News 2012

The Tennessee district attorneys are preparing to implement the effects of a new law that will allow Tennessee residents convicted of certain crimes to have the infraction expunged from their public records, effective July 1. This is the first time what is known as “extraordinary relief” has been available in Tennessee. 
“This responsibility has been presented to the district attorneys of Tennessee by the legislature, and the district attorneys will carry out their duties by the book,” said Wally Kirby, executive director of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference. “The district attorneys will ensure that any person seeking extraordinary relief meet all necessary requirements and comply strictly with the process.”
 
Only certain crimes are eligible for expunction; they must be non-violent, non-DUI and non-sexual crimes. Crimes eligible are misdemeanors and Class E felonies committed in the state of Tennessee after Nov. 1, 1989, including forgery, theft, vandalism, and fraudulent or false insurance claim, among others. These crimes must have been for an amount less than $1,000.
 
Additional stipulations to qualify for expunction require that the individual have no other convictions than the one under review. Also, the individual must have completed all terms of his or her sentencing, paid all fines and remained free of alcohol or substance abuse for at least one year. At least five years must have elapsed from the completion of the individual’s sentence. The individual must also pay a fee of $350 to the Clerk of Court, provide photo or government-issued identification, and present a copy of the record of the conviction.
 
State Rep. Judd Matheny, R-Tullahoma, sponsored the bill as it passed through legislation in the House. “It’s paramount to recognize the hard work many have put into this legislation that will allow Tennesseans who have paid for their mistakes to have a second chance,” said Rep. Matheny. “Special thanks go to the stakeholders and the Haslam administration for their cooperation and understanding.”
 
Residents of Tennessee wishing to apply for such expunction must contact their district attorney general’s office in the county in which they were convicted of the crime.
 
The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference was created by the General Assembly in 1961 to provide for a more prompt and efficient administration of justice in Tennessee’s courts. It is composed of the district attorneys from the state’s 31 judicial districts. The district attorneys are elected for a term of eight years and are responsible for the prosecution of criminal cases on behalf of the state. For more information, visit www.tndagc.org.
 

