FRIDAY 161st YEAR • NO. 270 MARCH 11, 2016 CLEVELAND, TN 22 PAGES • 50¢ Jobless rate plummets to 4.2% Bradley County hits lowest mark since May 2007 By RICK NORTON since May 2007, when the rate hit 4 per- struction and manufacturing industries hiring,” he said. “Construction and manu- Associate Editor cent. easily offset the loss of temporary jobs, facturing did very well. We did see the “In January, the seasonal trend is that Green explained. expected layoffs in retail trade from the Anchored by surprisingly strong hiring we normally see an increase,” according to “Bradley, and a number of other coun- holiday season, but the impact was not as in construction and manufacturing, Larry Green, labor market analyst for the ties across the state, have done really well great this time.” Bradley County weathered the normally Tennessee Department of Labor and starting off the year,” Green said. “That’s That’s because of Bradley County’s topsy-turvy transition into a new year by Workforce Development. “We traditionally why I don’t ever try to predict what the ongoing economic development — con- posting its lowest unemployment rate in see a bump-up in the numbers and that’s unemployment rates will do.” struction — activity and the increased almost nine years at 4.2 percent. due to expected layoffs in retail trade.” Green said he can crunch the numbers, demand for products manufactured here, Spring forward The January mark, which analysts As if on cue, the retail trade layoffs — study the “what ifs” and “buts,” and try to Green said. agree was supposed to go up based on sea- temporary workers who are hired in make sense of trends, but in the end he “On the whole, January was a really Daylight saving time begins sonal trends, instead represents a signifi- October and November in preparation for can’t predict what will actually happen. good month for Bradley County,” he noted. when the clock strikes 2 a.m. cant drop from 4.9 percent in December. the holiday rush but who then see those The drop in January’s unemployment “The rate here even came in under both Sunday. Turn those clocks for- The low jobless figure is Bradley jobs fizzle in January — did occur. rate testifies as to why. ward one hour before bedtime County’s most promising performance However, unexpected hiring in the con- “Bradley County had some really good See JOBLESS, Page 8 Saturday night. Those who don’t may be late everywhere they go Sunday. Religion Reminder teaching Unpaid taxes plan gets set for transfer to C&M April 1 board’s From Staff Reports Bradley County Trustee approval Mike Smith has announced that all unpaid 2014 real and personal property taxes will be Issue involves transferred to the Clerk and Master’s Office on April 1, as full inclusion required by Tennessee state By CHRISTY ARMSTRONG law. Banner Staff Writer “I urge taxpayers with delin- quent 2014 taxes to settle The Bradley County Board of their account in the Trustee’s Education has passed a resolu- Office prior to April 1,” Smith tion explaining how religion is said. “This will eliminate signif- supposed to be addressed in the school system’s social studies icantly higher cost if trans- THIS DRAWING gives an idea of what the aerial view of the Cleveland Bradley County State Veterans Home will look like. Image classes. ferred to the Clerk and courtesy of Lewis Group Architects. In addition to outlining how Master.” students have rights to their own The Bradley County religious beliefs, Trustee’s Office is located on it “requests the the first floor of the Bradley Director of County Courthouse. The office Veterans home envisioned Schools to devel- can be reached at 423-472- op multiple cur- 7247. r i c u l a r resources for the ‘This is a great day, a day that will live on instruction of social studies” Inside Today — with a few for generations here in Bradley County’ instructions on Lillios Volunteers stun By JOYANNA LOVE which is not something they usually do,” how to proceed. Curricula would be designed Banner Senior Staff Writer Howell said. “Usually, the land is accepted Vandy in SEC by the state department of real estate (and with “historical context of reli- The anticipation has mounted for this gious impact on world, national The Tennessee Volunteers asset management), it is just put on the day to mark a major milestone for the and state history,” with input thought for a moment they would rolls and they move on from there. But she Cleveland Bradley County State Veterans (Grinder) felt like it was appropriate that we from teachers and other school be in overtime against Vanderbilt in system staff. The resolution also the SEC tournament, but officials Home. have a formal acceptance and a ceremony The official acceptance of the future site because of the extremely hard work that requires that “no memorization ruled Vandy’s last-second shot was or recitation of religious doctrine not taken before