Tennessee Airports Get Over $429,000 in Grants

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) -- A total of $429,570 in state aeronautics grants have been approved for five Tennessee airports.

The grants have been approved for the following airports: Cleveland Municipal Airport ($73,125); Greeneville-Greene County Municipal Airport ($88,695); Henry County Airport ($36,000); Maury County Regional Airport ($76,500) and Winchester Municipal Airport ($155,250).

The grants are made available through the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division, which administers federal and state funding to assist with the location, design, construction and maintenance of the state's public aviation system.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Flash Flood Warning for Parts of Tennessee, Va.

(KNOXVILLE, Tenn.) -- A flash flood watch has been placed on east Tennessee and southwest Virginia until Tuesday evening.

As Tropical Storm Lee disintegrated over the Southeast, Tennessee has been subjected to heavy rainfull and thunderstorms. The Tennessee Valley is expected to receive between two to four inches, while the southern part of the state could receive between five and seven inches.

Affected rivers may rise above flood level, the National Weather Service says.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Volunteer Firefighters on the Decline

(PLEASANT VIEW, Tenn.) -- Tennessee fire officials say recruitment has decreased and volunteer efforts have leveled off despite an increase in emergency calls, according to a report in The Tennessean.

Departments throughout the state rely heavily on volunteers with nearly 70 percent of Tennessee's firefighters comprised of such. Young people have long been the most coveted target of fire departments and even they have become increasingly hard to attract.

“Now with everyone going to college and people working out of town, and the generation we’re in, it’s a tough thing to work with,” P.J. Duncan, assistant chief for the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department told The Tennessean. “The recruit rate is low. The retention rate is lower.”

With staff getting older and volunteer numbers leveling off, officials say they are unsure how to reverse the downward trend.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Football Fans Warned of Ticket Scams

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) -- As both the NFL and college football seasons get underway, Consumer Affairs is warning football fans to be wary of scammers when purchasing game tickets from alternative sources.

"If you plan to buy tickets online or from someone selling tickets at the event, please take the time to make sure you are dealing with a legitimate seller," Consumer Affairs Director Gary Cordell said in a statement. "Taking the time to ask for pictures of the tickets you plan to purchase or inspecting a scalper’s ticket for any inaccuracies can help you to avoid handing your hard-earned money over to scammers looking to make a quick dollar."

Other tips for fans include:

• The reason tickets are expensive is that they are hard to get. The chances of you finding a deal are slim.
• If a seller asks that you wire money to receive the tickets, this is a red flag. Never wire money.
• Research the company policy for customer satisfaction and what happens if tickets are fake or not as advertised

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Proposed New State Scholarship Requirements Could Exclude Thousands

(OAK RIDGE, Tenn.) -- Students may find it tougher to attend college or university in Tennessee if new proposals for the HOPE scholarship are implemented.

According to a report by ABC News affiliate WATE-TV demand for lottery scholarships are increasing while incoming finances remain static, which may result in program funding running out.

Under one proposal, ACT scores would be removed as a qualification for the program, eliminating an estimated 15 percent of students in the state. Other proposals being considered include raising the GPA and ACT requirements.

The new proposals could affect thousands of students who attend or plan to attend community colleges, as a majority qualify for the scholarship due to ACT scores rather than the required 3.0 GPA. The Senate Lottery Stabilization Task Force will make a recommendation by a December 1 deadline.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio