The March 17 deadline for entry into the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency 2025-26 photo contest for publication in the Tennessee Wildlife annual calendar is quickly approaching. All interested photographers are invited to submit up to 10 of their best photos on wildlife species native to the Volunteer State. Hunting, fishing, and boating photos are also welcome.

The selected winning entries will appear in the 2025-26 calendar which is formatted August through July to allow hunting season dates to be included. If a photo is selected for the calendar edition, the photographer will receive a $60 cash prize. All photos submitted in the contest will be retained on file with the agency and will be considered for use in other TWRA publications, license cards, website, and other media.

Photos must be horizontal (landscape), in JPEG format, sized to print no smaller than 8 ½ x 11 inches, and resolution should be at least 300 pixels/inch. Visit tnwildlife.org and click the calendar contest button to submit an entry.

Tennessee Wildlife is the official magazine for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Subscription rates are $10 for one year, $17 for two years and $25 for three years. Visit gooutdoorstennessee.com to subscribe.

The Social Security Administration announced it is immediately beginning to pay retroactive benefits and will increase monthly benefit payments to people whose benefits have been affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits for over 3.2 million people who receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security (a “non-covered pension”) because they did not pay Social Security taxes. The Social Security Fairness Act ends WEP and GPO.

“Social Security’s aggressive schedule to start issuing retroactive payments in February and increase monthly benefit payments beginning in April supports President Trump’s priority to implement the Social Security Fairness Act as quickly as possible,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “The agency’s original estimate of taking a year or more now will only apply to complex cases that cannot be processed by automation. The American people deserve to get their due benefits as quickly as possible.”

People who will benefit from the new law include some teachers, firefighters, and police officers in many states; federal employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System; and people whose work had been covered by a foreign social security system.

Many beneficiaries will be due a retroactive payment because the WEP and GPO offset no longer apply as of January 2024. Most people will receive their one-time retroactive payment by the end of March, which will be deposited into their bank account on record with Social Security.

Many of these people will also receive higher monthly benefits, which will first be reflected in the benefit payment they receive in April. Depending on factors such as the type of Social Security benefit received and the amount of the person’s pension, the change in payment amount will vary from person to person.

Anyone whose monthly benefit is adjusted, or who will get a retroactive payment, will receive a mailed notice from Social Security explaining the benefit change or retroactive payment. Most people will receive their retroactive payment two to three weeks before they receive their notice in the mail, because the President understands how important it is to pay people what they are due right away. Social Security is expediting payments using automation and will continue to handle many complex cases that must be done manually, on an individual case-by-case basis. Those complex cases will take additional time to update the beneficiary record and pay the correct benefits.

Social Security urges beneficiaries to wait until April to ask about the status of their retroactive payment, since these payments will process incrementally into March. Since the new monthly payment amount will begin with the April payment, beneficiaries should wait until after receiving their April payment, before contacting Social Security with questions about their monthly benefit amount.

Visit the agency’s Social Security Fairness Act webpage to learn more and stay up to date on its progress. Visitors can subscribe to be alerted when the webpage is updated.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission voted on the 2025-26 Sport Fish and Commercial Fishing proclamations at its February 20-21 meeting which concluded Friday at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Ray Bell Building.

It was also the final meeting for five commissioners who have completed their appointments and were honored for their years of service. They include Chairman Jimmy Granbery (Nashville), Wally Childress (Bogota), Bill Cox (Collierville), Tommy Woods (Piney Flats), and Hank Wright (Germantown).

The Commission elected its officers to serve for 2025-26. Chris Devaney (Lookout Mountain) is the new chairman, moving from the vice chairman role, Greg Davenport (Brentwood) is the new vice chairman after serving the past year as secretary. Rhonda Moody (Allardt) is the new secretary.

The Commission voted to approve the Sport Fish proclamation as previewed at the January TFWC meeting and again during the committee meetings on Thursday. The new regulations address bass identification issues related to the introduction of Alabama Bass and their hybridization with native Tennessee bass. There are little to no changes to largemouth bass regulations, but smallmouth bass, Alabama bass, and spotted bass would all fall under the same regulations for each reservoir to reduce confusion over identification of hybrids of these species.

The Commission voted to amend the Sport Fish proclamation by reducing the daily creel limit for crappie from 30 to 20 on Reelfoot Lake. In addition, there were

changes approved to several TWRA agency lakes to better manage sport fish species in the respective lakes. The smallmouth regulation on Tellico River was changed to statewide regulations as well. The Sport Fish regulations will become effective Aug. 1, 2025.

