News 2016

The Motlow State Community College music department is excited to present the 2016 Holiday Concert in early December in Powers Auditorium on the Moore County campus.

The concert will feature The Motlow Vocal Ensemble and The Motlow Community Band. The students and the community members will be performing a wide variety of musical styles and holiday standards. The vocal ensemble will be singing holiday pieces from the recent past as well as pieces from long ago.

The opening concert will be Thursday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m., with refreshments being served at 6 p.m. The matinee performance will be Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m., with refreshments served at 2 p.m.

Music Director Dr. David Bethea has chosen songs that will appeal to everyone of every age. “We’re hoping the concerts will put you in the holiday spirit,” said Bethea. “It’s going to be a show to remember.”

During the concert, several different characters will be making appearances: Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf from the much-loved movie, Frozen; Rudolph-the-Red-Nosed Reindeer, Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch. Flying in from out of town will be Santa Claus! Each performer in the Vocal Ensemble plays a vital role in the performance, and several will be featured in solos at various times throughout the musical production.

Santa will be available one hour before each performance and during Intermission for pictures and autographs. The other characters will be available during Intermission only.

Please call 393-1700 and speak with Bobbie Spratlin, or email to bspratlin@mscc.edu, to make your reservations soon.

Student members of the Motlow Vocal Ensemble are: Renaecker Alexander, Kimberly Berry, Jachlyne Dobbs, Alyssa Domina, Tiffany Drake, Ethan Duke, Elizabeth Dye, JuliAnna Dykes, Ashton Earle, Mary Edwards, Amanda Farris, Christina Fulkerson, Michael Higdon, Tybriann Jones, Dylan Pearson, Kayla Perry, Katelee Pomeroy, Carah Rigsby, Brandon Short, Elizabeth Stambaugh, Destiny Trussell, Aubree Turner, Gabrielle Vazquez, Joshlynne Williams, Emily Yardumian, and Jacqueline Zebick.

Student members of the Motlow Band are: Laura Barnes, Slater Brandon, Ethan Duke, Hanna Fryman, Michael Higdon, Patrick Phongsa, and Brady Solis.
 

County unemployment rates for October 2016, released last week, show the rates decreased in 80 counties, increased in seven, and remained the same in eight counties.
Cannon County’s unemployment rate for the month of October is 4.7 percent.  Out of an estimate work force of 6,180 people, 5,890 people were employed in October while an estimated 290 people were unemployed.  Cannon’s showed a 5.4 percent unemployment rate in September.
Surrounding Counties also had a decrease in unemployment for the month of October.  Coffee County slipped one tenth of percentage to 5 percent.  Dekalb is at 5.8 percent.  Rutherford County shows a two percentage decrease to 3,8 percent.  Wilson dropped to a 3.9 percent while Warren also dropped to keep pace at 4.1 percent|
 Tennessee’s preliminary unemployment rate for October was 4.8 percent, increasing two-tenths of a percentage point from the previous month’s revised rate. The U.S. preliminary rate for October was 4.9 percent, decreasing one-tenth of a percentage point from the previous month.

The winning Powerball ticket over the weekend was sold to someone in Macon County.  The Red Boiling Springs Lady Bulldogs also found the jackpot Saturday in collecting their first big win of the year as they beat the Cannon County Lionettes in the second night of the Mitch Wilson Classic 57-45.  Maleah Scott’s return to action after being out of the previous two games didn’t make any difference in the outcome.  Scott finished with 8 points.  Freshman guard Jessie Kauffman continues to impress as she was the leading point getter with 11.
The Cannon County Lions boys basketball team still has to find their rhythm.  A day after winning their first game in the Cannon County Classic. the Lions came out and couldn’t get anything going against Smyrna falling 69-58.  Four Lions were in double figures as the Lions were led by Brandon Miles.  Smyrna also had three in double figures.  The Lions will go to Baxter sporting a 1-4 record Friday night.  The Lionettes fell to 2-2.  Game time in the team’s first district contest of the year is 6:00.

