News 2016

MTSU’s Stones River Chamber Players will feature the works of a Grammy-winning composer and a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet alongside an MTSU professor’s composition in a free public concert, “Winter Meditations,” set for Monday, Feb. 29.
The ensemble members, all of whom teach in MTSU’s School of Music, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29 in Hinton Music Hall inside MTSU’s Wright Music Building.
“Winter Meditations” will feature a variety of works for trios that span more than 150 years of music, said Dr. Arunesh Nadgir, SRCP co-director and one of the frequently featured pianists for the group.
“The three works on the program display a variety of interesting instrumental and vocal combinations,” Nadgir added.
The concert will begin with Grammy Award winner André Previn’s “Four Songs for Soprano, Cello, and Piano,” which uses the poetry of Toni Morrison and will feature soprano Christine Isley-Farmer, cellist Christine Kim and Nadgir.
“Previn’s musical weaving of classical and jazz idioms into the fabric of Morrison’s poems reinforces her heartfelt poetic sentiments,” Isley-Farmer said.
MTSU composer-in-residence Paul Osterfield’s “Lullaby for Michelle” will conclude the concert’s first half. Osterfield created the piece for his daughter, who was born in 2013, and premiered it at MTSU in 2015.
Music faculty Michael Parkinson, Tim Pearson and Brian Mueller will perform “Lullaby for Michelle” with Parkinson on trumpet, Pearson on double bass and Mueller on vibraphone.
The second half of the Feb. 29 program features Johannes Brahms’ “Horn Trio in E-flat Major.” Performed by Angela DeBoer on horn, Karen Clarke on violin and SRCP co-director Adam Clark on piano, the Brahms trio is hailed as one of the most popular of the composer’s chamber works.
“This is a major work in the horn chamber music repertoire and one that horn players treat with reverence,” said DeBoer. “The composer’s use of the violin, horn and piano is nothing short of masterful.”
The Stones River Chamber Players will conclude the 2015-16 season April 11 with a spring finale concert featuring compositions by Franz Schubert and Bohuslav Martinů and the premiere of MTSU music professor Jamey Simmons’ new work.
You can listen to streaming audio performances by the Stones River Chamber Players at www.mtsu.edu/music/srcp.php. For details on more MTSU School of Music performances, call 615-898-2493 or visit the School of Music’s Concert Calendar online.

I believe you deserve a representative in Congress who is accountable to you, who listens to your concerns, and who answers your questions. That is why I am holding a TeleTown Hall on MONDAY, February 29th, at 7 PM CST. I hope you and your family will make plans to dial in and tell me what’s on your mind.

In order to join the call, simply dial 877-229-8493 immediately before the scheduled start time. Then, when prompted, enter the participant passcode: 18578. I will kick off the call by giving an update on the latest developments in Congress, and then I will open the lines to take your questions.

The United States Postal Service in Woodbury is accepting applications for the position of a Rural Carrier Associate.  The rate of pay is $16.65 an hour.  This is a non-career, part time position.  Must work six days a week and may be able to work up to 40 hours a week.  In most cases, you must provide a suitable privately owned vehicle to perform the job.  Must be available on short notice.  Applicants must pass a drug screen and background check,  A valid state driver’s license is required.  A five year satisfactory driving record is mandatory.  The US Postal service will obtain your Tennessee driving abstracts, however you must request and provide driving abstracts from other states, if applicable,  If you are interested in applying please fill out your information at usps.com/careers.
 

Winterfest and Chili Supper and Auction highlight this weekend’s offerings in Cannon County
Winterfest takes place with businesses around the square starting with the Old Feed Store Antique Mall.  The event features an appraisals fair with the One Woman Road Show featuring Sue Armstrong Thompson.  Thompson will be making appraisals on all antiques except for firearms and currency.  She will be there from 10a-2P Saturday.  Appraisals will be $10 each with maximum of 3 appraisals.    Other businesses around the square will also be offering discounts and savings for shoppers during this event.
“Are You Having Fun?” has been selected as the them for the First United Methodist Women’s annual Chili Supper and Auction on Saturday.  The event will start at 6:00  Attendees are invited to come early and preview the auction items.  Everyone is welcome.  Proceeds go to support the church’s mission work within the Cannon County Community.  Tickets are on sale now or available at the door.  Adults $5, children under 5 get in free.  First United Methodist Church fellowship hall is located at 502 West High Street.  For more information call Christine at 615-563-6555.
 

Statewide 50K Tree Day is Saturday.  That’s when people across the entire state are urged to plant a tree.    More than 6,000 volunteers from all 95 Tennessee counties are signed up to participate in Tennessee’s largest tree-planting event, organized by Tennessee Environmental Council.  Participants will plant 50,000 native trees in one day.
“People in Tennessee love planting trees, and it’s a top priority for our organization as a way to improve our environment, communities and public health,” says John McFadden, CEO of Tennessee Environmental Council.
Volunteers in Cannon County participating in Tree Day Saturday can stop by the Cannon County UT Extension Center and pick up their trees today.  Most of the area pick-up sites have been sold out of trees already.   Visit tectn.org/50ktreeday for other pickup locations, details and registration.
 

The Woodbury Police Department have released the following information in regards to arrests and charges made during this week.
Bobby Dewayne Sanders has been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after being caught with a syringe)
Marc Thayer Jenkins has been arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, DUI 2nd offense and possession of schedule 2 drugs.
Barry Wayne Bynum-Legend Drug Possession and Drug paraphernalia
Amanda Shea Young- Tampering with evidence after she tried to dispose of a box of allergy medication.  According to the police report the medication could have been used in the making of methamphetmine.  Young was also charged with possession of schedule two drugs and drug paraphernalia and possession of legend drug
Kendra Faith Lawson Possession of schedule 2 drugs, drug paraphernalia, and possession of legend drug
Andrew Michael Placek Possession of drug paraphernalia and burglary.
All are expected to appear in General Sessions Court to answer to the charges during the month of April.

The yellow cast of pasture is a sure sign that spring has arrived and warm temperature is just around the corner. As sure as spring, so does the troublesome Buttercup. Buttercup is a winter annual that thrives in weak or thin pastures. The goal is to spray buttercup before bloom. Winter annuals such as buttercups have kicked in high gear since with the warmer temperatures. Take a walk across your pastures and you will find an abundant of buttercup invading your pastures. This is especially the case in those areas with weaker stands of grass and pastures which have been grazed hard. There are summer weeds that need to be sprayed during June and July, while there are cool-season weeds that need to be sprayed during the winter.  One of the most common weeds we see across the state is yellow buttercup.  
It can be quite colorful, with many pastures solid yellow with blooming buttercup.  While this might be pretty, it doesn’t make for a productive pasture. Yellow buttercup, like many other weeds, is detrimental because it reduces the yield from a pasture or hayfield.  It uses nutrients that should be for the grass and clover. It also decreases the nutrient content and palatability of a field. Although buttercup is damaging to a farm’s forage production, it is an easily controlled weed.  Now is the time to start planning for buttercup control.The following details can help you obtain excellent control of yellow buttercup on your farm.
1. When should I spray?
You need to spray before the buttercup blooms.  This is normally anytime between late November and early April. You need to wait to spray until daytime temperatures reach 60 degrees for a few days.
2. What should I spray?
The ester formulation of 2,4-D is very effective in buttercup control.  There are several brand names for this chemical, so read the label to make sure you are getting the right herbicide.
For more details and information contact Bruce Steelman at the Cannon County UT Extension Service at 615-563-2554
3. How much should I spray?
For buttercup control, apply 1 quart per acre of 2, 4-D.  If you have buckhorn or broadleaf plantain, increase the rate to 2 quarts per acre Apply the chemical in 20-25 gallons of water per acre.  It is important that the label is read carefully, and all instructions are followed, including avoiding drift to sensitive crops and waiting periods for hay cutting.
4. Will this kill my clover?
The 1 quart rate of 2,4-D will not kill established white clover, but it will kill red clover, higher rates will kill all clover.   
 Remember that herbicides are just one step in a forage weed control program.  Fertilizing and liming according to soil test, and good grazing management will also help reduce the impact of weeds on a pasture.  Following these recommendations will help you have beautiful green pastures this spring.  Yellow flowers belong in the flower bed, not the pasture.
For more details and information contact Bruce Steelman at the Cannon County UT Extension Service at 615-563-2554

