Unfinished streets upset Nashville residents

Metro hopes it won't have to foot bill if developers walk away By Brad Schrade • THE TENNESSEAN • March 29, 2009 The street names of Keeneland Downs seem like cruel misnomers in light of what's become of the southeast Davidson County subdivisions. Secretariat Drive, Buckpasser Avenue and Seabiscuit Drive — all named for champion racehorses — sit half-paved, mud-choked and forgotten. Work stopped as the developers fell on hard times. Graffiti mars unfinished houses. A car was recently abandoned in the development and set on fire. And a vandal threw a brick through the lone homeowner's truck window. "It's pitiful to see this," says Bobby Akin, a Metro public works road and infrastructure inspector, as he drives through the Antioch development. The financial slump has made these unfinished developments a growing problem in Davidson County and across Middle Tennessee. They pose potential public safety and health issues, as areas become dumping grounds and roads sit incomplete. Residents are frustrated. And in Metro, the city in some cases has lost one of its key tools for remedy. Metro auditors said last fall that a bonding program, managed out of the city's Planning Department, was lax and let certain securities expire that protected residents and taxpayers. Developers are required to provide performance bonds or letters of credit issued by insurance companies or banks so that if they fail to complete roads, storm drains, sidewalks and other infrastructure in a new subdivision, Metro can get it finished at no expense to taxpayers. By letting letters of credit expire, the city is unable to force money to be spent to finish such infrastructure in some stalled projects. That could mean even more waiting for residents. At Keeneland Downs, for example, Metro allowed a $1.1 million letter of credit to expire last May. Overall the city has about $11 million in surety bonds and letters of credit involving more than 60 projects that are incomplete or unresolved. About half the money involved relates to letters of credit that the city let expire through lack of oversight. Some, like Keeneland's, have already been turned over to Metro attorneys for possible legal action. "When the economy is going well it really doesn't pose much of a problem," said Planning Department Director Rick Bernhardt. "The problem came, if there is one, obviously when people started going belly up. Then you start collecting. Then everybody wants to be a little hard to get." Auditors in a draft of a report yet to be finalized found that the Planning Department had a backlog of 248 performance agreements that had been breached by developers. The Planning Department has cleaned up more than half of those, a later draft said. Still, auditors said, properly managing the program is vital to protect Metro and its residents. The report said the Planning Department didn't have the proper computer programs to track the bonds and it didn't have enough people dedicated to administer the program. And communication was lacking among the various departments that Planning depends on to help monitor the projects. The department is reviewing its bond agreements — 500 to 600 — to verify their status. A week and a half ago, the department launched an online database to help track the status of the agreements. The department says it can enforce the performance agreements as a last resort, and it doesn't believe Metro will lose money on any of these projects. "We don't believe there's any of those situations that have defaulted where Metro's going to have to go out, that I'm aware of ...," Bernhardt said. "I'm not aware of any circumstance where Metro is going to go in and put in infrastructure that would force the taxpayers to pay it. I'm not aware of it. You'd have to talk to other departments." Street has no lights When Jack Thomas and his wife, Cindy, first walked into their two-story home in the Hamilton View subdivision in Antioch they fell in love. It was the exact design they were looking for, and their tidy front yard shows the pride they take in the home they've lived in since 2006. Metro records show the developers, Homes by Design, are in breach of the agreement and a letter of credit is set to expire next month, which Metro says it will call unless the work is completed. Road paving is incomplete, with curbs jutting up and a dip in the pavement in front of the Thomas home collects a large pool whenever it rains. The road remains a private street until the work is completed and meets basic standards for Metro acceptance. Sidewalks remain patchy in spots, and at night the lack of street lamps in the unfinished development makes the place pitch black. Thomas stopped calling the developer because the number was disconnected. Brush grows high on the empty lots, and a cluster of half-finished homes up the hill from Thomas' home are splashed with graffiti, windows are broken and empty beer cans sit out front. Part of the street empty of homes had turned into a trash dump. "We're one of those screwy neighborhoods that's gotten screwed," Thomas said. "Nobody wants to spend the money to fix it up." Metro Councilman Robert Duvall, whose district includes Hamilton View, said some relief has been offered, but several Metro departments are still involved in trying to fix the problems. He said Metro has bypassed the developer and is now talking to the bank to get problems fixed. "We basically told them everything they had to do to get everything completed that was required," Duvall said. "A punch list had been given to them, and there's no reason to believe it wasn't going to be handled." Keeneland Downs also is in Duvall's district, and he said he was surprised when informed last Thursday that the letter of credit related to the development had expired. No one with Metro or the development company had told him about that issue, he said. Duvall said he'd spoken to one of the Keeneland developers, Jim Fischer, in recent months and he'd been assured the plan was to continue developing the subdivision. Fischer did not return phone messages before deadline last week. Duvall said residents in the neighboring subdivisions in the area have expressed concern that the two unfinished projects get completed. "They are worried about property values," Duvall said. "They are worried about who's going to cut the grass on vacant lots. Is the subdivision ever going to get completed? … What I'm going to do is continue to put the word out that we've got some situations here." Developers catching up Some developers with projects on the breached list say they have every intention of completing the work. Summerfield Village, a development in southeast Davidson County, has about $1.3 million of incomplete work associated with bonds — one of the highest totals on the list, according to Metro records. Records indicate the performance agreement was breached and that Metro has contacted the insurance company to make a claim on the bond so that work can be finished. Rick Cantrell, the chief operating officer with ParkTrust Development, which is managing the infrastructure for the development, said the company has the money to complete the work. He thought the remaining work was much less than the $1.3 million figure and didn't seem to agree with the assertion that the company was behind on the work. "I don't have any intentions of sticking Metro." He said he plans to meet with Metro this week. Affordable Housing Resources has about $800,000 of unresolved work across four developments. Three had letters of credit that expired more than a year ago, with two of them having expired in 2006, according to Metro records. The nonprofit company's CEO, Eddie Latimer, said it has contracts to complete asphalt topping on roads in a couple of developments, and there are sidewalks and storm detention ponds that are planned for completion. On one development, the company will have to get another bond, but the bonding markets have tightened, he said. He said the slowdown in the economy has affected the completion of projects. Most roads are not completed until most or all of the development is built out. "Everything has been slow since early 2007, things started slowing down," Latimer said. "We were hoping to get everything completed out and finish it up like we've been doing for 20 years. "It just didn't happen because of the economy. (Metro) gave us the notice. … We chose just to complete the paving even though the subdivisions have a few lots on them."

