2018

The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is raising awareness of the dangers posed by consumer fireworks and urging Tennesseans to leave the fireworks to the pros instead of risking their lives and possibly breaking the law by detonating fireworks themselves.
According to State Fire Marshal and Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak, “July Fourth is a great opportunity to celebrate our nation’s independence with friends and family. The best way to ensure you and your loved ones have a safe Fourth is to join other community members in attending public fireworks displays put on by trained and licensed professionals.”
Shooting fireworks at home brings risks to people’s lives, health, and property. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks each Independence Day holiday. According to state fire data, fireworks caused 412 unintended fires and resulted in over $1 million in property damages and one death in Tennessee from 2013–2017.
If consumers choose to shoot fireworks themselves, they should familiarize themselves with local fireworks laws first. Several counties and cities in the Volunteer State have ordinances and restrictions related to fireworks usage. Before purchasing or detonating fireworks, the SFMO urges residents to check with their local police or fire department to determine local laws about fireworks.
In addition to local laws, Tennessee has several state laws pertaining to fireworks:
·        A 2007 Tennessee law prevents children under 16 from purchasing fireworks. Those who are 16 or 17 must present a photo ID to purchase them.
·        State legislation passed in 2011 reclassified sky lanterns as special fireworks exclusively for use by individuals with a professional license. The general public cannot purchase or use sky lanterns. If a sky lantern is found in the possession of someone who does not have a professional license issued by the SFMO, the device can be confiscated and destroyed.
·        A law passed in 2015 prohibits flying a drone (unmanned aircraft) above an outdoor ticketed event with more than 100 people, or in the vicinity of a fireworks display site, without the permission of the event operator.
If consumer fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to set them off on your own, be sure to follow these important safety tips:
·        Never allow children to handle or ignite fireworks.
·        Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
·        Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
·        Wear eye protection.
·        Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
·        Never throw or point fireworks at people or animals.
·        Only light fireworks outdoors on a smooth, flat surface away from homes, dry leaves and flammable materials.
·        Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned.
·        Keep a bucket of water and a garden hose nearby in case of a malfunction or fire.
·        Sparklers are not toys and cause hundreds of injuries every year. Sparklers burn hot, can reach temperatures as high as 1,200° F, and stay hot long after they’ve burned out. You wouldn’t hand a matchbook or lighter to a child to wave or play with – so, don’t give a child a sparkler.
For more fire safety information and to download a State Fire Marshal’s Office calendar, visit www.tn.gov/fire.

Tennesseans who want to vote in the August. 2nd primary must register to vote today.
Luckily, registering is easier than ever in Tennessee using a computer, tablet or smartphone. Online voter registration allows any U.S. citizen with a driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to register online at GoVoteTN.com.
“This is the first major election cycle where Tennessee’s online voter registration has been in place. We’ve seen tremendous interest because we are meeting people online where they already are,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said.
Early voting begins Friday, July 13, and runs Mondays through Saturdays until Saturday, July 28. Election Day is Thursday, Aug. 2.
“We have major races this election season so there will be a lot of interest as Tennesseans decide who will represent them across all levels of government. I urge voters to take advantage of early voting,” Sec. Hargett said.
Voters can also download the GoVoteTN app, available in the App Store or Google Play, to view voter-specific information. Voters can find early voting and Election Day polling locations, view and mark sample ballots and much more.

While Independence Day celebrations are traditionally known for outdoor events, fireworks and family get-togethers, the iconic U.S. holiday has become notorious for crashes and fatalities on the road.
In 2016, 188 people were killed in a crash involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher during the Independence Day holiday. This represents a 28 percent increase from the previous year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“Celebrating our country’s independence is a wonderful tradition across our nation, but it’s important to remain responsible and safe throughout the holiday,” said Amy Stracke, managing director of traffic safety advocacy for AAA – The Auto Club Group and executive director of the Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation. “Everyone deserves to get home safely.”
To encourage those celebrating the holiday from getting behind the wheel impaired, AAA, its Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation and Budweiser are offering their free Tow to Go program. AAA predicts a record-breaking 46.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home this Independence Day, the highest number since AAA started its tracking 18 years ago.
“We encourage everyone who’s celebrating to plan ahead, make arrangements for safe transportation and avoid driving impaired at all costs,” said Megan Cooper, Tennessee Public Affairs Specialist, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “A good way to keep the Tow to Go number handy is to program it into your phone in advance so you don’t have to search for it later.”

For anyone who needs a safe ride home, Tow to Go is available from Tuesday, July 3, until 6 a.m. on Thursday, July 5. Tow to Go is available by calling (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246

Property along Main Street was on the agenda again this month before the Woodbury Municipal Planning Commission.

During the May meeting a final plat request was presented.  The area along West Main Street and the East Fork of the Stones River is listed as West Gate Shopping Center, Section 2.  The plat involves three tracts, including the location of the Verizon store. The board accepted the request.

During last night’s meeting a rezoning was requested to amend the property from C-3 (Highway Commercial District) to C-2 (Central Commercial District). Commission member Harold Patrick motioned and seconded by Mayor Andy Duggin to recommend to the Board of Alderman to change section 1 and 2 of the property from C-3 to C-2.  The tracts are boarded by West Main Street to Stones River.

The rezoning discussion was the only item on the commission’s agenda for the meeting.