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs wants to educate consumers about ways to protect yourself against fraud related to mobile phone payments.
“The increased usage of technology is a double-edged sword,” TDCI Deputy Commissioner Bill Giannini said. “While technology allows greater consumer convenience, it also gives criminals greater opportunity to take advantage of hard-working Tennessee residents. We urge Tennesseans to take precautions to ensure they don’t become victims.”
According to Consumer Action News, one of the most significant concerns for users of mobile phone payments—often called “tap-and-pay”—is how to resolve disputes about fraudulent or unauthorized charges.
Depending on the source of funds used to make a mobile payment (such as a credit, debit or prepaid card), the rules governing unauthorized charges differ. Currently, prepaid cards and mobile payments don’t have the same legal protections as credit cards and debit cards.
Problems with mobile transactions paid for with a linked credit or debit card typically should be taken up with your card issuer. If you are using a credit or debit card, you have the right to dispute errors and limit liability for unauthorized (fraudulent) charges. Generally, credit cards provide the strongest level of legal protection.
Mobile wallet and prepaid card users have no clear-cut dispute and error resolution rights, although most issuers voluntarily provide “zero liability” assurances for fraud on credit, debit and prepaid cards.
Google’s Android Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay are pass-through mobile payment systems. This means you link a payment card (credit or debit) to make payments. If you spot a billing error, contact the issuer of the credit or debit card you linked to, as well as the merchant where the transaction occurred. In most cases, you’ll have to wait until the purchase posts to your credit or debit card account before you can dispute it. If the problem is about a charge you didn’t make, then contact the card issuer immediately to alert them that someone used your card without your permission.
Here are a few tips to safeguard your mobile devices:

• Secure your devices: Use strong passwords, passcodes or touch ID features to lock your devices. These security measures can help protect your information if your devices are lost or stolen and keep prying eyes out.
• Think before you app: Information about you, such as the games you like to play, your contacts list, where you shop and your location, has value – just like money. Be thoughtful about who gets that information and how it’s collected through apps.
• Now you see me, now you don’t: Some stores and other locations look for devices with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth turned on to track your movements while you are within range. Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use. 
• Get savvy about Wi-Fi hotspots: Public wireless networks and hotspots are not secure, which means that anyone could potentially see what you are doing on your mobile device while you are connected. Limit what you do on public Wi-Fi and avoid logging in to key accounts like email and financial services on these networks.
• Keep your mobile phone and apps up to date: Your mobile devices are just as vulnerable as your PC or laptop. Having the most up-to-date security software, web browser, operating system and apps is the best defense against viruses, malware and other online threats.
• Delete when done: Many of us download apps for specific purposes, such as planning a vacation, and no longer need them afterwards, or we may have previously downloaded apps that are no longer useful or interesting to us. It’s a good security practice to delete all apps you no longer use.
• Lost phone? Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay do not store payment card details on the phone, and they require passwords or PINs to make payments, so access to your payment information will be limited even if your phone is stolen. All three services offer a way to locate and lock stolen mobile phones. Apple offers Find My iPhone Activation Lock. You can erase information on your Android phone using the Android Device Manager. And, Samsung users can use the company’s Find My Mobile service. 

– See more at: http://tn.gov/news/37819#sthash.sf63TDqT.dpuf
The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs wants to educate consumers about ways to protect yourself against fraud related to mobile phone payments.

“The increased usage of technology is a double-edged sword,” TDCI Deputy Commissioner Bill Giannini said. “While technology allows greater consumer convenience, it also gives criminals greater opportunity to take advantage of hard-working Tennessee residents. We urge Tennesseans to take precautions to ensure they don’t become victims.”

According to Consumer Action News, one of the most significant concerns for users of mobile phone payments—often called “tap-and-pay”—is how to resolve disputes about fraudulent or unauthorized charges.

