News

The town of Woodbury is now a little larger.  During Tuesday’s meeting of the Woodbury Mayor and Board of Alderman a small track of property was incorporated into the corporate limits.

A Public Hearing on the proposed annexation by “owner consent”, being A portion of Parcel 021.00 of Cannon County Tax map 039 Group “A”, owned by SLB Partnership located off of John Bragg Highway and which adjoins the Southern property line of Parcel 016.01 of Cannon County Tax Map 039 Group “A”.

Following the hearing, Alderman approved the adoption of Resolution 2019-05. The resolution adopted a Plan of Services for the annexation of property owned by SLB Partnership located off of John Bragg Highway. The area will be used for an expansion of Smith Storage.

 Alderman approved a parade permit for the Veterans Day parade on Saturday, November 9th.

The board also approved a grant application submitted for the purpose of benefiting the Police Department and the Public Works Department.  According to Police Chief Lowell Womack, the grant will be used to purchase backup cameras for vehicles that do not presently have them.  In addition to vehicles in the police department, public works will use the cameras on sanitation trucks.

This is a week for meetings, the Cannon County Commission is scheduled for their monthly meeting on Thursday.  The commission will meet at the courthouse at 5:30pm.

On Saturday, the Cannon County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, along with other concerned citizens, gathered to remember those who have died or suffered permanent injury due to drug overdose. By holding this event, Cannon County joined the global movement for a discussion of a better understanding of substance overdoses, prevention and how to reduce the stigma associated with substance overdoses. Flyers were posted and purple balloons were put up around the square to bring awareness of our loved ones that have lost their lives and those that struggle with substance abuse in our community. Recovery is possible for those that reach out.

Local health officials have confirmed 22 overdoses this year alone in Cannon County. While only 4 deaths have been confirmed, it is difficult to know exactly how many deaths there have actually been due to most patients being transferred to a higher level of health care during treatment. Also factored in are deaths that are reported as other reasons, such as a death or fatal automobile accident that may not be recorded as an overdose death.

One of the best ways to help reduce overdoses of our loved ones in the community is to join an anti-drug coalition. The goal of local coalitions is to help build a safer, healthier, drug-free community by mobilizing local educators, business owners, law enforcement and any concerned citizens. If you want to find out more about how your efforts can improve our community or wish to join the Cannon County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition  call 615-542-8443, e-mail to cannoncoalition@gmail.com or visit the Facebook page at cannoncoalition.

The Cannon County Lions are now 1 and 1 on the young season. Cannon won over Warren County Friday night for their home opener of the year. The score was 20-7. This marks a first for the program, defeating a 6-A team.

Next Friday the second of only four home games will have the Lions playing host to Sequatchie County.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has suspended all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways for the Labor Day holiday travel period.  Construction crews stoped all lane closure activity Friday and will continue through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3.  This will provide maximum roadway capacity for motorists traveling during the busy Labor Day holiday.

Tennessee Department  of Transportation Commissioner Clay Bright commented, “The labor day holiday is a busy travel time. We want to ensure that the thousands of travelers using Tennessee’s roadways during this period arrive at their destinations quickly and safely without being impeded by road construction delays.”

While lane closure activity will be stopped, workers will still be on site in many construction zones, and drivers are urged to obey posted speed limits.  Drivers convicted of speeding in work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250 to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums. 

The new “Hands Free Tennessee” law, which requires drivers to put down their phones and focus on the road, includes a $200 fine if the violation occurs in a work zone while workers are present.

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 Tennessee Department of Health is asking health care providers across the state to report any cases of suspected serious respiratory illness they treat among patients who use electronic cigarettes or other vaping devices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a cluster of severe pulmonary disease among people who use e-cigarettes or vape, with more than 150 cases reported to date in 16 states.

‘’We are alerting Tennessee health care providers to be on the lookout for patients with severe respiratory symptoms who report vaping in the weeks before they got sick,‘’ commented Tennessee Department of Health State Epidemiologist Tim Jones, MD.

Patients have had symptoms including cough, shortness of breath and fatigue, with symptoms growing worse over a period of days or weeks before admission to the hospital. Other symptoms may include fever, chest pain, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Most of the cases are among adolescents and young adults.

TDH issued a public health advisory on the risks posed by vaping, juuling and use of other electronic nicotine delivery products in December 2018 and continues to urge caution to Tennesseans of all ages who use or are considering the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems..

TDH offers free assistance to Tennesseans who want to stop tobacco or nicotine use. Contact your local health department for information on tobacco cessation services and learn about the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine at www.tnquitline.org/.

With summer winding down and many types of produce hitting their peak harvest in Tennessee, there has never been a better time to visit a farmers market.