Everything that worked for the Cannon County Lionettes in their game against Warren County Tuesday night didn’t in the opening night of the Cannon County Classic contest against Cookeville Friday night.  Just like Tuesday, the Lionettes fell behind by double digits in the first half, but Cookeville was prepared for the Lionette press, took care of the basketball and never let the Lionettes get any closer than 9 points in the second half.  Offensively the three point shots weren’t falling as the Lionettes made one three point field goal all game long.  Cannon struggled at the free throw line making 11-22 attempts as Cookeville handed the Lionettes their second loss 63-44.  Jessie Kauffman came off the bench and led all Lionette scorers with 13.  Lionettes will meet Red Boiling Springs tonight at Robert A. Harris Gym for night number two of basketball action starting around 7:00
It wasn’t necessarily a pretty win but the Cannon County Lions battled hard against the Johnson County Longhorns from Mountain City and in a game that was right down the wire, the Lions earned their first win of the young season with the game winning shot coming in the closing seconds.  In a game saw 10 lead changes and 8 ties, with 11 seconds left to go, the Lions clamped down defensively with a full court press that resulted in the Longhorns turning the ball over after they couldn’t get it inbounds within the five second count.  After Cannon got the ball back they immediately went to Trey Fann who rolled to the goal and put up a shot that kissed off the backboard for the two point lead.  With time running out, Johnson County tried to heave a shot but it was stolen by Austin Duggin for the 71-70 win.  Cole George paced the Lions with 19 points while Fann finished with 18.  Cannon County will meet Smyrna tonight in the final game of the two day Cannon County Classic
WBRY will broadcast the Cannon County games live tonight on AM-1540/FM107.1 and streaming online at wbry.com

The Cannon County Board of Commissioners will meet in special session Monday November 28th at 5:00 in the courtroom of the Cannon County Courthouse.
The only item on the agenda will be to approve the solid waste budget amendment.

 With many shoppers preparing to score holiday gift deals on Black Friday (11/25) and Cyber Monday (11/28), the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs warns consumers to be wary of hackers that use public Wi-Fi to glean sensitive information.

“Connecting to public Wi-Fi networks can make you more vulnerable to scammers,” said TDCI Consumer Protection Director Cynthia Wiel. “Criminals often watch free networks in order to gain access to account passwords, emails, banking credentials, and other personal information. To minimize fraud risks, Tennesseans should avoid using public Wi-Fi for their online holiday shopping.”

Cyber scammers use a variety tactics to steal personal information through public internet networks. According to the AARP Fraud Watch Network, the most common Wi-Fi scams include:

    Man in the Middle Attack: The hacker positions himself between you and your Wi-Fi connection point. So instead of talking directly with the hotspot, you’re sending your information to the hacker, who then sends and receives data impersonating you. Every piece of information you’re sending out on the Internet: important emails, credit card information and even security credentials to your business network — are all under the control of the hacker.
    Evil Twin Attack: A hacker sets up a Wi-Fi access point with the same name as a legitimate network you have connected to previously and compels your computer or phone to connect to it automatically without your consent. He monitors commonly used network names, and chooses one — such as “default” or “home” — and banks on your device recognizing it.
    War Driving: Armed with a laptop, smartphone or tablet, “war drivers” use commonly available software to troll neighborhoods to find open or poorly protected Wi-Fi networks.

TDCI shares the following tips from AARP to help protect consumers from Wi-Fi scams:

    Don’t access your email, online bank or credit card accounts using public Wi-Fi.
    Watch out for fake Wi-Fi at coffee shops, hotels or other free hot spots – network names that are close, but not exactly right. Employees can give you the correct connection name and IP address.     
    Don’t let your mobile device automatically connect to nearby Wi-Fi; manually select the network you want.
    Don’t surf using an unknown public network if the website requires sensitive information – like online shopping.

