FRIDAY 162nd YEAR • No. 96 AUGUSt 19, 2016 ClEVElAND, tN 22 pAGES • 50¢ Howell will target welfare fraud during next session of Tennessee Legislature By BRIAN GRAVES and I recognize that, and I think we ought to help relationship and letting them know you’re not Banner Staff Writer them when we can,” he said. “But, the fact is going after them in a ‘gotcha’ mode. We’re not try- there are millions and hundreds of millions of ing to place blame. We’re trying to fix a problem State Rep. Dan Howell (R-Georgetown) said dollars that are fraudulently raked in by crooks.” we know exists, and we have come to the agree- Thursday he plans to hit hard on welfare fraud Howell said he has been working with a think ment that we trust each other.” during the next session of the state Legislature. tank called Foundation for Government Howell said when the “crooks” are found, “it He made those comments during the luncheon Accountability. gives you more resources to help the people who meeting of the Bradley County Republican “This is one of their prime focuses — the find- need help.” Women Thursday afternoon. ing of welfare fraud,” he said. “They have been “We are actually working with DHS on the leg- “This is a bill that will empower the successful in six other states. Their analysis of islation, so we’ve come a long way,” he said. Department of Human Services to go after welfare Tennessee tells us we think there are $125 mil- n Howell also spoke about the possibility of fraud,” Howell said. “I don’t use the term ‘welfare lion a year being fraudulently paid to people who internet sales taxes. reform’ because we’re not going after people who are crooks.” “The governor has made comments in the are on welfare if they need to be on welfare.” He said the first step is to build a relationship media about instituting a statewide sales tax on Howell recalled during his youth having the with the people who work in DHS. internet sales,” he said. “That’s a big deal.” Banner photo, BRIAN GRAVES “hand up” from public assistance during his “We have taken a lot of time with the commis- Howell said he is open to listening to con- StAtE REp. DAN HowEll spoke to the father’s illness. sioner’s chief assistant and the chief assistant to Bradley County Republican Women during their “There are people who need public assistance TennCare,” Howell said. “Part of this is building a See HOWELL, Page 6 Thursday luncheon. Inside Today Flight delays slow Skyla’s return Bears rule the day 2-year-old now against Mustangs safely back home The Bradley Central Bears took By BRIAN GRAVES advantage of numerous Walker Banner Staff Writer Valley mistakes to defeat the and Mustangs in the local football Banner photo, CHRIStY ARMStRoNG tHE FootBAll tEAMS from Bradley Central High School and Walker Valley High School surround students in red representing ALLEN MINCEY opener at BCHS. The Cleveland Banner Staff Writer Lady Raiders fell in straight sets the fight against drug use among youth. Students from Cleveland High School, local educators and a variety of other community lead- on the volleyball court to Baylor. ers also filled the field in support of the cause Thursday night. The much-anticipated home- The Lady Raiders had better luck coming for Skyla Wilson was on the soccer field, with a win delayed several hours Thursday over Red Bank. See Sports, night as bad Pages 13-15. weather forced Students take a ‘Stand’ a change in travel plans. Political analyst Skyla, her says ‘Shut up!’ grandmother Clara Hanacek As the presidential race contin- High schools use football game as forum and Bradley ues to heats up, and campaign rhet- County Sheriff oric on both sides finds its way to Eric Watson all-new lows, some believe the to join hands in fight against drug abuse were scheduled GOP’s Donald Trump needs to bet- to arrive at Skyla wilson ter temper his words. For one per- Lovell Field in By CHRISTY ARMSTRONG student implored. Chattanooga at son’s perspective, see the guest Banner Staff Writer Students described the emotional 9:18 p.m. “Viewpoint” on Page 16 of today’s “highs” drug use can bring, but they also However, the edition. Students, educators and other commu- stressed how it can create more problems c o n n e c t i n g nity members rallied around one cause than it solves. flight from Forecast just before kickoff of a Thursday night The students also characterized their Chicago was football game. peers facing addiction as wasting their canceled until Spectators in the stands were encour- potential. Friday, due to Today looks to be mostly cloudy, aged to “Stand Out, Stand Strong, Stand with a 70 percent chance of show- “What happens to the potential NFL severe weather. United” against drug use. prodigy that falls into this trap? ... The