News

The Cannon County Board of Education has implemented a new phone system with new numbers effective, October 8th, 2019. The new main number is (629) 201-4801, and the new fax number is (629) 201-4830. The new system utilizes VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), and provides considerable cost savings compared to traditional systems. These new numbers are not long distance and does not require dialing “1” from local numbers, except from the 464 exchange, which School Technology personnel are currently working on to resolve the issue.  The old numbers will also remain in service until October 28th, 2019 to minimize disruption in communications.

The following is a listing of Extension Numbers for Cannon County Board of Education Central Office Personnel:

William F. Curtis – Director of Schools                                                Extension 10101

Marcia Melton – Deputy Director/ Supervisor of Instruction              Extension 10108

Bonnie Patterson – Attendance & CSH Supervisor                             Extension 10125

Kathy Mullins – Supervisor of Federal Programs / PreK                      Extension 10126

Audrey James – Special Education Supervisor                                    Extension 10110

Jennifer Insell – Supervisor of Child Nutrition                                     Extension 10111

Bryan Cofer – Director of Technology                                                  Extension 10141

Lisa Black – Director of Transportation, ESP, & SMS                          Extension 10107

Douglas Jennings – Budget Director                                                    Extension 10103

Ricky Arnold – Maintenance Supervisor                                               Extension 10145

Darlene Witty – Federal Programs Bookkeeper                                    Extension 10106

Shannon Bacon – Payroll Clerk & Human Resources                            Extension 10109

Angie Fann – RTI2 Coordinator                                                             Extension 10112

Lisa Bennett – School Psychologist                                                       Extension 10114

Timothy Davis -Sr. Network Technician                                                 Extension 10140

Michael Medford – Network Technician                                                Extension 10129

Stacie Bryson – K-5 System-Wide Instructional Coach                         Extension 10131

Stephanie Alexander – 6-12 System-Wide Instructional Coach             Extension 10130

Stephanie Alford – School Psychology Assistant                                   Extension 10148

Teresa Lewis – Executive Assistant to the Director/Food Service Extension 10102

Governor Bill Lee has proclaimed October 2019 Child Health Month in Tennessee. Child Health Month is a time to celebrate and raise awareness around what Tennessee is doing to promote the health of our most important resource:  Tennessee’s children. 

“Our work has always included a focus on protecting, promoting and improving the wellbeing of Tennessee children and encouraging a lifelong pursuit of healthy living,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “TDH is active in many areas in supporting children’s health, but each of us has a role to play to help keep Tennessee children safe and thriving.” 

Protecting Infant Health TDH data show there were 38 fewer infant deaths in the state in 2018 than in 2017. Infant mortality is defined as the death of a child before his or her first birthday, and is an important marker for population health. Top causes of infant death in Tennessee include prematurity, birth defects and unsafe sleep. TDH has partnered with hospitals and community organizations to reduce the risks of infant deaths through promotion of safe sleep practices, preconception health, prenatal care and reduction of early elective deliveries.

TDH data also show a reduction in cases of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, a condition in which a baby experiences withdrawal from a substance to which he or she was exposed during the mother’s pregnancy. Tennessee became the first state to require reporting of NAS when TDH made NAS a reportable condition in 2013. In 2018, Tennessee saw the first decline in NAS since surveillance began. NAS cases decreased from 1,096 in 2017 to 927 in 2018. Learn more in the TDH NAS Surveillance Annual Report.

Preventing Childhood Trauma TDH is increasing efforts to prevent and reduce the impact of adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, traumatic events that occur before age 18. ACEs include all types of abuse and neglect, parental mental illness, substance use, divorce, incarceration and domestic violence. Studies show a significant relationship between the number of ACEs a person experiences and a variety of negative outcomes in adulthood including poor physical and mental health, substance abuse and risky behaviors. 

Recognizing that ACEs are not fate, TDH is working with partners to develop programs to prevent and mitigate ACEs by promoting safe and supportive environments for families through home visiting, family planning, WIC and training to develop trauma-informed approaches to programs and policies. TDH recently rolled out its new care coordination program Community Health Access and Navigation in Tennessee, or CHANT available to families through all county health departments. Learn more at www.tn.gov/health/healthprogram-areas/fhw/early-childhood-program/chant.html. 

Supporting Healthy Habits  A new report ranks Tennessee first in the nation for child care licensing regulations that support healthy weight practices. TDH partners with the Tennessee Department of Human Services on the Gold Sneaker Initiative to promote healthy nutrition and physical activity in early childhood by enhancing health and wellness policies for licensed childcare facilities across Tennessee. Gold Sneaker-recognized childcare facilities agree to provide increased physical activity and age-appropriate nutrition for the children in their care, as well as a tobacco-free campus. Learn more at www.tn.gov/health/goldsneaker.html. 

