MONDAY 162nd YEAR • No. 204 DECEMBER 26, 2016 CLEVELAND, TN 16 PAGES • 50¢ REMINDER Duracell plant closing takes No. 6 spot Trustee’s Office By SARALYN NORKUS company’s local workforce. Between the packing production, which is a move that set to be open Banner Staff Writer two plants, approximately 350 people are is expected to strengthen the business. TOP 10 employed by Duracell. The two operations are being consolidat- Saturday, 9-12 Just two weeks prior to Thanksgiving, The closure of the packing plant will ed with Sonoco, a $5 billion global it was announced that Duracell would be cut around 140 jobs. provider of consumer packaging, display From Staff Reports ceasing operations at one of its two NEWSMAKERS According to Robert Lorch, president of and packing services. Duracell also The Bradley County Cleveland plants. Global Operations for Duracell, the deci- announced that it would be ending its Trustee’s Office will be open Because of the company’s longstanding sion to “wind down” packing plant opera- packing relationship with Deufol’s Saturday, Dec. 31, from 9 presence in the Bradley County commu- NO. 6 tions was the result of a plan to consoli- Sunman, Ind., by the end of 2017. a.m. to noon, according to nity, and due to the number of jobs the date parts of the company footprint. Not impacted by this announcement an announcement by Mike decision will impact, the story was voted “This decision makes Duracell’s supply was the “Make Plant,” which is located on Smith, trustee. No. 6 by Cleveland Daily Banner staff In 2018, Duracell’s “packing plant” on chain more efficient,” Lorch stated. Mouse Creek Road, and produces C and All other offices in the writers and editors among the Top 10 Stuart Road will no longer be operational, The company has chosen to consoli- Bradley County Courthouse Newsmakers of 2016. a decision that affects 40 percent of the date its U.S. Display and North American See DURACELL, Page 4 will be closed on this day. All normal business in the office such as tax services, and others, can be conduct- ed on this date. Utility’s The Trustee’s Office is located in Room 104 of the GOODBYE, NEWSPAPERMAN Courthouse’s ground floor. The office can be found just revenue down the hall, and on the CDB Publisher opposite side, from the Bradley County Clerk’s Office (where automobile Stephen Crass up in 2 tags are renewed.) Normal business hours at closing career the Trustee’s Office are 8:30 divisions, a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday after 40 years through Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. By WILLIAM WRIGHT Questions may be direct- but dips Lifestyles Editor ed to the office by calling 423-728-7247 or 423-728- When Stephen Crass gath- 7248. Drop-in visitors are ered all the Cleveland Daily in one welcome. Banner’s employees together on Oct. 12, and announced he would be retiring in January, Inside Today his wife, Deborah, was stand- Drought aided ing by his side and the room went silent. He could see the water revenue surprise on everyone’s face and it immediately brought tears to By RICK NORTON his eyes. Associate Editor “This is going to be harder than I thought,” he said with a As Southeast Tennessee’s horrif- broken voice and a slight ic summer and early-autumn smile. He turned away, com- drought took its toll on parched posed himself and started communities and strained the again. water supplies of many utility com- “I can think of no more spe- panies in October, the impact on cial place to work than the Banner photo, ALLEN MINCEY Cleveland Utilities was not as dra- Banner. The employees are STEPHEN CRASS, left, publisher of the Cleveland Daily Banner, was recently honored by The matic. dedicated in what they do and Associated Press for 40 years of service within the newspaper industry. Crass will be retiring in Although CU’s water supply was take pride in the newspaper January. Presenting the award at right is Adam Yeomans, AP Regional Director-South. never seriously threatened because they produce. It has truly been of its access to multiple sources, an honor to have been the leaves a very distinct impres- the local utility did encourage its publisher and work with this sion on everyone he meets. customers to be “good stewards” of staff.” PERSONALITY PROFILE Born in New Mexico but raised these resources. Some started to cry, others in Harriman, he earned a If anything, the lengthy drought Vandy looks to stay held their heads down and the bachelor’s degree in Mass — which extended deep into hot with bowl win silence between his words was true privilege,” he said in an years that Crass served as Communication from Middle autumn before precipitation best described as the silence earlier interview. “He