News 2016

Until a recent outbreak of Zika virus disease was associated with babies born with microcephaly, many had not heard of the birth defect. Tennessee Department of Health data show approximately 45 to 50 cases occur in Tennessee each year. Babies with microcephaly are born with heads that are smaller than expected. This can be associated with developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, problems with hearing or vision and seizures.   
One of every 33 babies born in the United States has one or more conditions that affect the structure of the body and development. These range from minor problems to serious issues that cause death. While some may be linked to genetic backgrounds, many can be prevented by adopting healthy lifestyles and behaviors before and during pregnancy, including taking vitamins such as folic acid to prevent certain brain and spine defects.
To reduce the possibility of Zika-associated birth defects, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises pregnant women in any trimester to consider postponing travel to areas with Zika. CDC also recommends women trying to get pregnant and their male partners talk with their healthcare providers before traveling to areas with Zika. All travelers, male and female, should take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
“Zika virus disease has raised awareness about preventing birth defects and prompted many to become more knowledgeable about the importance of preparing for and having a healthy pregnancy,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “Our stable advice is this:  Don’t wait to start healthy behaviors until you find out you’re pregnant. Have conversations with your doctor about what you can do to make sure your body is ready for a best start for your baby. Because approximately half of all pregnancies are unplanned, this is an important conversation for any woman of child-bearing age to have with her clinician. While we strongly advocate planned pregnancies, we also emphasize planning for the unplanned, because it happens often.”
“Women can never start too early in planning for a healthy baby,” said Michael Warren, MD, MPH, TDH assistant commissioner of Family Health and Wellness. “By the time many women learn they are pregnant, much of their baby’s important development is already underway. All of our organs start to develop between four to eight weeks, and some women may not know they are pregnant until after that time. It is incredibly important for women of child-bearing age to make healthy lifestyle and behavior changes before they become pregnant, reducing the likelihood of preventable birth defects if they become pregnant.”
The Tennessee Department of Health offers these suggestions for a healthy pregnancy:
If you are pregnant or could become pregnant, consider avoiding travel to countries currently experiencing an outbreak of Zika virus disease. The list of affected areas includes many countries in the Caribbean and South and Central America. The list changes frequently; to see the most current list, go to www.cdc.gov/zika/.
Take folic acid every day (400 micrograms daily beginning at least 30 days in advance of becoming pregnant) to help prevent birth defects of the spine and brain. A single serving of many breakfast cereals can provide the amount you need. Find a list of fortified cereals at www.cdc.gov/NCBDDD/folicacid/cereals.html.
Women with diabetes or other medical conditions that require medication should talk with their health care providers before attempting a pregnancy. Poor control of diabetes immediately before and during pregnancy can cause birth defects in the baby and pose serious health threats to the mother.
Some medications, such as Accutane or isotretinoin used to treat acne can increase the risk of birth defects. Discuss all medications you have used with your doctor, including over-the-counter medications and any herbal or dietary supplements you may take, to be sure none would contribute to birth defects.
Don’t be hesitant to ask your healthcare provider about whether the use of any medication during pregnancy is in the best interest of your health and the health of your baby. Some powerful drugs, including those prescribed by a clinician and those obtained illegally, can cause neonatal abstinence syndrome, NAS. This is a condition in which the baby has withdrawal symptoms after being exposed to certain substances. The kinds of medications that may cause withdrawal include opioids, which are painkillers, or benzodiazepines, which help with anxiety or sleep. Illicit drugs such as cocaine may also cause withdrawal.
Avoid nicotine from all tobacco products and avoid alcohol.
Achieving a healthy weight before becoming pregnant can reduce the chances of birth defects. Obese women are at higher risk of having a baby with defects of the brain or spine and some heart defects.
Certain infections during pregnancy can cause birth defects. It’s important not to touch pet rodents and cat litter, not to drink unpasteurized milk, to cook meat thoroughly, to wash your hands often and to avoid sick people.
For more information about preventing birth defects, visit the Center of Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/NCBDDD/birthdefects/facts.html.

The Cannon County Republican Party will meet Monday night March 7, 2016 at 6:00 pm at the Cannon County Courthouse. 

