, dancing, a costume parade and a “Second Line.” A King and Queen will be elected in the best Louisiana tradition; votes will be purchased! Mardi Gras would not be complete without some great food which will be provided by Cindy Snyder and music arranged by Bill McCutcheon. Dress will be semi-formal, with costumes or black tie optional. A genuine “King Cake” shipped from New Orleans will also be auctioned. Tickets for the event will be $25 each, and may be purchased at Najie’s, Jack’s Java, The Heritage Center, or from any Heritage Center Board Member.

Teach Tennessee is seeking mathematics, science and foreign languages professionals to help fill Tennessee ’s teacher shortages in these critical subjects. Teach Tennessee trains exceptional mid-career professionals to teach in grades 7-12, where research indicates a teacher’s subject knowledge is critical to student learning. Former engineers, nurses, researchers, lawyers and chemists are just a few of the past professions of Teach Tennessee Fellows.

“The research shows a teacher’s expertise in the subject they teach is of utmost importance to students in middle and high school,” Governor Phil Bredesen said. “The ideal teacher has such a deep understanding of the material as to easily teach the concepts a variety of ways. I believe individuals who have worked successfully for years in a related field have the expertise students need to learn.”

The Teach Tennessee program is accepting applications through March 3 for the summer institute June 9-14 and June 23-28. Participation in the Teach Tennessee Institute is mandatory. Minimum eligibility qualifications include:

- 24 hours college credit in that subject, or a passing grade on the Praxis II exam in that subject

“We have been pleased with the interest from people who want to make a difference in the lives of students and who have a lot to offer,” Teach Tennessee Executive Director Becky Kent said. “The obstacle in the past has been that many mid-career professionals do not have the financial flexibility or time to go back to school full-time. This program offers well-qualified individuals a chance at a rewarding career and creates a valuable new pool of teachers for schools facing teacher shortages.”

Governor Phil Bredesen launched Teach Tennessee to put the knowledge and experience that mid-career professionals, retirees and others have to offer to work in the classroom. Interested candidates should visit Teach Tennessee ’s Web site at www.teachtennessee.org for details and to request an application.

U.S. Rep. John Tanner said he hopes President Bush will follow his State of the Union address by taking steps to help Tennesseans recover in today’s economic climate and to pressure Iraqi leaders to take control of their own country.

“The Administration needs to be more forceful than it has in the past to get the Iraqi government to reach political reconciliation so we can move away from a military-only approach that is keeping our men and women in harm’s way,” Tanner said.

“It is also clear that the economic and fiscal policies enacted in 2001 have been disastrous for our country, resulting in an unprecedented amount of borrowing over the last 72 months and transferring a large portion of the U.S. tax revenue base from spending power to interest payments, much of which we are sending to foreign sources. As many of us have said for some time, to continue that level of fiscal irresponsibility represents an economic vulnerability and a national security concern. I hope the President will truly work with Congress to address these economic concerns before he leaves office.”

Congressman Tanner represents Tennessee ’s 8th District in West and Middle Tennessee. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Tennessee National Guard, he currently serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and as chairman of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

A squall line of heavy rain and damaging winds passed through Henry County late Tuesday afternoon. Trees and branches were reported blown across road ways and a barn on Ben Smith Road was destroyed by winds gust up to 60 miles an hour.

Homecoming Court 1/30/08

The Henry County High School Spring Homecoming Court was announced Tuesday. The Senior Court will be Jordan Allison, Meagan Meketi and Sarah Cendejas. The Junior Court will be Hannah Choate and Rikkilynn Moody. The Homecoming Court will be introduced and the Queen crowned between the girl's and boy's basketball game Friday.

Helping Hand 1/29/08

Monday $4212

The Tennessee Grain & Soybean Producers Conference is scheduled for Thursday, February 7, 2008 at the Dyersburg, Tennessee Fairgrounds. This conference is attended by 250 producers annually and provides important research based information to area soybean, wheat and corn producers.

For more information contact: Ken J. Goddard, UT Ag Extension Service, 731-642-2941.

Three registered Black Clydesdales from Lodestar Farm, Buchanan, will make an appearance at Healthy As A Horse, the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce’s fifth annual healthcare expo on Saturday, February 2nd, at the Paris Civic Center , 650 Volunteer Drive , Paris . Keira, a 13 year old lead mare, along with 5 year old Kimberly and her 6 month old foal Arcturus, will be available for photos and pats. The ‘gentle giants’ have become favorites at open barn days, in parades and other appearances.

