Gov. Phil Bredesen said in a news release that the state will provide $29,700 for improvements at Hardwick Field, the airport in Cleveland.

"Our general aviation airports serve as important hubs for businesses operating in the state, for shipping, and as reliever airports for larger flight centers," Bredesen said. "They are a key component to our transportation system and need to be kept up to date."

The airport will use the money to help pay for security cameras, lights and automatic door openers, and to replace a rotating beacon and windsock, the release stated.

The grant is made available through the Tennessee Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division, the release stated.

Bradley dedicates forensics lab

Area and state law enforcement officers attended the ribbon cutting for the Bradley County Sheriff's Department's forensics lab Tuesday.

Sheriff Dan Gilley said the crime lab was paid for by $350,000 in Homeland Security money and about $100,000 in local funds.

The lab is certified to perform tests to identify illicit drugs, discern blood alcohol levels in people suspected of drunken driving and identify suspects from fingerprints submitted to a national database, officials said.

Sheriff Gilley said agencies from 10 counties in Homeland Security District 3 are invited to submit evidence for testing.

MURFREESBORO

Woman's body found in landfill

Authorities have identified a body found in a Rutherford County landfill as a mentally disabled Nashville woman who was reported missing Saturday.

Investigators used fingerprints to identify 31-year-old Monzelle R. McClinton, said Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron.

"We suspect it's a homicide," Thomas said. "Her body didn't appear decomposed."

He said an autopsy will be conducted.

Staff and Wire Reports

NASHVILLE

Comptroller presents school funding plan

State Comptroller John Morgan told lawmakers Tuesday that his plan for total state financing of public schools would limit local questions about spending fairness and shift the focus to education accountability.

Morgan told the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee that his plan dovetails with Gov. Bredesen's recent call for improving the state's high school and college graduation rates to increase job competitiveness.

Under Morgan's plan, the state would fund schools by claiming half of maximum local sales taxes and by imposing a new state property tax. Spending per student would increase from $5,108 to $7,218.

A state property tax of about $1.92 per $100 of assessed value would be required to meet the proposed spending level.

School districts would still build and operate schools and be accountable for their performance, Morgan said.

Staff and Wire Reports

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