News 2016

The Veterans Day Weekend started with a full program Friday which took place at Cannon County High School honoring the many veterans who served in the Armed Forces in Cannon County.  The event was highlighted by a special speaker, Paul Stumb, a veteran, who is currently the President Of Cumberland University.
Several students were recognized in the various competitions held in conjunction with the program.  In the essay contest, first place went to Leann Scott, second place was Victoria Jones and Etta Gaines took 3rd place.  Lou Maynard took first place in the Poster Contest, Emma Davenport received 2nd place and Ashlyn Ellis took 3rd.  Designing the cover of the program 1st place was Kyra Agee.  Her artwork was used as the cover of the Veterans Day Program Brochure.  Second place was Brent Hastings and 3rd went to Austin Sissom.

On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the more than 500,000 Tennesseans who have worn the uniform of our country and who defended her honor in times of war and peace. This day speaks to the very best of America and, for me, the occasion is an opportunity to honor my father, my brother, my husband, and my son.
I know so many of you have special veterans in your life. If you are like me, you are proud of their service and you want to know that their sacrifices will be reflected in the decisions that are made in Washington. That is one of the reasons why I am serving in Congress today.
On Veterans Day, I often think back to a famous quote from our nation’s 40th President, Ronald Reagan, that hangs on a placard in my office. It says “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
Our nation’s veterans have heeded that call and some paid the ultimate sacrifice in the process. To our veterans in Tennessee’s 6th District and across this country: We are grateful for your service, we are inspired by your example, and we pledge to keep telling your story — so that our children and our children’s children will know that freedom was bought with a price.

Nurses for Newborns of Tennessee, an infant mortality, child abuse and neglect prevention agency, is proud to be participating in the international 19 Days of Activism for Prevention of Violence Against Children and Youth November 1-19.
 
Nurses for Newborns (NFN) is dedicated to reducing infant mortality, child abuse and neglect by sending registered nurses into the home to provide physical assessment, education, and positive parenting skills to at-risk families. This year, the 19 Days of Activism Campaign is focusing on malnutrition. Malnutrition refers to not only an inadequate amount of food, but also to an inadequate amount of nutrition. Nutrients like iron, vitamin A, and zinc are key for physical and mental growth and development.
 
Proper nutrition begins with mothers and caregivers. Our nurses provide education on proper nutrition from the first visit, including the mother’s nutritional and caloric intake, the baby’s caloric intake, breastfeeding and use of formula for infant nutrition. Our nurses also educate caregivers on when to introduce baby foods and solids and connect families to various community resources that can provide formula and other food as needed. At every visit, the baby is weighed, measured and assessed to ensure he is meeting appropriate growth milestones. Caregivers are frequently asked about their diet from the last 24 hours to ensure they are also eating a balanced diet and drinking enough fluids. By educating and assessing these caregivers and babies during the nurse visits, we can directly reduce the risk of malnutrition in the families we serve.
 
NFN’s support is specific to those most vulnerable in the community, such as medically fragile babies (including but not limited to babies born premature, drug exposed or experiencing other medical concerns), mothers or caregivers with medical, mental health or substance abuse concerns, and teenage parents. NFN serves families by providing medical, developmental, and mental health assessments for women and their infants. Our nurses promote healthcare, safety, education, and positive parenting skills as well as connect families to other needed resources. Support can begin prenatally and can last until the child is 24 months old. Last year, NFN served approximately 525 babies in Middle Tennessee!
 
We are proud to partner with other community agencies to support parents in building safe, stable and nurturing homes. For more information on how you can partner with Nurses for Newborns to save babies and strengthen families, visit www.nursesfornewborns.org or contact the Nurses for Newborns office.

Eligible producers in Tennessee who are interested in
implementing conservation practices to improve natural resources on their agricultural land and
private forestland have until Friday, November 18, 2016, to submit their completed application to
be considered for fiscal year 2017 funding.
Funding is offered through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental
Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Eligible applications that are received after November 18 will
be considered during a later time and will be processed throughout the fiscal year, pending funding
availability.
“We accept applications for EQIP on a continuous basis to help eligible producers improve natural
resources on private working lands in Tennessee,” said TN NRCS State Conservationist Kevin Brown.
“The program places a priority on water quality, water quantity, and promotes soil health practices by
offering financial and technical assistance to address these resource concerns on eligible agricultural
land.”
EQIP is an incentives-based program that provides technical and financial assistance for
conservation systems such as animal waste management facilities, irrigation system efficiency
improvements, fencing, water supply development for improved grazing management, riparian
protection, and wildlife habitat enhancement.
Completed applications for Cannon County farms will be accepted at the Natural Resources
Conservation Service office located at 740 Old McMinnville Road in Woodbury. Applications must be
received by 4:00 pm on Friday, November 18, 2016.
NRCS continually strives to put conservation planning at the forefront of its programs and
initiatives. Conservation plans provide landowners with a voluntary comprehensive inventory and
assessment of their resources and an appropriate start to improving the quality of soil, water, air,
plants, and wildlife on their land.
To find out more about EQIP, fill out the eligibility forms, or obtain an application, visit our website

