News 2012

In an effort to save lives, the Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GHSO) is again working across the state to crack down on traffic safety violators including impaired drivers, seat belt violators, distracted drivers, and speeders, during its “More Cops. More Stops.” campaign this July 26-29.  
“With school starting just around the corner, many people are out enjoying the last of their summer vacations,” said Tennessee Highway Patrol, Colonel Tracy Trott. “Too often, people get caught up in the fun and break traffic safety laws, putting themselves and others at risk. We believe this special enforcement push will make our roadways safer for everyone, and we hope the message stays with people year-round.”
 
Tennessee is one of two states teaming with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on this important national demonstration project to test the effectiveness of a new combined high visibility enforcement campaign.
 
Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer said the statistics are alarming, and that risky behaviors claim too many lives in Tennessee.
 
“We know that wearing seatbelts is the single most effective way to protect people in vehicle crashes, so we will be watching closely to make sure everyone is buckling up,” said Commissioner Schroer. “But we also know that drinking and driving, texting while driving, and speeding are contributing to an increase in fatalities. Our goal is to prevent crashes from happening in the first place.”
 
More than 1,000 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in Tennessee motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2010, 58 percent of whom were NOT wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. Twenty-seven percent of Tennessee’s fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involved an alcohol impaired driver. Additionally, 22 percent of all people killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes on Tennessee highways involved drivers or motorcycle operators with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 (the legal limit) or above at the time of the deadly crash. Twenty-two percent died from speeding-related crashes.
 
“Our statistics show that young adult males, ages 18 to 34, are most likely to practice high-risk behaviors while driving, such as drinking and driving and not wearing seat belts,” said Kendell Poole, Director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Office.  
 
Of those in that age group who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in Tennessee, 35 percent were involved in an alcohol-impaired driving crash; 62 percent of 18-to 34-year-old passenger vehicle occupants killed were NOT wearing their seat belts; and 33 percent were involved in a speeding-related crash.
 
Distracted driving is another issue that state and local law enforcement will be on the lookout for since according to NHTSA, it claimed nearly 3,100 lives and led to an estimated 419,000 people injured nationally in 2010.
 
“When you look at the data, it’s clear that we have to do something to change people’s behavior on the roads,” said THP Colonel Tracy Trott. “It’s simple—don’t engage in risky behaviors that put your life and the lives of others at risk—especially drinking and driving, not wearing a seat belt, texting while driving or speeding. Remember, More Cops. More Stops. this summer. We will be watching.”
 

Southern favorites Crowder’s, okra and vine ripe tomatoes are plentiful at the Cannon County Farmers Market. Unfortunately, the extreme heat has set us back on green beans and sweet corn, but several of the farmers have replanted and should have these items in a few weeks. Pole beans are beginning to produce, the extreme heat affected pollination. Firm, locally grown, vine ripe tomatoes are finally ready.  Rather your geared up for canning and just love the taste of fresh tomatoes, drop by the market for all your fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. If you need help with canning tips, contact Carla Bush at the Cannon County Extension Office. Below you will find a list of those items which our local farmers are expecting to have this coming Saturday.  For those looking for locally grown farm fresh vegetables, drop by the Cannon County Farmers Market this Saturday, July 28stfor a great selection of fruits, vegetables and baked goods.Beat the heat, come early to the market for a fresh selection of locally grown fruits, vegetables and baked goods including; apples, bush beans (contender), beans (lima, October), beets, cabbage, cantaloupe, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, peppers (Anaheim, bell, banana, Poblano, cayenne, habanero, jalapeno, Serrano), okra, onions (green and sweet), peas (Crowder, purple hull, Dixie butter), potatoes (red, Yukon gold bakers, new potatoes and Irish), spinach, sweet corn, squash (zucchini, yellow and butternut), tomatoes (red, green and tomatillo), assortment of other squash and watermelons. Pam Northcutt with “Pies De Vine” will be at the market with her homemade fried pies. She plans to have a wide selection including apple, blueberry, blackberry, butterscotch, chocolate, peach, pecan, coconut and cherry. Lindsey Parsley also has homemade baked items along with canned vegetable. Irene Hollis joined in at the market with her coconut and chocolate fried pies along with her blackberry, strawberry apricot and peach jams.
The Cannon County Farmers Market is located at the Cannon County Arts Center every Saturday beginning at 6:00 A.M. Our producers are proud to offer locally grown farm fresh produce. Most Saturdays the market is open until noon or until the farm fresh fruits and vegetables have been sold. Best way to get the best selection is to come early! Thanks for your support of the Cannon County Farmers Market. Local businesses and restaurants have been strong supporters of the Market in the past. We appreciate the Blue Porch and Save A Lot for buying locally and supporting Cannon County. 
If you need more information concerning the market or would like to become a vendor, contact Bruce Steelman at the Cannon County Extension Office (563-2554), bsteelman@utk.edu.
The first We Care Cannon event is Sunday July 29 from 2 to 5 at the Woodbury Grammar School.  The event is for students in the Cannon County Schools Pre-K through high school.  The student must be present at the event.  There will be health checkups, vision and dental checkups free of charge.  While supplies last there will be backpacks filled with school supplies given to the students.  Another feature of the event Sunday is the free haircuts that will be available for students.  .
Come out and meet the Cannon County High School Lion football team Sunday at the Cannon County Football Field House.  The Ice Cream Social starts at 2 and goes till 4 at the High School Campus.
 

