News 2011

On Monday, December 5th, Cannon County High will host its 2nd financial aid night of the 2011-2012 school year from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the CCHS
cafeteria.
While much of the meeting will be geared toward seniors and their
parents, freshmen, sophomores, juniors and their parents are invited as
well.
Joe Myers, Director of Financial Aid at Motlow College and Melissa
Weatherford, Motlow College’s Scholarship/Work Study Coordinator, will be
on hand to discuss financial aid in general and financial aid issues
connected to Motlow College.
In addition, we will be welcoming back Eric Farmer with the Tennessee
Student Assistance Corporation (Hope/Lottery Scholarship). Mr. Farmer
will be here to discuss financial aid in general, and more specifically,
the importance of timely filing of the FAFSA and issues surrounding the
Lottery Scholarship.
Other special guests include Chris Ayers, Coordinator of Student
Services/Financial Aid at the Tennessee Technology Center in Murfreesboro,
Staff Sergeant Dallas Mason of the United States Marine Corp., and Jamie
Ensley, Admissions Representative at Cumberland University.
For more information, please contact the CCHS Guidance Department at
563-2144.

The annual Woodbury Lions Club Tour of Homes is set for Saturday, Dec. 3 from 4 until 8 p.m. Tickets at $5 each are available from Lions Club members or may be picked up a the Lions Memorial Building the day of the event.
The following homes and establishment are on the list:
• The Adams home place on College Street now a Bed and Breakfast and owned by Regina Reed
• The completely rennovated historic McKnight house in Auburntown owned by Josh and Amanda Davis
• Gary and Jackie Prater’s home at 108 Auburntown Rd., Woodbury
• The home of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Baird at on Deer Run St., Woodbury
• Joe and Teressa Tate’s place at 1860 Readyville St.
• Junior Brandon’s house on Burt Bergen Rd.
• First Methodist Church, Woodbury
• The Historic Readyville Mill.
 

30 teams, 30 games in two days.  That’s what awaits high school basketball fans today and tomorrow here in Cannon County. The Mitch Wilson Classic
expanded to two gymnasiums this year to accommodate all the games.  The
games will start early this morning at 9:30 and continue well into the
evening.  The schedule of ballgames today is as follows.  At the Woodbury
Grammar School Gym at 9:30 will be the Smith County Lady Owls against the
Webb Lady Feet.  The Boys game will follow around 11.  at 12:30 the third
game of the day pits the Notre Dame Fighting Lady Irish against the Lady
Wildcats of Battleground Academy.  At 2:00 the Upperman Bees and Tullahoma
Wildcats take center court while the girls game between the two teams will
follow at 3:30.  The final two games will see the Warren County Boys
Pioneer team take on the Jackson County Blue Devils while the Lady
Pioneers close out the first day of action against the Lady Indians of
Sequatchie County.  All those games will take place today at the Woodbury
Grammar School Gym
The White County Warriors Basketball team will tip off a slate of games
today at the Cannon County High School.  The Warriors will play the
Lebanon Blue Devils while the Lady Warriors follow with their game against
the Brentwood Lady Bruins at 11:00  The third game finds the Brentwood
Bruin boys team playing the Franklin County Rebels.  Game 4 will have the
Blackman Lady Blaze and Christ Academy Of Knoxville Lady Warriors tipping
off around 2:00.  Cookeville will make their first appearance in the
classic against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men’s basketball team.
followed by the Cookeville Lady Cavaliers and Grundy County Lady Jackets
at 5:00.  Cannon County will finish up the first day of activities in the
Robert A Harris Gym with games against Greater Gwinnett Christian School
from Georgia.  WBRY AM-1540 FM 96.7 will carry the Cannon County
Basketball games beginning at 6:15 with the Coaches Corner.  Tipoff is
scheduled at 6:30 p.m.You can also hear the Cannon County games streamed
live on wbry.com

