Local 43 TV

08/18/2024

08/17/2024

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08/17/2024

Breaking News: 83 year old Caulyne Cross, who has been missing from her Giles County residence for nearly five days, was found alive this morning by search teams. Her rescue ends the multi-day search operation by several agencies. A press release will be released soon by the Giles County Emergency Management Agency and the Giles County Sheriff’s Department.

08/17/2024

08/17/2024

The city of Loretto has located and is attempting to fix a water leak tonight off the side of Highway 43 in Loretto. Use caution while utility crews continue work.

Loretto, Tennessee

08/15/2024

🚒🔥FIRE EXPLORER PROGRAM🔥🚒

Are you between the ages of 14-20 years old and interested in learning more about the fire service? Columbia Fire & Rescue’s Fire Explorer Program is a career education program for young adults interested in developing leadership skills, serving their community, and learning all about what it takes to be a firefighter!

✍️SIGN UP TODAY!
🚨Deadline to submit application: August 23rd
🖥 https://www.columbiatn.com/657/Explorer-Program

08/14/2024

WHEEL TAX WILL NOT REACH THE AGENDA

I’ve had the opportunity to speak with many of you over the past three weeks, following the County Commission’s discussion of a potential wheel tax referendum.

A resolution put before the Commission July 23 proposed a referendum on an additional $50 wheel tax, designated for road-building materials only. Commissioners sent the proposal back to committee to fine-tune it with reduced charges for low-income taxpayers and a maximum charge for those with multiple vehicles.

The referendum requires approval by the Commission at its Special Session on August 20 in order to meet the deadline for the November 5 election. But after hearing your concerns, my recommendation to the Commission is that we not put this to a vote.

Many people are worried about the present economy and the impact our next President and Congress will have on it. Given the chaos of the campaign season, we have a right to be worried. That’s only one concern I have heard.

There is no doubt we need a new, ongoing source of revenue for roads. The price of road-building components increased as much as 125% over the past five years. The cost to pave one mile of tar-and-gravel roadway was $22,000 in 2019 and is $40,000 today. Paving a mile with asphalt went from $78,000 to $140,000. We can’t keep up with our needs, which means Road Superintendent Ryan Krick is forced to make very hard decisions about where to spend his department’s limited funds.

For the next several years, however, the department will have additional funds to work with. That’s because Commissioners voted in June to borrow $20,805,000 in General Obligation Bonds. $6 million will go to our Highway Department for road improvements, the rest will go to schools and other capital projects. $6 million is the maximum amount we can borrow for roads, given their short life cycle, but it’s enough to help Krick and his department catch up over the next couple of years.

In my opinion a wheel tax would be an unnecessary burden on the citizens of Lawrence County at this time. In a few years from now the borrowed money will be gone and other funding mechanisms will have to be considered. I hope you will notice the difference additional funds make over the next several years, as Lawrence County roads continue to improve.

Today, however, I hope to begin clearing up some of the common misconceptions about the wheel tax and our roads.

1. The existing $25 wheel tax was not established to be temporary. From the beginning, the intent was to pay for the 1984 school building program, then pay other school debt, which continues to accumulate.

2. No one (not just the Amish) pays wheel tax on non-motorized vehicles. State law specifies that trailers, like those pulled behind pickup trucks to haul lawnmowers, furniture, etc., are not subject to wheel tax.

3. The “Amish Lane” on Highway 43 was not a county project. The state decided to build the two-way buggy lane and completely funded it.

4. The county road department takes care of 1000+ miles of county roads. City streets are often used as examples when people criticize the condition of our roads. Every incorporated city is responsible for its streets; state highways are the responsibility of the state.

When I ran for office 2 years ago, I made a commitment to government transparency. I’ve made it a point to keep the public informed every step of the way. It is my privilege as County Executive to call a Special Session of the County Commission, as I did in June to pass the budget and have done for August 20. It is also my privilege to add to the agenda any resolutions that I’d like the commission to consider. I have chosen not to put the wheel tax on the agenda, however, 10 commissioners can add to the agenda by written request but it appears that now is not the time. Again, I respect the commissioners who were willing to have tough conversations about revenue needed for county road improvement. It’s always a plus to be looking ahead before shortfalls arise.

08/14/2024

Mary Claire speaks to Keith Sanders about the upcoming Crossroads of Dixie Antique Tractor & Engine Show to be held this weekend in Lawrenceburg.

08/14/2024

Breaking News: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation needs your help finding Caulyne Cross, who is missing from Giles County.

The 82 y/o is 5'1" tall, 110 lbs., with gray hair & brown eyes, last seen today wearing red pants and a pink shirt.

Spot her? Call the SO at 931-363-0911 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

08/14/2024

Breaking News: Lawrenceburg Firefighters and Police Officers have been called to the David Crockett Motel on East Gaines Street on a report that an individual is grilling inside a room. This has resulted in a fire alarm activation.

08/13/2024

Breaking News: A two vehicle traffic crash with injuries has been reported on Buffalo Road near Countryside Healthcare. The roadway is currently blocked as a result of the crash. Avoid the area.

08/13/2024

News Update: Three vehicles stolen from a Lawrenceburg dealership have been recovered. Read more here: https://local43tv.com/?news=vehicles-stolen-from-heritage-automotive-recovered

08/12/2024

We've been working on our new website over the past few days. A little bit more than an extension of what you see here, the new site allows us to go in-depth on matters close to home. Check it out when you can. For now, it's best viewed on a desktop computer. https://local43tv.com/

08/12/2024

Breaking News: A traffic issue on Turnpike Road, just east of Locker Road has resulted in a road closure. An oversized load hit a power line & pulled down a pole. Avoid this area.

08/12/2024

08/10/2024

Thank you to all the mutual aid fire departments from Lauderdale County assisting with the tissue plant fire in Colbert County.

08/10/2024

Breaking News: Multiple Alarm Fire at Barton Tissue Plant

Firefighters from multiple departments are battling a large scale commercial structure fire at the Essity facility in Barton, AL

08/09/2024

08/09/2024

Breaking News: Wayne County Firefighters are battling a structure fire on Buttermilk Ridge Road. Crews have called for assistance from multiple departments, including Gandy, West End, and Henryville in Lawrence County. Avoid this area.

08/08/2024

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words.

I see a working relationship that doesn’t stop at County Lines or City Limits signs. We are blessed to work along side people that are about the mission instead of the patch on their shoulder.