A Cannon County Woman with a history of mental illness found herself in a lot of trouble with the law after Cannon County Deputies were dispatched to a residence in regards to a person screaming.  Cannon County Deputy Seth Perry was first on the scene and upon arrival he heard a woman scream as loud as she could some obscenities followed by a death threat claiming she had possession of cannons.  The woman was identified as Leslie Beilfuss.  After approaching Ms. Beilfuss, she turned to Deputy Perry and stated that she could worship her god however she wants and the father would cut Deputy Perry’s head off.  Deputy Perry had known Ms. Beilfuss from previous calls and knew he had to get back up to deal with her so he radioed Deputy Brandon Gullett .  Once Deputy Gullett arrived he and Deputy Perry tried to talk Ms. Beilfuss into going to the hospital with the deputies to get some help.  Ms. Beilfuss became even more irate, screaming and yelling more obscenities. Deputies had to use chemical spray to control Ms. Beilfuss who continued to fight all the way to the hospital.  Once at the hospital she was restrained as she continued to fight to the point where she attempted to bite the hospital staff.  Deputy Perry continued to help the hospital staff try to subdue Ms. Beilfuss who then turned and spit into Perry’s face.  After hospital staff finished clearing her, Deputy Perry transported her to jail and released her to booking

In an exclusive to the Career Women’s Luncheon Friday, the newest addition to the medical staff of Stones River Hospital will be the featured guest speaker Beginning in August Dr. Holly S. Blankenship  Doctor of Osteopathy will be coming on board the medical staff at the Stones River Hospital.  The family medicine doctors can do and diagnose everything a Medical Doctor can however Doctors Of Osteopathic
Medicines receive extra training in the musculoskeletal systems which makes up the muscles and bones of a person. 
They view the patient as a total person and focus on preventative care.  
Dr. Blankenship has an undergrad degree from Samford University where she majored in Pre-Med Biology.  She went on to the
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her residency at the University of Tennessee College of
Medicine Family Medicine Residency at the Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.  
Dr. Blankenship will be at the Career Women’s Luncheon Friday at the Cannon Senior Center from 12:30-1:30.  Ladies interested in attending can purchase their tickets at the door Friday however please RSVP as soon as possible by calling 615-563-2313 or emailing brandy at brandy@wbry.com

