Murfreesboro Police Department Criminal Investigations Division detectives are investigating the circumstances that lead to the shooting death of a Woodbury man in Murfreesboro Thursday evening, April 9.
Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of
N. Rutherford Blvd. around 8:30 p.m. to reports of a shooting. Upon
arrival they found the victim, Stephen R. Lopez, Jr., 30, deceased.
The suspect, James E. Evans, III, 27, was detained and
subsequently taken for evaluation. He will be served with a warrant for
second-degree murder.
Today, Governor Bill Lee provided an update on
Tennessee’s efforts regarding COVID-19 relief.
Gov. Lee’s daily press conferences can be viewed live
this week Monday through Thursday at 3 p.m. CDT here.
Gov. Lee has also established a website specific to COVID-19 updates which can
be found here.
The Department of Education has established a
partnership with PBS stations across the state to offer 1st through 8th grade
students up to 30 hours of instructional lessons a week. This instruction is
made possible by Tennessee teachers teaching with Tennessee
curriculum. More information, broadcast schedules, student and teacher packets
and access to past shows is available here.
The state has also worked to ensure there is support
for early literacy through a partnership with an early education app,
ReadyRosie, which provides short videos and free resources on topics like
literacy and math for Tennessee families with children from birth to 3rd grade.
Additional information can be found here.
With the passage of the federal funding through the
CARES Act, the Department is preparing to deploy one-time relief funds to
school districts as soon as the funding becomes available. Federal funds will
support meal preparation and distribution, extended learning opportunities for
all students, internet and hardware accessibility, and student needs related to
homeless and high mobility populations.
Partnership with
Nextdoor
Tennessee is partnering with Nextdoor to provide
official, real-time information to Tennesseans about the state’s response to
COVID-19.
The partnership will allow us to reach thousands of
neighborhoods with critical information during this unprecedented time.
All Tennessee neighbors on Nextdoor will automatically
receive messages. If you’re not on Nextdoor, but interested in joining your
Nextdoor neighborhood, you can visit Nextdoor.com
to download the free app.
Current Department of Health Testing
Results (as of 2 p.m. 4/9)
Confirmed
Cases
Hospitalizations
Fatalities
Recovered
Total
Tests
4,634
505
94
921
59,849
For more information on COVID-19 in Tennessee, please
visit the Tennessee Department of Health’s website here.
Today, Governor Bill Lee provided an update on
Tennessee’s efforts regarding COVID-19 relief.
Gov. Lee’s daily press conferences can be viewed live
this week Monday through Thursday at 3 p.m. CDT here.
Gov. Lee has also established a website specific to COVID-19 updates which can
be found here.
To support the
self-employed and ensure they gain access to unemployment benefits during this
hard time, The Department of Labor and Workforce Development is currently
reprograming Jobs4TN.gov to accommodate the federal program, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
and the new $600 weekly federal benefit.
The Department is
working diligently to make these changes as quickly as possible so Tennesseans
can start receiving both the state and the federal payment.
If you are
self-employed or an unemployed worker and you have already submitted a claim,
you do not need to reapply. All Tennesseans receiving unemployment or Pandemic
Unemployment Assistance will automatically receive the weekly $600 federal
benefit, in addition to their unemployment benefit.
Health Care Surge
Capacity Staffing
As Tennessee builds surge capacity, one of the most
important components is ensuring we have qualified health care workers in the
event that COVID-19 cases overload our hospitals.
In March, Gov. Lee issued an executive order to help
procure qualified medical personnel. That executive order loosens restrictions
around retired medical professionals and temporarily suspsends continuing
education requirements for health care workers.
Retired and furloughed health care workers are
encouraged to sign up through the Department of Health portal
if they are willing to serve. So far, over 800 health care personnel have
engaged with us.
Administration Actions
HealthStream
Unified-Command, through their work with Launch
Tennessee, has developed a public-private partnership with HealthStream.
HealthStream is a publicly traded, Tennessee company that provides education
resources for 80% of hospitals in the country.
HealthStream has offered its learning platform, COVID
training content, and HealthStream employee support – free to the state – to
facilitate the launch of these Alternative Healthcare Facilities for our surge
planning.
HealthStream has a tremendous reputation and we believe
that their generous offer to make training resources free to the professionals,
volunteers, and returning healthcare workers that will be staffing the
Alternative Healthcare Facilities is going to ensure high-quality care is
delivered.