Scheduled from 8 am to noon, the Healthcare Expo will also feature appearances by the PSSD Strings and the Henry Chorus performing selections from High School Musical.

Henry County Medical Center will offer free screenings for blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure and general health. Paris Quota Club will demonstrate defibrillator usage.

Vendors currently registered include: Henry County Medical Center, Air Evac, Bone and Joint Specialists, Carey Counseling Center, Morningside of Paris, CareAll, Paris Civic Center, Eastwood Pharmacy, Eiffel Gardens, Henry County Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Medical Center Pharmacy, Walgreen’s, Campbell Therapy, Allison Insurance, Paris Surgical Specialists, Paris Healthcare, Henry County Chiropractic, Tennessee Quality Home Health, Volunteer Home Care, All-Temp, Freedom Fitness, Amedisys, Harrison Eye Clinic, Dixie Hines, Bethel College, Paris Pediatrics, Juice Plus, Loden Vision and Doctors Tommy Townsend and Josh Coleman.

Weston Hall was the place to be Saturday evening as 21 young ladies competed for the title of Worlds Biggest Fish Fry Hostess Princes for 2008. Hostess Princess Tara Zolfagharbik passed the crown to 2008 Hostess Princess 18 year old Cortney Haley a freshman at Murray State. Crowned as First Maid was 18 year old Meagon Meketi a senior at HCHS. Then to serve as Second Maid will be 18 year old Amanda Nicole Neumair a senior at HCHS. Crowned as Third Maid was 19 year old Brittany Jean McNutt a freshman at UT Martin, with 18 year old Robin Katherine Walker a senior at HCHS as Fourth Maid.

Friends and family of contestants for Miss Teen were at Weston Hall Sunday afternoon as the Worlds Biggest Fish Fry pageants continued. Crowned Miss Teen Queen was 15 year old Katy Beth Glover a sophomore at HCHS. First maid was 13 year old Shelby Beloate a 7th grader at Harrelson School. Second Maid was 13 year old Darian French a 7th grader at Lakewood School. Third Maid was 12 year old Hannah Michelle McFadden a 7th grader at Lakewood School. Fourth Maid was 13 year old Katelyn Suzanne Hamlin a 8th grader at Henry Elementary School.

The Tennessee Association of Fairs held its 86th annual convention January 17 through January 19 at the Airport Marriott in Nashville. More than 850 fair member volunteers and staff, concession vendors, and carnival owners attended the convention from 59 county and regional fairs across the state. Attendees participated in educational workshops, entertainment showcases, and business meetings.

Friday night the State Fairest of the Fair pageant was held in conjunction with the convention. Young ladies representing 50 state fairs competed for the title. Tara Zolfagharbik daughter of Abbas and Nicki Zolfagharbik of Paris proudly represented the Henry County Fair in the pageant. What excitement when at the end of the night Tara was named State Fairest of the Fair and Miss Photogenic.

The highlight of the convention was the awards banquet held on Saturday night. Fairs across the state are divided into three divisions: A, AA, AAA, based on the number of people served by the county for judging. In each division the Tennessee Association of Fairs presents awards to a 2^nd runner up, a 1^st runner up and division champion based upon five areas of fair operation. The Henry County Fair was named 2nd runner up in the AA Division.

During the convention The Tennessee Association of Fairs sponsors a Fair Showcase where a fair may enter items that represent their Fair for competition. The Henry County Fair entered several items in the Showcase. The Henry County Fair scrapbook, made by Sheila Watson, Lisa Archer, Jill Fitzgerald, Tammy Owens, and Shelby Lambert, won 1st place; the Fair Catalog won 2nd place, and the Fair shirt with logo won 2nd place, and the Fair T-shirt won 2nd place. There were over 290 entries in the showcase.

Attending from Henry County were: Janet and Jerry Bomar, Ed and Rhonda Cuthbertson, Linda and Bud Mangrum, Larry and Deneicia Gregson, Larry and Sandra Crawford, Leon and Shirley Rogers, Jerry and Janice Edgman, Vic and Lesa Adams and Jamey Tosh.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $500.00 reward for information on several burglaries that have occurred over the past two weeks to homes in the Henry area and Elkhorn community. These thefts occurred during the daytime hours. The Sheriff’s Office is asking you to please call if you saw anything out of the ordinary in these areas or have any information concerning the thefts.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office now has a Hot Line where you can call in and give information anonymously. If your information leads to an arrest, you will be given the reward money with no questions asked. With this Hot Line you will never be asked to give your name or telephone number unless you choose to do so. You will be assigned your own ID number and can identify yourself by that number.