 As producers finish harvest and turn their attention to the 2017 crop season, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is releasing a new tool that will allow farmers to quickly access information on yield performance and disease resistance for more than 200 soybean cultivars.

“Seeds are one of the most expensive purchases a farmer makes each year, and the choices are increasingly complex,” says Heather Kelly, plant pathologist with the UT Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. “Our new searchable database will make this abundance of information more manageable and help producers quickly and easily find answers.”

The searchable database, which is available online at UTCrops.com, features disease and yield information on soybean cultivars tested in County Standardized Trials and replicated small plots at UT AgResearch and Education Centers and on-farm locations. Users can search and sort the results by herbicide trait, maturity group, brand name, cultivar, level of resistance to Frogeye Leaf Spot, or yield.

Where applicable, yield results are separately listed for high disease pressure locations, low to moderate disease pressure locations, and when planted behind wheat. Farmers can also compare a cultivar’s yields when treated with a fungicide to when it was left untreated. The site also supplies information on cultivar resistance to other diseases, such as stem canker, sudden death syndrome cercospora leaf blight and target spot, as well as soybean cyst nematode reaction.

While this information is available in UTIA’s Soybean Variety Performance Reports, the search query feature of the new online database allows users to quickly sort through the disease and yield data across different herbicide traits and maturity groups.

“This site is by no means a replacement for our Variety Performance Reports. Instead it will be a great first-step in helping producers efficiently find the information they seek,” says Kelly, who compiled the database. She adds that UTIA specialists are working to create a more comprehensive searchable database for soybean cultivars as well as other crops. At present, this additional soybean variety information can be found at http://utcrops.com/soybean/varieties_soy.htm
The UTCrops seed database is a free service. It can be directly accessed at http://search.utcrops.com

For the latest Tennessee crops news, pest and disease alerts and research information, be sure to follow the UT Crops News Blog.
 

Chief Petty Officer Robert Virgil Young United States Coast Guard has been selected, by the American Legion Post 279 in his honor and memory as the Coast Guard Grand Marshal for the 2016 Cannon County Veterans Day Parade.  A graduate of Woodbury Central High in 1954 he joined the Coast Guard and took his boot camp in New Jersey.  
Virgil was station in may places during his 20 year career in the Coast Guard.  First he was stationed at the Belle Isle Life Boat Station which is a search and rescue station.
His second duty station was Fort Huron Michigan where he served aboard the Huron Light Ship.  Virgil also was assigned to bases in New Orleans, DuLac, in Alaska, Virginia, Puerto Rico and Buffalo NY.  His ninth and last duty station was Captain of the Port in Nashville where he retired in 1974.
Virgil received the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, The Coast Guard Commendation Ribbon and the Fourth Award of the Coast Guard Good Conduct Award In 1973.
The American Legion Post 279 and the Concerned Citizens for Veterans Of Cannon County will present a full program honoring the many veterans that served in the Armed Forces Friday morning in the Robert A Harris Gymnasium at Cannon County High School beginning at 8:30.  The public is invited to attend this free event.  The Cannon County Veterans Day parade will begin Saturday afternoon at 1:00.  WBRY will have live broadcast coverage of each event on AM-1540/Shine 107.1FM WBRY

Deck your halls with gifts that glitter at the Holiday Paisley & Plaid Handmade Market this Saturday, November 12.

The spirit of giving continues at this annual event with half of all door proceeds benefitting the Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford & Cannon Counties.  The Child Advocacy Center is a non-profit agency that serves victims of child abuse, child sexual abuse, drug endangered children, and their non-offending parents and family members.

This one-of-a-kind market features over 60 artisan vendors with items such as boutique clothing, home decor, jewelry, and children’s apparel.  Kids can have their pictures taken with Santa from 10 a.m. until noon.  And when your little elves get hungry, grab a tasty treat from one of the food trucks!  This complete holiday experience is November 12, 2016 at the Lane Agri-Park Community Center from 9am-5pm.

