[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6168994,"mediaKeyId","5405406-9028a9e4da76bc0f8ec5046c0bdc8e0c","parentId",5405406,"title","Sheriff: FCC phone‑rate rule suspended; jail returns to existing contract; GED pass rates climb","audioSeconds",268,"startMs",3066000,"endMs",3334000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5405406-9028a9e4da76bc0f8ec5046c0bdc8e0c&start=3066&end=3334","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5405406-9028a9e4da76bc0f8ec5046c0bdc8e0c/thumbnail_3066000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6168994/Bedford-County/Tennessee/Sheriff-FCC-phonerate-rule-suspended-jail-returns-to-existing-contract-GED-pass-rates-climb","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168994-e3fcbddb5ecf5a0db5ab12ead0d6469e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770566398&Signature=Xocsz5VqV1mb8I51qgJJHiQpA4fcoZO8HpmLvHRWZ1i0hBEpEe5BTSkgEQl5JhNt9Y5cm9W~ClvLLaA02vyHaYDZauO~CQNxbWcKbS1cB7YcDor9KwNttjRXHM-4WdDQztE9xdCAAxTs6dWMgANPwrBZvkeaFfv7rr-x0-UHC5OiHti7tyJyJbwoDiY7kvsDcX5ND0xQeJw~jaYLM~uCE6pVJZioxlDlNe-lKmoUqj9Jlc6uuaUJSoOf24PXH8b2SOHZNof~okR9i0bKndm8vdhze6zS~GfLQ9H5Cb3ezJkfDnhiwJEyUyfxRY1Bj2ukpDaW0VzS7hZPxDcRLP-bRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bedford County, TN","date","2025-07-16T11:52:15Z","article","Bedford County law‑enforcement officials told the Public Safety Committee that an FCC order that would have reduced inmate phone rates and removed services from the vendor was suspended before it took effect, leaving the county's existing phone contract unchanged.
The sheriff said the FCC suspension meant the county will not immediately pay for investigative tools that would otherwise have been removed from the phone contract; commissioners were told negotiations had been ongoing but the ruling's suspension left the status quo in place.
Officials also provided financial context for the jail: state inmate housing payment was about $2 million for the year, other county housing produced another $100,000–$200,000, and phone and commissary revenue contributed roughly $200,000. Jail leaders said housing state inmates locally supports programming and can produce cost savings compared to sending inmates to state prison.
Separately, jail staff reported a sharp improvement in GED test results. A jail official said recent testing showed eight of nine inmates passed the GED in one recent test cycle, a marked improvement over earlier months. Officials said they will investigate why pass rates improved and continue offering education and rehabilitation programs.
No committee action was required on the phone contract update; the information was provided as a status report.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Standing Committee Meetings - July 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The sheriff told a public safety committee the FCC ruling that would have lowered inmate phone commissions was suspended, preserving the county's existing phone contract and associated services. Jail officials also reported higher GED pass rates and discussed inmate housing revenue.","taxTitle","Bedford County, Tennessee","taxId",28224,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6168999,"County signs $100,000 broadband‑ready grant as fiber buildout reaches 11,000 homes in eastern Bedford County",487,4344000,4831000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5405406-9028a9e4da76bc0f8ec5046c0bdc8e0c&start=4344&end=4831","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5405406-9028a9e4da76bc0f8ec5046c0bdc8e0c/thumbnail_4344000.jpg","/articles/6168999/Bedford-County/Tennessee/County-signs-100000-broadbandready-grant-as-fiber-buildout-reaches-11000-homes-in-eastern-Bedford-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168999-e1885bfefaa71e0022e00c7c9c01d91a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770566398&Signature=FrPJD4EejB493hkf2L8HtXke4t1f5YTKxY3wBXbjEpLi6XXlVbU7hGfq8Ny8sCjAlegx19ryWrVNzLT1~6ayGPL8TmLyTuuBUKfXup5i-Doal0pqnJvbEHUJpUWXNbZX-7eHM7ueM9n8xsnk7MGvOvJj4pwIoa~aNlDL2X2xHO7FqaIz7lAbGltu10s1mWgDQdwu6RFmpRGT7M4zo2GWrznKGvyzl0QH4ruj~8lZ901lxbG3GXMpet1i7v9uOsgOzlMtpJr77PqaCaTHdy30okUoOoSATKxFqZC4EewSanWGQAoByawLB7xEhuzylAin15SZmKd54mqw7xR7xOvJTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bedford County officials reported that United Communications has built fiber service to more than 11,000 homes and completed roughly 100 miles of new high‑speed fiber in eastern parts of the county, and that the county signed a $100,000 broadband‑ready grant to fund digital‑equity projects.
At the meeting, a county leader said United Communications completed 100 miles of fiber last month in and around Wartrace, Normandy and Normandy Lake and that 8G fiber Internet service had been extended to more than 11,000 homes in the county. The county also signed a $100,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development designed to support telehealth, workforce development and other digital‑equity initiatives.
