Grant for Little River group tops $21,000 ... and more

Grant for Little River group tops $21,000

The Little River Watershed Association (LRWA) has received a $21,150 grant from The ALCOA Foundation to begin the “educational phase” of the Little River Corridor Project partnered with the Foothills Land Conservancy.
During 2008, LRWA will develop education materials and conduct forums to distribute information landowners can use to protect the health of Little River.
Foothills Land Conservancy, who establishes conservation easements with voluntary landowner agreements, will begin concentrated efforts in 2008-2009 along Little River and its feeder streams.
On Oct. 25, the conservancy announced a goal to have 25,000 acres under conservation easement protection at the conclusion of 25 years existence in 2011.
For more information on LRWA activities, call Executive Director Cathy Rhodes at (865) 980-2130.

Duncan gets top score for family values votes

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr., R-Tenn., was recognized as a “True Blue” member of Congress this week by the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family for his record in support of America’s families.
The award honors members of Congress who exhibit extraordinary leadership and commitment to the defense of family, faith and freedom. Duncan scored 100 percent on the council’s new scorecard covering the House for the first session of the 110th Congress. The scorecard rates votes on sixteen pro-life and pro-family votes.

State works on traffic safety

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Department of Safety is working to continue to reduce the number of traffic fatalities in 2008 by participating in enforcement initiatives aimed at saving lives.
Figures show that traffic fatalities declined by nearly 9 percent last year, from 1,284 in 2006, to 1,169 in 2007.
The Construction Accident Reduction (CAR) program targets drivers who violate traffic laws while traveling through highway construction and work zones when road workers are present.
THP is participating in the Strike Three Program to target “under 21” drivers who fail to wear safety belts and/or drink and drive.
Statistics also show that safety belt usage in Tennessee has improved significantly since the introduction of the Primary Safety Belt Law.
According to 2007 data, the safety belt usage rate in Tennessee was 80.2 percent, but despite this increase, nearly half of the people killed in fatal crashes that year were unbelted.