Local hero and Commander of the Hilton Stone American Legion Post279, Woodbury, Tennessee, Bobby E. Ferrell, United States Marines, has been
selected as the American Legion State of Tennessee, “Legionnaire of the
Year”. This prestigious award is a very special and coveted award.
Tennessee has 54 American Legion Posts consisting of over 30,000 members.
American Legion Post 279 is a newly chartered Post. In fact, it is the
first new American Legion Post in Tennessee in the past twenty years.
Post 279 has been Chartered just a little over two years. Under Commander
Ferrell’s leadership Post 279 has established several major operational
goals: 1. To support the youth programs in our community. 2. To support the
Veterans of Cannon County and their families. 3. That there would be no
smoking, no dancing, and no drinking alcoholic beverages at Post 279
meetings. 4. The meetings would be family oriented, fun and exciting. The
ladies of the Auxillary would prepare our meals for our monthly meetings.
Under his leadership he has led the Post in the direction of being a model
Post for all other American Legion Posts in Tennessee to emulate. Commander
Ferrell puts a great deal of emphasis on youth programs such as Boys State,
Girls State, Oritorical Contest, American Legion Baseball (which will be
headed up by Ronny Timmons), and the Sons of the American Legion(eligible to
sons and grandsons of war time Veterans). He also strongly emphasizes
support to all community activities such as, Good Ole Days, Armed Forces Day
and Parade, Memorial Day, The annual Veterans Day Program at Cannon County
and Veterans Day Parade to honor the Veterans of Cannon County, the Fishing
Rodeo held at Dillon Park with TWRA Mark Vance(we had 86 kids and 134 adults
attend – fun, hot dogs and drinks for all—and lots of fish were caught).
Commander Ferrell insures visitors visit Veterans in the nursing home. He
insures maximum support to the Christmas Food Gift Boxes sponsored by our
Woodbury Police Department. Commander Ferrell and Post Officers and Members
support the Carnival Day at the Alvin C. York Medical Center in
Murfreesboro.
Commander Ferrell has served as the United States Marine Grand Marshal
for the Annual Veterans Day Parade. He was selected as the “Legionnaire of
the Year for American Legion Post 279 for 2012. He also has the distinct
honor of being elected as the Commander of Post 279 for his second term (A
great honor from his peers). Ferrell has received the National Headquarters
Certificate of Meritorious Service.
He also received the Tennessee Commander’s Excellence Award. He completed
the American Legion Extension Institute – Corrrespondence Course, 24 April
2012. Ferrell is one of the 21 original Charter members of Post 279.
Commander Ferrell with a personal drive, unequal enthusiam, and a
sincere sense of service to our Veterans and his community, stepped forward
when our original Commander resigned, and our initial 1st Vice Commander
took over as commander and resigned in a couple of months, all during the
first year as a newly chartered American Legion Post. Through his
inspiring, tough and demanding leadership, he assumed command of Post 279.
He organized his staff, established an extensive Executive Board which
includes all of the elected officers of the Post. This board meets monthly
in addition to our regular monthly meeting. This way all of the business is
completed during the Executive Board Meeting and our regular meeting can
focus on the ceremonial and informational issues. He has established a
positive can-do attitude among the staff officers and members. He
personally headed up a campaign to sell memorial bricks for the Department
of Tennessee Hedquarters for a special project for Veterans known as the
“Yellow Brick Road”, where memorial bricks in honor of a veteran is
purchased and placed in his or her memory. He volunteered Post 279 to host
the Fifth District Convention. He organized and conducted a “Post
Everlasting” ceremony to honor our Post
279 members who pasted away during the year. He established a Liaison
Officer position to work with the Auxillary to keep our ladies well informed
on all issues. The ladies of our Auxillary prepare our dinner for our
monthly meetings.
Commander Ferrell has established a close working relationship with our
City and County Officials. He is truly an outstanding Ambassador for the
American Legion.
Commander Ferrell is a man of vision. His goal is to have an annual
major fund raising event for Post 279 and our County. Through his
leadership, we are in our second year of establishing an Annual Licensed and
Sanctioned Kansas City Bar-B-Que Cook-Off event similar to the one held
annually in Lynchburg, TN. He sets the example for all to follow. He is a
man of exceptional leadership abilities, who “Sets the Pace” for American
Legion Post 279. His dedication and leadership to Post 279 has truly been
above and beyond the call of duty.
It is a great honor and priviledge to serve under the command of Bobby
E. Ferrell. Based on my 35 years of military service, I worked with many
high level officers. I met only a few of these high level officers who had
the exceptional and demonstrated leadership abilities of Commander Ferrell.
He is truly outstanding by any measurement.

For those looking for locally grown farm fresh vegetables, drop by the Cannon CountyFarmers Market this Saturday, June 30th for a great selection of fruits, vegetables,
and baked goods. Along with the familiar faces you are accustomed in seeing, the
Market has several new producers. The Market will open this Saturday beginning 6:00
A.M. with a wide array of items, including; apples, beans (Roma, half runners, blue
lake, rattlesnake), beets, cabbage, cucumbers, lettuce, scallions, turnips, beets,
herbs, leafy greens (turnip, collard, mustard), herbs, peppers (banana, habanero,
cayenne, jalapeno), okra, potatoes (red and Irish), sweet corn, squash (zucchini,
yellow and butternut), tomatoes (red, green and tomatillo), turnips and an
assortment of other squash.
The market is just beginning, so each week you will be able to find a broader
selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. 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.
The Cannon County Farmers Market is located at the Cannon County Arts Center every
Saturday beginning at 7:00 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.
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).

Automobiles were on Josh Arrington’s mind when he attended the Friday night car show at Belk’s at the Avenue shopping center in Murfreesboro. 
            But two persuasive women begged Arrington to adopt a quack-pack of ducks to raise funds for the 5th annual Duck Derby. The Derby raises funds to provide services for child abuse victims at the Child Advocacy Center of Cannon and Rutherford counties.
 