Cannon County’s unemployment rate fell 1 whole percentage point from September to October.  According to unemployment rates released by the
State Wednesday, Cannon County has an unemployment rate of 8 percent.  Out
of an estimated 6,710 people in the Cannon County Workforce, 6,170 are
employed while 540 are unemployed.  In comparison to neighboring counties
Cannon and Wilson county had a one percent change in the figures.  Wilson
County has a 7.3 percent unemployment rate, while Rutherford reported a
7.6 percent rate.  Other neighboring Counties include Dekalb with a 8.7
rate, Coffee has a 9.1 percent rate, Bedford with a 9.8 percent and Warren
County has a 10.5 percent unemployment rate.  The state of Tennessee’s
unemployment rate is 9.6 percent while the national unemployment rate is 9
percent.  Lincoln County registered the state’s lowest county unemployment
rate at 5.8 percent while Scott County had the state’s highest
unemployment rate at 18.1 percent.

The annual Woodbury Lions Club Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 3, 2011 beginning at noon. The parade is held every year on the first Saturday of December and features a visit from the jolly old elf himself, St. Nick. Parade Chairman Danny Miller cites the efforts of the entire community in making the parade such a huge success. “The entire county turns out for the parade,” says Miller, “either to be in it, or to watch and be immersed in the Christmas spirit. The parade really brings the Christmas spirit to town and reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas. We thank everyone in advance for their hard work in making our parade a great Cannon County Christmas tradition!”There will be a few changes in the line-up procedures this year, in an effort to make the parade flow better, safer and easier to broadcast and report on by local media outlets. Chairman Miller stated that the Cannon Courier, DTC Communications and WBRY have all supported the parade amazingly over the years. This year, all parade entries will be asked to pre-register and get an entry number so that we can provide a line up list for the media folks to better report on the parade. This will also give credit where it is due for all of the hard work that goes into the floats, vehicles, and other entries in the parade. There will still be NO entry fee for participating in the parade; as our goal in Woodbury is to have fun and get everyone in the Christmas spirit. Entry forms are available at these locations and please mail, fax or return in person to either the Head Start Office (Lion Eva Woodlee 563-5852) located in the Community Center or the University of Tennessee Extension Office (Lion Heath Nokes or Bruce Steelman 615-563-2554 office, 615-563-1285 fax), and both of these organizations are located on Lehman street. Parade participants will also be asked to line up a little differently this year in an effort to ease risk of injury and lesson traffic snags. Each group will have an assembly point and a highly visible Lions Club member to insure that everyone has an appropriately located registration number and gets placed in the appropriate place in the parade to maximize your exposure:

NO ONE will assemble on the shoulder of West Adams Street or at the office of Middle Tennessee Electric Co-Op, as in the past.

Mules and their riders/wagons, as is customary, will assemble at the residence of Lion Bill Smith on Main Street.

Horses and their riders/wagons will assemble at the Fairgrounds behind the Ag Extension Office.

Floats and marching entries will assemble in the parking lot at the Woodbury Grammar School.

Queens & Kings, Princesses and Princes, and other vehicles shall assemble on the road that circle behind the Community Center and in front of the Woodbury Lions Club Building.

Emergency Response vehicles will muster along Annie Cox Road next to Woodbury Grammar School. They will line up nearest to Adams Street facing south initially, and turning right onto Adams Street to enter the parade.

Reminder, due to Tennessee legal and insurance issues, and in the interest of safety, 4-wheelers will NOT be allowed in the parade.

Another reminder: We know that everyone loves Santa Claus, but since the jolly old elf is coming a long way to make a special appearance, we ask that there be no “look-alikes” in the parade. This makes it easier for all of the kids waiting eagerly on the roadside to know which the real Santa is.

One more: The Lions Clubs primary focus is sight and hearing projects, as requested of them by Helen Keller. We know everyone loves the candy, but it would be tragic for someone to have an eye injury that could cost them their sight because someone threw candy wrong. Please make efforts to hand out candy directly to those along the route if possible, but if you must throw it from your float, please be careful.

