News 2012

Among adults with asthma controlled with low-dose inhaled corticosteroid therapy, the time to treatment failure was not significantly different among patients who received corticosteroid dose adjustment based on physician assessment, a biomarker, or symptom occurrence, according to a study in the September 12 issue of JAMA.Asthma disease activity varies daily, seasonally, and episodically, presumably related to airway inflammation. “Accordingly, asthma management requires periodic dose adjustments of controller medications, particularly inhaled corticosteroids. Adjustments have been based on (1) physician assessment of symptoms, activity limitation, rescue albuterol use (a bronchodilator used for treating asthma), lung function, and exacerbations at usual office or clinic visits, (2) a biomarker of disease activity (e.g., exhaled nitric oxide), or (3) the occurrence of symptoms on a day-to-day basis,” according to background information in the article. “No consensus exists for adjusting inhaled corticosteroid therapy in patients with asthma.”
William J. Calhoun, M.D., of the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, and colleagues hypothesized that adjustment of inhaled corticosteroids based on symptoms or measurement of exhaled nitric oxide would be superior to adjustment based on physician assessment. The researchers conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial that included 342 adults with mild to moderate asthma controlled by low-dose inhaled corticosteroid therapy (n = 114 assigned to physician assessment-based adjustment [101 completed], n = 115 to biomarker-based [exhaled nitric oxide] adjustment [92 completed], and n = 113 to symptom-based adjustment [97 completed]). The Best Adjustment Strategy for Asthma in the Long Term (BASALT) trial was conducted by the Asthma Clinical Research Network at 10 academic medical centers in the United States for 9 months between June 2007 and July 2010. For physician assessment-based adjustment and biomarker-based adjustment, the dose of inhaled corticosteroids was adjusted every 6 weeks; for symptom-based adjustment, inhaled corticosteroids were taken with each albuterol rescue use.
The researchers found that the time to treatment failure, the primary study outcome, did not differ significantly among the 3 treatment strategies. The 9-month Kaplan-Meier failure rates were 22 percent (24 events) for physician assessment-based adjustment (PABA), 20 percent (21 events) for biomarker-based adjustment (BBA), and 15 percent (16 events) for symptom-based adjustment (SBA).
Treatment failure rates were not different among groups when multiple episodes of treatment failure were included. There were not significant differences among the treatment groups for asthma exacerbation (including multiple episodes) rates; and the average proportion of treatment failures that progressed to exacerbations. The authors also found that measures of lung function and asthma symptoms were not significantly different among the groups.
“In summary, among adult participants with mild to moderate persistent asthma, neither the SBA nor the BBA strategy for inhaled corticosteroid therapy was superior to the standard PABA strategy for the outcome of treatment failure.”

The Cannon County Jail is overcrowded.  Earlier in the day Tuesday, figures showed that 73 inmates were housed at the jail.  The jail was built to house 34 males and 8 females however there were 59 males and 14 females in jail at the present time.  Overcrowding is the main reason why the Cannon County Jail is no longer certified by the State of Tennessee.  Not having certification can result in possible inmate lawsuits, inmate health issues and assaults.  During Tuesday nights regular monthly meeting of the Cannon County Commissioners, the Commissioners gave approval for a partnership with the Tennessee Corrections Institute.  Representatives will work together with County leaders, the Sheriff’s Department, CTAS and other individuals to develop a program to assist in working toward gaining certification.  The partnership is free to the county and the emphasis will be on education and putting together a plan that will help solve the issues of jail overcrowding.   In other actions taken by the Commission, the Commission re-elected Bob Stoetzel as chairman of the Commission.  Clint Higgins did receive a nomination but Higgins didn’t hesitate to cast his vote for Stoetzel, indicating he didn’t want the position.  Mark Barker was elected Chairman Pro-Tem.  
The Commission made some changes to the various committees.  Jackie Francis who is no longer on the Joint Economic Board was replaced by Randall Reid of the Industrial Development Board.  Reid requested that the Commission hold off on finalizing the nomination until after he presented it to the full Development Board at their October meeting.  
Mike Underhill who is the County Fire Board chairman was added to the Homeland Security Committee
Kevin George and Clint Higgins requested they be taken off the Cannon County Budget Committee.  In their places will be commissioners Jim Bush and Tony Neal.  
The Commissioners approved putting a Sales Tax increase as a referendum on the November election ballot.  The Sales Tax if passed would be 9.75% just as it is in neighboring counties.  It was pointed out that many residents of Cannon County already pay this type of sales tax when they shop at stores and do business in Rutherford, Coffee and Warren Counties.  Half of the money generated by the sales tax in the county would go to help fund the school system.
The Industrial Development Board members and their terms were reaffirmed.  Serving two year terms which expire July 21, 2014 were Randall Reid and Dean Moore.  Four year term board members are Mindy Gunter and David Vance and six year industrial development board members will be Doug Bodary, Corey Davenport, and Neal Applebaum.
The Commission voted to continue the same monthly schedule as they have been keeping.  The meetings will be once a month on the second Tuesday of the month and Saturdays on every quarter which starts in January.
The Commission approved the revenue anticipation notes for the REACH program based on the stipulation that chairman Bob Stoetzel will verify that the Grant Money to back the request has been actually awarded to the Reach Program.  They also approved the revenue anticipation notes for the Ambulance Department as the Department is taken over their own budget and needs start up money to operate.  
In other business Randall Reid of the Industrial Development Board gave a report to the full County Commission detailing some of the board’s findings.  Decisions were made without quorums with past industrial boards that have resulted in big losses of revenue. The current board is trying to clean up any future losses by drawing up leases, developing a starting point and rate for rental collections on two of the three existing industries in the industrial buildings. The third existing industry, Crane Interiors have been outstanding tenant in making sure their rent was paid on time every month.  Mr. Reid also noted that one of the current tenants, PC Disposal on Bryant Lane will be moving out at the end of the month. Overall with all of the mistakes of the former industrial boards, the loss of revenue is estimated to be over $100,000.  The current Industrial Board is on track to get everything cleared up and back in shape