            Arrington, a 2003 graduate of Cannon County High School, forked over $25 for the ducks.
 
            Susan Lankheet, the Child Advocacy Center Cannon County Coordinator, was excited that someone with Cannon County ties won the Demos’ gift certificate.  Lankheet said, “This year, we had the best duck adoption sales that the Child Advocacy Center has ever had in Cannon County.  We really appreciate the support of our community for the child abuse victims that we serve.”
 
            Since it was founded 12 years ago, the Center staff has helped more than 7,500 child abuse victims, child sexual abuse victims, and drug endangered children in Cannon and Rutherford counties.
 
After the race, Arrington received a phone call notifying him his duck earned him a $500 gift certificate from Demos’ restaurant.
 
            Arrington works at OHL Inc. where he handles distribution for Starbucks restaurants.
 
            “My boss didn’t believe I won,” Arrington said.
 
            His favorite Demos’ menu item is a bacon-wrapped filet. He planned to spend part of the gift certificate the evening he received the prize out to dinner his girlfriend, Christine Harrison.
 
            “She’ll probably spend most of it,” Arrington said with a laugh.

Jobseekers in middle Tennessee are invited to begin applying at Tennessee Career Centers on Monday, July 2, for jobs at Amazon’s fulfillment centers in Lebanon and Murfreesboro. These new fulfillment centers will fill customer orders for Amazon and the many third-party sellers from Tennessee and around the country that use fulfillment by Amazon. Amazon is working with Tennessee Career Centers to conduct initial screenings and scheduling of interviews to fill more than 1,500 full-time positions at their new facilities.  Interviews will begin in July, so applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.  The facilities are expected to begin operations this fall. 
“We’re very excited to partner with Amazon to help employ qualified Tennessee applicants at their fulfillment centers,” said Labor Commissioner Karla Davis. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our community.”
 
Warehouse associates pack and ship customer orders and are empowered to troubleshoot problems. Ideal candidates possesses a strong work ethic, attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines, and a commitment to customer service as it relates to product fulfillment. Warehouse associates are expected to understand all aspects of production and adhere to strict safety, quality, and production standards.
 Basic Qualifications:

Must be at least 18 years old

High School diploma or equivalent

Willing to work all shifts

Work overtime as required

Read and take direction in English

Pass a post offer, pre-employment drug screen and background check

Must lift up to 49 pounds

Stand / walk for shifts 10-12 hours long

Willing to frequently push, pull, squat, bend and reach
 Hourly Starting Pay Rate Range: $11.00 (Warehouse Position) to $13.00 (Lead Warehouse Position), plus shift differential, variable compensation pay, company stock, and comprehensive benefits.
 
With over 65,000 employees worldwide, Amazon has fulfillment centers in multiple states. Amazon already operates fulfillment centers in Chattanooga, Cleveland, and Lebanon, employing more than 2,500 workers.
 
Applications for Amazon jobs are available at the following middle Tennessee Career Center locations from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning July 2 through July 13: Dickson, Franklin, Gallatin, Lebanon, McMinnville, Metro Center, Murfreesboro, and Nashville South. For contact information and directions to the Tennessee Career Center nearest you visit http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/cc/cccounty.shtml.
 
 

Drought like conditions have caused concern about the potential for fires and water shortages.  Woodbury Mayor Harold Patrick said that it is unsafe to have any open burning or to discharge fireworks at this time.  The Woodbury Fire Department is on a status of high alert in the event of a fire and the town’s water supply is beginning to reach the critical stage. The Tennessee Division Of Forestry recently released their advisory for everyone to consider waiting until sufficient rainfall before shooting off fireworks   Woods, Fields and Yards are extremely dry and will be easily ignited by bottle rockets, roman candles or any type of fireworks and these fires because of the low fuel moisture could spread rapidly and be difficult to control  .  High temperatures are expected to reach 101 over the weekend with still no rain in the forecast for next week.   The Fireworks Show scheduled for July 3rd at Dillon Park is still expected to carry on as planned