Breakdown of stimulus funds for Tennessee

This list includes the amounts the state would receive from the federal economic stimulus plan February 20, 2009 EDUCATIONK-12 Education, Elementary and Secondary Education ActGrants to LEAs $174,210,000School Improvement — Innovation and Improvement $50,386,000 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act IDEA—Part B—Special Education $229,486,000 IDEA—Part C—Early Intervention $6,677,000 Other education itemsEducation Technology $10,994,000 Education for the Homeless $669,000 School lunch equipment $1,985,000 PROGRAM BREAKDOWNMedicaid $1,100,000,000 Foster Care/Adoption Assistance $10,200,000 Highways and Bridges $572,701,000 Mass Transit Capital Grants $71,988,000 Fixed Guideway Modernization $28,000 Drinking Water $20,394,000 Clean Water $57,814,000 Underground Storage Tank Not determinedHazardous Waste Not determinedWeatherization $97,467,000 State Energy Program $59,065,000 Immunization $7,199,000 Elderly Nutrition $2,614,000 Child Care $41,932,000 Community Services Block Grant (GSBG) $19,699,000 Temporary Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) $2,069,000 FEMA—Emergency Food and Shelter $2,064,000 Vocational Rehabilitation $11,500,000 Home Investment Partnership Program $30,394,000 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant $49,518,000 Crime Victims Assistance $9,770,000 Internet Crimes Against Children $646,000 Violence Against Women $4,496,000 Unemployment Insurance —State Administration Grants $9,600,000 Workforce Investment Act—Adult $10,945,000 Workforce Investment Act—Youth $25,353,000 Dislocated Workers $19,777,000 Community Service for Older Americans $2,472,000 Employment Service $7,426,000 Head Start $13,775,000 Public Housing Capital Fund $80,710,000 CDBG and Neighborhood Revitalization Not determinedHomelessness Prevention $20,397,000 SOURCE: Federal Funds Information for States, a joint service of the National Governors Association and the National Conference of State Legislatures

