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Teen pregnancy rates down from 2010-2013 in Anderson, Knox

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Tennessee Teen Pregnancy Map

Tennessee teen pregnancy map. The map is color-coded to reflect which counties have a pregnancy rate exceeding 19.5 per 1,000 females, ages 15-17. The map is based on the most current data, which is from 2013 and published by the Tennessee Department of Health.

 

The teenage pregnancy rate dropped significantly in Anderson and Knox counties between 2010 and 2013, state officials said Thursday. It fell about 41 percent in Anderson County and 36 percent in Knox County.

There was a smaller overall decrease in Roane County 2010 and 2013, but the rate actually increased in 2011 and 2012, compared to 2010.

The teenage pregnancy rate also fell significantly in Morgan and Union counties, but it was up slightly in Campbell and Loudon counties and it more than doubled in Scott County.

The pregnancy rate is per 1,000 females from ages 15-17.

The state average fell each year from 2010 to 2013: [Read more…]

CASA receives national certification for work quality

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CASA of the Tennessee Heartland—which serves Anderson, Blount, and Scott counties—has been awarded certification by the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association. This certification recognizes that CASA of the Tennessee Heartland is in compliance with National CASA’s high standards for quality child advocacy.

“The National CASA quality assurance process is very rigorous and reflects our commitment to ensure every child we serve has the most powerful volunteer advocate working on their behalf,” said Michael Piraino, chief executive officer of the National CASA Association. “This certification says CASA of the Tennessee Heartland has demonstrated to us a strong capacity to provide excellent services to the abused and neglected children within their community.”

CASA of the Tennessee Heartland was started in Anderson County in 1988, has been serving Scott County for 13 years, and is entering the second year of service in Blount County. [Read more…]

State trooper, former marshal running for Anderson County sheriff

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Anthony Lay

Anthony Lay

An Anderson County man who is a state highway patrolman and former federal deputy U.S. marshal has announced he is running for sheriff.

Anthony Lay is seeking the Republican nomination for Anderson County sheriff in May 2014.

Lay is an officer with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a press release said. He has served as Scott County sheriff, and when he was 33, was appointed as a federal U.S. marshal in Atlanta.

Lay returned to Anderson County to help his parents after his father suffered a health event, the release said.

“I am announcing my candidacy out of my love for public service and the people who live here,” Lay said in the press release. “Anderson County is a wonderful place to live and work, and the people of Anderson County deserve a safe community and leadership they can trust.” [Read more…]

TBI investigates couple for voter registration fraud in Scott County

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KNOXVILLE—The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has investigated a case of illegal voter registration fraud in Scott County, which resulted in the indictment and arrest of an Oneida couple, authorities said.

Thirty-seven-year-old Christina Botts and her husband, Carrie Botts, 29, were arrested Tuesday evening on indictments returned by the Scott County grand jury on Tuesday, the TBI said in a Wednesday press release. Christina Botts was indicted on 13 counts of illegal voter registration fraud, and Carrie Botts was indicted on one count of illegal voter registration fraud. [Read more…]

East Tennessee arsons account for half of burned acres

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More than half the acres burned by arson in Tennessee since November were from 40 fires set in Anderson, Campbell, Hawkins and Scott counties, state officials said Tuesday.

The rash of wildfires before and after Thanksgiving are being investigated as arsons. In Anderson County, they included a 225-acre fire on Walden Ridge, a 375-acre fire at Graves Gap, and another 150-acre fire on Redoak Mountain. All three were in northern Anderson County.

[Read more…]

Rain brings relief to East Tennessee firefighters

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Scattered light rain finally brought some relief to state and local firefighters who have fought 67 fires since Nov. 10 in upper East Tennessee.

The fires have burned more than 6,300 acres, according to the Tennessee Division of Forestry, and many of them, including three in Anderson County, have been suspected arsons.

Firefighters were still working to contain one large fire on Cross Mountain near I-75 on the Anderson-Campbell county line, said Nathan M. Waters, Tennessee Forestry Division assistant district forester in Knoxville.

[Read more…]

Fire conditions worsen in East Tennessee, two firefighters slightly injured

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Lower humidity and gusty winds at higher elevations mean fire conditions have worsened in East Tennessee, state firefighters said Sunday.

Two firefighters were slightly injured battling blazes in Campbell County on Saturday, said Nathan M. Waters, Tennessee Forestry Division assistant district forester.

State and local firefighters have responded to 16 new fires since Thanksgiving Day across upper East Tennessee, including in Anderson, Campbell, Knox, Morgan, Scott, Sevier, and Union counties. The fires have burned hundreds of acres, and many of them are suspected arsons.

Waters said forestry crews would recheck fires in Anderson, Scott, and Campbell counties, including one on Walden Ridge that broke out again on Saturday and one on a mountaintop west of Briceville on Highway 116, also known as New River Highway. The Walden Ridge breakout was contained, and “crews will be improving lines today,” Waters said.

[Read more…]

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