News

Now that the budget is approved for the county, the work of the new fiscal year is underway. The selection of a chairman for the commission is one of those tasks.  Commissioners made a change in chairman electing commissioner Greg Mitchell as chairman at the Thursday night meeting.  Following the election of Mitchell, Commissioner Russell Reed was elected Chairman ProTem.

Among items seeing action during the half-hour meeting included;

The county has employed the services of the Barrett Group to advise the County Executive and the Commission on finding and improving options before the county. The commission has taken action on many of the Barrett Group’s recommendations.  In a letter to commissioners, Donna Barrett suggested that the work was done and letting the current agreement expire as a positive action. Commissioners voted to accept the recommendation and let the working agreement with Barrett end.

Commissioners approved Resolution 2019-13, known as the Adequate Facilities Tax. The tax is actually an impact fee for new construction. The resolution takes effect in 30 days.

Commissioners also accepted 3 Star Letter from the state.  Being designed a 3 Star County places the county at a competitive advantage with the state.

Since some stakeholders concerning the formation of a committee dealing with laws concerning animals and shelters were not present.  The discussion was tabled until next month.

DeKalb Telephone Cooperative, Inc. doing business as DTC Communications will host its annual meeting next Saturday, Sept. 14th, at the DeKalb County Fairgrounds in Alexandria.

Directors will be elected in the Auburntown, Gordonsville, Temperance Hall, and Woodland exchanges.

Incumbents Roy N. Pugh – Auburntown exchange, James H. Dillard, Jr. – Gordonsville exchange, Kurt Bass – Temperance Hall exchange, and David Parker – Woodland exchange are running unopposed.

Voting for directors will take place at the cooperative’s annual meeting on Saturday, Sept. 14. Gates to the DeKalb County Fairgrounds in Alexandria will open at 8:45 a.m., with voting from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. The business meeting will begin at 11 a.m. or once the last person in line at that time has voted.

Only DTC members may vote, and each member must present proper photo identification. For a single membership, only that individual may vote. Either member of a joint membership may vote, but not both. In the case of a business membership, a business affidavit is required.

“Celebrate the end of the summer with us at Light Up the Night.  It will be perfect dancing weather with temperatures in the low 70’s,” said Child Advocacy Center director Sharon De Boer. 

The 3rd Annual Light Up the Night party will be held at Oaklands Mansion in Murfreesboro on Friday evening, September 6, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.  Dance under the stars at the party of the seaon, mix and mingle, and enjoy an evening that will benefit a great cause—child abuse victims served by the Child Advocacy Centers in Rutherford and Cannon Counties.

“Guests are asked to wear white to help Light up the Night!” continued De Boer.  “Grab your dancing shoes because the Nashville based band Crossroads will have you dancing the night away with your favorite dance partner.”  Professional photographer Frank Caperton will capture the moment in photos. 

Brittnie Noble and Elizabeth Benton announced the amazing food menu for the event:  Blue Cactus Cantina Brisket Quesadillas, Corelife Eatery Southwestern Rice Bowl, Goodness Gracious Cafe Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs, Goodness Gracious Cafe Finger foods, and Puckett’s Grocery Pimento Cheese Bites. 

The delicious desserts include Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop Pies, Double Tree Cookies, Krispy Kreme Donuts, O’Charleys Pecan Pies, and Puckett’s Grocery Cobbler Shots.

The signature White Sangria will be served, along with beer, wines, and iced teas.   Drinks will be provided by

Old Fort Liquor and Wine, Goodness Gracious Café, and Puckett’s Grocery.

Guest can bid on auction items including trips to Gatlinburg TN, Chattanooga TN, Savannah GA, Atlanta GA, and Jack Daniels Distillery.  Back by popular demand are the surprise boxes of hope that will be sold for $50 and $100. 

De Boer stated that, “The Child Advocacy Center is grateful to our faithful supporters that include Adams Family Foundation, Bell Jewelers, Beyond Aquatics, Mike Busey State Farm Insurance, Cornerstone Financial Credit Union, Doubletree Hotel, Goco Center for Aesthetics (Paul Goco, M.D.), Hall Davidson and Associates, Aurelia Holden, Jaime E. and Amy Jaramillo, Pam and Danny Jones, Junior League of Murfreesboro, Kiwanis Club of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors, Middle Tennessee Ear, Nose, and Throat (Dr. Mark and Jill Converse), Middle Tennessee Electric Sharing Change  Inc., Middle Tennessee Emergency Physicians, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, Mitchell & Mitchell Attorneys At Law, Dr. and Mrs. Michael and Diane Moran, Murfreesboro Flower Shop, Murfreesboro Medical Clinic Pediatrics, Murfreesboro Young Professionals, Nesting

Project, Oaklands Mansion, Elizabeth R. Parker, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Shacklett’s Photography, Smyrna Smith Bros. Car Wash, Sudsy’s Car Wash, Bill and Lucy Whitesell, Wilson Bank and Trust (Andy Jakes), Andy and Cherry Womack State Farm Insurance, Woodfin Memorial Chapel, and VIP Murfreesboro.

“Crimes against children often occur in the dark.  This event brings light to the serious issue of child sexual abuse,” concluded De Boer.  “Come out and support our communities youngest and most vulnerable crime victims—child sexual abuse victims.”

Tickets are $75 for an individual or $140 per couple and are available to purchase at cacrutherford.org/events.  Tickets will also be available at the event.  For questions, call the Child Advocacy Center in Rutherford County at 615-867-9000 or in Cannon County at 615-563-9915.

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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.