News 2016

Are you raising a relative child or need housing assistance?  For more information on assistance and support, please contact Melissa Allison at the Upper Cumberland Development District toll free at 1-877-275-8233.    A support group meeting will be held for relatives that are caring for relative children.  The meeting will be held Thursday at the Adams Memorial Library from 1 to 2 in the afternoon.  
For housing assistance while caring for a minor child, contact Myra Walker at 931-432-4111.

The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development is announcing the Jobs4TN Hiring Event sponsored by Rep. Mike Sparks. The event will be held on Thursday, June 23, at 10:00 a.m. (CDT) at the Grace Church located 108 Stones River Road, La Vergne. A variety of job opportunities with all levels of skill requirements will be available at this event.
         More than 35 employers are set to participate including Twice Daily Convenience Stores

       AlliedBarton Security Services

       R.E. West Transportation

       Harlan Electric Company

       At Home Healthcare

       Federal Mogul Corporation

       Aramark

       XEROX

       Rock Solid Security, Inc.

       Rutherford County Schools and

 Bridgestone-LaVergne . Attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their résumé. For more information please contact Debbie Mullins at Debbie.Mullins@tn.gov.

The Cannon County Sheriff’s Department took the following reports of theft recently.  According to Cannon County Sheriff’s Department reports, Lynn Underwood called the Sheriff’s Department to report that he let his son Michael Lynn Underwood borrow two guns back in January.  The last time Lynn saw them was in February before his son passed away.  Upon searching through Michael’s property and talking to Michael’s friends the guns in question remain missing.
A woman on Petty Gap Road believed her ex husband drove to her house in a backhoe, stole various items and left.  The ex-husband then wrecked the backhoe on Burt Bergen Road where several of the items were found near the road at the crash site.   Some of the items missing may still be at the tow yard.  At the time of the accident, Raines was transported to Vanderbilt Hospital by Life Flight.  Sheriff’s Department is still investigating.

Members of the DeKalb/Cannon County Amateur Radio Club  will be participating in the national Amateur Radio Field Day exercise, June 25th, 2016 1 PM – 8 PM at Jim Cummings State Roadside Park, 2675 McMinnville Highway, Woodbury, TN 37190.
 
Since 1933, ham radio operators across North America have established temporary ham radio stations in public locations during Field Day to showcase the science and skill of Amateur Radio. This event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. For over 100 years, Amateur Radio — sometimes called ham radio — has allowed people from all walks of life to experiment with electronics and communications techniques, as well as provide a free public service to their communities during a disaster, all without needing a cell phone or the Internet. Field Day demonstrates ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent communications network. Over 35,000 people from thousands of locations participated in Field Day in 2015. “It’s easy for anyone to pick up a computer or smartphone, connect to the Internet and communicate, with no knowledge of how the devices function or connect to each other,” said Sean Kutzko of the American Radio Relay League, the national association for Amateur Radio. “But if there’s an interruption of service or you’re out of range of a cell tower, you have no way to communicate. Ham radio functions completely independent of the Internet or cell phone infrastructure, can interface with tablets or smartphones, and can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. That’s the beauty of Amateur Radio during a communications outage.” “Hams can literally throw a wire in a tree for an antenna, connect it to a battery-powered transmitter and communicate halfway around the world,” Kutzko added. “Hams do this by using a layer of Earth’s atmosphere as a sort of mirror for radio waves. In today’s electronic do-it-yourself (DIY) environment, ham radio remains one of the best ways for people to learn about electronics, physics, meteorology, and numerous other scientific disciplines, and is a huge asset to any community during disasters if the standard communication infrastructure goes down.” Anyone may become a licensed Amateur Radio operator.

 
There are over 725,000 licensed hams in the United States, as young as 5 and as old as 100. And with clubs such as the DeKalb/Cannon County Amateur Radio Club, it’s easy for anybody to get involved right here in DeKalb and Cannon Counties. For more information about Field Day, call 615-597-9563 or visit www.dccarc.org orwww.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio.

It’s International Make Music Day and a group in Murfreesboro will be recognizing the day inviting the public to participate in a drum circle.  The Make Music Day was started in France in 1982 and is an international movement held every June 21st in more than 700 cities in 120 countries.  All ages are welcome to participate the event is free.  The drum circle will take place tonight at 7:00 near the tennis courts and playground at Old Fort Park.

