T U E S D A Y 161st YEAR • NO. 178 NOVEMBER 24, 2015 CLEVELAND, TN 16 PAGES • 50¢ Bradley County gets ‘AA’ rating by S&P By BRIAN GRAVES Davis said the rating came after “a “Standard and Poor’s rationale for the “They also expressed recognition of flexibility” with an available fund bal- Banner Staff Writer very grueling conference call” with the awarding of this ‘AA’ rating took into strong budgetary performance with an ance in fiscal 2014 of 16 percent of agencies in New York, as well as account many aspects of today’s finan- operating surplus in the general fund,” operating expenditures, a strong debt Bradley County has been assigned an Cumberland Securities financial advi- cial facts,” Davis said. “They explained he said. and contingent liability profile and an “AA” rating by Standard and Poor’s rat- sors. that even in what is considered a weak The mayor has been an avid propo- estimated 71.4 percent of debt sched- ing service. “They did reissue the ‘AA’ rating,” economy there are many aspects that nent for maintaining a good fund bal- uled to be retired in 10 years. Mayor D. Gary Davis announced the Davis said, recalling the county origi- lead to their favorable rating and out- ance and added during his Monday Standard and Poor’s also shows a rating at Monday’s Commission work nally obtained that rating a few years look.” comments, “Those things are very “stable outlook” of the county’s debt session, which contained very little ago. Davis said the assessment included a important.” and contingent liabilities that “is business for commissioners to discuss “We were at A-, then AA-, and then we finding of “strong management with Davis said the assessment showed expected to remain strong even in light during the holiday week. reached AA,” he said. good financial policies.” the county has a “very strong budget of planned debt issuances.” Suspect School is sought systems in robbery in active of Zaxby’s "#%%#&%%(!*+ "*#+,&++$,-')*(.#+ shooter ,"(+#''#',"(&&-'#,1 Armed gunman /#," ((+,)%+ (*,""(%#1+ " -'/"#"#+ #+ left with $1,500 .(%-',*+-))(*, (*, training (&(0+*0), By ALLEN MINCEY ,(!#.'(-,,"#+1* Banner Staff Writer Businesses included (',#('+&1&#%,(#*+, Cleveland Police Department ''++'$(0 personnel continue their search in two-day sessions %.%' (* for a man accused in the Friday *())( ,#*+,''++ night robbery of a 25th Street By ALLEN MINCEY '$, #,", eatery. Banner Staff Writer The incident occurred just In April 2007, a lone gunman Inside Today before 11 p.m. at the Zaxby’s shot and killed 32 people and restaurant at 1430 25th St. N.W. wounded 17 others at Virginia According to CPD Officer Jansen Tech in Blacksburg, Va., before Vassey, around $1,500 in cash Banner photo, ALLEN MINCEY turning the gun on himself. was taken in the robbery. MADISON HICKS is properly placed in her child car safety seat as she prepares to travel through The incident is being used as Vassey’s report stated a man Cleveland with her mom Tami, and siblings Brooklynn and Jackson. Her child seat was checked by an example of what could occur wearing a black mask entered the local law enforcement at a recent checkpoint at Bradley Square Mall. The officers were trained this at any school, business or indus- restaurant through the back door month by members of the Safe Journey program of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. try during active shooter training as employees were closing for the sessions being conducted by the night, and ordered one of those two local school systems. employees to open the safe in the Scotty Hernandez, safety and office area and give him cash in a security coordinator for both money box there. Thanksgiving child safety Cleveland and Bradley County The suspect stated that he schools systems, and Brian wanted more money, and when Montgomery, the school resource the employee attempted to give Car seat inspection an eye-opener officer for Cleveland High, are him the money from the cash reg- conducting the sessions this By ALLEN MINCEY child car seat checkpoint at Bradley Square ister, the man had fled the busi- week to prepare those who are ness. Banner Staff Writer Mall for the purpose of making these seats as safe as they can be. employed within the local The suspect reportedly had a Thanksgiving is the busiest travel time of the schools and other sites for such black handgun in his possession “We were asked to come up and meet with year, and 2015 looks to be as busy as ever. the Cleveland Police Department, and that led scenarios. when the incident occurred, the Many drive for miles to see their families during “We have law enforcement officer reported. He was to being asked to come and do this check at the that holiday. mall,” explained Becky Campbell of the Safe here, we have teachers from described as a black male possi- However, as they may be mapping out times Bradley County and Cleveland bly between 20 and 25 years of Journey Program with the Hamilton County to leave or directions, those with young children Sheriff’s