Regarding the Commercial Take of Fish and Turtles, the Commission amended a proposal to increase the mesh size for gillnets for reservoirs open to paddlefish harvest. The Agency proposed to move from 6 to 7-inches square mesh nets for harvest of paddlefish. Commercial fishermen are limited to 12 nets during paddlefish season. The Commission voted to allow six nets of 7 inches and six of 6 inches for the 2025-26 season and then move to 7 inches for all 12 nets after Aug. 1, 2026. The ending date for paddlefish season for Kentucky Lake was changed to March 31. The commercial license purchase date was changed to July 1.

Honored as the recipient of the 2024 Legacy Award is Jim Carmichael of Johnson City. As the longtime shooting editor for Outdoor Life magazine, his written work has reached and inspired countless hunters and outdoorsmen and women. His commitment to Tennessee’s wildlife and conservation efforts is evident in his service. Carmichael was nominated by then-Gov. Lamar Alexander and served on what is now the Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission, where he played a vital role in shaping policy and protecting Tennessee’s natural resources. The Legacy Award was founded in 2021 to recognize individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to hunting, fishing, and other outdoor lifestyles of Tennessee.

An R3 (recruitment, retention, and reactivation) award launched. The inaugural award was presented to outgoing Commissioner Wally Childress for his efforts to introduce children and providing opportunities for many others to enjoy the outdoors, especially waterfowl hunting. Going forward, the annual honor will become the Wally Childress R3 Award.

The Fisheries Division named Justin Spaulding, Wildlife Manager in TWRA Region III, as its Biologist of the Year and Jessica Matoy, Wildlife Technician 2 at Tellico Hatchery, as the Fisheries Technician of the Year.

Among his achievements in 2024, Spaulding coordinated the successful reintroduction of Southern Appalachian Brook Trout in four Cherokee National Forest streams totaling more than three miles of restored Brook Trout waters. He designed, implemented, and analyzed year-long trout fishery creel surveys on the Tellico and Hiwassee rivers to help guide management of those fisheries.

Spaulding coordinated infrastructure enhancements with several organizations for the Moody Boat Ramp. Improvements to this Dale Hollow tailwater access includes bank stabilization, recovering stream-side fishing trail access, and repairs to an ADA-compliant fishing pier to provide access for anglers of all abilities. Spaulding was also instrumental in facilitating a vital inter-agency partnership that resulted in significant water quality improvements from Center Hill Dam.

As a senior staff member Matoy plays a strong leadership role at Tellico Hatchery. She has trained multiple interns and new employees in hatchery procedures which has helped produce a strong staff and given valuable experience to many students that have gone on to become full time TWRA employees.

Matoy has acted as a liaison to internal and external customers by serving as a member of the TWRA Fisheries Division planning committee, working as a fishing instructor annually at Becoming an Outdoors Woman, being an active participant in the American Fisheries Society, hosting educational tours at Tellico Hatchery, interacting with the public and representing TWRA at the annual Tellico Trout Festival, as well as organizing and participating in fishing events.

Award winners previously announced for the TWRA’s Biodiversity Biologist of the Year Chris Ogle and Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Sgt. Dustin Burke were introduced to the Commission. Ogle has been with the Agency for 18 years and since transferring to the Biodiversity Division in 2012, he oversees biodiversity surveys in Region IV. Burke is responsible for the Off-Highway Vehicle program in District 41 which includes the 200,000-acre North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is taking orders for the collectible state waterfowl stamp that is produced annually and sold for habitat improvement. The Best of Show painting from the 2024 Tennessee Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest is now available as a collectible waterfowl stamp. The new stamp is the latest which displays the efforts of talented young artists who have competed in the state’s contest.

The TWRA has taken the Best of Show winning artwork each year since 1999 from the state’s Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest to create the collectible stamp. Jessie Hindman (17) from Chattanooga won Best of Show with her acrylic paint portrayal of a male redhead. Jesse’s winning drawing was selected from 1,787 individuals who competed in four age group categories.

The Tennessee Junior Duck Stamp program is an art contest managed by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service designed to teach the importance of conserving wetlands habitat and waterfowl to students. It pairs science, the arts, and other core subjects to creatively teach greater awareness of our natural resources. As part of the program, students are invited to participate in an annual art competition.

The public is invited to purchase the collectible stamps. Each state stamp is numbered and printed in full color, measuring 1 2/8 by 2 inches. In addition to this year’s stamp, all previous stamps since 1999 are available.

Stamps are $11 each and may be ordered by completing the Wildlife Stamp order form, located in the Support Wildlife Resources in the Wildlife section on the TWRA website, www.tnwildlife.org.