Depending on the source of funds used to make a mobile payment (such as a credit, debit or prepaid card), the rules governing unauthorized charges differ. Currently, prepaid cards and mobile payments don’t have the same legal protections as credit cards and debit cards.

Problems with mobile transactions paid for with a linked credit or debit card typically should be taken up with your card issuer. If you are using a credit or debit card, you have the right to dispute errors and limit liability for unauthorized (fraudulent) charges. Generally, credit cards provide the strongest level of legal protection.

Mobile wallet and prepaid card users have no clear-cut dispute and error resolution rights, although most issuers voluntarily provide “zero liability” assurances for fraud on credit, debit and prepaid cards.

Google’s Android Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay are pass-through mobile payment systems. This means you link a payment card (credit or debit) to make payments. If you spot a billing error, contact the issuer of the credit or debit card you linked to, as well as the merchant where the transaction occurred. In most cases, you’ll have to wait until the purchase posts to your credit or debit card account before you can dispute it. If the problem is about a charge you didn’t make, then contact the card issuer immediately to alert them that someone used your card without your permission.

Here are a few tips to safeguard your mobile devices:

    Secure your devices: Use strong passwords, passcodes or touch ID features to lock your devices. These security measures can help protect your information if your devices are lost or stolen and keep prying eyes out.
    Think before you app: Information about you, such as the games you like to play, your contacts list, where you shop and your location, has value – just like money. Be thoughtful about who gets that information and how it’s collected through apps.
    Now you see me, now you don’t: Some stores and other locations look for devices with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth turned on to track your movements while you are within range. Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use.
    Get savvy about Wi-Fi hotspots: Public wireless networks and hotspots are not secure, which means that anyone could potentially see what you are doing on your mobile device while you are connected. Limit what you do on public Wi-Fi and avoid logging in to key accounts like email and financial services on these networks.
    Keep your mobile phone and apps up to date: Your mobile devices are just as vulnerable as your PC or laptop. Having the most up-to-date security software, web browser, operating system and apps is the best defense against viruses, malware and other online threats.
    Delete when done: Many of us download apps for specific purposes, such as planning a vacation, and no longer need them afterwards, or we may have previously downloaded apps that are no longer useful or interesting to us. It’s a good security practice to delete all apps you no longer use.
    Lost phone? Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay do not store payment card details on the phone, and they require passwords or PINs to make payments, so access to your payment information will be limited even if your phone is stolen. All three services offer a way to locate and lock stolen mobile phones. Apple offers Find My iPhone Activation Lock. You can erase information on your Android phone using the Android Device Manager. And, Samsung users can use the company’s Find My Mobile service.
 

Cannon County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested and charged a Bradyville man who was involved in a fight with his brother over a bottle of liquor.  Tuesday according to Cannon County Sheriff’s Department reports, Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a call on Dickens Hill Road.  Upon arrival, Glenn Smotherman told police that he and his brother Randall Smotherman had been into a physical altercation over a bottle of vodka.  After speaking with Glenn, they they went to speak with Randall.  Randall had a bloody nose from the altercation.  The mother Mary Smotherman told Deputies that Glenn started the argument and then struck Randall in the nose.  Because of the evidence of a bloody nose it indicated that Glen was the primary aggressor.  Deputies arrested Glenn Smotherman and charged him with simple assault.  He will answer to the charge in Cannon County General Sessions Court April 5th.

A meeting of the DeKalb/Cannon County Amateur Radio Club will be held
on Thursday, February 25th, 2016  – 6:30 PM at the Cannon County High
School, 1 Lion Drive – Room 115, Woodbury, TN 37190. All
local amateur radio operators and those interested in amateur radio
are invited to attend.  

Amateur radio operators also called “hams”
communicate with other operators in the local area, statewide,
nationally, and even worldwide.  Hams also aid during times of
emergencies with vital communication links.  The DeKalb/Cannon County
Amateur Radio Club is an affiliated club of the American Radio Relay
League.  Call 615-597-9563 for more information or check out the
club’s webpage at http://www.dccarc.org.