Judge Susan Melton presided over General Session Court on Tuesday.  Some of the results of the various cases that appeared on the docked include:Jeffery Lynn Davis pled guilty to driving while license suspended.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.
Mark Anthony Dodd pled guilty to DUI 2nd offense.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was partially suspended upon serving 45 days, equal time on probation, paying a $600.00 fine and the costs.
Joshua M. Gilliam pled guilty to driving without a license.  He was sentence to 30 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $2.00 fine and the costs.  In another case Gilliam pled guilty to reckless driving.  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.
Elliot Anthony Harris 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.
Jacklyn Stormy Hayes pled guilty to driving on a suspended license.  She was sentenced to 6 months in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $25.00 fine and the costs.
Bobby Lee Jones pled guilty to DUI.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was partially suspended upon serving 23 days in jail, equal time on probation, paying a $350.00 fine and the costs.
John Clarence Jones pled guilty to DUI 3rd.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was partially suspended upon serving 180 days in jail, equal time on probation, losing his license for 8 years, paying a $1100.00 fine and the costs.
Arturo Guerrero Martinez 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.
David Wayne McCugh pled guilty to 2 counts of DUI.  In each case he was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  Those sentences were partially suspended upon serving 60 days in jail, equal time on probation, losing his license, paying a $700.00 fine and the costs.  In another case McCugh pled guilty to simple possession.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $750.00 fine and the costs.  In another case McCugh pled guilty to simple possession.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 day in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $250.00 fine and the costs.
Justin Patrick Richardson pled guilty to 2 counts of simple possession.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $1000.00 fine and the costs.  In another case Richardson pled guilty to under age consumption.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, and paying the costs.  In another case Richardson pled guilty to driving on a suspended license.  He was sentenced to 6 months in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, and paying the costs.  In another case Richardson pled guilty to joyriding.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was partially suspended upon serving 6 days in jail, equal time on probation, and paying the costs.
Shirley Ann Shannon pled guilty to public intoxication.  She was sentenced to 30 days in jail. That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $50.00 fine and the costs.
Jessica Whitworth Stephens pled guilty to theft.  She was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail. That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, and paying the costs.
Todd Alan Whitmore pled guilty to 2 counts of driving on a suspended license.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying the costs, and losing his license.
Melissa Wilmouth pled guilty under judicial diversion to simple possession.  She was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $250.00 fine and the costs.
Martin Perez pled guilty to underage driving while impaired.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $100.00 fine and the costs.

After last night’s meeting The Cannon County Budget Committee is ready to make a recommendation to the Full Cannon County Commission during their August 14th meeting.  Taxpayers should be satisified as there is no increase in property taxes needed to fund the budget.  County employees will be happy as they will receive a three percent raise which is the first raise in five years.  The Cannon County School System may not be too happy after four cents was taken from their share of the property tax.  The Cannon County Sheriff’s Department however will get the opportunity to purchase five new patrol cars through  Capital Outlay Notes if the Commission approves the budget for the new fiscal year. The Ambulance Service and Reach Program gets their own stand alone budget.  The breakdown of the $2.44 property tax rate shows four cents in debt service, 86 and a half cents for the Schools, Solid Waste has 18 cents and the ambulance service starting off at 19 cents in their first budget outside the county general fund.  This leaves $1.16 for the County General Fund.  The budget is based on $4 million dollars of estimated revenues at the end of the 2012-2013 fiscal year. Estimated expenditures total $4,402,999.00 leaving an estimated ending fund balance June 30th of next year of $125,188.00.
 

FirstBank was excited to partner with Edgar Evans State Park, UT Extension, 911 and the Girl Scouts in the Adams Memorial Library Summer Reading Program. Each summer, the Tennessee State Library and Archives sponsors a statewide reading program.  By providing all Tennessee public libraries with materials to promote and present a summer reading program in their library, the Tennessee State Library and Archives helps communities encourage reading during the pivotal summer months.  All libraries also receive a manual packed with fun, creative, and literary ideas based around the theme of each summer’s reading program.FirstBank is the third largest Tennessee-based bank, with 54 locations across the Southeast. The bank, headquartered in Lexington, Tenn., serves every major metropolitan market in the state and, with more than $2 billion in total assets, has the resources to provide a comprehensive variety of financial services and products.
FirstBank follows a community-banking model which began when the charter was issued in 1906 as Farmers State Bank, in Scotts Hill, Tenn. As Tennessee’s premier community bank, FirstBank is committed to its role as a leader in the communities it serves. That commitment is reflected by the Ayers Foundation Scholars program, a scholarship fund established by FirstBank Chairman and sole shareholder James W. Ayers to advance higher education for young people in Tennessee.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has put a McMinnville, Tenn. man on the state’s Top Ten Most Wanted List after law enforcement obtained a murder warrant for his arrest and he has not been located. A reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest. Gregorio Rosas Arenas, 35, last known address 1350 Viola Road, McMinnville, Tenn., is wanted for criminal homicide for the June 20, 2012 fatal shooting of 29-year-old Albertano Guerrero Trejo. According to witnesses, Trejo was inside his apartment on 129 Cascade Avenue in McMinnville when Arenas came to the door, an argument erupted and Trejo was shot and killed. Arenas has a criminal history that includes driving on a suspended license and has received multiple traffic citations. His bond has been set at $1,000,000.
Arenas is described as a Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5’3” and weighs approximately 122 lbs. He was last seen driving a red Pontiac with Tennessee tag 555JPH that belongs to a different vehicle and may be in possession of the victim’s personal identification. Arenas should be considered armed and dangerous and approached with caution. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Gregorio Rosas Arenas is urged to call the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. There is a $1,000 reward for information leading to his arrest