Zoo schedules job fair for seasonal positions

By Andy Humbles The Tennessean • February 18, 2009 The Nashville Zoo will offer a job fair for seasonal employment in its food and retail departments at 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 2 and March 3 in the Croft Center. Those interested can attend either day. Representatives from the Zoo’s retail and food operations will be at the fair to answer questions and receive resumes and applications. Seasonal positions include cashiers, retail and food and beverage supervisors, cooks, bussers, concession operators, food preparers and warehouse attendants. Jobs have separate qualifications. Visit www.nashvillezoo.org

Metro building codes, deadlines guide put on Web site

By Michael Cass • THE TENNESSEAN • February 19, 2009 Top-dollar developers and homeowners planning for more square footage have a new place to go for all the relevant Metro rules, codes and deadlines. A new Metro government Web site provides a guide to the city's development and planning processes, making it easier to navigate what can be a confusing and intimidating world. "It's meant for everybody from the big builder to somebody putting a porch on the back of their house," said Craig Owensby, spokesman for the Metro Planning Department. The site at www.nashville.gov/ds offers a flow chart for builders to follow, from optional pre-application planning meeting through Metro Council approval, and on to the issuance of building permits. Current and proposed building codes are listed, too. The requirements of eight city departments, from Water Services to Public Works to the Nashville Fire Department, are posted as well. Skip Lawrence, a builder and developer with Lawrence Bros. LLC, said the site is "a welcome service, and a needed one." "For as long as we've been doing it, it's still confusing," Lawrence said. "Scheduling is always a trick. You can miss a submittal by a couple of days and be postponed by a couple of months." Mayor backs project Owensby said the site will evolve as city officials in the various departments get feedback from their customers. He said officials have recognized the need for such a site for a while, but Mayor Karl Dean's office pressed the issue. "As a government, we need to do all that we can to make it easier for companies and individuals to navigate the process for building and developing in our city and be involved as that process is changed," Dean said in a news release.

Mt. View Elementary students rock on

Rich Eckhardt jams the "Blues" with the students during Little Kids Rock at Mt. View Elementary School. SUBMITTED BY MARK HALE

Rich Eckhardt, guitarist for Toby Keith, participated in a Little Kids Rock event at Mt. View Elementary School.

Mark Hale, music teacher at the school, said that Rick met and played with 60 students in third through fifth grades. There was also a question and answer session. Little Kids Rock has provided Mt. View with free instruments. In Hale's room there are 70 acoustic guitars, 20 electric guitars and bass and four drum kits. The project teaches kids how to play pop, rock, reggae, funk, blues, rap and hip-hop music.

Students perform, compose and record their own music. More information can be found at: www.littlekidsrock.org.

ACT Prep Classes being offered

By Andy Humbles The Tennessean • February 11, 2009 The Hermitage Enrichment and Learning Program at 627 Shute Lane in Old Hickory behind the Kroger has scheduled ACT Prep Classes for the April 4 and June 13 test dates. At registration, students should plan to schedule a three-hour Practice Test prior to the first study session. Cost is $195. Classes are limited to 10 students. The schedule for the April 4 test date is: Session 1: General Test Taking Strategies — 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, or 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 2. Session 2: English and Reading — 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 7, or 5-8 p.m. Monday, March 9. Session 3: Math and Science — 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 14, or 5-8 p.m. Monday, March 16. Session 4: Review and Practice Test 2 — 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28 or 4-8:30 p.m. Monday, March 30. The schedule for the June 13 test date is: Session 1: General Test Taking Strategies — 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 9, or 5-7 p.m. Monday, May 11. Session 2: English and Reading — 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 16, or 5-8 p.m. Monday, May 18. Session 3: Math and Science — 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 30, or 5-8 p.m. Monday, June 1. Session 4: Review and Practice Test 2 — 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6, or 4-8:30 p.m. Monday, June 8. For more information, call 883-KIDS.