The public is reminded that the State of Tennessee Waterfowl stamp is voluntary and not required to hunt. However, the Federal Duck stamp is required to hunt waterfowl in Tennessee.

On Tuesday, February 18th, the Smith County Republican Party met at the Chamber of Commerce for Party re-organization and elections. The 2025-2027 Executive Board was duly elected as listed:

Chairman, Jon Henry
Vice-Chairwoman, Amanda Mason
Secretary- Lisa Moss
Vice Secretary- Todd Halliburton
Treasurer- Javin Cripps
Vice Treasurer- Connor McDonald

Chairman Henry’s first act was to appoint two committees – Events (Brandon Cherry, Chair and Ken Frye, Vice Chair) and Projects (Jerod Ra’Del Hollyfiend, Chair). He also appointed Matthew J. Inyart as Communications Director. Linda Clark, from Tennessee Republican Party, swore in the Executive Board after the meeting.

Executive Committee meets next on March 18th.

Full Party Meeting will meet on April 15th, 6 pm at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce.

Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (UCEMC) is looking for a Staking Technician to join our team in Cookeville, TN. Staking Technicians play a key role in designing and planning electrical services for our members.

If you are dedicated, forward-thinking, service minded, and want to be a part of a team that powers our community, we encourage you to apply.

Apply today at https://go.bear.agency/UCEMC

Applications will be accepted through March 7, 2025. For more details, contact UCEMC’s Human Resources Department at 1-800-261-2940, opt 3, opt 5, ext.123.

UCEMC is an EEO employer and an affirmative action employer. UCEMC is committed to guaranteeing to its employees and all applicants for employment equal employment opportunities regardless of race, gender, age, religion, national origin, genetic information, disability or veteran status, or any other protected status, except where such status is a bona fide occupational qualification.

By Amy Davis

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech University is set to add to its more than 225 programs of study and build on its standing as the state’s leading STEM-infused institution of higher education with a new Ph.D. in computer science.

“I am thrilled to share the exciting news that we are establishing a standalone doctor of philosophy in computer science,” Gerald Gannod, chair of Tech’s Department of Computer Science, said. “This milestone represents a significant achievement for our department and university, reflecting the strength of our faculty, quality of our research and our ongoing commitment to advancing computer science education and innovation.”

Doctoral candidates with an interest in computer science previously earned a Ph.D. in engineering with a concentration in computer science. This concentration will be phased out by Aug. 1 and replaced by the independent Ph.D. program in computer science. The academic program modification was approved by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission on Feb. 1.

“Tennessee Tech’s new Ph.D. in computer science will further strengthen our standing as Tennessee’s premier STEM university while equipping our students with the tools to lead in an industry that is increasingly driven by advanced computing, AI and cyber technology,” added Tech President Phil Oldham. “The Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering, College of Graduate Studies and Division of Academic Affairs have worked collaboratively to design a doctoral program that sets Tech apart, offers solutions to real-world challenges and ensures our graduates are ready to claim the mantle of leadership in technology-driven research and study. We look forward to the opportunities this Ph.D. program will create for our students, faculty and broader community.”

Tech Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Lori Bruce expressed her pleasure in approving the College of Engineering’s request to elevate the computer science concentration to a standalone program and add it to the university’s portfolio of doctoral degree options, which currently includes six Ph.D. programs with 24 concentrations.

“Our Ph.D. in engineering currently has several concentrations, including chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical engineering,” Bruce said. “Computer science is the one concentration that does not have engineering in its name, so it makes sense that we would want to elevate that concentration to give it more visibility and provide more clarity to current and potential students, as well as their future employers. Since the computer science concentration has had a very stable enrollment of about 40 for the past several years, it has demonstrated its ability to support a standalone program. We are excited for and proud of our new computer science Ph.D. program.”

Tennessee Tech’s computer science program is ranked among the top three in the state and second among public universities, having surged 56 spots in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 rankings.

Along with its increased ranking, Tech emerged as the leading producer of computer science graduates among Tennessee’s public universities for the 2022-2023 academic year, according to enrollment data from the university’s Office of Institutional Assessment, Research and Effectiveness, and ascended to Tennessee’s largest undergraduate computer science program in 2023, according to Institutional Research IPEDS data.

“This program is one of many steps taken by the Department of Computer Science on its path to national preeminence,” said Joseph Slater, dean of Tech’s College of Engineering. “I’m very excited for the future of the department and all of the great contributions the graduates of this Ph.D. program will make for all humankind.”