 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin sign-up for the Highly Erodible Land Initiative under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) on July 23, 2012. The purpose of this initiative, announced by Secretary Vilsack in February, is to protect up to 750,000 acres of the nation’s most highly erodible croplands. Producers may enroll at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office. Enrollment will continue until the 750,000 acre limit has been met. “CRP is an important program with more than 25 years of success in protecting the nation’s natural resources through voluntary participation,” said Vilsack. “We are excited to include this new initiative that targets the most fragile cropland, in addition to other targeted initiatives that are currently available under the CRP.” CRP is a voluntary program designed to help farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers protect their environmentally sensitive land. Currently, 29.6 million acres are enrolled in CRP. Through this Highly Erodible Land Initiative, eligible landowners receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource conserving covers on eligible cropland for a period of 10 years. Croplands with an Erodibility Index of 20 or greater are eligible for enrollment. In March, Secretary Vilsack announced an increase of 1 million acres of land in a new CRP Initiative to Restore Grasslands, Wetlands and Wildlife. On June 12, a portion of the 1 million acres available for the initiative were allocated. Initiatives receiving acres are: Wetland Restoration, 200,000 acres; Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds (Quail), 150,000 acres; Duck Nesting Habitat, 150,000 acres; and Pollinator Habitat, 100,000 acres. Sign-up for the Pollinator Habitat initiative began on June 12 as part of the continuous sign-up criteria. CRP has a quarter-century legacy of successfully protecting the nation’s natural resources through voluntary participation, while providing significant economic and environmental benefits to rural communities across the United States. Under CRP, farmers and ranchers plant grasses and trees in crop fields and along streams or rivers. The plantings prevent soil and nutrients from washing into waterways, reduce soil erosion that may otherwise contribute to poor air and water quality, and provide valuable habitat for wildlife. Plant cover established on the acreage accepted into the CRP will reduce nutrient and sediment runoff in our nation’s rivers and streams. In 2011, as a result of CRP, nitrogen and phosphorous losses from farm fields were reduced by 623 million pounds and 124 million pounds respectively. The CRP has restored more than two million acres of wetlands and associated buffers and reduces soil erosion by more than 300 million tons per year. CRP also provides $1.8 billion annually to landowners—dollars that make their way into local economies, supporting small businesses and creating jobs. In addition, CRP is the largest private lands carbon sequestration program in the country. By placing vulnerable cropland into conservation, CRP sequesters carbon in plants and soil, and reduces both fuel and fertilizer usage. In 2010, CRP resulted in carbon sequestration equal to taking almost 10 million cars off the road. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
In 2011, USDA enrolled a record number of acres of private working lands in conservation programs, working with more than 500,000 farmers and ranchers to implement conservation practices that clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, and prevent soil erosion. Moreover, the Obama Administration, with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack’s leadership, has worked tirelessly to strengthen rural America, implement the Farm Bill, maintain a strong farm safety net, and create opportunities for America’s farmers and ranchers. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its most productive periods in American history thanks to the productivity, resiliency, and resourcefulness of our producers.

A Morrison man has been arrested and charged with five counts of Animal Cruelty after an investigation by Cannon County Extension Service Director Bruce Steelman found dead animals at a private residence.  Sean Martin Kronnick of Orville Duke Road in Morrison was charged after three donkeys were discovered dead and two donkeys were found barely alive.  The ground in which they were found on was bare and no forages were present.  Kronnick admitted that he was unable to provide care for the animals.  The conclusion of the investigation was that the three donkeys died from starvation.  The owner surrendered the two donkeys that were alive. He also was informed that the dead decaying carcasses must be buried or burned within a 48 hour period according to the Tennessee Code dealing with dead animals and protection of human health.  Kronnick is schedule to appear in Cannon County General Sessions Court on September 11th.