News 2017

The Cannon County Lionettes got their first basketball win of the season during the Mitch Wilson State Farm Classic Friday night in Woodbury.  Anna Grace Sissom hit four three point shots and Maleah Scott notched 22 points as the Lionettes beat Monterey 62-36. In the boys game the Lions got out to a 9 point lead in the first quarter but couldn’t hold it and Monterey staged a comeback coupled with a big run to win 67-42.  Trey Fann, Brandon Miles and Lane Willis each had 8 in the loss.
The two teams will finish up the second full day of basketball play at the Mitch Wilson State Farm Classic Saturday night at 6:00 when they host the Nashville Central Christian Eagles teams.  You can hear those games on AM-1540/ Shine 107.1FM WBRY and streaming live on our website at wbry.com.

The schedule for the Mitch Wilson Classic has changed.  Both Cannon County games have been moved up to start at 6 and 7:30 respectively.  Tonights games will still be against Monterey.  Saturday nights games will still be against Nashville Christian.  The only thing that changes is the time of the games.  AM -1540/FM 107.1 WBRY and streaming online via wbry.com

As families prepare to gather for Thanksgiving Day feasts this Thursday, November 23, the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) reminds Tennesseans to incorporate good cooking safety habits into their plans in order to avoid a holiday home fire. Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment, with three times the average number.  An estimated 2,000 Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings are reported to U.S. fire departments each year according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Here in the Volunteer State, 18 percent of reported home structure fires in 2016 involved cooking equipment. Those 2,021 fires resulted in 13 civilian fatalities, 54 civilian injuries, nine firefighter injuries and over $8 million of direct property damage according to the Tennessee Fire Incident Reporting System.
“Careless cooking habits can lead to devastating fires,” said State Fire Marshal and Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “Because the excitement of a Thanksgiving get-together can lead to distractions for holiday cooks, we’re urging Tennesseans to pay attention in the kitchen, and if using a turkey fryer, take all necessary safety precautions to protect yourself, your family, and your property.”
The SFMO offers these safety tips for a fire-safe Thanksgiving:
    Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling. If you have to leave the room, even for a moment, turn off the burner.
    Use a kitchen timer when boiling, simmering, baking, or roasting to remind yourself to check the cooking often.
    Use caution with turkey fryers. It is recommended that consumers utilize the oil-free models that are available or seek commercial professionals to prepare this entrée.
    Turkey fryers must always be used outdoors and a safe distance from buildings and other flammable materials.
    Never use turkey fryers indoors or on a wooden deck.
    Make sure the fryer is used on a flat surface to prevent accidental tipping.
    Never leave a turkey fryer unattended. Most fryer units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
    Never let children or pets near the fryer, even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot for hours after use.                                                                                                                                                                                     
    To prevent spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
    Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
    Make sure the turkey is thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups. The National Turkey Foundation recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds of weight.
    Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease or oil fire. If the fire is manageable, use your all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call the fire department by dialing 911.

