News 2011

The smothering full court pressure defense that the Cannon CountyLionettes are known to bring to opponents was in full force last night in
Jasper as the Lionettes used the defense to create turnovers. The
Lionettes turned those turnovers into easy transition points running away
from the Lady Warriors of Marion County in a 79-26 rout. 10 Lionettes
scored led by Abby Sissom’s game high 28. The Lionettes are 2-0 heading
into Thanksgiving week with three games on the slate. The Lions boys
basketball team showed their aggressive side and it paid off with a 87-77
win over the Marion County Warriors in the second game of the night. Cory
Henley stepped up and hit two three point shots and converted free throws
to lead the Lions in scoring with 28 points. Cannon led at half 50-28 but
Marion went on a 10 to 1 run to start the second half. The Warriors got
as close as 6 points down the stretch but Cannon with clutch free throw
shooting held on for the 10 point win.
The Lions record is 1-1. Next up for the basketball teams is a home game
Monday vs Coffee County. The Freshmen teams start everything off at 3:00
followed by the Varsity games at 6:00 at Robert A Harris Gymnasium.

Shop Cannon First. That’s the goal merchants in Woodbury hope to getacross to area residents today and tomorrow during the annual Cannon
County Country Christmas. The festivities start tonight at 5:00 with the
arrival of Santa Claus. Enjoy refreshments inside the County Executive’s
Office and free buggy rides around the courthouse provided by the Middle
Tennessee Mule Skinners Association and compliments of County Executive
Mike Gannon. Shoppers can have their picture taken with Santa at the
Cannon Courier office on Water Street from 5:30 to 8:00 and while there,
people can register for a bag of toys provided by the Cannon County
Chamber of Commerce. People are also encouraged to visit the merchants
around Woodbury during this time and take advantage of special deals and
register to win door prizes. Participating businesses are not only
businesses on the square but also businesses throughout Woodbury.
Participating Merchants include Always Buying Gold of Woodbury, Briar Rose
Flower and Gift, Cannon Arts Dance Studio, Cannon County Senior Center,
Antiques on the Square, Cannon County Courthouse, Cell Plus/ Verizon
Wireless, FirstBank, Higgins Flea Market, First National Bank, Hometown
Florist, Jennings Jewelers, Joe’s Place, Leland’s Furniture and Home
Decor, Lions Pizza Den, Masiongales Consignment, Off The Hanger
Consignment, Old Feed Store Antique Mall, Paul L. Reed Furniture, Rannie
Alterations, Regions Bank,. Southern Starr Promotions, The W Salon, and
Tangles Hair Salon. The Cannon Country Christmas continues tomorrow with
the Push Pull Pedal and Pups Children’s Parade at 12 noon highlighting the
schedule.

Two basketball teams that enjoyed successful 2010-2011 campaigns willsquare off tonight as the Cannon County Lionettes travel to Jasper
Tennessee to face Marion County. The Lionettes opened the season Tuesday
night with a 67-53 win against Cumberland County while the Marion County
Lady Warriors return from a 22-11 year in which they advanced to the
sectionals. This is the first game of the year for the Lady Warriors.
The Cannon County Lions boys team want to even up their record at 1-1 and
a win tonight will accomplish that.
Game time is at 6:00 as we’ll have the live broadcast beginning at 5:45
with the Coaches Corner on AM 1540/FM 96.7 WBRY

The shopping starts early as Homemade Pies, Cakes, Stocking Stuffers,Christmas Cards and more can be found at the Cannon Senior Center
Christmas Bazaar. Many vendors will be on hand today as the Bazaar
starts at 8 this morning and will end tonight at 8:00. The staff of the
Senior Center want to invite everyone to come to the Center today and look
at the many gift ideas and homemade desserts offered as a part of this
annual event.

Holidays are a particularly stressful time of year for many of the families served by the Child Advocacy Center of Cannon and Rutherford Counties, said Executive Director Sharon De Boer.  
“Many families are struggling financially and cannot afford to provide Christmas gifts for their children,” De Boer said.
 
One of the mothers reached out for help this holiday season and said, “I have been so stressed out about Christmas this year.  My kids made their Santa lists and brought them to me.  I did not think they would have a Christmas this year.”
 