Preventing Smoke Exposure  Exposure to secondhand smoke is a serious threat to a child’s health. Adults who use tobacco products are encouraged to call the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine, a free service provided by the Tennessee Department of Health for personalized support for Tennesseans working to end their tobacco use. The QuitLine provides counseling and free nicotine replacement therapy to increase the chances of success. Get started by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visiting www.tnquitline.com.

Pregnant women can get specialized help in quitting smoking through the Baby and Me Tobacco Free program offered at all Tennessee county health departments. Participants earn vouchers for free diapers for each month they remain tobacco-free up to one year after their babies are born. Contact your local health department for information or visit www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/baby-me-tobacco-free.html to find a location. Join TDH in celebrating Child Health Month! Visit the event calendar at www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/mch/child-health-month-2019/chm-eventscalendar.html to submit your event and find activities in your community.  

For the latest round of Agriculture Enterprise Fund (AEF) allocations, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture is awarding the most recipients in a single cycle, adding up to the largest total grant dollars in program history. Eleven more Tennessee businesses now have the opportunity to grow and positively impact rural economies through AEF grants.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, along with Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe, announced the eighth round of recipients of funding through the program.

The AEF is an incentive program that supports job creation and economic growth by facilitating agricultural development in Tennessee. It provides assistance to new and expanding Tennessee agriculture, forestry, and food businesses, particularly in rural counties.

Successful grant recipients must demonstrate a strong potential for impact on local farm income, access to markets, increased capacity, or agricultural innovation. Priority is given to businesses located in at-risk or distressed counties.

AEF grant recipients and projects announced include Batey Farms in Rutherford County, which is adding a seed cleaning facility. Other recipients include:

•             Blaze It Firewood, Benton County – expanding with a new product line

•             Flowers Creamery, Giles County ¬– dairy farm adding a creamery

•             Giles Logging, Anderson County – adding new equipment

•             Howell and Sons, Hardeman County – lumber company adding a sawmill

•             Knockout Firewood, Sevier County – new kiln-dried firewood producer

•             Morristown Stave, Hamblen County – new stave mill

•             Northeast Forest Products, Hamblen County – new timber company

•             Tennessee Tree Cutters, Grundy County –adding new equipment

•             Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods, Franklin County – adding a logging crew

•             Vegan Valley/Nutritional Food Designs, Greene County – expanding storage capacity

“We are very grateful and excited to be chosen as a 2019 recipient of the Agriculture Enterprise Fund grant,” Kyle Orr of Knockout Firewood said. “Our company strives to work together with TDA by exceeding federal and state requirements for heat-treated firewood. This joint effort ensures the beauty and health of our parks for many generations to come. Thank you for this opportunity.” You will find more information about the Tennessee Agriculture Enterprise Fund at www.tn.gov/agriculture

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence resulted in 98 murder victims in Tennessee in 2018.

Here are additional numbers from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation regarding domestic violence. In 2018, 73,568 cases were flagged as domestic related in Tennessee alone. The overall number of domestic related offenses decreased by 5.8% from 2017 to 2018. Women were three times more likely to be victimized than males, accounting for 71.1% for all domestic violence victims, while males accounted for 28.8%. Additionally, juveniles made up 9.8% of reported victims in 2018.

If you need help, call the state’s Domestic Violence Helpline at 1-800-356-6767.

A link to this complete TBI report can be found by clicking this link:   https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tbi/documents/tibrs/2018%20Domestic%20Violence_Final.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3Pz9ZYEwJX0fdvH-dCTv0YdFqI77o1JFE5c-4eRfVvA-Rb0AP8rW0kvOc

Adams Memorial Library will continue to be the digital connection for many county residents with the addition of new equipment. Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett presented a technology grant to library officials Tuesday. The Cannon County Library System will receive a $3,649.00 technology grant.

The Secretary noted that if not for the strong local support of the library by the Adams Association, a grant of this amount would not have been possible. The technology grants are offered on a 50/50 match.

The Tennessee State Library and Archives technology grants are for public libraries to replace or purchase technology, including computers, software, networking hardware or peripherals.  

The State Library and Archives is awarding more than $350,000 in technology grants across the state. 

In addition to Secretary Hargett, Rep. Clark Boyd and Senator Mark Pody were also in attendance for the presentation.

The REAL ID Act goes into effect on October 1, 2020. By then, all persons must have a REAL ID license for boarding commercial flights within the United States, accessing certain federal facilities, and entering nuclear facilities and military bases. 