Three inmates at the DeKalb County Jail escaped overnight. According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, 38 year old Jack Mullican, Jr. of Adcock Cemetery Road; 32 year old Bryon Ray Gibbs of Gin Alley, Alexandria; and 26 year old Daniel Trey Hamilton of Jacobs Pillar Road broke out of the jail annex.
“We are still investigating but it appears they escaped from the back of the jail annex through a door we believe they jimmied open,” said Sheriff Ray.
Mullican was incarcerated for a violation of probation and charges of aggravated burglary, theft of property, vandalism and a child support attachment.
Gibbs was in jail on charges of aggravated burglary, evading arrest, failure to appear, vandalism, and theft of property. According to Sheriff Ray, Gibbs was charged with these offenses on September 9 and posted bond. Gibbs was then arrested again on October 27 for aggravated assault and vandalism and made bond on those charges. When he went to court on November 9, the judge revoked his bond for getting into trouble while out on bond.
Hamilton was serving a 60 day sentence after which he is to begin serving a sentence of 11 months and 29 days for failure to appear and violation of probation. Polk County also has a hold on Hamilton for charges against him there.
Gibbs is caucasian with short brown hair. He stands 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 149 pounds. He has multiple tattoos all the way up to his neck and a sleeve tattoo on both arms
Hamilton is caucasian with short brown hair (almost shaved head) and hazel eyes. He is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 137 pounds. Hamilton also has multiple tattoos including a “money sign” tattoo on his right arm.
One of the three escapees from the DeKalb County Jail over night has been captured.
38 year old Jack Mullican, Jr. is back behind bars and has now been charged with escape. He is under a $150,000 bond for this offense and will make a court appearance December 7. Mullican was found in an underground water drain. He became trapped there after making his escape.
The other two escapees, 32 year old Bryon Ray Gibbs and 26 year old Daniel Trey Hamilton remain at large.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that “at 9:31 a.m. this morning (Tuesday) someone called DeKalb Central Dispatch and reported having car trouble when they heard someone yelling for help in an underground water drain. It was a man and he advised the complainant he was one of the escapees from the jail. After officers arrived on the scene, a backhoe operator was summoned to remove a drain grid and at 9:47 am, Mullican. was taken into custody without incident. Mullican advised law enforcement officers that he split off from the other two escapees in the drain and decided he was ready to give up. Mullican has been charged with escape. His warrant reads, “Jack Mullican did escape from the DeKalb County Jail while he was incarcerated on felony charges. This did occur in DeKalb County,” said Sheriff Ray
Sheriff Ray asks anyone with information on the whereabouts of Gibbs and Hamilton to call DeKalb Central Dispatch at 615-215-3000, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department at 615-597-4935, or the DeKalb Crime Tip Line at 615-464-6400.
(wjle.com)
 

The Cannon County Lionettes visited nearby Warren County in girls basketball Tuesday night and almost won their first contest of the year.  The Lionettes started out slow as Warren County built a lead of up to 16 in the first quarter.  Cannon County would go and start whittling down the deficit trailing by 10 at half.  Lionettes continued their comeback and with 7:25 left to go in the game took their first lead.  Game would seesaw back and forth the remainder of the game with the Lady Pioneers hitting a bankshot with 6 seconds left.  Cannon missed the game winning shot and the Lady Pioneers held on to win 57-55.  Maleah Scott led with 23 points.  Kristen Fann exploded in the second quarter with 18 points to finish with 20.   The Cannon County Lions hung with Warren County for three quarters before the mistakes caught up with them.  The Lions struggled against the Pioneer full court pressure and two back to back turnovers converted to Pioneer points led a Warren County run en route to a 71-50 win.  Trey Fann scored 17 to lead the Lions in the loss.  Both Cannon County teams are 0-3 heading into the Mitch Wilson State Farm Classic where they will meet Monterey Friday night at Robert A Harris Gym.
Gametime is at 7:30.

The Town of Woodbury announces that the Thursday trash route will be run Wednesday due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.  

The I-40 Challenge will consist of increased patrols from state police/ highway patrol agencies along the I-40 corridor. In Tennessee, I-40 enforcement efforts will increase on the busiest travel days during the Thanksgiving holiday starting on Wednesday, Nov. 22, and continuing through Sunday, Nov. 26. “It is so heartbreaking when we lose a life on our Tennessee roadways,” Colonel Tracy Trott said. “I am making a commitment to increase our trooper presence not only on the I-40 corridor, but on all of our major Tennessee roadways. I am very thankful to the other highway patrols and state police across the nation who have also committed to this challenge. We need you, the public, to join us by doing your part in making safe choices as you drive across our state.”
I-40 runs 2,555 miles through eight states including North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. I-40 runs through Tennessee encompassing 455 miles.
In 2016, there were 54 crashes on the Wednesday before and 51 crashes on the Sunday after the holiday on I-40. Four of the crashes were alcohol-related. THP also issued 94 seat belt citations on and arrested 12 individuals for impaired driving.
“Every THP Commander has signature programs and initiatives; this I-40 Challenge will be one of Colonel Trott’s legacies,” Commissioner David W. Purkey said. “What a great opportunity to team with other states from our nation’s East Coast to the West Coast saving lives along the way. Partner with us during this challenge by just slowing down, no texting, and buckling up. This can save your life.”
 

