Cumberland County COVID 19 Count increases to 9, Tennessee cases reach 1537

Report from Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster: 

You ARE safer at home!  Please stay home to the greatest extent possible!
 
As of this writing, I have been notified by the TN Department of Health (TDH) that nine residents of Cumberland County have tested positive for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.  That is an increase of three since Thursday, March 26.  As I have previously mentioned, contact tracing is standard in all cases, so if you have been in close contact with someone that has tested positive, you will be notified.  That is all the information that has been released at this time.  The expanded capability of testing at the Health Department and primary care facilities will likely continue to show increases in positive tests.  The Health Department will continue testing Monday – Friday from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM. For more information call 931-484-6196. 
 
Please keep yourself safe.  Follow the guidelines that we have been talking about for weeks.  You can help to slow the spread.  That isn’t just a sentiment, it is the truth.  Please do your part.

Loans available to Tennessee small businesses with economic injury due to COVID-19

Tennessee has received a declaration for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration in response to a request submitted on Wednesday, March 18.

“I applaud the efforts of the SBA in swiftly processing and approving Tennessee’s request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance,” Gov. Bill Lee said. “Small businesses and nonprofits across the state are suffering greatly in the wake of this pandemic, and these loans will help overcome the temporary loss of revenue companies are experiencing during this difficult time.”

Small businesses and nonprofit organizations that have suffered economic injury as a result of COVID-19 can apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million per applicant to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have otherwise been met.

The Economic Injury Disaster Loans are administered and processed through the SBA. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at sba.gov/disaster.

Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

Interest rates for the loans are 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for nonprofit organizations. The loans can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable or other bills that can’t be paid due to the disaster’s impact.

“We have been in contact with business and community leaders across the state who are concerned about the toll COVID-19 is placing on their businesses and workforce,” TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe said. “We are pleased to see that these loans will act as a source of relief for so many of Tennessee’s small businesses in the months ahead.”

The SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.

More than 94 percent of Tennessee’s private sector business establishments have fewer than 50 employees. This represents 151,500 businesses that employ over one million Tennesseans.

Employment has increased 13.6 percent at these establishments over the last five years, placing Tennessee in the nation’s top 10 states for small business growth.

Small businesses are encouraged to learn more about resources offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration at sba.gov.

Information about the SBA’s District Office in Tennessee can be found here.

Up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Tennessee can be found here.

Information from Crossville Police and Fire Departments due to COVID-19

CITY OF CROSSVILLE PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATES:
Citizens are strongly urged to pay citations and to obtain crash reports online. 

File Photo by Jim Young

If you have received a traffic citation from a City of Crossville Police Officer, you may go online to pay for the citation. Just visit: https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/crossville…/…/search

Crossville Fire and Rescue stations are currently closed to the public, and Crossville Fire Department is preparing for response to an outbreak and working contingency plans to maintain coverage for the City of Crossville. The Department will also be hosting a conference call with the Upper Cumberland Fire Chief's Association on Monday to discuss plans for the region. 

File Photo by Jim Young

If you need to obtain a burn permit, please call (931) 484-6144.

Crossville City Hall Open by Appointment Only for Now.

City Hall is open by appointment only until further notice. (Info from City of Crossville)

If you need to pay your water bill, please do so through the drive-through window or place it in the night drop after hours. You can also pay online at http://www.crossvilletn.gov/…/publi…/198-online-bill-payment, or by calling toll-free 833-209-4457. Service fees are waived for these services at this time.

Crossville City Hall (file photo by Jim Young)

If you need to turn on water service or need assistance with your water account, please call (931) 484-5113.

If you need to speak with someone in the Codes Department, please call (931) 456-1830.

If you need to speak with someone about a street, streetlights, grinder pumps or any other Public Works issue, please call (931) 484-7631

You may also visit our website at www.crossvilletn.gov.

If you need any other assistance, please call (931) 484-5113 or (931) 787-1684.

