News

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry’s (TDF) East Tennessee Nursery is accepting tree seedling orders until March 15, 2026 or while supplies last. More than two dozen tree and shrub seedlings are currently available for reforestation and conservation projects.

“Native species seedlings grown at our East Tennessee Nursery play an important role in the expansion and regrowth of our forests,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “Grown from seed gathered no more than 50 miles from Tennessee’s borders, these seedlings are uniquely positioned to thrive in our state. Planting native species helps ensure the resilience and health of urban and rural southern forests.”

The East Tennessee Nursery cultivates millions of native trees and shrubs each year and sells seedlings in bulk to public, nonprofit, and private organizations, as well as individuals.

Several cost share and financial assistance programs are available to qualified landowners to provide financial assistance for seedling purchases. Sponsored programs include:

·        The Beam Suntory program promotes the purchase of oak and hickory seedlings.
·        The Promark (formerly D’Addario) program supports the sustainability of hickory and oak in Tennessee.
·        The Huber Engineered Woods, LLC. Program funds purchasing loblolly pine 2.0 seedlings
·        The Tree City USA program supports cities and towns seeking to grow urban and community forests.

Each program has its own eligibility requirements, and some require a forest management plan. Contact your local area forester at www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests/staff to learn more about these programs and their eligibility requirements, including forest management plans.

Landowners may also qualify for cost share opportunities for hardwood and softwood seedling purchases through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP). For information, visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests/landowner-assistance/financial-assistance.html.

Please visit www.planttntrees.org to purchase seedlings online.

Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) celebrated the completion of the 350th Home Uplift renovation on Wednesday, September 10th. This milestone highlights ongoing efforts to help local homeowners save money and improve energy efficiency.

The celebration took place at the home of Susie and Garry Tanner of Woodbury, who recently received extensive energy upgrades through the Home Uplift Program. Improvements included a new heating and cooling unit, ductwork sealing, a water heater upgrade, added attic insulation, air sealing and other high-impact energy-saving measures—all at no cost to the homeowner.

“This program is about more than saving energy—it’s about changing lives,” said Chris Jones, MTE president/CEO. “When we help members like Mr. Tanner make their homes more energy-efficient, they benefit from lower bills, greater comfort and lasting improvements in their home.”

Since its launch in 2020, the partnership between MTE and TVA has brought the Home Uplift Program to hundreds of qualifying homeowners across Middle Tennessee. On average, participants save more than $400 annually on energy costs. Eligible upgrades may include insulation, ductwork replacement, water heater improvements, HVAC tune-ups, and new energy-efficient appliances.

Ray Knotts, TVA senior director of demand management, noted the broader impact of the initiative: “Across the Tennessee Valley, TVA and local power companies have completed more than 7,500 Home Uplift projects since 2018. Every one of these upgrades helps reduce the energy burden for families and strengthens our communities.”

For Mr. Tanner, the program has already made a difference. “We really appreciate all the work they’ve done for us,” he said. “It’s improved the house considerably.”

The Home Uplift Program continues to be a cornerstone of MTE and TVA’s shared mission to deliver affordable, reliable energy while improving the lives of members and customers.

To learn more about the program or start an application, visit mte.com/HomeUplift.

TVAAS (Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System) results have been released across the state from the Department of Education. TVAAS means how much a student grows academically from year to year, no matter where they start. Ratings are given on a 1-5 scale: Level 1 = least growth, Level 3 = expected growth and Level 5 = most growth.

Cannon County is proud to announce that Cannon South Elementary School scored a Level 5 and Cannon Elementary School scored a Level 3. Each of the other three schools scored as a Level 1. Additionally, as a district, Cannon County scored at a Level 1. Even though as a district our score was low there was significant growth in some of our subgroups, which we are extremely proud of.

Director Vincent stated, “While as a whole our district is not where we would like to be, I am pleased and proud that we have had such wonderful growth at two of our schools and pockets of growth in our other three schools. Steps have already been taken to address deficits that will put us on a path to achieve our academic goals and improve student success. Also, district level supervisors and building principals have  met to review the data and are already taking additional steps toward improving our student growth.These results (Cannon South, Cannon Elementary and subgroups at the other 3 schools) reflect the incredible hard work of our teachers, staff, students, and families.”

