News

Outlook among Tennessee business leaders has fallen sharply in recent months, according to the latest Tennessee Business Barometer by MTSU’s Jones College of Business. Results of the quarterly statewide online survey showed the index dropped to 211 from 428 in July. The index is based on the percentage of positive and negative responses from survey participants to a series of economic questions.

The results show that although Tennessee business leaders remain relatively positive about the current economy, expectations for the future economy and their individual firms have declined. MTSU researchers who conducted the study say the general decline seems to result from growing concerns regarding economic and political uncertainty, especially with continuing uncertainty around a China trade agreement as well as tariff impacts.

Researchers also say the decline in outlook by Tennessee business leaders mirrors the drop in the Conference Board’s national measure of confidence among CEOs. “Their Measure of CEO Confidence™ has fallen to its lowest level since 2009. The Conference Board is a nonpartisan think tank that surveys U.S. consumers each month to produce a Consumer Confidence Index.

A bright spot in the survey is that consumer outlook remains strong. Since consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of overall U.S. economic activity, the researchers say such spending could help keep the economy growing.

The current online survey of 65 business leaders from across Tennessee was conducted in partnership with the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry Oct. 3-9. The sample of respondents includes business owners (32%), vice presidents (8%), senior managers (23%), and managers/others (37%) at firms of various sizes. Find the full survey report and previous reports at http://www.mtsu.edu/consumer/reportsbarometer.php.

Director of Cannon County Schools William F. Curtis, Cannon County High School Principal Courtney Nichols, CCHS Athletic Director Matt Cagle, and CCHS Girls Basketball Coach Jonathan Odom announce that on Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019 in the Cannon County High School Gymnasium Lobby at 8:45 AM, CCHS Senior Girls Basketball Player Kristen Fann will sign with Bryan College to continue her basketball career.  Kristen is the second CCHS Lionette Basketball Senior Player to sign with the Bryan College Lady Lions, as CCHS Senior Taylor Meeks signed in August 2019.

William Jennings Bryan University was chartered in 1930 and admitted its first class in the fall of that year. Its stated purpose was, and is, to provide “for the higher education of men and women under auspices distinctly Christian and spiritual.” In 1958 its name was changed to William Jennings Bryan College and in 1993 was shortened to Bryan College.  The College seeks to assist in the personal growth and development of qualified students by providing an education based upon an integrated understanding of the Bible and the liberal arts.  Located in Dayton, Tennessee, Bryan has a total enrollment of 1,000 students.  As a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA-I), Bryan College women’s basketball participates at the highest level of competition while striving to seek excellence both on-and-off the court.  Our conference affiliation is the prestigious Appalachian Athletic Conference consisting of schools from Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. 

Head Coach of Women’s Basketball Jason Smith will enter into his eighth season this fall to continue his reign as the winningest coach in program history with a 172-80 record. Coach Smith and the Lady Lions have high expectations this upcoming year as they are coming off the programs best season to date. In the 2018-19 season the Lady Lions held an undefeated 26-0 regular-season record, which was the best mark ever recorded in AAC women’s basketball history, and finished the season with a final record of 31-2. The Lady Lions became back-to-back regular season conference champions, three-peated as conference tournament champions, and made their third straight appearance at the NAIA Div. II Women’s Basketball National Championship. Coach Smith was awarded top honors with the AAC Coach of the Year title, and the Lady Lions team was presented with a plethora of awards and honors. Among the long list of accomplishments one Lady Lion won AAC Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defensive Team, and All-Conference Second team, two players won All-Conference First Team, two more Lions were on the All-freshman team, and five were awarded with All-Academic honors.

TDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway program is celebrating 30 years of beautifying Tennessee roadsides. The program began statewide in 1989 as a means for individuals, community groups and civic organizations to clean-up their communities and receive roadside recognition. The completely free program has grown over time, removing more than 12 million pounds of litter from Tennessee roadsides. Today, more than 550 miles of roadside across the state have been adopted.

“Adopt-A-Highway is a win for everyone involved,” explained Commissioner Clay Bright. “This program allows for our department to directly connect to those who care about their community’s appearance. Volunteers receive recognition and TDOT saves money on picking up litter.”

According to 2016 litter research (Baselice & Associates, April 2016), over 100 million pieces of litter exist on Tennessee rights-of-ways at any given time. That number has decreased by 53 percent since 2006, largely due to volunteer efforts through the Adopt-a-Highway Program. Still, TDOT spends more than $15 million annually on litter pickup and prevention education. 

