CLEVELAND, Tenn.
Bradley opposes TVA bonuses
All but two Bradley County commissioners voted this week to support a resolution that calls on TVA to reconsider bonuses to its top officials, including President Tom Kilgore.
Although the vote was 12 to 2, some of those voting “yes” late Monday also noted that TVA pay is not an issue that involves the county.
Resolution sponsor Jeff Yarber said the wording is not harsh but that, considering the economy, now is not the time for large pay raises for federal officials. Yarber’s motion was seconded by Commissioner Mel Griffith, who said he often is on an opposing side from Yarber.
Commissioner Ed Elkins said TVA is a strong economic partner with the county.
KENNESAW, Ga.
Police: Professor exposed himself
A Kennesaw State University professor has been arrested after authorities say he exposed himself to students in a classroom.
A university police warrant says Raymond Devaughn Taylor, 57, is accused of taking his clothes off during a class he was teaching on Nov. 30.
Arlethia Perry-Johnson, vice president of external affairs for the school, said a student in the class reported the incident to school officials Friday.
Taylor was arrested Monday and charged with public indecency. He was released Tuesday on $5,000 bond.
Interim provost Ken Harmon told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Taylor, a contract professor in the business department, won’t be teaching at the school again.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Counties declared disaster areas
Several Southeast Tennessee counties are among 28 in the state declared federal disaster areas because of agricultural losses from summer heat and drought.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a news release that the designation “will help farmers who suffered significant production losses.”
The Southeast Tennessee counties either are affected directly or contiguous to affected counties. They are Bledsoe, Bradley, Coffee, Cumberland, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Polk, Rhea, Sequatchie and Warren.
In North Georgia, contiguous affected counties include Catoosa, Dade, Fannin, Murray, Walker and Whitfield, the release stated.
Farmers in those areas may be eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Interested farmers should contact their local USDA service center or visit http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
CROSSVILLE, Tenn.
Cumberland GOP meets tonight
The Cumberland County Republican Party will meet today at 6 p.m. CST at the Palace Theatre in downtown Crossville, Tenn.
Monty Lankford will speak, with seating beginning at 5:30 p.m. CST and a special DVD presentation. The floor will be open for a public discussion.
For more information, contact Chairman Aaron R. Snodderly at 931-338-6459 or repubchairman@yahoo.com.
— Staff and Wire Reports