Watson said ers or thunderstorms and a high In an event being called “historic,” foot- musical prodigy? Or the brilliant artist?” near 86. Tonight’s forecast calls for he wanted to Michael wilson ball players and other student athletes and asked some of the students. get the little girl cloudy skies and a 40 percent leaders from all three local high schools — One student shared a statistic noting home as quick- chance of rain, with a low around Bradley Central, Cleveland and Walker 21.5 million Americans above the age of 12 ly as possible, 73. Saturday calls for mostly cloudy Valley — took to the field at Bradley had “a problem with substance abuse” as which forced skies and a 60 percent chance of Central. of 2014. him to book the rain, with a high near 86. Saturday “This is our beginning,” said emcee Steve Surrounding them were educators, local Another noted substance abuse is “the most direct night calls for continued cloudiness Hartline. “You’ll be hearing a lot more school board members and representatives No. 1 cause of accidental death in the flight to about this.” from a variety of organizations and busi- United States.” T e n n e s s e e , and a 60 percent chance of rain, Prior to the Bradley Central-Walker with a low around 73. nesses, all symbolically showing their sup- Others said the problem of drug use which ended in Valley football game, the teams stood in port for local youth. may seem like one which cannot be eradi- Nashville. opposing lines on either side of volunteers As the football field filled with hundreds cated, but they said they believe that is a That flight representing the anti-drug use cause. Index of supporters, an anti-drug use message false notion. was scheduled Eric watson Then, they were joined by other Bradley from anonymous local high school stu- The students told their audience that Church........................................8-9 to land at its Central and Walker Valley students and dents began to play over the speakers. Middle Tennessee location at 11 Classified................................21-22 students from Cleveland. “Live now like most people won’t,” one See STUDENTS, Page 6 Comics.........................................17 See SKYLA Page 6 Editorials......................................16 Horoscope....................................17 Obituaries.......................................2 Officials report Stocks............................................4 Sports......................................13-15 Animal rescue operation overcrowding has TV Schedule...........................18-19 not forced BCSO Weather........................................11 request denied by group to reject prisoners Around Town approval of the planners. By ALLEN MINCEY By BRIAN GRAVES Banner Staff Writer Ryan Clark rescuing his mom, Banner Staff Writer Lisa McKinney, of 1345 8th Ave., Gayle Clark, twice in one week told planning commissioners Thursday Officials admit there is an The Bradley County Regional from broken-down cars ... night she had been rescuing animals overcrowding issue at the Planning Commission denied a request Nevaeh Owens enjoying basket- for more than 15 years. Bradley County Jail, but no crim- for a Cleveland resident to establish a ball camp with Amy Geren “This is the first time I have taken a inals who should be incarcerated dog and cat rescue operation. McGowan ... Madison Scoggins step to do it the right and legal way,” are turned away. County Planner Bentley Thomas said enjoying being in the first grade McKinney said. “The last three of four Communications Division the lot was located in a ... Landon Bunch being ready for dogs I took in as rescue — I realized I Director James Bradford of the Forestry/Agricultural/Residential zone. the new school year ... Linda had to do something.” Bradley County Sheriff’s Office “I recommend you get all of the Hair finally home, and doing She said the county is “absolutely said this morning he is unaware information from the owner that you “awesome” ... Nola and Ben insane with a lot of the people that of the jail turning away a prison- can,” Thomas advised planners. “I will Greene excited about returning neglect animals and abuse them.” er who should be behind bars. He say we haven’t had any phone calls, Banner photo, BRIAN GRAVES to school. “I just want to have a chance to save did admit there is less space for and all of the neighbors have been ClEVElAND RESIDENt lISA MCKINNEY as many as I can and get them fixed inmates than is needed, but that notified about the request.” speaks to the county planning commission and spayed and neutered and get them this is not just a problem locally He explained the lot was zoned cor- about her plans to establish a dog and cat res- but at all jails.