If you have information concerning these crimes or any other crime please call the Henry County Sheriff’s Office Hot Line number at 642-0929.

Do to a pinch nerve in lower back doctor has prescribed complete bed rest, with little or no movement for one week. I was unable to cover MLK events but hope to be back in time to cover fish fry pageants.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 1/19/08 Planned activities in Paris to honor Martin Luther King Jr. include a college prep workshop on the ACT test from 10am to 1:30pm at Progressive Baptist Church on Saturday.

On 'Justice Sunday' Churches will hold morning services. Sunday evening various local church choirs will present Songs of Dr. King, hosted by the NAACP at 6pm in Allen Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on Warren St.

On Monday, Jan 31 a community prayer breakfast will be held from 8:30 to 10am at Quinn Chapel . After breakfast a community march from the church to Henry County Courthouse is planned at 10am. A community wide worship service will end the day at 6m in Progressive Baptist Church.

LISTEN DAILY ON WTPR. AM 710 BEGINNING AT 12:45 PM AND AT 12 NOON ON SATURDAYS. THIS SATURDAY NIGHT WILL BE THE FIRST IN HOUSE AUCTION BEGINS AT 6 PM IN THE ENOCH BUILDING . THIS IS A LIVE AUCTION WITH DOUG TAYLOR.

The Paris Alcoholic Beverage Control Board approved a request for a temporary on premises permit for 'Dancing for Charity' event sponsored by Theta Beta Sorority on Feb. 9 at the Paris Convention Center. The permit is good for 84 hours.

A request for a on premises beer permit for Club 20/20 Bar & Grill on N. Brewer St. was granted after some controversy between board members. The permit request had been on last month's agenda but there was no quorum with only one member, Bob Bowen present. On the advice of City Attorney Fred McLean the owner of Club 20/20 was not notified to attend the meeting Thursday. Board member Ricky Searcy, who was not present last month said that he did not want to approve a permit for someone who was not there and that he had not questioned. A vote to set a special called meeting when owner Danny Somerville was present died due to a lack of a second. When the motion to vote was called Searcy abstained from voting. The permit was granted.

Helping Hand Auction total for Wed. was $3926 for a total to date of $37,937.

Victoria “Tory” Daughrity of Murray, KY, will begin Marketing and Public Relations Director duties in February 2008.

Ms. Daughrity holds a Magna Cum Laude Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and Music as well as a Masters of Science degree in Mass Communications from Murray State University.

She has served as Adjunct Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications at Murray State since 2004.

Daughrity was Physician Liaison and Planning/Marketing Specialist at Murray-Calloway County Hospital prior to serving as Director of the Calloway County Chapter of the American Red Cross. She also has experience in advertising, marketing, promotions and sales.

Husband, Tim, works at Dana Corporation and they have one child, Alysa, age 3.

“We are excited to have Tory joining our staff at HCMC. She will bring many new and fresh ideas to our organization as we continue to develop programs and inform our community about our services.” Said Tom Gee, Administrator of HCMC.

Henry County is pleased to announce that the Solid Waste Department has been awarded a $23,100 Recycling Equipment Grant. This grant is awarded by the Tennessee Dept of Environment and Conservation, Division of Solid Waste Management.

According to Ron Watkins, Henry County Solid Waste Manager, the grant will be used to purchase a new one-ton heavy duty chassis truck with new box container to haul recyclables from local business and industry to the recycling center. Watkins stated, “We are very pleased the TN Dept of Solid Waste has recognized our need for recycling equipment by awarding this grant to us! This grant will allow our program to continue to provide efficient pick up service with less down time due to maintenance repair work of older trucks in our fleet.”

In 2007 Henry County Recycling Center collected 1343 tons of cardboard, 130 tons of newspaper/magazines, and 152 tons of office paper. Watkins adds,” Henry County is diverting approx 45-50% of our waste stream from landfills, which exceeds the mandate by the state to divert at least 25%. The citizens of Henry County are to be commended for the continued support of our recycling program. I feel this grant will assist us to keep up with the continued growth of our recycling program in the future.”