Farmers markets still have an abundance of fresh tomatoes, squash, zucchini, peppers, and more at this time of the year. Many markets also offer hand-made artisan products, including soaps, essential oil blends, and beeswax items.

Cannon County’s Farmers Market is having a good year.  UT Extension Agent Bruce Steelman has reported that traffic at the market is up this year. Local farmers are providing a good variety of produce for shoppers.

With the addition of a new farmers market in Tullahoma, Coffee County residents and visitors now have even more access to fresh and locally-produced food. “Our customers are supporting vendors from seven counties, and our vendors are helping the Tullahoma community have greater access to fresh foods,” according to market manager Lynne Atkielski.

Another new farmers market in Hardeman County features flowers, teas, and goat milk products. “Our city is utilizing this market as a source of healthy foods and products that are not available without a 20 mile drive,” Lorie Rice with the city of Grand Junction said. “The community has been very supportive of this market and truly benefited from this alternative food source.”

To help you make the best of your upcoming trips, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s farmer-to-consumer program, Pick Tennessee Products, offers several resources to take advantage of farm-fresh bounty long after the kids are back in school. The Pick Tennessee Products website provides tips for successful farmers markets visits, a chart for when Tennessee produce is in season, and a calculator to help customers convert farm measurements to familiar kitchen measures.

The Tennessee’s farmers markets directory can be accessed at www.PickTNProducts.org and via the Pick Tennessee mobile app. Follow Pick Tennessee on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for seasonal updates and information about farm-related events, activities, and products.

A circuit court judge whose territory includes Cannon County has announced plans to retire early next year. Judge Royce Taylor has notified Governor Lee that his retirement date from his court in the 16^th Judicial District will be March 2, 2020. The notice to the governor will allow the search process for Judge Taylor’s replacement to begin.

Taylor’s territory also includes Rutherford County. The state’s Trial Court Vacancy Commission will select an interim replacement for Taylor. They will accept nominations and hold public hearings before sending three names to the governor, who will appoint a judge to serve until August of next year. At that time, the person selected can choose to either run or not run for the seat. All state judges will be up for election in 2022.

Judge Royce Taylor has served 21 years on the bench. Prior to that, he was a Murfreesboro attorney for more than two decades. A graduate of the University of Tennessee and the U. S. Naval Academy, he also served as a Navy SEAL during his service in the military.

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 Thursday, August 29th, 2019 in the Cannon County High School Gymnasium Lobby at 8:45 AM, CCHS Senior Girls Basketball Player Taylor Meeks will sign with Bryan College to continue her basketball career.

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.

Cannon County Schools congratulate Miss Taylor Meeks on her signing with Bryan College, and we look forward to her representing Cannon County Schools and specifically, Cannon County High School at the collegiate level.

Cannon County Commissioners have approved a budget for the current fiscal year.  The action came just after 10:30 Tuesday night following a public hearing for the proposed budget.  The budget approved was however slightly smaller than the one presented earlier.

The evening started with an address from the Deputy Comptroller for the State Jason Mumpower. Mumpower told the commissioners he had been where they are now, as a former member of an elected body.  As commissioners, if they only have one job that would be to approve a balanced budget for the county.  As of last night, 94 counties had approved budgets for the current fiscal year.  Cannon County was the only county in the state to not have an approved budget.

The deputy comptroller went on to say, “in the past few days, many individuals have forwarded to me comments on social media stating that nothing would happen if the county missed its deadline of passing a budget by the end of the month.  I am here tonight to promise you, without a balanced budget as of 12:01am September 1^st, the Comptroller’s office will takeover the finances of Cannon County.”

The Deputy Comptroller and members of his staff answered questions from members of the commission and members of the audience.

During the public hearing segment of the meeting, seventeen persons spoke to the commissioners. Several spoke of their displeasure with the handling of the budget and talk of a tax increase.  Several spoke in favor of funding for the library.  Many spoke in favor of the ambulance service. A few suggested changing the ambulance service over to a private provider.

Following the public hearing, commissioners began to address the budget and review any possibility of reducing the funding levels.

Over the next few hours, almost all departments were discussed and a variety of variations were presented for consideration.  At the beginning of the evening, the proposed budget would generate an increase of the property tax rate by sixteen cents.

The final breakout of the spending

General Fund                                     1.45

Solid Waste / Sanitation                 0 .08

General Purpose School                 0.685

General Debt Service                       0.04

Ambulance Service                          0.2050

Total                                                      2.46

This is $2.46 taxed on each $100.00 of taxable property in the county. The rate is an eight cent increase of last year’s rate of $2.3839.

Note: This story incorrectly listed the rate as 2.42 for a limited time, we are sorry for the mistake and should never write news stories at 2:00am