News 2011

A big chunk of contribution money the County contributed to variousorganizations was cut out of the budget during last night’s meeting of the
Cannon County Budget committee. The budget committee agreed to ax the
$100 contribution to the Cannon County Basketball Program.
Also cut from the contribution list was $100 for Cannon County Youth
Dream, $500 for Family Traditions, $5,000 for SAVE, $100 for the Stones
River Watershed Association, $750 for Tennessee Rehab and $150 for the
Woodbury Lions Club. The contribution from the County to the Senior Center
will remain at $6500 and more research will be done on the Forestry
Division’s request for $1000.
The Committee mainly reviewed the various departments budgets and did very
little cutting last night after doing the majority of the budget request
cuts throughout the last few weeks. Committee member Kevin George said
that he looked deeper into the budget and brought up the Ambulance
Service. He reviewed several other counties ambulance services who were
comparable in size to Cannon County. The Revenue for the Ambulance
Service is $495,000 whereas the expenses total up to $782,000 Mr. George
said that when he looked at the other counties in comparison that the
revenue and expenses were close to matching each other and that the
various counties had to spend little extra funding the ambulance
department. He then stated before he would even start to consider a tax
increase, he wants to know what other counties are doing to close the gap
between expenses vs revenue, thus helping the committee to consider ways
to do the same.
As with every budget request, increases in salaries for County employees
are requested. Committee Chairman Mark Barker wants figures worked up
for next week to see what the budget would look like if all employees were
given a one percent raise. The amount should also reflect the social
security amount of each as well.
The Budget Committee will meet next Thursday to review the Cannon County
Schools budget request at 6:00 at the Cannon County Courthouse.

The Cannon County Lionettes completed the Franklin County basketball camp Tuesday. The two day camp saw the Lionettes go 4-2. Cannon defeated Lincoln County, Franklin County, Hickman County and a team from Space Park, Alabama. The Lionettes lost to Mt Juliet and Science Hill. The Lionettes will participate in the one day team camp at Belmont University tomorrow before wrapping up camp season at MTSU again June 20th-22nd

With a significant amount of memorial monies donated in loving memory ofMary Frances McFerrin, the Adams Memorial Library has purchased a
collection of materials to help people start a small business. The staff
of the Adams Memorial Library invites patrons to stop by and take a look
at these materials. Many of the donors mentioned how helpful Ms. McFerrin
had been in helping them with business needs that the staff of the Library
thought this collection would be a fitting memorial. Many of these
materials were recommended during a recent Tennessee State Library
workshop staff attended on helping the unemployed.

Only two more Thursday summer reading programs are left including this Thursday as Native American performers from the Indigenous Intertribal Corporation of Cookeville will be in Woodbury to perform a genuine Pow Wow and American Indian Educational Program. The event takes place at 1:00 this afternoon at the Adams Memorial Library in Woodbury. Everyone is welcome to attend regardless of participating in the summer reading program or not. The Summer Reading program wraps up next Thursday with the end of the program Summer Reading Party at Dillon Park.

