News 2016

Motorists won’t be slowed down by road construction as they travel Tennessee’s highways this Memorial Day weekend.  The Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes beginning at 12:00 noon on Friday, May 27 through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31.  This will provide maximum roadway capacity for motorists expected to travel in the state this Memorial Day weekend.
“We’re expecting nearly 700-thousand drivers to travel on Tennessee’s roadways this Memorial Day weekend,” TDOT Commissioner John Schroer said. “To help travelers reach their destinations safely, we are suspending construction-related lane closures to reduce congestion and delays on our major highways.”
Motorists may still encounter some lane closures or restrictions while traveling through long term construction projects.  Drivers should be aware that reduced speed limits will be in effect in work zones. Drivers convicted of speeding through work zones where workers are present face a fine of up to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums. 
“Our primary focus is to reduce the number of traffic fatalities across Tennessee,” Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons said. “Currently, we are seeing an increase in unrestrained fatalities.  We hope seat belt enforcement will help positively affect driver behavior and increase voluntary seat belt compliance across the state.”
AAA estimates more than 38 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day holiday, a 1.8% increase over last year’s numbers.  This marks the second-highest travel volume on record since 2005 for the holiday and includes a record setting 89% travelling by automobile.  In Tennessee, AAA predicts that 690,180 will travel by automobile and 56,876 by air.
From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest traffic information and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel. 
As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination.  Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel. 
– See more at: http://tn.gov/news/42570#sthash.A2VqVppf.dpuf
Motorists won’t be slowed down by road construction as they travel Tennessee’s highways this Memorial Day weekend.  The Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes beginning at 12:00 noon on Friday, May 27 through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31.  This will provide maximum roadway capacity for motorists expected to travel in the state this Memorial Day weekend.

“We’re expecting nearly 700-thousand drivers to travel on Tennessee’s roadways this Memorial Day weekend,” TDOT Commissioner John Schroer said. “To help travelers reach their destinations safely, we are suspending construction-related lane closures to reduce congestion and delays on our major highways.”

Motorists may still encounter some lane closures or restrictions while traveling through long term construction projects.  Drivers should be aware that reduced speed limits will be in effect in work zones. Drivers convicted of speeding through work zones where workers are present face a fine of up to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums.

“Our primary focus is to reduce the number of traffic fatalities across Tennessee,” Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons said. “Currently, we are seeing an increase in unrestrained fatalities.  We hope seat belt enforcement will help positively affect driver behavior and increase voluntary seat belt compliance across the state.”

AAA estimates more than 38 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day holiday, a 1.8% increase over last year’s numbers.  This marks the second-highest travel volume on record since 2005 for the holiday and includes a record setting 89% travelling by automobile.  In Tennessee, AAA predicts that 690,180 will travel by automobile and 56,876 by air.

From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest traffic information and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination.  Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

Memorial Day holiday weekend is regarded as the unofficial start to the summer boating season and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency wants to emphasize the use of life jackets while boating in a safe and responsible manner.

Annually, the Memorial Day weekend is one of the year’s busiest boating weekends. Last year, there were not any boating-related fatalities over the holiday weekend.

Along with the use of life jackets, TWRA wants to stress the responsible use of alcohol while boating. It is important to consider the effects of drinking and driving whether on water or land. In a boat on the water, the effects of alcohol increase because of external stressors such as engine vibration, wave motion and glare from the sun.  Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in Tennessee.

Across the state over the 2015 Memorial Day weekend, the TWRA Boating and Law Enforcement Division there were seven boating incidents, six which were property damage and one with injury. TWRA boating officers made 12 boating under the influence (BUI) arrests and five other arrests.

For many residents, the Memorial Day weekend will be the first time to have the boat on the water this year.

 TWRA officials say taking a few minutes to check some of the boat components may be the key to having a nice, safe day. Performing a simple maintenance check before getting on the water may prevent problems. Check hoses to make sure they are in good shape. Make sure the lights work and carry extra fuses and bulbs.

 In addition, TWRA urges all boaters to remember the basics:

*have a wearable life jacket for every person onboard

*if your boat is 16 feet or longer, there must be a Type IV throwable device onboard

*have onboard a fire extinguisher if you have enclosed fuel compartments or cabins

*anyone under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket at all times while the boat is underway – drifting is considered underway

*any boat operator born after January 1, 1989 must have onboard the TWRA-issued wallet Boating Safety Education Certificate

*keep alcohol to a minimum–choose a designated boat operator

*make sure there is a current boat registration

Boat Operation Basics:

*keep a proper lookout at all times

*maintain a safe speed

*practice good seasmanship

*cut the engine while boarding from the water or entering the water from the boat

*be aware of the carbon monoxide hazards that exist and keep fresh air flowing

*no wake means idle speed

*take a boating safety course – log onto www.tnwildlife.org for information.

