FRIDAY 161st YEAR • NO. 97 AUGUST 21, 2015 CLEVELAND, TN 22 PAGES • 50¢ Taylor Elementary gets $100,000 state grant; funds will be used on expanding technology By CHRISTY ARMSTRONG careers — technology. Banner Staff Writer “In the world that we are in now, your ability to “In the world that we are in now, your be technologically savvy is important,” Kaylor said, Taylor Elementary School has received a grant ability to be technologically noting that many people use computers in their for nearly $100,000 to provide more technology to savvy is important.” jobs. students and teachers. — Elizabeth Kaylor She added the children who are in school right Principal Elizabeth Kaylor said the school has now may someday use technology that does not received a grant from the Tennessee Department exist yet, so it is important for schools to stay as of Education in the amount of $99,076. goal for students in grades 3-5, Kaylor said the up to date as possible. She said that “very specific” dollar amount will grant will allow it to extend the accomplishment to Instructional coach Traci Blackburn and be used to create a “mobile computer lab,” add to all the second-grade students. instructional support specialist Stephanie some of the electronic devices students at the The school plans to purchase 24 laptop comput- Rountree are credited with writing the grant. school already use and provide more training for ers, a cart that can charge the computers and be “It was very exciting to learn we had gotten it,” teachers on how to use technology in the class- used to carry them from room to room, keyboards Rountree said. “I was very proud that we that we Banner photo, CHRISTY ARMSTRONG room. to go with the Apple iPad tablet computers the received the grant and will be able to grow our EDUCATORS from Taylor Elementary School “We feel we are going to accomplish a lot of school already has and professional development program.” things with this money,” Kaylor said. for teachers. gather to celebrate having just been awarded a The new computers will allow more students to grant for nearly $100,000. Principal Elizabeth For about three years, the school has been Kaylor said she is thrilled her school was award- practice their skills more often. working to create a 1-to-1 ratio between students ed the competitive state grant because it allows Taylor Elementary currently has a dedicated Kaylor, center, gathers with the two teachers who and electronic devices for them. While the school teachers to help students learn about something worked together to write the grant proposal, has amassed enough devices to accomplish that expected to play a large part in their future See TAYLOR, Page 6 Stephanie Rountree, left, and Traci Blackburn. Inside Today BCSO’s Brian McAmis dies, 45 Deputy battled Banner photo, LARRY C. BOWERS PARTICIPATING ON THE PANEL at Thursday evening’s health and safety program at Wesley Memorial First United Methodist Church were, from left, Ben Atchley of the Cleveland Fire Department; Courtney Rose of SkyRidge Medical Center; Fred Woolwine, Amy cancer for years Davenport, and Kendra Stevenson of the Bradley County Health Department; April Wiles, Heather Hogg, and Valerie Armor of the Bradley By TONY EUBANK County Head Start Program; Jennifer Samples and Evie West of the Cleveland Police Department; and Monica Stone of Signal Centers. Banner Staff Writer Retired Bradley County Lady Raiders Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brian McAmis, 45, died Thursday fight but fall All eyes on health and safety evening following a series of seri- ous health issues, including can- For the second time this week, cer. the Cleveland Lady Raiders Starfish brings awareness to heart of community The recently retired McAmis pushed for a volleyball win, but was a 17-year veteran of the just could not push quite hard By LARRY C. BOWERS participate on the panel. BCSO and was a father of three enough, falling to the lady Owls of Banner Staff Writer There were between 25 and 35 people adult children. Ooltewah. The golf Raiders split in the audience, which Ratcliff consid- Family Cornerstones’ Starfish Program McAmis, known for his sense of with East Hamilton, while the ered a good turnout. “We were just want- humor and fortitude, as well as Walker Valley Mustangs swept is attempting to start an annual event to ing to see what kind of interest there is,” instruct parents on health and safety loyalty, began his career in cor- McMinn County. In Knoxville, she said after the evening’s program had rections. He later moved to the freshmen Volunteers are buying issues. been concluded. The agency kicked off the effort courts, eventually working at the into the standards set by head There was a meal for the participants Bradley County coach Butch Jones. See Sports, Thursday evening. and children, and throughout the evening Starfish Director Jennifer Ratcliff said Juvenile Justice Pages 13-15. gifts were given