Tuesday total for the Helping Hand radio auction on WTPR AM710 was $4,222 bringing the total to date to $34,011. The broadcast begins weekdays at 12:45.

The Paris Special School District's Superintendent Mike Brown along with Chairman Richard Edwards are meeting with the Henry County board of Education Chairman Dr. Dunkerson and Director of School's Rick Kriesky to coordinate schedules, curriculum and school calendars. According to Brown there are only 2 times that the school systems are not the same, the days for parent-teacher conferences. The 2 groups will continue to meet once a month for lunch. Also being considered is a joint retreat.

Requests from teachers are being considered in setting the 2008-09 PSSD school calendar Brown stated that he number one request was not to return to school after Memorial Day and not start back to school before Jan. 6.

In a construction update on the new pre-school building Henson Construction Services told board members that work on the 'safe room' in the addition will begin this week with the total project still planned for completion in May. "Things are moving along well and we are working whenever the weather permits," stated Henson. Helping in the project was board member Amy Cathey who selected the colors for the pre-school using the Rhea School colors.

Edwards commented on the reports of the county requesting a 7 cent property tax increase for improvements at Grove School, of which PSSD wound receive a portion of that tax revenue. "We can not, not accept the money", he stated.

Paris City Mayor David Travis was present at the meeting and presented PSSD with a proclamation declaring Jan 20 thru 26 as School Board Recognition Week. He thanked the board for their efforts on behalf of the students to bring them the skills and technology that employers are looking for.

2 very strong candidates for the vacant Strings Director are being considered. Each candidate was given the opportunity to teach the music class for a day.

The Paris Henry County Public Utility District's Storm Water Pollution Plan was approved. The approval was required by the Environment and Conservation Field Office in Jackson for a stretch of line for 2 inch pipe on Hwy 69A headed toward Big Sandy. The plan is required for the prevention of erosion of land on open ground and ditched areas.

The board approved a resolution authorizing General Manager Don Green to enter into a contract with Municipal Gas Acquisition Supply. The gas company will purchase the 20% of gas not contracted to sell to Tenergy, at discount prices. The exact amount of the discount offered by Munigas was not known but could be as much as 60%.

Due to the Tennessee Association of Utilities Conference the board approved moving the next meeting of the Utility Board to Feb. 12. The conference will cover such topics as new laws and legislation for utilities.

The total for Monday Helping Hand was $4753 bringing the total to date up to $29,789.

The Henry County Highway Commission approved a bid for a new loader at Monday's meeting. Accepted was a bid from Power Equipment, out of Memphis for a Kamatzu for $84,248 with the trade in of the old loader. A 60 day delivery was projected.

With 150 miles of roads in the county the road board decided to accept bids for mowing for next year. This year's contracted mower charged $30,000, a price with the cost of fuel rising is expected to also go up. The board will consider he cost of buying more mowers verse the cost of paying a contractor at next month's meeting.

A 14 lot subdivision on Hwy 218 near Scenic Hills, who's roadways were deeded over to the county in 1979. has been purchased. The new land owner has requested that the upkeep of the roads be put back onto the county's road plan.

The budget committee approved several requests at the Henry County Budget Committee meeting, none of which included new money for the general fund. They included changes in line items for the Sheriff's department for fuel. The Highway Department has been helping the Sheriff's Department by selling gas to the department at lower prices from their supply. The sheriff also requested a transfer of funds to purchase more tasers for officers.

Changes were made in the tourism & economic development budget to include grant money and in the veteran's affairs for additional funds for gas. Changes in the airport budget were to cover costs of repairs to telephone lines. Changes in the General Purpose School fund were approved which included moving money for fuel and adding insurance recovery money.

Approved by the committee were 2 resolution to purchase Camp Hazelwood Girl Scout Camp for $1,500,000. According to County Mayor Brent Greer the deal closed on Friday. The land will become part of the state park system. Until then the county will be providing the salary for a guard. All costs involved will be paid by the state including the purchase price and all fees.

One other matter was presented to the budget committee by Sheriff Monte Belew. The Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System plan has been accepted by the THP, TBI, TWRA, Jackson PD and is being considered by the Paris City Commissioners for the Paris PD. The plan would have a mandatory retirement age for certified firefighters and law enforcement officers. The system would require retirement at 60 with a benefits package that would pay a portion of retiree benefits until the person reached the age of 62. Full benefits would come with 25 years of service. The plan would cost the county an extra $40,000 at this time. Belew told the committee that it would be hard to recruit and keep employees if they could receive the plan from another city.