Adopt-A-Highway is a free program for the public to volunteer to clean up a 2 mile stretch of local state highway. Clean-ups are conducted quarterly and reported to TDOT. Local department staff provides safety equipment, trash grabbers and bags. For the effort, TDOT installs free roadside recognition panels along every adopted area, naming the adoptive individual, group, or organization. For help getting started, program resources are available electronically on the TDOT website.

For more information about TDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway program, visit: https://www.tn.gov/tdot/environmental-home/environmental-highway-beautification-office/adopt-a-highway.html. For more information about TDOT’s Nobody Trashes Tennessee statewide litter prevention campaign, visit: www.nobodytrashestennessee.com.

The 4-H Chick Chain project is designed to teach 4-H members recommended management practices for growing and raising chickens.

Congratulations to the Black Sex-Link Grand Champion winner from Woodland Elementary, John Daniel, and Red Sex-Link Grand Champion winner Kendall Hedrick, Homeschool. Congratulations also to the Black Sex-Link Reserve Champion from Homeschool, Toby Tucker and Red Sex-Link Reserve Grand Champion Jayden Shannon from West Side Elementary.

This year there were 19 participants which raised the chickens from April until October.  Each member did an excellent job!  We appreciate TJ Daniels implementing the auction and Dr. Kevin Downs with MTSU judging the birds. We appreciate the community support for this project and all money raised from the auction benefits the 4-H Chick Chain Program next year.

Cannon County Extension staff would like to thank the 4-H members, parents, volunteers, and buyers for making this year’s Chick Chain Show and Auction a huge success. If you would like to be added to the poultry buyer mailing list or for more information, call the UT Extension office at 615-563-2554.        

Mitzie Bush, Special Education Teacher and Interventionist at Woodland School was named as “Employee of the Month” for September 2019 by Cannon County Schools. During the October Meeting of the Cannon County Board of Education, Bush was recognized at the meeting and was presented a certificate at Woodland School the following day by Cannon County Schools Director William F. Curtis for her service to the Cannon County School System.  Employees are nominated by School Principals or School District Supervisors and are voted on during monthly Principal and Supervisor meetings regarding individuals who exemplify the Mission and Vision of Cannon County Schools.

Woodland Principal, Angela Cossey stated regarding her excellent employee, “Mrs. Mitzie Bush is an exemplary teacher at Woodland School. Her passion for teaching and learning is contagious! Mrs. Mitzie has a demonstrated record of commitment and enthusiasm for teaching and leading within her classroom and outside of her classroom walls. She goes above and beyond every day for our students and makes sure students are getting what they need to be successful. She always greets students, parents, and colleagues with a smile and makes connections with her students that will last a lifetime. The teachers, staff, students, and parents of Woodland School appreciate her dedication and service in helping make our school a great place to learn.”

Supervisor of Special Education for Cannon County Schools, Audrey James, nominated Mitzie stating, “Mrs. Mitzie Bush has been teaching for many years here in Cannon County. She exhibits a growth mindset to all of our teachers, faculty and staff. Mitzie cares for her students and their needs deeply. She comes to work early and stays late many days to prepare to meet the students’ needs. She strives to meet the whole student’s needs in addition to academic needs. Her dedication and love for her students are exhibited daily in her efforts. She goes out of her way to meet parents, staff and students where they are. She is greatly appreciated. ”

Director of Cannon County Schools, Mr. William F. Curtis, commented “I met Mrs. Mitzie Bush in 1986 as a colleague at West Side Elementary School.  As colleagues, Mrs. Mitzie taught Third Grade and assisted me greatly as I began my journey teaching students.  She later transferred to Woodland School and became an outstanding Special Education Interventionist with the students.  She has exemplified what a true professional is through her influence with her students and being a powerful advocate in their lives.  Her love for students and their learning has been demonstrated in the hundreds of students she has taught.  I believe Mrs. Mitzie Bush greatly personifies our Mission of Cannon County Schools of ‘Preparing All Students for their Future’ by most assuredly being ‘The New E3 – Engaged in Excellence Every Day.’  Congratulations to Mrs. Mitzie Bush for being an impactful ‘Team Player’ in our Cannon County Schools family.”

The Tennessee Department of Health has received reports of 49 cases of serious lung injury among people who use electronic cigarettes or other vaping devices. This is an immediate public health concern with potentially severe consequences.

At this time, no single product or substance has been linked to all the lung injury cases and the specific chemical or ingredient causing lung injuries associated with e-cigarette use or vaping remains unknown. 