The Child Advocacy Center matched the family with a church that is helping them this holiday season.
 
There are many more families that need help this holiday season.  There are four ways that individuals, churches, businesses, and civic groups can get involved during the holidays:
 

Sponsor a family with holiday gifts for the children and grocery store gift certificates.

Sponsor a family with a Wal-Mart or grocery store gift certificates.

Sponsor the Child Advocacy Center through a special holiday donation.

Sponsor the Center and provide items that are needed, such as blank DVD’s, easel board paper, markers, juice boxes, bottled water, caffeine-free cokes, and individually wrapped snacks.
Rev. Kristina Brown of First Baptist Church said the members sponsor Child Advocacy Center families.
“First Baptist Church sponsors families each Christmas through the Child Advocacy Center because we feel the CAC does an outstanding job of caring for the children affected by abuse as well as for their families,” Rev. Brown said. “We are so impressed with the level of confidentiality and have complete trust in the staff at the Child Advocacy Center.”
It is not too late to be a Secret Santa and make a child’s Christmas wishes come true this year. 
If you would like to sponsor a needy family this holiday season, please contact Susan Lankheet at the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center at 563-9915 or Jennifer Gamble at the Rutherford County Child Advocacy Center at 867-9000. 
 
 

Red Cross Blood Drive at the Woodbury Lions Club Today from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m.  The Lions Club would like to have a great turnout today.  This is the last Blood Drive for the 2011 year.  The Woodbury Lions Club is located at the corner of Lehman and Adams Street.

An increase in break-ins have occured over the past several weeks in Woodbury.  Woodbury Police Chief Tony Burnett reports that over the last
week, the breakins have seemed to have subsided.  One of the break-ins
occured in the county close to the city limits while the residents were
home.  The suspects kicked  a couple of doors in but did not enter the
residence.  The problem with these suspects are that they are juveniles
who are not being supervised by parents or are considered runaways.  The
suspects are not believed to be adults however the danger is not minimized
due to the fact.  Patrols have been stepped up in the area.  The Woodbury
Police Department would like to remind residents to notify the police
department of suspicious persons walking around after hours.  The Town of
Woodbury has a curfew and it is enforced.  It is not illegal for adults to
walk the street but it does help to know who is out there. If you do have
a vacant home or rental property try to leave the house in such a way that
it appears someone is home or in such a way that it is not obvious. We are
hoping to make arrest soon in these cases. The number to call after hours
is 563-4322. If it is an emergency call 911.

Judge Susan Melton presided over Cannon County General Sessions Court on Tuesday. Some of the results from the various cases that appeared on the docket included:Clayton Thomas Adams pled guilty to driving without a license. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail. That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $2.00 fine and the costs.
Marcus Bowling’s charge of worthless check was dismissed upon the forfeiture of the bond.
Alyssa Marie Coleman pled guilty to driving without a license. She was sentenced to 30 days in jail. That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $2.00 fine and the costs.
Jeremy Brian Cope pled guilty to driving without a license. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail. That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $2.00 fine and the costs.
Julie Gibson’s charge of worthless check was dismissed upon the forfeiture of the bond.
Brandy Dawn Hodges charge of theft under $500.00 was nollied.
Jessica Nicole Hollis pled guilty to driving while license suspended. She was sentenced to 6 months in jail. That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, pay a fine and the costs.
David D. Johnson’s charge of violation of an order of protection was retired for 9 months. He was ordered to pay the litigation tax and $200.00 restitution.
Jason Morris Moore pled guilty to possession of a schedule II drug. He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail. That sentence was partially suspended upon time served, equal time on probation, paying a $1000.00 fine and the costs. In another case Moore pled guilty to driving on a suspended license. He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail. That sentence was partially suspended upon time served, equal time on probation, paying a $150.00 fine and the costs. In another case Moore pled guilty to carrying a weapon with the intent to go armed. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and given credit for time served.
Paul D. Nicholson’s charge of worthless check was dismissed upon the forfeiture of the bond.
Jeffery Lynn Smith’s charge of disorderly conduct was retired for 6 months. He was ordered to pay the costs.
Tammy Renee Southers’ bond was revoked for failing a court ordered drug screen.
Amy Beth Tribble’s charges of manufacturing methamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling for the manufacture of methamphetamine, simple possession of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, simple possession of a schedule II drug, and simple possession of schedule IV drugs was bound over to the January term of the Grand Jury.
John T. Trisler agreed to the violation of probation. His probation was extended 10 months 29 days and he was ordered to pay the costs.
Buddy Allen Vanatta pled guilty to driving while license revoked. He was sentenced to 6 months in jail. That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $50.00 fine and the costs.
Daniel Ryan Matheny pled guilty to driving without insurance. He was ordered to pay $10.00 and the costs.
Justin T. Barrett’s charges of accessory after the fact, introduction of contraband into a penal institution, and initiating the process to manufacture methamphetamine, were bound over to the January term of the Grand Jury.
Michael Keith Bailey pled guilty to DUI. He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail. That sentence was partially suspended upon serving 48 hours in jail, equal time on probation, paying a $350.00 fine and the costs.
 