Obama delays digital TV

ASSOCIATED PRESS • February 12, 2009 WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has signed a bill to delay the switch to digital TV to June 12. Congress last week gave TV stations until June 12 to shut down their analog broadcasts to give viewers more time to prepare for the switch to digital signals. The change was to have taken effect next Tuesday. Obama says the June 12 date will give viewers more time to prepare. He says many would have been left in the dark otherwise. Money has run out for a federal fund that helps people without cable or satellite service pay for converter boxes they will need in order to keep watching their televisions. And there's a long waiting list for the coupons. Nearly 500 stations say they intend to go ahead with the switch on Tuesday and not wait until June.

Jobless benefit plan outdated

Program leaves over 5 million without aid By Christopher S. Rugaber • ASSOCIATED PRESS • February 7, 2009 WASHINGTON — The government safety net designed to protect laid-off workers from financial catastrophe is falling short, leaving nearly half the 11.6 million jobless Americans without unemployment benefits. The shortcomings are fueling the recession as an increasing number of workers fall through the cracks and curtail spending. The trend highlights what economists say is a growing need for a 21st-century makeover of a program started in the depths of the Great Depression. Among the key problem areas: • There are many more part-time workers now than in 1935, but the program covers only those looking for full-time work. • Many eligible jobless Americans are shut out because states use an outdated system for calculating their income, making it more difficult to meet requirements. • Unemployment spells increasingly last longer than the usual 26-week jobless benefits program. Jobless benefits essentially are mini-financial stimulus packages for struggling American families. Helping laid-off breadwinners continue to purchase goods and services until they find new jobs ultimately bolsters the economy and makes further layoffs less likely. About $27 billion of the economic stimulus package under consideration by Congress would be used to extend jobless benefits, which vary by state but average about $300 a week. That would cover roughly 3 million Americans through the end of 2009, according to the National Employment Law Project, an advocacy group. The stimulus bill also would provide $7 billion to the states to encourage them to cover part-time workers and more low-wage workers. These changes could extend benefits to 500,000 people, according to the law project. The package also would add $25 a week to jobless benefits in an effort to further boost recipients' ability to spend. More fundamental reforms are needed to address the system's underlying weaknesses, several economists said. Benefits run out Many of the 5.2 million unemployed Americans without jobless benefits have exhausted their 26 weeks of assistance. The program, funded by states through taxes levied on employers, has been no match for a recession that is frustrating the ambitions of even the most qualified job hunters. Paula Stein's $363 weekly benefits ran out last month. The former office manager from Goochland, Va., who missed several mortgage payments even before her benefits ended, has had to drain her savings and lean on her partner's $124-a-week unemployment check to help make ends meet. "It's a domino effect," said Stein, 57, who receives a small pension from IBM, where she was an accounts receivable supervisor. "If you don't have a job, it touches everything." Gus Faucher, director of macroeconomics at Moody's Economy.com, said if the government provided benefits to more workers, it would reduce the severity of the recession. Congress extended unemployment benefits twice last year, adding up to 33 weeks of coverage for individuals. Still, there were roughly 500,000 more unemployed Americans not receiving benefits in December than a year before. Before the emergency extensions, only about one-third of unemployed Americans were receiving benefits. The proportion of workers covered usually increases during recessions as Congress typically enacts extended benefits. Resources drained High demand — and insufficient funding — has made it difficult for many unemployment offices to keep up. Last month, online systems for requesting benefits in three states crashed under the crush of claimants. Other states, such as Michigan, have hired more workers to process the claims. At least six states have had to borrow money from the federal government to pay benefits. Beyond that, the economy has changed in significant ways since the jobless benefits system was first set up. In decades past, layoffs during recessions often were short-lived and workers eventually were rehired. Today, companies are more likely to eliminate jobs for good, either by shutting down plants or moving them abroad, according to a study by the Brookings Institution. The result: Unemployment spells tend to be longer as workers seek opportunities with new companies or even in new industries. Jeffrey Kling, an economist at the Brookings Institution, says more comprehensive reforms are needed. He believes the government should temporarily replace part of the income workers lose when they take lower-paying jobs after a layoff. Some conservative-leaning analysts say extending unemployment benefits is the wrong way to go. "It does reduce the pressure and incentive to go out and search for a new job," said James Sherk, a labor policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Many unemployed people disagree. "Nobody wants to sit on their butt and collect welfare," said Sherri McClendon, 57, who was laid off from a customer service job at a health insurance provider in January 2008. She has applied for roughly 200 jobs but is worried that her age will make it harder to find work, forcing her to go on welfare. "I'm in a category I've never experienced before."