away. The gifts included Center, accord- this first-ever program was for a selected baby monitors, children’s vitamins, and audience of parents and caregivers from ing to Sheriff’s books on child care. Parents were also Office officials. Forecast Starfish, Head Start, Wesley Memorial provided child care during the program. First United Methodist Church’s pre- BCSO Capt. Ratcliff and West asked the panel a Gabe Thomas school program and Signal Centers’ fami- series of questions, which were answered lies. spoke fondly of by panel members with the most under- McAmis. Ratcliff and Amy West, both with the standing of specific issues. Starfish Program, moderated the “Anybody else McAmis Questions were accepted, and feedback would have given evening’s panel discussion. and follow-up questions followed from On the panel were individuals with up with all the members of the audience. medical issues that he had and expertise in various areas of health and Banner photo, LARRY C. BOWERS Asked about behavioral problems with safety concerns, primarily for infants, THREE-YEAR-OLD Maddie Coleman, [would have just] said, ‘I’m just a small child who hits another child, going to live off of disability,’ but Today should see partly sunny children and families. the daughter of Laura and Trei Coleman, Monica Stone of Signal Centers said par- Participants included Evie West and Brian didn’t,” Thomas told the skies, with a high near 85 degrees. was a happy little girl Thursday evening as ents should teach their children why not Cleveland Daily Banner. “He Tonight looks to be partly cloudy, Jennifer Samples of the Cleveland Police she talked about her first day at preschool. to strike out against others. “Oftentimes,” Department; Ben Atchley of the Cleveland stuck it out even when he was on with a low around 66. Saturday she said, “they are just trying to protect dialysis.” Fire Department; Courtney Rose of and Valerie Armor of the Bradley County their ‘stuff.’” should be mostly sunny, with a high SkyRidge Medical Center; Dr. Fred Head Start Program; and Monica Stone of McAmis dealt with several seri- near 86. Saturday night calls for Evie West of the Cleveland Police ous health issues, but that never Woolwine, Amy Davenport, and Kendra Signal Centers. Department explained that parents need clouds to move back in, along with Stevenson of the Bradley County Health Marilyn Thomas of the Welcome Friend prevented him doing his job, Thomas pointed out. a slight chance of showers or thun- Department; April Wiles, Heather Hogg, Program attended the event, but did not See STARFISH, Page 6 derstorms. The low should be “He would be here. He was ded- around 65. icated to the Sheriff’s Office,” Thomas said. “He always had a joke about something. It could be Index the craziest situation, but Brian Blake, county leaders seek tech efficiency would have some way to lighten Church........................................8-9 By BRIAN GRAVES Thompson, County Clerk Donna Simpson, view.” up the mood.” Classified................................20-22 Banner Staff Writer Register of Deeds Dina Swafford and Clerk He noted the assessor’s job is determining Thomas reflected on McAmis’ Comics.........................................17 and Master Sarah Coleman brought thoughts the value of parcels of property, then trans- reliability and dedication to oth- Commissioner Milan Blake says the county to the table in a 90-minute discussion. ers. Editorials......................................16 mitting that information to the trustee’s office. needs to continuously look for ways to be “This really is a brainstorming session,” “The trustee’s office is responsible of com- “I’ve been in many situations Horoscope....................................17 more efficient. Blake said. piling that, putting in the tax rate, then put- with Brian when he worked in the Movies..........................................18 It was with that in mind the chairman of the He said one of the concerns he had heard ting into an invoice and collecting those jail, and he was always there,” Bradley County Commission’s Technology Thomas said. “I never had to Obituaries.......................................2 in the past is the process of tax invoicing. taxes,” Blake noted. committee called together the county’s elected “The question really is at a high level what worry about if somebody had my The next step, if a tax is not paid, goes to back. Or, if I was attacked, I never Stocks............................................4 and appointed officials Thursday morning to can we do to be more efficient,” Blake said. the clerk and master’s office “which then Sports......................................13-15 discuss what options may be available to “Put on your thinking hats and think about had to worry about it if Brian was involves the county attorney from the legal there. I knew he’d be right there TV Schedule...........................18-19 achieve that goal.