NEWS 6/24/15 Times Free Press- CLEVELAND, Tenn. — The Bradley County Sheriff's Office will present plans today for providing animal control
NEWS 6/24/15 Times Free Press- CLEVELAND, Tenn. — The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office will present plans today for providing animal control services to county residents living outside of Cleveland. Residents have not had animal control services since March 2014, but they do have animal sheltering services through the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Bradley County. The SPCA provides animal pickup services if requested by county law enforcement or emergency responders, but not if requested by residents, according to the organization’s $80,000 annual agreement with the county. After a number of highly publicized dog attacks, Sheriff Eric Watson addressed the lack of dedicated animal control services in a recent news release. “Currently, the county has no stray animal confinement or pickup services, and it is only a matter of time until someone else is attacked, maimed and possibly killed by a dog,” Watson said. The sheriff’s office proposal will address strays and the enforcement of “existing laws concerning animals,” he said. We will keep you up to date on this story as information becomes available. The DPA reports- A pair of black bears was spotted in Athens Monday morning and afternoon, leading officials on a chase that ventured near four local schools. According to officials at the McMinn County E-911 Center, callers reported seeing two black bears in Athens, possibly an adult and a cub. One sighting was on Ingleside Avenue between E.G. Fisher Public Library and Ingleside Pool, while the other sighting was in the City Park area. The incident caused Athens City School System’s KIDS Connection summer program at City Park School to go into lockdown mode, with participants remaining inside after the bear was spotted. Youngsters remained inside the school until their parents or guardians picked them up for the day. The Cleveland Daily Banner- The terror and tragedy of another church shooting is affecting the ministries of two international church organizations headquartered in Cleveland. The Church of God of Prophecy notified the Cleveland Daily Banner Monday evening that a weekend shooting near Guatemala City in Central America has taken the life of a young girl and a young woman. Five others were injured, including the shooter’s ex-wife or girlfriend, and his daughter. The shooting occurred in a Church of God of Prophecy church. Bishop Sam N. Clements said, “We received this devastating news that a gunman carried out this cowardly attack. We are waiting for additional information.”The Church of God International, also headquartered in Cleveland, has called for prayer for its sister church. Following news of the shooting, Church of God General Overseer Mark L. Williams issued a statement. “Once again the body of Christ has been violated by a senseless act of slaughter,” Williams declared. The Banner reports- The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference has selected Athens attorney Jerry Estes as its new executive director. In addition to the regular executive business of the Conference at its recent annual meeting in Franklin, the elected district attorney members of the Conference selected Estes, a former 10th District attorney general, to fill the vacant position.Estes will succeed Wally Kirby, who retired in February.Estes served as the elected DAG in the 10th District from 1982 to 2006. Channel 3 reports- State News NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – House Speaker Beth Harwell is working to raise awareness of the danger of leaving a child unattended in a vehicle. A recent report shows Tennessee is among the top 10 states for death of children due to hot vehicles, claiming 23 deaths from 1998 to 2014. Speaker Harwell has recorded a PSA to address the issue. Last year, lawmakers passed legislation that protects individuals from the cost of damages if they have to force their way into a hot car to save a child. The law requires Good Samaritans to first call 911, and then see if any vehicle doors are unlocked. If not, they can break in to rescue a child. Tennessee is among 20 states that have laws that address leaving a child unattended in a vehicle.
