Some parents have questions about Tennessee's Child Restraint Law regarding transportation of children in a vehicle.  The law appears below as taken from the Tennessee state website.

• Children under one (1) year of age, or any child, weighing twenty (20) pounds or less, must be secured in a child passenger restraint system in a rear facing position, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards, in a rear seat, if available, or according to the child safety restraint system or vehicle manufacturer's instructions. (Note: If the child safety seat has a higher rear-facing weight rating, usually 30 or 35 pounds, it may be continued to be used in a rear-facing position so long as the child's weight permits. Check the manufacturers instructions accompanying the child safety seat for more information.)

 Read more by clicking the link.

Sheriff Ruth's weekly article..

The popular CBS “Bluebloods” series depicts three generations of New York City policemen. For generations the sons and daughters of New York City policemen and firefighters have followed their fathers in their careers. It is a family tradition with many people.

As I thought on this I realized that has been a tradition here, as well. My own son, Matthew became a Cleveland Police Department officer about 11 years ago. Cleveland Police Chief Wes Snyder’s father, Bernard Snyder, retired from law enforcement after about 33 years as the Chief of Police.

Sheriff Jim Ruth holds a DARE tee shirt that is given to fifth grade students in the Bradley County School System completing the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program.  Classes are taught by school resource officers who are certified to provide instruction. The shirts are purchased with funds in the county's drug fund, which receives monies from drug fines and forefeitures and sales of property seizures.   

Pictured are (left to right) Sgt. Russ Henry, Sheriff Ruth, Sgt. Tim Mason, and Det. Capt. Brian Quinn, who supervises criminal investigations and the drug unit.

Prospect Elementary School fifth grade classes are the latest to graduate from the DARE program.  Pictured above are students judged to have submitted the best essays on “What I Learned in DARE.”  The best essay from each class is chosen for the student to read at the graduation ceremony which concludes the 10-week program. Left to right – front row Trinity Diaz, Kaitlyn Goodman, Lauren Brownfield, School Resource Officer David Michaels and Principal Steve Montgomery.  In back is Lt. Julie Quinn of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office.