Judge Susan Melton presided over Cannon County General Sessions Court onTuesday, June 14. Some of the results from the various cases which
appeared on the docket included:
Amber Elaine Fahey pled guilty to DUI. She was given a partially suspended
sentence of 11 months, 29 days and placed on probation for an equal amount
of time. She was ordered to serve 23 days in the Cannon County Jail, fined
$350 and ordered to pay court costs. Fahey also pled guilty to driving on
a revoked license. She was given a partially suspended sentence of six
months, placed on probation for an equal amount of time, ordered to serve
48 hours in the county jail, fined $50 and assessed court costs. She will
also lose her license for two years. Her sentences will run consecutive.
Tina Renee Pendergrast pled guilty to DUI 1st offense. She was given a
partially suspended sentence of 11 months, 29 days, placed on probation
for an equal amount of time, ordered to serve 48 hours in jail, fined $350
and assessed court costs. She will also lose her license for one year.
Pendergrast also pled guilty to simple possession of marijuana and was
given a suspended sentence of 11 months, 29 days, placed on probation for
an equal amount of time, fined $250 and assessed court costs. Her
sentences will run concurrent.
James Benjamin Vernon, IV pled guilty to a charge of DUI. He was given a
partially suspended sentence of 11 months, 29 days and placed on probation
for an equal amount of time. He was sentenced to 20 days in the Cannon
County Jail, fined $350, assessed court costs, lost his driving privileges
for one year and order to attend alcohol and drug school and drug
rehabilitation.
Raymond Alex Haines pled guilty to public intoxication. He was given a 30
day suspended sentence and placed on probation for an equal amount of
time. He was fined $50 and assessed court costs.
Johnathon Lynn Hermon pled guilty to driving on a suspended license, 2nd
offense. He was given a suspended sentence of 11 months, 29 days and
placed on probation for an equal amount of time. He was fined $100 and
assessed court costs.
James Aaron Nelson pled guilty to simple possession of marijuana. He was
given a suspended sentence of 11 months, 29 days and placed on probation
for an equal amount of time. He was also fined $250 and ordered to pay
court costs.
Rebecca P. Pendergrast pled guilty to driving without a license. She was
given a 30 day suspended sentence, placed on probation for an equal amount
of time, fined $2 and assessed court costs.
Sherman Tyler Rumsey pled guilty to violation of probation. His probation
was revoked and he was ordered to serve his entire sentence.
Howard Odell Walls pled guilty to driving on a revoked license. He was
given a partially suspended sentence of six months, placed on probation
for an equal amount of time, ordered to serve 48 hours in jail, fined $50
and assessed court costs.
Susan A. Blair, charged with two counts of filing a false report, was
bound over to the September 2011 term of the Cannon County Grand Jury.
Daniel Ryan Matheny had a charge of aggravated domestic assault reduced to
domestic assault following a preliminary hearing. He is also charged with
underage consumption and/or possession of alcohol. Both cases were bound
over to the September term of the Cannon County Grand Jury. Judge Melton
also reduced his bond.
Joseph Reagan McFerrin, charged with aggravated child abuse, was bound
over to the September term of the Cannon County Grand Jury.
Jeffrey L. Thomas, charged with public intoxication, assault, violation of
probation and failure to appear, had the first two charges bound over to
the September term of the grand jury and the VOP and failure to appear
charges reset for Aug. 9.
Nathan Daniel Mingle, charged with domestic assault, was continued for 12
months subject to good and lawful behavior.
Elisha James Jenkins had two petitions for suspended sentence granted,
subject to good and lawful behavior, maintaining gainful employment, and
paying all court costs.
Sharon K. Golden, who put forth two petitions to waive or reduce costs or
fines, was reset for June 28.
Perry A. Stembridge had two petitions to waive/reduce costs denied.
Walter Larry Bess, charged with criminal trespass and violation of
protection order, failed to appear. A Capias was issued for his arrest.
Regina Ann Smith, charged with simple possession of Schedule drugs and
possession of drug paraphernalia, failed to appear. A Capias was issued
for her arrest.

Post Everlasting, a special ceremony honoring and memorializing James N Lassiter, Robert E. Jennings and James W. Henline will take place tonight at the Senior Citizens Center as part of a special evening for the American Legion Post. Dinner will be served at and will be prepared by the Ladies of the American Legion Auxilary. Following the Post Everlasting Ceremony, special guest speaker, Teresa Tate, daughter of Jane McFerrin Lassiter and James N Lassiter will make a special presentation “Making the history connection”. Teresa also has a special guest, Art Jacobs, who was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He was shot down in Laos and evaded capture. He served through two tours in Vietnam and one in Korea. Jacobs was awarded the silver star, 3 distinguished flying crosses, the soldier medal for heroism, 3 purple hearts, 2 bronze stars, and 2 army commendation awards one of which. Dinner starts at 5:45 with the meeting starting at 6:30 tonight in Woodbury