The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency has been awarded funds to help people having difficulty paying their utility bills.
Applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally-funded program designed to assist low-income households meet home energy needs and supplement energy costs for eligible households, will begin taking applications for the new program effective July 1.
Priority for service is not “first come, first served,” but instead is based upon a point system.
Documentation of all household income will be required for the application process. This includes check stubs for 13 weeks, or six paystubs if by-weekly or bi-monthly, Social Security or pension award letters, or unemployment benefit letters. If self-employed, an applicant should provide a tax return.
Applicants must also provide a copy for 12 months of the household’s electric and/or gas bills (if residing at a current address is less than 12 months, a printout of all energy usage at this address is required). Proof of all Social Security numbers is required for all household members. Some additional documentation may also be required to process applications.
Assistance provided to households ranges from $300-$600, depending upon total points. Once an application has been submitted by a household, it will be notified by mail within 90 days of the status of the applications.
Households awarded assistance are required to continue paying their energy bills until the awarded payment has been received by its designated utility provider, and when the benefit is exhausted, the household will return to paying for the energy costs.  For more information contact the Cannon County office of the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency at 615-563-2916.
 

June 20-23—Camp Read to Be Ready, WGS, 8:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.
June 21—State Leadership training
 
June 24—Principals’ data due in TN Compass
 
July 4—Board of Education Central Office will be closed.
 
July 7—Principals’ meeting at Central Office, 8:30 a.m.
 
July 11-21—Camp Read to Be Ready, WGS, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
 
 
Summer Feeding Schedule (Meals will be served at Woodbury Grammar Cafeteria):
June 20-23—Monday through Thursday
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon Lunch
Free to all students 18 and under
 
July 11-14—Monday through Thursday
July 18-21—Monday through Thursday
8:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Breakfast
11:30 a.m.-12:00 noon Lunch
Free to all students 18 and under

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced today that 12 Tennessee communities have been selected to participate in the fifth round of the Tennessee Downtowns program. The communities selected include Ashland City, Crossville, Dickson, Gainesboro, Hohenwald, Humboldt, Lenoir City, Livingston, Lynchburg, Manchester, Wartburg and Woodbury.
“Tennesseans are passionate about their communities and because of the overwhelming support from our General Assembly through the Rural Economic Opportunity Act, we are able to provide funding to twice as many communities this round,” TNECD Commissioner Randy Boyd said. “We applaud these communities for making efforts to revitalize their downtown commercial districts, helping Team Tennessee see that its communities reach full economic potential.”
Thirty-four communities have participated in the Tennessee Downtowns program since its inception in 2010. Each of the 12 communities selected this round has downtown commercial districts established at least 50 years ago and have demonstrated their readiness to organize efforts for downtown revitalization. The highly competitive selection process was based on historic commercial resources, economic and physical need, demonstrated local effort, overall presentation and probability of success.
“Flourishing downtowns provide a sense of pride for our communities, spur tourism, promote entrepreneurship and create jobs,” TNECD Assistant Commissioner of Rural Development Amy New said. “We’ve seen communities turn their $15,000 grants into hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of leveraged investment from both the public and private sector. With strong local leadership, the Tennessee Downtowns program can create vibrant and sustainable economies in the heart of rural Tennessee – our downtowns.”
Tennessee Downtowns is an affiliated program of Tennessee Main Street and is a community improvement program for towns and cities seeking to revitalize traditional commercial districts. The communities chosen to participate work through volunteer committees of local citizens who participate in a two-year program supported by the National Main Street Center. They also receive a $15,000 grant to complete a downtown improvement project upon completion of the training based on the successful Main Street Four-Point Approach. 
Each application was supported by the community’s senator and representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly.
– See more at: http://tn.gov/news/43168#sthash.vGkV0BOc.dpuf
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced Friday that 12 Tennessee communities have been selected to participate in the fifth round of the Tennessee Downtowns program. The communities selected include Ashland City, Crossville, Dickson, Gainesboro, Hohenwald, Humboldt, Lenoir City, Livingston, Lynchburg, Manchester, Wartburg and Woodbury.
“Tennesseans are passionate about their communities and because of the overwhelming support from our General Assembly through the Rural Economic Opportunity Act, we are able to provide funding to twice as many communities this round,” TNECD Commissioner Randy Boyd said. “We applaud these communities for making efforts to revitalize their downtown commercial districts, helping Team Tennessee see that its communities reach full economic potential.”
Thirty-four communities have participated in the Tennessee Downtowns program since its inception in 2010. Each of the 12 communities selected this round has downtown commercial districts established at least 50 years ago and have demonstrated their readiness to organize efforts for downtown revitalization. The highly competitive selection process was based on historic commercial resources, economic and physical need, demonstrated local effort, overall presentation and probability of success.
“Flourishing downtowns provide a sense of pride for our communities, spur tourism, promote entrepreneurship and create jobs,” TNECD Assistant Commissioner of Rural Development Amy New said. “We’ve seen communities turn their $15,000 grants into hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of leveraged investment from both the public and private sector. With strong local leadership, the Tennessee Downtowns program can create vibrant and sustainable economies in the heart of rural Tennessee – our downtowns.”
Tennessee Downtowns is an affiliated program of Tennessee Main Street and is a community improvement program for towns and cities seeking to revitalize traditional commercial districts. The communities chosen to participate work through volunteer committees of local citizens who participate in a two-year program supported by the National Main Street Center. They also receive a $15,000 grant to complete a downtown improvement project upon completion of the training based on the successful Main Street Four-Point Approach.
Each application was supported by the community’s senator and representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly.
 

