Dave Foulk

Here is the information for the gun safety classes through the Knox County Sheriff’s Office:

The classes will be offered on October 9th, 16th, November 6th, 20th, and December 4th, 11th, and 18th.  These are all Saturdays, and they go from 9 am- 7 pm.  The cost is traditionally $85.00, but through this effort there will be a $20.00 discount, so it will be $65.00.  The contact person for this class is Sgt. Larry Herron at 659-6451.

From The Knox County Health Department:

More West Nile Virus Found in East Knox County

Milligan Street Area Spraying Scheduled for Sunday Night

It’s summertime and the skeeters are busy. Knox County Health Department (KCHD) has received another lab report confirming the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in mosquitoes in the Milligan Street area of East Knox County near the zoo. Following national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocol, the affected area will be sprayed to reduce the mosquito population and the risk of further WNV spread.

Spraying is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 22 from 9 p.m. to midnight. Follow up spraying will be on Sunday, Sept. 5. Signs will be erected in the affected area to alert residents, who are asked to stay inside during spraying. Public health officials will work with the zoo to assist in spraying their property.

“We monitor this site closely because it has an area of standing water which has tested positive for the last few years,” said Ronnie Nease, KCHD director of Environmental Health. “In fact, it was almost exactly a year ago when we sprayed last year.”

A bug's-eye view

Spraying will occur in the area bordered by the eastern end of North Cherry Street, north of East Magnolia Avenue, west of Prosser Road, south of Kenilworth Lane, east of North Park Boulevard and south of Cecil Avenue. A map is enclosed for your reference.

To address the public health concerns caused by mosquitoes, KCHD conducts a mosquito control program during the summer months. Every year, as the weather begins to warm, public health professionals begin trapping mosquitoes around the county, testing batches weekly for West Nile Virus. WNV affected areas are sprayed with an approved mist when needed to reduce the mosquito population. Application is recommended between the hours of 9 p.m. to midnight when mosquitoes are most active. From early in the spring until the first frost, larvicides also are used in areas with standing water to prevent mosquito proliferation.

TIPS FOR CONTROLLING MOSQUITOES

Eliminating breeding areas is an important factor in controlling the mosquito population. KCHD urges the public to reduce breeding sites around their homes by following these tips:

· Dispose of, regularly empty, or turn over any water holding containers on your property such as tires, cans, flowerpots, or trashcans.

· Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors.

· Make sure roof gutters drain properly and water doesn’t stand in them.

· Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week.

· Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.

· Keep swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs clean and properly chlorinated;

· Remove standing water from pool covers.

TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESS

It also is important for residents to take necessary precautions against West Nile Virus during outside activity, either by proper clothing or insect repellant. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to keep mosquitoes from biting you. During mosquito season (generally April through October), take the following precautions:

· Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, if possible, since this is the time of greatest mosquito activity.

· If you are outside when mosquitoes are prevalent, wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks.

· Use a mosquito repellant that contains DEET (the chemical N-N-diethyl-meta-toluamide); and

· Follow the directions on the label. If you are concerned about using repellent products on children you may wish to consult a health care provider for advice or contact the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) through their toll-free number at 1-800-858-7378 or npic.orst.edu.

More information on the mosquito control program and the treatment schedule are available by calling 215-5200 or online at http://knoxcounty.org/health/vector_mosquito_control.php. KCHD also provides the West Nile Virus Fact Sheet and the Public Health Fact Sheet discussing insect bites and repellents. All informational materials may be reproduced and distributed as needed. A Mosquito Control technician is available to discuss mosquito control at community groups or neighborhood association meetings.

KCHD is committed to promoting public health policies and practices that safeguard and improve quality of life for all residents. KCHD offers an array of resources, including medical and dental services, family planning, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, air quality management, environmental services, food preparation oversight in public places, special nutritional programs for women with children and much more. For more information, visit www.knoxcounty.org/health. Information on flu is available at www.knoxcounty.org/flu.

I had one taken from me in the fifth grade. Also had one taken from me in the sixth grade.

I’m sure some of you have been presented “Fast Driver Awards” during your travels around Tennessee.  But I’m sure this guy has you beat with his speeding fine.

Friday August 13
Midway IGA
7345 Tazewell Pike, Corryton
11 – 5

Saturday August 14
Kroger
4409 Chapman Hwy, Knoxville
8:30 – noon

Kroger
380 S. Illinois Ave, Oak Ridge
1 – 4:30
Sunday August 15
Kroger
244 S. Hall Rd, Alcoa
8:30 – noon

Kroger
220 Wears Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge
1 – 4:30

Wednesday August 18
Food City Race Night
Expo Center, Knoxville, TN
4 – 8:30

When is your personality set for life?  It could be far earlier than you think.

This is from The Knox County Health Department. No need to panic, but if you have had contact with a bat, be aware:

Knox County Health Department Advisory: Rabid Bat

Knoxville, Tenn. — The Knox County Health Department (KCHD) has determined that a bat found in a courtyard area between the Boling Pavilion and Graduate School of Medicine building on the campus of the University of Tennessee Medical Center on Saturday, July 24, 2010, had rabies.

No human exposures have been reported. However, if you were in the above referenced location prior to 5 p.m. that day and had contact with a bat, please call Knox County Health Department at 865-215-5555 to see if you may need rabies post-exposure vaccine.

According to Dr. Martha Buchanan, Director of KCHD, “This is important, but people do not need to rush to the doctor. If you believe you were exposed, call our hotline today or tomorrow and KCHD personnel will address your concerns and advise you how to proceed.”

The hotline will be open until 4:30 p.m. today and from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Rabies virus causes a fatal illness but can be prevented through vaccination. Bats are known to carry rabies and can infect humans, most commonly through a bite. Scratches or contact with saliva or central nervous tissue or fluids from the bat are also possible ways to become infected. Types of bat exposure that do not pose a risk of rabies include being close to or seeing a bat without coming in contact with it.

Knox County Health Department is committed to promoting public health policies and practices to safeguard and improve quality of life for all residents. KCHD offers an array of resources, including medical and dental services, family planning, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, air quality management, environmental services, food preparation oversight in public places, smoking cessation, family violence prevention, worksite wellness, nutritional programs and much more. For more information about Knox County Health Department, visit knoxcounty.org/health.