COVID-19 Update for Cumberland County for 3-21-2020

By Cumberland Co. Mayor Allen Foster

As of this writing, I have been notified by the TN Department of Health (TDH) that two residents of Cumberland County have tested positive for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. The patients have been placed in quarantine and are recovering at home. Contact tracing is standard in these cases. That is all the information that has been released at this time.

File photo by Jim Young

Your local officials have been preparing for this virus for weeks.  We are coordinating with the TDH and the healthcare community to make sure all Cumberland County residents are protected.

We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation and will adapt our response as appropriate.  Over the next several weeks we might all suffer some inconveniences.  We may have to use drive-through services, the internet, the phone, and mail to conduct business.  For example, my church has started having services online.  There may be other temporary closures of businesses in the community, but this will end, and we will be stronger as a community.

Now is a time for all of us to work together.  It is important to remember that the vast majority of patients that contract this virus have a mild course of illness and recover quickly.  As I mentioned in my first article on this subject, these steps are about protecting the most vulnerable among us.

I recently detailed the steps that Cumberland County government offices have taken to protect the public and our employees.  Call before you go to a county government office.  Most business can be conducted without making an unnecessary trip.  Phone numbers can be found at the county website at www.cumberlandcountytn.gov. 

You can help too.  It is important that you call before visiting your doctor, the Emergency Department, or the Health Department. CALL FIRST.  They will tell you if you need to be tested, and where to go to get tested.  The Health Department is conducting drive up testing Monday – Friday from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM.  Call first so you don’t make an unnecessary trip.

Although the County Mayor does not have the authority to enforce state or federal guidelines or to create local restrictions, I urge everyone to practice social distancing and to avoid congregating in groups of over 10 people.  It is important for you to follow all guidelines issued by the State and Federal governments, including the President’s 15 Days to Slow the Spread.  As the situation continues to evolve, it is important to keep up with and follow the recommendations from the Tennessee Department of Health and the CDC.

Keep your hands clean.  If you are feeling bad, stay at home.  Keep an eye on our elders.  They need to be staying at home as much as possible and we need to support them and keep them safe. People over the age of 65 and those with prior illness are at greatest risk so we need to come together and support them.

We are working closely with the TDH and all agencies of government at all levels to minimize the impact on the residents of Cumberland County.  That has been and continues to be, our primary concern.  We will get through this together.

Individuals with specific questions can call the TDH Information line at 877-857-2945 or 931-646-7586.  You can also contact the Cumberland County Health Department at 931-484-6196.

Cumberland County Offices Report Changes Due to COVID 19 Recomendations

Cumberland County officials have gotten together to address concerns over the Covid 19 virus situation and report the following.  This information was provided by Cumberland CO. Mayor Allen Foster. 

Mayor’s Office I have asked all of my direct report employees and departments to limit travel to only essential meetings.  Due to the guidelines for the number of people that should be in a group event, all events at the Community Complex have been canceled.  Cleaning of all offices has been enhanced and we are getting hand sanitizer in public areas.

Cumberland County Courthouse Photo by Jim Young

 
Art Circle Public Library All classes, programs, storytimes, movies, concerts and special programs at the Art Circle Public Library have been canceled through Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
Phone : (931) 484-6790 
Email: james.houston@artcirclelibrary.info
 
Assessor of Property To get information on properties a resident can go online to www.assessment.cot.tn.gov or call instead of coming into their office. 
Office number is: 931-484-5745
Email: David.simcox@cot.tn.gov
 
Board of Education The Cumberland County School Nutrition Department will run the Food Service Bus starting March 17^th.  One lunch and one snack will be available for any child 18 years old and younger.  The child has to be present. They will be set up for a grab and go. This will take place Monday through Friday through March 31^st.   Go to the BOE website for locations and times at www.ccschools.k12tn.net or call 931-484-6135.
 