The Henry County Nominating Committee reappointed all members of standing committees Monday. The only changes were made in the Ag. Committee where Mitch Evans was replaced by Larry Wilson

A reception welcoming the new Paris City Manager Jim Tarkington was attended by Paris and Henry County officials as well as State Representative Butch Borchert.

The community took the opportunity to meet the new city manager, originally from Henry County, and shake his hand, giving him a warm welcome back to his hometown.

Saturday's total for Helping Hand was $7187. The total to date is now $22,495.

Monday beings the 2nd week of the radio auction beginning at 12:45pm. and will feature items from the Democratic Women and the Fair Association.

Friday total for the Helping Hand Auction was $4036 bringing the total to date to $15,308. The auction begins at 12 noon Saturday on WTPR AM 710. Contributing Friday to the auction were Osage/airport community and Lee School Association.

In a lengthy Henry County Board of Education meeting Thursday night board members were updated on last month's request by members of Linda Montgomery's class to open a soup kitchen for the hungry in Henry County. Several civic organizations have been approached to help with the project and Montgomery told the board that "the response has been wonderful." An organizational meeting will be held at Grove on Jan. 24.

The board also heard about a service learning project at Henry Elementary School where 2nd graders are making peppermint ice cream which involves using math and science skills. The icecream will be delivered to the cancer treatment center this month.

Thursday's total was $2546 bringing the grand total to $13,818. Thursday contributors included the PI, National Guard Armory and E.W. James markets.

The Paris City Commission approved the request for rate increases by Charter Communications at Thursday evening's meeting. The new rates will increase by approx. $4 a month and will be reflected in the Feb. billing. "No pun intended but they are the only show in town," stated City Manager Jack Tarkington.

Also approved by the Commission was a resolution adopting National Incident Management System (NIMS). "The homeland security national response plan will make response methods to disasters better," explained Paris Police Chief Tommy Cooper.

Commissioners authorized Mayor David Travis to apply for a grant for local parks. According to Parks and Recreations Director Tim Check the grant money would be used to construct playgrounds at Johnson Park and Ogburn Park, a skate board park at Ogburn and new restrooms at McNeil and Memorial Parks. The 50% matching grant would allow payment of the match over a 3 year period. The board was also informed that monies applied for by a joint city and county parks program would be more likely to be granted. A joint committee is scheduled to meet Feb 25 at 5:30.

A report on Utility development for a Community Development Block Grant was presented to the board for the Whisky Ridge sewer extension. There are 26 homes in the neighborhood with 72 people. According to the report 61% are low income and include handicapped and minorities as heads of households.

9 of the 14 property owners were present at a meeting about purchasing the right a way on the 218 by pass. A 2nd meeting will be held later this month.

Passed on 2nd reading was an ordinance to abolish the vacant property review committee. Those duties will now be taken over by the Paris Housing Board of Adjustments and Appeals.

Tabled until more information and cost could be studied by commissioners was benefits package that set among other things mandatory retirement age for police and firefighters.

Recognized by the commission for their advancement in rank by Fire Chief Don Cox were Lt. Chuck Wade and Capt. Chris Mustain.

The Paris Municipal Regional Planning Commission had a light agenda for Thursday's meeting which opened with the election of officers for the new year. Reappointed as Chairman was Jim Hayes, Vice Chair Randy Scholes and Gayle Griffith as secretary.

The Planning Commission approved the site plan for Burger King on Mineral Wells. Community Development Director Linda Holder told the board that corporate policy required the restaurant to take down the present building and replace it with the updated prototype. The building will use the same foundation and will not require repaving of the existing parking lot. The new building should be up and open by Fish Fry time.

A minor subdivision of land in the Paris Henry County Industrial Park was removed from the agenda. Holder stated that as of this afternoon the survey of the property had not been completed.

On Wednesday, Jan. 9, The Metro Crime Unit, the Henry County Sheriff's Office and the Paris Police Department searched the residence at 750 Hartsfield Rd. Officers had received information of marijuana being grown at the residence. Officers did locate evidence of a marijuana indoor growing operation. The officers with Metro Crime Unit Team Leader Scott Wyrick found processed marijuana, hydroponic growing systems, which were found in an 18 month old child's bedroom closet, and Miracle Grow fertilizer as well as containers containing cut stalks. Also located were firearms, a computer, dirt bikes and remnants of a stolen car, all believed stolen from Tennessee and Kentucky.