There are several alternative feed resources which may be used to replace all orpart of feed supply during limited forage availability.
1. Corn. Corn should be considered an alternative feed. Corn is generally
the most inexpensive source of concentrated energy, and energy is the nutrient which is
most often limited. One of the most common nutritional errors that producers make is to
feed complex mixtures, usually high in crude protein, when corn can be fed cheaper
with identical or better results.
As a general rule-of-thumb, it takes 5 pounds of corn to replace 9 pounds of
average quality hay.
Things to watch for:
# In some years, there have been many reports of corn which is high in Aflatoxin.
In some cases, this might still be useful feed, but you must be careful. See
“Aflatoxin in Tennessee,” E&PP INFO 212.
# Avoid changing to high-corn diets abruptly. Make changes slowly, over several
days.
# Corn tends to decrease utilization of forage. For maximum utilization of forage,
keep corn levels below 1.0 percent of body weight.
# Avoid substituting corn for hay at over 50 percent of the ration.
2. Other Grains. Grains such as milo, oats, barley or wheat may also be
used in cow-calf rations. These grains will require some processing.
3. By-Product Feeds. Certain by-product feeds may be considered as
alternatives for beef cattle. These may include soybean hulls (soyhulls), distiller’s byproducts,
whey, corn gluten feeds, or vegetable by-products. No matter which byproduct
feed is being considered, there are several factors which the beef producer
should consider before these are used. These include:
a. By-Product Feeds Are Often High in Moisture. This makes
transporting expensive and may make them unstable for *storage. Always calculate the
value of feeds on a dry-matter basis. For example, if a feed is 40% dry matter, divide
the price paid by 0.4 to figure the value on a dry matter basis. Also, calculate
transportation costs. The true cost of feed includes all transportation costs, and should
be calculated based on the value as delivered to the farm.
b. Carefully Evaluate the Nutrient composition of the By-Product Feed.
Most commercial sources of by-product feeds will provide a nutrient composition of the
feed. If this is not available, it is recommended that the buyer have the feed analyzed.
Many feed companies provide this service or feed may be analyzed by the University of
Tennessee’s Forage Testing Laboratory. By-product feeds are often variable in nutrient
content.
c. Be Aware of Problems With Contaminants. These include any
chemicals or waste products added or formed during the production process that may
be detrimental to animal performance or health, or which could leave residues in meat
or milk.
d. Crop Residues. Field crop residues such as soybean or corn stubble
may also stretch carrying capacity where available, but will usually require
supplementation.
e. Ask questions. Extension agents are often aware of the best alternatives
in your area. Feed dealers want your business, so should have good information, but it
is a good idea to shop around.
 

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and State Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman today announced that statewide student performance on the 2012 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) improved for the second year in a row, as the state continues to push toward academic achievement through its First to the Top education reforms.  
Students reached higher levels of proficiency in 23 of 24 TCAP achievement tests in grades three through eight.  Achievement also increased on most high school “End of Course” exams.
“The continued success of students is a testament to how much work Tennessee teachers have done in the classroom,” Haslam said during the event at West End Middle School in Nashville.  “We’re so proud of our students, teachers and parents for supporting statewide efforts to improve education, and it is exciting to see gains for a second year in a row.”
 
TCAP results show that after two years of steady increases, half of students in grades three through eight were reading at grade level or above during the 2011-12 school year.
 
Additionally, 47 percent of students scored proficient or advanced in math — about 55,000 more than were on grade level two years ago.  More than 60 percent of students were proficient or advanced in science — 38,000 more students than in 2010.
 
In high school, more than half of students scored proficient or advanced in English I, English II, Algebra I, biology and history for the first time since Tennessee raised its standards three years ago.
 
“The growth we’ve seen on statewide assessments over the past two years is an impressive start, and shows that we are on the right track,” Huffman said. “But we still have considerable work to do to improve student outcomes and narrow the educational gaps that exist in our schools.  For now, we celebrate this success, as it gives us the encouragement we need to press forward with the hard work ahead.”
 