Planned projects cited in the grant application include telehealth expansion at the Bedford County Veterans Center and the community clinic, workforce and job‑readiness training for local residents, outreach at the UT Extension office to provide farmers with dedicated digital access, and support for the county's Connect Bedford broadband initiative. County officials said the grant will support underserved residents, including veterans and low‑income households, and that contract work on project rollout would begin with an interagency meeting to plan final distribution of funds.
Speakers at the meeting thanked state leadership and local partners for funding and support; county staff said next steps include finalizing distribution plans and meeting with program partners.","County officials said United Communications has completed major fiber buildout in eastern Bedford County and that the county signed a $100,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to advance telehealth, workforce and digital equity projects.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169004,"County staff: suspected illegal slaughterhouse operations have ceased; neighbors say animals removed",93,1484000,1577000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5405406-9028a9e4da76bc0f8ec5046c0bdc8e0c&start=1484&end=1577","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5405406-9028a9e4da76bc0f8ec5046c0bdc8e0c/thumbnail_1484000.jpg","/articles/6169004/Bedford-County/Tennessee/County-staff-suspected-illegal-slaughterhouse-operations-have-ceased-neighbors-say-animals-removed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169004-5ee7b19037ed392347c738a50611c3b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770566398&Signature=MpkWvXKRQHBCL0WaFC4q06QJcYmW6wN3t3GlXo1nB5psCD1FtCCL92xMQtMNhT0Hn~rgBnJcA-qTNblN~ijikBPsUeySJOkaXHzz3GWinBjODcQ7a4dXL6GNIfcRM720W~Hd-JKmtzRn0VgcldX60vhD5Qb5ibHCdb0~sedh5qmcUUxG7SvBCBcI7MRvbjKZ3ldnVZOuX4MeKZw6Cn7oi6SbhOS4xFFVC6xo5rD4pUQNPs1-8wQzTtVteCgRTlO17l9~1V2dQ3YCxH5DyZE4v8XB5GIsUN3HFH1nf8fUU6ERSp7WxGvVfxVaMb5xrgu3Q2cLuzG12hZYgVULoE4g5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff told commissioners the slaughterhouse that drew complaints has ceased operations and that livestock previously on the property were removed.
Nikia, a county staff member present at the meeting, said neighbors and state coordinators reported that all stock had been picked up and that the property no longer showed animal activity. Nikia said staff and county contacts had seen pictures of dead animals earlier and that USDA and state agencies had been involved in disposal and investigation.
Commissioners discussed zoning compliance because a commercial slaughterhouse requires zoning approval. County staff said that if operations resume out of compliance, the county would need to address the matter under zoning enforcement procedures.
The committee treated the item as an update; no formal action or new enforcement order was recorded at the meeting.","Officials and neighbors reported that animals were removed from a slaughterhouse site and operations have stopped; the county noted zoning concerns and involvement by state and USDA authorities during the investigation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169009,"Commissioners send code‑of‑appeals update to full commission after staff explains name change to include fire code",326,1677000,2003000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5405406-9028a9e4da76bc0f8ec5046c0bdc8e0c&start=1677&end=2003","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5405406-9028a9e4da76bc0f8ec5046c0bdc8e0c/thumbnail_1677000.jpg","/articles/6169009/Bedford-County/Tennessee/Commissioners-send-codeofappeals-update-to-full-commission-after-staff-explains-name-change-to-include-fire-code","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169009-5949d1d194328e3f8a0de418ff62f16a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770566398&Signature=LHtSgWXeKaSANEuxe17UrRfjrKFsNxcl5X9HYGrxSUIrT7YkGClHCsBxMdwMDJoMblf~V0ObJJlEcf2eKLeYOK4SeeQMwJfDLQ1BsVYlx7y90jhGpDQG4A~Swc0ffN77bhmEsWopxhqnwhcVWMToJ6EFry16WuRRdXhCRAcctGBoATRR~rc6uqwDD00OUMbX3QBjE8TqdJAhVPHCh-f2NNyr2WWyj6YmUEzjd1rbTLMPJl68xc2-WLHN6ZoVp0xj0-~iU0rT73YoNf24GATPkNNBlqPeSOTAIe5-Wz7zCMU-VvkjEoby0C5D~RgsAQxgiBujGaNEU1jwVNsBGbVfaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bedford County commissioners voted to send a resolution to the full commission that would rename the existing Building Code of Appeals to the Code of Appeals so it will cover both the adopted Building Code and the newly adopted Fire Code.
County staff told the committee the change is largely housekeeping: the board was established in February 2007 and already hears appeals and provides recommendations on matters such as permit fees and school facilities tax collection. The resolution would not add new authority or transfer responsibilities from another body, staff said.