The REAL ID Act of 2005 established minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet the Act’s minimum standards. 

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) began issuing REAL IDs July 1, 2019 and has issued more than 156,601 REAL ID credentials to date.

Tennesseans are strongly encouraged to apply for a REAL ID in time to meet the October 1, 2020 deadline. More information about Tennessee REAL ID can be found at www.tnrealid.gov

Beef or dairy producers with at least 30 heard of cattle are eligible for Tennessee Ag Enhancement cost share. This new program focuses on improving the whole herd health and reputation of Tennessee cattle by encouraging producers to develop a preventative vaccination protocol for their cattle operation. A herd health protocol helps to safeguard against sickness and death loss within the herd.

This program requires basic preventative vaccinations that focus on respiratory diseases, Blackleg, and breeding health. Producers are encouraged to work with a Tennessee licensed large animal veterinarian to develop a vaccination protocol for their herd. Reimbursement is based upon a per head payment instead of a cost share percentage.      

Producers must apply for funding no later than October 15, 2019. Receipts dated October 1, 2019 or after are eligible for cost share reimbursement contingent on approval of application. To be eligible, producers must have a current Beef Quality Assurance Certification at the time the application is submitted.

Livestock producers applying for TAEP Farm Investment dollars are eligible for 35% cost-share. To increase cost share to 50%, producers must attend The University of Tennessee Extension Advanced Master Beef (AMB) program. Producers who graduated from past TAEP programs prior to 2016 will not qualify for the 50% TAEP cost share, and must renew their AMB certification. The next Master Beef Certification meeting begins on Tuesday, October 8th at the Centertown Community at 6:00 P.M. Participants must attend all four sessions to obtain a Master Beef certification. Contact the Cannon County Extension Office to verify when you attended the most recent AMBP course. Beef and dairy producers can drop by the Cannon County UT Extension Office to update or obtain a BQA certification. Call the Extension Office at 615-563-2554 to schedule a time for BQA certification.

The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) has announced $23 million in federal grant funds to be distributed statewide from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 2019-2020 Federal Fiscal Year. Three of those grants affect Cannon County.

The Cannon County Sheriff’s Department will receive $10,000 for alcohol and impaired driver enforcement. The Woodbury Police Department also received a grant for the same purpose, in the amount of $10,150. Additionally, the 16^th Judicial District Attorney General Jennings Jones’ office will receive $202,750 for prosecution of DUI cases.

More than 335 federal grants exceeding $20 million in total have been awarded to law enforcement agencies and highway safety partners across Tennessee. Approximately $3 million in media grant funds will be allocated for statewide highway safety education and public awareness campaigns.

Tennessee exporters suffered a tough second quarter almost across the board, particularly in auto sales, according to the latest “Global Commerce” trade report from MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center. Report author Steven Livingston, a professor of political science and international relations at MTSU, said only the medical sector posted strong gains.

Livingston said the state’s foreign shipments fell by $643 million (year over year), a 7.5 percent decline. There were losses across a number of sectors including whiskey, agriculture, and automotive products. He said the losses were worldwide, stretching from Canada and Mexico to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

This placed Tennessee in 33rd in the U.S. in its export performance. Nationally, exports were down a bit over 3% for the quarter, with “the slowdown in automotive sales was particularly serious” for the state, Livingston noted.

The losses involved three factors:

• The continuing slow growth of the world economy.

• The impact of the U.S. trade war with China and other countries.

• Declines in global automotive sales and production.

To read the full report and more detailed summaries, go to https://mtsu.edu/globalcommerce/2Q2019/2q2019.php.

Senator Lamar Alexander said the bill he voted for Thursday in the Senate Appropriations Committee will give states like Tennessee a boost in their fight against the opioid crisis. The bill provides $505 million for U.S. Department of Justice grants to help states including Tennessee tackle the opioid crisis. States could use the grants to help fund their drug courts, educational efforts, law enforcement programs, recovery programs, and treatment programs.

Alexander said, “Our law enforcement officers witness almost daily the tragedy associated with the opioid crisis, which effects virtually every American community. This funding will help give them the support they need to keep our communities safe.”

The bill also includes $100 million for the STOP School Violence Act – legislation that allows the Department of Justice to make grants to states for training, technology and equipment, and technical assistance to help stop school violence. Some #12 million for meth lab cleanup is included in the measure, which also provides $38 million for the Regional Information Sharing Systems Program (RISS) to assist law enforcement agencies in collecting and sharing information, supporting criminal investigations and promoting law enforcement officer safety

The legislation is now ready for consideration by the full Senate.