Latest news with #HonorAir
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Blount County launches Tennessee Safe Baby Court program
BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — A new initiative launching in Blount County is aimed at protecting children ages 0 to 3. The Tennessee Safe Baby Court program began in 2017 and has now expanded to Blount County. 'Children are their most vulnerable and most resilient at this age, so if children are removed from their home into the child welfare system at this age, the long-term effects of that trauma are significant,' Blount County Juvenile Court Judge Kenlyn Foster said. Those effects can vary depending on each child. Where is the line between murder and self-defense? Lawyer explains 'That long-term trauma results in greater incidents of mental health conditions, substance abuse disorders, higher drop out rates among that population as well as more involvement in the juvenile justice system and in the criminal justice system,' Foster said. The program is focused on children ages 0 to 3 who are involved in the child welfare system. 'The purpose of Safe Baby Courts is to have a highly focused, multi-disciplinary team that has court involvement and oversight,' Foster said. 'We bring these families in very frequently to look at what's going on in the family and we wrap the family with lots of support.' Foster believes this program will help the next generation. 'We have such a high rate of neo-natal absence syndrome, babies and fetal alcohol syndrome,' Judge Foster said. 'We see a lot of involvement with opioids. We see a lot of involvement with housing instability just people who are really struggling.' 'It's wonderful' HonorAir takes more East TN veterans to war memorials Debby Skyler, the Family Resource Director for Maryville City Schools, attended the training and echoes Foster. 'We need to start with the early ones and whatever we can do to influence and impact them we need to do,' Skyler said. 'Whether it be safe places for them to live, figuring out what they need educationally, because we do have preschool programs and we do identify children from 3 years and up.' 6 News was told studies show this program can decrease the amount of time a child is in foster care and connect families to services they need. 'I know how important it is that we have input into children's lives and so whatever we can do to make lives safer and remove any barriers for those children is what we want to do,' Skyler said. READ: More top stories on There is another training on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Maryville. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘It's wonderful' HonorAir takes more East TN veterans to war memorials
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — HonorAir Knoxville began its 36th flight Wednesday, carrying 131 East Tennessee veterans to Washington D.C. to see the memorials honoring their sacrifice. The flight departed from McGhee-Tyson Airport Wednesday morning, and it is scheduled to return around 7:40 p.m. Since 2007, HonorAir has served over 4,400 East Tennessee veterans. 'Unleash American energy' Tennessee Valley Authority reviews coal plans following Trump's executive orders 6 News joined the veterans at the airport for the sendoff ceremony where reporters spoke to some of the veterans. 'I've never gone, and I've always wanted to,' said George Hanlon, a United States Army veteran who served in Vietnam. He hopes to be able to participate again in the future. He explained that it was 'wonderful' to see people doing so much to support veterans, saying, 'We didn't have that when I came home. We were mistreated terribly when we came home. It was not uncommon to get into a street fight if they saw you walking down the street in your uniform.' Pigeon Forge police warn visitors ahead of 2025 Spring Rod Run He added, 'I really want people to know that we really appreciate what you all are doing.' Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs spoke at the event thanking everyone who had served and thanking HonorAir who flew his own father, a 21-year-veteran. There will be another celebration when the flight returns Wednesday evening. 'When we return home and our veterans see all the flags, patriotic balloons and people lined up to welcome them, they are incredibly touched that people care about the sacrifices they made for their country,' said Eddie Mannis, Chairman of HonorAir. Veterans Voices: Hear the stories of those who served For their previous flight, HonorAir carried 141 women who served in the armed forces, one of whom described it as the 'best trip' of her life. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
