December City Council meeting Oglesby's last with discussion on water, wastewater and Sports Council.

The December Crossville city council meeting will be the end of an era and the final regular meeting of longtime Crossville City Clerk Sally Oglesby.

Retiring Crossville City Clerk

Sally Oglesby

After 32 years, Oglesby will be hanging up her keyboard and turning the job of City Clerk to Valarie Hale who has worked as the assistant city clerk for a number of years in preparation for the handover. A special reception in honor of Oglesby is set for Tuesday, December 19, 1 PM at Crossville City Hall, Oglesby's final day.

The December 12 council meeting starts at 6 PM and will be preceded by the audit committee meeting at 5:15 PM and the Beer Board at 5:45 PM.

Several items on the agenda relate to utility services including water supply and wastewater treatment put forth in last weeks work session by Mayor pro-tem J. H. Graham. Graham is proposing that the city offer water sales to the Crab Orchard Utility District (COUD) as he says they are beginning a search for additional water supply. In addition, Graham proposed that the city study the possibility of taking water from the wastewater plant and treat it as they do in California to make it safe as drinking water.

Both of these topics were brought up at the end of the council's December work session and were not on the agenda for the work session. Graham said he'd been studying the future raw water report by J. R. Wauford and the future needs of the community from the Army Corps of Engineers. According to Graham that without a new water source Crab Orchard will need a new supply.

Graham said he would like to have the council approve at the December meeting for the city manager to offer up to 1 million gallons of water to COUD at the current wholesale rate with no required minimum purchase.

“It is important to me as a city council member,” explained Graham, “that the Crab Orchard Utility District knows that we are in the water business and that we have water to sell. I feel that it is important that we extend the olive branch.”

Graham also discussed water issues in Los Angeles where he said some 50 percent of water following wastewater treatment is then run through a process to make it safe for drinking when all of it was once pumped into the Pacific Ocean. According to Graham, that water used by LA is filtered, treated by reverse osmosis and then bombarded by high-intensity ultraviolet light. That water is pumped into the aquifer for future use from wells and the process is less costly then pumping water from the Colorado River.

Crossville Wastewater Treatment Plant

Graham said he would like to see the city investigate the possibility of a similar system to be discussed with engineers and get cost estimates for such a program.

Council will also discuss and consider establishing a Crossville Sports Council that would be made up of local community leaders who would promote the city and county's current sports events and programs as well as look to expand and add additional opportunities. They would also act as a central clearinghouse to make sure tournaments and other events do not conflict with those in the City and County, or other activities nearby that could impact the success of sporting events.  

Chilly Crossville Christmas Parade Well Attended and Fun for All. Photos here.

The Crossville Christmas Parade brought out kids of all ages to the parade route for floats, animals, candy and Santa Claus.

While light flurries were falling and the wind was biting with temperatures just below freezing the crowd was bundled up. 

Crowds Waited for the Parade

Bundled up parade watcher

The Crossville Police Honor Guard and Young Marines

lead the parade.

Stone Memorial HS Band

CCHS Jets Band

Best Friends Veterinary Hospital float

Clarkrange Baptist Church float

Bundled up horse riders

Main Street was lined with parade watchers.

Santa arrives 

Mrs. Claus and Santa

Gubernatorial candidate Mae Beavers addresses supporters in Crossville at a recent campaign stop.

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Mae Beavers stopped by Crossville for a visit with supporters and spoke about her plans for Tennessee's future.

The event was held at the Christmas decorated home of Donna McDermott who ran for mayor of Crossville 8 years ago. The event gave supporters the opportunity to chat with the candidate and discuss politics before the candidate spoke for a few minutes about the issues she sees in the upcoming race to replace Bill Haslam.

Beavers told supporters that she fought the increase in the gasoline tax because the state currently has a surplus that could be used for roads. She said the wants to see the gas tax removed and sales tax removed from food. On other taxes, Beavers said she had fought the income tax proposed several years ago.

Gubernatorial candidate Mae Beavers addresses

supporters in Crossville

According to Beavers, “lots of legislators are leaving or running for other offices and concerned about elections.