In order to be permitted to sell beer in Cannon County, an establishment must be a maximum of 2000 feet from any church or school and as a result of last night’s Cannon County Beer Board meeting, that particular stipulation will not change anytime soon.  The board upheld the ruling that was passed some 50 years ago and denied a beer permit request from the Short Mountain Market.  The market is 1300 feet away from the Short Mountain Church of God.  Ralph Harvey, owner of the Short Mountain Market contended that his store should be allowed to sell beer because church is only in session on Sundays and Wednesdays and that the County doesn’t allow beer sales on Sundays leaving Wednesdays as the only day in conflict with possible church goers.  However, Charles Stanton, who pastors a church in the area got up before the board and gave statistical information about the hazards of excessive drinking.  Neither side of the argument seemed to impress the Beer Board who upheld the ruling based on the fact that if they were to indeed grant the Short Mountain Market a permit, it wouldn’t be too far down the road before they would have to grant one to the Eastside Market, which just sold earlier in the day and they are located right next door to the Eastside School.  There are no plans to reconsider the 2000 foot maximum in the near future  

Varsity CCHS vs. Watertown Set 1:  CCHS 21 – Watertown 25
Set 2:  CCHS 19 – Watertown 25
Set 3:  CCHS 23 – Watertown 25
 
Kill:  Ariana Kailiponi – 1
Back Row Kill:  Hannah Faulkner – 1
Assist:  Hannah Faulkner – 2, Cheyenne Fann – 1, Emily Sissom – 3, Ariana Kailiponi – 2, Abbey Spry – 1, Marion Wallace – 1
Block:  Emily Sissom 2, Ariana Kailiponi – 7, Abbey Spry – 3, Marion Wallace – 2
Tips:  Emily Sissom – 7, Ariana Kailiponi – 2, Abbey Spry – 5, Marion Wallace – 1
Digs: Hannah Faulkner – 1, Emily Sissom, 1, Ariana Kailiponi – 1, Abbey Spry – 3, Marion Wallace – 3
 
JV CCHS vs. Watertown
Set 1:  CCHS 13 – Watertown 25
Set 2:  CCHS 14 – Watertown 25
 
Back Row Kill:  Shawni Heery – 1
Assist:  Hannah Faulkner – 1, Cheyenne Fann – 2, Catie Adams – 1, Shawni Heery – 3
Block:  Haylee Mooneyham – 1
Tips:  Emily Sissom – 3
Digs:  Haylee Mooneyham – 2, Emily Sissom – 1, Catie Adams – 1
 
 

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is announcing the availability of additional grant dollars to assist schools incorporating The National Fishing in Schools Program (NFSP) during the 2012-13 school year.Initial funding was set aside for 10 grants at $1,000 each per calendar year.  Due to the growing popularity of the fly-fishing curriculum with students, parents and teachers, an additional $4,000 has been allocated to fund classrooms in 2012. Schools adding NFSP into their learning activities are also eligible to coordinate TWRA school-sponsored Free-Fishing Days on local lakes, ponds or streams. 
The NFSP is currently deployed in more than a dozen states. NFSP’s current “Cast a Fly, Catch a Student” curriculum approved by the State Boards of Education enables middle school and high school students to earn education credits while learning to fly fish, tie knots, and explore aquatic entomology. Students also learn about the importance of water quality and habitat conservation.  The NFSP curriculum and activities correlate to National Academic Standards in Physical Education, Technology, Science and Language Arts. 
 “Tennesseans have seen an overwhelming success in the health and welfare of students in similar outdoor educational programs supported by TWRA, such as the archery and the scholastic clay target programs,” said Don King, TWRA Chief of Information and Education. “TWRA is committed to creating and maintaining high quality fishing opportunities and ‘Fishing in Schools’ complements our efforts by teaching the skills necessary to enjoy and conserve our state resources for future anglers.” 
The NFSP hopes to reach 500 schools across the United States and teach 225,000 youth by 2015, with support and funding from the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, State and Federal Fish/Wildlife Agencies, private companies and individual donors. Two one-day Teacher/Mentor training classes are set for Oct. 10-11 at John Overton High School in Nashville. Registration can be made at www.flyfishinginschools.org. 
TWRA Grant applications must be submitted by Dec. 31, 2012. Grant Applications are available online at the TWRA website.  For questions concerning the grants or NFSP in Tennessee contact Don Crawford at (615) ­­­­­­­­­781-6542 or by email at Don.Crawford@tn.gov. 
Additional information is also available on the NFSP website, www.flyfishinginschools.org