To improve the quality of education in Tennessee, TCAP Achievement tests and End of Course exams became aligned with more strategic and rigorous standards in 2009, a result of the Tennessee Diploma Project.  In the face of higher standards, students have demonstrated growth on the assessments each year as Tennessee strives to become the fastest-improving state educational system in the nation.
 
The governor and commissioner were joined for the announcement by House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) and Senate Education Committee Chairman Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville).

The meeting of the Cannon County Budget Committee got a late start as only three committee members Kevin George, James Adkins and Chairman Mark Barker were present at the beginning.  Todd Hollandsworth joined in a little later to get the meeting officially started with a quorum.  The Committee went over the Election Budget requests.  The committee asked Stan Dobson Administrator Of Elections as to why there was a line item of overtime when both he and the assistant are on salary. Mr. Dobson answered that the assistant’s salary is based on 30 hours worked and the overtime would cover any time she works past the 30 hours.
Overall the committee didn’t agree with the answer but took no action on it.  The updated statement of proposed operations for the industrial park, solid waste, drug fund, and debt service fund were passed out.  Total estimated revenue for the new fiscal year in the General Debt Service Fund will be around $928,601.00 with total estimated expenditures of $869,300.00 leaving an estimated ending fund balance for the new fiscal year June 30th of $2,421.185.00  The numbers are based on 2 cents of the property tax rate, which was the same as the fiscal year that ends June 30th. The drug fund showed updated revenue figures of $16,725.00 for the fiscal year which ends on Friday and an estimated $16,600.00 for next fiscal year.  Solid Waste had some more revenue added in since the last meeting for this fiscal year in which the fund was showing in the red.  The extra revenue added in pulled the fund out of the red to give the estimated beginning fund balance July 1st of $10,030.00.
The Industrial Economic Development Fund showed total revenues bringing in $73,553.00 for 2011-2012 from the leases and rentals of industrial and factory buildings.  Next fiscal year the revenue is expected to be $92,400.00  Industrial Development may cost the county $21,486.00 and combining those costs along with the principal and interest on loan notes will bring the total estimated expenditures to $80,659.00
The General Purpose School Fund Budget was reviewed.  The Budget showed estimated expenditures to the tune of 14 million 770 thousand and 456 dollars for the 2012-2013 year.  Revenues are estimated to bring in $14,409,262.00 based on the 90 and a half cents that was budgeted to the schools last year as a result of property tax.  If the estimates are correct the Schools will have to dip into their fund balance $361,000.00
The next meeting of the Cannon County Budget Committee will be Thursday July 5th at the Cannon County Courthouse.
 

Cannon County received one of 41 grants to help recycle tires and keep them out of landfils.  The waste tire recycling grants awarded by Tennessee Governor Bill HAslam and Tennessee Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau total more than $2.8 million in fiscal year 2013-2014 and the grants are supported from the Solid Waste Management Fund which receives revenue from a pre-disposal fee  on the purchase of new tires Tennessee recycles an estimated 55,000 tons of tires per year, diverting waste tires from landfills and sending them to beneficial end-use facilities.  Beneficial end-use methods include utilizing tire-derived aggregate in civil engineering projects, crumb rubber for asphalt paving and molded rubber products.  The majority of Tennessee’s waste
The General Assembly authorized waste tire grants in the Solid Waste Management Act of 1991. The grants assist counties with the processing and transportation of tires to beneficial end-use facilities.  Counties are reimbursed $1 per eligible tire and are required to provide at least one waste tire collection site.  Counties may charge an additional fee if the grant is not adequate to cover costs.
Purchasing longer life tires, rotating and balancing tires every 6,000 miles, and checking air pressure monthly are excellent ways to reduce the number of scrap tires generated in Tennessee and will also save money. Cannon County will receive a $5800 grant.  Neighboring Rutherford County received a $466,000 grant while Coffee County was awarded a grant worth $83,000