Education is another topic Beavers talked about saying she'd like to get rid of common core. The race to the top funding is also a problem and currently, the state testing contractor can't get results to the state in time for test results to be used to grade students or teachers on their progress. She added that there should be transparency from the testing company and school decisions are better when they are local as not all schools are the same.

Concern about the opioid crises was also discussed by Beavers. She said one business owner she talked to said he can't hire half the people that apply because they can't pass a drug test. One business owner she talked to took men from jail, helped them get off of drugs and give them jobs and his company has been very successful doing that. The substitute drugs that people are given keep them addicted just one something different.

Beavers said she thinks the State Attorney General should be elected to represent the people. She proposed that each state department should have an inspector general to watch for waste and fraud.

Beavers told those gathered that she was the most conservative candidate in the race and added, “I'd put my record up against anyone. She said she was targeting conservatives, tea party members and Republican women's groups adding that money is needed for impact and grassroots support is very important in this race.

When asked what she'd like to be remembered for she said she'd want to be remembered as a governor with common sense.   

Former Crossville Police Chief Rod Shoap tapped for E-911 Director-County City cost share questioned by City Council.

The Cumberland County Central Communications Committee has voted to offer the position of E-911 Emergency Communications Director to former Crossville Police Chief Rod Shoap.  The CCC has been searching for a new director since the previous one was dismissed. 

Mr. Shoap said he would be meeting with Cumberland County Mayor Kenneth Carey first thing Monday morning to work out details of the position.  The position oversees the 911 dispatch center that is jointly operated by Cumberland County and the City of Crossville.

Rod Shoap

Rod Shoap's background includes a Masters in Public Administration and a graduate of the FBI Academy. He served as interim Crossville police chief until July 2016. Previously Mr. Shoap served as Maury County magistrate, director of planning for the Williamson County sheriff's department and sheriff of Lee County Florida after many years working for that department.

Members of the Cumberland County CCC are Chairman: Cumberland Co. Mayor Kenneth Carey Jr.; Vice Chairman: City Manager: Greg Wood; EMA Director Rick Williams; Crossville Police Chief David Beaty; Crossville Fire Chief Mike Turner; Cumberland County Sheriff Casey Cox; Cumberland Co. Fire Chief Trevor Kerley; EMS Director Chris Miller; Cumberland Co. Board Chairman Everett Bolin.

Shoap may have his work cut out for him based on a discussion at the end of the Crossville city council's work session about the CCC situation. 

E-911 Dispatch Center

Recent changes to the relationship between the E-911 Board and the CCC were discussed during the city council's work session prior to Shoap's selection.  City attorney Will Ridley explained to the council that the CCC's responsibility is to hire the dispatch center director and the E-911 Board only purchases equipment.  Previously the City, County, and E-911 Board shared the costs of the dispatch operation and after the E-911 Board pulled out of the agreement the City and County now share the costs together. 

Ridley said that while the dispatchers were county employees they do not report to the county mayor but to the CCC Director and the CCC Director reports to the CCC Board. Currently, the city has 3 seats on the CCC Board and the county has the majority.  Ridley and County attorney Randy Boston said there was no other Tennessee county with a CCC Board. 

"In most counties, the county mayor hires the CCC Director," explained Ridley.  He added that the city is currently a 50/50 partner in an organization they have a minority membership in. In addition, Ridley said the city had half of the liability for employee situations.

Upper Cumberland Coordinated Drug Operation Results in Six Overton Co. Indictments, Arrests

COOKEVILLE – A joint drug investigation by Special Agents with the Drug Investigation Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Overton County Sheriff’s Department and multiple local law enforcement agencies has resulted in the arrest of several individuals charged with the sale and delivery of various scheduled narcotics.

The coordinated operation conducted in and around the Overton County area focused on the sale and delivery of various illegal narcotics, and involved law enforcement officers from the TBI Drug Investigation Division, Overton County Sheriff’s Department, Middle Tennessee Appalachia HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area), 13^th Judicial Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, Cookeville Police Department, Pickett County Sheriff’s Department and Crossville Police Department.

On November 28^th, the Overton County Grand Jury returned indictments, charging six people with a variety of drug-related offenses. On Wednesday, law enforcement officers arrested those individuals and booked them into the Overton County Jail:

*Steve Allen Walsh (DOB 10/01/1970), Cookeville. Two counts Sale of Schedule II Controlled Substance, two counts Delivery of Schedule II Controlled Substance. Bond: $90,000.

