NASHVILLE-Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner John Schroer Monday announced Safe Routes to School funding for the city of Newport totaling $164,400 for improvements at a local school.

The Safe Routes to School Program is a statewide initiative designed to make bicycling and walking to school a safer, more appealing and healthier alternative for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

"Safety is a crucial component in our efforts to promote a healthier lifestyle for Tennessee children," Haslam said. "The Safe Routes to School Program helps create safer walking and biking environments for students and funds activities to encourage children and their parents to increase their physical activity."

For more details, please see the latest edition of the Newport Plain Talk.