The Cannon County 911 Emergency Communications District Board Of Directors adopted the 2011-2012 fiscal year budget on Second Reading. Due to the decline in the number of landline telephones, there has been an estimated 4.7% decline in land line 9-1-1 revenue during the 2010 fiscal year. The previous year showed a 9.1% decline. Unfortunately employee raises are not possible this upcoming year due to the decrease in revenue.It was also discussed that this upcoming year will be very busy with the installation of a new IP based 911 Controller in preparation for the implication of the state wide Next Generation 911 project being developed by the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board. Currently the 911 lines are routed via expensive 6 educated trunk lines which will not be needed when IP based system is in place. The multiple network pathways will greatly reduce the chance of a network failure. The state 911 board has allocated specific grant funding to aid in the upgrade of this and the adjunct equipment

Volunteers of the Campus Life Organization in Murfreesboro are currently on a mission in Woodbury to perform various service tasks to benefit and beautify the community. The organization is dedicated to mentoring students in junior high and high school. They will be in Woodbury working on volunteer projects through June 17th. Area residents needing help are urged to call the Campus Life Organization at 615-890-3203. Campus Life is in 7 counties and serves over 1300 students a week in junior high and high schools across the Middle Tennessee area.

Research shows that there is a strong correlation between family involvement and student success.Tennessee has adopted the National PTA standards for evaluating school systems in the area of parent/family involvement. Starting with the 2011-2012 Tennessee Report Card, systems will receive a score on accomplishing the 6 standards set forth by the Parent Teacher Association. Those standards are as follows:
Standard 1: Welcoming all families into the school community—Families are active participants in the life of the school, and feel welcomed, valued and connected to each other, to school staff, and to what students are learning and doing in class.
Standard 2: Communicating effectively—Families and school staff engage in regular, meaningful communication about student learning.
Standard 3: Supporting student success—Families and school staff continuously collaborate to support students’ learning and healthy development both at home and at school, and have regular opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and skills to do so effectively.
Standard 4: Speaking up for every child—Families are empowered to be advocates for their own and other children, to ensure that students are treated fairly and have access to learning opportunities that will support their success.
Standard 5: Sharing power—Families and school staff are equal partners in decisions that affect children and families and together inform, influence, and create policies, practices, and programs.
Standard 6: Collaborating with community—Families and school staff collaborate with community members to connect students, families, and staff to expanded learning opportunities, community services, and civic participation. (www.pta.org)

