Bermuda Grass Hay producers should be scouting their hay fields for a new pest. The Bermuda Grass Stern Maggot has been found throughout Marshall County. Contact Rick Skillington at the Marshall County Extension Office at 359-1929 for control methods.

The Lewisburg Police Department is currently investigating a homicide which occured on Hill Street in Lewisburg. The victim has been identified as Kevin Griffin, age 26, of 490 Hill Street in Lewisburg. The vicitim’s body was discovered at his residence on July 29th, 2013.

Details of this investigation are not being released at this time pending further investigation. Anyone with information that may be related to this or any other crime is asked to contact the Lewisburg Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 931-359-3800 or Crime Stoppers at 931-359-4867.

PROGRAMMING MODIFICATIONS AIM TO IMPROVE BENEFIT DELIVERY 

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development is taking steps to improve online application for unemployment benefits. 

Programming changes implemented this week are expected to allow more claimants to file online and reduce the number of calls to the state’s call center system. 

When claimants file for unemployment online, they are asked to select their previous employer from a drop-down menu. This menu was limited to only two employers, and when the employer was not listed, claimants were prompted to cancel the application and call the claims center. 

System improvements now include all past employers within the eligibility period to successfully complete the application for unemployment. Employer information is still required to verify separation information and determine eligibility. 

“There are many changes coming in the next 12 months,” said Labor Commissioner Burns Phillips. “We are focusing on those most easily implemented first and are gaining momentum with every improvement made.” 

In July the department completed another modification to the online application that will save applicants time when they have claims requiring contact with a customer service representative. 

For example, the system had a number of qualifying questions at the end of the online application. Answers to questions such as, Did you work in Tennessee during the last 18 months? could stop the claim and prompt the claimant to call the claim center for more information. These critical questions were moved to the front of the application to avoid claimants wasting time inputting information before being referred to the claims center.

On Monday, August 19, the State Department of Education announced the Reward Schools for the 2012-13 school year. Marshall County has three schools on the list: Cornersville Elementary School, Lewisburg Middle School, and Forrest High School. These schools were in the top 5% of the schools in the state for having high student growth. Marshall County had more Reward Schools that any other school system in the South Central Region.

In addition, out of 136 school systems in Tennessee, Marshall County ranked 17^th in the state in math for grades 3-8, 63^rd in reading, 47^th in science and 23^rd in social studies. Marshall County was one of 32 systems not cited for needing improvement in a sub-group area.

“We are thrilled with this progress and with these awards; however, we still have a lot of work to do to reach the achievement levels we want our students to attain. Our teachers (system-wide) have worked very hard while under a lot of pressure and with many changes this past year. I am very proud of them and their dedication to the children of Marshall County,” said Jackie Abernathy, Director of Schools. “I also want to thank Bill Byford and the South Central CORE office for offering Marshall County their expertise and support.

“Now it is time to move forward, use what we have learned this year, and provide this year’s students with the best education possible. Next year, we want to be the #1 school system in the state!”

Congratulations to the teachers, students, staffs, and administrators of Marshall County’s Reward Schools. They have worked extremely hard to reach this status.

 

LEWISBURG, Tenn. — Area schools are back in session and Marshall Medical Center (MMC) wants parents and students to know some tips about backpack safety. Backpacks are an important part of the back-to-school routine for young people, but serious health effects can occur for children whose backpacks are too heavy or worn improperly, according to the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA). 

“Backpacks are great for transporting books and school supplies, but there is an increased risk of injury to children who carry heavy items in backpacks that are not used properly,” said Dr. William See III, a pediatrician on the MMC staff. “Back strain and fatigue can occur when backpacks are too heavy and spinal alignment can be affected when loads are not balanced.”  

• Always use both shoulder straps. Use of one strap causes one side of the body to bear the weight of the backpack, which can strain muscles and may increase curvature of the spine.
• Position the backpack over the strongest mid-back muscles. The back and abdominal muscles work together to stabilize the trunk of the body and keep proper postural alignment. Adjust the straps so that the pack is close to the body and rests in the middle of the back.
• Lighten the load. A backpack should be no more than 10 to 15 percent of a child’s bodyweight. Carry only those items that are needed during certain parts of the day, planning multiple trips to the locker to change out items.
• Organize the backpack. Place the heaviest items closest to the center of the back. Use the compartments to help distribute weight evenly.
•     When picking up the backpack, lift with the knees. Bend and squat using the knees instead of bending at the waist.