It's a workday for Cupid in Metro

Clerk's office will provide licenses, weddings Feb. 14 By Michael Cass • THE TENNESSEAN • February 7, 2009 Love knows no bounds — not even a five-day government workweek. If you want to get married on Valentine's Day, the Davidson County Clerk's office will be ready for you, even with the romantic holiday falling on a Saturday this year. The clerk's office will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. a week from today, ready to help the betrothed — or the spontaneous, or the momentarily irrational — start the rest of their lives together, Clerk John Arriola announced. The clerk's office married more than 50 couples on Valentine's Day last year, when it was on a Thursday. For those who need a one-stop shop for fulfilling the legal requirements of tying the knot, Arriola and his staff will help with marriage licenses and wedding ceremonies in the "St. Valentine's Chapel of Love." A marriage license costs $39.50 with a premarital counseling certificate, and $99.50 without one. The celebration will include a reception with refreshments, a live DJ, photos and a commemorative Valentine's marriage certificate, according to a news release. One couple will win a two-night trip to Gatlinburg, and some of the proceeds from the day will be donated to St. Jude's Hospital. Arriola's office said appointments are recommended but not required. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 615-862-6256. The clerk's office is at 523 Mainstream Drive in MetroCenter.

Sleep support group forming at Summit

By Andy Humbles The Tennessean • January 30, 2009 Summit Medical Center will hold its first sleep support group meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 in Classroom A near the Visitor Lobby. Participation is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. The group’s purpose is to assist individuals or families about sleep disorders.Call 342-1919 for information.

Calendar: Best bets in Nashville

Events coming up in the Nashville area: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090201/COUNTY0103/902040333/1346/COUNTY

Crime Log January 23 through January 25

CRIME LOG These are the most serious calls handled by the Metro police, listed by time, crime reported and address. Some reports may be unfounded. Police calls are listed by police precinct or town. When police cannot immediately determine the location of a crime, the address given is that of the police station or hospital where the crime was reported. Jan. 25 Donelson 11:24 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3200 block Trails End Lane 1:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2700 block Elm Hill Pike Hermitage 2 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5000 block Bonnahill Drive South 2:03 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1900 block Nolensville Road 2:41 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1900 block Nolensville Road 3:50 p.m., residential burglary, 800 block Murfreesboro Pike Jan. 24 Donelson 6:47 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1100 block Airport Center Drive 9:55 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2700 block Elm Hill Pike 11:12 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2200 block Elm Hill Pike 3:42 p.m., residential burglary, 2700 block McCampbell Avenue Hermitage 7:30 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Pin Oak Drive 7:41 p.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Kermit Drive South 8:39 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1000 block Third Avenue South 2:41 p.m., residential burglary, 900 block Drummond Drive Jan. 23 Donelson 8:06 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2700 block Lebanon Pike 4:04 p.m., residential burglary, 2200 block Aubrey Court 5:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Crossfield Drive Hermitage 12:32 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 4700 block Old Hickory Boulevard 2:01 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 4800 block Lebanon Pike 6:33 p.m., holdup/robbery, at Lebanon Pike and Shute Lane 9:28 p.m., holdup/robbery, 30 block Lewis Street South 9:04 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 20 block Lafayette Street 10:14 a.m., residential burglary, 2000 block Stanford Village Drive 1:23 p.m., residential burglary, 10 block Claiborne Street 9:44 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2700 block Murfreesboro Pike

