It has been a long road for the community since the 2005 school shooting at CCHS. It has also been a long road for Kenneth Bartley’s lawyers attempting to get him another day in court. After Knoxville Based attorney Greg Isaacs got Special Judge John Kerry Blackwood to grant Bartley a new trial the big question has been when. The answer is November 18th in Jacksboro.

Due to Blackwood’s ruling Bartley is no longer convicted of anything and is now an accused criminal. It is possible for him to be granted bond if his attorney so wishes.

As motorists take to the roads this Memorial Day holiday, Campbell County Sheriff’s Deputies are urging everyone to buckle up. Beginning May 20, 2013, law enforcement officials will be out in full force, taking part in the 2013 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization and cracking down on motorists who are not belted. “As we kick-off the busy summer driving season it’s important that everyone buckles up every time they go out, both day and night – no excuses,” said Campbell County Sheriff Robbie K. Goins. “Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt – Click It or Ticket. “According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. As noted, deaths involving seat belt nonuse are more prevalent at night than during the daytime. According to NHTSA, 62 percent of the 10,135 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 during the overnight hours of 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. Tragically, these national statistics are mirrored locally. “Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still not buckling up, especially at night when the risk of getting in a crash is even greater,” said Sheriff Goins. “We want everyone to have a safe summer, but it requires an important step on the part of motorists – clicking that seat belt.” In 2011, seat belts saved an estimated 11,949 lives nationwide according to NHTSA. While this year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization runs from May 20 through June 2, deputies are out enforcing seat belt laws year-round. For more on the national Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit www.nhtsa.gov.

It was a long meeting last night at the courthouse but a productive one. School security, insurance, and legislation from higher forms of government ruled the evening.

A suspension of the rules early in the meeting brought chairman of the board of education Josh Parker before the county’s governing body to speak about school security. Parker requested $345,000 from the commission to fund the pay for school resource officers for the elementary schools and the East LaFollette Learning Academy. This funding would be in addition to the state maintenance of effort moneys already required to be provided by the state. Parker also told the commission that a COPS grant was available to aid in funding. The grant is a 75-25 split meaning the commission would be on the hook to fund 25% of it. Parker told the commission that he and Director of Schools Donnie Poston had backup plans in place if this did not pass. The Commission voted to approve applying for the grant 14-0.

The commission also voted to extend the use of Blue Cross/Blue shield as the health insurance provider for the county with a new contract. Debbie Cole with the finance office told the commission that no other insurance provider bid for the contract due to rising costs of covering the county.

The commission passed a resolution opposing the taxes on internet sales of products recently passed on a national level. The commission also voted down support of the Responsible Vendor act, a law that all businesses selling alcoholic beverages must require employees who sell package beer to undergo a training and certification process. There is also a $25 annual fee per business.

FCCA “Rock N Roll” Spay/Neuter Program is making a difference in Campbell County! The program offers low cost spay/neuter options for citizens, with qualifying families receiving assistance for the cost of the services.

Our program schedules are staying booked a month in advance, and we are actively seeking out other options to offer.

In the Month of March, 2013, FCCA assisted 59 families with the cost of the services, assuming that 50% of these animals were spays, FCCA, has, in the projected future of nine years, prevented 348,182 unwanted animals to be born. Numbers were compiled using chart supplied by ASPCA.

FCCA’s goal has been met, with over 100 spay/neuter services being performed through appointments made through our programs each month.

There are several options available, and several levels of assistance, with the owner paying $25-$45 plus $10-$11 for rabies vaccines. Applications can be picked up at Deborah & Co Salon, 305 East Beech Street, LaFollette,and once completed and approved, the owner will be called to schedule the appointment.

Friends of Campbell County Animals