Local Coronavirus Info: (UPDATED 5/29/20 3:40 pm)
FROM MORRISTOWN PARKS & RECREATION
Dear Coaches, Parents and Players,
We hope this finds you and your family well. The City of Morristown thanks you for your patience as we have been sorting through things the past few months. With the Governor’s decision to push the no youth or adult sports order to May 29, and with the uncertainty surrounding our world today with COVID-19, it is with sincere sadness that we are announcing the cancellation of our 2020 Little League season (T-ball/Coach Pitch/Minor/Little/Junior/Senior). We realize that this decision may come as a disappointment to you and your child, but please remember that it has been made with the health and safety of each participant as our main priority. A full refund will be given to each registered participant. Please call our office at (423) 586-0260 if there are any questions. All refund checks will be sent to the address that is currently on file at MPRD. Again, thank you all for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. We look forward to our next opportunity to have your child back on the field. Our 2021 season will be back and better than ever. We hope that you all will be just as ready to play as we are! A full refund will be given to each registered participant. Please call our office at (423)586-0260 if there are any questions. All refund checks will be sent to the address that is currently on file at MPRD.
Sincerely, Morristown Parks & Recreation Staff
REGARDING REOPENING CHURCHES:
The Lakeway Church Coalition was formed for any pastor who wishes to be involved to unify the body of Christ as we all seek to reopen our church facilities. We gathered on Thursday April 30, 2020 with 20 local pastors, the City and County Mayors and 2 city officials. The discussion was directed towards honoring our state & local government’s requests and best practice recommendations, while following our spiritual convictions to reopen our houses of worship. We were in agreement that we want to reopen “safer not sooner” and that we as churches are interested more in oneness, not sameness. Overall, we are in 100% agreement to aim and hope to reopen our houses of worship on Pentecost Sunday, May 31st. Pentecost Sunday is significant because it was the birth of the New Testament Church and we feel like this is God setting the stage for a reset of the New Testament Church. Some may choose to open sooner or later depending on their congregation size and logistical needs, and we bless them and celebrate with them. But our overall target date will be May 31, 2020. We will pray for one another and expect good things for all Lakeway Churches who exist to lead others in a relationship with Jesus.
– (4/15): Governor Lee announces extensive Covid-19 testing. Read Here.
Free COVID-19 testing will be available for any Tennessean, regardless of traditional symptoms, as our Unified-Command Group ramps up an aggressive effort to expand statewide testing capacity.
When in doubt, get a test. Read more: bit.ly/3boiMuF
Additional resources from the Tennessee Department of Health:
– Drive-Through Testing Sites: bit.ly/34CG9Oc
– Testing Guidance: bit.ly/2VyhYfM
– Positive Test Guidance: bit.ly/2wHM7AV
– Negative Test Guidance: bit.ly/34EmIVd
– (4/15): Governor Lee recommends that schools remain closed the remainder of the school year.
– (4/15): From the Hamblen County Department of Education:
As per Gov. Bill Lee’s recommendation, Hamblen County Schools will be closed for the remainder of the academic year. Superintendent Dr. Jeff Perry said announcements will be made about specific end-of-year logistical issues will be made as soon as possible.
(4/21) FROM THE HAMBLEN COUNTY DEPT. OF EDUCATION:
Graduation dates for Class of 2020 announced:
We have received more questions and concerns about high school graduation than any other single issue, said Dr. Jeff Perry, superintendent of schools. “We have consistently stated that we would have some type of graduation experience for our students and parents, if possible.”
“This process is not an easy one to implement because it requires a significant amount of planning. In order to increase the likelihood we can actually bring several people together in one location, we have moved the graduation date as late into the summer as possible without conflicting with most college start dates,” he said.
The graduation ceremony for WEST HIGH will be held Thursday, July 23, at 8:00 p.m. at Burke-Toney Stadium.
This will allow us to maintain appropriate distancing among parents, family, and friends in the stands. We will conduct the ceremony at the Walters State Community College Gymnasium if it rains. We chose the stadium as our first location because it will allow us the opportunity to invite more guests to the program.
The graduation ceremony for EAST HIGH School will be Friday, July 24, at 8:00 p.m. at Burke-Toney Stadium. We will move the ceremony to the East High School Gymnasium if it rains.