While this investigation is ongoing, TDH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend Tennesseans consider refraining from using e-cigarette or vaping products. 

Regardless of the ongoing investigation, youth should not use e-cigarette or vaping products, and adults who do not currently use tobacco products should not start. TDH also advises that women who are pregnant should not use e-cigarette or vaping products. Adults who used ecigarettes to quit cigarette smoking are advised not to return to smoking cigarettes.

TDH in partnership with CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating these cases as part of a nationwide outbreak of severe pulmonary disease among people who use ecigarettes or vape, with nearly 1,300 cases reported to date in 49 states.

TDH is providing information about this investigation and the number of Tennessee patients associated with this outbreak online at www.tn.gov/health/cedep/vaping-illness.html. 

Electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices are not approved by the FDA for smoking cessation. Smokers attempting to quit should use evidence-based treatments including counseling and FDA-approved medications. If you need help quitting tobacco products including e-cigarettes, contact your health care provider, your local health department or the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or www.tnquitline.org/. 

The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security has developed a reporting app that will allow users to anonymously report safety concerns. The Homeland Security office will review, assess, and then forward reports to law enforcement, mental health crisis teams, and/or school administrators based on the information received.  The attached FAQ provides additional detail on the app and the notification process.  The attached handout from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security is a helpful tool that Cannon County Schools are sharing with our school communities. The information is also on our website at http://www.ccstn.net for use in our school district.  The handout addresses how the app works, what to report, and where the app can be downloaded.  The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security has delivered posters about the SafeTN app to Cannon County Schools. 

Director of Cannon County Schools, Mr. William F. Curtis stated, “Keeping OUR Students safe is Cannon County Schools top priority.  We know some situations alarm parents/guardians, but we want to thank them and our students for continuing to be vigilant and for reporting any suspicious activity you see. The SafeTN app is one way to anonymously do so. I ask parents/guardians to please talk with your children and please tell school officials (Teacher, Principal, Counselor, etc.) regarding any suspicious activity.  Doing so is one of the best ways to assist us with maintaining our safe campuses which aids us in fulfilling our MISSION of “Preparing All Students for Their Future!”

Today, October 10, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) promotes the 19^th annual celebration of “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day,” a national campaign to unite the country in achieving one full-day of zero traffic deaths.

“The loss of one life is too many,” said THSO Director Vic Donoho. “We ask all Tennesseans to put the brakes on this issue through voluntary compliance. This means wearing seat belts, driving sober, and avoiding distractions like texting while driving.”

According to Tennessee’s Integrated Traffic Analysis Network (TITAN), there have been 861 traffic fatalities statewide in 2019. This time last year, there were 806.

The THSO offers the following safe driving tips:

• Ensure your teen driver follows the Tennessee Graduated Driver License Laws.
• Make sure to buckle up, and properly restrain all child passengers.
• Watch for pedestrians at busy intersections.
• Obey all speed limits, especially in work zones and school zones.
• Always drive “hands free” according to Tennessee’s Hands Free Law.
• Share the road with bicyclists and motorcyclists.
• Never drive drowsy.
• Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

For more information, please visit www.tntrafficsafety.org.

Originally scheduled for October 12 & 13, Jason Petty’s show has been POSTPONED until June 20 & 21, 2020. Arts Center management apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause for patrons.

All pre-purchased tickets will be refunded or transferred to the new performance dates. If you purchased tickets to this show wish to speak with an Arts Center employee about a refund, please call (615) 563-2787.

Tickets are on sale now for the June 2020 performances. They can be purchased by clicking here:  http://www.artscenterofcctickets.com/cgi-bin/BuyTickets.cgi?OrderNumber=&ShowID=CNTRYPETTY2020

The Murfreesboro Police Department is investigating a rash of vehicle break-ins where car windows were shattered, vehicles broken into and items stolen early Monday morning. So far, officers have responded to more than 50 vehicle break-ins at several hotels and at apartment complexes off Medical Center Parkway near Interstate 24. 

Owners started calling police after they awoke to find their vehicles vandalized and items inside stolen. Hotel workers spent Monday morning sweeping up broken glass and covering broken windows with plastic because of the rain.

The suspect(s) took anything of value from some of the vehicles, but most were just rummaged through and nothing was taken. The suspects were driving a newer model, dark colored pickup. Video is available on the Murfreesboro Police Department’s Facebook and Twitter sites.

Police have not identified a suspect, so if you know who is responsible, call Det. Sgt. Tommy Massey at (629) 201-5521.