Free tax help eases the pain

Preparation centers get those in a bind bigger refundsBy Jenny Upchurch • THE TENNESSEAN • January 23, 2009

Brad Parnell helps prepare Oscar Pointer's taxes on Thursday. The Internal Revenue Service, United Way and other agencies have opened tax help sites in Davidson County and surrounding areas. SHELLEY MAYS / THE TENNESSEAN Comfort Johnson left the free tax preparation center in East Nashville with mission accomplished: Her 2008 federal income tax was complete, and she was expecting a larger-than-usual refund.

"I'm no longer working, so it's a big help," she said Thursday. "Especially at tax time, a lot of people are in a bind, and they're able to get themselves out of a bind with this." The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance center on Gallatin Pike is one of the first free tax prep centers opening this week in Davidson and surrounding counties for those who make less than $42,000. "If used wisely, a tax refund can make a huge difference for their family," said Rachel Freeze, who is coordinating the VITA program. One goal is to get the Earned Income Tax Credit for more who qualify. As many as a fourth of those eligible in Nashville don't file for the credit, Freeze said. Income limits have been raised so that those with two or more children can make as much as $41,646 and still qualify for the credit. Even more could be eligible this year, as household members have lost jobs or income. One is Johnson, who qualified this year for the Earned Income credit, boosting her refund by about $1,000. A family with two or more children can receive as much as $4,824 with the credit. And the credit is refundable, which means the taxpayer gets the full amount no matter how little tax is owed, said Dan Boone, spokesman for the IRS in Nashville. The IRS, United Way and 20 other community agencies and financial institutions are working with Freeze's Nashville Alliance for Financial Independence to run the centers through April 15. The centers will file returns electronically for free on the IRS Web site, and most refunds will come within 10 days. "We're expecting 2.8 million returns to be filed in Tennessee," Boone said, and probably 90 percent would qualify to file free on the IRS Web site because their adjusted gross income is less than $56,000. Yet few take advantage. Of the 1.89 million returns filed electronically in Tennessee last year, only 130,000 were on the free IRS site, Boone said. New Fillable Forms let higher-income taxpayers also e-file for free on the IRS Web site. Using these forms is much like filling out paper forms, without prompts to claim credits or deductions. But a taxpayer comfortable with completing the forms can do that online and then file, Boone said. With e-filing and direct deposit, taxpayers can expect to get refunds within seven to 10 days, Boone said. "If you're looking for an easy way to save money, e-filing would be it." Freeze urges lower-income taxpayers to use that route rather than paying a tax preparer and getting a refund anticipation loan. A full-time minimum-wage employee would need to work 34.5 hours to pay an average preparation fee of $150 and an average interest charge of $100, she said. Oscar Pointer has had his taxes done by a private company. But he came this year to the VITA center after seeing a flier at his job at Goodwill. "One reason is it is free," he said. In addition to helping prepare and file tax returns, the program offers Second Chance bank accounts for people who don't have an account to get refunds by direct deposit, Freeze said. The accounts through First State Bank can be set up at the tax center at the Nashville Child Center, 4115 Gallatin Pike.

School districts stress safety around buses

Wkrn Channel 2 School districts around the mid-south have set aside this week to raise awareness about incidents involving school buses and how to stay safe around buses. The school bus transportation system is the single largest public transportation system in the United States. In the state of Tennessee, over 600,000 students ride the bus every year. In terms of accidents in Davidson County, during the 2006-2007 school year, there were 172 school bus accidents. Davidson County has taken a new step this is year to try and cut down on the accidents. Bus monitors have been added to every special education school bus in the school system. News 2 spoke to one of the special education bus drivers to see how the effort has made an impact. Bus driver Angeline Spurlock said, "With the traffic now, and people that I see on cell phones, and so many people on the roads, our focus is safety." Spurlock says her bus monitor has acted like a very helpful extra set of eyes aboard her bus. She adds, "Drivers are really trying to pay attention to not get too close and to drive, and that gives her a chance to really focus in on what's behind me because I've got just a small mirror I am looking behind at." There are a few things you may not know about being around a school bus. The danger zone for a bus is described as the area 10 feet around the bus, and the most dangerous places are the front of the bus and the right rear tire area. The best thing to do is to try and stay 10 giant steps away from the bus whenever possible.