Abbott COVID-19
Testing
At the end of March, Abbott announced the development
of a new rapid COVID-19 test on the ID Now Machine. These rapid, point of care
tests show a positive COVID-19 result in as little as 5 minutes and a negative
COVID-19 result in about 13 minutes.
The development and implementation of this technology
will help states across the country test more people, faster and chip away at
the testing backlog. Yesterday, the CDC provided our state health lab with one
ID Now machine and 120 initial tests. We are actively working to get more tests
and maximize this technology.
In addition to the state lab getting access to rapid,
point of care tests, private providers in Tennessee are gaining access to this
cutting-edge technology.
American
Family Care operates clinics across Middle Tennessee
and is deploying the use of ID Now at their clinics and has the capacity to
test close to 4,000 Tennesseans. The aggressive efforts of the private sector
have helped make our state a leader in testing.
Executive Order 25
Today, Gov. Lee signed Executive
Order 25, which extends the postponement of elective medical
and dental procedures until April 30, 2020. The order:
Helps ensure that PPE is preserved, and community
spread through close medical interaction is limited during the upcoming
weeks in which cases/hospitalizations are expected to increase;
Expands EO18 to more specifically cover all procedures
that are elective and non-urgent and can be delayed until after the Order
without risking serious adverse consequences to a patient; and
Limits attendance at surgeries and invasive procedures
to essential personnel to preserve PPE to the greatest extent possible.
The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties
has launched a new website aimed at helping local residents contend with the
financial effects of COVID-19.
The site, www.RutherfordCannonRelief.com, serves as a
single source for those who are able to donate, as well as up-to-date resources
and tools for families and individuals who have been directly affected
financially.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created one of the most
challenging times we’ve faced as a community,” said Meagan Flippin, President
and CEO of United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. “Many of our friends
and neighbors have lost their jobs or had their hours cut back, and there’s so
much uncertainty about when things will go back to normal.
“Many who are impacted by this crisis have never had to tap
into external resources to meet basic needs like food and housing. That’s why
we launched this website, along with our COVID-19 relief fund—to help support
our neighbors in need,” Flippin said.
United Way’s COVID-19 relief fund is specifically for individuals
and families who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of this
crisis. Donations can be made by visiting www.RutherfordCannonRelief.com
or texting COVIDRELIEF to 41444.
100% of funds received for COVID-19 relief will be used for:
“ALICE” (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families with children
Workers with reduced wages
People who do not have the resources they need to stay safe and well
People who need up-to-date information on how to connect to resources
People who need assistance with basic human services/needs
Other target areas, as assessed
“For those who need immediate help, United Way has resources
available right now. You can call 2-1-1 to be connected with someone who can
direct you to the assistance you need,” Flippin said.
2-1-1 is a community services help line where callers speak
to a specialist who is trained to help assess needs, and then provide phone
numbers and addresses of the closest places where help is available. This
includes a database of more than 10,000 health and human services programs. All
calls are free and completely confidential.
Murfreesboro attorney Jo Atwood has announced her candidacy for election to the Circuit Court Judge position for the 16th Judicial District Part IV.
A 33-year veteran of the legal profession, Jo has been well
known in the legal community for her integrity, fairness, and common-sense
legal advice and counsel. She has been a leader and pioneer in Rutherford
and Cannon Counties, both in building her law practice serving the civil legal
needs of families and small businesses, as well as leading by example as a
pioneer for female attorneys in Middle Tennessee. If elected, Jo would be
the first female Circuit Court Judge in the 16th Judicial District, representing Rutherford and Cannon
Counties.
Jo’s Tennessee roots and work ethic run deep, having been born
and raised on a farm in middle Tennessee. She knows the value of hard work –
she grew up milking cows, shearing sheep, showing cattle, commercial egg producing and processing – and has applied that work ethic in
serving her clients while building her law practice – and would apply that same
work ethic to serving as a Circuit Court Judge.
Throughout her life, Jo has been a compassionate and open-minded
leader in the Rutherford and Cannon County communities. She has served as a Board member for the
Chamber of Commerce and the YMCA and as the Chairman of United Way and Main
Street. Jo is active in her church, especially the
Amazing Grace class at North Boulevard Church of Christ. She has had a passion for
serving as a role model for young women in the workplace and has been a regular
speaker at conferences and events in middle Tennessee and beyond.
Jo is married to Mike Tobitt. Mike played baseball at MTSU
under Coach Stanford and currently teaches and coaches at Siegel Middle School.
