News 2016

A Cannon County man is in trouble for domestic violence days before Valentine’s Day after he allegedly pinned his wife to a wall.  According to Cannon County Sheriff’s Department reports, Thursday, Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Doolittle Road for a report of a domestic assault.  After arrival deputies spoke with Mr. Jeffrey Philhower who at first denied anything going on.  After deputies entered the residence, they spoke with the victim.  The victim at first stated that nothing had happened, but after further questioning, the victim then stated that she and Mr. Philhower were both fighting.  The victim told police continously that she did not want to press charges but stated that Jeffery pinned her against the wall and slapped her.  Mr. Philhower contended that he was trying to keep the victim from hitting him.  Based on statements, and Mr Philhower’s agitated state, he was placed under arrest and charged with domestic violence.  He is set to appear in Cannon County General Sessions Court March 15th to answer to the charge.

 Motlow State Community College incoming freshmen who required remedial coursework achieved impressive results in their college-level courses in the Fall 2015 semester.
Almost 70 percent of Motlow incoming freshmen require remedial instruction in math, reading or writing. Prior to the fall 2015 semester, students had to complete remedial courses before enrolling in the associated introductory (gateway) college course. Consequently, very few of these students ever enrolled in, much less completed, gateway courses in math and English. Due to this lack of progression, less than 10 percent graduated.
Beginning in the fall 2015 semester, Motlow implemented a new co-requisite remediation, or learning support, model. Students enrolled in remedial math also enrolled in gateway math during the same semester. Students enrolled in remedial writing also enrolled in gateway English. With the implementation of the new model, the remedial students’ success rate in the college-level math course nearly quadrupled, improving from 17 percent to 66 percent in one semester. The success rate of remedial reading and writing students in the college-level English course doubled. This success has resulted in hundreds more students completing gateway courses as compared to previous semesters.
These dramatic improvements coincided with another important milestone: the Tennessee Promise Scholarship program resulted in the highest freshman enrollment in Motlow’s history. Subsequently, there was a record number of students who needed remedial coursework, making the improvements all the more impressive.

A Coffee County Woman has been arrested and charged with Tenn Care Fraud
    Vicki L. Hargrove, 33, of Tullahoma, is charged with TennCare fraud for fraudulently obtaining Hydrocodone and Oxycodone by doctor shopping, using TennCare as payment.

“Prescription drug abuse hurts individuals, families and communities, and we’re intent on finding and prosecuting these cases when TennCare is involved,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said.

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge.  District Attorney General Neal Pinkston is prosecuting the Hamilton County Case.  District Attorney General Craig Northcott will be prosecuting the Coffee County case.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to more than $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, more than 2,525 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions.  Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or go to www.tn.gov/tnoig/  and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”
 

The Cannon County Lionettes are going to have to fix their ball handling issues if they want to survive past the first round of the upcoming District Tournament.  The Lionettes handed the ball back to Page High School during Senior Night in Woodbury on 19 different occasions and as anyone would expect with that high of a turnover ratio, the Lionettes lost their last regular season game in front of the home crowd 45-41.  Maleah Scott led all scorers with 22 points for Cannon County.
The Cannon County Lions have to find consistency.  One night after blowing out Dekalb County, the Lions couldn’t answer the Patriots attack of three point shots as the team from Franklin claimed a 77-60 win over Cannon County.  Austin Martin put the entire Lion team on his back scoring wise as he was the only player in double figures with 23 points.  Three players on the Page side scored in double figures including Stewart Ringstaff who scored all 18 of his points by hitting three point shots which opened the sizeable lead for Page.
Today it’s back to District 8-AA basketball as the teams will travel to Livingston for the last regular season game.  Tipoff is set for 2:00.  You can hear the games live on AM-1540, FM 107.9 WBRY and streaming live through wbry.com.

1999.  That was the last time the Cannon County Lionettes lost to a Dekalb County Lady Tigers team.  Although the streak was bound to end sometime, the Lady Tigers did it in a heartbreaking last second layup kind of way.  After Cannon who trailed by no more than 5 points at any point of the game went up with nine-tenths of a second left.  Dekalb drove the full length of the floor and after an inbound pass, the game winning shot was made giving Dekalb the win 46-45.  Maleah Scott scored 16 points in the loss.  
The Cannon County Lions won their second district game of the year as they pounded the Dekalb County Tigers 69-48 in Woodbury Thursday night Charlie Parrish got hot from the field hit 5 of 6 from the field in the first quarter that helped get the Cannon County Lions running and they never stopped.  The Lions moved to 8-19 on the year.

The second game of three consecutive games to end the season takes place tonight at Robert A Harris gymnasium.  Tonight is Senior Night as the home portion of the regular season comes to a close.  The Cannon County ball teams welcome the Page Patriots and Lady Patriots.  The Lady Patriots are 9-14 overall and have not played since last Saturday.  The Page Patriots haven’t been much better at 11-12.  The Cannon County Senior basketball players, and cheerleaders will be recognized at the game.  Tonight’s tipoff is at 6:00 You can hear the broadcast on AM1540/FM 107.9 WBRY and streaming online at wbry.com
 