Cannon County High School Graduation is set for 7:00 Friday night.  WBRY AM-1540/FM107.9 will broadcast the ceremonies live from Fred Schwartz field. Today we spotlight the following seniors during our senior salute features throughout the broadcast day on WBRY radio.  The following Seniors are in the spotlight today
9am Kearstin Bell Prater

10am Megan Reann Prater

11am Alayna Savannah Reed

1pm Nicholas Alan Reed

2pm Ciara Nicole Riddle

Cannon County Schools Walking Clubs are winding down for the season.  Four schools have participated this year and our students walked a grand total of approximately 3,611.68 miles.  Totals do not include miles walked by our  parents, sponsors, and volunteers that keep this program alive and well.  We have around 190 students participating between the 4 clubs, each receiving a healthy snack and a lot of love from those individuals that give up their time each week to ensure that children create healthy habits that will last a lifetime.  
 

9am Autumn Grace King

10am Emory Leigh Larson

11am Haylee Mooneyham

1pm Baylee  Nemeth

2pm Alana Nicole Paschal

Woodbury Police Department is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office to increase seat belt enforcement now until June 5th which surrounds one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
“If you ask the family members of those unrestrained people who were killed in crashes, they’ll tell you they wish their loved ones had buckled up” said Woodbury Police Chief Lowell Womack.  “The bottom line is that seat belts save lives.  If these enforcement crackdowns get people’s attention and get them to buckle up. then we’ve done our job.  There is no good excuse for not wearing a seat belt”
This year, Tennessee celebrates its 30 year anniversary of seat belt legislation.  The state first enacted a mandatory seat belt law in 1986.   The law was updated in 2004 to make seat belt violations a primary offense.  In 2015, the law was again updated to more than double the fine for seat belt citations.  
Tennessee’s current seat belt use rate is 86.2 percent.  This classifies Tennessee as a “low use” state on a national level.  
According to the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, 343 individuals killed in traffic crashes last year were not wearing a seat belt.  This group makes up over 48 percent of all those killed in passenger vehicles.  
“We are putting an emphasis on nighttime seat belt enforcement,”  said Tennessee Highway Safety Office Interim Director Jason Ivey “The problem of unbelted vehicle occupants becomes worse at night.”

Thanks to the generosity of Middle Tennessee donors and the hard work of participating non profits, The Big Payback 2016 remained a big success despite debilitating nationwide technical difficulties.  The third annual giving day on May 3rd has brought in more than $2.61 million thus far from 11,270 gifts, nearly matching last year’s record $2.64 million total despite the giving website being operational for only nine hours.  “If you ever doubted what good can occur when we come together to make things happen, remember this giving day” Said Ellen Lehman, president of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
Congratulations to the 770 local nonprofits participating” Lehman continued “I know how hard you all worked to make the day such a success.  And congratulations to all who will benefit from the services offered by these nonprofits, which make this the place we all want to call home.
 

Cannon County High School Graduation is this coming Friday.  During the week WBRY continues the series of Senior Spotlights throughout the day.  Today’s schedule is as follows
Tue 05/24/16

9am Katie Hoskins

10am Briar Lane Jakes

11am Jylian Chloe Jones

1pm Jake Johnson

2pm Jared Keith Judkins
 

The Cannon County Sheriff’s Department took reports on the following burglaries and thefts recently.
A break in occured at 1591 Claude Gaither Road.  Owner had come to the property and appeared that someone had been into his house and shed.  The owner advised there was some furniture missing from the house and a large hole had been cut in the door to the shed but he was not sure if anything was missing, however some things had been dumped out.  Owner was unable to provide specifics on missing property at the time of report and was advised to make a list of descriptions and values to be added to the report.  
Lawn equipment was reported stolen at a Goodridge Road residence.  Owner stated that he was away from his house for three days and returned and noticed the items were missing.  A pole saw, leaf blower and chain saw total value of $1200.
A car battery was reported as stolen from a parked car in a driveway on Orville Duke Road.  Victim stated that when her and her husband returned home the hood to the car was open and the battery worth around $1000 was taken.

A Milton woman was arrested over the weekend on DUI and possession of drug paraphenalia charges.  According to Murfreesboro Police Reports, Police stopped a 1998 Red Dodge Pickup driven by 24 year old Melissa Yvonne Bryson after they allegedly witnessed her drive over the double yellow line and on the hash marks for a considerable distance.  Bryson also hit a curb before she came to a stop in a parking spot.  Bryson couldn’t perform the field sobriety tests and during a search of her car, they found a marijuana pipe in the back seat.  Bryson will appear in Rutherford County General Sessions Court July 26th to answer to the charges.