Judge Don Ash presided over Cannon County Circuit Court on Thursday. Some of the results from the various cases which appeared on the docket included:Tammie Thompson’s petition for suspended sentence was granted. She was placed on supervised probation for 4 years, ordered to pay the court costs and ordered to stay away from convicted felons.
Jerry Dee Barrett pled guilty to the charge of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and facilitation of the promotion of methamphetamine manufacture He was sentenced to 18 months in prison. That sentence was suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation, serving 71 days in jail, paying a $2,900.00 fine and paying the court costs.
Friday marked arraignment day for those defendants indicted by the May, 2011 term of the Cannon County Grand Jury. Those defendants arraigned during Friday’s session included:
Christopher Bryan for 5 counts of rape of a child,
James C. Emberton for 10 counts of sexual battery and 8 counts of rape,
Kathleen D. Farless for driving under the influence,
Joe Don Fann for animals at large,
Michael E. Muncy for seatbelt violation, drug paraphernalia, introduction of contraband into a penal facility and promotion of methamphetamine manufacture,
Travis Lee Dobson for revoked license and insurance violation,
Keith David Smith for theft under $500.00, manufacture of methamphetamine and maintaining a dwelling to manufacture methamphetamine,
Jeremy Dean Sissom for possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a weapon as a convicted felon,
Marcus E. Tenpenny for evading arrest and aggravated assault,
Dustin Scott St. John for seatbelt violation, simple possession of schedule II, evading arrest, criminal impersonation and probation of methamphetamine manufacture,
Richard Stickney, III for driving under the influence,
Johnny B. Hollis for resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of prohibited weapons, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated rape,
Jennie Rawls for revoked license and drug paraphernalia,
Terry Scott Austin for domestic assault,
Donald Ray Neal for aggravated robbery,
Charles E. Howland for animal cruelty,
The next step for these defendants will be plea day on July 8th. During that hearing, they will be asked to enter formal pleas of either guilty or not guilty to their charges.
Some defendants took the opportunity to enter guilty pleas during Friday’s session. Those defendants entering pleas included:
Ashley Meeks pled guilty under judicial diversion to the charge of promotion of methamphetamine manufacturing. She was placed on probation for 2 years and fined $2,000.00.
David Seiber pled guilty to the charge of driving while being declared a habitual motor vehicle offender. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison as a range 1, 30 percent offender. That sentence was partially suspended upon an equal amount of time on probation, serving 69 days in jail and paying the court costs. If he violates probation, he will serve his entire sentence.
Ila Kay Smith pled guilty to the charge of driving under the influence 2nd offense. She was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days in jail and ordered to serve her entire sentence. She was also ordered to pay a $600.00 fine and to pay the court costs and her license was revoked for 2 years.
Judge Don Ash presided over Cannon County Circuit Court on Friday. Some of the results from the various cases which appeared on the docket included:
Edward Johnson pled guilty to the charge of manufacture of marijuana over 20 plants. He was sentenced to 6 years in prison as a Range 1, 30 percent offender. He was also ordered to pay a $10,000.00 fine and the court costs. A suspended sentence hearing was set for August 4th.
Travis Dobson was reset for plea on July 8th.
Jeff Thomas was reset for plea on July 8th.
Charles M. Gibbs was reset for motions on September 1, 2011 and a jury trial on November 10th.
Elizabeth Barrett pled guilty to the charge of violation of probation. Her probation was extended and she was ordered to serve 42 days in jail.
Randall Council was reset for plea on July 8th.
Jared Ian Smith pled guilty to the charge of violation of probation. His probation was revoked and he was ordered to serve his entire sentence.
Jennie Rawls was reset for plea day on July 8th.
Mark Pless was appointed an attorney and reset for plea day on July 8th.
Robert Lee was reset for plea day on July 8th.
Tonya Greer was reset for plea day on July 8th.
Johnny Brian Hollis was reset for plea day on July 8th.
Jerry Rutledge pled guilty to the charge of promotion of methamphetamine manufacturing. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison as a Range 1, 30 percent offender. He was also ordered to pay a $2,000.00 fine and the court costs. A suspended sentence hearing was set for August 4th.
Stephanie Mooneyham’s case was reset for 12 months upon good and lawful conduct and staying away from the victim. At the end of 12 months, her case will be dismissed without costs.
Kevin Troy Coe was reset for plea day on July 8th.
Jason Porter’s petition for suspended sentence was partially granted. He was ordered to serve 6 months in jail and 3 years on probation.
Jason Brown’s petition for suspended sentence was denied by Judge Ash. He was ordered to serve his entire sentence.
Elijah Murphy’s bond was increased to $200,000.00 and he was reset for plea day on July 8th.
Ronica Arnold was reset for a suspended sentence hearing on July 8th.
Angela Trisler’s petition for suspended sentence was denied by Judge Ash. She was ordered to serve her entire sentence.
Shannon D. Cobble’s petition for suspended sentence was denied by Judge Ash. He was ordered to serve his entire sentence.
Timothy Lawson was reset for a revocation hearing on August 4th.
Vickie Marsh was reset for a revocation hearing and plea day on July 8th.
Francisco Bustamante’s petition for suspended sentence was denied by Judge Ash. He was ordered to serve his entire sentence.
Joseph Tyler Green was reset for a revocation hearing on August 4th.
Chase Pelham was reset for a revocation hearing on July 8th.
Haskel Carmack was reset for a revocation hearing on July 8th.
Deborah Smithson was reset for a revocation hearing on July 8th. She was also appointed an attorney.
Nathan Davenport’s motion to reduce bond was denied. His case was reset for a revocation hearing on August 4th.