The State of Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury Department of Audit has released the Annual Financial Report of Cannon County for the year ending June 30th 2015.
The audit resulted in only four findings and recommendations which have been reviewed with Cannon County Executive Mike Gannon.  
The General and REACH program funds had deficits in unassigned fund balance of $197,239.00 and $12,903.00 respectively.  These deficits resulted from a lack of oversite which allowed expenditures to exceed available funds.  The State recommends Officials should liquidate the deficits in unassigned fund balance. Steps should be taken to ensure that expenditures are held within available funding.
2nd finding was that Expenditures exceeded appropriations for the second year in a row.  The State simply recommended again that expenditures should be held within appropriations approved by the County Commission
Third finding was that Cannon County has not properly complied with local legislation regarding wheel tax collections.  The State findings state that Cannon County collects a wheel tax from its citizens based on a private act originally adopted in 1975 that enacted a tax of $10 per vehicles.  The County Commission, by resolution, set an additional $40 per vehicle in 1999.  Both pieces of legislation required the funds collected from the wheel tax to be used for school related construction, renovation or related debt incurred for such activities.
The state finds that proceeds from the wheel tax are deposited in the county’s General Debt Service Fund and constitute the primary revenue source for that fund.  The examination revealed that the funds are being used to retire school debt; however, for several years, these funds have also been used to retire general county debt.  This practice appears to have resulted in the county not restricting the use of the wheel tax funds according to the legislation that established the tax.  The State says again this is as a result of a lack of management oversight.    Their recommendation is to consult with legal counsel to confirm the intent of the private act and commission resolution regarding the collection and use of wheel tax funds and should compare annual wheel tax collections with allowable expenditures to ensure compliance with the provisions of the legislation.  If any errors are discovered, a plan should be developed and implemented immediately to correct the issue
The last audit finding was of the Office of Road Supervisor.  The Highway/Public Works Fund required material audit adjustments for proper financial statement presentation.  The state says that at June 30, 2015, certain general ledger account balances in the Highway/Public Works Fund were not materially correct, and a audit adjustment totaling $369,328 were required for the financial statements to be materially correct at the year end. Generally accepted accounting principles require  the Highway Department to have adequate controls over the maintenance of its accounting records. Material audit adjustments were required because the department’s financial reporting system did not prevent, detect, or correct potential  misstatements in the accounting records. It is a strong indicator of a material weakness in internal controls if the department has ineffective controls over the maintenance of its accounting records, which are used to prepare the financial statements, including the related  notes to the financial statements. These deficiencies are the result of a lack of management oversight.  State Recommendation was that Cannon County should have appropriate processes in place to ensure that its general ledgers are materially correct.
These four audit findings will be addressed in detail by the Cannon County Audit Committee to correct these errors and continue moving forward.

The Arts Center of Cannon County presents a local production of Year With Frog and Toad
Waking from hibernation in the Spring, Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding, and learn life lessons along the way. The two best friends celebrate and rejoice in their differences that make them unique and special. Part vaudeville, part make believe, all charm, A Year With Frog And Toad tells the story of a friendship that endures, weathering all seasons.
This production is directed by Lindsey Mapes and produced by Scarlett Turney
The jazzy, upbeat score of A Year With Frog And Toad bubbles with melody and wit, making it an inventive, exuberant, and enchanting musical for the whole family.
Public Performances will be this Saturday at 2:00 in the afternoon and will also take place next Saturday February 20th
Adult tickets are $10, students $7.00 and can be purchased at the Arts Center Box Office at 615-563-2787
 

Middle Tennessee Electric is nearing the halfway point in its Brighter Future campaign, which is now installing meters in Rutherford County. Launched in July 2015, the program is aimed at improving the reliability and efficiency of the electrical infrastructure by installing advanced meters across the service territory.
Early in the February, the cooperative installed its 100,000th meter, and has moved primarily out of Williamson and into Rutherford County. The campaign will continue on in Cannon and Wilson Counties this spring and into the summer, respectively. The cooperative expects to have the infrastructure completely deployed by fall of this year.
The installers are completing between 700 and 900 meter exchanges per day,” said Josh Clendenen, MTEMC communications coordinator. “The successes we’ve seen in Williamson County have been great, and we are excited to roll out these services to the rest of our membership in the coming months.”
This new infrastructure provides MTEMC precise outage information by identifying where an outage occurred, so crews can be dispatched more accurately, which will help reduce the length of time that members are without power.
In addition to improved reliability and outage communication, some of the other benefits include:

– Improved Member Service: MTEMC member service representatives will be better equipped to handle bill related questions or concerns.

– Future Member Tools & Services: The new technology will also enable MTEMC to roll out new services, with an emphasis on tools to help members better manage and control energy use (including new online tools, mobile applications, and energy saving programs).

– Environmental Benefits: The new infrastructure will provide for better interconnectivity of renewable energy sources, demand response and energy efficiency.

More information on the Brighter Future Program can be found at www.mtemc.com/BrighterFuture.

Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative providing electricity to more than 210,000 residential and business members in Williamson, Wilson, Rutherford and Cannon counties.

Cannon County Schools are closed today

Cannon County Libraries (Adams Memorial Library) are closed today
Other closings in the WBRY listening area
Bedford County Schools
Coffee County Schools
Dekalb County Schools
Warren County Schools
Wilson County Schools
Temple School of Manchester

Rutherford County Schools are open two hours late
Covenant Academy of McMinnville open two hours late
MTSU will open at 8:00A
Tennessee College Applied Technology will open two hours late
This report a service of Goff’s Tree Experts
The USDA Commodity Distribution that was to take place on Thursday at the Community Center will now be Friday at the Community Center from 9A-11A.

The Cannon County Board Of Education meets Thursday for their regular monthly meeting.  On the agenda will be the opportunity to approve the Safe Harbor Resolution for the Affordable Healthcare Act.  Approve Copier lease for the Woodland School and to look at a revision concerning Board policy 5.201.  The meeting starts tonight at 6:30 at the Woodbury Grammar School Cafeteria.