Thanksgiving travelers will not be delayed by construction on Tennessee roads during this busy travel holiday. TDOT will halt all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways in anticipation of higher traffic volumes across the state. All construction related lane closures will be stopped beginning at noon on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 through 6:00 a.m. Monday, November 27, 2017. “Over a million travelers in Tennessee are expected to drive to their holiday destinations this year,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. “This is the most traveled holiday of the year. Halting road work during this busy time will provide maximum capacity on our highways and help alleviate congestion, especially during the predicted peak travel days of Wednesday and Sunday. TDOT’s regional HELP Trucks will also be working throughout the holiday weekend to assist with incidents that may occur along the interstates.”
While all lane closure activity will be stopped, workers may be on site in some construction zones. Long-term lane closures will also remain in place on some construction projects for motorists’ safety. Motorists are reminded to drive safely and obey the posted speeds, especially in work zones. Drivers convicted of speeding in work zones where workers are present face a fine of up to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and TDOT are partnering with law enforcement across the state for the I-40 Challenge, with the goal of having zero fatalities on the 455 miles of I-40 in Tennessee. On the peak travel days of Wednesday, November 22nd and Sunday, November 26th, the Tennessee Highway Patrol will have troopers stationed every 20 miles on I-40, along with increased law enforcement on all highways.
AAA predicts 50.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving holiday, an increase of 3.3 percent over last year. Tennesseans make up 1.16 million of those travelers, with an estimated 1.1 million expected to travel by automobile.
From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity 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.

The first three contests of the new basketball season were expected to be tough.  Going up against three pretty good basketball teams against schools bigger than Cannon County, the Lions and Lionettes hope that the experience helps them when they play district teams against schools close to their size.  Friday night the teams went to White County for their second game of the season.   In the girls game it took 2:40 before either team scored in the first quarter but then the Lionettes faced a smothering full court press from the Warriorettes courtesy of head coach Michael Dodgen who formerly coached the Lionettes, and Cannon County didn’t have an answer for the familiar traps as White County broke it open and coasted to a 68-30 win.  Leading scorer for Cannon was Jessie Kauffman who scored 6 points.  
The Lions hung in there with White County in the first quarter even taking a brief lead at one point.  After trailing by 5 at the end of the first quarter, the Lions team took a blow when Brandon Miles suffered a knee injury in the second quarter and missed the rest of the game.  White County would take advantage of that and go in at halftime with a 44-22 score.  The team from Sparta ended up with a win 77-54.  Trey Fann exploded in the second half scoring 13 of his game high 15 points in the loss.
Next up Cannon will face Warren County in McMinnville Tuesday night.  Game time is set for 6:00.  You can hear the game on AM-1540/FM107.1 WBRY and streaming live on our website at wbry.com

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips today announced that for the fifth month in a row, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is lower than it has been in recorded history. The state unemployment rate for October 2017 held steady at 3.0 percent, matching the historically low rate set in September. Tennessee first marked an all-time low unemployment rate in June at 3.6 percent, which was bested by the July rate of 3.4 percent, and then in August fell to 3.3 percent.
“We have focused on bringing high-quality jobs to Tennessee and have attracted companies and jobs that provide strong wages that will evolve as the economy changes,” Haslam said. “We have focused on recruiting companies that will invest in Tennessee for the long-term and create lasting economic change in our communities, and our record low unemployment rate over the last five months reflects that.”
Tennessee’s October 2017 unemployment rate is two percentage points lower than it was one year ago and continues to outpace the national average, which currently sits at 4.1 percent.
“Tennessee’s employment rate continues to be one of the lowest in the nation,” Phillips said. “Month, after month, we continue to see the economic climate in Tennessee is helping build a solid workforce in every corner of the state and that our investment in education and workforce development is paying off.”