The Town of Woodbury’s garbage route scheduled for Thursday September 4^th will run on Friday September 5^th due to mechanical issues.

Questions may be directed to Shane Gannon at 615-563-4221.  The Public Works Department apologizes for any inconvenience and appreciate their customers’ understanding and cooperation.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will conduct lane closures on State Route 141 in Smith County. Beginning Tuesday, September 2, crews with Dement Construction will close SR 141 (Lancaster Highway) between Bettys Bend Road and the Smith-DeKalb County line for slope stabilization and repair. The same portion of roadway has been operating with one lane open since March, when excessive rainfall triggered a slope failure. This full road closure is expected to last until the end of the year. A detour is in place.

All work is weather-dependent. As always, drivers are reminded to allow additional time, slow down, and move over when traveling through a work zone. The Move Over Law was passed in 2006. The penalty for violating the law in Tennessee carries the possibility of up to 30 days in jail and a maximum fine of up to $500. Motorists can alert TDOT to potholes by calling the TDOTFIX Hotline at 833-TDOTFIX or using this online form: TDOT Maintenance Request. The TDOT SmartWay Map (https://smartway.tn.gov) provides the latest construction activity traffic updates. Travelers can also call 511 for travel information.

The Upper Cumberland Development District (UCDD) is celebrating a historic milestone in its Three Star Grant submissions. This year, UCDD not only submitted more applications than ever before, but also secured a record number of awards, bringing substantial investment to local communities.

The Three Star program is designed to promote economic and community prosperity through strategic projects that benefit every Tennessean. The initiative supports local infrastructure, revitalization, and planning projects that enhance quality of life, stimulate economic growth, and strengthen community connections.

Highlighted Grants:

● Van Buren County – $250,000: Upgrades to the fairgrounds grandstand will create a year-round hub for cultural events, festivals, and community gatherings, supporting tourism and local businesses.

● Warren County – $250,000: Revitalization of the Three Star Mall will transform an empty storefront into a dynamic community hub, fostering downtown economic development and placemaking.

● Cannon County – $250,000: Renovations at the Cannon County Community Center will enhance accessibility, safety, and emergency preparedness, creating a welcoming space for all residents.

● White County – $250,000: A new ADA-accessible pavilion at the White County Recreational Complex will support year-round sports and community events.

● Jackson County – $157,500: A feasibility study to repurpose historic Fox Middle School into a community center will preserve the site’s heritage while creating a hub for wellness, education, and cultural events.

● Fentress County – $50,000: Targeted studies will identify opportunities for private investment, including hotel development and grocery/restaurant recruitment.

Through strategic collaboration and forward-thinking planning, UCDD and its community partners continue to transform local spaces into thriving centers of civic life, boosting regional economic growth while strengthening community identity. # # #

The school break and other seasonal changes in employment contributed to an increase in unemployment rates in most Tennessee counties in July, according to new data released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).
 
While the statewide rate is adjusted to account for seasonal impacts on employment, county rates are not.
 
Unemployment rates increased from June to July in 92 of Tennessee’s 95 counties. Rates remained the same in three counties.
 
Fifty-five counties reported unemployment rates of less than 5%. The other 40 counties had rates of 5% or greater.
 
Sevier County had the state’s lowest rate for the second month in a row. At 3.3%, the rate was one-tenth of a percentage point higher than in June.
 
Cheatham County followed with the next-lowest rate at 3.4%, an increase of two-tenths of a percentage point over the previous month. Five counties — Wilson, Williamson, Sumner, Dickson, and Davidson — all reported rates of 3.6%.

Cannon County came in at number ten in the top ten counties registering the state’s lowest rate of unemployment with 3.7 percent.

Weakley County’s unemployment rate of 8.5% was the highest in Tennessee last month. That rate was up 3.5 percentage points over June’s rate.
 
Greene County had the next-highest unemployment rate at 6.8%, an increase of 1.3 percentage points over June. Perry County’s rate was 6.7%, an increase of half a percentage point.
 
A breakdown of the July 2025 county unemployment data is available here.
  
School may be back in session, but there are still plenty of ways for young people to work and learn.
 
Through Tennessee’s Youth Employment Program (YEP), individuals 14 to 24 years old can test-drive potential careers while earning up to $3,500. The state-funded program is year-round so youths can still sign up and work during the school year. Learn more at yeptn.com.