Metro agency will hand out more aid for energy bills

One Metro Nashville agency has already seen 3,590 families this year — a major spike over last year — requesting assistance with energy bills because of the tough economy and rising costs of food, gas and electricity. "We're seeing a lot more people, and it's likely to double over last year," said Lisa Gallon, spokeswoman for the Metro Action Commission, which helps low-income families. "We are seeing a lot of first-time customers in our agency who historically were able to handle those expenses." Her agency and others will split $80 million in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funding that just came to the state to help low-income families pay for rising energy costs. That's up from a $30 million grant last year. It's unknown how much Middle Tennessee and Metro's allocations will be, but officials say it needs to be substantial. On Oct. 1, a rate hike went into effect for customers of Nashville Electric Service and Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation. Nashvillians' monthly electric bills have increased 10 percent to 20 percent to cover the cost of coal and other fuels used to generate electricity, according to the Tennessee Valley Authority. It's a temporary adjustment that may go up or down in January. There were 5,993 Metro families who requested help with their energy bills last year, Gallon said. Statewide, 80,000 residents were served, according to the Department of Human Services. The state expects that figure to double, said Glenda Shearon, assistant commissioner for adult and family services in the department. "It's very good to get this news as it gets chilly," Shearon said. "And with electric bills going up, it works out that the funding was increased." Contact Chris Echegaray at 615-664-2144 or cechegaray@tennessean.com.

3 Workers Robbed At Gunpoint

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Metro police are looking for a man who robbed three restaurant workers at gunpoint overnight. The incident happened at Steaks Plus Pizza in south Nashville at Bell Road and Murfreesboro Road. The workers told police a man wearing a bandana over his face took money from the register and employees before running away.

Mayor Announces Anti-Foreclosure Grants

Channel 4 News NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Friday morning, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean was on hand to help announce anti-foreclosure grants for the mid-state. With the grants, eligible households may get up to $2,500 to be used for counseling, "rescue" funds or money toward plans to reduce losses. Eligible families are those whose income does not exceed $49,000 and who are only two payments behind on their mortgage. The household must also be willing to accept free financial counseling to be eligible to apply for part of the grant. The $200,000 anti-foreclosure grant was given to Nashville Friday by the Woodbine Community Organization.

Teach for America coming to Metro schools in 2009

By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • October 16, 2008 Teach for America will place 50 new college graduates in Metro classrooms next fall, providing an infusion of new teaching blood that Mayor Karl Dean and other education leaders hope will give the struggling school district new hope. Dean and Teach for America announced the decision to a roomful of Metro government and business leaders, including some who quickly raised $1 million to convince the New York-based organization to come to Nashville a year earlier than would have normally been possible. "We could not wait another year," Dean said. Teach for America recruits highly motivated college graduates, gives them intense training and puts them in struggling schools in return for a two-year commitment. The program started in 1990 and is in 29 other areas, including Memphis. It planned to put 30 teachers in Metro until Wednesday, when it decided to boost the total to 50 - a number that will be matched in 2010-11. Dean also announced the completion of a $1 million fund raising drive for the New Teacher Project, which will work to help Metro schools recruit teachers more effectively; the creation of a Community Foundation fund to help pay for his other education initiatives; and the appointment of Laura Hansen, the Metro school district's continuous improvement coordinator, to lead the mayor's initiatives. Hansen will start working in the mayor's office early next month. Contact Michael Cass at 259-8838 or mcass@tennessean.com.

