Day in Corona: Tenn. Supreme Court resets again, orders jail populations reduced

A few weeks ago, the Tennessee Supreme Court suspended in-person court hearings until March 31. On March 25, the high court issued an order extending the suspension of most in-person judicial proceedings through April 30.

Locally Rutherford County courts have been observing the 10-day rule through teleconference between the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center and the Judicial Center. They've done this for years, but expanded the program to keep a "social distance" between the inmates and judicial system.

The 10-day rule requires arrestees be given a preliminary hearing where charges are read and guilt declared within 10 days of arrest.

Otherwise, The Supreme Court's order also tells judges to take no action on cases involving eviction, ejectment, or displacement except in exceptional circumstances; includes alternatives for notarizing documents; slightly modifies the list of exceptions to the suspension of in-person hearings; and clarifies that courthouses in Tennessee should remain open for essential hearings and filings, even if some entrances are closed or an appointment must be made to enter.

It also orders the presiding judge in each judicial district to submit a plan for a reduction in the local jail population. Judges had previously been directed to work with local law enforcement, prosecutors, and public defenders to review their local jail populations and make reductions when possible.

"Reduction in local jail populations is a critical component in controlling the spread of COVID-19," Chief Justice Bivins said. "There are low-risk, non-violent offenders who can safely be released and supervised by other means to reduce local jail populations. Judges, law enforcement, and attorneys must work together to identify and create an action plan to address this issue."

Stop flushing your wipes and paper towels

I know you ran out and bought a year's worth of flushable wipes to help you get through the next three weeks of "social distancing," but I have something to tell you.

Flushable wipes are not flushable.

And your social distance with a plumber will be at zero if you don't stop flushing your prized wipes.

Do you know what else isn't flushable? Paper towels, disinfectant wipes, wet wipes, baby wipes, paper towels, and other disposable products.

Disposable does not equal flushable.

These products simply do not dissolve like toilet paper does. That's why they clog your pipes and the pumps of the sewer system.

"We’ve had technicians working long hours on our Thompson Lane station trying to unclog the pumps before they cause an overflow upstream. It’s important for the public to properly dispose of these items as solid waste," said Jimmy Stacey, Wastewater Operations Manager.

"Overflow upstream" means those wipes and whatever you wiped off could come back into your house.

Do you want the plumber coming to your house to clean up the backflow?

If the answer is no, then put the wipes in a trash can instead of the toilet.

RuCo gets grant to help battle pandemic

According to Fox17, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Tennessee over $2 million to help fight against COVID-19.

The Rutherford County Primary Care Clinic will get $63,794 to address screening and testing needs, acquire medical supplies, and expand telehealth capacity.

The funds are part of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act which distributes $100 million for Health Resources and Services Administration health centers.

The grants will be distributed to health centers in Nashville, Franklin, Columbia, Cookeville and others 

COVID-19 Reported Cases in Tennessee

In Tennessee, 53 COVID-19 pateints are hospitalized.

To donate masks, email COVID.PPEDONATIONS@tn.gov or check TEMA's site for private sector PPE donations.

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 25: