T U E S D A Y 161st YEAR • NO. 213 jANuARY 5, 2016 CLEVELAND, TN 16 PAGES • 50¢ Tax distribution plan Workers’ Comp claims gets county approval get commissioner’s ire By BRIAN GRAVES By BRIAN GRAVES Banner Staff Writer Banner Staff Writer The Bradley County Commission voted Monday to approve a One Bradley County commissioner wants more publicity on the “memorandum of agreement” between the county, the number of Workers’ Compensation claims by county workers. Cleveland/Bradley County Chamber of Commerce and Tri-State Commissioner Thomas Crye broached the subject during the County Exhibition Center concerning the division of the hotel/motel tax. Commission’s Finance Committee meeting Monday. The terms of the memo will take effect July 1, if the 2 percent “We are having a multitude of Workers’ Compensation claims,” Crye increase — making a total tax of 7 percent — is passed by a private said. “I’d say about 70 percent of them are ‘at fault’ and primarily, they act in the state Legislature. are all restricted to the road department and the sheriff’s department.” Under the private act, 80 percent of the proceeds would be allocat- Crye said the road department’s numbers are “nearly equal” to those ed for tourism and economic development while the remainder from the BCSO. would go to the county’s general fund. He proposed implementing a new line item for the departments that See PLAN, Page 16 Milan Blake Thomas Crye See CLAIMS, Page 16 Inside Today Anderson New tours assigned of Raider by judge Arena are to the PD restricted Murder suspect Action to help in court Monday construction By ALLEN MINCEY By LARRY C. BOWERS Banner Staff Writer Banner Staff Writer Ross Anderson, the suspect Cleveland City Schools’ accused in the murder of a administration is being asked Cleveland woman and her son in to terminate tours and visits to Flames split GSC December, made his first appear- the construction site of ance in court in Bradley County Cleveland High School’s new games on the road Monday to face those charges. Raider Arena, so construction The Lee University men and The Public Defenders Office crews can finish the work prior women were back in action on was appointed to represent to the March 1 deadline. the basketball court Monday Anderson, 31. Bradley County Cason Conn, project man- night. The Lady Flames picked up General Sessions Court Judge ager for Tri-Conn a GSC win over West Alabama Sheridan Randolph set the defen- Construction, told the school while the Lee men fell to the dant’s next court board Monday evening, “We’re Tigers. Tennessee head football date for Jan. 20. right where we want to be (in coach Butch Jones has hired The courtroom Banner photo, LARRY C. BOWERS regards to construction Miami’s Larry Scott to coach tight was empty CASON CONN, of Tri-Conn Construction, left, and Upland Design Group architect Brian Templeton, progress).” ends for the Volunteers. See except for a larg- right, provided an update on construction progress of the new Cleveland High School Raider Arena at But, board members Sports, Pages 9-11. er amount of Monday’s school board meeting. Others in the photo include Director of Schools Dr. Martin Ringstaff, expressed concerns that the security, as well Communications Supervisor Andrea Byerly, and student liaison Mariah Voytik. continuing number of tours Staying positive as the parents of and visits are hampering the victim — progress at the construction best alternative Rachel Johnson. site. The two sat in Robinson, Dirksen are named With this is mind, the board It’s not always an easy task, Anderson the courtroom approved a motion to limit vis- but staying positive in the face of throughout the its over the next two months, devastating challenge can ease morning and returned in the new city school board officers at the discretion of Director of the pain of uncertainty, no matter early afternoon Monday to view Schools Dr. Martin Ringstaff. what lies ahead. At the start of a Anderson’s court appearance. Conn said his team has done new year, it’s a point worth con- According to the affidavit of a commendable job in manag- sidering. See the guest complaint against him filed by Chairman Tom Cloud finishes 3 terms ing visitors with containment “Viewpoint” on Page 12 of today’s the Cleveland Police Department, walls in specific locations. edition. Anderson is accused of shooting By LARRY C. BOWERS Banner Staff Writer Ringstaff also praised the Johnson and her son, Colton, at effort of Cleveland City Schools Forecast the Hillview Drive home that he The Cleveland Board of Maintenance Supervisor Hal Education will have new lead- Taylor. See ANDERSON, Page 16 ership for the 2016-17 school “It (the tours) have been very year, but the face of leadership time-consuming on Hal,” will be very familiar. Ringstaff said. OMS teacher Dawn Robinson, Cleveland’s Regional school superin- longest-serving school board tendents are scheduled to meet member, has once again been in Cleveland Jan. 12, and this Stan Green selected to serve as chair