time had expired. was celebrated this morning as state and has been put into this.” local leaders gathered on the property. In anticipation of today’s events, many of or tenants be required of any The win puts the Volunteers in the student in Bradley County quarterfinals against LSU today. While the state acceptance means much the attendees reflected on just what this progress has been made, a major final step, means for the project, and how far determi- Schools.” The Lee Lady Flames manhandled The vote Thursday evening Tusculum on the softball field. See securing federal funding for the site, still nation of local partners and cooperation remains. with state departments have carried the was unanimous, with only 7th Sports, Pages 11-13. District board member Charlie Tennessee Department of Veterans project. Rose absent. Services Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder Some have been there since the begin- Forecast ning of these efforts a decade ago. During a work session which and Tennessee Department of General took place Tuesday night, board Services Deputy Commissioner John Hull “This is a another major step,” Davis Today’s forecast calls for cloudy said. “When we get the federal funding, we members debated whether or not were present for the occasion. Banner photo, ALLEN MINCEY they should seek public input on skies and a 40 percent chance of a Others participating in the ceremony LARRY McDARIS, director of Bradley will be ready to go.” Discussion of bringing a veterans home the issue of religion in school rain shower or thunderstorm, with a were state Reps. Kevin Brooks (R-Cleveland) County Veterans Services, received a lapel curricula. high near 75. Tonight calls for clouds and Dan Howell (R-Georgetown), state Sens. pin from Tennessee Department of to Bradley County began in 2005, spear- headed by John Simmons, a disabled U.S. The resolution passed Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga), and and a 30 percent chance of rain, with Veterans Services Commissioner Many- veteran who was active in the community. Thursday said the board plans Mike Bell (R-Riceville), Cleveland Mayor a low around 60. Saturday calls for Bears Grinder at today’s acceptance of the In 2007, the efforts became solidified. to hold at least one public forum mostly cloudy skies and a 30 percent Tom Rowland, Bradley County Mayor D. site for the future Cleveland Bradley Davis said Simmons, came to his office on the issue, with the exact date chance of rain, with a high near 76. Gary Davis, land donors Steve Williams, County State Veterans Home. saying there was a person in the communi- to be determined. It also notes Saturday night calls for cloudy skies Thomas Williams and Robert Wright, ty who wanted to donate to having a state that Tennessee’s standards for and a 60 percent chance of rain, with trustees of the American Legion Post 81 Such a ceremony to officially accept the veterans home in Bradley County. social studies are currently up a low around 59. and Southeast Tennessee Veterans Home site is unique to Bradley County’s project, “I will never forget that,” Davis said. for review, and the members of Council co-chairs Cid Heidel and Mark according to Howell. the public can visit Hall, with fellow council members. “They decided to do a formal acceptance, See VETERANS, Page 8 Index See RELIGION, Page 8 Church........................................6-7 Classified................................18-21 Comics.........................................15 Editorials......................................14 JROTC rifle team sends Horoscope....................................15 Obituaries.......................................2 Stocks............................................4 2 members to nationals Sports......................................11-13 By CHRISTY ARMSTRONG TV Schedule...........................16-17 Banner Staff Writer Weather..........................................9 “What we’ve done in Students on the Army Junior just four years has Reserve Officer Training Corps been amazing.” Around Town rifle team at Bradley Central — Army Lt. Col. High School recently brought Chris Ingle JoAnn Bledsoe and her hus- home several trophies from band, Billy, expressing how regional competitions, and two happy and grateful they both are of the skilled shooters will soon students’ instructor. “I am very that he’s finally home after sever- be heading to a national com- proud of the work they have put in to get to where they are.” al frustrating stays in the hospital petition. ... Pat Geren wanting to thank Bradley Central has had its The chapter is now ranked Steve Price for being so nice to current JROTC chapter since fifth in the Southeast and is her and many others ... Paige 2010, after having been rein- 10th in the nation in rifle Hickman receiving compliments. stated following a 20-year shooting — one of out of all the break.