 
 

A Warren County woman is charged with TennCare fraud in a Cannon County indictment alleging she was “doctor shopping,” or using TennCare healthcare insurance benefits to go to multiple doctors in a short time period to obtain prescriptions for a controlled substance.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) with assistance from the Cannon County Sheriff today announced the arrest of Jill M. Jones, 36, of
McMinnville. She is charged with three counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain a controlled substance by doctor shopping and
prescription forgery.
The charges say Jones went to multiple doctors in a 30-day period, receiving prescriptions for the strong painkiller Hydrocodone, with the
physician office visits and the prescriptions being paid for by TennCare.
She was also charged with TennCare fraud and identity theft for pretending to be a doctor’s office and calling in a prescription for herself for the
painkiller Tramadol, using the name and federal drug control number of a medical provider. She used TennCare to pay for the drugs.
“The fraudulent misuse of TennCare benefits is a serious issue but Tennessee is out front in cracking down on these types of fraud crimes,”
Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “Health care providers and their employees have become very good at spotting these cases and they are
as committed as we are at stopping this crime.”
TennCare fraud is a Class E felony, carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge. Identity theft is a Class D felony that carries a
sentence of up to four years. District Attorney General William C.Whitesell, Jr., is prosecuting.
The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3.5 million paid in
restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $173 million for the TennCare program, according to
latest figures. To date, nearly 1,500 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty recently approved more than $23 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to assist with infrastructure improvements in Tennessee. The pair announced recipients of the grants in West and Middle Tennessee today – East Tennessee grant recipients will be announced at a later date.“As we work to make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs, the proper infrastructure must support existing and future businesses,” Haslam said. “I am pleased the state of Tennessee is able to partner with our local communities to make these projects a reality.”
The funds were allocated under a procedure authorized by the Tennessee General Assembly.
“Community development is essential in growing the economy and creating a business friendly environment,” Hagerty said. “CDBG grants allow communities to take the steps needed that will ultimately encourage existing businesses to expand and future companies to relocate and invest in Tennessee.”
Allocation of CDBG funds is based on priorities set at local levels where community needs are best known. The CDBG program is administered in Tennessee by the Department of Economic and Community Development.
Below is a list of communities who were awarded grants:Housing
Cornersville: $225,000
Parsons: $500,000
Stanton: $500,000Community Livability
Gleason: $189,655
Lake County: $227,104
Lauderdale County: $300,000
Union City: $300,000Sewer Systems
Brownsville: $500,000
Halls: $500,000
Lawrenceburg: $500,000
Lewisburg: $500,000
Mason: $500,000
Maury County: $500,000
Milan: $500,000
South Fulton: $500,000
Trenton: $500,000
Tullahoma: $400,000Water Lines
Cannon County: $278,500
DeKalb County: $500,000
Lawrence County: $500,000
Smith County: $350,000
Sumner County: $225,594
Wartrace: $169,750Water Systems
Ardmore: $350,000
Giles County: $500,000
Grundy County: $500,000
Hartsville/Trousdale County: $500,000
Lewis County: $500,000
Tiptonville: $500,000
Tracy City: $500,000
Van Buren County: $500,000
Warren County: $500,000