Hamblen County Schools has a second individual connected to the ESP program at Hillcrest test positive for Covid-19. That staff member is doing well. Dr. Perry also encourages anyone who has been involved with the program to get tested for Covid-19 at the Hamblen County Health Department. These people also are to self-isolate for 14 days after April 9, or until the test results come back.
HCBOE recommends you self-isolate for 14 days from the last day of attendance at ESP. If you or your child exhibits symptoms, or if you are concerned, you should be tested.
The Health Department will give Corona Virus tests at the department’s facility on W. Main Street. The hours are 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.
Call first 586-6431, and choose zero.
The Health Department will give Corona Virus tests at the department’s facility on W. Main Street. The hours are 9 a.m. to noon. They also will be open Saturday. Beginning Monday, the hours are 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Call first 586-6431, and choose zero.
FROM THE CITY OF MORRISTOWN:
The City mourns the loss of Chaplain Don Crider who passed away today. Don, whose call sign was Chaplain 5, was a devoted servant to the community for almost 20 years with the Morristown Police Department. He received his police chaplain certification through the International Conference of Police Chaplains. Chaplain Crider was very dedicated to the officers of the MPD and their families. He rode alongside the officers, participated in devotion services and even performed wedding ceremonies during his time with us. MPD Chief Roger Overholt stated, “Don’s family is in our thoughts and prayers. His presence at the department and the service that he provided will be greatly missed. Don was a comforting presence within our ranks and was always ready to give encouragement to everyone. He truly had the heart of a servant”.
- All Great Smoky Mountains Expo Center events until May 1, 2020 have been cancelled.
- TN STATE PARKS CLOSED: In support of Governor Lee’s Executive Order 23, we have made the difficult decision to close Tennessee State Parks (INCLUDING PANTHER CREEK STATE PARK IN HAMBLEN COUNTY). This closure will be in place tfn. This is a complete closure of trails, facilities, and access to all Tennessee State Parks and Designated State Natural Areas.
Governor Bill Lee Orders Tennesseans to stay home: “Over the last few weeks, we have seen decreases in movement around the state as Tennesseans socially distance and stay at home,” said Gov. Lee. “However, in recent days we have seen data indicating that movement may be increasing and we must get these numbers trending back down. I have updated my previous executive order to clearly require that Tennesseans stay at home unless they are carrying out essential activities.”
Hamblen County Education Department will not be able to continue running bus routes with breakfast and lunch after March 30, due to the Governor’s statement to stay home. Dr. Superintendent Jeff Perry said the following schools will remain open for food collection: West High, Fairview-Marguerite, Manley, Hillcrest and Russellville.
UPDATE: Although we can’t continue to run all bus routes due to the Governor’s statement, we will go to 17 stops to bring breakfast and lunches to students under the age of 18 Stops and schedule are down. Also, we’ll have meals to pick up at the following schools: West High, Fairview-Marguerite, Manley Intermediate, Hillcrest, and Russellville Intermediate.
Greeneville Police Department Officers have been proudly assisting the Greeneville City Schools meal program since it began. The program is now being expanded to provide breakfast and lunch for every child in Greeneville. Enough meals to cover seven days per week for all children under age 19. Pickup locations are at Greeneville High School and Hal Henard Elementary. No paperwork required. Pickup times are Monday’s, Tuesday’s, and Thursday’s from 10am – 12:30pm. Delivery options are available to those without transportation by calling 423-787-8019.