 
The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

A Cannon County woman was arrested recently for domestic assault after her granddaughter stated that she got beat and was scared for her safety and well being.  According to Cannon County Sheriff’s Department reports, Deputy Greg Fauls was called to meet with John Sneed in regards to the possible domestic.  Mr. Sneed told officers that he received a call from the child stating she was beat by her grandmother and she was scared for her safety and well being.  Deputies went to talk to the grandmother later identified as Katy Davis.  Davis stated that here was some yelling at the end of the driveway when her granddaughter got off the school bus.  The yelling was because she was late coming home and that she was supposed to come home with her boyfriend but the granddaughter stated that her boyfriend couldn’t give her a ride home so she rode the bus.  Ms Davis admitted to smacking her granddaughter in the mouth and then stated that she was disciplining her, hitting her with a cane until Mr.Davis saw this and told her to use a belt instead.  After interviewing the granddaughter, it was determined that she was hit with a cane several times.  Ms. Davis was taken into custody and arrested for Domestic Assault.

The Berger Gallery of The Arts Center of Cannon County is pleased to announce the opening of “Art by Roberta Reynolds”
Roberta Reynolds began sketching and painting in her early teens. She was encouraged by her father R.L.Stewart, who excelled in woodcarving and painting. Since then she has studied under various private teachers including renowned artist Trella Koczwara.
Roberta’s work has been exhibited in numerous shows throughout the state including the Tennessee All-State Art Exhibition at the Parthenon in Nashville. Her paintings are in private collections in various states.  
Nature themes are the predominant subject: still lifes, landscape, and animals. She works in acrylic and oil.
Admission to the exhibit is free. For more information call 615-563-2787 or visit our website at artscenterofcc.com.
 

 
March 10—School Board meeting, WGS cafeteria, 6:30 p.m.
March 14—CCHS Baseball game at Sequatchie Co., 5:30 p.m.
March 14—CCHS Softball game at Franklin Co., JV at 5:00 p.m., and varsity at 7:00 p.m.
March 15—TN Promise mandatory student meeting, 3:00 p.m., CCHS Cafeteria
March 15—K-8 Parent/Teacher Conferences, 3:00-6:00 p.m., various schools
March 15—CCHS Tennis match with Dekalb Co. at home, 3:30 p.m.
March 17—CPAC meeting at the Central Office, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
March 17—CCHS Parent/Teacher Conferences, 3:00-6:00 p.m.
March 17—CCHS Softball game at Central Magnet, 4:30 p.m.
March 17—CCHS Tennis match at Watertown, 3:30 p.m.
March 18—CCHS Baseball game at Cannon Co. with Boyd Christian, 5:00 p.m.
March 18 – CCHS Tennis match with Coffee Co. at home, 3:30 p.m.
March 18 &19 – CCHS Softball games at Gordonsville, Time TBA

From our work to continue exposing the recklessness of this President’s implementation of Obamacare, to a cold morning outside the Supreme Court defending the rights of the unborn, to Monday evening’s teletown hall with more than 9,000 of you, it has been quite a week in Washington. Here’s a quick update on what I’ve been up to, including your poll results from Monday night’s phone call:

Making the Case for LIFE at the Supreme Court
This past Wednesday, the Supreme Court took up what may become the most consequential case regarding abortion in a generation: Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt. The court’s decisions will have lasting consequences on the health and safety of women and their pre-born children. It is critical that pro-life Americans recognize what is at stake. I wrote about the law at the heart of this case in an op-ed for Life News which you can read here. Wednesday morning I also had an opportunity to join a rally outside the Supreme Court urging the justices to protect the rights of babies and their mothers. You can read a write-up of my remarks from CNS News here. 
The Latest on My Fight Against Fraudulent Obamacare Subsidies
I joined Newsmax TV on Monday to discuss Obamacare’s giveaway of $750 million in subsidies to illegal immigrants and how I’m fighting to get those dollars back while making sure this never happens again. Watch below:
 
Results from Monday Night’s TeleTown Hall Poll
More than 9,000 of you participated in my teletown hall on Monday evening, where we discussed everything from President Obama’s dangerous Iran deal, to the treatment of our nation’s police officers, to employee pensions. During the call, I asked a series of poll questions to gauge your thoughts on the top issues in Washington. Here is what you had to say:
What do you believe Congress’s top priority should be in the year ahead?

