The Marshall County Courthouse Annex now has new office hours. This goes into effect July 1, 2016.

The Courthouse Annex will now be open from 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

The big record labels have seen album sales, and their revenue, decline as more listeners opt for digital downloads. So now, they are urging Congress to impose a fee, which many consider a tax, on local radio stations simply for airing music free of charge for listeners.

Ironically, local radio remains the number one promotional vehicle for music – and already provides between $1.5 to $2.4 billion dollars annually in music sales for artists and record labels. By pushing a fee on local radio, record labels are biting the hand that feeds them.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO YOU ASK?

In short, the money would flow out of your community and into the pockets of the record labels – the great majority of which are foreign-owned. The record labels would like for you to think this is all about compensating the artists, but in truth the record labels would get at least 50 percent of the proceeds from a fee imposed on local radio.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT YOU?

If you’re one of the nearly 243 million people who listen to radio each week, this fee could reduce the variety of music radio stations play, and all but eliminate the possibility of new artists breaking onto the scene. It could particularly affect smaller, minority-owned stations, some of which may have to switch to a talk-only format like WJJM AM Fox Sports Talk or shut down entirely.

IT ALSO AFFECTS YOUR COMMUNITY.

Radio stations are major contributors to public service – generating $6 billion in public service annually and providing vital news and community information and free airtime to help local charities. If a tax were imposed, stations’ critical public and community service efforts could be reduced. And worst of all, the jobs of 106,000 Americans employed by local radio could be in jeopardy.

DOESN’T RADIO ALREADY PAY FOR MUSIC YOU ASK?

Radio compensates composers and songwriters to the tune of about $550 million annually. It’s widely understood that songwriters do not have the same name recognition to financially exploit themselves to make money. Performers can make money from touring and personal appearances, merchandise and other licensing and branding opportunities like perfume and clothing lines.

Radio stations also pay a royalty for streaming music over the internet, for reasons that include concerns that a digital copy of the music could be captured by the end user.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP LOCAL RADIO STATIONS LIKE WJJM FM?

Congress has continually recognized that local radio is different and should not be subject to such a fee. Local radio is free, so everyone, regardless of income, can have access to it. The Local Radio Freedom Act has been introduced in Congress to oppose a tax on local radio stations. Visit NoPerformanceTax.org to take action and encourage your senators and representatives to cosponsor this legislation.

noperformancetax.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Friday, June 3rd, State Senator Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) announced that $7,480 has been awarded to the Marshall County Community Theatre from the Tennessee Arts Commission. The Rural Art Support Grant is distributed through an appropriation of state funds by the General Assembly, federal dollars from the National Endowment for the Arts and by Tennesseans who buy specialty license plates.

“This is great news,” said Senator Tracy. “The arts are very important to our communities, especially in terms of education, economic development and cultural development. We are sure the Marshall County Community Theatre will put these funds to good use.”

“Tennessee is fortunate to have elected leaders who appreciate the importance of our vibrant arts and cultural heritage,” said Ann Pope, Executive Director of the Tennessee Arts Commission.

According to Pope, the Arts Commission will award approximately 1,000 community grants in both urban and rural areas through the 2017 fiscal year, totaling $5.5 million. The allocation process involves a review by citizen advisory panels made up of Tennesseans with expertise in appropriate disciplines and a final review by the full 15-member commission.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health cautions travelers headed soon to warmer climates for spring break or mission work to have an increased awareness about diseases spread by mosquitoes and to make mosquito bite prevention an essential part of their trip planning.

TDH advises women who are pregnant or of childbearing age to especially understand the risk of contracting Zika virus disease, which has recently been suspected of association with microcephaly in newborns. Microcephaly is a birth defect in which an infant’s head and brain are smaller than normal. Complications of microcephaly may include a variety of developmental delays, physical distortion, challenges with coordination and balance, seizures and other life-long problems.

Because there is no vaccine to prevent Zika virus disease and no specific medical treatment for those who are infected, TDH urges all who may be considering travel to the growing number of countries where there is evidence of the disease being transmitted to have heightened awareness and to protect themselves and others from disease transmission. The list of affected areas includes many countries in the Caribbean and South and Central America. The list changes frequently; to see the most current list, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website www.cdc.gov/zika/.

Several preventive actions are recommended including the wearing of repellants at all times, wearing proper clothing, wearing pretreated permethrin clothing or treat your clothes, and avoid perfumes or colognes that attract mosquitoes.

Travelers with questions about Zika virus disease can find regularly updated information from the CDC at www.cdc.gov/zika/qa/index.html. The website addresses commonly asked questions about methods of transmission, Zika virus and animals, care for those who are infected, care for infants and children and other general topics.

The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. TDH has facilities in all 95 counties and provides direct services for more than one in five Tennesseans annually as well as indirect services for everyone in the state, including emergency response to health threats, licensure of health professionals, regulation of health care facilities and inspection of food service establishments. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.

Governors Plaza in Lewisburg has signed Highway 55 franchised restaurant. This is a full service; dine in restaurant featuring additional outdoor dining on the patio. This will be the third location for the Cothren family. The build out for Highway 55 is to begin in late April.

Sweet Cece’s franchise will also be coming to the Plaza. This is a franchise that features healthy frozen yogurt in an array of low-fat and fat-free flavors topped off with your favorite treats. Sweet Cece’s is pursuing a management team.

AT&T will also be moving to the Governors Plaza.

Studio 7 is a new concept for Lewisburg and the Governors Plaza is looking for seven independent business owners for this space.

Governors Plaza is a mixed use retail facility with additional parcels and they are actively engaged in negotiations with other tenants. For more information on this premier retail destination visit and like the Governor’s Plaza facebook page.