*Tammy Renee Daily (DOB 5/06/1963), Cookeville. Two counts Sale of Schedule II Controlled Substance, two counts Delivery of Schedule II Controlled Substance. Bond: $90,000.

*Joey Dwight Rhule (DOB 5/09/1976), Byrdstown. One count Sale of Scheduled II Controlled Substance, Delivery of Schedule II Controlled Substance. Bond: $50,000.

*Jennifer Lynn Norris (DOB 7/10/1974), Cookeville. One count Sale of Schedule III Controlled Substance, one count Delivery of Schedule III Controlled Substance. Bond: $40,000.

*Barbara K. Duke (DOB 8/21/1959), Livingston. One count Sale of Schedule III Controlled Substance, one count Delivery of Schedule III Controlled Substance. Bond: $40,000.

*Christy Dean Buck (DOB 7/20/1976), Livingston. One count Sale of Schedule IV in a Drug-Free School Zone, one count Delivery of Schedule IV in a Drug-Free School Zone, one count Sale of Schedule II Controlled Substance in a Drug-Free School Zone, one count Delivery of Schedule II Controlled Substance in a Drug-Free School Zone. Bond: $60,000.

Booking photos of these individuals are below:

   Steve Walsh

 Tammy Daily

 Joey Rhule

 Jennifer Norris

  Barbara Duke

 Christy Buck

Two Former Franklin Police Officers Booked on Official Misconduct Charges

NASHVILLE – An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the arrest of two former Franklin police officers, who are charged with misusing the Criminal Justice Portal.

At the request of 21st District Attorney General Kim Helper, on April 26^th, TBI Agents began investigating allegations of misuse of information against two individuals who were, at the time, officers with the Franklin Police Department. During the course of the investigation, Agents developed information that between January and April 2017, Britton Cornell and Ryan Dugger had used the Criminal Justice Portal System for excessive inquiries on their days off and after hours. Neither Cornell nor Dugger is currently employed by the Franklin Police Department.

On December 4^th, the Williamson County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Britton Douglas Cornell (DOB 3/12/1992), below left, and Ryan Wayne Dugger (DOB 2/17/1992), below right, each with one count of Official Misconduct and one count of Official Misuse of Information. Cornell was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Williamson County Jail on a $5,000 bond. Dugger turned himself in on Thursday morning. He was also booked into the Williamson County Jail, on a $5,000 bond.

   

A Busy Saturday Incldues Numerous Events and the Crossville Christmas Parade.

Saturday, December 9 is set to be a busy and chilly day with a lot of events for the public including the annual Crossville Christmas Parade set for 4:30 PM through Downtown Crossville.

With the weather expected to be much more like winter, kids of all ages should dress warmly and in layers. There is a possibility of snow flurries and the high is only expected to be 38 degrees and windy on Saturday. Temperatures at the time of the parade could be falling toward freezing.

Santa Claus at the 2016 Christmas Parade

In addition to the parade, other Saturday Events include the Reindeer Run, a 5K fundraising event for the TAD Center starting at 8 AM. The entry fee is $25 and includes a t-shirt. Entry forms are available at the TAD Center and you can call them for more information.

The Crossville Breakfast Rotary Club annual Chili Cookoff is set for 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM raising funds for the scholarships and that is followed by the new Sweat and Sweet desert cookoff sponsored by the Young Professional's Alliance from 2-4 PM held at Social Brew.  

Members of the City of Crossville Police Department, Fire Department and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office will be partnering with the Early Literacy Council to hold a 1st Responders' Reading Event at the Cumberland County Courthouse Gazebo, from 2:30pm to approximately 3:15pm. The event, designed to give children an opportunity to participate in readings from children's Christmas stories. The Christmas Parade Theme is Reading around the Christmas Tree.

The Cumberland Homestead's Tower Association will be hosting a Christmas Open House Saturday, December 9 from 2 to 6 PM at the Homestead Tower and the Homestead House Museum. Admission is free and donations will be accepted.

The Crossville Christmas Parade lineup starts at Cumberland County High School at 2:30 and steps off at 4:30 coming up Stanley Street then down Main Street.