of group has expressed a desire the school board. to visit the construction site. Today will have plenty of sun- visitation set Robinson said Monday In addition to limiting visi- shine, but it won’t help the temper- evening it has been eight or tors to the arena over the next atures which will only hit the mid Wednesday nine times she has served as two months, several other 40s. No rain is in sight for the next the chairman of the city’s edu- issues were discussed Monday few days with a low of 24 predict- By BRIAN GRAVES cation body. evening concerning the $11 Robinson will replace outgo- million construction project. ed for tonight. Sunny skies contin- Banner Staff Writer and ing Chairman Tom Cloud who Architect Brian Templeton of ue Wednesday, with the exception has served for three consecu- the Upland Design Group of a few afternoon clouds and tem- CHRISTY ARMSTRONG tive terms. He said prior to Banner Staff Writer joined Conn in providing the peratures reaching 49. Monday’s election it was time school board with an update Wednesday night lows are The students at Ocoee Middle for him to step down. on construction to date. expected to reach 30. School faced another tragedy for Robinson, in taking over the Later Monday evening, this school year chairmanship, praised Cloud Ringstaff conducted a discus- when they Index and the school board’s accom- sion with the board to schedule returned from plishments during his tenure. an official ribbon cutting for their holiday He came in as the school sys- the Raider Arena. Classified................................14-15 break Tuesday. Comics...........................................6 tem was finishing up with Ringstaff also had a list of Stan Green, a Cleveland High School’s new five specific purchase projects Editorials......................................12 veteran Bradley Horoscope......................................6 Science Wing, and he’s going for additional equipment which County educator out as the new Cleveland High will be needed prior to the Obituaries.......................................2 and seventh- Raider Arena is being complet- completion of construction. Sports........................................9-11 grade instructor ed. Banner photo, LARRY C. BOWERS Conn and Templeton Stocks............................................4 Green of social studies “I would like to thank you DAWN ROBINSON, center, the longest-serving member of the informed the school board they TV Schedule..................................7 at OMS, died for the job you have done,” Cleveland Board of Education, was selected board chairman for the are excited to be where they Weather..........................................8 Sunday of a Robinson told Cloud. “I appre- 2016-17 school year Monday evening. Dr. Murl Dirksen, left, was are, with only two months heart attack. elected vice chairman, while Steve Morgan, right, is the new chair- He was 55 years old. Around Town See OFFICERS, Page 16 man pro tem. See TOURS, Page 16 See GREEN, Page 16 Terry Caywood showing off his granddaughter’s achievements ... Carolyn Lay sharing the woes of cold weather ... Charlotte Peak County eyed industrial development in 2015 noticing a new haircut on a friend ... Jeff Yarber with a parent’s By BRIAN GRAVES trip to the county in as many months as part of his statewide tour, which includ- pride ... Jeremy Love cooking Banner Staff Writer part of his state tour to discuss the ed 17 college campuses, encouraging Mexican food ... Trina Norton PART 3 financial needs of the state’s transporta- students to register to vote. doing some weekend remodeling The fall of 2015 in Bradley County tion system. - SPCA Director of Operations Adam in her scrapbooking room ... brought talk of moving ahead with a - The Bradley County Commission Cotton submitted his resignation. Philip Luce setting up some new industrial park, a name change for September gave its support to efforts to convince - Commissioners tabled discussions plans for a meeting. a prominent business and the annual - The county’s industrial development TVA to come to a resolution that will on the future of animal control, basical- recognition of some local heroes. began work to convince city and county allow the continued use of the Ocoee ly killing the idea of countywide animal Winter months were highlighted by a leaders to split the $6 million bill to River for whitewater rafting at a reason- pickup. show of generosity, recognition of a local begin infrastructure work at Spring able rate. - “Cleveland 100” held its 19th annual icon of music and a local school getting Branch Industrial Park. - Tennessee Secretary of State Tre 6489076 75112 national recognition. - Gov. Bill Haslam made his second Hargett paid a visit to Lee University as See COUNTY, Page 16 2—Cleveland Daily Banner—Tuesday, January 5, 2016 www.clevelandbanner.com OBITUARIES (USPS 117-700) Periodical Postage Paid at Cleveland, TN 37320-3600 Post Office POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to: Banner, P.O.