Summertime is the ideal season for traveling and road trips. The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs offers tips to help consumers prepare their car for the trip and to avoid automotive repair scams prior to traveling this summer.
“If you’re getting ready to hit the highway for a summer road trip, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is properly maintained to prevent the need for unanticipated car repairs,” said TDCI Deputy Commissioner Bill Giannini.
In 2015, the Division of Consumer Affairs received more than 180 consumer complaints related to automotive repairs.  Here are a few road trip safety tips to help consumers avoid filing a complaint:
Prepare an emergency road kit.
Preparing an emergency road kit promotes safety, reduces stress and may help you get back on the road faster. Your emergency roadside kit may include emergency roadside assistance contact information, up-to-date automobile insurance, a first aid kit, a flashlight, water, extra fuel, a spare tire, jumper cables, a toolkit and more.
Conduct your own comprehensive vehicle inspection.
Before you leave town, take time to inspect your vehicle by referring to the vehicle’s owner’s manual or by visiting your dealership. Odd noises, a sudden shake or shimmy, or anything out of the ordinary can be an early indication of a potential problem.  A comprehensive vehicle inspection includes:

• Checking the levels of all vital fluids (engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power-steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid)
• Examining all belts for cracks, worn spots or shredding fabric reinforcement
• Checking hoses for cracks in the inner liner
• Testing the battery
• Testing the brakes
• Testing the tire pressure

If you aren’t comfortable inspecting your vehicle and want to leave these important duties to the experts, review these auto repair service tips before you entrust your vehicle to an unfamiliar maintenance company:
Seek references. Contact your auto insurance company to request a list of preferred auto repair shops in the area. Search online reviews to read ratings and comments offered by previous customers. Ask around; local residents and friends may offer recommendations.
Check for complaints. Contact the Division of Consumer Affairs at consumer.affairs@tn.gov or 800-342-8385 to ask if prior complaints have been reported against the auto repair company. You may also visit www.bbb.org to check out your local Better Business Bureau’s ratings and reviews.