was a publisher. It was also reflected Tennessee State University and returned a little closer to normalcy After back-to-back upsets, the felt when someone has passed leader and innovator in the in his direction to modernize has a distinct way of commu- in November and December — Vanderbilt Commodores are look- on. One employee stated it field of community newspa- and upgrade the newspaper’s nicating with others. His ability worked in support of CU’s water ing to keep up their winning ways actually “felt like a death.” pers. He was always there for website, which was recently to convey exactly what he revenue. On the other hand, with a win in the Independence In was more like the passing advice, assistance and a guid- named by the Tennessee Press means without being offensive Electric Division revenue declined. Bowl. There are still many ques- of time that had brought Crass ing hand. His love for Association the best website in or to make you laugh while he In a recent session of the tions to be answered by SEC to the end of an illustrious Cleveland and the Banner was the state for a newspaper of paints a visual picture in con- Cleveland Board of Public Utilities, basketball teams as the confer- career in journalism, one few always evident, and a driving this size. The site has since versation is admirable. Water Division Vice President Craig ence schedule opens. Alabama’s ever achieve in their lifetimes. force in how he wanted his become somewhat of a tem- There are not enough words Mullinax gave a detailed report on Rashaan Evans is hoping for Having worked in every news- newspapers managed.” plate for the rest of the compa- even in the pages of the the drought conditions while point- more big plays as linebacker for paper department for seven dif- It was also passed on to ny newspapers to follow suit. Banner to convey what ing out uninterrupted dry weather the Tide in the Peach Bowl. See ferent newspapers in Georgia, Crass, a man whose love for When you ask some of his Stephen Crass has meant to places a heavier demand on water Sports, Pages 9-11. Missouri and Tennessee, Crass Cleveland was evident in his employees what they enjoyed this community, to this news- supply; and, such heavier demand became the editor of a daily community service. He served most about the way Crass paper and to its employees. He translates into increased revenue Forecast newspaper at the age of 24 and on a litany of local boards and served as publisher, he is increased its circulation and from both residential and commer- became the publisher of a organizations and was a recipi- praised for being a leader, a raised the Banner to new cial customers. Mostly cloudy today with a 20 weekly paper at 25. Even ent of the William F. Johnson loyal supporter, a mentor, a heights, even increasing its In his report, Mullinax pointed before he took the helm as Community Service Award. As teacher, a motivator, a develop- staff over the past 16 years, out — during his tenure with the percent chance of showers. High local utility — he had never seen near 67 with wind from the south at publisher of the Banner in a publisher he set the highest er of new talent and a dear unlike most newspapers, a fact April 2000, he had served as standard of community friend. He never brought per- of which he said he is most drought conditions like those 5 to 10 mph. Tonight, showers are impacting the Cleveland area over likely, mostly after 4 a.m. Chance of publisher in Monett, Mo., for involvement and inclusion. sonal problems to work and proud. 10 years. As with the Walls family, greeted staff with a positive Under his direction — from a two-month period. precipitation is about 60 percent. While in Missouri, he helped Crass also shared a special attitude. When he spoke, he enhancements to its infra- “The dryness really affects usage On Tuesday, look for more show- create a monthly free immu- love for the Banner — a news- always spoke with clarity, can- structure to the latest technol- and demand, and this has really ers with a high near 62. Wind nization clinic for children and paper that promotes the high- dor and commendation. He ogy in online newspapers, the been an extremely dry period,” remains from the south at 5 mph. was instrumental in the devel- est standards of professional was confidential, no-nonsense Banner experienced some of its Mullinax reported on Dec. 2. Chance of rain will be 80 percent. opment of a community day journalism, especially when and decisive when it came to most transformative years in Although technically Cleveland Tuesday night, showers remain a care center and the establish- dealing with sensitive subjects work and very family-oriented its illustrious 162-year history.