Kelly Quackanbush of Hartsfield Rd. was charged with manufacturing of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, theft of property, possession of drug paraphernalia and child endangerment. Sam R. Reeves, also of the same address had fled the scene with the child before officers arrived. Warrants have been issued for his arrest on the same charges. Child endangerment charges stem from the baby living at the residence and having access to the drugs. If you know the where abouts of Reeves and the child you are asked to contact the sheriff's office or the Paris Police Department.

Wed. total for Helping Hand $4901. Total to date $11,272. Contributors were Henry County Health Care, HC Orthopedics. Listen Monday through Friday beginning at 12:45 pm on WTPR AM 710 and at noon on Saturdays.

The Henry Mayor and Board of Aldermen passed a resolution at Tuesday's meeting that will allow them to accept a grant and a loan from the USDA for their ongoing sewer project. They also authorized the issuance of a tax bond .

Also passed was a resolution that will allow them to accept a loan from Community Resource Group out of Waverly to help the city pay some legal expenses that have accrued with the firm Hessing and Hessing connected with the sewer project. The board was informed by Mayor Joe Qualls that the city owed the lawyers approx. $12,000 for their court time and fees over the sewer project which the Resource Group will help pay.

The board also approved accepting applications for a part time police officer. The matter had been tabled in the past but Tuesday Police Chief Mark Herndon told the board he needed help and they agreed to start the application process.

Tuesday's Helping Hand total was $2760 bringing the 2day total to $6371. Tuesday's items were donated by the Paris Kiwanis, the Rotary Club, the Optimist Club and Jr. Livestock.

The Mayor and Board of Commissioners of the City of Paris cordially invite the public to attend a reception welcoming new City Manager Jack Tarkington on Thursday, January 10, 2008 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

The joint committees of the Henry County Commission and the Henry County Board of Education met Tuesday evening to discuss renovations to Grove School, Weston Hall and the funding of such an enterprise.

Out of several options the school board prefers Option D, a 3.875 million dollar project. Phase I of Option D is estimated to cost $3,500,000. This option will add 22,800sq. ft. of new space behind the 1997 addition and will replace the existing music room, the agriculture shop, head start classrooms and gym. A covered walkway between the existing school plus parking is included in the Phase 1, option 'D'.

Phase 2 of Option 'D' includes demolishing Weston Hall at a cost of $350,000 with the total cost of Phase 2 to run an estimated $375,000.

Funding for the project included counting on the 3/4 cent sales tax the school receives that must be spent on capital projects, which Kriesky told the committee runs $100,000, that the school board would use for the project. "$100,000 is very doable," stated Kriesky. Kriesky also told the committee that Phase 1 was needed now for the students but Phase 2 could be delayed, if necessary, "But we need direction from this committee," he added.

To come up with the required money for the project County Mayor Brent Greer offered as a solution a 7cent increase in property tax over a 15 year time frame. As Greer pointed out, there is also the percentage that must go to the Paris Special School District out of that 7cent increase. The only way to raise the funds besides an increase in property tax would be to raise the sales tax which would require a referendum for the county citizens to vote on.

The recommendations of the committee must be approved by the Henry County Budget Committee and then sent on to the County Commission for their approval.

The first day of the Helping Hand Auction featured items from Paris Lioness Club, Paris Lions Club, as well as Lakeway Kiwanis.

The First Day total was $3611. You can hear the radio auction on WTPR AM710.

The Paris Parks and Recreation Board took only one official action at Monday's board meeting. The board approved a new Field Use Policy which will require all teams entering into tournament play to have liability insurance. Up until now all that was required was a waver. "That will not be acceptable," stated Parks and Recreation Director Tim Check. "Any group other than Little League or ASA Softball must have liability insurance."

Park board members were informed of the grant status for several projects including a grant received for the tennis courts which are completed. Director of Parks and Recreation stated that they were only waiting for the money to come in, while more grants for 2008 are being applied for including new playground equipment for Johnson Park and Ogburn Park . The new pavilion at Johnson Park is completed and waiting on the new picnic tables.

According to Check the skate board park at Ogburn could be up and running by the end of the month and the Parks Department is working on walking trails at Memorial Park as well as expanding the Disc Golf Course. The board discussed adding a disc golf course at Paris Landing "Campers would be the number one target for disc golf," stated Check.