Office. City and some from as far away age, and around 6 feet tall. He may be less aware of the safety of children in as Oak Ridge,” Hernandez was wearing black pants and a Officers with the CPD were joined at the their vehicles. This is something they may feel checkpoint by Bradley County Sheriff’s Office explained. “We’ve got some local white jacket with black sleeves. they have planned for, but not as well as they businesses — Eaton Not long after the robbery was deputies, officers with Charleston City Police think, especially when it comes to use of child and Etowah City Police, and the Hamilton Corporation, Lonza, Olin repre- reported, a Vista Drive resident car seats. sentatives — we’ve got a good called police in reference to a County Sheriff’s Office. Raiders roll at Rhea To ensure the safety of young children, car Campbell said most parents, grandparents mix here.” suspicious person in his neigh- seats are now even better equipped, but many They have all come to this borhood. When approached, the and guardians feel they are using these car The Cleveland Blue Raiders parents are either using outdated seats or do seats correctly, but statistics tell a different week’s sessions (Monday and scored a convincing road win man fled, leaving behind a black not know how to install them in their vehicles. Tuesday) to learn what they need over the Rhea County Golden Law enforcement officials recently performed a See SAFETY, Page 16 Eagles on opening night in See ZAXBY'S, Page 7 Evensville. The Cleveland girls See TRAINING, Page 16 fell short in their first Border Wars appearance. The Walker Valley Mustangs split with Cumberland County while the Bradley Central City’s debate City approves buying Bears and Bearettes fell to their Bearden Bulldogs counterparts. See Sports, Pages 9-11. continues on property for parking By JOYANNA LOVE Forecast 911 funding Banner Senior Staff Writer The Cleveland City Council has approved purchasing a building Today looks to be sunny, with a By JOYANNA LOVE high near 57. Tonight’s forecast for $100,000, with plans to turn it into a parking lot. Banner Senior Staff Writer A motion made by Councilman David May passed 3-2 during a calls for mostly clear skies, with a voting session of the Council on Monday. low around 34. Wednesday should Increasing funding for the Bradley County 911 Center was debated Monday during a Cleveland Vice Mayor George Poe, Councilman Richard Banks and May be mostly sunny, with a high near voted in favor of the motion. Councilmen Charlie McKenzie and City Council meeting. Banner photo, JOYANNA LOVE 60. Wednesday night should be Councilman Richard Banks questioned how Avery Johnson said the money would be better spent on other press- partly cloudy, with a low around 41. CLEVELAND MAYOR Tom Rowland presents a ing issues facing the city. Both voted against the motion. the funding formula was established. Banks said certificate to Christy Bryant for completing the first the agreement did not seem fair to city taxpayers. Councilmen Bill Estes and Dale Hughes were absent. Index level of the Municipal Technical Advisory Service’s See 911, Page 16 Municipal Management Academy. See PARKING, Page 7 Classified......................................15 Comics.........................................12 Editorials......................................14 Horoscope....................................12 CSCC taking Obituaries.......................................2 Sports........................................9-11 CJ classes to Stocks............................................4 TV Schedule................................13 the students Weather..........................................8 By CHRISTY ARMSTRONG Banner Staff Writer Around Town Cleveland State Community College is helping local law Edwin Martin looking to “move enforcement officers further up the ladder” ... Louise their educations by taking the Armstrong decorating her new classes to them. home for the holidays ... Madison This semester, a new cohort Collins getting ready to dance in of 10 criminal justice students the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day is meeting for class at the Parade ... Bobby Goins lament- Bradley County Judicial ing the sudden arrival of cold Banner photo, CHRISTY ARMSTRONG Complex — a first for the local THE FIRST STUDENTS in a new cohort of Cleveland State Community College criminal justice students gather in their classroom at weather ... Shane Griffith squeez- college. ing in an early morning run. the Bradley County Judicial Complex. Cleveland State’s Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences Dr. Robert Brandon and Vice President Bradley County Sheriff Eric of Academic Affairs Dr. Denise King are in the front row, from left. Also joining the students are Cleveland State President Dr. Bill Seymour, Watson said he believes this is the first time a Tennessee col- in the front row at far right, and Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson, in the back row at far right.