As another school year gets underway, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security is reminding students, faculty, parents and the public about their SafeTN app and announcing additional ways Tennesseans can report threats directly to the Office of Homeland Security Threat Assessment Center.

“School security is a team effort, and we need Tennesseans to be a part of that team,” said Deputy Commissioner of Homeland Security Greg Mays. “When you see something, we encourage you to say something so that we can do something. By reaching out to our Threat Assessment Center, you can help someone get off a pathway to violence and prevent a tragedy.”

The SafeTN App is a quick and easy-to-use, anonymous reporting system. It is available for free in the App Store and Google Play. SafeTN app submissions are assessed by the Threat Assessment Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Tennesseans can now also submit threats to the Threat Assessment Center by phone, email or by filling out the online form on the Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s website, tn.gov/safety/homeland-security. The Threat Assessment Center phone number is (615) 532-7825 and their email address is OHSThreatDesk@tn.gov.

The Threat Assessment Center immediately assesses all submissions by phone, email, online, or through the SafeTN app. They then work with the local Office of Homeland Security Special Agent, local law enforcement, mental health specialists, school administrators, and other appropriate professionals to further investigate the situation and provide needed intervention.

Tennesseans are encouraged to contact the Threat Assessment Center to report observed threats, behaviors or actions. Examples of safety concerns to report include violence or threats of violence, bullying, sexual misconduct, harm to self or others, and talk about an upcoming planned attack.

Learn more about the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security online, www.tn.gov/safety/homeland-security.html.

The Tennessee Department of Education and Tennessee Education Research Alliance (TERA) at Vanderbilt University has released key findings and responses from the 2025 Tennessee Educator Survey.

“The Tennessee Educator Survey is an important tool that helps us understand what teachers are experiencing in and outside their classrooms every day,” said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. “I’m grateful to the educators, administrators, and school staff across Tennessee who took the time to share their feedback through the survey. Your input is incredibly valuable as we work to better support schools and strengthen the education experience for all students.”

Responses from the 2025 Educator Survey play a critical role in guiding the department’s efforts to enhance educators’ experience. These insights offer policymakers and researchers critical feedback to better meet the needs of teachers and students statewide.

“The 2025 Tennessee Educator Survey continues to be one of the most important tools we have for understanding educators’ experiences and needs,” said Laura Booker, Executive Director of TERA. “We hope that state and local leaders use the department’s survey report, survey results website, and TERA’s one-pagers and survey briefs to guide decisions that strengthen teaching and learning.”

The survey measures key topics that district and school leaders monitor annually, including educator evaluations, ELA and math instruction, school culture, professional learning, and student readiness. This year, the survey also introduced new questions to address the emerging topics of artificial intelligence and cell phone policies.

Key findings from the 2025 survey include:

• Three out of four math teachers agreed that they can deliver high-quality lessons using the curriculum as designed. High school math teachers are particularly satisfied with their curriculum.
• Nearly 90% of administrators reported that teacher evaluation helps them improve their teaching.
• Over 80% of teachers said they plan to continue teaching in their schools next year. Teachers reported strong leadership and staff culture as important factors driving their decisions to stay at their schools. 
• Eighty-five percent of CTE teachers agreed that their programs provide students opportunities to earn valuable credentials and help prepare students for college and careers. 

The Tennessee Educator Survey is a voluntary and confidential survey, open to all teachers, administrators, and other certified staff across the state. Survey questions, statewide results, the overview brief, and more can be found here.

NOTICE OF VACANCY AND APPOINTMENT – DISTRICT 1 COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Notice is hereby given that the Cannon County Board of Commissioners will consider the appointment of a new District 1 Commissioner to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Nathan Luna.

Said appointment will be made during the regular meeting of the Cannon County Board of Commissioners to be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Cannon Adams Office Building.

Due to a scheduled trial in the courtroom, the upcoming Cannon County Board of Commissioners meeting will be held at a different location.

New Meeting Location:
Adams Building
110 S. Tatum St.
Woodbury, TN 37190

Date & Time:
Thursday, August 7, 2025
6:00 PM

This change is necessary to accommodate court proceedings while ensuring the public can still attend the meeting.

Your understanding is greatly appreciated, and we encourage all community members to attend.

For more information, please contact the Cannon County Executive’s Office at (615) 563-3068.