Emergency 911 Services will run normally but their building will be closed to the public.  For addressing purposes, they can be contacted at 931-484-0179 or at addressing@cumberlandtn911.org.
 
Sherriff’s Department The jail is currently under restricted visitation.  No visitors for inmates. New arrivals are being screened and isolated if present symptoms of illness. 
 
County Clerk Automobile tags can be renewed online.
https://secure.tncountyclerk.com/platerenewals/platerenewals.php
Phone: 931-484-6442  
Email:  countyclerk@cumberlandcountytn.gov
 
Circuit Court Clerk Court has been canceled through March 31^st.  If you need to pay tickets you can pay over the phone with a credit card and if you need a rescheduled court date please call the office. 
Phone:  931-484-6647
Email:  jessica.burgess@cumberlandcountytn.gov
 
Clerk and Master Court has been canceled through March 31^st.  If you need to pay tickets you can pay over the phone with a credit card and if you need a rescheduled court date please call the office.
Phone:  931-484-4731
Email: sue.tollett@tncourts.gov
 
Trustee Tax payments can be made in the dropbox outside the Trustees Office, online at https://secure.tennesseetrustee.org/ or via phone at 931-484-5730 or 1-877-768-8048
 
Road Department If you have questions for the Road Department please call or email instead of visiting their office.
Phone: 931-484-5424
Email:  cohwy@volfirst.net  
 
Register of Deeds You can search a title on the website:  www.titlesearcher.com.  For anything else, you will have to come to the office.
Phone: 931-484-5559
Email:  registerofdeeds@cumberlandcountytn.gov

Crossville City Court March Date Moved Due to COVID 19

(Crossville Police press release)
The Crossville Police Department announces that due to an order issued by the Supreme Court of Tennessee, in reference to COVID-19 PANDEMIC - No. ADM2020-00428. leaving courts open but suspending in-person court proceedings, the March 31, 2020 court date will be rescheduled for April 21, 2020.

Crossville Police Headquarters (file photo by Jim Young)

This order is intended to be interpreted broadly for the protection of the public from risks associated with COVID-19.

No Injuries in "Accidental Firearm Discharge" by SRO at Pine View Elementary

Press Release from Cumberland Co. Schools and Cumberland Co. Sheriff's Department. 

Early on Friday, March 13, there was an accidental discharge of a firearm by the School Resource Officer at Pine View Elementary in Cumberland County. No one was injured and the officer was alone in his office. No children were in the vicinity. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating and more details will be shared as they become available. Per standard protocol Sheriff Cox immediately placed the officer on administrative leave.

Director Janet Graham
Sheriff Casey Cox

Slight Chance of Severe Weather Thursday Night According to National Weather Service

There is a slight risk for severe thunderstorms Thursday evening, mainly across the northwest half of Middle Tennessee. This includes the Nashville area. Damaging winds are the most likely hazard, but a tornado cannot be ruled out. Localized large hail may occur.

File photo by Jim Young

Locally heavy downpours are expected Thursday evening and may cause brief flooding of streets and low lying areas.

Repeated rounds of showers and thunderstorms this weekend and next week could cause localized flooding and may lead to rises along creeks and rivers.

Crossville City Council Work Session set for March 3rd

Crossville City Council meets in Work session Tuesday, March 3 in preparation for the upcoming March regular council meeting.

Crossville City Hall file photo by Jim Young

The work session is set for 5 PM in conference room 317 at Crossville City Hall.

Council will discuss the performance evaluation of city manager Greg Wood. The evaluation forms rate him mostly in the 4 out of 5 ratings. Councilmember J. H. Graham had a lengthy written narrative with some suggestions for improvements as well as praise.

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Much of the agenda appears to be routine business including plans for water and sewer upgrades for Meadow Park Lake and funding for a new Catoosa utility department water tank using Rural Development.

Council will also take up the independent contractor agreement for the Fire Department Medical Director services. In addition, the council will discuss an appointment to the Cumberland Co. Board of Equalization.