If you are in doubt about where you should gather before the parade, please contact Cliff Swoape at 615-563-4900. The Woodbury Lions Club is honored to host such a grand event and is grateful for the support of everyone in Cannon County. Please get your entry forms submitted, your entries prepared, and join us on December 3rd for a fun time.
You can also join us Saturday morning for the Woodbury Lions Club Pancake Breakfast from 7 AM until 10 AM for all you can eat pancakes and sausage for $6 or $5 in advance. Santa will be making a special appearance for photo’s during the pancake breakfast from 8 AM to 10 AM.
Tour of Home tickets and maps of featured stops will be available during the Pancake Breakfast and beginning at 3:40 PM at the Woodbury Lions Club Building at a cost of $5 per ticket. Merry Christmas, from the Woodbury Lions Club!!!!

Sixteen people lost their lives on Tennessee roadways during last year’s Thanksgiving Day Holiday period. That’s why the Tennessee Highway Patrol will be hitting the roads, along with millions of Americans, in a high-visibility, safe driving enforcement campaign for the 2011 Thanksgiving Day Holiday.  Beginning at 6 p.m., Wednesday, November 23 through midnight Sunday, November 27, State Troopers will saturate the interstate systems and high-crash corridors across Tennessee, placing an emphasis on impaired driving, seat belt usage, and traffic law compliance. 
“We want everyone traveling in and through Tennessee to get to their destination safely,” Commissioner Bill Gibbons said. “Our State Troopers are covering a large portion of the interstates to ensure motorists are obeying the law and wearing seat belts. “We urge all motorists to start the holidays off on the right foot and buckle up on every trip.”
 
AAA predicts holiday travel will increase four percent this Thanksgiving. An estimated 872,000 people are expected to travel by automobile in Tennessee. Sixteen people were killed in 14 fatal crashes on Tennessee roads during the 102-hour, Thanksgiving Holiday Period in 2010. That is an increase of 60 percent over the totals from 2009 and 2008 (10 each year). Eight of the 12 vehicle occupants who were killed during the 2010 Thanksgiving Holiday weekend were not wearing safety restraints.
 
Although safety belt usage climbed to 87 percent in 2011, more than 59 percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed in Tennessee traffic crashes were not wearing a safety belt in 2010 (among known seatbelt usage).  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on any given day about 38 passenger vehicle occupants who are not buckled up are killed in motor vehicle crashes.
 
“The research shows that it’s almost nine times safer to wear your seat belt every time you get in the car,” THP Colonel Tracy Trott said. “The message for everyone is to buckle up – it is the single most effective way to protect yourself in a motor vehicle crash. Our goal is to save lives, not issue tickets.”
 
Research has also shown that when lap and shoulder belts are used properly, the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent. NHTSA statistics indicate that those least likely to buckle up are teens; young adults; males; nighttime riders; motorists traveling on rural roads; and individuals traveling in pickup trucks.
 
Each of the eight THP Districts has its own enforcement plan for the Thanksgiving Holiday period, including bar checks, line and saturation patrols, as well as stationary observation. On Wednesday, November 23, the THP’s Chattanooga District will also utilize Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) message boards that will read, “Expect Heavy Highway Patrol Enforcement.” During its high-visibility effort, every available Chattanooga District trooper will saturate Interstate 24 and Interstate 75, traveling into and leaving the state. Last year, the district received 71 service calls on the interstates on the eve of Thanksgiving, and the goal is to reduce that number by having troopers strategically placed on the highways.
 
“Our statewide goal is to reduce the number of serious injury and fatal motor vehicle crashes,” Trott added. “No matter what the method, the point is, we’ll be out in force and looking for impaired or aggressive drivers and those who blatantly disregard the rules of the road.”
 