From Bill Brittain, Hamblen County Mayor (Mar 31):
The Hamblen County Courthouse and Justice Center will be closed starting Wednesday, April 1st to follow the Tennessee governor’s guidelines of only essential employees working for the next two weeks. Anyone needing services with the county government should call the appropriate departments to determine if service is available by phone or online. The closure will remain in effect until April 15. See video below:
TN DEPT OF EDUCATION PARTNERS WITH PBS TO PROVIDE CONTENT:
https://www.tn.gov/education/news/2020/3/25/tdoe-announces-partnership-with-pbs-to-deliver-daily-instructional-content-for-tennessee-students.html?fbclid=IwAR0v6Y1q3OhBsm5MFBDM_0VGF6jHgf08k7clD8T6ygG_2CK4eK4nLT0jxn0
Resources:
https://www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19.html State of TN Covid-19
https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html Track the number of cases in Tennessee
https://myutk.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/a4614b1566f44f559d9c5995ebe9c49d TN case tracker provided by UTK
https://covid19.healthdata.org/projections Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (how many hospital beds, projected need for ventilators, etc)
https://www.jobs4tn.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx TN Unemployment Info
https://www.facebook.com/TNDeptofHealth/ TN Dept. of Health
https://www.coronavirus.gov/ Federal Government, CDC’s Covid-19
https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus FEMA
https://www.facebook.com/CityofMorristown/ City of Morristown’s Facebook
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/ OSHA Covid-19 info
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know?fbclid=IwAR1ocIBbmu8ViSfyVHBF8KPrRk1HNnJW_UQbqlmVM5vrTIIxoj06Oiplozg Federal Economic impact payments: What you need to know
BUSINESS STATUSES DURING COVID-19 OUTBREAK:
[Note: This is a very fluid situation. This list is not meant to be comprehensive. Before visiting any location, it is smart to call first.]
– WAL-MART OPEN 7AM TIL 8:30PM TFN
– INGLES MARKETS OPEN 6AM TIL 10PM TFN
– FOOD CITY-OPEN 7AM TIL 10PM AND ADULTS 65 AND OVER INVITED TO COME BETWEEN 7 AND 8 TO AVOID STORE CONGESTION
– ALDI’S IN MORRISTOWN CLOSING AN HOUR EARLY WILL CLOSE AT 7PM TFN
– COLLEGE SQUARE MALL CLOSED EFFECTIVE 3/20/20
– MOST DOLLAR GENERAL STORES ARE CLOSING AN HOUR EARLY AN OPENING HOUR WILL BE DESIGNATED FOR SENIOR SHOPPING
-CENTER FOR WELLNESS BY APPT ONLY & CURBSIDE PICKUP FOR REFILLS
-MORRISTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION EASTER EGGSELLENT ADVENTURE APRIL 7TH CANCELLED
-PLANET FITNESS MORRISTOWN CLOSED BUT OFFERING ONLINE WORKOUTS ON FACEBOOK
-ALPS ADULT DAY SERVICES SERVICES SUSPENDED TFN
-JEFFERSON COCKE UTILITY DISTRICT DRIVE THROUGH ONLY
-CHARTER SPECTRUM IN MORRISOTWN OPEN 10AM TIL 6PM
STAYING HEALTHY AND SLOWING THE VIRUS’ SPREAD:
- CDC SUGGEST GATHERINGS OF 10 OR LESS.
- WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN AND DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE
- AVOID SHAKING HANDS
- KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM OTHERS
- ELDERLY ENCOURAGED TO STAY INDOORS
- IF POSSIBLE WORK FROM HOME.
- IF YOU ARE SICK, STAY HOME, AND CALL THE DOCTOR!
SCHOOLS (NOTE: On March 24th, Governor Bill Lee called for schools in Tennessee to be closed until April 24th due to the coronavirus outbreak.
-Project Graduation in Hamblen County has been cancelled.
-Hamblen County closed through until April 24th (ESP childcare program and the feeding program will continue)
-Hawkins County closed through April 24th
-Grainger County closed through April 24th
-Claiborne County closed through April 24th
-Jefferson County closed through April 24th
-Cocke County closed through April 24th
-Cornerstone Academy closed through April 24th
-Lakeway Christian Academy closed through April 24th
-Sevier County closed through April 24th
-Hancock County closed through April 24th
-Greene County closed through April 24th
-Greeneville City closed through April 24th
-Rogersville City closed through April 24th
-TCAT Morristown – offsite training
-University of Tennessee classes online
-WSCC classes online
-Newport Grammar closed through April 24th
-Carson Newman and Tusculum University online only
FROM THE CITY OF MORRISTOWN:
Are you or a loved one in need of basic supplies, food or medicine and are unable to leave your home due to medical concerns? Volunteers with the local task force are offering delivery services to help those in need. If you are in the at-risk population that is unable to leave their homes during this time and have no other means to receive the items you need, please contact Kelly Smith at (423) 586-1668 or email at smithk@hcboe.net.
Listen to 104.7 WLNQ for on air updates on further school, business and event cancellations, postponements, delays or hour changes.