“Shop local and make a difference,” says Paisley & Plaid’s Amanda Payne.  “Not only are you supporting a local artist with every purchase, you are donating to a charity that is critical to the children in our community.”

Admission is only $3 at the door and children under 12 are free. For more details, visit  https://www.facebook.com/events/1742874555959182/

Location: Lane Agri-Park Community Center, 315 John Rice Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN 37129

When: November 12, 2016 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Admission: $3 for adults, children under 12 are free.

The Cannon County Board Of Education will meet tonight for their regular monthly meeting.  On the agenda.  The Board will discuss a proposal about the School Resource Officers.  They will look to approve pest control bids, a proposal of Jerry Warren, engineer on Woodland School drainage project, 2017-2018 school calendar.  The Board will also consider appraisal proposals for Pease property, discuss the Connections Academy and maintenance at Cannon County High School.  Board member Nathan Sanders will also give an update on the TSBA convention.  The meeting will take place tonight at 6:30 at the Woodbury Grammar School Cafeteria.

The UT-Extension Office in Cannon County continues to be concerned about the ongoing drought.  As much of Tennessee copes with drought and extremely dry conditions, the state veterinarian advises livestock owners to take precautions to maintain the health of their animals. “Pastures that would normally maintain livestock well into the fall are dry and brittle right now,” Dr. Charles Hatcher said. “Owners need to make sure livestock have access to quality hay and an abundant supply of fresh water. Depending on the animal and the environment, it may also be appropriate to give grain to livestock that typically do well on pasture alone.”
Tips for livestock owners and managers:
Ensure the water supply – When rainfall is in short supply, streams, ponds and wells can run dry. Any water that remains may become unappealing. Supply free access to fresh water at all times.
    Watch for algae – Algae can take over a stagnant pond and is toxic to livestock. Aerate ponds or restrict access if algae bloom is extensive.
    Watch for poisonous plants – Weeds and toxic plants may be the only vegetation that survives in a dry pasture. Hungry livestock will often resort to eating those poisonous plants if no other roughage is available. Provide fresh hay and mow and maintain pastures to keep weeds under control.
    Consider changing the diet – All livestock need fresh water and salt. Add hay and/or grain to the diet during periods of dry weather when pastures lack moisture and nutrients.
    Monitor for nitrate accumulations – Weeds, grasses and small grains can accumulate high levels of nitrate content during drought. Nitrate poisoning is possible with certain forages. Consult with your veterinarian or ag extension office for more information on risk and testing options.
For more information contact Bruce Steelman at the Cannon County UT Extension Office at 615-563-2554

The importance of a single vote was echoed Tuesday during the local election portion of the 2016 General Election.  Andy Duggin will be the new Mayor of the Town of Woodbury after he squeaked by opponent Charlie Harrell.  Out of a total of 790 votes in the Mayor race Andy Duggin received 394 votes while Charlie Harrell collected 386 votes.  10 votes went to write-in.  That however was not the closest local race as the difference of one vote separated candidates from the final seat of the Board of Aldermen.  LuAnn Curlee secured that seat with 367 votes while incumbent JoAnn Davis finished with 366 votes.    The six elected to the aldermen position are Dotty Duggin with 496 votes, Faye Northcutt-Knox 489 votes, Harold Patrick who did not run for Mayor will continue to serve in town government as he received 462 votes.  Final three positions include Curlee, Lois Larimer with 409 votes and Adam Melton will continue as an Alderman as he attracted 404 votes.  Deanna Brown finished the race with 294 votes and Walter “Chuck” Holt with 255 votes.  Auburntown incumbent Mayor Roger Turney ran unopposed and got 86 votes.  Two other votes were write-ins.  Three candidates for six seats in Auburntown Aldermen’s race.  Those three were as follows Janice Fletcher with 73 votes, Rita Kay Davis with 68 votes and Denise Crowell with 60 votes.
On the State scene Cannon County easily voted 46th District Representative  Republican Mark Pody to stay in office.  Voters cast 3723 votes for him in comparison to 1151 votes for his challenger Democrat Amelia Morrison Hipps.  7 votes were write in votes in that race.
Diane Black was the clear winner in the US House 6th District as far as Cannon County voting.  Out of 4903 votes Black garnered 3449 of the votes while her opponent David W. Kent only received 1006 votes.  David Ross who ran as an Independent got 440 votes and 8 write ins.
In the Presidential election Cannon County was all Donald Trump.  Trump collected 75 percent of the Cannon County vote with 4006 compared to Hillary Clinton’s 1126 votes.
5429 registered Cannon County voters voted in this election 2826 early and absentee and 2603 turned out at the polls Tuesday.