News

The Nashville office of the National Weather Service has issued the following for middle Tennessee.

FREEZE WATCH FROM LATE THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING

* WHAT…Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 27 to 29 degrees possible.

* WHERE…The entire Middle Tennessee area.

* WHEN…From late Thursday night through Friday morning.

* IMPACTS…Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other

  sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor  plumbing.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

…A Cold and Blustery Halloween Is On Tap for Middle Tennessee…

After a storm system brings 1 to 2 inches of rainfall tonight, the system will work off to our northeast by Thursday afternoon. As the system exits, colder air will begin to spread across the midstate. Early Thursday morning, temperatures will start out in the mid 40s far northwest, to the lower to mid 60s Plateau. By late afternoon, temperatures will fall into the upper 30s to mid 40s.

Making it feel even colder will be the west northwest winds of 10 to 15 mph. This will produce wind chill values of 30 to 35 degrees during the trick or treating late afternoon and early evening hours.

If participating in outdoor trick or treating activities, please dress warmly by wearing layers of clothing, including a hat and gloves.

Otherwise, overnight lows will reach the upper 20s to lower 30s area wide by sunrise Friday morning. For that reason, a freeze watch is currently in effect area wide. The near to just below freezing overnight low temperatures will continue through the weekend.

A Cannon County teen has received the highest award in a regional 4-H grilling contest. Cannon County 4-H member Samantha Swoape for competing at the Tennessee 4-H Outdoor Meat Cookery Contest. More than 160 participants competed in the midstate this year from around 20 counties. As the first place winner for the region, Swoape was invited to compete at the Tennessee 4-H Outdoor Meat Cookery contest at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Members of 4-H in grades 7 through 12 can participate in this fun, practical contest that stresses safety, as well as cooking skills. Each contestant must start his or her own charcoal grill, prepare the meat, and cook it to perfection. On a four-person team, each member grills a different type of meat: beef, poultry, lamb, and pork.  They are judged to make sure they start their fires properly, prepare the meat safely, and cook it to the correct temperature.  Finally, the meat is judged on taste, texture, appearance, and originality of recipe.

Although her team placed 4th in the contest and only the top 3 teams advance, U-T Extension Service officials in Woodbury say this was a wonderful opportunity to showcase Cannon County 4-H.

4-H is the Youth Development program for University of Tennessee. 4-H teaches leadership, citizenship, and life skills to more than 302,000 youth in grades 4-12. UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment through the cooperation of county, state, and federal governments.

DeKalb County has agreed to a plan of action to keep certification of its jail in place. Under the agreement, the county will make regular reports to the Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI) to remedy the issues with its facilities.

State prison regulators told DeKalb County officials to work toward a long-range plan to address several long-standing structural deficiencies – or risk losing certification.

The county has corrected several problems identified in an August report, but a follow-up visit this month showed DeKalb County has been unable to move forward on other major concerns.

One serious issue is the amount of square footage per inmate. State law requires a minimum of 35 square feet per person, if the inmate is confined more than 10 hours a day. DeKalb County currently has only 25 square feet allotted per person. Another major concern is the age of the main 1959 jail building, and that it lacks many of the features now required in jails, including a sprinkler system. Even the 2001 annex has its own concerns.

The County Technical Advisory Service (CTAS) will work with the county, as TCI’s Board of Control measures DeKalb County’s progress in updating its jail facilities.

Thanks to Media Partner WJLE

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is joining schools across the state and nation to celebrate Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31. The celebration is a time for youth, educators, parents, and communities to learn about the dangers of drug use and prevent addiction.

Red Ribbon Week raises awareness of drug use and the problems related to drugs facing communities and encourages parents, educators, business owners, and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles.

Unemployment rates in nearly every Tennessee county, including distressed counties, declined during September, according to data released this week by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Ninety counties experienced lower unemployment in September, while the rate remained the same in one county, and increased in four counties. The latest statistics show unemployment rates are less than 5 percent in 90 counties and 5 percent or greater in five counties.

Several of Tennessee’s distressed counties saw significant improvement in unemployment compared to their August statistics. Rates dropped in 12 of the state’s 15 distressed counties. 

Cannon County for September had an unemployment rate of 2.9, that was an improvement over August of 3.3.  Of the five counties surrounding Cannon, 2.9 rate placed the county in the middle of the pack with DeKalb and Warren with a 3.8 unemployment rate, Coffee with 3.1.  Performing better was Rutherford with 2.4 and Wilson with a rate of 2.5.

Once again, in September, Williamson and Sevier counties claim the lowest unemployment rates in the state. Both counties recorded a rate of 2.3 percent, which is 0.2 of a percentage point lower than their August rates.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 3.4 percent in September, down 0.1 of a percentage point when compared to August.

Nationally, unemployment declined in September by 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.5 percent.