Jo has one son, Wesley Tobitt, who lives in Tampa, Florida and has followed in
his father’s footsteps as a teacher and baseball coach. Wesley is married
to Allyssa, is Chief
Operating Officer at a Sarasota Hospital.
Today, Tennessee Governor
Bill Lee announced $200 million in grants to be distributed to every county and
city government across Tennessee for one-time, local expenses in fiscal year
2021.
“Capital
maintenance, public safety and road projects don’t pause for disasters like the
March tornadoes and the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gov. Lee. “This grant fund
will ease the burden on local governments as they work to meet infrastructure
and safety obligations.”
According to the funding charts released with the announcement, the following dollars can be available to:
Cannon County: $ 612,150.00, Woodbury $ 92,895.00 and Auburntown: $ 35,782.00 for a total of $ 740,827.00.
Funding is based on population as published by the US Census Bureau. Each county will receive at least $500,000, and each city or municipality will receive at least $30,000. The three Metro governments (Davidson, Moore and Trousdale) will receive one allocation, whichever is largest. The application will be made available by April 30, 2020, and the funds will be made available after July 1, 2020.
Funds
may be used for road projects, I.T. upgrades, capital maintenance, utility
system upgrades, and public safety projects. Certain disaster-related expenses
are also eligible for funding.
One-time
expenses related to COVID-19 are eligible including supply and equipment
purchase, cleaning, emergency food and shelter programs. Counties impacted by
the March 2020 tornadoes including Benton, Carroll, Davidson, Gibson, Putnam,
Smith, and Wilson counties may also use the funds for tornado relief efforts.
Cannon
County Schools announce that effective on April 6th, 2020 that Meals
will be distributed on Mondays ONLY from 9 AM to 10 AM.
Instructional packets will also be distributed to Cannon County Elementary
students during this time. Cannon County Schools remain CLOSED through
April 24th, 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns.
“Grab-and-Go”
Breakfasts and Lunches will be distributed on Mondays with Breakfasts and
Lunches provided for 5 days. Cannon County Schools ask that
parents/guardians please follow the instructions for traffic flow at each
school and these are posted on the Cannon County Schools website at www.ccstn.net – click on the
Meals-2-Go Tab at the top of the page. Cannon County Schools asks that
participates DO NOT EXIT THEIR VEHICLE – No “Walk-ups” are allowed for the
protection of School Employees.
The distribution of children’s meals will be on each Monday
following from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM on this day ONLY.
Meals will be provided until Cannon County Schools are back in session.
The location of the meal distribution sites are:
· Short Mountain School, 5988 Short Mountain Road, Woodbury;
· West Side School, 3714 Murfreesboro Road, Readyville;
· Woodbury Grammar School, 530 West Adams Street, Woodbury and
· Woodland School, 8383 Jim Cummings Highway, Bradyville.
Cannon County High School is NOT a feeding site, however, ANY
Cannon County High School Student can pick up meals at ANY Elementary School in
Cannon County!
Because of the COVID-19 concerns, Cannon County Schools desire to
provide nutritious meals to the children of Cannon County during this school
closure. If you have specific questions or concerns please contact Cannon
County Food Service Supervisor Jennifer Insell at 629-201-4809 – Email at Jennifer.Insell@ccstn.net or Cannon County Schools
ESP Coordinator Lisa Black at 629-201-4805 – Email at Lisa.Black@ccstn.net.
Please leave a voice mail or Email.
L-R: Chuck Holt, John Moffett, JD Underhill, Stephen Perry, Chris Brushaber, Bradley Barrett, Sebastian Novoa, Captain Michael Underhill, Jonathan Buckingham, Brittany Novoa, Richard Bagley, Garrett Johnson, and Trent Vickers. Not pictured, Mike Reedy, Tim Bell, Adam Hayes, Becky Harrell, Larry Powell, Eric Campbell, Melissa Talley, Cameron Newman, and Dwayne Lambert. Photo courtesy of Dwayne Lambert.
Cannon County Rescue Squad expands abilities with two new pieces of life-saving equipment. The new equipment included the world-famous Hurst Jaws-of-Life®. The equipment was donated through a generous grant by the Gary Sinise Foundation.
Bobby
George, Director of Outreach at the Gary Sinise Foundation, said, “Part of our
mission at the Gary Sinise Foundation is to serve and fiercely protect those
who so courageously defend and protect our nation. First responders like Cannon
County Rescue Squad are absolutely indispensable to the safety of local communities.
