Crockett Nearly Doubles in COVID-19 Cases
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Alamo, Tennessee CrockettCountyTimes.com • [email protected] Volume 148 Issue 29 Wednesday, July 15. 2020 Crockett nearly doubles Crockett schools evaluate the upcoming academic year in COVID-19 cases received the funding placed orders for cynthiaKILBURN this technology around the same time cynthiaKILBURN This increase comes as schools are tested positive at BNRC. Since the News Editor and it has slowed the process of schools News Editor continuing to make daily changes in beginning of March, a total of five em- receiving their equipment. plans to reopen school on August 3. ployees at BNRC and 11 residents have The Crockett County School System Pratt said, “The board has to take in Crockett County faced its largest sin- Crockett has received 1,078 negative tested positive. is continuing to work through plans for to consideration the health and safety gle week spike in COVID-19 cases this results since testing began. Two new employees at ANRC also the 2020-21 academic year. of students and faculty. We are focused week. Alamo Nursing and Rehabilitation tested positive this week, bringing While the school board has met nu- on providing students with a quality As of July 7, the county had only seen Center (ANRC) as well as Bells Nurs- ANRC to five total employees since the merous times over the summer to en- education, transportation for those who a total of 40 cases since testing began in ing and Rehabilitation Center (BNRC) first of March. sure a quality educational experience need it and supplying students with the March. However, in one week 31 cases facilities have been testing employees Currently within Crockett County at while meeting state demands, a final tools needed to learn. Right now, in our were added. weekly and will continue until further the long term care facilities as well as decision has yet to be made. rural community there are challenges As of July 14, Crockett’s positive notice from the Governor’s Office and the general public, there are 41 active The board met on Monday, July 13 to that have to be considered. Every stu- COVID-19 case count his risen to 71 as the Department of Health. cases, 27 recovered cases and three finalize a tentative plan but from Mon- dent doesn’t have Internet access or six new cases were added and 11 new As a result of last week’s testing cy- deaths reported in the Tennessee De- day night to Tuesday morning, addi- access to a computer. We are working cases were added Monday, July 13. cle, two employees and one resident partment of Health daily update. tional concerns led the board to call an with local Internet providers in getting additional meeting on July 22. Crockett hotspots set up for students without In- has seen the positive COVID-19 cases ternet service but at this time, the com- increase nearly a fourth of their total puters aren’t here to distribute to stu- cases over those two days. dents. This is also the hottest week we Courts requireExceptions to face face covering polices coverings medical or health-related reason are not According to Director of Schools have had this summer, students having cynthiaKILBURN include: required to wear a face covering. Phillip A. Pratt, the Crockett County to sit in cars around the school build- News Editor Individuals conducting court-related Face coverings are not required in sit- School System did receive the CARES ings to have access to the Internet using business, enter a courthouse or other uations in which a face covering poses act funding to assist in the purchase of hotspots would not work in this heat. The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled building or other building where court a safety or security risk. technology for online learning and a We have to consider the health, safety on Monday, July 13, face coverings facilities are located will wear a face These requirements are statewide and large order has been placed for com- and educational needs of all of our stu- would be required during court. covering over the nose and mouth with an addition to any executive orders is- puters and online learning software for dents.” On March 13, the Chief Justice of the face covering being worn at all sued by Governor Bill Lee. those individuals who will be utilizing Governor Bill Lee is set to speak to the Tennessee Supreme Court, Jeffery times while inside the building. The requirements are for all courts online learning. Currently, the exact the state on Wednesday, July 15. Pratt is S. Bivins, declared a state of emergen- Children age 12 and under are not re- and court clerks offices except admin- date the schools will receive these items hoping the school will be able to release cy for the judicial Branch of Tennessee quired to wear a face covering. Parents istrative courts within the Executive is unknown. Every school system that more details soon. government that was then extended on and caregivers are responsible for the Branch and federal courts and federal May 26 with the exception of allowing proper use of a face covering. court clerks offices in Tennessee. in-person court proceedings. Individ- Individuals who have trouble breath- The order will remain in effect un- uals must wear face coverings during ing due to an underlying health con- til further notice of the Tennessee Su- these proceedings. dition or who have another bona fide preme Court. SubmittedPhotobyStaffSgt.TimothyCordeiro HEROISM-Gov. Bill Lee presents the Soldier’s Medal to Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Shields, a member of the Tennessee National Guard’s Detachment 1, 1175th Transportation Company, in Brownsville on July 10. Shields stopped, disarmed and restrained a gunman after shots were fired in a parking lot following a high school football game in October 2018. Governor Lee presents Soldier’s Medal for heroism Governor Bill Lee presented the Sol- the ground with him,” said Shields. “I dier’s Medal to a member of the Ten- didn’t want anybody to take the gun, so nessee National Guard on July 10, at I held him there until police arrived.” the Wyatt Duke Armory in Brownsville. The Soldier’s Medal is a decoration PhotobyCynthiaKilburn Sergeant First Class Patrick Shields, a awarded to any person of the armed CAVALIER- The Cavalier football team built in strength and conditioning with Army National Guard recruiters in the off season 24-year veteran of the Tennessee Army forces who distinguishes themselves by as they await decisions on if the team will take the field this season. National Guard, acted heroically when heroism not involving conflict with an shots were fired in a parking lot follow- enemy, while serving in any capacity ing a football game at Haywood High with the U.S. Army. Instituted in 1926, School against Crockett County High the decoration was established to recog- Cavaliers building physically School on Oct. 8, 2018. A fight had bro- nize acts of bravery during peacetime. ken out after the game and a teenager “Sgt. 1st Class Shields’ actions are a opened fire, striking two citizens. validation of not only his training, but a and mentally during postponed season Shields, a member of Detachment validation of his character,” said Major field this fall. and underclassmen step in to fill their 1, 1175th Transportation Company, is General Jeff Holmes, Tennessee’s Ad- cynthiaKILBURN On Wednesday, July 8, the team had roles. One thing they always carry is responsible for stopping the shooter, jutant General. “He exhibited the cour- News Editor the opportunity to workout with Army Cavalier pride and a fight to win. disarming and restraining him until law National Guard recruiters to work even “The thing I like about this team is enforcement arrived. While the Crockett County High harder on their physical and mental they are eager to learn and they work “I just grabbed his hand and fell to See Medal, Page 2 School Cavalier football team has been strength. hard,” said Ward. “We may not be as awaiting a verdict on the upcoming The National Guard recruiters have talented as some teams we play so we season, they’ve continued to train and asked before to work with the team but are going to have to be tougher. They Crockett County election condition in anticipation of hitting the due to scheduling conflicts, the team are a fun group to coach and our atten- hadn’t been able to fit it into the season. dance this summer has been great.” With the season being pushed back they Summer practices have looked differ- commission encourages were able to work it in to the schedule. ent for the team but the Cavs have taken The National Guardsmen pushed the on that challenge to better themselves team on drills that included pushing as a team and as individuals. Last sea- Tennesseans to vote early Humvee’s across the parking lot. son showed a versatile team throughout “I felt like they learned how to work and focus on the whole team has re- Early voting for the Tennessee State the opportunity to avoid Election Day and listen at the same time,” said Coach mained the same. and Federal Primary and County Gen- crowds. Early voting also offers the Kevin Ward. “Things got chaotic at “The preseason has been different in eral Election begins Friday, July 17, flexibility of evening and Saturday times but they were able to continue to that there has been a lot less competi- and runs Monday to Saturday until Sat- hours. work and push through it. They really tion that we normally do with other urday, August 1.