As of November 21, preliminary statistics indicate that 837 people have died on Tennessee roadways in 2011, a decrease of 113 deaths compared to 950 fatalities at this same time a year ago.  Many of the deaths could have easily been prevented by simply buckling a seatbelt.

As we reflect on what we are thankful for during the holiday season, I would like to remind you all to pause for a moment and be thankful for your fellow Cannon County citizens who serve on the Library Board of Trustees.  The Library Board is mandated by state law and makes sure that the Public Library Laws of the State of Tennessee are followed.  They are, by law, 7 individuals who have been appointed by the County Commission to serve in this unpaid, volunteer position, governing the operation of the Cannon County Library System.  Our Cannon County Library Board meets monthly and the public is always welcome.  Library Trustees administer the functions of the library via the Library Director, they set library policies, provide public relations help,  plan future growth and goals, and give to our community in too many ways to count.  So, the next time you see Angela Ott, Bill Bryson, Peggy Tate, Cary Lee Caputo, Nolan Travis, Dale Bush, and Regina Reed, please give them a big “thank you”  for their help in sustaining this wonderful community resource—-YOUR Library System!

The recommendation will be made to the Cannon County Commissioners in the December meeting for approval to utilize a planning service after the
Cannon County Planning Commission voted unanimously to make the request.
Planning Commissioners Thad Raines, David George, Carey Hutchins, Brenda
Phillips, Jimmy Mingle and Chairman Boyd Barker were in attendance.
Shannon Copas, planner with the Upper Cumberland Development District was
on hand and discussed planning services and the hot topic of zoning.  Mr.
Copas advised the Commission that a zoning plan is a very complex issue.
Copas provides planning services all around the Upper Cumberland and only
two counties in the 14 county Upper Cumberland District have zoning in
place. Those counties consist of Smith and Macon County  Several towns and
cities within the various counties have zoning plans including that of
Woodbury.  Mr. Copas went on to say that the best way to put together
zoning ordinances is to have the County Planning Commission draw up and
adopt a land use plan.  This plan can be adopted without the permission of
the County Commission.  The land use plan directs future growth usually
within a 20 year period.
Drawing up a zoning plan usually is a 1 year process on average for towns
and cities.  Copas estimates that it would be about a year and a half in
the county. Mr. Copas also stressed that the County would need to hire
someone to enforce zoning whether it be a zoning enforcement officer or
building inspector.  This could be a part time position however as the
County could contract with neighboring enforcement officers or building
inspectors.  The role of a planning service would be to help draw up the
land use plan and zoning plans and ordinances.  The County Planning
Commission would then make a recommendation to the Cannon County
Commissioners for approval of the zoning plan.  After answering questions,
the Planning Commissioners then voted to make the recommendation to
utilize a planning service to the Cannon County Commissioners in their
monthly meeting December 13th

Organizations that have informed WBRY of closings or changes for the Thanksgiving Holidays include.  The Woodbury Trash Route that is normally
run on Thursdays will run today instead.  The Cannon County Senior Center
is closed today throughout the rest of the week and will be open on Monday
November 28th.  Middle Tennessee State University is closed Thanksgiving
and Friday.  Classes will resume on Monday November 28th.  the Election
Commission will close at NOON on the 23rd and will not reopen until
11/28/11 at 8 am.  Cannon County Schools are on their Thanksgiving break
until Monday the 28th

The Neighborhood Watch Program has begun collecting food for the upcoming Neighborhood Watch Piggly Wiggly Christmas Food Drive. Over the last
several years the program with the help of citizens and businesses has fed
in excess of 100 families per year. Arna and Tina Smithson of Piggly
Wiggly have been a huge help with this drive. Each year Arna has contacted
vendors for Piggly Wiggly who have donated generously. The program hopes
to feed at least 100 families this year. You can make donations of non
perishable food items or money at the Woodbury Police Department. The
baskets will be given out on Saturday December 17th.  If you know of a
family who could use help throughout the Christmas holiday please call the
Woodbury Police Department and request that their name is put on the list