Does the shop seem professional? A quality automotive repair shop should have a neat and well-organized service floor and modern equipment. The staff should be courteous and willing to answer all of your questions. Look for updated certifications, such as the Automotive Service Excellence Seal, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and the Automobile Association of America certification.
Get a written estimate. Before you authorize any repairs, request an estimate in writing that reflects all costs for parts and labor.  Ensure that the company agrees, in writing, to contact you for approval before performing work that exceeds a certain dollar amount.
Ask to see repairs. Before you pay, request to see exactly what was done. Ask the shop to visually show what parts were replaced or repaired. You may also ask to see the old parts that were replaced.
Final bill higher than the estimate? Ask the shop to explain any unanticipated charges. Review the invoice to ensure the work is itemized, including parts, repairs and guarantees. This offers proof of coverage under the service guarantee, in case problems arise after you leave.
Watch out for waiving the deductible. If the shop offers to help you recover or “waive” your insurance deductible, this is a red flag not to use this auto repair company. For example, a mechanic might suggest installing a used part, billing your insurance company for a new one, and passing on the illegal cost savings to you. This is insurance fraud. 
To report insurance fraud in the State of Tennessee, contact the Tennessee Division of Insurance at www.tn.gov/insurance or 800-792-7573 or to file a complaint against an automotive repair company in the State of Tennessee, visit www.tn.gov/consumer.
– See more at: http://tn.gov/news/43184#sthash.sNHpJrG5.dpuf
Summertime is the ideal season for traveling and road trips. The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs offers tips to help consumers prepare their car for the trip and to avoid automotive repair scams prior to traveling this summer.
“If you’re getting ready to hit the highway for a summer road trip, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is properly maintained to prevent the need for unanticipated car repairs,” said TDCI Deputy Commissioner Bill Giannini.
In 2015, the Division of Consumer Affairs received more than 180 consumer complaints related to automotive repairs.  Here are a few road trip safety tips to help consumers avoid filing a complaint:
Prepare an emergency road kit.
Preparing an emergency road kit promotes safety, reduces stress and may help you get back on the road faster. Your emergency roadside kit may include emergency roadside assistance contact information, up-to-date automobile insurance, a first aid kit, a flashlight, water, extra fuel, a spare tire, jumper cables, a toolkit and more.
Conduct your own comprehensive vehicle inspection.
Before you leave town, take time to inspect your vehicle by referring to the vehicle’s owner’s manual or by visiting your dealership. Odd noises, a sudden shake or shimmy, or anything out of the ordinary can be an early indication of a potential problem.  A comprehensive vehicle inspection includes:
Checking the levels of all vital fluids (engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power-steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid)
    Examining all belts for cracks, worn spots or shredding fabric reinforcement
    Checking hoses for cracks in the inner liner
    Testing the battery
    Testing the brakes
    Testing the tire pressure
If you aren’t comfortable inspecting your vehicle and want to leave these important duties to the experts, review these auto repair service tips before you entrust your vehicle to an unfamiliar maintenance company:
Seek references. Contact your auto insurance company to request a list of preferred auto repair shops in the area. Search online reviews to read ratings and comments offered by previous customers. Ask around; local residents and friends may offer recommendations.
Check for complaints. Contact the Division of Consumer Affairs at consumer.affairs@tn.gov or 800-342-8385 to ask if prior complaints have been reported against the auto repair company. You may also visit www.bbb.org to check out your local Better Business Bureau’s ratings and reviews.
Does the shop seem professional? A quality automotive repair shop should have a neat and well-organized service floor and modern equipment. The staff should be courteous and willing to answer all of your questions. Look for updated certifications, such as the Automotive Service Excellence Seal, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and the Automobile Association of America certification.
Get a written estimate. Before you authorize any repairs, request an estimate in writing that reflects all costs for parts and labor.  Ensure that the company agrees, in writing, to contact you for approval before performing work that exceeds a certain dollar amount.
Ask to see repairs. Before you pay, request to see exactly what was done. Ask the shop to visually show what parts were replaced or repaired. You may also ask to see the old parts that were replaced.
Final bill higher than the estimate? Ask the shop to explain any unanticipated charges. Review the invoice to ensure the work is itemized, including parts, repairs and guarantees. This offers proof of coverage under the service guarantee, in case problems arise after you leave.
Watch out for waiving the deductible. If the shop offers to help you recover or “waive” your insurance deductible, this is a red flag not to use this auto repair company. For example, a mechanic might suggest installing a used part, billing your insurance company for a new one, and passing on the illegal cost savings to you. This is insurance fraud.
To report insurance fraud in the State of Tennessee, contact the Tennessee Division of Insurance at www.tn.gov/insurance or 800-792-7573 or to file a complaint against an automotive repair company in the State of Tennessee, visit www.tn.gov/consumer.
 

June 20-24
Murfreesboro – Antebellum Academy Summer Camp for Young Ladies introduces students to crafts, history and 19th-century manners 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT at the Oaklands Mansion.
June 20-28
Clarksville – Beverly Fisher’s Grace Among the Leavings follows the story of 11-year-old Grace Meadows and her family during the Civil War at the Roxy Regional Theatre’s theotherspace.
June 21
Knoxville – Silversun Pickups with Bear Hands perform 7 p.m. ET at The Mill & Mine.
June 22
Nashville – Enjoy the Summer Winemaking Class Series 6 p.m. CT with winemaker Bill Anton and assistant winemaker Laura Cypress at City Winery.
June 22-25
Lynchburg – The 54th annual Lynchburg Frontier Days includes bluegrass music, contests, carnival and fireworks in Wiseman Park and Lynchburg’s Town Square.
June 23
Bristol, TN/VA – Radio Bristol presents: Farm & Fun Time with special guests South Carolina Broadcasters and Dori Freeman 7 p.m. ET at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
Collierville – The 2016 Sunset on the Square Concert Series continues with Bryan Hayes on Collierville’s Main Street.
Knoxville – Catch the last performance of The Pirates of Penzance with loads of laughter performed by the Tennessee Valley Players 7:30 p.m. ET at the Carousel Theatre.
Nashville – Enjoy music by The WannaBeatles and food truck offerings from Rolling Feast and Retro Sno during Family Night Out until 10 p.m. CT at Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art.