Job seekers can find more than 200,000 current openings from across the state on Tennessee’s workforce development website www.Jobs4TN.gov.

Many organizations are businesses have activities scheduled for this weekend. Because of the events, we wanted to make you aware of the following:

Special Weather Statement from National Weather Service Nashville

Heavy Rain Possible late Friday into Saturday…

A strong storm system is expected to bring widespread rain to Middle Tennessee Friday into Saturday. Light rain is forecast to spread northward across the mid state as the day on Friday progresses. Rain coverage across the mid state will increase as the day progresses also, becoming heavy at times Friday night into Saturday morning. Rain is expected to exit most of the area by late Saturday night. Some lingering light showers maybe possible across Cumberland Plateau Region through Sunday afternoon.

Rainfall totals Friday through Sunday afternoon are forecast to range from 2 to 4 inches across Middle Tennessee, with some areas across western portions of the mid state potentially seeing up to 5 inches. Due to the ongoing drought conditions, no significant flooding is currently anticipated but some localized flooding will be possible.

This statement is for Cannon and all surrounding counties.

This Saturday, (October 26^th) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Cannon County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 18th opportunity in nine years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to Woodbury Drug Center at 604 W Main Street. (Sites cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last fall Americans turned in nearly 460 tons (more than 900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and almost 4,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 17 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in almost 12 million pounds—nearly 5,500 tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Come by with all your old and unused prescription pills, and meet and support the folks of your local Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition. In our April Take Back event, over 21 pounds were turned in locally and passed along to the DEA for incineration. Those that drop off old & unused prescription drugs will receive a coupon for a personal prescription lock box, while supply last.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 26^th Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com or visit our Facebook page at ‘cannoncoalition’.

Maria Vickers has been named as the Assistant Principal for Woodland School in Bradyville and West Side School in Readyville.  Vickers was selected following recommendations of Woodland School Principal Angela Cossey and West Side School Principal Karen King to Cannon County Director of Schools William F. Curtis.  She will serve at Woodland School on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and Tuesday and Thursday at West Side School.

Woodland School Principal Angela Cossey and West Side School Principal Karen King evaluated several very qualified individuals for the Assistant Principal position.  Woodland School Principal Cossey commented, “Mrs. Maria has served Woodland School for numerous years as the Assistant Principal/Kindergarten Teacher and has become an outstanding educator.  We are excited for her continuation at Woodland School in this expanded administrative role.” West Side School Principal King stated, “Mrs. Maria will be an excellent fit into the West Side School family.  She has much experience in the classroom that will aid her in this administrative position.  We welcome her to our faculty and look forward to her assisting our school.”   

Vickers is a veteran educator in Cannon County Schools where she has taught at Woodland Elementary for 18 years. She has taught fourth grade, second grade, first grade, and Kindergarten.  During her years at Woodland, Mrs. Vickers has served as part time assistant principal for 9 nine years.  She graduated from MTSU with an undergraduate degree in 2001.  She then went on to earn a Master’s in Administration and Supervision from Bethel University in 2013.  Mrs. Vickers is a native of Cannon County.  She is married to her husband Trent, and raises her four year old and seventeen year old daughters.  Maria volunteers with all of her girls’ activities and church events.  She has a great passion for helping students and plans to continue this venture as full time assistant principal of Woodland and West Side. 

Director of Schools Mr. William F. Curtis stated, “Woodland School Principal Mrs. Angela Cossey and West Side School Principal Mrs. Karen King recommended to me that Mrs. Maria Vickers be the new Assistant Principal for the schools after evaluating several excellent applicants.  I have accepted their recommendations, and Mrs. Vickers will began her new duties on this week.  She has excellent educational credentials, and experiences that will enhance her abilities as an administrator.  We wish her all the best as she begins her tenure in this unique position as Assistant Principal for two of our schools in Cannon County to assist them in accomplishing our MISSION to prepare all the Woodland School and West Side School students for their future by our VISION of engaging in excellence every day.”

The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation announced this week its first-quarter (July 1 through Sept. 30, 2019) transfer to education of $96.8 million, bringing the total raised since inception to more than $5.16 billion since the Lottery began Jan. 20, 2004.

“We’re proud of these results,” said Rebecca Hargrove, President and CEO of the Tennessee Lottery. “The Lottery remains committed to the business strategies that have helped dreams become reality for so many.”

Additional highlights from the first quarter include a record for first quarter instant game sales of $351.6 million. The quarter also saw all-time record sales of $37.1 million for Tennessee-only drawing-style games.

Nearly 150,000 students benefited from Lottery-funded programs during the past academic year, and nearly 1.5 million scholarships and grants have been awarded since 2004. In addition to the educational beneficiaries, players have won more than $14.3 billion in prizes and Lottery retailers have earned more than $1.3 billion in retailer commissions since inception.