Reducing federal spending – 21%
Repealing and replacing Obamacare – 26%
Reforming our broken  tax code – 15%
Destroying ISIS and other terrorist networks – 23%
Other – 14%
Last week, President Obama announced plans to close the terrorist detention facility in Guantanamo Bay and transfer some detainees to American soil. Based on what you know, do you support or oppose this decision?
Support  – 6%
Oppose – 83%
Unsure – 12% 
A government report found that the Obama Administration released $750 million worth of taxpayer-funded Obamacare subsidies to potentially ineligible recipients. Congressman Black is the author of the “No Subsidies Without Verification Act” – legislation requiring the Obama Administration to verify Obamacare applicants’ eligibility for subsidies before payments are doled out. Do you support or oppose such legislation?
Support – 66%
Oppose – 14%
Unsure – 20%

Tennessee Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips announced Thursday the Tennessee preliminary unemployment rate for January was 5.4 percent, two-tenths of a percentage point decrease from the December revised rate of 5.6 percent. The U.S. preliminary rate for January was 4.9 percent, one-tenth of one percentage point lower than the prior month.
Economic Summary
Over the past year, Tennessee’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.1 percent to 5.4 percent while the national rate declined from 5.7 percent to 4.9 percent.
Total nonfarm employment increased 13,100 jobs from December to January. The largest increases occurred in retail trade, mining/logging/construction, & professional/business services.
Over the year, nonfarm employment increased 96,000 jobs. The largest increases occurred in trade/transportation/utilities, professional/business services, & education/health services.
 

Motlow State Community College continues to lead all Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) institutions in enrollment and full-time equivalency (FTE) growth, based on preliminary numbers for the spring 2016 semester.
Motlow similarly outpaced all TBR institutions in the fall 2015 semester, establishing Motlow as the fastest growing college in Tennessee and among the fastest growing in the nation.
“A real team effort by our completion coaches, faculty, and admissions staff has helped us lead the state in enrollment growth two semesters in a row,” said Dr. Anthony Kinkel, Motlow president. “Not only is Motlow State benefiting from a record number of Tennessee Promise students, but we are also retaining students at the highest rate in our college’s history.”
The most recent numbers for the spring semester show Motlow posted a state-leading growth rate of nine percent in enrollment headcount, and an impressive 19 percent increase in FTE numbers. Out of the 13 state community colleges, only four other institutions showed an increase in headcount, with the closest to Motlow being Northeast State with an increase of three percent.
The fall-to-spring retention rate of freshmen at Motlow was equally impressive, coming in at a record 81 percent. Retention rate is a critical number gauging the success of the institution in keeping students enrolled.
The Motlow admissions department helps students to successfully navigate the admissions process prior to enrolling in class. “The admissions unit is typically the first point of contact for students; subsequently, we immediately establish a relationship with students by welcoming them into our teaching and learning community,” said Greer Alsup, director of admissions and records. “Our goal is to communicate with every applicant within 48 hours of processing the student’s application. By doing this, we build relationships that yield dividends for the College.”
Building on the work of the admissions team, completion coaches continue to support students as they “figure out” life as a college student. “Many of our students feel lost and are overwhelmed with the start of college,” said Rhonda Cotham, director of student success. “Completion coaches are here to walk them through any processes they need assistance with and to teach them how to create a plan to be successful. They work with students to help them understand why they are here and assist them with seeking a degree that is right for them and their long-term goals.”
Motlow faculty has successfully embraced and implemented a new and innovative learning support model for teaching those students who require remedial coursework. This model has led to greater success of those students being able to migrate to college level studies versus dropping out, thus contributing to the improved retention rate of freshmen.
The Tennessee Promise scholarship program, in its inaugural academic year, has contributed greatly to the positive growth at Motlow as evidenced by the spring 2016 semester enrollment headcount of 4,667, as compared to 4,296 for the spring 2015 semester. The spring 2016 FTE is 3,088 compared to 2,604 for the spring 2015 semester.
Motlow had the highest percentage of Tennessee Promise students completing their required community service, along with the highest percentage of employees volunteering to serve as a Tennessee Promise mentor. These factors also contributed to the strong numbers for the Spring 2016 semester.

Music Night event takes place at the Cannon County Senior Center tonight.  The Band Rode West will perform at 7:00.  Doors open at 6.  Admission is $5.00.  A soup supper is planned for the evening which is an additional cost of $5.00 if you plan to eat.  
 

The Cannon County Sheriff’s Department recently gave a citation to a Dickens Hill Road man for knowingly and unlawfully calling 9-1-1.  According to Sheriff’s Department Reports Deputies were dispatched to a Dickens Hill Road residence after dispatchers could not get the caller later identified as Randall Smotherman to explain the reason for the call.  Upon arrival, Mr. Smotherman appeared to be intoxicated and stated that he had not called 9-1-1.  Deputies observed the land line phone from which the call had come from laying on the bed next to Smotherman.  Smotherman could not tell deputies his social security number and repeatedly denied calling 9-1-1.  Deputies cited Smotherman for calling 9-1-1 when there was no emergency. He will answer to the charge April 5th in General Sessions Court.  Incidentally recently Deputies were at the same residence and arrested Smotherman’s brother after there was an altercation during an argument over a liquor bottle.