For Amber Viers, taking on the world doesn't seem so tough.
   "I feel like young people can change the world," she said recently.
   That may be a tall order for the 18-year-old former Council High School standout, but Viers said she walked away from her trek across Japan this summer ready to tackle just about anything.
   The three-week excursion, a follow-up to her United States High School Diplomats trip to Princeton University last year, was the product of a lengthy application process that saw only 26 American students earn the opportunity to tour Japan. In the summer of 2005, 52 students nationwide, including Viers, earned a trip to Princeton where they met and roomed with Japanese students also involved in the program. Last year, Viers said, her roommate spoke great English. But this year, her new roommate in the program spoke no English at all.
   "It was a frustrating experience," she said. "But we were patient and we worked through it. I was glad to have a roommate who wasn't such an easy pass. I really learned a lot."
   The application process Viers had to complete to participate in this year's HSD program was difficult, she said. Other than having to reapply, she was required to write a number of essays to gain admission. Students selected for the program are granted full financial support for the trip, a value Viers estimates at around $20,000 per person. Although competition for the 26 spots was fierce, she said, Viers was one of the few selected to fly to Tokyo.
   "When she came to me and said she was applying to go to Japan, I knew she would go," her mother, Toni Viers, said proudly. "That's how much confidence I have in her."

by JoBeth Wampler
Staff Reporter
   Owners of dilapidated buildings in Grundy will soon be forced to clean up or pay up.
   Grundy Town Council agreed last Tuesday to begin the legal procedure to eliminate potential health and/or safety risks associated with local condemned buildings.
   After approving an ordinance in February that allows the town to enforce the maintenance of buildings that pose such risks, council unanimously agreed to authorize town attorney Tom Mullins to draft written notices to the property owners of condemned buildings.
   Such notices, which could include fines beginning at $100, would provide building owners with a period of time to correct any hazardous problems.
   If the owner of the property or premise affected by the provision fails to comply with the notice in the time allowed, the town will complete a portion of the required work at the expense of the town. If the structure is not repairable, the town is authorized to demolish the building. The expense would then be recouped from the property owner.
   In the event the expense is not recouped, a lien may be placed against the property superior to the interests of any owner, lessee or tenant.
   Council was provided a list of condemned buildings, which included various structures along New House Branch, West Grundy, Poe Town and Royal City.

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
    Six new school nurse positions were added to the Buchanan County School System employee roster and six new nurses were hired Monday night during a meeting of the Buchanan County School Board.
    Board members approved a school nurse salary scale which is based on a 183-day contract and starts at $10.09 per hour, or $12,000 annually for LPNs with one year of experience and increases incrementally to the top of the scale at 30 years with an hourly wage of $21.16 which translates into an annual salary of $25,171.
    The six new nurses hired and their school assignments included Patricia Elswick, Riverview Elementary-Middle School; Wanda Matney, Hurley Elementary-Middle and Hurley High schools; Dana Stiltner, Twin Valley Elementary-Middle School; Jean Ratliff, Council Elementary and Council High schools; Laura Lawson, Grundy High and Russell Prater Elementary schools; and Arlene Matney, J.M. Bevins Elementary and Twin Valley High schools.
    Funds saved from a recent comprehensive bid insurance policy renewal will be used toward funding the school nurse posts.
    In addition to their salaries, the new nurses will also be eligible for the school system benefits package.
    When the new posts were discussed at a finance committee meeting prior to Monday night’s school board meeting, Administrative Assistant Joyce Presley noted the school nurses will have a variety of responsibilities from dispensing medications to students who are on prescription medication to administering breathing treatments for asthma students and checking sugar levels for those who are diabetic. Additionally, she said, they will maintain records on students related to health, including annual weight and height information recorded. They will also work cooperatively with school physical education and health programming to provide information on nutrition and will work with cafeteria personnel on nutrition issues.

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