For more consumer resources, or to file a complaint, contact the TDCI Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-342-8385 or visit WeHelpConsumers.tn.gov.

Games at Woodbury Grammar School Friday
10:00 (B) Lead Academy/Glencliff
11:30 (G) Warren County/Lighthouse Chr.
1:00 (G) Upperman/Nashville Chr.
2:30 (B) Upperman/Warren County
4:00 (G) Providence Chr vs Lighthouse Chr.
5:30 (B) Dekalb County/Greater Gwinett
Games at Woodbury Grammar School Saturday
10:00 (G) Providence Chr/Dekalb County
11:30 (B) Johnson County/Dekalb County
1:00 (G) Warren County/Nashville Central Chr
2:30 (B) Warren County/Nashville Central Chr

Games at Cannon County High School Friday
11:30 (G) Dekalb County/Oakland
1:00 (B) Smyrna/Shelbyville
2:30 (G) East Nashville vs Moore County
4:00 (B) East Nashville vs Riverdale
5:30 (B) Nashville Central Chr vs Cookeville
7:00 (G) Cannon County vs Cookeville
8:30 (B) Cannon County vs Johnson County

Games At Cannon County High School Saturday
10:00 (B) Greater Gwinett/Glencliff
11:30 (G) Cookeville/Moore County
1:00 (B) Cookeville/Station Camp
2:30 (G) Upperman/Oakland
4:00 (B) Upperman/Lexington
5:30 (B) Lead Academy/Shelbyville
7:00 (G) Red Boiling Springs/Cannon County
8:30 (B) Cannon County/Smyrna
 

The Cannon County Lionettes used a smothering full court press in the second half against Warren County as the basketball team rallied from a 14 point deficit to beat the Lady Pioneers 59-47.  Freshman Taylor Meeks led the comeback scoring 7 of her 13 points in the third period.  Kristin Fann led all scorers with 18 points.  Junior post player Maleah Scott did not suit up due to an ankle injury.  The Lionettes are 2-1 overall
The Cannon County Lions overcame a sluggish first quarter in the boys game but still fell in overtime 83-76.  Despite five Lion basketball players with double figures, Warren County used 12 players to keep the Lions off balance most of the night.  Tied at 71 going into the extra period, Warren County went on a 12 to 5 run to win the game.  Cannon County continues to search for their first win to go against three losses
Next up for the Lions and Lionettes will be this weekend’s Cannon County Classic.  Lionettes will next play Friday at 7:00 with the Lions to follow.

The THP will conduct its routine Thanksgiving holiday enforcement campaign across the state. During last year’s 120-hour holiday period, there were eight people killed during eight separate crashes in Tennessee, up one from the previous year. Four of those crashes involved an alcohol-impaired driver, and four were unrestrained.
“The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will also promote the I-40 Challenge on its dynamic message boards and has suspended lane closures until 6 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 28. Our regional Help Trucks will also be working throughout the holiday weekend to assist with incidents that may occur along the interstates,” TDOT Commissioner Schroer said.
Because Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, Tennessee Highway Safety Office Director Vic Donoho asks all Tennesseans to help promote traffic safety for the holidays.
State law enforcement officials have also seen a 4.6 percent decline in alcohol-related crashes this year, compared to this same time last year. the THP’s  DUI enforcement has continued to contribute to the reduction in the number of impaired driving crashes across the state.
To date in 2016, Tennessee state troopers have arrested 6,798 individuals on suspicion of impaired driving. That represents a 56 percent increase over the last five years.
 

Thanksgiving travelers will not be delayed by construction on Tennessee roads during this busy travel holiday. The Tennessee Department of Transportation will halt all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways in anticipation of higher traffic volumes across the state.
TDOT officials expect over a million travelers in Tennessee to drive to their holiday destinations this year. Halting road work during this busy time will provide maximum capacity on the roadways and help alleviate congestion, especially during the peak travel days of Wednesday and Sunday.