The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 11

THI TINNEStlAN Thurtdw. July 19 38 Highway opens to Tennessee's future ERWIN, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee's portion of the future Interstate 26 opened yesterday with a ceremony on a bridge that gives drivers a scenic view of mountains and for- A Joint Venture 2 Suits 250 Choose one pure wool tropical weight suit from our "Silver" Collection pui one crisp poplin suit and pay only $250.00 for both. A cool combination lor the warm weather ahead. Natural shoulder traditional styling with (uH linings and center vents.

Comparative values Tropical wools $365 each. Poplins $225 each. Pleated trousers $5.00 additional. Marc Jeffries A GENTLEMAN'S CLOTHIER 171421st Avenue South Hillsboro village parking in rear 383-1771 Willie Kate Congdon, who came to the opening ceremony with her husband and her camera, looked off the tall bridge onto property she used to own. "It makes you dizzy looking over," she said.

She said she was not sure when she was growing up that she would ever see the opening of the highway. "I was hoping we would someday," she said. Jim McMackin, chairman of the Erwin-Unlcoi County Chamber of Commerce, said he remembers the highway being discussed when he moved to the region 30 years ago. Every gubernatorial candidate would promise to begin construction on the highway, McMackin said. "It was referred to as a politicians' highway," he said.

"I think by the number of people you see here, it's exciting. If going to open this area up to tourism." The project went ahead despite concerns about the effect on the environment, water quality and the black bear population. Two habitat boxes are built under the roadway for bears to use in their migration. Two scenic overlooks are to be completed next year.l a AP Former Gov. Ned McWherter displays the ribbon he cut to open what will be Interstate 26.

The man at left is not identified. vista of opportunity," said VS. Rep. Jimmy Quillen, R-Tenn. Tennessee officials say the project has cost $170 million, while North Carolina expects its construction to cost about $195 million.

Tennessee officials said the speed limit is 50 mph on part of the road because of the mountainous terrain. U.S. 23 also was the name of the old road that for decades was the main route through the Appalachian Mountains in Unicoi County into North Carolina. The interstate project has been discussed for years and was proposed in 1965. The first contract was signed in 1990.

I Stylo may nry by nore. ft, 4 T'-JJ I LOTTIES OREEN HILLS S825 Grrei Hilh Villii Ptm US-MII MM.Sil.1HSa.1-S I TT fTpJTT TT TT TTT A TTTs A MANBM XML lAV i-lJL viVJ Gov. Don Sundquist said construction of the highway, which literally required moving mountains, also was concerned with protecting the environment "This road is a bio-engineering marvel," Sundquist told about 700 people and politicians who gathered on the highway. Tm not here to accept thanks. I'm here to give thanks." The long-awaited highway replacing a curvy, hilly two-lane road is expected to provide an economic boost to northeast Tennessee.

But former Gov. Ned McWherter cautioned that industrial development shouldn't be allowed to overshadow the natural beauty of the region. "Take care of it You'll see this region grow," McWherter said. The 15.2-mile highway from Er-win to Sams Gap at the North Carolina line officially is called VS. 23 until North Carolina completes its 15 miles of new construction to link the road to Asheville, N.C That is supposed to be done in 2001.

"Already it has opened a new Father held in injuring of newborn CLEVELAND, Tenn. (AP) A 26-year-old father was accused of dropping his 3-week-old son about 8 feet onto a parking lot as he tried to balance the baby in one hand and a beer in the other. Rene Anthony Garcia, 26, was arraigned yesterday on charges of child abuse, marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held in the Bradley County jail on a $2,500 bond pending a preliminary hearing on July 14. Police said the baby suffered a head fracture and was in intensive care, but the boy was expected to survive.

Police said Garcia went to the Park Terrace apartment complex Monday to get his son, who was left with a babysitter by Kathy Sprague, the baby's mother. Police said Garcia and Sprague, who are not married, had been quarreling. Authorities were dispatched to the apartment after receiving a domestic disturbance call. As Garcia left the apartment, he attempted to step over a railing at the first-floor level. Witnesses told police he held the baby over his head with one hand and a beer in his other hand when he attempted to clear the railing.

He lost his balance and dropped the baby on its head, police said. The child was taken to T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital in Chattanooga, where officials were withholding information about his condition by the request of the 3.1 quake hits state; no one hurt ATHENS, Tenn. (AP) A small earthquake shook residents in Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia yesterday, but there were no reports of injuries or damage. The late morning earthquake registered 3.7 on the Richter scale about 20 miles east of Athens, authorities said.

The epicenter was at Tellico Plains, and the quake was felt as far as 40 miles away at Murphy, N.C, and Fannin County, authorities said. Residents who felt the quake thought it was either thunder or dynamite, authorities said. Police received reports of shaking windows and fallen pictures from a few residents. The rumble lasted less than 30 seconds. Habte Churnet, a geologist at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, said there have been dozens of small, unnoticeable quakes in the past 20 years along a fault line which runs from Cleveland, to Knoxville.

The fault, which he called the second most active east of the Mississippi River, should not produce quakes any more forceful than the one felt yesterday, he said. lie iff 817,1 1 :,555 1212,1 You'll feci safe secure with a handheld cellular Lightweight handheld at a great price. Memory stores up to 48 names and phone numbers. Includes battery, carry case, and AC charger. reg.

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