Nashville sets early-vote record

Turnout is high, lines long in area counties By Jennifer Brooks • THE TENNESSEAN • October 16, 2008 Tennesseans flooded polling places across the state for the first day of early voting in the 2008 presidential election. Long lines snaked out the door at many polling places as voters waited their turn to vote. Nashville shattered all previous first-day turnout records, clocking some 16,710 votes on Wednesday. That was double the previous record set in 2004 when more than 8,000 voted on the first day. "This is my first time voting," said Micah Towry of Antioch, waiting in a line that snaked down the stacks at the Edmondson Pike Library. Like many voters, Towry read a book to pass the time during the 20-minute wait to vote. Towry said the economic crisis pushed him into the voting booth for the first time and pushed him to cast his first vote, which went to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. While Tennessee may be leaning red, Obama dominated the early voting scene. Crowds of volunteers waving Obama placards gathered outside many Middle Tennessee polling stations. Area polls stay busy Volunteers for both campaigns have put on aggressive pushes in Tennessee to register new voters and get them out to cast their ballots early. "There have been plenty of (John) McCain voters, but no McCain campaigners," said Marie McEntire, a member of the Democratic Women of Williamson County. She held an Obama sign outside the Williamson County Administrative Complex. By mid-morning, the line to get into the polling station was more than 50 people long. By late afternoon, the main polling station in Franklin reported 3,672 voters, with three hours of voting still to go. In Wilson County, election administrator Lynn Harris said poll workers had been so busy with the flood of early voters, they hadn't had time to count the votes yet. The state election commission will begin publishing daily early voting tallies later today. There were a lot of first-time voters in line on Wednesday, including E'Tasha Keeton, an 18-year-old freshman at Fisk University. "I think we're really in need of a change," said Keeton, who urged other young voters to "just vote. This time we can make a difference." Register for the first time Of the nearly 4 million registered voters in Tennessee, more than 360,000 — or 9 percent — have registered for the first time. As many as 300,000 Tennesseans registered to vote in the months leading up to the election, almost as many as in the record-breaking 2004 election, when 2.4 million Tennesseans turned out to the polls. Davidson County alone registered 49,000 new voters, according to county Election Administrator Ray Barrett. "This has been steady, all day long. There was a line when we opened the doors at 7 a.m.," Barrett said. In 2004, about 45 percent of the votes cast in the presidential election were cast during early voting. The early voting totals are expected to rise this year, Barrett said. Early voting continues through Oct. 30. For voters who have moved within the county recently, early voting is also the simplest way to vote and register their change of address. Election officials are bracing for another big turnout today, after voters have had a chance to take in Wednesday night's presidential debate. The historic nature of the election seems to be energizing voters enough to shrug off the slight inconvenience of a wait in line at the polling place. Nashville voter Brenda McKinney waited in line at the Edmondson Pike Library, then headed to Nashville to bring her uncle in to vote at election commission headquarters in the old Howard School building. "I'm feeling really good," she said. "I think my guy is going to win."

Gas dips below $3 at some area stations

WKRN (Channel 2 News) While it isn't the norm and you won't find it everywhere, gas prices have hit the sub $3 mark at some Middle Tennessee stations. According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular gas Monday morning was $3.38 a gallon, down from $3.43 a gallon Sunday. Jim Lott with AAA said, on average, gas is dropping five cents a gallon per day in Nashville. "The price of oil hit an all time high at $147 in July, but it was down to $81 a barrel [Monday] morning, so it's almost down 50%," he said. The average price for a gallon of unleaded in Tennessee is $3.20, two cents above the national average of $3.20 Lott said Nashville's prices pull up the state average. "I was talking to someone in Memphis and there are stations there with gas at $2.75 a gallon," he said. "If it goes below $3 a gallon, which it will, we'll be close to where we were a year ago [Monday]." Paul Kizer, owner of West Main Shell in Hendersonville, decided to drop his price below the $3 mark Monday morning for the first time in about a year. "It's been falling the last couple of weeks and I just thought [Monday] morning we're always higher than everyone else, I'm going to be the first under $3," he told News 2. Kizer said the price drop has brought in a number of customers and said shortly after he dropped the price, other stations nearby dropped their price to $3.05. One month ago the average price in Nashville was $3.76. A year ago it was $2.79 a gallon. Check the current averages, visit FuelGaugeReport.com.