Tennessee
Should chess be an official sport in Tennessee schools? One Rutherford County man makes his case
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Rutherford County man is leading the push to make chess an official sport in Tennessee schools.
“We have to do something to help our kids be successful,” said Rob Mitchell. “This reaches and resonates with children.”
Mitchell is currently the Property Assessor in Rutherford County and has been playing chess since he was 5 years old. He said the board game can teach players critical thinking, problem-solving and strategic planning skills. He said it also serves as a tool that can improve educational performance.
“They can learn to think before they move, and put some conscious effort into their decision making,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell made his pitch in a letter to the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA). In the letter, he also stated the International Olympic Committee already recognizes chess as a sport. He said building programs in schools across the state would be cheaper than many other sports.
“We can get a program in statewide for less than it would cost to fund one 5A football squad,” said Mitchell.
While he waits for a response from the TSSAA, Mitchell said for the last six months he has already been working to find ways to incorporate chess into more Rutherford County Schools.
“I’m just excited about the opportunity of doing something that is novel and creative and inexpensive to change the lives of our communities,” said Mitchell.
A spokesperson for the TSSAA said all rules and rule changes are made through member schools and the legislative process. Any member school can submit a proposal for a rule change to the legislative council. The proposal would then be discussed and voted on at a regional meeting, and then go in front of the legislative council.
Mitchell has also started a campaign to raise money to purchase chess boards for students: http://spot.fund/m1mrrsc [spot.fund]
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Tennessee
East Tennessee family evacuates to Midstate amid catastrophic floods
DICKSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WSMV) – As catastrophic rainfall slammed into the eastern part of Tennessee, the Owens family was getting ready to take a nap.
That was until a phone call and a house call changed their plans.
“Our neighbor was hollering that we needed to evacuate,” Gabriell Owens said. “We didn’t know how bad it was going to be.”
Between the calls from loved ones, and the amount of police closing down local streets in their Cocke County town of Newport, they decided to pack up and evacuate.
“Not knowing if our apartment was going to get flooded or affected, not knowing how bad the town was gonna get, our friends,” Owens said. “Thinking about that people are your neighbors, and not knowing what you can do for them.”
The Owens now are in Dickson County, over three and a half hours away from their home.
“Even us being here, we can’t go home because there’s no water,” Owens said.
As they watched roads wash away, and towns they knew reduced to mud, their concerns turn to those still left behind.
“[We] didn’t know who was going to go under or come out of it,” Owens said. “There’s people who have been taking their boats out to help and they’re missing.”
They say while the main event is over, East Tennessee needs help.
As thousands of first responders, rescue squads and others mobilize to the east, they’re asking the community to donate where they can and pray for those still yet to be found.
“I prayed all night last night. I hoped everyone is okay, people make it alive out of this,” Harley Owens said.
The Owens say they’re waiting until the next week to make a decision on whether to return back. They say they’re hoping to return to help those affected and recovering.
Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.
Tennessee
Food, water, shelter, roads: Where to get help in Tennessee after Hurricane Helene
Need information in Tennessee about Hurricane Helen devastation? Knox News is here to help sort things out.
We’re sharing information as we find it below.
Stay safe from floods by checking the weather warnings (we’re not out the woods yet)
Flood warnings are still in place at various locations for various reasons, and they expire at different times.
We have compiled them in one place so you can stay abreast of the changes.
Seriously: Stay off the roads if you can
North Carolina officials are continuing to advise that drivers do not go out on the roads due to the floods and the structure damage the rising water may have caused, and some of the same advice is true in Tennessee as well.
“We’re still urging people to stay at home,” said Kelse Edwards, a Communications officer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. “There’s no good ways to travel around that area, basically in the western part of the state.”
A worry is that floodwaters have destabilized the ground under roads and bridges.
Tennessee State Troopers are on duty on Interstate 40 and other roadways across East Tennessee to stop drivers from entering flooded areas.
“You do not ever need to attempt to drive across a roadway that’s flooded, turn around and don’t drown,” said Lt. Bill Miller, a public information officer for the Tennessee Highway Patrol. “Your vehicle will be swept away very quickly in current swift moving waters.”
➤ Get weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about Hurricane Helene and other weather events now
Where to get food and water in Newport
There are still some areas without power, but officials are trying to restore all power as quickly as possible, according to Newport City Administrator James Finchum.
Water access is a more challenging issue. Intake for the water system is on the French Broad River. The operations building that powers the pumps is under water. Until the water recedes, officials cannot determine how long running water will be unavailable. This is the longest time access to water has been limited, Finchum said.
Drinking water and food supplies are being passed out to those who need it at the Professional Development Center in Newport at 601 W. Broadway St.
Hospital in Newport is at a limited capacity
Newport Medical Center is open and operating, though at a limited capacity due to the lack of water.
The emergency department, medical surgical unit, intensive care unit and labor and delivery unit are fully operational, according to Scott Williams, chief executive officer of Newport Medical Center.
Need shelter tonight in Cocke County?
The Cocke County Superintendent Manney Moore said Parrottsville Elementary School at 1901 Old Parrottsville Highway is still open as an emergency shelter. There are currently 20-25 people there and there is room to house 30 people comfortably.
Centerview Elementary School is closed. All occupants at that emergency shelter have been able to return to stay with friends or family.
The Newport Community Center at 426 Cosby Highway is also open as an emergency shelter for anyone displaced.
Check for school cancellations
Classes are canceled Monday at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, an East Tennessee community hit hard by floods.
The university campus itself will be open for other functions, but classes will not be held.
Greene County Schools will be closed all next week, Monday through Friday.
TBI establishes hotline for missing people
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has a hotline for reports of missing people: 800-TBI-FIND.
“Callers should be prepared to relay as much identifying information as possible, including names, phone numbers, vehicle identification, and last known whereabouts,” the TBI said in a news release.
TBI will coordinate with local police on any reports sent in.
Do not call about property, the TBI said.
Tennessee
President Biden approved emergency declaration for Tennessee, federal disaster assistance
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — President Biden has approved federal disaster assistance by issuing an emergency declaration in Tennessee.
With Tropical Storm Helene’s impact causing significant flooding and other issues across the state, the declaration will allow for more money and resources to help with the aftermath.
It also authorizes FEMA to coordinate the relief efforts in the community and keep everyone safe from further catastrophe as best as possible.
Specific counties mentioned include Cocke, Hawkins and Washington, along with Carter, Johnson and Unicoi counties.
Middle Tennessee schools score 2024 National Blue Ribbon for academic excellence
There are a lot of great schools in our area. Congratulations to four schools in the mid-state that were awarded National Blue Ribbons for Academic Execellence. The were among six in Tennessee to receive that honor. They were among 356 schools across the United States to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education!
-Lelan Statom
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