Untreated severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in the elderly, and adequate treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may significantly reduce this risk, according to a new study from researchers in Spain.“Although the link between OSA and cardiovascular mortality is well established in younger patients, evidence on this relationship in the elderly has been conflicting,” said lead author Miguel Ángel Martínez-García, MD, of La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital in Valencia, Spain. “In our study of 939 elderly patients, severe OSA not treated with CPAP was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality especially from stroke and heart failure, and CPAP treatment reduced this excess of cardiovascular mortality to levels similar to those seen in patients without OSA.”
The findings were published online ahead of print publication in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
All subjects in this prospective, observational study were 65 years of age or older. Median follow-up was 69 months. Sleep studies were conducted with either full standard polysomnography or respiratory polygraphy following Spanish guidelines. OSA was defined as mild-to-moderate (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] 15-29) or severe (AHI ≥30). Patients with AHI

The Election Commission is seeking Election Day workers. The date of the election is November 6th. There will be mandatory training for all workers. If you are 17 years & older and live in Cannon County, please reply to the Election office by October 8, 2012. Our office hours are 8 am until 4 pm weekdays. Our office number is 563-5650.

The Department of Correction will hold a job fair this weekend for professionals interested in working in one of four Nashville prisons. Several RN and LPN positions (full and part-time) are available at the Lois M. DeBerry Special Needs Facility. The facility provides acute and convalescent health care, intensive mental health intervention and other services for offenders. The Department is also hiring correctional officers and food stewards at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution, Tennessee Prison for Women, Charles Bass Correctional Complex and the Special Needs Facility.
“Correctional nurses make a difference by changing undesirable health trends that save taxpayer dollars,” said Commissioner Derrick D. Schofield. “We are committed to offering a standard quality of care to those we supervise. Correctional officers and food stewards are crucial in our mission of operating safe and secure prisons.”
WHAT: TDOC Job Fair
WHEN: September 15, 2012, 8:00a.m.-1:00p.m.
September 16, 2012 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
WHERE: Lois M. DeBerry Special Needs Facility, 7575 Cockrill Bend Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37243
 

Producers have the opportunity to participate in the next Master Beef Producer Class to maximize their Agriculture Enhancement grants. The Master Beef Producer Program will be hosted by the Cannon County Extension office. We plan to finish the course prior to the Tennessee Enhancement Program reimbursement deadline of December 1, 2012 for Livestock Feed Storage and Livestock Equipment. Completion of this course will allow producers to increase their cost share maximums from 35% to 50%. 
Producers enrolling in the Master Beef Producer program will receive instruction on 12 topics that focus on cow-calf production, marketing and issues facing the beef industry.  You will also receive a 208 page “Tennessee Master Beef Producers Manual” that corresponds to the topics taught in the sessions.  This manual will be used as a study manual during the course and for your future reference.  Following completion of the course, you will be awarded a “certificate,” a Master Beef Producer cap and Master Beef Producer sign that can be mounted near the entrance to your farm.
 
The cost of the program is $175. Fortunately, thru the Tennessee Ag Enhancement program, a $100 scholarship is provided. This scholarship will reduce the cost of the program to $75.00. To qualify for the scholarship, you must have a “Premise ID Number” as well as be a “Beef Quality Assurance” (BQA) Certified producer and complete the Master Beef Producer Program.
 
To enroll in the Master Beef Producer Program, contact the Cannon County Extension Office at 563-2554, or drop by the Office at 614 Lehman Street. The cost of the program is $75. This and other programs of the University of Tennessee Extension are open to all interested persons.  UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs.

Today, we pause to honor and remember some 3,000 people – Moms and Dads and friends and neighbors – who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. We honor the first responders who chose to run into the burning World Trade Towers – putting their own lives at risk to help save others. We honor the lives of the heroes who fought the terrorists on board Flight 93 – and successfully prevented the plane from hitting the White House or the U.S. Capitol. None of us will ever forget that day. None of us will ever forget where we were the moment we heard that a plane had hit the first World Trade Tower, and none of us will forget seeing the second hit. America was shaken, but not broken. In those dark hours ahead, Americans came together and responded with one voice. Today, we remember and reflect upon a day that brought us together as Americans. A day that was our generations’ Pearl Harbor, a day that made all of us stop and ask ourselves what was important in our own lives.
While many of our nation’s leaders do not agree on how best to run our country, we are all in agreement in pausing to honor and remember those who gave their lives in a senseless attack. Where there is freedom, there is strength. Terrorism will never triumph. September 11th, 2001, reminds us all of that, and it is a day we will never forget.