We are proud to provide the necessary equipment so that these heroes can
perform at the best of their abilities and further protect the citizens of
Cannon County and Middle Tennessee.”
The
Hurst Rescue Company patented the first rescue tool system over 45 years ago,
and they haven’t stopped innovating since.
The EWXT rescue tools (received on the grant by the Cannon County Rescue
Squad) are the first of their kind. They
allow rescuers to operate the tool submerged in water, unencumbered by hoses or
power units. Despite their unique skill,
they’re still the fastest, most powerful tools in the business.
Michael
Underhill, CEO and Captain for the Rescue Squad said, “We are an all-volunteer
team with limited financial resources, and this is a game changer for our
organization. The funding from the Gary
Sinise Foundation has allowed us to accelerate our 5-year strategic plan to
update our equipment. We are grateful to the Gary Sinise Foundation for making
such a substantial gift to our rural communities.”
For
more information on becoming a volunteer responder with the Cannon County
Rescue Squad, Inc., visit our website at CannonCountyRescue.com. To follow us on Facebook, like our page Facebook.com/CannonCountyRescue and follow us on
Instagram @CannonCountyRescue
ABOUT THE GARY SINISE FOUNDATION
The Gary
Sinise Foundation was established under the philanthropic direction of actor
Gary Sinise, an advocate of our nation’s defenders for nearly forty years. Our
mission is to serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first
responders, their families, and those in need. We do this through a number of
national and local programs, funded by the generosity of the Foundation’s
75,000+ donors. These programs—designed to entertain, educate, inspire,
strengthen, and build communities—serve America’s heroes and their loved ones
365 days a year. Learn more: www.garysinisefoundation.org
Today, Governor Bill Lee provided an update on Tennessee’s efforts regarding COVID-19 relief.
Gov. Lee’s daily press conferences can be viewed live each day this week at 3 p.m. CDT here. Gov. Lee has also established a website specific to COVID-19 updates which can be found here.
Administration Actions
Executive Order 23 – Requiring Tennesseans to Remain at Home
Gov. Lee will sign Executive Order 23 requiring that Tennesseans stay home unless they are carrying out essential activities as data shows an increase in citizen movement across the state.
Data from the Tennessee Department of Transportation analyzed traffic patterns for March 2020. While safer at home measures and further restrictions on businesses showed a steep drop-off in vehicle movement from March 13-29, data beginning on March 30 indicates travel is trending upwards, again.
The Administration also analyzed data from Unacast to understandcell phone mobility and determine movement trends among people. Unacast indicates the movement of Tennesseans is trending toward pre-COVID-19 levels.
The executive order remains in effect until April 14, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Additional information is available here.
Surge Capacity
Today, FEMA approved Tennessee’s COVID-19 major disaster declaration. This accelerates efforts to work with the US Army Corps of Engineers and expand statewide capacity by an additional 7,000 beds.
The Corps of Engineers is working for FEMA and in partnership with Tennessee in responding to this crisis. Through Tennessee’s partnership with the Corps of Engineers, the state is assessing sites across Tennessee to build capacity and create Alternate Healthcare Facilities.
The Music City Center in downtown Nashville will be transformed into a COVID Positive Non-Acute Alternate Healthcare Facility. It will serve COVID patients who need hospital care, but do not require critical care. The current plan for the Music City Center is to provide more than 1600 Patient Care Spaces.
In Memphis, the Corps will be constructing a COVID positive Non-Acute Alternate Healthcare facility at Gateway Shopping Center. Additional sites in Memphis are being actively assessed to ensure capacity in this hotspot is built up quickly and efficiently.
Chattanooga Convention Center and the Knoxville Expo Center will also serve as a COVID positive Non-Acute Alternate Healthcare facility.
While facilities are a key part of planning for a surge in COVID-19 patients, we must have staff available to care for these patients. All displaced or furloughed health care personnel are urged to register on the Tennessee Department of Health website here.
Current Department of Health Testing Results (as of 2 p.m. 4/2)
Laboratory Type
Positive Test
Negative Tests
Total
State PH Lab
282
1,804
2,086
Non-State PH Lab
2,563
29,962
32,525
Total
2,845
31,766
34,611
For more information on COVID-19 in Tennessee, please visit the Tennessee Department of Health’s website here.