The Parks Board received $3800 in Tennessee River Resort Act funds for portable fencing which would be used when national tournament ASA Girls Softball games were played in the area but according to Check no tournaments have been confirmed as of yet and he told board members that he was not certain if the money would have to be returned or if the fencing could be used for other tournaments such as soccer.

Tentative plans to form a bicycling club were discussed. There are 25 to 30 cyclist interested in organizing. The group is interested in taking rides in the area as well as up into Land Between the Lakes.

Interest in forming a tennis association has also been expressed plus interest in forming a ping pong group has been mentioned to Check, which he stated was doable. "Its a low budget thing," he told board members. Also discussed was the boxing program of Judge Vicki Snyder's. "It needs more publicity to expand," explained Check who added that there were no age limits but it was more suited for teens.

Henry County Sheriff Monte Belew reported that during the month of Oct. an average of 167 prisoners were housed in the Henry County Correctional facility per day. 41of the prisoners were state prisoners generation $38,078.00 in revenue from the state of Tennessee to the Henry County General Fund.

The Inmate Commissary generated $1,623.55 revenue in and the Inmate Receives generated $4,104.89 in revenue to the general fund for the month.

Sheriff's officers served 1,187 criminal and civil papers . 31 arrests and citations were issued for driving violations. 4 motorists were charged with DUI and 15 persons were charged with driving on revoked or suspended striver's licenses. 3 vehicles were seized due to drivers driving while intoxicated or driving on revoked licenses. The Metro Crime Unit and the Henry County Sheriffs Office made 32 drug arrests and seized $250.00 in cash and 2 vehicles.

Deputy cruisers traveled 49,390 miles while performing official duties. 820 businesses, residences and schools were checked during the month and one door was found open. The criminal Investigations Division opened 52 cases. 12

The Henry County High School Resource Officer made 7 misdemeanor arrests and citations, 1 felony arrest. The officer attended 5 after school events. The county wide school resource/DARE officer made 1 felony arrest. The officer attended 5 after school events and held 22 DARE classes.

Many of Henry County's best student musicians will perform a free concert on Tuesday, January 15^th at 6pm in Weston Hall . The All District Band Festival Concert will feature 60 eighth grade students from both the city and county school system along with the Henry County High School Madrigals.

The Festival involves students and band directors from Harrelson, Henry, Inman, and Lakewood schools who participate in an all day practice session before performing that night for the public. This is a great opportunity for all of the students to learn from each other, meet other music students from around the county, while giving them a taste of the music program that awaits them at the high school level.

Opening the concert this year are the Henry County High School Madrigals. This year, for the first time, the Madrigals will be performing for the national convention of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They will perform for thousands of music educators from across the country and even from across the world. They are especially proud to be the only performing ensemble from the state of Tennessee invited to the national convention.

This is the third year for the All District Band Festival and comes courtesy of Gold Star sponsors Peppers Automotive Group; Hessing & Hessing, PC; and Amro Music. Bronze Star sponsors are Burger King; Laird's Bar-B-Q; Leach's Music; Pepsi Mid America; and Tosh Farms.

The Paris Henry County Arts Council , a nonprofit organization, has been promoting and encouraging the development of the arts in the Paris-Henry County area for the past 40 years. Visit them on line at www.phcarts.com.

The Henry County Investment Committee met to open sealed bids from local banking institutions regarding 1 million dollars that the county wished to place in a Certificate of Deposit. Rates were based on 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months. The committee accepted the bid for 9 months from Regions Bank and the 12 month bid from First Bank.

County Mayor Brent Geer said of the rates that were offered, "We are very disappointed in the rates but evidently the market changed." With the lowering of rates, an estimated 10 million dollars a year has been lost in revenue. He along with other committee members stated that they did appreciate all those who had bid and hoped that when the county was ready to borrow money to purchase Camp Hazelwood the interest rates would be comparable.

THE UNIQUE ACOUSTIC BAND PLAIDGRASS RETURNS TO THE ROBERT E. LEE ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS IN AN ENCORE PERFORMANCE, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 AT 7 PM.

TICKETS ARE $10 AND ON SALE NOW AT JACK JONES FLOWERS AND GIFTS AND KNOWLES STRING INSTRUMENTS BOTH IN DOWNTOWN PARIS.

PRECEDING THE CONCERT WILL BE A RECEPTION FOR NEW PARIS CITY MANAGER JACK TARKINGTON, BEGINNING AT 6:30.