A commissioner asked whether the updated board would affect collection of the school facilities tax or shift powers from other bodies; staff replied it would not. A member of the board said the panel has met infrequently and that no new powers are being created, only the name and scope are being updated to comply with the fire code's requirement for an appeals board.
The committee voted to forward the resolution for placement on the August commission agenda.","A resolution to rename the county Building Code of Appeals to the Code of Appeals to cover both building and newly adopted fire codes was sent to the commission with staff explaining the change involves no new authority and updates a 2007 board to include fire code appeals.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169014,"Commissioners delay targeted spay‑and‑neuter resolution after hours of public comment",2330,2006000,4336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5405406-9028a9e4da76bc0f8ec5046c0bdc8e0c&start=2006&end=4336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5405406-9028a9e4da76bc0f8ec5046c0bdc8e0c/thumbnail_2006000.jpg","/articles/6169014/Bedford-County/Tennessee/Commissioners-delay-targeted-spayandneuter-resolution-after-hours-of-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169014-cc12e1193a53416715da898bcd25d057/orig.mp4?Expires=1770566398&Signature=WkllDoxeqlWQBDRPxx7BjKWucY7QH3wz-rFyFYQ~yYcc3Px4F-~9ryTpQoK8zgD1mPTwn7EJOOWey7edwOkShEduwMv3xuNC~fkfDuhAz4fQy9KsGDv46e3EuVvaWXzV~5SkfN6N0DBZim0qvsSp9qeuBWqnuYc--A7stxAK96gyDLu~eK~wiR-j9z-NP3syWCzDguvmkTuCIoVCLjzTUluxbVwIP5-jh2V-Vug4FCZsneP84sqGxCdrndRZDFxVpZ7X5D9zuxUd5F8I0lrF1wTVZa6rIFe6FfPCMqSqNUxHMT8wiM98Fr2pQqmz6PJQARif9xk2jF0ZixqDX7qwCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bedford County commissioners on Tuesday heard hours of public comment on a proposed targeted spay‑and‑neuter resolution and voted to roll the item to next month so staff, rescuers and commissioners can develop a study group and draft implementation steps.
The proposal under discussion would require animals picked up for running at large or chronically tethered outdoors to be altered within 90 days or face fines, with exemptions for hunting dogs and animals with a veterinarian note. Proponents said targeted enforcement could reduce shelter intake and taxpayer spending; animal control staff said the department lacks capacity and resources to implement the plan as written.
Donna Clanton, of New Destiny Dog Rescue, told the committee she supports a targeted approach and a fee option for owners who choose not to alter pets. \"This problem is not going away and we need a humane way to address it,\" she said. Savannah, of Better Days Dog Rescue, told commissioners that pit bulls and pit‑mixes make up more than 60% of local shelter intake and argued targeted action could cut intake and costs: \"We have the chance to save lives, reduce shelter crowding, and use taxpayer funds more effectively.\"
Under the draft language discussed, an owner whose animal is cited for running at large could be cited for the ordinance and given 90 days to have the animal altered; the penalty language in the draft cited a $50 fine with a possible upper limit up to $500 on repeated offenses. The draft would apply to cats as well as dogs and was modeled in part on recently adopted measures in other Tennessee counties, including Blount County; commissioners also heard that Williamson County enforces similar requirements under its running‑at‑large code.
Animal control staff cautioned that the county's current facility and workforce are at capacity. \"We are not in a position to implement this document as it sits today,\" an animal control official said, describing staffing, facility and operational limits and warning that the department is already running at maximum capacity. Staff and other officials raised concerns that citations and additional enforcement would create court and administrative work that the county must be prepared to handle.
Several commissioners urged a deliberative approach that would include animal control, rescuers, veterinarians and rural stakeholders such as the Farm Bureau. Commissioner Epperson sponsored the draft and said she wanted a transparent process that includes rescue groups and other community members. The commission voted on a motion to delay the matter for one month and asked Commissioner Epperson to return with a draft process and plan for a working group; the motion passed on a voice vote.
What happens next: commissioners asked staff to organize stakeholder meetings, include municipal partners and rural representatives, and report back with a proposed study group membership and a timetable. No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; the item will return to the commission agenda next month for further action.","Bedford County commissioners heard hours of public comment and testimony from animal rescuers and county staff on a proposed targeted spay‑and‑neuter provision tied to running‑at‑large citations, then voted to delay action for one month and create a broader working group to study implementation and resource needs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sheriff: FCC phone‑rate rule suspended; jail returns to existing contract; GED pass rates climb

County signs $100,000 broadband‑ready grant as fiber buildout reaches 11,000 homes in eastern Bedford County

County staff: suspected illegal slaughterhouse operations have ceased; neighbors say animals removed

Commissioners send code‑of‑appeals update to full commission after staff explains name change to include fire code

Commissioners delay targeted spay‑and‑neuter resolution after hours of public comment